Written by : Nandhu_Arshi

____________________________________________

Sivaangi cursed softly under her breath as she balanced her umbrella at one hand and held her certificate file to herself safely not to let it get wet in the rain.

"Cha! Inaiku interview adhuvuma paathu dhan malai peiyanuma!" Sivaangi grumbled as she looked out for any auto or cab so that she can reach her interview soon, "Nimishathuku paththu share auto karan vandhu uyira vanguvan, inaiku onumey kanom!"

Sivaangi has an interview for lecturer at one of the reputed Arts & Science college at Madurai. She's an English graduate and looking forward to join at the college where she did her under graduation.

Groaning in annoyance, Sivaangi kept trying to book a cab when her eyes fell on a taxi at a distance. Relief flooded her senses as she grabbed her files closer to herself and rushed towards the cab in a hurry.

Just as Sivaangi reached the cab and placed her hand on the cab door, someone from the other side placed their hand on the same cab door as well. When she opened the cab door, with seven billion people + in the whole wide world, she was greeted with the sight of her fellow UG collegemate with whom she always gets into arguments; Ashwin Kumar.

'Curse my luck' Sivaangi thought as she watched Ashwin, ignoring her, sat inside the cab.

"Anna, naan dhan modhala vandhen!" Sivaangi gritted her teeth on looking at Ashwin before looking at the cab driver as she sat in.

"Ila ma, athu-" The cab driver started but Sivaangi cut him off in middle.

"Ila, yenna athu vandhu idhu vandhu nu, neenga mirror pathrupinga dhana. Naan dhana malai oodi oodi vandhen!"

"Ama, nalla penguin mathiri odivandhrupa" Ashwin who was silent the whole while broke his silence and said with a mocking smirk.He muttered under his breath, "Kulla vaathu"

It's not like Ashwin and Sivaangi met after their UG. Madurai wasn't much big of a city for them to not run into each other. They even saw each other last week at Rajaji park. She glared at him when he saw her with a mocking smile and a wink before he walked away. That memory was still fresh in both their mind.

"Dei! Naan unta pesala! Driver anna ta dhan pesunen" Sivaangi glared at Ashwin who tried to bit back her smile. She then turned to cab driver, "Anna, enaku avasaramaoruvelai ah ponum. Naan ongaluku double ah pay panren. Indha paiyana eraki vidunga"

"Edhey??! Athellam mudiyathu! Idhu enoda ride!" Ashwin grumbled and glared at Sivaangi, "Idho paru Sivaangi, enakum mukiyamaana velai iruku. Olunga vera cab pidichu poeko. Idhu enoda ride!"

Ashwin and Sivaangi started to bicker making the cab driver to look back and forth at them before the cab driver finally had enough and burst out.

"Rendu per um suma iruka poringala ilaya!" The cab driver yelled making both Sivaangi and Ashwin to turn silent. He then turned towards Sivaangi, "Ma, avaru modha vandharu. Avaroda ride idhu. Neenga vera cab pidichu poekonga. Yerangunga"

Sivaangi glared at both the cab driver and Ashwin before she grumbled and got out of the cab. She watched the cab go away and flared in anger.

"Andha thimiru pidichavan suthama maaraveyila! Cha!" Sivaangi groaned aloud.

Sivaangi did her UG at Cavel Arts & Science college, Madurai. Ashwin was from her same English department. While she was a self-finance student, he was from aided and just like every college, both aided and SF doesn't get along.

Being representative of their respective classes, Ashwin and Sivaangi had to work together for cultural programmes or any other programmes of the department. They had lot of difference of opinion and the hatred between aided and SF kept growing that whenever they talk, they end up arguing.

While Ashwin takes pleasure in arguing with Sivaangi, annoying her, she hates the sight of him. She was sore about leaving her college to another one for her PG but bright spot was she was free from Ashwin.

Despite that, Ashwin and Sivaangi seem to run into each other in the city every now and then in the past three years. Just last week, right after they saw each other, she prayed that he shouldn't come in front of her but he not only came in front of her but also managed to mess up her schedule.

