28

https://youtu.be/eHy1iPl4Nc8

Shivangi was stuffing her face with her brother's birthday cake when the door bell caught her attention. She looked around trying to pin the duty of opening the door to her brother, but on not finding him she lifted herself off the ground grumbling.

She took her phone with her that she ignored while binge watching a series. Her last unnoticed message from Ashwin caught her eyes. He had texted saying he is coming to her house. It was sent few minutes ago and Shivangi didn't notice. She realized it must be him at the door and cursed herself for one time not checking her phone.

Shivangi looked down at herself. She was wearing an old pink crop top and quirky flared palazzo that everyone but her hated as it had all possible fluorescent colour in it. It even made her look short. Her hair was tied in tight bun. Her only consolation is that she is she took early shower unlike other days as it was her brother's birthday.

Shivangi was no sweet sight to eyes, especially cannot be a sight to Ashwin who is going to meet her after so many days.

Trying her best to not show her disappointment in face, Shivangi opened the door with a smile.

Shivangi hated as well as loved that he looked extremely handsome. He was wearing a white shirt with navy blue stripes and blue denim with properly set hair, tempting moustache and sunglasses. He looked like he was out of a photoshoot and she looked like she just got out of bed.

"Hi!" Ashwin threw a cautious glance inside to note if everyone was visible. Realizing his coast was clear, he gave her a side hug wounding his hand around her waist and pulling her closer to him.

Shivangi was distracted and he sensed it.

"Enna ma aachu?" he asked looking down at her face

(What happend?)

"Uh hu." She nodded no and smiled at him.

Ashwin pressed a kiss on top of her head before he released her.

Making him comfortable in the living room, Shivangi called for her parents and brother. All of them were surprised by his untimely visit and he realized Shivangi didn't tell them about it.

"Happy Birthday!" Ashwin wished as soon as Shivangi's brother walked out from his room and handed him a packet he was carrying in hand.

"Avanuka?" Shivangi asked. "Naan adhu enaku nu nenachen." She pouted making everyone laugh.

(Is it for him?) (I thought it is for me.)

"Nee kooda velayadalam." Ashwin said smiling.

(You can also play)

"Velayadava?" her brother looked curious.

(To play?)

Ashwin announced that it was latest version of popular game making the birthday boy grin in glee. More brownie points to Ashwin.

Shivangi's parents began chatting with Ashwin as Shivangi excused herself to bring juice for everyone. Truly though, she only wanted to make a quick detour to her room.

When in room, Shivangi threw a cotton shrug over her crop top, swapped her palazzo for Capri, pulled her hair out of bun and brushed it quickly letting it flow freely and finally finished the look with a small black bindi.

After long fifteen minutes when she returned with few glasses of juice, her parents were missing and Ashwin was sitting with her brother. Both were discussing something seriously looking at laptop.

"Ava oru crack-u." Shivangi's ear perked hearing her brother say this. "Naan sonnen idhu vendam nu."

(She is dimwit) (I told her not to include this)

"Edadhu olarira illa?" Ashwin shook his head

(She keeps blabbering, right?)

Only when Shivangi moved a little closer she realized they were talking about her watching her birthday vlog that was to be uploaded to her youtube channel that day.

"Ei...Enna pathi ah pesareenga?" Shivangi placed the tray on the table in front of the couch and pushed both the men away from each other as sat between them on the couch.

(Are you talking about me?)

Shivangi switched her suspicious glare between her brother and Ashwin. While Ashwin chuckled, her brother looked disinterested.

"Enna da sonna enna pathi?" she asked her brother

(What did you tell him about me?)

Her brother mumbled. "Che po." Her brother waved off, as he began working on laptop.

(Get out!)

"Ippo edhuku avaruku birthday vlog kaatna?"

(Why are you showing him the birthday vlog?)

"Idhu upload panni irunda avlo dan un fans ellam. Avar dan neraya correction sonnaru. Adhu maathi upload panna dan decoding varadhu." Her brother said.

