LOCK(ED) DOWN

Shot 1

Written by KuluGuluTimes

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It was a day off. Sivaangi would have slept past noon or till evening if the chatting sounds from the living room didn't get to her ears. She woke up rather annoyed and stomped to the door which her mom left open a while ago.

She almost banged the door before she saw Ashwin sitting opposite her parents sipping a beverage from the cup holding the saucer. Her eyes widened and she immediately closed the door softer than she intended to.

She crawled onto her bed and scrolled through her phone to kill time till the guest left. She would have continued sleeping if she didn't see him and got shocked. She's wide awake to go back to sleep but too lazy to get bathed and start the day.

She put her phone away and walked out when she realised they stopped talking a few minutes ago. The leaving was empty. He must have left. Thank god. She thought before going straight into the kitchen to get coffee.

Leaning against the kitchen counter with her coffee mug, Sivaangi interrogated her mom about his sudden visit.

"Avanuku etho training ahm promotion vangarathuku" her mom casually said as she poured a ladle of dosa batter onto the hot pan and spread it in circles.

"Intha oor la training vanthathum nama nyabagam vanthucham athan vanthu paathutu ponan'' her mom continued.

She chuckled dryly and said "avana vanthuruka maatan, athai than vara sollirpanga, vera vali ilama vanthurupan" which earned a glare from her mom.

"Edu serupa! konjam kuda mattu mariyadha illa.. avan unoda evlo periyavan.. olunga mama nu kupdu illa vanga ponga nu sollunu sollirken unna'' her mom chided holding the hot scrapper near her face.

With wide eyes, she argued "edhu mama nu kupidratha?? Athelam mudiyathu!! Enna? Samantham panalamnu plan pandringala?? Kola paniruven!!" she said in a breath.

Her mom frowned and casually said, piling up a few dosas on a plate "enga Ashwin thangam! Unna avanuku katti vachu avan vaalkaiya nasam panna maten! Po poyi thinnu po!" She gave Sivaangi the plate of dosas and pushed her out of the kitchen.

Sivaangi just frowned at the humiliation before settling at the dining table to relish the dosa and continued the banter with her mom.

*******

Sivaangi came home to her mom fast-walking around the house grabbing stuff and packing, her phone in the crook of her neck, speaking to someone. She just followed behind her mom, trying to figure who was on the other end. Her mom put down the phone and began instructing Sivaangi when she realised her presence.

"Unga akka ku vali vanthurucham hospital la sethurukanga" her mom was too worried that she almost cried.

"Athukullaya? Ipo thaane 7 maasam?" Sivaangi asked, equally worried.

"Ennanu therla di.. kaalaila kuda pesinen nalla than iruntha.. thidirnu enna achu nu therla.. enaku manase seri illa.. nama poyi papom vaa'' Her mom quickly entered Sivaangi's room and opened her cupboard to help her with packing.

Sivaangi stopped her "Maa! Nan epdi varathu? Enaku exam iruku nalaila irunthu! Finals ma vilayadatha.. nee poyi akka kuda iru, nan video call pesren.. exam mudinjathum baby paka varen'' she explained.

"Una epdi di thaniya vitutu porathu? Athelam seri varathu" her mom strictly said and continued taking out her clothes.

"Maa unaku puritha illaya.. nan vara mudiyathu.. sadha class ah iruntha kandipa vanthurupen.." Sivaangi said firmly and took away her dresses from her mom.

Her mom chided and left the room shouting "Adangaatha kaludha! Epdiyo po!" She went to the bathroom and knocked "Evlo neram nga kulipinga?! Sikiram vaanga!!" Her mom was annoyed at both her husband and daughter. "Enakunu vanthu vaachirku paaru, katnathum sari illa poranthathum sari illa!" she mumbled and continued packing.

The cab arrived at their doorstep. Sivaangi helped them with their luggages and sent them off with instructions about how to travel safely since there was a new disease spreading around. They listened carefully and bid bye to her.

Her mom was still worried about leaving her daughter alone in the house for the first time even after giving her a long lecture on how to take care of herself, the house and stay safe. That's when Ashwin's thought crossed her mind.

After some thorough pondering, she called Ashwin's mom who is also her sister in law and asked her to talk to Ashwin about staying in their house and accompanying Sivaangi till they are back.

Ashwin just returned from the training and plopped on the bed when his mom called him.

