'Mudiyaadhu Ashwineyy!Mudiyave mudiyaadhu..Chance ey illa..',she denied.
'Ma... Please ma..Please ma.. Please ma.. Please ma.. Please ma..Please ma.
Please ma..',Ashwin started his thenja pazhaya record.

'Chance ey illa Ashwin ey,kandippa awkward ah irukum...Naan varala..',she denied.
'Sivaangi ma..Unake theriyum indha maari matter la ellam naan yepdi sodhapuvennu...Please ma...Vaayen..Nee vandha enaku oru thembu,dhairiyam ellame vandhurum please...',Ashwin pleaded with his puppy eyes.

How can she deny her Ashwineyy?She nodded,'Seriii varren..'and Ashwin jumped in excitement.
'Deii thara nadungudhu Deii paathu...',Sivaangi said stopping him.
'Nee vaa...Enaku outfit select panni kudu..Vaa vaa..',Ashwin pulled her towards his cupboard.

Ashwin was standing there nervously with a bouquet in his hands.He was wearing a crisp white shirt and dark purple pants.His shirt was perfectly tucked in,his one hand was constantly adjusting his hair.

'Ashwiney polaama?', Sivaangi jumped infront of him wearing a purple cotton gown with white printed dots.
'Ah..Polaame..',he said before pressing his lips together in nervousness.
'Ashwin ey, nervous ah irukaadha..You can do this!',she said and Ashwin nodded.

'Aana vazhkai laye date ku friend ah kootitu pora modhal aalu nee dha Ashwin ey...',Sivaangi slapped her forehead and he smiled sheepishly.
'Olunga pesu..Yedhayum sodhappi vekkadha..',she said standing infront of the entrance.

'Adhaan nee kooda irukiye..',he held her hand and she sighed.
'Andha ponnu seruppaala adichu thorathama irundha seri...',she thought while he dragged her.

'Hii Sanjana',Ashwin said nervously to the beautiful woman who was sitting on the table's chair they booked and reading the menu.
'Hey Hi Ashwin..',she stood up for a handshake and her eyes fell on Sivaangi.

She gave a questioning look to Ashwin,
'This is Sivaangi,my best friend',Ashwin introduced her.
'Ohh ivanga dha Sivaangi ah,Hii Sivaangi..Im Sanjana..Ashwin neraya sollirukaaru ',Sanjana smiled clearing the awkwardness that was prevailing before greeting Sivaangi.

'Hii Sanjana..',she greeted back with a smile.

Both Sanjana and Ashwin met on Ashwin's sister's wedding reception as Sanjana was the groom's colleague.They both have been touch through Instagram and improved to WhatsApp in few more days.All credits goes to Sivaangi,when Ashwin expressed Sivaangi his little crush on Sanjana,she was the one who brought him all the way here from giving request to her Instagram account.

When Sivaangi asked Ashwin to take Sanjana for a date he too accepted for Sivaangi's sake.He was too awkward too meet her beyond excitement or nervousness,he himself never talked to her but most of the time due to Sivaangi's insist.Even most of the words were Sivaangi's.

On the other hand Sivaangi has the biggest responsibility.Ashwin's mother was being worried that Ashwin always avoids the topic marriage.There was never a day left for his mother without lamenting about Ashwin to Sivaangi and her mother.As a bestfriend, Sivaangi also wanted him to be happy and joined her hands with his mother.

She even introduced him few of her friends but nothing has worked out in Ashwin's case.Being an introvert, Ashwin always avoids people as much as he can, especially girls.All he was comfortable with his mother,her mother and finally with His Sivaangi ma.

When Sivaangi heard his confession about his crush on Sanjana.She was happy for her bestfriend and helped him to build a bonding with Sanjana.

'Seri you guys carry on,Naan pakkathu table la iruken', Sivaangi was about to move thinking that they both need privacy but Ashwin stopped by holding her wrist and whispering a "Heyy" which didn't went unnoticed by Sanjana.

'Thaniya poi ukaandhu enna panna pora?',Ashwin asked.
'Ahmm..illa actually I was waiting for a friend..Ava ippo vandhuruva, you guys carry on', Sivaangi lied.
'Serii appo ava vara varaikum ingeye ukkaaru..',Ashwin said making her to roll her eyes.

