4

Ashwin jogged behind Shivangi calling her name, he could see that her steps had slowed, but she didn't stop. The shoot was wrapped and now she was in a hurry to leave the sets. Ashwin didn't even wait to send off Anirudh, but ran behind her.

"Shivaangi ma, please." That seemed to have done the trick and she stopped in her tracks. At least something still affected her.

Only when Ashwin stood in front of her that he realized he didn't know what he wanted to say to her. After the song she sang, he was transported to new world. He forgot where he was and kept reminiscing their old times. He just had to talk to her, but didn't know where to start.

When he stood blankly not speaking, Shivangi asked "Enna venum?"

(What do you want?)

"Epdi ma iruka?"

(How are you?)

She shook her head in disbelief that after all these years this is what he wanted to ask.

"Romba nalla iruken. Santhoshama iruken." It for some reason felt like a taunt rather than a genuine answer.

(I am good. Very happy)

"Naan un paatu ellame ketruken. Ne romba..."

(I have heard your songs. You are...)

"Public platform la dan ella paatum iruku" she cut him, " Yaar venalum kekalam. "

(It is in public platform. I am sure many have heard it)

Ashwin sighed deeply. He deserved this, didn't he? It was him who brought them to this stage.

"Unaku en mela kovam iruku nu enakau teriyum. Naan namba nalladhukaga..."

( I know you are angry. I did it for us...)

"Enaku romba nalladhu nadandiruku. Thank you so much." Once again she interrupted his talks and once again it felt like a taunt.

(Good things have happened to me.)

It was as if she had no patience to talk to him. A complete contrast to the girl who used every single opportunity to gush about him even when he was not present.

Ashwin found himself dumbfounded unable to decide what to speak to her. He very well knew he was at wrong. All he wanted was a chance to repent.

Shivangi was about to walk away when sudden noise of people walking outside caught their attention. Anirudh was trotting to his car followed by a clique, but he stopped seeing Ashwin and Shivangi. He waved and walked towards them.

"Enna hero sir paatu ellam okay va?" he asked patting Ashwin's shoulder

(How have the songs come out,hero?)

Ashwin tried to give a diplomatic smile hiding the turmoil he is in. "Neenga panna super ah dana irukum."

(Your music is always good.)

"Apdiya?" Anirudh asked in mock surprise. "Neenga dan apdi solreenga. Madam naan paada sonnadhuku date illa nu sollitanga."

(Really! You like the music, but madam said she doesn't have dates when I asked her to sing.)

Shivangi who was lost in her own thoughts straightened herself only when Anirudh looked at her.

"Shivangi inniku release panna melody neenga paadi irundha innum super ah irundirukum."

(Shivangi you should have sung the song that was released today. It would have been good.)

Shivangi smiled at the popular music director who gave her three super hit songs. "Nejamave dates illa sir. Mumbai poiten oru hindi paatu ku." She caught

(I really didn't have dates, sir. I went to Mumbai for bollywood movie.)

Ashwin's eyes for a fraction of a second while saying that and he just knew that she was lying.

"Parava illa. Next oru Vijay sir padam iruku. Naan ungala koopadren okay?"

(No worries. I am doing a Vijay movie next. You do sing for it)

Anirudh left shaking their hands only for the tension in air return between them.

Shivangi tried to walk away without a word, when Ashwin said, "En padathula paada kooda pudikalaya?"

(You didn't even want to sing for my movie?)

Shivangi didn't turn around. "Nejamve dates illa."

(I didn't have dates.)

Ashwin took two steps and reached her side. She still didn't look at him.

"En moonji paathu pesa kooda pudikalaya?" he asked like a hurt child.

(Do you hate to even look at me while talking?)

Shivangi's heart might as well given in to the unsaid request in those words and looked into his eyes if not for the car that pulled over in front of her.

"Appa vandhutara ?" he asked. He knew her parents were always protective about her travels arrangements especially during nights.

(Is your dad here?)

What Ashwin didn't expect was to see a familiar face come out of the car.

Both men looked at each other unsure how to react to the other one's presence.

The current of tension that already surrounded the atmosphere gone up by few ohms and one could have powered an entire village with it.

Sam looked at Shivangi trying to gauge what was happening by reading her expressions. On the other hand, Ashwin looked at Shivangi as if he had a question in his eyes that he willed for her to answer.

Shivangi raised her eyes to look at Ashwin. She for the first time that day made eye contact with him. Ashwin was waiting for it and finally when it happened, the intensity of her gaze made him breathless.

It was just for a few seconds, but her eyes seemed to have spoken something to him, something he was too lost to decipher.

