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 chapters. Your support means a lot to me. As always stream Adipoli whenever possible, keep them both in your prayers and support them professionally.

Adhavadhu my english is good, okay. Its just when I write dialogues in Tanglish, I find it very hard to get the proper exact meaning in English subs with less time to post the chapter. Adhunala koncham manichu, for my not so good effort of trying to translate the Tanglish dialogues.

Ooruku veetuku poren after Pongal and will be back by Monday morning. Soo, I'll try to update in between days. Either Bewitched chapter or an Ashaangi OS, rendula edhachum will come.

Hope you enjoy reading the chapter. Happy Reading.

Guess who nearly missed her bus because she was typing chapter 13 of Bewitched? 😭 Just uh miss uh 😮‍💨 Adhunala silent readers koncham paathu panunga 😅

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Ashaangi SS Bewitched

Chapter Thirteen

With her arms pressed against Ashwin's torso, the only thing keeping their upper bodies from touching, Sivaangi slightly trembled in his embrace. Ashwin swore he could hear his own heartbeat. He could hear Sivaangi's too, beating as crazily as his. She's as much as affected as him. And that excited him.

Not feeling comfortable with bending for so long, Ashwin tightened his hold around Sivaangi before lifting her off the ground, hugging her to himself. Shrieking a little, she looked at him with wide eyed. She's clinging onto him without holding him, completely under his mercy.

Ashwin gulped seeing Sivaangi up-close, her soft panting breath caressed his face. She, on the other hand, felt a tug in the bottom of her stomach; his brown orbs piercing into her black ones, making her stomach churn.

Sivaangi gasped softly, coming to her senses, "Yenna panringa?!"

(What are you doing?)

"Naa yenna ma panen?" Ashwin asked, dazed, still lost in her kohled eyes.

(What did I do?)

"Eraki vidunga. Bayama iruku" Sivaangi managed to say, slightly moving her arms that's pressed against him.

(Leave me. I'm scared)

"Nee dhana ma katti pidikanum nu sonna?" Ashwin blinked.

(You only asked me to hug right?)

"I'm dangling mid-air, Ashwin. Enaku bayama iruku" Sivaangi said meeting Ashwin's eyes while imaging how it is to be to caress his bearded cheek.

(...I'm scared)

"Ena pidichuko" Ashwin offered with a soft smile; his mind still stuck trying to process that Sivaangi was indeed in his arms.

(Hold me)

Sivaangi studied Ashwin's face for a couple of seconds before asking, "What are we?"

"Puriyala?" Ashwin gave a questioning smile.

(Pardon?)

Sivaangi stared at Ashwin, her overthinking mind throwing thousand questions at once. She took few seconds to articulate her thoughts before asking,

"Whatever that's between us, what are we? Where do we stand? Why did you avoid me like that? Ipo matum yean ipdi thooki vachurukinga? Inga irundhu kelambunadhum mind maari marubadiyum kandukaama poeduvingala?"

(...Why are you holding me now? Will you change your mind and avoid me again once I leave now?)

"Ma!"

"No, Ashwin. I wanted to know. Because if you avoid me again then I will lose my sleep and peace, questioning myself again and again-"

"Ma..."

Ashwin slowly placed Sivaangi down before steadying himself.

"Naa romba overthink pannuven. Ullukulla avlo insecurities iruku. Adhellam mask panitu dhan naa ipdi iruken. If you leave me hanging, I'll only overthink where I went wrong..."

(I overthink a lot. I have a lot of insecurities within me. I'm just masking it...)

"Sivaangi" Ashwin sighed looking at her, "Ma, you are not wrong. See, yepdi solradhu(how do I tell you)" He scratched his eyebrow before looking at her, "Your family left you under my family's care. As much as my family is responsible for you, I also have that responsibility. That... Amma and I, we had a slight argument over you...Tha-"

Sivaangi gasped, "Ena vachu argument ah? Adhan Aunty oru mathiri irukangala?"

(Argument over me? Is that why Aunty looks down?)

Ashwin sighed and nodded.

