Ashaangi SS Bewitched

Chapter Twenty Four

A week passed with Ashwin and Sivaangi hiding their newly confessed feelings in front of everyone. Sivaangi and Harish, continued visiting mills while Ashwin focused on his new start up but tagged along with them.

Harish had to go to Mumbai for work. So, he left in the middle of the week and it was just Ashwin and Sivaangi. Taking the chance, they spent some quality time together post work.

Half the day, they would work seriously, going to places, collecting information about the resources. The other half went with them roaming around Coimbatore and spending time together.

One such late afternoon, Sivaangi was done with her work for the day. She asked if Ashwin could take her somewhere out of the city. He agreed. They stopped by a bakery; got some snacks and he drove her to one of his favourite places.

It was a river near Karavalimadapar and Kumarapalayam, which is located around Coimbatore. Even though it's a river, where Ashwin brought Sivaangi, at that particular point, the water flow is slow and looks like a lake. It was surrounded with trees and bird sounds echoed everywhere.

"Wow!" Sivaangi beamed as she looked around.

Ashwin smiled and guided Sivaangi to a rock. They sat down with the snacks they bought. He told her about how he came here with Sanjay once when he was feeling very down and how this place gave him the peace he was looking for.

"Inga kulikalama yenna?" Sivaangi asked.

(Do people bath here?)

"Kulikalam ma. Safe dhan. Aana ipo vendam. Koncha nerathula iruttirum" Ashwin said breaking a paneer puff and gave one half to her.

(Yes. It is safe. But let's not get into water now. It'll get dark soon)

"Hmmm. Namma oorulayum ipdi Kulika aaru lam iruka?" Sivaangi asked and took a bite of the paneer puff, relishing its taste.

(Hmmm. Do our town also has river for us to bath?)

Ashwin smiled when Sivaangi mentioned his town as theirs. With a soft smile, he added, "Iruku. Naa kuptu poren kaalaila nerama"

(Yes. I'll take you one morning)

"Aiii! Browniee!" Sivaangi exclaimed with a broad smile making Ashwin chuckle. He gave her the brownie box and a wooden spoon.

"Ada, indha spoon lam yedhuku Ashwineyy. Brownie ah ipdi dhan sapdanum" Sivaangi grinned and took a bite of the brownie. It was topped with chocolate ganache.

(What's the need for this spoon, Ashwineyy. This is how one should eat brownie)

Ashwin chuckled on seeing Sivaangi's mouth filled with brownie. Chocolate was smeared on her lips and upper chin.

"Vera level taste uh!" Sivaangi appreciated the sinful dessert and had another bite.

(It tastes amazing!)

"Ongala pathi yedhachum sollungalen" Sivaangi dashed her arm with Ashwin's who was mum and looking at the water with a serene smile.

(Tell me something about yourself)

"Yenna solla?" Ashwin asked looking at Sivaangi.

(What shall I say?)

"Yedhachummm" Sivaangi dragged but then asked, "Heyy ongaluku idhu vara ethana crush irundhruku?"

(Anything... Heyy, how many crushes you have had so far?)

Ashwin laughed.

"Heyy yenna sirikuringa?" Sivaangi raised an eyebrow at Ashwin.

(Heyy, why are you laughing now?)

"Illa, ipo indha information romba mukiyama?" Ashwin bit his lower lip, trying to hide his amusement.

(Is this information necessary now?)

"Enaku indha information mukiyam dhan. Sollunga. Idhuvara ethana crush irundhrukanga? Ethana per ta propose panirukinga? Sollunga, sollunga" Sivaangi wiped her hands on the tissue paper and sat facing Ashwin.

(For me, it is necessary. Tell me. How many crushes you have had so far? How many have you proposed? Tell me, tell me)

"Ma, nee ipo ivlo curious ah kekura alavuku na worth illa ma" Ashwin shrugged.

(Ma, I'm not that worth for you to get too curious about this whole thing)

One glare from Sivaangi and Ashwin surrendered, "Seri, seri. Madam calm down aagunga. Naa solren"

(Fine, fine. Calm down Madam. I'll say)

Sivaangi gave a haughty look.

