"Safe ah poitu vaa, Surya kuda varanaala thaan dhairiyama anapuren." Binni said, pulling Sivaangi into a hug.

(Travel safely, I'm feeling assured only because Surya is going along with you.)

Surya smiled, placing her luggages inside the trunk of his car. Sivaangi glared at her mother. "Naa pogava, vendama?"

(Do you want me to go or not?)

"Seri di naa yedhuvum sollala. Happy ah poitu vaanga rendu perum."

(Fine, I won't say anything. Both of you have a good time and enjoy yourself.)

"Naanga onnum honeymoon pola okay va? Nee konjam performance ah kammi pannu." She scowled, making her way into the car.

(We're not going for our honeymoon. Please tone it down a little.)

"Naa pathukuren aunty, neenga worry pannathinga." Surya assured the older woman, portraying the gentleman he is.Waving goodbye to Binni through the window, the duo finally drove out to the airport for their eventful trip to Bangalore.

(I'll take care aunty, don't worry.)

Initially Sivaangi didn't feel too comfortable when Surya offered to drive her to the airport since they've only met once before and she feels quite overwhelmed with his overly friendly nature. He's undoubtedly a great person to chat with but she isn't sure if she can trust him yet. But after much persuasion from her father, she decided to accept the offer since either way she needs a ride due to her inability to drive.

If her father trusts a man, then she can trust him too.

Right?

"News paathiya?" His question interrupted her flow of thoughts as she turned towards him.

(Saw the news?)

"Yenna news?"

(What news?)

"About Ashwin."

Curious, she logged into her social media account and tried to find what he was referring to. If this was another undignified new channel gossiping about an alleged relationship brewing between Ashwin and Aditi, Sivaangi couldn't care less but the only problem was, it was not.

This time, it was an actual news.

A remarkable film maker has openly stated that he wouldn't be working with Ashwin anymore even though they've signed a movie together, claiming that the actor's attitude in the set is a complete turn off.

Oblivious to her distraught state, Surya chuckled and said,"ippo puridhu yen avan thirupi album la work panna agree pannanu."

(now I understand why he accepted again to work in the album.)

Despite the lack of attention from her side, he smugly continued talking. "Already sign panna oru movie kai vittu poiduchula adhaan venamnu sonna album ippo venum."

(He lost the movie he was supposed to be casted in, so now he wants the album that he initially rejected.)

Sivaangi frowned at the distaste behind his tone. He noticed her visibly upset form and was quick to question. "Naa yedhavudhu thappa sollitana?"

(Did I say something wrong?)

"Oru tharoda mulusa five minutes kuda pesama ivlo assume panni avara pathi pesuringa, adhu correct ah irukumnu nenakiringala?"

(You didn't even talk to him for 5 minutes straight and you're assuming all these about him, do you think that's right to do?)

Surya nervously smiled, catching how irritated she sounded. "Article la irukuradha thana sonnen, it's not like I'm talking about him based on my own personal vengeance."

(I'm just saying what the article says.)

"Idhey news channel la last year unga sister avanga husband ah vittutu vera orutharoda odi poitatha news vandhuchu-"

(The same news channel published an article saying your sister eloped with another guy, leaving behind her husband.)

"SIVAANGI!" He raised his voice, forgetting to keep up with his sugary demeanour.

"Nothing personal against your sister, article la vandhadhu thaan sonnen." She simply explained with a shrug, determined to not to let his sudden raise in voice agitate her.

(I'm just saying what the article says.)

"Mind your words Sivaangi, yaara pathi pesromnu therinju pesu." Surya sharply said, glowering at her.

(Keep in mind who you're talking about!)

"You come from a family that's always in the media's spotlight. I think you should know better than anyone to not trust everything you read online. Just like how your sister was a victim of the media that day, oru oru naalum someone is victimised. Inniki Ashwin. Nalaki it can even be you. Neenga avaruku support panna theva illa but already problem face panravangala innum drag down pannathinga."

(Just like how your sister was a victim of the media that day, today Ashwin is and tomorrow it can even be you. You don't have to support him but please don't drag down someone who's already going through a lot on his own.)

