12

Ashwin was in his favourite place in the house, his garden. It was late morning of a shoot free day and he decided to spend it under the sun pondering.

"Onnu ungala marakavainga, illa manikavainga."

(Make me forget you or forgive you)

Ashwin couldn't have been luckier. She was giving him a chance. Them a chance. If her wanting this to work isn't enough encouragement, then nothing could.

After all that has happened, there was finally light at the end of the tunnel. All Ashwin prayed was that he should use it in wisely to bring his rowdy back to him.

"Ashwin!" his mother's voice brought him out of thoughts.

"Yenna ma? Inga yen vandeenga? Naane ulla vendirupen."

(What is it? I would have come inside)

"10 aachu innum saapdama iruka. Adhu dan saapada kuduka vanden."

(It is 10 and you haven't eaten yet, so I am here to feed you.)

Ashwin smiled at his mother. He was glad that his parents finally accepted to shift with him. He missed the vibe that being with your loved ones give you. Especially at this time of his life, he appreciated his mother's constant support.

Ashwin pulled the chair for his mother and made her sit. His mother began feeding him.

"Inniku yen ma chutney anniku senja maari illa? Adhu super ah irunduchu." He commented after taking couple of bites of Dosa and tomato chutney

(Why doesn't chutney taste the same as last time?)

"Adhu seri! Summava sonnanga pasangaluku oru vayasuku approm amma samayal bore adichidum nu?"

(Oh Wow! People who say that sons will get bored of their mother's cooking after a while are right)

"Yen apdi solreenga?"

(Why do you say that?)

"Anniku samchadhu un amma illa, un Shivangi ma."

(It was Shivangi who cooked the other day.)

Ashwin was taken aback and the shock caused him to choke on his food. He began to cough.

"Paathu pa..." his mother patted his back

(Careful)

"Avala smacha?"

(Did she cook?)

"Aama. Unaku Dosa ootharen nu kooda avala dan sonna."

(Yes, she insisted on making dosa for you.)

Ashwin's mother didn't miss to notice how her son's eyes widened in joy. Now she was happy to have waited for the right moment to reveal this detail. If his easy demeanour in the past couple of days is anything to go by, then there is definitely some change happening between him and Shivangi.

"Ava romba nalla ponnu ma."

(She is wonderful gir.)

"Teriyum pa."

(I know)

"Ma..." Ashwin looked at his mother. "Enaku avala kalyanam pannikanum ma. Ava vazhka full ah en koodave irukanum."

(I want to marry her. I want to live my whole life with her.)

His mother smiled at him fondly. "Enaku adhu eppove teriyum pa."

(I knew it )

"Avala naan epdiyadhu enna manika vechiduven ma."

(I will make her forgive me)

"Ivlo naal ava kedacha nee santhoshama irupa nu dan nenachen. Avala anniku paathapa dan terinjudhu avalum un kooda irunda dan romba santhoshama irupa nu." Ashwin's mother caressed his hair and bent forward to kiss his forehead. "Unga rendu perukum ellam nalladave nadakum."

(I thought she will bring happiness to your life, now after seeing her last time, I realized even you bring lot of happiness to her life. God bless you both)

As his mother fed him more along with her love and blessings, Ashwin made a call rejuvenated.

"Hello?" he heard her uncertain voice. Even now, every time he calls her she picks up as if she couldn't believe that it is him calling

"Shivangi ma? Free ah irukaya?"

(Are you free?)

"Yen?"

(Why?)

"Meet panlama?"

(Shall we meet?)

"Edhulku?"

(Why?)

Ashwin rolled his eyes. How can he proceed even one step if she is going to be this difficult.

"Enna marakavaika sonna illa, adhuku."

(You wanted me to make you forget me, didn't you? To do that)

"Marakaveika poreengala?" she sounded disappointed making Ashwin smirk.

"Ade dan." He agreed "Lunch polama?"

(Exactly! Shall we go out for lunch?)

"Huh?" she was confused

"Naan pick up pannikaren. Enga iruka nu mattum message pannu. Around 2?"

(I will pick you up. Text me your whereabouts. Around 2?)

"Naan...." she wasn't sure what to say.

(I...)

"Shivangi ma, en kooda vara maatiya?" he asked in the same base voice he asked her to get wheat flour for him.

(Shivangi, won't you have lunch with me?)

"Okay" she nodded

Shivangi's day didn't start well. When she called Anirudh's manager in the morning to make an appointment regarding the song Anirudh was talking about, he informed her that Anirudh is out of station for recording and will contact her personally. Her mother requested Shivangi to handle a music class which turned into chatting session because the students were more interested to know kollywood gossips rather than learn singing which earned Shivangi scolding from her mother. And finally, Ashwin called her asking if they can meet so that he can make her forget him.

Really! Is that what he chose?

