Sivaangi could literally feel every second ticking by slowly as they stared at each other.

Her question still hung in the air, unanswered. Her hand still stuck out towards him, waiting for him to take it and forge an alliance to keep peace between them.

It would be a lie to say that Sivaangi was confident when she popped such a question, she wasn't fully expecting him to simply oblige and make things easy.

Maybe he would throw a tantrum. Maybe he would ridicule her request. Maybe he would get upset.

There were endless possibilities. Because what she was asking out of him wasn't a piece of cake.

Being friends with people is something that comes to her naturally. But being friends with the man that used to mean the world to you is dangerous and scary. Some may even call it stupid.

Sivaangi wasn't completely sure if she was being reasonable but she would rather be with him in a comfortable space as a friend than to give him the stinky eye and drown in an intolerable pain everytime he's in the vicinity.

As if God finally felt merciful for all the absurd misery he put the duo through, the elevator doors were forcefully pulled apart as they were greeted by a number of worried faces.

Sivaangi immediately brought back her hand to herself and stood up. She couldn't help but feel disappointed on how this ended without some sort of conclusion. She secretly had hoped things would have somehow changed between them for the better by the time they got out of the lift. But it looks like she has made it even more complicated now.

Simbu gushed over to her, pulling her into a warm, brotherly hug. Despite being squashed inside his arms, her eyes moved to the figure that just stepped out of the lift too. She was hoping he'll look at her and maybe convey his response now. But not once his eyes landed on her.

The music director checked on him, before Simbu released her and took his time with Ashwin.

Simbu apologized profusely even though he wasn't at fault even the slightest for a technical malfunction. He assured them that they'll just postpone the meeting to another day and insisted them to go back home.

Ashwin quickly said his goodbyes to everyone except her, deliberately leaving her name out and exited the building.

Simbu who has little but significant knowledge on the nature of Ashwin and Sivaangi's relationship gave a gentle smile and nudged her. "Neeyum kelambu da, tired ah irukala."

(You should go also, you seem very tired.)

Slowly nodding, she walked out. Relief hit her when she spotted her family's car waiting outside with their driver. She assumed it was her mother's doing which she was grateful for as she truly did not want to waste more time waiting for a cab.

Right then, she found him standing by his car and it was a reflex reaction to roll her eyes.

He gave her the cold shoulders inside for no apparent reason but wouldn't leave until he sees her off safely.

Typical Ashwin.

Not having the energy to bother anymore, she decided to leave without instigating another squabble as tempting as it was.

When her car was completely out of sight, Ashwin got in his car. Just before he could drive off, the security guard came running and knocked on his window.

Confused, Ashwin winded down his window with a questioning look. "Sir, idhu unga mobile ah nu paarunga. Lift la kadanthuchu."

Ashwin's eyes widened when he saw his phone in the safe hands of the security guard. "Medhuva pesu na...ketra podhu!"

(Lower down your voice bro, someone might hear you!)

Remembering his white lie, a guilty smile made it's way to his face. He collected his phone that must have slipped out of his pocket when he sat down in the lift.

"Idha mattum neenga konjam nerathuku munnadi kondu vanthinga, yenaku inniki sangu thaan. Thanks na."

(If you had given me this just a few minutes ago, that would have been my end. Thanks bro.)

---~~~---

The sound of the waves hitting against one another were like music to her ears. The breezy air was blowing through her hair made her feel like the main character of a rom-com.

There was barely anyone at the beach which is not surprising at all considering the late hour. Not everyone would be insane enough like Sivaangi to visit the beach on a cold night.

She shuddered when the air around her got even colder. Regretting her choice to wear a very thin t-shirt, she wrapped her arms around herself hoping that will protect her from the cold.

After a long day of shoot at Super Singer where she was invited as a special guest, Sivaangi just felt an undying desire to go to the beach.

The thought of the beach has been lingering in her head for quite some time already - ever since she returned to India, to be more specific.

And it wasn't just a harmless desire to visit a beach but she yearned to visit the beach. The beach that witnessed beautiful moments of her and the man that wasn't there with her anymore.

Sivaangi knew very well that whatever she was doing was plain stupid. But just for tonight, she didn't mind being stupid.

Even if it meant torture for her.

The moment she shut her eyes, thousands of memories that she had always forced herself to forget were awakened all at once causing a stinging pain in her heart.

She missed him.

She missed his touch, the way his large hand would protectively hold her tiny one.

She missed his deep voice, the endless promises he would utter that would send her heart flying.

She missed his warm, tight hugs.

She missed his infrequent but special kisses.

She missed everything.

She got herself occupied with things to focus on and convinced herself that she's moved on. She believed that she was over him.  Meeting him 2 years later, she realized just how wrong she was.

She never once stopped loving him till this very minute and that scared her. What if she never gets to stop?

If 2 years of separation couldn't terminate her love, Sivaangi frankly didn't know what possibly can.

The sensible Sivaangi knows he's not worth her time and attention but the emotional Sivaangi believes that he's worth anything in this world. It's a battle between the mind and heart.

"Sivaangi thana?"

(Is that you Sivaangi?)

The sudden voice from the back caused her to startle as she turned to find the owner of the voice. Familiarity hit her at the sight of the uniformed lady as her brain quickly identified the beaming woman.

"Aama of course Sivaangi thaan. Yepdi irukinga ka? Neenga innum inga thaan work pandringala?"

(Yes of course it's me. How are you sis? You're still working here?)