Sulking, Sivaangi stared at her watch. The rain has stopped by then. She saw an auto going that way. She quickly got in and hoped that she makes it for the interview on time. They only have one vacancy and she needed to get in her old college.

When Sivaangi reached her department, interview time was over and that they had already selected someone. To her shock and annoyance, it was Ashwin making her annoyance reach heights.

Since Sivaangi was an old student, she spoke with the HOD and has managed to get an interview for herself but with a catch that only when a vacancy opens up, they'll call her. She agreed and gave her best and she was selected.

But just as she came out, Sivaangi saw Ashwin chatting with one of their old professors. Her dislike on him grew realizing she couldn't make it on time, thanks to him and he now has her job. Had she taken the cab first, she would have got selected!

Sivaangi looked around her college with a pout. She was really looking forward to work here. It was her wish to work here and her wish only came true after four months when a vacancy finally opened up and she was offered the job.

On her first day, Sivaangi met with her fellow colleagues save for Ashwin who was at Maths department for language class. Some of her colleagues were her seniors while others were her professors. So, she gelled with them easily.She was asked to meet the HOD who welcomed her warmly.

Since it was even semester beginning, staffs were asked to give their name under their subject of choice they wish to handle. Sivaangi took the register with a wide smile and decided to put her name under History of English Literature (HEL) and British Literature for 1st year class.

The smile on Sivaangi's face turned into frown when she saw Ashwin already gave his name under HEL and already a senior professor's name was at top. As an old student she knew only two course teachers handle HEL and with a senior professor name, it'll be either Ashwin or Sivaangi who'll get the course paper to handle.

'Yeppa pathalumen route la yeh cross aguraney!'

Gritting her teeth, Sivaangi wrote her name under HEL and under British Literature for 1st year and choose other subjects for rest of two years.Thinking the department only decide what's best, she convinced herself.

Sivaangi took class for second year students. She introduced herself and they welcomed her, some warmly while some were fascinated by her and rest either intrigued or finding fault with her voice.

By the end of the class, to say Sivaangi managed to earn some devoted students would be an understatement. Most liked her nature and gelled with her. Since she wasn't assigned anything to teach yet, she mostly spoke with them about movies and web series keeping everyone entertained.

"I still think Jon Snow (from Game of thrones) deserved better" Sivaangi would say and the whole class falls into discussion of the same.

When Sivaangi went to final year classroom, she used the same strategy and instead of Game of Thrones, she said,

"So, what do you all think about Money Heist? Worth the hype or overrated?"

After two fun filled classes when Sivaangi came to the department, she was greeted by the sight of students circling around a professor. She smiled at the sight and went on the opposite seat to sit.

Only then Sivaangi realized that it was Ashwin on her opposite and the smile on her face dropped as her eyes met with his. There was a mischievous glint in his face that didn't went missing from her eyes when he winked at her. She gasped softly and averted her gaze.

'Yenna thimiru avanuku!' Sivaangi balled her fists.

"Students, idhudhan onga new professor Ms. Sivaangi Krishnakumar. Meet paninga la?" Ashwin asked to no one in particular and the students answered enthusiastically.

"I really liked your class mam" A boy said and Sivaangi smiled at him.

"Yenna ma'am, pasanga lam epdi?" Ashwin asked looking straight at Sivaangi with an eyebrow raised while a teasing smile stayed on his lips.

"Naan padicha time la um seri, ipo um seri SF students lam thangamdhan, sir. Aided pasangadhan korangu thanam panuvanga" Sivaangi said giving a bright smile and thought, 'Unna mathiri'

Ashwin bit his lower lip as he bit back a smirk and stared at Sivaangi,

"Neenga sona seridhan ma'am"

Sivaangi gave a tight smile, excused herself and walked away mumbling, "Poruki"

~ * ~

It has been three months since Sivaangi joined the department. When the course list for professors came, she was surprised to see that HEL had three course teachers; senior professor Prof JJR, Ashwin and her.

With JJR handling only one hour for HEL, Ashwin and Sivaangi had to take two hours each. Since they share a course together, they had to discuss now and then which mostly ended in argument.

