9

Thank you for all the love you guys have showed the story in twitter.

Greatful and humble

***

Ashwin was a silent spectator as Shivangi bent down to smell a fully blossomed white rose. That moment, she in the place he considered personal haven in his house felt so surreal that he feared that even if he blink an eye, she might vanish out of his sight and all this will become a dream.

"Orchids kooda iruka?" she exclaimed excited as she hopped to the next plant. Yes, hopped. For a minute, glimpse of old Sivaangi he met few years ago crossed his mind and Ashwin even forgot to breath.

(You have orchids too?)

In spite of all he has done, he is blessed enough to experience the bliss of her presence. So, he is going to let his eyes capture all the moments so that he can replay in his mind.

As Sivaangi slowly made her way giving her attention to every single plant, Ashwin walked behind her with heart in his hand admiring her.

When Sivaangi stopped in front of a particular plant, Ashwin thanked God that the plant chose the right moment to produce the most beautiful flower he has seen. Purple Rose. It took lot of effort to get it imported from overseas, but the glow in her eyes seeing it is so much worth it.

For first time Ashwin decided to join in the experience that night as he moved forward, took the scissors that was placed on the holder and cut the purple rose out of the plan.

He wanted her to have it. Once he raised his head and looked at her staring at him with narrowed eyes, he realized what a stupid idea it was. Did he really think she will get a rose from him?

"Adhu vandhu..." he pulled the hair from back of his head searching for an excuse. "Vinayagar ku vekka." He pointed at direction of temple.

(That is.... I....For God)

Shivangi pressed her lips together in a very genuine attempt to hide her smile at his sorry excuse and continued her tour of the plants.

"Thank you." Ashwin said following her in her path.

"Edhuku?" she asked without turning back still examining what a variety particular plant is.

(Why?)

"Ammakaga vandaduku."

(For helping my mother)

Shivangi turned to look at him. It seemed like she wanted to say something, but then she only smiled and nodded.

Ashwin panicked the most when he received the call that his mother fainted. He was away and so was his father. He didn't know how to get his mother required help. His mind only immediately went to Sivaangi. It was almost like natural instinct to think about her when he was in need of someone his own. Though he vowed to not get her number from anyone but her after Pugazh's comments, he became helpless and called Sharath for her number.

On hindsight, Ashwin realized that not even for a minute the thought that she might not want to help him crossed his mind. In spite of knowing her in person for only few months, the trust he had on her was so much more intense than one that people couldn't even form after years.

This realization also came with mountain of guilt that he did complete injustice to the woman who has been nothing but guardian angel to him.

As that thought bought him a feeling of discomfort, Ashwin, out of habit, began to caress the snowman tattoo between his fingers. All these years, it has been something he do to calm his nerves when he gets overly emotions.

However, today, he doesn't need it for near him was this one person who could calm him within seconds.

"Ashwin." he heard her call and he felt tranquil. "Idhu enna chedi?" She asked holding a stem in hand.

(Ashwin, what plant is thia?)

"Tomato." He answered as he began searching if he could spot any tiny tomatoes. "Veetuku use panna eduthirupanga. Inniku chutney senjanga illa."

(Tomato. Might have taken to use for cooking today's chutney)

"Chutney nalla irunducha?" she asked

(Did you like the Chutney?)

Ashwin lifted his eyebrows at such random and irrelevant question at this time.

"Yen? Nalla dan irunduchu."

(Why? It was good)

"Eppavum unga amma pandra madiri irunducha illa different ah irunducha?"

(Was it how your mom usually makes or different?)

"Apdi keta..." he drawled. "Different ah dan irunduchu, but nalla irunduchu. Yen kekara?"

(Well...Different, but good different. Why?)

"Summa." She shrugged

(No reason)

Ashwin was about to question why she wanted to know about the chutney, but Shivangi became distracted as she saw a swing in the end of the garden. It was the large one meant for two people that is found in gardens. It was purple in colour with many white cupid and angel idols drilled on the corners.

Shivangi sat leaning back comfortably on the swing excited only to realize that her feet didn't touch the ground. She sighed defeated at one of the many disadvantages of being short. She was about to move forward to place foot on the ground and push the swing, but before that the swing began to sway in slow motion.

Ashwin looked amazed at her innocent pout when her feet didn't reach the ground. If only she was with him, he might have made the swing custom made to suit her.

He decided to put her out of misery. So, he sat beside her and began to slowly swing with the support of his foot on the ground.

"Unga garden azhaga iruku." He smiled at her. "Romba peaceful. Nalla design panni irukeenga. Lights kooda romba calming effect kudukudhu. "

(You have a beautiful garden. Very peaceful. You have designed it so beautiful. Lights are so calming.)