"Hmmm, crush irundhrukum anga inga, kutty kutty ah. Aana propose vandhuu..." Ashwin dragged.

(Hmmm, I did had some small, small crushes. But, propose...)

"Yarukachum propose pannirukingala apo?" Sivaangi asked quickly, leaning a little forward.

(So, you have proposed to someone?)

"Adhu, propose panna attempt panniruken" Ashwin scratched his eyebrow, "Pakathula lam poeten. Kitta thatta solliten. Naaku nuni la irundhuchu aana yedho bayama yenna nu theriyala, solla varala"

(That, I have attempted to propose... I even went near. I have almost told her. It was at the edge of my tongue but I don't know if its fear or something else that I couldn't tell her)

Sivaangi studied Ashwin's face for a couple of second and then said, "May be deep inside you knew she wasn't the one for you"

Ashwin thought for a second and then smiled at Sivaangi, "May be"

They were silent for few seconds before Ashwin exclaimed.

"Yenna?"

(What?)

"Idha yepdi naa marandhen!!" Ashwin exclaimed.

(How did I forget this?!!)

"Yedha marandhinga?"

(What did you forget?)

"Iru, andha ponna katren" Ashwin took out his mobile.

(Wait, I'll show that girl)

"Yendha ponnu?"

(Which girl?)

"Ava dhan" Ashwin unlocked his mobile.

(That girl)

Sivaangi glared at Ashwin but he couldn't care less. He moved his fingers on the screen and gave his mobile to Sivaangi.

"Idho indha ponnu dhan"

(Here, she is the girl)

Sivaangi rolled her eyes at Ashwin as she lifted her hand to look at the mobile screen. Her face softened and a smile bloomed on her lips when she saw her image staring back right at her.

"Indha ponnu kitta sonnen enaku avala pidichuruku nu" Ashwin's voice dropped as he leaned a little closer to Sivaangi, "Iva kitta dhan natural ah dhairiyam vandhuchu solradhuku. It just felt right"

(I told this girl that I like her... I naturally felt confident to say only to her. It just felt right)

Sivaangi's heart fluttered as she looked up at Ashwin.

"So, oruthara propose paniruken, yes" Ashwin smiled, his eyes taking in Sivaangi's smile.

(So, I have proposed one, yes)

"Vekkam paduriya ma?" Ashwin's hot breath fanned on Sivaangi's cheek, making her turn her face.

(Are you blushing?)

Sivaangi quickly composed herself and looked at Ashwin. She sarcastically asked, "Propose? Pidichuruku nu sonna propose ah?"

(Propose? Is it proposal if you say you like me?)

"Ama, pinna illaya?" Ashwin's index finger traced Sivaangi's palm that was rested on her thigh, making her jerk a little.

(Yes, Is it not?)

"Hmm, sonnanga, sonnaga" Sivaangi faced front at the water.

(Hmmm, as if)

"Hmmmm" Ashwin leaned down to Sivaangi, "Inga paarenn"

(Look here)

"Yedhuku?" Sivaangi asked, trying to put on a normal face.

(Why?)

"Psch! Paaru maa" Ashwin whined.

(Psch! Look)

"Yennna?" Sivaangi turned and Ashwin smiled at her.

(What?)

Sivaangi's heartbeat quickened when Ashwin cupped her left cheek with his right hand.

"Azhaga iruka" Ashwin said, his thumb finger caressing the smeared chocolate on her upper chin while his eyes stayed on hers.

(You look beautiful)

With hitched breath, Sivaangi eyed at Ashwin, anticipating his next move.

"Enaku nee naa romba romba pidichuruku, Sivaangi. Adhuku per kuduthu namma feelings ku label kudukanum na sollu. Kuduthuralam. Naa ready dhan" Ashwin thumb now caressed the bottom of her lower lips.

(I really, really like you a lot, Sivaangi. If you want to name it, give a label to what we feel for each other, let's give it. I'm ready for that)

Ashwin and Sivaangi has told each other that they like each other. But, love? Even though they are nearly there, they haven't voiced it out yet; meaning they aren't exactly in a love relationship yet but more like courting.

