This is a very simple love story inspired by my cousin's college love! Thanks Aditi for this plot 😉
And this update is for my baby, DK_Storiess 🤗🥰

S: Ashwin! Adi vaanga pora nee! Ava already enna mathikarathe illa. Ithulla nee vera yen da ippadi panara?
(Ashwin! I am not going to spare you! She never respects me even otherwise and why are you making it worse?)

A: Seri seri, tension aagatha ma. Niku, listen to me baby. Unga amma romba periya genius, so nee amma enna sonnalum ketkanum.
(Alright, don't stress over it! Niku, listen to me baby. Your mummy is a genius, so you must listen to whatever she tells you)

Sivaangi crumbled the napkin on her lap and aimed it at Ashwin which he dodged easily. She then threw the spoon at him but Karthik who walked backed to their table caught it on time before the spoon landed on Niku's head.

Karthik glared at Sivaangi and settled himself in the chair next to her, not before lightly tapping the spoon on her forehead.

K: Spoon ava thalaila pattu iruntha, nee than ellara vidayum tension ayirupa.
(If the spoon had landed on her, you would have been more upset than anyone here)

S: Sorry Karthik. It was all because of Ashwin. I did not....

Sivaangi stopped talking as they heard the loud airline announcement for Ashwin's flight to Tokyo in the next two hours. Karthik held Sivaangi's palm as he understood her state of mind. Ashwin's eyes met hers and despite the inability to cry, he felt the burning sensation in his eyes as he saw her struggling to keep her emotions in check. Karthik picked Niku and gave the two of them the much needed time to say their goodbyes and share a hug before Ashwin's flight.

Sixteen years ago.. As he waited outside a classroom at PSG Tech's civil engineering department, Ashwin stood with his arm on the rail and his mobile in his hand.

S: Hey! Congrats!

Ashwin looked up from his phone and turned towards the melodic voice and there stood this pretty girl who was almost a feet shorter than him, in her red and black salwar with a tiny smile on her face. Her palm was stretched out in front of him and he watched her face break into a big smile as he shook hands with her. He felt something pulling him towards her as he held her tiny, soft hand in his big one. As if reading his mind, she moved closer to him, and his eyes fell on the tiny bindi on her forehead and travelled down to her pretty pink lips. He couldn't help but notice the small pearl pendant on her neck. His eyes averted back to her face as he did not want to be branded a pervert for looking down from her face.

A: Thank you!

S: Naan Sivaangi. 1st year Computer Science department.
(I am Sivaangi. I am doing my first year BE Computer Science)

A: Naan Ashwin. Final year Mechanical department.
(I am Ashwin. I am in my final year of BE Mechanical)

S: Ennaku theriyume. Annaiku culturals la introduce pannikiteenga la. You were so confident on stage! I am not surprised that you were given the Mr Handsome title. Semaya ah irukeenga and unga answer ellam super ah irunduchu. Naan en friend Nithya kita bet kattunen, neenga than win pannuveenga nu.
(I already know! You introduced yourself on the day of the culturals, didn't you? You were so confident on stage. I am not surprised that you were given the Mr Handsome title. You look really handsome and your answers were good too! I placed a bet on your win with my friend Nithya)

Ashwin was surprised that she talked to him like he was her friend for years. He found her really cute and adorable. He felt an instant attraction towards her.

A: Dai! Chinna ponnu da. Paratha 18 years kuda aagula nu thonuthu. Careful ah iru.
(She is really young. She looks like she isn't even 18 yet. Stay away from her for your own good)

He was lost in his thoughts when he saw her waving her hand in front of his face.

S: Hello?? HELLLOOO! Back to earth!!

A: Sorry!

S: Yenna kanavu ulaguku poiteengala ah!? Seri, ennaku class ku time aachu. Antha aal class ku late ah ponna velila nika vachiruvaan. Naan poren. See you around. Tata.
(You look lost in your own world? Alright, I am late for my class. That man will make me stand outside if I am late for the class. I will go now. See you around. Bye)

Ashwin couldn't remember the last time someone said tata to him. Maybe his niece did the last time he met her.  He was still smiling like a fool when his friend, Pranav found him outside the engineering drawing class gazing at the direction she had walked away.

