Ashaangi SS Bewitched

Chapter Twenty

Sivaangi sulked as she glared at the ceiling. It was seven twenty in morning.

"Aiyoo! Ipdi ya thoonguva Sivaangi!" Sivaangi grumbled thinking about the missed calls Ashwin left her.

(Aiyoo! How can you sleep like this Sivaangi!)

Last evening, Sivaangi got a call from Abin, BLU Academy. He asked Sivaangi to come give an audition. She was bit tired already but didn't want to miss the opportunity. So, she excused herself saying her friend wants to meet her ASAP.

It was for Darbuka Siva, a music director who has been giving back-to-back hits. Abin himself and Nikhil accompanied her. She gave her audition and came back around eleven. She thought of sneaking Ashwin inside her room once everyone sleeps but she was so tired that she fell asleep. Her mobile was on silent. So, she missed Ashwin's calls.

"Inaiku night match na Sundar avara ipove kuptu poeduvano practice nu?" Sivaangi frowned and jumped out of her bed before giving a call to Ashwin.

(If the match is tonight then what if Sundar takes him away in name of practice?)

Sivaangi's face turned sour when the call went unanswered. Shooting him a text, she quickly got ready for the day and went down. There was no sight of the boys. Eating down her disappointment, she sat down and Eeswari served her breakfast.

"Harish anna yenga ka?"

(Where's Harish bro?)

"Harish, Vinayak aprm pudhusa vandha Ashwin thambi kaalailaye veliya ponanga Sivu"

(Harish, Vinayak and the new one Ashwin left out early in morning, Sivu)

'Aiyoo, indha manushana enn annan thambi ta irundhu modha kapathanum pola' Sivaangi sighed.

(Aiyoo. It looks like I have to save him from my brothers!)

As Sivaangi randomly scrolled down her Instagram, she received call from Abin that Darbuka Siva wants to meet her and if possible, go for a recording. It was a very good opportunity for her. Her sour mood sweetened as she got ready. Nikil and Anoop from BLU accompanied her.

Ashwin, on the other side woke up to the boys asking him to get ready. The match was preponed to that morning. He saw no texts from Sivaangi. He wanted to check on her but had to leave.

Ashwin enjoyed the game. The team was great and he quickly adapted to their gameplay. It was a neck-to-neck game and they won when one among their team kicked the winning goal. They came back exhausted.

Ashwin's eyes searched for Sivaangi but couldn't find her. He texted her and she replied back that she had to go out regarding work. When he texted her about the match, she gushed and appreciated him before going online.

'Avalukaga rendu naal sethu irundhutu polam nu patha ava kuda irukave mudiyathu polaye!' Ashwin sulked as he rolled on the bed.

(I thought of staying for two more days for her but looks like I can't spend much time with her!)

Post lunch, Ashwin was surprised when Binni asked if he could tag along with her, Anuradha and Vinayak for shopping. Harish left to publishing house. Kaleeshwaran and Krishnakumar went out.

Knowing that Sivaangi won't be back anytime soon, Ashwin agreed. He was amazed to see the bond between Anuradha and Binni. While Anuradha's a bit stern person, Binni is the exact opposite. She's more outgoing and joyous.

Sivaangi reached home around nine thirty. It was a tiring day. She rehearsed and they even recorded a segment of the song. Darbuka Siva asked her to come the day after tomorrow. She really loved the lyrics and his music. She believes it'll work out and she was thrilled about that.

Harish was at the living room when she came down after a quick bath. Kaleeshwaran and Krishnakumar were in the office room, discussing business. She plopped down on the couch next to Harish who draped an arm around her as he was busy in his mobile.

Just when Sivaangi was about to enquire about others, she was surprised and amused when she saw her mothers walk in followed by Ashwin and Vinayak carrying shopping bags. Ashwin was laughing to something Binni said and Sivaangi couldn't avert her eyes from his dimpled face.

Sivaangi shook out of her thoughts and met Ashwin's eyes as he placed everything down. Pretending to get a call, she quickly greeted others and left upstairs. As she expected Vinayak and Ashwin came up. She quickly hid herself in her room and once she's sure Vinayak went to his room, she quickly moved in front of Ashwin's door and knocked rapidly.

