35

Krithi was having a hard day. Managing a toddler was not as easy as her mother made it sound. Her son has so far made her run around the house twice and she could already sense back pain coming. Thank God for small mercies in the form of toy robots that her son was distracted to give her some time to sit on couch with her leg up on the table and phone in hand scrolling through social media.

Discussion that happened in a twitter Hashtag that Krithi has been following for over five years made her sit straight forgetting her back pain and raised her heartbeat more than mini marathon with her son.

Tweet 1 : Relax everyone! It is just instagram story. Why is everyone linking it to anything wedding related? Maybe she is attending an event #ashaangi

Tweet 2 : Ippo idhu inga discuss pannalama illa advise varuma ? #ashaangi

(Will we get more advise tweets if we discuss it here?)

Tweet 3 : #irukumo #ashaangi

Tweet 4 : Yaarachu mannar activities track pannunga. Avar enga irukaru? #ashaangi

(Someone check Ashwin's whereabouts )

Tweet 5 : Naan nejamale heaven ku poiduven pola iruke. Sugar patient da naanu. Body taangadhu. Enna nadakudhu nu yarachu sollunga #ashaangi

(I might go to heaven already. My heart is too weak for this. Tell me what is happening)

Tweet 6 : Ship ah illa Titanic ah? #ashaangi

(Is it ship or titanic?)

Krithi opened instagram and there it was, a story from Shivangi where she has shared a pink silk saree with gold intrinsic designs laid flat with beautiful gold jewellery. She has neither added caption or song, but only a sticker with rings and heart, but since she has not shared anything of this sort in the last five years, no one was able to overlook it. The fact that Shivangi recently appeared with Ashwin on live was also increasing fans' curiosity.

Krithi looked at her son. "Baby, nee ippo toongiye aaganum. Amma ku romba mukkiyamana velai iruku twitter la." She lifted her son and in spite of his protests, took him to bedroom.

(Baby, you have to go to sleep. Mom has work in twitter)

***

Shivangi for nth time checked herself in mirror. Saree, jewels, hairdo and make up was done exactly the way she and her to-be fiancé decided, but still she couldn't help but be uncertain.

"Indha hairstyle kalayadhu illa?" she asked the hairstylist who assured her that it is all good.

(This hairstyle will stay in shape, won't it?)

Shivangi smiled at her cousins who were all clicking pictures of one another. She knew they will soon attack her for selfie before which she has to check on him.

"Ready ah?" she messaged Ashwin

"5 minutes la vandiruven." The reply came after ten minutes.

(Will be there in five minutes)

Shivangi panicked reading the message. What does he even mean? She immediately excused herself to restroom and called Ashwin.

"Enga irukeenga?"

(Where are you?)

"Vandhuten."

(On the way)

"Ashwin, iniku ungalukum dan engagement. Velayadreengala? Appave sonnen shooting ellam pogadeenga nu."

(Ashwin, it is also your engagement. Whats wrong with you? I told you not to go to shoot)

"Chinna patch work nu dana ponen. Adhu dan vanduten nu solren illa."

(It was just a patch work. I will be there soon)

"Madiyaname varen nu sonne..."

(You told me you will be here in the afterno...)

"Seri, ippo enna panna solra? Paranda vara mudiyum?"

(Now, I can't fly there can I?)

Shivangi was infuriated. She also knew he was tensed. It was his work and also an important movie up for release soon. He couldn't have refused. However, she couldn't stop worrying. They are going to get engaged in another hour and guests must have already started to arrive.

"Unmaya sollunga, kelambiyacha illaya?"

(You have started from sets, haven't you?)

"5 minutes."

"Romba nerama adhu dan soleetu iruka Ashwin."

(That is what you keep saying)

"Nee phone veiu appo dan vegama drive panna mudiyum."

(I can drive fast only if you stop talking to me)

"Drive la phone pesadeenga nu evlo vaati solradhu."

(I have told you not to talk while driving)

"Appo nee phone pannadha ma drive la irukum bodhu."

(Then don't call me when I am driving)

It was in the tip of her tongue to reprimand him, but controlling herself, she cut the call asking him to drive safely.

"Endha checi? Ashwin phone oh?" her cousin teased.

(Was it Ashwin?)

Masking the annoyance she felt on Ashwin with a smile, Shivangi made way to her friends who were too eager to click pictures with her.

****

Krithi's little heart broke million pieces. She should have known better than shipping any stars. Their magical story was too good to be true. What did she expect? Five years after their estrangement, they will marry after one live together. The fact that their live together held same magic (or more) should be irrelevant.

Just now a photo of Ashwin from sets of his movie was circulated in the internet much to misery of thousands.

Tweet 1 : He is shooting. I don't know what to say. #ashaangi

Tweet 2 : I can't believe it is over. #ashaangi illaya?

Tweet 3 : Idhu dana kadavul unga setting ? I hate my life #ashaangi

(Is this what you want God?)

Tweet 4 : Edhuku live vandeenga? At least naanga hope illama irundu irupom. Azhuga azhugaya varudhu #ashaangi

(Why did they do a live together? At least we didn't have hope before that. I am crying)

Tweet 5 : Ellarum ponga #ashaangi Ini onnum illa inga paaka

(Time for us to leave from here)

***

Shivangi was thankful that she has been a celebrity for enough years to know how not to show her stress on face but to cover it with a smile.

As she was taken to the stage in hall where important family and friends waited to bless her for new phase in life, Shivangi held a pleasing smile.

"Akka, avar vandutara?" Shivangi asked her sister in law as she helped Shivangi sit on the decorated chair for 'Nalungu' ritual.

(Akka, is he here?)