'Nee lam indha jenmathula commit aaga maata da..Kashtam kashtam romba kashtam', Sivaangi thought sighing.
'Please ma..',he pleaded with his eyes and she looked at Sanjana.

'Umm Yes Sivaangi,you can join us..Thaniya poi enna panna poreenga..',Sanjana smiled while Sivaangi stood in hesitation.

'Please don't be hesitant Sivaangi, Comfortable ah irunga..Have a seat',Sanjana settled on her seat while they both sat opposite to her.
'So Ashwin,How are you doing?', Sanjana asked.
'Doing good Sanjana and you?',Ashwin asked back.

'Same here',she smiled at him while Ashwin reciprocated it.
Sanjana stared him for few seconds and averted her gaze to the menu card.
'Ei Ashwineyy..', Sivaangi nudged his arm.

'Enna di?',Ashwin asked.
'Compliment kudu..', Sivaangi whispered.
'Huh?Unakaa?Unaku enna ma azhaga dhan iruka',Ashwin said making her sigh.

'Nee lam dating varala nu yaaru da azhudha..'

'Heyy enakilla...Un aaluku..',Sivaangi said.
'Serii...Ennanu solradhu?',he asked while she silently slapped her forehead.
'Deiii... Edhavadhu sollida poren asingama',Sivaangi sighed making him gulp.

'Experience munna pinna irundha paravalla..Edhume theriyaadhu ma naan enna solla?',Ashwin asked innocently.
'Mmkumm..Naanga mattu enna daily experience pannitu irukoma?', Sivaangi asked.

'Please ma..Unna vitta yaaruma help pannuvaa enaku..',he pleaded.
'Nee indha GVM sir movie lam paathadhilla?Adhu maari edhavadhu try pannu..', Sivaangi said and he grinned.

'Ippo paaru aiyya oda performance ah..',Ashwin lifted his collars.
'Paapom paapom..',Sivaangi said

'Sanjana..',he called and she looked him up.
'Blue suits you...Azhaga irukeenga',Ashwin said and Sanjana smiled with a tint of blush.
'Thats so sweet Ashwin,You too look handsome as always', Sanjana said.

'Thank you Sanjana..',Ashwin smiled and the waiter came.
Sanjana was busy in ordering while Ashwin smirked at Sivaangi and her lips curved down in amusement while nodding at him.
Soon they all ordered whatever they want.

'So Sivaangi Ashwin ungala pathi neraya sollirukaaru..Unga rendu peroda friendship story sollungale..Food vara varaikum pesitu irukalam',Sanjana said.

'Periya story lam illa Sanjana..Enga mothers rendu perum best friends..Enga appa rendu perume millitary officers and they got to knew eachother through living in Military quarters.Apro rendu perume oru war la erandhutanga...Apro amma rendu perum anga irundhu move aagitaanga,Konjam move on aaga engaluku adhu thevai pattuchu...

I was in my mother's womb as a nine and half months old baby while Ashwin was just Four that time.Naan porandhadhula irundhe enaku Ashwin ah theriyum..onnaave valandhom, apdiye best friends aayitom',Sivaangi finished.

'To be honest enaku irukura ore girl bestfriend, infact bestest friend Sivaangi mattum dha..I wasn't much comfortable with girls but Sivaangi kooda enaku comfortable ah irukum,apdi dhan enga friendship um grow aachu..', Ashwin added and Sanjana smiled at their bond.She felt genuinely happy for the bond but somewhere inside her mind the word comfortable caught her attention.

Her thoughts were broken when their dishes reached their table.
'Ashwin..Prawn sapdunga..',Sanjana was about to serve him but she was stopped by Sivaangi.
'Illa...Ashwin ku sea food pudikaadhu..adhaan..', Sivaangi said hesitantly receiving an Ohh from Sanjana.

'I didn't know.. Thank you Sivaangi,Ashwin ah pathi innum neraya therinjrukalam polaiye unga kitta...',Sanjana chuckled and they continued eating.

'Sivaangi ma,Unaku dha Panneer 65 pudikumla..Sapdu..',Ashwin served Sivaangi making Sanjana smile at them.
'Heyy en favourite..', Sivaangi grabbed it quickly and filled her mouth with the hot panneer pieces.

She was too quick so that it caused to choke the food.
'Paathu maa..Paathu..',Ashwin patted her head before giving her a glass of water.

