Disclaimer

This one shot is a piece of fiction. The characters, events and places in the shot are extremely fictional. This shot has nothing to do with the personal life of the lead casts.

Author's note

Before reading the story, erase all those technologies, smartphones,whatsapp, instagram etc from your brain.
Long shot ahead.

1

2004

Silence filled the room as the woman wearing a white saree with black blouse, looked between the man in his late 20's with well built muscle dressed in a formal shirt and khakhi pants, and the woman in her mid 20's.

"So this is your final decision?" The lawyer asked.

The man looked up at her and glanced the woman beside him before looking back at the lawyer.

"Yes Madhavi" he said.

She looked at the woman who nodded at her.

"Hmm... Okay.. Intha papers la rend perum sign pannunga"

She forwarded some papers which both of them signed. They nodded at the lawyer and left the room.

They reached the entrance of the court when both of them looked each other.

"Hmmm.. Aprom? Aduth enna plan?" He asked.

She chuckled painfully "Konja naal nimmathiya irukkanum... Engayavuth travel panna poren.."

"All the best.." He smiled "Good bye ex-wife" he forwarded his hand while she gently shaked it.

"Good bye" she whispered.

He walked to his bullet, hopped on it and rode away while she just stared his disappearing figure.

"Papa polama?"

She heard a voice. She turned and saw Saravanan, her elder brother standing there. She nodded at him with a slight smile and left to her house in her maruthi car.

2

Saravanan walked inside the room to find his little sister packing all her stuffs in a suitcase.

"Papa Trainuk time aayiduch da"

"Dho 2 minutes anna.." She said turning  towards him.

He sighed and walked towards her. He sat in the bed and looked at her.

"Papa ipo nee poyi thaa aaganuma?"

"Yen ney?"

"Illa ma..."

"Anney enak ipo oru break venum... ellathila irunthum... Konja naal nimmathiya irukkanum"

"Illa da.. Nee thaniya..."

"Thaniya thaa ney... Please enna dhayav senj poga vidu"

Saravanan sighed before getting up from the bed "Seri paathu bathrama poyit vaa" he patted her shoulder "Naa keezha wait panren nee seekram vaa" He said and walked away.

She turned back to the wardrobe and pulled more of her winter clothes which was kept unused for a long time. She threw the cloth on the bed and was about to close the wardrobe when a particular suitcase caught her attention.

She thought for a while and decided to check on the suitcase. She took it out gently and placed it on the bed. She dusted it before opening the suitcase with its number lock.

She smiled widely seeing all her school belongings in it. Five color pen, ink eraser, 3 in 1 sharpener, Hero pen, Ribbons, Geometry box, pencil box, wooden spinner, WWF Trump cards, books, dolls etc. She caressed those when her fingers touched a particular set of books in the box. She took out of the box and dusted it when her eyes watered automatically as she caressed the word imprinted on the cover of the book 'Diary 1996'.

She turned the pages of the book as memories of the best part of her life hit her like a thunderstorm.

3

1996

January 1, 1996
Monday

Hi 96', Welcome! Naan thaan unnoda user K. Sivaangi. Unak oru vishayam theriyuma? Nee thaan naa ezhuthura first diary.. Ithuk munnadi diary ellam ezhuthunath illa... Apro.. Intha varsham thaa ennoda public exam. Unna paatha nalla varsham maari thaan theriyuth.. So enna epdiyavuth nalla mark vangi pass panni vidu please..

And romba important vishayam enna na.. Enak daily diary ezhuthi pazhakkam illa.. So en vaazhkaila ethavuth swarasikamana vishayam nadantha ithula ezhuthuren.. So kochukatha..

January 19, 1996
Friday

Hey diary innaik enna nadanthuch theriyuma? Innaik avan en kitta pesnaan.. Ennoda accountancy notes kettaan theriyuma? Cha.. Evlo azhaga vanthu kettaan theriyuma? Enak ore vekkam aayiduch.. Class leader eh Sindhu thaan.. Ava kitta kooda kekama en kitta ketan..

Wait.. Unak avana pathi theriyathu la? Hmm.. Solren.. Avana naa modha modha 11th std first day annaik thaa pathen..

4

June 1, 1994

Sivaangi sat in the second bench of the first row beside the door, middle of her two besties Chithra and Sindhu. It was the first day of their 11th std. Sivaangi being the lazy student took the commerce group. She had least interest in studies. She neither liked physics nor economics. But comparing to physics and chemistry which had this never ending equations, formulas and problems, Sivaangi found Commerce and accountancy to be easy without knowing the actual truth.

Their uniform was of a white and blue checked top with navy blue bottom and shawl. She has plaited her hair on either side and has kept a little bindi on her forehead.

The class was already filled with noises and some boys were ragging the new admission girls. Sivaangi sat uninterested to all the dramas happening around apparently wondering how many hours it would be for the lunch break. The bell rang loudly making both of her friends sigh in disappointment.

"Heyy ennadi maam eh vanthuravaaga pola... Apo avlo thaana?.. Cha Vanthurkavan Oruthan kooda paakura maari illaye dii" Chithra said disappointed.

"Ada aama di... Puthu admission yevanath nalla varuvaaga nu patha ellam namma class kona munji mathiri tha irukaanuha" Sindhu said.

"Ada chii niruthinga.. Neenga rend perum padika varihala illa sight adikka varihala?" Sivaangi said annoyed.

"Injaarra.. Apdiyee madam padich kizhipeeha" Chithra said with a smirk when their class teacher Sumalatha Maam entered the class. Everyone stood up from their seat.

"Goooood Morninggggggg Maaaaaaam" the students wished.

"Good Morning Ukkarunga" she said as she sat down on her chair.

She roamed her eyes through the classroom and smiled at the new students while Chithra and Sindhu started gossiping about her saree.

"Ok ella students um vanthutangala attendance edukalama?" She said as she checked the time on her watch. It was already quarter to 10. She took the attendance book and started calling the names shile students responded to it.

"Arivazhagan?"

"Present maam"

"Ashwin kumar?"

Silence.

"Ashwin kumar?"

Silence.

"Ashwin kumar ah yaarudi athu" Chithra whispered to Sivaangi looking around the classroom.

"Enak enga di theriyum?" Sivaangi said when a warm and charming voice caught their attention.

"Excuse me maam?"

The whole class tilted their heads to the entrance of the classroom where a 16 year old fair and tall guy stood panting heavily. Sivaangi's lips parted and pupils dilated automatically. He had this alluring hazel brown eyes, silk and smoothy hair which was ruffled a bit, perfect jawline. Sivaangi stared him dreamily until Chithra leaned towards her to peek who it was as she couldn't see well sitting in the corner.

"Ashwin kumar ah?" The teacher asked.

"Yes maam" he nodded correcting his hair making butterflies erupt inside sivaangi's stomach.

