The recording session went much better than what Sivaangi had expected. Surya had been nothing but professional the whole time.

She felt quite sceptical when he first asked her to come with him to the studio since he needed her to record again a number of lines. She felt especially uneasy when she realised the rest of the team wouldn't be there.

It's just going to be the music director, Surya and her. Just that idea alone suffocated her because Sivaangi had unknowingly developed a strong distaste for the man. She couldn't put into words what exactly was wrong with him, but he was the kind of men that Sivaangi would usually steer clear of.

It took a lot of efforts to firmly reject Ashwin's offer when he insisted on coming along with her to the studio.

With him in the vicinity, she would feel the safest. But she didn't want to rely on him when she knows very well it is impossible for him to be available 24/7 to play her knight in shining armour.

Sivaangi preferred to take care of herself without depending on anyone.

And thankfully, today was not a day that required her to really fight anyone. So far everything went smoothly and Yuvan left feeling satisfied.

Sivaangi started putting away her things, ready to leave, when Surya sweetly asked. "Full song kekuriya? Your voice sounds so heavenly, by far this is your best!"

(You wanna listen to the whole song?)

She couldn't say no when he uttered such lovely words about something that means so much to her.

With a polite smile, she nodded. "Okay sure, play pannunga."

(Play it.)

Her eyes lit up brightly as she moved her head according to the tune, completely feeling the song with her entire being.

Sivaangi knows generally she has a good voice but there's this scientifically unexplainable thing about her singing for Ashwin, where her voice just sounds a million times more euphonious. When she has that man in mind, her heart means every word that she sings out and there is soul in the song. The soul of the unadulterated love that blossomed between them.

Grinning widely, she turned to Surya in excitement. "Nejamavey romba nalla vandhurku!"

(It really has come out well.)

His face imitated the happiness she glowed with. "Nee padi nalla varama irukuma? You are really gifted Sivaangi. And I  wanna apologise for being a douchebag the other day when I commented on your singing. It's just that I've seen too many incompetent star kids who made it big simply because of their family name, adhaan oru nimisham unna misjudge panniten. Ippo puridhu yen Ashwin was acting so protective, ivlo talent irukura oru person ah naa underestimate panna kovam vara thana seiyum. Later I should apologise to him too."

(Of course thanks to your voice! I've misjudged you for a moment because I thought you're like all those untalented star kids. Now I understand why Ashwin as so protective that day, underestimating such a talented person would obviously make him angry.)

She nodded in assurance. Maybe he wasn't as bad as she had thought. At least he's readily admitting his mistakes once he realised them. That's commendable. It would be unfair to continue judging him for things that he already apologised for.

"That's okay, as a producer ungaluku neraya tension iruka thana seiyum. I understand. Let's forget about all that. You're very talented so unga kuda work pannadhu was a good learning experience. Neenga nalla periya level ah varuvinga, vena paarunga." She earnestly wished him.

(As a producer I understand there's a lot of pressure on you. You're very talented so it was a good learning experience while working with you. You just wait, you'll make it so big in the industry.)

He returned back the smile. "Unna madhri oru person life la irukuradhey is a blessing Sivaangi. I'm glad you were part of my very first official project. Not sure about my talents but your luck will bring me places."

(Having a person like you in my life is a blessing.)

She chuckled in disbelief. "Please idhulam romba over ah iruku."

(That's an exaggeration.)

"I'm serious. I know you said you're not interested to pursue anything romantic with me. But can we at least be friends?"

Sivaangi instantly stuck out her arm. "Of course, friends."

He shook it gently with an enigmatic smile. "Thank you Sivaangi."

Sivaangi had no idea that she had just signed a deal with the devil himself and he wouldn't rest until he drags her down to the pits of hell along with him.

...

"Inga churros semmaya irukum. Let's have some." Surya had suggested when they walked past a cozy cafe located below the studio.

(They sell great churros here.)

He immediately went to queue in the counter while Sivaangi took the chance to call to hear the voice she's been strangely missing since morning.

She thought 2 years of separation would help to tone down the strong feelings for him but she realised that it has only intensified. These days the suppressed emotions are hitting her all at once.