At the beginning, though faculty know about how they fight all the time during SF, Ashwin and Sivaangi managed to keep the enmity between them away from students who in actual shipped them as couples called Ashaangi. They both even had a huge fan following among girls and boys respectively.

But one day Ashwin and Sivaangi got into an argument in front of students in the department. From that time, everyone got to know about the enmity between these two. Even during staff meeting, if their ideas clashes then they would bicker.

"Ada raama, aarambichutanunga da"

This wouldbe the mind voice of most when Ashwin and Sivaangi get into an argument. That's the reason they both weren't given any responsibility during any department programmes, be it English Literary Association (ELA) inauguration or college play, etc.

Every year, English department holds their very own cultural programme called "Pegasus" and as an old student, both Ashwin and Sivaangi didn't want to be left out on the preparations. So, they both decided to keep their fight off the bay for few weeks just so they can convince their HOD to allow them in Pegasus preparation.

They decided to meet outside to discuss about the issue.

"Nalla ketuko da, Pegasus mudiyuravara enta vambukey varakudathu" Sivaangi warned Ashwin as she sipped on her milkshake.

"Nee varama irundha seridhan di" Ashwin said sipping on his cold coffee.

"Aii ena yethuku da di soli kupdura!" Sivaangi glared at Ashwin.

"Nee matumena da potu kupdura" Ashwin shot back.

"Argh! Athuku?! Naan yenna unnpondati ah? Di podra velai lam vendam" Sivaangi warned and Ashwin chuckled.

"Ipo nee solra munna yosikala aana ipo epo unna kuptalum di dhan poduven di. Seri ya di?" Ashwin smirked but soon his smirk turned into a frown when a smack landed on his arm and a hiss escaped his lips, "Amma! Yethuku di yenna adicha?"

"Inoruka di nu sona, vaaya odachuruve!" Sivaangi twisted her lips.

'Dhamma thunduirundhutu yennamaadikura' Ashwin hissed and rubbed on the spot where he got smacked.

Ashwin glared at Sivaangi as he stood up. He took his bag in his hand and was about to walk out but paused and said, "Poetu varen" and then leaned down near Sivaangi and screamed "Di" before rushing out from the café while she gasped and huffed at him.

"Poruki" Sivaangi mumbled under her breath, an unknown smile unconsciously crept on her lips.

Realizing that she's smiling, Sivaangi shook her head, paid the bill and went home.

~ * ~

As decided both Ashwin and Sivaangi stayed decent with each other for two weeks surprising everyone before they went in front of the HOD and expressed their wish to be part of Pegasus.

For ELA head, if one year an aided professor gets leadership then next year it would be sf, that's their tradition and those who get to be ELA head gets to be the head of Pegasus as well.

Their HOD Prof. Joelfrom SF was the head of ELA that year meaning he's responsible for whole of Pegasus. He's a wise man and with a look, he can say that Ashwin and Sivaangi are trying their best to give each other their peace of mind and if given a chance would eat each other's head. He wanted them to get along and so, he didn't just allow them to take part in preparations but gave them half of his responsibilities baffling them.

"I'm entrusting you with important duties. Prove to me that I have made the right choice by trusting you two" Pro. Joel advised and the baffled duo left giving a nod.

Entire English department was shocked when they saw the tom and jerry duo walking side by side. Sivaangi was saying something seriously and Ashwin leaned down to her height and nodded along as they walked making the students' shipper hearts go awe.

"Kappal yenna da submarine range kupoetuiruku" The students hooted.

When the circular announcing Prof. Joel's decision came, to say the staffs were surprised would be an understatement. They weren't surprised that HOD gave such huge responsibilities to beginnings because they were alumni's and students are the major driving force for Pegasus. They were surprised to see Ashwin and Sivaangi being cordial to each other. She gave him a smile when he agreed to something he said and everyone gasped in shock.

"Ena killu Pavi" Pugazh whispered to Pavi who chucked softly before pinching him.

"Aah! Valikuthu! Nejamdhanpolayeh!" Pugazh said dramatically making everyone save for Ashwin and Sivaangi to laugh while they rolled their eyes at Pugazh.

Ashwin and Sivaangi still had their disagreements. They still had their fights but they kept it among themselves. Pegasus is an emotion for all department people and they wanted to give their best in the preparations. They even had to work overtime to get everything done.

