Epilogue – III

Having a bad day. So, thought of channelizing my energy into writing.

The fandom was in tears. They can't believe their eyes. They had long back given up on dreaming about witnessing such bliss that when they finally has a proof in front of their eyes, they were having hard time taking in everything.

Tweet 1 : Mannara adhu?

(Is this him?)

Tweet 2 : Kandipa chellama dan avar account handle panra

(I think she is handling his account)

Tweet 3 : Enn heart tundu tundu a odanju pochu. So cuteu

(My heart is flying. So cute)

Everyone who followed the Indian Standard Time was rudely awaken by the rest of the fans who had day as a post that they were all waiting for was dropped by Ashwin at 3 in the morning.

Little Shivin, 5 months old baby of Ashwin and Shivangi, was introduced to the world for first time.

Ashwin took Instagram to post a picture of him and his first born at such an odd hour.

Shivin was lying on a beige colour baby mat that had car cartoons. His eyes were half closed. His one hand and legs were in air, while hiss other was holding his father's hair in loose grip. Ashwin, who was bent near his son half lying on the bed, pretended to be hurt by little hands pulling his hair. His eyes were narrowed, nose scrunched, but lips held a proud smile.

The caption read :

"When he decides that our family isn't yet ready to sleep at regular hours like normal people

PC : new mom who is sleep deprived"

There are people who come up with elaborate plans and photo shoots to introduce their baby and then there is Ashwin and Shivangi who choose to post such random goofy picture on social media knowing that is where they can connect to their fans easily.

Birth of Shivin was as precious to fans as the new parents for fans knew how much having a baby and family of own meant to Ashwin. They celebrated 16th November, birthday of Shivin, with as much josh as if their own household was blessed with a kid.

Though Ashwin and Shivangi were overwhelmed by the love, they believed that baby had to be away from puclic eyes for few months. They were sure their fans would understand, agree and respect the decision.

However, Ashwin for the first time since he became an actor voluntarily requested the host who interviewed him for his new movie promotion to ask about his son as he couldn't think of any other way through which he can convey to his fans about the new member of the family.

In that Interview that took place one month after Shivin was born Ashwin said, "Peru Shivin. Enga rendu peroda name la irundu letters eduthu vechom. Ippo dan one month aagudhu. Naangalum konjam adjust panni ellam kathukittu irukom new parents ah, avarum ippo dan indha world ku palagararu. Naanga romba lucky yena enn parents um seri Shivangi parents um seri kooda vandu irukanga, romab help panranga, engaluku ellam kathu taranga. Adhunala easy ah iruku."

(His name is Shivin. We took letters from our name and named him. He is just a month old now. We are adjusting to parenthood and so does he to this world.We are lucky that we have both our parents to help and guide us. So it is easy for us.)

The host was very curious about something and couldn't help himself but say, "Shivangi enga ellathukum oru chinna ponna, enga veetu pillai ah teriyum. Romba years ah paathutu irukom. Engaluku ellam avangale oru kozhandaya dan mind la irukanga. Avangaluku oru kozhandaya nu iruku."

(Shivangi to us is still the young girl we saw few years ago. Surreal to think that she is mother of a child.)

Ashwin laughed. This isn't the first time someone was pointing this out and he knows how much his wife hates hearing this. "Avanga romba romba protective mother." He defended proudly. "In fact, enna veeda avanga dan romba careful ah irukanga. Easy ah grasp panranga. Shivin pathi ellame finger tips la irukum. She is an amazing mother."

(She is a very protective mother. In fact, she is more careful than I am. She grasps things easily. She knows everything related to Shivin. She is an amazing mother.)

"Kadaisiya one question before we wrap." Host interjected. "Shivin unga maari ah Shivangi maari ah?"

(Last question before we wrap. So who does Shivin look like?)

Ashwin smiled fondly recollecting pleasant face of his son. "Innum solla terila." He caressed his cheeks. "Light ah sirikum podhu dimple teridhu already. Adhu enga rendu per kitta irundu vandirukalam. Matha padi yaar jada nu innum solla mudila. Konjam perusu aana teriyum."

(Hard to tell. He gets dimples when he smiled. I guess he got it from both of us. Otherwise, too early to tell who he resembles.)

That clip where Ashwin spoke about Shivin made rounds around twitter for one whole week. Twitter was trending with discussion and after Shivangi retweeted the video from her account, it also gained quote tweets and comments from many celebrities who wished the couple and the baby good luck.

After that video went viral, only after months baby photo was released by Ashwin in his official Instagram page. Even though fans have noticed change in Ashwin's instagram activity after wedding, he has become more active and funny and relatable, it was still surreal to see him share private moments with fans after seeing him be private person for years.

