Early update 😇  (unedited)
Enjoy!!🥰

"Ayyayyoo! Yennada idhu?!" The older woman rushed into the room, followed by her husband as they stared frantically at the sight of their son.

(What the heck is this?!)

The parents could not believe what they were seeing. Never once in their life did they expect to find their son, especially their older son who had been nothing but honourable, in such a state.

In the middle of the room, Ashwin was flopped on the floor, messy hair and disheveled shirt, heavy eyes that were ready to give up any minute and the icing on the cake was the large bottle of booze in his hand that he slurped every now and then.

His mother placed her hand over her mouth, unable to process the scene that was playing in front of her eyes.

Her husband who worked better than her under pressure turned to his younger son for some sort of explanation but Sakthi just shrugged. "Yenamo naa ukkara vechi oothi kudutha madhri pakadhinga. Naaney shock landhu veliya varala."

(Please don't look at me like I fed him the drinks. Even I'm shocked.)

"Ashwin! Yennada pannitu iruka?" His father yelled and finally caught his attention.

(What the hell are you doing?)

His drunken eyes looked at them and instantly he extended his arm, offering the bottle to his father who almost experienced a sharp pain in his chest. "Oru sip thaan tharuven solliten."

(Just one sip okay.)

"Dei!!" His mother yelled out.

Rolling his eyes, he immediately moved his arm to her direction. "Seri neeye kudi."

(Fine, you have it.)

Sakthi gasped out loud and quickly moved to a corner, knowing very well his weak body will not withstand the volcano that's about to erupt.

"Seruppu pinjidum! Yennada nenachitu iruka?! Nee oru teetotaller nu ponnu veetula perumaya solliruken da! Yeppo landhu indha palakkam unakku?"

(🩴🩴🩴 Are you out of your mind?! We've told your fiancée's family that you're a teetotaller! Since when do you even drink?)

"Inimey palagikalamnu iruken." He casually said before taking a huge gulp of the drink and made a face at the funny taste that burned his throat.

(Since today.)

He turned to his brother to innocently complain. "Dei yeppodhum ivlo kevalama thaan irukuma?"

(Does it always taste this disgusting?)

Sakthi shook his head  before kindly assuring the amateur drinker. "Anna indha brand konjam apdi thaan irukom. Foreign brands vera level ah-", he stopped midway when he noticed his mother's eyes burning holes at the back of his head.

(This brand is quite sub standard. Foreign brand's taste amazing-)

"Unaku aprom varen." She threatened her youngest before turning to Ashwin who continued drinking without a care in the world.

(I'll deal with you later.)

His father neared him, with voice dripping with concern, he asked. "Yenna pa prechana? Yen ipdi lam pannitu iruka? You've always been disciplined and health conscious more than anyone of us. Yennala unna ipdi paaka mudila Ashwin."

(What's the problem? Why are you doing such things? I can't see you like this Ashwin.)

"Adhuvum ponnu veetula ukkandhu panra velaya da idhu?!" His mother angrily added.

(That too, in your fiancée's house you chose to drink!)

That caused him to finally stop drinking. He shot them a dry look before fixing his gaze specifically on his mother. "Unakku naa yenna pavam pannen? Naa paatuku yenakku pudicha velaya pathutu nimmadhiya vazhndhutu irundhen. Kalyanam panni vekkiren kathirikai kootu vekkiren nu yenna kutitu vandhu ipdi paithiyakaran madhri polamba vechitalla? Nee lam oru amma va?!"

(What did I do to you? I was living well, doing the job I loved. You dragged me into this marriage plan and now look what I've become? I look like I belong in the asylum! How could you do this to me? You call yourself a mother?!)

Her jaw dropped, and before she could even muster her thoughts to formulate an answer, he continued. "Kalyanam pannu kalyanam pannu nu ipdi kalavaram panni vitutalla yen vazhkaila? Naa ketana un kitta? Sollu naa ketana?!"

(You're created a ruckus in my life in the name of marriage! Did I ask for this? Did I?!)

"Dei Ashwin-"

He didn't let her say a word. He had a lot to ask. It was his only time to release all those pent up frustration and bitterness he's been going through for the past few days. "Ulagathula unakku vera family ah kedaikala? Indha veetuku yenna kutitu vandhu yenna gaali pannitalla?"

