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Rakshan pressed the earphone close to his ear as discreetly as he spoke.

"Indha celebration episode innum rendu aaka, namba kooda rendu per join panna poranga. Ivanga indha set ku romba palakamanavanga, romba special kooda. Let's welcome Ashwin Kumar and Shivangi."

(We have very special guest for this celebration round. Let's welcome Ashwin Kumar and Shivangi)

Applause erupted as Ashwin and Shivangi walked inside the set with bright smile, holding their hands together. Shivangi could only think about the times she was in booth dressed as a character every week awaiting Ashwin's entry with prayer in her heart that he should pick her as pair. Now, in another dream come true moment, here she is walking hand in hand with Ashwin as the song she sang for him played in the background.

As Ashwin and Shivangi hugged the judges and Rakshan they stood in front of the workstation looking at the set from an angel they are not used to. Most of them who worked in the show when they were part of it have moved on to better opportunities. Still, the set had many familiar faces, beautiful memories and fell of home.

"Sollunga Shivangi epdi feel panreenga?" Rakshan asked with a smile. "Enna choose pannu Ashwinney nu ulla irundu katheete irupa. Ippo life laye unna choose panetan. So epdi nadanduchu idellam?"

(How do you feel, Shivangi? You will be waiting for Ashwin to choose you. Now he has chosen you for life. How did this happen?)

"Ellame kadavul setting dan." Shivangi said earning cheer and clap from everyone in the sets who missed hearing it from her in the set.

(All destiny's game)

"Adhu epdi ungaluku mattum kadavul setting panraru, tangam?"

(How come destiny helps you both all the time?)

"Apdi illa ne, ellarukum pannuvanga, namba kadavul mela nambika vekkanum, wait pannanum. Idhu ennoda karuthu."

(Destiny will help everyone. One has to believe and be patient.)

"Ada da." Rakshan appreciated. "Sollinga Ashwin. Romba varsham kalichu indha set ku vandirukeenga. Epdi iruku?"

(So, Ashwin. You are back to this set again. How do you feel?)

"Romba sandoshama iruku. Indha set la dan enn life arambichudhu, literally. Enaku career, fans, friends, love ellame inga dan kedachadhu. So, indha set enaku romba special."

(Very happy. This is where my life started. I got career, fans, friends, love. This place is very special for me)

"Tirumba tirumba pair aaite irundeenga, appave naan nenachen ipdi oru naal life layum pair aaveenga nu." Rakshan commented.

(You were paired continuously in show, I knew you will forever be paired in life.)

"Yaar vandalum seri seri nu solluva ippo Shivangi dan venum nu adam pudicha nu kelvi patten." Chef teased. However, to everyone's surprise, Ashwin openly accepted. "Enna pa aama nu sollra? Malupama badil solla maataye?"

(You used to say you are okay with any pair in show. I was told you were adamant to make Shivangi your pair in life. )

(You are agreeing openly? I thought you will be discreet like other times)

"Chef, unmai dan neenga sonnadhu. Show la makkala entertain panna vandom, so namba personal perusa kaata koodadhu nu nenachen. Adhunala professional ah irunden. Aprom, life la namaku pudicha ponnu dan venum na konjam kashta pattu dana aaganum."

(Chef, it is true. I wanted to keep things professional in show. But, in life, how can I not fight for girl I love?)

"All jokes apart" chef donned his maturity hat. "Namba panra velai la sincere ah irunda, honest ah irunda evlo struggles irundalum, evlo negativity irundalum oru naal jeipom apdingaradhuku neenga rendu perum dan example. Ade maari, personal life la, epdi each other support pannanum, epdi unconditiona ah love pannanum adhukum neenga rendu per dan example. I hope everyone learn from you both. Naan unga journey paathu iruken. So, inniku neenga irukara edam enaku romba perumai ah iruku. Neenga life la next step poreenga. You are going to get married. Enga ellaroda best wishes and blessings eppavum irukum. "

(If we are sincere and honest in what we do, we will succeed. You both are example for that. You have reached here in spite of all struggle and negativities. In personal life, you support each other, love unconditionally. This should be taken as example by many. I am so proud of where you both have reached.)

"Thank you so much, Chef. Ungalamari neraya support and makkaloda love kedachanala dan naanga inga irukom. Means a lot." Ashwin humbly said.

(Many supported and blessed us. Means a lot)

"Ippo namba show kulla poga vendiya neram." Rakshan said taking cue from team. "Ashwin and Shivangi onna cooking ini vazhka poora panna dan poreenga, but namba set la cook and comali ah irukardhu miss paneengala?"

(Time to go back to show. Do you miss cooking in our set as cook and comali?)

"Anne, ippo naan comali illa ne. Naan nalla samaika kathukitten."

(I am not comali anymore. I can cook)

Rakshan looked at her suspiciously.

"Anne, nambu ne." She said confidently.

