Epilogue – II

Ashwin was pacing restlessly in the dining room. He couldn't believe his wife was not even half nervous or excited as him. She was casually sitting cross in the living room sofa cross legged enjoying a classic comedy movie.

His mother who was making her way from bedroom to living room eyed Ashwin suspiciously. "Yenn da kutty pota poona maari nadandhutu iruka."

(Why are you restless?)

For a minute, Ashwin wondered if he should tell his mom to send Shivangi to their room, but soon decided against it as he didn't want his mom to think he was desperate to take his wife room for other activities.

"Onnum illa ma." He lied even though his face showed his restlessness

(I am not)

Shivangi was laughing at the scene from the movie. Her father in law just explained why it is his favourite movie as a young boy and she could see why. Shivangi smiled at her mother in law who sat beside her.

"Shivangi!" she called

Shivangi took her eyes off the screen to look at her mother in law with smile because of the movie still stuck on her lips. "Athai?"

"Avana edachu tittanaya?"

(Did you fight with him?)

"Illaye. Yen?"

(No. Why?)

"Dining room la walking poitu irukan. Enna nu poi paaru."

(He seems disturbed. Check on him)

Shivangi waited for the movie to break for TV commercial before she left her in-laws to find her husband.

Ashwin sighed in relief seeing his wife walk towards him. "Finally!" he said as he grabbed her shoulder and made her stand close in front of him.

"Enna aachu?" she asked clueless.

(What is it?)

"Enaku irukara curiosity unaku konjam aachu iruka?" he complained

(Are you not curious like me?)

"Edhuku?"

(Why?)

He narrowed his eyes at her.

"Moraikada Ashwinney!" she pouted

(Why are you glaring at me?)

"Nejamave terilaya ma?"

(Don't you know?)

"Enna terilaya?"

(What?)

"Kooda vaa." He held her hand and was leading to their bed room as she complained that she wanted to complete watching the movie.

(Come with me)

"Ashwinney, padam super ah iruku. Naan paathutu varen, please." She cribbed

(I don't want to miss the movie)

"Naan unaku blue-ray DVD vaangi taren. Ippo naan solradhu mattum kelu."

(I will get you a DVD)

Shivangi with a grumpy face sat on the bed cross legged determined to flop any plan that her husband was up to because he spoiled her movie night with her father in law.

Ashwin with excitement he couldn't contain took the small brown bag he bought with him when returning from evening jog.

"Ennadhu idhu. Naan onnum vaanga...." Shivangi's words stopped as she saw three boxes fall out of the bag.

(What is this ? I didn't ask you....)

"Full research paneeten. Best in market. 90% accuracy." Ashwin beamed proudly.

(I did research. Best in market. 90% accuracy.)

Shivangi blinked at her husband unsure how to react to what he has just done.

It was their mutual decision to go off meds and precautions a week after celebrating their first wedding anniversary. They both wanted baby and after one year of being married, they were ready to be parents.

Shivangi was excited the first three months counting dates in calendar. However, when nothing favourable happened, she stopped bothering with it to avoid disappointment. It will happen, when it should, she told herself. However, her husband was very keenly observing her cycle albeit silently. Now, after seven months of trying, finally he saw light on the other side this month. Maybe they are going to get what they wanted or they already got it. He wanted to check at home immediately using the easiest way possible.

Shivangi bit her lips in nervousness as her husband religiously read the instructions in the backside of the box to her.

"Simple dan ma." He turned to his wife and was quick to notice her anxiety before she could mask."Hey!" he held her hand. "Enna aachu?"

(Its simple.)

(What is it?)

"Bayama iruku." She confessed.

( I am scared)

Ashwin put his hand around her shoulder and pulled her into a hug. "Enna result vandalum namba nalladhuku nu nenachikuvom. No pressure. Kadavul edhu eppa varanum nu correct ah set pannuvaru. Who could know that better than us? Relax aagu."

(Whatever the result is, let's take it as positive sign. No pressure. We know God knows best)

Shivangi hid her face in his chest as she tried to absorb his familiarity to calm her restlessness.

"Ma" he caressed her hair. "Unaku uncomfortable ah irunda inniku vendam. Innum konja naal pogutum." He said.

(If you are not comfortable, lets wait for few more days.)

"Two minutes." She said. "Naane solren."

(Give me two minutes.)

Two minutes turned to twenty minutes when she finally made her way into the restroom.

***

Shivangi isn't an ideal wife who is bothered by hiding anything to her husband. However, what she is doing now is directly going against something he requested and she consented. She hoped that when it was time to face him, he understands why it was important that she did it today.

"Madam, ready ah?"

(Are you ready?)

Shivangi looked at the girl who was here to take her inside. Can she back out? No one can question her, can any?