Shivangi didn't know why she was angry. It is not like she had in mind a particular option. When she gave him a choice, she knew she should accept whichever option he picks. Then why is she agitated now.

"Paatu pudikalaya?" Ashwin asked as an old Tamil song was playing in his car's music player

(Didn't you like the song?)

"Huh?" Shivangi who was distracted asked

"Kooda hum panama vara adhu dan keten. Paatu mathuta?"

(You aren't humming the song. Do you want me to change it?)

"Romba mukkiyam" Shivangi mumbled to herself. "Ungala maariye palaya paatu dan iruka?"

(Whatever) (Is even your song collection old like you?)

"Enna mariya?" he asked

(Like me?)

"Haan" she shrugged. "Palaya aalu dana neenga."

(Yes, aren't you old?)

"Ohh" he shook his head with a teasing smile. "Palaya aalu-nalum pudhu aalungaluku pudikum illa?"

(Even if I am old, new gen will like me, won't they?)

"Adhu appo... Ippo illa."

(It was then. Not now.)

"Ippo neenga kooda dan pudhu aalu illa. 2K la irundhu 2.1K kids vandutanga."

(Even you aren't young now. 2.1K kids rule now)

Shivangi turned to him, narrowed her eyes and glared at him.

"Aana enaku eappavume ore aalu dan pudikum." He said with a small smile

(I always like only one person)

Shivangi rolled her eyes and turned her attention to the music player not wanting to bear with him or his music taste.

Shivangi looked at the name of the restaurant and frowned.

"Idhu enna place?"

(What place is this?)

"'Make your salad' restaurant?"

Shivangi repeated the name with distraught. Out of all the places he chose to bring her here? After a bad day that she has been having from the morning, she is not even going to be compensated with good meal?

"Salad saapdava vandom?" she gritted her teeth

(Are we here to eat salad?)

"No, salad senju saapada." He smiled making her glare at him more

(No, to make salad and then eat it)

It was, according to Shivangi, the most absurd idea for restaurant anyone could have come up with. Numerous fruits, vegetables, sprouts, meat, sauce and other salad related ingredients were spread across in buffet at one corner where one can to their heart's content fill their bowl and relish.

The restaurant was practically abandoned and Shivangi was not surprised. Why would anyone, except, Ashwin Kumar, the great would want to visit such place?

"Paneer paaru fresh ah iruku." He commented lifting cubes of paneer in a spoon.

(Look, Paneer is fresh.)

Shivangi gave him a fake smile.

"Adho!" she pointed. "Unga muttogose kooda romba fresh ah iruku. Poi adhu vechu nalla lunch enjoy pannunga."

(Look, even your cabbage is so fresh. Have fun with it)

Saying that Shivangi stomped her feet and walked to the corner where thankfully desserts were available. She helped herself with big slice of red velvet cake and one whole blueberry muffin.

Shivangi found a quiet corner in the lawn under a tree's shade, she was about to sit there, when Ashwin stopped her.

"Ma, neraya ingredients iruku, let's make our own lunch. For old times' sake."

(We have many ingredients, let's make our own lunch. For old times' sake)

That is when Shivangi realized why they had travelled an hour for this forsaken restaurant. He wanted to cook, not technically, but something close to it with her. He wanted to recreate their past.

As Shivangi followed Ashwin back into the banquet where all items were present, she couldn't help herself, but smile looking at the excitement in his eyes. She always knew he can be kid at times being overwhelmed for smallest of the things and simplest of the gestures. During the show, she would ask him a silly question about his well being and he will look at her as if she has uttered holy hymn.

Shivangi still remembered how surprised he was when she for the first time asked him if he had his breakfast and when he said he didn't she bought a plate of idlies from production team. He looked stunned. "Enakagava eduthutu vanda? Avlo dooram poya?"

(Did you bring it for me? From that far?)

He couldn't believe anyone will go an extra mile to do things for him.

At twenty, Shivangi couldn't comprehend why certain things meant so much to him, but now she could understand the man child in front of her better. He always craved for love and nothing else. In fact he still wanted only that.

Would her twenty year old self have ever understood the kind of love he was parched for? Could she have handled his intensity?

Shivangi for the first time wondered, perhaps, was he right in not taking things forward with them five years?

Yes, that doesn't excuse him from leaving her without a word. However, whatever reason he explained for the departure seemed to make vague sense in Shivangi's mind.

"Guess!!" Ashwin forwarded a spoon with some sauce in front of her. "We've used it once."

Shivangi's couldn't help but be pulled into whatever he was trying to do. She took a taste of it from tip of the spoon.

"Maple syrup?" she asked

Ashwin nodded appreciatively. "Not bad." He savoured the rest of the syrup from spoon.

"Blueberry pie. Annabelle round." she added after a thought.

"Nyabagam iruka?" he grinned at her

(You remember?)

"Bunny carrot kooda senjom."