Shifting her eyes away from him, "Polam Sam." She said before getting in the passenger seat of the car.

(Lets go, Sam)

Kaise batayein

Kyun tujhko chaheYaara bata na paayeinBaatein dilon kiDekho jo bakiAankhein tujhe samjhaeinTu jaane na..Tu jaane na...
How do I tell,
Why I love you,
O friend, I'm unable to tell..
see, whatever talks of hearts
is remaining,
the eyes explain to you
you don't know..

Ashwin drove home with a heavy heart. What did he expect to come out of Shivangi and his relationship after he being unavailable was vague. He was at least prepared for abhorrence, but not indifference. That killed him more. The fact that he became insignificant in his life, while for him she is still the axis of his life's orbit even though he has not been vocal or demonstrative about it nor has he bothered to stay in touch because of his own daft decisions.

Today to see that she has built a splendid life for her own that had no place for him he died a little. Shivangi was never away from his thoughts. He was over confident in assuming that it will be the same with her. And once they have everything sorted, he thought they could start from where they left. Not even in his wildest dream he thought that his decision will affect her life in such a way that he will no more have space in it.

Ashwin had only himself to blame and he cursed him the whole ride home.

How can anyone who knew her, who enjoyed the bliss of her presence, could walk away from her? Only a fool like him could. She still stuck with her old friends and Ashwin wondered if it could have been him, if he had not been an idiot.

Thinking of old friends, he was immediately reminded of a special someone in Shivangi's life who Ashwin hoped help him. He immediately dialled his number.

"Ashwin?" the surprise in voice pricked Ashwin

"Naan dan." He confirmed. "Epdi iruka Pugazh?"

(Yes, it's me. How are you Pugazh?)

"Nalla iruken. Nee epdi iruka? Enna didirnu phone?"

(I am good. How are you? Anything important?)

"Naan un kitta onnu kekanum."

(I wanted to ask you something)

"Sollu. Edhadhu padam ah?"

(Yes, is it about any movie?)

"Illa adhu vandu..." Ashwin hesitated to ask. "Naan vandhu..."

(No. I wanted...)

"Sollu machan enna venum." That familiar endearment gave Ashwin the needed confidence.

(What is it?)

"Shivangi number kedaikuma?"

(I want Shivangi's number)

Silence on the other side proved that even Pugazh was aware of the change in dynamics of the duo. If only she hadn't changed her number and kept him in dark about it.

"Edhadhu paatu ka?" Pugazh asked hesitantly. "Ava coordinator number kudukuta?"

(Is it for a song? Shall I give her coordinator number?)

Ashwin sighed. "Illa machan, adhu vandhu...."

(No, dude, I ...)

Pugazh understood the unsaid words.

"Tappa nenachukadha, Ashwin. Adhu seri varadhu."

(Don't mistake me, Ashwin, but I can't give you.)

Ashwin being the gentleman that he is didn't force Pugazh. But, the fact that everyone was being protective about her in keeping her away from him pained him.

The look of concern Sam gave her looking at her with him, the hesitance in Pugazh's voice in giving her number, everything killed Ashwin.

Why did he have to bring them to this path?

With puffy red eyes and ruffled air, Ashwin lay sprawled on the couch and that is how his mother found him.

"Enna aachu Ashwin?" she asked concerned. She could see that her son was devastated.

(What happened Ashwin?)

Ashwin moved a little and placed his head on his mother's lap. He took her hand and wrapped it around himself.

"Naan nalla paiyan illaya ma?" he asked dejected

(Am I not a good person?)

His mother caressed his hair.

"Nee tangam da." She said. "Yen didirnu ipdi kekura? Unaku enna aachu?"

(You are a gem. What is bothering you?)

"Neraya vishayatha elandhu dan mela ponum nu enaku teriyum ma. Aana namba elanda enda vishayamum namaku tirumbi kedaikaadhu nu enaku teriyama poiduchu."

(I know some sacrifices had to be made to reach heights. But, I didn't know I can never be able to get back what I sacrificed. )

"Odambu seri illaya?" she asked checking his forehead. "Iniku promotion ku dana pona? Enga shooting? Enna show?"

(Are you not well?) (You went for promotion, right? Which show?)

"Super Singer" and just like that his mother knew what bothered him

***

Sad update again?

Well, here is a teaser "Ennodu va veedu varaikum. En veetai paar ennai pidikum." 

Kulu Kulu + redemption track will start from next update

In future update Ashwin la Arnav paatha sollunga, because, redemption nale enaku Arnav dan nyabagam 

https://youtu.be/P8PWN1OmZOA