(Is there no other families in this world? Why did you have to find an alliance in this family and ruin my life?)

"Shalini ku yenna da korachal?" Genuinely confused, she asked.

(What's wrong with Shalini?)

He suddenly smiled, his drunk eyes reflecting the gleams of pain that he held together in his heart. "Yenaku yenna korachal? Yenna yen venamnu sonna?"

(Well what's wrong with me? Why did she throw me away?)

"Yenna da pesura?" His mother seriously asked but he wasn't listening to anything anymore.

(What are you talking about?)

All he could see and hear was Sivaangi begging him to leave her alone just a couple of hours ago in the terrace. The scene replayed in his head over and over again, his breaths getting heavier and heavier as a wave of agony hit him. "Adhuvum, yaarukaga? Andha veena pona bodies kaga yenna venamnu sollitalla? Rakshasi! Ava license revoke thaan aaganum!"

(That too, for who? For the most worthless people, she threw me away. What a devil! I truly hope her license gets revoked!)

That was it. Ashwin's father couldn't watch it anymore. He knelt down and gently held Ashwin's face, making him look up. "Ashwin, yennada aachu? Appa ta sollu."

(Ashwin what happened? Tell me.)

He blinked as a lone tear escaped his eye. His voice cracked as he spoke. His words were all slurry, making it difficult for them to make out what he was going on about. "Appa...my pride, ego, dignity, self respect...she took everything. Naa thuki potuten. Ava munnadi yedhuvumey illa. Aana ava purinjikalaye. Naa vendama."

(I threw away all that. In front of her, none of that stood a chance. But she never understood. Apparently I'm not needed.)

He shut his eyes when it started to leak uncontrollably. "Sathiyama, udambula uyir irukura varaikum andha kanna yennala maraka mudiyathu."

(I swear, I will not forget those eyes until my last breath.)

Suddenly he turned to Sakthi. "Dei!! Adutha target nee thaan. Saamiyar ah kuda aagu, aana ivangala nambi ponnu paka sollidatha! Kummi adichitu poiduvanga!"

(Hey!! The next target is you. You better become a monk before they find a girl for you and create a circus out of your life!)

He turned back to his parents with a fierce glare. "Yenaku yenna pudikum, yaara pudikumnu kuda theriyama poiduchula?"

(What I'll like, who I'll like...you can't even tell that?)

Realising just how confused they seemed, he chuckled. "Adhu seri, ungaluku yepdi theriyum? Yenakey pathathuku aprom thana therinjuchu."

(But then again, how would you know? I myself only knew after I saw her.)

She was everything he never knew he needed until he saw her.

Now that he knows, it's breaking him apart to let go of the one thing that made his world the most beautiful.

And the rest of the night was filled with his rambles that his parents or his brother failed to comprehend at all before he finally passed out on the floor.

...

Crying isn't a sign of weakness. It's a proof that one is living. Not just alive but living.

At least that's what Sivaangi believes.

Yet the amount of times she's shed actual tears until it pains her heart is very little that not even all ten fingers of hers would be needed to count.

The first time she remembers crying was when she was around the age of 6 or 7. It was the day when she found out that Janani was not her mother, that only Shalini and Rakshan are her own children. At that age, the innocent Sivaangi could not even understand what they meant when they said she was an illegitimate child who only brought shame. But one thing was made clear to her - she was unwanted and unloved by the only people she ever knew of.

Then, she remembered crying the very first night she spent in Melbourne, all alone in the dormitory after being forcefully sent away from India. She was only 13 at that time. At a phase of life when she needed parental figures the most, Janani successfully managed to convince her husband to get rid of the little girl that was a constant reminder of their marital life that was falling apart. That night, she had come to terms with the heart wrenching fact that in this massive world, she truly had nowhere and no one to belong to and claim as hers.

She was merely a prisoner of the sins her parents had committed. One of them died and the other ran away from the guilt. But she has to bear the burden of being the product of their mistake until the end of her life.

And now, for the third time in her life, she had been crying. Only this time, she failed to arrive to a conclusion. She can't exactly pinpoint why she was feeling like her entire world collapsed.