"Yenna sonnanga?!"

(What did she say?!)

"Adhu yedhuku ma, vidu" Ashwin averted his gaze.

(Let's not talk about it now)

"Hey, sollunga. Ena vachu dhana argument. I have to know"

(Hey, tell me. It concerns me. I have to know)

"Sivaangi" Ashwin sighed looking everywhere but her.

"Ashwin" Sivaangi fisted Ashwin's shirt and tugged him. She added in a soft voice, "Sollunga" (say)

Ashwin looked at Sivaangi's expectant eyes filled with a tinge of worry. Pursing his lips, he sighed and told her the gist of whatever Saradha said.

"Enaku amma apdi ena sonnadhu romba kastama irundhuchu" Ashwin heaved a deep sigh, "Aana avanga concern um valid dhan. Naa unna avoid pannen dhan aana unna pathi dhan nenachutu irundhen. Enaku oru mathiri confused ah, kastam ah, yenna nenaikane theriyama suthitu irundhen"

(I felt really hurt when Amma spoke like that... but her concern is valid too. I avoided you, yes, but I kept on thinking about you. I was bit confused, bit sad, I don't even know what to think)

"Hey" Sivaangi held Ashwin's bicep, "Ashwin, aunty apdi mean paniruka matanga, seriya? She knows her son. Avangalum ena mathiri overthinking case nu nenaikuren. Neenga koncham calm agitu aunty kitta pesunga, seriya?"

(Ashwin, Aunty mustn't have meant like that, okay? She knows her son. I think she also overthinks like me. You calm for a while and speak to aunty, okay?)

Ashwin slowly nodded at Sivaangi. She gave him a smile and added,

"Also, don't guilt yourself. Onga veetla dhan guest ah iruken but I'm an adult and I know the consequences of my actions. Enaku pidikaama neenga onum ena sight adikalaye. Aprm yepdi neenga thappu panna mathiri agum? Please don't be hard on yourself"

(...Yes, I'm a guest in your house but I'm an adult and I know the consequences of my actions. You don't check me out without my liking. Then how does it make you wrong? Please don't be hard on yourself)

Ashwin smiled and nodded at Sivaangi, "Seri ma"

(Okay)

"Inime ipdi avoid panna matinga dhana?" Sivaangi asked with a tinge of fear in her tone that made Ashwin gulp and feel bad.

(You won't avoid me after this right?)

He shook his head as no, "Maten"

(I won't)

"Seri apo sollunga, what are we?" Sivaangi asked wriggling her eyebrows.

(Okay then, tell me, what are we?)

Ashwin heaved a sigh, composing his thoughts before taking Sivaangi's left hand in his, "Sivaangi, honest ah sollanum na, enaku theriyala... I mean whatever you make me feel, adhu na idhuku munna experience pannadhe illa. Pudhusa iruku, overwhelming ah iruku, bayama iruku kuda..."

(Sivaangi, to be honest, I don't know...I mean whatever you make me feel, I have never experienced anything like this before. Its new, overwhelming and also scares me a bit...)

"Enakum adhe dhan. I don't know why I'm drawn to you like this. I have never experienced feelings like this before. I thought I have a crush on you nu" Sivaangi genuinely said.

(I feel the same. I don't know why I'm drawn to you like this. I have never experienced feelings like this before. I thought I have a crush on you)

"Hey, naanum apdi dhan nenachen. Apo enakum unn mela crush dhan oh?" Ashwin wriggled his eyebrows suggestively making Sivaangi narrow her eyes at him.

(Hey, I thought the same. Does that mean I'm crushing over you?)

"Crush ah lam kattilam pidipangala yenna?" Sivaangi rolled her eyes at Ashwin.

(Who hugs their crushes?)

Sivaangi kept telling herself that she was just crushing over Ashwin but when he suggested the same, it didn't settle well with her.

"Matangalo?" Ashwin shrunk his eyes as if he's thinking.

(They don't?)

"Adhellam matanga!" Sivaangi scoffed.

(They don't!)

