Disclaimer

This is a work of fan fiction using characters from the popular show cook with comali 2. The description of incidents in this story is fictional and entirely unrelated to the persons after whom the characters are named. The story is only an imaginary plot with my take on ashaangi. This is not to hurt anyone or affect their personal space. This is purely a fictional plot that is not recommended to connect with real-life incidents.

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https://youtu.be/d38xWWg62LY

12

"Ipoya? Kezha vandhurukiya?" Sivaangi looked down from her room's window to find Arjun waving at her from his car.

(Now? You are waiting down here?)

"Time enna agudhu teriyuma? It's almost 12! Shooting mudinji vetuku pogama inga enna panra?" She asked him in a surprised voice.

(Do you know what time it is? It's almost 12! What made you come here without going home after your shoot!?)

"You dint sound okay. Epoyum rowdy mari suthura ponuku enna prechana terla, adhan paka vandhuteyn. Nii modhala kezha va" He signaled her to get down.

(You dint sound okay. I dint know what troubled the rowdy girl. So I'm here! Get down)

"Ada kadavuley!" She giggled and face palmed. "Iru 2 minutes dress change panitu vareyn"

("My goodness!" She giggled and face palmed. "2 minutes, I'll just change and come down")

Arjun was busy talking to her and dint heed Rakshan come out of her flat.

"Seri okay va" His lips drew a wide grin on his face when he hung up the phone and planned something to lift up her mood.

(Okay, come!)

Rakshan was on a call with Ashwin which was more important than spying on AD and Sivaangi. Why spy? Because this was not the first time he spotted Arjun when Sivaangi was low. He doubted if AD was playing around with any intentions. As a protective brother he had all the right to question him but not wanting to create chaos, he glared at his car and walked past without being noticed; before Sivaangi came down to meet him.

She put a word to her mum and stepped out.

"Hey! Enna panra inga?" she asked as she got into his car.

(Hey! what are you doing here?!!)

"Chumma dhan unna paka vandheyn. Enaku Ice cream sapdanum pola irunduchu, polama?" He asked in a flirty voice knowing that she won't say no to that.

(I just dropped in to see you. I felt like eating Ice cream, shall we?)

Her eyes sparkled with excitement when he mentioned Ice cream. She felt famished as she skipped dinner as well. Ice cream might at least calm her tummy if not her heart.

"Polam!" She said shaking her head innocently.

(Let's go!)

Hey! AD is not a bad guy after all. They have worked together in a series of ad shoots and she has also sung a few songs for his films. They also collaborated for photoshoots, which all put together made them bond well over the period of time. Who would not feel attracted to a pretty-looking and strong independent woman? It was not totally his mistake. She openly admitted that she loved his voice in an award function in front of a huge crowd and it took no time for Arjun to be affected by her eternal beauty and boldness. More than that he respected her for the woman she was. He was not sure if this was love but he enjoyed being around her, so he never misses any chance.

After a point, she got more comfortable with him and trusted him to share her secrets. She saw him as a good companion and more than that a good listener. That was something Sivaangi wanted at that moment.

He moved the car getting approval from her and headed to an ice cream junction that was quite far from her house earning a breezy long drive with his favorite woman. She didn't talk much on the way, she just answered the questions he posed. But just her presence and seeing the way she was calming herself and humming her favorite song, which was a good sign of proving she was getting back to normal, made him feel content.

"Ennachu inniki Ashwin oda interview? Is that what made you upset?" He interrogated, steering the wheel and keeping an eye on the road.

(What happened during your interview with Ashwin? Is that what made you upset?)

She was confused thinking 'why that question stung her heart!' How can he be the reason for her being upset?

"Upset....ummm.....apdi solalama terila ana enna nenacheyno kita thata adhu dhan nadanduchu" She somehow framed an answer to that question.

(Upset....ummm.....I'm not sure if I can put it that way but things happened almost as I  expected)

"Apdina?"

(And by that you mean?)

"Apdina....Enaku solla terila. Actually ipo idhu pathi pesa venamey, inuru nal solreyn. I feel so drained out already Arjun. This drive is making me feel better." She said as she breathed in the fresh air.

(By that I mean....I am not sure how to put it in words. Actually, let's not talk about it now. I'll tell you some other day. I feel so drained out already Arjun. This drive is making me feel better.)

"Eyy paravala unaku solanum tonuchuna sollu, I'm all ears! Free ah iru edhum yosikadha" He threw a smile at her and secretly danced in his head knowing that he made her feel better.

(Eyy that's okay. Tell me when you feel like it, I'm all ears! Just relax don't think about anything.)