P: Dai Ashwin! Yenna da paithyam maathri thaniya sirichitu iruka?
(Hey Ashwin, why are you standing here alone and laughing like a fool?)

A: Oru ponnu da.
(It's a girl)

P: Yenna ponnu?
(What girl?)

A: Onnum illa vidu.
(It's nothing really, leave it)

P: Dai! Sollu. Yaar antha ponnu? Sight adichitu irunthaya?  Yaarunu kaatu, naanum parkaren.
(Hey, tell me. Who is that girl? Ogling at a girl? Which girl is it, let me check her out too)

A: Naan sight adikara ponnu unnaku thangachi. But ippo naan yaarayum sight adikala. Ava cute ah iruntha, sweet ah pesuna, tata sollitu, enna thaniya vitutu poita. Avlo than.
(If I am checking out a girl, she becomes your sister. But I ain't doing that now. She was cute, she spoke really sweet and she said tata before leaving me alone here. That is all)

Pranav studied his friend at his sudden, questionable behaviour. His friend had never called anyone cute before this. He was infamous for his crude comments and unapproachable attitude. He was what a typical Tamil movie director described a Mechanical department boy to be. With just two girls in the class, he was what people call rude and most importantly, he was the last person a girl could call a friend.

A: Nee yenna yosikarenu theriyum da. Appadi ellam ethuvum illa. Oru first year ponnu vanthu congratulate pannitu ponnah. Maybe a hyperactive, extrovert girl. But en kannuku cute ah irunthuchu. Period. Thirumba parpenaanu kuda therila. Innum 3 months than iruku, apparam naan Chennai ku project panna poiduven.
(I know what you are thinking but that isn't true. I saw a girl from first year who came to congratulate me. She looked like a hyperactive, extroverted person. But she looked cute in my eyes. Period. I don't think I will see her again. I only have 3 months left in this college and then I will be off to Chennai to finish my dissertation.)

P: Avala paarthu oru 5 minutes la ivlo yosichiruka nee, illa?
(You have considered all these situations in just five minutes of meeting this girl!)

Ashwin opened his mouth to defend his stand when he saw Sivaangi storm out of the class. She huffed and let out a string of curses as she walked to him.

A: Sivaangi. Yenna aachu?
(Sivaangi, what happened?)

S: Assignment mudikala. Antha aalu velila annupeetan.
(I did not finish my assignment so he sent me out of the class)

P: Student strike pannalaam ah?
(Can we gather all the students to go on a strike?)

Ashwin rolled his eyes at his best friend while Sivaangi turned her head towards the owner of the voice teasing her.

S: Neenga yaaru? Unga per yenna? Yentha department? Yentha year?
(Who are you? What's your name? Which department? Which year are you in?)

P: Nee first year than ah? Naan final year. Ennayave rag panara maathri kelvi kekura?
(You are in first year right? I am in final year and you are questioning me like you are tagging me?)

S: Ashwin, neenga sollunga. Ithu yaaru?
(Ashwin, you tell me. Who is this?)

Ashwin leaned on the railing and watched at how confidently she demanded an answer.

A: Sivaangi, this is my best friend, Pranav. He is in the final year of Civil engineering. And Pranav, meet Sivaangi. She is in first year CSE.

S: Pranav anna!

P: Anna vaah?
(Brother?)

S: Aama. Ennaku intha engineering drawing assignment mudika help pannuveengala? Please? If I don't finish by day after tomorrow, he will send me out on Thursday too.
(Yes. Can you help me with this engineering drawing assignment?)

Pranav looked at his friend who was smirking at him.

A: Avan class topper. Nalla solli tharuvaan.
(He is the class topper. He can teach you)

S: Super! Enga polaam? Library ku?
(Super? Where shall we go? To the library?)

Pranav couldn't say no to this chirpy little girl who actually reminded him of his younger sister, Preethi.

P: I have a class in 30 minutes. Can we do it in the afternoon? What time do you finish classes today?

S: I have two classes this afternoon. I will finish by 3 pm. Can you teach me then?

P: Okay Sivaangi. I will see you at the library at 3.15 pm.

S: Thank you so much Pranav anna. Bye.

She turned to Ashwin and said a quick tata Ashwin, and then walked towards the lift.

