13

Shivangi put on her best puppy face as she chanted, "Please ma please ma please ma." imitating certain someone.

Her mother who donned a stern expression broke into laugh. "Idhu enna Ashwin maari cheiyunadhu?"

(Why are you mimicking Ashwin?)

Shivangi ignored her mother's comment and kept on chanting the same to the point of driving her mother to annoyance.

"Kadavule!" her mother held her head. "Aiyoo!! seri."

(Oh! God! Fine.)

Shivangi stopped talking and looked at her mother surprised.

"Seri ah?"

(Really?)

Her mother sighed deeply. "Appa permission tanda seri."

(If your dad agrees.)

Shivangi immediately turned to her father who was audience to all her drama. He nodded his head in no as soon as Shivangi's gaze fixed on him.

"Appaa!!!" Shivangi whined. "Ippo enna problem unaku? Two days dana."

(Dad! What is the problem? It is only two days.)

Her father turned a deaf ear and walked out of the room with a disgruntled Shivangi following him.

It all started two days ago in their CWC whatsapp chat group. It was Pavithra who said she was missing everyone. Soon one by one started sending emotional messages. Shivangi wasn't sure who started the plan, but by the time she was back from her exams one day, her private chat as well as group chat was fired up with messages asking her to confirm if she is up for the two day getaway with the whole team to a resort on the outskirts of Chennai.

Shivangi was super excited by the idea. She missed each and everyone and any excuse to spend time with them was welcome. However, what she didn't anticipate was her parents saying no.

They had two concerns. The first one was obvious, corona. The second one was sending away Shivangi alone for two days.

Shivangi was appalled by their hesitation. Everyone involved in the cooking show was family. She had a father figure, mother figure and numerous brothers and sisters in the team just like any real family. So, she couldn't understand why they would say no.

"Shivangi ipdi ellam nee taniya ponade illa." Her father reasoned sitting on the couch.

(Shivangi you have never been alone anywhere.)

"Aama, but eppavum apdiye iruka mudiyuma? Adhu dan avanga ellarum irukangale. Two days dana?"

(Yes, but I can't stay this way forever. Everyone will be there with me. Only two days.)

"Avanga ellarum irundalum un mela 24*7 kannu vechute va irupanga? Adellam appa amma mattum dan panna mudiyum. Unaku idellam palakam illa. Unna yaar paathukuva?"

(Even with everybody there, no one will keep an eye on you 24*7. Only parents will do that. You are not used to all this. Who will take care of you?)

Shivangi knelt down before her father. "Ashwin irukaru illa? Avar paathukuvaru. Anniku avar kooda dana party ku anupaneenga? Aprom Pugazh anna, Rakshan anna, Mani akka ellarum irupanga." Her father didn't look convinced. "Shakti veetla viduranga. Avanukum en vayasu dana."

(Ashwin will take care of me. The other day you sent me alone with him to the party, right? Pugazh, Rakshan, Mani everyone will take care of me.)

Her father looked at her unsure how to make her understand a father's plight.

Shivangi stormed inside her room after angry spat with tears streaming down her face. She didn't know why her ever understanding parents were doing it to her.

She took her phone and looked at the messages. Everyone was happy about the trip and discussing plans. She sniffed her nose and decided to call Pugazh wondering if he could convince her parents. But, Pugazh's call went in voicemail.

Shivangi then scrolled up to Ashwin's contact. She wasn't sure if he would pick up. It has been almost a week since they shot 'Sing with Shivangi' episode and ever since he hasn't reached out to her.

Her whatsapp messages were unread and he had no response to funny memes she sent in Instagram DM as well. It was not unusual behaviour for Ashwin. He is one of the rare species who can survive very well without human contact for days together. So, Shivangi took a cue from him and raided his hashtag to see if fans knew anything about him that she doesn't. She found out he was shooting for his latest album without rest. So, she reasoned to herself that his ignorance was because of his busy schedule.

Shivangi called him twice without luck and so shot up a message in whatsapp.

{

PRIVATE CHAT

Shivangi : Appa amma weekend plan ku no solranga. Neenga pesunga, please.

(My parents are refusing permission for weekend trip. You talk to them please.)

Shivangi : Safe illa nu solranga. Neenga paathukaren nu sonna viduvanga

(They are saying it isn't safe. You tell them you will take care of me)

Shivangi : Ashwineeyyy!!!!

Shivangi : Call me!!

Shivangi : 😓

}

She waited impatiently for his reply, but didn't get one as quickly as she wanted.

Shivangi was scrolling through her chats wondering what to do when she noticed Shakila's message enquiring if Shivangi was coming for the trip. As a last resort, she dialled Shakila and told her about parents' fear.

"Nyaan convince cheyyan." Shakila assured

(I will convince them)

Shivangi didn't know if it was the maternal assurance or Malayalam connect, but Shakila managed to convince Shivangi's parents.