One evening, around 7:30 pm, Ashwin and Sivaangi worked at staff room getting the list for volunteers and committee sorted while everyone else left. Sivaangi was worn out and Ashwin noticed that.

"Sivaangi, let's take a break. Continuous ah list ah check panituirukom, you must be tired"

"Ila, Ashwin. Orey sitting la mudichuruvom. Ilana inum late agum" Sivaangi said rubbing her tired eyes.

"Unaku break vendam, enaku venum. Nee sonalum solalanaalum break dhan. Peh"

Ashwin stood up and walked out of staff room while Sivaangi rolled her eyes at him before closing the list file and leaned against her chair. She closed her eyes as a tired groan left her lips.

Sivaangi jerked when she left something hot against her arm and opened her eyes to look at Ashwin standing beside her with a grin. She glared at him.

"Yenna da panra?" Sivaangi grumbled.

"Ongaluku coffee kuduka vandhen, madam. Vangikonga" Ashwin said biting back his smile.

Ashwin extended coffee to Sivaangi who took a brief moment to look at him before she sighed and took the paper cup from him. He bit back his smile and walked over to his seat that's opposite to her.

"Aprm professor madam, class lam yepdipoguthu? Students lam ongala aaha ooho nu pugazhuranga" Ashwin initiated the conversation as he sipped on his coffee.

"Nalla dhan poguthu. Yean, students yepovum unna matum dhan pugazhanuma?" Sivaangi asked raising a single brow as she sipped on her coffee.

"Yepdi poguthu nu ketathu kuthama di? Naan onum kekala, nee coffee ah kudi"

Ashwin pouted that didn't miss Sivaangi's eyes, a smile almost forming on her lips but she composed herself quickly.

Sivaangi's mobile rang grabbing both their attention. Her ringtone was F.R.I.E.N.D.S theme music that caught Ashwin's attention. It was a call from her mother. She quickly spoke to her mother informing that she would be late and hanged up.

"Unaku FRIENDS pidikum ah di?" Ashwin asked, his lips curled into a half smile.

"Pidikum ah va? My go to show! I love FRIENDS!" Sivaangi answered enthusiastically.

"You know what?" Ashwin said as he opened his back pack and took a notebook out, "Inga paaru di, I have a FRIENDS customized diary!"

"Woah!" Sivaangi said appreciating the FRIENDS journal in Ashwin's hand, "Unakum FRIENDS pidikum ah da apo?"

"I love FRIENDS!" Ashwin mirrored Sivaangi's words and on seeing her eyeing at the FRIENDS diary, he forwarded it to her, "Indha,paaru"

Sivaangi got the diary from Ashwin with fascination. She saw each page with excitement. She read aloud dialogues written on each page and Ashwin chipped in quoting the next line.

If Ashwin and Sivaangi look back at their life, this has to be the first time they are being cordial, free and invested in each other's conversation save for the time they discuss work or literature stuff.

"Sorry to ask, FRIENDS and friendship pathi ivlo deep ah pesura but I heard unoda UG la unoda friends lam unn pinadi mosama pesuvanga nu. I heard you had lot of issues with them" Ashwin said and added quickly,"Sorry if its offending"

"Nothing to get offended here, it's okay. Enoda life la friendships rare ah dhan stable ah irukum. I don't easily get attached but when I do, I put my whole heart into that bond. Back at UG, enoda feelings and friendship ah respect pannama, athu mela advantage eduka start pananga, use pana start pananga. Athu enaku pidikala. So, yepovum clash irundhute dhan irukum friends' gang kula. I value friendship but I never had much of good friends in life. May be that's why I love FRIENDS more. I have made them my friends, someone whom I can turn for comfort, someone who would be there for me but won't judge and someone who can always make me laugh"

A pregnant silence filled the room. Ashwin was still processing Sivaangi's words while she was startled to realize that she spoke her heart to Ashwin. His frantic eyes fell on her Iron Man watch while her eyes fell on his Iron man's EDITH coolers making them both look up at each other.

"Nee Marvel fan ah di/da?" They both asked at the same time pointing at watch and coolers respectively.

