Ashwin unlocked the door of his apartment and instantly smelled something amazing.

He recognized it in a heartbeat and walked straight into the kitchen where his mom stood making his most favorite Dosa and Tomato chutney.

"Amma", he exclaimed in surprise. She was his best friend and his person. Having her around always made him feel at peace even when on the darkest of days.

"Va da thangam", she turned to hug her baby boy.

(Come here)

Ashwin: Vareenga nu solave illa. Appa vandhurkaara?

(You never told me that you are coming. Is dad here?)

Chitra Ma: Illa da. Edo vela iruku nu sonaru. Marriage ku dan varuvaaru.

(No. He has some work to finish. He will be here to attend the marriage)

It took a lot of convincing for them to visit him often but over the years they got accustomed to at least staying with him for a couple of weeks once in few months when he got a break from shoots. At times, he even took them with him to abroad shoots to show them around new cities on his off days.

His mom and her presence is the only thing that helped him with handling his heartbreak after he had let go of Sivaangi. Though he never could smile from his heart, his mom at least tried her best to keep him from losing his sanity. 

***

Mothers do always have an intuition when it comes to anything related to their kids. Specifically with matters of heart. She saw her son open up in a way like never before to a girl who he merely knew for weeks. He kept talking about her antics, the way she made him feel and it was very evident that this girl was irreplaceable in his life.

But, post the show she saw him go back into his shell. He stayed in touch with everyone but her from the show which was puzzling at first and turned into a conscious concern that kept her awake at nights.

He was suddenly visiting them much more than ever before. He insisted on her staying with him and tried to keep himself overloaded with work. When all of this might have looked very casual for an upcoming actor who was finally getting to do the work he always wished and yearned for, as a mother she knew it in her gut that he wasn't ok. Her son wasn't happy.

Though he tried to keep the specifics to himself, he wasn't able to hide his suffering and pain from his mother. She had once found him tearing apart on the day she had received her first award Best Debutant singer – Female and indirectly thanked him, "Thanks to all my fans who made this possible. Dedicating this award to all my well-wishers wherever they might be."

It was devastating to even witness her kid go through something that was so terrible right in front of her eyes. It was breaking him apart and she could do nothing about it. She just sat next to him when he continued to cry for hours lying on her lap.

"Na tholachten ma avala. En ma ava enakagaa irupen nu solala? Na po nu sonen dan... ava en pona? Mudiyaadu nu solirkanum la... " he kept rambling with the card from their trending pair award on his hands.

(I lost her. Why did she not stay? Yes I pushed her away... but why did she not fight me back to stay? She should have right?)

If there was one thing mothers could not do, it is to see their kids going through a heart break. She was no exception.

"Ashwin.. Enna pa aachu.", she pleaded while caressing his messy hair.

(Ashwin... What happened?)

"En uyir ah enkitendu eduthutu poita ma. Thirumba vara sollu. Thirumba thara sollu. Please ma"

(She took my soul. Ask her to come back. I want my soul back. Please ma)

"Varuvaa da.. nee thoongu",she patted his back to make him go to sleep.

(She will come back... sleep)

Though he did not discuss about that episode with her for a long time after, he mustered up the courage to finally reveal all about her and his love. Sivaangi.

After every award of hers, she somehow found a way to thank him. Wherever he was, he would spend that day alone to relive all of their memories. Pictures, chats, voice notes, songs and even the tie she had gifted during the show. Their memories was his happy place and will always be.

Though Ashwin had not talked anything about Sivaangi in recent times, his happiness was apparent when he called her two days ago early morning out of the blue to wish her good night.

"Enna da indha nerathla call panni good night solra?", she asked

(Why have you called at this hour?)

"Kulu kulu nu iruku ma... Chennai la sonen", he said with a smile.

(Feeling very cold... I mean Chennai feels cold)

She just smiled knowing that there was definitely more to the story but did not want to intrude.

"Thoongu kanna. Nimmadhiya iru.", she said before cutting the call.

(Sleep peacefully)

And here she was.

***

Ashwin dragged his mom to the living room and placed his head on his mother's lap after they settled on the couch.

A familiar feeling of comfort and peace flooded him. He now had his mother and the girl he loved. The immense delight on his face spoke volumes and he was truly glowing.

Before they could talk about it, he had dozed off and she had no heart to wake him up. After a really long time, she saw her son sleep peacefully. It made her heart feel so content and she knew who she had to thank. There was no one under the sky that could ever make him feel the way Sivaangi did and as if he read her thoughts, his lips curved into a smile even in his sleep.

She slowly replaced a pillow under his head before she left to finish cooking.

After a day of draining dance shoot and an overwhelming night, Ashwin was so exhausted that even after several tries from his mom he did not wake up until it was time to leave for Pugazh's Sangeet.

"Kanna.. ezhundhuru pa. 4 mani aachu", his mom was pleading.