"Ulla vaanga" teacher said.

He smiled showing his dimple and entered the class. His eyes locked with Sivaangi's for 0.001 seconds before settling beside Satish, the topper guy in the second bench of the middle row.

Sivaangi never realised that her gaze was fixed on him until he looked at her and gave a wave smile. She smiled awkwardly before turning away.

"Heyy antha paiyyan semmaya irukkan la?" Sindhu said.

"Heyy aama dii" Chithra said "Avana patha Cbse school maari therithu" she added.

"Aiyyayo apdina love letter ellam english la ezhuthanum polaye?" Sindhu wondered.

"Konnupuduven" Sivaangi whisper yelled both of them.

"Hey ennadi?" Chithra asked annoyed.

"Avan en aalu.. Avanuk love letter lam kudukanum nu nenachinga konuduven" Sivaangi said.

"Un aala? Illa purila.. Madam inga padika thane varinga?" Sindhu asked.

"Athane ithu epolirnthu"

"Athellam apdi thaan.. Inga paarunga rend perum.. Science la neraya nalla pasanga irupanuga.. Avanungala poyi sight adinga love letter kudunga.. Etho pannunga.. Aana ivana mattum vitrunga" She said.

"Hmm hmmm" sindhu amd chithra hummed teasingly making her blush.

"Chithraaa.. Anga enna pechu?" Maam asked.

"Onula teacher" chithra shook her head.

"Seri oru oruthangala vanthu ungala introduce pannunga" the teacher said.

One by one the students came and introduced themselves while sivaangi was impatiently waiting for Ashwin's turn.

"Ashwin vaanga" the teacher called him. He nodded and stood beside the teacher with a charming smile. Sivaangi grinned.

"Good morning everyone. I'm Ashwin Kumar. I'm from Pondicherry. I studied in St. John's school until my 10th std. Unfortunately, I couldn't continue there, so here I am. During my free time i love reading books and playing basketball. So thats all about me. Thank you" he nodded at the teacher and sat in his place.

"Enna di ipdi english pesraan.." Chithra wondered.

"Siva.. Nee gaali di" sindhu said.

But sivaangi was in her own world admiring him.

5

June 29, 1994

Sivaangi walked inside her accountancy tuition class to stand frozen seeing him sitting on the first bench. Her heart jumped seeing him there and her happiness had no bounds. He looked super cute in his casuals. She blushed and sat on her usual place sighting him. Ashwin felt a strong gaze on him. He turned his head. Sivaangi gasped and averted her gaze to the book. Thats when she noticed Sindhu sitting with a worried face.

"Hey sindhu ennachu dii?" She asked.

"Siva.. Naa setha.. Nee enakaga azhuviya?"

"Heyy enna di ollarra?"

"Naa konja nerathula sethuruven dii"

"Hey ennachu dii"

"Naa theriyama bubble gum ah muzhugiten di"

"Aiyyayo" sivaangi gasped and closed her mouth.

"Anga enna satham?" The sir yelled making both of them shut their mouth.

The sir continued the lecture while sivaangi continued her sighting.

As the class ended, everybody left the tuition center. She took her cycle and was about to move out but waited and checked on him. She found him walking with a set of boys to the bus stand.

'Bus laya poraaru?' She thought before walking away with her cycle.

6

Sivaangi carefully pulled the screw of the cycle tier checking the surroundings moving her eyeballs from one end to another. She faked a pout and stood up when her brother came out of the house.

"Enna papa.. En inga nikkira? School pola?"

"Anney.. Cycle la kaathu illa ney" she said with a pout.

"Kaathu illaya? Athu epdi.. Thallu naa pakuren" he moved her to one side and checked the tire.

'Aiyyayo ipo matipome.. Enna panrathu' she thought.

"Papa.... Ithu Screw ah pudungi vutta maari la irukku" he said with a frown.

"Apdiya ney... Apo antha ethitha veetu chandru paiya panna vela ya thaan irukkum.. Avanuk en mela oru thani gaandu"

"Apdiya.. Iru naa poyi kekren" he started to move but she held his hands.

"Anney.. Ipo ethuk ney athellam.. Enak school poha time aachu.."

"Hmm.. Seri naa unna pora vazhila school la vutudren.. Aana epdi veetuk varuva? Tuition vere irukk la?"

"Athu naa bus la vanthuduven ney..."

"Bus la ya?"

"Ama neyy... Athaan geetha ellam bus la thane varuva.. Onum prechana illa.. Oru rend rupa kudunga.."

"Rend rupa va?? ethuk avlo kaasu?"

"Ada kudu ney..."

"Hmm... Intha" he gave 2 rupees to her "Seri vaa" he took her in his kinetic honda scooter and dropped her to the school.

Sivaangi bid bye to her friends and walked to the bus stop grinning wide. She stood by the corner of the stop while Ashwin was standing by the tea shop adjacent to the bus stop with his group of friends. She kept looking at him who was laughing and talking with an admiring smile on her face. How can a person be so cute? She thought but blinked her eyes when he looked at her direction and frowned. She didn't know what to do as he didn't avert his gaze from her.

All of a sudden he raised his eyebrows  and actioned a question like what she was doing there.

Sivaangi's heart beat increased. She controlled her blush and mouthed "Bus"

"Cycle enga?" He mouthed.

"Kaathu pochu" she shrugged with a pout.

His mouth shaped an O and smiled showing his dimple.

The bus arrived shortly and everyone rushed to it. She sat by the window and constantly turned around to check him who stood behind. At the stop before hers, Ashwin got down. She mentally noted the stop name and stared his disappearing figure. All of a sudden, he turned back to see her already looking at him. He smiled and waved a bye before walking away. She couldn't process wbat just happened and blushed hanging her head down.

7

January 16, 1995

Sivaangi was wandering around the school wondering where to go being pushed out from the Tamil class. She was in her own world of imagination that she failed to notice what Tamil sir was talking about bharathiyar.

She thought of going to the library. It wasn't because she was a book lover. Library would be a perfect silent environment for her to sleep.

Sivaangi wandered her eyes through the library but stopped at a figure who was reading a book so seriously. Her face beamed that her legs walked to him without her knowledge. She didn't know what to do standing before him and decided to walk away when he peeled his eyes off the book and looked her. She smiled nervously at him.

"Hey...umm.. Haa..Sivaangi?.. Inga enna panra.. Tamil class pola?" He asked.

"Enna veliya thallitanga" she said with a pout.

"Yen?" He asked with a chuckle.

"Dha bhaa.. Dha... Naa.. Chithra kooda pesit irunthen.. Veliya anupitaru"

"Haha.. Yeah you are indeed a talkative girl.. I expected this" he said to which she gasped.

"Seri.. Vaa ukaaru" he showed the seat beside him. She thought for a moment before sitting beside him.

