Author's Note

Hello makkaleyy! Hope you all are doing good. I'm overwhelmed with your response, I mean the comments were more than the votes. Thank you so very much for this!! You guys are the ones who are pushing me to write! Thank you! As always, do stream Adipoli whenever possible, support them professionally and keep them both in your prayers.

I was stuck with some works and was feeling down. I planned this whole sequence in one chapter but I'm super busy tomorrow and I know I have to give an update earlier. So, I have broke the sequence. Padichu patha theriyum yedha pathi solren nu. Please do keep on supporting my writing. That's what literally makes me write, despite everything.

Happy reading!

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Ashaangi SS Bewitched

Chapter Eleven

Ashwin rubbed his nape with a smile as he walked down the stairs. He back-hugged Dhanalakshmi making her smile and cup his cheek.

"Yenna achu Ammachii?"

(What happened, grandma?)

"Thango, Rajeshu unna thedi vandhutu ponan. Saradha unna kadai ku vara sonnalam. Nee pone edukala nu vara sollitu ponan"

(Dear, Rajesh came looking for you. Saradha asked you to come to shop. You didn't pick the call and so, he came to inform)

"Serii, ammachii, na mela note eduthutu kelamburen"

(Okay, grandma, I'll grab the note from upstairs and leave)

Ashwin was about to move but paused when Sivaangi came down with the note. She looked much more composed than before. She eyed at Ashwin for a second before walking towards them.

"Indhanga, mela vachutinga" Sivaangi extended the note to Ashwin.

(Here, you kept it upstairs)

Ashwin eyed Sivaangi with a teasing grin as he held the note. Her eyes darted to Dhanalakshmi who went to kitchen and then back to him. Instead of letting the note go, she held the note. He gave an amusing smile whereas she shrugged her eyebrows with a smile, still not leaving the note.

"Oi" Ashwin whispered.

"Hmmm" Sivaangi slightly tugged the note.

"Vidu ma" Ashwin chuckled on Sivaangi putting on a stern face.

(leave)

"Mudincha eduthukonga"

(Take it if you can)

The arrogance on Sivaangi's face made her look thousand folds cute. The nerve of her to think she can manage if Ashwin tugs the note to himself made him admire her.

"Apdingala madam"

(Is that so, madam)

Ashwin bit his lips with a playful smile making Sivaangi waver for a second. Biting back his chuckle, he gave a hard tug. As a result, her eyes widened as she stumbled and came closer to him, her left hand rested his bicep, balancing herself. She looked at him who gave her a teasing smile.

"Yenna ma, note keta neeyeh vara" Ashwin chuckled.

(What, I asked for note yet you came along)

"Huh, romba pannadhinga" Sivaangi let go of both Ashwin and the note. Twisting her lips, she said, "Ponga, ponga, ongala aunty theditu irupanga"

(Huh, oh please... go, go, aunty must be waiting for you)

"Seringa ammanii" Ashwin chuckled to himself before walking out.

(Okay, madam)

Sivaangi watched Ashwin leave. Her face slowly bloomed into a smile as she remembered their encounter this morning. All she knew was she's attracted to him and he was making her feel things intensely.

'Oru vela crush koncham periya crush agirucho' Sivaangi thought to herself with a smile. On hearing Dhanalakshmi, she shook her head and went to kitchen.

(Has the crush got bit intensified?)

The day rolled with both of them being busy. Harish and Sivaangi went to Coimbatore to meet the designing team while Ashwin was busy with works Saradha gave him. It was eleven when Harish and Sivaangi reached home.

Sivaangi wanted to speak to Ashwin regarding the competition. But she couldn't find proper time for that. After a tiring day, she hit the bed. Though her thoughts drifted to Ashwin, she slept within minutes, for she was way too tired.

The next morning Sivaangi woke up early. Even though she slept late, her sleep broke. Not wanting to just twist and turn on the bed, she refreshed and decided to take a walk.

