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.

*****

4

"Inum oru cook confirm pananum" Parthiv the director of CWC announced.

(One more contestant to be selected)

It was a busy day at the production house as the team gathered to finalise the contestants for cooku with comali 2 since morning. To lessen the tension in the air and to relish the capricious weather that brought the calmness, the team assembled in the balcony sit-out space after the lunch break to continue their work.

The team included Ravoofa, Prathima, Priya, Parthiv, Sivaangi, and few others who were working at the backend.

"Inum oru cook ah? List katunga" Sivaangi said as she grabbed the paper that had the list of people who were approached for CWC 2.

(one more contestant? show me the list)

She saw a few names that were struck out as they declined. Few names had a tick next to them as they quickly acknowledged the invite and pitched in.

Few names had a dot next to it which she pointed out and asked, "Anna ivanga lam enna?"

(What about these people?)

"Those are people who we have not yet approached Sivaangi, they most likely will decline the offer" replied Parthiv.

"Ohhhhh!" she nodded her head in her ever-cute way when her doubts are clarified.

Her eyes were curiously looking at the names as her lips were reading out them one by one. She stopped at one name and giggled.

"Idhu yaru 'Ashwin Kumar Lakshminath' oru manushanuku moonu pera?" pointing out three fingers with her free hand.

(who is this? 'Ashwin Kumar Lakshminath' Three names for one person!)

"Unaku mattum Sivaangi Krishnan nu ivalo periya peru irukey ana ni kuttiya dhaney iruka adhu madhiri dhan" Ravoofa teased her.

(Even your name is big but you don't seem to be as big are your name physically)

She was the darling of the team. Everyone adored her and was looking for her presence even during serious meetings. She had the potential to bring calm amidst the chaos in her own chirpy way always. It is a rare gift!

"Maam adhu en appa peru" she defended.

(Maam that's my dad's name)

"Adhu madhiri dhan adhuvum Ashwin oda appa pera irukum" Prathima pitched in.

(Yea so even that would be his father's name)

"Seri adhu vidunga....yaru ivaru solunga" trying to divert the topic and quite eager to know who he was.

(okay, let's drop that.....Tell me who is he?)

"Konjam masam munadi 'Kadhal Ondru Kanden' pathutu office fulla un crushu crushu nu suthitu irundhiye andha padam hero irukaru la..."

(few months back you were roaming around the office calling a guy your crush after watching "kadhal ondru kanden' right? )

Even before Priya could complete the sentence "Ennadhu andha Ashwin ah!" Sivaangi's eyes widened in surprise.

(What? It's him?)

"Ila idhu avaroda brother" Prathima tried to pull a prank.

For a split second, she almost fell for it giving a confused look.

"Cha suma soladhinga......Ivaru peru pakathula en dot lam vechirukinga? Sekrom call panni confirm pani kutitu vanga" She was animatedly demanding the team.

(Don't try to prank me! why is there a dot next to his name then? Call him immediately, confirm the dates and bring him)

"Adhan kashtom, we heard he was planning to quit media. He was winding up all his shoots." said Parthiv in a hopeless tone.

(that's the problem)

"Ennathu quit ah! Ila ila mudiyadhu mudiyadhu! Adhu epdi quit panalam? Akka call him now and ask him to join immediately! Na sonneyn nu sollunga. Please ka please ka" Her demand turned into pleading as she joined her palm and looked at Priya with her puppy face.

(Quit? No No how can he?)

"Seri seri unakaga I'll try once okay? otherwise, we're not in a plan to call him" said Priya as she was dialing his number.

(okay okay ill try once, only for you.)

Ashwin dint pick up the call.

"He is not picking up", Priya said giving a despairing little shrug at Sivaangi as she placed the phone on the table.

Sivaangi's face showed a slight disappointment.

She stood up and ramble walked towards the end of the balcony. The clouds had slightly showered minutes back and she held out one of her arms to check if it was drizzling as her other hand, held the railing. A cold breeze carrying a comforting earthy smell brushed her face and caressed her unruly hair. She closed her eyes and lifted her chin up as if to enjoy the breeze and inhaled the petrichor. When she opened her eyes what she saw was Iridescent clouds, after the mild shower. It was like magic in the sky.

