If there is one thing that Sivaangi was incapable of doing, it was saying no to Ashwin. That was the main reason why she also left without a question when he asked her to. She wanted him happy no matter what happened to her in the process. That's how deep her love for him was. It was truly unconditional. But that was not going to work nor was it healthy, and she learnt it the hard way.
Here he was standing outside his car with a longing expression on his charming face that melted her in a heartbeat. But, she had to protect her heart this time around. She was not going to choose him over her. She once thought he took better care of her more than herself. She felt safe and protected. However, all those were crushed to pieces in a flash. He might have had a thousand reasons to let go of her, but why did he not have a single reason to stay? Was she not enough for him to stay?
Why was he here at this time? Why did he care? She had no answers and she did not want any either. Though she sensed his pain, she could not let her guard down with him. She was torn between her heart that wanted to give him a chance and her mind which was dead against her being in his proximity.
She heard his breath on the call that was growing to be very heavy. His eyes were fixed on hers and even amidst darkness she could feel his intense gaze on her.
What was she supposed to do?
"Please Ma... I just need 5 minutes." He implored in his husky base voice and that was the end of all the logical thinking she had. This tone could make her do anything and he knew her too well.
"5 minutes" she asserted before ending the call.
After a few minutes he saw her walk out the gate in a cute PJ with a messy bun and no makeup that made her look not just adorable but perfect. He stood there frozen until she patted him on the shoulder like old times to bring him back to reality.
Sivaangi: Enna venum?
Ashwin: Drive ponum.
Sivaangi: Eduku?
Ashwin: Ice cream sapda..
Sivaangi: Enaku venam.
Ashwin: Enaku venum.
She glared at his guts to ask her out to get ice cream after deserting her at the studio.
Ashwin: I should have waited for you at the studio. I did want to. But..
Sivaangi: En happiness kaga vitutu poiteenga? Apdi dane? Indha kadhaya already solteenga
She said after being frustrated with his ignorant reasoning and immediately regretted it when she saw his eyes welling up.
Ashwin: Ma...
His voice broke as he was choked by his overwhelming emotions. She knew he was at fault but could not bear to see him breaking in front for her eyes. She immediately took his hands and squeezed them to comfort her man-child. He pulled back his tears and mustered up the courage to face her.
He was not sure if he should tell her the true reason for why he left. How could he talk anything about her personal life anyway? As he was contemplating to find a perfect response, his thoughts interrupted by her.
Sivaangi: En vitutu poneenga nu keka maten. Aana neenga irupeenga nu nenachu veliya vanden... aana neenga illa paathadum... I felt like history was repeating itself.
Ashwin: Na eppovum inime unakaga irupen nu aniku sonen... aana iniku senju kata vendiya nerathla sodhapiten. Enaku un kovam puriyudu... adula endha thappum illa.
Her silence conveyed her insecurities. She was scared to trust him again and rightfully so. He has done nothing to gain back her trust, not yet atleast. He did not know what to say but he was cognizant of the fact that she wanted reassurance. She needed for him to show up and be there.
"Inga en vanden nu keta la... unakaga dan vanden. Unaku anga wait panlana kooda, en mind full ah un nenapu matum dan irunduchu. Ippo kooda ne reply panirkalana ... ingaye night full ah wait pantu morning unna pathutu dan kelambirpen.
Odanja nambikaya thirumba kondu varradu evlo kashtam nu enaku theriyaama illa. Theriyum. Nee ivlo varsham evlo kashta patrupa nu unna patha pathu second la enaku purinjudchu. Adha elam naalu nal la marakka mudiyaadu nu theriyum. Aana inoru thadava unna vitu poiduven nu matum nenaikaada. Adu matume enaku podum.
Iniku na wait pannuven nu nambuna la...appo na anga illa aana ippo inga iruken. Unkooda unakaga iruken."
Each word of his went straight into her heart from his. She always admired his candid honesty and sincerity when they had a conversation - be it silly and random or deep and meaningful. She fought hard not to let her fragile heart fall for this irresistible man yet again.
How does one respond back to this comforting yet stirring words?
He gently squeezed her hands which were still entangled in his. She gulped as she suddenly felt a chilling shiver down her spine.
"Enna solradu nu therla..." she divulged.
"En per matum sollu...", he pleaded.
"Ashwin", she whispered in the lowest possible tone.
After all these years, it felt surreal to hear her say his name. One might think how such an inconsequential thing can evoke immense happiness but to him this was the moment that his heart desired and longed for, not for days or months but for years.
"Enna aachu?" she hesitated.
"Kulu Kulu nu iruku" he announced with a small smile.
"Irukum irukum...", she shrugged.
"Ice varudu... Ice varudu..." he said with more confidence.
She knew that he wasn't going to stop until he put a smile on her face but was not going to give up without a fight.
"5 minutes over. Na poren" she said before trying to walk away but his grip on her small hands tightened.
"5 minutes mudinju 1 hour ku mela aachu. Ippo dan unaku thonudha?" he probed knowing that she was only trying to run away from the conversation.
Before she could respond her stomach made rumbling sounds owing to the fact that she has not had anything to eat for the past several hours. Even after Ani had tried to feed her, she refused. Now, she was busted.
Ashwin: Saapadla... Apdi daane?
Sivaangi : Apdi lam illa. Sapten..
Ashwin: Unaku enkita poi solla varaadhu. Theriyum la? En try panra?
She raised her brows questioningly.
Ashwin: Inda expression lam velaiku aagadu. Va polam.
Sivaangi: Enga?
Ashwin: Ice cream sapda.
She got into his car after failing to convince him that she was capable of feeding herself. This man was impossible to counter she thought to herself.
He started to drive to his recent favorite dessert place while she started to explore the insides of his car. Everything looked brand new and spotless which was to be expected of him, cleanliness was his thing afterall.
She sneezed all of a sudden and he asked her to get tissues from the glovebox.
She opened the glovebox and noticed the model name on the car manual when picking up the tissue.
Finally, it dawned upon her that this was the car on her bucket list that she had shared with him a long time ago.
Did he remember that? Should just be a mere coincidence she said to herself and brushed the thought away.
Ashwin noticed a small excitement when she saw the manual which vanished a moment later and could not stop his curious self from inquiring.
Ashwin: Enna aachu ma?
Sivaangi: Onum illa ma.
Ashwin: Enna nu sollu ma..
Sivaangi: Car nalla iruku...
Ashwin: Enna car nu therilaya?
His tone answered all her questions, but she acted innocent.
Sivaangi: Therilaye
Her tone confirmed his suspicions.
Ashwin: Eii KD... unaku theriyum nu enaku theriyum.
Sivaangi: Enna theriyum...
Ashwin: Indha car na en vangnen nu unaku theriyum. Indha nadipu lam enkita no chance. Try kooda pannadha.
Sivaangi: Neenga enna solreenga nu enaku purila.
She looked away to stop him from ruining her act. He immediately pulled over and stopped the car. He could not possibly miss witnessing her first actual smile.
Sivaangi: En stop paneenga?
Ashwin: Indha smile ah rombha miss panen.
She knew that there was no point in trying to keep up the act any longer.
Sivaangi: Nanum miss panen. Indha smile ah.
She pointed to the smile on his face leaving him speechless
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Thoughts?