"Seri vidu ma, namma porumai ah figure out pannikalam. Ipo nee po, amma unna theda poranga"

(Okay, fine, we will figure out slowly. Now, you go, Maa must be searching for you)

"Ashwin..." Sivaangi whined.

"Namma night pesalam, Sivaangi. Ipo po ma, na unoda blouse ah stitch panren. Nalaiku venum la unaku"

(We'll speak tonight, Sivaangi. Now go, I'll stitch your blouse. You need for tomorrow right)

Sivaangi's mobile blared from the front room. She glared in that direction and then looked at Ashwin. She wanted to talk to him to understand better; to know where they stand.

"Seri poren." Sivaangi rolled her eyes at Ashwin and went.

(Okay, I'll go)

Ashwin watched Sivaangi going out with a smile. He rubbed his nape and blushed recalling what happened before few minutes. He still couldn't believe whatever that happened.

Damn! The way Sivaangi cornered him and fisted his collar! Ashwin was completely taken aback when she was open with her feelings. When she expressed her desire to hug him, he lost it. He didn't know what came over him. At that moment all he cared about was taking that woman in his arms and he did. Boy did that felt right. He caressed the crunched-up part of his shirt where she fisted and smiled.

"Ava seriyaana rowdy dhan"

(Such a rowdy she is)

Sivaangi ended the call with Harish and walked out with a smile, lost in Ashwin's thoughts. She didn't know where she found the confidence to pull the stunt. She felt butterflies in her stomach when she recalled the way Ashwin took her in his arms. She could still feel his body warmth; of how his eyes was piercing into hers.

Patting her cheek, Sivaangi shook her head, 'Aiyo, the way he held me in his arms...'

Jittery, Sivaangi rubbed her arms. Her eyes darted back towards Ashwin's work space and then she sighed. She didn't want to tell any of things to anyone, unless she, unless they are sure of what's between them.

'Avara pidichuruku...hmmm papom' Sivaangi thought to herself before she walked back home.

(I like him... hmmm let's see)

Later that evening someone from the shop left the blouse at Dhanalakshmi's. Sivaangi tried the blouse, reminiscing what happened between them. She flushed slightly when the fit was as she asked for.

Before Sivaangi could slip into her daydream, Harish called her to his room. She quickly changed and joined her brother for the virtual meeting with Anusha and the designing head team.

It lasted for an hour. Once the meeting ended, Harish told Sivaangi that the person who was supposed to come shoot the vlog could only after a week and that the publishing house asked Harish to do an Instagram live instead along with Sivaangi.

"Apo nalaiku vlog ilaya neyy?" Sivaangi whined, "Half saree ku blouse kuda ready panniten"

(We don't have vlog tomorrow then, brother? ... I even got my half saree blouse ready)

"Next week pannuvom, Sivu. Nalaiku live session ah yepdi lively ah kondu poradhu?"

(We'll do next week, Sivu. How shall we make tomorrow's live session more lively?)

Then the duo started discussing about that. Later that night when Sivaangi came down for dinner, she paused when she saw Dhanalakshmi feeding Ashwin. She was sitting on her bed and he sat on the floor next to her feet.

On seeing Sivaangi, Ashwin gave a teasing smile while hiding her smile, she quickly averted her gaze from him and walked to Dhanalakshmi.

"Yenna paati, onga peranuku matum ooti viduringa?" Sivaangi pouted.

(What grandma, you are feeding only to your grandson?)

"Achoo, endra pethi ku iladha dha. Nee um vaa kannu. Unakum ooti viduren" Dhanalakshmi smiled at Sivaangi who smiled back and settled down near Dhanalakshmi's feet, next to Ashwin.

(Who said I won't feed to my granddaughter? Come here, dear. I'll feed you too)

"Super paati" Sivaangi grinned excitedly but closed her mouth when she felt Ashwin moving slightly that his knee is brushing hers, making her body tingle. She stole a glance at him who shrugged at her, feigning an innocent face.

"Indha saami" Dhanalakshmi fed milk rice mixed coconut thogayal to Sivaangi.

