Author's Note

Hello makkaleyy, hope you all are doing good. Thank you for the response to the previous chapter. I'll try to update whenever I can. Apologies if the chapter length is shorter than what I usually post. Please do stream Adipoli whenever you can and keep them both in your prayers.

Hope. Believe. Magic.

~ * ~

Ashaangi SS Bewitched

Chapter Three

Ashwin wiped his hair as he walked out of his room. He quickly had his breakfast before going to Dhanalakshmi's house.

"Ammachhiii!" Ashwin yelled as he walked inside the kitchen.

(Grandma)

"Maadi la iruken ya" Dhanalakshmi yelled from the first floor.

(I'm upstairs)

Jogging up the stairs, Ashwin said, "Maadi era venam nu sonen la. Ipdi era vendiyathu aprm night mutti valikudhu kaal valikudhu nu solla vendiyathu"

(I have asked you not to climb stairs. You climb stairs and then complain about having knee and leg pain)

"Polambaama balcony iruka room ku vaa" Ashwin heard his grandmother's yell. He looked around and saw two women cleaning the closed rooms.

(Don't ramble and come to the room with balcony)

Ashwin shook his head muttering, "Aayiram vaati solliruken, aayiram vaati solliruken maadi yera vendam nu", stepping inside the room and looking at Dhanalakshmi, "Aayiram vaati solliruken maadi year vendam nu. Yean ammachhi ipdi panringa?"

(I've told thousand times. I've told thousand times not to. I've told thousand times not to climb the stairs. Why are you doing like this grandma?)

"Ashwin thambi, naanum sonnen ya. Amma dhan kekave illa" Kamala, the house help of Dhanalakshmi who works for her a long time said, "Odhunga vaikuradha merpaarvai pathe theeruven nu adam panni mela vandhutanga"

(Even I said the same but Mam didn't listen. She was adamant that she'll oversee us cleaning)

Ashwin glared at Dhanalakshmi who gave a sheepish smile to him before patting his arm and said, "Moraikadha ya. Ella room um suthama iruka nu neeum oruka paaru ya"

(Don't glare at me. Look around and check if everything's clean)

Ashwin looked around and scrunched his eyebrows in question, "Yedhuku ipo ellam clean panringa? Ravindran uncle ila Aarthi aunty family edhuvum varangala yenna?" Ashwin asked enquiring about Dhanalakshmi's son and daughter's family.

(Why are you cleaning now? Is Ravindran uncle or Aarthi aunty's family coming?)

"Illa kannu. Aarthi phone potta. Ava friend pasanga edho velai ah namma ooru pakkam dhan varanga lam. Avangala koncha naalaiku inga thanga vachuka mudiyuma nu Aarthi keta. Na ondi ah dhana iruken, anupu pathukuren nu sonen. Adhan sutham seiya sonen"

(No, Aarthi called me. Her friends' children are coming nearby for work and Aarthi asked if I could let them stay here for a while. I'm all alone here right. So, I asked her to send and that I'll take care of them. That's why I asked them to clean)

Ashwin nodded his head but added, "Irundhalum neenga mela vandhruka vendam"

(Even then you shouldn't have climbed up the stairs)

"Seri vidu ya. Ipo yenna, night kaalu valikudhu nu sonna nee indha kelavi ku pidichu vida maatiya yenna?"

(Alright. Leave that. What now, if I say my leg is pain in night, won't you press my legs?)

"Ammachii neenga idhellam kekanuma?" Ashwin looked at her in disbelief.

(Grandma, do you even have to ask that?)

"Moonjiya apdi vaikadha kannu. Vaa, keela povom. Kai ah pidi"

(Don't make faces now, dear. Come, let's go down. Hold my hand)

Ashwin held Dhanalakshmi's hand and brought her downstairs.

"Maavu kada kanaku note ah nethu night inga hall la ye vachutu poeten Ammachi. Yenga eduthu vachurukinga?"

(I left the flour shop record note here at hall last light. Have you kept it somewhere?)

"Fridge ku mela iruku"

(Its on the top of fridge)

Ashwin walked towards the fridge and took the note.

