26

Shivangi woke up the next day with a bright smile. How can she not? Yesterday was an amazing day. It started off on a slightly annoying note owing to her fight with Ashwin however, the end dreamy.

She met her fan. She after a long time posted something for fans which has made them so happy she learned when she checked twitter late last night. And finally, Ashiwn. Shivangi couldn't help but hide her face in her palm even though no one could see her turn into tomato thinking about what they did in the sets of show that will always be special to them.

Shivangi lifted herself off the bed to stare right at the kurta she wore yesterday. Her eyes widened at the thought of her mother or maid finding its plight. So she immediately wrapped it in a cover and threw it behind lumps of clothes in her cupboard. After all, the top is too close to heart to part now.

Since her call time at the event is only after noon, Shivangi took her own time to shower after heavy breakfast. When she returned from the shower, her mother called her to handover the parcel delivered for Shivangi from her stylist.

"Evening dress ah!" Shivangi asked doubtful. Everyone singing was given common theme colour as blue, just like their photo shoot, and asked to get their own costumes done. Shivangi's stylist has already designed a beautiful sea colour crop top and flared palazzo that was delivered two days ago. Now what is this?

Inside the box was a peacock blue sequins saree and silk blouse with boat neck. Shivangi felt the soft material of the saree when she noticed a card. Even before she opened to read it she knew who it could be from.

First of the many sarees I will gift you for 'our' comfort.

Love,

Kulu Kulu

"Seriana KD fellow." Shivangi smiled to herself.

(Smart man)

The event was supposed to start at 6 and Shivangi's performance was not until half time, yet she reached the venue by 3 dressed to the nines. Many were already gathered there doing last time rehearsals or getting make up done or simply catching up with star friends.

First one to greet Shivangi was Pavi who glowed in midnight blue off shoulder dress.

"Enna Shivangi saree ellam katti iruka? Saree comfort illa nu solluva."

(I thought you said you are not comfortable in saree)

Shivangi looked down at herself smiling at the thought how for the first time she is wearing saree for an even that is this long in duration.

"Okay dan, ka." Shivangi smiled. "Modal maari illa, ippo saree la comfort ah dan iruken."

(I am okay now. It feels comfortable.)

"Azhaga iruka." Pavi patted her cheeks before moving forward to meet others.

(You look beautiful)

Shivangi was trying to spot any familiar faces to go talk to when she heard clearing of throat from behind her.

She turned around with a knowing smile on her face.

"Saree romba comfort pola." A grinning Ashwin asked

(So, heard you are very comfortable in saree)

"Comfort aaganum vera vali illa. Illati ella kasum kurta vangave podium."

(I have to feel comfortable else my whole savings will be wasted on replacing tore kurta)

Ashwin laughed. "Paakave nalla comfort ah iruku." He moved his hand to hold her, but Shivangi stopped him with warning glare.

(It is indeed comfortable )

"Public." She muttered making Ashwin glower.

"Appo ivlo comfort ah saree katti enna priyojanam?" he complained

(What is the use of such comfortable saree?)

"Comfortable ah paathute irunga. Adhu mattum dan inniku mudiyum."

(You can look at me comfortably, nothing else for today)

"Adhuku saree kattamale irundirukalam." He mumbled under his breath

(Why saree then?)

"Appo naan saree la azhaga illaya?" She asked frowning. "Paakara alavuku illaya?"

(Don't I look good? Won't you look at me?)

"Nee saree la taaru maara azhagu. Unna saree la paatha naan enna aaven nu teriyum illa?"

(You look gorgeous. You know what happens to me when I see you in saree)

Shivangi blushed. How easy it is for him to compliment her now in contrast to the 'cute ah iruka' he always used to praise her in the show as if she was a toddler.

Ashwin in blue solid single breasted knitted blazer paired with white T-shirt and grey solid jeans looked handsome. Shivangi realized she hasn't fangirl-ed over him ever since they reconciled. How can his biggest cheerleader stay quiet?

"Naan onnu solluta?" she moved a step closer but conscious enough to not get any attention on them. "Nee romba handsome ah iruka...." she drawled making him rise in anticipation wondering if he will finally get to hear the endearment he loves. "Ashhwinnn." She completed with a lopsided smile

(Know what? You are very handsome...... Ashhwinnn.)

Ashwin sighed in disappointment. He has vowed to not burden her with his expectations but to give her as much as space in the relationship. However, him and his ears are yearning for her to call him by the name that sounds poetic to him only in her voice.

"Wait panran." He said after few seconds. "Oru naal varum. En kaadula kepen."

(I will wait. I will hear you say it one day. )

Shivangi chuckled. It was so fun to be in presence of this Ashwin who is loving, attentive and carefree. In a way, he was all this at some point in the past, but Shivangi didn't have the pleasure of calling him hers then. Now, however, she absolutely loved being in his presence. He was bringing out the best in her, old her, without even trying.

"Bye!" she took a step back. "I want to find my friends."

