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Ashwin sighed deeply as he crossed his arms over his chest and tried to use his best intimidating look. He must not look convincing, because the usual angry look that manages to make everyone take a step back didn't seem to work on her. She had even more dangerous weapon with her, her beautiful eyes.

"Please, Ashwiney!" She blinked at him innocently.

If Ashwin thought taking her on a short trip to Ooty was going to make her day, he was totally wrong. When he was clearing their breakfast bill, she googled all about Ooty and was already ready with places she would like to visit in a day.

More importantly, thanks to Google reviews, she is now convinced that best mode to travel to Ooty in this weather is by bike.

"Enkitta bike illa ma." He lied

(I don't have a bike.)

"Poi solladeenga. Anniku dan neena Shakti kitta bike pathi pesitu irundaingale."

(Don't lie. The other day I heard you discussing about bike.)

"Ana..."

(But...)

"Ashwinney..." she whined

There, he was sold for those mesmerizing eyes and complaining pout. How can he not? He gave in with a defeated sigh.

Ashwin knew he can't go home to pick his bike. One, he can't take Shivangi home yet. For all reasons, his family thinks he is unaffected by whatever that is between him and Shivangi. He has to maintain that for his own sanity. Two, his mother will have hundred and one questions even otherwise. He can't get away with lying.

So, Ashwin chose the next reasonable option. That is why he is currently waiting for his best friend to come to him with his bike.

A bike zoomed past where Ashwin was parked and his friend got down. His friend immediately caught the scene inside the car and frowned immediately.

Ashwin asked got down the car prepping himself for questions and teasing that he is sure to endure.

"Family kooda veliya poran nu sonna. Ippo anda ponnu kooda suthitu iruka."

(I though you are out with your family, but now you are with a girl)

Ashwin cleared his throat and gave his friend a no non-sense look. "Saavi kudu da." He snatched the keys from friend. "Vandi nalla condition ah? Ooty eruma?"

(Give me the keys)

(Is bike in good condition? Will it be smooth to climb Ooty hills?)

"Ooty-ah?" his friend gave him a surprised look. He looked over Ashwin's shoulder to look at Shivangi who was still sitting inside the car and then shifted his look to Ashwin.

"Anniku ennamo china ponnu ava, Tv la summa comedy ku dan panrom nu sonna. Inniku ennada na anda ponnu kooda Ooty pora. Ennada nadakudhu?"

(You said she was too young and whatever you are doing on TV is for fun. Then how come you both are going to Ooty alone.)

"Adhu eduku unakku? Nee badarama car mattum eduthutu po, naan apparama vandu eduthukiren."

( That is none of your business. Take my car with you. I will pick it up later.)

Before his friend could say something else, Shivangi, tired of waiting alone, got down the car and walked towards them. Ashwin cursed his luck.

"Hi anna." She waved at Ashwin's friend before she reached near them.

(Hi bro)

"Paakara ellathayum annan nu dan da solar unna tavara." Friend whispered so only Ashwin could hear. "Apdi enna dan paathalo unn kitta."

(Everyone but you is brother to her. What does she even see in you?)

"Vaanga ma tangachi. Welcome to Coimbatore."

(Welcome to Coimbatore, sis)

Shivangi giggled and waved her hand again in a hi.

"Seri, nee po da" Ashwin tried to wave off his friend.

(You may leave.)

"Ada iru da. Naanum Shivangi fan dan. Oru rendu vartha pesikuren."

(Chill bro. Let me have a fan moment with Shivangi.)

"Neengalum enga show paapingala?"

(Do you follow our show?)

"Epdi paakama iruka mudiyum? Naan itana varushama pakada Ashwin Kumar dan anga irukare."

(How can I not? I am seeing a new Ashwin Kumar who I haven't seen ever)

Shivangi giggled. "Apdiya?"

(Really!)

"Pinna. Counter ellam varudhu ivanuku."

(He cracks good jokes)

"Ivaru teritaru." Shivangi patted Ashwin's shoulder.

(He is doing well.)

Ashwin tried to dissolve the group. "Polama?" he asked but no one paid him any heed.

(Shall we leave?)

"Ooty poraingala?"

(Are you guys going to Ooty?)

"Ama Ashwin dan anga nalla irukum nu sonnaru. Naan ponade illa."

(Yes, Ashwin is the one who suggested it. I have never been there.)

"Oh!" Ashwin's friend looked at him with raised eyebrows. "Sir dan sonnara. Parava illaye. Romba dan teritaru."

(Did he suggest now? Not bad.)

Ashwin glared at his friend. It is not often someone like Ashwin finds himself in position for teasing among friends. Now that his best friend has got a chance he is not ready to let it go.

"Adhu Coimbatore-la suthi paaka idam illa Ooty dan nalla irukum nu sonnaru."

(He said there aren't many tourist places in Coimbatore and Ooty will be good.)

'Nalla eduthu kudukura ma nee.' Ashwin thought to himself.

(You are serving me on a platter for roasting)

"Avan kannuku Coimbatore la oru spot um teriyadhu. Adum ponnu kooda irunda kandipa teriyadhu."

(Poor he can't think of any spot in city if he is with a woman.)

"Deii..." Ashwin warned but his friend didn't stop.

(Dude...)