Dressed in a tee and tracks, Sivaangi stretched her limbs as she stepped out on the balcony attached to her room. The balcony is faced to the backside of Saradha's house.

Sivaangi paused and took a step back when she saw Ashwin working out in a black wife beater and shorts. His chisel frame was sure a feast for the eyes. And so, she stood and enjoyed the show in front of her.

For his every move, Ashwin's muscles flexed. His sweaty frame glistened in the soft sunlight and Sivaangi felt her throat run dry when he grunted and worked on his ab workout. She heaved a deep sigh when he poured water of his face and then head before shaking his head.

Sivaangi jerked when Ashwin hissed and turned. Only then she saw Saradha standing behind him. Looks like she has smacked him. Looking around, she quickly walked inside, not wanting to get caught.

"Ssh! Maa, yenna Maa?" Ashwin grumbled rubbing his arm.

(Maa, what, Maa?)

"Yenna panitu iruka Ashwin?" Saradha asked taking the water bottle from Ashwin's hand.

(What were you doing, Ashwin?)

"Huh oramborainga (relatives/guests) varanga nu thanni thuruvaaritu iruken!" Ashwin huffed sarcastically. He dimmed on seeing Saradha's glare and said, "Maa, workout panitu iruken Maa"

(Huh, I was irrigating water for the guests (sarcasm)... Maa, I was working out, Maa)

"Adhu theriyudhu. Inga yean panitu iruka?"

(I can see that. My question is why were you doing here?)

"Maa, idhenna Maa kelvi? Namma veetla pannama vera yenga panradhu? Venum na ooruku naduvula poe pannata?"

(What kind a question is this, Maa? Where will I workout if not our house? Shall I go and workout in the center of the village?)

"Yenna soninga Sir ipo?" Saradha asked pinching Ashwin's arm slightly. But the universal actor that he is, hissed as if he's in pain.

(What were you saying now, Sir?)

"Maa!! Psh! Na onum sollala. Yepovum inga dhana Maa pannuven. Yean ipdi kekuringa?" Ashwin grumbled.

(Maa, I won't say anything. I always workout here, Maa. Why do you ask?)

"Namma veetla vayasu ponnu irukale, ipdiya dress ah potutu inga exercise pannitu irupa?"

(We have a young woman at home. How can you dress like this and exercise?)

"Yaru Maa, Sivaangi ah?" Ashwin asked with a playful smile but put on an innocent face when Saradha glared at him.

(Who, you mean Sivaangi?)

"Ipo yedhuku neenga ena morachute irukinga?" Ashwin threaded his fingers through his hair.

(Why are you glaring at me now?)

"Kannu" Saradha sighed and spoke whatever came to her mind without any other thought, "Vayasu ponnu, ava veetla nammala nambi dhan vitutu poerukanga. Nee ipdi ellam dress ah potutu inga exercise panna vendam. Namma kadai la pannu. Aprm indha Meena, Raji, Kirthi kitta pesura mathiri, vambu panra mathiri indha pilla ta pannadha. Avanga purinchupanga adhu velayaatu nu aana, hmmm, aprm Appa ilama valandha paiyan adhan ipdi pesuran palaguran ponnu ta nu thapp-"

(Dear...She's a young woman and her family has felt her by trusting us. You don't dress like this and workout here. Do it in our shop building. Also, just like how you pull Meena, Raji, Kirthi's legs, don't do that with her. They will understand but, hmmm, then they will point out and say that because your father wasn't there and I raised you, so, he will go speak and behave with girl in wr-)

"Maa, ena paaka ponnunga pinnadi alayuravan mathiri theriyudha ongaluku?!" Ashwin spat, having enough of what Saradha said.

(Do I look like someone who would be behind girls all the time, Maa?)

"Dei na va-" Saradha tried to hold Ashwin but he shrugged her arm and walked away.

(Son, I-)

Saradha tensed on watching Ashwin's anger. She kept her hand on her forehead as she realized what she spoke.

