21

Eventually, they both skipped dessert. Not even tiramisu looked promising enough to tempt them to give up on taste that they recently acquired.

Sivaangi has experienced all kinds of tension with Ashwin, but what they have between them currently is the one that is physically draining to the point of making her legs jelly. If they had not reached the car fast enough, she would have felt giddy.

It only took them ten minutes to leave the hotel after their dance and what followed. In the meanwhile, Sivaangi didn't even meet Ashwin's eyes. The first time she felt this coy with him was in the sets of their show. At that time, she was not very aware of the signals her body sent her, but this time she is not only aware, but the signals have multiplied making her whole body burn.

Why does his luxury car suddenly feels very small?

Shivangi felt like she had adrenaline of someone who ran a marathon and was overcome sudden urge to check her lips in the mirror. Would something have changed?

Ashwin cleared his throat while still keeping his eyes straight on the road. Shivangi trained her eyes on him pretending to set her curls. He looked composed on the outside, but she was sure he was as affected as her. It was unlike him to not play any music and drive in silence.

"Ellam okay illa?" he asked out of nowhere still not looking at her

(Are you okay?)

"Hmm." She hummed as her fingers on own accord rubbed her lower lips.

Shivangi was thankful when they finally reached her house. Distance from him and alone time with her thoughts seemed like what she needed now.

"Bye!" Shivangi announced and was about to leave the car, when Ashwin stopped her.

"Oru nimisham" he said. "Naan oru mukkiyamana vishayam kekanum."

(One minute. I want to discuss something important)

Shivangi closed the half open door and turned to look at him. His eyes were soft like they usually are, but was also present in them an emotion that she is not familiar with.

"Namba rendu perukum pudichu daana nandandhudhu? No regrets right?"

(I know it happened with our consent. No regrets right?)

Shivangi frowned. Is this what bothering him? Did he think she regrets it? Is that why he was silent?

Why would he think she regrets one of the most beautiful thing that has happened to her?

"Idhu namba magi. Epdi regret panna mudiyum?" she asked batting her innocent eyes

(It is our magic, how will I regret?)

Ashwin sighed. He knew this is how she felt, but still it is always better to hear it in her words.

"Shivangi ma..." he drawled after a pause. "Naan appo paatha oru chinna ponnu illa nee. Neraya valanduta, neraya purinjukitta. Neeye sonna namba ippo equals nu. So, enaku endha guilt um illa idhu keka. I know adhu namba mutual ah decide panna oru moment, irundalum nee dan initiate pannanum nu naan nenachen. You know, eppavum choice unn kitta iruka dan naan virumbuven, but ellavatiyum ennala unn kitta permission keka mudiyadhu. I sometimes want to do it, when I feel like doing it. Natural ah. Of course, unakum adhu applicable. En mela nee full urimai eduthakalam. Naan idhu dan kadaisi ya kekaren. We are into this together right?"

(Shivangi.... You are not the same child woman I met years ago. You have grown up, you know better. As you said, we are equals now. So, I have no guilt in asking this. I know that moment happened because of mutual decision, but I wanted you to initiate. You know, I always want the choice to be yours, but I can't keep asking your permission every time. I sometimes want to do it, when I feel like doing it. Organically. Of course, it is applicable to you too. You have full rights on me. I am asking you this for last time. We are into this together right?)

Shivangi blinked for a moment. He was giving him unconditionally in return he wants her. Albeit only physically for now, it is indeed a big commitment.

Shivangi always thought falling in love is a one process, but now she realized it involves parts of mind, body, heart and soul. Their souls were connected the moment they met five years ago. They have already decided to give time period for heart to love. She was not sure when she will be ready to give him her mind. Now, he wants her to trust him with her body. Is she ready?

Ashwin read the bemusement in her face. "Nee no solranala onnum maradhu." He assured. "Love la idhu oru part dan, full feelings kum idhu basement illa. Namba clear ah discuss pannanum nu nenachen that is all."

(It is okay if you say no. It is only part of love. Nothing will change between us.)

Shivangi took a deep breath. "Okay."

"Huh?"

"Ovvaru vaatium en permission keka vendam. Naanum keka maaten. Public la illama, namba private ah irukum bodhu..." she trailed off with a shrug and nodded hoping he understood what she meant.

(You don't have to ask my permission every time. I won't as well. Not in public, but when we are in private space....)

Ashwin bit his lips together and nodded his head. "Good" he seemed to be hiding his smile. "Okay." He said as he undid his seat belt. Leaning forward towards her, he cupped her cheek with his right hand. "Ini mel eppo tonanalum pannuven."

(Whenever I feel like it)

This kiss was chaste and quick unlike their last one. This felt more like sealing the deal.

Shivangi's face flushed as he grinned at her after breaking off.