"Maa, enaku naliki training mudiyuthu.. anegama inga than placement nu nenaikiren, nan namaku thanga veedu paka polamnu iruken nalaili.. ne ennana mama veetla thanga soldra? Athum periyavanga illama Sivaangi thaniya iruka nu soldra? Unakey nalla iruka?" he asked unbelievably upon his mom's ridiculous request.

"Aabathuku pavam illa da.. un athai mama than nambikai ah vera aal illa nee than ponom nu kekuranga.. enaku evlo perumaiya iruku teriyuma? Nee enna na oorula irukura kelavinga maari pesitu iruka.."

"Un perumaiya thooki theeyula podu.. nan laam poga mudiyathu.. nan hotel la thangikuren illa road la kuda thiriyuren, ava kuda lam orey veetla iruka mudiyathu.. nee phone ah vaii!"

He was about to hang up when his mom shouted "Deii! ipo odaney nan ner la vara mudiyathundra thimura? Pombala pulla thaniya iruku thonaiku iruda nu sollitu iruken, periya ivan maari pesitu iruke?! Olunga soldratha sei.."

Ashwin inhaled and exhaled in anger and glared at the phone screen as his mom continued "illana neeye un athai ku call panni enta sonnethellam sollitu enamo pannu."

He was easily sold to that idea. He wanted to call his aunt to politely refuse their request as soon as his mom hung up but she made a checkmate "aana athuku aprom en veetuku varathe, nanum un veetuku vara maten!" She firmly said and hangup before Ashwin could respond.

He face-palmed himself and mentally prepared to meet Sivaangi alone. He packed his bag, checked out his room and booked a cab. His brain forcefully reminisced all the not so good memories with his technically distant cousin while he was in the cab.

Ashwinkumar and Sivaangi Krishnakumar along with their fourteen other cousins have a long history. They were all born in the same ancestral house. Most of them grew up there while some in different cities since their parents migrated. Sivaangi's family was in Chennai while Ashwin's family was in Coimbatore. They all meet in their ancestral house at least twice a year.

Ashwin grew up to become the most obedient and disciplined boy among them for what he always earned praises from every elder member of their family. He was also exceptional in studies as well as sports. He got many awards and trophies which his cousins didn't. They all were subjected to comparisons with him including Sivaangi.

Pugazh, Sivaangi's cousin brother, subtly formed an Anti-Ashwin movement and the others who were indirect victims of Ashwin's reputation, joined him.

They childishly started to despise him for what wasn't his fault and ever since that, their bonds with Ashwin loosened. They were all much closer to each other than with Ashwin. His own younger brother was part of the movement too.

Ashwin, being the busy person he was, stopped trying to gel with them and focused more on his exams and tournaments. He wouldn't say he wasn't even slightly hurt though. He would rather stay away from all of them for his mental peace.

But here he is, outside one of them's houses, forced to live with her alone for three long days. The believer in him for the first time cursed God for this kind of plan.

He doesn't even remember how long it's been since he saw her if her mom had not reminded when he visited earlier. It was in a ceremony when his younger sister attained puberty. He almost forgot Sivaangi's face.

But he knows she saw him when he was in the living room with her parents. He knows she deliberately avoided meeting him. That is what irritates him more to go in and stay with her. To know that she hasn't changed after all these years..

She opened the door after he rang the doorbell. They saw each other after almost three years. He forcefully put on a fake smile which she mirrored. "Ulla vaa" she tried to play a decent host so that he wouldn't go and complain to her mother.

Her mother informed Sivaangi that Ashwin will come and stay with her till she is done with her exams and leave for her sister's house. She had to lie that Ashwin had been kicked out of his current place of stay and he had nowhere to go. After a mini fight with her mother, she agreed to accommodate him.

She left the door open and walked into the living room. Ashwin followed her. She stopped near the main rooms' doors and pointed at the guest room which used to be her sister's room. "You can stay there, I'll be here" she then pointed to her room.

"Thank you!" He nodded and went straight away inside the room.

She was about to ask him if he wanted anything to eat but he locked himself in. She rolled her eyes and lifted her hand to mentally punch him. She then wrote 'Food is on the dining table' on a sticky note and pasted on his door before stepping into her room.

They both informed their respective parents about Ashwin's arrival. They asked them to take care and stay safe. Their parents also reminded them to be nice to each other.

******

Ashwin woke up to numerous calls regarding his last day training being cancelled and he would be expected to work from home from the day after. Sivaangi in the other room woke up to messages all over her college group chats informing that her exams were cancelled.

They both rushed out of their rooms at the same time and stopped for a second looking at each before they reached for the television remote. Sivaangi got it and tuned to a news channel while Ashwin stood there to watch the news.