Sivaangi felt her heart warming up at the beach patrol officer. She was like a sweet friend that one would meet every morning at the park when you go for a jog. Except that Ashwin and Sivaangi met her almost every week at the private beach when they were still dating.

From teasing the passionate lovers to even offering love life advices, she was a strong shipper of them even though their ship was already sailing. Though it has sunk now.

"Naa vera yenga poga poren? Yevlo naalu aachu unna paathu!" She pulled Sivaangi into a side hug, but she was all jittery as if she couldn't believe Sivaangi was there.

(Where else would I be at? It's been so long since I saw you!)

"Naanum avan ta varam varam keppan, yengada Sivaangi, yepdi iruka Sivaangi nu. Badhil eh sollala. Pona varam kuda ketan da unna pathi, appo thaan vaya thorandhey sonnan semma ya irukanu."

(I would ask him countless times about you, but he never answered. Even last week I was asking about you, for the first time he said you were doing so well.)

Sivaangi stared for a second as she listened to her words carefully. She asked even though she knows the answer. "Yaaru ta kepinga?"

(Who would you ask to?)

The lady smiled in disbelief at her ridiculous question. "Ashwin ta thaan ma, vera yaaru ta. Un kuda vandha varaikum weekly once vandhinga, aprom yeppo avan thaniya vara aramichano weekly 3 or 4 days inga thaan vandhu ukkandhu kedapan."

(Of course to Ashwin, who else? When he used to come here with you, you guys always came weekly once. But since he started coming alone, he'd be here almost 3 or even 4 days each week.)

That did something to her heart. Something undescribable.

Sivaangi couldn't find the power in her to say anything else as her mind was still thinking about what the lady previously said. The brand new information that she was just offered.

For the past 2 years, Ashwin has been spending countless days on this beach that would remind him of nothing but Sivaangi.

She thought she was torturing herself by coming here this one night. But finding out that Ashwin had been torturing himself for God knows how many nights hurts her more.

She don't think she can stay here anymore. Deciding to go back home, she turned to the lady to bid goodbye but the officer let out a squeal.

"Onna thaan vandhurkingala?" She grinned. Sivaangi followed her eyes to find a tall figure. His expression mirrored hers, shock.

(You both came together?)

Ashwin took very slow steps towards them, hesitancy filled up his eyes. He contemplated if he should just run back to his car or meet the surprise that was waiting for him.

"Nalla irungada, neenga nadathunga. Valakam pola yaarum indha pakkam varama naa pathukuren." She winked and left them alone with the waves.

(Bless the both of you, have fun. I'll make sure no one comes around here.)

He cleared his throat. "Yenna indha pakkam?"

(How come you're here?)

"Adhey kelvi naanum kekalamla."

(I can ask you the same.)

He hummed. "Kekalam thaan. But nee kekala, naa thana kettan."

(You can. But you didn't. I did.)

She looked at him in the eye. "Naa yerkanavey ketta kelvi ku badhil varala."

(I already asked you something. But I never got a response.)

Ashwin didn't need to think hard to remember what she was referring to as it's been only 2 days since the elevator episode.

He sighed, showing her his disinterest and apathy for that question. "Pass."

"Huh? Apdina?"

(You mean?)

"Pass. Kelvi yenaku pudikala, badhil solla mudiyathu."

(I don't like the question so I'm not gonna respond to that.)

She rolled her eyes yet again. Here she was thinking they can handle this like mature adults but the manchild in him of course has to act up.

"Unga kitta apdi yenna na kettan? Oru friend ah kuda yenna accept panna mudiyatha? Pora yedathula lam kuthi, kilichi, sanda podanuma? Adhu thaan unakku venuma? Aprom yedhuku indha Devdas madhri beach ku daily vandhu feel panninga? What do you want Ashwin? What do you want?!"

(Have I asked you something that bad? You can't even accept me as a friend? You really want us to pick a fight and hurt each other everywhere we meet? Is that what you want? Then why the hell did you act like some heartbroken man and came to the beach every single day? What do you want Ashwin? What do you want?!)

He grabbed her arm harshly, pulling her closer. "Don't ask a question when you are not sure if you can handle the answer."

His smooth brown eyes were fiery as it burnt with rage. Sivaangi stared with her eyes wide open, unsure if her body was still shaking only due to the weather or because of his release of temper.

"Yenaku yenna venuma? Naa solliduven Sivaangi, nee thaanguviya? Unnala mudiyuma?"

(What do I want? I can by all means tell you, but do you think you handle it?)

Sivaangi didn't have the courage to answer that.

His grip on her arm became even stronger when he leaned in slightly, the gap between them was enough for nothing but air to pass through. With shivering eyes, she stared at him im fear. Not fear due to his anger or the lack of space but only fear for what he might say.

"The way you look at me, that's not how you look at a friend, Sivaangi. Yenna ipdi pathutu friend ah irukalamanu ketta naa yenna solla mudiyum?"

(You look at me like this and ask me to be your friend, what do you expect me to say?)

His eyes momentarily moved to her lips. The constant sound of the waves along with the chilly weather made Ashwin yearn for things that not everyone may condone.

He swallowed, forcefully bringing his eyes back up to hers. In his breathy voice, he softly said, "I can never be only a friend. You know that very well too."

Removing his hoodie, he placed it on her hand and walked away because he isn't sure what else he might do or say if he stays any longer.

They can't be friends, they don't want to be more than that. Maybe they shouldn't be anything.

They'll be nothing but strangers with lots of memories.

---~~~---

That's AK having a mini outburst, there's a lot more to come in the future.