Disclaimer

This story is a piece of fiction based on the author's imagination and has nothing to do with the actual life of the characters mentioned. I have casted Ashwinkumar and Sivaangi Krishnakumar as leads.

~ * ~

Ashaangi SS Entwined

Chapter One

"AK?"

Ashwin Kumar paused eating and looked up to see a group of familiar faces looking at him with friendly smile; his friends. He gave them a bored look before resume eating. Two of his friends, Rakshan and Pugazh groaned on seeing his indifference attitude towards them while Sarath and Sanjay roll their eyes at him.

"Dei nalaiku etho mukiyamaana velai, poetu rendu naal kalichu dhan varuven nu sona. Patha inga okandhruka" Sanjay commented on finding Ashwin on their usual spot.

(You said you're off to run some important errand but you're here)

After a couple of attempts to get Ashwin talk which of course ended in failure, the guys huffed and sat down on the same table as him.

"Dei machan, engata yean da ipo pesa matra?" Rakshan asked nudging Ashwin who's seated on his right.

(Why aren't you talking to us?)

"Naanga ipo apdi yenna panitom nu nee ipdi okandhruka?" Pugazh said and immediately shut up when Ashwin looked up and glared at him.

(What have we done that you're behaving this way?)

"Yethachum solrana paru machan" Sanjay told to Sarath before fixing his eyes on the rest of his friends, "Namma ivlo pesurom. Kandukama saptu irukan paru"

(See, he isn't opening his mouth) (We are trying to communicate but he's busy eating)

"Namma hackers dhan. Indha underworld la getha olathurom dhan aana adhuku nu hacking la matum eh epdi da earn panrathu?" Sarath said knowing why Ashwin's silence.

(We are hackers. We proudly roam around the underworld but how can we only earn by hacking?)

"We make a lot with what we do. I believe I made it clear that we are steering clear from fencing" Ashwin spoke for the first time that evening, his eyes fixed on Sarath before gliding over the rest of his friends' face before resting back on Sarath.

(A/N: A fence (as a noun) refers to a person who receives or deals in stolen goods)

"Aana macha-" Sarath tried to intervened but got cut off in middle by Ashwin.

(But, budd-)

"Aana enaku theriyama, en ta solama you took a consignment" Ashwin said in a composed tone to no one in particular as he averted his gaze and stared at the brick wall in front of him.

(Yet you took a consignment without my knowledge)

"Dei naan solratha kel-" Rakshan said but he couldn't finish.

(Listen to me-)

"Athu matum ilama you messed up with the consignment and now Baba Baskar Master demands that within 24 hours we either pay back his loss or get the stuffs he ordered and paid for" Ashwin raised his voice as he glared at his friends.

(Not just that)

"Dei andha Baba Baskar master namaku endha payment um panala da!" Rakshan said and Sarath vouched for that.

(Baba Baskar master didn't pay us anything)

"But he paid to Viraj who's off somewhere enjoying with the parts and money" Ashwin said as he washed his hand on the plate before standing up making the rest stand as well.

"Master namma ta friendly ah irukaru. Aana epovum apdi iruka mataru. That's why I'm now off to settle this issue before he comes for any of you" Ashwin said gritting his teeth and looked at his friends properly for the first time that day.

(Master's friendly with us but he won't always be that way)

"Nee thaniya yean pora? Naanga yarav-" Sanjay started but was cut off in middle by Ashwin.

(Why are you going alone? Shall any of us-)

"Neenga onum kilika vendam. Na sonna software ah ready pani vainga. Rathore ooda assignment ah mudikanum" Ashwin said and was about to walk away but then paused to look at them and warned in stern tone, "Na thirumba varathukula ethachum sothapi vachinga, tholachuruven!"

(Not necessary. You get the software ready. We have to complete Rathore's assignment) (If you mess up before I come back then I won't be responsible for my actions!)

~ * ~

Panting heavily, Sivaangi clutched her backpack tightly as she leaned against a narrow opening between two buildings in a dark area; her eyes frantically looking around for her uncle's goons. She only leaned back to take a deep intake of breath only when she's sure that they have lost her trail.

Hugging the backpack to herself, Sivaangi bit back her tears and look down at her attire. Dressed in red saree and adorned with jewels and henna filled hands, the bride to be hastily removed her jewels not wanting to catch any potential danger's attention.

Being the only heir of SK Industries which Sivaangi's father Krishnakumar built on his own, Sivaangi Krishnakumar was a pampered child with loving parents yet she grew up to be a kind and down to earth young woman owing to the upbringing of her parents.

But Sivaangi's life turned upside down when her parents died on a car crash leaving her all alone. Although her father was preparing her for business, she was alone, crushed in darkness, grieving and stuffed with responsibilities she doesn't completely understand. That's when her father's uncle's son and his family stepped into her life.