She felt weird sharing what happened between her and Ashwin to Arjun for no particular reason. This was not the first time she spoke about Ashwin to him. He was well aware of their past and he was her secret keeper. But now she didn't feel like answering him although she was the one who called him to rant and rave about what she was going through.

He diverted the topic not wanting to take her back to the gloomy mood by cracking silly jokes which made her burst out in laughter.

While she was slurping down her second cup of ice cream, leaning on her chair, Arjun was amazed by her unapologetic way of eating something cold in the middle of the night, that too for the second time, despite being a professional singer with jam packed recording schedule.

She raised her eyebrows at him to ask what he was thinking.

"Two cups sapduriye throat onnum agadha?" he asked her sipping his frappe.

(That is your second cup, won't it affect your throat?) 

"Ni dhaney kutitu vandha. En mela thappu ila pa!" She teeheed biting her spoon, blaming him for eating 2 cups of Icecream. 

"Adhulam enaku onnum agadhu. Steel body!" She said raising her busy hand to flaunt her chubby biceps.

("It was you who got me here. It's not my fault!" She teeheed biting her spoon, blaming him for eating 2 cups of Icecream "Nothing will happen. Steel body!" She said raising her busy hand to flaunt her chubby biceps.)

"Enga katu" He giggled enjoying her admirable silliness.

(Let me see)

She raised her hand again to show her bicep and immediately felt a sense of déjà vu. Her brain trailed down her memory lane to flash arukani episode in front of her eyes.

Her face turned serious contrasting to the funniness seconds before her brain decided to trouble her again.

Seeing the change on her face Arjun narrowed his eyes and asked, "Ennachu Sivaangi?"

(What happened Sivaangi?)

"Ila onum iliye. Polama?" She asked forcing a smile on her face and finishing off the last scoop of ice cream in her cup.

(Nothing. Shall we leave?)

"Polama? Adhukulaya? Ipo dhaney vandhom!" Arjun was not sure of the reason for the sudden change in her mood.

(Leave? Already? We just came in!)

"Polamey, tired ah iruku. Niyum veetuku po, even you must have had a hectic day. Enakaga you are doing so much. Nii actually phone pani irundha kuda enaku podhum. Enakaga en ipdi kashtapadanum?"

(Let's go, I feel tired. You should also go back home, even you must have had a hectic day. You came down all the way just for me. You could have just given me a call. Why do you take trouble to do all this for me?)

Now, how was he to express what he felt? He feels captivated every time she turns her twinkling eyes to meet his. His heart skips a beat when she touches him casually. Every time he met her, he wanted the time to move as slow as possible.

Keeping away his thoughts he said, "Eyy adhulam paravala the drive was relaxing for me as well and I spent some good time with you. Seri va polam you need to get some sleep too. You look more tired than me."

(That is totally okay, the drive was relaxing for me as well and I spent some good time with you. Okay, let's leave. You need to get some sleep too. You look more tired than me.)

He looked at her strolling towards his car and thought how lucky he was to just be there with her. On their way back Sivaangi surprisingly stopped thinking about everything that happened a few hours back and the memory that flashed. She felt like the breeze swept away the havoc in her head and was thankful for that.

When he pulled over the car near her house gate and turned towards her to bid goodbye, his eyes were caught by a few strands of her perfectly set hair that were worn out back to its natural waves framing her face. His hand involuntarily raised to move it away from her face and tucked it behind her ear. She sat there still, just physically present, and let him do the needful.

"Veetuku poi konjam warm water kudi seriya ma?" He cared for her in a deep-toned voice. He moved his hand down to cup her face in his palm and stroked her tempting, silky smooth cheek with his thumb. His eyes moved from her eyes to her soft parted lips. She was in trance and so was he.

(Drink some warm water, okay?)

"Seri Ashwiney" She replied in her gentle and tranquilized voice, picturing Ashwin in Arjun's place. 

(Okay Ashwineyy)

The next moment when she realized what she just uttered, pulled them back to reality. She dint know if it was the "Ma" or the god damn base voice that enthralled her consciousness bringing out her deep desires. She wasn't even sure if she heard the syllable "ma" from Arjun's mouth or if it was only her imagination.

He backed off immediately regretting what he has done and she turned her gaze away from him. An awkward silence filled the space.

Imaye, Imaye, Vilaguum Imaye.
Vizhiye, Vizhiye,Piriyum, Vizhiye
Yethu Nee? Yethu Naan? Ithayam Athile
Puriyum Nodiyil,Piriyum Ganame.

