26

My book "Of hearts and love" will be available for free in Amazon for two days. Do download it for FREE and enjoy reading. Please leave feedback if possible. 

Google : Of Hearts and Love by Ms.Lizzie amazon 

Link of amzon IND added in profile

This is my idea of what might have happened on her birthday keeping things super practical.

I don't say this might have happened in real life. But, for MBY, this perfectly makes sense.

***

Ashwin dialed the number and waited. It was so unlike her to not pick his call within two rings. She picked up only when call was almost going to end.

"Sorry, I was in the restroom." She said in the way of greeting

"Parawa illa ma, innum 2 minutes iruku." He said

(It is okay. Two minutes more)

"Lockdown birthday, Ashwineey. Ore bore." She complained

(It is lockdown birthday, Ashwin. Such a bore)

"Vidu ma. Lockdown ku aprom super ah celebrate pannidalam."

(It is okay. Let us celebrate after lockdown)

Shivangi was about to tell him what she was up to before the call, but he interrupted. "Happy Birthday, Shivangi."

"Thank you, Ashwineey." She replied in a sing song voice.

"You are an adult now." He teased

"Aama..." she said a little dejected. "But, apdi feel agala. Innum teenager maari dan iruku."

(Yes, but I don't feel that way. I feel like a teenager.)

"Nee ipdiye iru, evlo vayasu aanalym. Maarada." He wished sincerely.

(Stay the same no matter how old you are. Don't change)

"Thanks." She beamed. "Innoru call varudhu. Space ku vera ponum. Naan call back panren."

(Thanks. I am getting another call. Got to go to space as well. I will call you back)

Shivangi truly loved she started her birthday with her fans. They made her last two years special with their love and it only felt like the right thing to do.

She settled in her room after her fan interaction to check messages in social media and reply to them.

Usually as much as she likes social media, she wasn't the type to consider it the one true validation for her life. She was better than that. However, today she felt the need to make a statement in instagram even if it was a vague attempt to prove her priorities.

"Sollu ma." Ashwin said as soon as he picked her call. "Edho moon ko sun ko ponum nu sonna, but udane call pannita."

(Whats up? You told me about attending some moon or sun, how come you are back so soon?)

"Adhu space, Ashwineey. Twitter space." She explained amused how he cannot know such simple thing about social media.

(It is space, Ashwin. Twitter space)

"Nee daily pudusu pudusa edho sollra. Enaku ellam enga nyabagam iruku."

(You come up with new things every day. How am I supposed to keep up?)

"Adhu vidunga, ippo en birthday ku wish panni story podunga."

(Forget it. Now, post a insta story to wish for my birthday)

"Ippo va? Naan usual ah afternoon dan online varuven. Fans adhu dan expect pannuvanga. Ippo pota over ah excite aaiduvanga. Naan dan unaku first ah wish pannitane, inda social media PDA ellam namaku edhuku?"

(Now? I am usually online in the afternoon only. Fans know to expect then. If I post now they will be over excited. I wished you first, didn't I? Let us not bother with social media PDA)

"Naan solradha seinga, Ashwineey. Idhu ungaluku puriyadhu. Naan thug life kaatanum."

(Do what I say, Ashwin. You won't understand. I want my thug life moment.)

"Enna life-u?"

(What life?)

He was testing her patience now. "Ashwin!" she warned and he knew that was his cue to surrender.

"Okay ma. Nethu naan send pannuna pic post pannirtum dana?"

(Fine. You are okay with the picture I sent you yesterday right?)

"Okay. Seekiram pannunga."

(Cool. Post it soon)

There now she has proved a point by replying to his story first. She knew fans will be happy about it, but it also gave her silly pleasure.

Shivangi took her own sweet time to go to bed that day. So, when she woke up, already half her birthday was over.

By the time she was ready, plethora of cakes started arriving much to her and her family's amusement.

{

PRIVATE CHAT

Shivangi : Cake super ah iruku 😍

(Loved the cake)

Ashwin : En nadamadum cake-ku oru special birthday cake

(Special cake for my walking breathing cake)

Shivangi : Thank you 😘. Naan expect pannala.

(Thanks. I didn't expect it)

Ashwin : Unga alavuku illainalum edho enaku terinja baking skills use pannen. Taste epdi irukumo

(I might not have matched your standard in baking. Adjust if the taste isn't good)

Shivangi : Naan romba happy, Ashwiney. Nee kalaichalum parawa illa. Naan inniku kovapada maaten 😀

(I am very happy. I don't mind even if you pull my legs)

Ashwin : Lockdown illaina naan neraya plan panni irupen en rowdy birthday ku. Ipdi meet kooda panna mudiyama pochu.