(Thank God we didn't upload it. He has suggested some changes. If we upload corrected version only your fans will not decode anything)

"Dei 7 ku upload pannanum." She insisted

(I want to upload by 7)

"Mudiyadhu." Her brother completely ignored her as he stood up with laptop. He wanted to edit in peace now.

(Not possible)

"Poda!" Shivangi hit the back of her brother's hand earning a glare from him before he returned to his room.

(Get lost)

"Aiyoo!" she moved back in worry seeing her brother's look.

When Ashwin chuckled she turned to him with a pout.

"Ma, enna maari ellarum nee adicha amaidiya irupangala? Avan unn tambi ma, tirupi adichara poran."

(Not everyone is gonna be dormant like me when you hit them. He is your brother, he will strike back)

"Naan ungala enga adikaren." She said innocently.

(I never hit you)

Ashwin narrowed his eyes at her unconvinced.

"Adhu summa pasamana adi." Shivangi corrected rubbing his arms affectionately.

(That's out of affection)

"Shivangi" her mother who had been inside returned. "Juice kondu vandha kai la kuduthaya?" she nodded disappointed as she picked a glass and offered Ashwin.

(Shivangi, why didn't you serve him the juice?)

When Shivangi took a glass for herself and settled back, her mother complained, "Lockdown full ah toongite iruka."

(She spends lockdown sleeping)

"Amma, summa iru ma."

(Mom, stop it)

Ignoring, her mother continued, "Oru vela urupadiya seiyaradhu illa."

(She doesn't do anything useful)

Ashwin looked at Shivangi with a teasing smile.

"Naan seiren Ashwinney" Shivangi said offended. "En room clean panren teriyuma?"

(I have been cleaning my room, you know)

"Oru varama clean pannite iruka." Her mother added.

(Since a week she has been cleaning)

It was another five minutes of Ashwin laughing at mother daughter banter before Shivangi's father joined them again.

"Didirnu enna pa indha pakkam?" her father was straight to the point.

(Any reason for your sudden visit?)

Ashwin placed the juice glass on table and looked at her father directly. "Shivangi kitta pesanum, uncle. Andha project pathi..."

(I wanted to talk to Shivangi. About the project ....)

That is when Shivangi also understood Ashwin was not here because he missed her. He was here to pick their conversation from where it ended last night.

"Ava vendam nu solra illa pa. Aprom en ivlo compel pannanum."

(She said no, why compel her?)

Ashwin could sense it was such a thin line he was dealing here. He softened his voice.

"Naan avala project accept panna solla varala. Ava no sonnadhukana karanam pathi pesa vanden."

(I am not here to make her accept the project. I want to talk about her reason for refusing the project)

"Adhu enna karanam?" her father was surprised. This was the first time he was hearing that there was a reason for his daughter's refusal.

(She has a particular reason?)

"Ashwin..." Shivangi didn't want her parents to be involved whatsoever. Ashwin looked at Shivangi's worried face for a minute before he turned to her parents.

"Uncle, engaluku oru five minutes kuduka mudiyuma, please. Naanga taniya pesanum?" Shivangi's parents shared a look of surprise at that request.

(Uncle, we need five minutes, please. We want to talk alone.)

They didn't know if they should be happy that Ashwin was trying to be frank with them or offended that he knows something about their daughter's reasons that they are not privy to.

It was Shivangi's mother who jumped to answer first knowing her husband might make it complicated embarrassing the young couple. "Terrace ku poi vena pesunga."

(Take him to terrace)

Ashwin followed Shivangi as she led him through spiral stairs to reach the terrace. He didn't know he had it in him to be so direct with her parents. Ashwin was determined today, however. He not only wanted to have the much needed conversation with Shivangi, but he also wanted her parents to know that he is here for long run, so it is his responsibility to include himself in anything concerning Shivangi.

"Iru..." Ashwin stopped Shivangi holding her hand as she was about to enter through the door that led to terrace from a narrow corridor. Shivangi turned to Ashwin and looked questioningly. "Adhu enna room?" he asked pointing to a closed door.

(Wait)

(What room is this?)

"Store room."

"Anga pesalama?" he asked

(Shall we talk there?)

