A very short update because I promised my lovely readers one by Tuesday! Loved reading all your comments and I will reply today. Have been a busy couple of days with back to back meetings at work.

T: You!!!

Ashwin erupted in laughter.

A: Dude! Ithu cinema vum illa, intha maara ore night la unna naadu kadathurathuku naan movie la vara hero vum illa. You know Shravan? Yes, your head of Operations in the offshore team, he happens to be one of my closest friends from University.
(Dude, this is not a scene out of a movie and I am not a superhero to pack you off to another planet. You know Shravan? Yes, your head of Operations in the offshore team, he happens to be one of my close friends from university)

Tarun felt humiliated as he realised the connection.

A: Actual ah Shravan oda first choice nee illa, naan than ponna poguthu, ponnu than kedaikala, velayaavathu kedaikattumnu unna recommend pannunen. To think about it, my influence made a hero out of a bum. I heard from Sivaangi's brother about the little scene you created in her house. I think you should try and stay grounded.
(Shravan wasn't really impressed with your work. But I recommended you because I felt sorry for your failed engagement, so I thought this promotion and move to America will be helpful for you to get back to normalcy in life. To think about it, my influence made a hero out of a bum. I heard from Sivaangi's brother about the little scene you created in her house.  I think you should try and stay grounded.)

Tarun's face was red with anger as he held Ashwin by his collar.

T: You are a bloody psychopath!

Ashwin had a smug glow on his face as he slowly removed Tarun's fists off his collar. Tarun noticed the not so subtle threat behind the smile and the look in those deep set eyes.

A: Tarun, let us talk like responsible adults.

T: You call this responsible behaviour? You will go to any extreme for a girl, won't you?

Ashwin ignored Tarun taking a dig at his character.

A: I am sorry that Sivaangi broke up with you. But..

The confidence with which Ashwin spoke was unnerving but Tarun stood his ground and was hell bent on making Sivaangi his, by hook or by crook.

T: What makes you think that she would do that? Yes, we have some arguments and misunderstandings right nowbut she is not leaving me. Her parents will not let her do anything that could bring shame to their family.

Ashwin turned his face and his eyes rested on his beautiful girl talking to a colleague. His expression softened and he heaved a sigh. He wanted to end this  engagement in a way that she wouldn't be affected.

A: Melodrama doesn't work with my Sivaangi.

T: Your Sivaangi?

A: I think it is time you accept the reality and move on man! She is mine and I am hers. Don't you see it? She doesn't want things any other way.

I apologise for her confusion which led to this engagement. I think it was my fault, I shouldn't have waited this long to tell her about my love for her. Again, my sincere apologies for making you part of this and causing inconvenience to you and your family.

I know I have been rude but I am not sorry about that. That is me. I take what is mine. The last week was enough for me to know where I stand in her life.

T: Unna love panarennu sonna la?
(Did she tell you that she loves you?)

A: Illa, aana varthaila sollanumnu avasiyam illa. Ava enna parkarathula en mela love irukunu purinjikiten.
(No, actions speaks louder than words. I can see the love in her eyes)

T: Ippo than theriyutha? Illa, naan vanthathu naala, ava la vitu kuduka mudilaya? Avalukku yen intha thidir interest un mela, illa interest intha company melaya? Enkita pesi pazhagi, okay sollara po enga irunthuthu intha love?
(Did you just realise the love because I am in the picture and you don't want to let her go? And what is with her sudden interest in you? Or is it your money? She met me and spent time with me before agreeing to marry me so how did she not realise it then? What has changed now?)

Ashwin could feel rage thrumming through his veins at Tarun's sarcastic tone.

A: Last warning. You better watch your tone. Slut shame her one more time and I promise I will beat the daylights out of you.

Tarun squared his shoulders as he tried to keep his anger in check.

T: Ashwin, I would like to talk to Sivaangi.

A: Of course, sure.

He turned back to call Sivaangi.

T: Alone.

Ashwin threw a glance at him over his shoulders and quietly walked towards Sivaangi.