'Are you okay?',Sanjana asked in concern.
'Im okay Sanjana', Sivaangi responsed once she composed herself.
'Porumaiya dha sapden di..', Ashwin advised.
'Naan porumaiya dhan sapten Ashwiney..',Sivaangi blinked innocently.

'Adhaa paathome..',Ashwin sighed.

'Ashwin...Idhu dhan unga first date ah?',Sanjana asked.
'Aama nga', Ashwin confessed.
'Yen?Idhuku munnadi love pannadhillaya?',Sanjana asked for which Ashwin nodded a no.
'Any proposal stories?', Sanjana asked making Sivaangi giggle closing her mouth with her palm.

'What happened Sivaangi yen sirikireenga?', Sanjana asked as she was confused.
'Sollatuma Ashwineyy?',Sivaangi asked making him nodding a no with a horrified expression.
'Neenga sollunga...',Sanjana said and the girls successfully ignored Ashwin.

"Onnukooditangaiyya... Onnukooditangaiyya"

'Actually,Appo Ashwin was studying 12th std and I was 9th..Naanga rendu perum ore tuition dhan.. Ponnu peru Meghana,Malayali ponnu..Andha ponnu mela sir ku oru kannu', Sivaangi threw a teasing smile at Ashwin making him to roll his eyes while Sanjana got more interested.

'Amma malayali,Appa Tamil,Adhunaala enakum Malayalam theriyum and sir ku adhu romba vasadhiya pochu..Poi poi ivanukagave andha ponnu ta pesuven..Dhenam oru chocolate nga,Naan dhan poi kudupen, Birthday,Pongal,Diwali,Onam nu oru festival vidaama greeting card vaangi enta kuduthu kuduka solluvaan..Avanga veetla irundha Rose plant la irundhu daily oru rose kondu poi kudupaann..1 year full ah apdidhan pochu..',Sivaangi said.

'Ohh appo yeppo dhan propose pannaaru?',Sanjana asked.
'Tuition oda last day ...Ashwin ku aniku dha board exams mudinjudhu..

'Sivu..Iniku propose panirlamnu iruken di..', Ashwin said blushing while Sivaangi jumped in excitement.
'Hey Ashwineyy..Super super..Enna plan?', Sivaangi asked.
'Iniku indha rose ah kuduthu,Idhu varaikum rose, chocolate, Greeting card kuduthadhellamum naan dhanu solla poren..Apro apdiye love sollidlamnu..',Ashwin rubbed his nape blushing.

'Ayooo vekkamla padraane'

'Seri serii..Po po All the best Ashwineyy..',she squealed and he nodded.

'Ahm...', Ashwin cleared his throat, hiding his rose behind and she turned towards him.
'Hey Ashwin vaa da..Nee dhan last,indha pudi..Kandippa varanum nee',she gave him and his eyes widened looking at the wedding Invitation.

'Wait wait...School padikira ponnuku kalyanama?',Sanjana asked and Sivaangi laughed again making Ashwin sigh in embarrassment.
'Ayooo adhu school ponnu illa nga...Enga tuition miss uh..',Sivaangi laughed loudly and Sanjana too joined her.

'Sethulayum adivaangiyachu,sothulayum adi vaangiyaachu..',Ashwin thought sighing.
'Seriously?!..Haiyooo',Sanjana tried to catch her breath but miserably failed.

'Apdi onnum periya comedy illaye idhu...',Ashwin rolled his eyes.
'Summa Ashwineyy..', Sivaangi pinched his cheek.
'Veetuku va di iruku unaku..',Ashwin murmured under her breath.

As many flashbacks of Ashwin started revealing,Sanjana understood Sivaangi knew A to Z about Ashwin.Ofcourse its obvious as they were together since childhood.

The comfort they had on eachother,the way they cares for eachother,the way both of them checked eachother often that she, was he comfortable and he making sure that she didn't feel left out,the way they both pampered eachother,the understanding they had,just like they conveyed everything through their eyes..
Sanjana noticed each and everything.

'Ashwin...Naan unga kitta konjam private ah pesalama?',Sanjana asked holding Ashwin's fist on the table.

Sivaangi felt a sudden pang on her chest.Why should she feel bad?Afterall she was the one who arranged this date and she knew definitely it would happen but why her heart became heavy in all of a sudden?

