Having a career that often puts his own life at risk, Ashwin is fairly a courageous man. There's not much that he fears in life.

But even for him, being in the room with his mother pacing up and down with her arms folded against her chest, her entire demeanour reminding him of the very famous psychotic fictional character from a horror movie, Chandramukhi, was quite nerve wrecking.

He sat on the bed, masking his fear with a blank face that further riled up the woman who gave birth to him.

His eyes moved to his father who was resting on the chair by the corner of the room, not daring to intervene his wife's interrogation session because for once, it felt necessary. Ashwin pleaded his father with his eyes hoping for some sort of help but the man simply shook his head, letting him know that this time he can't be on his side.

"Vaaya thoraka poriya illaya?"  His mother's voice boomed through the silence.

(Are you planning to open your mouth or not?)

Ashwin sighed internally, really having no idea how to get himself out of this mess. Sakthi who was slumped on the floor loudly whined. "Maa pasikuthu maa."

(Mom I'm hungry.)

"Vaaya moodu! Avana vaya thorandhu pesa sollu. Avan badhil solra varaikum yaarum indha room vittu poga kudathu!" She firmly said, turning to face Ashwin with a demanding look.

(Shut up. Ask him to tell me the truth. Until then, nobody's going out of this room.)

Sakthi begged him. "Anna pesi tholayen, yen ipdi uyira vangura?! Unaku aprom porandha pavathuku naa patni lam kedaka mudiyathu. Seekiram sollu, kovil landhu yedhuku escape aaguna? Yenga pona?"

(Can you talk already? I can't starve. Why did you leave the temple? And where did you go?)

"Ippo yethuku adhu? Neenga yellarum bayandha madhri naa onnum odi polala? Veetuku thaan vantanla, yenga poirundha yenna?"

(Why do I need to tell you? It's nothing like what you feared right? It's not like I ran off.)

Sakthi let out a painful sound before getting up. "Pochu, idhu night fulla pogum. Unnala mudinjadha nee senjitalla." He turned to his father,"ponga ponga inniki soru kedayadhu, thanniya kudichitu oru orama paduthu thoongunga, avanga panchayat continue pannatum."

(Okay this is gonna go on for the entire night. Dad, just drink a cup of water and get to bed. Let them continue their argument.)

Ignoring her younger son pitiful complains, the mother faced Ashwin. "Avanga munnadi yenga yellarukum yevlo asingama irundhuchu theriyumada? Oru 10 minutes pesunganu vittutu vandhu paatha andha ponnu mattum ukkandhurka, avalta ketalum theriyala yedhuvum sollama poitarunu solra. Yennada nenakiradhu? Avlo avasarama yenga ponanu yenaku ippo theriyanum!"

(You've embarrassed us in front of your in laws? How can you just disappear like that? I need to know what was so urgent for you to leave like that!)

Ashwin rolled his eyes and decided to use his go to reason. "Oru chinna velai, yenna velainu kekadhinga. It's confidential. Adha mudichitu veetuku vandhutten. Avlo dhaan. Can we drop this already?"

(A small work and I can't share what it is because it's confidential. It's over and I came back home.)

"Yenna patha paithiyakaari madhri theriyudha?!"His mother yelled on top of her voice, her eyes really only lacking the the light effect from horror movies.

(Do I look like a mentally affected person to you?!)

Ashwin murmured loudly. "Idhuku naa badhil solliduven..."

(Do you really want me to answer that?)

Understanding what he was trying to imply, she raised her arm to smack him but he dodged gleefully and instead wrapped his arm around her, going in for an unnecessary hug hoping it'll cool her down. She tried to shake him off but he was stubborn and pouted, resting his head on her shoulder.

"Amma naa yendha thappum pannala, pannavum maaten. I did the right thing today. Purinjiko."

(I didn't do anything wrong. Please try to understand.)

She calmly pulled him off this time to look at her child. She knows her son. Of course he is incapable of doing anything that taints their reputation. That's not what she was worried about.

"Yenaku un career choice pudikala thaan but you are my biggest pride Ashwin." She openly confessed.

(I never liked your career choice but...)

Before she could continue, Sakthi loudly interrupted. "Inga naa oruthan iruken."

(I'm like right here.)

The mother and son chose to ignore his comment and went back to their conversation. "But sometimes you can be selfish. Mathavangala pathi yosikkalam but mathavangala pathi mattumey yosika kudathu. Un vazhkaiye vaala vendama? Unna pathi oru nimisham yosi, unakku yenna venumnu yosi, unakku yedhu happiness kudukumnu yosi."

