25

Rating : 15 + (Again, nothing really but just formality rating)

Shivangi thought she no more had obsession over her phone since she stopped being active in Social Media until Ashwin took her phone from her. Once she posted her picture in her Instagram account without photo courtesy and with caption 'Love you FanFam !', Ashwin removed her phone from her hand and put in his pocket.

"Nee reaction nenachu anxious aava. Let me have your phone until your stage rehearsal is over."

(You will get anxious about reaction. Let me have your phone until your stage rehearsal is over)

Shivangi did wonder how fans were reacting to her first candid, non professional photo after years. However, she controlled the temptation and concentrated only on her singing.

Later, once the stage rehearsal was over and she was about to leave, Ashwin's assistant informed her that Ashwin was waiting for her in his car. Shivangi easily spotted his car in lone corner of the parking and got in without grabbing any attention.

"Kelambeetaingala?" she asked as she closed the door behind her

(Are you leaving?)

"Veliya porom." He said with a secretive smile that she has not seen before.

(We are going out)

"Porom ah?" she frowned. "Enga?"

(We? Where?)

"Surprise!"

This made Shivangi more curious. Not that she doesn't like surprises, but she didn't know what to expect from Ashwin at this time. She checked her watch. "10 aachu."

(It is 10 PM)

"10 dan ma aachu." He remarked. "Kandipa night vettla vittarren. You deal with your parents and driver."

(Just 10 PM. I will definitely drop you home. You deal with your parents and driver.)

Shivangi dialled her parents and told them her rehearsal was extended and asked the driver to leave saying her friend will drop her home. She, then, turned to Ashwin who was grinning at her. It was so nice to see him very happy. This also made Shivangi more curious about the surprise.

"Enga porom?" she tried again.

(Where are we going?)

"Solla maaten." He said shifting the gear and starting the car. "In fact..." he said as if he realized something. "Nee kannu kattiko."

(It is a surprise. You close your eyes)

"Kannu?" Shivangi nodded. "So, silly. Adellam panna maaten."

(Eyes? So, silly. I will not do it)

"Please ma. Please." Ashwin implored. "Worthy surprise dan."

Shivangi was not convinced. There can be no worthy surprise that he could have planned in the two hours since she last spoke to him. However, she decided to humour him and tied her dupaatta around her eyes.

Ashwin smiled seeing her agree to his request.

"Naan unnna kadateetu poita enna pannuva?" he asked teasingly

(What if I kidnap you?)

"Oh! Enna kadateetu poi neenga enna pannuveenga?" she countered

(What will you do if you kidnap me?)

"Enna vena panlam." He tried to sound intimidating

(Whatever I want)

"Kadathamale panlam." Shivangi said and then bit her lower lip to control the blush formed at her insinuation.

(You can do that even without kidnapping me)

"Oye! KD fellow!" Ashwin turned to her amazed. Even though her eyes were tied, her whole face was pink with shy. "Nee maarellam illa. Vayasoda sendu unn velayatu tanam vazhandu dan iruku. Marachu vechu irukaya idellam?"

(Sly, you are. You didn't change. With age, even your wit has grown. You are hiding your true self )

"Ashwin !!" she tried to change the topic. "Vandutoma? Illa, naan blindfold remove paneeruven."

(Are we there? Else, I am gonna remove blindfold)

"2 minutes ma."

However, it took another fifteen minutes before Ashwin pulled over and lead her out of the car holding her hand.

"Yaaradhu irukangala?" she asked a little conscious about not being able to see

(Are we alone?)

"Almost abandoned." He convinced.

Shivangi had no clue where they were going. She only clutched his arms and followed him trusting him to take care of her.

She could hear sound of a door opening after which they stopped in a place.

"I am sure you will love it." He whispered in her ear before pulling the knots of the dupatta and revealing where they were.

It took a minute for Shivangi's eyes to adjust to the light and when they did, her breath stuck in her throat.

"Idhu...." she didn't even complete the sentence. She was too overwhelmed to speak.

(This?)

It was as if she was transported to five years ago. Young Shivangi in her heart finally managed to break the wall to witness the sight in front of her through her flattered eyes making Shivangi's eyes grin as well as glassy.

Ashwin had the same mixed emotion of joy and overwhelm as he looked around. He finally met Shivangi's eyes, while she was already looking at him.

"How?"

Ashwin smiled gratified. "Partiv sonnaru indha season oda CWC set namba season inspiration nu. Something about new EP's superstition. Namba season maari vera edhuvum hit aagala illa? So, ade set design tirup potadha sonnaru. Naan paaknum nu request pannen. Day after tomorrow shooting, so inniku free enku paaka okay sonnanga."

(Partiv told me CWC second season set inspiration for this season. Something about new EP's superstition as ours was the most popular season. I wanted to see this. Day after tomorrow shooting, so I asked permission to visit today.)

