Author's note

Hello makkaleyy, hope you all are doing good. Thank you to all those who have read, voted and commented on the previous chapter. Truly, it means a lot. Keep streaming Adipoli, support them both professionally and keep them in your prayers.

Is the story interesting? Can see the number of views of the chapter high but there's barely votes. Anyway, to all those who are supporting the story, Bewitched is for you. Hope you enjoy reading. Thank you.

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Ashaangi SS Bewitched

Chapter Nine

Sivaangi was asked to rest the following day while Harish was accompanied by Ashwin. Although her ankle didn't pain much, Sivaangi was thankful to be in her bed and work. She discussed about the campaign with Anusha who agreed and approved. A separate designing team from Georgian was allocated for the said campaign who will work further for the competition, right from theme to candidate processing.

Sivaangi's job was to overlook and make sure everything's happening swiftly. Even the next day she stayed back home and worked. Though her ankle was fine now, she did not like leaving the bed. By the end of the day, she was pleased with the work she has managed to complete. Ashwin and Harish walked in when Sivaangi was sitting on the couch after dinner.

The men sat on the couch opposite to her. Dhanalakshmi was lying on the cot next to the couch where they were seated. When they came, she woke up and called for Kamala. Asking Kamala to place the dinner on the dining table, Dhanalakshmi enquired the boys about their day before walking to her room.

Harish walked over to Sivaangi and sat next to her. Draping an arm around her shoulder, he enquired about her ankle. She said she was fine and explained about the works she has completed for the day.

All the while Sivaangi's gaze stayed at Ashwin. She hasn't seen him since last night and strangely she thought about him more than she should. She took a sharp intake of breath when Ashwin looked at her.

But instead of averting her gaze, Sivaangi gulped and held her gaze with Ashwin. He was surprised, to be sure. He was used with her stealing glances at him but she always looks away when he catches her staring at him. To see her holding his gaze amused him.

Biting back his smirk, Ashwin tugged the collars of his shirt feigning as if he's feeling hot.

"Orey HOT ah iruku la, machan?" Ashwin asked Harish but eyed at Sivaangi, emphasizing on the word, hot.

(It is HOT right, dude?)

Sivaangi's eyes widen and her heart fluttered when she realized what Ashwin's hinting, 'Aiyayo!'

(Oh my!)

"Hot ah va? Illaye machan, andha alavu vekkai ah enaku illaye" Harish said, confused. The weather was pleasant.

(Hot? I don't feel that hot dude)

"Ohh" Holding his eyes with Sivaangi's, Ashwin said, "Oruvela naan dhan HOT ah iruken pola, machan" Sivaangi gasped, her stomach twisting into a knot. God! Should be feel embarrassed or is the way her heart fluttering appropriate?

(Oh... Maybe it is just me who is HOT)

Satisfied with the effect he had on Sivaangi, Ashwin grinned mentally before looking at Harish as he stood up, "Na poe refresh agitu varen da"

(I'll refresh and come)

"Seri, da. Naanum" Harish also excused himself.

(Okay, me too)

Sivaangi heaved a sigh as she watched Ashwin walk away. It wasn't in her nature to not voice out what she feels. Even when she has been judged for either her voice or height or her unfiltered behaviour, she would just brush it off, given she has experienced it a lot over years.

But when it comes to feelings like this, Sivaangi doesn't know why she couldn't put her confident front. Sure, she has her number of insecurities. It was Anusha who played a huge part in building her little sister's confidence and wardrobe.

Sivaangi crushed over a guy couple of years back. Though it wasn't serious, she never hesitated to voice it out to him when opportunity presented. But with Ashwin, the guy who clearly affects her this much, she couldn't bring herself to speak with him properly.

A part of reason Sivaangi tells herself is guys like Ashwin would not go for a girl like her. He's tall, handsome and well composed. She's short, although she knows she's beautiful, her insecurities do dim her thoughts and her unfiltered nature earned her eyerolls over the years.