Breathing out slowly, Surya desperately tried to fix back the mask that unknowingly slipped. His left hand that was on steering wheel suddenly took hold of her hand, in hopes to coax her. "Okay Sivaangi I'm sorry, naa apdi pesirka kudathu. Unaku indha alavuku hurt aagumnu yenaku theriyadhu. I'm really sorry."

(I'm sorry, I shouldn't have talked that way. I didn't know it would hurt you this bad.)

Uncomfortable with his touch, she gently pulled away her hand. "Yenaku hurt lam aagala. Ashwin pathi yenaku theriyum, neenga solranala my perspective or opinion wouldn't change."

(I'm not hurt. I know who Ashwin is, whatever you say isn't gonna chance my perspective or opinion.)

"Seri okay Ashwin pathi podhum. Vera yedhavudhu pesalama?"

(Enough about Ashwin, can we talk about something else?)

"Yes actually naaney oru vishyam pesanumnu nenachen."

(Yes I was going to talk about something to you.)

His eyes brightened with interest. "Sollu Sivaangi."

(What is it?)

"Yenaku unga mela interest illa. Unga family yen parents ah approach pannathu yenaku recent ah thaan theriyum. I don't wanna give false hopes. Yenaku andha madhri idea lam illa towards you."

(I don't have any interest in you. Your family approached my parents but I don't wanna give any false hopes. I really don't have any such ideas towards you.)

"Ippo maybe illa but future la varalam la, it's hurting my ego that you're rejecting me even before getting to know me." He said bitterly with a blue smile.

(Maybe right now you don't but there's a chance you may get such ideas in the future.)

While it's true that Sivaangi doesn't know him completely yet, whatever she knows of him as of now isn't making her feel intrigued to find out more. She doesn't feel particularly impressed about anything. She hasn't found anything to admire in him.

To put it simple, she felt nothing.

As tempting as it was to tell that to him openly, she held back her tongue which was unusual for her. She's used to always be upfront about her thoughts and opinions. But she doesn't feel safe to be blunt with him.

"Can't you at least let me take you out on a date once before you decide? Oru date kuda naa deserve panlaya?"

(Do I not deserve even a date?)

She hates how he's now making her feel guilty, after all she has the complete entitlement to decide who she should be with. It doesn't matter how amazing a guy may seem to be in the eyes of the society, if her heart doesn't feel for him why must she compromise?

When a man rejects a woman he's a gentleman but when a woman rejects a man she's full of herself.

"Just one date Sivaangi." He pushed more.

"I'll think about it." She finally said, hoping he'll drop the topic because she certainly didn't wanna say yes and give him something to feel victorious about. At the same time she couldn't say no when he's being persistent.

He hummed and remained quiet for the rest of the drive, leaving Sivaangi with her thoughts. All she could think of was the man that had been the talk of the town. This is a man who prioritised his image and reputation over anything in this world because he know how one wrong move can cause a disaster. She can't even imagine what kind of a state he was in after all these news circulating.

Her heart hammered against her chest as the question kept echoing in her head.

Are you okay Ashwin?

...

"No I am not."

Tasha stared at the actor who was being difficult.
At this point, crossing the seven seas will be far easier than to work as the manager for Ashwin Kumar.

"Ashwin please try to understand why I'm suggesting this. Your name is getting more and more tainted as we talk right now. An immediate press conference would be the bare minimum we can do to clear your reputation. Directors and producers are gonna hesitate to work with you if you continue with such a reputation. Unaku indha problem oda seriousness puriyutha illaya?"

(Do you understand the seriousness of the problem?)

Stubbornly Ashwin shook his head. "Tasha I get all that, I've been in this industry even before you. I know the ugly and dark sides of this more than anyone. A press conference right now will just aggravate the situation because that'll just bring me more attention and I'm gonna be the laughing stock for everyone, wanted ah nammaley channels ku content kudukura madhri aagidum. While it's true that some people may understand my point of view and take a stand for me, general audience ku idhu just oru entertainment. Do we need me to be an object of ridicule now?"

(I don't wanna give content for channels through my press conference.)

Tasha's jaw dropped. Ashwin's an intellectual as much as he's stubborn. When he puts forth all these valid points, not many will dare to argue.