"En performance paaru." He said before she could move

(Watch out for my performance.)

"Time irunda." She shrugged teasingly

(Let's see)

"Nalla dan madam dance pannuven. Neenga vandu parunga."

(I dance decently. Do watch)

Shivangi waved at him as she walked out of the place with a smile.

Ashwin changed into his casual clothes in record time before rushing to the chair allotted for him in the second row. He was pissed that no one informed him that Shivangi's performance was right after his.

Panting he slouched on the chair and thanked his stars that anchors were still blabbering in the name of content and singers were not invited to stage.

"Loosu payale." Ashwin heard familiar reprimand. "Moochu vaangi setharadha."

(Fool! Breath)

Ashwin accepted the half empty bottle of water and gulped it before turning to Pugazh to thank.

"Ava paadra, machan." He said still breathing heavily. "Romba naal kalichu, endha distraction-um illama ippo dan keka poren."

(She is gonna sing, dude. It has been ages since I heard her sing without distraction)

Pugazh shook his head as if it didn't make sense why the hurry or what is the big deal even if he misses a song or two.

The lights blinded the ones on stage, the crowd was so vast that they everyone blurred into one, still Shivangi spotted Ashwin beside her Pugazh anna. Ashwin also was convinced that her last smirk before turning to orchestra was for him.

The medley that the singers prepared was perfect blend of everything magical. It had right mixture of old, retro and new. There was even a minute of silence in audience when Shivangi and another male singer sang one of Illayaraja's best. Ashwin, a music lover, was transpired to another world.

She was dream. How did he get lucky to even know someone so lovable, kind, caring, beautiful and can also sing?

Ashwin closed his eyes and leaned back humming along with the singer one of his favourite romantic song, until the next song made him almost forget to breath.

She knew it was her. He will know her voice even in sleep, still he had to open his eyes and confirm for once.

It was indeed Shivangi singing. It was Shivangi singing their song.

Muzhusa unakkena naan vaazhuren

Pudhusa dhinam dhinam ena paakkuren

Azhutha thozhula naan saanjupen

Alavillaama aasai vekkuren

https://youtu.be/wcvgQ_gQorM

Shivangi for the first time in her life had tears after her performance. It was not the adrenaline, it was not the crowd, it was not the pressure, it was purely their magic.

This song! How did she even survive all these years without listening or singing it?

Yeno thaano

Endru pona naalum

Ellaam neeye

Endru maaruthae

Every word she meant for Ashwin when she sang it for him few years ago and even now every word only reminded her of him. Who was she fooling all these years? She loved him, loves him and will always love only him.

Kanna veesi kanna veesi

Katti podum kaadhali

Kannu rendum

Muththam kekkudhae

Shivangi slipped away from her friends crowd who were clapping and patting each other's back for successful performance. She needed to be alone now. This moment was too personal to let anyone even share it in the vicinity.

Shivangi entered the room in the first floor allotted for her and stood rooted.

There stood her man with the myriad of emotions in her face reflected in his. Without second thoughts Shivangi flung her hands around him.

Only he in this entire world can understand how she feels because he feels the same. They are not two persons. They are two sides of same coin. Shivangi believed what she always knew, they were indeed soulmates.

Ashwin buried his face in the crook of her neck observing her energy into him. A man in love needs his lover's fragrance more than the oxygen in air. This woman in his arms is his angel. She changed him, changed his life, brought him love, luck, happiness. She knows every flaw of his and still chose to wait for him and choose him when she knows she can do much better than him.

He is meant to be hers. His birth is validated only by the presence of her in his life. Did he really think he can live without her?

Shivangi broke the hug but still stayed in his arms as she pulled away to look at him.

He was crying and so was she. They didn't bother to even wipe the tears. It was a proof that their hearts are linked in a way that one can feel the emotion of the other. His eyes will cry for her heart and her lips will sing for his heart.

Shivangi placed her palm flat on his cheeks. Her heels let her match his height and effortlessly she kissed his lips.

That was the day they truly learned that kiss communicates.

Even though they broke the kiss, their lips didn't part from each other. They still stood close to each other. He could feel her breath warming his lips and her soft lips brushing his.

"I love you, Ashiwn." It was a whisper. His ear didn't even catch the whole syllable, but his heart knew what she said.

She made it official. She, in spite of every hurdle thrown at them, every stupidity of his, every hardship he made her endure, every bit of flawed human that he is, is ready to be his.

He drew her lower lip as if trying to take in the words that she just uttered so that it will forever be a part of him.

"Shivangi" he breathlessly said. "I love you."

And it was the most beautiful beginning of their story.

***

How was it?

The End..... apdi nu yaarachu sonna serupala adi (In Pugazh's tone). Don't worry, there are few more chapters. I am not sure how many, but I still have few things to sort in the story.

Anndddd, they have come a long way from her refusing to sing Kanna Veesi to her confessing love after singing it on stage. I hope I did some justice to the plot while bringing them here. 

https://youtu.be/zsaff26T4Wg