Ashwin is the first thought that comes to her mind when she wakes up and he is also the last thought at night before she falls asleep. To make it worse, he occupies her mind throughout the day too regardless of what she's busy with.

The daily bickering they shared that held hints of affection, the unarticulated words they exchanged through their eyes and the vulnerability they both felt in each other's presence, it was all old and new.

Old because they did go through a phase like this 2 years ago when they were pining after each other right before they officially confessed. New because these are new versions of themselves, and it's more special because now they've witnessed the bad and ugly sides of each other.

They've seen the worst and somehow still found their way back together. Maybe not completely yet but they're getting there.

Her lips formed a tiny pout when the call went answered. Just then, Surya walked over with a tray of churros and some drinks.

"Yaaruku call?"

(Who are you calling?)

"Ashwin. But he's not answering." She couldn't conceal the disappointment in her voice.

Surya placed a plate of churros in front of her while saying,"yepdi yedupaaru, he must be at the rehearsals."

(Of course he won't.)

Despite the sweet taste of the churros dipped in chocolate that spread throughout her mouth, she frowned at the information. "Oh yenakku theriyadhu."

(Oh i didn't know about that.)

Surya hummed. "Last minute la schedule pannirkanga. Yenakum theriyadhu. Aditi posted a picture with Ashwin in her story, appo than theriyum."

(Yeah it was scheduled at the last minute. I don't know too. I only found out through the picture Aditi posted of her and Ashwin in her story.)

Without even Sivaangi asking, he voluntarily flashed his phone in front of her as she observed the picture of the on-screen pair from the dance studio.

It was a cute mirror selfie that would certainly send the pair's shippers to heaven. Ashwin's arms were folded against his shoulder as he stood up straight with a lopsided grin. Aditi was cozily leaning on to Ashwin's side as her arm clung onto his shoulder.

Her caption read: Work never feels like work if you're working with an adorable human💋

Swallowing the uncomfortable feeling that erupted from her heart, she just nodded and hoped he would put away the phone already.

He did put away his phone but that's when things got worse. "They look so cute together. Ashwin has acted alongside many actresses but Aditi kuda irundhapo he just glowed! Visually they're so stunning. Ashwin oda height ku Aditi match panna madhri yaarum pannadhu illa. Individually both are attractive thaan but some sort of magic happens when they are together on screen, they just look best when they are together, illa?"

(She's the perfect match for his heigh, no one else. No one matches Ashwin better then Aditi. They look the best when they are together, right?)

She nodded with a forced smile. And Surya knew exactly what he was doing.

Sivaangi was bold. Sivaangi was smart. Sivaangi was self-reliant.

But she, after all was still a human. Like anyone else, she had her own insecurities that haunted her at nights.

And from all the research he had diligently been doing, it didn't take him long to figure out that Sivaangi isn't the most confident about her appearance, especially when it involves Ashwin. He found old videos of hers where she blatantly stated that she wouldn't make a suitable on-screen pair for him.

The Sivaangi now had gone through tremendous transformation, her dressing had improved with a blend of maturity and the way she carried herself was different. Her self esteem had boosted and she had even developed an admiration for her own reflection on the mirror.

But, insecurities are not just caused by your clothes and appearance for them to disappear once you go through a glow-up. Insecurities are a product of your mind, heart and countless bitter experiences that left behind scars. They grow along with you. They're always there, stuck deep down within you, waiting for someone to trigger it.

And Surya just did that.

Holding back his cruel smile, Surya continued. "And you know what's even more interesting? Ashwin Kumar is a private person, he never gets into scandals. But that completely changed after Aditi. Even the amount of gossips that media channels come up with didn't push him to distance himself from her. Ashwin indha alavuku oru co-actress ku space kuduthu yaarum pathadhu illa. She must be special in some way, that's for sure."

(We've never seen Ashwin giving this much space to any co-actress.)

With much difficulty, Sivaangi swallowed down the crushed churros and tried to ignore the huge lump in her throat.