(Trust me)

"Enna machan ennamo solra."

(Is it true Ashwin?)

Ashwin laughed wordless and with his hand gestured he has nothing to say. Shivangi who noticed this hit his shoulder saying, "Ashwinney, sollu naan epdi samaipen nu."

(Ashwin, tell them I can cook)

"Sollu machan" Rakshan insisted

(Come one, tell us)

"Ippo naan edachu solli veetuku tittu vaangeete ponum adhu dana?"

(Now you want me to miff her by saying something, don't you?)

"Ashwinney!!!"

"Nee Ashwin veeda nalla samaipaya?"

(Will you cook better than Ashwin?)

Shivangi knew she can, but she felt more confident for being on the sets.

"Aama." She said confidently

(yes)

"Inniku cook Shivangi cook pannuvanga avanga kooda comali ah irupanga Ashwin."

(Today Shivangi will cook and Ashwin will be her comali)

While everyone clapped with surprise, Shivangi clapped the loudest. She knew they were supposed to cook something simple and join chefs for tasting. Ashwin probably already decided what to make so all she has to do is pretend she is the cook while he will do everything.

Once break was over and Shivangi fought with the director to give them her favourite table, Ashwin and Shivangi settled in the table with apron.

"Ashwin and Shivangi romba varsham kalichu onna samaikareenga epdi iruku?"

(You both are cooking together after so many years so how do you feel?)

"Indha set la." Pointed out Shivangi

(Together in this set only)

"Appo, onna samachirukeenga." Rakshan quipped

(So you guys have cooked together after show?)

"Annan-kaaran epdi potu vangaran paathaya?" Ashwin noted

(He is trying to make you speak)

Shivangi giggled, but neither elaborated on anything. Rakshan took the cue and began to announce task for other contestants.

Rakshan made his way to Ashwin Sivaangi's table once timing to cook started for others.

"Enna panreenga, Shivangi?" Rakshan asked

(What are you doing?)

"Teriyadhu."

(I don't know)

"Nee daan cook, avan comali nu sonnanga."

(You are cook and he is your aid)

"Adhu summa dana?" she asked

(Was it not for fun?)

"Illaye."

(No)

Shivangi looked at Ashwin who shrugged.

"Naane samaikanum ah?" Shivangi asked surprised.

(Should I cook?)

"Nee enna sonnalum naan seiven." Ashwin said, then turning to Rakshan he said, "Shivangi mattum dan seiva naan toda kooda maaten."

(I will do whatever you say)

(Only Shivangi will do I won't even touch)

Shivangi turned to look at Ashwin with a pout.

"Ashwinney, nejama dan solraya?"

(Are you sure?)

"Pannu ma. Anniku dan Pizza seiya kathukittaye."

(Come on, you made pizza the other day right? Do it))

Shivangi furrowed her eyebrows as she tried to recollect the recipe. Once she was satisfied, she confidently nodded to herself.

"Tandoori paneer Pizza." She nodded excitedly.

"Ingredients sollu ma."

(Tell me the ingredients)

"Bread flour, salt, yeast, aprom chhese, aprom....."Shivangi tried to remember all ingredients when Ashwin with a smile said, "Enn azhagula mayangeetaya?"

(Are you distracted by my handsome-ness?)

Shivangi knew why he said it. It was exactly what she said to him in one of the main cooking rounds. Shivangi remembered she has still not asked him if he actually forgot ingredients when with her because she distracts him. She noted to ask him later today when he drops her home.

Shivangi realized that Ashwin bought more ingredients than she has instructed and she smiled fondly.

Rakshan who received his instruction from team walked towards Ashwin Shivangi table and said, "Fans unga rendu perukum matha cooks and comalis ku irukara hindrance taralai na kovchupanga." Rakshan waved at them a black satin band.

(Fans will want to see you work with hindrance)

Shivangi and Ashwin shared a look. It was one of the hindrance Shivangi during show wished she had done with Ashwin. Cooks and comalis were supposed to join hands that will be tied with the black band while cooking.

Rakshan after making them wear the band intertwining their hands asked Shivangi, "Enna Shivangi unn comali nalla vela seirana?"

(Is your comali good?)

Shivangi turned to Ashwin who was chopping capsicum, "Enna solradhu? Nalladha solluta?" Ashwin nodded smiling before turning his attention back to work. "Nalla talented fellow ivaru." Shivangi patted his shoulder. "Nalla valaruvaru."

(Should I praise you? Very talented fellow. He will grow )

"Ma, idhuku mela naan valaranda unaku kaluthu valikum." Ashwin laughed proudly at his own joke.

(If I grow more, your neck will ache looking at me)

"Achooo." Shivangi sighed disappointed. "Mokka podama capsicum eduthu pan la podunga." Then she turned to Rakshan with a proud smile. "Anne, epdi rhyming patheengala?"