Ramakrishna and Swarna have an elder son who's studying at Boston and a daughter who's studying college at Bangalore. So, they both came and stayed with Sivaangi to take care of her. They did take care of her but they had different plans in mind.

Although Ramakrishna looked like an honest man at outside, he was a cunning fox; someone who shouldn't be trusted and Sivaangi, who was initially thankful for his existence in her life soon realized how wrong she was about her Chithappa and his family.

But by the time Sivaangi realized, it was too late for Ramakrishna has already started his play and took a firm hold over her household and business by keeping her in dark and acting on her behalf. When he realized Sivaangi could be troublesome, he caged the free bird in golden cage under his wife's watchful eyes.

When things started to turn worse, Ramakrishna decided to get Sivaangi married to his widowed sister's son without her consent so that he can take over her wealth which is his ultimate aim.

Although Sivaangi doesn't have any clue about Ramakrishna's sister of his nephew and she only saw the groom's mother couple of hours ago who seemed innocent and sweet, Sivaangi was sure that her life would still be miserable. So, when she denied the marriage proposal and refused to get married, she was locked and forced into the marriage.

Thanks to her friend Sakthi who have managed to find a way out for Sivaangi to escape the wedding, she waited patiently for the wedding day and as per their plan, on the night before her wedding, she somehow managed to escape.

Sivaangi's plan did worked perfectly save for the moment she dashed into a goon on her way out and that's how she hid between the walls of buildings after being chased by a dozen of her uncle's goons.

Removing the last of her golden bangle, Sivaangi stuffed her jewels safely inside her backpack while her eyes flickered around making sure she's safe. She only left her gold chain with pendant that has 'Sivaangi' craved in it around her neck and now, all she has to do is to meet Sakthi at the address he gave her.

Wearing the backpack on her back and after taking a deep breath, Sivaangi cautiously walked into the dark street with street light flickering now and then. A couple of dogs hollered at a distance making her jump on her spot.

It took couple of seconds for Sivaangi to compose herself before she started walking again. But an unknown creepy feeling crept into her heart making her turn back now and then. Brushing those thoughts after a couple of minutes, with her eyes on the road, she walked briskly only to slow down when she felt a shadow towering over hers making her pause and shiver in fear.

When the one shadow turned into three, Sivaangi gripped the strap of her backpack tightly. She was too scared to turn and look back but she couldn't find it in herself to walk away as well. It's like her system has paralyzed.

After a couple of seconds, with fear glistening in her eyes, Sivaangi chanted her favorite deity's name under her breath as she finally convinced herself to turn around and face whoever's behind her.

And when Sivaangi was about to turn, someone from behind tried pulling her backpack from her making her tighten her hold on the strap while a chocked shrill cry escaped her lips.

Before Sivaangi could realize, a cloth was smashed against her face alerting her senses. She thrashed when she felt hands holding her arms on either side but soon succumbed to the effect of chloroform and the world turned dark.

~ * ~

Sivaangi groaned as the effect of chloroform wore off. When she opened her heavy lids, all she could see was pitch black save for the light coming from the narrow slit. It took her couple of second to realize that her hands and legs were tied and that her mouth is stuffed with cloth.

Fear and panic gripped Sivaangi when she somehow made out and realized that she's locked inside a cupboard and the narrow slit of light was from the slit on the cupboard door.

The last thing Sivaangi remember was getting surrounded by three shadows, the way she thrashed under their hold and then everything went dark. Even with her efforts to keep her tears on check, they manage to slip out from her eyes and cascade down her cheeks.

All Sivaangi wanted was to escape from the clutches of her uncle and forced marriage. She wanted to go away from all these dramas and just live peacefully somewhere. The last thing she wanted was to get kidnapped.

Sivaangi tried to wriggle her hands from the rope's grip but it was too tight and the rope was tied around her legs in such a way that it was not possible for her to stand properly without leaning against the wall of the cupboard.

Helpless tears escaped her eyes as Sivaangi sobbed thinking about her life. She was supposed to be with Sakthi now; somewhere safe and not here locked inside a dark cupboard, scared for her life.

Couple of minutes later, Sivaangi's tears died down. She being a strongheaded person refused to eat anything the whole day and now fatigue caught up with her. Her eyes grew wide when she heard footsteps. She tried to scream but only hums escaped her lips.

Sivaangi groaned and shook herself trying to stand on her feet so that she can bang the cupboard door to get their attention. She tried to scream louder and her eyes widen when she felt shadows hindering the light coming through the slit.

