21

Rakshan looked up from where he was seated with morning newspaper in his hand and watched his friend styling his hair for the past fifteen minutes. Ashwin was taking his hair obsession to another level and it only meant he was too distracted to know what he was doing.

"Enna idea, Machan? Ella mudiyum kotra varaikum kodhite irupaya?"

(Dude, are you trying to go bald?)

"Huh?" Ashwin's hand stilled in between his hair and he looked at his friend unsure.

"Enna da aachu? Nethu night late ah vanda, ulunga toongave illa. Naan kooda edho love feeling nu nenachen. Ippo edho mandiruchu vita koli maari suthitu iruka?"

(Are you okay? You came back late last night, you didn't sleep well. I thought it is because of love bug, but you look disturbed.)

How can Ashwin sleep when everything that happened last night kept playing in his mind and no not the romantic bits? The way she looked at him disappointed when he left her at the doorstep.

Ashwin deep inside knew he did the right thing, but he was not sure if he did it the right way.

How can he even venture this topic with her?

"Machan..." Ashwin pulled a chair in front of Rakshan and sat down. "Nee unn wife ah meet pannum bodhu avanga romba young dana?"

(You met your wife when she was young, right?)

"Ama"

(Yes)

"Appoo..." even as Ashwin thought of the question, he realized how absurd it sounded. His story is in no way similar to Rakshan's. There they both were young and clueless which isn't the case with him and Sivaangi. Moreover, he can't discuss his love life with his new found friend as he is Sivaangi's brother by bond if not by blood. It can't be more awkward.

(That case...)

"Vidu da." Ashwin mumbled

(Forget it)

"Machan, enna aachu unaku?"

(What is wrong?)

"Onnum illa."

(Nothing)

"Tappa nenachukada... Idhu dan un first serious relationship ah?"

(Is this your first serious relationship ?)

"Yen?"

(Why?)

"Illa rendadhu naale nalla teliva kolambi iruka."

(Just in two days you look super confused)

Ashwin let his fingers ruffle his hair in frustration. Wasn't relationship going to all flowers and roses?

"Ada paavi, kashta pattu hair set panni kalachita?"

(And now you spoiled hair that was well set)

"Poda." Ashwin sighed defeated

(Whatever)

"Restaurant la vandhu feel pannu da. Enaku romba pasikudhu." With that Rakshan dragged a reluctant Ashwin for breakfast.

(Let's go for breakfast. I am hungry)

Once both the men walked inside the restaurant, they found some tables were already occupied by their friends who were having breakfast.

"Nee dan da kolambi iruka. Anga paaru en tangam jolly ah sandwich saaptutu iruku." Rakshan nudged

(You are the one confused. My dearest looks happy eating sandwich)

Ashwin spotted Sivaangi immediately and indeed she was laughing at Pugazh's antics with mouthful of sandwich.

"Night la irundu think panni think panni enaku tala vali vandhadhu dan micham ava enna da ippudi jolly ah iruka?"

(I have developed headache with all the thoughts I have been having. How come she is happy?)

"Adhu dan machan ponnunga."Rakshan said. "Namba simple ah nenaikaradha complicate pannuvanga, namba complicate panra vishayam simple ah handle pannuvanga."

(That is women for you. They complicate simple things and simplify complicated things)

Everyone greeted Ashwin and Rakshan and asked them to join the gang. Sivaangi threw them both a welcoming smile, before she turned her attention to Pugazh. It was Kani who was generous enough to offer her seat that was next to Sivaangi for Ashwin to sit.

"Parava illa ka, neenga ukkarunga." Ashwin insisted

(It is okay. You sit)

"Vekkapadadeenga Ashwin, unga aalu pakkathulaye ukkarunga." She teased before shifting seats.

(Don't be shy, sit near your girlfriend)

Ashwin sat down with his plate. He was not sure if he has to initiate conversation with her or wait for her to start. He waited as Sivaangi was still giving her full attention to what Pugazh was saying.

"Enna maapila kannu red ah iruku toongalaya?" Pugahz asked

(Your eyes are red, didn't you sleep well?)

Ashwin on reflex turned to Sivaangi only to find that she was already looking at him with question in her eyes.

Indeed his eyes were red with lack of sleep.

"Onnum illa, just headache."

(Just headache)

As Pugazh went back to his breakfast, Shivangi's eyes were still settled on Ashwin.

He bent down his head to reach her level knowing she will want to talk something.

"Toongalaya?" she asked

(Didn't you sleep well?)

"Toonganen." He lied

(I did)

"Aprom enna aachu?"

(Is everything okay?)

He ignored her question and asked, "Dressing change pannaya?"

(Did you change wound's dressing?)

"Kalaila Pugazh anna kooda poi pannikiten."

(I went with Pugazh early in the morning)

"Pain iruka?"

(Does it hurt?)

"Illa."

(No)

Ashwin, not knowing what to say more, took a bite of his croissant to buy time.

"Yen upset ah irukeenga?"

(Why are you upset?)

He looked at her in wonder. Why was she not upset with him?

