Disclaimer: This story is a piece of fiction based on the author's imagination and has nothing to do with the actual life of Ashwin Kumar and Sivaangi Krishnakumar.

~ * ~

Ashaangi TS The Family Affair

Part III

Although Ashwin wanted to apologize to Sivaangi, they had to handle their daughter first. Surprisingly Ashvaa took it well and felt more guilty about the way she behaved with Shalini and wanted to apologize to her in person at school the next day.

Just as Ashwin relaxed and went to convince his wife, he got a call from his new movie's director's assistant who asked him to come meet the director right away stating emergency. So, he had to leave reluctantly.

It was around eleven at night when Ashwin was done with his works. It was supposed to be a meeting with director but then it got extended. One thing led to another and he ended up meeting a music director along with the director and producer for the movie. So, he got pretty late. While he drove back, he called his son catching up with him for the day.

"Seri, epo da veetuku vara?" Ashwin asked as he turned the car into his area.

"Pa, koncha naal kalichu varen. Ipovey anga vandhu ena pana poren? Veetlayeh dhan irukanum"

"Apo anga matum ena panringa sir uh?"

"Inga thatha pati kuda jolly ah iruken. Pati enaku pidichathu lam samachu tharanga. Thatha daily gardening soli thararu, veliya kuptu poraru. Inga Joe (Beagle dog) um irukan. Anga vandha na andha Puli Kuttan (Sivaangi's cat) kudumbathoda sandai podanum" Sivaash said making Ashwin laugh.

"Namma Puli Kuttan nee ilatha naala scratch pana yarum ilama kavala pattutu iruku, Sivash. Nee yenna da na ipdi solra"

"Edhu scratch pana va? Pa! Ithuku dhan na sonen namma pesama oru dog vanguvom nu. Super plan ellam potu vachurundhen. Amma dhan Puli Kuttan family kochukum nu plan ah flop akivitutanga!"

"Dei, athu onga amma veedu da. Ava dhan decide panuva yaru irukanum iruka kudathu nu. Athu naan ah irundhalum seri nee ah irundhalum seri"

"Hello daddy. Odanae na amma ku against ah pesura mathiri plate ah mathathinga. Epovum indha Sivash avan amma pakkam dhan. Athunala dhan per la kuda Sivash avan amma per ah mothala vachurukan."

"Vachurukan ah? Naanga vachom" Ashwin interjected.

"Athu matter kedayathu. Naan dhan amma ooda first favorite uh. Athuku aprm dhan neenga, Ashvaa lam, Mr. AK. Puriyuthula" Sivash scoffed.

"Dei en kuda poti ku varatha. En pondatti ku naan dhan da romba pidikum. Nee, onga akka lam aduthu dhan" Ashwin said with a knowing smile.

"Athu epdi neenga apdi solalam. Na av-" Sivash started but Ashwin cut him in middle.

"Seri, seri. Dialogue vitathu pothum. Olunga Friday kula veedu vandhu seru. Enaku Saturday la irundhu one week off, latest FIFA CD vangi vachuruke. Veladuvom"

Sivash was excited for his father's off week and agreed to come home by Friday. Ashwin asked his son not to disturb his grandparents and wished him good night before hanging up the call.

After parking the car, Ashwin walked inside. Sivaangi and Ashvaa retired to their room long ago. He wanted to check up on Ashvaa but he had to apologize to Sivaangi first. So, he walked inside the kitchen, had a glass of water before walking towards their room. He opened the door making sure not to make noise so that Sivaangi's sleep won't be disturbed.

But when Ashwin stepped inside the room, he saw that Sivaangi was wide awake. She was resting herself against the headrest and busy with her mobile. He tried to smile when she looked up at him for a couple of second but she looked down making him pout.

Mentally heaving a sigh, Ashwin placed his mobile and airpods on the dressing table before grabbing his night wear. He eyed at his wife as he changed himself and pursed his lips in disappointment when Sivaangi didn't spare a glance at him.

Scratching his head, Ashwin slipped inside the washroom, got refreshed and came out ready for bed. He stood by the bed and eyed at Sivaangi who was still busy with her mobile. Heaving a sigh, he crawled on his side of the bed and sat resting himself against the headrest just like Sivaangi.

"Chellamma..." Ashwin said softly as he eyed at Sivaangi.

Sivaangi didn't look up. Ashwin sighed and tried to call her again. This time she looked up at him.

"Solunga" Sivaangi said blankly and then looked down at her mobile.

"Yenna ma panra?" Ashwin asked trying to grab Sivaangi's attention.

"Patha epdi theriyuthu" Sivaangi said curtly, her eyes still fixed on her mobile.

Ashwin pursed his lips together as he scratched his head on seeing Sivaangi not even looking up at him once. He pursed his arms together and leaned against the headrest with his eyes fixed on his wife as he thought of ways to get his wife to forgive him.