"Careful ah irukanum." Her father told Shivangi seeing her jumping in joy.

(Take care of yourself)

"Thannkkss!!!" she hugged both her parents before she sprinted to her room to pack for the trip.

***

A yellow graphic T-shirt over black capri and huge sunglasses was her outfit of the day. Her hair was left loose with only a thin hair band holding the strands from falling on her forehead. She had a backpack in fluorescent orange on her back and sling bag in white over her shoulder.

Shivangi was too excited that she was ready thirty minutes before the time when Pugazh said he will pick her up in his new car.

Sitting in the balcony overlooking the road, Shivangi began scrolling her Instagram. She noticed one of her college friends had posted a story meant for close friends viewing. It was a picture of her outing with her boyfriend. Shivangi was quick to slide into her friend's DM to tease her.

Once the teasing got too much, her friend called Shivangi over phone.

"Enna ore jolly ah?" Shivangi teased

(Are you having fun?)

"Iru iru innikum nalaikum nee photo poduvai illa. Naan paakaren nee evlo jolly nu."

(Let me see how happy you are next two days.)

"Naan team kooda dana poren. Enaku jolly ah dan irukum."

(Of course, I will be happy. I am going out with the team)

"Adha sollala madam."

(I didn't mean that.)

"Aprom?"

(Then?)

"Anga dan un aal-um irupare."

(Your man will be there.)

Shivangi clicked her tongue. "Avara en aalu-nu sollada nu ethanavati solli iruken."

(How many times I have told you not to address him as my man)

"Naana ma solren? Oore solludhu."

(It not just me, whole world addresses him that way.)

"Apdi ellam onnum illa. Avar just..." she searched for the right word. "...oru well wisher."

(It is not true. He is just a well wisher)

"Well wisher dan unna pathi epdi interview la essay eludarar-ah? Kolanda maari paathukara, raja maari pathukara nu over build up ah iruku. Romba miss pannuvarame."

(Such a wonderful well wisher to write essays in your praise in interviews. He says you treat him like a kid, see him like a king. He even said he will miss you a lot.)

"Adellam avaroda periya manasa kaatudhu. Avar oru gentleman."

(That shows his good character. He is a gentleman)

"Nee mattum enna? Interview la avara pathi pesa avlo emotional aagara. Kannu ellam kalangudhu. Enna nadakudhu? "

(You are no less. How emotional you were while talking about him. You almost choked.)

"Adellam onnum illa."

(I did not)

"Rasikararu, care eduthakaru, safe ah paathukararu nu ella kelvi kum avaru avaru unte iruka. Adhu mattum illa madam family green signal kuduthutanga nu open ah vera solreenga."

(You said he admires you, cares for you, makes you feel safe. You also mentioned how much your family loves him)

"Summa olaradha."

(So what?)

"Naan olarrena? Seri seri idellam enga poi mudiya pogudho."

(Where is all this heading?)

"Eppavum idhu friendship dan."

(Friendship for lifetime)

"Apdiya! Seri appo Rohit ku un number kuduthiruta?"

(Okay then shall I give your number to Rohit?)

"Yaaru?"

(Who?)

"Adhu dan Raji ooda anna. Anniku smart ah irukan nu sonnaye. Avan unn number ketan."

(Raji's brother who you thought was handsome. He asked for your number.)

"Adellam onnum kudukada."

(Don't do that.)

"Yen unga aalu-ku pudikadha?"

(Why doesn't your man like that?)

"Diii!!!!"

(Damn!)

"Illa palaya friends pakkam ellam avlova tirumbaradhu illaye adu dan unga avaruku possessiveness ah nu keten."

(I noticed you have distanced from some old friends. So, I was wondering of it was because your man is possessive.)

"Nee loosu maari pesitu iruka. Naan phone vekkaren."

(What rubbish? I am gonna cut the call)

"Seri onne onnu solliren. Namba friends ellarum unga avaru romba hot-ah irukaru nu nenaikranga. Nee nadula irukaradhala dan ellarum decent ah amaidiya irukanga. Nee mattum problem illa nu solli paaru, inniku namba whatsapp group vera maari romance novel aaidum."

(Let me tell you something. All our friends think your Ashwin looks super hot. They are being decent as you have an eye on him. If you are not interested, they will not hesitate to turn our whatsapp group into romance novel talking about him)

"Unga ellathayum naan kolla poren."

(I am going to kill everyone)

"Oh possessiveness ingayum dan iruku."

(Oh! Someone is possessive)

"Nee pesadha enkooda."

(Don't talk to me)

"Shivu nalla aala-dan teriyararu. Namba friends ku ellam okay, un family kum okay, nee pesama propose pannidu."

(Shivi, he seems like a good man. Our friends like him, your family likes him, so why don't you propose him?)

"Loose ah di nee?"

(Are you mad?)

