Author's note

To those, who comment and ask for updates, if you comment in chapters as well, I will be very happy 😇

Makkaleyy, hope you all are doing good. Thank you to all those who have read, voted and commented on the previous chapter. It means a lot. 95M! Do stream Adipoli whenever you can. Let's push it to 100M! Support them both professionally and keep them in your prayers.

Let's hope better things are coming for my brother professionally.

Hope. Believe. Magic. ☃️

~ * ~

Ashaangi SS Bewitched

Chapter Twenty Five

The next two days, Saradha lost her sleep. She was conscious whenever she spotted Ashwin and Sivaangi together. She was even bit hesitant to send them both alone. But she didn't say anything.

Saradha's worry didn't slip Dhanalakshmi's eyes. So, when Dhanalakshmi found Saradha alone, she sat Saradha down and questioned her. Not having the heart to keep it with herself, Saradha opened up to Dhanalakshmi.

"Ipdi ivanga rendu per um nadandhukuradha patha enaku bayama iruku Maa!" Saradha teared up.

(Looking at the way they both are behaving, I'm scared Maa!)

Dhanalakshmi, who patiently listened so far, said, "Ipo yedhuku nee bayapadanum?"

(Why are you scared now?)

"Yenna Maa solringa? Sivaangi ku othasaiya ivan kuda irukadhu seri dhan. Nalla naptu ney vachukalam. Aana idhu kadhal adhu idhu nu maaruchu na Sivaangi veetuku namma yenna badhil solradhu? Enn paiyana thappa pesita? Enga naala ongala thappa pesita?" Saradha poured her worries.

(What are you saying, Maa? He is being helpful to Sivaangi, fine. Let's say they have a good friendship. But if it turns to love then how will we answer to Sivaangi's family? What if they speak ill about my son? What if they speak ill of you because of us?)

"Saradha, poruma" Dhanalakshmi patted Saradha's arm, "Nee onnu manasu la nyabagam vachuko. Ashwin enoda peran"

(Saradha, be patient... You better keep this in mind. Ashwin is my grandson)

"Maa, adh-"

(Maa, th-)

"Naa inum pesi mudikala" Dhanalaksmi's tone was stern, "Ipo Ashwin kum Sivaangi kum pidichurundha yenna? Adhula yenna thappu iruku?"

(I'm not done yet... So, what if Ashwin and Sivaangi like each other? What's wrong in that?)

"Yenna thappa? Avanga kudumbam enga? Naan-"

(What's wrong? Where's their status? W-)

"Yenna kannu pesura? Naan? Yenna solla vara? Naanga na? Apo naa unn kudumbam illaya?" Dhanalakshmi was visibly hurt.

(What are you speaking, dear? We? You mean, you and Ashwin? Them am I not your family?)

"Aiyo! Apdi illa Maa!" Saradha held Dhanalakshmi's hand who wriggled her hand out of Saradha's.

(Aiyo! Not like that, Maa!)

"Adhu yenna? Avanga kudumbam yenga na? Paithiyakari! Nee yennadhu...andha Sivaangi pilla solluche" Dhanalakshmi struggled to recollect for a couple of seconds and then said, "Haan, woman antrapenor (entrepreneur) Nee evlo sambarikura. Enn peran, sondhama thozhil thodangitan. Summa yedhachum solladha"

(What'sthat? What's with their status? Fool! You...what did Sivaangi say... Haan, woman antrapenor. You earn a lot. My grandson, he has started a business on his own. Don't speak nonsense)

"Maa..."

"Enaku andha kudumbatha pathi nalla theriyum. Avanga thappa nenaka Matanga. Andha pulla nalla pulla, Saradha. Oruthar ku oruthar avangaluku pidichuruku na idhula maruka onum illa" Dhanalakshmi held Saradha's hands, "Avan ah nee romba kastam paduthita neraya vishayathula. Idhula pannadha"

(I know about that family very well. They won't mistake us. She is a good girl, Saradha. If they like each other then there's nothing to deny here... You have already hurt him a lot in many things. Just not in this)

Saradha went silent, lost in thoughts. Dhanalakshmi patted her shoulder.

"Romba kolapikadha. Theliva yosi. Naa poe padukuren"

(Don't confuse. Think clearly. I'll go lay down)

Dhanalakshmi left leaving Saradha with her own thoughts.

~ * ~

"Venam"

(No)

"Venum"

(I want to)

"Ma, venam, ma"

(No)

"Psch! Ashwinn"

"Ma..."

Ashwin sighed and looked at Sivaangi who looked away from him, showing her displeasure. Currently, they both are seated on the backseat of the car that's parked under a tree, somewhere near the highway.

