10

Shivangi unwrapped the paper sheets with utmost care and removed the thin material that was impeccably folded.

"Wow!" this exclamation was from the one who was sharing her dressing room with her that day.

Shivangi turned to look at Manimegalai's reaction. The other woman reflected Shivangi's awe when she first looked at the dress.

"Photoshoot nu dana sonnanga. Nee enna eventku vara maari dress select panni iruka?" Manimegalai asked as she walked forward to check out the dress.

(Isn't just photoshoot? Why is your dress grand enough for an event?)

It was a full length turquoise maxi with boat neck and three forth sleeves. The bottom of the dress was simple with numerous folds while the top, till where her waist started, was beautifully hand embroidered sea themed designs in various shades of blue.

"Simple dress dan, Mani akka." Shivangi said

(It is simple dress, Mani)

"Simple na idhu." Mani pointed at her navy blue crop top and harem pants. "Idhu award show level grand."

(Simple is this) ( It is very majestic)

Shivangi only gave her smile as reply as she picked the dress to change into.

Media Masons was organizing a fundraiser to collect money to help education of underprivileged kids. They had roped in every single star they were associated with in previous decade to make the even as huge as possible.

As part of the event, they were planning to produce digital content and one mega star night from which they were hoping to collect seven figure amount to help the needy.

Since the project was big, so were the names that were requested to be associated with. As the cause was genuine and everyone trusted the authenticity of the production house, celebrities became generous in giving out dates for the cause.

Today was the promotional photo shoot with some of the important crowd pulling stars of the event. The stars were given free rein to choose their own clothes with common colour instructed as blue.

"Ei Azhaga iruka di Shivangi. Nee inniku photo la en pakkathula nikkada." Mani commented as Shivangi walked out of the dressing room.

(You are gorgeous. Don't stand near me in the photo. I might look dull.)

"Okay va?" she twirled around.

Shivangi's hair was already in deep curls that cascaded over her shoulder and she sat in a chair for make up to be done. Manimegalai began to narrate anecdotes to keep her company.

As the shoot delayed than expected with every star taking their own time to get ready, the ones that were ready were gathered in a room to catch up.

"Hey!" a husky voice greeted between the uproar members were creating and all eyes turned to him. However, his eyes were fixed on a single doll like lady perched on a high stool with her arms folded and legs crossed over the other.

As her eyes met his, he raised his eyebrows in unabashed appreciation making her look down at the ruffles of her dress hiding her blush.

"Ashwin neengalum photo shoot ka? Periya hero aaiteenga, enga kooda enga vara poreenga nu nenachen." Kani commented surprised.

(Ashwin, you are a star now I didn't know you would be here with us.)

"Yenga neenga vera. Apdi ellam illa. Namba team serudhuna naan enga irundalum first preference idhuku dan kudupen. En life la ellame enaku inga dan kedachudhu."

(That is not true. I will always make time for our team. This place gave me everything.)

Sharath patted Ashwin's shoulder in approval as he led him inside the room. Ashwin took his own time to navigate around everyone after small talk before he reached the place where he wanted to be ever since he laid his eyes on her.

He let out an excited breath as he leaned on the pillar beside her stool. Deja vu of similar scenario that has happened more than handful of times when they were in the show flashed before his eyes.

When everyone part of the show will be in a room having fun and he awkwardly will be standing in the corner, she will not hesitate a minute before she skips to his side with her ever present smile and call his name. Today, the scenario has reversed; it is him reaching out to her.

Over the years many things might have changed, but what remains constant is that it is always only the two of them.

When he was the wind, she was the tree to bring him under control. Now when she is the rain, he will be the ocean to take in all of her. They will always complement each other.

Shivangi picked at her dress not sure how to react to his presence near her. Everyone was indulged in some funny banter which she paid no heed to. Ever since he entered the room, her eyes has been on him albeit discreetly until he positioned himself near her.

It has been a week since she last saw him and one hell of a confusing week it was for her. After she met Vikram, she began to question her opinion towards marriage. Did she really want it? It felt like too much effort that actually didn't worth anything. However, later the same day, the domesticity she experienced in Ashwin's house felt so natural contradicting her doubts about not wanting to settle down with a family of her own.

Shivangi wondered if she is destined to feel only for one man all her life? Is this how every person is designed or is she too incapable to move on?

How can she still have feelings for a man who literally abandoned her without a word? Yes, he hadn't made her false promises or betrayed her. He was always to himself and it was her who built the sand castles of their purple kingdom. But, did he ever warn her that her castle isn't meant to last? It was his responsibility, wasn't it?

You don't look at a woman the way he did, talk the way he did, give her the rights the way he did, make her feel the way he did and then vanish.

