24

Shivangi spent good two hours practicing with her singer friends. They are yet to practice with band. Their slot to use stage is in the evening. So, she decided to discreetly make her way down the hall to see someone's dance practice.

She sprinted in search of him only to realize that he was in one of the rooms dubbed as ER for the event. Apparently, he missed a step while dancing that caused muscle strain.

Shivangi's sense of euphoria abandoned her as worry filled her heart. Why can't that vazhanda kozhanda be more careful? Only couple of weeks ago he hurt himself in Jaipur shoot and now this.

Shivangi expected the room to be crowded making it difficult for her to attend Ashwin, but she was surprised that it was empty except for Ashwin, who was lying on the small bed with his track pant rolled up to his knees, and a woman, probably a physiotherapist, making circles on his ankle.

As Shivangi moved closer, she could see the woman was blushing. It was nothing new to see a woman blushing in presence of Ashwin. It was like his everyday doing like breathing. However, Ashwin who becomes uncomfortable when a woman blushes while working in professional capacity was actually telling something to bring out that expression in the woman. That is a first.

Shivangi cleared her throat as she moved to where Ashwin sat. The woman's eyes turned to Shivangi and much to the latter's surprise the woman blushed even more. The woman's nervousness became evident in the way she dropped some medical instrument she was holding. Someone being nervous because of Shivangi? Well, that is a first too.

Shivangi turned to look at Ashwin who only shrugged, but his smirk gave away that he knew what was happening.

The woman who retrieved whatever she dropped on the ground was now looking at Shivangi batting her eyelashes as if she couldn't believe what was happening.

"Avar ku okay va?" Shivangi questioned

(Is he okay?)

"Er..ehmm... Yeah..." the woman stammered. "All good."

(Yeah! All good)

"Actual ah enna aachu?"

(What happened?)

Maybe because the woman was too edgy to understand what she was doing, because she began to explain everything in medical terms that neither Ashwin or Shivangi understood.

"Nalaiku event iruku. Dance pannalama koodadha?" Shivangi asked cutting the woman's monologue

(We have an event tomorrow. Can he dance?)

"Pannalam, chellama, oru problem illa." The woman bit her lips as she realized what she has said and even Shivangi's eyes widened in realization.

(He can, Chellama, no issues.)

Shivangi turned to Ashwin for assurance.

"Fan?" she mouthed at him in question. He with his eyes pointed at the woman's hand. Right there on her wrist, in small italics was tattoo of the words 'Believe in Kadavul Setting!'

Wow! Not just a fan, but Ashaangian.

"Sorry!" the woman apologized

"Aiyoo sorry edhuku." Shivangi convinced. "Enaku apdi koopta romba pudikum. Neenga ellarum enna apdi daana kooptitu irundeenga."

(Don't be. I like when fans call me that. Isn't that how you all used to address me?)

"Ippavum apdi dan koopadrom."

(We address you the same even now.)

Shivangi felt guilty. Yes, she has not been keeping up with her HT. Until few hours ago, she almost forgot that her loyal fans stayed albeit low-key, waiting for her one moment to give them hope, belief and show them magic.

"Twitter la irukeengala?" Shivangi knew it was a dumb question even when she asked it, but she didn't know what else to ask.

(Are you in twitter?)

"Aama." The woman was excited. "En peru Madhu. Neenga oru vaati en tweet like kooda paneenga. Romba varshathuku munna. Neengalaum mannar-um irukara photo...." the girl immediately bit her tongue realizing what she had said.

(Yes. I am Madhu. You even like my tweet once. Many years ago. It was a picture of you and mannar...)

Ashwin chuckled, while Shivangi looked at her amused. This one, Madhu, seems like Shivangi's older self with no filter. No wonder Ashwin was talking to her entertained by her antics.

"Sorry!" Madhu apologized once more.

This time it was Ashwin who consoled her. "Idhoda aaru vaati sorry ketuteenga, Madhu. Ivlo feel pannadeenga. Naanga police la case onnum poda maatom."

"Illa, ungaluku Ashaangians naale pudikadhu....." she trailed off

(I know you don't like Ashaangians.....)

Both their smiles vanished hearing the dejected tone. Is that what their fans thought? After how unconditionally they stood by them both and supported individually, how they acted like body shield in spite of not being openly acknowledged, how can anyone with a heart not like them?

Circumstances have made Ashwin and Shivangi drift from each other as well as fans who treated them like family, but neither of them really stopped thinking about fans. Every new project they pick up is with their fans in mind.

"Madhu, ashaangi epdi vanduchu? Ashwin plus Shivangi. Ashaangians yaaru? Enga supporters. Appo ashaangians pudikadhadhu engalaye pudikadhadhuku samam."

