THREAT AND TREPIDATION

Shot 2

written by saisthoughts

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10 MONTHS AGO

"Thank you so much for coming, Sivaangi."

Sivaangi smiled at the music director, "Of course sir. Ungaluku paadama vera yaaruku. Thanks for the opportunity."

The music director nodded and gave her a smile as Sivaangi collected her iPad and bag, and ran out of the window. She fished out her phone from her bag. She quickly dialed Ashwin's number,

"Sollu ma, mudinchircha?"

Sivaangi hummed, "Yes, but ennaku romba paskithu."

He chuckled, “Dinner ready nee vaa.”

Sivaangi smiled to herself and nodded as they disconnected. She trudged down the stairs and inhaled the crisp night air. A breeze passed by, sending chills down her spine. She checked her cab-booking app, as she turned the corner towards the signal. She hugged her jacket closer. Just as she moved forward she heard a strange noise. She furrowed her eyebrows, turning towards the source. She walked towards the noise, peeking her head into the alleyway.

She gasped lightly at the scene in front of her. A guy was grabbing a girl by her waist as she was trying to push him off.

“Hey, listen-”

“Shut up! Get your hands off me.”

Sivaangi widened her eyes and her breath caught in her throat as she saw the man move closer to the girl. She swallowed thickly. She reached for her phone and called Ashwin quickly, her heartbeat quickening as the ring went on. Once he finally picked up she spoke in a hushed tone

“Sollu ma.”

“Ashwin? Can you pick me up? I can’t find any cabs.”

“Yeah sure. All okay?”

Sivaangi glanced back at the man and the woman, “Yeah just get here.”

Once he hung up, Sivaangi hit the record on her camera. She moved closer to them, and said with a somewhat loud and shaky voice.

“Hey! Avala vidu.”

The man glanced at her, “Who are you?”

She pulled up her mask, “Someone. But when a lady says no, it’s no. Avala vidu.”

The man scoffed, “Nee sonna? Vitudunma? Just shut up and mind your business.”

Sivaangi glanced at the girl, who was staring at her like she was her saviour. “Athu avunga sollatum, naa poren.”

The man chuckled loudly now, “Illana? Adipiye? Comedy pannatha.”

Sivaangi, out of some confidence that she didn't understand where it came from, moved closer and said, “Instagram la poduven.”

The man stared at her, “Romba over ah panra.”

He moved closer to Sivangi and the air was crisp with silence for a moment before people started pouring out of a restaurant nearby. The man looked around, suddenly crowded with people. The sudden appearance of people gave her more courage,

“Leave her! Intha mathiri panna vekkama illa?”

The man huffed and looked around. Everyone was whispering, pointing fingers. “Oru ponna ipadi than permission llama thottu force pannuviya? Konjam kooda vekkam illa?”

"Konjom kooda decency, manners ethume illa. When she says no, it means a no. Athuku mella thodarthuku unnaku rightts kedaiyathu. Konjom kooda respect ethume illa. Chi."

The man seethed and raised a hand to hit her. However he stopped mid-way looking at the camera she was still recording and the crowd of people around them. He let out a frustrated sigh and looked back at Sivaangi. He lowered his tone,

“You’ll pay for this.”

He looked back at the girl before walking away. The crowd disappeared with him, leaving Sivaangi and the girl alone. She looked at the girl,

“Are you hurt anywhere? Hospital poganum?”

“I-Illa ka, T-thank you ka. Neenga illana ennaku airukumo.”

Sivaangi gave her a faint smile, “Unnaku avana munnadiye theriyuma?”

The girl whimpered and nodded, “Aama. Same college. Birthday treat nu solli kootitu vanthan. Aparam ippadi-”

She broke into a sob and Sivaangi patted her back, “It’s okay. You’re safe now. Eppadi veetuku pova? Naa drop panava?"

The girl sniffed, “Ila ka. En anna vanthu pick up panran. Thank you so much. Nejamavey neenga illana romba thappa poirkum.”

Sivaangi smiled, “Athan vantena.”