***

Ashwin checked his phone for tenth time in half an hour. It is so unlike his wife to not reply. He knew she was home and her phone will be stuck to her hand like second skin. He wondered why she hasn't replied and what she is up to. He pocketed his phone when the person behind him, fellow contemporary actor and friend, questioned why he was tired.

"Shoot machan. Rest ae illa." Ashwin lied effortlessly.

(I was busy with shoot. No rest)

What is keeping his nights and days busy, the worry and concern that is making him sleepless is too personal to share to a work friend. There is only one more person who can understand him and she is currently not replying to his messages.

Ashwin took his phone and checked for her message once again when his friend nudged him. "Dei, unn award dan next."

(Your award will be announced next)

Ashwin knew he was winning "Best Actor– popular (Tamil)". He got the call three days ago and he had to push important shoot to be here. As expected, he gave a surprise and amused look for camera when his name was announced and he made his way to the stage not before bending down to touch the stage and pay his respect as the norm.

"Ashwin, first filmfare, how do you feel?" the host questioned.

"Good evening, everybody. It's such an honour to be present among such a talented crowd." He then turned to the host. "Hello! Wonderful hosting." He appreciated. "Filmfare is like a dream. Summa guest ah vara matom ah nu nenachen, aprom nominate aaga maatoma nu oru aasai vanduchu, win panna maatoma nu oru perasai vanduchu. Ippo win paneeten, so innounu kooda win pannanum, next year-um win pannanum nu oru motivation iruku. I would like to thank my team, my producer, my director and entire cast and crew. I am so happy that I was chosen by people.Enaku ellame avanga dan. My people, my voice. Avanga illaina naan illa. Indha award avangaluku dan."

(Filmfare is like a dream. I wanted to attend as a guest, then I wished to be nominated, then I wished to get an award. Now that I have one. I wish to work towards getting more. I would like to thank my team, my producer, my director and entire cast and crew. I am so happy that I was chosen by people. Fans are my everything. They are my voice. I am no one without them. This is for them.)

"That's sweet." Host smiled. "Are you ready to hold your first black lady?"

Ashwin nodded enthusiastically. Knowing he was getting the award might have reduced his initial enthusiasm at announcement, but now standing on the stage, winning something that he was sure he cannot even come close to finally gave him the feel that he has 'arrived'.

"Ladies and gentleman, to present this award, I would like to welcome on stage very beautiful and talented, Shivangi Ashwin Kumar."

It was Ashwin who gasped learning the news that was kept in dark about, but the gasp echoed throughout the hall as everyone held similar expression of shock and surprise as the petit woman made her way from the backstage carefully holding her six months old pregnant belly.

Shivangi smiled for the crowd even as her eyes searched Ashwin's face to see how he was reacting. They had decided not to reveal about the pregnancy owing to privacy that Ashwin loved and Shivangi respected. When opportunity presented itself where she could give an award to her, she was too tempted to not let it go. Unlike people who loved receiving awards, Shivangi was dreaming with idea of giving him an award ever since she received one from him. Her pregnancy hormones didn't help in making her wish into an obsession in her mind. She knew she had to do it no matter what argument she gets into with her husband later that night.

"Surprise epdi iruku?" the host asked

(How did you like the surprise?)

"Errr..." he didn't know what to say. "Expect pannave illa. Ippo dan ennada message ku reply pannala nu yosichitu irunden, paatha inga irukanga." He turned to look at Shivangi. "Award vaangardhu veeda periya santhosham ivanga kaila vaangardhu."

(I didn't expect it. I was worried she didn't reply to my messages and she is here. I am happier with her presence here.)

Shivangi sighed in relief. He was happy. No, cross that. He was elated. Did it really mean so much to him? She thought he was only teasing her every time he said he wants to get an award from her hand. Was it as important to him as it was to her?

Ashwin continued to talk. "Ellarkume teriyum enn life la Shivangi vandaprom enn life epdi maaruchu nu. Avanga dan ennoda magic. Idhu varaikum avangaluku naan sonnadhu illa..." he smiled at her. "but avanga enaku periya inspiration. Naan avangala meet pannum podhu she was just 20, but avanga kitta irunda optimism, understanding, spirit for life, self love ellame enaku romaba inspiring ah irunduchu. Multi talented person. Life enaku kudhutha periya award avanga. So, avanga kaila award vaangardhu enaku periya honour."

(Everyone knows how Shivangi changed my life. She is my magic. I have not told her this before, but she is my inspiration. She was just 20 when I met her, but she had so much optimism, understanding, spirit for life, self love. She is multi talented. She is my biggest award. So, getting an award from her is special.)

"Shivangi, what would you like to say?"