Shivangi simply nodded. She was occupied to register anything happening around. She didn't expect Ashwin to be fixated on the issue so much that he will come to her house when the city is under lockdown and ask her parents to let them speak alone.

Is it really such an important issue?

Shivangi opened the door and entered the room mumbling how it had many old and broken things and they might be careful inside.

"Inga dan ennoda childhood toys..." she stopped speaking on receiving no reply from him.

(My old toys are here....)

Ashwin was busy moving a thin cardboard out of place so that an old dressing table with half broken mirror was visible.

"Enna pandreenga? Edadhu adi pada pogudhu." She was concerned.

(What are you doing? Careful)

Ashwin pulled her to him and made her stand in front of the mirror. It was truly a kadavul setting that he was right where the talk could be made easy.

Shivangi giggled. "Naan dan indha mirror odachen." She said. "Ball vechu naa...." she stopped speaking as she saw through mirror's reflection that Ashwin was gathering her unruly hair together. "Enna panreenga?"

(I broke this mirror, when playing....)

(What are you up to?)

Ashwin didn't answer. He twisted her hair into a bun and secured it in pace with a small catch clip she had pinned. He then proceeded to remove her cotton shrug making Shivangi shriek his name in surprise.

Ignoring her surprised look, he removed the small black bindi from her forehead. Then with the end of his shirt's sleeves he wiped off her lip gloss.

Ashwin straightened her shoulder, made her look at herself in the mirror and stared at her eyes through the reflection.

"Naan veetuku vandapa ipdi dana irunda? Aprom yen ellam maathitu vanda?"

(This is how you looked when I saw you first today.Why did you change?)

Shivangi bit her lower lip unsure what to say. Wasn't the reason obvious? She wanted to look pretty in his eyes.

"Enakagave? Unakagava?" When she still didn't answer, he nudged her shoulder. "Sollu ma."

(For me or for you?)

(Answer me)

"Ungalukaga." Her voice was barely audible.

(For you)

"Naan ipdi irunda dan enaku pudikum nu ennikadhu unkitta solli irukena?"

(Did I ever tell you I like you only if you look certain way?)

"Aniku interview la, ponnu latchanama irundha crush irunduchu nu soneenga." She mumbled cutely

(In your interview, you told you had a crush on someone who looked very traditional.)

Ashwin chuckled. "Adhu yaaro. Paaka azhaga irundanga, naanum paathen. Nee kooda dan Arjun Das pudikum, Vijay Deverkonda pudikum nu solara. Appo naan enaku andha voice illa, andha swag illa nu enna maathikitta?"

(That is a stranger. She was beautiful and I looked at her. You also said you like Arjun Das and Vijay Deverkonda. I don't have the former's voice or latter's swag, should I change myself?)

"Adhu vera Ashwinney..." she turned around to look at him. "Avanga summa celebrity crush. Neenga special."

(That is different. They are celebrity crushes. You are special)

"Neeyum enaku special dana ma?"

(And you are special to me)

Ashwin cupped her face. He bent forward. Shivangi closed her eyes in reflex. He placed kisses on both her eyelids.

"Enaku unna un character kaga, un personality kaga mattum dan pudichidhu na, adhu poi. Nee romba azhaga iruka." He confessed. "I desire you Shivangi. Nee enn manasu mattum illa. Enna full ah affect panra. Unaku priyudha naan enna solren nu?" she nodded gulping. "Every time I come near you..." he took her hand and place it in his heart. "Enn heartbeat adigam aagudhu. All my blood rushes to one place. Enaku evlo kashtama iruku teriyuma enna control panradhu? Idhu ellam indha make up oh, clothes oh, pottu va enna feel panna vekkudhu?" he nodded. "It is you. Anniku night video call abrupt ah cut panniten. Nee kooda next morning adhuku sanda pota. Do you know why? Because, I wanted you. Nee enna appo fancy clothes and make up la irundha? No, ide maari old T-shirt and high bun. Un smile mattum dan un kitta irunduchu. Nee sollu naan mornings la toongi endiruchu video call panna epdi irupen? Ipdiya?"

