Author's note

Apologies for updating lately. The chapter is short too but that's better than no update right. I feel fatigued. That's why despite having the plot worked out I'm taking more time than usual to type. Hope you understand. Please do read, vote, comment and support. 

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Ashaangi SS Bewitched

Chapter Seventeen

Ashwin sulked as he eyed Sivaangi taking her bag from the car boot. Harish side-hugged Rajesh before walking towards him.

"Poetu varen da mapilla" Harish hugged Ashwin who had his eyes set at Sivaangi. She blinked at him with a pout making him shake his head and break the hug.

(I'll leave now, dude)

"Seri da, reach agitu sollu"

(Okay, let me know once you reach)

Harish was asked to come to Chennai to meet his publishers. They have a round of marketing strategy meeting and a fan event. His presence was needed. He asked Sivaangi to come along as her parents will be coming to Chennai.

As soon as Ashwin learnt about this, he sulked, not wanting Sivaangi to go. But she was excited to meet her parents. So, he shrugged and didn't say anything. He dropped Harish and Sivaangi at Coimbatore airport. As they will be back soon, they decided to leave their car in Ashwin's place itself.

Rajesh accompanied Harish to check with boarding while Ashwin helped with Sivaangi's bags and walked along with her.

"Epo ma varuva?" Ashwin asked adjusting her bag in his arm.

(When will you be back?)

"One-week agum nu nenakuren" Sivaangi looked at Ashwin who nodded his head. She asked, "Ena miss panuvingala?"

(I think one week...Will you miss me?)

"Naan ah?" Ashwin shrugged at Sivaangi, "Naa lam panna maten pa"

(Me?... I won't)

"Oho" Sivaangi scowled and fasten her steps making Ashwin chuckle before catching up with her.

"Maaaa, medhuva, medhuva" Ashwin chuckled making Sivaangi huff.

(Ma, slow down, slow down)

"Sirikadhingaa!" Sivaangi whined.

(Don't laugh!)

"Seri, seri. Sirikala" Ashwin adjusted her bag, "Seri, nee sollu. Nee ena miss panuviya?"

(Fine, fine, I won't... Okay tell me. Will you miss me?)

"Naan ah?" Sivaangi eyed at Ashwin and shrugged, "Na lam ongala miss pannuven pa"

(Me? ... I'll miss you)

Amused, Ashwin looked at Sivaangi.

"Paaraah" Ashwin slightly dashed his shoulders against Sivaangi's, "Evlo miss pannuvinga madam?"

(Wow... How much will you miss me?)

"Adhellam ena miss pannadhavanga ta lam na solla maten" Sivaangi twisted her lips.

(I can't say all that to someone who won't miss me)

"Maaa naa summa sonen nu unaku theriyadha? Paaru, ipove na unna miss panitu dha iruken"

(You know I was kidding right? See, how badly I'm missing you even now)

Sivaangi glared at Ashwin when he feigned an innocent face.

"Seri, seri. Moraikadha ma"

(Fine, fine. Don't glare at me)

"Ponga, ponga. Na poren nu ongaluku feelings eh illa" Sivaangi scoffed.

(Just go. You don't have any feelings that I'm leaving)

"Ma" Ashwin sighed holding Sivaangi's hand. They both looked around and Ashwin left Sivaangi's hand, "Ma, na-"

"What are we, Ashwin?"

They were too close that afternoon. Ashwin had kissed Sivaangi in her cheek. Because they were interrupted by Harish's call, they couldn't speak about it after that. But there wasn't any awkwardness between them post that. But Sivaangi wanted to know what it was between them.

"Inga paaru, Sivaangi. Enaku nee na pidikum" Ashwin held his gaze with Sivaangi whose heart quickened, "Adha matum nyabagam vachuko. Romba yosikadha. Enaku unna inga irundhu ipo vida istame illa. Katti pidichukanum nu thonudhu" Sivaangi gasped softly as she eyed at Ashwin, "Unna avlo miss panren, panna poren"

(See, Sivaangi. I like you...Always remember that. Don't think too much. I don't have the heart to leave you from here. I want to keep you in my embrace...I miss you that much and I'll miss you much more)

"Ashwin..."

"Namma night pesalam. Ipo polam, Harish, Rajesh la wait panitu irupanga"

(We'll talk tonight. Now come. Harish and Rajesh must me waiting for us)

Sivaangi thought for a second and nodded her head.

"Indha, unaku pidikum la" Ashwin took out a dark chocolate bar from his pocket and extended to Sivaangi who got it with a big smile. He heard her ramble about how she loves dark chocolate.

(Here, you like it right)

Ashwin decided to give the chocolate to Sivaangi when she crosses the boarding gate but he just wanted to reassure her at that moment. In the short span of time, he spent with her, he has figured out her overthinking nature and handles her accordingly.