"Apdi dan College padikum podhu city ellam vittutu doorama Manasi kooda mangarai poitan. "

(You know during college he went to Mangari with Manasi)

"Dei... Ava en friend oda tangachi da. Avanga paati veetla drop panna ponen."

(Dude she is my friend's sister. I went to drop her off at her grandmother's)

His friend gave him a sarcastic smile while Shivangi narrowed her eyes at Ashwin.

"Nambu ma. Naan anda ponna marande poiten. Ivan olaritu irukan."

(Trust me, I had even forgotten about her. He is just pulling my leg.)

As if on cue, both Shivangi and Ashwin's friend began to laugh looking at Ashwin's worried expression.

"Romba santosham." Ashwin shook his head in disbelief looking at his friend and then Shivangi. He could already see what his plight is going to be once he introduces her to more friends and family. They are going to have a field day making him fun of him.

(Very mature!)

Finally they bade bye to Ashwin's friend and got on the bike. "Super." Shivangi clapped as Ashwin brought the engine to life.

The ride was fairly entertaining with Shivangi having something to say or sing at every turn.

Halfway through Ooty, they pulled over at a coffee shop. After picking lemon tea for both of them, they settled on an isolated corner overlooking the greenery so no one recognizes them.

While they both were enjoying the silence and breeze, two boys giggling with their heads bent down looking at their phones caught their attention. They could hear promo of their cooking show playing in loop. Both the boys were debating who will be paired up with Pugazh this week.

Shivangi ticked her tongue and turned to Ashwin. "Show mudinjadhu kashtama iruku illa?"

(It is sad that show is over.)

"Idhu oru bittersweet feeling. Innum neraya pudhu projects varum work panna nu nenacha santhoshama iruku. But, ini namba team onna paaka matom nu nenacha kashtama iruku."

(It's a bittersweet feeling. We will have new projects in terms of work henceforth so happy for that but sad that as a team we won't meet again.)

"Enaku alugaye vandidum pola iruku."

(I might cry)

"Nee kandipa adutha season pannuva. Unaku jolly dana."

(You will be in next season for sure.)

"Aana neenga iruka matingale"

(But you won't be there.)

"Enna miss pannuvaya?" he asked

(Will you miss me?)

"Romba" she said without any hesitation. "Samaikum bodhu ungala vandu disturb pandrade oru tani jolly. Enga amma kooda tittunanga anda paiyana yen romba torture panra nu. Oru naal nalla pudichu katha poran nu sonnanga."

(A lot) (I like disturbing you when you cool. My mom scolded me that I test your patience. She though you are going to shout at me one day.)

"Unna poi yaradhu katha mudiyuma. Un mogatha paathale en tension poi naan dan cool aaiduvane. Aprom enna samiakum podhu disturb pannanum na udane call pannidu. Naan vandu unaku samachu taren. Nee enna disturb pannu."

(How can anyone scold you? I forget all my tension and become calm when I see your face. If you miss disturbing me, give me a call. I will come home and cook tasty food for you and you can disturb me to your heart's content.)

Shivangi smiled widely taking a sip from her tea.

"Unga amma-ku oru thanks sollanum."

(I should thank your mother.)

"Eduku?"

(Why?)

"Enna oru interview la gentleman nu sonnangale aduku dan."

(She called me a gentleman in an interview)

Shivangi looked at him surprised as she didn't think he would have seen those interviews. She was about to question him on the same, but was distracted by the fan boys who were now making reels with one of Ashwin Shivangi scenes from the show.

"Ungaluku show la enda episode romba pudikum?"

(Which is your favourite episode?)

"Ellam pudikum."

(I like them all)

"Appo en get up la edhu pudikum?"

(Then which is your favourite from my costumes?)

"Kandipa manni dan. Aprom Dora."

( Definitely the one as king. Then Dora.)

"Che!" she placed her palm on her head. "Naan alaga irunda episode ellam vittutu adhu solreenga."

(Why can't you choose an episode where I was pretty?)

"Nee epavume azhagu dan ma, aana meesaila innum azhagu."

(You are always beautiful, more so with a moustache. )

Shivangi chuckled as she took a strand of her hair and placed it over her lips pretending it was her moustache. She looked at him and smiled widely. Ashwin had to press his palms together to prevent himself from pulling her cheeks.

How can a girl look gorgeous with such ridiculous moustache?

" Unaku mesa romab cute."

(You look cute with a moustache.)

Shivangi let go of the strand and smiled. "Sam-um adu dan solluvan."

(Sam says the same.)

There is that name he was introduced to once he started being active in instagram especially when something related to Shivangi is posted.

"Sam un friend ah?" Ashwin didn't want to ask this but he ended up blurting out. He hid his face with the cup pretending to take a sip from his already over tea cup to avoid facing her eyes.

(Is Sam your friend?)

"Yen kekureenga?" she asked narrowing her eyes.

(Why do you ask?)

"Summa." He shrugged

(No reason)

A silence spread between them. Ashwin who didn't want to stretch the awkwardness immediately jumped down from his place and announced that it is time for them to leave.

***

Expect a twist in next chapter. I am sure most of you wouldn't see it coming.

To readers who wished She meets His family, I am gonna put a hold to it as it might interfere in the plot planned. So, sorry about that.

Ugadi Subhakankshaluto to everyone celebrating today.

Advance Tamil Puthandu Vazthukal and Vishu Ashamsakal 

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