Oh lashes of my Eye, Oh lashes of my Eye,Oh lashes, that move away from each other.
Oh my Eyes, my Eyes, Eyes, that are always separated.
Which one is you? Which one is me? Is the question that my heart ponders over.
The second that I realize the answers,the moment is already gone.

Paniyil Mudipona Paathai Meethu Veyil Veesumo
Ithayam Pesugindra Vaarthai Unthan Kaathil Ketkumo

The path that is buried in the snow – Will the Sun shine on the frozen path?
Will your ears heart the words spoken by my heart?

Adi Manathil Erangivitaai.
Anu Anuvaai Kalanthuvitaai.
Adi Manathil Erangivitaai.
Anu Anuvaai Kalanthuvitaai

You have sunken deep down into my heart,
Atom, by Atom – you have gone into my Soul.
You have sunken deep down into my heart,
Atom, by Atom – you have gone into my Soul.

-----

Rakshan stood there in front of Ashwin's flat. Though he was the one who called him up for a chat, he was quite hesitant to discuss this particular topic with him. But after all, he knew he was responsible for his sister and the promise that he made her mom as well.

He rang the doorbell. It was the same old flat he was living in and Rakshan has been there before, during CWC times. He could hear someone approaching the door, clamorous noise of nursery rhymes and clattering of toys was heard from the other side of the door. He wondered if he should have planned for this meet elsewhere.

The very next moment when the door was attended, Rakshan's face was flushed with a multitude of thoughts and mixed emotions.

"Hii Rakshan! Ulla vanga" a woman beamed with a wide smile and stepped aside gesturing him to get in.

(Hii Rakshan! Come in.)

He took a step back to check the nameplate, making sure if he was at the right flat with a lost look.

"Ashwin gym poirukan. Ninga varuvinga sonnan. Ulla vanga." She kept talking unaware of the blankness in Rakshan's head.

(Ashwin has gone to the gym. He said you will be coming. Come on in.)

He stepped in to witness some more unanticipated pictures before him. There was a baby crawling and shaking her body in an unstable way to the tempo of the rhymes that were playing on the screen. When she saw Rakshan, she landed on her butt and bounced in joy as if she spotted a known figure. Probably she must have thought he was her dad, considering the tall and well-built figure. When he walked closer to where she was to take a seat, she recognized it was not someone she knew and crawled higgledy-piggledy to her mom who when into the kitchen to fetch some water for him.

The woman who went in came back with a glass of water and Asha in her hand.

Wanting to clear his confusion and the acute stress that weakened his heart he asked, "Sorry, ningaaa..."

(Sorry, you are....)

"Aiyo sorry sorry. Na yaruney solama na batuku pesitey poiteyn. Na Maha"

(Oh Sorry sorry. Forgot to introduce myself. I'm Maha)

Rakshan was quite uncertain and was not sure if he heard her right.

"Mahaaaa ah???? Maha dhaney sonna?? Ivanuku kalyanam ayitu kozhandhaye iruka? What the hell is happening here? Sivaangi kita enna sola poreyn? Na onu yosichitu vandha inga vera edho nadakudhey!" His brain was overflowing with thoughts and his eyes were searching for a marriage photo or some kind of proof that can help him with his wild guessing game that happened in his head. To his disappointment he could find none, the walls were empty. Actually, more than a bachelor's house it has now turned into Asha's kingdom with the scribblings on the wall and the toys that flooded the ground.

(Maha??????? Did she just say she is Maha? Is he married to her? Is this their kid? What the hell is happening here? What am I gonna tell Sivaangi? I came here for a different purpose and something else is flaring up!)

"Ungala pathi enkita Ashwin neraya soli irukaru. Ana enna pathi ungaluku evalo teriyum terila." Maha continued, figuring out what Rakshan was wistfully thinking.

(Ashwin has told me a lot about you. I'm not sure how far you know me.)

"Oru nimisham cooker off panitu vandhureyn" she beelined to the kitchen with Asha on her hip, hearing the cooker whistle, leaving behind Rakshan with his thoughts.

(Just a second ill be right back)

"Niye kalyanam ayitu kozhandha irukuradhey yarukitayum solama, single single nu suthitu irundha ivalo kalama. What do you expect from Ashwin?" His conscience mocked at him.

(You yourself were married to the love of your life and kept it hidden from the world, calling yourself single. What do you expect from Ashwin?)

"Ey chi kalyanam lam ayirukadhu. Idhu en andha Maha ah irukanum? Vera Maha ah kuda irukalam la? Else she could be some relative or friend. Or this could be the same Maha married to someone else and cooking for Ashw.... aiyayo elamey idikidhey." His eyes dilated with unsettling thoughts.