(Stop always thinking about others, for once think about your life. Think about yourself. Think about what you want and what makes you happy.)

Ashwin knows his mother was saying all that in a completely different context but his cheeky mind was interpreting it in a meaning that he would prefer.

Is it really okay to be selfish sometimes? Especially if it involves someone so precious and priceless?

His mother lovingly stroked his cheek. "Military officer Ashwin ku konjam rest kudu. Oru sadharna manushan ah, Ashwin ku yenna venum?"

(Take a break from your military officer self and just be a normal human. What would a normal Ashwin want?)

"Yevana irundhalum vazhkai ku soru venum, modhalla sapdalama?" Sakthi once again intervened the meaningful conversation between the mother and son only to be ignored again as expected.

(Whoever he is, one needs food to survive. Can we eat now?)

Ashwin stared at his mother's eyes that held nothing but love for him. He gulped and tried. "Yenaku..." But he couldn't finish the sentence.

(I...)

His mother encouragingly nodded, getting excited that her emotionally unavailable child was finally opening up and perhaps will now focus on his personal life instead of drowning in his career.

Ashwin decided to just throw it out, determined to face any consequences. "Yenaku konjam time venum."

(I need some time.)

He was ready for her to at least give him a tight slap but instead she grinned widely. "Shalini kuda thana? Leave ah extend pannu, sandhosama yevlo naalu venalum irundhutu po. Honeymoon ku Swiss poitu vaanga. Kalyanam mudiyatum, I'll take care of all the arrangements."

(With Shalini right? Just extend your leave, spend as many days as you want with her. Spend your honeymoon at Swiss. Just wait till the wedding is over...)

This is exactly why he hates talking. Because he's still so bad at it. How could he phrase it in such an ambiguous way that can easily cause her to misunderstand.

Sighing he shook his head to correct her. "Kalyanam mudinji time venumnu naa sollala."

(I'm not saying I need time after the marriage.)

Her smile now became much smaller as she questioned. "Aprom?"

(Then?)

Sakthi sensing that the conversation was about to go south quickly tried again even though he knows they're probably going to block out his voice again. "Saptutu vandhu continue panlama indha discussion ah?"

(Can we continue this after eating?)

His mother asked again. "Aprom yeppo time venum?"

(Then when do you need time?)

With his entire chest, Ashwin quietly said. "I need time before the marriage. Yenaku kalyanatha konjam thalli vekkanum."

(I wanna postpone the wedding.)

"Yedu seruppa naaye!"

(*👞🐶*)

Ashwin had to literally run and use his father as a shield to save his life. "Ma konjam amaidhiya iruma." Ashwin's father tried to calm her down even though he knows it will be futile.

(Please a bit calm.)

Her look was far more terrifying than earlier as she stared with her jaw shaking. "Yedhuku time? Adhukulla andha ponney unna venamnu sollanum? Adhu thana plan? Theriyum da yenaku!"

(You need time for what exactly? So Shalini herself will call out the marriage right? That's your plan right? I know you!)

Of course his mother knows him in and out. He really thought even if he can't exactly stop the wedding right now, the best he can do is buy more time. For now he can delay the marriage and hope something might happen for it to be completely called off.

He looked at her with the most innocence he could muster. "Apdi lam illama, we're engaged anyway. Konjam time kudutha we can understand each other better, adhuku aprom kalyanam panna okay thana?"

(It's nothing like that, we're engaged anyway. With more time before marriage we can understand each other better.)

She mockingly smiled at him. "Andha understanding lam kalyanam panna varum. Yen kitta un velaya katadha! Unnoda criminal brain pathi yenaku nallavey theriyum."

(You'll understand each other better after the wedding. Stop this tricks.)

Now Ashwin was getting irritated too. "Neenga thana sonninga yenaku yenna venumnu yosinu!"

(You literally asked what I wanted!)

"Thappu thaan da, yen thappu thaan! Unakku yenna venumo adhu padi seiyunu sonna idhoda namma family tree alunji thaan pogum!"

(Yeah of course it's mistake for asking you that. Because if I let you do as you want, our family tree would come to an end.)

Sakthi stood up and tapped on her shoulder, this time not wanting to be ignored at all. "Yen family tree alunji pogum? Inga naa oruthan iruken la? Naanga contribute panna matoma? Ivanuku oru Shalini madhri yenaku oru Malini set panni kuduka maatinga?"