(Madhu, how was the term Ashaangi formed? With Ashwin and Shivangi. Who are Ashaangians? Our supporters. So, not liking ashaangians is like not liking ourselves. )

Madhu's eyes widened as she looked at Ashwin awestruck. She has heard how his base voice could make one go weak on knees from Shivangi, she has discussed it with friends, she has heard his voice in shows and movies, but hearing it in person certainly had a different effect.

"Ungaluku engala pudikuma?" the twenty something woman asked with a baby like expectation.

(Do you like us?)

"Romba!" Shivangi assured. "Sorry, naanga rendu perum perusa active ah...." she didn't know what to say.

(A lot. Sorry, we both weren't active in....)

"Engala pudikum nu soneengale adhuve podhum." Madhu grinned. "Enaku romaba happy ah iruku. Shivangi naa ungala life la meet pannuven nu nenaikave illa. Naan ungaluku neraya DM panni iruken. Neenga paaka maateenga nu teriyum, but I wanted you to know you changed my life."

(I am happy that you said you like us. I am elated. I never even dreamt of meeting you in my life, Shivangi. I have DM-ed you many times. I know you won't check it, but I wanted you to know you changed my life.)

"Life ah?" Shivangi asked surprised

"Neenga evlo periya inspiration teriyuma? Ungala CWC la paathu, follow panni, unga personality pudichu inspire aana naala dan naan inga nikkaren. Illati enga appa eppavo enna oor per teriyadha oruthar ku kalyanam panni vechiruparu. Neenga avlo unapologetic ah, dairiyama, honest ah irundadhu paathu dan enaku confidence vanduchu, veetla fight pannen. Enaku venungaradhu naan eduthakalam, society enna nenachalum enaku kavalai illa nu, ponnu ah irukaradhu weakness illa, strength nu ungala paathu dan kathukitten. In fact, kathukittom. Enna maari neraya per ku neenga inspiration."

(You are an inspiration. I first noticed you in CWC, followed you, liked your personality, was inspired and that is why I am here, else my father would have got me married to some stranger. You are unapologetic, strong, honest and seeing you gave me confidence to fight with my parents. I started to believe that I can achieve what I want and society doesn't have a say in it. I realized being a women isn't weakness, but strength. In fact, many of us learnt because of you. So many like me are inspired by you.)

Shivangi listened in awe unsure how to react. She has heard women call her inspiration, but this is the first time she is hearing it in person and the rawness of emotion made everything feel stronger.

"Unga naala, unga rendu per naala, engalla neraya perku hope vanduchu, love mela, life mela. Freindship create aachu social media la. We all are still friends, each other's support. Neenga evlo per life maathaneenga nu ungaluke teriyadhu. We all believed in Kadavul Setting and Kadavul did show us a way every time."

(Because of you, both of you, many of us began to hope and believe love and life. We bonded over social media. We all are still friends, each other's support. You have no idea how many lives you have changed for good. We all believed in Kadavul Setting and Kadavul did show us a way every time.)

Shivangi was speechless. She has given hope that she was only complaining few minutes ago that she lacked. Did that hope evade her or is she only too oblivious to see that hope?

"Neraya pesiten." Madhu apologized. "I just wanted to thank you both, especially you, Chellama. I am glad I got the opportunity. " she turned to Ashwin. "Oru half an hour kalichu practice ponga. You will be alright."

(I speak a lot, don't I? I just wanted to thank you both, especially you, Chellama. I am glad I got the opportunity.)

(You can start practice after half an hour. You will be alright.)

Shivangi was still lost in her thoughts, but Ashwin made sure to thank Madhu.

Madhu stopped beside the door before exiting the room and turned to look at Ashiwn and Shivangi. "Kavala padadeenga, naan ungala meet pannadhu yaar kittayum solla maaten."

(I will not tell about our meeting to anyone. You can trust me.)

"Sonna parawa illa." Ashwin volunteered

(It is okay even if you share.)

"Huh uh!" Madhu nodded. "Ashaagians have made a pact. Neengala engala address panni solravaraikum, naanga tevai illama edhuvum discuss panna maatom."

(Ashaangians have made a pact. Until you both address us explicitly, we are not going to go overboard with public discussions.)

Ashwin turned to Shivangi once Madhu was out of sight.

"Shivangi." He called

"Naan edho correct ah panni irukanum illa?" she asked still in daze. "Ivlo per poi solla maatanga daana? Ivlo ponnunga oru ponna support panranga na, appo naan tappu illa daana Ashwin?"

(I should have done something right, yeah? So many cannot be under illusion. So many women support one woman. Does that mean I was not wrong?)

Ashwin pulled her to stand between his legs and cupped her face to make her look at him.

"Naan sonnen illa ma? Nee magic. Fairy maari, nee pora edam ellam you make people's life better."

(I told you that you are magic. Like a fairy, wherever you go you make life better with your magic.)

