41

Sivaangi loved that her house was crowded. Relatives were flying in for her wedding. Her cousins and friends already occupied her time with their fun banters and teasing. Even though the decoration of house has hardly started, it looked like a wedding house.

Shivangi skipped into her room holding a big bowl of potato chips. She was pretty excited for the night stories with her cousins as it was long due as everyone was busy with their lives.

As Shivangi sat on her bed cross legged placing the bowl in the middle, she heard her cousin sigh in annoyance.

"Endai chechi?" Shivangi questioned wondering if she could offer any help

(What happened?)

Her cousin looked at her and shook her head. "Get it from me Shivangi." Her cousin said in American accent that she picked up recently. "You don't need kids until your husband stop being a kid."

That is when Shivangi noticed how little munchkin was clinging to his mother while her cousin was typing something in her phone which Shivangi later learned is some instructions to her husband about their first born.

"Men can never grow up." Her sister in law interjected. "Grown up man is a myth."

If it was any other day, Shivangi would have nothing to contribute nor understood why these ladies sounded so frustrated. However, now Shivangi had firsthand experience about relationship and her own stories about a man child.

"Ashwin romba matured person-ella, Shivangi?" her cousin asked. "TV la kandu. He seems much sorted."

(Isn't Ashwin a matured person? I have seen in TV that he is sorted)

That he is. Shivangi can't deny that. There is a part of him that is reserved only for his close crowd and then that special slice that is exclusive for her. He is every bit of matured and as well childish. A complete package her man is.

"Ade." Shivangi agreed. "Romba protective kooda. Pakṣē...." This was her first time having a girl talk about her man and Shivangi was pretty excited. "Konjam torture aanu."

(Yeah. Very protective, but.... a little torturous)

Others ears peaked as they were curious to hear about Ashwin Kumar. No one was blind to the way he was stoic and stern to outside world and a putty in hands of Shivangi. So, they were naturally curious to know what kind of relationship the duo shared.

Shivangi was about to explain herself when her phone pinged with a message, she looked at the notification and then showed it to her girl gang but not long enough for them to read the content.

"Ippo dan naan message pannen cousins kooda sleepover nu, aana hero sir ku porumai illa." Shivangi complained. "Call me nu message. Eppo paathalum naan attention kuduthute irukanum."

(I messaged them that I will be busy with you only few minutes ago, but now he is messaging me to call him. He wants my attention all the time)

Other ladies smiled in understanding. They know Shivangi actually enjoyed it a lot and her complain is futile. They all had been in this stage once after all.

"Nee endha magic cheidhu?" he cousin questioned with a suggestive eyebrow rise."You know each other for so many years and still he is so much in love with you?"

(What magic did you do?)

"Chechi!!" Shivangi whined for being teased even as her cheeks flushed and smile brightened her face.

Her eldest cousin stopped others from teasing Shivangi further and asked her to call Ashwin saying it might be something important. Shivangi excused herself to balcony leaving others in her room.

Even as Shivangi dialled his number, she knew it was not going to be anything serious. In complete contrast to Shivangi, Ashwin hated that his house is filled with relatives. Adding to his introvert nature, he was also wary to be cordial with same set of people who gossiped about him when he was nobody and now when he is a star wants a piece of him.

"Enna panra?" he asked

(What are you up to?)

"Sonnen la cousins kooda iruken."

(Told you I will be with my cousins)

"Enaku bore adikudhu Shivangi ma." He complained like a kid

(I am bored)

"Appo room vittu veliya ponga. Kalaila irundu PS velayadeete irunda bore adikum."

(Go out of your room. I know you have been playing video game from morning)

"Unaku epdi teriyum ?"

(How do you know?)

Not that it was hard for Shivangi to figure he locked himself in his room to avoid interacting with his relatives, however even his mother called Shivangi to complain that he was not coming out of his room.

"Athai feel pannanga neenga yaar kittayum mugam kuduthu kooda seriya pesala nu."

(Your mother told me. She was worried that you didn't mingle with relatives)

"Adellam illa. Naan pesanen."