"Seri Ammachi, na kanaku pathutu apdiye saayangalathuku maavu aranjurucha nu pathutu varen"

(Okay Grandma. I'll go through the calculations and check if the flour has been grinded)

"Madhiyam arisi paruppu sadham vaikuren. Nerathuku sapda vandhru kannu"

(I'll prepare Arisi Paruppu Sadham. Come on time to eat)

Ashwin's face literally lit up.

"Arisi paruppu sadhama? Correct ah oru mani ku vandhruven Ammachii"

(Arisi Paruppu Sadham? I'll be here sharply by 1 Grandma)

Giving a hug to Dhanalakshmi, Ashwin left with the note. He went to his room and sat on the study table. Cracking his knuckles, he lifted the pen and started checking the calculations.

After graduating, Ashwin got some good placement offers but nothing excited him. So, he did MBA in Business Management from a reputed college in Coimbatore. He has a business plan in mind but he has to develop it further before proceeding.

Four years have passed since Ashwin graduated. He helps with his mother's business. He now and then helps designing in the tailoring units. He plays football everyday with his friends and they go to nearby tournaments to play. Many would say he's talented in whatever he does. But there's one more talent buried within him and if God wills, someday it'll resurface.

Once done with the calculations, Ashwin left in his bike. He first went to his mother's store building. The workers were grinding the flour batter and the already grinded flour batter is getting moved to Tata Ace Mini Truck. He enquired about the quantity for the day.

"Ashwin, Ganapathi Housing Unit area la iruka kadai la irundhu Malliga akka thread stock gaali nu sonanga. Motha unit la um stock pathutu solren nu Satish sonan. Nee koncham Peelamedu la iruka namma godown la iruka stock ah stock kammi ah iruka Tailor Unit la maathi vitru ya" Saradha said when Ashwin asked if he could help her.

(Malliga from our tailoring unit at Ganapathi Housing Unit area informed me that they ran out of thread stock. Satish said he'll check with other units. You take the required stocks from our godown at Peelamedu and deliver to those units who needs it)

By the time Ashwin completed the work it was evening and by the time he went home it was around eight. He quickly took a hot bath to calm his aching limbs. Saradha was already at Dhanalakshmi's place.

"Aasaiya unaku samachu vacha indha Saradha unna vela nu solli anupita" Dhanalakshmi rambled sitting next to Ashwin while Saradha placed hot dosa on his plate.

(I cooked for you but this Saradha sent you on errands)

"Velai um mukkiyam la Amma" Saradha said while Dhanalakshmi served Ashwin's favourite tomato chutney.

(Work is also important Maa)

"Aasai ah sapda varen nu sollitu poniye kannu" Dhanalakshmi sulked.

(You were excited to come home for lunch, dear)

"Adhellam onnum illa Ammachi, inoru naal senju thaanga" Ashwin said, tore a piece of dosa, dip it with tomato chutney and extended it to Dhanalakshmi, "Indhanga"

(No issues, grand ma. Cook for me some other day – Here)

"Epo Maa avanga lam varanga?" Saradha asked implying Dhanalakshmi's guests.

(When are they arriving?)

"Nalaiku solren nu Aarthi sonna"

(Aarthi said she will let me know tomorrow)

The trio had dinner talking among themselves. After a chatty dinner, Ashwin retired to his room. He went over the balance calculations before hitting the bed. Plugging his airpods, he logged into OTT app, continued watching the series and then slept after couple of episodes.

~ * ~

Sivaangi pocketed her mobile before entering into the building. She took the elevator to the fifth floor and walked inside the door that had the name board "BLU Academy". Her lips curled into a smile as the air was dominated with laughter and music.

As soon as she walked in, a guy with bald head walked to Sivaangi with a big smile.

"Sivaangi! Namma record panna pudhu song vera level ah vandhruku" The guy exclaimed.

(The song that we recorded came out amazing)

"Aii, nejama va anna? Na kekalama?" Sivaangi was visibly excited. She clearly knows how much effort she has put in the song and she was glad that it turned out to be fruitful.

(Seriously brother? Can I listen?)

