Author's note

Hello makkaley, hope you all are doing good. Thank you to all those who have read, voted and commented in the last chapter. Your support means a lot. Please do stream Adipoli whenever possible, support them professionally and keep them both in your prayers.

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Ashaangi SS Bewitched

Chapter Six

Ashwin buttoned his shirt before looking at the mirror and combing his hair. He always has some of his stuffs over here. He is yet to have his breakfast and its nearly lunch time already. He decided to wind up working on the dress he has been working over the last three weeks.

When Ashwin entered inside his working space, he first took the mannequin with Charu's dress and kept it in the inside room. He checked the required sequins and fabrics for the pending work. When he came out of the room, he frowned on seeing a young woman standing in front of the mannequin that had the dress he was working on.

Ashwin eyed the woman in front of him. She was dressed in a violet salwar suit with her hair open. She was short, her eyes looking at his creation with awe. Puzzled, he called her out. Instead of answering him, the woman froze looking at him.

His frown deepened when the woman stammered while Ashwin's gaze dropped to her hand. She had a lunch basket in her hand which he knows is from Dhanalakshmi's house. He connected the dots that she must be their guest whom they were expecting today.

Ashwin was surprised when he realized she was gawking at him. She was still stammering. He was about to put her out of misery when he heard someone calling his name.

Giving her a pointed look, Ashwin stepped out to find Bhaanu Amma who used to work for Saradha.

"Maa, vaanga. Yepdi irukinga?"

(Maa, come. How are you?)

"Nalla iruken kannu. Indha pakkam vandhen. Saradha va pathuten. Nee iruka nu sonanga. Adha unna pathutu polam nu vandhen. Yepdi iruka?"

(I'm fine, son. I was crossing this way. I've met Saradha. She said you are here. So, I thought of meeting you as well. How are you?)

"Nalla iruken Maa. Ulla vanga, okarunga"

(I'm fine, Maa. Come inside, sit)

"Ila saami. Neram agudhu. Porathala ponum. Indha saami indha maangai ah vachuko. Unaku pidikum la"

(No, son. I'm getting late. I'm going out. Here, son, keep these raw mangoes. You like them right)

Despite Ashwin's refusal, Bhaanu placed some small raw mangoes and seasoning powder wrapped in paper on his hand.

"Na poetu varen kannu" Bhaanu pinched Ashwin's cheek and kissed her finger before leaving.

(I'll leave now, son)

Smiling, Ashwin walked in to find her standing in the same place. She was fidgeting with the lunch basket, her eyes rolling here and there, making her small bindi stand out. Overall, she looked so cute.

"Sapadu kondu vandhingala?" Ashwin asked walking in.

(You brought food?)

Startled, Sivaangi jerked and looked at Ashwin.

"Huh?" Sivaangi sounded clueless before she cleared her voice and said, "Adhu, ongaluku sapadu kuduthu vitrukanga"

(They asked me to take food for you)

Sivaangi extended the basket to Ashwin who got in from her and asked, "Neenga?"

(You?)

"Na Sivaangi. Dhanalakshmi paati veetla dhan thangaporen"

(I'm Sivaangi. I'll be staying at Dhanalakshmi grandma's house)

"Anuradha athai oda ponna?" Ashwin asked placing the basket and mangoes on the table.

(Are you Anuradha aunt's daughter?)

"Avanga friend ponnu" Sivaangi said facing Ashwin, "Aana avangalum enoda Amma dhan"

(Her friend's daughter... But she's my mother too)

Ashwin nodded his head not wanting to delve more into this conversation now while Sivaangi was stuck at how Ashwin addressed Anuradha as "athai" (Aunt)

"Amma yenga?" Ashwin asked drawing Sivaangi's attention.

(Where's mother?)

"Pakathu building la irukanga" Sivaangi struggled to meet Ashwin's eyes. God, it wasn't just his handsome face but the softness in his tone, warmth in his eyes and the way his presence made her feel. That's what strangely pulled her towards him.

