40

I am very glad last chapter touched home in hearts and lives of many. Thank you so much for all comments and messages.

***

Shivangi hid herself in her room and sneaked a peak at two people sitting in their living room. She wished she could hear what they were talking about.

When Ashwin came home to pick her up, instead of joining him directly in the car, she invited him to her house. Without her mother or brother to keep Ashwin occupied, Shivangi knew her father will be forced to play the host. Leaving them behind, Shivangi excused herself saying she will be back soon, she has been hiding in her room trying to gauge if the two men were able to get together with no one to mediate.

Though Shivangi couldn't hear them talk, she could see their body language express a friendliness that she didn't expect. In fact from what she observed, it was Ashwin who was making a lot of effort in keeping the conversation alive when they both go silent. She knew how challenging it is for him to try and be this inclusive when he isn't yet very close to her father. Ashwin was taking this effort for her and she absolutely loved him for it.

Both the men sighed in relief when they saw Shivangi walk down the stairs with a wide smile trying to hide her sneakiness.

"Enna peseete enna maranduteengala?" she said.

(Did you forget me midst your talks?)

Shivangi's father who understood every bit of her plan shook his head with a barely there smile. Shivangi beamed widely at her father grateful that he is already putting efforts in getting to know Ashwin.

"Appa, dress fitting ku porom. Seekiram vandiruven." She said.

(We are going for dress fitting. Will be back soon)

Along with 'bye' she hugged her father something she hasn't done in a long time. Shivangi's father patted her head fondly.

Ashwin smiled at the duo unaware the kind of emotional stress they underwent yesterday and how one hug and smile is washing away all their turmoil already.

"Poitu varom, uncle."

(Bye, uncle)

Shivangi's father nodded his head, but after a thought he added. "Dinner ku ingaye vaa pa." He said. "Naanga rendu per mattum dan irukom. Neeyum vanda nalla irukum."

(Join us for dinner. It is just two of us(

Shivangi walked with Ashwin to his car. She held his arms slowing his steps and asked, "Appa enna sonnaru?"

(What did my dad say?)

"Onnum illa"

(Nothing)

"Enna peseetu irundeenga?"

(What were you talking about?)

They reached his car and Ashwin opened the door for her.

"Summa" he shrugged

(Nothing)

Shivangi rolled her eyes. Impossible to get a proper answer from him, she realized.

As Ashwin sat in his seat, Shivangi immediately hugged his arm, pulled him closer and kissed his cheeks. "Thank you." She said

Ashwin looked confused. "Thanks edhuku?"

(Why?)

"Summa." Shivangi's turn to shrug

(Nothing)

"Edho nalladhu paneeruken adhu ennadhu nu sonna adikadi adhu repeat panni kiss vaangepene."

(I must have done something right. If you enlighten me, I could continue doing it and get more kisses)

"Nee maarama indha maariye iru Ashwinney!" she said and kissed his cheeks again. "Appo naan ipdi kiss paneete irupen."

(Stay the same Ashwinney. You will receive lot of kisses)

"Okay!" Ashwin nodded. He inserted the key to the car, but didn't start the vehicle. He turned to Shivangi. "Naan onnu kekuta?"

(Shall I ask you something?)

"Hmm"

"Uncle ku enna pudikalaya?"

(Doesn't uncle like me?)

Of course, how could have Ashwin missed the signs. He is so observant and almost has camera vision in keeping track of his loved ones.

"Pudikama epdi avar ponna kalyanam pannu tara othukittu iruparu?"

(Will he give his daughter's hand in marriage to you, if he doesn't like you?)

"Unna enaku anju varshama dan teriyum, aana enake unaku no solla mudiyadhu. Avar unn appa, epdi no solluvaru? Nee ketanala vera vali illama accept paneetara?"

(I know you only for five years yet I find hard to say no to you. Imagine your father's plight. He must have accepted for your sake)

"It has nothing to do with you, Ashwin. Idhu enakum enn appakum nadula. Ungaluku sonna puriyadhu. You are not a daughter."

(It has nothing to do with you, Ashwin. Its between me and my dad. You will not understand. You are not a daughter)

Ashwin searched her face to find out if she was actually as sorted as she sounded or trying to keep him out of her worry. When he was satisfied that she had everything covered, he decided to light the mood.

"Daughter illa, but appa aaven." He said. "Enakum oru naal varum, appo unn kitta solluven don't come in between me and my daughter."

(I may not be a daughter, but I will be a father soon. Soon I will exclude you when its time with my daughter and tell you not to come between us)

Shivangi smiled not at what he said, but at the fact how he couldn't stop himself from talking about kids ever since she told him she would like to have babies soon.

How much was he craving for domesticity and how eager he is to have family of his own?

Dressing is one segment of wedding that Shivangi had no input for. Not only Ashwin was too excited to take over, but his choice was so sorted and updated that she didn't have anything so except choose colour.

While saree to be worn on the day of wedding was left to elders, Shivangi was excited for dress for every other occasion that groom personally sat with designer and stylist to get it done.

Ashwin marvelled at the piece he saw in paper showcased in front of his eyes. He turned to Shivangi to gauge her reaction and was satisfied to see her eyes and mouth widened in awe and admiration. He knew she will love it, after all their reception trousseau was everything them.