The government announced a 14 day lockdown across the country and everyone should stay indoors. They looked at each other with wide mouths and shocked filled eyes. They heard the news carefully about the rules and procedures before calling their parents.

Ashwin wanted to go back to Coimbatore and asked Sivaangi to go to her sister's house to join her parents. Sivaangi agreed and they started the preparations but they couldn't even book tickets since all the inter-district public transportation stopped operating.

Both their parents advised them to stay in Sivaangi's house till the lockdown lifted or at least till they find a transport option to their respective destinations. Both Ashwin and Sivaangi were alarmed to stay together for the next fourteen days.

Sivaangi at least accepted the reality much earlier than Ashwin. She was okay to share the house with him since they didn't have another better option. Knowing his character well, she didn't feel unsafe at all, but a little annoyed. Anyways, she is gonna have some incidents to gossip with her other cousins.

Ashwin pondered a lot and tried finding other means to bring her to her parents and to him to go back home. He felt nervous, anxious and uncomfortable to stay with her in her house when her parents were not around, especially for such a long duration. He has never stayed with any of his mean cousins for more than 3 days even in their ancestral house. When none of his tries seemed to work out, he decided to give in and adjust against his will.

He sat on the couch opposite her while she was texting her friends. He cleared his throat. She knew he was trying to speak to her but she purposely waited till he said her name.

"Sivaangi" he finally called. She hummed in response with a second of head lift and focused on her phone back. He waited for her to finish replying to her messages. Realising his silent stare, she plainly said "Sollu" still tapping on her phone screen.

"Na pesanum.. It's okay nee free ayitu sollu" he said as he got up and made his way to his room. She put her phone away and adjusted herself in the seat "free than ipovey sollu" she said as she crossed her arms. He sat back on the couch to discuss a few things with her.

"Veetla provisions lam iruka? Ethachum vanganuma?"

She just blinked and thought about it. She never took notice of it ever. It was all under her mother's management. She would have just survived with some instant noodles or food delivery if her parents weren't around.

"Therlaye amma ta than keakanum"

He expected little of that. He knew she was an irresponsible child but he also thought she would have grown up and changed. But who was he kidding? It's Sivaangi. Of course she wouldn't know. He thought.

"See, rendu vaaram.. Nama veetu kulla irukanum.. Emergency ku matum than velila poganum.. Cooking and cleaning namaley panikanum.. So inikey twoo weeks ku thevai aanathe stock pani vechupom.. Let's plan our meals and divide chores. So that we can buy accordingly.." he said in a breath.

Ivanaala matum than mudiyum. She thought as she mentally rolled her eyes but faked a smile for him.

"Excuse me, iru vanthuren" she said before she went into the kitchen and called her mom. He nodded and waited.

Her mom was initially shocked "neeya ithelam kekura? Lockdown potoney porupu vanthurucha en ponnuku? Illa Ashwin ketana?" she asked as she realised Ashwin was with her. Sivaangi calmed herself as she glared at her phone. Exactly why she hated him.

"Yaaru keats enna? Ipo soldriya illaya?" she asked as she peeked into the fridge and the cabinets. Her mom confidently said "ellam irukum.. Nan nethu than weekly ah vaangurathulam stock panni vechen. Adutha varam vaanguna pothum.. Enna iruko atha vachi samachi sapdunga" and hung up immediately upon her brother-in-law's cry.

She returned to the couch and told him whatever her mom said.

"Great! Apo let's divide the chores. Do you cook?"

She can't cook to save her life but she couldn't let him know.

"Hhmm.. edho sumara.." she trailed off.

He doubted her answer but still went on and said "athu podhum.. Anyways nan nallavey samaipen.. Pathukalam.. We'll cook on alternate days.. Ne cook panum pothu nan clean pandren, nan cook pandre aniki ne clean pannu.."

Her mom will bury her alive if she knew Sivaangi let her favourite nephew cook and clean in her house. She immediately refused "No no no no.. ne edhum pana venda naaney panikiren.. Amma ku terinja avlothan.. No no no no"

"Apo athai ta solladha, nanum solla maten.. Enala velai seiyama summa lam sapda mudiyathu.." he casually shrugged.

She frowned "Shobaa.. Apo neeye daily pana vendi thaaney.." and rolled her eyes.

"Apo madam enna panuvinga? Saptu saptu thunguviya? Olunga pannu illaina athai ta solliruven"

She was dumbfounded. Not even a day has been completed, he was giving her more reasons to hate him. Anyways she couldn't give in and let him intimidate her further with her mother.