(I would have planned something elaborate for my girl's birthday if it wasn't for the lockdown)

Shivangi : Aama 😘 I miss you 😚😚😚

Ashwin : Miss you too

Shivangi : 😘😚😘

Ashwin : Enna madam neenga inniku konjam over ah kissing emoji use panreenga

(You are very generous with kissing emoji today)

Shivangi : Catch my mood

Ashwin : Adada miss pannitane. Nerla vandhu irunda unn birthday ku enaku gift kedachirukum pola.

(Damn I missed it. I would have got a gift on your birthday if I had met you)

Shivangi : 😘😘😘

Ashwin : 😊😊😊

Shivangi : Appo kooda blush emoji dana?

(Why just blushing emoji?)

Ashwin : Naan solla maaten seiven

(I am not all talk, only action)

Shivangi : 😋

Ashwin : Tell me when you are free. Video call panren.

(Tell me when you are free. Let us do video call)

Shivangi : Vlog shoot panna poren. Evening pesalam.

(I am gonna shoot vlog. Let us talk in the evening)

Ashwin : When ?

Shivangi : Whenever I am free

Ashwin : 5 ish?

Shivangi : Okay

Ashwin : Aprom important vishayam about vlog

(Regarding vlog I want to say something)

Shivangi : Teriym. Edhuvum over share panna koodadhu. Correct ah? Naan ippo romba vigilant aaiten teriyuma

(I know. I should not over share. Right? I have become very vigilant now)

Ashwin : Enna aaiteenga?

(You have become what?)

Shivangi : Ungaluku English teriyuma illaya?

(Don't you know english?)

Ashwin : 😂😂😂

Shivangi : 🙄🙄🙄

Ashwin : Nee nethu space la enna pesina nu ella update-um enaku vandiruchu. Birthday anniku sanda vendam nu onnum sollala

(I know what your spoke with fans in twitter space yesterday. I didn't want to pick a fight on your birthday)

Shivangi : Andha Shakti sonnana? Avana saavadicharren naan. En friend ah unga friend ah avan?

(Did Shakti tell you? I am gonna kill him. Is he my friend or yours?)

Ashwin : But cute dan

(But its cute)

Shivangi : Enna cute?

(What is cute?)

Ashwin : Nee ipdi olarradhu

(When you speak without filter)

Shivangi : 🙈🙈🙈

Ashwin : Naan unna maaradha nu sonnadhu, I mean it. Nambala yaarum negative ah portray pannakoodadhu nu dan naan indha vishayam mattum strict ah iruken. We shouldn't become gossip material. Mathapadi, I don't want you to be cautious about anything.

(When I told you not to change, I meant it. I didn't want anyone to portray us negative. We shouldn't become gossip material. Otherwise, I don't want you to be cautious about anything. )

Shivangi : Awww... 😘😘😘

Ashwin : Now you are tempting me

Shivangi : 😘😘😘

Ashwin : 😓😓😓

Shivangi : Naan vlog shoot pannitu call panren bye 💜

(I will call you after vlog)

Ashwin : Hmmm

}

Shivangi was gushing about the cake she received from Sivakatigeyan. She was only two years old in this industry and he is a superstar. For him to take time for her and send a birthday cake is something extremely special. To top it all, he had even called her 'Tangachi'. How sweet!

Shivangi was reminded of what Ashwin said when she was sharing to him about her experience from sets of her first movie and how Siva calls her 'tangachi'. (sister) "Tamil Naatu-la enaku yaar dan machan illa? Ellarum unaku annan dan."

(Everyone in Tamil Nadu is your brother invariable they become my brother in law)

"Shivangi dress change sei." Her mother ordered as she saw Shivangi sprawled on the couch in purple shift dress scrolling through social media.

(Shivangi, change your dress)

"Two minutes ma." She said

Her mother stood in front of Shivangi with her hands on her hip.

"Ippove sei. Oru gift iruku un room la."

(Now. There is a gift for you in your room)

Now Shivangi was interested. She immediately rushed to her room and found a cloth bag. Inside it was a beautiful red embellished salwar with dark green dupatta. It was not her taste, but she completely loved it, because she couldn't imagine how much Ashwin will like it on her. He was the kind of guy who is inclined towards Indian outfits.

"Pudichiruka?" her mother who stood behind her asked.

(Do you like it?)

Shivangi hugged her mother as a thank you.

"Try pannuta?" Shivangi asked excited.

(Shall I try?)

"Ohh..." her mother nodded enthusiastically.

