"Oh my god, I can never stop crying every time i watch the last episode! It just broke my heart!"

"Right? You know it will break your heart but you will still rewatch because you love the pain!"

"Exactly! The amount of times I've rewatched Moon Lovers is unhealthy, yenga amma kuda kepanga yethana vaati pathadhey paapanu."

(even my mom will ask how many times will you keep watching something you've already watched.)

"Only K-drama fans will understand it."

The conversation kept going on and on but all Ashwin could hear was blah blah blah because he wasn't paying attention to the content, all he could comprehend was this random man completely taking all of Sivaangi's attention just because he has some knowledge regarding Korean Dramas. And maybe a little knowledge about certain netflix shows. And a bit of insight when it comes to food blogs.

Yes, they had a lot in common and  were having an amazing time together for two people who just met an hour ago.

Clenching his teeth, Ashwin watched the duo from the side of the studio trying his best to keep up a neutral face. Rakshan who was sticking close to his side kept staring at them too with amusement.

"Idhuku thaan yedhu pannalum plan panni pannanum. Kadavul plan pannuvarunu confident ah pesuniya, this is kadavul's brand new plan for today! How is it machan?"

(This is why you should always plan, you confidently said God will plan for you right?  This is what God has planned for today, how is it bro?)

Ashwin turned to glare with his fiery eyes. "Vara kovathuku yenna pannuvanu theriyadhu, vaya mooditu iru."

(Shut the hell up or I don't know what I would do to you.)

Rakshan laughed gleefully. "Sivaangi hitting off with people who she just met is normal da but indha bollywood artist equal ah tough kuduthu pesuran paaren. Ivangalukulla yedho onnu irukuda!"

(It isn't a surprise that Sivaangi is hitting off well with people who she just met but the fact that the bollywood artist is equally entertaining her! They've got something going on for sure!)

Now Ashwin really looked like he could murder someone. "Yennada iruku?! Yedhavudhu chumma olaruna saavaaduchiduven!"

(The hell is going on! Seriously stop spewing nonsense!)

"Tension aagadhada! Reality ah purinjikitu formula ah change pannu. Nethu varaikum this was a one man show, you had all the time in the world to mend things in your own pace but from tonight onwards you have a competitor. Nee oru sadharna candidate just like Surya so start playing your game instead of relying on Kadavul setting because Kadavul will only set things for people who earn it."

(Stop getting triggered! Understand the reality and change your formula. Until yesterday this was a one man show, you had all the time in the world to mend things in your own pace but from tonight onwards you have a competitor. You're a normal candidate now just like Surya so start playing your game instead of depending on God to do his magic because God only sets things for people who earn it.)

Rakshan patted Ashwin's shoulder gently before walking off, leaving him alone to continue witnessing the duo bonding together.

...

"Idhu unga vela dhana?" Sivaangi stared at her parents.

(You've got something to do with this right?)

It didn't take her long to figure out who Surya was, the moment he stated that he was the son of the legendary director, realisation hit her. That was the exact description her parents have been giving for the prospective groom they've been trying to make her meet.

Since she refused, they or specifically her father had sneakily found a way to make her meet him even though it wasn't in the most idealistic setting that they had wished for.

"Personal vishyatha yethuku professional matters la involve panringa appa? I really didn't expect this from you."

(Why would you involve personal issues in professional matters Dad? I really didn't expect this from you.)

Krishnakumar smiled before walking over to her and gently placed his hand on her head to caress. "Nee personal la lam marandhudu, Surya is now your producer. Apdi mattum nenachi nee palagu, personal matters pathi indha project mudinjathum pesikalam illati pesamaley irundhudalam. It's all your choice Sivaangi."

(Forget about personal or whatever, Surya is now your producer. Just keep that in mind and work with him. We can talk about him personally after you're done with project, that too only if you want. It's all your choice Sivaangi.)

Her mom softly added, "nee yedhuvum yosikadha, just treat him as a friend and a co-worker. Indha bangalore trip ku aprom unakey theriyum andha payyan worth yennanu, adhuku aprom nee decide pannika."

(Don't worry about anything, just treat him as a friend and co-worker. In the Bangalore trip you'd see for yourself his worth and then you can decide.)

Sivaangi wanted to fight and argue but in all honesty she didn't hate Surya. He was a cool guy to hang out with.

But that doesn't mean she can see a future with him.

For now she decided to just give in to her parents and maintain a good friendship with Surya since they have already hit it off pretty well and they will be working together for a project.

She sighed. "Okay fine but neenga nenachadhu kandipa nadakathu. Theva illama expectations valathukathinga." She warned before storming off to her room.

(Okay fine but whatever you're thinking, that won't happen. So stop having any unnecessary expectations.)

...

Krishnakumar paced up and down the hotel corridor with his phone placed against his ear.

"Uncle neenga sonninganu thaan indha project la sign pannen, invest pannen, ippo thidirnu avan seiya mudiyathunu drama potru poran!"