"Sivaangi"

"Sivaangi" Ashwin called Sivaangi again when she didn't respond.

"Ena paaka matiya, Sivaangi?"

(Won't you look at me?)

"Maten!" Sivaangi replied refusing to look at Ashwin.

(I won't)

"Ipo neenga yedhuku venam nu solringa!" Couple of seconds later, Sivaangi huffed and turned to Ashwin.

(Now why are you saying no!)

"Ma, naa Chennai poetu rendu naal la vandhruven. Adhan nee kuda vara vendam nu solren. Harish um inga illa. Unaku inga velai um iruku"

(I will come back from Chennai in two days. That's why I'm saying no. Even Harish isn't here. You also have work here)

Ashwin has to go to Chennai for work. When he told this to Sivaangi, she insisted that she will come with him. Knowing his work timing, he knew they wouldn't be able to spend time like she thinks they would. So, why disappoint her by tagging her along when she has work piled up here?

Also, them going alone, Ashwin wasn't sure how his mother would react. Why give way for trouble? After half an hour of struggle, Ashwin finally managed to convince Sivaangi.

"Apo thirumba vandhadhum Ooty ku kuptu poganum" Sivaangi demanded leaning against Ashwin.

(You should take me to Ooty when you are back)

"Kandipa" Ashwin pinched Sivaangi's cheek making her hiss and swat his hand away.

(Sure)

"Valikudhu!" Sivaangi smacked Ashwin's arm earning a chuckle from him.

(It pains!)

Sivaangi's breath hitched when Ashwin leaned in. But she sighed in relief when he kissed the cheek he pinched and said, "Sorry"

"Huh, panradhayum panradhu. Aprm ipdi oru umma kuduka vendiyathu" Sivaangi huffed wrapping her arm around Ashwin and rested her head against his torso. He laughed, wrapped his arm around her and kept his head above hers.

(Huh, you do whatever you want and then give a kiss like this)

"Yenna miss panuvingala?" Sivaangi looked up, resting her chin on Ashwin's chest.

(Will you miss me?)

"Naa dhan unta pesite irupene. Aprm yepdi miss panuven" Ashwin looked down at Sivaangi with a soft smile.

(I will be talking to you. Then how will I miss you?)

"Indha dialogue ku onum korachal illa. Yepdiyum call text reply pannama work irundhuchu adhan respond panna mudiyala nu solluvinga. Enaku theriyum"

(You are full on talks. Anyway, you won't respond to my calls or texts on time and then say you were busy with work. I know)

"Paarah. Correct ah purinchu vachurukingale madam" Ashwin softly pinched Sivaangi's cheek, earning a glare from her.

(Wow, you know me so well, madam)

"Apo, enta sariya pesa matinga, apdi dhana?" Sivaangi swatted Ashwin's hand away.

(So, you won't talk to me properly, is that it?)

"Maaaa, unna miss pannuven dratha dhan na vera mathiri sonnen" Ashwin gave a sheepish smile and pulled Sivaangi more to himself. She glared for few seconds before her face softened as she relaxed in his embrace.

(Maaa, I was saying I will miss you in different way, nothing more)

~ * ~

The next night Ashwin left for Chennai. Saradha slept with Dhanalakshmi while upstairs, Sivaangi rolled on her bed, texting Ashwin. The next day went with Sivaangi working from home while Ashwin busy with work.

Ashwin and Sivaangi managed to talk for few minutes before sleeping. The next day Sivaangi didn't had much to do. So, she chilled with Dhanalakshmi and Saradha. When they were in the shop, Charu and her mother came.

While Charu's mother bought batter and spoke with Saradha, Charu spoke with Sivaangi.

"Ama, yenna ivlo things vachuruka kai la?" Sivaangi enquired on seeing the plastic bags Charu had in her hand.

(Why do you have so many things in hand?)

"Enaku craft assignment akka. Yepdi mudika porene nu therla" Charu made a sad face.

(This is for my craft assignment, sister. I don't know how I will finish this)

"Apdi yenna assignment?" Sivaangi asked.

(What's your assignment?)

When Charu explained her assignment, Sivaangi said she has already made a similar assignment in school.

"Wow! Apo neenga enaku help panringala? Please, please" Charu tugged Sivaangi's hand making her chuckle.

(Wow! Will you help me then? Please, please)

"Seri, seri. Nee ellam inga eduthutu vaa. Namma panlam"

(Fine, fine. You bring everything here. We will do)

Charu squealed and hugged Sivaangi in joy. She asked permission from her mother who said yes.