Deep inside, Shivangi will always be looking out at the door with one eye expecting him to walk out any moment. How will she ever come out of the suspicions and trust him completely?

In spite of all these insecurities how did he still manage to make her think about him when she chose the dress today?

"Amma unna ketanga."

(Mom asked about you)

Maybe that was not the right way to began a conversation with a woman he was trying to woo, but before her Ashwin has never had the need to try with anyone either, so he was rusty with conversation with women.

"Ippo avanga odambu epdi iruku?"

(How is her health?)

"Parava illa. Nalla rest eduka solliruken."

(Better. I have asked her to rest)

Shivangi nodded and turned back to look at others though she had no clue what they were talking about.

Ashwin was unsure how to get her attention again. Is it always this difficult with women or is he being completely useless?

"Takkali chedi la tirumbi tomatoes vandiruchu."

(Tomatoes have grown back in the plant)

Shivangi turned to look at him with amused look on her face. She couldn't control herself as she began to laugh out loud.

Everyone looked at Shivangi surprised while Ashwin stood scratching his head sheepily.

He is never gonna get his girl, Ashwin declared to himself. He is plain pathetic.

"Avlo nalla joke ah sonna, Ashwin?" Manimegalai asked surprised making Shivangi laugh more.

(Was it a good joke, Ashwin?)

With such uncontrollable laughter bubbling from inside her, Shivangi forgot everything and almost lost her balance as she was about to slip from the high stool.

Everyone panicked. Ashwin's reflex was quick enough to hold her shoulder and straighten her. Shivangi still kept laughing unmindful of the accident she escaped.

"Takkali chedi !!!!!" she mumbled between her laugh.

(Tomato plan !!!!)

"Apdiye CWC la paatha Vaangi maari iruku." Bala was the first to comment openly though everyone was thinking that. "Evlo sirikara paarunga."

(Reminds me of Shivangi from CWC days. Look how happy she is)

"Naan dana CWC la takkali chedi? Enna pathi edachu joke ah?" Shakti asked sincerely.

(I am tomato plant of CWC, right? Is the joke about me?)

This time at the bizarre of comedy of errors, even Ashwin couldn't help but laugh hiding his eyes behind his palm.

As two lonely hearts after years of solitude synced together to form a novel memory of hilarity, the eyes that were firsthand witness of magic that was created years ago once again looked at them with utmost adoration and mirth.

"Ippo dan idhu pakka CWC reunion." Kani commented. "Ashwin um Shivangi um eppavum pola avanga kullaye pesi sirichukaranga. Nambaluku onnum vilangala."

(Now it is complete CWC reunion.) (Ashwin and Shivangi are laughing between themselves. We all are completely clueless.)

"Namba ellam ivlo varsham aagiyum third wheel dan, Kani akka." Pavi added.

(We are still third wheel to their actions)

As the two were ignored by others for being their old annoyingly happy self, others went back to their conversation.

"Seri vidu ma. Unaku dan teriyume naan appo appo edachu idpi olaruven." Ashwin said.

(Forget it. You know I can be absurd)

"Neenga oru cutie pie, Ashwin." She declared out of whim

(You are such a cutie pie, Ashwin)

Ashwin looked on mesmerized by the unadulterated joy in her face. Her cheeks were flushed and her smile was bright. She looked more beautiful version of the young girl he fell in love with.

Shivangi caught hold of herself as she realized what she has muttered. She blinked at him like a deer caught in headlights. She was not supposed to say that out loudly, definitely not to him.

She gaped unsure what to say to him to rectify what she had said.

She bit her lips bringing his attention to her lips and she immediately regretted it.

Both their heartbeats raised may or may not be for the same reason.

Ashwin nicked the side of his eyebrows and Shivangi flicked her hair strands behind her ear as they experienced strange awkwardness.

Saviour came in the way of production call stating that everything was ready for the shoot.

The photographer had already planned how every picture is going to be. Since Pugazh was the last one to reach and first one to want to leave as he was needed for dubbing, they decided to get his work done along with group photo.

"Pugazh, unga solo mudinjudhu. Neenga, Shivangi, Ashiwn onna eduthukalam." Photographer said

(Pugazh we have got enough solos. Now we need you, Shivangi and Ashwin together.)

"Naanga moonu per edhuku?" Pugazh immediately questioned

(Why we three?)

"Enaku unga production house la irundu vanda list la ungala onna eduka solli iruku." Photographer said.

(I have orders from your production house)

Pugazh was about to argue, but Sivangi held his hand and asked him to calm down.

"Anna photo dana, over react pannadeenga."