Sudden realisation dawned inside her, Things will change after this,She will be no more Ashwin's priority,all his care, protectiveness,time for her will be reduced here after..

Her thoughts broken when Ashwin's eyes met her's.She quickly broke the eye contact before,'Ahm..Hello..Yeah coming',Sivaangi took her mobile and spoke a fake call.
'Seri neenga pesunga,en friend um vandhutaa pola..Naan poi avala receive panre..',Sivaangi moved while Ashwin's fixed on her.

She blinked her eyes as assurance and he smiled at her after taking a long breath.
'Its nice meeting you Sanjana', Sivaangi shook her hand with Sanjana.
'Same so Sivaangi..',Sanjana smiled at her.

Sivaangi moved from there without turning back.She didn't realise she was crying until her cheeks becoming wet.But why all of these sudden?She was the one who wanted him to get married,she was the one who insisted Ashwin to speak with her,she was the one who did everything including the arrangements for the date but she couldn't bear the fact that Ashwin will be someone's boyfriend or she wasn't the most special person of his life anymore..

The sudden feelings confused her.Is this called possesiveness or fear of losing him?Or something else more than all these.

Her eyes once again looked at Ashwin who was keenly listening to Sanjana.She saw him smiling and the damn moment she realised it wasn't just friendship what they both shared or something she had on Him, but isn't the realisation too late?She sighed before looking at him for the last time and moved out of the restaurant.

She stood there, leaning on their car.Looking at the Cresent moon,the weather was too good but Sivaangi was not in a mood to enjoy.Is this how she has to realise her feelings?If she had realised everything before the past three months,she would have been the happiest but now?She cursed her fate sighing.

'Yen?Enaku yen munnadiye therinjuruka koodaadhu?Idhu enna?Why should I feel all of a sudden like this?Yen en heart ivlo heavy ah iruku?Enaku yen thideernu Ashwin enna vittu dhoorama pora maari iruku?Oru vela naan Ashwin ah..?Aana ithana naal illama iniku yepdi?', thousands of questions were running inside her mind.

Her chain of thoughts were broken when she heard
'Sivaangi ma'

Ashwin was fiddling his fingers in nervousness after Sivaangi left.Eventhough he was accompanied by Sanjana,he felt alone.

'Ashwin,I think this wont work out..',Sanjana said and Ashwin frowned.
'Yen..I mean,may I know the reason?',he asked and she chuckled.
'Manasula oru ponna vechutu,neenga enkooda happy ah iruka maateenga nu nenaikire',Sanjana said and Ashwin gave her a confused look.
'Purila..',his frown grow more.

'Hmm..naa ungala oru question kekata?',Sanjana asked and Ashwin nodded.
'Everyone has their own perception on love and relationship,what's your's?',Sanjana asked and he thought for a while before answering.

'Oruthar oruthar nalla purinjukanum,eachother's home ah irukanum,evlo sanda vandhaalum,prechanai vandhaalum end of the day thoonga poradhuku munnadi adha sort out pannidanum,trust romba mukkiyam and ellaathukum base ah comfort zone irukanum..Adhu irundhaa matha ellaame thaana set aagidum..',Ashwin finished and Sanjana smiled at him.

'Okayy..idhellam oru nimisham kanna moodi yosichu paarungalen..',Sanjana said and Ashwin was confused more.Heaving a sigh,he closed his eyes.

She was the one who understood him than anyother.

She has always been his home,Ashwin had never felt hesitated or feel embarassed to cry infront of her,to mindlessly rant to her and to show all his weak sides,in short his day starts and ends with her.

They've had fought a lot,argued a lot but end of the day he'll run to her no matter what.

The trust they had on eachother was immense and strong.If there was only one person alive in the world who trusts him,undoubtedly it would be her.

And coming to the thing "comfort zone",if he could replace the word,he will surely rename it as SIVAANGI!

He immediately opened his eyes,his heartbeat raced like anything.All he could see was Sivaangi's face when he recollected his ideas.His love idea was nothing but solely Sivaangi.Sudden realisation knocked his mind.

His eyes met Sanjana who was smiling at him.
'Unga rendu perukooda naa irundha indha one hour la enakku purinja oru vishayam,neenga twenty years onnaa irundhumaa purila ungalukku?',Sanjana asked.

