Disclaimer

This story is a piece of fiction based on author's imagination and has nothing to do with the actual life of characters mentioned. I have casted Ashwinkumar and Sivaangi Krishnakumar as leads.

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Ashaangi SS Entwined

Chapter Seven

Ashwin groaned and shifted his leg uncomfortably, his long limbs stiff from sitting in crowded space for nearly an hour. Four hours after Master's visit Parthiv came there and informed them that raid issue was taken care of and that Ashwin and Sivaangi can go back to Ashwin's place safely.

Relived, Ashwin was formulating on what to do next when Bala dropped the bomb that Master asked few of his men to stay with Ashwin and Sivaangi until they get married as threats from Sivaangi's uncle was still on.

Sivaangi was of course glad of the company for two reasons. One is she knows how vile her Chithappa can be and them being there is an additional layer of security. Second is she genuinely liked those people as her brothers and wouldn't mind them being around her.

Ashwin, on the other hand, was annoyed with Sandy's presence. They couldn't help but glare at each other whenever their eyes clashed. But he was amused to see Sandy and Sivaangi sharing smiles.

Thinking of her, Ashwin looked down to find Sivaangi snuggled to his chest with her arms around him as she slept while he had his arm around her, holding her against him. Her face was covered with her wavy locks over her face. He could feel her soft breathing against him and instinctively a small smile made its way to his lips.

Sivaangi was constantly chatting ever since she sat inside the car and Ashwin didn't realise when she fell asleep for, he was lost in his thoughts. Presently, Ashwin, Sivaangi, Bala, Sandy, Raju and Mano are seated in an Omni van with two other Master's men at the front seat.

Ashwin wasn't sure of what to do with Sivaangi before Master's visit but when Master called him aside to talk, he learnt that Sivaangi's uncle is still behind her. He learnt few more disturbing things that he wasn't sure if he would leave Sivaangi unprotected. Somehow, she felt as his responsibility that he can't shrug off. Heck, even if she wasn't, he couldn't bring himself to turn his back towards her.

With Sivaangi on her out, her uncle's motives with her have changed. He either wants her locked up or dead. That's one of the main reasons Ashwin's actually consider marrying Sivaangi. From the little he knew of her; she would never bow down and lead a life her uncle makes for her. She would either come back to Ashwin or go on her own way and both won't end well for her with her uncle on her trail.

So, why don't they get married? Sivaangi loves Ashwin and he, although doesn't love her yet, feels a strange pull towards her, enjoys her company, finds her beautiful in and out and attractive. They can get married and stay until her uncle's threat clears out and after that, if she wants to stay married to him, then they can be together.

That is what Ashwin has thought so far. He leads a complicated life and he wasn't sure if he could afford to drag her in. But he couldn't just leave her in an open battlefield, unprotected. His conscious wouldn't let him.

Although Ashwin and his friends owns a company called "AS Technologies & Solutions" which they run through CEO named Dhamodaran and "AK Software & Tech" which they run through CEO named Venkatesh that earns pretty well, their underground business might attract danger for Sivaangi which he has to consider. If she marries him, she would have to give up normal life and he wouldn't want to cut her wings when she's meant to fly.

Sivaangi stirred and snuggled more into Ashwin pulling him out of his complex thoughts. He looked down her and couldn't fight a smile that traced his lips. She looked like a baby basking in mother's warmth, her lips slightly part and her locks brushing against his neck, tickling him.

Bala's mobile rang making Ashwin look up. He figured Bala's speaking with Master and looked outside. They were near to his place. He had already checked up with his boys. They were at their safe house at Coimbatore for time being and would come back once they solve Viraj's issue.

Turns out, Viraj was the one ratted them out to police. He didn't do it for fun but was provoked. Even after Ashwin's warning, his friends threatened Viraj for the mess he had created and he, in turn, ratted about fencing to police that resulted in raid. Ashwin's friends were scared of Ashwin's reaction but he took it well and asked them to stay safe and come back home safe surprising them.

"AK bro, onga edathuku reach aaga porom. Master ongaluku night call panren nu sola sonaru" Bala said and Ashwin nodded at him.

(Bro, we'll reach your place soon. Master said he'll give you a call tonight)

"Neenga thangurathuku accommodation?" Ashwin asked as he turned his face towards Bala.