"Ippo all we can do is ignore. Pesa vendiya yedathula pesikalam. Yenna unmailaye nesikravanga yenna yepodhum trust pannuvanga. So what's the point of a press conference even? My people are still on my side. That's all I need. Yenna nambadha yevanukum naa explanation kuduka avasiyam illa."

(All we can do for now is ignore. When the time comes we'll talk. People who truly love me will always trust me. So what's the point of a press conference? My people are still on my side. That's all I need. I don't owe any damn explanation to anyone who didn't trust me.)

His phone started ringing. Signalling to Tasha he walked away to a less busier side of the airport to answer it.

"Hello."

"Yenna Ashwin Kumar, kural la oru tiredness theridhu? Kalailandhu kelvi kekura ovvoru thanukum badhil solli veruthu poiducho?"

(I sense a tiredness in your voice? Feeling worn out from responding to every person who's been questioning you since morning?)

The awfully familiar voice still sent chills down his spine. He clenched his fist, his veins almost popping out. "Yenna venum?"

(What do you want?)

He heard a humourless laughter from the other side before the man continued talking. "Ashwin inniki nadanthathu yellamey just oru sample. Oru warning nu kuda sollalam. Nee yendha thappum pannala but future la panna idha vida romba mosamana nelamai la irupa. Purinji nadanthuka."

(What happened today is simply a sample, or even a warning. You haven't done any mistake so far but in case you do something in the future, the consequences will be much worse than the situation you are in right now. So behave.)

Grinding his teeth, Ashwin fumed me. He is a man in his thirties who has always fought for the liberties in life especially when it came to his career and dreams despite coming from an underprivileged background. Yet this man made him feel like a dog on a leash. He had heartlessly tyrannised him in the past and believes he can still do it.

"Yennada amaidhiya iruka? Bayapudatha, naa sonna padi nee nadanthuka idhuku mela yendha prechanayum varadhu. Sivaangi ah vittu velagi iri. Avaluku naanga mapillai pathurkom, nee yedhavudhu naduvula pundhu un velaya kamicha, nadu theruvala nikka vechirven."

(Why are you being quiet? Don't be afraid, as long as you listen to me, there won't be any problem. You stay away from Sivaangi. We've found a suitor for her, you don't try to play any games here, I'll drag you to the streets literally.)

Ashwin heartily laughed. "Ungaluku vayasu aagi brain konjam rusty aagiduchu pola, naa refresh panna help panren. Do you know when Sivaangi fell in love me? Neenga sonna adhey nadu theruvula oru recognition or appreciation kuda kedaikama alanjutu irundha Ashwin ah thaan Sivaangi love panna. Neengale sketch potu kudukringa Sivaangi yenna mannichi thirupi accept panrathuku? Naanga onnu serathuku yennaya vida neenga thaan theeya velai pathurkinga."

(Due to your old age, seems like your brain has gotten rusty. Let me help your refresh. Do you know when Sivaanyi fell in love with me? When I was in the streets that you were referring to, without any recognition or appreciation, that's the Ashwin she loved. Looks like you've came up with a plan to make Sivaangi forgive and accept me? Are you that excited for us to reunite?)

"DEI!"

(HEY)

"Kathadhinga Sir. Yerkanavey high BP, pattunu poida poringa. Aprom yepdi yenga kalyanatha papinga?"

(Don't yell sir. You already suffer from high BP, what if something happens to you? How are you gonna witness our wedding then?)

"Dei naaye! Unaku andha aasai vera iruka? Moonu padam panniyachu idhuku aprom automatic ah nammaluku chance vandhurom, ivan la onnum panna mudiyathunu nenakiriya? Naa nenacha onnoda motha career ah ye close panlam."

(Bastard! Don't even dream about it! You think you're untouchable now that you've already a tried in 3 films? You think I won't be able to do anything to you? I can end your entire career if I want to.)

Ashwin smiled. "Oru thadava hard work panni mela vara therinja yenaku, thirupi vara theriyadha? Pala varsham keela irundhutu vandhurken, keela poradhu yenaku onnum bayam illa. I paved my way up here and if I need to, I'll pave another way for myself."

(I've gotten to where I am by working hard, you think I can't do the same to get back my place? I've spent most of my years struggling as an underdog, fighting from below isn't something I'm scared of. I paved my way up here and if I need to, I'll pave another way for myself.)

