The next couple of days went by fast for Sivaangi as her schedule was completely packed with recordings and practice sessions for Pugazh's reception party. She had no time to think about anything else or anyone else in particular.

Pugazh had wanted her to perform a couple of songs that were very close to his heart to make the occasion more memorable. Sivaangi has been a big part of his life since CWC2. Be it highs or lows, good days or bad, his sister remained constant by his side and he secretly believed that it was her who changed his life though she would never agree.

On the other hand, Aswhin inspite of his hectic days, filled with reading scripts and meeting directors for his next movies, could not keep Sivaangi out of his thoughts. He had sent her a couple of messages but there was no response from her. From receiving responses within seconds to silence for two full days was a lot for him to handle but he did not want to push his luck. She needed space and time to think and process. He had shown up all of a sudden and it would be unfair to expect anything more than what she was already doing at this point.


Sitting in a quaint Café after a table read, he was waiting to meet Rakshan to discuss his plan for a surprise performance at Pugazh's reception. Although both Pugazh and Rakshan were his closest of friends, Rakshan always understood him a tad bit better. He was a great listener and a truly non-judgmental person who accepted him as he is.

Just as he picked up his phone to call Rakshan, he saw a notification pop up which put an instant smile on his face. It was a message from his very own Rowdy.

"Eduku thaniya ukkandurkeenga?"

He looked around and found her sitting with her friends on the other corner of the Café. His smile widened seeing her. She looked like a dream in a purple dress with free hair and jhumkas.

"Rakshan varan"

His eyes were fixated on his mobile waiting for her response when he felt a pat on his shoulder.
He assumed it was Rakshan and turned around with a pout on his face to express his mood only to be surprised by seeing her standing next to him. This was the Sivaangi he knew and loved, the girl who stood by his side no matter what.

Sivaangi: Anna eppo varaaru?

Ashwin: Therla ma. Traffic nu nenaikren. Vandurvan.

Sivaangi: Na pathutu dan irunden. Already 20 minutes mela aachu. Call panlam la?

Ashwin: Apo ivlo neram en enna thaniya vita?

He just casually asked as if it were her responsibility to keep him company which made her stammer. She for a second felt guilty. 

Sivaangi: Yaarukaga wait panreenga nu therla. So, disturb panla.

Ashwin: Ippovachu vandhiye. Adhuve podhum.

Sivaangi: Na ippo kelambanum.

Ashwin: En ma?

His voice showed his yearning to spend time with her.

Sivaangi: Enaku recording iruku.

Ashwin: Epdi pora?

Sivaangi: Friend drop pannuvan.

Ashwin: Na drop pannava?

Sivaangi: Illa venam. Neenga anna va meet pannunga.

Ashwin: Avana recording studio vara solren.

Perks of being well-wishers to the outside world he thought to himself.

Ten minutes later, he was helping her get inside his car, the one she had wanted him to buy. In one of their random conversations during their break, she had shared her dream list of things to buy and that became his bucket list. He somehow felt a strange satisfaction in  fulfilling that wish list of hers. He was not sure if she remembered those but, in her absence, he tried to check off as many as possible from the list. He surrounded himself with everything that constantly reminded him of her and that was his way of loving her.

The drive was quiet but the silence was not awkward. It was more meaningful than ever in the strangest of ways when the sound of their heartbeats spoke volumes about what each other felt.

He kept glancing at her eyes that he would happily drown into and she was unable to handle his intense gaze on her that still gave her butterflies. There is so much he wanted to say but he was confident that she was not ready for that. Not yet.

They reached the studio in 20 minutes and Rakshan was already there. Sivaangi rushed into the studio not because it was important recording, which it was, but because she did not trust herself to be around Ashwin even for one more second. All of the pain he caused seemed to vanish when he was next to her.

Ashwin was not in his right mind either. Seeing her in his car at such close proximity was creating a havoc in his heart. He shaked himself out of his thoughts and went to hug his friend who was patiently watching everything happen.

Ashwin: Hi da Rakshaa...

Rakshan: Hi da Mapla... Enna oru aachiryam? Neenga rendu perum epdi inga?

Ashwin: Unaku wait pantu irunda apo pathen da avala. Studio poren nu sona. Adan drop panlam nu

Rakshan saw a shy smile appear on his friends face after years. Three years to be exact.

He still remembered that day when Ashwin had come to his home unannounced which unlike him and cried for hours together. Ashwin never shared what went wrong and he did not ask for it either. After that day, Ashwin vanished for almost a month until the shoot of his first movie started.

Since that day, he sensed that something had changed. Rakshan could not really point his finger on what until today. It was this genuine smile of his that melted everyone's heart. He could not help but wonder if something had happened between his friend and his sister all those years ago.

Ashwin: Enna da apdiye pathutu nikra edo rombha nal apram pakra madri?

Rakshan: Adula onu illa da. Seri plan enna adha sollu.

Ashwin briefed Rakshan about his plan and he immediately agreed. They finalized all the details as the reception was just 3 days away. It was almost two hours by the time they finished their discussion and it was dinner time.

Rakshan: Adukulla 9 mani aachu da. Va dinner sapda polam.

Ashwin tried to find an excuse as he wanted to stay to pick Sivaangi once her recording gets done.

Ashwin: Illa da. Enaku oru vela iruku pakathla. Nee kelambu da late aachu.

Rakshan understood what his friend was trying to do but decided to tease him for a little bit.

Rakshan: Nanum kooda varen. Un velaya mudichtu dinner polam.

Ashwin remained silent trying to think of a better excuse.

Rakshan: Vaa da. Kelambu... enna yosichte iruka?

Ashwin: Deii.. nee kelambu da. Unaku time agudu la?

Rakshan: Unkooda irukarda vida eduvume mukyam illa. Vaa mapla nee vera.

Ashwin finally gave up and understood there was no point in hiding it from Rakshan.

Ashwin: Enaku avala veetla drop pananum safe ah. Adhan.

Rakshan felt relieved that it was just for his sister's safety and remembered that Ashwin and Sivaangi have not been in touch.

Rakshan: Avlo dana? Idhu Ani studio dan. Avare avala drop paniduvaaru. Don't worry.

Ashwin: Anyway driver dan da anupuvanga. Naane drop panidren.

Rakshan: Illa da. Ani dan drop pannuvaru. Ipo avanga rombha close. Veetla kooda theriyum. 

Ashwin felt like he was having a heart attack but tried to act like it did not bother him. Was she already in a relationship? Was he complicating her life more by coming back? A lot of questions played on loop in his head.

Ashwin: Apdiya? Enaku theriyaadu adhan. 

Rakshan: Ippo enna da yosikra? She is safe with him. Kavala padaadha.

Ashwin: Ok. Let's go.

He was in no state to think clearly and he knew that staying there was not an option after what he just got to know. He did not have it in him to see someone else take care of her. So, he just left without looking back.

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PS: So sorry that I have been inconsistent with timing of the update. Follow me on insta at   stories_by_madhu to get to know about my updates.