The Antithesis of Love

SHOT TWO

Written by: @poemsforyou_13

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"You're so cutee!"

"Baby, you're cuter!"

"Aw but you're the cutest!"

Sivaangi rolled her eyes as Priya and her boyfriend exchanged gross gushy compliments. She was very much over third wheeling them while walking back to their dorm.

Priya turned to her.

"How'd the radio thing go tonight?"

Sivaangi shrugged, masking her inner excitement. She glanced down at the coin clutched in her hand, the one Ashwin would have flipped. The buzz of having a conversation with him affected her more than she'd like to admit.

"Oh... just the usual."

"Hmm you know Sivaangi, you should play more kpop. Then people might actually listen to your station."

"Hey! People listen," Sivaangi said smacking Priya's arm.

"Oh really?"

Priya turned to her boyfriend.

"Vishal, have you listened to her radio program?"

He scratched his head.

"Namma college ku radio irruka?"

Sivaangi groaned.

"No one cares what your dumb boyfriend has to say! There are many people, many men who tune in."

"Many men? What's that supposed to mean," Priya teased as she unlocked the door to the dorm.

"Nothing, just that Vishal doesn't represent all men," Sivaangi said defensively.

"Well anyways, instead of crawling into bed and being emo wanna come to the party tonight? Everyone's going, it'll be a blast-"

"I'll come."

Priya's eyes widened, taken back by her reply.

"You'll come?"

"Yeah."

"Enna sudden change in attitude?"

Sivaangi hesitated, unwilling to reveal her singular motivation for attending the party. She would never hear the end of it.

"STR's transformation paathu inspire ayutten. I'm turning a new leaf."

Priya crossed her arms.

"He completely gave up alcohol and meat, and became spiritual. Comparing that to you going to a party is a tad dramatic, no?"

"Well maybe I like being dramatic."

Priya chuckled.

"You're weird. But I like that about you."

Sivaangi tugged a brush through her hair and straightened out her sweatshirt. There was a light stain on the bottom, but it couldn't matter that much, right?

Sivaangi stepped into the living room, sneakers in hand.

"I'm ready."

Priya took one look at her and gasped.

"You can't go like that!"

Sivaangi glanced down at her outfit.

"Why not? Comfortable ah irruku."

"Girl, we're going to one of the biggest parties of the semester. You have to wear a dress!"

Priya grabbed her arm, dragging her to the closet.

"I'm going to decide your look for tonight. No ifs or buts."

Thirty minutes later Priya had sorted her out and Sivaangi couldn't recognize herself. She never curled her hair, wore mascara or dresses that puffed out at the end. It's not like she didn't want to, she just never had a reason to do so.

"Wow, thanks Pri. I actually love it," she said as she lightly twirled in front of the mirror.

Priya stepped back, clicking a pic.

"This will be perfect for my makeover account on Instagram."

Sivaangi's head and heart pounded as they neared the mass circle of people packed together, music and loud chatter all around. She scrunched her nose at the strange smells, strange sights. Her feet already hurt from the tight ballet flats and the thick air made it impossible to breathe.

A miserable feeling fell over her, like she's made an awful mistake by coming here. She was secretly hoping for a glance, a glimpse of him tonight. But was that worth standing through this insufferable commotion?

Just a few minutes in Priya was dragged away by some friends and Sivaangi was left to stand alone.

To be honest, being alone gave her the opportunity to skip all socializing, the ideal situation. She tugged her phone out, pulling up her reading app. She was at peace.

Unfortunately, her peace was interrupted by a random boy almost immediately. He not so secretly trailed his eyes down her figure, causing her to protectively cross her arms.

He grinned.

"My name is Srikanth. I've never seen you around here, what's your name?"

Sivaangi scratched her arm nervously.

"I'm Sivaangi. I don't go out much, parties aren't my thing."

"More girls should learn from you," he said leaning closer.

"I mean it's a personal choice," she mumbled growingly uncomfortable and slightly angry.

"Aanalum girls these days over ah poranga. Romba freedom kuduthu aadaranga."