Knowing he should be the one with better hang of everything and yet he is the one complicating things more than necessary made Ashwin reprimand himself. When will he know to do the right thing without over thinking?

"Apdi illa." He shook his head taking his eyes off her.

(I am not)

A minute later Ashwin felt something near his free hand placed on the handle of the chair and soon something soft wrapped his palm. He didn't need to look down to know that it was minion hand wrapped around his hulk ones. She pressed his hand in assurance and soon calming his over thinking brain he repeated the same. Just like that, he knew they will get through everything that world or his over thinking brain throws at them.

After breakfast, everyone decided to take advantage of the bright sun and click as much as pictures as possible to create beautiful memories.

Ashwin loved getting himself clicked, but when he was thrust a phone in his hand and asked to click a very particular kind of photo that captures full lawn in panorama style, he couldn't help but become photographer instead of model.

"Ungaluku oru photo kooda seriya eduka vara maatingudhu, Ashwineey." Shivangi pouted

(You can't even click a proper photo)

"Neenga eduthu kaatunga madam." He challenged

(You try then)

Sharath managed to gather everyone together to click one merry group picture to post on his instagram feed.

Shivaangi as usual stood at her rightful place, to his left with her head poetically reaching his heart and his head and body slightly leaning towards her.

When Shivangi held his hand, Ashwin gently removed her hold on him. Shivangi narrowed her eyes questioning.

"Avan post panna poran ma. Idellam paatha fans over ah react pannuvanga." Ashwin reasoned

(He is going to post it in Instagram. Our fans will over react for this.)

"Appo idhu paatha?" she asked pointing at the distance (or lack of it) between their shoulders.

(What about this?)

"Tappa nenachika matanga avngaluku palagiruchu nambala ipdi photos la paathu." He grinned

(They are used to this pose by now)

After much effort and minutes later finally they managed to click a decent picture of the whole gang together.

"Ashwiney." She called. "Nethu bet la tothinga illa. Appo unga insagram la selfie podunga."

(Ashwin, you lost bet yesterday. You ought to post our picture in instagram)

"Aiyoo! Adhu vera sonnen la?"

(I forgot about it)

"Maatikiteengala? Ippo podunga. Fans epdi react panranga nu papom."

(Do it now. Let us see fans reaction)

Ashwin took his phone from his pocket looking around searching for someone.

"Shakti" he bellowed

"Avan eduku?" Sivaangi asked

(Why him?)

Ignoring her question, Ashwin waved for Shakti to come near them

"Enna bro?"

(Yes, bro)

"Oru selfie edukalam."

(Lets click a selfie)

"Ivan edhuku?" Shivangi exclaimed

(Why with him?)

"Bro naan selfie stick nu nenachuteengala?" Shakti joked

(Bro I am not selfie stick)

"Nillu tambi." Ashwin gave his phone to Shakti. "Namba moonu perum vara maari edu."

(Come on, click a selfie of three of us)

"Namba picture dana post panna sonnen." Sivaangi whined

(I wanted you to post our picture)

"Namba picture dan ma. Tambi kooda irupan."

(It is our picture, but he will be with us)

Shivangi pouted.

"Namba fans..."

(Our fans...)

Shivangi showed her hand making him stop. "Enaku teriyum. Ade lecture kudukadeenga." She groaned. "Nee edu da." She told Shakti

(I know. Don't give me same lecture.) (Shakti click picture)

"Enna use panreenga nu teriyudhu edhuku use panreenga nu teriyala." Shakti admitted. "Oru selfie dana edukaren."

(I know you guys are using me, I am not sure for what though. Anyways I will click a pic)

As Shakti stood with phone held high, Ashwin moved closer to Shivangi for their usual pose.

"Ippo mattum edhuku pakkathula vandu nikkareenga?" she complained

(Why are you coming close now?)

"Appo dan fans ku avana crop panna vasadiya irukum." Ashwin confessed cheekily

(Then fans can crop him out)

They both giggled while a sincere Shakti tried and clicked a worthy selfie of the three.

***

Hours before it was time for everyone to leave, Ashwin and Sivangi were sitting alone in the restaurant eating ice cream that Shivangi adamantly craved.

"Rendu naal seekirama poiduchu. Veetuku pona ungala romba miss pannuve." Shivangi confessed

(Its been two days already, I m going to miss you)

"Naan um dan."

(Me too)

"Naan phone panna neenga edukanum."

(You should always pick my call)

"Eppavadhu edukama irundiruken ah?"

(Have I ever not picked?_)

"Konjam social media pakkam vanga Ashwiney. Fans kooda romba complain panranga."

(Be active on social media. Even fans miss you)

"Adellam enaku onnum interest illa ma. Enaku sethu nee dan double active ah irukaye."

(I am not interested really. You be double active even for me)

"Modala namba fan edits paakum bodhu ore feeling ah irukum, ini mel romba kulu kulu nu irukum." She giggled.

(First seeing our edits will make me yearn, but now I am gonna feel very happy.)

"Nee jolly ah kulu kulu nu iru, ellathayum enaku anupchite irukadha."