(Chop capsicum, instead of cracking useless jokes)

"Adhu ennamo indha set kulla vandale ellarum loosu aaidranga." Rakshan commented as he went to nearby table.

(This set makes everyone crazy)

Shivangi began making dough for pizza base as it was time for cooks to cook. Ashwin stood beside her neatly organizing the spices the way he likes.

"Acho, indha mudi munnadi vandu vilugude." She complained kneading the dough.

(This hair is troubling me)

Ashwin turned his attention to what she was saying. He took a garlic peel and caressed her cheeks.

"Heeyyy!" she whined.

Ashwin leaned on the workstation balancing on his elbow.

"Shivangi, naan oru joke solluta?" he asked

(Shivangi, shall I tell you a joke?)

"Vendam." She said

(No)

Ashwin pouted. "Naan eppavachu ipdi no solli irukana?"

(I have never said no to you)

Shivangi turned to look at him helpless. "Enaku idhu olunga vara maatingudhu."

(I am not doing it right)

Ashwin shrugged. "Neenga dan cook. Try pannunga."

(You are the cook. You can do it)

"Ashwinney!"

"Pannu ma eliminate ellam aaga maata."

(There is no elimination )

"Seri idhuku adhutha step enna nu sollunga." She asked

(What is next step?)

"Comali ku Pizza panna teriyadhu, saapada dan teriyum."

(Comali cant make pizza only eat )

Shivangi glared at him for being no help at all. "Ponga, poi oven bake panna ready pannunga."

(Go and set oven ready for baking)

Ashwin straightened briskly. He went towards Oven, but took few steps and returned. "Aama, oven la bake nu vekkanuma?"

(Should I choose bake in oven?)

"Olunga ponga."

(Oh! Please! Go)

Ashwin took a backseat except pointing out obvious issues in her cooking process.

"Namba cooks koopadradhuku munnadi, namba special guest, comali ah irundu cook aana Shivangi cooking taste pannalam. Welcome Shivangi and Ashwin."

(Lets welcome our special guests, Ashwin and Shivangi)

Ashwin bought the dish as Shivangi walked in front of him nervously. It started as fun, but she didn't expect she will end up making pizza from scratch. Last time she made Pizza, she didn't like it. How can she present it in front of one of the best chefs of India?

As chefs tasted her Pizza, they both looked at Shivangi shocked.

"Neeya panna?""

(Did you make iit)

"Aama chef." Shivangi agreed meekly

"Unmaya sollu. Ashwin help pannana?"

(Did he help you?)

"Aiyoo! Illa chef." She said. "Avar onnume pannala." She went on and added. "Naan ellam ivarku evlo help panni iruken comali ah. Ivar help pannave illa."

(No, he didn't help me at all even though I have helped him a lot as comali)

"Neeye dan from scratch senjaya?"

(From scratch you made it?)

"Nambunga chef."

(trust me)

"Shivangi, unmaya solren...." Chef said. "Fantastic."

"Nejamava solreenga?"

(Are you sure?)

"Out of the world."

Shivangi clapped her hands. Not even in her wildest dream she imagined she will hear this from chef.

"Super da papa." She heard her favourite say. "Top notch."

"Thank you so much." Shivangi folded her hands together gratefully.

"Nee onion kooda vetta teriyama irundadhu naan paathu iruken." He said. "Pizza seira alavuku valandhu iruka. Perumaya iruku."

(I have seen you when you didn't even know to chop onions. I am so proud that you can make Pizza now.)

"Ashwin nee idhu pathi enna solla virumbara?" Rakshan asked

(How do you feel about this Ashwin)

"Avanga nalla samaipanga. Adhu indha show la avanga kaatanum nu nenachen." Ashwin said. "Indha show la avanga epdi five years munnadi irundangalo apdiye irkanga, but better version ah irukanga. So, adhu inga ellarum paakanum nu nenachen.'"

(She can cook well. I wanted her to show it in this show. She hasn't changed since I met her in the show five years ago. In fact she has only become better version of herself. I wanted people to see it.)

Shivangi looked at him proudly. Whatever he does, he has a reason and more than often that reason involves her well being. How could he be so sweet?

"Well said." Chef appreciated. "You guys are again and again proving how supportive one has to be to their partner. Very proud of you both."

"Naan onnu sollanum." Shivangi started. "Ivar show la enna evlo protective ah paathutaro ippa kooda apdi dan irukaru. Onnume change aagala five years la. Ippavum ivarku naan dan first priority. Enn life la best decision indha show attend pannadhu dan."

(He hasn't changed since the show. He takes care of me so well. I am his first priority. Best thing in my life was accepting this show.)

Shivangi truly that day made peace with coming in front of camera and being her candid self that once gave her nightmares and kept her awake. This show has indeed changed her life once more.

***

Was super distracted today while typing. Took forever to type this because of distraction. Hope it's good *fingers crossed*