"Why does it bother you so much? Wine shop la purushen kuduchu kettu poruthukalam onnum solla maatinga aana oru ponnu jolly ah irruntha porrukathai," she replied sharply.

He continued to leer.

"Athaan nee apdi illaiye, athu pathi ethukku pechu."

She exhaled.

"Ippo unnaku enna venum?"

He licked his lips.

"Nee venum."

She frowned in disgust.

Suddenly, Srikanth was roughly pushed away from her.

"Hey man, step back."

The low, hoarse voice that emitted behind her caused her stomach to flip circles. His presence was overwhelming, strong cologne flooding the air.

Sivaangi turned wide-eyed to see Ashwin staring daggers at Srikanth.

"AK, ennachu da ipdi morraikura," Srikanth joked.

"Intha ponna ethukku ippo bother pandra?"

"Atha? Chumma pesitu irrunthom da. Avlo than."

"Pesi mudichacha," he said glaring.

"Mudichachu, mudichachu. Oru ponna correct panna vidamatan," Srikanth mumbled as he walked off.

Ashwin looked to Sivaangi, who had been staring at him without pause.

"Thanks so much," she said warmly.

"Hey, no need for a thanks."

Sivaangi smiled, clearing her throat.

My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire you."

Ashwin gave her a confused look.

"...why are you quoting Pride and Prejudice?"

He blinked for a second, then groaned.

"God, you knew that was me talking to you on the radio?"

She giggled, enjoying the blush that had crept onto his face.

"I have to say, I was surprised. Didn't peg you to be a Jane Austen fan."

He shrugged.

"Not the most manly author but a great one nonetheless."

Ashwin motioned to her outfit.

"A change from your coffee shop uniform from earlier I see. Shocked you didn't wear that to the party."

"Why, did you expect me to be serving coffee here?" Sivaangi replied sarcastically.

He laughed.

"You should have, it was good coffee. But hey, it did look pretty. The cute visor and all."

"Oh," she replied tucking back her hair flustered.

"Not that this dress isn't pretty. It is, and pink is a really cool colour. Did you know it's named after the flowers, pinks? They're flowering plants in the genus Dianthus, and derive from the frilled edge of the flowers," Ashwin rambled.

Sivaangi blinked in reply.

He sighed.

"I don't know why I said that... it's much easier talking through the radio, huh."

She chuckled.

"You're just overthinking it. Hm, how about we take turns asking each other questions, like a little game?"

She looked to the large crowd.

"It's far better than going in there and having to talk to more people, and it'll be fun."

"Alright, I'm in," Ashwin said grinning.

"Question number one. Who is your most hated professor on campus?"

The "game" had gone on for a bit, with both throughly enjoying each other's company.

"Question eleven. Who is your celebrity crush?" asked Sivaangi.

"Deepika Padukone."

She rolled her eyes.

"You just like her because she's hot."

"Well isn't that the point of a crush?"

"Oh soo superficial."

Ashwin laughed.

"Okay then miss intellectual, who's yours? Albert Einstein?"

Sivaangi chuckled.

"Oh shut up. By the way, what is that?" she said pointing to his cup.

"Grape juice," he replied taking a sip.

"Ooh, I love grape juice."

His eyes flickered over her, a smirk on his face.

"You're so innocent."

She frowned.

"Who said I'm innocent?"

He raised his eyebrows.

"Question twelve. What's the worst thing you've ever done?"

She tapped her chin in thought.

"On a school trip I ditched and went off on my own. Saw all the waterfalls, parks and wildlife alone. I'm not joking that no one knew I was gone. No one realized, no one noticed. No one ever notices me, really."

"I notice you."

His eyes and words were piercing and Sivaangi looked away, unable to meet his gaze. She rubbed her arms, shivering.

"Are you cold?" he asked.

"Freezing."

He moved to drape his coat over her shoulders, and she felt at home wrapped up in the large leather jacket.

"Damn it's late into the night," she said staring up at the star studded sky.

Ashwin smiled playfully.

"The night is far, far from over ma."

Sivaangi woke up with a blissful glow, stretching and smiling as she sat up. She felt like a disney princess- a feeling foreign to her. Ashwin was no prince, but he was the most fun she'd have in forever.