(Thats not true)

"Namba maaten."

(I don't believe you)

"Sathyama. Enga mama kooda dan breakfast saapten. Avar ponnu naan edhuku kalyanam pannala nu ippo kekararu. Namba show varadhuku munnadi amma ponnu ketadhuku enna pathi kevalama pesinaru."

(I swear. I ate breakfast with my uncle. He asked me why I didn't choose his daughter to marry. Before I became famous, when my mother asked his daughter's hand in marriage, he refused by insulting me.)

Doesn't matter how many years passed and how successful he has become proving everyone who ridiculed him wrong, Ashwin was not able to move on from certain incidents, especially if it was related to his parents' misery.

Shivangi knew this topic will be a point of discussion even in future, but with wedding only couple of days away, she didn't want to get into any argument with him. She decided to try and change his mood.

"Appo mama ponnu kudukala nu kovama? Naan kooda vera edho nu nenachen." She tried to make joke of it. "Adhu yaar anda mama ponnu? Ivlo varsham aagi kooda neenga feel panreenga?"

(Are you angry that he didn't let you marry his daughter then? Who is that girl? You feel sad for missing your chance even after years)

"Amma appo ketadhu avar first ponnu Kalyani. Avar ippa yen kalyanam pannikala nu ketadhu avar second ponnu Manjari."

(My mom wanted me to marry his elder daughter Kalyani. Now, he wanted me to marry his youngest Manjari.)

"Unaku nalla demand pola Ashwinney!!! Neraya mama ponnu iruka?"

(You are in good demand I see. You must have had many suitors)

"Adellam iruku." He said stretching his muscles to release strain caused by playing video game continuously. "Ooruku pona nalla vandhu pesuvanga, kalyanam na oditanga."

(Yeah. They used to speak to me cordially, but refused marriage proposal from my parents. )

"Enna? Salichikara maari iruku?" She asked firmly. "Love pannikalam ma, kalyanam pannikalam ma nu pinnadiye suthaneenga. Ippo kalyanam kooda aagala ipdi solreenga?"

(Why are you sad about that? You were behind me to love you and marry you and now you sound like you are tired of me even before wedding)

"Ethana per irunda enna? Nee daan unna vitta enn kannu nagura mudiyadha maari katti potutaye."

(Don't you know I have eyes only for you?)

"Ipdi dan mama ponnunga kittayum pesuveengala?"

(Is this how you used to flirt with those girls?)

"Ipdi ellam avanga kooda pesanadhum illa, Night oru mani ku avanga veetu munnadi poi ninnadhum illa."

(I neither talk to them like this nor wait for them in front of their house at one)

Shivangi's eyes widened at what he said. It can't be true, can it? She immediately bent down the railing to look at the road and there was his car parked opposite her house.

"Inga enna panra?"

(What are you doing here?)

"Enn fiancé full day enna marundutu ava family koodave iruka. Adhu dan en palaya girlfriend paaka vanden. Avaluku dan enn mela pasam adigam."

(My fiancé was busy with her family. Didn't have time for me. So, I came to see my girlfriend. She loves me.)

"Ashwin, enn veetla neraya relatives irukanga. Idellam terinja romba otuvanga."

(Ashwin, my relatives are here. They will pull my leg)

"Nee kedi dana. Edachu solli samalichitu va."

(You are smart. I am sure you will deal with them)

All her cousins grinned at her as she came back to her room looking sheepish.

"Endha?" one cousin lifted eyebrow questioningly

(What?)

"Adhu.... avaru...avar vandirukaru." Shivangi said

(He is here)

"Evaru?"

(Who?)

"Chechi, please..."

When Shivangi entered Ashwin's car, reply to his wide beam was her glare. She hit his biceps.

"Ennama ippolam sollama adikara? At least mudhala ellam reason terinju adi vanguven." Ashwin rubbed his arms where she smacked him

(At least tell me what is my mistake before hitting me)

"Evlo tease pannanga teriyuma? Edhuku vandeenga?"

(They teased me so much. Why did you come here?)