(You enjoy everything, but don't send me them all)

"Enna aalu neenga. Romantic ah ve illa." She complained. How much she loves watching certain edits specially ones with beautiful songs, but he hardly responds to her DMs.

(You are impossible. Not at all romantic)

"Unkitta romantic ah dana iruken?" he said taking her hand in his.

(I am romantic with you)

"Irukeenga...." she drawled. "Aana appo appo edho aaidudhu..."

(You are...) (But, sometimes you...)

Ashwin knew what she was insinuating and frankly he was grateful that topic came up before they leave from the resort.

"Tappo seriyo, en manasuku vendam nu tonradhu naan seiya maaten."

(Right or wrong, I listen to whatever my heart says.)

"Adhu tappu illai la, Ashwin?"

(But, it was not wrong, was it, Ashwin?)

"Tappu illa. Konjam time eduthukalam."

(It isn't. Let us take some time)

She looked at him still unconvinced by what he was saying. Ashwin moved closer to her so that he could discuss whatever they were talking quieter.

"Adhu tappu illa dan ma. Love maari adhuvum oru magic dan. Nee enna nambara maari, naan unna nambara maari, unga appa amma-vum enna nambaranga. Avanga ponna naan safe paathukuven nu nenaikaranga. Adha naan madikanum. Avangala disappoint panna koodadhu. Unaku edhuvum teriyadhu nu naan nenaikala, unna veeda un feelings vera yaaruku nalla puriyum. In fact I am really happy that you trust me. Aana inni konja naal. Onna irupom, inni konjam each other ah purinkikuvom. Tirupi adhuku oru moment varum, natural ah adhu nadakum, appo nambale nenachalum nambala control panna mudiyadhu. "

(It isn't wrong. Like love it is also magic. Like you trust me, like I trust you, even your parents trust me. They believe I will keep their daughter safe. I should respect it. Shouldn't disappoint them. I believe you know everything. You know your feelings better than anyone In fact I am really happy that you trust me.But, some more days. Let us be together, let us understand each other more. We will have a moment again, it will happen naturally, then we will not be able to control us.)

"Unmaya sollanum na enaku konjam bayama dan irunduchu." She confessed. "Naan munnadi idellam...." she trailed off. "Yosichu kooda patthadhu illa." She sighed. "Enaku ungala romba pudikum Ashiwn. I know you are the right man for me. I trust you. Unga kooda dan ellame experience pannuven nu enaku teriyum. Adhuku time eduthukaradhu dan nalladhu nu enaku ippo tonudhu."

(Frankly, I was a little scared. I have never before.....I have not thought about it. I like you a lot. I know you are the right man for me. I trust you. I know I will experience everything with you. Now, even I feel if we take some time)

Ashwin rubbed her hand gently in encouragement. Having this conversation itself increased their intimacy by thousand folds that even anything between them last night could not have achieved. The fact that they were in this together for a long run finally sunk in and they both were equally elated by the feeling.

"Appa Amma kitta epdi solradhu?" she asked after a short silence

(How to tell my parents?)

"Naan veetuku varuta?" he asked. "Onna pesalam."

(Shall I talk to your parents?)

"Adhu seri varadhu. Neenga irukum bodhu edachu kovapattanga na nalla irukadhu."

(No. If they get angry in front of you, it won't be good)

"Avangaluku en mela kovam vanda tappu illa ma. Yaara irundalum kovam common reaction dan."

(It is okay if they get angry on me. It is common reaction)

"Illa naane pesaren. Naan konjam convince pannitu solren."

(I will be able to convince them)

"Sure ah?"

"Aama. Naan inniko nalaiko pesitu solren." She said. "Unga veetla?"

(Sure. What about your parents?)

"Nerla sonna dan nalla irukum, aana ippo pogara nelamai illa. Naan first akka kitta pesuren."

(I should tell them in person but not possible now. I will first talk to my sister)

"Palaya padathula vara madiri no sollitanga na?" she asked sincerely

(What if they say no)

Ashiwn chuckled. "Appo oodi poi kalyanam pannikalam."

(Then lets' elope)

"Kalyanama?" Shivangi asked shocked. "Kalyanatha pathi yaar sonna?"

(Elope? Who wants wants to get married?)

"Oh! Appo enna kalyanam pannika maataya?"

(Will you not marry me?)

"No no no no no." She imitated her own self

"Ei! KD fellow, aprom? Enna deal la vida paakaraya?"

(Are you gonna break my heart?)

"Oru anju varsham kalichu pannikaren. Ippo naan ready illa." She answered seriously.

(After five years, maybe. I am not ready now)

"Enakum child bride vendam." He ruffled her hair. "Meduva pannikalam."

(Even I don't want a child bride. Let us wait)

***

Finally, two day getaway that felt like forever is over and they are venturing into real world. What do you think is awaiting them?

As an introvert, one book I personally felt very relatable and connected to is "Quiet Girl in a Noisy World: An Introvert's Story " by Debbie Tung . Over thinking we talk about often is very well portrayed. It is a comic style book so you can easily complete it. 

p.s. available in amazon