She reached for her mobile, scrolling through her notifications until she saw he had sent her a follow request on Instagram. Her heart leaped.

So he had searched and scanned to find her somehow. He had some inkling of interest.

She accepted the request, and a few minutes later she saw he had dmed her.

Good morning bro!

She frowned.

Bro? I'm not your bro

Why not, thought we were bros after last night 😂

Sivaangi faltered, suddenly disappointed. Was that how he saw her? But the way he stared and his unabashed flirting...

I don't want to be bro's, ashwin

Alright then what do you want to be

Friends, let's be friends

Friends? I can do that. Friends it is.

Great.

So friend, would you like to accompany me to the library later?

Ooh I love a trip to the library. I'll come!

Sounds like a plan. See ya then :)

Sivaangi met him at the library entrance, and was immediately flustered when he arrived (fifteen minutes late). Did he always look so good? He was wearing a simple white tee, but the way it stretched across his broad shoulders was a sight to behold. His hair was messy and soft, and fell over his forehead in just the right way. 

She cleared his throat as he approached.

"Library on a Saturday night. Not exactly what you'd expect from the campus bad boy."

Ashwin chuckled.

"A bad boy with refined tastes, milady."

"So.. do you bring many girls to this fine spot?"

His eyes twinkled playfully.

"Do you want the truth, or a lie?"

"The truth please."

"I've brought a couple girls over here. Not really to read though, just-"

"Just romance. Right?"

He scratched his head sheepishly.

"Well I'm glad to be your first book buddy then," she said smiling.

"Book buddies, huh? I like it."

The two slowly made their way through the shelves and shelves of books, debating the classics and sharing their favourite reads. The soft light that poured out the windows and innate beauty of book covers made everything feel like a dream.

Sivaangi ran her fingers against a row of books.

"Everyone thinks people who read a lot are smart or wise. I just think they're lonely. Lonely and desperate to escape this world."

Ashwin nodded wistfully.

"Growing up my parents would always be busy. I don't have any siblings. So it would just be me and my books, all day everyday. I need to read, or else I find myself coping in ways that aren't so healthy."

"I feel the same way," she replied quietly.

They looked at each other, smiling.

"Oh shit," Ashwin exclaimed as they stepped outside.

It was pouring rain, and they were left with no umbrella, no jackets and a stack of books that had to be kept dry. 

"Should we make a run for it?" he questioned peering out.

Sivaangi gulped as he pushed his wet hair up, a single raindrop running down his jaw.

"Actually Sivaangi get on my back, it'll be faster than us both running. My dorm is nearby, we can just chill there until the rain stops."

She shook her head.

"No way am I letting you carry me across campus."

"If we run at your rate we'll be totally drenched. Your little legs would take forever."

"Hey don't underestimate my little legs! I won the school running prize in second standard okay?"

Ashwin crossed his arms.

"Fine, suit yourself. But don't complain to me when you get a bad cold. Because you will."

She held her resolve for a couple seconds, then sighed.

"Okay.. let's piggy back."

He bent down and she climbed up onto him as the rain drizzled down around them. He secured his hands under her knees, and began to jog.

As he ran, she moved closer into him, smiling. She was putting on a show of not liking this, but she loved it. Every second of it.

"My bathroom is over there if you want to freshen up," he said as they entered the dorm.

He grabbed a tshirt from his wardrobe.

"You can change into this."

After washing her face, Sivaangi slyly peeked into his shower, eyes widening at the array of shampoos and hair gels in his possession. She snickered as she spotted a half-used tube of anti aging cream, a bit overkill for a twenty year old guy. You could really learn a lot about someone from their bathroom.

Sivaangi walked out wearing his tee, rinsing her still wet hair. She frowned as he stared at her, eyes wide. His mouth was slightly ajar, and he was fixed in place.

"What?"

"Uh... looks good. Really good," he stammered.

She giggled.

"What looks good?"

"My T-shirt on you. You should seriously consider only wearing size men's large from now on."

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Written by: @poemsforyou_13

A part of the Zokuhen Collaboration

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