P: Naan Pranav anna, nee Ashwin? Athu yen?
( I am Pranav anna and you are just Ashwin? Why is that?)

Ashwini shrugged his shoulders and laughed.

P: Yennamo sonna,most probably thirumba paarka maatennu? Adutha second eh vanthu minnadi nikarah ava?
(You said, I probably won't see her again? And there she was, the very next second in front of you?)

Pranav noticed that the topic of their discussion walking back to them. He whispered to his friend in a low tone.

P: Solli mudikala thirumbavum vara. Unna eppavume thaniya vida maata pola.
(We haven't stopped discussing about her and she is back already. I don't think she will ever leave you alone)

Pranav smiled at her questioningly while Sivaangi ignored him and asked Ashwin.

S: Class irukah ippo?
(Do you have a class now?)

A:Illa, Yenna aachu? Yethavathu help venumah?)
(No, what happened? Do you need any help?)

S: Aama, unga company venum. I am going to the cafeteria.
(Yes, I would love your company. I am going to the cafeteria)

Pranav looked away as he couldn't stop laughing. His friend was doomed. This wasn't going to stop with just a coffee. He was startled when the girl asked him to join them.

S: Pranav anna, neengalum vaanga enga kuda. Coffee ku apparom class ku pogalaame.
(Pranav anna, why don't you join us? You can go to the class after a coffee.)

Pranav was surprised. He thought she wanted to flirt with his good looking friend. But she was considerate to ask him to tag along. He nodded his head not wanting to disappoint the girl who looked at him with expectant eyes. He then turned to Ashwin who looked mesmerised by this little girl. He was silent but observant.

S: Super! Vaanga polaam.
(Super! Come on, let's go)

Her tiny form was struggling to carry her bag,  drafter and the drawing tube. Pranav offered to help her carry it but she refused to let him.

As they entered the cafeteria, they earned a few questioning glances from students who were in the mechanical, civil and automobile departments. This was the first time they have seen Ashwin at the college canteen with a girl. Forget the canteen, this was the first time they have seen him hanging out with a girl.

Ashwin signalled to be seated while he attended a call from his dad and walked out of the cafeteria.

S: Yen ellarum nammalaye paakaraanga?
(Why is everyone staring at us?)

P: Namma Ashwin ku konjam reputation iruku college campus la. Student's union vice president, konjam attitude jasti appadinu.
(Our Ashwin has quiet a reputation in the campus. He is the student's union Vice President and he is considered to have an attitude problem)

S: Appadi therilaya. Attitude bad and good ah irukalaam. For some reason, avarukku good attitude nu ennaku thonuthu.
(It doesn't look like that. Attitude can be good or bad. For some reason, I think he has a good attitude)

P: Unnaku avan ah oru 15 minutes ah than theriyum. Athukula ivlo support ah.
(You have known him for only 15 minutes and you already take his side?)

S: You don't have to know someone inside out to trust them.

Ashwin walked back to the table just in time and his heart fluttered listening to the way she supported him.

P: Vanthutaan paaru. Ivan college music club la irukaan, neraya girl fans avan voice ku, aana sir ku antha ponnunga mela ellam interest eh illa. So inniku, nee canteen la avan kuda vanthiruka la. Athan ellarom parkaraanga.
(Look, Ashwin is back. He is part of the college's music club. A lot of girls in the college are fans of his singing but he has never shown any interest in any of those girls. So seeing you with him in the cafeteria makes them wonder. )

S: Ashwin, paaduveengala? Wow! I can't wait to listen to you sing. Ungalukkula evlo talent uk! Ennaku paatu ellam varathu, naan paduna kazhutha venumna varum. Avlo kevalam ah irukum. Aana super ah dance pannuven. So naan Dramatix club la join panniten. Book readers club join pannalaamnu iruken. Paakalaam.
(Ashwin ,are you a singer? Wow, I can't wait to listen to you sing. You are so talented. I can't sing, it will sound like a donkey braying if I do! I am a pathetic singer. But I am a good dancer. So I have joined the Dramatix club. I want to join the book readers club too. Let's see)

P: Ashwin is a member of the book readers club. You can go with him. They meet on Fridays.

S: What time is it on friday?

A: Alternate fridays at 5 pm.