"They still love me, enna nambaranga." She looked at him."Did I let them down? Naan... indha shell... neenga sonna maari... tappana example aaitana?"

(They still love me, they trust me. Did I let them down? Me with this shell.....like you said.....am I a bad example?)

"Of course not. Nee andha ponnu sonnadhu ketaya? They still discuss you, discuss us. They still adore you. Ivlo nadandhu kooda you are still here, Shivangi. That shows how strong you are. Nee eppavum give up pannala. Yaar enna sonnalum you stood your ground. Adhunala dan nee avanga inspiration."

(Of course not. Did you hear her? They still discuss you, discuss us. They adore you. In spite of what happened, you are still here. That shows how strong you are.You never gave up. you stood your ground. That is why you are their inspiration. )

Shivangi sighed. It was all suddenly too much for her to take. Yes, she was more close to ashaangians when she was still active in social media, but even now, years later, to know she has impacted life is like an unimaginable dream.

"Avanga innum namakaga irukanga, Ashiwn."

(They still stand for us, Ashwin)

"Namba avangaluku onnum pannade illa. Naan specially avangala romba torture panniten cryptic ah irundu." He grimaced

(We didn't do anything for them. Especially I have tortured them being cryptic.)

"Oru vaati pooii yaarellam innum irukanga nu paakanum. Enna panranga nu paakanum. Avanga HT use panradhu illa, but I think all are still connected somehow. Sleeper cells maari. "

(I want to know what they all are up to. I know they don't use hashtag, but I think all are still connected somehow, like sleeper cells.)

Ashwin chuckled.

"And trigger to bring them back nee dan. It is you who always connects every single good thing to me. En luck, fame, success, fans, ellame connect panna magical thread nee dan."

(And trigger to bring them back is you. It is you who always connects every single good thing to me. My luck, fame, success, fans, everything is connected to me through you.)

"Enna tirumbi accept pannuvangala?"

(Will they accept me back?)

"They were always part of our life Shivangi and we theirs. Piriyala, ippo sandhikanum avlo dan."

(They were always part of our life Shivangi and we theirs. We didn't leave them, we are going to meet.)

Shivangi exhaled loudly and said. "Okay!"

Ashwin frowned. "Enna okay?"

(What is it?)

"Odane ennala palaya Shivangi aaga mudiyadhu, but..." she smiled at him. "Instagram la oru photo poda mudiyum like old times."

(I can't go back to being old Shivangi overnight, but.... I can upload a photo in instagram like I used to.)

Ashwin raised his eyebrows in appreciation. "Not bad." He nodded. "Naanum appo palaya maari oru super photo eduthu taren. Come." He jumped on his knees and pulled Shivangi to the balcony.

(Not bad. Let me click a picture of you like I used to.)

Ashwin captured her natural, barefaced beauty with clouds in the background. Her glowing smile, natural blush as result of being with him and her unplanned white salwar with purple leaves made her look eternal.

"Photo credits taruvaya?" he teased as he saw her open her instagram to post the picture.

(Will you give me photo credits?)

"Light ah palaya Shivangi maari feel panren. Tandalum tandiruven." She grinned

(I am starting to feel like old Shivangi, so don't test me, I might do it.)

"Appo kudu."

(You are welcome in that case.)

Shivangi turned towards him with a smile to tease him with a comeback when she realized, looking at his eyes, that he was not joking.

"Ashwin, I don't think we are ready for..."

"I am ready, Shivangi ma." He cut her mid sentence. "Indha 6 months one year kanaku ellam enaku illa. Ippo kooda oru selfie eduthu 'she is mine' caption poda naan ready."

(I am ready Shivangi. I don't have six months or one year time limit. I am ready to even now upload a photo with you calling you mine.)

Shivangi was not used to this Ashwin and so was not sure how to react to him.

"Unaku wait pannanum na, wait pannalam, but enakaga yosikada. Naan clear ah iruken."

(if you want to wait, we can wait, but I am clear.)

Shivangi bit her lips and looked down at the phone screen. Is she ready?

Well, it isn't anything official yes, but it is like bringing back what backfired for her five years ago. Everything started with her being unabashed and unapologetic on social media. She liked Ashwin and she let the world know about it. That backfired big time for her. People even went to extend of accusing her character and questioning her morals. Is she ready to undergo the same once again? Will history repeat?

***

How did you like it?
Dedicated to all Madhu in Ashaangi fandom (Yes, it also includes you 😘)

If you wonder if June 20 story happened in LH universe, then answer is no, it didn't happen. Ashaangi grew apart and in process ashaangians were shattered, but were being low-key sleeper cells 🤭🤭🤭

Shivangi changing obviously is a process and isn't one time incident. So, stay with them. Role reversal in SM might happen, you never know 😛

I have started a new FF "I owe us one". Do check it out