Ashwin's eyes were also held spellbound by the same magic from another part of the city.

Her eyes widened in surprise and uttered "Wowww!" which made few heads look up in the direction where she was standing but they quickly got back to business. She stood there admiring the floating rainbow in the sky. Superstitiously believing that it might also bring her good luck like a shooting star, she quickly closed her eyes and wished Ashwin would join them on board. 

Two pure souls witnessing the same thing with different eyes, holding two things in common Hope! Magic!

She opened her sparkling eyes to look at the eye-catching sight when she involuntarily crooned her current favorite song "agar thum sath ho...." in her sweet voice.

She was startled when Priya's phone rang.

She turned back with a question in her eyes. "It's Ashwin" Priya announced. She greeted Ashwin as she put the call on speaker so that everyone could hear. Sivaangi walked back quickly to her seat to listen to his voice.

"Hii Priya! How are you? Just saw your call"

"Hii Ashwin! I'm doing great! How are you?"

"I'm doing good! Just packing up, I'm sure you would have got the message from other production houses." 

His deep, manly voice made some small butterflies flutter in Sivaangi's tummy, but she felt an emptiness in his voice which confused her.

"Yes! But actually, this is regarding a project that we are willing to offer you Ashwin. You are on the speaker, few of our team members would like to discuss it out with you"

"You might have come across CWC 1 which was a success and the channel has planned to launch the second season of cooku with comali, we are planning to start the shoot in few days. Everything is almost finalized and there is one place left to be filled. We thought it would be great if you could pitch in. This would bring you a lot of openings"

"What? Cooku with comali ah? Idhula cook ah kupdringala ila comaliya ah?" Ashwin questioned making the team chuckle. 

He was comfortably kidding around as he knew the team already and had worked with them before except for the new additions like Sivaangi and few others.

Sivaangi was laughing hitting her palm on her forehead and sticking her tongue out in her usual mannerism thinking 'Enna alu pa ivaru'. Her muffled chortle was pretty much audible to Ashwin.

"Aio na podura mokkai ku yaro unga team la sirikuranga" exclaimed Ashwin.

Priya who was laughing at what she heard said, "As a cook Ashwin, ungala epdi comali ah kupduvom."

"Pakathula unaga periya fan dhan sirichiti iruka", she added teasing Sivaangi.

Ashwin was curious to know who that was but then sensing that he was diverting from the topic he said "Cook ah? I'm not that great at cooking. I have seen CWC 1, it's purely an entertainment show, making people laugh. Cooking I can try but making jokes and entertaining people......I don't know how far I can manage that".

"That is fine Ashwin we will take that risk for you. We need a person who is passionate about cooking and you suit well for that place." Priya assured him and winked at Sivaangi who was totally thrilled.

"Shall I get back to you tomorrow? Let me just think over it for some time" Ashwin asked.

"Sure Ashwin! We are waiting for a positive reply from your end. Don't worry much just go with the flow. This might be a turning point in your career." Priya replied.

"Sure. Btw if I can ask....May I know who suggested my name in this?"

"Adhuva....I told you right there is a big fan of yours in the office avanga dhan list la irundhu ungala call panna sonnaga......It's Sivaangi" Priya said.

Sivaangi put both her hand over her head and in full embarrassment mixed with a blush she raised her eyebrow and squeaked at Priya. She gritted her teeth to cover up her blush.

Ashwin chuckled and said "oh Sivaangi ah" like he already knew her. "Ok Priya ill call back, let me think about it" and he hung up.

Sivaangi's cheeks turned red like a tomato and her grinning smile was proof of how excited she was. She was hopping here and there unable to control her emotions. He hasn't even confirmed yet but she is already having her fangirl moment even without his presence. Just his voice and the way he said "Oh Sivaangi ah" as if he knew her already, made her day.

----------

Ashwin hung up the phone and he found himself smiling thinking about what happened over the phone. It was as magical as the floating rainbow that he just saw. He least expected a call for a reality entertainment show. The best platform to show who he really was.