(We made bunny carrot also)

Ashwin nodded still grinning at her. "Cutie pei." He mouthed.

Shivangi ignored the comment as she moved forward to check out other items.

"Sathiyama idhu rendum match aagadhu naan solliten." Ashwin shook his head looking at her add strange items to her bowl

(These two items won't go well together)

"Adhuvum vegetable idhuvum vegetable, yen match aavadhu?"

(Why won't two vegetables go well together?)

"Contrasting taste ma..." he then pointed at deep fried potatoes. "Idhu try pannu...with cashew sauce... Super ah irukum."

(Contrasting taste they have) (Try this with cashew sauce. Wonderful)

"Modhala maari illa ippo. Enakum cooking teriyum." She boosted

(Unlike years ago, even I know to cook now)

"Othukaren...Othukaren... Anniku takkali chutney super ah irunduchu."

(Agree... Tomato chutney from the other day was great)

Shivangi turned to look at him surprised.

"Aunty sonnangala?"

(Did aunty tell you?)

He shrugged.

"Naan summa avangaluku help panna..."

(I just wanted to help her...)

"Irukatum" he said. "Aana un kaila samachadhu taste vera level."

(Fine... You cooking was too good)

Shivangi couldn't control her blush hearing him complement her cooking for the first time, so she turned the other side pretending to concentrate on potatoes.

"Tayir poduta?" she asked as she almost done preparing her bowl.

(Shall i add curd?)

Ashwin nodded. "Set aagadhu"

(Nope)

Shivangi pouted. How much she likes curd? Why can't she add it?

"Nyabagam iruka? Namba kuruma seiyum bodhu curd wrong time la add panni elimination ponome?"

(Do you remember we added curd at wrong cooking time while making Kuruma and went to elimination round?)

"Aama..." she said recollecting it. "Naan dan reason. Proper ah recipe kekala."

(Yes... I was the reason for it. I didn't note down recipe.)

"Nee dan reason." He agreed

(You are the reason)

Shivangi looked at him surprised. He has never once before accepted her to be reason for not winning, why start now?

"Enna romba distract pannita."

(You distracted me a lot)

"Naan ah?" she questioned

"Azhaga saree la, kalanja mudi ooda, chinna pottu vechukittu...." he took a deep breath. "Enna anniku vera edho ulagathuku kondu poita. Unna rasichite distract aaiten."

(You were so beautiful in saree, messy hair, small bindi....) (You took me to another world. I was distracted because I was admiring you.)

Shivangi blinked at him bemused. This was the first time he was openly confessing something like this. She always thought he only saw her as young lass following him around like a lovesick puppy. She didn't think she had affected him to the point of distracting him. The mere thought of him finding her attractive all those years ago made her giddy.

Did he really find her desirable?

Shivangi was still in trance when Ashwin took a step forward towards her. "Ide maari..." he pulled at a strand of hair that was falling near her eye."Mudi annikum unna disturb pannite irunduchu." He put the strand behind her ear. "Nee talli vittute irunda."

(Similarly... a strand of hair kept disturbing you.... and you were pushing it away.)

"Enikum veeda anniku dimples vera azhaga irunduchu. Vekkathoda irunduchu."

(Your dimples were prettier that day with hint of shyness)

Shivangi bit the insides of her cheek as if trying to hide her dimple cheeks from him.

"Enna paathu edho maari siricha..." he chuckled. "Full flat." he scrunched his nose and nodded."Cooking ellam anniku marande pochu."

(You smiled at me differently.... I was a goner.... I forgot cooking)

Shivangi gulped not sure how to react to his admission.

"Naan safe nu sonna udane en kai pudicha paaru... Annike enaku teriyum Shivangi ma, nee illama enaku onnum illa nu."

(When I was declared safe, you held me.... I know the very day I am nothing without you.)

"Ipdi ellathayum enaku nyabaga paditheetu, epdi enna ungala maraka vaipeenga?"

(If you remind me the past, how will you make me forget you?)

"Naan andha anju varshata dan maraka vaika try panren, namba aarambatha illa."

(I only want you to forget those five years, not our start)

That will never happen, will it? Those five years are the most crucial part of her life. Can she ever really forget those five years and move on?

The sleepless nights, the soundless cries, the wordless music, can she forget all those?

Shivangi sighed deeply looking at him.

How can she not forget those five years and still want to give him every possible chance to make it up to her?

Shivangi stepped aside trying to walk away when he held her hand and stopped her.

"Maraka vekanumo manika vekanumo, vazhka full ah un pinnadi suthi adha panna naan ready. Just don't give up on us."

(You want me to make you forget me or forgive me, I am ready to help you with both our whole life. Just don't give up on us)

Shivangi didn't know it happened. Ashwin only barely registered it that he was not sure it happened. But, Shivangi indeed did something akin to nodding her head.

***

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I received two requests regarding them discussing Elimination episode. So, I hope I did it justice.