'Romba late pannaadheenga Ashwin..Sila vishayangal la life la yeppavume tholachida koodadhu and that kind of person is Sivaangi in your life...',Sanjana said and Ashwin gave her a known smile.

'Im sorry Sanjana,If I had made you feel bad..',Ashwin apologised and Sanjana laughed.
'Ofcoure I was attracted to you..Aana unga rendu perayum paatha aprom I found you guys cute..So kavala padaadheenga serial villi maadhiri pazhi vaangalam maaten..',Sanjana said Ashwin chuckled.

'Seri..Naan..',Ashwin stood up and shook his hand with Sanjana who stood up along with him.
'Its nice meeting you Ashwin',Sanjana smiled.
'Thanks',Ashwin muttered and Sanjana knew the meaning behind.
'Ponga..Your Sivaangi is right there,waiting for you..',Sanjana said and Ashwin smiled before rushing from there.He literally ran in his legs to the down floor impatiently.

Ashwin stepped into the parking area and saw Sivaangi who was in deep thoughts,staring at the cresent moon.That's when Ashwin noticed how beautiful she was.Her wavy hair that kept caressing her cheek,her kohled doe eyes,sharp button nose,her soft pink lips.Its not like he have noticed her facial features before,but she looked entirely different in his eyes suddenly.He felt a sudden urge to crash her in his embrace.The sudden thought of falling in love with his own Sivaangi made him smile,wider and wider.

Without wasting seconds,he walked towards her.She didnt notice him coming,he cleared his throat and called her,Sivaangi ma'

Sivaangi's teary eyes met him.She didnt expect him to come back so sooner.
'Ash..Ashwiney..Enna pesitiya?All okay ah?Enna son..',masking all her emotions,she shooted up him with her questions until he stopped her asking,'Naan yosikiradha dhan neeyum yosikiriya Sivaangi?'

Ofcoure,he could read her face.
'Purila..Enna yosikiren?',she asked and he stepped forward closer to her.
'Enna paaru...En kannukulla paaru..',he held right hand's wrist and placed her palm above his heart.She could feel his racing heartbeat,she looked into his deep brown orbs.

'Unna vida enna nalla purinjukita aalu yaarum illa,Unkitta mattum dha naan naana irundhuruken,nee enmela vechuruka alavuku nambikkai yaarum literally yaarum vechadhilla...',he paused when her eyes glistened.

'Naan en life la enga ponaalum, evlo dhooram ponaalum thirumba unkitta dha Sivaangi varen..sevuthula veesuna ball maadhiri..Idhellaam naa en love idea nu nenachutu irundhe aana..idhellam nee Sivaangi!Unna dhan naan love ah nenachuruken..Enna realise panna dhan konjam late aayiduchu..',Ashwin finished and she was looking at him in awestruck,tears flowing down her cheeks.

'Yeppavum pada pada nu pesite iruppa..yedhavadhu sollu Sivaangi ma..',hearing her name,she just threw himself on him.She hugged his neck and Ashwin hugged her back chuckling in tears.They stood in eachother's embrace under the moonlight.

'Yenga enna vittutu poiduviyo nu konja nerathula romba bayandhuten..',Sivaangi said.
'Naan nenachaalum adhu mudiyaadhu..',he said and she pulled back and wiped her tears.

'Appo ini nenaippa?',she asked throwing daggers at him with her eyes.
'Sathiyama maaten..',he said pulling her nose and she chuckled.

'Sanjana?',Sivaangi asked.
'Avanga illana..Namma idha kandu pudikka yethana naal aayirukumo?',Ashwin sighed.
'Correct dhan..Serii vaa veetuku polaam amma paathutu irupaanga..',she turned towards the car,she was suddenly pulled by her arm.

'Hey..',she dashed on Ashwin's chest.She raised his eyebrows at him and he come closer towards her.Her back hit the car and Ashwin blocked by resting his one hand on the car.

His touch wasnt new to her but after thing that transpired between them made her cheeks turn red.He leaned more closer until their breath collided.Sivaangi closed her eyes in anticipation.
'Open your eyes Sivaangi...',he said in his raspy base voice which made thousands of butterflies fly around her and she met his intense gaze.

'Will you accompany me for a date?My best friend',he asked and she placed her lips on his as an answer for his question.

***

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