Author's Note

Hello makkaleyy, ellarum kulu kulu nu irukingala? Chennai veyil la um vervai la um naa kulu kulu nu dhan pa iruken, hehe. Thank you for the response on the previous chapter. Means a lot. Please do stream Adipoli whenever you can and keep them both in your prayers.

Any Chennai makkal attending Darshan Raval's concert on March 3? If yes, please do let me know.

When I started penning Harish's character I couldn't help but imagine Harish Kalyan as Harish K but as a character as Darshan anna.  You can imagine whoever you want.

~ * ~

Ashaangi SS Bewitched

Chapter Four

"Mani pathinonnu aagudhu. Yenga poetu varinga rendu perum?"

(Its eleven at night. Where were you people?)

Sivaangi and Harish who were tiptoeing paused on their track when they heard a stern voice

"Pochu! Maatnom!" Harish whisper-yelled to Sivaangi as he looked up at his father standing near the staircase with folded arms.

(Psh! We are done!)

"Padharaadha anna, samaalipom" Sivaangi whisper-yelled.

(Don't panic, bro. We'll manage)

Once looking at each other, Sivaangi and Harish gave a sheepish smile at each other before looking at the man in front of them.

"Panradhu thirutu thanam aana rendum ilikuradha paaru" Kaleeshwaran said giving a pointed glare at his son and God-daughter.

(Culprits, don't smile now)

"Appaaa" Sivaangi dragged gleefully as she walked towards Kaleeshwaran with open arms.

(Fatherrr)

Kaleeshwaran's glare softened into a smile that turned into a chuckle when Sivaangi hugged him. On watching this, Harish shrugged and he too walked to his father before giving hugging both Kaleeshwaran and Sivaangi.

"Appa endralaikadha uyirillayee" Harish sing sang making Sivaangi laugh.

(Comical song related to father)

Kaleeshwaran broke the hug and knocked on his son's head while his God-daughter giggled.

"Onga drama va nipatunga. Yenga poetu varinga? Pathu mani ku mela adikadi veliya vendam nu sonen la" Kaleeshwaran asked.

(Stop your drama. Where were you? I have asked you to be home before ten right)

"Paa, naanga idha thedi dhan ponom" Sivaangi said taking out a fashion magazine from her backpack before handing it to Kaleeshwaran.

(We went searching for this)

"Article publish agirucha?" Kaleeshwaran smiled as he opened the magazine.

(Has the article been published)

"Yesss, avanga moonu per pic um iruku" Harish turned the exact page of the article.

(Yes, along with all three's pic)

"Georgian does it again. The women owned Fashion House stands tall as the diamond of the season. Best friends and founders Anuradha Kaleeshwaran and Binni Krishnakumar gets candid with us on the success of their newest collection headed by the Director of the company, Anusha Kaleeshwaran"

Kaleeshwaran was brimming with pride as he read. It was his friendship with Krishnakumar that brought Anuradha and Binni together, yes. But he can say it with blind conviction that although he and Krishnakumar know each other longest, Anuradha and Binni's bond runs deepest.

The fruit of their friendship was Georgian, a Fashion House they started in a small level in Chennai and now, with years of hard work, Georgian has become a celebrity Fashion House with their exclusive showrooms in major cities of India and in Dubai, where Binni stays with Krishnakumar, who has his business there.

Under Georgian they have various small business going along, including an affordable clothing brand. Anuradha's eldest daughter Anusha has always had a keen eye for fashion. She helped her mother even when she was studying. Ever since Anusha completed her Masters in Business Management, she started working full time in Georgian. She worked her way through and became the Director.

Kaleeshwaran and Anuradha's second son Harish has chosen the writing profession but he'll work on smaller projects in the company. Krishnakumar and Binni shifted to Dubai when Sivaangi was on her fourth grade. His business demanded him to be at Dubai and Binni thought it would be good for the Fashion House to have a mark in Dubai's market.