(Here, dear)

"Wow! Maanga lam pottu thogayal vera level paati!" Sivaangi closed her eyes and appreciated the food but jerked and opened her eyes with a gasp.

(Wow! This coconut chutney with raw mango is delicious grandma!)

"Pidichuruka unaku?" Dhanalakshmi asked, feeding the next bite to Ashwin while Sivaangi looked down.

(You like this?)

Ashwin looked at Sivaangi as he swallowed the food while her eyes dropped to his foot. She felt a tug in the pit of her stomach as his toes drew lines on her toes.

"Ma, ammachi unta dhan ma pesuranga" Ashwin said but continued to tickle Sivaangi's toes with his.

(Ma, grandma is speaking to you)

"Huh?" Sivaangi looked at Dhanalakshmi who slightly frowned at her.

Composing herself, Sivaangi gave a quick smile to Dhanalakshmi, "Paati, taste super. Aah" She opened her mouth for the next bite.

Sivaangi squirmed when she felt ticklish with Ashwin's ministrations but she tried to keep a straight face. She rarely eats rice at dinner but milk rice and coconut, raw mango thogayal was too good that she ate with a happy face. On seeing her enjoying food, he stopped after a while and admired the way she enjoyed and ate her food.

Feeding Sivaangi, Dhanalakshmi wiped the excess milk from Sivaangi's lips. Ashwin eyed at Sivaangi before looking at Dhanalakshmi.

"Ammachi, yenakum thodachu vidunga"

(Grandma, wipe mine too)

Dhanalakshmi, without a thought, wiped Ashwin's lips right after wiping Sivaangi's making Sivaangi gasp softly while Ashwin bit his lower lip as he gave a teasing smile to Sivaangi who huffed at him and averted her gaze, hiding her blush.

On seeing Saradha coming in, Ashwin quickly sat a little away from Sivaangi who noticed his actions first, frowned and then realized when she saw Saradha. She felt bad that Ashwin and Saradha fought because of her.

Saradha looked at the trio before looking at Ashwin. He still hasn't spoken to her making her feel bad. She sighed and was about to walk to dining table when,

"Amma, thanni venum"

(Maa, I want water)

Saradha looked at Ashwin. He gave her a weak smile. She smiled at her son and quickly brought a glass of water for her son.

"Saptingala Maa?" Ashwin asked getting the water from Saradha.

(You ate, Maa?)

"Kadai la ye sapten kannu" Saradha said, her eyes glistened as she caressed Ashwin's hair.

(I have eaten at shop, dear)

Sivaangi noticed this silently and felt lite seeing Ashwin talk with Saradha.

"Aunty, veetuku sapda vandhrukalam neenga. Kamala aunty panna thogayal vera level"

(Aunty, you could have come home to eat. Thogayal made byy kamala aunty was delicious)

"Naa dhan thogayal senjen kannu" Saradha smiled

(I was the one who prepared the thogayal dear)

"Oh my gawd, neenga dhana" Sivaangi quickly got on her feet and hugged Saradha, "Aunty, vera level ponga"

(Oh my god, is that you... Aunty, it was delicious)

Saradha hugged Sivaangi back before placing her hand on her head. Dhanalakshmi fed the rest to Ashwin as Sivaangi was full. Harish came for dinner. Harish, Ashwin and Sivaangi sat down and discussed about the local resources and market.

Bidding good night to the Chennai siblings and his grandmother, Ashwin walked inside his house. He saw his mother on the living room sofa, lost in her thoughts. He walked towards her and sat by her feet making her snap out of her thoughts and look at him.

"Mela vandhu ukaru, saami" Saradha caressed Ashwin's cheek who shook his head and placed his head on Saradha's lap. She smiled slightly and threaded her fingers through her son's mane.

(Come, sit up, dear)

"Amma va mannichuru saami" Saradha said softly, "Unna thappa sollanum nu Amma sollala. Unna yarachum thappa yedhachum solliruvanga nu dhan..."