"Ne..(Clears throat).. Neenga inga enna panringa?" She asked.

"French maam absent.. So ellarum cricket velada poyitanga.. Enak cricket la perusa interest illa.. So i came here"

"Ohh"

"Ethavuth book eduth padi" he said and continued to read his book.

'Huh.. Padikratha? Athukum namakum aagave aagathe.. Hmm... Seri ethavuth eduth padikra maari nadipom' she thought and started searching for the books. She took a book and started acting like reading stealing glances of him who was sincerely reading.

'Hmm.. Book padikrapo kooda evlo azhaga irukkan.. Hmm irunthalum enna paathu vaayadi nu sollitane.... Apo avlo dhooram namala gavanichirpano? Ama namma oru vaayadi nu yaarukum theriyathu paaru..  Ethu epdiyo.. School thodangi 7 maasam aachu.. Ipo thaa ozhunga pesurar.. Ivara naa epo pesi correct panna poreno... Aandavaaa" her thoughts wandered like breeze as she slowly drifted to sleep.

Ashwin who heard the bell ring, closed the book and tilted his head to see her sleeping soundly. His lips curved into a smile seeing her cute innocent sleeping form.

"Sivaangi?" He called.

No response.

He hesitantly placed his palm on her shoulder and gently shook her.

"Huh? Haiyo.. Amma.." She got up with a jerk and looked around like a lost kid making him laugh.

"Hey naan thaan.. Bell adichuruch va polam"

"Haan haan" she said and followed him cursing herself for the embarrassment.

8

February 5, 1996
Monday

Avlo thaan diary.. Athuk aprom avankitta avlova pesunath illa.. Adikadi patha siripan.. Ethavuth kepan.. Naana poyi pesa oru mathiri vekkam ah irukkum.. Sindhuvum Chithravum enna kaari thupuvanga.. Science group la Anitha nu oru ponnu iruppa.. Avaluk avan mela oru kann iruk nu enak munnadiye theriyum.. Ava pona term exam apo avanuk love letter kuduthaa.. Athuvum en munnadiye... Apdiye manasu odanj poyiruch theriyuma... Ana avan athu decent ah thirupi kuduthit viruppam illa nu sonnaan... Apdiye ulla pattas vedikra maari irunthuchu..

Ana ini 2 months thaa irukk school mudiya.. Atha nenachale manasu ellam orumari barama irukku... Oru naal avana paakalana kooda enak oru maari irukkum.. Apo school mudinj poyita? Ithuk thaa yarayume athigama nesika kodathu nu solluvanga pola..School mudiyaruthuk ulla poyi sollalama?

July 10, 1996
Wednesday

Hey diary! Nalla irukkiya? Romba naal aachu la unkitta pesi.. Naa konjam mood off ayiten.. Sorry. School mudinjirich la athaan... Ellarum poyitanga diary. Chithra ava athai kooda Madras poyita.. Sindhu vera college la B.A. Tamil padika poyita.. Ashwin ah kadaisiya farewell annaik pathen athuk aprom pakave illa.. Naa bcom join panniten. Vazhkai ipdiye poguthu diary...

Onnu matum naa vazhkaila kathukuten diary.. Entha oru vishayathukum koochama irukka koodathu.. Apdina athu nammala vittu poyidum.. Athu puthu puthu vaipukala irunthalum seri.. Ashwin mathiri oru nalla paiyana irunthalum seri..

July 17, 1996
Wednesday

Hey Diary, innaik naa rombaaaa santhoshama irukken... Yen theriyuma.. Naa innaik avana pathen.. College la... Avanum athe college la bcom join pannirkan... Avana en kitta vanthu pesnan...

9

Sivaangi was sitting on her seat scribbling on her note book when she heard an

"Excuse me sir"

Her eyes widened in shock hearing the familiar voice. She jerked her head up and saw him standing on the door step. He was wearing a red colour tshirt with yellow stripes paired with blue jeans. Her eyes teared slightly. As soon as the sir asked him to enter the class, he roamed his eyes around the classroom and it twinkled in surprise seeing sivaangi. He sat in the adjacent bench beside her and waved at her.

"Hey Sivaangi? What a surprise.. Neeyum Bcom ah?"

She nodded being overwhelmed.

"Hmm super" he smiled which was reciprocated by her.

It was lunch break, Ashwin closed his book and stood up as students started to leave.

"Sivaangi Canteen polama?" He asked.

She blinked at him "Haa.. Ana naa sapadu kond vanthutene"

"Apdiya" he sounded disappointed.

"Illa parava illa.. Namma vena canteen polam" she said.

"Nee enna kond vanthurka?" He asked.

"Thayir saadham" she said.

"Adha namma share pannalama?" He asked in his base voice making her heart flutter.

"Ohh panlame" she took out her tiffen box and moved to a side giving him some space to sit.

He smiled and sat beside her. The aroma of the curd rice hit his nostrils. Sivaangi being sivaangi ate the first spoon and moaned to its taste making Ashwin's mouth water.

She looked at him who was pouting at her. She chuckled and forwarded the tiffin box. He snatched the spoon from her and ate the curd rice. She blushed as his lips touched the spoon which she used.

"Nee brahmin ah?" He asked to which she nodded.

"Adhaan unna thayir sadham nu koopdurangala school la?" He asked.

"Ama"

"Nee shy type ah?" He asked.

"Mmmm.. Lite ah"

"Adhaan school la namma avlova pesnathe illa...."

"Mm ama"

"Ippo kooda nee ama illa nu mattum tha solra" he chuckled to which she smiled sheepishly.

She couldn't take all this. Her love, the only person she loved and never talked was sitting beside her eating her food and talking to her. Was this all a dream? Because the only time he talked to her like this was only in her dreams.

She admired him for sometime while he ate all the curd rice with a cute face.

"Unga veetla yaar ellam irukka?" She asked.

"Happa da... Ipo thaa etho pesra" he said with a chuckle "en veetla appa, amma, aprom oru akka.. "

"Akka va?"

"Ama.. Medicine padikranga... Scholarship la"

"Ohh...Pondicherry ya unga ooru?"

"Yeah.. Appak transfer ayiduch.. So inga vanthom.. But avaruk ipo konjam odamb seri illa" he said and went silent.

Sivaangi felt bad and decided to change the topic.

"Neenga yen bcom yeduthinga?" She asked.

"Appa vuk enna police aakanum nu aasa.. Aana enak athula interest illa.. Enak oru degree venum avlo thaan" he smiled and they kept looking each other.

"Hii" a group of voice disturbed their moment. They tilted their heads and saw a four of their classmates of them smiling at them. Ashwin and Sivaangi smiled at them.

"Neenga rend perum already friends ah?" A girl asked.

"Yeah.. Naanga 11th, 12th ore class la thaan padichom" Ashwin said.