"Dei, andha ponnu mulichuruchu nu nenakuren da" Sivaangi heard one among the men say as they heard her faint voice.

(Seems like that girl's up)

Sivaangi continued to scream which came out as a mild yelp after getting muffled by the cloth stuffed inside her mouth. Tears streamed down her cheeks yet her eyes stayed on the narrow slit of light in front of her as her breath quickened.

"Eii ponney, kathama amaithiya iru"

(Hey girl, be silent)

Sivaangi jerked when a guy slammed his hand hard against the cupboard door and barked from outside. This jerk helped her manage to stand on her feet and she leaned against the side wall of the cupboard to manage herself.

"Athu! Ithey mathiri amaithiya irukanum. Koncha neram poru. Una onum pana matom. Koncha nerathula vitruvom" A stern voice said from outside and added with a warning, "Aana athuku munna ethachum satham pota, aprm avlo dhan"

(Stay silent like this. Wait for sometime. We won't do anything to you. Will leave you after a while) (But If you make noises before that then you're done)

Sivaangi bit back her tears and tried to scream again but paused when she felt the narrow slit of light getting blocked. Someone must have stood against the sit. It was pitch black and she panicked trying to keep herself together. It took few seconds for her to collect herself and then she screamed again but a firm slam on the cupboard made her silent.

Couple of minutes later,

"Eii una amaidhiya iru nu sonnom la. Kathuna aprm un uyir en kai la dhan pogum" A stern voice from the other side warned her again.

(We asked you to keep mum right! If you shout then you'll die in my hands)

Sivaangi fell mum, her cry stuck in her throat on hearing the guy's words.

"Ipdiyeh amaithiya iru" The guy said and the one who blocked the cupboard slit moved away.

(Keep quiet like this)

"Dei, master kelambunathum indha ponna batharama engayachum eraki vitrunga" The guy said to his companion but Sivaangi was too shaken to hear as she leaned herself completely against the side wall of cupboard, too tired to listen anything.

(Once master leaves, leave this girl somewhere safely)

~ * ~

"Na Parthiv ah indha consignment issue ah enanu paka solren, AK. Un friends' ah koncham warn pani vaikanum nu dhan adhati pesunen. Yenna irundhalum elarum enoda pasangala poetinga. Vera endha prachanailayum maata kudathu nu soliru avangata" Baba Baskar said.

(I have asked Parthiv to deal with the consignment issue, AK. I just wanted to warn your friends. Hence, I behaved sternly. They all are my boys. Warn them not to get into any troubles)

"Aduthu prachana varama na pathukuren, master" Ashwin assured him.

(I'll make sure of it, master)

"Dei inum nee ena master nu kupduratha niruthalaya" Baskar laughed as he patted Ashwin's shoulder to which Ashwin grinned and said,

(You still didn't stop calling me master)

"Palasa yeppovum maraka kudathula master"

(One shouldn't forget their past, master)

"Indha gunam dhan da enaku unta romba pidichathu. Seri, adutha race yeppo nu soli anupu. Pasangaloda vandhu tharama senjuralam" Baskar said to which Ashwin nodded.

(Your well behaved nature is what I like the most about you. Let me know when next race is. I'll come along with my men)

"Seri, master. Apo na kelamburen" Ashwin said and Baskar hugged him which he reciprocated.

(Okay, master. I'll take your leave now)

"Dei anga enga da pora? Veliya pora vali ingutu iruku" Baba Baskar said on seeing Ashwin walk inside his place rather than the way out.

(Why are you going this way? Exit is this way)

Raising his small finger on his left hand, with a soft chuckle Ashwin scratched his eyebrows with his right index finger before saying, "Nature call master. Poetu kelambiduren, if that's fine with you"

(I'll leave once I'm done)

Baba Baskar let out a hearty laugh before saying, "Po da maganey"

(Go son)

When Ashwin walked away from Baba Baskar, his smile dropped and he looked around frantically, his eyes observing the surroundings. He admires Baskar but that doesn't mean he would let his guard down in front of anyone.

On the hall way, Ashwin saw Sandy, one of Baba Baskar's trusted man and his two minions standing in a corner by few boxes and a cupboard as they talked among themselves.

Ashwin and Sandy never get along. They just stay decent towards each other for Baba Baskar's sake. When Ashwin's eyes met with Sandy's, the both men wordlessly glowered at each other until Ashwin averted his gaze and walked away but paused on his track when his sharp ears heard a feminine yelp.

~ * ~

Hey guys, hope you all are doing good. I hope you enjoyed reading the story. Thank you for encouraging me to open a new book for Entwined. Without your push, I wouldn't have dared to!

I hope you all support me on this new venture. Scared, yes but also excited.

Thank you for reading.

Nan ~