"Moonu naal-ah phone kooda seriya pesala. Kiss kedaikum nu paatha, adi dan kedaikudhu." He pouted

(Its been 3 days since we spoke well to each other. I thought I will get a kiss, but you are hitting me)

Shivangi rolled her eyes. They both were busy with wedding preparations and relatives and so hardly got time for each other. She missed him too, immensel, but she knew she can't escape from her cousins now. They are gonna tease her to death.

"Namba fans kalaaikadhada unn cousins kalaichiruvanga?"

(Your cousins cant tease you more than our fans)

"Avangaluku neenga dan pasam, ungala dan romba kalaipanga."

(Fans like you more. They will tease you more)

"One O'clock aachu. Ellarum toonga pora time." Ashwin took his phone from his pocket. "Oru story podlam."

(It's one at night. Sleep time. Let me post a story)

Sivaangi chuckled. She knew he loved messing with the fandom. "Yenn Ashwinney ipdi iruka?"

(Why do you do this?)

When Ashwin lifted his phone for selfie, Shivangi put out the tip of her tongue making a silly face, Ashwin raised his eyebrows seeing her expression. His fingers clicked the screen without knowing capturing a cute picture of them. Anyone who knows them will also know their goofy pictures were much more loving and heartfelt than rehearsed romantic picture of any.

"Post panren." Ashwin said

(Let me post)

"Pannadha." Shivangi stopped. "Veetla ellarukum terinjirum onna irundom nu."

(Don't. My family will know I was with you)

"Palaya photo nu soleeru." He brushed off her concern and posted the picture in Instagram.

(Tell them its old pic)

"Fans ippo toonga maatanga." Shivangi remarked.

(Fans will not sleep now)

"Nambalum toonga vendam." Ashwin moved towards her, while Shivangi moved away from him with a smile. Ashwin when trying to get closer to her hit the gear shaft. He cussed as he fell back on his seat. Shivangi laughed at his plight.

(Let us not sleep too)

"Idellam tevaya?" she asked him

(Why?)

"Namaku car tavara engayum romance panna time kedaika maatingudhu." He said dejected. "Enn nerathuku first night kooda car la nadakum pola."

(We are always forced to romance in car. I won't be surprised if we end up spending our first night in car)

Shivangi took his hand in hers and smiled. Ashwin narrowed his eyebrows questioningly. "Pinnadi vaa."

(Lets go back)

"Huh?"

Shivangi entered the backseat of the car and Ashwin followed too. Taking off her flip-flops, Shivangi folded her legs under her and hugged Ashwin from side. Wrapping his arms over her shoulder, he pulled her closer so that she was leaning her whole body on him.

"Neraya important conversation indha car la nadandiruku. Namaku idhu special dana?"

(We have had many important conversation here. It is special for us)

"Hmm."

Shivangi began playing with buttons in his shirt.

"Namba oru road trip polama?"

(Let us go on a road trip)

"Nee drive panna maataina kandipa polam." He said earning a slap on his chest.

(We shall if you promise not to drive)

"Ashwinney!" she lost in her thoughts about what they could do in roadtrip unbuttoned his first two buttons.

"Hmm!"

"Lifelong namba onnave irupom illa?" She looked up at his face with a smile. "Enaku nenachale exciting ah iruku." Ashwin kissed her forehead. Shivangi moved herself a little lower so that her head was placed on his chest.

(We are gonna spend our whole life together. I am excited)

She with feather touches caressed his exposed chest. Taking advantage of the mood, Ashwin let his fingers sneak inside her top. Shivangi's index finger caressed the skin around his mole on chest in circle motion.

"Make up potu indha macham maracharlama?" she asked and excited by her idea she lifted herself off him to look at his face. Ashwin who didn't take what she was telling serious saw an opportunity to brush off her wavy locks and bent down to kiss her neck.

(We should use make up to hide this mole)

"Eii Ashwinney!" she whined even as she caressed the back of his hair and leaned to give himself more access. "Naan serious ah kekaren."

(I am serious)

"Hmm!!!" he moaned lost in kisses.

She was lost in his ministrations until the hem of her top pushed up. She held both his hands and pushed him with her little power.