Ashwin opened the door and he was pushed back by Sivaangi who quickly came in and closed the door behind her.

"Ma, relax" Ashwin patted Sivaangi's arm but received a smack in return. He hissed, "Maaa, valikudhu maaa" (It pains)

"Haiyoo, neenga nadikadhinga" Sivaangi pushed Ashwin's arm and sat on the bed, "Ongala pakanum naale indha veetla appointment vaanganum pola"

(Don't act...It looks like I have to get appointment to meet you in this house)

Ashwin chuckled on hearing Sivaangi's scoff.

"Yenna panradhu? Avanga ellarukum ena pidichuruku" Ashwin shrugged.

(What to do now? They all like me)

"Enaku kuda dhan ongala pidikum. Aana neenga enn kuda time eh spend panala" Sivaangi whined.

(Even I like you. But you don't spend time with me)

"Naa kuda dhan unakaga inga iruken" Ashwin walked to Sivaangi.

(I'm here with you now)

"Patha apdi therlaye"

(Doesn't feel like that)

"Ma...seri vidu. Nalaiku veliya polama?" Ashwin asked, standing in front of Sivaangi. Her face lit up on hearing his words.

(Okay, fine. Shall we go out tomorrow?)

"Nejama va?" Sivaangi beamed.

(Really?)

"Ama" Ashwin chuckled softly.

(Yes)

"Full day?" Sivaangi asked hopefully.

"Full day" Ashwin promised.

"Supeerrr. Yenga yenga polam?" Sivaangi asked excitedly.

(Where shall we go?)

"Ma, idhu onga ooru. Nee kuptu po, unn kuda yenga naalum varen"

(This is your place. You take me, I'll come anywhere with you)

"Done, done" Sivaangi got on her feet, "I'll plan for the whole day! I'll take you to my favoruite places"

Ashwin's heart warmed on seeing the excitement in Sivaangi's face.

"Seri, nee plan pannitu sollu. Ipo namma keela polam. Theda poranga"

(Okay, you let me know once you plan. Now let's go down. They'll look for us)

Sivaangi nodded her head and left first. Ashwin came down after five minutes. The dinner was eventful with the family. Vinayak, Kaleeshwaran, Krishnakumar and Ashwin played chess while Sivaangi laid in Binni's lap and spoke with both Anuradha and Binni. Harish worked on his laptop, commenting now and then in their conversation.

Ashwin told Harish that he would leave early in the morning to meet his friend while Sivaangi told her mother that she's going out the whole day with her friend, Reshmi. She was busy with planning the next day that she texted good night to Ashwin who chucked and slept.

The next morning, Sivaangi snoozed her alarm and snuggled into her pillow but frowned when she repeatedly got two calls. On seeing Ashwin's name on the caller, I'd she realized what she did. She told him she has woken up and quickly started getting ready.

There was only Kaleeshwaran in the living room. Informing him, Ashwin left first. Sivaangi came down in five minutes. She hugged Kaleeshwaran and wished him good morning. On enquired, she said she's off to meet her friend.

"Car la po da"

(Go in car dear)

"Illa, Paa. Idho Reshmi vandhuta. Tata ba-byee"

(No, dad. Reshmi's here. Tata ba-byee)

Kaleeshwaran chuckled on watching Sivaangi hopping on her way out.

Sivaangi spotted Ashwin standing on the street's corner. She silently went behind him and jumped before him startling him. On seeing his reaction, she laughed out making him roll his eyes.

"Seriii, podhum sirichadhu. Yenga, yepdi porom nu sollunga madam" Ashwin nudged Sivaangi's arm.

(Finne, stop laughing now. Where and how we are going, tell me madam)

"Share auto la polam"

(We'll go in share auto)

Ashwin completely surrendered to Sivaangi's plan. She knows the city better and he wanted to experience it her way. She took her to Mylapore and treated him to a good Iyengar style breakfast.

"Inaiku full ah vegetarian dhan, Ashwinn" Sivaangi beamed and Ashwin nodded with a chuckle.