"Yes!!" They said in unison as they grinned at each other.

"Naan periya Marvel fan!" Sivaangi said.

"Naanum dhan. Comics la irundhu movies and series vara, bayangaramaana fan uh" Ashwin grinned as he put on his EDITH coolers, "Yepdi iruken?"

"Iron man ah kevalampaduthadha da"

Ashwin pouted and Sivaangi laughed. They both engaged into talking about Marvel movie and future movie discussion forgetting about their work. By the time they realized it was already nine.

"Wanda va irundha ava Thanos ah kondrupa(Avengers)" Sivaangi said.

"Agreed. Scarlet witch vera ava dhan. Yenna dhan Captain Marvel irundhalum ena poruthavara enoda Wanda darling dhan strongest uh" Ashwin grinned.

"Unoda darling ah? Thu" Sivaangi chuckled, "Yenna irundhalum Iron man dhan enoda all-time favorite"

"Enakum dhan"

"Adei, yenna da inumah velai pathutuirukinga? 9 mani aguthu, kelambalaya?" Maran, department in-charger said.

"Maran anna idho kelambiruvom" Sivaangi said and Maran nodded and walked out.

"Adiyehh paru oruvelai um mudikama vachutom!" Ashwin exclaimed.

"Yellam unnaladhan da! Unna yaru series pathi pesasona!"

"Enaku yepdi di theriyum we have so much in common nu!" Ashwin shot back.

"Seri, nalaiku kadhai pesama work ah mudichuralam. Ipo kelambalam, time aguthu" Sivaangi said as she started packing her stuffs.

Ashwin did the same too. He quickly packed his stuffs and stood up to go out but went near Sivaangi.

"Naan ithana di poduren, nee athana da podra...apo idhu adhudhana Jessi"

Ashwin chucked when Sivaangi smacked his arms.

"Chuma sonen" Ashwin laughed and added, "Poetuvaren DI"

"Dei!" Sivaangi threw the paper weight at Ashwin who shrieked and run out of the staff room.

Sivaangi's face soften once Ashwin is out of her sight. She heaved a sigh and thought about what happened that evening, an unknown smile crept on her lips before she mumbled, "Poruki"

And when Sivaangi walked out of the department, she saw Ashwin sitting on his bike and scrolling on his mobile. A smile crept on her lips when she realized why he stayed back. She got on her scooty and as she started her vehicle, she saw Ashwin placing his mobile in his pocket before he started his bike. With a smile, she drove away.

~ * ~

Ashwin was having tea with one of his friends from another department called Arjun at college canteen. They chatted about sports and family stuffs before topic of Pegasus came.

"Ama Ashwin, unn kuda work panra andha professor Sivaangi irukanga la"

"Ama, avaluku yenna?" Ashwin asked dipping a biscuit into his tea.

"Avangala anaikupathen. Semaya irukanga. Avanga number kedaikuma?" Arjun asked.

Ashwin paused for a moment before he looked up at Arjun. He didn't know why he grew uncomfortable, the urge to cook up any reason and not give Arjun Sivaangi's number was getting stronger with each passing second.

"Mulugiruchu da" Arjun said grabbing Ashwin's attention.

"Huh"

"Biscuit" Arjun pointed at Ashwin's tea cup, "Biscuit mulugiruchu"

"Haan...haan" Ashwin cleared his throat, "Dei machan, sumavey Sivaangi kumenakum aagathu. Ava already committed da. Ithula naan ava number kudutha ena konruva"

"Oh" Arjun sounded dejected on learning that Sivaangi's taken, "Andha paiyan yenna panranam?"

"Professor dhanahm. XYZ college la" Ashwin didn't know why he lied but he just did, "Machan department la enaku koncham work iruku. Naan kelamburen"

'Ava number keta enaku yean tension aaganum? Naan yean poi sonen?' Ashwin thought to himself as he walked away.

~ * ~

Pegasus was barely three weeks away and workload increased for everyone. There are committees for every work and there would be staff head for Aided and SF, student leader for both aided and SF and under them students' volunteers would work.

Ashwin was checking the sponsorship list which Prof. Joel sent him when Sivaangi approached him.