Was it because the one person that she had trusted and regarded as family completely let her down?

Or was it because she had to bravely walk away from everything that she yearned for, that came in a human form?

Subconsciously, her arm tightened around the huge polar bear that she was unusually attached to.

She couldn't understand what pleasure the God gained from making her meet him just for her to realise he is the kind of blessings she will never possess.

He came into her life and changed her in ways she had never imagined. He raised the standards. He made her smile, he made her laugh and most importantly he made her feel safe and special. There was something about him that she can't even put into words. And it hurts terribly to let go of a hand that she never got to hold even once.

She used to think that the kind of life she lived had prepared her to face almost anything in life. Life has thrown countless stones and sticks at her since birth that being strong became an essential.

But she realised how wrong she was when those broken eyes and shattered voice of his from last night haunted her peace of mind every second.

But did she regret anything?

No.

Ashwin Kumar is too beautiful to be regarded as a regret.

He was a magic that she experienced. And magics don't last forever. That's what makes it magic.

Just for a fleeting moment, it filled up her empty heart until it started beating for the very first time, it hypnotised her into an illusion that the world is not always as ugly as it had been to her, and it lit up a candle of hope in her to keep going forward no matter how hard it rains until she finds her very own rainbow.

And she will keep trying to find it, even if he won't be there beside her to watch it with.

She buried herself under the thick blanket, desperately hoping the sounds she involuntarily made wouldn't be heard by Shalini who was busily chatting away with someone in the balcony.

Just two more nights to go for the pre wedding ceremonies. And then on an early morning, the most anticipated wedding will take place.

Sivaangi found her breathing getting significantly unstable when she did the maths and automatically her mind formed an image of the wedding.

She truly didn't know where she will get the strength from to witness them get married. But she has to.

She needs to see it for herself to make sure she fully comprehends the reality. Only then she will be able to continue the train ride to her destination. Especially since Ashwin had gotten down at his station already like every other traveller.

Except that he wasn't like any other traveller, he was the only traveller who made her almost consider jumping off the train.

Along with him.

But she didn't. She couldn't leave behind the only thing she owned in the 23 years of life - her self respect.

She did the right thing even if it hurt her. She knows doing the wrong thing because it feels good is only going to hurt her even more later.

Her only regret was, she ended up hurting him which was never part of the plan.

...

The aching in his skull ebbed and flowed like a cold tide, and it felt like his head could crack open from the intense pain any minute.

Ashwin understood at once why they call it a hangover, as it seemed like the blackest of clouds are over his head with no intention of clearing until late afternoon.

After his eyes adjusted to the bright lights of his room, he immediately noticed his mother who stood by his bedside while his father was seated on an ottoman nearby.

Taking in a deep breath, he got himself mentally prepared for the earful he's about to receive from the older woman.

But to his surprise, not a single word escaped her mouth. Instead, she handed him a glass of water along with two pills. When he started at her for an explanation, she simply said,"aspirin thaan, hangover konjam nerathula seri aagidum."

(Aspirin, it helps with the hangover.)

He frowned at that. "Neraya experience oh?"

(Past experiences?)

Instantly the calm facade slipped and the chandramukhi in her peeked out. "Velakkumaru la adi vangatha!"

(🧹🧹🧹

Sighing quietly, he took the pills and gulped down the water only for his mouth to continue feeling dry no matter how much he drank.

Seeing him take the drugs that should ease the pain soon, his father finally questioned. "What is the problem Ashwin? Aside from disappointment, naanga romba bayanthutom. Nee ipdi lam panra aaley illa."

(We became so scared. This is not you at all.)

Ashwin remained quiet, partially because he can't even remember anything he said. Though he could tell that he didn't reveal anything explicitly since they still seem confused.

His mother jumped in to speak. "Yenamo nikka vechi avlo kelvi kekura? Nanga apdi yenna thappu pannitom? Nee okay nu sonnathuku aprom thana ponnu paathu marriage fix pannom?"

(You questioned us like we're some criminals? What wrong did we do? Only after you agreed, we found a suitable girl and fixed the marriage.)

