24

"Talaiviiii !!!" Shakti's greeting echoed the hall as he entered the Media Masons office with bright smile

"Dei! Shakti! Evlo naal aachu paathu. Epdi iruka?"

(Its been so long, Shakti. How are you?)

"Trending la iruken." He joked

(I am trending)

"Ama, sir periya aal aaiteenga."

(You have grown so much)

"Illa ade height dana." He made a thoughtful face making Shivangi whack his arm. "Okay Okay. Next interview vera level trend aagum trending pair kooda aache."

(Same height only) (Okay. Next interview will also trend as it is with trending pair)

Shivangi pulled Shakti aside making sure no one was in earshot distance.

"Dei, adha pathi mukkiyama onnu sollanum." She shook her head. "Illa, onnu illa, rendu sollanun."

(I want to tell you one thing.... no two things about it)

"Sollu." He asked with a serious tone.

"Inga innum yaarukum engala pathi teriyadhu. Committed nu naan yaarukum sollala."

(No one here knows about my relationship.)

"Apdiya!"

(Oh!)

"Ama da, edachu leak aana problem. Avar solla vendam nu sollitaru. Nee interview time edachu olaradha."

(Worried about some leaks to media. So, he told me not to reveal anything. So be cautious during interview)

Shakti nodded with a finger on his lips. "Okay okay. Naan paathukaren."

(I will take care)

"Aprom, avar last time inga vandha podhu yaaro edho rubbish ah pesananga avar romba tension aaitaru. Nee indha vaati konjam kooda iru da. Avar enaku approm un kooda dan ivlo comfortable ah irukaru."

(Also, last time when he visited, he was upset by some rubbish comments. So, this time you stay by his side. After me , you are the one person he is very comfortable with)

"Talaivi! Neenga kavalai padadeenga. Ashwin bro kooda naan inniku super fun pandren." Shakti lifted his hand for Hi-5 and Shivangi returned it with a bright smile.

(Don't worry. Ashwin bro and I will have super fun)

Shivangi wrapped up interview of her show quickly and changed into dress in which she was to give her first interview with Ashwin. When she exited the green room, someone informed her Ashwin was already here and was playing.

"Velayaditu irukara?" she was confused.

(He is gaming)

She went to the lobby to find him playing video game with kids of one of the employees. He truly is such a kid when he wants to be. Not wanting to miss capturing the sweet moment, Shivangi took her phone and began recording.

Shivangi loved seeing him with kids and even wanted the world to see this playful side after all negativity regarding his health and other gossips, so she posted it online. But even after that when he didn't come to her leaving the game, she was annoyed.

"Ei! Ashwinney." She called angrily. "Velayada va vandeenga?"

(Ashwin, did you come here to play?)

"Enna ma?" he asked distracted.

(What?)

"Inga paarunga."

(Look at me)

"Hmmm..."

Was he really ignoring her?

Shivangi tapped her foot and poked his shoulder.

"Two minutes. Indha stage finish pannita 5000 gold coins kedaikum."

(Two minutes. I will get 5K gold coins if I complete this stage)

"Gold coi..." Shivangi gritted her teeth. "Ashwin!" she called in a warning tone.

That was first lesson in Ashwin's life for future. Whenever she uses that tone, he better be at her beck and call unless he wants to toil relentlessly apologizing.

When Ashwin again mumbled about some upgrade points, Shivangi left from there angrily.

Shakti who saw her on the way asked. "Bro vantarame!"

(Bro is here, is it?)

"Unga bro va apdiye kelamba sollu. Naan onnum avar kooda interview kuduka maaten."

(Tell your bro to leave. I will not give any interview with him)

Shakti being a loyalist to both of them repeated Shivangi's words to Ashwin.

"Kovamava sonnala? " Ashwin wondered. "Eduku Kovam?"

(Was she angry? Why?)

"Terila bro, neenga edachu soneengala?"

(I don't know bro. Did you say something?)

"Naaan...."

(I...)

The little boy, new play buddy, who was beside Ashwin poked Ashwin's waist to get his attention. Ashwin looked at the boy and jerked his head as if asking what is the matter.

" Akka pesumbodhu neenga pesala adhu dan kovchukittanga." The boy said. "Adhu kooda teriyalaya?." He hit his head in disappointment.

(You didn't talk to her when she was here. So she is angry)

Ashwin looked at Shakti who shrugged clueless.

Ashwin walked into the green room where Shivangi was perched on the makeup chair typing furiously. Trusting Shakti to guard gates of the room from others entering, Ashwin decided to the most gentlemanly thing; cajole.

"Shivangi ma!"

Shivangi glared up at him.

Ashwin pulled the chair towards him and stood between her legs leaning on the granite block before mirror.

"Azhaga iruka."

(You look beautiful)

Shivangi pouted at him.

"Seri, Rowdy" He tapped her nose

(Smile, rowdy)

She scrunched her nose and pushed away his hand.

"En kooda pesada, Ashwiney."

(Don't talk to me, Ashwin)

"Rowdy ku kovama?" he asked hoarsely

(Are you angry?)