"Ashwin, rehearsal practice ah check pananum. Vapolam" Sivaangi said.

"Nee munna po, enaku koncham work iruku, mudichutu varen" Ashwin said concentrating on the list in front of him without sparing a look at Sivaangi making her roll her eyes at him.

"Seri!" Sivaangi huffed and walked away.

Sivaangi overchecked the performance list and watched students performing at various side at the indoor stadium. She saw a group of girls arguing over something. Frowning, she walked there.

"Girls, yenna achu?"

"Mam! Naanga group dance panroma anaoru part ku couple dance edaila varum. Atha epdi execute panrathu nu discuss panitu irundhom" One among the girl said.

Sivaangi enquired them about the songs and the steps they have in mind before she grabbed the hand of one of the girls and suggested few steps.

"Mokka"

Sivaangi rolled her eyes as she heard Ashwin's voice from behind.

"Yenna mokka?" Sivaangi asked.

"Indha step mokka" Ashwin told looking at Sivaangi before turning to look at students, "Girls ongaluku onga performance ku elarum enjoy pani scream pananum ah?"

"Yes, sir" The girls said in unison.

One among the girls explained the song and portion to Ashwin while Sivaangi watched with folded arms. Ashwin nodded and asked the girl to play the song and without any word, grabbed Sivaangi's hand and pulled her towards him making her gasp.

"Yenna da panra?" Sivaangi whisper yelled as she held Ashwin to support herself.

"Aadi katanum la" Ashwin said moving his body and making sure Sivaangi's swaying to his moves.

"Athuku!"

"Avanga kuda aaduna nala irukathu la. Chinna pilainga"

"Athuku naan dhan kedachen ah" Sivaangi huffed as she swayed along to Ashwin.

"Yean, ennkuda lam aada matingalo" Ashwin said and spinned Sivaangi before pulling her towards him, his hands on her hands cautious not to touch her inappropriately even by mistake.

"Ama, ivaru periya ivaru!" Sivaangi said twisting her lips while Ashwin just grinned and guided her to dance along.

Sivaangi grew silent and started enjoying the dance as Ashwin twisted and twirled her. Unintentionally, his hand grazed her bare waist making her gasp softly while he held her eyes in his, his hand settled at her shoulders as he waited for her to react.

They panted as they breathed in their proximity while their eyes bore into each other. Something shifted between them as their bodies tingled with excitement rather than discomfort.

The girls clapped pulling them out of their trance. They broke apart and Sivaangi tucked her strands behind her ear while Ashwin looked here and there.

"Mam, Sir, super!! Vera level panitinga" One among the girls said.

"Haan, neenga practice panunga. Naan poi communication committee ah check panren" Ashwin said clearing his voice and walked away mumbling, "Yenna kannu da!"

Sivaangi shook her head and spoke to the girls before she walked away. When she raised her hand to look at her watch for time, her eyebrows scrunched into confusion on seeing blue colour on her hands. She checked her both hands and found blue colour. She walked inside the washroom and checked the mirror.

Gasping, Sivaangi realized that wherever Ashwin touched, there were traces of blue. She realized it must have rubbed off on her from him. Her cheeks heated up when she saw slight traces of blue on her waist that's slightly exposed.

Trying to bit back the smile and blush that crept on her face, Sivaangi mumbled, "Poruki" before she washed her hands and walked away.

~ * ~

Sivaangi declared to herself that she didn't like the newly joined lecturer, Jenny. For starters, Jenny was a show off. She was a hot topic among boys for her looks and she had this fake aura around her. But that wasn't the reason why Sivaangi didn't liked Jenny. It was because of how Jenny always goes behind Ashwin trying to be friends with him and find any opportunity to come talk to him.

Trying to convince herself that Sivaangi doesn't like Jenny speaking to Ashwin because Ashwin would be mostly with Sivaangi and if Jenny approaches Ashwin, then Sivaangi had to listen to them talking and laughing.

That day was no different. Sivaangi was annoyed beyond words to see Jenny come flaunting her looks to Ashwin and asking stupidest of doubts to him just to converse with him.