"Neeyum eppo tonanalum pannalam." He teased

(It can happen whenever you feel like it too)

Still face coloured with blush, Shivangi said, "Tonala." Not meeting his eyes.

(I don't feel it now)

"Naan vena five minutes wait panren, tonudha papom."

(Let me wait for five minutes, you might feel)

Shivangi whacked his arms playfully whining his name, "Ashwin."

Finally after few of long seconds, Shivangi managed to meet his eyes to whisper a 'bye' before she left the car.

Smile that was plastered on Shivangi's face when she left the car was still stuck on her face when she entered the house and was greeted by her parents.

"Good night, ma. Good night, appa." She called wanting to go to her room quickly so that she could recollect the events of the evening in peace.

"Shivangi!" called her mother her own eyes jubilant to see her daughter glowing.

"Enna ma?" Shivangi stopped on her way from her room.

(What is it?)

Her parents looked at each other as if they were discussing something wordlessly. Her father shook his head at her mother and they both immediately agreed on something.

"Onnum illa, function nalla irunducha?"

(How was the function?)

"Super ah irunduchu. Nalla enjoy pannen." She lied effortlessly.

(Good. I had fun)

"Santhosham. Po, poi paduthuko."

(Greath then. Go sleep)

Even after two hours of lying in the bed with romantic songs crooning in the background, Shivangi was not able to get out of the bliss.

She looked at her phone trying to formulate what is the best way to tell Ashwin that she had wonderful night.

Those six months they were in the show, she was always very vocal about how she felt. She was his biggest cheerleader and ego boost. But, now, Shivangi has composed herself so much, she was not sure how to express to him full extent of her happiness.

She kept scrolling up and down her whatsapp contact when the right idea to tell him how she feels was found.

He is going to love it!

***

Ashwin has a bucket list for his professional life that he hopes to achieve some day. Ticking off points from the list is his only way to get excited about his profession. Now, five years after he has become a hero, the first point in his bucket list is going to be ticked off. Finally, Shivangi Krish is going to sing a song in his movie.

The minute he learned from the assistant director that on producer's insistence a promotional song is going to be composed for his new movie and Shivangi is going to sing it, Ashwin couldn't hold his excitement.

He immediately called Shivangi, but she cut his call twice, before sending him a text that read "Recording. Can't talk."

He called the assistant director to find out if their promotional song is being recorded. On hearing a positive response, Ashwin tagged along with the assistant to the recording studio.

In spite of being in the industry for five years, this is the first time Anirudh is making music for Ashwin's movie and the first time Ashwin is visiting Anirudh's studio, but he has no time to be awed because all his focus is on his girl who will be singing for his movie.

"Hello, hero sir, neenga enga inga?" Anirudh asked as way of greeting shaking Ashwin's hand

(Hello, hero sir, how come you are here?)

"Illa sir, free ah irunden, adhu dan summa Basker kooda vanden. "Ashwin said patting assistant director Basker on the shoulder

(I was free, so tagged along with Basker)

Ashwin's eyes moved to Shivangi who was on the other side of the soundproof glass door with earphones on and a paper in her hand. Her eyes widened looking at Ashwin who winked at her.

"Ukkarunga." Anirudh said. "Last sarnam dan basker. Unga director kitta sollunga, nalaiku paatu tandarren."

(Take your seat. Last stanza in making. Inform director that it will be ready tomorrow)

Anirudh went back to his seat and arranged the keys in his instrument.

"Scale maatren, Shivangi. One more poikalam." He said in the mike and Shivangi gave a thumbs up. "Aprom words marandaradeenga. Enna dan neenga kallan nu solradhu azhaga irundalum lyricist kalvan nu dan ezhudeerkaru." Anirudh beamed

(I am changing the scale Shivangi. Don't forget the words. The word 'Kallan' from you sounds beautiful, but lyricist has written 'Kalvan' so stick to it.)

Ashwin's head swiped to Anirudh's direction taken aback by the sudden flirty voice.

"Sorry sir." Shivangi sounded genuine

"Aiyo, sorry ellam solladeenga. Unga voice la keka nalla iruku andha lines. Naan vena taniya record panni personal collection la vechukaren." Ani chuckled

(Don't be sorry. It is good to hear in your voice. I will save it in my personal collection)

Ashwin turned towards Basker trying to understand if he was the only one finding Anirudh's way of speaking odd.

Basker was smirking looking at back of Anirudh's head.

"Ennama pesararu paatheengala? Adhu dan ponnunga easy ah vilugaranga. Namaku enga?" Basker sighed

(He is smooth talker. No wonder women like him)

"Purila." Ashwin whispered

(Why do you say that?)

"Teriyadha?" Bhasker turned to Ashwin. "Avarku andha ponnu mela edho iruku pola. Padam starting la irundu oru paatu paada vekka director ah paduthi edutharu. Ippo kooda promotional song ku indha ponnu dan padanum nu two weeks waiting. Nethu night dan ponnu okay solluchu, inniku evening ae recording."