It felt warm, it felt right, and he wanted more of this. Ashwin wanted to take a chance and give in for one last time.

"I have nothing more to lose. Let this be the last try I would ever give. Where ever this journey takes me ill just accept it wholeheartedly. If I lose again let it be an experience but I would never regret I tried even when I dint have anything in my hand to lose."  He thought to himself.

He called up Maha. "Hey! I got an offer from CWC and I'm gonna give my last shot" he said.

"Oh god! Not again Ashwin! Enough...You have faced a lot. I really don't want you to take it up. Please come back. I have seen their first season. This is not going to take you anywhere. Cooking show la nii ena pana pora? How many more chances are you gonna take Ashwin? Podhum....come back" Maha said in a stern voice.

Maha's words irritated him. She sounded like she didn't even want to hear any explanation from him.

"No Maha! I'm gonna take it up. I know you will understand and come around like always. You don't know about this industry, anything can happen anytime. It's like a gamble game. This time I know what I'm doing is right. Please let us not argue more on this. I really want to concentrate on this now Maha. I hope you will support me as always" Ashwin sounded in a way in which Maha would not dare to retaliate.

In a very disappointed and reluctant tone, Maha said "You always say this Ashwin (a moment of silence) Ok.....All the best what more can I say.....any support from my end you know I'm there right"

Maha rarely bursts out with emotions like this. It happens only if it has mounted up to an extreme that is unbearable for her to keep it away from him. Like every other couple, they have their share of fights too.

"Yea Maha I know" He felt horrible for being rude to her.

"I'm sorry....I didn't mean to hurt you....Your reply was too straight, I know your concern but then I promise this is the last try ever Maha. I might not be that great at cooking but I have time to work on it. This show will help me show the world who I really am. This is a reality show my character will be explicitly seen on camera which might reach the audience. I know you have been with me in all my ups and downs but trust me, one last try!"

The yearning in his voice made her give in. Not that he was waiting for her approval, he had already decided but he dint want to leave her thoughts unsettled. Once he decides on something no one can change that, even Maha knows that. They shared a mature bond and she knows about his character.

Maha on the other end was definitely not satisfied with his decision. The process is starting all over again and she was tired of seeing the cycle repeat. She also felt like he was not thinking about her, she was already facing a lot of trouble from her parents who were trying to get her married. She didn't bring up the issue to him thinking it would disturb his mind and would not let him concentrate on his work. She stood helpless.

He dint like how Maha sounded but he thought she cared about him and she didn't want him to get hurt anymore.

Ashwin was pacing up and down in his room thinking about Priya's call. He categorized pros and cons in his mind and was trying to finalize his decisions. He also thought of how to go about preparing for the show. He knew this was his last try and he wanted to give his 100 percent or even more.

The part where Sivaangi came in got a smile on his face again. Cute! He thought to himself recollecting her from Cook with comali 1 and all her cute banter with her brother Pugaz.

The next morning he called up Priya to give a green signal!

------------

Few days after the call the dates were scheduled for the shoot.

Ashwin like a studious kid started his homework and mentally prepared for the show. He took care of everything, though it was a cooking show he styled himself on point, thanks to his stylist & designer!

He reached the set of CWC2 looking forward to a new start in his life. He was not able to spot even one familiar face. He went straight into the room he was allotted, directed by a member of the team. He saw Rakshan's name on the door with whom he was sharing the room. Though he was his good old friend, they rarely spoke and he was nervous about how he would react or talk to him.

He was standing before the mirror and trying to set his already impeccably set hair expecting Rakshan to enter the room at any moment. His hand stopped halfway in his hair when he heard footsteps close to the door. He became anxious when the doorknob creaked. 

He turned back and was held surprised!

*****

How do you like it? 

Just a little imagination of how the selection for cwc contestants would have been taken place.

If you haven't noticed already Ashwin and Sivaangi shared a 'parallel universe kind of moment' that connects with the previous chapter ✨

Do share your thoughts in the comments even in previous chapters and I would be replying 💜

P.S: I know their full names just dint want to put it there.

https://www.instagram.com/dk_storiess/  👈 That's my insta handle and I would be posting updates there as well