But Ashwin paused his thoughts when his eyes took in the sight of his wife. It has been years since they got married yet Sivaangi looks the same in his eyes; lovely, beautiful, cute and purely magic. As his eyes shamelessly ran down his wife, he noticed her twisting her feet in pain making him frown and pause.

And then it dawned Ashwin when he saw his wife's face. Sivaangi's eyebrows scrunched in confusion when she saw Ashwin moving from the corner of her eyes. Just when she thought he is getting out of the bed, he sat by the foot of the bed and grabbed her foot making her startle and look at him.

"Yenna panringa, Ashwin?" Sivaangi asked trying to pull her foot from Ashwin's hold but he gripped her foot tighter.

"Unaku kaal valikuthula, Sivaangi ma. Atha amuki vidalam nu" Ashwin said as he pressed slow on Sivaangi's foot making her frown.

"Athellam onum ila, Ashwin. Vidunga" Sivaangi said trying to pull her foot back but he didn't let her.

"Ma, ithuku munna naan panathu ilaya yenna? And I know you're going through PMS nu. Unaku paadham  epovum valikum nu theriyum. Ipo valikuthunum theriyum" Ashwin said staring at Sivaangi who stared back at him before averting her gaze.

With a smile, Ashwin placed Sivaangi's foot on his lap and massaged her foot. He usually massages her feet with oil but he can't afford to stand up now given she might walk away.

As he massaged Sivaangi's foot while humming a song, Ashwin could feel her stern self relax. He continued massaging her feet while his eyes stayed on her who's busy with her mobile. Or at least pretending to be.

While he massaged her feet, Ashwin can't help but play with the chimes in Sivaangi's anklet as if it amuses him making Sivaangi mentally roll her eyes at her man child.

Ashwin continued massaging Sivaangi's foot and drew patterns on her ankle with his finger as he stared at her with a smile expecting for her reaction. Had it been the old Sivaangi, she would be a laughing mess right now. But with age, she has learnt how to compose herself. Well, thanks to her husband who's like the master of that art.

"Enaku kaal valikuthu nu solama therinchukuringa aana en manasu evlo hurt agiruku nu purinchuka mudiyala ya?" Sivaangi can't help but ask making Ashwin stiffen.

Sivaangi heaved a sigh as she pulled her legs from Ashwin's lap and sat with folded legs. Placing a pillow on her lap, she averted her gaze from him and scrolled her mobile.

Ashwin bit the inside of his cheek as he mentally heaved a tired sigh before crawling back to his side of the bed and rest himself against the headrest. He looked down to see his wife who's busy ignoring him.

Ashwin knew he had it coming. He shouldn't have behaved that way with Sivaangi. She never shows her anger unless she's very hurt and he hates that he's the one who has hurt her.

"Ma, inga paren" Ashwin said in a soft voice, his finger hopping on the bedsheet before grazing Sivaangi's hand but she pulled it out of his reach without making an effort to look up at him.

"Ma...ena paru ma" Ashwin said taking the pillow from Sivaangi's lap when she didn't pay any attention to him.

"Yenna solanum nu solunga. Enaku kekum" Sivaangi said as she kept her eyes on her mobile without looking up at Ashwin.

Ashwin heaved a defeated sigh before he leaned forward and placed his head on Sivaangi's lap making her frown. When she looked down at him, he took her hands in his and held it over him.

"Yenna panringa Ashwin?! Olunga endhringa! En kai ah vidunga!" Sivaangi frowned.

"Vidrathukaga va ma un kai ya pidiche" Ashwin said softly as he tightened his grip on Sivaangi's hand making her heart flutter but she composed herself quickly.

"Onga cheesy cinema dialogues lam enta vendam. Endhringa mothala Ashwin!" Sivaangi said averting her gaze from her husband who was staring at nothing but her.

"Maaa, please ma. Apdi solatha ma" Ashwin whined as he garlanded his arms around Sivaangi's waist, his eyes staring into hers before he buried his face into her clothed stomach.

"Yenna panringa Ashwin?!" Sivaangi said placing her hand on Ashwin's shoulder, nudging him to get up, "Endhringa!"

After multiple failed attempts to get Ashwin off her, Sivaangi heaved a tired sigh. If only she could just pull his hair! But then a small smile appeared on her lips which she brushed off quickly. Even though he's annoying her, a part of her can't help but adore this-her man child, her Valarndha Kolandha as she calls him endearingly.

"I don't know where to start apologize but I'm really sorry Sivaangi ma" Ashwin said laying on Sivaangi's lap as he looked up at her who's annoyed face grew into a stern one.