"Ohh athaan ivunga unga kitta pesrala? College aarambich oru vaaram aachu.. Innaik thaa sivaangi pesra" a guy said.

Ashwin looked at her confused while she just hung her head down. The nonstop talking machine in the classroom was silent for a week? Maybe she is just shy.

"Ava konjam shy type... School la kooda enkitta perusa pesunath illa" Ashwin said.

Sivaangi jerked her head to him. She never expected that he would support her so easily. The others nodded in understanding.

"Naa Asha" the same girl said.

"Naa Rajesh" another guy said.

"I'm Sujatha" one girl said.

"En peru senthil" another guy said.

"I'm Ashwin" he said shaking his hands with each of them.

The lunch break got over and everyone sat in their places. Asha and Sujatha sat beside Sivaangi while Rajesh and Senthil sat with Ashwin. Asha was so talkative that sivaangi got reminded of her friend chithra.

When the class got over, Ashwin amd Sivaangi walked to the bus stop bidding bye to their friends.

"Neeyum bus laya pora?" Ashwin asked.

"Ama.. " she said.

They entered the bus and settled in the back seat.

"Un stop enga?" He asked.

"Unga stop uk oru stop munnadi"

"En stop unak epdi theriyum?"

"Illa... Namma school la irunth varumboth unga stop uk aduth thaa en stop.. Apo pathurken.. Ipo namma opposite direction porathunala.. Enak aduth thaa unga stop"

"Ohh" he nodded.

Soon the bus reached her stop.

"Bye.. Naalaik paakalam" he said to which she nodded in all direction with a smile. He imitated her making her chuckle.

She got down from the bus and walked away. She turned her head and looked at him to see him already looking at her with a smile. Her insides twitched at his intense gaze. She just waved at him and ran away.

10

July 25,1996
Thursday.

"Intha Ashwin evlo azhaga irukkan la" Asha said to Sivaangi as they sat in the back bench without paying heed to yhe boring lecture.

"Oii.. Intha vela ellaam vechukatha.. Avan en aalu" Sivaangi said.

"Etheyyy un aala? " Asha asked bewildered.

Sivaangi bit her tongue and shut her eyes while Asha started scratching her arms shooting more questions. She sighed before she explained how madly she is in love with this Ashwin for the past 2 years.

"Ennathu 2 varshama avana love panriya?" Asha asked shocked.

"Ama... Please Asha.. Nee avana vutru"

"Heyy naa summa unna kadup etha sonnen.. Unak avana pudichirik nu enak oru doubt irunthuch.. Ana 2 varshama nee avana love panrathu enak therila dii"

"Seri.. Nee itha suji kitayo illa rajesh kittayo.. Senthil kittayo solla koodathu.. Okay?"

"Okay di"

It was a free period. Ashwin came and sat beside her.

"Sivaangi?" He called her.

"Haan?"

"Un veetla landline irukka?"

"En veetla illa ana pakkathu veetla irukku.. Yen?"

"Illa ethavuth mukyamana vishayam na unak koopdanum la.. Athaan.. Antha number konjam solla mudiyuma?"

"778 91 93" she said which he noted in his palm.

"Okay.." He smiled showing his dimple.

11

Sivaangi's brother worked in an electronics shop and thus, they had a Tv in their house which was gifted by the owner of the shop. Sivaangi's house was the only house that had a Tv in their street.

A group of 20 ladies from the neighborhood would come to their house to watch soap operas and kids would come to watch movies.

Sivaangi was watching the movie 'Bombay' in her Tv along with all their neighbours when Shanthi, one of her neighbour girl barged into her house.

"Sivaangi akka.. Unak oru phone vanthurukk" She said.

"Enakka?" She asked confused 'oru vela avura irukkumo' she thought with her eyes widened. She stood up from her place. Holding her skirt, she ran to shanti's house and took the landline and heaved a "hello?"

"Helloo sivaa" she heard Sindhu's voice making her sigh.

"Nee thaana... Che" she huffed.

"Yen dii?"

"Illaa naa ashwin ah irukumo nu nenachen"

"Ashwin ah? Avan epdi unna koopda mudiyum?"

"Unkitta sollala la... Naanum avarum ore college la ore class la thaa padikrom" she blushed.

"Eii kd.. Sollave illa.... Sollu sollu aprom ennachu?"

Sivaangi started explaining everything and they talked for few minutes before ending the call. She kept the phone back and turned to leave when it rang again. She frowned and attended the call.

"Hello?"

"Hello" she heard a warm voice from the other end. She blushed and smiled widely.

"Ashwin? Naa thaa sivaangi pesren"

"Haa.. Sivaangi.. Hi.. Naa just check panna thaa call pannen"

"Ohh.. Apdiya... Okay"

"Okay.. Naalaik bharathiyar ah pathi etho ezhuthit vara sonnare Tamil sir.. Ezhuthitiya?"

"Illa Ashwin... Inime thaa pananum"

"Naanum thaa.. Hmm"

Sivaangi went quiet biting her nails

"Saptiya?" He asked in a base voice making her insides flutter.

"Haan sapten.. Neenga?" She said controlling her blush.

"Sapten ma.."

Thousand butterflies erupted inside her stomach hearing his 'ma'

"Seri ma.. Naa vaikren" he said

"Mmm" she just hummed before ending the call.

She blushed hard and zoned out fidgeting her braid. Shanti came and shooked her making her come out of her trance and ran away from there.

12

August 30, 1996
Friday.

Ashwin and Sivaangi were sitting peacefully under a tree in their college campus preparing for their internal exams, as it was a free period. Sivaangi was stealing glances of him and sighting him while he sincerely explained her the topic. A group of girls were sighting him and talking within themselves giggling and blushing. Sivaangi's insided burned seeing them. She was kind of glaring them but smirked when they looked at her with jealous.

"Ashwin?" She whispered.

"Hmm?"

"Namma college la ponnunga ellam enna oru mathiri poramayilayee paakuranga" she said to him in a low voice.

"Yen?"

"Hmm... Nee oru azhagana paiyan.. Nee enkooda suthrathula.. Avungaluk porama" she said.

Ashwin chuckled and looked around "Unna mathiri oru azhagana ponnu en kooda suthrathula pasanga kooda thaa enna moraikuranga" he said looking into her eyes.

Well that was unexpected! Sivaangi stared him with widened eyes. He didn't take his eyes off hers, but maintained it. She cleared her throat and averted her gaze, as she couldn't withstand his powerful magnet eyes.

13

October 19,1996
Saturday

"Sivaangi ma?" Ashwin slowly called her who was sleeping soundly with her head on his shoulders.

He tapped her arms slightly. She jerked and sat up looking around the sorroundings. She looked at him like a lost puppy while he fake glared her.

"Maa.. Namma padikka vanthurkom.. Thoonga illa" he said while she stared him still in a sleepy mood.