Ashwin just groaned out loudly, ready to bang his head against the wall to stop the torturous pain that squeezed every corner of his brain. "Please, already yenaku vazhi uyir pothu."

(Please, I'm already dying in pain.)

"Avlo periya bottle ah mulusa kudicha, kulu kulu na irukom?!" His mother retorted before her husband signalled her to quiet down.

(If you gulp down the entire bottle, what else do you expect?!)

Ashwin's father gently rubbed his hair that was sticking out everywhere. "Talk to us Ashwin. You know you can tell us anything."

Ashwin made a face at his mother and snickered, "us?"

His father sighed and corrected himself. "Fine, you can tell me anything. Sollu da yenna problem nu."

(Tell me what's the problem.)

His mother quickly intervened. "Unga counselling session dharalama vechikonga. Manasu vittu pesikonga. But oru vishyam mattum nyabagathula irukatum, indha kalyanam nadaka thaan poguthu. Nee yevlo drama pannalum idha stop panna mudiyathu."

(Go ahead with your counselling. Have an open heart to heart talk. But one thing is certain, the wedding is taking place. No matter how many dramas you create, this wedding will not be off.)

Ashwin kicked his pillow in frustration and his father held him firmly, making sure he doesn't loses his temper. "Ashwin, amma ipdi harsh ah pesalam but night full ah she was so worried about you. Thoongavey illa, unna nenachu kavala pattu nenju vazhiye vara madhri irukunu sollitu irundha."

(She might be sounding all harsh but she was so worried about you the whole night. She didn't even sleep a wink. She almost got chest pains from all the worries.)

Ashwin turned to eye his mother from top to bottom before saying,"kaalangathale nalla grand ah saree ah katikitu, moonju neraya makeup potutu, serial la vara villi madhri ninnutu irukanga...ivangaluku nenju vazhi? Indha nenju vazhi ah nambi thana naa indha nelamaila iruken, innum idhey reel ah thaan suthitu irukingala?"

(She's up early in the morning, all dressed up with perfect make up, looking like a villian from tamil soap operas...you expect me to believe her chest pain dramas? I believed it once and look where it has brought me to. For how long you're gonna pull this card?)

Her eyes widened before her face completely shrunk as if she was heartbroken by her son's accusation. "Yepdi pesuran paarunga! Naa iruka modhey ivanuku oru nalla vazhkai amachi kudukanum, yella manushangalum paakura sandhoshathalam yen pullayum pakanum nu naa nenakiren, unakku naa real suthra madhri iruka? Ippo yen arumai theiryadhu da, oru naalu naa iruka maaten appo theriyum."

(Look how rude he is being! All I wanted was to see my son lead a good and happy life just like every other person out there. You will only know my value after I'm gone!)

Ashwin rubbed his forehead as the pain just intensified, he wondered if it's an effect of earning his mother's displeasure. The physical pain was killing him that he couldn't even argue back. Especially not after she used the death card, the magic potion to make him oblige."Amma please, yennala mudila. Naa kalyanam thana pannanum? Panren. Ivala mattum illa, innum yethana pera panna ungaluku dhirupthi nu sollunga, yellarayum pannuren. Yenna ippo thaniya vidunga."

(Mom please, I can't take this anymore. You want me to get married? I will. Not just to her, bring in as many people as you want. I'll marry all of them until you get satisfied. Now leave me alone.)

Her sharp glare subsided slightly before she left the room. His father meanwhile was hesitant to leave him alone, he was still very worried about his son who was acting completely out of character.

"Ashwin-"

"Vidunga pa. Naa yen nethu apdi pannanu yenakey therila. My heart just felt very heavy that I wanted to forget everything , even if it's temporary. But thala vazhi mattum illa, manasu adhuku mela vazhikidhu. Neenga onnum kavala padathinga, inimey drink panna maaten."

(Leave it Dad. I don't know why I did that yesterday. Now all I'm left with is an even worse pain, not just on my head but my heart too. You don't have to worry, I won't be drinking again.)

"Inimey drink pannama irukuradhu lam okay. But are you okay Ashwin?"

(That's good but are youokay?

He fell into a silence before breathing out. "I will be. Hopefully."