(Today we will have only vegetarian, Ashwinn)

They finished with a nice filter coffee.

Ashwin enjoyed walking along with Sivaangi. They skipped malls. Rather she took him to her favourite spots. They took local trains. Post luncg, she treated him to some of her favourite desserts too.

"Idhu dhan Jai Ice creams. Romba romba varushama iruku. Best natural ice cream Chennai la inga dhan kedaikum"

(This is Jai Ice creams. Its here for many, many years. We can get best natural ice cream in Chennai here)

Ashwin got a mango scoop while Sivaangi got jackfruit scoop. She then took him to her favourite paal sharbath shop. She took him to the planetarium in Adyar and he was mesmerized both by the views and her.

Around seven they came out of Saravana stores and walked on the roads of Chrompet to reach its railway station. She slightly slipped and he immediately held her hand.

"Paathu ma. Enn kai ah pidichuko" Ashwin held Sivaangi's hand and helped her on the side lanes.

(Careful. Here, hold my hand)

Sivaangi looked at their joined hands and blushed slightly before tightening her grip on his hand. There was heavy traffic but thankfully they were walking on the side. Once they reached the station, they climbed up the stairs to get ticket.

There was ticket machine and Ashwin walked there while Sivaangi waited for him. He clicked few buttons but couldn't figure out how to add passenger.

"Aiyo, ipo yenna panna nu therlaye" Ashwin muttered under his breath.

(Aiyo, I don't know what to do now)

"Indha option press panna passenger add panlam"

(If you press this option then you can add passenger)

Ashwin looked up when he heard a soft feminine voice. He saw a woman in her early twenties looking at him with a smile. His face immediately reflected her smile. He beamed at her and thanked her. She waved her hand and walked off.

Ashwin winced when Sivaangi smacked on his arm and glared at him. He gave a sheepish smile.

"Yenna?" Sivaangi raised an eyebrow at him.

(What?)

"Ticket book panna help pannanga ma. Romba naishh girll" Ashwin grinned.

(She helped me book tickets. Very naishh girll)

"Aiya, romba ilikadhinga" Sivaangi scoffed.

(Huh, don't show your teeth now)

"Nejama ma, andha ponnu ku evlo nalla manasu. Help lam panniruka. Chaa, oru thank you kuda sollama vitutene" Ashwin looked behind Sivaangi, at the direction where the woman walked off.

(Really, see that woman has good heart. She helped. Chaa, I didn't even thank her)

"Huh! Podhum, podhum. Vaanga" Sivaangi dragged Ashwin by his arm. Chuckling, he let her drag him and they climbed down the stairs.

(Huh, enough, enough. Come)

Ashwin pulled Sivaangi's legs making her scowl at him. He chuckled and nudged her arm with his.

"Idho pora la. Ponga, ponga. Poe thank you sollitu vaanga" Sivaangi pushed Ashwin a little.

(See, she's here. Go, go. Go and thank her)

"Ama, ama. Naa poe sollitu varen"

(Yes, yes. Let me go and thank her)

Ashwin acted like walking in that woman's direction.

"Yovv!! Inga vaa ya!" Sivaangi dragged Ashwin. He chuckled and moved along.

(Yovv!! Come here!)

"Vara vara romba panringa, Ashwineyy" Sivaangi said as Ashwin turned, walking facing her.

(You are too much these days, Ashwineyy)

"Yenga irundhu vara vara" Ashwin poked his cheek with his tongue as he shoved his hands in his pocket.

(A Tamil joke))

"Haiyooo!" Sivaangi whined and Ashwin chuckled before they sat on a stone bench.

They spoke about their day as they waited for the train. Once the train came, they got in. It was packed. Ashwin held the handle bar above and asked Sivaangi to stand closely to him.

With her height it would be impossible for Sivaangi to hold onto the handle bar. She looked at Ashwin's bicep and then at him, who's focused on keeping her away from others and to himself. Smiling, she held his bicep and supported herself. He looked down at her and his lips curled.

Boy was it a perfect day!

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Hope you like the chapter.

Thank you for reading,

Nan ~