42

NOTE : Adi Poli isn’t part of LH universe. According to this story, they parted ways after MM IV.

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“Un peyaril en perai serthu
Viralodu uyir koodu korthu “

Shivangi’s eyes widened when six boys standing in front of her moved to the sides to reveal Ashwin walking towards her with a proud smile for managing to catch her off guard.

It was their sangeeth night. Everyone but Ashwin and Shivangi had practiced for it. Ashwin was being unreasonable in the name of romantic saying their dance will be impromptu.

“Naan practice panni aadna cinema la aadra feel varum ma.” He told her. “Adhu dana naan eppavum panren. Namba natural ah feel panradhu aadlam.”

(If I practice dance, it might feel like I am doing it for movies. Let us shake our leg naturally)

Shivangi agreed without a fuss because she was more than happy to spend her time concentrating on other important things that was life changing than practicing dance. She knew with or without practice her family is going to make the function a memorable one.

Now, however, she was surprised to see Ashwin perform a rehearsed number in front of her and that to one of their songs.

Even as Shivangi was trying to make sense of what is happening in front of her, Ashwin was joined by her brother and cousins as they began to shake legs for “Stove mela kadai”.

Shivangi threw her head back and laughed as she remembered how silly she felt on hindsight thinking the song that she sang for the man after feeling ‘kulu kulu’ was stove mela kadai. She was such a silly young girl.

Two of her cousins who were dancing in the front sprinted towards her, held her hand and took her to the centre stage to where Ashwin was matching steps with others.

Once she stood in front of Ashwin, he stopped dancing, moved closer to her and whispered, “Enaku pori urandai mukkiyam illa.” His lips curved into a smile. “Nee dan mukkiyam.”

(I care about you the most)

Right on cue played, “Pani ni sa sa.” Making Shivangi’s eyes widened in surprise. She caught on to what he was doing. He has arranged for performance with ‘their’ songs. 

Ashwin held her hand and spun her around making her white and gold chevron lehenga make a tent around her. With his matching white kurtha with gold shimmer and brown churidar pant, she could only imagine what sight she makes in his arms.

“Kanavil neeyum vandal enn urakam kekirai.” Ashwin sang along in her ears making her giggle. “Ediril neeyum vandal enn uyirai kekirai.”

Her girl cousins joined and Shivangi’s heart filled with nervous excitement even now after years as she heard the song. As everyone around her performed the dance they practiced, Shivangi joined for the signature step.

“Asku maaro aska maaro

Ultimate-u namma pair-oh”

Her first song. Special song. She equally excited and felt edgy when it was released. She remembered even now the conversation she and Ashwin had regarding their promising music videos to be released by sae label. They have come a long way, still this song was special to her. She was happy that he chose her first song out of her and his hit numbers. How does he always manage to make her feel important? 

Shivangi smiled at Ashwin who was dancing to her right. She has never seen him dance to her voice. It was the first time and she couldn’t explain in words how proud she felt at that moment.

Sprays of white confetti that doubled as snow began to fall halting Shivangi’s steps. She was bemused by sudden change in light to warm blue when the next song began, “Kulu Kulu Venpani pola....”

With a wide grin, when she turned to look at Ashwin, she didn’t see him. “Shivangi!” she heard her voice and that is when she realized he was on his knees in front of her.

Her eyes widened in shock. She knew he was one of the most romantic persons and it isn’t definitely unlike him to surprise her this way. However, she also knows that he isn’t fond of flaunting in public. He believed every private moment needs no audience. So, she was taken aback to see him on his knees in front of her with their friends and family looking at them.

“Pudikum nu sollunga nu sonna, pudikum nu sonnen. Hero va vaanga nu sonna, hero va vandu ten. Miss ellam panna maateenga nu sonna, enna miss pannave vidala. No expectations-oda love varanum nu sonnen, aana unkitta ella expectations-um vechen. Thanks for putting up with me. I know it’s not easy. “

(You told me to say I like it and I said it. You asked me to become a hero and I did. You told that I will never miss you and you made sure I never did. I said there should be no expectations in love, but I expected a lot from you. Thanks for putting up with me. I know it’s not easy.)

Shivangi’s senses were only attuned to him. There were hundreds of people surrounding them with some holing up their mobiles to capture video, photos, some murmuring among themselves, but Shivangi was oblivious to all of that. She only had her Ashwin in her world at that moment.

“Naan unaku oru promise panren.” He took her hand in his. “Kadaisi varaikum usura varuven.” He bent down and placed a kiss on her knuckles.

(I want to promise you something. I will stay with you till last breath.)

Ashwin snapped his fingers and before Shivangi could realize what was happening, the lights dimmed and spotlight fell on them. She didn’t know what happened to people around her as she could only look at Ashwin. How can she take eyes off him when he was looking at her with all the love in the world?

“Unakaga vazha nenaikaren....” began the song

Ashwin stood on his feet, took her one hand and placed it over his shoulder pulling her closer holding her waist. Her other hand automatically went to hold his biceps.

“Nee enakaga first paadna paatu.” Ashwin murmured near her ear. “Unakaga vazha nenaikaren.” He said before swirling her pulling her close in a way her back was to his front. “Mulusa unakaga naan vazhuren.” His breath tickled her ears. Neither cared people had eyes on them.”Rendukum ore artham dan. Naan dan late ah purinjukitten. “

(The first song you sand for me. Means same as another favourite song of us kanna veesi. It took me time to understand it)

Shivangi turned around and Ashwin right hand. She took two long strides away before spinning back into his arms.

This isn’t the first time they were dancing together. Ashwin will always remember their dance on their first date as most precious memory. However, this dance felt like celebration. Not for the life ahead, but for the life they have strived so far to reach where they are at this moment.