The optimism in his words put his father at ease. With fondness in his eyes, he looked at his disarranged son. "Just remember one thing, life yella neramum namma aasai padra madhri pogathu. Ipdi nadanthuruchey nu feel pannama, accept the mess you are in and do what you can within your power to set things right. Unakunu kadavul yeludhi vechadhu un kitta thaan vandhu serum. Nobody can fight what's written in the stars, not even you."

(Life won't always go the way we expect, instead of dwelling in self pity, embrace it and make the best out of it. What's meant for will always find its way to you. Nobody can fight what's written in the stars, not even you.)

Ashwin sighed internally, there was nothing to disagree. They were indeed victims of fate.

...

Their soon-to-be son in law walked down the stairs, looking as dashing as he always do in the formal white shirt tucked into a charcoal slim-fit trousers. It was the most basic style but Ashwin had the looks to transform the ordinary into extraordinary.

He could be wearing singlet with lungi and he would still look eligible enough to walk down the runway.

Janani stared in awe, and received him with a huge smile. "Romba thanks mapillai photoshoot ku agree pannathuku. Photographer is on the way, ingaye wait pannunga. Terrace la cleaning poitu iruke, mudinjathum neenga anga ponga."

(Thanks a lot for agreeing to do this, just wait here for a while. Once they're done with the cleaning, you can go up to the terrace.)

Ashwin furrowed his eyebrows. "Yedhuku terrace ku poganum?"

(Why terrace?)

"Anga thaan photoshoot plan pannirkom."

(That's where we've planned the photoshoot.)

He immediately dismissed the idea. "Illa terrace vendam. Vera yenga naalum okay."

(No I don't want the terrace. Anywhere else is fine.)

Her smile dropped. "Anga thaan view nalla irukom, photos lam romba nalla varum."

(The view there will be nice, the photos will turn out good too.)

"Terrace la vendam." He firmly said. "Neenga romba virupa patta, unga ponna vechi mattum anga photoshoot pannikonga."

(I said I don't want the terrace. If you want it so much, you can do a solo photoshoot of your daughter there.)

Pressing her lips together, she tried to hide her disappointment. "Backyard ah clear panna solren, neenga ingaye wait pannunga."

(I'll get the backyard ready then, just wait here.)

He watched the woman leave with a frown and he sunk down into the couch. The terrace did have a splendid view but it also holds way too many precious memories that it felt wrong to take couple photos with another woman there.

Usually he's the type to give in to older people, careful to not hurt their feelings and be labeled as insolent.

But when it comes to certain things, Ashwin never compromises. They can think of him as vain, snobbish or even high and mighty. He didn't care.

The terrace is their thing and it shall remain that way even if the existence of 'their' was questionable at the moment.

His trains of thoughts came to a halt when Shalini hastily invaded his peace. She was dolled up and looked lovely in her bright yellow saree that flowed down her shoulder gracefully.

Contrary to her choice of clothing, her face was joyless and Ashwin could even detect some sort of agitation from her body language.

This was the Shalini Ashwin was used to seeing but this kinda felt odd after encountering a completely different one yesterday. Ashwin silently wondered if that woman suffered from split-personality disorder.

How could there be so many contrasting shades to a person and how does she keep changing into these shades like some lipstick shades?

For the first time, she initiated the conversation but just not the ideal conversation that should take place between an engaged couple. "Why did you agree to the photoshoot? How could you? I-I thought you would say no!"

Ashwin tilted his head, paying close attention to where this conversation was headed towards. "We're getting married, what's wrong with a photoshoot? Unaku pudikalana you could have stopped your mother right?"

(If you don't like it, you could have stopped your mother right?)

She clenched her teeth, vexation written all over her face. "Ashwin, cut out the act. Yenaku yella theriyum. Naa thaan nethey sonnanla, don't take too long to call it off. Why are you buying so much time for?!"

(I know everything. I already told you yesterday, dont take too long to call it off.)

His lips formed a thin line as Ashwin stared at her blankly. "Yenaku purila naa yen wedding ah call of pannanumnu. Yes getting married is not my dream but yenga amma kaga naa accept pannikiten, I am here to marry you after you agreed. Ippo thidirnu yen wedding ah innum call off pannalanu ketta, naa yenna solrathu?"