(She's in the next building)

'Yenna heart ipdi adikudhu? Indha manushan ena pathale enaku adi vayir lam enamoh pannudhe!' Sivaangi mentally whined.

(Why's my heart thudding this way? I'm feeling funny in the pit of my stomach whenever he looks at me!)

"Thanks Sivaangi, sapadu eduthutu vandhadhuku" Ashwin smiled at Sivaangi.

(Thanks Sivaangi, for bringing food)

'Aiyayoo, sirikuranee. Aahaa, enn peyara avan vaayala keka vayir chill ah kulu kulu nu feel agudheyy' She gave a weak smile and shifted her gaze to the mannequin.

(Oh my! He's smiling. Aahaa, I'm feeling a chill feeling in my stomach when he says my name)

"Indha dress romba azhaga iruku" Sivaangi said, with her eyes fixed on the mannequin.

(This dress is beautiful)

"Thanks. Na dhan design panen"

(I designed it)

Sivaangi looked at Ashwin, surprised on learning this piece of information.

"Wow! Neenga fashion designer ah?" Sivaangi can't help but ask as she neared the mannequin.

(Are you a fashion designer?)

"Well, not exactly" Ashwin said, his eyes following Sivaangi, "I have the required skill sets and this is more like a hobby"

"May I?" Sivaangi asked, gesturing whether she can touch the dress Ashwin designed.

"Sure"

Sivaangi smiled as she caressed the fabric and looked at the intricate work on the dress in detail. The quality of the product in front of her was top notch! This guy's too talented to purse this just as a hobby.

"Gorgeous!"

Sivaangi looked at Ashwin and smiled, "You are really gifted, Ashwin"

Ashwin reciprocated the smile and thanked her.

"Aama yenna costume idhu?" Sivaangi bit her tongue when she realized she spoke her mind. Surprised, Ashwin looked down at his attire before looking up at her.

(What kinda costume is this?)

"Indha dress ku yenna ma?"

(What's wrong with this dress?)

Did she find lungi to be something less worthy of clothing? Or does she judge men who dress up like this? Ashwin slightly frowned.

"Aiyayoo, onum illa, onum illa. Nalla iruku" Sivaangi gave a sheepish smile, "Neenga sapdunga, Ashwinn. Na aunty ta poren"

(Heyy, nothing, nothing. It's nice... You eat, Ashwin. I'll go find Aunty)

"Nillunga" Ashwin said on watching Sivaangi about to walk away.

(Stop)

"Lungi onga prachana ya ila-"

(Is Lungi your problem or-)

"Ila, ila, apdi ila" Sivaangi quickly said, not wanting to leave a bad impression, "Adhu orange shirt, dark blue lungi, color combination lite ah Delhi Capitals oda jersey mathiri therinchu. I've no problem at all"

(No, nothing like that... Orange shirt and dark blue lungi, the color combination looked slightly like Delhi Capitals jersey)

When Ashwin kept looking at her, Sivaangi quickly added, her word filter not working again,

"Nejama lungi ku nu la na apdi solala. Neenga dha lungi la ye hot ah irukingale, aprm yep-"

(I swear I didn't mean about lungi. You are looking hot even in lungi. Then how will I-)

Sivaangi widened her eyes and clamped her mouth shut while Ashwin looked at her surprised; amusement dancing on his face. Is this girl for real?

"Aunty theduvanga. Na porenn" Not wanting to riddicule herself further, Sivaangi dashed out.

(Aunty will look for me. I'm going)

A smile tugged in the corner of his lips as he watched Sivaangi rushing out.

"Hot ah irukena?" Ashwin chuckled, "Adhan apdiye mulungura mathiri pathala? Hmmm, azhaga dhan irukka"

(Am I hot?... Is that why she looked at me as if she'll eat me? Hmmm. She does look beautiful)

Ashwin shook his head with a smile before sitting down to have his food.

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How's the chapter, makkaley? Hope you enjoyed reading.

Thank you for reading, 

Nan ~