“Indha nimisham enaku enna tonudhu teriyuma?” He asked

(You know what is in my mind?)

“Enna tonudhu?”

(What?)

“Idha veeda santhoshatha ennala paakave mudiyadhu nu.” Shivangi shook her head preparing to call him cheesy, but he continued speaking. “Adhu unmai illa nu enaku teriyum.” He said. “Yen teriyuma? Enaku indha maadri munnadiye toni iruku.” Shivangi frowned not sure what he was hinting at.” In fact, pala vaati toni iruku. Andha oru oru vaatiyum, nee dan enn kooda irunda. You know what that means?” Shivangi nodded her head negatively. “Nee dan Shivangi ma enn happiness. Enaku happiness is not a feeling, it is a person and that is you.”

(I can never be happier. I know it is not true. Know why? I have felt like this before. In fact, many times. Every time I was with you. You know what that means? You are my happiness. Happiness to me is not a feeling but a person and that is you)

Spotlight lifted off them. The whole hall was lit and other couples joined the stage to dance alongside, but nothing bothered them. In fact, Shivangi was encouraged to move closer to him now that eyes were not on them.

“Enaku enna tonudhu teriyuma?” She stood on her toes, Ashwin’s hand slipped down from her waist to her back to support her. “Indha manasula irukara happiness...” she placed her palm flat right where his heart is. “Enn manasulayum varudhu. “ She said. “Innum kalyanam aagala, physical ah endha barriers-um taandala, aana we are already one. This is not just reflection of happiness. Namba soulmates mattum kedayadhu. We are the same person.”

(You know what I feel? Happiness in your heart is felt in mine. We are not married, we have not crossed any physical boundaries, but we are already one. This is not just reflection of happiness. We are not only soulmates. We are the same person)

“Thank you for coming into my life, Shivangi.” He said. “With you, everything feels complete.”

“Naan epdi feel panren nu vartaiyala solla mudiyadhu.” She said. Ashwin stared into her eyes that showed all her love, but also a hint of mischief. The corner of her lips was curved in smirk and her eyes sparkled hinting that she was up to something. “Ungalukum ade feel dan irukum nu teriyum, aana I want to make sure I convey to you the actual feel.”

(I cant explain in words how I feel. I know you will experience same feel, but I want to make sure I convey to you the actual feel)

Before Ashwin could comprehend what she was talking about, she pulled him away from the crowd and headed to the darkest corner where lights and other equipments were dumped.

Pushing him between herself and the wall, Shivangi with her leg pulled what looked like broken speaker towards her and stood on it. She grinned as she managed to reach an inch above him.

“Being taller makes you feel powerful.” She said as she patted his hair like one does to a small kid.

“Hey, mudi kalaikadha.” He warned

(Don’t mess my hair)

“Koodadha?” there was challenge in her voice and Ashwin already liked it. So, he said, “Koodadhu.”

(No?)

(No)

Shivangi threaded her finger in his hair on the back of the head and tugged at it making him wince a little. Ashwin looked at her with amused smile.

“Ipdi kalaika koodadha?” she asked as she scrupulously messed his neatly set hair.

(Not like this?)

“Ipdi mudi kalanja ellarukum terinjidum.” He said

(Then people will know the truth.)

“Enna teriyum?”

(What truth?)

“Shivangi oru wild cat nu.”

(That you are a wild cat)

Even as blush covered her cheeks at the statement, Shivangi tried to mask it with an indifferent look.

She bent forward until their faces were only few inches away. “Wild cat ah?”

He gulped hard unable to think straight while she did things that surely makes him lose his mind.

Not waiting for an answer from him, she brushed her lips over his. When he was ready to pull into a kiss, she moved back. When Ashwin opened his eyes, she was looking at him with a pout.

“Wild ah dana edachu pannanum?” she asked innocently. “To live up to the name.”

(In that case, I should do something wild to live up to the name.)

“Huh?” Ashwin frowned what she was hinting

Shivangi’s index finger touched his adam’s apple, before tracing down the path that opening of his deep V neck kurtha followed. The style for such kurthas for men exposing chest like unbuttoned shirts were totally in, however, Shivangi didn’t like that he overlooked her suggestion.

“Maraikala?” she asked circling his chest mole.

(You didn’t hide it)

Ashwin looked down at what she was doing to him. He squint his eyes and shook his head. This was latest fashion his stylist promised him. He didn’t think twice about little exposure, not that he has ever cared for movies or photo shoots.

Ashwin was about to explain himself but all that escaped his lips was whimper as she with long, sharp artificial nails that her cousin helped her fix, made a mark on his chest not deep enough to draw blood, but to leave mark.

Ashwin was stunned. “Hey, Rowdy!” he exclaimed uncertain how to react. “Enna psycho aaitaya?”

(Why this psycho behaviour?)

This was so unlike her, he knows. As much as they are close and he teases her, this isn’t side of her that he has seen before.

Shivangi’s eyes widened with equal surprise, however there was also hint of amusement at the fact that she did something out of her impulse nature that shook her, but also pleased her. She raised her eyes at him and all he could see was glee. “Wild aaiten.” She giggled.

(This is wild behaviour)

Ashwin wondered if there were still some parts of her that he as well as her were yet to discover. That idea oddly excited him.

If they thought their romantic love declaration and dialogue was enough to convince that they achieved euphoria of love, then they were sure to be bowled over by what they are going to discover. The kiss that followed then that felt different from all the other kisses they shared was only the right allusion for the same.

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How do you like it?

Aasai first single from Enna Solla Pogirai is out and it is mind-blowing. Do check it out.