Sivaangi has never been the type to believe everything she hears on the media. She knows how it feels to be in the limelight as media channels constantly squeeze out some sort of gossip or rumours for views. She knows better than to trust anything online. So she always dismissed any baseless news she came across about Ashwin.

However, she also can't deny that there was some truth to Surya's words. No matter how annoying or overbearing Aditi was, Ashwin never cut her off. Not once.

And that didn't make sense. The Ashwin she knows never bothers to maintain bonds or friendships that he genuinely didn't care about. Which only means that he does care about Aditi.

Maybe they are really good friends.

The equation between Aditi and Ashwin had never been something Sivaangi ever sat down to ponder about. In fact it never once crossed her mind because all this while she only saw Aditi as a contemptuous woman who made use of Ashwin's fame to enhance her career.

Never once did she think about Ashwin who actually gave her the space to use him, something that's completely against his moral compass.

Now, thanks to Surya, that was all she could think about as the odd feeling in her heart continued growing no matter how hard she tried to shake it off.

Are you still the same Ashwin that I offered a rose to?

...

"Dei phone ah kudu da, yen pondati ku call pannanum."

(Give me the phone already man, I need to call my wife.)

Rakshan was getting vexed at his friend who was all dressed smartly for the lunch that he had planned with Sivaangi to make up for the dinner than never happened.

Despite the most tiring rehearsal session he just came back from, just the thought of the woman who owned his entire heart was enough to give him all the energy to go on for the day.

Letting his phone get charged, he had seized his friend's phone to confirm his reservation in the restaurant he had spent a significant time in picking out.

He's not sure what Sivaangi had in mind when she initiated this idea of having a meal together. Looking by the seriousness in her eyes when she suggested it,  Ashwin could tell it wasn't for romantic reasons like the one he had in mind.

But he still wanted to make it as special as possible for her. Regardless of the reasons, time spent with her is precious and he wanted to enjoy every minute of it.

After all, this was something he had missed and  craved for years.

"Daily pesura, konjam neram wait pannu da! Ulagam onnum nasama poidathu konjam late ah pesuna." He said, his eyes still focused on the phone.

(You guys talk everyday, just hold on a bit. The world wouldn't be ruined if you talk later.)

"Ulagam nalla irukum, yen vazhkai thaan nasama poidum. Yerkanavey ava gaandu la iruka Niranjani kuda photo post pannadhuku. Un love ku yen kudumbathula kummi adichitu poidatha da." Rakshan pleaded, trying to snatch back his phone.

(The world will be fine but I won't. She's already pissed at me for posting the photo with Niranjani. Please don't create a ruckus in my family for the sake of your love.)

Ashwin rolled his eyes. "Dei konjam thittuna vaangiko, idhulam oru matter ah! Window side table available illanu solranga, naaney tension la iruken."

(Just bear with it if she scolds you! I'm already irritated that they said the table by the window isn't available.)

Rakshan glared. "Yevan veetula yelavu vilundhalum ungaluku pagal la first night nadanthey aaganum, apdi thaana?"

(💀🪦👩‍❤️‍💋‍👨)

Ashwin paused and looked up at his friend with amusement. "Idhu kuda nalla irukey da. Pesama restaurant venam, namma room laye order panni sapdalamnu sollidava?"

(This sounds like a good concept. Should I cancel the restaurant plan and tell her that we should eat in our room?)

"Seruppala adippen! Thangachi da!" The brother in Rakshan popped out causing Ashwin's eyes to widen as he mentally face palmed.

( 🥾🥾🥾! she's my sister, mind it!)

It is really unfortunate that he can't have even a best friend to himself to joke around without boundaries because every friend of his happens to share a brotherly bond with Sivaangi. And these brothers happen to take their role very seriously which puts Ashwin in a perilous position. One wrong move and an entire nation would be ready to bury him alive.

Ashwin nervously laughed. "Just joking da."

Rakshan shot him a dubious look, shaking his head. "Hmm indha pavamana moonja ava vena nambuva, naa namba maaten da. Paathu mapillai, over speed odambuku aagadhu. Aprom vandi mothama breakdown aagida podhu. Yenna kuptu pinnadi landhu thalla solladha, ippovey solliten."

