30

Ashwin's answer to her question was not 'yes' like she hoped. It was a kiss that literally made her breathless, but he was nowhere near to stop. Even when she tried to pull away, he only gave her enough seconds to catch her breath before he pulled her in for another long kiss.

Shivangi finally decided she had enough as she closed his mouth with her palm when she pulled away this time. She wanted an answer not kisses no matter how much she enjoyed it.

"Ashwineey!" she whined when he licked her palm with the tip of his tongue.

"Ashwineey!" he repeated with a huge grin. "Evlo naal aachu idhu ketu. Enaku ippo dan uyir vanda maari iruku. Hearing you say it is the best."

(Been ages since I heard you say this. I feel alive now. Hearing you say it is the best)

Shivangi frowned at his enthusiasm. "Appo naan per solli kooptadhu dan best ah? Naan adhuku munnadi enna keten nu gavanikalaya?"

(So only the name gives you good feeling? What about something I said before that?)

"Edhu?" he feigned innocence

(What is it?)

Shivangi smacked his shoulder and was about to remove herself from his lap when he tightened his hold on her waist.

"Ippove pannikalam." He whispered

(Shall we get married now?)

Shivangi looked into his eyes registering the joy of her emotions reflected in his eyes until she could no more and averted her eyes blushing.

"Alaipayuthe maariya?" she asked knowing it is his favourite movie. "Evening thaliya marachitu naan veetuku poiruta?"

(Like Alaipayuthe? Should I go home pretending I am unmarried in the evening?)

Ashwin considered it sincerely. It will be a dream come true if he could live his favourite movie's plot.

"First night anniku taniya toonganuma?" he asked earnestly concerned

(I can't afford to sleep alone on our special night)

Shivangi snickered pulling his cheeks. "Nee romba maarita Ashwin."

(You have changed a lot)

Ashwin laughed with her. He has let his imagination run wild enough to write a book called '101 best proposals', but not even one idea came close to being proposed by love of his life sitting on his lap with dried tears in a stranger's house. However, now that he has experienced it, he was sure nothing could beat this serenest moment.

Moments are made special by the people in it and this is yet another example for it.

"Okay, serious-ah kekaren." He said."Seekiram pannikalama? Already ennala five years miss paneetom."

(Let me be serious. Shall we get married soon? We lost five years because of me)

Shivangi nodded. She would love nothing more than spending her life with him in every way. "Naan appa amma kitta peseren. Avanga already eppo kalyanam panradhu nu eager ah irukanga."

(Let me talk to my parents. They want me to get married)

"Next week court wedding vechukalama?" Ashwin asked shocking her

(Shall we have a court wedding next week?)

"Edhu? Court marriage ah? No way." She was certain. "Enaku ella festivities oda proper wedding venum. En cousins ku ellam epdi jolly ah dance paatu nu super ah wedding nadanduchu teriyuma? Enakum ade maari dan venum."

(What? No way. All my cousins had grand wedding with song and music. I want t he same)

"Ma, apdi ellam venumna 3-4 months aagum ma. Namba vena simple ah kalyanam paneetu, grand ah reception vekkalama?"

(Then we will have to wait for 3-4 months. Shall we get married in simple style and then have grand reception?)

Shivangi hit his shoulder continuously until he exclaimed it was hurting. "Ivlo desperate ah irukadha. " she complained. "Naan enna unna onnum panna vidradhu illaya?"

(Don't act desperate. It is not like I don't let you touch me.)

Ashwin took both her hands and clasped in his one hand. "Naan adhukaga mattum dan kekaren nu nenaikaraya?"

(You think that is my only concern?)

Shivangi furrowed her brows.

"Love oda artham terinja naal la irundu naan love panna aasai patten. Ovvoru vayasilayum love ku ovvoru meaning tonum. Mathavanga love panni paathu iruken. Sila time love dan best nu tonum, innum sila time love overrated nu tonum. Enakaga oruthi irupala. Enna avaluku pudikuma. Enna nana accept pannuvala nu romaba naal yosichiruken. Love ku pala definition naane form pannen, but 30 vayasula dan terinjidhu love ku definition illa. Adhu oru feeling. Ellarukum ore maari irukadhu. "Ashwin lifted her hands and kissed them.

(I have been in love with love since I know what it means. At every age, I formed different meaning for love. I have seen people fall in love. Sometimes it looks like the best thing in the world and other times a bane. I always wondered if I will find the one, will she love me, accept me. I had many definition of love, but at 30 I realized there is no definition for love. It is a feeling. Not same for everyone.)