S: Aiyoo! Naan every friday evening hostel ah irunthu veetuku poiduven.
(Oh no, I have to go home every friday evening)

A: Nee yentha ooru?
(Where are you from?)

S: Coimbatore.

Before Ashwin could question her as to why she stayed at the hostel when her house was in Coimbatore itself, Sivaangi mentioned that she was very hungry and asked if they could order some food.

S: Sorry, Tuesdays hostelah pongal. Kevalam ah irukum. So naan sapida maaten. Romba pasikudhu. Vaanga order pannitu varalaam please.
(Sorry, hostel mess provides us pongal for breakfast on tuesdays. It is horrible so I don't eat it. I am starving, can we please order?)

Ashwin smiled at her rubbing her tummy like a child and stood up.

A: Unnaku yenna da venum?
(What do you want?)

P: Just coffee. I have to leave in 20 minutes.

A: Okay. Come on, let's go order.

Ashwin ordered a dosa and coffee for himself, and a coffee for Pranav. Sivaangi ordered for pongal vada and coffee.

A: Pongal pudikaathunu sonna?
(You mentioned that you don't like pongal?)

S: Pongal romba pudikum. Hostel pongal pudikaathu. Athu glue maathri irukum. Plate la irunthu edukave mudiyathu. Yuck!
(I love pongal but I don't like the pongal at the hostel mess. It is so sticky and gooey like glue, you can't scoop it from the plate. Yuck!)

Ashwin laughed and shook his head at the way she explained the disgusting food. Sivaangi held his hand as he took his wallet out to pay for the food.

S: Naan pay panaren. Naan thane unga rendu perayyum kootitu vanthen.
(I will pay. I dragged the two of here, didn't I?)

A: Illa, naangalum tuesdays cafeteria la than sapiduvom. Ennaku pongal eh pudikaathu, athuvum hostel pongal sapidurathuku patni kedakalaam.
(No, we usually eat at the cafeteria on tuesday mornings. I hate pongal and I might as well starve rather than eating the pongal at the mess)

S: Super! Appo every tuesday naanum cafeteria la unga kuda breakfast sapida varen.
(Awesome! Then I will join you for breakfast every tuesday)

A: Appo ED class uh?
(What about the ED class then?)

S: I will come at 8.30 and we can have breakfast together before my class at 9.30. What say?

Ashwin knew that the sensible thing to say would be 'No, we come at 9.30 for breakfast. So we can't change our plans for you'. But for some unfathomable reason, he couldn't say no to her. He nodded his head making her give him a big smile that made him think that the smile was worth saying yes to breakfast dates every tuesday.

A: Wait! What? Are we doing dates already?

They carried their food to the table and she started chatting away again.

S: Yenna ketukeenga? Haan. Naan yen hostelnu thaan ah?
(What did you ask me earlier? Ha, why do I stay in the hostel right?)

Before answering, she was tempted seeing the steaming pongal, so she took a spoon of pongal with a generous amount of sambar and put it in her mouth, then closed her eyes relishing it.

S: Yum! How can you say no to this? Here, try it.

She pushed the plate towards the boys who sat opposite to her. Pranav shook his head.

P: I don't eat on Tuesdays. Fasting.

S: Is it okay to drink coffee when you fast?

P: Yes!

S: Seri Ashwin, neenga try pannunga.
(Ashwin, you must try it)

A: No way! I hate pongal.

S: Why?

A: It's so dense and tasteless. Not appetising to me!

S: You can't be serious. Wait!

The boys watched her mix a spoon of pongal with sambar and a tiny dollop of chutney on top and she extended the spoon across the table in front of Ashwin's lips. Pranav stared at his friend who looked surprised. Ashwin stared at the girl in front of him doing something to his heart, body and soul. She nudged the thin line between his lips with the spoon while Pranav elbowed his biceps.

Ashwin came out of his thoughts and saw her eyes signalling to opening his mouth. He mimicked her actions and opened his mouth to be fed by her. He continued copying the way she closed her mouth and then started chewing his food. He wouldn't say that he savoured it but he did not detest it.

She sat there with raised brows waiting for him to give his feedback, hoping he liked it. Not wanting to disappoint her, he smiled approvingly.

S: Naan sonnen la.
( I told you so!)