"Naan solradhu kelu Ashwinney!" she whimpered

(Listen to me)

Ashwin put his head back with closed eyes and groaned in frustration.

"Yen ma ipdi panra!"

(Why are you doing this?)

Shivangi pouted with an innocent look as she poked his shoulder with the tip of her finger.

"Ashwinney, enna paaru."

(Look at me)

Ashwin took a deep breath calming himself before he looked at her making sure he conveyed he was displeased with her stopping him.

"Naan enna sonnen nu gavanicheengala?"

(Pay attention to me)

"Enna sonna?"

(What is it?)

"Indha macham maracharlam."

(Hide this mole)

Ashwin looked down at his half unbuttoned shirt and mole on his chest that was clearly visible.

"Yen?" he asked. "Anniku excite aagi macham ellam count panna.Inniku pudikalaya?"

(Why? You were excited the other day to count all moles )

"Adhu illa." She folded her legs and made herself comfortable on the seat. "Shirt remove pannum bodhu kalyanathula ellarum papanga. Enaku apdi ellam ungala yaarachu paatha pudikadhu. Naan mattum dan paakanum."

(I don't want others to look at it at our wedding. )

"Naan edhuku kalyanathula shirt remove pannuven?'"

(Why will I remove shirt at wedding?)

Shivangi rolled her eyes. Why is he pretending to be clueless?

"Maranduteengala? Shirt ellam illama angavastaram mattum potu dan thali kattanum. Adhu dan tradition."

(It is tradition to wear a angavastaram without shirt)

Ashwin opened his mouth to argue before he realized they had agreed to conduct wedding the way her family wanted. That also means removing his shirt for the rituals.

"Adellam mudiyadhu." He argued

(I don't agree)

"Yen?"

(Why?)

"Avlo per munnadi shy ah irukum."

(I am shy to go shirtless in front of people)

"Velayadadha Ashwin. You are a hero. Movies la ellam nadichirukeenga. . Idhuku edhuku shy?"

(You are hero. You have been shirtless for movies. Why shy now?)

"Adhu movie ma." He reasoned. "Idhu reality. Sondakaranga ellam irukanga."

(That is movie. This is reality. )

"Unn mama ponnunga papanga nu shy aagaraya?"

(Are you shy that your ex-suitors will see you like that?)

Ashwin glowered at her making her laugh more at her own joke.

"Nalla gym ellam poi fit ah irukeenga dana?" she touched his abs. "Shirt remove panna enna?"

(You are fit aren't you? )

"Gym poi naal aachu ma." Ashwin touched his abs doubtfully. "Fit daan, aana..."

(Havent been to gym in a while. I guess I am fit only....)

"Oye!" her eyes widened in excitement. "Naan vena neenga fit ah irukeengala nu check panren."

(Shall I check if you are fit?)

Before he could reply, Shivangi held his shirt and pulled him closer. "Naane shirtless ah paathadhu illa."

(I have not seen you shirtless)

"Paakaraya?"

(Do you want to?)

Shivangi bit the sides of her lower lip trying to stop herself from grinning like a fool.

She tugged at his sleeve, pulling him closer, she slowly unbuttoned the third button. His hand went to the second last button , but before he could unfasten, Shivangi's phone blazed from the front seat.

"Tirumbavuma!!!" Ashwin huffed annoyed

(Not again)

Shivangi attended the call from her elder cousin who wanted Shivangi to return soon as it was getting late already.

After cutting the call, Shivangi turned to Ashwin with an apologetic look. "Innum couple of days dan." She patted his cheek. "Aprom no disturbance."

(Only couple of days more , then no disturbance)

Ashwin shook his head disappointed. She held his chin made him face her and kissed on his lips. "Bye!" she said between the kiss, however, he held the back of her head and deepened the kiss.

"Ellathukitta irundu seekiram unna kadatheetu poren paaru." He said as she was getting out of his car

(I am gonna kidnap you soon)

"Kadatha vendam naane varuven."

(I will oblige )

***

Typed while watching SS8 Finale. Hope it turned out well.