"Amma ta sonna bayanthuruvena? Ithu en veedu athanala nan panuven.. Nee panna pannu panati po.." she shrugged and made way to her room.

"Enga kelambura? Iniku yaaru cook pandrathu?" he asked as he got up from the couch.

"Neeye pannu, enaku class iruku" she said without turning back.

"Apo class mudichutu veeta clean paniru" he said as he walked past her to enter the kitchen.

"Enaku teriyum en velaiya seiya" she said before pulling a face at him and shutting her room door.

*******

Sivaangi found the house super clean and tidy as soon as she woke up and left the room. Things were arranged neatly. It was easily one of the best looking days for her house. Iniku enna edhum pandigai ah? She thought before seeing Ashwin walking into the living room with a plate of food.

She remembered everything that happened the day before and worse, she remembered it's her turn to cook today. She looked at the wall clock and realised it was still morning so she still had plenty of time to cook lunch. Ashwin heated the leftover chapati he made last night and ate it for breakfast.

The kitchen was squeaky clean when Sivaangi entered to make lunch. Some things were rearranged from their previous positions. She felt like she was stranded on an island. She didn't know what and how to cook.

She googled how to make a simple rasam. She followed the youtube video instructions carefully but it still didn't turn out well. She was frustrated not only because of the bad tasting food but mainly because she would feel embarrassed in front of Ashwin.

She became clumsier and burned the rice too. Ashwin rushed to the kitchen when he smelled something was burning. She turned off the stove and lifted the rice pot with her bare fingers accidentally. She screamed and dropped the pot which hit the ground when Ashiwn entered.

Sivaangi hissed and blew her fingers. Her eyes turned glassy and she gritted her teeth in pain. Ashwin swiftly moved closed and took fingers into his "Samaika teriyathu na teriyadhu nu sollalamla.. Ithula poyi ego paapiya?!" he asked as he checked how bad the burn was.

She frowned and pulled away immediately "unaku teriyuma enaku samaika teriyathunu, aprom ithelam samachathu yaru" she almost shouted as she put her fingers under the running water at the sink.

Kaila adi pattalum kolupu korayutha paaru! He thought but he asked "edhu? Intha theenji pona sora?" He scanned around the messy kitchen and continued "kitchen nelamaiya paaru! Na epdi vechitu ponen?!"

She was so done at that point. She angrily hit the tap's handle "Shoooo! Moodriya?!" she snapped at him and went to get some ointment for her burn but couldn't find any. She was rather pissed off when she started searching in every cabinet and drawer.

The house became messy again. "Edhuku ipo ellathayum kalachitu iruka? Evlo neram clean panen terima?" He tried to get her fingers to apply the medicine that he found but she pulled again. "Unna yaaru clean panna sonna?" she asked as she snatched the tube from him. "Onnu pannitu 10 tadava solli katuran! Nee laaammm" she trailed off and sat on the couch applying the ointment.

He watched her while he held his hands at his back. "Rendu kai layum epdi neeye poduva?" She bit the inside of her cheeks and closed her eyes tightly while tilting her head to the back. He was such a pain. He was giving her a hard time just by being around. She wouldn't have to go through all this if he wasn't there.

He waited for her to respond. He pitied her for the hurt but it also felt good to see her giving up her ego. She opened her eyes and threw the tube towards him without even looking at him before extending her hands out.

He sat opposite her and wordlessly applied the medicine all over her fingers and palms. She hissed in between but he didn't even look at her face. He put the tube on the coffee table once he was done "thee kayam patta sakkula vanthu ukanthuta, ini un velayum sethu nan pakanum, athana un strategy?" he complained as he made his way to the kitchen.

She glared at his direction and shouted "epdiyum clean pandrathu un velai thane? Pannu!"

He peeked from the kitchen "nethu nan cook pani nan thane clean panen?"

"Adhu un prechana! Nan varathuku munadi ne yean pana?" she shrugged and leaned on the couch.

*******

Ashwin entered the kitchen around 3am and he almost screamed when he found a crying Sivaangi, sitting on the counter top, shoving spoons of ice cream into her mouth, light from her phone emitting on her bare face.

She immediately wiped her face and jumped down when she realised his presence. She kept the ice cream tub back into the fridge before leaving the kitchen. He stopped her and "Hey, intha nerathula inga yean ukandhu aluthutu iruka?" asked her in shock.