"Naan eppo free ah irundalum inga dan time spend pannuven."

(I come here whenever I am free)

"I am happy for you, Ashwin." She said genuinely. "Neenga enna asapateengalo adhu ellam ungaluku kedachiruku. Unga talent-kum unga hard work-kum, you deserve all this."

(I am happy for you. You have whatever you wished for. You deserve all this for you talent and hard work.)

No, he didn't get everything he wished for. There is still someone out there without whom by his side whatever he has achieved means nothing. But, Ashwin was not sure if he deserved that person.

Ashwin only smiled and looked down at his feet at her compliment lest she reads the desperation in his eyes. He began rocking the swing faster. With the breeze playing hide and seek and the motion of the swing cradling them, everything felt so blissful.

Sivaangi had an uncontrollable habit of singing when she feels inexplicable inner peace. As force of habit, she began to hum one of her own songs.

Ashwin's heart began to beat louder hearing her voice so close after so many years. He sat there frozen trying not to disturb the tranquillity of the moment.

It was so perfect. Much better than all of his imagination put together.

It was tune of her first song. Her voice, the yearning in it gave him sleepless night when he first heard it. Hearing her hum it sitting close to him made him feel mixture of emotions.

Ashwin gulped hard as he was choked with emotions. 'Wow' left his lips inadvertently.

Shivaangi who was till now in the world of her own became conscious of what she was doing.

Her eyes widened as she registered her surroundings. What is wrong with her? She cursed herself.

She turned to look at Ashwin who was thankfully still looking at the ground.

Shivangi jumped of the swing and claimed it was time for her to leave.

Just like that they walked away leaving behind magic in air.

As Ashwin sat in the car, he realized he was still holding the purple rose in his hand. He placed it on the dashboard. 'Nallavela rose kudukala. Appove kovchitu poirupa, mathadhu ellam experience ae panni iruka mudiyadhu.' He thought to himself.

Music was their companion throughout the ride and both were thankful for the distraction it created, otherwise they were too conscious not to break whatever they just experienced with trivial words.

"Bye." Shivangi mumbled before getting down the car.

On his way back, while turning a signal after almost one kilometre, Ashwin noticed that the purple rose he kept on the dashboard was missing.

He pulled over the car with sudden break.

"Ava eduthala?" he asked himself loudly.

(Did she take it?)

Is that even possible?

He looked down to check if the flower had fell down somewhere. But, fortunately it was nowhere.

Ashwin placed his hand on his heart and calmed himself. "Relax aagu Ashwin romba santhosha padadha. Teriyama kooda eduthirupa."

(Relax Ashwin, don't get worked up. She might have taken it by mistake)

Even as he said it immense happiness spread in his heart. He wanted to spread this to entire world and tell them how happy he is this moment. Unfortunately, he didn't have the means. So, he did the only thing the whole world does. He opened instagram that he fought with his PR to get back access to, clicked picture of the moon and added to his story with the song "Nenjai poo pol koidavale... Ennai edho seidavale....." with sticker that said 'Mood'.

Ashwin announced his mood to the world only after he followed Shivangi on instagram. With that, after almost five years, gave mini heart attack to different people around different parts of the world.

{

TWITTER

Tweet 1 : Hello! Yaaradhu irukeengala? #ashaangi fandom attendance please. Inniku instagram la ennamo nadandiruku.

(Hello! Anyone here? #ashaangi fandom attendance please. Something happened in Instagram today)

Tweet 2 : Naan kaanbadhu kanava ninaiva? #ashaangi

(Am I dreaming? #ashaangi)

Tweet 3 : Yenna pa 5 years kalichu inda HT la tweets varudhu? Neenga ellam uyiroda dan irukeengala? #ashaangi

(How is this HT active after 5 years ? Is everyone alive? #ashaangi)

Tweet 4 : Mr.Indirect direct ah edho solra maari iruku? #ashaangi fam tirumbi purple kodi ku velai vandirucha?

(Mr.Indirect is trying to convey something directly. #ashaangi fam is it time to get our purple flag?)

Tweet 5 : Damn! I thought I got over them. Ore oru follow and ore oru story, we all are back to square one #ashaangi

(Damn! I thought I got over them. One follow and one story, we all are back to square one #ashaangi)

}

****

I really liked writing this chapter. Something very poetic about it.

How did you all like it?

I know we have this 'No expectation' mantra, still if AK adds a song to wish Sivaangi on her birthday this 25th, what song do you want it to be?

For me, any Hindi, Malayalam or Telugu song. Different language gives a very exotic feel.

Btw, Are you following 'Me Before You'? My other story? That is also fun, guys.

https://youtu.be/221SHOHYfL0