(Forgive your mother, son...I didn't mean to say wrong things about you. I was worried if someone else would speak wrong about you...)

Ashwin remained unmoved in Saradha's lap while she softly poured her heart, voicing out her overthinking thoughts. He only looked up once she was done.

"Enaku neenga solla varadhu puriyudhu Maa. Aana neenga apdi solradha keka kastama irundhuchu" Ashwin looked like a young hurt kid.

(I can understand what you wanted to say, Maa. But I felt bad when you said those words)

Saradha cupped Ashwin's face and apologized again.

"Maa, ongala yarum thappu solla matanga. Adhukaana edam naa kuduka maten" Ashwin knew he can assure his mother only through this way. If he started talking back in anger or get defensive, it will only make her worry and overthink more.

(Maa, no one would point at you. I won't give space for that)

Ashwin spent some time with Saradha before bidding her good night and went to his room,

That night Sivaangi was scrolling down Ashwin's Instagram profile. His was a public account with very few posts and the account was only started two years back. So, there wasn't much of his old pictures, just recent ones.

Sivaangi had found Ashwin's profile the next day of her arrival to Arasur but she was hesitant to follow him or like his pictures. She was looking at the picture where he was dressed in formals; white shirt and black slacks.

Unable to control herself, Sivaangi hearted the picture and zoomed in on his face with an admiring smile. Then she looked at the picture where he was dressed in his football sports wear with a bandana. Chuckling softly, she hearted that too and then the picture where he's fully dressed in black shirt and pants and then a black levi's t-shirt and khakhi joggers.

Ashwin was surprised when he saw Instagram notification from Sivaangi Krishnakumar. He quickly went in. He chuckled softly on seeing her liking his random pictures. He gave her a follow request before dm her.

Ash: Oiii! 👀

Sivaangi beamed when she received a message request from Ashwin followed by a follow request notification. She quickly approved the follow request before following him back and then replied him,

Siv: Hiii 👻

Ash: Thoongalaya ma?

(Didn't sleep?)

'Nee yenga da thoonga vitta?' Sivaangi thought rolling on the bed.

(When did you leave me to sleep?)

Siv: Illa ye, thookam varalaye. Neenga?

(No, couldn't sleep. What about you?)

Ash: Enakum varalaye.

(Me too)

Ash: Blouse fitting lam correct ah irundhucha?

(Did the blouse fitting was okay?)

Sivaangi bit the inside of her cheek with a slight blush before replying,

Siv: Hmmmm

Ash: Hmmmm ☺

Siv: Nalaiku vlog edukala.

(We aren't taking the vlog tomorrow)

Sivaangi then texted about their plans for today. They spoke about things they got done for the day.

Ash: Yenna, madam nerla sight adikuradhu pathadhunu nu Instagram la um sight adikuringa polayee. 😏

(What, madam, you grew tired of checking me out in person that you have started checking me out in Instagram too. Is it?)

Sivaangi rubbed her face on her pillow with a grinny smile before rolling on her bed.

Siv: Aama nu sonna yenna panuvinga?😌

(What if I say yes?)

Ash: Paarah 😳

(Is that so?)

Ashwin twisted on his bed, cuddling a pillow.

Ash: Apo naanum poren 😋

(Then I'll do the same)

Sivaangi chuckled when the next few minutes went with Ashwin scrolling down her profile and liking her posts. They texted each other and spoke about random things. It was around two forty when Ashwin didn't receive any texts from Sivaangi. Assuming that she slept, he shot her a good night before making himself comfortable on the bed. As he closed his eyes, he wondered,

'Idhuku per dhan nadu rathiri la kadala poduradho'

(Is that how it feels to talk to a girl in late night?) – | Theriyum idhu adhuku translation illa nu aana enala vera yosika mudiyala nga|

before sleeping with a content heart.

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Enn annan theruvaru nu nenakuringa? 🤔

How was the chapter makkaley?? Hope you all enjoyed reading. Would love to read your feedback. Any guesses on what's next?

Thank you for reading,

Nan ~