"You don't define true love for me, you are true love. Home is a person solluvanga pathaya ma, ade maari love is also a person. Inimel nee dan enaku love ku synonym. Naan pala varushama paatha kanavu nee. Kedaikadhapa kooda ivlo tonala, aana kedachum nee talli irukanu nenaikum bodhu dan yekam adigama iruku. "

(You don't define true love for me, you are true love. People say home can be a person. Similarly, love can be a person too. You are my synonym for love. You are my dream come true. When we were not together, I composed myself, but now knowing you are mine, I yearn for your closeness more than ever)

Shivang released her hand from his hold and pushed her fingers in his hair to remove it off his forehead before kissing him there. For a grown man, he was still very susceptible when it came to matter of hearts.

"Kalyanam aacho illayo, I am yours and you are mine. Naan innum unga veetuku ku mattum dan shift aagala nu nenachukonga. I am already more than a wife can be to you. I am your soulmate. Namba souls eppavo connect aaiduchu. Nothing can change that. Time changes everything nu solluvanga. But, andha time kooda namba kitta thotiruchu. It was not able to separate us."

(Irrespective of marriage, I am yours and you are mine. I am only yet to come to your house and room. I am already more than a wife can be to you. I am your soulmate. Our souls connected long back. Nothing can change that. People say with time, things change, but even that time was not able to change us.)

Ashwin nodded lost in thoughts. After couple of minutes, Shivangi saw him sigh with a huge grin.

"Enna aachu?" she asked

(What is it?)

"Yosichu paatha 3-4 months wait panni kalyanam panradhum nalla dan irukum nu tonudhu. Andha anticipation, yearning, ellame oru maari fun dan."

(Perhaps time before wedding will also be fun with anticipation and yearning)

"Relationship confirm panna aaru masam kudutha neenga kalyanam ke correct paneetinga." She teased

(I gave you six months to confirm relationship, but we are planning to get married before that time ends.)

"Then it is a good thing I cut ties with you. Illati unn 21 vayasulaye unna kalyanam panni irupen." He chuckled

(Then it is a good thing I cut ties with you, else we would have married when you were 21)

Shivangi was happy they were finally able to joke about their past without regret or guilt. It is an important sign that they have finally escaped the shadow of past and are ready for an unadulterated future together.

"Unga appa amma kitta eppo pesara?" Ashwin asked playing with the edges of her hair

(When will you talk to your parents?)

Shivangi bit her lips and nodded her head. "Terila. Indha five years tappi tavari kooda unga name avanga mention pannala. Naanga edhum open ah discuss pannadhu illa, but I am sure they know. Naan hurt aaga koodadhu nu neraya paathu paathu senjanga. Ippo naan nambala pathi sonna epdi eduthupanga nu terila."

(I don't know. They didn't even mention your name to me in these five years. We didn't discuss anything openly, but I am sure they know. They made sure I am never hurt. I don't know how they will react to us)

"Naan avanga kitta vandu sorry kekaren." Ashwin said

(Shall I apologise to them personally?)

Shivangi knew her parents want nothing more than her happiness. So, they will agree to this marriage. Her primary concern isn't their approval. She wants them to love and respect Ashwin the way he deserves. Yes, he has made some not so worthy decisions on her behalf, but they have already made peace with it. Her parents will have their own judgements about him and she doesn't want him to feel unwelcome in anyway. Even though Shivangi knew her parents won't be outright rude, them not accepting him for who he is, but only for her sake will also not be enough for her. Ashwin is a good person and he deserves their love. Shivangi also deserves a marriage where her husband is seen as a son by her parents.

"Enna avangaluku pudikadha?" Ashwin asked worried

(Won't they like me?)

Shivangi kissed his cheeks and smiled. "Unna epdi pudikama pogum?"

(How can they not?)

"Adhu illa ma...." he drawled. "Naan ippo dan decent ah settle aagi iruken. Veedu vaangi iruken. Oorla back up panra alavuku avlo sothu illa. Actors job is biggest gamble. Oru varsham 10 padam irukum, innoru varsham oru ad kooda irukadhu." He caressed his beard. "35 konjam old vera. Avanga unaku vera expectations vechu irupanga. Edho Australia la seetle aana paiyan ellam paathu vechanga. En kooda nee vacation ku Australia ponum na kooda namba 6 months plan panni budget podanum. Adhu mattum illa........"