(Wake up. It's already 4)

"5 Minutes ma... please", he begged in his sleepy voice.

Distracted by the knock on the door, she walked over to check.

Rakshan was pleasantly surprised to see Ashwin's mom but then realized that his parents were invited for Pugazh's marriage too.

Chitra Ma: Paaru pa ivana. Kaalaila vandu paduthavan dan. Inum nagara kooda illa.

(Look at him. He has not moved from here since morning)

Rakshan MV: Ada paavi. Nee ipdi thoongitu iruka anga en thangam azhudutu irupa. Unalam vechuktu...

(You are sleeping peacefully and my sister for sure would be worried sick)

Chitra Ma: Enna pa yosana?

(What are you thinking?)

Rakshan: Onu illa ma. Ivana epdi ezhupanum nu enaku theriyum. Two minutes kudunga.

(Nothing. I know how to wake him up. Just give me two minutes)

Chitra Ma: Seri. Na unaku coffee kondu varen.

(Sure. I will get coffee)

As soon as she walked into the kitchen, Rakshan moved to sit near Ashwin.

Rakshan: Mapla.. Inum thoonganuma?

(Do you want to sleep more?)

Ashwin: Aama da machan.

(Yes)

Rakshan: Apo seri. Nee thoongu kandippa Sivaangi Ani ku dan. Inike fix panidlam.

(Sure. Sleep. Sivaangi will definitely get committed to Ani. Will fix the alliance today)

Jerked by the nightmare, he woke up in seconds confirming all the curious questions that were running on Rakshan's mind.

There was a devilish smile on his friends face that made him furious.

Ashwin: Manushana nimmadhiya thoonga kooda vida maatiya?

(Why cant you let me sleep in peace?)

Rakshan: Adan sonen la. Nee thoongu mapla. Na Sivaangi marriage fix pantu varen.

(As I said before. You can sleep. Will fix Sivaangi's marraige with Ani)

Ashwin: Raksha.. next una kola dan panna poren.

(I am going to kill you)

Rakshan: Aama ava yaara kalyanam panna unaku enna da? Nee en ivlo pongura?

(How does it matter to you anyway? Why are you angry?)

Ashwin glared at him with a death stare.

Ashwin: Adhu ... apdilam illaye..

(No reason)

Rakshan: Too late. Elame therinjudchu. Nee nadippa niruthalam.

(I know enough. You can shut off your acting)

Ashwin: Ippo enna venum unaku?

(What do you want?)

Rakshan: Unmaya sollu.

(Truth)

Ashwin: Na Sivaangi ah love panren. Podhuma? Aala vidu.

(I love Sivaangi. Happy?)

***

Sivaangi was all dolled up for Pugazh's Sangeet in a simple yet elegant silver white lehenga that made her look alluring. With a clutch and fake smile on, she was all set to make everyone around her happy.

She had switched off her mobile and spent the day with her parents discussing all about their concerts and cousins to keep her thoughts far away from anything Ashwin related. She definitely missed going to Kerala often because of her tight work schedules.

Binni Ma told her the same that she did to Ani and it sounded like a great idea. It would also give her the much-needed break from Chennai and Ashwin. In the same city where she had managed to avoid him for three years, last couple of weeks have been all about bumping into him.

Should she call it coincidence? She wasn't sure.

"Kadavul setting" her heart murmured. 

"Idulam oru setting ah?", her mind argued.

(Is this a Kadavul setting?)

However, right now all she felt was empty. She was too tired to be sad or to mourn. 

She turned her mobile back on after 8 hours or more but there was still no sign of him. She called and still not reachable and her heart started to palpitate. She was terrified. All of her anger turned into worry in a split second and she felt so guilty for just not walking up to him this morning.

A whole week with Ashwin at a resort and to be swarmed by closest of friends who knew nothing about their equation was scary to begin with. After successfully avoiding him at every group event, this was going to the first event that they were both attending.

Now all of a sudden, not a word from him for a whole day beyond her. She could not handle this anymore but there wasn't much she could do. She walked down the stairs too absent minded to notice that Ani was waiting for her.

Dressed up in a red well fit kurta and pyjama he looked like every girl's dream but she was too lost to compliment how good he looked. 

She was busy contemplating if she should ask for his help with this. Ani knew nothing about Ashwin and that is exactly what helped her be comfortable around him and until now she consciously never discussed that ever. But today she had no choice.

She took a leap of faith that Ani would not pry into details that she did not want to share.

Sivaangi: Ani pora vazhi la Ashwin veetla stop panlaama?

(Can we stop by at Ashwin's place on the way?)

Ani: Kandippa.

(Sure)

Relief washed over her as soon she heard Ani's response. The way he understood her often left her baffled. She stood there thanking her stars for bringing Ani into her life. 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thoughts?

Ashwin's side of the story. I have mixed feelings about this one.