(I didn't like you just for your character or your personality. You are very beautiful. I desire you Shivangi. Not just my heart. You affect my body as well. Do you understand what I mean? Every time I come near you my heartbeat rises. All my blood rushes to one place. I have hard time controlling myself. It is not because of your clothes or makeup. It is because of you. The other night, I cut our video call abruptly. You were angry at me because of it. Do you know why? Because, I wanted you. Were you dressed to nines then? No, you looked like how you look now wearing old T-shirt and high bun. You only had your smile with you. You tell me, do you look like how I look now when I wake up in morning and make a video call? )

"Neenga cute ah dan irupeenga." She defended

(You will be cute)

"Poi solladha. Enga veetla kooda kannadi iruku."

(Don't lie. I have mirror in my house)

Shivangi pouted. She can't accept he is anything less than handsome.

"Naan epdi irundalum unaku pudikum nu naan nambaren. Unaku andha nambika en mela illaya?"

(I trust that no matter how I look you will like me. Don't you have same trust on me?)

"Adhu... Iruku Ashwinney... aana neenga... ellarum ungala....."

(I do have.... but you.... everyone keeps saying...)

"Unaku en mela nambika iruka illaya?"

(Do you trust me or not?)

She nodded.

"Sollu."

(Answer me)

"Iruku."

(I trust you)

"Appo naan sonna nambuva dana?"

(Will you trust whatever I say?)

"Nambuven."

(yes)

"Nee pakka heroine material." Shivangi was about to deny, but Ashwin placed a hand on her lip. "Nambuven nu sonna." Shivangi nodded innocently. "Industry la ippo successful ah irukaravanga yaarum indha looks or talent oada start panradhu illa. It is a process. "

(You are a heroine material.) (You promised to trust me)

(Successful people in movie industry didn't start with this look or talent. It is a process)

Ashwin fetched his phone from pocket.

"Naan onnu kaatuven. Unakaga tedi pudichu kondu vanden. "

(Let me show you something. I dig deep to find it for you)

"Ennadhu?"

(What is it?)

"Ennoda first audition."

(My first audition )

Shivangi's eyes widened in surprise. He could see she was excited to see young him.

"Fair warning. Paaka romba sumar ah irupen. Acting suthama varadhu."

(Fair warning: I look bad and my acting is horrible)

Shivangi ignored him as she took his phone from his hand and clicked on play.

"Hey... nalla iruku pa." She commented

(Hey, you look good)

"Poi solla oru alavu iruku. Naan onnum tappa nenachika maaten."

(Don't lie. I won't be offended)

"Nalla dan irukeenga." She argued

(You are good)

"En kitta accept pannadha, aana un manasuku teriyum. I was very bad." Shivangi denied vehemently. "Azhagu paakaravanga kannula iruku and acting hard work la iruku. Andha Disney princess gown, success party lehanga, namba beach ponapa pota salwar, aprom saree. "Ashwin held his heart." My God! Romba super ah irunda. Simple look la. Nee regular ah podra casual kurtis. You are so beautiful. Andha white la flowers pota top la, last week call la potu irunda green shirt la, aprom anniku edho bunny pota dress kooda potu irunda, illa? Evlo azhaga irunda teriyuma? "

(Don't tell it to my face, I know your heart knows that I was bad. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder and acting is based on someone's hard work. You in that Disney princess gown, lehenga from success party,salwar you wore when we went to beach, that saree, God you looked gorgeous. And your simple looks, when you wear casual clothes, you are beautiful. That white top with flowers, green shirt you wore last week, that dress with bunny print you wore the other day. Do you have any idea how pretty you look?)

Shivangi looked at him amazed. No one, literally no one has ever praised her looks. Yes, there have been instances when she was called beautiful when she cleaned up well. So, she was convinced it was all because of all the effort she took and not because she was naturally beautiful. To hear him mention, her most mundane looks, Shivangi felt butterflies run in her stomach.

"Nee yen ma unnaye ivlo criticize pannikara? Unn pasakara fans enna solranga nu paakaraya illaya? Nee dan eppo paathlum social media la suthitu irupaye."

(Why are you hard on yourself? Your loving fans also support you. Have you not noticed in social media?)