Maybe these insecurities are what stopping Sivaangi from being normal with Ashwin. But it was the way Ashwin stares at her that makes Sivaangi's heart race in excitement. That tug in the pit of her stomach, fluttering of her heart and the chill feeling she feels, altogether draws her towards him.

Shaking out of her overthinking thoughts, Sivaangi closed her laptop. When Harish came down, she dragged him to the dining table and served him. Just as she placed idlis on Harish's plate Ashwin sat down.

Ashwin looked at Sivaangi once before arching his neck to call for Kamala. Sensing his gaze, Sivaangi quickly served him Idlis, making him look at her.

"Sapdunga. Aarida pogudhu" Sivaangi said serving sambar on Ashwin's plate.

(Eat. It'll turn cold)

Giving Sivaangi a smile, Ashwin ate. Harish made Sivaangi sit next to him.

"Harish writer nu theriyum. Nee yenna ma panra?" Ashwin asked, startling Sivaangi for a second. Did he just initiate their conversation?

(I know Harish is a writer. What about you?)

Sivaangi quickly glanced at Harish and then said, "Adhu na Georgian la work pannuven. Aprm freelance ah content writer"

(I work for Georgian. Then I work as freelance content writer)

"Nice. Enga ooru pidichuruka?" Ashwin asked eyeing at Sivaangi, his voice a bit deep.

(Do you like our place?)

'Ooru matum ah? Unna kuda dhan pidichuruku ah dha bha, Sivu, crush uh, crush uh!'

(Just the place? I even like you, ah dha bha, Sivu, he's just a crush, just a crush!)

Sivaangi cleared her voice to compose herself and then said, "Pidichuruku. Azhaga iruku"

(I like it. It is really beautiful)

Ashwin slowly eased Sivaangi into conversation. He knew she's a talkative girl from his mother's word and wanted her to ease herself in his presence. He also knew that it was the attraction which she feels for him that makes her conscious in his presence but he wanted to break that as well.

They settled down on the couch post dinner and conversed. Ten minutes into the conversation and Sivaangi was laughing, throwing her hand back. Ashwin was worried at one point on watching her head bend back and forth as she laughed. Thankfully Harish had his arm behind her head.

Sivaangi animatedly narrated one of the parks she played on Harish. Ashwin couldn't shift his attention anywhere from her.

"Enga kitta pesite, munnadi paakama Harish anna theriyama rendu North Indian aunties mela idichu moonu per um vilundhutanga. Aiyoom vera level ah andha ladies annan ah Hindi la kaluvi kaluvi oothunanga" Sivaangi laughed out recalling the day, "Aiyoo, Ashwineyy, neenga anga irundhu idhellam pathrukanum"

(Talking with us, Harish Anna didn't look front at all. He bumped into two North Indian aunties and they three fell down. Oh my! Those aunties scolded Anna in Hindi badly... You should have been there to witness that Ashwineyy)

Harish pouted while Ashwin laughed out. It was around eleven when they decided to call it night. That night when Sivaangi hit her bed, she couldn't help but smile recalling the conversation she had with Ashwin. She didn't realize how easy it was for her to talk with him.

Drawing her comforter till her chest, Sivaangi hugged her pillow. With a smile intact on her lips, she closed her eyes. On the other hand, Ashwin laid on his bed with eyes wide open.

His thoughts ran back to Sivaangi, making Ashwin sigh.

"Ammachi ku vendapattavanga ponnu Ashwin, yosikadha da avala pathi" Ashwin told himself but sighed when Sivaangi's thought crossed him again.

(She's related to grandmother, Ashwin. Don't think about her)

Ashwin wondered what was it about Sivaangi that made him feel drawn towards her. They barely met some four-five days ago. She wasn't the extra-ordinarily beautiful kind but for him, her cuteness, innocence and beauty combined made him look back at her again.

"Aargh! Sight adikuradhoda nipatiko da!" Ashwin mumbled to himself and groaned pulling the comforter over his face.

