34

It could only be a dream. Only last month Shivangi was new in a relationship with the man she fell in love with years ago. Only last week she opened up to her parents that she was in love and now already her wedding date is being discussed. It was all too quick that it felt surreal.

"Oru vela andha 8 months ku aprom irukara mugurtham fix paneeruvangala?" Ashwin asked genuinely concerned.

(What if they choose a date after 8 months?)

Shivangi glared at Ashwin narrowing her eyes. It was because of him that they both were sent out of the room while the elders were discussing things related to their wedding.

Ashwin with his family has come to her home to meet her parents regarding the wedding. It was nothing dramatic or awkward as Shivangii expected nevertheless she was a nervous wreck. Being the common link between both the families she felt her natural instinct to want to play the bridge and make everyone comfortable.

For some reason, Shivangi was convinced they were going to discuss why wedding should take place and how. She lowkey expected her father to interrogate Ashwin's family like he did Ashwin. Shivangi was beating herself worrying about it. However, she was surprised and relieved how conversation smoothly began about the wedding and both set of parents were only too eager to discuss the prospects.

Ashwin who unlike Shivangi was too chill and eager to talk about the wedding had his two cents to give about every single thing. At one point, Shivangi realized the elders needed space for elders talk no matter how Ashwin pulls age card over her to get her do things, he can't do the same with parents and make them agree to whatever he says. So, she bought him and his niece away on pretext of showing rose plants in terrace that they don't have.

"Kalyanam munnadi irukara period fun ah irukum nu soneenga?" she asked

(You were keen to enjoy time before wedding.)

"Three months na okay ma. Eight ellam romba adigam."

(Three months is cool, but eight months is brutal)

Ashwin had more points to argue why more waiting is not wise when he realized Shivangi's eyes were fixed on his neice with inexplicable expression on face. She was smiling, but also lost. Currently from where they were leaning on the parapet looking at his niece run around with ball and Shivangi's pet cat, Ashwin reduced the distance between them and wound his hand around her waist.

"Wedding munnadi neraya vishyam discuss pannanum nu oru list iruku." Ashwin said. "Adhula romba important kids."

(It is important to discuss few things before getting married and most important is kids.)

Shivangi turned to look at Ashwin her eyes still gleaming with the effect of smile.

"Unakum venum nu teriyum." Though they have not discussed about it, he knew she wanted kids of her own some day."Eppo venum? Evlo venum?"

(I know you want kids. How many? When?)

It was less intimate than things they have discussed and shrared, however, she couldn't help but blush with smile at the prospect of having kids with him. It is something she has never imagined even though it sounds like the most common dream when one things about the future together.

"Namba each other kooda time spend panna konjam varsham wait panama udane baby plan panna parava illaya?"

(Is it okay if we don't want to wait much after marriage?)

Though it was phrased like a question, it felt more like her telling him what she felt.

"Enakaga solraya? Illa do you really want it?"

(Do you really want it or you want it only for me?)

Shivangi turned to her side so that he had her full attention. Ashwin's hand naturally adjusted his hold around her and pulled her closer to him.

"Seekiram na kalyanathuku adutha maasame illa." She reasoned. "But, avlo plan illama, talli podama, maybe in a year?" she continued. "Naan adigama yosichadu illa baby pathi, but ippo enaku venum nu romba asaya iruku. Namba financially stable ah irukom, we know each other so well, trust each other, namba family romba supportive, I am pretty sure mentally also we are ready. Enaku evlo seekiram baby vandalum happy dan."

(I don't meant getting pregnant very next month of wedding, but I don't want to wait either. We are financially stable, we know each other well, we trust each other, our family is supportive, I am pretty sure mentally also we are ready, so I want a baby sooner.)

Ashwin has always wanted to become a father, but never has that dream felt so precious until he saw it reflect in her eyes too.

"Six months namba honeymoon period enjoy pannuvom aprom again pesalam." He said. Shivangi nodded for it seemed like very practical.

(Let us enjoy honeymoon period for six months. We will revisit discussion then)

Ashwin's eyes followed Shivangi's gaze as she observed his niece. He remembered how happy he was when his niece was born. He was sure he will be happier than that by zillion times when he finally becomes a father.

"Enaku rendu venum." Ashwin admitted making Shivangi chuckle

(I want two)

"Idhu enna chocolate ah? Rendu venum nu keka?"

(You are demanding as if you will find it in a supermarket.)

"Romba cliché va irukum unna maari namba ponnu irukanum nu sonna, but adhu dan unmai." Ashwin said. "Naan romba over thinking panni chinna vayasula irundu neraya moments tolachiten. I want our kids to know the pleasure of living in the present. Unna maari bold ah selfless ah sweet ah irukanum."

(Might sound cliché but I want a daughter like you. I over think a lot from childhood due to which I have missed many precious moments. I want our kids to know the pleasure of living in the present. I want our kids to be bold, selfless and sweet like you)

"Ungala maari nalla pesanum, intelligent ah." She added with a smile

(I want them to be intelligent like you)

"Enna maari padanum ah , illa unna maari padanum ah?" Ashwin teased

(So, should they sing like you or me?)

"Enna maari paadanum, enna maari dance aadanum...." she listed

(Should sing like me, dance like me....)

"Enna maari padikanum" he added

(Study like me....)

"Ungala maari discipline."

(Disciplined like you)

"Unna maari mental strength."

(Mentally strong like you)

"Ufff...." Shivangi sighed. "Ivlo ideal baby ulagam tangadhu."