(she might believe this sympathetic face but I won't. Control your speed, if you go too fast only a breakdown would happen. Then don't come and ask me to push you from the back.)

Ashwin narrowed his eyes. "Vaaya vekkadha!"

(Stop cursing me!)

Just then, Ashwin's phone started ringing and that's how the day perfectly got ruined.

...

The tension in the lounge area was so thick someone could actually cut through it with a knife.

The trio have been sitting in nothing but silence for the past 20 minutes, not knowing what to say or even think.

After adorning a beautiful lavender salwar suit, Sivaangi was enthusiastically doing her hair when the news of Ashwin's on-going movie project being shelved broke out.

And the producer had used the exact same words that were used by the producer of the another project that Ashwin was terminated from just a week ago.

"He has an attitude problem. It's not easy to work with people like him."

With eyes that dripped with concern, Sivaangi stared at the man that sat across from her. He simply stared into the thin air, his entire face reddened to clearly expose just how enraged he was.

This is exactly what Sivaangi was fearing. Simbu's words from the call he made the other day echoed through her mind.

'There are external forces working to end his entire career. Avan new movies sign panna kudathu, irukura movies avan kai vittu poganum, aprom already wrap up panna movies theatres ku vara kudathu. They just want to completely remove him from the industry. Idhulam yaaru panradhunu kandu pidikalam but adhuku Ashwin vaaya thorakanum but his lips are sealed. I don't know who he's trying to protect when he knows very well these people will mercilessly ruin his life. Nee pesi paaru, avan ta kelu. I can only help if he lets me help."

(he shouldn't sign new movies, the movies he's part of should be shelved and the movies that he's done with should never reach the theatres. I don't know who's behind all these but I can only find out if Ashwin cooperated and discloses certain things. But his lips are sealed. Try talking to him and make him open up.)

Sivaangi sighed internally. Despite all the anger that masked his eyes, Sivaangi is well aware of the pain and fears he's going through. By the way his legs constantly moved and fingers that kept fidgeting, Sivaangi knows Ashwin is literally holding himself from breaking down.

And that breaks her heart. She can never understand how people can bring themselves to drag down someone who worked all their life to get to where they are. Just how evil can people be?

Why Ashwin? What did he do to them?

And most importantly, according to Simbu Ashwin is aware of the dirty politics that's going on in the industry against him but why is he refusing help? Who is he protecting? Who on earth is worth risking his career for?

She had too many questions running through her head and only one man can answer all that. She thought she'll be getting the answers today during lunch but the phone call from Tasha had changed their plans.

"Naa appovey sonnen." Rakshan suddenly said, causing Ashwin to jerk his head up.

(I've already been saying.)

"Yenna sonna?"

(What?)

"Konjam compromise pannu, romba rigid ah irukadha, not everyone will appreciate your morals or values." Rakshan explained.

(You should compromise a bit, you can't be too rigid.)

"Ippo yenna? Yen attitude naala thaan ipdi aaiduchunu solriya?" Ashwin glared.

(So what? Now you're trying to say it's really because of my attitude this happened?)

"Dei naa yenna solla varenu purinjiko! Your strong personality can easily be regarded as attitude by people that don't know you well. Konjam tone down pannikalam."

(Can you try to understand what I'm trying say! Just tone it down a bit.)

"Naa poyi ippo avanunga kaalula vilanuma?" Ashwin snapped.

(You want me to fall on their legs?)

"Paithiyam madhri pesadha Ashwin. Producers expect flexible and easy-going actors to work with. Yenna nadanthalum smoking scenes panna maaten, alcohol kudika maaten, kiss panna maaten...ipdi oru conditions list vecha-"

(Stop talking nonsense. Whatever happens, I won't film smoking scene or alcohol consumption scenes, I won't kiss anyone...if you have a list of conditions like this-)

"It's called having morals, if people call it attitude, fuck them!"

"Ashwin!" Sivaangi called out in panic, he was slowly losing it as all the frustration and anger started bursting out.