As if on cue, a car honked behind them and Sivaangi looked back to see Ashwin in his car. Sivaangi vaguely smiled at him and she turned to the girl, “Are you sure you are okay?”

The girl nodded and wiped her tears, “I’m fine ka. Romba thanks. Neenga kelambunga. No problem.”

Sivaangi squeezed the girl's hand and nodded before getting into the car with Ashwin. She let out a sigh of relief as she glanced at Ashwin. He stared at her curiously,

“Enna achu?”

Sivaangi let out a deep breath and recounted the entire situation to Ashwin who listened patiently. Once she finished, he said,

“Munadiye phone panirkalam la?”

Sivaangi shrugged and he smiled, “Irunthalum pesiye avana ooda vechuta.”

Sivaangi giggled, “Naangalam yaaru.”

Ashwin looked at her as he sped off, “But I’m really proud of you. You did your best, in your way to help her. Athaan Sivaangi.”

Sivaangi smiled and opened her phone before uploading the video to her Instagaram story. She felt it was the right thing to do, to make sure people know this is wrong. After making sure the face of the girl was blurred, she uploaded it to her story before captioning it, “I hope people realise that nothing has changed and we still remain unsafe at times.”

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3 WEEKS AGO

“Amma! Courier vanthurku, ennanu paarunga,” Her maid said. Sivaangi came from the kitchen, her mouth stuffed with a muffin. She scanned the mail as. It was mostly fanmail. She was about to take it to her room to open before a black coloured envelope caught her eye. She stared at it curiously before pulling it out. A simple "V" was written on the front in silver ink. A light frown creased her forehead as she opened the envelope.

Inside were pictures. Pictures of her and Ashwin. When they went to a new restaurant down the block. They were in the car, cuddled up next to each other laughing at something. Sivaangi's mouth went dry instantly and she felt her throat close up. More pictures of them, walking down the street, holding hands, kissing, hugging. She pulled all of the photos out of the envelope and found a white index card inside. She pulled it out and on it it was written in the same silver ink,

"Don't you feel watched, Sivaangi?"

The words swirled around her mind, like a sinful prayer. She felt her heart stop for a moment. A presence loomed behind her, everywhere. She did feel watched. She glanced out at the empty street. She felt like the streetlights were watching her, She took a deep breath and shoved the envelope under the table.

It was a prank. It had to be. No one would follow her around. Why would they? She hadn't done anything wrong to anyone. No way. Just a prank.

That's what she told herself but the next week she found herself sitting on the edge of her bed with new photos and the same words,

"Don't you feel watched, Sivaangi?"

She thought of going to the police, but for some reason she felt a sort of inhibition. Maybe she was overreacting. Maybe it was nothing. She inhaled deeply, the thoughts of her mind consuming herself, exhausting her.

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TWO HOURS AFTER

Ashwin sighed as he entered his office. His assistant followed behind him.

"Antha director nailaiku katha solla varen nu solirkaru sir."

Ashwin nodded and sat down on his chair. His assistant, "Oh aparam ungaluku oru parcel vanthhuthu."

Ashwin furrowed his eyebrows, "Ennathu?"

It was a medium sized black envelope. The letter "V" was etched on it with silver ink. He opened the envelope, and rummaged inside it and found a small black USB. He glanced back at his assistant questioningly who just shrugged in response. He plugged in the USB, waiting for it to load.

The screen flashed and suddenly on his screen he was watching CCTV live footage of Sivaangi in their kitchen, making tea and humming around.

Ashwin widened his eyes, "What the hell." he mumbled. He watched her innocently go about her job while he processed what was happening. He reached inside the envelope and found a white index card.

"You are being watched. Ask your wife, she knows."

Ashwin unplugged the USB and immediately got up and rushed out of his office with no other word and hopped into his car speeding away to their house. Someone broke into their house, planted a CCTV camera, and had the nerve to send him a copy of it too.

Without wasting any time, he opened the door and hollered, "Sivaangi!"

She emerged from their room and took a look at his disheveled appearance, "Enna achu?"

He held up the USB and looked at her,

"We need to talk."

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written by saisthoughts

A Part of the Zokuhen Collaboration

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