"Seri naa unak black tea eduthut varen" he stood up from the floor and walked out of her room.

They all planned for a group study at sivaangi's place but Ashwin was the only one who showed up at last. Sivaangi's mom knew Ashwin right from school as he was this perfect,popular,smartest guy in the classroom. Also, Sivaangi used to over narrate all her college happenings to her mom to make her believe that her daughter shared everything to her.

Well, that made sivaangi's mom to trust ashwin so much that she left her daughter with him alone and went to the market.

Sivaangi shook her head and looked around. Their books were scattered around. The last thing she remembered was them studying accountancy sitting on the floor. She didn't knew when she fell asleep and that too in his shoulders. But she had no energy to think more, she kept her head on the bed and slept again.

Some soft thing disturbed her sleep, she slowly opened her eyes to see him closer, his eyes were fixed on her face with an adoring smile on his lips. He had his fist pressed on his one cheek. Sivaangi thought she was dreaming for a moment. She rubbed her face on the bedsheet and lifted her head yawning. Ashwin quickly averted his gaze and forwarded the black tea.

"Ith.. Itha ku.. Kudi.. Thookam poyidum"  he said not meeting her eyes.

"Aiyoo enak thookam varutheee" she whined.

"Mmm.. Unga amma market la irunth apove vanthutanga.. Nee thoongratha patha avlo thaa... So padikra vazhiya paaru" he said opening the book.

She pouted and drank the tea.

'Ahaa... Kadhalan kaiyala senja kaapi kudikkura baakiyam ethana perukku kedaikum'  she thought and blushed.

14

November 10,1996.
Sunday.

Sivaangi admired herself standing before the mirror. She was dressed in a red silk half-saree with broad golden broder. She has wore golden coloured bangles, adorned her neck with an ethnic necklace. She kept a kutti bindi in her forehead. She kept jasmine flowers in her braided hair and smiled.

"Aiyyo azhagu dii nee" she air kissed her reflection.

"Sivaaaaangi.... Ashwin vanthurkan" she heard her mom's yell.

She gasped and checked herself once more in the mirror before rushing out of the room. He was standing by the door step greeting her father and brother. She blushed seeing him dressed in a red shirt and brown pants. She moved towards him. He looked up at her. She found him standing frozen with his lips parted seeing her. She blushed looking down and stood before him.

"Happy Diwali" she said looking up at him breaking his trance.

He breathed heavily and smiled at her.

"Ha.. Happy diwali" he said and huffed looking away.

"Ashwin ulla po pa.... Sivaangi ma ulla kooptu po ma" her father said.

"Seringa pa... Vaanga" she said and walked towards the dining hall followed by him.

Her mother served home made sweets for him while sivaangi served him tea.

"Ammadi mazha peiyura maari iruke da" her father said looking up at the sky sitting in the armchair.

"Aiyyayo... Che intha naasam pudicha mazha diwali annik mattum correct ah vanthudum" her mother lamented.

"Che apo pattas vedikka mudiyatha" sivaangi whined.

"Heyy motta maadila appa uniform kaaya potruken.. Poyi eduthit vaa di" her mom said.

Sivaangi nodded her head and rushed behind her house and climbed the stairs holding her skirt. She walked to the rope and took the uniform from it and turned around but dashed on a hard chest and started falling back. He immediately caught her hands and pulled her. She stood on her feet and looked up at him who was already looking at her dreamily. She blushed and stood still without knowing what to do while he was staring right into her eyes. He raised his hand and tucked a hair strand behind her ear. His fingers grazed her earlobe and cheek giving her goosebumps. His one hand was stilling holding her hand. He leaned in slightly

"Romba azhaga irukka ma" he said in his base voice.

Her breathed heavily hearing his base voice and feeling his hot breath on her face. She slowly opened her eyes and looked up at him. He was admiring her whole face and her red tinted cheeks.

"Ash.. Ashwin.. Kaiyya vidunga.. Yaaravuth pathuda poranga" she said looking around and tried to wiggle her hands eventhough she wished standing like that forever.

"Shh.. Naa unna compliment pannen sivaangi ma... Athuk bhadhil ethuvum sollama... Ipdi avasara padra.. Bad girl"

She gasped audibly.

"Enna neenga vithyasama pesringa"

"Naa enna vithyasama pesnen?" He had a playful smile in his lips.

"Aiyo enna vidunga... Amma theda poraanga"

"Nee modhala sollu"

"Enna sollanum?" She whined.

"Mch.. Naa nee romba azhaga irukka nu sonnen.. Apo neeyum ethavuth compliment sollanum la?"

"Ungaluk enna achu... Yen ipdi panringa"

"Sollu maa"

"Sivaaaangiii" they heard her mother yell from the ground floor.

"Dh.. Dho varen ma" she pushed him and ran away from there. She turned to look at him and saw him rubbing his nape looking away. She blushed and ran to her house.

It started raining heavily. Sivaangi pouted hugging the pillar of the sitout staring the sky.
Ashwin came and stood leaning on the other pillar. She tilted her head and looked him. Their eyeslocked and they stood still forgetting the world around them. Some romantic song was running on the TV. Their trance broke when it thundered. She ran inside the house when her mother yelled.

By evening Ashwin left home after bidding bye to everyone. Sivaangi who laid back on the bed at night was confused with his actions and blushed heavily remembering his base voice.

15

November 29, 1996.
Friday.

Sivaangi and Ashwin sat by the beach watching Asha, Sujatha and Rajesh throwing sand on each other and playing. After their exams, they thought of spending some time together by going to the beach. Sivaangi's eyes fell on the calm waves. She lost in her thoughts staring the waves.

A 6 year old boy and a 4 year girl running around the beach giggling looking behind them and pulling their tongues out at their father.

A 30+ year old Ashwin wearing spectacles running behind them laughing

Sivaangi sitting by the beach wearing a peach colour saree yelling at them to be careful.

She came out of her trance when somebody shook her shoulders. She tilted her head and saw Ashwin calling her.

"Enna madam etho yosainaila irukinga?"

"Apdilam onula.. Summa thaa"

"Hmm.." He nodded "oru 10 varsham kayich namma ellam kalyanam aagi pulla kuttiyoda intha beach la ukanth irupom laa?" He said dreamily.

She jerked her head towards him in shock and stared him with her lips parted.

"Enna?" He asked confused.

"Illa.. Naa manasula nenachatha ungaluk epdi theriyum?"

He laughed out loud.

"Neeyum athaan nenachiya?"

She just nodded.

"Enna nenacha?" He asked in a base voice.

"Athu.." She blushed

"Paarrra.. Vekkam lam padringa?" He teased her.

"Mch..athu onula.. Naa, en purushan... rend kozhanthanga, ellam kudumbama.. Beach la santhoshama irukra maari nenachen"

"Ohh.. Athula un purushan epdi iruntharu?" He was curious.