(Why would you say that? I'm like right here. I can contribute. Just like you got him a Shalini you can get me a Malini.)

His mother just stared blankly at her silly younger son before turning back to Ashwin with fuming eyes. "Idhuku mela yedhuvum pesatha. Unaku yenna venumnu naa mudivu pannikiren."

(Don't say another word, I'll make all your decisions.)

Ashwin wanted to pluck out every hair. "Appa neengalavudhu sollungalen? Puriyama pesitu irukanga."

(Dad can you at least help me out here? She's not understanding anything.)

His mother was about jump at him. "Purinja naala thaan pesuran! Kalyanatha thalli lam poda mudiyathu, josiyar sollitaru indha masam kalyanam aagalana unaku innum 3 varushathuku kalyanam aagathunu."

(I'm understanding it all too well. We surely can't postpone the wedding because according to your horoscope if your wedding doesn't take place within this month, it won't happen for the next 3 years.)

"Yendha kalathula irukinga? Yenaku yeppo kalyanam aaganumnu yevano oruthan mudivu pannuvana?" Ashwin yelled in frustration.

(Which era are you in? Would you let some jobless person to decide when I should get married?)

His mother shot back. "Yevano oruthan mudivu pannala, naa thaan pannen. Yen pecha kepa thana?"

(I am the one deciding it. And you will obey me, right?)

Ashwin fell into a silence. His mother placed her hand on his cheek, gently tapping it. Only this time, instead of love her eyes reflected a threat he can't escape from. "Sonna date la sonna time la kalyanam nadakanum."

(The wedding must take place at the exact time and date as we initially decided.)

There was a sharpness to her tone that made it impossible for Ashwin to argue back. She turned to her younger son and signalled him. "Sakthi, avana kutitu poi sapda veyi."

(Sakthi bring him for dinner.)

Sakthi jumped up to his feet with his bright eyes. "Vaa na vaa na, amma vey solliduchu. Poi sapdalam."

(Come let's go, she herself said it.)

Sakthi happily dragged Ashwin by the arm. Just before the duo left the room, the mother warned her son once again. "Kalyanam mudira varaikum nee yengayavuthu pona, veetuku iluthutu vandhu adhutha nimisham thali katta solluven. Pathu nadanthuko."

(Until the wedding is over, if I see you going anywhere else I'll drag you home and make you tie the thaali right there, It's all in your hands.)

...

After filling their stomachs, the brothers were climbing up the stairs. Sakthi noticed his brother's face that was still filled with misery and irritation.

"Dei namma rooms indha pakkam." Ashwin pointed out when Sakthi took an unnecessary turn.

(Our rooms are this way.)

"Ippo thana aunty sonnanga avanga yellarum terrace la irukanganu. Apdina anni must be there too. Let's go there." Sakthi suggested with an obvious shrug.

(Aunty just said they're all hanging out at the terrace, that means Shalini must be there too.)

"Aama romba mukkiyam, adhulam theva illa. Pesama poi padu."

(No need, just get to bed.)

Sakthi shook his head in disappointment, purposely imitating their mother. "Understand panrathuku time venumnu solra, but kedacha time ah use panna maatukura. Unna purinjikavey mudila man."

(You said you need time to understand her better but you don't wanna use the time when an opportunity arises. I don't even understand you man.)

"Nee purinjikittu yenna panna pora?"
(There's no need for you to understand me.)

Sakthi nodded. "Adhuvum correct thaan, naana unkooda kuppa kotta poren? Seri nee poyi padu, Sivaangi anga thaan irupa I'll just go and talk to her...inniki ava kovil ku kuda varala."

(True that, I'm not the one who's gonna live with you. Okay you go sleep then, Sivaangi is there so I'll just go and talk to her...she didn't even come to the temple today.)

And just as he started walking away from his brother, Ashwin shamelessly jogged to join him while trying to not question his own actions because he's not ready for answers.

Confused, Sakthi turns to ask. "Yenna aachu?"

(What happened?)

Avoiding his eyes, Ashwin blatantly lied. "Illa nee sonnatha yosichu paathen, you're right. I should make use of situations like this."

(No I thought about what you said..,)

Sakthi stared with shock as he brought dramatically brought his hand to his chest. "Che yen words ku ivlo power ah? Yennoda range yenakey innum therilayo?"

My words hold this much of power? Am I underestimating myself?)

Ashwin rolled his eyes, his heartbeat increasing at every step they took forward. His mind tried to tell convince him that it's because he's gonna meet his fiancé, and tired to shut off his heart that offered other possibilities. "Seri mooditu vaa."

