Savoring each split second, the ecstasy of two mischievous souls brewed in the intimacy of touch. Professing their love and passion by giving into their temptation without restrain held them in trance.

As though his gentle yet firm hold on her neck with his manly hands on her neck weren't tormenting her enough, his fingers moved slowly to caress while his hot breath traced her shoulder blade. She let out a subtle moan as she gasped and gulped before shutting her eyes off from his magnetic ones.

"Kanna thorandhu paaru", he whispered into ears.

(Open your eyes to look at me)

"Ash..", she found it hard to even complete his name in her intoxicated state of mind.

Being wrapped up in love from the man who had brought out the woman in her all those years ago was of course a blissful feeling. A lot of what she felt around him was a big mystery back then but not anymore. His unleashed attraction that struck her like a lightning out of nowhere, evoked an undeniable urge to devour this very moment without the baggage of the past nor the fears of the future.

"Pera full ah sollu ma", he pleaded.

(please complete my name)

"Ash...win..", she stuttered.

He was so close to losing his mind. Whist seeing her feel so captivated and tipsy by his presence was certainly gratifying, he still had to stop before it got too far.

He slowly pulled away and removed his hold on her neck. Dismayed by the sudden distance, she opened her eyes to meet his gaze which was still locked into hers.

"Iduku mela I can't keep my limits. So...", he reasoned.

(If I continue, I can't keep my limits. So...)

"Puriyudhu"

(I understand)

Ashwin had to leave before her parents showed up but he couldn't tell her the real reason. He wanted to keep what happened between her dad and him from her, if possible, forever. He loved the closeness she shared with her parents and never in his life would be the reason for even the slightest of wedges between them.

Despite wanting to stay, he had to leave, at least for the time being.

Ashwin: Na kelambatuma?

(Shall I leave?)

She knew he had to leave at some point, but it did sting her. An unconscious yet visible frown appeared on her face.

He was thrilled to see that she didn't want him to leave either.

She nodded in silence.

In 10 minutes, he was back in his car and she was standing in her balcony. She refrained from walking out with him knowing that she might not be able to hold back her emotions.

Her phone buzzed and it was him. "Manna calling"

Sivaangi: Enna aachu?

(What happened?)

Ashwin: Anga paaru ma...

(Look there)

He pointed towards the direction where she saw the early morning sun rising in all its glory.

She smiled and that brightened up his day much more than the Sun. She was his Sun afterall.

After a couple of minutes, she sensed his intense gaze still fixated on her.

Sivaangi: Neenga en apdi pakreenga?

(Why are you looking at me like that?)

Ashwin: Suriyan ah vida bright ah iruku un smile.

(Your smile is brighter than the sun)

He was flirting with her and she couldn't help but grin wide at her man.

Her man? Her mind questioned. Yes, my man. Her heart answered.

Sivaangi: Podhum... Nambara madri poi sollunga...

(Please make your lies believable)

She chuckled.

Ashwin: Seyal la kaatnuma?

(Do you want me to show you in action?)

He asked with a smile and teasing tone. What a deadly combination?

She quickly gathered memories that made her blush profusely making her cheeks a beautiful shade of pink.

Ashwin: Yaaruko vekkam varudhu polaye...

(Someone seems to be blushing)

Sivaangi: Apdilam illa..

(Not really)

Ashwin: Apo kulu kulu nu illaya?

(So aren't you feeling Kulu Kulu?)

God this man she thought to herself.

Sivaangi: Illa

(No)

She asserted with a stern look on her face.

Ashwin: Enaku neraya iruku... na vena thirumba vandhu....

(I am feeling it a lot. I can come back...)

Sivaangi: Onum theva illa. Neenga kelambunga...

(You don't have to. Please leave)

Ashwin: Sharing is caring Sivaangi ma... unaku solli tharlaya yaarum?

(Sharing is caring... Weren't you taught?)

Sivaangi: Neraya iruku enakum. Podhuma? Ippo kelambunga.

(I feel it a lot as well. Happy? Now please leave)

Ashwin: Apdiyaa... evlo?

(Really? How much?)

Sivaangi: Na phone cut panna poren.

(I am going to cut the call)

She warned.

Ashwin: Seri na kelambren. Thorathaadha.

(I will leave. Don't push me away)

Unquestionable and unexplainable happiness made them both grin wide.

***

Ani was driving back home with Sivaangi's parents who were returning from a concert in Kerala.

Ani: Ma.. concert epdi pochu?

(Ma.. how was your concert?)

Binni Ma: Rombha nalla pochu. Three weeks ponadhe therila.

(It was amazing. Three weeks just flew by in no time)

Ani: Super ma.. Family elarum epdi irukanga?

(Super. How is everyone in your family there?)

Krishna Pa: Elarum rombha nalla irukanga. Sivu enga nu dan orey kelvi.

(All doing really well. They all missed Sivu)

Binni ma: Ani neeyum Sivu vum oru one-week poitu vanga. Oru nalla change ah irukum. Break eh illama rombha work panra ipolam.