"Thank youuu" Sivaangi kept the chocolate bar inside her backpack.

"Polam ah?"

(Shall we leave?)

Sivaangi nodded with a smile and they joined the rest. Sivaangi and Harish had a safe flight while Ashwin returned home. Both stuck to their mobiles as they texted each other frequently.

Selvam anna came to pick them from airport. Sivaangi was happy to be home. Kaleeshwaran and Anuradha pampered her. They had a great family time during dinner. Her room felt the same; home. But when her back hit her bed and she cuddled her pillow, she can't help but think about him; Ashwin.

Sivaangi picked her mobile to text Ashwin.

Siv: Thoongitingala? 👀

(Sleeping?)

Sivaangi chuckled when Ashwin replied back instantly.

Ash: Illayee ☺

(no)

Ash: Yenna ma panra?

(what are you doing?)

Ash: Yenga iruka?

(where are you?)

Siv: Room la dhan

(In my room)

Ash: Pesalaama? 😁

(Shall we speak?)

Siv: Call ah? 🤔

(Call?)

Ash: Hmmmmm 😊

Sivaangi felt excited at that thought. They have texted each other but never spoke through call. Her friends have shared their experiences of how they used to talk all night to their boyfriends. But was this like the same? Was he, her boyfriend? She shook her head.

'Too soon' Her mind reminded her.

Ash: Irukiya ma??

(You there?)

Siv: Haan

Siv: Wait, 2 minutes.

Sivaangi gave a pep talk to herself and laid on the bed. She then called Ashwin who picked in the second ring.

"Hello" Sivaangi gulped when she heard Ashwin's deep voice from the other side, her stomach twisting into a knot.

Composing herself, Sivaangi took a deep breath before saying, "Hello"

And that's how their midnight text mania evolved into midnight calls. Unknowingly Sivaangi and Ashwin became more and more closer, despite distance.

The next morning Binni and Krishnakumar came home. Sivaangi threw herself in her father's embrace and pulled her mother's leg along with her father. Vinayak was at Bangalore and would be coming home that evening. Even Anusha was coming home that night.

Harish wind up his immediate work by the next afternoon. The families decided to spend a much-needed together time during the weekend. The next couple of days went with them chilling with each other, from going to movies and shopping to playing board games and cooking together.

Sivaangi was overjoyed but couldn't stop thinking about Ashwin. That night she was tired after a long day but she quickly shot a text to Ashwin before dosing off. There Ashwin threaded his fingers through his hair as he chuckled softly at his mobile screen when he read Sivaangi's text,

Siv: I miss you Ashwineyy 🥺

"Yenna da sirichutu iruka?"

(What were you laughing about?)

Ashwin looked up to see his friend Stanley next to him.

"Adhellam onum illa, machan. Sanjay enga da?"

(Nothing much, dude. Where's Sanjay?)

"Inaiku investors la meet panitu Ivalo alanjurukomey. Avan la flat uh. Unaku water bottle kuduthutu polam nu vandhen" Stanley sat next to Ashwin on bed, "Ama, nee thoongama yenna panitu iruka?"

(We were rushing with meeting investors today right. He's flat. I came to give you water bottle... What were you doing without sleeping?)

Ashwin came to Chennai that morning. He and his friends had to meet with the investors and sign the agreement. While Stanley went to meet Atharva with the agreement Ashwin accompanied Sanjay to meet Arya.

Actor Arya was very down to earth. He welcomed Ashwin and Sanjay politely and treated them with respect. The day rolled with hectic work and they only came back to Stanley's house by nine thirty at night.

"Suma dhan da. Idho thoonganum" Ashwin placed his mobile down.

(Just like that. Have to sleep now)

"Seri da, rendu naal irundhutu pogalamey. Enn odanae kelambanum nu solra?"

(You can stay for two more days, da. Why do you have to leave soon?)

"Velai iruku da. Adhan. Nalaiku friend oruthana pathutu kelambanum"

(I have work dude. That's why. Tomorrow I'll meet a friend and then leave)

"Friend ah? Yaaru andha Harish ah?" Stanley asked.

(Friend? Is it that Harish?)

When Ashwin nodded affirmatively, Stanley nodded, greeted him good night and left.

"Ena miss panringala madam neenga? Apo ongala paakama yepdi return poradhu?" Ashwin caressed his beard with a smile, thinking about Sivaangi.

(Are you missing me Madam? Then how can I return without meeting you?)

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Soo, enn Annan um Chennai ku vandhutaru pola?

Wanted to give a bit realistic touch of two people who like each other. Namma indha love la lam lucky kedaiyadhu. So, I don't know how it works but hope whatever I wrote worked. How was the chapter makkaley?

Thank you for reading,

Nan ~