"Varutha paduva Ashwin. Romba varutha paduva!" He warned.

(You're gonna regret this Ashwin, you will seriously regret!)

"Yerkanavey neraya pattuten sir. Alunji mannoda manna ponalum paravala, Sivaangi ah vittu kuduka mudiyadhu."

(I've regretted a lot already. Even if I get torn to pieces, I'm not gonna let go of Sivaangi.)

...

Since the moment Sivaangi reached the airport, all she's been looking for is the pair of chocolate orbs that can directly converse to her heart. Despite earning a dirty look from his manager, she still ended up enquiring about his whereabouts to her. Tasha gave a short reply saying he's talking in the phone before walking away.

Sivaangi knows very well that the woman isn't a great fan of her. After all she's the one who blamed her for ruining Ashwin's career and instigated her to breakup with him. How could she ever forget that?

Too many thoughts occupying her head all at once, Sivaangi accidentally exerted too much pressure on the cup of iced coffee she had bought earlier. Some of it spilled on the sleeve of her top.

Worrying that it may leave a stain especially since she had chosen a light coloured top for the day. She turned to Rakshan who was just a few steps away. "Anna things lam konjam pathukonga, naa washroom poitu varen."

(Anna keep an eye on my things, I need to use the washroom.)

Seeing him nod along with an "okay thangam" she walked towards the sign that showed the toilets, unaware of the war that's about to break out in the next few minutes.

Desperately praying that the coffee won't leave a stain on her brand new top, she placed her arm under the cold running water when she heard a sudden squeal.

"Sivaangi hiii!"

An overly enthusiastic Aditi stood beside her, waving cutely. She had a smile so bright that Sivaangi couldn't even tell whether she was genuinely excited or she was just putting on the ideal actress image. Either ways it didn't matter because Sivaangi can be civil to her as long as she doesn't cross her line too.

"Hi! Had a little accident."  Sivaangi gestured her arm to which Aditi nodded in understanding.

"I'm so glad you're coming for this trip too Sivaangi, I can't imagine being stuck with that guy all alone."

Sivaangi frowned. "What are you talking about?"

"About Ashwin of course. You've worked with him in the past, I'm sure you get it." She rolled her eyes, while Sivaangi was still confused.

"Avana madhri oru arrogant person ah pathadhey illa. The way he thinks he's above everyone else despite being who he is, it just pisses me off. In fact there was once when I asked him to go out with me, mind you I wasn't even interested in him, I simply suggested that since it will benefit both of us with all the media attention and everything. You know what he said? That he doesn't share personal relationships with people he work with and he added that I'm not his type anyways. The audacity! Who does he think he is? On a normal day I wouldn't even look at him, yedho periya fanbase irukeynu konjam pesuna yevlo attitude! With that kind of attitude, of course nobody would wanna work with him-"

(I've never seen someone as arrogant as him before, The way he thinks he's above everyone else despite being who he is, it just pisses me off. In fact there was once when I asked him to go out with me, mind you I wasn't even interested in him, I simply suggested that since it will benefit both of us with all the media attention and everything. You know what he said? That he doesn't share personal relationships with people he work with and he added that I'm not his type anyways. The audacity! Who does he think he is? On a normal day I wouldn't even look at him, the only reason I tried my luck with him was his huge fanbase but the attitude he showed! With that kind of attitude, of course nobody would wanna work with him-)

"Shut the fuck up."

Aditi's eyes widened at what she just heard. The smaller woman glared sharply at her, causing her to gulp in fear. Did Aditi miscalculate Sivaangi's stance on Ashwin based on all the stories she heard? She was convinced that Sivaangi hated Ashwin just as much as she did and thought of getting in her good-books by bad mouthing him. But looks like she judged wrong.

"Avara pathi yenna theriyum unaku? How dare you bloody hell talk about him this way? Nee romba olunga di?"

(What do you know about? How dare you talk about him that way? You think you're so great, you can talk shit about him?)

Aditi was beyond shocked, she couldn't even find words in her to utter. How would have thought the ever sweet, cute, cheery Sivaangi had a monstrous side to her? A side that steps out to protect what's hers.

