If eyes could speak, their love would have been professed in a million little ways by this very second.
Their locked eyes reminisced their most favorite memory that was etched in their hearts and their smiles reflected the joy of their souls. Lost in their own world, both Sivaangi and Ashwin were oblivious to notice that Ani had excused himself to take a call.
His eyes were teasing hers to bring back every frame of that magical moment that made her heart palpitate even today while hers embraced his adorable yet naughty soul into tight hug for gifting her those few minutes of bliss.
As the song "Nenjai Poo Pol Koidhavale" started to play in background, she expected anyone but him to walk through those doors.
Not in her wildest of dreams, she would have ever guessed that the shy and introverted man of her dreams had been pulling all favors that he possibly could, to plan this surprise for her.
He did not mind being in a set full of unknown people, amidst every successful musician in the Tamil movie industry who he had nothing to do with, nor all the talks that would go around post the telecast.
All he wanted was to make her feel special.
He had walked in like a Prince charming with a killer smile, messy hair and a Greek god like allure which still gave her goosebumps and cold shivers.
His gaze had fixated on her, the very moment he walked on to the stage and she was all that he could see. Her struggle to look into his eyes was still fresh in his memory. Every tiny expression and antic of hers were magnified, and carved deep into in his mind.
In those fleeting seconds, for the very first time, she felt his love for her. Basking in the "Swept her off her feet" kind of love that she never believed existed until then, her reality at that instant was better than any fairy tale.
It was a night to remember and a pleasure to behold. Forever.
Three years later, here they were. Together. Reliving those exact moments and emotions through each other's eyes.
Blinking out of their trance after a couple of knocks from the Valet, they reluctantly got out of the car after passing on the keys.
A few minutes of silence and a couple of stolen glances later, he finally mustered up the courage to initiate a conversation about that magical night.
"Nee aniku rombha azhaga irunda ma. Naa apdiye flat", he whispered into her ears and entangled his fingers in hers.
(You were absolutely splendid that night. I was just spell bound)
Her heart that was already racing, was now out of control.
All these years, she always believed that her feelings for him was completely one sided until a few weeks ago and now, listening to him open up about these beautiful details of their past was like finding hidden treasures in the most unexpected of times.
Her steps got slower and gradually came to a stop as she turned to look into his eyes that were gleaming with ecstasy.
"Aniku edukaaga vandeenga nu enaku theriyaadhu... aana enakaaga vandheenga. En life laye marakka mudiyaadha nal.", her kohled eyes glistened as a reflection of her overwhelming emotions.
(I am not sure why you came that night but you did come for me. It is the most unforgettable moment of my life)
Although he had his reasons for not letting her see the love he had for her back then, that wasn't the case now.
She wasn't a 20-year-old anymore and he was more than sure that what she had for him isn't mere admiration. It was love. Selfless and unconditional love.
"Nee enaku evlo mukyam... Unakaaga enna vena pannuven... unna vida indha ulagathla yaarume special illa... unaku enna pudichadha vida jaasthiya enaku unna pudikum... idellam unkita vaarthaila sola enaku ishtam illa. Edachu pananum unakaaga nu thonichu. Adhunaala vanden", he felt her hands squeezing his at his sudden revelation.
(I wanted to show how important you were to me. I wanted the world to know that I would do anything for you and that I loved you more than how much you loved me. I wanted to show this through my actions and not just my words.)
"Andha kanla oru vekkam.. Idhe maara dan.. china siripu... neraya sandhosham... idellam paakanum. I wanted to make you feel special.
(Also I wanted to see the blush, smile and immeasurable joy on your face.)
Nee enna Raaja madri paathukta... Na unna Raani madri paathupen nu kaata vanden....", his piercing gaze, penetrated right through her soul to embrace every fear and scar, buried deep inside of her.
(You treated me like a King and I wanted to show you that I would treat you like a Queen)
She had always wondered if all of that was just to surprise her but never imagined that it would be this meaningful. Knowing that her favorite memory of them wasn't just a meticulously planned and executed surprise but his way of expressing her importance in his life, left her speechless.
"Unaku en adhu marakka mudiyaadha nal?", he asked unable to resist.
(Why is it an unforgettable memory for you?)
"Indha kan la aniku dan... mudhal dhadava... enakaana kaadhala paathen. Rendu nimisham kooda illa.. aana adhu dan en life oda best moment. To be loved back... rombha azhagaana feeling.", she confessed, and it was his turn to be baffled by her honest response.
(In those eyes of yours, for the very first time, I saw your love for me that day. It wasn't for long but those few minutes are the best moments of my life. To be loved back was indeed a bliss)
"Life full ah en kanla andha kaadhal ah nee paathukte dan iruka pora", he declared before starting to walk back.
(You will continue to see that love for you in my eyes forever)
***
As they neared the event area, she spotted Ani waiting for her.
"Neenga ponga. Na Ani kooda varen.", she mumbled and freed her hand from his.
(Go in. I will come in with Ani)
"Enkooda vara koodadha enna?", he huffed with an evident frown that was too hard to miss.
(Why shouldn't you come in with me?)