Shivangi sighed not really sure what kind of emotion she was feeling. It was like standing in the beach where the waves hit you with full force. You will stumble, but still love it.

"Enaku five years pinnadi pona maari iruku." Her eyes glowed between happy tears

(I feel like we are five years back in time)

For that one show that changed their life, both of them deliberately stayed away from knowing fate of it future season. While Ashwin still watched their old episodes when he missed her, Shivangi, after her bitter experience at the next season, shun off the show completely. She even refused to re-watch their season for it always made her feel anxious.

Few months ago, name of the show or this replica of set from their season might have made her claustrophobic, but now, standing beside the man who gave her best memories of her life in the sets, the memories she no more sees as nightmares, she felt life has come full circle and once again here she is feeling the magic.

Shivangi entwined her hands with Ashiwn's. She looked into his eyes. "Best surprise!" He took their hands to his lips and kissed her knuckles. "Best memories." He said.

Ashwin took two steps forward and half step back before turning to her. "Nee rose kudukum bodhu naan inga dan ninnutu irunden."

(This is where I was standing when you gave me the rose)

Shivangi beamed. She left his hand and hopped five steps to his left. "Naan inga irundu dan first ungala paathen. Wave kooda pannen." She said and went on to imitate her wave.

(I saw you first from here. I waved too)

Ashwin chuckled. "Enaku epdi react panradhu ne terila. Casual ah rose vaangiten, but...." he struggled to find a word. "Ennamo maari, different ah irunduchu."

(I didn't know how to react to you. I took the rose casually, but.... I felt different, like....)

"Kulu Kulu nu irunducha? " Shivangi giggled lifting her shoulder.

(Kulu kulu ?)

Ashwin nodded with a wide smile. "Kulu kulu nu dan irunduchu. Appo en dictionary andha word illa, unna paatha aprom dan add aachu."

(Yes, kulu kulu. I didn't have that word in my dictionary before seeing you)

Shivangi caressed the long bench where food will be served for judges to taste. Ashwin was standing where hosts and judges usually stand while welcoming cooks and comalis.

"Pudikum nu sollunga." Ashwin mimicked her words standing right where she stood and asked him that. In fact, it was their first conversation.

(Do you like?)

"Pudikum!" she repeated his dialogue

(I do like)

"Naan pudikadhu nu solli irunda?" he asked

(What if I had told I don't like?)

"Epdi solla mudiyum?" Shivangi was confident. "Ellam kadavul setting." She lifted both her hands in air indicating it was indeed work of God.

(You couldn't have. It is destiny)

They both went hand in hand to the table where they were paired first. Their official 'Kulu Kulu' table.

Shivangi was looking at how different the workstation looked then the ones they had while Ashwin leaned on the workstation over his elbow and looked at her. She raised her eyebrow in question.

"Kulu kulu nu iruka?" he asked

(Do you feel kulu kulu?)

"Adhu appo. Ippo ellam illla."

(It was then. Not now)

"Illaya?" he asked offended.

(No?)

Ashwin straightened himself and moved a strand of hair falling on her forehead behind her ear.

"Ippo?"

(Now?)

"No." She nodded

Ashwin took her hand and wrapped it with the end of her dupatta.

"Ippo? "

(Now?)

Shivangi released her hands waving him off.

"Adhu first time, so kulu kulu nu irunduchu."

(That was when I was young, not anymore)

"Oh! Ippo palageercha?"

(So now you are used to it?)

Shivangi shrugged.

"Ippo naan pakkathula vanda kulu kulu nu illaya?" he teased

(Don't you feel kulu kulu because of my closeness?)

Shivangi very well understood where it was leading and yet decided to play along.

"Illa"

(No)

"Apdiya?" he took a step towards her.

(really?)

Shivangi took a step back and was hit by the extension that was part of the workstation.

"Enna paathu sollu." He used his base voice "Kulu kulu nu illaya?"

(Look at me. Don't you feel kulu kulu?)

Shuvangi inhaled deeply. She has to do it. She can't let him get his way.

"Illa."

(No)

"Enn kannu paathu sollu."

(Look at my eyes and say the same)

Shivangi bit her lips and managed to look right at his eyes as she said. "Illa"

(No)

Ashwin laughed making her frown.

"Idha nee enna hug panama solli irunda kooda nambi irupen."

(Better chance of believing you if you were not hugging me while saying this)

That is when Shivangi realized her one hand was around his waist and another on his shoulder.

Annoyed at being caught she smacked him where her hand was on his chest as she pushed him and walked past.

"Shivangi ma." Ashwin called behind her chuckling.

Shivangi reached the table where they cooked for the round they won immunity. If it was old workstation, surely she could have seen a small carving she made using knife when she was bored. This however looked new and polished.