"Vandiruvan ma. Nee tension aagandha."

(He will come soon. Don't stress)

For a fraction of second, Shivangi's face displayed her anger and annoyance before she masked it.

Looking around, she spotted Pugazh who was standing in front of the stage like the family member that he is. Shivangi waved him to come to her and whispered, "Anna avar innum varala."

(Anna, he isn't here yet)

"Pattu kutty, adellam nee onnum kavala padade annan paathukaren. Maapila rendu nimishathula inga irupan paaru."

(Sweetheart, relax, I will take care of everything. He will be here in two minutes)

Shivangi put on a happy face as she smiled at everyone who met her eyes when she saw her father and Pugazh discussing something. Her father looked displeased and Pugazh was convincing. Shivangi immediately know what it was about. Her father even threw her a disappointing look before he went to attend guests.

"Indha Ashwin varatum inniku vechukaren."

(I am gonna fry him alive today)

Shivangi hardly paid attention to what rituals were going on. She sighed in relief when she was sent inside the room to change into a saree that was given by Ashwin's parents.

"Please, two minutes veliya wait pannunga. Naan koopadren." Shivangi requested to ladies who were waiting to help her get ready.

(Can you wait outside for two minutes? I will call you back)

Gulping down a bottle of water, Shivangi dialled Ashwin's number and was surprised that he cut her call. She was about to dial Pugazh, when she heard a knock on the door. She knew she can't delay in getting ready because certain someone was being irresponsible. She opened the door expecting her mother or sister in law, but was surprised to see Aswhin.

Ashwin unabashedly observed how she beautiful she looked and even had the audacity of saying "Romba azhaga iruka." Instead of an apology.

(You are beautiful)

Shivangi pulled him inside the room knowing they had audience and once the door was closed, she hit his arms gathering all the strength that she could manage.

"Hey, Rowdy, enna panra." Ashwin knew he deserved every bit of it for putting her through so much tension on their special day. So he let her take out his frustration on him before he held both her hands and hugged her trying to calm her.

(What are you doing, Rowdy)

"Naan dan vanduten illa. Relax aagu." He whispered in his husky voice knowing very well it will work on her.

(I am here. Relax)

Shivangi collected herself before she pulled out of his arms. She exhaled deeply with eyes closed. Once she knew she felt fine, she opened her eyes and glared at Ashwin.

"Hero sir sondha engagement ku kooda late ah dan varuveengala?" she snapped

(Hero sir, will you come late even for your engagement?)

"Sorry ma" he finally apologized. "Ivlo late aagum nu terila. Just patch work dana afternoon kull mudinjirum nu nenachen. Director sir vera romba request pannaru."

(Sorry, I didn't know I will be held up so long. I thought I will be free by afternoon. I went only because director requested so much)

Shivangi rubbed sweat off her temple and fanned herself as she felt hot in spite of the AC.

"Enga Appa romba tension aaitaru, Ashwin. Avarku already..." she stopped herself before she could complete the sentence. "Ellarum disappointed un mela."

(My father was very tensed, Ashwin. He already.... Everyone is disappointed.)

"Seri correct time ku vanduten la." Ashwin tried to hold her hand, but Shivangi shrugged off. "Enna paaru, please." He pleaded

(Now I am here, ain't I? Look at me, please)

Ashwin backed her on the wall and held her chin to make her face him.

"Sorry, ma. Sathyama ini mel ipdi panna maaten. Inniku romba special day. Kovapadadha. Enaku romba kashtama iruku."

(Sorry. I swear I won't repeat this. Today is our special day. Don't be angry. I feel very bad.)

In spite of being almost a decade older than her, Shivangi always saw a child in him and that was their boon and bane. She can't be angry on him especially when he looks at her like how he does now.

"Seri, poi ready aagunga." She straightened herself. "Naanum saree maathanum."

(Fine. Get ready soon. I have to change saree)

"Kovam illadana?"

(You are not angry ,are you?)

Shivangi nodded no after two seconds. "Illa."

(No)

"Appo fiancé aagardhuku munnadi kadaisi ah girlfriend ah oru kiss kudu."

(Then kiss me as a girlfriend before you become my fiancé)

Shivangi narrowed her eyes all anger rushing back to her. She pointed her finger at him maddened. "Don't push your luck. Konnuduven. Poi ready aagu."

(Don't push your luck. I am furious. Go now)

Ashwin gulped seriously scared at his little kitten's dangerous claws. He backed off immediately and left the room mumbling he will be ready in a jiffy.

****

Krithi was sad and so was her sweet son because he couldn't help but reflect his mother's gloomy mood.

"Amma, indha vechuko." He passed his train toy to his mother hoping it could cheer his mother like it does to him.

(Amma, take this)

Krithi lifted her son in her arms and hugged him as tight as possible.

She is a happily married woman to a man who loves her immensely, then why does she feel as if her heart is broken?

When her phone buzzed with notification, Krithi should know better than opening it. Alas! Ashaangi has not taught her self control when it comes to them.

Ashwin Kumar has posted a story. It was nothing but a casual selfie of him in plain white T-shirt with wet hair in front of a mirror.

A very simple picture unless you are Sherlock of purple kingdom and figured out that the tissue paper beside his watch on the table held the same logo as bed sheet seen in story posted by Shivangi.

Krithi screamed in delight scaring her little son. He looked at his mom stunned. "Innum hope iruku da." She told her toddler.

(We still have hope)

Picking up her phone, Krithi typed her first tweet after months hoping no one has beaten her at decoding.

Tweet : The ship still has hope #Ashaangi

****

How did you guys like it?

Yes, next chapter will also be continuation of engagement.