(It is just a photo. Don't over react)

Ashwin rolled his eyes seeing her trying to pacify Pugazh. She looked at Ashwin with a barely there pout as if asking him to not be difficult and cooperate with the team. If only she knew his annoyance was not at the team, but at her brother for always stealing her attention.

Shivangi was asked to sit on a tall wooden block covered with velvet. Pugazh was to sit on another block shorter than that turning to 45 degree while Ashwin was to lean forward with his leg on shortest block.

"Idhule epdi eraradhu?" Shivangi wondered as she was still not used to high heels and was worried for her balance.

(How will I climb up?)

Two hands automatically unfolded in front of her by two men. Shivangi looked between Ashwin and Pugazh who were looking at each other with a strange expression.

"Pudichitu paathu eru, papa." Pugazh said.

(Hold me for balance)

Ashwin didn't say anything, but he didn't have to. He shifted his eyes from Pugazh to her and his eyes implored her to not let him down.

Shivangi sighed. How will she figure out her own heart if two men are in constant loggerheads wanting her to make impossible choice?

Shivangi was not the one for drama. So, she lifted her dress a little and got out of the heels.

"Ukkandhu dana pose. Heels edhuku?" she mumbled as she like the queen she is effortlessly took her place.

(I don't need heels to sit down)

Ashwin smirked at her presence of mind, while Pugazh only shook his head.

Once the three finally settled for the photo, the photographer viewed through his lens and dictated corrections.

When an assistant was sent to correct position of Shivangi's curls and he reached near her, Ashiwn cleared his throat scaring the young boy.

"Enna venum?" Ashwin asked raising his eyebrows

(What is it?)

"Illa madam curls correct panna sonnanga." The assistant said in meek tone

(I was asked to correct madam's curls)

"Madam pannikuvanga nee po."

(Madam can correct it. You go back)

Shivangi pulled her curls to one side with a small smile on her lips. She hasn't ever before experienced so much possessiveness on a single day and it made her feel as much special as she was overwhelmed.

The few minutes they all waited for arrangements for group photo they were all broken into small groups. Though Ashwin was with Rakshan and Sharath, he was close enough to Shivangi, Pugazh and Manimegali to know what they are talking about.

"Dei un tangachi paathaya epdi ready aagi vandiruka nu? Ava mattum taniya azhaga teriyuva."

(Your sister is going to look beautiful today)

"Enn tangachi eppayum azhagu dan."

(My sister is always beautiful)

"Main event la enna galata panna poralo." Mani commented

(She is gonna have blast at the main event)

"Enjoy pannutum. Next eppo ipdi ellam event attend pannuvalo."

(Let her enjoy. Not sure when her next event will be)

Both Mani and Shivangi looked at him questioningly.

"Yen apdi solra?" Mani asked

(Why do you say so?)

"Pinna kalyanam panni veli naatuku parcel panna porom."

(She is gonna fly overseas after marriage.)

"Veli naatuka. Sollave illa?" Mani smiled.

(Overseas? Really ?)

"Ippodaiku Sydney pova nu nenaikaran. Papa dan innum badil sollama iruka. Maapila veetla papa meet panna naale okay sollitanga."

(It might be Sydney. She didn't agree to the proposal, but the boy's side is excited since they met her)

"Maapila paathacha?"

(Have you found a suitor already?)

As Pugazh began explaining things to Mani, Shivangi turned her eyes to her left only to strike with two restless eyes already staring at her.

She nodded her head in denial as if that could explain all the questions that were running in his mind, but he was too lost to read her signs.

His anger could have been easier to comprehend but now he looked totally blank as if he couldn't really process what he just heard.

"Ashw..." words died in her lips as she was pulled along for the photo shoot.

He didn't stand near her for photo and Shivangi cursed the photographer was deciding the position this way. She could have definitely managed to assure him before this godforsaken photo was taken, but now her mind was too occupied on him to even know what she was supposed to be doing in this photo.

After much effort the photo was clicked. Shivangi immediately jumped from her position to search for Ashwin, but he was missing.

She rushed to Sharath and asked, "Avar enga?"

(Where is he?)

"Partner ah? Inga dan irundaru. Teriyalaye."

(Partner? Not sure)

Shivangi went to allotted rooms only to realize he was not allotted one. He had come all dressed up and was scheduled to leave as soon as the group photo was taken as he was flying somewhere for shoot.

She couldn't forget the hurt she saw in his eyes and she felt obliged to give him the truth. If only, he had listened.

Him walking away without giving her a chance to speak broke her heart more.

Did he leave her again?

***

What do you think?

Do you like the power play between Pugazh and Ashwin?  

How do you think Ashwin will react to the news?