She tried to leave without responding to him. "Sollu Sivaangi, ethachum problem ah?" Ashwin kept asking but she kept walking. "Heyyy, Athai mama va miss pandriya? Akka va pakanum pola iruka?" He followed her till her room.

She was about to close the door but held the door. "Ppch! Enna un prechana?" she asked, annoyed. "Nee artharathiri la thidirnu ipdi aluthutu iruntha keakamatangala? Enna Un Prechana?" he asked genuinely worried.

"Athelam solla mudiyathu! Peh!" she tried to close the door again and he held again, stronger. "Solli than aganum, unna paathuka sollithan enna anupinanga.. Edhunalum sollu.. Oruvela boyfriend kuda problem na solla vendam"

With wide eyes she questioned him "ennaku boyfriend iruku nu unta sonena? Why are you judging me?" she rolled her eyes and shook her head before closing the door. He held it firmly "seri sorry unna judge panathuku.. Ipo sollu yean aludha?" he asked fondly.

Seriyaana nasai! Sivaangi thought before saying "athu onnumey illa enaku apo apo mood swings varum! Veetlaye irunthu kadupa iruku.. Athum un kuda lam iruken paaru" he frowned but she continued "my favourite couple broke up suddenly! stress lam ipdi mothama burst out ayiduchu!" she sighed deeply. "I'll be fine.. Nee po! Please leave me alone!"

Ashwin finally let her go but he was bloody confused. He tried to empathise with her but he couldn't relate. He was stressed too. He hated staying with her too but he wouldn't cry on a countertop with an ice cream tub in the middle of night. He just hoped she'll be okay in the morning. and slept in the living room overnight.

*******

Ashwin accidentally overheard Sivaangi shouting at her mom on the phone.

"Epovum nee thana maa vanguva? Ipdi assault ah soldra maranthuten nu?"

"Ipo shopping pora nelamailaya iruku? Velila pogavey bayama iruku!"

"Enaku ipovey pain arambichuruchu kandipa iniku night ila naliki vanthurum"

"Nee marantha naala ipo nan ithukaaga velila poganum!"

"Ethuku enaku pad Ashwin ah vanga sollava? Moolai ah ingaye vitutu poitiya nee? Edhuku eduthalum Ashwin Ashwin tu irunke? sema kadupa aguthu enaku? Ithana varshama enga ponangalam un anne anni Ashwin lam?"

"Enna pesa vaikatha phone ah vai nee!"

As soon as Sivaangi hung up, she heard Ashwin calling her name. She groaned and thought, Ivan vera! She came out of her room and asked angrily "Enna?!"

"Nan supermarket poren. Provisions vanganum.. One week aachu la.. Things la mudiyurathuku munadi vangitu vantharlam nu" he softly said.

"Vaangitu vaa.. Enta yean soldra?" she then hissed "maranthey pochu.. kaasu vechirkiya? Amma kuduthanga selavuku.. Iru eduthutu varen'' he stopped her before she went inside her room. "Adelam nan vachirken.. Unaku edhachum venuma?" he asked again. She thought for a while, Ivan yean ivlo pasama pesuran? Oru vela amma ta pesuratha ketrupano? Cha cha.. Irukathu..

Ashwin waved his hand near her face "Sivaangi.. Edhavathu venuma?" she shook her head and sent him off. She jogged behind him when he was about to leave the main door and called him. He turned and titled his head up to ask what. She shook her head and said "onumila paathu poitu vaa.. Corona va iruku.. Bathram!" He just smiled and walked away.

He came back with a few shopping bags and kept them on the kitchen counter. He unpacked the stuff and arranged at their allotted spaces except for one bag. He came near her door and knocked. She shouted from inside "Enna?"

"Vaangitu vantha porul lam pirichu eduthu vaii.. Athu un duty" he shouted back.

"Nan apron eduthu vaikiren.." she shouted as she sat on the bed holding her lower abdomen.

"Ipovey eduthu vaii.. Illana dinner nee than samaikanum!"

She shoved her face into a pillow and thought, kadavuley, intha corona pogutho illayo, ivana matum epdiyachum inga irunthu anupchuru please! "Vanthu tholayuren!" she shouted even louder as she threw the pillow and stomped towards the door.

She noticed everything was neatly organised while only one bag was resting on the countertop. She found sanitary pads - not the brand that she had been using but it will do for the emergency - a variety of chocolates and some junk food in the bag.

An unknown smile made its way to her lips. Kandippa amma ta pesunatha ketrukan! A light blush pink shade appeared on her otherwise angry red face.