(Maybe you should take her on a week's vacation. She works too much and this might be a good change)

Ani: Kandippa ma. Indha week Pugazh marriage la konjam busy ah irupa. Enakum Valentine's day song video shoot irukum. Adhuku apram plan panrom.

(Sure. She will be busy wil Pugazh's marriage this week and I have a valentines song to shoot. Maybe after that)

Krishna Pa: Sivu kum kalyanam pananum. Ava enna da na ipdi vela vela nu ozhunga thoongardu kooda illa.

(Should plan Sivu's marraige. She is killing herself with work)

Binni Ma: Avala pathi Ani ta complain panreenga. Rombha nalladhu.

(Great that you are complaining about her to Ani)

Both Binni Ma and Krishna Pa were well aware of the close bond Ani and Sivaangi shared. It wasn't a secret that they wished for them to soon reveal their relationship so that as parents they can get them married off.

Ani: Avalku Ippo dan Pa 24 agudhu.

(She is just 24)

Krishna Pa: Unaku? 34 agudhu la?

(Aren't you 34?)

Ani was definitely caught off-guard by this sudden question that he pulled over to process.

Ani: Pa?

Binni Ma: Ani neenga rendu perum eduvum solala na engalku theriyaadha?

(Do you think we wont know if you guys don't tell us?)

Krishna Pa: Unnala vera oru ponna kalyanam panna mudiyuma Ani?

(Can you get married to any other girl Ani?)

Ani: Pa..

Binni Ma: Ava eppodum Ani Ani Ani... Nee epodum Sivu Sivu Sivu.. Friends ah kooda irukalam... aana ungala paatha apdi thonala.

(You both always talk about each other all the time. We don't think you are friends)

Ani: Friend matum illa aana friend um kooda.

(She is not just a friend but she is definitely a friend as well)

Krishna Pa: Apo aduku peru enna?

(What do you guys mean by that?)

Now Ani was utterly perplexed. It was an intentional decision from his end to not dig too deep into his feelings for her to avoid any complications. But after these questions from her parents, he had to find answers. Not just for him but for her as well.

What was he to her? There was no clear answer.

He would be lying if he said he had never thought of a life with her as a partner. Though he restrained his mind, he had dreams too. A life filled with happiness. With her.

Binni Ma: Ani idhulam unna kekanum nu plan panla. Aana if you are not interested in her that way, apo nanga vera paiyan paakanum. So yosichu sollu.

(Ani all of this just happened. But it might be a good time for you to think. If you dont see her that way, then we would have to look for someone else. )

Ani: Ma.. enaku Sivu na uyir. Ava illama en life ah yosika kooda mudiyaadhu. Aana avalku apdiya nu enaku therila. Avala tholachura koodadhu nu dan... vera edha pathiyum na yosikala.

(She is my life. I can't think of a life without her. I  just did not want to complicate things and lose her forever.)

Krishna Pa hugged Ani and ruffled his hair.

Krishna Pa: Sivu solra madri nee kozhandha dan. Nee time eduthu pesu. Neenga epo decide panreengalo apo sollunga. Ok?

(You are a baby like Sivu says. Take your time. Talk to her. When you decide let us know)

Ani: Thanks Pa. Konjam nervous ah dan iruku.

(Thanks Pa. I feel nervous)

Binni Ma: Ava un Sivu. Eduku nervous?

(She is your Sivu. Why are your nervous?)

Ani: Therla.

(Not sure)

Krishna Pa: Onum illa Binni. Love na apdi dan irukum Ani. Poga poga puriyum.

(Binni Dont worry. Ani thats what love feels like. You will find out soon enough)

Both Binni Ma and Krishna Pa were delighted to see the shy smile on Ani's face. They knew that their daughter was happiest when she was with him and were confident that he was the one for her.

***

It was more than an hour since Ashwin left her place and she was yet to receive his text or call which he was supposed to as soon as he reached.

She tried to call but his number was not reachable. Her messages weren't getting delivered either. She was in panic. She was praying to all possible Gods to keep him safe but none of it seemed to calm her down.

She had to go. Right now, she had to see him and make sure he was ok. And maybe slap him for his reckless behavior.

She immediately called Rakshan as he was the closest to Ashwin besides her.

Rakshan: Sollu thangam... Ivlo early ah call panirka.

(Hi.. Why have you called this early?)

Sivaangi: Ashwin ah paakanum.

(I need to see Ashwin)

He who was only partially awake when he attended his sisters call was now wide awake after her out of the blue request.

Rakshan: Enna ma thideernu? Edachu problem a?

(Why all of a sudden? Any issue?)

Sivaangi: Inga dan irundaaru.. 1 hour munadi dan kelambnaaru... sudden a phone not reachable.

(He was here until an hour ago. Now his number is not reachable)

He had so many questions from her single statement but couldn't ask any until he found his friend.

Rakshan: Na varen. Nee ready ah iru.

(I will come to pick you up. Be ready)

Sivaangi: Thanks na. Avaruku onum airukaadhilla?

(Thanks na. He will be ok right?)

Rakshan: Avanuku onum airukadhu. Nee kavala padaadha.

(He will be ok. Don't worry.)

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Thoughts?

Hope this sets the stage for what is to come.

PS: Love your comments. Keep them coming.