So, Sivaangi and her younger brother Vinayak Sundar stayed in India along with Kaleeshwaran's family. Of course, Krishnakumar and Binni would constantly visit them in India, at least couple of times a month, especially Binni who come to India to check on the business.

Georgian's main branch shifted to Mumbai. So, Anusha would be at Mumbai mostly with Anuradha visiting the Mumbai branch and working in Chennai branch. Even though Sivaangi is a playback singer, she hasn't revealed her identity. She'll sing when she gets opportunity and the rest of the time she works on the projects of the company.

Sivaangi's brother Vinayak is interested in dance and choreography. Just like the others, he helps with the company projects.

"Serii, neenga remaining article aprm padinga, amma yepo varanga?" Sivaangi asked as she pulled the magazine out of Kaleeshwaran's hand.

(You read the remaining article later, when's mom coming?)

"Ava evening eh vandhuta"

(She came by evening itself)

"Yenna indha Anuradha yenna paakamaye thoongitala? Aalave kaanom?" Harish asked looking around.

(Did that Anuradha slept without meeting me? I can't find her around?)

"Deii! Enn pondatti ah mariyadhaya kupdu da" Kaleeshwaran said, smacking Harish's arm.

(Take my wife's name with respect)

"Paaaa!!" Harish hissed.

"Ada iru neyy" Sivaangi smacked Harish's arm making him glare at her who ignored him and turned to Kaleeshwaran, "Amma thoongitangala Paa?"

(You wait, bro – Is mom asleep, dad?)

"Ama da. Vandhadhum ongala keta. Onga rendu per ta pesanum nu sonna. Morning breakfast ku time ku vaanga. Ipo ponga. Its late"

(Yes, dear. As soon as she came, she asked for you. She said she wanted to speak to you two. Come to breakfast tomorrow on time. Now go. Its late)

The duo agreed and left to their own after bidding good night to Kaleeshwaran. Sivaangi had a quick bath. She groaned as her back hit the bed. It was one long day! Vinayak went to Dubai a week back and hasn't returned yet. She texted her family group good night before dozing off.

The next morning Anuradha greeted Sivaangi with a hug. Sivaangi squealed when Anuradha made her favourite breakfast.

"Indha Maa, vachuko" Sivaangi kissed Anuradha's cheek.

(Here, Maa. Keep it)

Kaleeshwaran joined in-between followed by Harish. The family had an eventful breakfast with catching up with each other.

"Harish, Sivaangi, ten minutes la office room vaanga" Anuradha said once they finished breakfast.

(Come to office in ten minutes)

Ten minutes later, Harish and Sivaangi sat opposite to Anuradha who passed two files, one to each.

"As you already know, we get our resources from LS Mills. They want to promote the industry more in Coimbatore and nearby areas. As a part of our tie-up, they asked us to do a campaign there. Along with that we need to completely study the industrial condition, market demands, etc, etc from the Kongu belt"

Anuradha paused before continuing,

"LS Mills are planning to extend into LS Textiles. They are working on a huge level showroom and they want our Fashion House to work on their sarees and wedding collection and our designers to generally curate their stocks"

Anuradha looked at Harish,

"Harish, I know you have your new book launch coming up"

She then turned to Sivaangi,

"And, Sivu, I know you are getting singing opportunities but kids, I trust that you work along with our team members for this. I know our team's capable but I want you two to be a part of this project. I want you two to go to Coimbatore and work on this. What do you say?"

Anuradha looked at Harish and Sivaangi who looked at each other before looking at her.

"You will be there to guide us, right?" Sivaangi asked.

"Of course, dear"

"And we can leave in-between to work on our professional commitments?" Harish asked.

"Of course. You can do all your work. Just be there and head the whole thing; assist them in whatever ways you can"

"Yenna Sivu, povoma?" Harish asked wounding his arm around Sivaangi's shoulder.

