Ashaangi SS Entwined

Chapter Five

Lying down on the bed and staring at the ceiling, Ashwin patiently listened to Sivaangi's endless ramblings as she talked about her likes, dislikes, favorites and random memories.

Sivaangi was sitting beside Ashwin with her back rested against the wall and was talking whatever she could think of at that moment while he lied down beside her. For reasons unknown to himself, his curiosity got the best of him and so, he was listening to her attentively.

"Onnu kekava?" Ashwin suddenly asked making Sivaangi pause.

(Shall I ask you something?)

"Kelunga Ashwin" Sivaangi said fixing her eyes on Ashwin, anticipating his question with a wide smile.

(Ask)

"You were kidnapped, trapped inside a cupboard aana unna patha athuku disturb aana mathiri therla. Enga irukom nu bayam ilama oru paiyanoda ipdi thaniya irukomey nu unaku bayama ila?" Ashwin asked what was going on in his head for a long time.

(But you don't looked disturbed. Aren't you afraid that you were in some unknown place with a man like this?)

Ever since Sivaangi woke up, she didn't make any effort to get to know how she landed in this situation. She was happy that she found Ashwin and didn't remember the situation until he reminded her.

Also, Sivaangi doesn't seem to be bothered with how she's trapped with Ashwin. She should be scared naturally but she's behaving as if she's living her dream life instead of being scared and waiting to get rescued.

"Onga kuda dhana iruken, Ashwineyy. Aprm naan ethuku bayapadanum?" Sivaangi blinked cluelessly.

(I'm with you, Ashwineyy. Why should I be scared?)

As far as it concerns to her, Sivaangi is happiest with the turn of events. She was supposed to go to Coimbatore and wait there for Pugazh or Rakshan to contact her. Only after that they would have taken her to Ashwin but thanks to the turn of events, she had already met Ashwin and now enjoying her time with him. As for getting out of here safely, she strongly believes and knows that he would never leave her behind and protect her at all costs. He didn't tell her that but she knows.

"Yethuku enn mela ipdi oru nambikai?" Ashwin couldn't help but ask.

(Why do you trust me so much?

A fond smile touched Sivaangi's lips as she stared at Ashwin.

"Ennoda dress ah change panathu neenga dhan nu therinchum naan ongata oru varthai kuda kekala. Yean theriyuma?"

(I knew you were the one who changed my dress yet I didn't question you or anything. You know why?)

Ashwin nodded sideways, lost in her words.

"Because I know you, Ashwineyy. I know who my Ashwin is. Years ago, when I came before you, I agree I wasn't matured enough. I placed myself before you but you knew how to handle me. You didn't take advantage of me. You didn't break my heart. You did what was right. I was living in my own house but with people who only wanted to take advantage of me for my inheritance. I couldn't even trust my own shadow there but here in an unknown place where I have no idea where I'm, I trust you with my life, Ashwin. Be it here or in a dungeon or anywhere in the whole wide world, I'll trust my life with only you"

Ashwin was tongue-tied with Sivaangi's answer. He wasn't expecting that. She didn't say she loves him. She didn't even take the word love. She just said she's with him and that's enough for her to be safe. She trusts him with her life and that made him feel vulnerable yet strong and responsible at the same time. He swallowed and looked away before weakly nodding at her. She smiled and went back to talking about various stuffs.

As he laid facing her, Ashwin couldn't help but look at Sivaangi. She looked different yet familiar in his eyes. He has only met her twice, the last time being seven years. His memory of her only runs from last night yet he couldn't control the strange pull he felt towards her.

Ashwin has built a wall around himself right after his father abandoned him and his mother. They weren't treated that greatly by his relatives and that way of growing up is one of the main reasons he wanted to achieve in life on his own. He grew silent from the cheerful young boy and worked on building a better life for his mother and himself.

But Sivaangi has managed to make a lasting effect in Ashwin's life in less than twenty-four hours. He wanted her to stay away from him yet his deceitful heart wants her nearby. His eyes traced the way the corner of her lips curl as she smiles every time, the way her eyes shrinks when she laughs whole heartedly and how her eyebrows dances according to her reaction.

Although he didn't involve with any of them, Ashwin has come across many beautiful women. But none managed to affect him like Sivaangi does. She didn't make any efforts to look beautiful or impress him. She was open with her feelings yet didn't behave differently or enforce him into anything. She was herself around him.