(Where will you all stay?)

"Onga pakathu apartment free ah dhana iruku, Master adha vangitaru"

(Master bought the empty apartment nearby yours for us to stay)

Ashwin nodded and asked few questions about safety arrangement before they fell into silence.

"Ava nalla ponnu. Avaluku indha ulagatha pathi inum seriya theriyala" Sandy broke his silence for the first time ever since he sat inside the car making Ashwin look up at him, "Unna nambura, avala nala pathuko"

(She's a good girl. She doesn't have clear understanding about how the world works) (She trusts you. Take care of her)

Ashwin stared blankly at Sandy before nodding at him.

"Avaru vandhadhu la irundhu avala matum dhana pathutu irukaru" Bala cracked making Raju chuckle. Mano was long asleep while Sandy just smiled.

(He's only looking at her ever since we stepped inside the car)

"Avalo love pola da. Naanum pathen. Mela pakuran, side la pakuran, aprm keela andha ponna pathu sirikuran, thalaya aatran, repeat uh" Raju joined him.

(He loves her a lot it seems. Even I noticed. He looks sideways only to look down at her and then repeat)

A small smile touched Ashwin's lips on hearing their banter. Was he behaving that way? He had no clue. The guys went on with the banter and somehow Ashwin got involved.

"Aanalum neenga rendu per um nalla combination dhan, AK bro. Stylish puliyum Kadavu sandhula maatuna eliyum" Bala commented and Ashwin couldn't help but crack up this time.

(You two make a good combination) (Joke, hard to translate)

"Dei, epdi da yosikure ithellam? Kadavu sandhula maatuna eliya?" A chuckle escaped Ashwin's lips.

(How do you manage to come up with something like this?)

"Pinna yenna bro, anga parunga, epdi eli mathiri paduthruku nu. Nalla enta half litre Slice bottle ah vangi kudichutu thoonguratha parunga. Nimishathuku pathu thadava yennaku oru doubt uh nu kekuthu. Valkai full ah epdi vachu samalika poringalo"

(Look at her. Looks like a trapped mouse in your embrace. She keeps asking doubt now and then. Don't know how will you manage with her for your whole life)

As their banter continued, they reached the backside of Ashwin's apartment building. The guys save for Ashwin got down. He looked down at Sivaangi and gentle pat her cheeks.

"Sivaangi, endhrii"

(Wake up)

Sivaangi stirred and held Ashwin's hand that's on her cheek. She grumbled as she opened her eyes, pulled back from his chest and look up at him.

"Thookam varudhu, Ashwineyy" Sivaangi said latching herself to Ashwin, burying her face in his chest as she hugged him making him place his hands on her shoulders.

(I'm sleepy)

"Veedu vandhruchu di, endhrii" Ashwin said in his deep voice as he stroked Sivaangi's cheek softly and a smile touched his lips when she blinked and sat up.

(We are home. Wake up)

"Veedu vandhrucha?" Sivaangi asked rubbing her sleepy eyes, the rays from evening setting sun fell on her making Ashwin's breath hitch for a second, something shifted within him making his heart flip. He swallowed and locked his eyes with hers before he softly said,

(Are we home?)

"Veedu vandhruchu"

(We are home)

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"Nee inga thangikalam" Ashwin said as he moved aside and let Sivaangi walk inside his room.

(You can stay here)

Sivaangi looked around the room curiously as she walked in and sat on the foot of the bed. It wasn't a big room like hers but it was spacious. A double cot bed with side tables on either side, a TV on the opposite wall, three built in cupboards, a study table, an attached bathroom and a small window.

In short, it was a dark themed, spacious and sophisticated bedroom. Sivaangi noticed that it was a 6BHK apartment with spacious living room, kitchen and balcony. The apartment building itself screamed that the place is of high profile and well maintained. She figured that few more are living in the apartment by looking at extra rooms and crowded shoe rack.

"Onga room ah ithu?" Sivaangi asked, her voice filled with a hint of amusement and excitement.

(Is this your room?)

"Namma room" Ashwin said with his eyes fixed on Sivaangi and although she knows the whole thing is fake, on hearing the love of her life say this, her heart couldn't help but flutter a little, "Unnoda Chithapa prachana inum mudiyala. Master avar aalungala koncham naal kuda iruka soli anupirukaru nu unaku theriyum. Athu vara namma onna dhan irukanum. Aprm unaku enga ponum oh anga poekalam. Puriyuthu la?"