(Aargh! Stop yourself with checking out)

The next day also Sivaangi stayed back home and worked. Anuradha and Kaleeshwaran were coming for the weekend. They would reach Arasur on Saturday morning. They are having lunch with Priyanka and her family on Saturday afternoon.

That night Harish walked in when Sivaangi, Dhanalakshmi and Saradha were having dinner.

"Ashwin yenga pa?" Saradha asked.

(Where's Ashwin, son?)

"Avan velai iruku nu kadai la ye erangitan, Aunty. Naanga saptutu dhan vandhom. Naa poe refresh aguren" Harish looked at Sivaangi, "Saptutu vaa, I'll fill up on today's progress"

(He got down in the shop as he had work to do, Aunty. We already ate. I'll go fresh up... Come up once you have eaten. I'll fill up on today's progress)

Sivaangi nodded and Harish left.

"Indha paiyan yean dhan ipdi panrano!" Saradha sighed.

(Why is this boy like this!)

"Na venum na pone potu vara sollata?" Dhanalakshmi asked.

(Shall I call and ask him to come?)

"Yenna achu aunty?" Sivaangi can't help but ask.

(What happened Aunty?)

"Indha Ashwin dhan" Saradha sighed, "Naal pura veliya dhan alanjurukan. Veetuku varalam la. Ipo kadaiku poerukan na rathiri muluka okandhu vela pathutu irupan. Moonu vaarama oru dress ah thaikuran. Alaga dhan iruku athukunu ipdi thookam illama dhan avan pannanuma?"

(This Ashwin... He was roaming out throughout the day. He could have come home at least now. If he goes to shop at night then he would work throughout the night. He's working on a dress for three weeks. It is beautiful but do he have to work sacrificing his sleep?)

Sivaangi patiently listened and asked, "Avaruku Fashion designing na avlo aarvama aunty?"

(Is he that interested in Fashion designing, aunty?)

"Avanuku theramai iruku. Panra oru oru dress um azhaga irukum aana avanuku idhu velai ah panna aasai illa da. Maavu araikuradhuku kuda dhan help panren. Maavu aatra therama iruku nu adhayeh velai ah eduthutu panna va nu nakkala kepan"

(He sure has talent. The dresses he made so far are beautiful but he won't do that as a profession. He would mock me saying, 'I help out while grinding the flour. I'm talented in grinding the flour perfectly in the machine. Just because I'm talented in that shall I do it professionally all the time')

"Aana oruthar hobby kaaga thukatha tholachutu velai paapangala yenna?" Sivaangi wondered aloud.

(But do anyone lose their sleep and work over a hobby?)

"Pala nerangal la neraya per avangaluku iruka theramai ah unaruradhu illa" Dhanalakshmi sighed looking at Sivaangi and then looked at Saradha before continuing, "Apdi unardhu adhukaga ulaikura apo avanga sondhangale avangala adha thaandi nagara viduradhu illa"

(Many doesn't realize how talented they are...Even if they realize and work on it, people close to them doesn't let them move ahead)

Sivaangi noticed Saradha's face going rigid. Sensing that it might lead to argument, she quickly jumped in.

"Paati, Aunty, na-"

(Grandma, aunty, I-)

"Orutharuku pala theramai iruku na, adhula siladha venam nu velaguradhu la thappu illaye" Saradha said looking straight.

(If one is talented in many things then it is okay for them to let go of one among their talents)

Sivaangi was puzzled. From the exchange between the two women, she could understand that Saradha restricted Ashwin from following one of his talents and Dhanalakshmi wasn't okay with that. Sivaangi can't comment on any of it. So, she stayed silent, waiting for either of them to speak.

"Sapdu, Saradha" Dhanalakshmi sighed before standing up and walked away as she said, "Neramagudhu. Saptu poe padunga"

(Eat, Saradha... It is getting late. Eat and sleep)

It was awkward after that. Sivaangi quickly had her food, bid good night to the ladies and went upstairs. Harish saw a lost Sivaangi coming inside his room.