When Sivaangi kissed Ashwin that morning, he didn't feel angry or repulsive. He wasn't annoyed or pissed. Rather, he felt good and wanted more. A jolt of excitement, a flip of heart, feelings that Ashwin knew he wasn't capable of hit him out of blue.

A bitter smile grew on Ashwin's lips as he thought about the way fate has brought Sivaangi into his life. Keeping the past and present scenario at mind, he was amused that how in one way or another, she would always end up with him.

When Sivaangi expressed her feelings for Ashwin, a part of him wanted to take a leap of faith and try to make a relationship, not marriage but dating with her but knowing the nature of the life he leads, he doesn't want to put her in dangerous position. Ashwin had to be the mature one and take a step back. But how could he when his own heart fails to listen to him and goes out to Sivaangi?

Still locked inside the room with no network, Ashwin was annoyed that he couldn't check on his friends. He realized that there's a jammer in the building and that's why he isn't getting signal.

Ashwin just wants the raid issue to settle soon so that he can check up on his friends, take Sivaangi to his place, make sure she would be safe in where she wishes to go and send her on her way. But two questions that made Ashwin pause amidst his planning is, would Sivaangi let go of Ashwin? Or for worse, would he be able to let her go?

Shaking out of his complex thought, Ashwin focused on Sivaangi who was telling him about the moments according to her of where she got 'bulb' from people.

As he listened, Ashwin couldn't help but laugh at certain incidents because those incidents that Sivaangi described were way too funny. For instance, she thought "Thozhiladhibar" was Tamil word for CM which in real means Businessman and she was happily bragging about it with enthusiastic conviction.

"Sirika kudathu nu sonen la Ashwineyy" Sivaangi whined and Ashwin had to take a deep breath to compose himself but his control broke when Sivaangi told him an incident where she was asked about her favorite tourist destination and her friend Preethi's and how one thing lead to another.

(I asked you not to laugh!)

"Naan yenna thappa sonen, Switzerland, Europe elamey kadal la dhana iruku!" Sivaangi huffed and Ashwin cracked up.

(What did I say wrong? Switzerland, Europe, everything's in ocean only right!)

"Europe kadal la iruka?" Ashwin chuckled.

(Europe is at ocean?)

This has to be the first time Ashwin Kumar is laughing without any care in the world after ages. His stomach was aching of laughter, his eyes wrinkled and small as he laid facing her.

"Ashwineyy! Olagamey oru kadal ma! Kadal kula land ah potu vachurukanga! Theriyatha!" Sivaangi explained.

(Whole world is a ocean. We have land within that! Don't you know?)

"Kadal kula meen dhan pathuruken. Kadal kula Europe iruku nu first time ah ipo dhan kekuren" Ashwin laughed as he wiped the corner of his eyes.

(I know there are fishes at ocean. But this is the first time I'm hearing that Europe is at Ocean)

Sivaangi whined and smacked Ashwin's arms to make him stop laughing but to no avail. And when he continued to laugh on her expense, she twisted her lips and thought for a moment before a wide smile spread over her lips. Grinning widely, Sivaangi quickly leaned forward and pecked Ashwin's cheek making him pause and look at her.

"Yei yenna di panr-"

(Hey what are yo-)

Before Ashwin could complete, Sivaangi quickly leaned in and kissed his cheek again before pulling back and looking at him with an innocent smile. Ignoring the way, her feathery kisses felt against his cheek, he sat up and glared at her.

"Ipdi nee kiss panite irukurathuku kannathula palar nu onnu vaika poren paru"

(If you keep kissing me like this then eventually I'm gonna slap you)

"Enga vaingalen papom" Sivaangi giggled showing her dimpled cheek.

(Try me)

Ashwin mentally sighed as he eyed Sivaangi up and down while she raised her single eyebrow when his eyes met his.

"Ipdi oru paiyana kiss panitu iruka, vekkam koocham lam ila?" Ashwin narrowed his eyes.

(Don't you feel shy to kiss a man like this?) 

"Enoda aalu naan kiss panren, ithula yenna koocham?" Sivaangi shrugged and added, "Naan ivlo varushathula epdiyum oru 200 romantic films pathrupen. Ullukula vara romance, feelings, adhellam ongata dhana kaata mudiyum, Ashwineyy"

(I'm kissing my man, why should I shy away?) (In all these years I must have watched 200 romantic films. Whatever romantic feelings I have, I can only show it to you)

"Ipdilam pesadha di, enaku unna rendu naal kuda mulusa theriyathu. Nee ipdi behave panrathu..." Ashwin trailed his words.