(Shut up and come.)

...

The duo walked into the dark terrace and spotted a gang full of girls huddled together in a corner, laughing loudly about something while a soft music was playing from one of their phones.

Terror filled up Ashwin's eyes. "Sakthi yellarum girls ah irukanga."

(There's only girls here.)

On the contrary, Sakthi'a face lit up like a christmas tree ornament. "Aama na, yellarum girls."

(I know, full of girls.)

Ashwin glared at his euphoric tone. "Dei saava aaduchiduven."

(I would kill you.)

Sakthi rolled his eyes. "Yellarum unna madhri saamiyar ah irupangala? Nammalala lam mudiyathu pa. Aprom family tree ah sustain panra poruppu vera amma yenaku kuduthurkanga."

(You expect everyone to be a loser like you? I definitely can't. Moreover I'm given the responsibility by mom to sustain our family tree.)

Ashwin was about to argue back but a cheery voice called out for him as she excitedly waved. "Hey military!"

Forcing out a smile, he walked behind Sakthi who excitedly made his way to the group of girls who urged them to join. He sank to the floor beside Sakthi while Sivaangi sat opposite of him. She smiled over at him, wiggling her eyebrows as if questioning his sudden visit.

That's when Ashwin was able to breathe in ease. The smile of hers, after the terrible day she had, it told him that she was now okay and he desperately needed to know that. He didn't even realise how much he's been worrying about her at the back of his mind the entire day.

He simply smiled back, shrugging slightly to which she shook her head, her joy still intact.

It took Sakthi and another girl to make some loud comments for the both of them to break away from their conversation via eyes and focus back on what was going on around them.

It's like the rest of the world ceases to exist in each other's presence.

With much difficulty, he turned to the others as one of them was explaining the rules of the game they're about to play. It was a simple game of truth or truth, an altered version of truth or dare.

Usually Ashwin would just criticise it as a game that's only played by stupid teens but tonight he still decided to join because a certain pair of eyes frowned when he was about to bail out. Immediately he decided against it and joint in, not failing to check back if those eyes were smiling again now.

To his delight, they were glimmering..

Suddenly in the middle of the game, Sakthi leaned in to say. "Nee venumna poi thoongu na."

(Go sleep if you want.)

With much effort, Ashwin plucked his eyes from the woman who was now laughing loudly upon hearing the story of one of her cousins. "Dei time spend pannanumnu nee thana da sonnen."

(You literally asked me to spend more time.)

Sakthi just stared like Ashwin had lost his mind. "Anni eh inga illaye, ippo thana sonnanga avanga room ku poitanganu. Yaaru kuda spend time panna pora?"

(Shalini isn't even here, she left already. Who are you gonna spend time with?)

Panicking, he scanned the group and gasped when he realised Shalini indeed was not there. In fact she was never there ever since they entered the terrace but why was he only noticing it now after Sakthi pointed it out?

Is this even normal? Is this how every man is when it comes to their fiancé?

Embarrassed, he looked away from Sakthi's judgemental gaze. Luckily to save him from any further humiliation, one of the girl's phone rang and after talking, she informed that Janani was asking all of them to come down already.

One of them suggested to play a final song to jam to before they call it a night. That's when Sakthi who was already well acquainted with most of the girls there turned to Sivaangi. "Thalaivi neenga paadunga, ketutu poidalam."

(Thalaivi you should sis, we'll listen and leave.)

Before Sivaangi herself could respond, one of them asked,"Sivaangi can sing?"

Sakthi laughed. "Yennanga ipdi ketutinga? If she can't sing then literally nobody can. Thalaivi you definitely need to sing now, romba naalu aagiduchu."

(What kind of question is that? Thalaivi you better sing, it's been so long since I listened.)

Now it was Ashwin's turn to lean in. "Romba naalu aagiducha? Nee yeppo ava paadi keta?"

(Been so many days? When did you even listen to her sing?)

Sakthi yawned, almost tired of all the explaining he had to do. "Adhaan sonnanla man we're all part of a fandom, twitter spaces la neraya peru paaduvanga. Sivaangi madhri oru aaluvuku paaduravangalum irukanga, aprom unna madhri vera level ah paaduravangalum irukanga."

(I told you we're part of this fandom, in twitter spaces lots of us sing. There are decent singers like Sivaangi, there are also amazing singers like you.)