"Avar propose pannanum nu wait panraya? Irukade. Nee dan ippo girls ku ellam role model. Dairiyama, open-ah oru paiyaana paathu pudichiruku nu solli patriarchy ellam thool thool ah odachuta. Singapen nee."

(Why? Do you want him to propose first? You are role model of girls who has expressed interest on a man openly and blasted patriarchy into dust. You can't be shy.)

"Idhu love ellam illa."

(I don't think it is love.)

"Avaru reject panniruvaru nu yosikaraya?"

(Are you scared that he will reject?)

If only her friend knew the proposal scene had already happened many days ago.

"Illa avaru..."

(No, I...)

"Career la settle aaglai nu yosikaraya?"

(Are you scared because his career isn't stable?)

"Avaruku irukara talent ku innum two years la avar engayo iruparu." Shivangi defended

(He is very talented. He is going to be a star in matter of time)

"Vayasu adigam nu yosikaraya?"

(Is it because he is older?)

"Chi adellam onnum illa."

(Not at all)

"Aprom enna di problem?"

(Then what is your problem?)

"Naan love ellam pannala."

(I am not in love)

"Nee seriyana loose-u. Ooruke couple goals kudthutu love illa nu solra. Love illai na vara vei. Ipdi oru aalu kedacha naan kaal la vilundu kalyanam panniku ven."

(You are crazy. You guys are giving couple goals to whole world. Even if you don't love him yet, just hold on to him. If I had got someone like him, I would have married him in a blink)

"Kalyanama? Ennadi ippove avlo yosikara?"

(Isn't too early for marriage talks?)

"Konjam yosichu paaru. Nee future husband la illa vendam boyfriend ne vechukuvom. Nee irukanum nu nenaikara qualities la edhu Ashwin kitta illa? Unna paaru di. Avar kooda irunda apdiye glow aagara. Unaku evlo confidence varudhu. Enga ellathukum un kitta change teriyudhu. Unaku teriyala? Ponnu maari vekkam ellam padre. Avar naladana? Nee endha kulu kulu avar kooda irunda varudhu nu solrayo adhu dan love. Neenga rendu preum solra magic dan love."

(Any qualities that you want in your husband or even boyfriend that Ashwin doesn't have? Look at you, you glow in his presence. Your confidence has increased. We can all see the change in you, can't you? You blush like a woman in love because of him. Whatever butterflies you feel when you are with him is what love is. The magic you both talk about is love)

"Adellam seri aana naan love panradha enaku tonala."

(But I am not sure if I love him)

Her friend sighed in defeat.

"Romba santhosham apdiye vitru. Paatu paaditu taniya ve suthiko."

(Great! Then spend your whole life singing alone)

"Yen di apdi solra."

(Why do you say that?)

"Pinna, nee..." before her friend could say anything more Shivangi's phone notified second call from Pugazh.

(You are...)

"Pugazh anna koopadranga. Naan apparama phone pandren."

(Pugazh is calling. I will call you later)

"Seri manasa potu kolapikama enjoy pannu. Love-oh illayo super aalu kooda time spend panna chance kedachiruku. Miss pannidadha."

(Okay, don't overthink. Doesn't matter you love him or not, you have an opportunity to spend time with a wonderful man, so enjoy.)

Shivangi cursed her luck for making this phone call at this time. She has almost convinced herself that whatever she was feeling for Ashwin was not love, but now after hearing her friend address certain things, she was bewildered.

What is love?

Is she in love?

Is whatever she is feeling is called love?

Pugah and his jokes only managed to barely lift Shivangi 's spirits when his next statement made her heart flutter with unexplainable emotion.

"Ashwin-um namba kooda dan varuvan. Pick up pannitu poidalam."

(Ashwin will come with you. We have to pick him up)

There he was standing in corner of a street wearing red full arm T-shirt and blue jeans. His face was half covered with mask. Only feature visible was his eyes. They were bloodshot probably because of lack of sleep. However, what made Shivangi's heart ache was lack of light in those brown orbs.

He looked disturbed and it immediately damped her already worried heart.

Pugazh got down to greet Ashwin while Shivangi stayed put in passenger seat unsure of what to do.

"Maapla tired ah iruku. Drive panraya?"

(Dude, I am tired. Can you drive?)

Pugazh settled in the back as Ashwin took the wheels. Shivangi tried her best to catch his eyes, but he only stared straight at the road.

'Oru hi kooda solla la.' Shivangi muttered under her breath

(He didn't even say Hi)

They continued in silence while Pugazh was sleeping in the back seat. Shivangi didn't know how to break the silence. Usually she wouldn't have problem with things like this, but today all thanks to her idiot friend; Shivangi couldn't even look at Ashwin without feeling completely lost. She didn't know what to say to him.

Shivangi was not sure if this trip was a good idea anymore.

***

Yeesss!!!! Its CWC team outing.

Shivangi is confused about her feelings, while Ashwin is...well...moody.

What do you think will happen?

Song for mood