As he smiled, Ashwin's eye caught the two boys and the girl who stood two feet away from their table, rooted to the spot with their food in their hand. He looked around him to notice that a lot of eyes were on them. He intimidating glare made everyone break their focus on Sivaangi and Ashwin and go back to focussing on their food.

S: So yeah! Enga veedu Saibaba colony la iruku. Appa neraya travel pannuvaanga, business trips ku. Amma ippo Newyork la anna kuda irukaanga. Anni ku intha week due date. So Amma last month eh poitaanga. Naan thaniya iruka vendamnu hostel la vitutaanga. Ithuvum nalla than iruku. Naan school la day scholar so I have always wanted to stay away from home.
(So yeah! Our house is in Saibaba colony. My dad is away on a lot of business trips and my mum is in Newyork with my brother, Arun. His wife, Sindhya is expecting this week. My mum left last month and because I can't stay alone in the house, I am staying at the hostel. I actually love staying in the hostel. I have never been in one when I was in school. I have always wanted to stay away from home.)

Pranav was late for his class and said bye to his friend and newfound sister. He promised to help her later today.

S: Neenga entha ooru Ashwin?
(Ashwin, where are you from?)

A: Chennai.

S: One word answer than tharuveengala? Tell me about your family. About yourself.
(Why are you giving me one world answers? Tell me about your family and about yourself )

Ashwini smiled at her genuine curiosity to know more about him.

A: Amma, appa rendu perum doctors. Vandhana nu oru akka. She is 7 years older to me. She is a GP and her husband Charan is a Dentist. They live in London with their 3 year old daughter Avantika.
(My parents are both doctors. My sister, Vandhana who is 7 years older than me is a GP lives in London with her husband Charan, who is a dentist. They have a 3 year old daughter named Avantika)

S: Avantika! Love that name. Why did you not want to become a doctor then?

A: Mechanical engineering has always been my interest. But now, I would like to move to Investments and Banking.

S: Wow! So MBA panna poreengala?
(Wow! Are you going to pursue your MBA then?)

A: Yeah, maybe. I am preparing for my GMAT. I got placed in DE Shaw. So I will join the company and then decide how I take it from there.

S: Oh, that was you! I heard from a lot people at hostel that DE Shaw only took 3 candidates this year. So one of the three is you! Congrats Ashwin! Wow really, very impressive! I have heard that it is quiet an intense process!

A: Thank you. Nee yen CSE edutha?
(Thank you! Why did you choose CSE?)

Sivaangi noticed that Ashwin did not like the attention or praise he was showered with. So she moved on to answer his question.

S: Arun did his CSE at Anna university and then he went to Stanford. Big shoes to fill in. Ennaku periya ambition ellam illa. I really wanted to become an athlete. But athuku oru support um illa veetla. So nalla marks vanthuthu, CSE eduthuten.
(Arun finished his CSE at Anna univeristy and then went to Stanford. Big shoes to fill in. I am not that ambitious though. I really wanted to become an athlete but my parents were not very supportive. So, I got a good cut off to make it to PSG and here I am)

Ashwin scrunched his eyebrows.

A: That doesn't sound right.

S: Bad impression of me right? But this is me now. I am doing CSE and struggling with these engineering graphics classes. My fate!

A: Not a bad impression. But you have to fight for what you want.

S: I tried.

A: Keep fighting. Even if it is a wrong choice, you will be happy that you made your own choices in life. You will take responsibility for that instead of blaming someone else.

S: Hmm.

Sivaangi looked down at her empty plate while she hmmed and rotated the coffee cup between her fingers. Ashwin bent forward and touched her knuckles with his finger tips making her look up.

A: We will figure it out. Don't worry.

Sivaangi laid her cheek on her shoulder and smiled at him. She liked how he used the word 'we'.

S: Ungalukku class illaya?
(Don't you have classes today?)

A: No, I decided to bunk college. Too bored to sit in the class today. I was going to go shopping after breakfast.

S: Oh sorry! Neenga kelamburathunah, ponga. Naan hostel ku poren.
(Oh sorry! You can leave if you have to, I will just go to the hostel.

A: It's okay. Not in the mood to go shopping now. Come, I will walk you to the hostel.