"Hmm.. Height ah, maanirama, thadi vech, kannadi vechurntharu"

"Kannadi ya?!" He asked bewildered.

"Ama.. Office pora aal mathiri"

Ashwin twisted his lips and looked back at their friends who were staring them with their hands tied against their chest. He smiled sheepishly at them and signalled her to get up.

"Nalla panringa da rendum" Rajesh said.

They all left from there.

Sivaangi who came back from the beach thought of preparing for the next exam. She settled on her hall with her book when Shanti came there running.

"Akka... Akka.. Unak call vanthurukk" she said.

"Athuk en di ipdi odi vara?" Sivaangi's mom asked.

"Etho urgent nu sonnanga aunty" she said.

"Urgent ah??" Sivaangi stood up and ran to her house.

"Hello?"

"He.. Hell.. Helllo" she heard his broken voice from the other end.

"Hello? Ashwin? Ashwin ennachu? Yen azhura?" She panicked.

"Siv.. Sivaangi.. Appa.. Appa" she heard him sobbing.

"Appak ennachu Ashwin?" She became restless.

"Appa.. Appa yeranthutaru di" he cried.

Sivaangi's eyes widened in shock and it automatically welled up.

"Ye...Yeranthutara? Eppo?"

"Ipo thaan konjam neram munnadi... Thoongit thaan di iruntharu...Saapda koopten.. Enthrikave illa.." He said crying hard.

"Ashwin..azhatha.. Dhairyama iru... Naa tho varen" she said controlling her tears.

"Ennachu dii? Enna urgent?" Her mom asked as soon as she entered her house.

"Amma... Ashwin oda appa eranthutaru ma" she hugged her mom and cried.

"Achachoo.. Epo ma?" her mom patted her.

"Konja neram munnadi... Amma naa pogatta ma?"

"Address irukka unkitta?"

"Irukk ma"

"Apo appa va kootit po"

She nodded and informed her dad.

16

Mournings and wailings were heard as Sivaangi stepped out of her dad's scooter. Asha and Senthil were already standing outside the house. She walked to them and asked where Ashwin is. Asha pointed her hands inside the house. Sivaangi slowly walked inside. His father's body was kept in the middle of the hall wrapped in a white cloth. His mother and sister were sitting beside his father's body and crying. Some other ladies were sitting around them and crying. She looked around and saw him sitting in a corner keeping his hands on his knees with an emotionless face. She walked to him and sat beside him and placed her palm on his shoulder. He slowly turned to her and looked her with an unknown emotion.

"Sivu.. Appa.. Appa poyitaru" he murmured.

She nodded her head as a no crying hard. She couldn't see him suffering.

"Appa poyitaru maa" he said and started crying holding her hands that was on his shoulders.

"Ashwin azhathinga" she cried.

"Maa.. Appa poyitaru ma.. Engala ellam vittut poyitaru ma" he cried again.

All their faces turned to him. Everyone looked him with pity eyes.

17

December 15,1996
Sunday.

"Ashwin... Naa kelambren" Sivaangi said meekly.

"Hmm" he hummed looking no where.

Sivaangi sighed.

"Mch.. Ashwin inga paaru" she held his chin and made him look her "ellam seriyayidum"

He gulped a lump as his eyes welled up.

"Thirippiyum azhatha Ashwin... Unga ammakum akkakum nee mattum thane irukka..neeye ipdi azhuthu.. Oru orama ukkaralama?"

Ashwin didn't reply but kept looking down. She sighed.

"Naa poren... Asha keezha thaa irukka.. Amma vera seekram vara sonnanga..."

"Vanthavanga ellam poyitanga la?" He asked out of nowhere "Vishesham mudinj.... Saapatum potachu.. Yaaru innum irupanga la?" He looked her.

"Ashwin naa enna solren.. Nee enna solra?"

"Konja neram irunthut po sivaangi.. Enak oru maari irukk" he said in a low voice.

She slowly kept her hands on top of him. He looked up at her. She smiled weakly at him. He held her palms inside his and smiled back. They just kept staring each other's eyes until Asha walked up to the terrace and called them breaking their trance.

"Polam sivaangi.. Ashwin unna unga amma thedunanga" Asha said.

He just nodded and got up from the floor with her.

"Poyit varen Ashwin" she said.

"Seri ma.. Paathu po" he said smiling weakly.

She nodded and walked downstairs and left.

17

Sivaangi walked inside her house. She saw her mom sitting in the hall with a straight face. Sivaangi frowned and looked around but gulped seeing her diary on the table.

"Amma?"

Her mom stood up and stood before her with her hands tied.

"Sivaangi... Ennathu ithellam?" She took the diary from the table and showed her.

She gulped without knowing what to say.

"Un kitta thaa kekren sivaangi" she raised her voice.

"Amma athu.. Naa"

"Inga paaru sivaangi.. Un vayasula intha mathiri pasanga kitta thondrathu lam sadharanam thaa.. Enak puriyum.. Aana ithu namma kudumbathuk seri varathu.. Ashwin ah naa en paiyana paakuren.. Unga appavum apdi thaa.... Unga appak ellam ithu therinjirich na.. Unna vetti potruvar.. Ozhunga ithellam moota katti vechut padikra vazhiya paaru.. Ithuk mela ithu poga koodathu purinjuricha?"

Sivaangi nodded crying.

"Sollu purinjurucha??"

"Mm.. Purinjirich maa" she sobbed.

"Hmm.. Ulla po"

She ran to her room snatching the diary from her and cried hard lying on the bed.

'Ungala marakka mudiyuma nu therila... Avlo nesichiten.. Ana naa en amma varthaya meera maaten' she thought hugging the diary.

18

December 27,1996.
Friday.

"Etho mukyamana vishayam pesanum nu sonninga?" Sivaangi asked looking around the empty road without meeting his eyes.

"Naan ooruk poren sivaangi" he said.

"Ooruka? Epo?"

"Innaik... Raathri.. Bus la" 

"Epo varuvinga?"

He shook his head "Vara maten"

"Va.. Varamateengala? Purila" she looked up at him gulping.

"Ama sivaangi... Appa illa... Inime kudumbatha yaar pathupa.. Naan thane... Athaan ooruk poren... Mama vela vangi tharen nu sollirkar"

"Apo padippu?"

"Discontinue panna poren"

Her eyes welled up but she controlled her tears and faked a smile.

"All the best ashwin" she said in a fake cheerful tone.

He scoffed "Naan porathula unak konjam kooda varuthama illaya sivaangi?"

'Ennayum unga kooda kootit ponga nu kathanum pola irukku Ashwin.. Aana ennala mudiyathe' she thought.

"Varuthama thaa irukk.. Aana enak varuthama irukkum nu neenga pogama irukka mudiyuma?" She said.

"Hmm" he nodded and looked into her eyes "unak enkitta ethavuth sollanuma?" He asked.