"Aiyo!!" Saradha went behind Ashwin but stopped watching him rush upstairs. She sighed and rubbed her forehead in frustration. Half an hour later, she watched Ashwin rushing out of the house and sighed with pooled eyes.

(Oh my!)

Sivaangi didn't saw Ashwin after the morning incident. She and Harish again went to Coimbatore to meet with the designing team. That reminded her that she was yet to speak about this to Ashwin. When she came home it was late. So, she just dozed off.

When Sivaangi came down for breakfast the next morning, she noticed that Dhanalakshmi was unusually silent.

"Yenna paati, yedho yosanai la irukinga?" Sivaangi can't help but ask.

(What happened grandma? You seem lost in thoughts?)

"Athellam onum illa da thangam. Nee po, sapdu"

(Nothing like that, dear one. You go, eat)

"Neenga saptingala Paati?"

(Have you eaten, grandma?)

"Na sapten kannu"

(Yes, dear)

"Saradha aunty yenga? Avanga saptangala?"

(Where's Saradha aunty? Has she eaten?)

"Adhu, ava neramaave kadaiku kelambita. Sapadu kuduthu vitruken"

(That, she left to shop earlier. I have sent food for her)

Sivaangi sensed something weird but she shrugged off and had her breakfast. Harish joined her in between.

"Pora vali la Ashwin ah kuptu polam. Kadai la irukan ahm" Harish said as they stood up.

(We'll pick up Ashwin on the way. He's at the shop)

Within ten minutes they bid bye to Dhanalakshmi and left. Harish parked the car inside the building compound. While he walked to Ashwin's work space, Sivaangi went searching for Saradha. She wanted to see Saradha once before leaving.

Saradha smiled softly when Sivaangi hugged her from back.

"Ongala morning irundhu paakave illa aunty. Saptingala?" Sivaangi asked breaking the hug.

(I haven't seen you since morning, aunty. Had breakfast?)

"Sapten kannu, nee saptiya? Kamala akka ellam vachutangala?"

(I have, dear. Have you? Kamala akka prepared everything?)

Sivaangi sensed that Saradha's voice was a bit down than usual. She quickly bid bye to her and walked to Ashwin's working place. Harish was looking at the dresses Ashwin designed.

"Puriyudhu da, parava illa" Harish said patting Ashwin's arm.

(I understand, no problem)

"Yenna achu?" Sivaangi asked letting her presence known. Her eyes darted to Ashwin who was staring elsewhere.

(What happened?)

"Ashwin design panna dresses lam vera level. Adhan designing competition la participate pannu nu sonen. Interest illa, vera commitments iruku nu sonan. Seri nu sonen" Harish filled in.

(The dresses designed by Ashwin are next level. That's why I asked him to participate in the designing competition. He said he isn't interested and has other commitments. So, I said fine)

"Yean interest illa?!" Sivaangi frowned, "Did you even look at the dresses you designed?! They are gorgeous!"

(Why no interest?!)

Before Ashwin could say anything, Harish intervened not wanting to put Ashwin in a tight spot, "Sivu, vidu. Vaanga, late agiduchu. Kelambalam"

(Sivu, leave. Come, we are getting late. Let's leave)

Sivaangi looked at Ashwin in disbelief who didn't spare even a single glance at her and walked out with Harish. She looked at the mannequin once before sighing and walking out. She decided she wouldn't give up without a fight.

The frown on Sivaangi's face deepened when she realized Ashwin hasn't looked at her at all. It almost looked like he was avoiding locking eyes with her, let alone spare a glance. And that disturbed Sivaangi.

"Yenna achu indha manushanuku?"

(What happened to this guy?)

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Enn Annan paavam la? 🤧

How was the chapter makkale? Any further guesses? Am I keeping you hooked with the story? Is there anything I should improve? Do let me know.

Thank you for reading,

Nan ~