"Ashwin, program committee meeting ku time aguthu" Sivaangi said making the duo look at her.

"Orunimisham ma'am. HEL la Jenny mam keta doubt ah solituvandhruren" Ashwin said looking down at the HEL book in his hand.

Gritting her teeth, Sivaangi looked down and waited for few minutes before she huffed and looked at Ashwin.

"SIR" Sivaangi stressed on the word, "Neenga doubt mudichutu porumai ah vanga. I can't let students wait. NAAN POREN"

Ashwin frowned when Sivaangi walked away. He excused himself from Jenny and followed her. She wasn't walking towards the department. Rather she was walking towards the indoor stadium confusing him.

"Sivaangi nillu" Ashwin chased behind Sivaangi.

"Yethuku inga vandha!" Sivaangi wriggled her hand out of Ashwin's hand when he holds her wrist, "Anga ava kuda sirichu pesa vendiyathudhana!"

"Aii, ena patha anga sirichu pesitu irundha mathiri ah irundhuchu!" Ashwin frowned, "Jenny mam doubt ketanga, ath-"

"Battle of Hastings theriyama ava literature padicha, idha nee nambi ava ku explain panra! Idha naan nambanuma! Daily vandhrura oru doubt ah thukit!" Sivaangi glared and mumbled to herself, "Menaminiki!"

"Adiyehh, solrathakel-"

"Naan yethuku kekanum! Ava ta poe solu, nalla okandhu kepa!" Sivaangi scoffed and turned to walk away but Ashwin held her hand again.

"Naan yenna panenipo?" Ashwin asked, thought for a second and asked, "Naan ava ta pesurathu unaku pidikalaya?"

"Nee ava ta pesuna enaku yenna? Pesala na yenna? Velai keduthu, athuthan enaku pidikala!"

Ashwin sure took time to process things but he got there. He realized that Sivaangi was pissed with him because of Jenny and made a note to keep his distance from Jenny. A teasing smile grew on his lips as he looked at Sivaangi's angry avatar that looked super cute to him.

"Apo madam ku vera yenna pidikum solunga, atha senjuruvom"

Sivaangi looked up at Ashwin with a glare before she averted her gaze and heaved a deep sigh.

"Tension panatha, Ashwin. Neraya velai iruku" Sivaangi said with a tired sigh.

Ashwin realized that Sivaangi wasn't in the right mood. So, he zipped his mouth and followed her as they walked to the department. From that day, he made sure he stayed away from Jenny.

~ * ~

Every year department holds inter department cricket matches for boys and throw ball for girls a week before Pegasus. First year Aided and SF, second year Aided and SF and third year Aided and SF boys and girls would play against each other and it follows league pattern.

Ashwin was with the boys through out two days while Sivaangi was with girls. For reasons unknown to them, they both would try to find each other in the vast playground. They would even make excuses to meet with each other under pretext of work.

"Mam, Ashwin sir vararu" If a student say, Sivaangi would turn hurriedly at that direction and they would tease her.

Recently Ashwin and Sivaangi came to know about the shipping fandom. She would have reacted angry normally but she didn't react and pretended having no clue about that and Ashwin did the same. Inside they both felt weirdly good about that.

The day of Pegasus finally arrived. Ashwin and Sivaangi stayed at the hostel previous night and started work right from 5 in morning. The whole day was eventful and they were busy with various responsibilities. Everyone was in awe to witness them working together cordially.

Pegasus started with college song, Principal speech, HOD speech, Chief guest speech followed by curtain raiser of the stage. That year's Pegasus theme was restoration period and stage were decorated based on the theme.

There were selfie props at outside the auditorium to entertain students from other colleges. The most eye catchy one was selfie prop of wings; one white and another black in a red backdrop.

Sivaangi was dressed in a purple soft silk saree and looked beautiful! Ashwin was dressed in a white shirt with black pants and looked handsome as ever. Students who ship them were in awe of the duo and asked for selfies with them. The students even managed to make Ashwin and Sivaangi together for a pic and took some stills.

The whole event went well and thankfully Aided and SF didn't fight. AS College of Arts & Science won the overall trophy. The other college students hooted and once all other college students went, the host performance started. These are performances performed by the students of the department.