(It is gonna be one ideal baby)

"At least namba dimples aadhu varanum." Ashwin muttered. "Appo namba dimple family aaiduvom."

(At least baby should have dimples like us. We can be dimple family)

"You are obsessed with dimples." Shivangi hit his chest teasingly.

"I like your dimples." Ashwin moved closer to place a kiss on her cheeks when they heard a voice.

"Maama." His niece tried to get his attention.

Shivangi pushed him away consciously and created distance between them.

"Enna da kutty?" Ashwin took two steps to stand in front of her.

(What is it baby?)

"Andha poonai pudichu kudunga." She pointed at Shivangi's cat that looked at the three suspiciously from behind a flower pot.

(Get me that cat)

"Andha poonai naan sonna kekadhe." Before the kid could protest, Ashwin pointed his hand at Shivangi telling his niece to take help from her.

(Cat won't listen to me)

The kid only took a minute to contemplate what was expected of her, before she jumped in front of Shivangi and asked, "Athai, unga poonai pudichu kudunga."

(Get me your cat for me)

Shivangi loved the little girl who has very quickly adapted to her. Pulling the cheeks of the munchkin whose eyes and cheeks very much reminded Shivangi of Ashwin, she placed a quick peck on cheeks before going in search of the pet.

Ashwin and his niece in his arms looked on with amusement as Shivangi very unsuccessfully tried to catch hold of her cat.

"Yen ma ivlo bayam irunda edhuku cat valatara?" Ashwin teased not being able to control his laughter.

(Why do you have a pet you are so scared of?)

Ignoring him, Shivangi tried her best to hold her cat that refused to come to her side. Before Shivangi could give up, the little girl gave up as she fled Ashwin's arms to go back to her ball.

Shivangi huffed because of the exercise and looked at Ashwin with a pout.

"At least onnu confirm." He mumbled as he made his way to her. "Namba future la kandipa veetla pet valaka maatom."

(I know we are never gonna have a pet in future)

Few minutes later, Ashwin and his family was getting ready to leave, saying their byes when Ashwin's mother who was talking to Shivangi's mother called Shivangi by her side.

"Naanga decide panna dates okay dana ma?" Ashwin's mother asked.

(Are you okay with the dates we decided?)

Their engagement was to take place in ten days followed by wedding in two months. Shivangi nodded affirming.

Shivangi's mother took Shivangi's hand in hers as she said, "Iva romba romba chellama valanda ponnu. Olunga samaika teriyadhu, veedu paathuka teriyadhu, iva velai kooda sethi naanga dan pannuvom. Enna solli kuduthalum seekirama kathupa. Aana, kalyanam aagi innoru veetuku pora alavuku innum porupu kathukala."

(She is pampered girl. She doesn't know to cook, take care of the house, in fact we do all her works for her even now. She is a quick learner, but I am not sure if she can handle responsibility that comes with being married.)

"Idhulu enna iruku?" Ashwin's mother smiled at Shivangi and patted her cheeks. "Medhuva ellam kathukittum. Enn paiyanuku ellam teriyum avan paathupan. Nee avana paathuko ma, adhu podhum."

(No worries. My son knows everything. He will teach her and take care of everything. You just take care of him.)

As Ashwin's family left leaving behind content feeling with Shivangi's family, she couldn't help but want to know what her parents feel. Shivangi followed her mother like a puppy trying to understand her thoughts.

"Amma, pudichiruka sollu ma."

(Amma, do you like them?)

"Enaku pudika enna iruku. Nee dana kalyanam pannika pora."

(How does it matter? You are going to marry into that family.)

"Amma" Shivangi whined. She knew her mother was intentionally not sharing with her what she wants to hear.

Shivangi's mother turned with a smile on her face. "Andha paiyan daan unna nalla paathupan nu nenachen. Avanga kudumbathuke unna pudichiruku, nalla paathupanga nu terila. Idhuku mela enaku enna venum?"

(I know he took care of you a lot. I didn't know his whole family likes you and cares for you. I am very happy.)

Shivangi beamed widely. "Appa ku?"

(How about dad>?)

"Nee unga appa kittaye kelu."

(Ask him yourself)

Shivangi hesitated as she approached her father sitting in the living room with his phone. She was the closest to her father. There is nothing she has not discussed with him. However, the past few years a distance developed between them.

Initially, Shivangi distanced herself fearing he would find out that she was depressed. Over time, the distance became permanent. Shivangi was lost in her own misery to try and break the boundaries.

"Appa!" Shivangi called her father as she sat in front of him.

Her father looked at her with a straight face not letting on what he was thinking. Shivangi on the other hand didn't know why she was holding back herself from discussing something so mundane with him.

"Edachu sollanuma?" her father asked knowing the answer

(You have something to say?)

Shivangi nodded a yes, but immediately masked it with a no.

"Engagement arrangements ellam edho ungaluku pudicha maari event planners vechu dan panna poreenga nu Ashwin sonnaru." Her father said. "Ellame unga virupam padi dan panreenga, idhum apdiye panni konga. Aana, appa va naan dan ellathukum pay pannanum nu asai padren. Adhuku at least chance kudunga."

(Ashwin told us that you both have some event manager in mind to arrange the engagement the way you both want. Everything is happening according to your wish. As a father, I want to at least pay for your wedding. Allow me that.)

Shivangi was taken aback for she sensed undercurrent of disappointment not for the first time since the wedding talks started. What happened she wondered?

She was given no chance to voice her concerns as she as her father leave the room without second word.

***

Like it?