S: No no! Neenga shopping pogaati free thaan ah? Appo vaanga coffee shop pogalaam. Ennaku cake sapidanum pola iruku. Thaniya poga ishtam illa.
(No! If you are free, let's go to the coffee shop. I want to eat cake. But I don't want to go alone)

A: Nee ippadi than ellar kittayum pesuviya?
(Is this how you are with everyone?)

S: Not really. You did not seem to mind my nonstop chattering. So I assumed you don't mind being friends with me?

She looked at him like she was awaiting for him to agree that they were friends.

A: Of course, we are friends.

The next couple of hours was all about Sivaangi talking about random things and Ashwin realised that he enjoyed every moment with this girl he barely knew. After cake, they had milkshake and then it was noon and so they decided to have some sandwiches for lunch before her afternoon classes.

Ashwin walked her to the class. He was wondering if they will meet again because his heart actually craved more of her.

S: Ashwin, unga phone number thaanga.
(Ashwin, give me your mobile number)

A: Give me your phone.

S: I don't have one yet. Appa decided that I don't need one. But next weekend I will have one.

A: How are you so sure? What has changed now?

S: Amma finds it difficult to contact me on the hostel landline.

A: Oh!

She pulled his sleeve so he would bend to her height and she whispered into his ears like it was a secret.

S: Actual ah naan than venumne call panarapo, roommate kita illanu solla sonnen. So ippo en appa ku doubt vanthiruchu en mela. Weekend convince panniduven, so fingers crossed, next week enkitayum mobile irukum. Yay!
(The truth is I have been intentionally avoiding her calls so my dad doubts me now. I will convince him this weekend and hopefully i will have a mobile when I come back on monday. Fingers crossed!)

He looked down at her and found her cheekiness really cute. Before he could stop himself, his hand moved to ruffled her hair.

A: Unkita careful ah irukanum. Poi romba easy ah varuthu.
(I have to be careful with you. You can lie through your teeth!)

Sivaangi's wink caught his breath. He had an unsettling feel at how she affected him in less than four hours of their first meet.

Gautham: Hey Sivaangi! Yenga poita di class la irunthu..
(Hey Sivaangi! Where did you disappear after you were sent out of the class..)

Her classmate, Gautham noticed her with one of PSG Tech's most popular and frightening super senior who was now glaring at him. He mumbled that he will see her inside and scuttled into the room making Sivaangi laugh.

S: Wow Ashwin! Oditaan! Avan en kutty size ah vachu eppovume bully pannuvaan. Ippo neenga en kuda irukirathunaala pesaama poitan. Neenga minnale Madhavan maathri theriyareenga en kannuku. Paarka kuda athe maathri sema smart ah irukeenga.
(Wow Ashwin! He ran away! He used to bully me for being the shortest in the class. But now that he saw me with you, he just left the place. You are like Madhavan from Minnale movie. And you look really smart, just like him)

She started singing 'Maddy, Maddy oh ho Maddy' making Ashwin laugh. She started grooving to her own singing and went on.

S: This guy is on fire, Object of desire..

He noticed some of her classmates staring at them as they walked past them. He told her to stop which she couldn't hear as she was excitedly singing the entire song.

S: He is really kick ass-hot.

Ashwin couldn't stopped laughing but he had to stop her. There was too much attention on them. He put his hand on her mouth and made her stop. He was still laughing while she watched him with a silly smile on her face.

S: Romba azhagaa iruku unga siripu.
(You look very beautiful when you laugh)

Ashwin did not know how to react. He instantly moved his hand away and said bye to her.

S: Ashwin!

He turned around as he heard her shouting. She marched to him.

A: Yenna ma?
(What is it?)

S: Ma? Hey! Nalla iruku. Romba sweet ah iruku.
(Ma? Hey! I like that. That's really sweet of you to call me that)

Ashwin was himself taken aback when he addressed her as 'Ma'. He had no idea why he said that!

S: Okay, I am late for my class, but I wanted to ask you. Can you also come to the library later?

Ashwin considered the question while she looked at him with eyes pleading him to say yes. As if in a trance, he nodded his head. She jumped a little and moved forward to hug him. When she pulled back, he was too stunned to react.

A: Is this feeling love?

How was it? I will update part 2 tomorrow xx