"Yeppa, ulagathula unakku mattum thaan morals irukura madhri pesadha. You want a successful career, well be ready to make some sacrifices-"

(Stop talking like you're the only one with morals in this world.)

"SACRIFICE PANDRATHA PATHI YEN KITTA PESADHA!"

(Don't teach me about making sacrifices!)

Both Rakshan and Sivaangi stared in terror at a fuming Ashwin that stood up, forcefully kicking the sofa behind him. "Naa unna madhri kedayathu! Yethukagavum sila vishyangal ah naa vittu kuduka maaten! Yevan yenna sonnalum seri!"

(I'm not like you. I would never compromise certain thing no matter what. I don't care what anyone says!)

Rakshan sighed out loudly. "Ipdiye emotional fool madhri pesuna, theruvula thaan-"

(If you keep talking like an emotional fool, you would only end up in the streets-)

"Nikkiren da! Theruvula ninnutu poren! Adhu thana venum? Industry la oru rival koranja unaku advantage thana?" Ashwin himself knows that isn't true at all but rage clouded his rationality, hurting the friend he treasured the most.

(Let me be! Let me end up in the streets then! That's what you want right? You have one lesser rival in the industry, isn't that an advantage?)

"Venam Ashwin! Varthaye vidura-"

(Stop it Ashwin! You're unnecessarily saying a lot of things-)

"Kuda irukura neengaley ipdi pesuna, yevan yevano kaluvi ootha thaana seivan! Yethana peru kitta neeye thappa pesuniyo...yaaruku theriyum." He shakily breathed out, his eyeballs literally shaking as all his pain and disappointments could be seen through them.

(If the people who are with me already talk like this about me, of course producers who don't know me at all will badmouth me. Who know, what are the things you say about me behind my back?)

"Ashwin-" Sivaangi didn't know what else to say except his name, she had never seen him this angry and broken before. Ashwin was always the calm and collected one. He would the the one to cool her down when she gets riled up.

She knows he has quite a temper, she's just never witnessed it.

She found her own body trembling involuntarily by the sight of a feral Ashwin. He was like a wild animal that had completely gone mad, nobody could stop or control him.

He looked at Rakshan, his blood boiling from the inside. "Saagura varaikum moonjula mulikatha."

(Don't appear in front of me even if I die.)

Without another word, he stormed away. Rakshan's eyes instantly reflected pain as he stared speechlessly at the back of his friend who had walked away from him.

Not wasting another second, Sivaangi stood up and ran after the man.

...

Despite him shutting the door on her face, she didn't hesitate to open it herself and follow him inside the room.

He chugged down the bottle of water from the fridge, and Sivaangi hoped that would help to cool him down even if a little bit before she started.

"Ashwin yen ipdi lam-"

(Ashwin why are you-)

He turned to her with firm eyes. "Indha paaru, un annan ku support pannitu inga varadha. Just go."

(Look, don't come to me to defend your brother .)

"Can you listen to me?" She calmly asked.

"No! Un paasa malar padam paakura mood la naa illa. Just go. I don't wanna hurt you so poidu, aprom pesuren. Avanuku support panni inga pesuna vera madhri aaagidum." He warned her.

(No. I'm not in the mood for your emotional drama. I don't wanna hurt you so just go, I'll talk later. If you keep defending him, I don't know what I would do.)

She rolled her eyes before placing her hands on his shoulder, to make him face her. "Chappunu aranjana theriyum! Loosa nee? Yen annan ku support pannanumna, I would have been with him. Unakaga avara thaniya vittutu un pinnadiye vandhurken."

(Let me give you a tight slap, that would teach you a lesson! Are you crazy? If I wanna support my brother, I would have stayed with him. I left him alone and ran after you, for you. )

That silenced him.

She gently brought her hand to his cheek and rubbed it fondly. "Yevlo kovam varudhu unakku? Kolandhai madhri kathitu vara."

(How angry you get? Like a child you threw such a tantrum.)

He narrowed his gaze, not particularly enjoying being compared to a baby after he went through such a rage that was still burning him.