Shivangi looked a vision in red. Until then she hasn't considered red her colour. She voluntarily paired the outfit with one of her mother's numerous jumkas and added a round black bindi. Her hair was parted in the side and all wavy black curls were arrested on the left shoulder with a small black clip.

"Romba azhaga iruku, Shivangi. Idhuku dan naan unna ponnu maari ellam pannikanum nu solren."

(Very pretty, Shivangi. This is why I tell you to dress up like a girl now and then)

Her mother immediately began clicking her photos. Shivangi was only waiting for the moment when she can flaunt her new look to her beau.

Shivangi was quick to jog to her room, close the door and call Ashwin. If he thought she was tempting him with kissing emojis, her look is going to give him sleepless night.

Ashwin's first expression on looking at her was complete surprise with both his eyebrows raised as high as possible. "Wow!" he exclaimed. Shivangi twirled around giggling.

"Azhaga irukana?" she questioned

(How do I looke?)

"Gorgeous."

Yes, her day was made. She craved to see at least once this admiration and need for her in his eye that has nothing to do with her or her personality but purely based on looks. She was thoroughly disappointed when he couldn't make it to super singer where she was dressed like a doll. There is nothing more special than witnessing this expression in his face firsthand.

Shivangi for the first time in her life felt like a truly beautiful woman. Ironically, it is on her 21st birthday.

"Let us celebrate your birthday once again after lockdown." He said. "Repeat of the day with red dress and kissing emojis."

Shivangi blushed seeing him speak in that husky voice that for the first time cracked because he truly seemed affected by her.

"En birthday ku neenga yen ready aairukeenga?" she asked signalling at his white dress shirt.

(Why are you dressed up for my birthday?)

"Oru zoom meeting irunduchu."

(I had a zoom meeting)

"Oh!!! Okay." She nodded. "Sollunga vera enna?"

(Okay, what else?)

"Un birthday ku gift vendama?"

(Don't you want a gift from me?)

"Adhu dan cake kuduteengale."

(You gifted me a cake)

"Cake is common. Adhula enna special?"

(Cake is common. Something more special?)

"Vera gift iruka?" she asked excited

(You have something else for me?)

"Yes..." he beamed. "Close your eyes."

"Yeah!!" she exclaimed as she closed her eyes. However, she couldn't stop talking even with eyes closed. "Ashwin, gift epdi video call la enaku taruveenga? Courier panni irukeengala enna? Illa amma kitta...."

(Ashwin, how will you give me gift through video call? Have you couriered it? Is it with mom...)

"Shivangi !"

Shivangi's sentence cut abruptly as she heard her name being called by an unfamiliar voice.

When Shivangi opened her eyes, her eyes widened in shock and her hands plastered over her mouth in absolute disbelief.

It can't be happening. She must be dreaming. She was not ready for it. Not now !!!

There in front of her eyes her phone screen was split into three. In the bottom right corner screen Ashwin grinned, while on the top right corner was occupied by elderly couple who bared so much resemblance to Ashwin and parallel to that screen were another young couple with a small toddler with them.

His family!

"Happy Birthday, Shivangi!" they all said in unison as if on cue

In her short life there haven't been many moments when Shivangi's caught off guard to the point that her words failed her and her eyes misted. This is probably one of a kind that she will always remember.

For uninformed, this might be the usual girl meeting the boy's parents, but with someone like Ashwin, who has been completely private and protective about family. This was a major step. Also, if one knew Ashwin, they would agree that involving his family is as good as sealing the deal with a ring.

"Thank you!" Shivangi whispered meekly.

She didn't know what to say. She hoped they were able to detect from her expression that she was elated.

"Romba azhaga iruka ma." His mother commented

(You are very beautiful)

"Avanuku pudicha maari unn dressing maathika vechutana?" his sister teased.

(Is he making you dress in his choice of clothes?)

Shivangi only managed to giggle and blush.

"Ei! Rowdy, enna amaidiya iruka?" Ashwin tried to ease the mood knowing she was nervous. "TV la ellathayum paathutanga. Nee vayadi nu avangauku teriyum."

(Rowdy, why are you quiet? They have seen you on TV. They know you are a chatter box)

"Enaku enna solradhunu teriyala..." she finally admitted. "Naan expect pannave illa. Neenga ellam ipdi enakaga... Thank you so much."

(I don't know what to say...)(I didn't expect this. You all here... Thanks)

"Idhuku edhuku thank you? Engaluku unna paakanum pesanum nu romba naal aasa. Ivan dan vidave illa." His mother complained.