"Ah!" Ashwin came to stand beside her with his hands in his pocket. "Favourite table from favourite episode."

"Immunity round. Super episode adhu." She exclaimed

"Adhuvum dan." He drawled

(That too)

"Vera enna episode?"

(Which episode then?)

"Elimination cooking pona episode."

(Then one where we went to elimination cooking)

Shivangi opened her mouth to ask why it was his favourite as that is the only one where he cooking in elimination round, but immediately decided against it as what he confessed when they went to that salad restaurant flashed on her mind.

Ashwin's beam brightened seeing Shivangi flush. She understood why it was his favourite.

"Innikum saree kateernda nalla irundirukum. We could have recreated my fantasy."

(If only you wore saree today, we could have recreated my fantasy)

Ashwin expected Shivangi flush and blush and stammer. As much as she is expressive and confident, when it comes to intimacy, especially physical, she always becomes shy. He loved teasing her to get her worked up. However, this time Shivangi decided she had enough. So, she braced herself.

"Yen? Saree la paatha dan ungaluku feel varuma?"

(Why? You like me only in saree?)

Ashwin was taken aback. He raised one eyebrow amused as his lips curved into smirk.

"Aadai paathu feel varadhu, aal paathu dan varum."

(I like you always irrespective of how you are dressed)

"Aprom enna? What is stopping you?" she challenged

(So what else is stopping you?)

Ashwin understood what she hinted, he was not sure she fully realized what she was signing up for.

"Shivangi ma, are you su..." Before he could complete his sentence she placed her finger on his lips. "What did we decide?" she asked. "Yaarum edhukum permission keka vendam. Tonuchu na pannalam, in our private space."

(No permission. Whenever we want, if we are in private space)

Ashwin held her wrist and in quick, effortless motion pulled her between him and the workstation.

"Ouchh" she hissed by the sudden pull

"Ipdi ninnu samachirkanum."

(We should be standing like this while cooking)

"Ivlo close ah va?" she asked

(So close?)

"Innum close ah." He wrapped his arms around her waist and inhaled her naturally fruity smell

(Closer)

"Ipdi katti pudichita yaar smaipa?" she teased placing her hand on his

(How can you cook while hugging so close?)

"Edhuku samaikanum?"

(Why cook?)

"Cooking show dana?"

(It is a cooking show right?)

"Namba ipdi ninna smacha prime time la ya show TV la poduvanga? " he joked making her jerk her shoulder as if to warn him for his jib

(If this is how we are going to cook, show cant be aired on prime time in TV)

"Ipdi ninnu samachirunda distract aagama elimination pogama irundirupeengala?"

(If we had stood like this, would you have not been distracted from cooking and escaped elimination cooking?)

"Anniku mattum ipdi nikka chance kedachu irunda eliminate enna, pack paneetu Coimbatore kooda poi irupen."

(If I could have held you like this that day, I would not even bothered being eliminated.)

Shivangi not turning to look at him lifted her hand and held his chin between her thumb and index finger. "Nalla pesara nee."

(You are a smooth talker)

"Anniku kai suttadhuku paatu paadna illa? Nyabagam iruka?"

(You sang for me when I burnt my finger)

"Vali terila illa?" She grinned even though she knew it was him being a sweetheart telling her she didn't feel the pain hearing her song.

(You didn't feel pain, did you?)

"Note for future..."

"Hmm."

"Vali teriya kudadhu na paatu paadanum, aprom kiss pannanum."

(If I shouldn't feel pain, you should sing as well as kiss)

"Naanum dan mohini aatam episode kai aruthukitten." She lifted her finger.

(I cut my finger in one episode, remember?)

Ashwin held her finger and placed feather light kisses there.

"Paatu paadala?" she teased

(You didn't sing)

"Naan paadna nalla irukadhu." He confessed

(I don't sing well)

"Aama." She agreed and then giggled

(True)

"Fraud-u, super ah irukum nu sonna?"

(You sneak, you said I sing well)

Shivangi patted his cheeks. "Impress panna sonnen. Serious ah eduthukadeenga."

(Because I wanted to impress you then. Don't go by my words)

"Rendu per la oruthar paadna podhum. Innoruthar rasikanum."

(One can sing and other can adore.)

"So? " Shivangi slightly tilted her face to look at him. "Idhu dan fantasy ah? Pesitu irukaradhu?"

(So, is it your fantasy? To talk?)

"Palaya maari Shivangi aagnu sonna ore naal la enna kalaika aarmabichuta illa?" He tightened his hold on her waist and pushed himself closer to her trapping her completely.

(I told you I want old Shivangi back just yesterday and I can already see glimpses in the way you tease me.)