"Enaku avar maari ellam pesa teriyadhu. Enaku avar neraya solli kuduthirukaru life pathi, media pathi. Neraya clarity kuduthu irukaru. Enaku ennaye kaatinaru. Ennikume avar success naan paakanum nu dan pray pannuven. Ippo oru wife ah kooda irunda avar success enjoy panren. Avaruku avar career evlo mukkiyamo avlo enn career mukkiyam. So, naan wife ah illama, indha award naan avaruku oru fan ah, oru well wisher ah, oru thanks solli kodukanum nu nenaikaren." She turned to him. "Thank you Ashwin for being just you."

(I am not very good with words like him. He has taught me many things about life and media. He gave me good clarity. He showed me who I am. I always wanted his success. Now, as a wife I am happy to be part of his success. He cares for my career as much as his. So, more than a wife, I want to give this award to him as a fan, as a well wisher with thanks. )

"Beautiful." The host complimented. "Setting right kind of standards for how modern couple can be each other's support. Thank you so much you two." The host insisted. "Shivangi, please present the award."

Ashwin received the black lady with immense pride and needed humbleness. "Unn filmfare award pakkathula vechuka oru Jodi vandiruchu." He said grinning making Shivangi laugh heartily that made the perfect capture and circulated in social media for a week with hashtags like #blessed #magic #couplegoals and #ashaangi.

(Now your filmfare award has company)

Ashwin held Shivangi's hand as he lead her down the few stairs and reached where he was seated and now a chair was added for her sake.

"Enn kitaye marachuteenga paatheengala?" their common actor friend said as soon as they seated. "Congratulations ma, tangachi. Unakum congratulations da, machan."

(Can't believe you guys hid it from me. Congratulations to you both.)

"Thanks da." Ashwin said. "Maraikanum nu illa. Unaku dan teriyume veetla kannu partum adhu idhu nu neraya solli amaidi aakeetanga."

(Thanks. We didn't want to hide. You know how family is about all traditions. So, we wanted to wait for few months.)

"Anne.." Shivangi chirped in. "Ungalukum anni-kum naangale vandhu baby shower invitation kuduthu irupom next week. Adhukulla award function vandiruchu."

(We were planning to meet you and your wife next week to invite you for the baby shower.)

"Nee pesadha." Chided friendly. "Avan kooda sendhu neeyum avana maariye privacy adhu idhu nu scene podra."

(You changed to mini him in maintaining privacy.)

"Illa ne." Shivangi pouted. "Naan koodiya seekiram oru pregnancy vlog poduven. Neenga paarunga."

(No, I am planning to release a vlog about pregnancy.)

"Paakaren."

(I don't believe you)

Ashwin and Shivangi stayed for another fifteen minutes receiving all congratulations for his big night before they decided to call it a night.

They were seated in back seat of car driving back home. Ashwin took her hand in his and kissed it. "Thanks ma."

"Kovama Ashwinney?" she asked

(Are you angry?)

"Illa."

(No)

"Nejama?"

(Really?)

He nodded no

"Naan romba bayanduten." She confessed. "Namba eight months varaikum veliya solla vendam nu decide pannom illa. Didirnu Filmfare la irundu call pannanga. Enaku romba aasaiya irunduchu ungaluku award kuduka. Neenga tittuveengalo nu nenachen."

(I was scared. I know we decided to wait eight months till we tell everyone, but I was tempted when I was called by award show people. I wanted to present award to you)

Ashwin moved closer to her putting his one arm around her and another on her bump caressing it.

"Neeyum papa-um one of my biggest nights la en kooda irundadhu romba happy. Edhuku kovapada poren."

(You and baby being with me on one of my biggest nights is the best thing happened to me. How will I get angry?)

Ashwin put his hand inside her loose yellow designer crop top and touched her bare stomach.

"Tangam." He called the baby. "Ungalukaga appa vaangara award idhu. Appo dana neenga enna paathu peruma paduveenga. Neenga enna veeda perusa varanum. Adhuku naan podra oru chinna aeni dan idhu."

(Sweetheart, this award is for you. I want you to be proud of your dad. You should achieve more. This is just me trying to give you a direction.)

"Enna solranga papa?" she asked

(What is baby telling you?)

"Appakum papakum best night kuduthadhuku ammaku thanks solranga."

(Baby wants to thank momm for giving best night to dad and baby)

Shivangi pulled his face close to her and cupped his cheeks with one hand while other was on her baby bump.

"Ammakum paapkum best husband-ah appa-va irukardhuku ungaluku dan thanks."

(Thanks to you for being best husband and best father)

He smiled. "Nee inniku kudutha award veeda, idhu dan periya award." He patted her bump.

(This award is more precious than the award you gave me tonight.)

Shivangi wordlessly pecked his lips. Her biggest thanks to him will be the beautiful life she will build for them with him.

***

How was it?

I wont be able to include to all possible cute family moments in epilogue as I have only 3 more chapters left to complete this story. However, I can write n number of one shots. So, whatever you wish to see, mention here as inline comment and I will either try to include in next 3 chapters or write as separate one shots.