Shivangi looked at him with a glare and pointed a finger at him. "Anda voice la pesada." She ordered. "Enna tempt panna pakareenga."

(Don't use that voice. You are trying to tempt me)

"Work out aagudha?" he asked smugly leaning forward

(Is it working?)

"Onnum work out aagala." She pushed him away and got off the chair.

(It isn't)

She was trying to walk away, but Ashwin was quick enough to hold her back. He effortlessly lifted her off the ground and perched on the granite block.

"Enna panreenga?"

(What are you doing?)

"Enna kovam? Adhu sollu."

(Tell me why you are angry.)

"Yaaradhu varuvanga ippo. Eraki vidunga."

(Let me down. Someone might come)

"Yaarum vara matanga. Naan setting panniten. Nee sollu ma. Enna kovam?"

(No one will come. I have made arrangements. Tell me why you are angry)

Shivangi folded her hands over her chest and turned her head away.

"Sollu rowdy." He again used his horse voice.

(Tell me , Rowdy)

"Nyan Samsarikkilla." She mumbled in Malayalam.

(Malayalam : I will not talk)

Ashwin sighed and looked down. He badly has to learn her language. Suddenly, he was stuck by an idea. He held her chin and made her look at him.

"Kopam lo kuda intha muddhuga unnave ente?"

(Telugu: How can you look so cute even when you are angry?)

"Huh?" she was puzzled

Ashwin smirked at her. At least he has one advantage over her to make her stunned.

"Enna soneenga?" she asked

(What did you say?)

"Neenga enna soneenga?'" he countered

(What did you say?)

Shivangi twisted her lips finding her anger melting seeing this easy going side of him.

"Naan evlo effort eduthu dress pannitu vanden, neenga enna paaka kooda illa. Video game dan mukkiyam ah?"

(I took so much effort to get dressed and you didn't even look at me. Your precious video game seems more important)

Ashwin though already guessed the reason, hearing her say it in her distraught voice hurt him more.

"En tappu dan." He confessed. "Adhu chinna vayasula irundu game nale involve aagi palagiten. Inimel maathikaren. Enna irundalum nee dan first priority. Okay va?"

(My mistake. Since childhood I have been obsessed with video game. Will not repeat it. You are my first priority henceforth)

Shivangi pressed her lips together wondering if it was too early to give in.

"First serious girlfriend ma. Ini dan idhu ellam naan kathukanum, please." He implored.

(You are my first serious girlfriend. I am yet to get used to all this)

How can she not melt for that!

With slight pout and sorry eyes, he looked too cute to be angry on.

"Naan koopta kekanum." She warned

(You should always respond to me)

"Always." He promised

She made a thoughtful face before giving in. "Okay."

Ashwin smiled as he held both her hands in his.

"Kovam vandha direct ah enkitta vandhu eppavum pola sanda potru, okay va? Taniya poga koodadhu."

(If you are angry, talk to me directly. Don't walk away)

Shivangi nodded.

"Vai torandhu sollu."

(Say something)

"Naan... vandhu... Adhu..."

(I...mean...that...)

Ashwin narrowed his eyes questioningly.

"Enna aachu?"

(What is it?)

Shivangi with difficulty released her one hand from his hold.

"Ipdi rendu kai pudicha enaku pesa varadhu." She confessed cutely. "Kai aatina dan pesa mudiyum."

(If you hold both my hands, I can't talk. I got to use hand movements while I talk)

Ashwin threw his head back and laughed. Can anyone be cuter? She and her adorably weird antics.

"Apdiya? Sonnade illa?" he teased

(Really! I didn't know that)

"Ippo modala alavuku illa. Irundalum pesaradhu kashtam."

(It used to be worse. Now I am better, but still talking is difficult)

"Idhu ennamo nalla iruke." Ashwin with a sly smile took both her hands in his right hand. This time he only held it with tighter grip so that she can't release easily.

(This sounds interesting )

"Enna...panree...nga?"

(What.. are... you.. doing?)

Ashwin put her curly behind her shoulder and slightly caressed her neck with his right hand.

"Nethu enna romba paduthana illa rowdy. Ippo enna pannuva?"

(You tortured me yesterdat, Rowdy. What will you do now?)

Shivangi couldn't control her blush knowing what he was up to. She was discovering this new naughty side of him and she can't complain. She absolutely adored when he is this way with her, unguarded, because she knew she is the only woman who has earned this place of trust in his heart.

"Vidunga!" she mumbled but didn't mean it one bit.

(Leave me)

Ashwin bent forward and rubbed his bearded cheeks on her delicate ones.

"Ah!!" she moaned because of the jab. When he pulled back and smirked at her, she complained. "Kuthudhu."

(Ah! It is pricky)

"Nalla illaya?"

(Not fun?)

Shivangi flushed the colour of tomato. Not being able to meet his gaze, she looked down.

"Enna rowdy, over ah vekka padra?"

(Why are you shy?)

Ashwin released both her hands. Placing his one hand on the mirror and leaned close to her.

"Nalla iruka illaya?" he whispered huskily

(Fun or not?)

"Hmmm..." she crooned

"Hmm???" he questioned in singsong voice.