"Oru parvayile kandu pudichirvaru yaaru true ah iruka yaaru fake ah irukanu. Un moonji laye eludhi otti iruku nee yevlo poyyinu, you approached him with hidden motives and expect him to treat you with respect and care? Avaru yenna paithiyama?"

(One glance, he can tell who's real and who's fake. It's crystal clear that you're full of lies, you approached him with hidden motives and expect him to treat you with respect and care? Do you think he's insane?)

Sivaangi was exploding. Maybe all of these words weren't solely meant for Aditi, Surya had already activated her inner devil back in the car and Aditi simply pulled the trigger.

"He came up this far without any background or god fathers in the industry! Unna madhri aaluku lam adhuku pinnadi irukura vali, hardwork and efforts puriyadhu. Avaru avlo distance maintain panniyum, you deliberately try to portray to the media that you guys are close just to remain in the limelight all the time. Your entire career is built using all the rumours you made up with him! Nee thank panna vendam, thappa pesama irukalamla? Nee lam oru aalu, avara nee pesura? Unakku lam vekkama illa?)

(He came up this far without any background or god fathers in the industry!  Someone like you will never understand the pain , hardwork and sacrifices behind his journey. Despite him maintaining his distance with you,  you deliberately try to portray to the media that you guys are close just to remain in the limelight all the time. Your entire career is built using all the rumours you made up with him! You don't have to thank him, but at least don't talk shit about him! Aren't you ashamed?)

That was it. Aditi grabbed Sivaangi by her arm, pulling her harshly. "How dare you-"

Sivaangi brushed away her hand, looking at her in disgust. "Don't bloody touch me! And keep his name out of your filthy mouth, do you understand?!"

She turned her heels and headed towards the door when Aditi loudly murmured ,"bitch."

Smiling tightly, Sivaangi turned and walked back to Aditi. Giving her a deathly stare, she spoke through her teeth. "That's right I am. You better not mess with me or with the people I care about."

...

Sivaangi just couldn't calm herself down no matter how much she tried while walking back to the waiting area where her team is waiting for her.

She knows she may have went a bit overboard with some of her words but she didn't care. In fact she wished she had given that poor excuse of a woman a tight slap to cherish.

Did she really think she can talk about Ashwin, her Ashwin that way and get away with it?

Her entire face was bright red, the anger overpowering every rational thoughts and behaviour. Just then, she spotted Ashwin who had finally returned from his call. He was quietly talking to Rakshan, his eyes barely alive.

Sivaangi was almost provoked to walk right back to the washroom and drag that woman by her hair. How could she have the heart to slander this man?

Slowly walking towards them, she suddenly noticed a photographer from one of the news channel who's main content is always Ashwin-Aditi standing there along with Aditi's assistant.

Sivaangi was smart enough to understand the tactics. 'So they're all a team working together to promote Aditi using Ashwin?' This is what's been happening for the past one year.

Aditi stays close with Ashwin, captures. candid but suggestive pictures and then publish it. Boom! You've got yourself a stable career for the next few years.

Media is dirty. Sivaangi has been part of it enough to know how dirty and vile it can get. People can stoop down to any level to gain publicity and fame, it's common. Whatever Aditi is doing, it might be morally questionable but from a career perspective, it's completely justified and acceptable.

But if you think Sivaangi will sit back and watch her leveraging Ashwin after spewing all that about him, then you don't know Sivaangi at all.

They all seem to be in a heated discussion about the seating arrangements in the airplane as they kept on waving the tickets, pointing to something.

She needs to honour the title that was given to her, bitch. She wanted to show just how much of a bitch she can be.

Her head held high, she marched toward the team. Surya was about to say something to her but not wanting to give him a chance, she loudly blurted out. "Ashwin and I are sitting together."

~~~•••~~~

I'll be honest, I struggle a lot when it comes to writing dialogues so this chapter was especially challenging for me since it involved lots of dialogues. Pudicha vote pannunga, pudikalana comments la kaluvi oothunga🤣

And tell me what do you think about this chapter? Major insights are given about their breakup, and Sivaangi's transformation from a cold, distant ex girlfriend to an overprotective mama bear💜💜💜

This is a chapter where they both never had any dialogues together but their individual scenes showed just how much love is overflowing between them, from Ashwin's phone call to Sivaangi's every scene!

Thank you for reading🦋🤍