"Kandipa. Orey oru part matum lite ah recording la na sodhapiten. Adhu matum re-record panalama? Adhayum na sync paniten na mothama ketralam, unaku prachana illa la, Sivu?"

(Why not. I messed up a small part while recording. Can we re-record that part? If that's done then I can sync everything and then we can listen to the whole song. You don't have any issues, right?)

"Siddhu anna, enaku adhu la prachana illa. Vaanga, na recording room ku poren"

(No issues, brother. Come, I'll go to the recording room)

The music director, Siddhu smiled before leading Sivaangi inside. She greeted the fellow artists who works with Siddhu and then went inside the recording room. Siddhu instructed the exact line they have to record again.

Sivaangi took a deep breath and calmed herself. Humming the before lines, she composed herself before giving thumbs up to Siddhu. Checking with his sound engineer. Siddhu showed one finger and then two before showing three, hinting Sivaangi to start singing.

The guys hooted when Sivaangi got it right in the first take. As Siddhu worked with the mixing and syncing with Benny, Sivaangi joined the others.

"Ady anna inum Bangalore la irundhu varalaya Anoop anna?" Sivaangi enquired.

(Hasn't Ady bro returned from Bangalore yet, Anoop bro?)

"Avan vara rendu naal agum pola papa" Anoop replied.

(He'll take two more days to return it seems, dear)

"Indha kudi" Nikhil handed a glass of hot chocolate to Sivaangi who got it with a big smile.

(Here, drink)

"Aahaa" Sivaangi took a sip and appreciated the drink. Siddhu called Nikil and Anoop who excused from her, leaving her to enjoy her hot chocolate.

"Sivaangi, I have a good feeling that this song is a hit" Abin, the co-founder of BLU Academy said as he sat opposite to Sivaangi.

"I really hope so, anna" Sivaangi beamed.

After a small talk,

"Sivaangi, there's something I have been meaning to talk"

There was seriousness in Abin's tone that put Sivaangi in professional mode.

"I'm all ears, Anna. What is it?"

"Sivaangi, I know you have been singing under your pseudonym 'Sivani K' instead of your real name. People love your songs but they don't know who you are and how you look. You want to keep yourself private and I respect your decision. That's why we signed the NDA with whoever you work"

Abin paused, observing Sivaangi's face for a second before continuing,

"Its just concert culture is on the rise. Recording promotional video is the new trend. People are genuinely interested to know who Sivani K is. Media always go behind what interest people. You have sung a good number of songs. Well, ah – all I'm saying is it'll be the next step in your career. I'm not saying this for BLU Academy or Siddhu's sake. I care for you and your career. You know I genuinely care for you and your career. Whatever that's stopping you from embracing the spotlight, face it and give it a thought. I trust your talent and I believe it is time for the next step in your music career"

"Anna..." Sivaangi dragged, definitely sounding unsure.

"You don't have to answer me right away, Sivaangi. Take your own time and think over. I'm not putting pressure on you; I'm not forcing you to decide. Just think over the whole thing at your own pace. Okay? I'll check if Siddhu's done"

Giving a gentle pat on Sivaangi's shoulder, Abin walked over to the boys leaving her with heavy thoughts. Half an hour later, everyone sat down and Nikhil played the newly recorded female solo melody song sung by Sivaangi.

Sivaangi closed her eyes, soaking her senses with her own sweet voice. The lyrics was beautiful. The music was on point and pulled the heartstrings. Her fellow artists believed her voice was magical and the song really came out well.

All the heaviness left Sivaangi's mind as she enjoyed the way everyone appreciated and celebrated her voice; every single appreciation momentarily faded the mocking voices she heard in her head. She doesn't see eye to eye on most things with her brother, Vinayak, but she has often heard him say that music heals and she never agreed with him more.

~ * ~

Sooo, Sivaangi is a singer. We have seen Ashwin's life and its time we get to know a little more about Sivaangi's before they meet. I know you all are waiting for them to meet. Believe me when I say this, I do too. But just a little more patience.

I might speed up the typing process if I get motivated with good response. Anyways, any guesses for what's coming next?

Thank you for reading,

Nan ~