She took out the snacks and brought the bag of sanitary pads into her room while he was watching television. She bathed and changed into comfy clothes. She came out with a blanket and pillow, dropped them on the couch before going into the kitchen. She came back with some of the snacks Ashwin bought and spread them on the coffee table.

She sat near him and crossed her arms looking at him intently. He realised she was staring at him so he turned to her. He wordlessly passed the tv remote to her as he stood up. She threw the remote to the other side of the couch and kept looking at him.

He breathed in and breathed out. He gathered all the courage and finally said, "see, I'm not a creep! Nan ottu lam keakale.. Enaku keatuchu.. Veetla shuvani ku nan than vangi tharuven.. Aa--"

"Thank you Ashwin.." she interjected before he finished his explanation. She smiled sweetly while he smiled awkwardly. "Un thankyou va neeye vachiko.. That's the least I could do" he said as he walked towards his room.

She held his hand and said "Ivlo seekram thoongi collector velaika poga pora? Vaa padam pakalam" she pulled him and he plopped onto the couch. "Enkuda laam paapingala ninja? Ungalku nu oru gumbal irukumey, avanga kuda thane papinga?"

She knew he was sarcastically dragging the past. "Ipo avanga yarum illala neethana iruka.. Vera vali illa.." she casually said trying to figure out what to watch. "Saddists!" Ashwin replied.

She turned to him "Excuse me sir? Apo ninja yaaru? Ashwin the greatu, Ashwin the Massu, pullaya iruntha Ashwin maari irukanum nu ellarum sollumbothu sogama irunthucho? Ninga ennaiki enga kudalam senthurukinga? Ungaluku than homework irukum, revision irukum, time ku thoonganum, pala karanam irukumey'' she chuckled dryly with an accusing pair of eyes.

"Nan apdi saaku solitude othingu ponathey ungalaala than.. Nan ellathulayum perfect ah irunthen enna paratunanga.. Ungaluku yean eriyuthu? Elarum koodi pesuvinga, nan vantha niruthuvinga.. Late ah than purinjathu ena pathi than pesuringa nu.. Ungala nan evlo depressed aahnen teriyuma? You guys ruined my childhood!" he said pointing his finger at her nose.

She tapped it away and countered "unnale nanga ethana peru depressed aanom teriyuma? Ethu pannalum unkuda comparison.. Nee than super paiyyan.. Nanga evlo try panalum pathaathu.. Aana ne matum easy ah score panitu poiruva.." she made a humming sound and leaned back on the couch.

"Enaku easy ah iruncha? Unga kittalam edhuvumey edhir pakamatanga.. Enna matum expect paniye saavadipanga.. Ninja lam 30 mark eduthutu jolly ah suthuvinga, nan lam 99 mark eduthalum 1 mark enga nu keapanga.. Ungala compare panni konanga nu soldriye enta expect paniye savadichanga.. Ithula ninga vera enna thalli vechey savadichinga.. Athulayum neeyum pugazhum aadhiyum sendhu ennalam pannuvinga?" He spitted out everything that he had buried deep down his heart.

"Unaku than engala firstu pudikama pochu seriya? Nee than over scene potu enga kuda sera maate, unga amma apolam unta solluvanga enga kuda sentha kettu poiruva nu.. Athan pugazh anna ku kovam" she shrugged.

"Pugazh ah Aditya va ellarayum kuda pudikathu nu sollu oru valiyula othukuven.. Unna nan enna panen? Nee poranthathula irunthu unna evlo pasama paathukuven terima? Pugazh kuda senthu nee than enna hurt panna.. Athan ellaryum nan odhari vituten" he said not looking at anything in particular.

She remained silent "Badhil pesa mudilala?" he asked her again.

She felt guilty but she didn't give in "unkitta lam manushan pesa mudiyuma.. Unna poyi padam paka kupten paaru.." she covered up her emotions and went inside her room not before grabbing some snacks from the table.

Ashwin switched off the tv, fan and lights before entering his room. He just laid on his bed and reminisced about some of his childhood memories with his cousins before he entered high school. Life was so easy and beautiful then.

Sivaangi took out all the old albums and searched for her baby photos. He was right. She was either on lap, holding his hand or anywhere around him till like some 7 years old. She could figure out when and what changed their equation exactly.

She wished they had a better childhood without hating each other. Only if she could go back in time. She knew that's impossible. Then she realised, why go back to the past when we have the present and a whole damn future?!

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Written by KuluGuluTimes

A part of Zokuhen collaboration

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