"Ashwin, let's enjoy this phase a little longer. Let's not put a name to it yet" Sivaangi placed her hand on top of Ashwin's, that is resting on her cheek. She knew she doesn't just like him but much more. But still, a part of her wants to know a bit more about him.

"Hmmm" Ashwin's smile didn't waiver as he nodded.

Sivaangi smiled and grabbed Ashwin's hand from her cheek and kissed his palm. In response, his other hand traced her palm with his index finger before pulling her hand to his lips and pressed a kiss.

A shiver ran down Sivaangi when Ashwin slowly leaned in, his hand grabbing her cheek. She smiled when his lips found her cheek. He smooched both her cheek before leaning his head back a little and eyed at her.

Sivaangi wetted her lips when Ashwin's eyes drooped down to her lips and darted back to her eyes. His thumb caressed her lower lips, making her breath quicken. Her lips quivered when she felt his hot breath fanning over her face.

Ashwin's heart was thudding. He leaned in and their eyes closed in unison. Their ragged breath hit each other's senses as their lips grazed but they jerked apart when they heard,

"Deiii! Yaaru da adhu?! Pombala pullaya kuptu vandhu yenna pannura?!"

(Heyyy!!! Who is that?! What were you doing to that girl?!)

Ashwin and Sivaangi got on their legs rapidly. He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her into his embrace before looking around. There was an old man carrying stick and he was standing at the other side of the river, quite a distance from them.

They both looked at the old man and then at each other before hurrying to the car amidst the old man's shouting. Ashwin quickly droves away while Sivaangi kept looking back. He stopped the car after a considerable distance. They looked at each other and broke into laughter before heading back home.

Couple of days later, Saradha walked out of Ashwin's working place.

"Yenga indha paiyana kanom?" Wondering aloud, Saradha walked inside the compound. She stopped Malliga, one of her workers.

(Where did this boy go?)

"Malliga, Ashwin ah pathiya? Avan anga illa" Saradha asked, her eyes looking around.

(Malliga, did you see Ashwin? He is not here)

"Ashwin thambi ah?" Malliga thought and then asked, "Indha Sivaangi pulla yenga nu theriyuma?"

(Ashwin? ... Do you know where Sivaangi is?)

"Sivaangi ah? Theriyala yeh. Naa Ashwin ah dhan theditu iruken, Sivaangi ah illa. Nee avana pakalaya?"

(Sivaangi? I don't know. I'm asking about Ashwin, not Sivaangi. You haven't seen him?)

"Ilaye akka. Neenga onnu pannunga" Malliga said.

(No, sister. You do one thing)

"Yenna?"

(What?)

"Neenga pesama Ashwin ah theduradha vitutu Sivaangi ah thedunga" Malliga said making Saradha frown.

(Instead of Ashwin, you look for Sivaangi)

"Yenna solra? Naa yean avala ipo thedanum?"

(What are you implying? Why should I look for her?)

"Inga neenga Ashwin ah theditu irukinga na, Sivaangi yenga iruku nu paarunga. Anga dhan irupan" Malliga said teasingly and walked in, making Saradha's frown deepen.

(If you are looking for Ashwin then look for where Sivaangi is. He will be there)

With a frown, Saradha looked around and finally went to the backyard where they wash the big vessels. She paused on her track when she saw Sivaangi and Ashwin sitting opposite to one another, chatting and laughing without a care in world.

Saradha's mind went back to Malliga's words and then she looked at the duo. She saw how Sivaangi nudged Ashwin with her arms and how he was being playful with her. Her frown turned into worry as she walked back inside.

~ * ~

So, I was preparing for my exam and two days before my exam, I suffered a personal loss. Thankfully my exam got postponed and then work got piled up. It was one reason after another that I couldn't update all these days. Apologies.

How's the chapter? What do you think will happen next? Hope you all have enjoyed reading the chapter. Please do vote and comment.

Thank you for reading,

Nan ~