She knew what exactly he was asking but she shook her head as a no.

"Ipo kooda unak solla thonala la?" He scoffed "Seri.. Apo naa poren" he turned and walked away without looking back.

She just wanted to run and hug him screaming not to leave her but her hands and legs were tied with her loyalty towards her parents. She collapsed on the empty road crying hard looking at his disappearing figure. She didn't know her tears getting melted with the rain until it thundered.

She went home like a soulless body, she went deaf to all her mother's yellings. She closed her room door. Her eyes fell on the diary that was hidden under her bed. She took it in her hands and opened it. Her lips trembled as she turned the pages. She took a deep breath.  Wiping her tears, she took the page of that day and started writing everything that happened.

"Ungalai inimel eppo parpen eppidi parpen.. Illai parpena endru kooda enak theriyathu.. Aanal ondru mattum theriyum.. Uyir irukkum varai naan ungalai nesippen..."

She kept the pen down. She wiped the tear drop from the book and closed it before keeping it inside the suitcase where she has kept all her school belongings.

19

She closed the diary as tears flowed down her cheeks uncontrollably. She glanced outside the window of the cab, snow filled mountains, trees and house roofs. She wiped her tears when her Nokia 3310 phone rang.

"Hello?" She said as she attended the call.

"Papa? Kashmir poyitia da?" Saravanan's voice came from the other end.

"Haa.. Ney.. Kaalaila thaan Reach aanen.." She said and heard some wierd noices due to the lack of network connection.

"Anney signal seriya kedaikala.. Na aprom call panren... Bye" she said and cut the call.

"Madam?" The driver called her.

"Haan?" She looked up at him.

"ham mandir me pahunch gaye" he said.

(We have reached the temple)

"Ohh" she looked outside and saw a big temple outside.

"Thik hai" she got out of the cab and asked the driver to wait. It was almost 3 pm in the evening. The sun shone brightly and she kept her palm over her face when the sun hit her face directly.

She climbed up the stairs as her jhumkas danced according to it. She walked around the temple praying to the diety and sat in a peaceful space outside the temple. She saw a newly wed couple beside her. The girl was a blushing mess while the guy was teasing her. She smiled painfully seeing them. They were speaking in Tamil which caught her attention.

"Excuse me? Neenga Tamil ah?" She asked.

"Ama nga.. Madurai.. Neengalum Tamil ah?" The guy asked.

"Ama.. Thanjavur" she said.

"Akka en athai oor thanjavur thaa" the girl said.

"Ohh.. Puthusa kalyanam aagiruka?" She asked glancing the fresh nuptial chain in that girl's neck.

"Ama akka.. Oru maasam thaa aguth.. Naanga inga honeymoon vanthurkom.." That girl said with a blush.

"Ohh"

"Neenga inga work panreengala.. Illa vacation ah?" That guy asked.

"Vacation thaan nga" she said.

"Yaar kooda vanthurkinga ka? Husband koodaya?" That girl asked.

She chuckled painfully "Enak intha kaadhal, kalyanam, kudumbam nu santhoshama irukka kuduthu vaikala ma.. Thaniya irukka tha vidhi na.. Enna panrathu" she said.

That girl and guy went silent. They looked each other and shrugged.

"Seri ma enak time aachu.. Naa kelambren" she said and got up from the place.

"Seringa ka" that girl said.

She nodded at them and climbed down the temple. She walked to the cab and settled inside.

"Bhayya? Kya hum chalenge?" She asked.

(Brother? Shall we move?)

"Madam? Aage kahaan jaana hai?"

(Madam? Where to go next?)

"Kaheen bhi" she said looking outside the windows.

(Anywhere)

The driver nodded cluelessly and drove away.

"Bhayya bhayya ghadi rukko" she said making the driver press the brake suddenly.

(Brother brother stop the car)

"Kya hua madam?"

(What happened madam)

The drived looked around and saw a street full of shops in their left side.

"Bhayya mein vaapas aaunga" she said and got out of the car.

(Brother, I will be back)

She walked to the streets and saw a shell shop. Different kind of things made of shell were kept for sale. She immediately thought of her brother's daughter who loved shells. She thought of purchasing a shell wall hanging and roamed her eyes through the wall hangings there when a series of gunshots were heard making everyone in the street scream and run away in different directions. She shut her eyes tightly and closed her ears. She looked here and there and ran away and hid in a place and looked the surroundings. Men wearing mask were running around with long guns in their hand. A man saw her and walked towards her. She widened her eyes and ran away. She could feel the man running behind her but she abruptly stopped running when she heard a loud gunshot.

She slowly turned around and saw the man lying on the floor dead.

"Sivaangii??"

Her heart beat stopped for a second when she heard the familiar voice. She raised her head up and her whole world froze when her gaze locked with him.

There he stood wearing a green and brown patterned camouflage heavy duty jacket and pants and a hat with black boots along with an army gun in his hands. His eyes showed various emotions as it slightly teared up. He gulped the lump in his throat and walked closer to her.

Her eyes welled up and she breathed heavily when he stood closer to her looking straight into her eyes.

"Ash.. Ashwin?"  She stuttered.

She looked his face closely. His features have changed a lot. He had moustaches. His face was clean shaved.

His eyes wandered around her. She had the same kholed eyes which had baby tears, button nose and pink lips. She was wearing a simple cotton kurti. Her simple chain and jhumkas with her natural glow under the evening sun made her look like an angel.

"Enna nyabagam irukka sivaangi unak?"

"Ashwin pleaseee.."she sobbed closing her mouth with her palm.

"Nee epdi inga?" He asked but jerked when a gunshot was heard. She screamed and closed her hands with her palm.

"Sivaangi bayapadathe" He placed his palm on the back of her palm and dragged her to a corner. Ashwin heard some footsteps. He got alerted and pointed his gun but sighed when he ssw his colleague Amardeep there. Amardeep saluted him to which he nodded.

"Ashwin, all clear" he said.

"Ok inform major immediately"

"Okay" he nodded and eyed sivaangi who stood behind him.

"I will take care of her" Ashwin said.

Amardeep nodded and left.

Ashwin sighed and turned to her.

"Ashwin yaaru ivunga ellam" she asked.

"Sivaangi ma.. Avunga ellam terrorist.. Intha street la avunga attack panna poratha engaluk information vanthuch.. Avungula suttu poda enga kitta warrant iruku.. Nee onum bayapadatha.. Ellam clear ayiduch.... Nee epdi inga?"

"Engayavuth ukanth pesalama?" She asked.

He checked the time on his watch. It was almost 5:30 in the evening.

"Hmm" he looked up at her.

20

"Epdi irukka?" She asked.

"Etho irukken" he said looking at the snow which was falling continuously.

The Sun was almost set. They were sitting inside a cafe sipping on their hot coffees.