"Car la yaaro bromance lam pananga... ippo enna sir aachu?", she let out a chuckle to tease him.
(Someone seemed to like Ani back in the car)
He instantly closed the smallest of distance between them, wrapped his hands around her and pulled her into a tight hug.
"Yaar kooda nee irundhaalum, un kannu enna dan thedum.", he whispered in his husky tone and let her out of the hug before Ani could see them.
(You maybe with anyone but your eyes will still search for me)
***
Ashwin walked in first and found Rakshan stuck with a bunch of guests. He decided to put his friend out of misery and earn brownie points for hanging up on him.
"Machan unna anga thedraanga. Inga enna panra. Va polam", he dragged his friend towards a hidden corner, away from the public eye.
(Someone is searching for you. What are you doing here? Come on)
"Nallavane. Oru vazhiya vandhu sendhiye. Adhu podum. Thangam enga? Nee matu inga iruka?", Rakshan's eyes scanned the area for his sister.
(Finally you are here. Where is Sivaangi? Why is she not with you?)
"Ava Ani kooda varuva", his disappointed tone with a sad look was too precious to miss enjoying.
(She will come with Ani)
Rakshan couldn't restrain from laughing at his best friend's plight. He was actually having fun.
"Ippo nee en sirikra?", Ashwin snapped.
(Why are you laughing?)
"Nenachen Sirichen. Enna ponnu Ani ku dhaana? Nee Devadas dhaana?", Rakshan teased not knowing the new bromance that had been established in the last few hours.
(Just laughing at your plight. So, Sivaangi and Ani are together?)
***
Ani and Sivaangi walked straight to Pugazh and Mithra who were visibly relaxed to see them.
"Ippo epdi iruku? Odambu lam paravalla dhana?", Pugazh caressed his baby sister's head gently with concern.
(How are you now? )
"Ippo ok na. Rest edutha seri aidum.", she comforted her brother who seemed to be too pre-occupied with her thoughts rather than enjoying his Sangeeth.
(Am ok now. I just need to rest)
While Ani and Pugazh were chatting, Mithra sneaked Sivaangi to a side.
"Sivu.. Enna prechana?", Mithra asked straight not wanting to beat around the bush.
(Sivaangi whats the problem?)
"Akka oru prechanayum illa. Tiredness avlo dan.", Sivaangi tried to console but was futile.
(Seriously, there is no problem. I am just tired)
"Adhuku 3 hours ah? Sivu unmaya sollu.", Mithra asked with a look that definitely was intimidating.
(3 hours for just tiredness?Really?)
Before she could respond, she heard his voice from behind her.
"Mithra... Nijama ava faint aita. Doctor avala konja neram rest eduthutu dan ponum nu soltanga. Na ava kooda irundhu kootitu vanden. Vera edhuvum illa.", Ashwin reassured.
(Mithra, she truly was just tired. The doctor suggested her to take rest. I was with her the whole time. She is ok)
"Thanks na. Avala kooda irundu paathuktadhuku. Room No. 710. Avala kootitu ponga. Epdiyum function mudinjudchu. Food room ku anupren. Unga opposite room dan.", Mithra informed before getting back to Pugazh.
"Thank you for taking care of her. Room 710. Please take her there and I will order food to her room. Its exactly opposite yours)
"Oru room podhum la namaku?", he flirted earning a playful hit on his chest.
(Why do we need separate rooms?)
"Aasa dan. Na poi Ani ku bye soltu varen. Ingaye wait pannunga", she winked and left to bid bye to Ani.
(You wish. I will bid bye to Ani and be back. Wait here)
***
"Sivu badhrama iru", Ani couldn't stop feeling guilty for putting her life in danger.
(Sivu take care)
"Ani.. I will miss you. Daily call pannu. Mudinja inga vaa. One-week nee illama irukardu rombha kashtam", she hugged him tight.
(Ani. .. I will miss you. Call me everyday. Try to come here whenever you can. Its going to be a nightmare)
"Unna pathi yosikaama oru second kooda nagaraadhu. Call panite dan irupen. Seekram vara try panren. Until then, take care of my Sivu. Ava dan en uyir.", he couldn't stop a few tears rolling down his cheeks.
(There wont be a second that passes by without your thoughts. I will keep calling you and I will try to be back here very soon. Until then take care of my Sivu. She is my life)
"Ani please... ingaye thangidu. Neeyum tired ah irupa", she implored seeing his state of mind.
(Ani please... just stay here. You are tired too.)
The last thing she wanted was for him to be alone when he was emotionally vulnerable.
"Illa Sivu. Shoot iruku. Na ponum. Kavala padaadha. Unna paakanum nu thonichna, any time inga varuven.", he consoled and pulled out of the hug.
(I cant stay. I have the shoot that I cannot miss. Dont worry. I will be ok and I will come by anytime I want to see you)
"Onu matum solren... Unaku yaara pudichaalum... enakum avangala pudikum. Seriya? Just follow your heart Sivu.", Ani hugged her one last time and waved bye before walking away.
(Just remember that I will like any person you like. Just follow your heart Sivu)
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Thoughts?
I am not really satisfied and I hate this feeling 😔I might rewrite based on your feedback.