"Naa veetuku poetu inum thevai aana things eduthutu vandhruren akka" Charu waved and left with her mother.

(I'll go home and come back with rest of the things, sister)

Half an hour later Charu came with a big shopper and a laptop bag. They settled down on the floor in Ashwin's work space. For the first one hour, the duo seriously worked with concentration until Sivaangi received a work call.

While Sivaangi was busy with her call, Charu opened her laptop and watched. Once hanging up the call, Sivaangi turned to Charu but paused when she saw Charu busy with laptop rather than work.

"Oii, unakaga dhan okandhrukom. Vaa, panlam"

(Heyy, we are working for you. Come, let's do)

"Akka, neenga vaanga. Namma koncham neram laptop paakalam. Bore adikudhu. Tired ah iruku. Enaku theriyum ongalukum apdi dhan nu" Charu said as Sivaangi sat down next to her.

(Sister, you come. Let's watch laptop for some time. I'm feeling bored and bit tired. I know you feel the same way)

"Adhellam ve-" Sivaangi paused and then said, "Seri vaa, koncham neram paapom"

(Nothing li- .... Okay, come. Let's watch for some time)

~ * ~

That night Sivaangi twisted and turned on the bed as she waited for Ashwin's call. He said he will call her in ten minutes but it has already been an hour. She wondered whether to call him once or wait.

Sighing, Sivaangi kept her mobile aside and hugged her pillow. She thought Ashwin would leave from Chennai that night but got disappointed when he said he has to stay a day longer.

Sivaangi didn't knew when she fell asleep. The next morning, she woke up to his missed calls and texts. He apologized and said he got stuck with work. Not wanting to show her disappointment and anger, she just sent him a good morning text and left to Coimbatore for work.

It was close to nine thirty when Sivaangi came back. After having dinner, she sat with Dhanalakshmi and saw daily soap. When her mobile buzzed, she knows its Ashwin. So, she silently excused herself and went to her room.

Sivaangi called Ashwin as soon as she settled on her bed. He picked in two rings.

"Hiii" Ashwin sounded cheerful.

"Haan" Sivaangi made herself comfortable.

"Bus eriten ma. Morning vandhruven"

(I boarded the bus. Will be there in morning)

"Hmm. Pona work lam nalla pocha?" Sivaangi toyed with her night shirt's button.

(Hmm. Your work went fine?)

"Yes, yes. Website updating work matum dhan pending. Social media marketing team ta lam pesiyachu. We will launch in few weeks" Ashwin sounded excited.

(Yes, yes. Only website updating work is pending. We have spoken with social media marketing team as well. We will launch in few weeks)

Sivaangi listened to Ashwin speaking about everything passionately. She listened to him patiently and after some time they hang up. Ashwin smiled as he pulled the duvet over him while Sivaangi stared at her mobile lost in thoughts.

The next morning when Sivaangi came down for breakfast, her face bloomed on seeing Ashwin having breakfast. He grinned at her and eyed her to sit down.

"Yepo vandhinga?" Sivaangi asked as Saradha and Kamala was in kitchen while Dhanalakshmi in the living room sofa.

(When did you come?)

"6:30 irukum" Ashwin said and turned to look if Saradha or Kamala's coming, "Yean ma tired ah iruka? Seriya thoongalaya?"

(Around 6:30... Why do you look tired? Haven't slept well?)

"Ama" Sivaangi said serving herself.

(Yes)

"Yean? Yenna achu?"

(Why? What happened?)

"Therlaye. Namma inaiku inga namma oorla engayachum suthi papoma? Naa inga iruka vayal, aaru lam pakave illa inum" Sivaangi asked and had her breakfast.

(I don't know. Shall we roam around in our town today? I'm yet to visit the fields and river in here)

Ashwin thought for a second and agreed. After that Saradha and Kamala came from kitchen. They all got busy in conversation. Later that day, Sivaangi was busy with a work call. She was visibly tensed and tapping her foot on the ground, clearly anxious.

That's when Ashwin came in. He didn't see Sivaangi's face as she was facing the other side. He closed her room door softly. Not making a noise, he slowly went behind her. With a big smile, he back hugged her making Sivaangi jerk, her mobile falling down from her hand. She pushed his arms forcibly the next second before glaring at him.

"Ashwin!" Sivaangi snapped at Ashwin who stared at her dumbfounded. She glared at him and picked her mobile while he still blinked at her.

"Psch!" Sivaangi kept her mobile near her ear and turned.

Ashwin stared at Sivaangi for a couple of seconds before he gulped and walked out without a word.

~ * ~

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

Thank you for reading,

Nan ~