Everyone enjoyed the performances. Whole auditorium turned into disco as everyone on the crowd started dancing. Even staffs were dancing their hearts out. Around 8 everyone packed up and left save for the staffs who gathered in front of HOD office.

Prof. Joel thanked everyone for their efforts and appreciated Ashwin and Sivaangi for their work. They both were overwhelmed with the response they got for Pegasus and was glad.

Ashwin and Sivaangi met at a café that night for dinner. Their distaste between each other has faded over the period of time they worked together.

"Pegasus semaya pochu la!" Sivaangi said.

"Thanks to us" Ashwin grinned.

They both fell into conversation talking about Pegasus, both content with how the day turned out. They fell into silence as they waited for dessert. Ashwin who was at deep thoughts finally broke his silence,

"Sivaangi, onnu kekava?"

"Kelu Ashwin" Sivaangi said as she took a bite of her brownie in the sizzler.

"Unaku yethuku department la join pana aprm yean mela apdi oru kovam?" Ashwin can't help but ask.

"Theriyala..." Sivaangi trailed her words, "May be because you took that cab and I didn't. Andha disappointment la naan rude ah behav epaniten. Sorry for that"

"Actually, I booked that cab in Olo" Ashwin confessed and Sivaangi's eyes widen in surprise.

"OMG! Athunala dhan you and that driver kept saying unoda ride nu ah! God! I'm so sorry! That's embarrassing!" Sivaangi exclaimed taking in the information.

"Seri, vidu. Avlo periya vishayam ila idhu" Ashwin chuckled.

"Ila, ila. Indha incident naala naan unna evlo manasu kula thitunen theriyuma! Athu thappu" Sivaangi genuinely felt bad.

"Naanum sorry. Namma UG la sandai potadhumey, when I look back, it was only for Aided and SF rifts" Ashwin said as he reminisced the old days.

"True! Back then I couldn't even stand your sight!" Sivaangi confessed.

"Aana enaku apdiila. I get pleasure in seeing you all riled up because of me" Ashwin said and then after a pause, confessed as he held his eyes with hers, "Andha Aided SF prachana ilana, nee first year Pegasus day anaiku stage la Munbeva paduna adutha naal unta propose eh panirupen"

Sivaangi was taken aback by what Ashwin confessed but when she looked into his eyes, she couldn't look away. Dazed, she confessed,

"Andha first Pegasus ku one-week munna unna aided team ooda cricket captain ah nee play panratha patha apovey unn mela oru crush irundhuchu"

Ashwin was taken aback this time. They both blushed and stared at each other before their faces break into smile. Pushing their enmity and anger aside, they spoke with open heart and found that they really liked each other.

"Enaku nee na romba pidikum, Sivaangi" Ashwin confessed, "Unna vambu iluka pidikum, unn kudapesa, sirika...ena vita naan naal muluka unna pathute okandhruven"

Sivaangi bit back her smile and blush as she cleared her throat, "Nee solita. Naan solanum naena impress panu, aprm papom"

Smiling, Sivaangi took her bag, stood up and walked away. Ashwin grinned as he placed money inside bill card and quickly jogged behind her and walked along with her.

"Seri, seri. Thonura apoveysolu" Ashwin said bumping his arm with Sivaangi who nodded with smile as they walked out.

"Suma sola kudathu di, indha purple saree la nachunudhan iruka" Ashwin said in a mischievous tone as he tried to encircle his arm around Sivaangi.

Sivaangi caught Ashwin's hand in middle and gently pushed it as a blush crept on her cheeks as she looked at him and said, "Poda poruki!' and walked ahead.

Ashwin laughed as he rubbed his nape with a shy smile before he jogged behind her. That was the day he started jogging behind her. It didn't change when they hosted next year Pegasus or when they got engaged and eventually married but changed when they parented a daughter together and instead of Sivaangi, Ashwin started jogging behind Ashvaa as the infant ran around their house.

From hating each other to gradually falling for each other to starting a life with each other and to creating a life together, Ashwin and Sivaangi has come a long way. They overcome the hurdles life threw at them and finally found their happily ever after.