Ashwin glared, catching how he was openly making fun of him. He looked at Sivaangi who was now searching her phone for some lyrics he assumed. "Nejama nalla paduvala? Paatha apdi therilaye."

(She can really sing? It doesn't look like it.)

Sakthi innocently smiled. "Paata keka thana mudiyum? Yepdi paatha theriyum."

(You can look at singing, you need to listen.)

Just as he was about to give Sakthi a piece of his mind, she cleared her throat and gently started singing.

Ithayathai Etho Ondru
Izhukuthu Konjam Indru
Ithuvarai Ithupola Naanum Illaye

Kadal Alai Pole Vanthu
Karaigalai Allum Ondru
Muzhugida Manathum Pin Vaangavillaiye

Irupathu Oru Manathu
Ithuvarai Athu Enathu
Ennai Vittu Methuvaai
Athu Poga Kandaene

Ithu Oru Kanavu Nilai
Kalaithida Virumbavillai
Kanavukkul Kanavaai
Ennai Naane Kandaene

Ennaku Enna Vendum Endru
Oru Vaarthai Kelu Nindru
Ini Neeyum Naanum Ondru
Ena Sollum Naalum Indru

Ennaku Enna Vendum Endru
Oru Vaarthai Kelu Nindru
Ini Neeyum Naanum Ondru
Ena Sollum Naalum Indru

( There is something pulling
My heart strings, at this moment
Never was I under such turmoil

Something hits like the surge
On to the shores of sea, and consumes it
Didn't regret wee bit to drown under the raging waves
Of your charm

All i have is a lone heart
And was sure it is mine till this moment
Can't help as it slips away
Slowly from me

This is a dream I'm living,
And do not want to wake up from this sleep
Am living the dream within the dream
And seeing myself  there

Ask me what i need
With a single utter
We are one in tow
Which this moment informs now)

Ashwin couldn't breathe. He needed air. He needed oxygen. He just needed something that will calm down the organ that was thumping against his chest in a speed that made him feel like he was just seconds away from death.

At the same time, he felt like he was just reborn and returned to the earth after a short visit to heaven. Yes, those few minutes were nothing but heaven to him. If heaven truly exists, Ashwin was sure that's how heaven would be.

Ashwin was never a music lover but that night he felt love towards something other than his profession for that first time in his life.

But towards what exactly? Was it her voice, tone, singing skills? Love for what?

And how could a song perfectly convey everything he had been feeling for the past few days? Those words summed up the emotional turmoil he had been going through.

He kept wondering if she knew what he was going through even before he figured it out.

What he didn't know was that, it was exactly what she herself was going through.

The emotions they felt for each other, nobody in the world would understand the intensity and truth behind it other than they themselves.

He heard claps, he heard praises but he paid no attention to any of that. Nothing registered in his mind as the words she has sung out kept echoing in his head just in case he stops thinking about it for even a second.

It's beyond ridiculous how not once while singing she looked at him yet his heart was greedily receiving every word that left her mouth as if the entire song was a message exclusively for him from her.

He kept staring towards her, his mind, heart and throat all clogged up. He looked at her in hopes of getting some sort of answer to all his endless questions but maybe she was the only answer he was looking for.

Ashwin found himself blankly following after Sakthi as the gang dispersed. Once they reached his door, Sakthi muttered a good night and started walking away.

Ashwin suddenly called him, causing him to pause and turn. "Un friend appa yedho mental institution la work panrarunu sonnale."

(Earlier you mentioned about a friend's dad who works in the mental institution right?)

"Aama..."

(Yeah...)

Exhaling out, he said. "Yedhuko avar number send pannu."

(Send me his number.)

The tiny matchstick she lit up has spread like wildfire to every inch of him, completely conquering his heart and soul.

~~~•••~~~

Hi chellakutties! How was the chapter? Did you like it?

And sorry if it wasn't up to the usual standard, I'm actually not feeling well but I know I've been making you all wait for so long so tried my best to do what I can.

Did Ashwin finally get his answer to all his questions through a single song sung by Sivaangi or is this just a beginning to a whole other problem?🤐

Also for anyone who's confused about AK asking for Sakthi's friend's father number, it's just a joke. Remember how Sakthi offered AK a discount since he has a friend who's father works at the mental institution? So AK feels so damn lost now that he really think he's lost his mind lol

Next chapter will only be up next week because like I said my university has started so I don't have plenty time like I used to.

Thank you for reading!
Love you all💜💜💜

ps: am waiting for ADIPOLI, let's get ready to celebrate 🎉 🥳🎈