"Super ah iruku Ashiwney1"

(It is beautiful)

Ashwin pulled her closer to him entwining his hands with her in the front as they shared the same vision of sharing the stage as husband and wife wearing the trousseau.

Ashwin and Shivangi were forced to separate for Shivangi was particular that he can't see her in the lehenga until their reception. So, Shivangi was left with designer's assistant while Ashwin went to another floor for his fitting.

"Will that be all?" the assistant asked two hours after all alteration for every single dress was discussed.

"Yes" Shivangi smiled

However, the assistant waited with her as if she was waiting Shivangi to say more and not accepting her answer.

"Vera edachu try pannanuma?"

(Is there something you want me to try on?)

Assistant put on her best customer friendly smile and with all sweetness asked, "Would you like to check out lingerie section? We have wonderful bridal collection and honeymoon collection."

Shoot! Why did she forget this?

Shivangi was mentally making notes on what and how to buy because she has never shopped without her mother when universe decided to make it worse for her as she heard Ashwin enter the floor.

"Mudinjuda Shivangi ma?" he asked

(Are you done?)

Shivangi was ready to say yes. She had wrapped up all her works and she has one whole week so she can bring her mother or cousins for shopping with her again. However, assistant was too eager to earn incentive by adding bill to the couple.

"Madam was just about to browse out lingerie collection."

Shivangi closed her eyes cursing the assistant while Ashwin's eyes widened in amusement.

"Interesting!" he remarked and then looked at Shivangi who was pink with embarrassment.

Assistant went on to explain how they have imported new collections from France testing all Shivangi's strength to not glare at her.

"Neraya collections irukame. " Ashwin grinned. "Poi pakalame."

(They seem to have good collections. Lets check out)

Shivangi narrowed her eyes and glared at Ashwin.

"Kelambalam." She said in low voice

(lets leave)

"Yen ma? Idhuvum part of shopping dana?"

(Why?Isn't part of shopping?)

Ignoring him, Shivangi moved past him to collect her bag. Ashwin reached beside her still grinning.

"Unn clothing ellam naan paathu approve pannanum nu sonnaye. Enn taste nalla irukum nu vera sonna. Ippo yen pora? Vaa paakalam."

(Didn't you want me to approve all your clothings? You like my taste, don't you? )

Shivangi hit him with her handbag not so playfully as she made her way out of the studio. Ashwin jogged behind her laughing.

"Hey, wait pannu odadha." He caught up.

(Don't rush)

"Naan taniya poi dan vaanguvan. Nee kooda ellam vara koodadhu." Shivangi said as soon as she turned to him.

(I will shop on my own. I will not take you)

"Enaku surprise ah?" he raised his eyebrow suggestively

(So is it gonna be surprise for me?)

"Surprise dan!" she braced herself.

(It is)

One thing she learned in her relationship with Ashwin is that, never give in to his teasing, because for an introvert, he can be brutal in pulling your leg when he realizes you have your armours down.

Ashwin was not prepared for her reply. He was thinking of more ways to make her blush like red cherry. He didn't expect her to turn it back to him. He gulped wondering what to reply.

Shivangi took a step closer to him. "Unn favourite colour purple dana Ashwinney!" she whispered. "Dark purple ah light purple ah?"

(Isn't your favourite colour purple? Dark shade or lighter?)

"Huh!"

"Vera enna pudikum?"

(What else do you like?)

Ashwin wetted his lips. "Ed..hu?"

(Wh...at?)

"Neraya varieties irukame?" she made a thinking face. "Andha ponnu edho per sonna maranduten."

(There are so many varieties. I forgot the names)

"Varieties ah?"

Shivangi smirked seeing his expression that was mixture of confusion and curiosity.

"Surprise ellam vendam." She took a step back from him. "Namba onnave shopping pannuvom." She declared. "Vaanga."

(In fact, skip surprise. Lets shop together)

"Edhu!!!" he jerked out of trance shocked "Onna va?"

(What ? Together?)

Shivangi knew as much as he gets all brave and naughty with her, he will be too embarrassed to shop such things especially in a place filled with other women.

"Vaa Ashwinney polam." She held his hand and tried to pull him back to the studio.

(Come on)

"Ma ma adellam vendam ma." He implored. "Please me." he stood his ground making Shivangi give up and look back at him with a pout.

(Thats not good idea. )

"Ashwinney!!!" she whined

"Illa surprise irukatum." He tried to reason

(Let it be surprise)

"Unn taste dan Ashwinney nalla irukum."

(You have good taste, don't you?)

He looked between her and the designer studio. He definitely can't be doing it.

"Namba online la vaangikalama?"

(Lets shop online)

Shivangi sighed and pretended to be disappointed.

"Po Ashwinney!"

"Ma, indha shopping ellam podhum. Namba poi ice cream vena saapadlam."

(Forget shopping. Lets get you ice cream)

Shivangi chuckled hearing him trying to distract her with ice cream.

"Nee seriana valanda kozhanda Ashwinney!" she pinched his cheeks, patted it fondly and then held his hand as they both walked towards food court.

(You are such a kid, Ashwin)

***

Just a filler chapter. Good?

I am trying to get to at least 50 chapters in total for the story so it ends with a wholesome number. Hope it works out.