"Ashwin naa onnu sollava? Yes, unaku neraya attitude iruku."

(Can I tell you something? Yes, you have lots of attitude.)

He frowned, not knowing where exactly she was heading by making that claim. "Attitude is the most misunderstood word in India. Attitude onnum thappu illaye? Everyone of us have it, sila peruku positive attitude, sila peruku negative attitude. You have a strong attitude. You give respect to everyone. You treat everyone equally. You don't butter up to anyone. Yenga irundhalum, yaara irundhalum nee neeya irupa. Yellathukum mela unaku yedhu serinu padudho adhu mattum thaan seiva, yevlo peru sonnalum thappunu thonura vishyatha seiya maata. You don't change yourself for anyone because you are confident with who you are. Andha confidence paathu thaan mathavangaluku bayam varudhu."

(what's wrong with having an attitude? no matter where you are, who you are with, you remain yourself. You only do what feels right to you and you won't do something that feels wrong to you no matter how many people persuade you to. Your confidence scares them Ashwin.)

Ashwin just stared, unable to find words to respond to what she just said. "You don't have an attitude problem. You have a personality that people can't handle because they're afraid."

Ashwin avoided her eyes, his breath shaking. "Avaney yepdi pesuran. Naa sacrifice panlanu solran...idhuku mela naa yenna sacrifice pannanum? Ippo varaikum naa vidama pudichitu irukura orey vishyam yen uyir mattum thaan. Unna kuda oru point la-"

(You heard what he said right? I didn't make any sacrifices? What else is there for me to sacrifice? The only thing left for me till this moment is my life. At one point, I even had to sacrifice you-)

He couldn't bring himself to finish it, as he got choked up in his own tears. She immediately wrapped her small arms around her, pulling him into her safe embrace. "Anna mean pannadhu vera Ashwin, adhu thappa seri ah apdinu discuss panla but he didn't mean hurt to you. He would never and you know that too. You see and hear everything wrongly because of your anger."

(What he meant was different. Let's not discuss if he's right or wrong, but he never intended to hurt you.)

He buried his face into her neck and continued releasing all the emotions that's been killing him for days as she patted his back softly. Her own eyes started watering when he heard his pitiful cries.

The man who never wanted to show her anything less than perfect, the man who made sure to be strong and brave in front of her, the man who never allowed himself to be vulnerable with her, he completely broke down, stripping himself off the strong walls he put up.

He didn't deserve any of these. Not after all those years of struggles. He went though hell to reach where he is. It is not fair to drag him back to the starting line and expect him to fight all over again.

Just how long can a man remain strong?

She couldn't tell how much time passed before Ashwin slowly stabilised himself and pulled away from her hold, rubbing his teary eyes. "Naa okay."

(I'm okay.)

At that moment he truly looked like a little prideful kid. Smiling, she pushed him to sit on the bed. Wordlessly, she leaned in and planted a gently kiss on his forehead to which he automatically shut his eyes.

"Everything will be okay I promise. Unakku onnum aaga naa vitra maaten. Naa irukura varaikum yaarum yedhuvum panna mudiyathu Ashwin. Naa pathukuren." She said, her eyes passionately filled with nothing but affection and care for the man in front of her.

(I wouldn't let anything happen to you. As long as I'm here, nobody can do anything to you.)

He chuckled at that. "Naa solla vendiya dialogues lam nee sollitu iruka. We are so messed up."

(These are things that I should be saying.)

She glared playfully. "Hello this is 2021, yaaru venalum idhulam sollalam."

(These are not reserved for any specific genders. I can say anything I want.)

He tilted his head with the cutest smile. "Seri vera yennalam solluvinga?"

(Okay what else you are going to say to me?

She bit her lip, holding back the biggest smile that's dying to crack. "Adhulam aprom solren."

(Not now.)

"Indha jenmathula solliduvingala?"

(Would you say it in this lifetime?)

She hit his arm to which he whined as usual. "Ippo olunga poyi annan ta sorry kelu."

(You better go and apologise to annan.)