"Well, you can start from how you shouted at me for making your Ammu cry without even asking me what happened or why I did what I did!" Sivaangi said in a stern voice making Ashwin gulp before she continued,

"Or you can start from where you just shrugged me off and threw some hurtful words at me before you ran behind our daughter"

Sivaangi took a sharp intake of breath before saying in a cracked voice,

"Or from where you keep on making me feel like an immature parent in front of our daughter, giving her space where she doesn't feel the need to respect me or confide in with me"

Ashwin flinched as his eyes turn glassy on her last statement while panic seeped through his heart. With his eyes never leaving hers, he sat up next to Sivaangi, his face shrunk with hurt. Did he really made his wife feel that way?!

"Ma...yenna ma solra?" Ashwin said in a cracked voice while Sivaangi averted her gaze from him not wanting to see his hurt face. She realized she shouldn't have said that. Not when even she knows that wasn't true.

"Ma, ena paru ma" Ashwin said as he placed his hand on top of Sivaangi's who shook her head sideways refusing to meet his eyes while she blinked back her tears.

"Ma, I kept making you feel like an immature parent in front of Ashvaa?" Ashwin asked in disbelief, his hurt eyes never leaving Sivaangi's face.

Sivaangi heaved a tired sigh before shaking her head sideways at Ashwin with an unsure look.

"Na etho tension la soliten. Vidunga Ashwin. Thoongalam" Sivaangi said and was about to lay down without waiting for Ashwin to respond but he stopped her in middle.

"Ila ma, ithu tension la vara varthai ila. If there's something, you should talk it out to me. Yenna ma solra nee? Enta solu ma" Ashwin asked his eyes fixed on his wife and when he didn't get any response from her,

"Ma, I know I was very wrong with my behavior. Na una andha maara kathiruka kudathu ma. I should have listened to what you had to say instead of reacting on Ashvaa's words. I would always believe your words over anyone else. It's just I saw Ashvaa crying and running out and-and then I ju-"

"But what about my tears, Ashwin? It is okay to put our kids first. But that doesn't mean you'll turn blind towards me. Kovathula yenna solrom nu yosikala, seri aana na alurathu kuda ongaluku therlaya? En kan la kanneer patha thudichu pora Ashwin ku ipo na hurt agurathu, alurathu lam theriyala la?"

"Ma, apdilam ila ma. Nee dhan ma enoda ulagamey. Una, namma kolandhainga suthi dhan ma na vazhnthutu iruken. Avanga en kolandhainga aana nee enoda uyir ma, the reason why I'm alive. Apo irundha panic, tension la enayum meeri apdi nadanthukiten. Unaku theriyum la Ashvaa vishayathula na epdi nu. But that doesn't mean what I did was right. I'm not justifying myself. I'm really sorry. Na ini ipdi pana maten Sivaangi ma" Ashwin said softly with tearful eyes as he held Sivaangi's hand in his.

Sivaangi took a deep breath as placed her other hand on top of Ashwin's before staring into his eyes.

"Neenga ena kathuninga thitninga nu solala, I have been feeling this way lately, Ashwin. Like there's a gap between me and Ashvaa. I know there are other things but It's just when you told me not to come between you and Ashvaa or that I should stay out of it, that feeling resurfaced. I don't know, I just felt disconnected with her like I couldn't reach out to her. I know this is not your fault. You are the best husband and best father one could ask for. Nejama na oru frustration la dhan soliten, sorry Ashwin. I didn't mean to take it out on you" Sivaangi said making Ashwin look up at her with moist eyes.

Ashwin wordlessly stared at Sivaangi while blinked back her tears before she continued,

"When Ashvaa born prematurely and had to kept at incubator, enoda room kum incubator room kum maathi mathi oditu irundhinga, you were with both of us. You have witnessed me and her in that state; in pain. I know you're over protective when it comes to Ashvaa right from then. While I was scared, you put on a stronger front even though you were breaking inside. Ava namma kita vandhadhum ena vida neenga dhan avala day and night mulichu irundhu pathukitinga. I was very scared and afraid of parentage fearing I'll do something wrong with Ashvaa after her premature birth. It was you who took the responsibilities of her when I was depressed. You guided me through out. In fact, only when Sivaash was born I enjoyed motherhood to the fullest."

Sivaangi squeezed Ashwin's hand reassuringly before she continued,

"Ashvaa has always been her daddy's girl like I was. I'm very happy about that Ashwin. I know she loves me, loves us. Enaku theriyum but somewhere I couldn't connect with her as she grew up. Ithu ongaluku puriyutha ilaya, if it makes sense or not nu lam enaku therla but sometimes I just feel this void eating me within that I couldn't connect deeper with her. She looks up at you while sometimes she neglects me when I try to connect with her. Whenever you scold me, I don't take it to heart, Ashwin. But when you do it in front of Ashvaa, I'm scared that she won't respect me and connect with me like she does with you. May be most mothers feel this way with their teenage daughters but sometimes I can't help but think if I'm-I'm a good mother to her..."