Bracing herself, she accepted, "Kulu kulu nu iruku."

(I feel kulu kulu)

"AC adigama iruko?" he teased

(Maybe because of AC)

Shivangi looked up at him with complaining pout knowing he was pulling her leg. Looking at his conceited smile, she decided to control her shyness and bring back her rowdy form.

"Vairula kulu kulu nu iruku." She confessed

(I feel kulu kulu in stomach)

It was time for Ashwin's cheeks to be painted red with blush.

"Idha English la vera maari sollunvanga." He said

(They have a word for it in English)

Shivangi looked at him questioningly.

Ashwin leaned forward and whispered it in her ears. Shivangi whacked his arms playfully for making her feel bashful.

"Ashwineey!" she complained

"Adhu dan ma unmai." He tried to maintain a straight face but failed.

(It is what it is)

"Adhu ellam illa." She waved off

(It is not that)

"Illaya? " he asked offended. "Appo naan innum try pannanuma?"

(No? Maybe I should work harder then)

"Aiyoo! Ashwin!!" she pushed him away slightly. They were definitely going overboard in her workplace. "Neenga ipdi ellam pannuveenga nu..." she didn't have to complete the sentence he understood.

(God! Ashwin, I didn't expect you to...)

As Shivangi jumped off the block, Ashwin stood rooted lost in thoughts. She was mumbling something about interview while patting her cheeks to get rid of the red of her cheeks, Ashwin rubbed his temple unsure.

"Naan edachu interview la olarana takkunu vera edachu pechu maathunga okay?" she informed.

(If I over speak in Interview, interrupt me okay?)

On not receiving any response from him, Shivangi looked at his reflection through mirror and found that he was lost.

"Heiii..." she shook him. "What?"

Ashwin looked at her with a straight face.

"Am I making you uncomfortable?"

"What! Why do you... En apdi kekareenga?" she was taken aback.

(Why do you ask?)

He held her shoulder and made her face him. "Shivangi ma, honest ah sollu. What we share...." he waved his hands between them. "This intimacy.... Am I making you uncomfortable? "

(Shivangi, be honest. What we share.... This intimacy.... Am I making you uncomfortable?)

Shivangi exhaled sharply. Why would he go back to this again when they had decided to go with the flow?

"Of course not. Enakum...." she wet her lips. "Idhu pudichiruku."

(Of course not. Even I like it)

He looked at her trying to read if her eyes were genuine when she said that.

She moved forward and held his arms. "Namba moment vandha resist panama flow la polam nu dana decide pannom . Ippo enna aachu?"

(Didn't we decide not to resist the moment and go with the flow?)

Ashwin rubbed his temple with a sigh.

"Eppavume you will be my first priority. Naan edachu panradhu pudikalai na nee frank ah sollu. Okay? I don't want to overwhelm you."

(You will always be my first priority. If you don't like something I do, let me know. I don't want to overwhelm you)

"Naan kandipa solluven. Trust me." she assured. "Aprom..." she took a step closer to him. She placed her hand on his cheeks and caressed his beard slowly. "Kuthanalum nalla dan iruku." She said making a smile appear on his face.

(I will. Trust me.) (I like it even if its pricks)

"Nee enaku romba special. Teriyama kooda I don't want to hurt you."

(You are very special to me. I don't want to hurt you even by mistake)

"Neenga enna eppavum hurt panna matateenga."

(You won't)

He snickered.

"Why do you trust me so much?"

"Because you deserve it." Her reply was pat

Ashwin pulled her hands around his waist and she placed her head on near his heart.

A knock on the door by Shakti bought them out of their own comfort world.

"Samadanam aayacha?" Shakti asked with a smile

(Have you pacified her?)

"Enna samadanam?" Shivangi questioned

(Why pacify?)

"Enna Thalaivi, Ashwin bro mela kovama irundeengale."

(Weren't you angry?)

"Ohhh... Ama illa." Shivangi chuckled. "Marande poiten." With that Shivangi left the room saying she has to meet someone.

(Yeah right! I forgot it)

"Marandutangala?" Shakti scratched his head. "Neenga sorry soleeteenga dana?" he asked Ashwin

(Forgot?) (You said sorry didn't you?)

"Illa" Ashwin nodded no

(No)

"Sollala? Aprom epdi seri aana?"

(Then how is she cool with you?)

"Sorry ellam solla vendam tambi. Adhu vera maari deal pannanum." Ashwin beamed

(I don't have to say sorry. I know how to deal with her.)

"Vera mari ya? Adhu enna?"

(How?)

"Un nadakum podhu unaku puriyum." Ashwin patted Shakti's shoulder and took him out of the room.

(You will know when your time comes to.)

***

Fun, wasn't it?

Now, I know some of you want to know what Ashwin whispered in her ears. It isn't a scandalous word, people.

Let me give you a clue, 2 words 6 letters. Fill in the blanks, T_ _ n   O_.

In second round, when I knew Shivangi as only a childish girl and I had no clue who AK was, when I didn't think I will ever ship them, I heard her say 'Vairlayum kulu kulu' and this was first thought in my mind.