"Amma akka ellam?" She asked.

"Akkavuk kalyanam ayiduch... Pondicherry thaa... Amma akka kooda irukanga.. Nee epdi irukka?"

She sighed heavily "Romba naal nimathi illama.. Ipo nimathiya irukken"

Although he didn't get what actually she meant, he decided not to dig on it.

"Kalyanam ellam....?" She asked dragging.

"8 varshathuk munnadi oru ponnuk en manasa parikuduthuten... Athu innum thirippi kedakala.. Apro epdi kalyanam panna mudiyum?"

She went silent.

"Seri atha vidu... Unak? Kalyanam ayiducha?" He asked.

"Divorce ayiduch" she smiled weakly.

His lips parted in aghast. Divorce wasn't something common to say it just like that.

"Divorce ah???"

"Ama.. Kalyanam aagi oru varsham aachu.. Avar peru Ravi.. Sub Inspector, periya kudumbam.. Avar appa oru criminal lawyer, thangachi sub collector.. Vasathi aana kudumbam.. Athunalave appa ok sollitaru.. En opinion yaarum kekala.. Kalyanam, kudumbam, kozhanthainga na enak evlo aasa theriyuma? Oru aasa patta paiyanoda en vazhkai vazhnthu mudikanum nu naa evlo kanavu kanden theriyuma.. Aana athellam sukku noora pochu.. Ishtame illatha antha vazhkaiya kashtapatu ethuka vendiyatha pochu.. Ana avar aala ethuka mudila.. Muzhu manasoda naa intha kalyanthuk othukala nu theriyavum.. Avare ithu vendam nu sollitaru.. Enakum nimathi illatha antha vazhkaila irunth thappika vera vazhi theriyala... Avaroda athai ponnu Madhavi thaa enga divorce case ah visarichu.. Athu vaangi kuduthanga... "

He didn't utter anything but stared her for few minutes.

"Appa amma ellam enna sonnanga?" He asked.

"Avunga en mela konjam varuthama irukanga.. Anna pesikren nu sollirkar"

They went silent.

"Nee ethana varshama Military la irukka?" She asked.

"7 varshama... Amma enna rajinama panni vara solli letter pottukute irukanga.. Ana enak thaa anga poga pudikala.."

"Yen?"

"Therila.... Ingaye Pazhagiduchu"

She just stared him while he sipped the rest of the coffee which was chilled by then.

"Nee enga thangirka?" He asked.

She shrugged "Therila.. Innaik thaa inga vanthen.. Hotel, cottage ethavuth thedanum"

"If you dont mind...Enak inga cottage irukk.. Nee anga thangalam"

She thought for a second before nodding at him as a yes. He grinned but jerked when she screamed "ayyayo" keeping her hand on her head.

"Ennachu ma?" He asked terrified.

"Ashwin.. Antha driver"

"Entha driver?"

"Taxi driver.. Ashwin en luggage ellam taxi la irukku" she pouted.

"Apdiya seri antha taxi number irukka?"

"Oru nimisham.." She checked her hand bag and took out a card of the taxi driver from it and gave it to him.

"Okay.. Nee kavala padatha ma.. Naa amar kitta solren.. Namma ipo kelambalam"

"Seri"

21

Sivaangi stared the moon from the balcony hugging herself with a pleasant smile in her face.

"Romba naal kazhich naa naana irukra maari unargiren" She said to the moon in a low voice and smiled.

"Madam, unga luggage ellam vanthachu" she heard Ashwin's voice behind her.

She turned towards him.

"Ohh.. Apo naa poyi fresh aagit varen" she walked past him and took her towel and dress from the luggage and walked to the bathroom while he went to the kitchen to cook dinner for them.

As Sivaangi came out drying her hair, she saw him arranging the dining table for their dinner. She leaned on the door frame and watched him with a smile. He was the same, except for the moustache in his face, he was the same Ashwin. His little frown in his face when he is concentrated on something hasn't changed, even if it is playing a carrom board or wiping a dining table.

He looked up at her when he was done only to stand still with his lips parted. She was wearing a cotton tulip pink saree. Her hair was wet and her face was fresh with a natural glow. She gave a sweet smile to him before walking towards him.

"Enna samachirkinga?" She opened the lid of the box. "Chappathi?.. Wow" she looked at him but he was looking at her without blinking his eyes. She gently touched his shoulders. He came out of his trance and breathed heavily.

"Vaanga sapudlam" she said.

He nodded and served her the Chappathi and Kuruma. They ate their dinner talking random things. After their dinner, Sivaangi went to the wide balcony in the first floor which was decorated with wide varieties of flowers. She loved the silent and cool ambience of the place.

"Thoongalaya ma?"

She turned around and saw him in the balcony entrance.

"Illa thookam varala" she said.

"Puthu edamnalaya?" He walked towards her and stood beside her in the railing.

"Therila" she said looking him.

Her gaze didn't move from his face.

"Unkooda irunthapo naa evlo santhoshama irunthen nu theriyuma sivaangi?" He took her hands inside him.

Her eyes welled up.

"Yen enna vittu pona Ashwin?" She asked.

"Yen enna poga vitta?" He touched his forehead with hers as tears flowed down her eyes.

She kept her hands on his chest while his hands rested on either side of her waist. She moved her hands from his chest to his cheeks.

"Naa poga vendam nu sollirntha.. Poyirka matiya?" She asked looking into his eyes stroking his cheeks with her thumb.

He shook his head

"Apo enna pannirpa?" She asked as her voice broke.

He leaned in and pressed his lips on hers. She widened her eyes as chill ran down her spine feeling his hard lips on her soft one. She closed her eyes and parted her lips as he sucked her upper lip. They kissed slowly and passionately under the moon. He gripped her waist more while she raked her fingers through his silky hair. They pulled back due to lack of breath and joined their foreheads breathing heavily.

"Unga kitta solla ethuvume illaya nu kettingale annaik?" She said.

He nodded.

"Irunthuch.. Neraya irunthuch.. Ungala katti pudich kathanum pola irunthuch.. Aana ennala mudila.. " she sniffed and looked into his eyes "Atha naa ipo solren...."

He gulped

"I love you.. I love you Ashwin" she said in tears "Ungala first time 11th la pathapo la irunthu.. Intha nodi varaikum.. Ungala love panikit thaa iruken.. Irupen" She kissed his forehead "oru vaati naa ungala ezhanthuten... Ana inime naa ungala vida maten.. En koodaye irunthudunga please"

He gave a strong kiss on her forehead.

"Inime naanum unna vida maten sivaangi.. 8 varsham thavichath pothum" he hugged her and snuggled into her neck while she too hugged him "Namma kalyanam panikalam di" he pulled back and looked at her.

"Namma kalyanam pannikalam" she repeated his words.

He smiled in tears and kissed her lips.

The End.

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