(Why thank us? We have been meaning to meet you since long. He didn't let us)

"Number ketadhuku kooda kuduka maaten nu sollitan." His sister chirped in. "Nee show la avana kalaikum bodhu enake unna taniya phone panni paaratanum nu tonum."

(I even asked for your number, he didn't budge. I wanted to praise you for making fun of him in the show)

"Ashwin morachale ellam bayandiruvanga. Nee avana nalla kalaichuta." His brother in law added

(Usually people are put off by his glare, but you were on fire)

"Apdi ellam illa. Naan summa fun ah dan pannen. Serious ah illa." Shivangi covered up

(It isn't like that. It was all for fun. I didn't mean anything)

"Avan apdi sirichu enjoy pannadhu romba varsham kalichu paathom ma. Enaku santhosham taangala." His mother confessed. "Unna maari oruthar vazhka poora avan kooda irunda epdi irukum nu nenachadhu undu, aana adhve unmai aagum nu nenaikave illa. Avan enga kitta ungala pathi sollumbodhu enga ellarukum romba santhosham."

(I haven't seen him be so happy in years. I wished for someone like you in his life, but didn't think my wish will be granted so soon When he told us about you both, we were ecstatic)

Of course he has said about them. Why else would they surprise her on her birthday like this? Shivangi was already so happy to the brim that she was not sure how much more elation happened after hearing that his family accepted their relationship.

A knock on the door caught her attention and her eyes moved to Ashwin on the screen. He ticked his chin and asked her to open the door.

Her parents were at her door and before she could explain anything, they were already inside her room and began greeting Ashwin's family.

Shivangi was taken aback. Were they all in this except her? Is this why her mother gifted this salwar just before the call?

Wow! Shivangi didn't think she can handle anymore surprise this day.

"Tangamana ponnu vazhaturukeenga. Engaluku avala paakamaye romba pidichiruchu." His mother said.

(Wonderful daughter you have. We like her a lot)

As the parents took over the conversation, Shivangi sat on the side not able control herself from grinning. It all seemed surreal. Him. Her. His family. Her family. Until it happened, Shivangi didn't know how much she wanted it to happen. Even her ever silent brother seemed to be interested in what was happening because he was sincere in answering what Ashwin's father asked about his education.

Shivangi's eyes cautiously moved to the Ashwin's screen. He was as silent spectator as her, but his face also held the same elated expression as hers. As if sensing her eyes on him, he lifted another phone and waved discreetly. Shivangi also tactfully hid her second phone inside her dupatta and checked it.

{

PRIVATE CHAT

Ashwin : They love you

Shivangi : Thank you 💜

Ashwin : Thanks to you. You make all my dreams come true. Naan kanavula kooda paaka bayapatta vishayangal ippo en life la nadakudhu.

(Thanks to you. You make all my dreams come true. What I was even scared to dream about is my reality now.)

Shivangi : Idhu veeda super birthday gift irukave mudiyadhu.

(I couldn't have got a better gift)

Ashiwn : Really! Appo morning anupcha emoji? Adhu vendama?

(Really! What about the emoji you sent in the morning? Don't you want that?

Shivangi : 😊😊😊

Ashwin : Enna ma phone-laye blush panra? Morning vera emoji illa anupana

(You are blushing. What about the one you sent in morning?)

Shivangi : Naanum ungalamaari sollama senju kaatren.

(Like you, I will also speak through actions, not words)

}

Shivangi lifted her eyes to the video call. Her parents and his were talking about some common big shot they were acquainted with in Coimbatore. Shivangi's eyes caught Ashwin's. She lifted her eyebrows curiously. He signalled with his eyes for her to look down at her phone.

{

PRIVATE CHAT

Ashwin : Until we meet 😘😚😘😚

}

Shivangi has to bite the insides of her cheeks to stop herself from breaking into giggle. Ashwin was also hiding his lips in the pretext of caressing his moustache probably worried like her that his expression could giveaway what they are up to.

This day couldn't be any better. He made her birthday so special. Well, not just that, he is making her life so special.

***

Maybe she will be her own bubbly self in real life when she meets his family. Or maybe she like most of the girls will be a nervous wreck. I don't know. I think it all depends on many aspects. But, I really liked what I have written for MBY's context. Hope you all liked it too.

IMPORTANT 

I will be conducting a space in twitter tomorrow i.e 9/06/20121 – Wednesday – 9 PM IST. I would appreciate your presence so that we can discuss my stories, Ashaangi or anything in general (baring personal stuff)

Anyone interested to speak can volunteer or if you have any questions you wish me to answer, you can drop as inline comment here or DM me privately in wattpad, twitter or Instagram.