(Don't you know? I think she likes this singer. From starting he was hell bent on making her sing for the movie. She was apparently busy. He waited for two weeks to get this woman's date. She accepted to sing only yesterday night and we already have recording today evening)

Ashwin slouched on the couch. What is this new thing he is learning about now?

Shivangi was being her usual self while trying to sing with precision. Anirudh on the other hand looked infatuated. Ashwin knows that look very well. That was the look he saw on himself every day for months five years ago when he knew he has found one girl who finally managed to affect him, but he can't do anything about it openly.

Ashwin was too occupied analyzing Anirudh that he forgot even listening to Shivangi sing. When she raised her eyebrows at him while exiting the soundproof room to ask if he liked the song, he nodded enthusiastically though he didn't even hear a word of it.

"Super Shivangi. It is always a pleasure working with you." Anirudh extended his hand which Shivangi took gracefully and shook.

"Thank you, sir."

"Ada sir nu koopadradha vidave mattengala neenga?"

(Uff! How many times I have told you not to call me sir)

Ashwin frowned at the statement.

"Neenga periya music director ungala sir nu koopadradhu dan sari." Shivangi answered earnestly.

(You are a revered music director how can I not call you sir?)

Of course, how did Ashwin not think about it? She was completely clueless about the kind of attention she was getting as usual.

"Andha Vijay sir padam seekiram recording arambikum." Anirudh assured

(Recording of Vijay sir movie will be soon)

"Kandipa sir."

(Sure)

"Andha music namba discuss pannalam...."

(Let us discuss that music....)

Ashwin cleared his throat.

"Ivangala vechute namba vera padam discuss panrom paarunga." Ani chuckled. "Naan aproma ungaluku whatsapp panren."

(How can we talk about another movie in front of this movie team? Let me whatsapp you later.)

"Okay, sir." She nodded making Ashwin roll his eyes

"Aama, busy nu soleetu irundeenga, aprom sudden ah epdi paada othukiteenga?" Anirudh asked

(I thought you were busy. How did you change your mind?)

"Adhu vandhu..." Shivangi gave a side look to Ashwin pretending to put curls behind her ear. "Nethu night tonuchu... I mean nethu night free ah daana iruku two days schedule nu tonuchu adhu dan."

(Well, last night...I mean last night I realized I had two days free, so I thought why not?)

"Great! Song arrangements mudichitu solren. Kandipa hit aagum."

(Great! Song is sure to be a hit)

Ashwin and Shivangi exited the studio together and Basker was few feet behind them talking to director over phone.

"Naan drop panren." Ashwin told her

(I will drop you)

"Hmm." She nodded

"Nee parking la wait pannu, naan Basker kitta edachu solli anupchitu varen."

(Wait in the parking. I will bid bye to Basker)

Shivangi was excited to hear from Ashwin how excited he is that she is singing in his movie for the first time.

As soon as he entered the car, he exclaimed "Thank you so much."

"Hmmm"

"Enaku idhu dan periya step ah tonudhu namba kulla." He chuckled. "Five years munnadi, award show la, avlo pethuku munnadi paada solli keten, ippo dan madam padreenga. Parawa illa. Worth the wait."

(This seems like the biggest step for us. Five years ago, in an award show, I asked you to sing in my movie. Only now it is fulfilled. But, it's worth the wait)

"Naan kooda dan blueberry pie keten. Innum varave illaye." She chuckled

(I asked blueberry pie in same show. I didn't get it yet)

Ashwin looked at her amused. "Taralaya innum?"

(Didn't you get it yet?)

Shivangi narrowed her eyes at him.

"Okay okay sorry. " he smiled. "Inniku vaangi taren, innoru naal senju taren. Okay va?"

(Okay, sorry. I will buy for you today and bake for you some other day)

"Okay."

"Nethu kooda dessert miss aaiduchu namaku." He grinned.

(We missed dessert yesterday)

Shivangi's blushed.

"Actually, miss aagala." He added. "Order panna dessert sapadla avlo dan."

(Actually, we didn't miss dessert. We only missed the dessert we ordered.)

"Vandi edunga." She turned her face away from him

(Start the car)

"Inniku enna dessert sapadlam? Order pannada illa....."

(What dessert shall we eat today? The one we order or....)

"Ippo vandi edukala, rendum kedaikadhu."

(Now, if you don't start the car, you will get neither)

"Edukaran madam." He said starting the engine. "Enaku rendum venum."

(I am starting now, madam. I want both)

Ashwin drove out of the studio with what happened in the studio still lingering in the back of his mine. He only needs right time to open it to her. Will she take it the right way?

***

Finally, Ani is here as all of you wanted. He is here for plot not to serve as boy-toy for possessive track 

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