(I have only recently bought a house. My inheritance isn't very huge. Actors job is the biggest gamble. One year I might have ten movies and next year jobless. 35 is a little old too. They will have high expectations for your husband. Your previous suitor was from Australia, right? If you want to even go on vacation with me to Australia, we have to manage finances for six months)

"Haiyooo, loosu maari pesadha Ashwinney." She scrunched her nose

(You are such a dumbo)

Ashwin pouted. "Enna ma titra?"

(Why are you scolding me?)

"Enna dana kalyanam pannikanum? Enaku ellame okay. Vacation ku Australia poromo, Ambasamudiram poromo, enaku unn kooda dan ponum."

(You are going to marry me, aren't you? I am okay with everything. Doesn't matter where our vacation is, I just want you with me)

"Ei, Rowdy, unna pathi enaku nalla teriyum. Unga appa amma pathi nenacha dan konjam bayama iruku."

(Rowdy, I know about you. I am just worried about your parents)

"Avanga onnum solla maatanga. Apdiye no sonnangana naan unga kooda odi vandareen podhuma?"

(They will be fine. If they refuse, I will elope with you)

Ashwin made a thoughtful face. "Idhu enna padam?"

(Which movie is the idea inspired from?)

Shivangi rolled her eyes at his dull sense of humour. "Ella tamil padam-um idhu dan."

(Every tamil movie)

"Namba kadaye oru padama edutharlam ma."

(Our story can be made into a movie)

"Ada po Ashwinney."

(Yeah sure, Ashwinney)

"Nee Ashwinney nu koopudum bodhu ennamo pannudhu." He confessed

(I feel chills when you call me Ashwinney)

Shivangi hit his head playfully. "Romba filmy aagadha Ashwinney. Namba kelambalam."

(You are very dramatic. Let us leave)

"Kelambalama?" he asked. "Apdiye innum konjam jolly ah irundutu polam."

(Already? Let us have some fun)

"Jolly ah va?"

(Fun?)

"Jolly ah na apdiye summa peseetu irukalame nu sonnen." He corrected

(I mean we can talk, you know)

"Yaaro stranger veetla avanga illama ivlo neram irundade peruse. Namba polam."

(I can't stay any longer in a stranger's house)

Shivangi stood on her feet and straightened her T-shirt.

"Appo innukum car la dana!" Ashwin mumbled to himself getting up.

(So, in the car it is again)

"Car la ya? Hello, veetuku ponum naan. Amma kitta Pugazh anna kooda iruken one hour la varen nu sonnen." She warned

(In the car? No way. I want to go home)

"Seri, veetlaye vidren va."

(Fine, I will drop you)

Ashwin locked the door behind them and texted his friend thanking him for giving them space to talk freely.

Shivangi when she entered her house spotted her parents in the living room watching TV. She was about to leave to her room with a smile like as usual, but two steps towards her room and decided against it.

"Amma, appa, unga kitta oru vishayam pesanum."

(I have something to share)

Her parents shared a look before her mother switched off the TV and asked Shivangi to sit with them.

"Neenga enn kalyanatha pathi neraya discuss paneetu irukeenga nu teriyum. Naan perusa involve aagikala, but ippo naan kalyanam panlam nu decide paneten."

(You wanted me to get married, but I was never really interested, but now I have decided to get married.)

Shivangi lifted her eyes and looked at her parents who were both calm and not surprised by her intent to get married.

"En manasula oruthar irukaru. Avaru ungalukum teriyum."

(I have someone in mind and you know him)

Again her parents were composed and not even one change in the way they looked.

"Ashwin..." she whispered. "Ashwin Kumar. En kooda show la..." she trailed off and looked at her parents. Their composure was not making it easy for her to continue.

(Ashwin Kumar from my show...)

"Teriyum." Her father spoke after few seconds sensing Shivangi's predicament. "Ippo konja naala nee yen santhoshama iruka-num teriyum, adhuku munnadi yen anda santhosham unkitta illanum teriyum." Her father said in curt voice surprising Shivangi. "Engaluku idhu ellam munnadiye teriyum. Nanga onnum kekala adhunala pakalanu artham illa."

(We know. We also know why are happy off late and why this happiness was missing until few days. We didn't ask you anything, but that doesn't mean we were not aware)

"Appa naanga rendu perum...."

(We both...)

"Engaluku inda kalyanathuku samadam dan." Her father cut her sentence. "Aana, enaku ore oru kelvi ku badil venum, Ashwin kitta irundu."

(We are okay with your decision. I, however, just want to ask one question to Ashwin)

Shivangi gulped wondering if what she feared was already coming true.

***

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