"Eii!!" she sniggered

"Annikum ide maari dana braid?" he asked as he pushed her braid aside. "Ide maari cute dimples." He kissed her cheeks.

(Same type of braid that day as well, right? Same cute dimples)

Shivangi kissed his cheeks in return. "Cute dimple."

"Ei! En dimple indha pakkam." He showed his right cheek.

She quickly placed a kiss there. "Cute dimple." She repeated

"Anniku, I just wanted to....." Ashwin bent down his head to kiss her shoulder only to groan irritated. "Argg! I hate this high neck kurta." As his lips touched her top's collar instead of her skin.

(That day, I wanted to..... )

Shivangi laughed loudly hearing his serious complain.

"Sirikadha ma. Idhuku dan saree nalla irukum nu sonnen."

(Don't laugh. This is why I wanted you in saree.)

Shivangi's mouth widened in surprise. "Epdi epdi!" she turned around in his arms to look at him. "Appo naan azhaga iruken nu saree la paaka kekala. Ungaluku vasadi ah irukum nu kekareenga. Apdi daane?"

(So, you wanted me in saree not because I look pretty, but because it is convenient for you.)

Ashwin made an innocent face. "Apdi illa ma." He reasoned.

(Not really!)

"Aprom?"

(Yeah???)

"Namaku konjam comfort ah..."

(For our comfort...)

"Namaka ungaluka?"

(Ours or yours?)

Ashwin gave her a naughty smile with a casual shrug

"Panradellam paneetu oor full ah enna KD fellow nu solradhu." She hit his shoulder

(You are the KD here, but you call me one)

"Valikudhu ma!" he pretended

(It hurts)

"Nadikadeenga. Udane tadavi kuduka naan 20 year old Shivangi illa."

(Oh! Please! I am not 20 year old to fall for that)

"Thank God for that." He said

"Yen?"

(Why?)

"I couldn't have done this to her." Ashwin lifted her off the ground and made her sit on the workstation. He then leaned forward and kissed her lips.

This time their kiss was rather playful with both trying to gain control over the other. Ashwin chuckled between the kiss when she flinched biting her own tongue. Shivangi pulled hair from the back of his head making him wince thereby taking the lead.

It was Shivangi who broke the kiss while panting heavily.

Ashwin smirked. "Singers are supposed to have better breath control." He teased earning a truly painful smack on his shoulder.

"Nejama valikudhu." He implored wiping his lower lips

(It really hurts)

Shivangi held his shirt collar and pulled him closer. With on hand holding his collar and other holding his cheek, she lifted herself little and kissed his cheeks and moved down his adma's apple and finally placed a long, sloppy kiss on his tempting mole.

Releasing her hands, she wrapped it around his shoulder and pulled him down to her height. She continued kissing his cheeks, side of his ear , before she whispered in his ear, "Collar irundalum kiss panna teriyanum."

(You should know to kiss even if dress has collar)

Ashwin's eyes that was closed enjoying the moment, letting her do with him what she wants opened with sudden realization of her words.

He pulled away and looked at her who was gleaming with naughtiness in her eyes.

"Challenge ah?" he asked interested

She shrugged

Ashwin pushed himself closer to her by standing between her legs. He cupped her cheeks. "Rowdy, you tempted me, so now don't complain."

Complain she did minutes later when they were walking back to his car with her whole skin red with blush and him with a smug smile, as he had, in his act of passion, managed to tear her kurta where the collar joined to make a V neck design.

Shivangi adjusted her dupatta cautiously seeing the mirror once inside the car trying her best to hide the tear. Ashwin looked at her thinning his lips in line so that he doesn't grin or laugh or do anything stupid that will get him punch from her.

"Enga amma nalaiku kandu pidicha enna solla?" she mumbled to herself.

(What if my mom finds out?)

Ashwin looked down trying to control her grin.

"You're so happy with yourself." She glared at him.

Ashwin's eyes widened unsure what to say. He completely understood why she was angry, but he couldn't help but take a sadistic manly pleasure in doing it.

"Sorry, ma."

"Poi solladeenga, Ashwin." She looked at him. "You are not sorry."

(Don't lie. You are not sorry)

Ashwin scrunched his nose. "Actually, I am not. I liked what we were doing and I know so did you."

Shivangi narrowed her eyes trying to intimidate him, but he began to laugh and soon she couldn't help but join.

Can she even complain when both were equally lost in passion for each other?

Ashwin leaned forward held the back of her head and kissed her forehead.

"Pudhu kurta naan present panren." He said

(I will gift you a new kurtha)

"Ahh..." she smiled. "Kurta vendam. Saree."

(No, not kurtha, I want saree)

"Ohhhh!!!" he said amused

"Ohhh!!!" she repeated blushing.

****

Fun ???

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P.S. Blame Sivaangi for delay in update. I was listening to her space.