A: Sivaangi, nee avan kita pesitu en roomku vaa. You and me know that we need to talk. Please! Let us face it, no more running from each other.
(Sivaangi, when you are done talking to him, come find me in my room. You and me know that we need to talk. Please! Let us face it, no more running from each other)

He wrapped his arms around her and she hugged him back, tighter as she hid her face in his chest. The two of them had a million confusing and contradicting emotions in their hearts apart from the love for each other.

Ashwin had put up this brave face about everything but it was all a pretence. Sivaangi had in fact left him that morning. He can sense a beautiful connection between them but she was clearly running away from him. He needed to find the reason. He was confident that he was more than just a friend from the way she responded to his kiss last night and the way she leaned into him just a few minutes ago.

When he couldn't reach her, he called her brother Vinay who mentioned about the incident with Tarun that morning and that she was probably avoiding people because she is upset about it. He was still apprehensive having Tarun around her. There was something in him that made her get engaged to him so he wasn't very comfortable.

Sivaangi's mind was an emotional chaos. One cannot choose who they fall in love with and unfortunately she fell in love with a man who she thought was incapable of loving her back. But she wouldn't have it any other way. She was totally in love with everything about him, his personality, his smile, his eyes, his voice, his humour, his intelligence, his warm hugs and most importantly how he was always there for her.

And the kiss last night bewildered her senses. It was meant to be a disaster, she was surprised that he made it feel real just to get rid of Swapna. Falling in love with a gay man hasn't made her lose faith in love. She really tried to pick herself from the fall and move on in life. But the last week with him has made her realise that she wasn't and she will never be able to get over him. She can't turn him straight but she wasn't going to let her hurt feelings make her lose a good friend.

She had her arms under his arms around his back and her palms held onto his shoulders as she sniffed in his scent, rubbing her face on his chest while he bent his face into her neck. Not a care about standing in front of the almost office building, they stayed in their arms for a few minutes.

A: Come back to me.

S: I will! See you in your room in a few minutes?

A: Yes.

Neither of them wanted to break the hug but they had no choice. She moved out of his hold and walked to Tarun. Ashwin turned around and walked away almost immediately. He was scared but he was not prepared to wait there.

Tarun felt heart broken having witnessed the exchange between the two. He finally realised he had lost her. There is no going back now. He had a sad smile on his face as she came to stand next to him.

T: I don't stand a chance in front of him. I am a fool to believe that you will choose me over him.

My heart knows that it's not his looks and money that will challenge me. It's what you feel for each other, the mutual love. I now realise that you never looked at the way you look at him.

Sivaangi gave him a a quick, formal hug and took a step back to shake hands with him.

T: You did not feel a thing for me when you hugged me right?

Sivaangi looked down as she shook her head.

T: I couldn't help but hope!

S: I am really sorry Tarun. I know that nothing I say can justify my decision. Can we be friends?

He let out a hollow laugh.

T: No, I can't be friends with you. My bruised ego wants to ruin your relationship with him. We are better off not staying in touch.

S: I understand.

T: Bye.

S: Bye, take care. And, I am sorry again!

The two pained souls started taking slow strides in the opposite directions feeling the unrequited love in their lives. It was hopeless love. And very painful.

Sivaangi let out a deep sigh while she stood outside Ashwin's room.

This is it! The confrontation! I know the truth already but God, give me the strength to hear it from his mouth.

Sivaangi hoped that he would stay her friend after she discloses her love for him but she also felt a pain in her heart knowing that he will be just a friend and nothing more.

She opened the door and walked up to him. He had his back towards her. She touched his shoulder and he turned around, only for her to notice that he was restless.

His brown orbs reflected yearning puzzling her. She felt sorry for him. For herself!

A: Sivaangi, I want you to know about how I felt about the kiss last night.

S: I know. I am sorry.

A: What are you apologising for?

S: I already know.

A: Know what?

S: Your love.

A: You do?

S: Yes, and I am sorry.

Ashwin was confused and her apologies did not make sense to him. He opened his mouth to talk and the words came out their mouths at the same time.

A: I love you!

S: You love Rohit!

How was it?

Fingers crossed. I hope it isn't too bad. I am sorry to say but this isn't over yet. They are yet to sort of a lot of emotions.

Love you all xoxo