(Uncle I only signed up for this project because you told me to, now he's suddenly creating a drama and dropping out.)

He sighed and tried to coax the fuming man on the other side. "Avan walk out panna pannitu potom, neenga vera actor vechi replace pannikalam. Just because he drops out of the project doesn't mean Sivaangi will drop out too. She's still part of the project and that's what matters."

(If he walks out, let him be. Just replace him with another actor. Just because he drops out of the project doesn't mean Sivaangi will drop out too. She's still part of the project and that's what matters.)

Surya snapped. "Uncle this isn't about Sivaangi! This is about my reputation, I don't want people in my circle or media to know that Ashwin madhri oru aalu walked out of my project. Avan la oru aalunu yen project ah reject pannitu povana? Yenaku theriyadhu uncle, neenga sonninganu thaan I signed up for this project as a producer now you have to set things right. It is your responsibility to make sure Ashwin is part of the project, I don't care what you will do."

(Uncle this isn't about Sivaangi, this is about my reputation! I don't want people to know that an actor like Ashwin walked out of my project? He thinks he's such a big shot to reject my project? I don't care Uncle, I signed up for this project as a producer because you told me to so now you have to set things right. It is your responsibility to make sure Ashwin is part of the project, I don't care what you will do.)

With that Surya ended the call, leaving Krishnakumar in a difficult state. He was the one who suggested Surya to take up this project because he thought it will be a great chance for him to bond with Sivaangi but now if Ashwin drops the project midway, that's gonna taint the reputation of Surya's relatively new production company.

He can't understand what game Ashwin is trying to play but if since he has started it, Krishnakumar will play his part.

Just then, Sivaangi came out of the hotel room all dolled up, interrupting his train of thoughts. "Appa polama?"

(Shall we go?)

"Yengama?"

(To where?)

Sivaangi rolled her eyes. "Recording mudinjitula, neenga thana sonning shopping polamnu before we return back to Chennai."

(Since we're done with the recording, you said we can go shopping before we return to Chennai right?)

Krishnakumar nodded hastily and said, "shopping polam but adhuku munnadi oru mukkiyamana velai iruku, neeyum kuda varanum."

(we can go shopping but there's something important that we need to take care of before that.)

As he drove through the busy roads of Coimbatore, Krishnakumar briefly explained the problem, strategically leaving out come parts of course.

Sivaangi just looked puzzled and scoffed. "Appa avaruku venamna pogatum, namaku yenna vandhuchu? Idhula naa seirathuku onnum illa."

(If he doesn't want to, let him be. Why does it concern us? There's nothing for me to do in this.)

Krishnakumar sighed and shook his head. "Surya kaga do this favour ma."

(Do this as a favour for Surya.)

Sivaangi rolled her eyes yet again. "I'm sorry but I don't think I care enough about Surya to do anything for him, especially something that I don't like."

"Sivaangi please, idhu Surya oda very first project. Avaru romba feel panraru indha madhri thidirnu walk out pannitanu, he's a family friend so namma mundinja help pannanumla."

(Sivaangi please, this is Surya's very first project. He feels very dejected since that guy walked out abruptly, he's a family friend of ours so we should give him all the help we can.)

Sivaangi was beyond pissed. Why can't people just let her be in peace? Somehow she always gets dragged into someone else's problem.

"Ashwin is also in Coimbatore so nee ippovey avara paathu pesu."

(Ashwin is also in Coimbatore so you should immediately meet him and talk.)

Sivaangi couldn't argue anymore especially not when her father was practically pleading her. She sighed in defeat. She thought this was going to be a simple trip to Coimbatore for a song but fate had other plans.

Her heart tingled at the fact that Ashwin was choosing to walk away from a project that she was part of. But at the same time she can understand the reason behind it.

She did expect some sort of reaction from him when he learnt the connection she had with Surya from Karthik but she was certainly not prepared for him to simply drop out of the project.

She remember feeling a strong panic to clear up the possible misunderstanding Ashwin could be having about Surya, she desperately wanted to let him know that she had no interest in him. She wanted to explain herself because she couldn't bear looking at those upset eyes.

But she stopped herself because why should who she associates herself with matter to him? And why should what Ashwin thinks matter?

Her thoughts were cut short when her father stopped the car right in front of a house that's way too familiar to her despite last seeing it almost 3 years ago.

Sivaangi suddenly turned to her father. "Appa ungaluku yepdi avaru veetu address theriyum?"

(Dad how do you know his house's address?)

Her father smiled oddly. "Address kandu pidikirathu lam oru kashtam ah?"

(It's not that hard to find out someone's address.)

For some reason, it didn't sit well with her but before she could question further her father nudged her. "Nee seekiram poyi pesi avana convince pannu, naa inga wait panren car la."

(Go and talk quickly, make sure to convince him. I'll wait outside in the car.)

...

She rung the bell, nervously waiting for an older woman to greet her. How is she going to face her after everything?