(I don't understand why I need to call off the wedding. Yes I'm not keen about this but I'm doing it for my mother. Why are you expecting me to call it off?)

She rolled her eyes and finally snapped. "I know about you and Sivaangi. Ippo puridha yen call off pannanumnu?"

(Do you understand now why you should call it off?)

"What about me and Sivaangi?" He blinked innocently.

Shalini glared, almost ready to scream but she kept her cool knowing they're still in the living room where anybody could show up anytime. "Two nights in a row she was in your room. Adhuvum oru night she only came out early in the morning. Yenga veetu servant pathutu sonna. I'm not here to discuss about what's right or wrong. For someone like Sivaangi, I wouldn't expect anything less so this really doesn't matter. You guys obviously have a thing for each other, so yenna vidunga, don't involve me in this mess!"

(She spent two nights in a row in your room. And one of the night, she only came back the next morning. My servant saw everything. Now just leave me alone, don't involve me in this mess!)

Before Ashwin could respond, she added. "Veetula yenna solluvanga, appa disappoint aaguvaru, amma tension aaguvanga...idha pathilam yosikathinga. Sivaangi porutha varaikum adhulam oru matter kedayathu so just tell them the truth and get together."

(Don't worry about things like how the family would react, for Sivaangi none of that even matters. Just tell them the truth and get together already.)

She almost ran out of breath after saying all of that in a single shot. Nervously she waited for him to say something in return but he remained quiet.

Suddenly, he started unbuttoning his shirt, causing Shalini to widen her eyes. "W-What are you doing?"

Wordlessly he tugged down his shirt to reveal the bandage around his arm as Shalini stared in confusion. "I was hurt. She helped with the wounds. Adhuku thaan room ku vandha."

(That's why she was in my room.)

Shalini just stood there, unable to move or formulate any words. Her eyes shook in panic, as all her plans that she took days to come up with have crushed down just like that.

With a strong gaze, he asked. "Ippo kalyanam panradhu la problem illala?"

(Now there shouldn't be a problem with getting married right?)

Her lips trembled, she truly did not expect him to twist the narrative in a way that completely toppled down her scheme. Just when she thought it was sorted out, now she's back to square one or actually a worse position because now Ashwin definitely knows something is up with her.

"A-Ashwin naa-"

"You better stop your dirty games." He hissed through his teeth, his eyes reflecting pure disdain for the woman.

"Unakku indha kalyanam venamna, nera poyi andha Mark Zuckerberg pathi un appan ta sollu. Puridha?"

(If you don't want this marriage, go to your dad and tell him about your Mark Zuckerberg. Got it?)

Her jaw dropped at the mention of Mark, Ashwin purposely used the wrong last name but Shalini was not in the position to correct him about that.

She stood there speechless while her fiancé continued with a murderous look. "Neeya poi unmai ah sollita matter simple ah mudinjidum. Adha vittutu yedhavudhu game aaduna, adhuvum Sivaangi ah vechi if you try anything, asingapattu poiduva."

(If you yourself tell the truth, it'll all end simply. If you try any dirty games, especially involving Sivaangi, you won't be able to show your face to anyone after that.)

Shalini clenched her fist, as she nervously looked around, making sure nobody was overbearing their conversation. Ashwin suddenly chuckled but his laughter was dripping with venom.

"Yepdi yepdi, love pannadhu nee, veetula kalyanathuku avasarapattu okay sonnadhu nee, ippo kalyanatha stop panrathuku mattum Sivaangi scapegoat ah? Unakku lam vekkama illa?"

(Isn't it crazy, you fell in love with someone, you agreed to get married to someone else in impulse, now to stop the wedding Sivaangi will be your scapegoat? Just how shameless can you be?)

That was it. She couldn't stay quiet anymore. Now when he was looking down at her in a way nobody has ever did. Swallowing harshly, she desperately spat. "Look you don't know my family! Naa poyi ipdi oru vishyam sonnana, my parents will completely break. Sivaangi ku apdi kedayathu. They don't have any expectations on her, in fact they expect the worst out of her so-"

(If I tell them something, my parents will completely break. That isn't the case for Sivaangi.)