"Avnaga nalla dan solranga." She added

(They are supportive)

"Nalla mattuma solranga? Flirt panranga." Ashwin complained. "Enna tag vera panni nee azhaga iruka nu solranga. Bayame illa."

(Only supportive? They flirt. They have the audacity to tag me when they call you pretty)

Shivangi giggled. Ashwin held both her shoulder.

"Ellaroda kannukum teriyaradhu yen unn kannuku teriyala?"

(Why can't you see what is obvious to others?)

Shivangi sighed. She didn't know how to answer it.

"Acting avlo onnum kashtam illa. Naan help pannuven. Team help pannuvanga. Acting workshops iruku. Nee andha offer accept pannika naan idhu sollala. That offer is least of my concern. Indha baseless fears unaku iruka koodadhu. Unaku enna venum nu nee mudivu pannu. Pudikalai na okay, aana mudiyadhu, namba worth illa nu nenachu mattum edayum reject panna koodadhu. Okay va?"

(Acting isn't hard. I will help. Team will help. You can enrol in workshops. I am not saying all this so you will accept the offer. That offer is least of my concern. I don't want you to have baseless fears. You can decide what you want. If you don't like it, then no issue. But, don't decline something because you think you can't or you aren't worth it. Okay?)

Shivangi nodded. She did get some clarity; however, she had lot of thinking to do for when she is alone.

"Ippo enna kelu." He said

(Now ask me)

Shivangi looked confused. "Enna kekanum?"

(What should I ask?)

"Nethu madam edho complain vecheenga en mela, edhayo marachiten nu."

(Yesterday you complained I hide things from you)

It made no sense to ask him that now. She believed he had reasons that were not what she feared.

"Enaku neenga edhuvum explain panna vendam."

(You don't have to explain anything to me)

Ashwin nodded his head. "Unaku lifelong explain panna vendiya duty enaku iruku. Enna avlo free ah vidadha, ma. Full rights eduthuko. Enna kekanum nalum direct ah kelu. Namba kulla eppavum misunderstanding varave koodadhu."

(It is my duty to explain everything all our life. Don't make it easy for me. You can take full rights on me. Whatever you want to know, ask me directly. We should never have any misunderstanding)

Shivangi nodded. "Appo sollunga."

(Then, tell me)

Ashwin sighed. "Namba relationship is not for sale." He said. "I know, neraya couples, power couples, onna work panranga. It is healthy also, maybe. But, ippo, nambala package ah use panni panam paaka nenaikaravanga namaku vendam. Future la, namaku pudicha project edachu vanda appo paathukalam. Ippo neeyum, namba bond-um, enaku special, adha naan koovi vikka virumbala."

(Our relationship is not for sale. I know many couples work together. It is healthy also, maybe. But, now, I don't want anyone to use us as package and cash on it. In future, when we get a good project, we will think about it. For now, you and our bond is special for me, I will not let anyone make it business.)

"Ohh!!" It didn't occur to her that this could be the reason.

"Ellam clear aaiducha?" he asked

(Are you clear now?)

She nodded with a smile. He could see she really looked brighter than when he first saw her in the morning.

"Keela polama?" he asked. "Unga appa vera enna moraiparu."

(Shall we return then? Your father might be angry by now)

"Apdi illa, Ashwineey. Appa ku ungala pudikum dan."

(That is not true. He likes you)

Ashwin shrugged unsure. He was about to move out, when Shivangi stopped him.

She held his shoulder and lifted herself on her heels. Ashwin bent down his head as usual to meet her half way. She kissed his cheeks.

"Naan poi sollala." She said. "Neenga epdi irundalum enaku neenga handsome dan."

(I am not lying. No matter how you look, you will always be handsome to me)

***

A long chapter it is. Hope you enjoyed.

Is one sweet monologue enough to make her insecurities go away? What about him? Is he the sorted man he portrays himself to be in front of her or he has demons of his own? 

I don't have a schedule for updates. So, my constant answer regarding updates is gonna be 'no idea' or 'soon'. I don't think I can be more consistent than 4 or 5 updates a week (incl both stories)