(Shall we go, Sivu?)

"Polam Neyy, pakathula Ooty lam iruku. Jolly ah kulu kulu nu irukalam" Sivaangi grinned, wrapping her arm around Harish.

(We'll go bro. Ooty is nearby. It'll be chilly and fun)

"Seri, seri moraikadha Anu maa" Sivaangi smiled sheepishly when Anuradha gave a pointed stare at her.

(Okay, okay. Don't glare now Anu maa)

"Yepo Maa ponum?" Harish asked.

(When do we have to leave Maa?)

"Indha weekend"

(This weekend)

"Accommodation? Veedu mathiri yedhuthukava naanga?" Sivaangi chipped in.

(Shall we rent a house?)

"No. You are there to do the ground work, right. If you stay inside the city then you would have to travel long time every day. You remember your dad and my friend Aarthi, right?"

The duo nodded.

"Aarthi's mother is living alone in her house. She invited you two to stay at her place"

"Maa, we don't want to cause an-" Harish started but Anuradha cut him in middle.

"Nothing like that. Dhanalakshmi Amma is living there alone and she would love to have you people over there. Aarthi feels bad that she can't fly down with her kids to meet her mom. You two go. Amma will take care of you like her own grand kids. And it will be easy for you people to go around all the industry, given Arasur is situated between Coimbatore and Tirupur. If you two stays there then we will feel relaxed here knowing you are in a safe and secure space. What do you say?"

Harish looked at Sivaangi who shrugged and nodded her head. He looked at his mother.

"Okay"

~ * ~

"Sivaangi, anga yarukum seramam kudukama irukanum. Seri ah?"

(You shouldn't trouble anyone there, okay?)

Sivaangi who was on a video call with her mother stared at the screen with a scowl.

"Maa, aramani nerama nee idhaye dhan thirumba thirumba solra!"

(You have been repeating the same thing for the past half an hour, Maa!)

"Nee poradhu pudhu edam la chella kutty. Adhan amma solren. Seri, nee packing lam mudichitiya? Ellam eduthu vachutiya nu oruka paaru" Binni cajoled on seeing her daughter's annoyed face.

(You are going to a new place, dear one. That's why mother's saying all this. Okay, have you finished packing? Check if you have packed everything you want)

"Main ah thevai aanadhu lam pack paniten, Maa. Vinayak yeppo return varuvan?"

(I have packed the main things I want, Maa. When's Vinayak returning?)

"Next week ku ticket book panirukan"

(He has booked ticket for next week)

The mother daughter conversed for a while and Sivaangi was all set with her luggage. She bid bye to her mother and moved out of her room with her bags. She and Harish decided to travel during night.

The driver loaded their bags in the car's trunk. Harish and Sivaangi hugged their parents before getting inside the car.

"Earphones?" Harish asked.

"Check, power bank?" Sivaangi replied.

"Check. Neck pillow?"

"Check. Snacks?"

"Check. Selvam anna, apdiye andha AC ah koncham adhigama vachinga na flat agiruvom"

(Selvam bro, if you increase the AC temperature then we will start sleeping)

Selvam shook his head with a smile and increased the AC. Harish and Sivaangi waved their hands at the parents who smiled and waved back before closing the window.

"Yenga namma porom?" Harish sing sang and asked in Dora, the explorer's modulation making Sivaangi giggle before she sings sang,

(Where are we going?)

"Coimbatore ku"

(To Coimbatore)

And then their journey started.

~ * ~

Sivaangi's on her way to Coimbatore. Who's excited for what's to come next? Hope everyone understand the family dynamics of Sivaangi. Also, story's base is also clear right?

I wanted to give an insight of all the characters in the story before focusing on Ashaangi. Avanga meet panitanga na, I'll mostly focus on them. So, I decided to establish the base with each chapter before moving into the main plot.

Any guesses on what's coming next?

Thank you for reading,

Nan ~