(Hey, he might not have been married to her. Why should she be the same girl? What if it's some other Maha? Maybe his relative or friend. Or this could be the same Maha married to someone else and cooking for Ashw.... Errrrrrrrr that doesn't make sense, does it?)

"Un aaasa" The angel and the daemon perched on his shoulder and quarreled only confusing him more.

(You wish!)

"Uffffff!" he held his head and heaved loudly, exactly when Ashwin opened the main door.

He walked in with a warm smile not very sure of how Rakshan was going to react, seeing him.If something has brought Rakshan to meet him, it could be nothing but what happened yesterday. He knew how protective Rakshan is when it comes to Sivaangi. He has declined his calls and messages 3 years back just for her and he knew he was here today again, only for her.  Rakshan just stood up and embraced him with a formal half hug and smiled. If it was the good old times they would have greeted each other with a gleaming smile, calling out "Machannnn!" and extend a warm hug. For the first time, Ashwin stood there uncomfortable in Rakshan's presence with a twinge of guilt kicking in.

"Ukkaru Raksha. Enna sapdra?" He started off calm and casual. Rakshan was baffled by his behavior. He looked to the left to check if Maha was around to directly bombard him with questions.

(Take a seat. What would you like to have?)

"Dei, Maha...." Before he opened his mouth Asha crawled quickly towards Ashwin seeing him from the kitchen, which distracted his attention. Ashwin needless to say becomes a kid when he is around them. His eyes widened seeing her excitement and he clapped his hands together calling her forward "vanga vanga vanga Asha Kutty! Achu kita vanga!"

(Come come come Asha dear! Come to Achu!)

"Asha ah? Ashwin + Maha = Asha! Ohhh couple name kozhandhaiku vechitangala??" the daemon sneaked back to his shoulder with a wicked giggle and puffed off with an evil smile.

(Asha?! Ashwin + Maha = Asha! Ohhh couple name is it?)

She squeaked and made gurgling noises and squirmed her way towards him after pausing for a second, to carefully note his elation. Rakshan couldn't help but sit there motionless and watch everything that was happening. He pitied himself for having made the plan to meet.

Ashwin lifted her off the floor and made her sit on his lap when Maha came out of the kitchen.

"Apdilam irukadhu!" Rakshan uttered an answer loudly to his daemon's witty question which made Ashwin narrow his eyebrows at him.

(That might not be the truth!)

"Ashwin vandhutiya. Unna patha udaney unta vandhuta pareyn. Ivalo nerama en pinadi suthitu irundha." Ashwin smiled at the way her mom was complaining. Kids just love being around him.

(Ashwin, you are back. She just crawled back to you just by spotting you from the kitchen. She was behind me all this while. Now that you are here she doesn't need me!)

"Cooker off paniteyn, na office kelambava?" She said grabbing her bag from the side table as she thought the friends need some privacy to talk and sort out things.

(I switched off the cooker, Shall I leave for work?)

"Nillu Maha. Niyum iru. Pesanum."

(Wait Maha. Stay here. We need to talk.)

Rakshan's head was just about to blast with bewilderment and when he finally got a chance to question he ask politely "unakum Maha kum kalyanam ayiducha?!" trying hard not to lose his chill.

(You and Maha are married?)

Ashwin and Maha exchanged a glance.

Imaye, Imaye, Vilaguum Imaye.
Vizhiye, Vizhiye,Piriyum, Vizhiye
Yethu Nee? Yethu Naan? Ithayam Athile
Puriyum Nodiyil,Piriyum Ganame.

Oh lashes of my Eye, Oh lashes of my Eye, lashes, that move away from each other.
Oh my Eyes, my Eyes, Eyes, that are always separated.
Which one is you? Which one is me? Is the question that my heart ponders over.
The second that I realize the answers,the moment is already gone.

Siragu Neetukindra Neram Parthu Vanellam Mazhai
Varaindhu Katukindra Vannam Enna Seidhadho Pilai

The sky is overflowing with downpour at the moment of raising the wings.
What is the error made now by the colors used for drawing?

Adi Manathil Erangivitaai.
Anu Anuvaai Kalanthuvitaai.
Adi Manathil Erangivitaai.
Anu Anuvaai Kalanthuvitaai

You have sunken deep down into my heart,
Atom, by Atom – you have gone into my Soul.
You have sunken deep down into my heart,
Atom, by Atom – you have gone into my Soul.

*****

How did you like it? The weather in the city where I live in, is making my heart heavy when I read this chapter. How do you feel?

I hope It makes sense and I hope I'm carrying AD's character in the plot well.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments!

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Happy reading 💜

Thittadhinga daa there will be an update before Sunday. Done! 💜