"And you want to frame it that way, that Sivaangi really turned out to be just as evil as they had expected. While you will earn their love and even sympathy since now you would be the daughter whose marriage got ruined,  Sivaangi will continue being the recipient of their wrath and hatred. Neelam oru manushi ah? Andha ponnu ku poyi ipdi lam panna unakku yepdi manasu varudhu?"

(Are you even human? How can you bring yourself to do this to someone like her?)

"Just stop talking unnecessarily! Nejamavey unakum Sivaangi kum naduvula onnumey illa?!" She angrily yelled.

(There's really nothing between Sivaangi and you?!)

"Illa!" He instantly answered.

(No!)

Just a few minutes ago, it wouldn't have been easy for him to shut her down like that and deny what she suspected.

But after he saw through her plans, their bond, relationship, the overwhelming feelings and whatnots, none of that mattered anymore.

Now all he was determined about was to protect Sivaangi's name and honour. That woman held such a huge chunk of his heart that even the mere thought of someone tainting her reputation made him go feral.

And that's when it all started making sense to him.

Sivaangi's sudden withdrawal, her distant behaviour and the agonising words that escaped her lips.

That girl had been battling devils who were all set to drag her through dirt. And she's been fighting on her own.

Inhaling shakily, he turned to Shalini with eyes that dripped with spite. "Yenaku unna suthama pudikala. Un munja paatha yenaku yeruchal thaan varuthu. But naa indha kalyanatha stop pannuven apdinu mattum nenaikadha. Neeya stop panra varaikum indha marriage nikkadhu. It's high time you take off the 'ideal daughter' mask and show your real self to your parents."

(I despise the idea of you. Looking at your face just irritates me so much. But I'm not going to stop this wedding. Until you yourself stop it, this wedding won't be off.)

She glared back at him, unable to even lash out considering the dangerous position she's landed herself at.

With a look of terror that she had never seen before anywhere, he leaned in slightly and whispered. "Yedhavudhu aatam kamicha, jenmathukum maraka mudiyatha alavuku panniduven."

(If you pull any sneaky moves, I'll make sure you regret for your lifetime.)

Moving away from her, he cheerfully put on a plastic smile. "Seri seri ippo neenga yenna panringa, amma kitta poyi indha photoshoot lam vendam apdi nu solringa."

(Okay okay now what you're going to do is, go to your mom and tell her you don't want this photoshoot.)

She frowned. "Photographers are on the way! Neenga yen first okay sonninga-"

(You agreed to this first-)

"Nee ivlo kevalamana piravi nu appo therila. Un kuda lam photo yeduka mudiyathu," he once again eyed at her like she was the filthiest thing on earth, riling her up instantly.

(I had no idea you were such a disgusting creature. There's no way I'm taking photos with you)

Huffing loudly, she stormed off leaving him in alone in the living room.

His blood was still boiling at the thought of what Shalini could have pulled had he been a little naive and trusted that she genuinely wished for him to be with the girl his heart beat for.

One thing he can never understand is how the most angelic, sweetest girl like Sivaangi ended up with a family that's nothing but vile and heartless?

Despite being put through all these, it's a miracle how beautiful her heart still remained. It was wounded, tattered and hurt countless times but it was the biggest and purest heart without a doubt.

His eyes landed on her room door, he wasn't sure if she was in but he silently vowed to himself even if she would never know.

You don't have to fight on your own anymore, Sivaangi. Let me do it for you. And once the battle is over, I'll rewrite the stars and beneath it will be the most beautiful world just for you.

~~~•••~~~

How was it? Too draggy? (this is the longest chapter I've ever written😅)

I hope some things are much clearer now from Shalini's perspective at least. Not sure if she's necessarily evil, but she's judgemental and selfish like many other people.

The most awaited chapter is on its way so buckle up! 😉

And sorry if this chapter was not up to the usual standard, these days I'm really tired and stressed so the usual writer in me is kinda floating around. Give me some time before I get back on track🙏🏻

Those who are waiting for BTY, I'm sorry I'm going through a huge writer's block for it and need some time to get back my inspiration for it :( Hopefully next update will be for BTY!

Thank you for reading💜