The loud applauses and cheers filled up her ears as she gracefully concluded her performance. All eyes were fixed on her in awe but she tried to keep her gaze low, avoiding a particular pair of eyes.

It was good enough she didn't abruptly stop singing when she first noticed the lethal browny eyes in the crowd and cause a disaster. It may seem effortless but it took so much willpower to keep singing without trying to catch another look at those eyes.

I don't need this. I don't want this.

These were the words that she kept chanting in her head, pushing herself to remain calm and maintain her composed image. It's a big day for her and she shouldn't let anyone or anything ruin this. She'll just have to wait a few more seconds before she can get backstage and have her breakdown.

But her breakdown was postponed to even later as she was informed by the anchors to stay put since she's required to present an award. By then Sivaangi could already sense a calamity. Everything was perfectly going wrong so a big mishap is definitely waiting for it's turn.

The banters of the anchor, the laughter from the audience, the video that was being played...she wasn't focusing on any of that. All she could think of was the chocolate eyes.

Just then, the female anchor slipped a piece of white paper into her hand and signalled her to read it out. When Sivaangi stared at her with a blank face, she laughed nervously. "Please announce the favourite actor of the year Sivaangi."

With a sheepish smile, she opened the paper and that moment she truly wished she could dig up a hole and bury herself inside.

In the shaky voice of hers, she called out the name that she promised herself to erase out of her memory. "Ashwin Kumar."

The cheers and claps were a lot more louder this time as a tall, awfully familiar figure made it's way to the stage. She took a deep breath, trying to convince herself that she'll be fine but she knows very well that's a lie.

The anchor passed her the trophy just before the recipient got on the stage. His heavy steps told her that he was feeling just as anxious as her. And somehow that made her feel slightly better. To know that she had an effect on him just like how he did on her.

After what felt like an eternity, he neared her and she swiftly handed him the trophy with a polite smile.

They both shut their eyes momentarily when their fingers brushed against each other. Sivaangi immediately brought her hands back to herself, cursing in her head silently.

"This is actually a historical moment because the world is witnessing the trending pair together on stage after almost 3 years!"

That was all it took for the crowd to go completely crazy. But the actual trending pair just awkwardly smiled, strictly avoiding any eye contact with each other.

Detecting the uneasiness, the anchor immediately tried to put them both in ease. "Ashwin, a few words from you please."

Ashwin grabbed hold of the mic and cleared his throat. "Thank you so much for this award. This is a great honor. I need to definitely thank my fans, unga support illama naa inga vandhurkavey maaten. Thank you so much for your unconditional love, adhuku oru deserving person-ah naa yeppavum iruka try panren."

(I wouldn't be here without your support. I'll try to make myself a deserving person for your unconditional love.)

Life would have been very simple and easy if he had stopped his speech there. But God had other plans for both of them.

He sucked in a breath and his trembling hand brought the mic closer to his lips again.

"Naa oru mukiyamana person-ah thank panniye aaganum indha tharunathula. She is this god-sent angel in my life. I came into this industry and did many different projects, but I struggled for 7 years without getting proper recognition or appreciation. Yellamey mudinchunu nenacha time la thaan ava vandha. Yenna yenakey different ah kaatuna. Yen ulagathaye maathuna. Life ah azhaga aakuna. She was this beautiful girl who became my reason to wake up everyday. Naa patta yellam kashtam, avamanam, asingam, yematram...yellamey avala patha andha nimisham yenaku marandhuduchu. That painful journey seemed worth it because it led me to her. And even today, I'm continuing this journey only because of her."

(I need to thank an important person at this place. She came into my life when I thought everything was over. She showed a different version of myself to me. She changed my world for me. And she made my life even more beautiful. The moment I saw her, I forgot about all the struggle, humiliation and disappointment that I faced.)

The audience went quiet. It is not everyday the actor who values his privacy so much opens up about a girl on stage.

Ashwin could hear the shaky breaths of Sivaangi who remained rooted to the ground. He caught sight of her trembling fingers clutching the mic tightly, attempting to not lose herself at the moment.

That was a sign for him to stop. But he didn't.

"Ippo ava yen kuda illa but ava yen life la create panna magic thaan yenna inga nikka vechiruku. I'm missing her so much at this moment because she's that only person I want to run to and hug to share my happiness right now. She was a snowflake that dropped in the hell I was burning in and set me free. Naa maraka maaten. Till my deathbed, avala mattum maraka maaten. Thank you for everything."

(She's not with me today but only the magic she created in my life has made me stand here. I will never forget. Till my deathbed I will never forget her.)

He finally got the courage to turn his head slightly to the side and take a look at the mess he had created.

Her lips were thin as she pursed them, she was stopping herself from either screaming or crying. Her hands were all sweaty, leaving wet marks on the mic she held. And most importantly, the eyes that she was adamantly trying to keep away in the beginning was now perfectly fixed on him.

She wasn't touched. She wasn't heartbroken. She was fuming. As the audience once again went wild with their claps and screams, she softly whispered, "audience mattum illa, andha trophy-ah vechi un mandaya odachiruven."

(If the audience weren't here, I would have smashed that trophy on your head and crack it open.)

...

Sivaangi was half jogging as she made her way towards the exit. The high heels was making it harder for her to take quick steps or she'd actually be running by now. For a minute, she wondered if she should take off her heels and run barefoot because it really seemed like a life or death situation.

"Sivaangi wait pannu!" The voice from the back just made her panic-stricken state even worse.

(Sivaangi wait!)

And finally as she expected she tripped over her own heel. She let out a gasp and waited for her body to feel the impact of landing on the ground but it never came. Strong arms wrapped around her, protecting her from the fall.

"Paathu di! Olunga nadakavey theriyadha unaku?" She sighed in relief, looking at Sam who still held on to her.

(Careful! Can't you ever walk properly?)

Ashwin managed to catch up and saw the scene unfolding in front of his eyes. The feeling of hostility returned to him at the sight of her best friend just like how he felt years ago. He still didn't like him one bit. Actually he dislikes him even more now compared to before.

But that isn't the issue right now. Ashwin looked straight at Sivaangi and asked, "pesalama?"

(Can we talk?)

Sivaangi straightened herself and released herself from her friend's hold. She responded in a deadpan voice. "Pesurathuku yenna iruku?"

(What's there to talk?)

Ashwin now stared with pleading eyes. "Adhu pesuna thana theriyum? Please Sivaangi, a few minutes for me."

(We can only find out if we talk.)

Before she could respond, the friend snapped. "Ava thaan venamnu solrala? Konjam matured ah behave pannunga."

(Can't you see that she isn't interested to talk? Please behave with maturity.)

"Sivaangi naa un kitta thaan kekuren." Ashwin kept his gaze fixed on Sivaangi, and made it a point to ignore anyone else in that scene. He didn't care about anyone. He doesn't need to hear from anyone. No one but her words matter.

(Sivaangi I'm asking you.)

"Congratulations Ashwin, I'm very happy for you." She slowly said. "Idha thavira vera yedhuvum illa yenaku unga kitta solrathuku. Take care."

(I don't have anything to say to you except these.)

And with that, she turned and walked off. Sam smirked scornfully before following after her, leaving Ashwin alone with his thoughts.

Ashwin silently watched her back, anticipating her to turn at least once to steal a glance at him. But she didn't.

It was as if he was really a part of her past that she's choosing to leave behind.

---~~~---