"Eii Sivu, yenna yosichutu iruka?" Harish asked sitting straight.

(Sivu, what are you thinking?)

"Ashwin" Sivaangi said without realizing.

"Yedhey??" Harish exclaimed making Sivaangi break out of her reverie.

(What??)

"Huh?"

"Ashwin ah pathiya yosichutu iruka?" Harish asked with an eyebrow raised.

(Were you thinking about Ashwin?)

"Yedhey?!" Sivaangi exclaimed realizing her blunder.

(Whaat?!)

"Yenna yosichutu iruka nu ketadhuku Ashwin nu solra. Yenna nadakudhu?" Harish asked in a slightly suggestive tone.

(When I questioned what were you thinking about, you said Ashwin. What's happening?)

'Aiyayo edho olaritom polaye! Seri! Samalipom!'

(Oh my! Looks like I have blabbered! Okay! Let's manage!)

"Haiyoo, anneyy, apdi lam illa!" Sivaangi sounded defensive as she walked to the bed.

(Nothing like that brother)

"Yepdi lam illa?" Harish asked pulling Sivaangi's hand, making her sit on the bed.

(Nothing like what?)

"Ah, dha bha, ah, haan, namma competition iruku la, adhula Ashwin ah participate panna sollalam nu dhan yosichute vandhen" Sivaangi managed ducking her head to hide her caught look.

(That, that... our competition, I was thinking we should ask Ashwin to participate in our competition)

Harish can easily read Sivaangi. He knew there's something more but he didn't want to press her more.

"Avana? Avan thaipan nu theriyum. Designing competition la kalandhukura alavu talented ah, Sivu? You know many well-known freelancers would compete right"

(He? I know he stitches. Is he talented enough to compete in designing competition, Sivu?)

Knowing how tough a competition hosted by Georgian would be, Harish asked. Not that he questions Ashwin's participation, he just wanted to be sure.

"Anneyy, you should take a look at the dress he designed. It was gorgeous!! Believe me when I say, he is truly gifted!"

"Seri, avan kitta ketu paaru" Harish said.

(Okay, ask him if he's willing)

"Naan ah?" Sivaangi exclaimed.

(Me?)

"Ama, pinna naan ah? Nee dhana avan ta kekalam nu sonna. Apo nee eh kelu"

(Who else, me? It was your idea to ask him. So, you ask him)

"Anneyyy, naa yepdi neyy?" Sivaangi whined.

(How can I brotherr?)

"Yean? Nee avan ta nalla dhana pesura. Aprm yenna? Kelu Sivu"

(Why not? You speak well with him. What else? Ask him, Sivu)

"Avaru na ketu mudiyathu nu sollita yenna panradhu?"

(What if he say no?)

"Avan mudiyathu nu sollita vitru"

(If he says no, then let him be)

"Aana avaru semma talented neyy. Avaru compete panna nalla irukum" Sivaangi sighed.

(But he's way too talented, brother. It would be nice if he competes)

"Avanuku interested na compete pannatum Sivu. Nee ketu paaru. Apdi avanuku illa na, namma force panna vendam. Avlo dhan" Harish said draping an arm around Sivaangi's shoulder.

(If he is interested then let him compete, Sivu. You ask him. If he doesn't want to, then we shouldn't force him. That's all)

Harish's mobile rang breaking their conversation. It was a video call from Krishnakumar, Sivaangi's father.

"Yenna enaku kupdama unaku kupduraru?" Sivaangi frowned.

(Why are they calling you instead of me?)

"Na dhan sonen la, enn mela dhan paasam adhigam nu" Harish grinned and laughed when Sivaangi hit his arm with a cute growl.

(I told you right that they love me more)

The brother sister duo attended the video call and the room echoed with their laughter.

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How's the chapter makkaleyy? Hope you enjoyed reading the chapter. Any guesses on what's coming next?

Thank you for reading,

Nan ~