(Our room) (Issues with your uncle isn't over yet. Master has sent his men to stay with us for a while. We have to stay together till then. After that, if you want to leave then you can. Understood?)

"Hmmm" Sivaangi replied and laid herself on the bed, staring at the ceiling before looking at him with a teasing smile, "Yean Ashwineyy, kalyanathuku munna namma ipdi onna irukathu thappu ila?"

(Isn't it wrong for us to stay together before marriage?)

When Ashwin rolled his eyes at her, Sivaangi chuckled and raised her hands in surrender.

"Ila, first night ku munna epdi n-" Sivaangi started but zipped her mouth before chuckling when Ashwin glared at her.

(No, I just meant that before our nuptial night-)

"Unaku vai athigam agiruchu di" Ashwin threw a pillow at Sivaangi making her huff.

(You seem to talk a lot now)

"Huh, vai iruka pilla polachukum nu soluvanga, Ashwineyy. Enaku vai athigam irukathu thappu ila" Sivaangi said sitting up on the bed and twisted her lips.

(Can't translate)

Ashwin took a brief moment to let his eyes wander up and down on Sivaangi before he shook his head and muttered under his breath, "Vai matum ah, elamey athigam ah dhan iruku"

(Can't translate)

"Puriyala, sathama solunga Ashwinn" Sivaangi said cluelessly as his muttering wasn't audible to him.

(I don't get you. Speak up)

Ashwin nodded sideways and sighed before he started instructing her,

"Master avar aalungala opposite flat la stay pana solirukaru. Nee patu enta solama avangala paka oodiratha. Inga indha flat la naan matum ila, enoda naalu friends' um inga dhan stay panranunga. Sarath, Sanjay, Rakshan aprm Pugazh, ivang-"

(Master has asked his men to stay at opposite flat. You don't roam around. Just stay here. I'm not the only one who stays here. My friends, Sarath, Sanjay, Rakshan and Pugazh, the-)

"Thangamum um Pugazh anna um inga dhan thangirukanga la?" Sivaangi asked excitedly as she sat up making Ashwin raise his eyebrow at her in question.

(Thangam and Pugazh anna stays here too?)

"Thangam ah?"

(A Tamil endearment like dear)

"Rakshan anna ena thangam nu kupduvaru, na avara thangam nu kupduven" Sivaangi exclaimed in excitement.

(Rakshan brother and I call each other as thangam)

"Unaku epdi avanunga rendu per ah theriyum?" Ashwin asked, surprised and bluntly curious.

(How do you know those two?)

"Namma lam orey college dhana, Ashwineyy" Sivaangi said with a bright smile on recalling the past days and added, "Avanga rendu perum enaku evlo help panirukanga theriyum ah. Neenga enga nu solrathu, enaku sight adika etha mathiri canteen, library nu kuptu varathu enoda love letter ah onga bag la vachathu apr-"

(We all belong to same college right) (They two have helped me a lot, you know. Right from bringing you to canteen to library just so I could see you. Even they helped me place love letter in your bag and the-)

Sivaangi paused when she realized she's giving away way too much of information and zipped her mouth. Rakshan and Pugazh did stay in contact with her but they said Ashwin's working at Mumbai and that they are at Bangalore and Hyderabad respectively. She decided to confront them once they come. On noticing Ashwin's gaze at her, she lifted her eyes to meet his and gave a sheepish smile realizing her blunder.

"Apo college la oru edam vidama en pinadi eh suthi ena sight adichuruka" Ashwin commented in a stern voice hiding his amused smile.

(So all you did is roam behind me everywhere during college)

"Athu...haan, athu na washroom poetu varen" Sivaangi said and without waiting for Ashwin's reply, rushed towards the washroom and shut the door behind her.

(That... yeah, I want to use washroom)

An amused smile broke out of Ashwin's lips before it grew into a full smile, his eyes fixed on the closed door where Sivaangi went in. It has been so long since he has felt this alive. Shaking his head, he threw one last glance at the closed door before walking out of his room.

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Thank you for reading.

Nan ~