But thankfully, there stood in front of her was the man who had caused her to come all the way there. His eyes widened before he went through a series of emotions from shock to disbelief to a little bit of happiness upon seeing her in his doorstep.

"Nee yepdi inga?"

(How come you're here?)

"Nimmadhiya shopping kuda poga vidama you've made me come here." She snapped before following him inside.

(You can't even let me go shopping in peace, you've made me come here.)

The house was too quiet and she understood that nobody was home, except for him of course.

"How did I make you come here? Neeye miss panni paka vandhurukanu unamaya othukka."

(How did I make you come here? You missed me and came to see me, admit it.)

The mischief in his voice made her blood boil as she turned to him with a warning look. "Mannangatti!"

(Nonsense!)

Ashwin chuckled at her angry form and sunk down on the couch before pointing towards the couch on the opposite. "Yedhuku madam ivlo kovam? Modhalla ukkarunga."

(What are you so angry about? Take a seat first.)

Sivaangi obliged and took in a deep breath before she looked at him in the eye in all seriousness. "Why did you drop out of the project?"

Ashwin shrugged casually.

"Ashwin I need proper answers. Yedhuku apdi panninga? Adhuvum photoshoots lam complete pannathuku aprom yen apdi panninga?"

(Ashwin I need proper answers. Why would you do that? That too after you're done with all the photoshoots.)

He looked down on the floor momentarily before bringing his gaze up again. "You know the reason already."

Sivaangi was right. She knew she was right and now being confirmed that she was right all along didn't make her happy.

"There is nothing between me and Surya if that's what's bothering you. He's just a friend that I recently met, at least that's what I feel from my side."

"Exactly. That's only your side. But you need to realise that there are other sides to this that I'm not very comfortable with."

Sivaangi stared in disappointment. "Can you not jumble up personal feelings with your profession? You will be acting under Yuvan's music, this will be an amazing boost up for your career."

"Would you be comfortable to work with a woman who I can potentially marry?" He suddenly asked.

"Well Aditi is part of the project."

Now it was his turn to roll his eyes. "Aditi is just a co-star, we have nothing personal beyond the cameras."

Sivaangi gave a mocking smile. "That isn't what the media says."

"Media aayiram sollum, unaku theriyum yedhu unmainu. Yenga amma Aditi ah oru prospective bride ah kutitu varala but Surya is a whole different story. Stop comparing. You know what I'm talking about Sivaangi."

(Media has a lot to say, you know the truth. My mother never introduced Aditi to me as a prospective bride but Surya is a whole different story. Stop comparing. You know what I'm talking about Sivaangi.)

Her eyes shot up to look at him directly. "Actually I don't Ashwin. I really don't."

Ashwin exhaled out, feeling tired of explaining himself over and over again and she isn't the first person who's demanding an explanation either so he was really done.

Suddenly Sivaangi looked at him with an expression that made his heart ache. "Anniki indha career kaga yedha venalum yelaka ready ah irundhingalla? Yenga ponuchu andha spirit?"

(That day, you were ready to lose anything for the sake of your career right? Where is that spirit now?)

"Mukkiyamana sila vishyangal yelandhathuku aprom I learnt to prioritise my feelings."

(After losing some very valuable things, I learnt to prioritise my feelings.)

Sivaangi sympathetically smiled. "If you are going to not prioritise your career, anniki panna sacrifice ku arthamey illama poidum."

(If you are not going to prioritise your career, then the sacrifice you made that day becomes meaningless.)

Ashwin suddenly got up and crouched in front of her as their eye levels matched. He breathily asked, "thappu thaan." His hand found its way to hers before clasping it tenderly.

(it was a mistake.)

Sivaangi found herself softly whispering in her shaky voice. "Yenna thuki potadhu potadhavey irukatum."

(Let the fact that you tossed me aside remain as it is.)

He responded in his airily base voice. "Naa yenga potan? Nee than vittutu pona."

(I didn't toss you aside. You were the one left me.)

She swallowed heavily as she felt small under his strong gaze especially now that the distant between them was very little. "Neenga poga vittutinga Ashwin, you never stopped me. All you had to do was to ask me to stay. But you didn't. It was as if you waited for me to leave on my own."

(You let me leave you Ashwin, you never stopped me. All you had to do was to ask me to stay. But you didn't. It was as if you waited for me to leave on my own.)

His heart pained hearing her voice cracking when finally opened those wounds. Before he could respond, her hand now held his tightly. "Don't ever give up on anything for me. You really don't have to. You already gave up on me, gave up on us, long ago."

She stood up abruptly and moved to the door. Before walking out, she turned towards him one more time. "Book your tickets for Bangalore. See you later."

~~~•••~~~

Exciting episodes of Bala's wedding and Bangalore trip coming up soon!

And guys if you like my writing, do check out my new book that I just started. It's a different kind of plot that I'm experimenting. Do give it a chance and see if you like it!

Thank you for all the love💜💜💜