(Don't speak like this. I don't even know you for two whole day. The way you are behaving...)

"Enaku ongala 7 varusham 7 maasam 16 naal ah theriyum, Ashwineyy. Ongala matum nenachutu, ongalukaga nu irundhen. Ethachum couples pathalo, wedding invitation pathalo, old couples pathalo, enn kuda naan ongala matum dhan nenachu pathruken. Onga mela matum dhan love, desire, care, affection, elamey. Kannuku kai ku etra dhurathula naan 7 varusham yarukaga long panen oh avanga iruka apo enaku indha kidnapping, kastam, prachana yethuvum kannuku therla. Valkai adutha nimisham nichayam ila nu andha cupboard la adhanju kedandha apo purinchu. Athunala dhan ongata ennala express panama iruka mudiyala. Kalyanam soli tease panathum athuku dhan. Sorry"

(I know you for 7 years and 16 days. I lived thinking only about you. Whenever I see any couples, whenever I see any wedding invitation or any old couples, I could only picture my future with you. I have love, desire, care, affection, everything only for you. I longed for you for 7 long years. You are right by my sight yet we are middle of such commotions. I realized that life isn't certain when I was locked inside the cupboard, terrified. I couldn't stop myself from expressing my feelings to you. I teased you about marriage thinking the same. Sorry)

Ashwin stared at Sivaangi for a brief moment before he averted his gaze and sighed, his mind trying to structure the words properly before he speaks to her.

"Unaku enna 7 varushama theriyum aana enaku unna rendu naal dhan theriyum, Sivaangi. Nee indha alavu intensity la unoda feelings enta kaatra, athu enaku overwhelming ah iruku" Ashwin confessed honestly as he locked eyes with her and continued, "Enoda life romba unsafe. Naan nee nenakura mathiri nallavan lam kedayathu. Nee kalyanam pathi pesura, naan adha allow pani unaku fake hope kuduthu encourage pana virumbala. Enaku theriyum unaku naan na pidikum nu aana ithu seri varathu"

(You know me for 7 years but I only know you for two days. I get overwhelmed by your intense feelings that you shower on me) (My life's unsafe. I'm not a good guy like you think. You are hinting at marriage, I don't wish to give any fake hope to you. I know you like me but this won't work out)

Sivaangi's eyes didn't waiver with Ashwin as she patiently listened to his words before she sighed and narrowed her gaze. But he kept looking at her trying to study her.

"Nee namma iruka nelamai purinjupa nu nenakuren. Ath-"

(I hope you understand our situation. I-)

Before Ashwin could complete, Sivaangi grabbed his t-shirt and pulled him closer. They were inches apart as they stared into each other, their hot breath hitting each other's face.

"Yenna di panra?" Ashwin's voice came out meek as he stared into Sivaangi's eyes.

(What are you doing?)

"Enaku theriyum enaku neenga na pidikum nu. Ongaluku ena pidikum ah ilaya nu therinchuka vendama?" Sivaangi asked slowly, her soft breath caressing his face.

(I know I like you. Shouldn't you know whether you like me or not?)

"Yenna sola vara?" Ashwin asked in a trance, her eyes captivating him to hold him place.

(What are you implying?)

"Try to figure out what you feel for me, Ashwin" Sivaangi said gently as her eyes bore into Ashwin's and added, "Here, let me help you"

Sivaangi smiled at a confused Ashwin before closing the gap between them and kissed his left cheek inches away from his lips while he stiffened under her touch with the same smile intact, she kissed his right cheek. She didn't hurry and pull back. Rather, she let her lips linger there for a moment before tracing her lips to the corner of his lips and pulled back.

With a smile dancing in her eyes, Sivaangi smiled at a flabbergasted Ashwin who struggled to form words as he gasped and stared at her. Satisfied with the effect she has on him, she left his t-shirt and moved back.

When Ashwin finally composed himself and looked at Sivaangi, she was lying down on the bed with closed eyes while a smile stayed on her lips. Shaking his head, he was about to talk but a knock on the door made him pause grabbing both their attention as Sivaangi sat up. They stared at each other confused as the knock grew with each strike.

~ * ~

Thank you for reading.

Nan ~