He sighed softly, looking down as shame hit him. She gently ran her fingers through his hair, knowing that it is an instant way to make him feel relaxed. "Ashwin, yevlo kovam irundhalum, unakkunu vazhkaila irukura sila genuine people mattum thooki potratha. People like them are irreplaceable. Life long avanga nammaluku venum. Puridha?"

(No matter how angry you are, never throw away some genuine people that you've earned for yourself. We need such people as long as we live. Understand?)

"Unaku venumnu sollu." He sulked like a child once again.

(You need them you mean.)

"Yenaku venumna unakkum venum thana?" She immediately asked, catching him off guard for the hundredth time that day.

(My needs are your needs too right?)

He looked down once again, but this time he was organising his thoughts as he planned on how to apologise. Once sorted, he looked at her and nodded. "Okay poren."

(Fine I'll go.)

He opened the door to walk to the lounge but there was no need for that as Rakshan was already standing in front of the door, wearing the same shock on his face just as him.

"Machan-"

Rakshan beat him to it. "Sorry da. Naa yosikama pesiten. Avanunga kadakuranga. Pona pogatum. Unna venamnu sonna, the loss is theirs, not yours."

(I don't know what I was thinking. Screw them. They said don't want you? Well the loss is theirs.)

Ashwin blinked blankly. He had only prepared himself to apologise, he wasn't ready to receive one.

Rakshan smiled warmly. "Nee nallavan da. Naa lam apdi kedayathu. Yen, ulagathula padhi peru apdi kedayathu. Aana nee vera machan. Ipdiye iru. Unaku yellamey nalladha thaan nadakum. Konjam porumaya mattum iru-"

(You're a good soul. I'm not like that. In fact most people in the world aren't like that. But you're different. Continue being like this. Only good things will happen to you. Just be patient-)

That was it. Ashwin flung his arms around Rakshan, pulling him into the tightest hug as his eyes started leaking uncontrollably.

His voice shook as he stammered. "Sorry machan, sathiyama sorry! Romba pesitan unna."

(I swear I'm sorry! I hurt you so badly.)

Rakshan held his friend, trying to control his own eyes that threatened to tear up. "Nee thana da pesuna, veedu. Adhulam naa appovey marathuten."

(That's okay, it's just you. I've forgotten all that already.)

Ashwin held him tighter. "Raksha, saagura varaikum nee yenaku venum."

(Raksha, until I die I want you to be with me.)

His friend laughed heartily and promised. "Adichu thorathunalum yengayum poga maaten."

(I'm not gonna go anywhere even if you asked me to.)

Suddenly their bodies were pushed aside as Sivaangi stared at them before looking at Ashwin specifically with teasing eyes. "Yenna paasa malar padam kaata vendam nu sollitu neenga rendu perum Thalapathy padam oturinga pathingala? Ponga ponga."

(You asked me not to create emotional drama but look at the emotional drama you guys are putting on.)

She started walking away and Rakshan called out. "Yenga pora thangam?"

(Where're you going?)

"Yenaku pasikuthu, neenga unga bromance ah continue pannunga."

(I'm hungry, you guys continue your bromance.)

"Iru naangalum varom!" Rakshan said and signalled Ashwin to follow as he jogged after Sivaangi.

(Hold on, we'll come along!)

Despite the mess Ashwin was caught in, a contented smile made it to his face as he slowly walked behind the duo.

Once again in life, he had been forcefully dragged into the battlefield. But this time he wasn't fighting on his own.

~~~•••~~~

I've always admired the bond between Rakshan and Ashwin. This is a chapter specially dedicated for their friendship I guess. Not sure if you would like it so do share your opinions, all kind of feedbacks are welcomed🤗

And the scenes of Surya and Sivaangi probably gave you hints on where the plot is heading towards👀

Also I wanna remind you all not to make assumptions about Ashwin and Sivaangi in real life based on what I write. Remember this is fictional!

Thank you for patiently waiting, it's just that writer's block is a real problem and I needed some time to get back my motivation! 🙏🏻

MWB is updated too in case you're not aware! So check it out if you haven't 😬

Love you all💜