Tweet 1 : Oru vela Mannarum and Kuttyum sendu Chellama va toonga vidama panrangalo ?

(Maybe he and baby are not letting Chellama sleep)

Tweet 2 : Manna tookama varala nu Shivin ku PS solli kudutaradeenga

(If baby doesn't sleep, don't teach him PS)

Tweet 3 : Shivin amma maari ah appa maari ah?

(Does Shivin take after his father or mother?)

It was another few days before fans had an opportunity to ask this question to Shivangi directly when she came to attend a space.

"Terilaye!" was her immediate answer. Shivangi herself laughed reading how fans were pouting about her template answer. "Nejamave terilanga." She answered laughing. "Innum nadaka ellam arambikala. Appo dana enna maari kurumba illa avara maari amaidiya nu teriyum. Ippodaiku paal kudipan, toonguvan, walking kooteetu pona vedika papan avlo dan."

(I don't know. I swear I have no clue. He hasn't even started to walk yet. So, we can't be sure if he is naughty like me or calm like Ashiwn. For now, he drinks milk, sleeps and if we take him walking, he looks around in awe.)

Shivangi was reading through other questions when suddenly her account went on mute. She returned after few minutes and said, "Shivin avara romba tholla panran. Naan pona dan rendu perum amaidi avanga. Naan innoru naal space ku varen. Bye!!!" she ended with her cute voice that has no changed over the years.

(Shivin is troubling his daddy. I got to do to calm them both. Will come to space again. Bye!)

First time in many months, the first time parents got a moment of relief when Shivin chose to sleep early. With Ashiwn's mother playing the babysitter, the young couple sat in swing in their garden with slice of brownie that Ashwin made for his wife.

"Enn vazhkai la ivlo tired ah naan irundade illa." Shivangi remarked as she laid her head on his shoulder

(I have never been so tired in my life.)

"Naan ivlo content ah irundade illa." Ashwin said

(I have never been this content)

Shivangi lifted her head and looked at her husband

"Shivin ah enna veeda adigama love panreengala?" she asked

(Do you love Shivin more than me?)

"Shivin vandanyum unna modal veeda romba love panren. Andha love um sethu Shivin love panren."

(I love you more after Shivin is born. I love him along with all the love I have for you)

Shivangi playfully nudged his stomach.

"Eppa paathalum edachu over brainy ah pesi enna confuse panradhu."

(You confuse everyone with your words)

"Unmaya solren ma."

(I am being honest)

Shivangi rolled her eyes and start to take small bites of the Brownie.

"Ashwin!" she called."Nalaiku naan recording varala nu soleerta?"

(Shall I cancel the recording tomorrow?)

"Yenn?"

(Why?)

"Shivin ku naan illama iruka teriyadhu."

(Shivin will miss me)

"Ma, naan irupen, enga amma appa irukanga. Unga amma kooda varuvanga. Idhuku mela avana paathuku yaar venum. Just three hours recording dana. Seekiram poitu vandiru. Avan miss panna maatan."

(He has me, my parents, your mother will come here too. We will take care. Just three hours of recording. He will not miss you)

"Miss panna maatana?" Shivangi asked offended

(Won't he?)

Ashwin gulped. He realized he touched a wrong nerve.

"Apdi sollala ma. Miss pannuvan, aana samatha irupan nu vera vidama sonnen."

(I didn't mean it. He will miss you, but he will be calm with us too. )

Shivangi narrowed her eyes in glare.

"Nambu ma. Kandipa miss pannuvan. Avan dan seriyana mumma's boy aache. But, trust me. Naan paathukaren. Nee romaba months kalichu recording panra. So, adhula mattum concentrate pannu."

(I swear he will miss you. He is such a mumma's boy. Trust me. I will take care of him. You are going to record after many months. So, concentrate on that.)

Shivangi knew she can't be always trying to have her son in front of her eyes. Ashwin is very particular that she shouldn't do to their son what his mother did to him. Moreover, Shivangi who had completely different upbringing also knows that she has to follow what her parents did. This is just first of many times she will have to remove herself from her son so that he has his own individuality. Nevertheless, it is still difficult to leave her cutie pie of a son who has her heart the minute she laid her eyes on him or from even before that.

Shivangi turned to Ashwin and kissed his cheeks sticking some chocolate sauce on his cheeks. She shouldn't have second thoughts about leaving Shivin to his father who is probably the most attentive and protective man in the world. She can't thank enough that she chose to have a child with this gem of a person.

It is a new phase and they both are once again happily together in this where they can learn and grow.

****

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