"Ma! Apdi solatha ma!" Ashwin said covering Sivaangi's mouth with his palm, his moist eyes meeting with hers before adding in a soft voice, "I'm so sorry that I made you feel this way, Sivaangi ma. Believe me it wasn't my intention"

"I know" Sivaangi said softly as she nodded at Ashwin.

Ashwin let his forehead rest against Sivaangi's as he placed his hand on her cheek. They breathed into each other and let their tears down. They didn't need words for assurance. Their presence is enough to do the deed. Seconds later, he pulled back from her and wiped her tears.

"Unakulla ivlo iruka apo nee ithellam munnavey enta solirukalamey ma. I'm always there for you. Have I behaved unapproachable at any point?" Ashwin asked as he cupped Sivaangi's face between his palms.

"Apdi ila Ashwin" Sivaangi was quick to say as she placed her hand on top of his that's resting on her cheek, "It's just these thoughts usually comes and goes away. This time it just blew up I guess"

"Sivaangi, listen to me carefully. You can come to me with anything. Ena hurt paniruviyoh nu nenachu ethayum don't hold back, okay? This Ashwin exists only for his Sivaangi and his family" Ashwin said as he wiped Sivaangi's tears with his thumbs on either side of her cheeks before adding,

"Never ever question yourself about your motherhood, Sivaangi. Who said you were an immature parent? Thaai ooda aravanaipu, paasam elam ilama 7 varusham veeta vitutu thaniya irundha enaku nee unoda irupathu vayasula ena oru kolandhaya paathu ena aravanaichu oru thai pola paasam katuna. Athu maara oru feeling of being loved, being valued and protected enaku enga amma va thavira nee matum dhan kudutha even when I was just a well-wisher, a friend to you."

Ashwin stroked his finger on Sivaangi's cheek as he continued,

"Nee en wife aana apovum seri ithana varusham aana aprm um seri ena athe maara feel pana vaikura. You're nothing less than my mother, Sivaangi ma and you are an amazing mother to our kids. Agreed Ashvaa's her daddy's girl but you shaped her as a person as much as I did. May be more than I did. You should look at our family through my eyes. Only then you'll know that you're the heart of our family. It is because of you that our family is running. You are an amazing parent, Sivaangi ma. Never ever question that. Seriya?"

Sivaangi stared into Ashwin's eyes before nodding at him weakly.

"I'm sorry, ma. Unoda Ashwineyy ah manichuru" Ashwin said stroking Sivaangi's cheek comfortingly.

"Seri ma. Nee um manichuru ma" Sivaangi said as she raised her hand and wiped Ashwin's tears who nodded at her. She snuggled into his arms with a smile, "I love you Ashwineyy"

"I love you, Sivaangi ma"

With a smile, Ashwin wrapped his arms around Sivaangi and pulled her closer. While she rested her head against his chest, he rested his head on her shoulder as he stroked her hair lovingly. They basked in each other's presence, their unsaid wounds healing on their own.

When they pulled back from each other, they smiled at each other before laying down on the bed. Ashwin wrapped his arms around Sivaangi before pulling her into his arms and placing her comfortably on his chest. She rubbed her eyes sleepily as she smiled at him.

"Ashwineyy inaiku na solren, Ashwineyy" Sivaangi said as she garlanded her arm around Ashwin who smiled at her and placed a kiss on her forehead before saying okay.

"Alexa, switch off lights" Sivaangi said aloud and squealed when the lights turn off making Ashwin chuckle. They are at their 40s, have gone through a lot in life yet they have managed to keep their goodness and childness alive.

That night, as Ashwin and Sivaangi slipped into peaceful sleep in each other's embrace, their daughter Ashvaa ended up watching her parents' old videos. Although she witnesses her parents love every day, to watch it on screen with people celebrating them, to witness the magic her parents have between them made a shiver run down her spine. She wanted that in her life.

Half way through the videos, Ashvaa realized that her man should be a gem of a person like her father. She also realized that to deserve someone like Ashwin, she should become someone like Sivaangi. That night when she closed her eyes to sleep, Ashvaa slept with a newfound hope and belief in magic.

THE END

~ * ~

Hey guys, hope you all are doing good. I hope you enjoyed reading the story. I started this story intending it to be a OS where Ashwin follows his daughter and convinces her but ended up writing all these. I don't know if I did justice to how Sivaangi feels as Ashvaa's mother because I'm not one. To be honest, I'm not that close with my parents so, well you know *shrugs* 

So, how's the story? Any word on that?

Just wanted to ask for your opinion on the book. Is my book okay? What do you think about Ashaangi Short Stories?

Thank you for reading.

Nan ~