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 in the story. I have casted Ashwinkumar and Sivaangi Krishnakumar as leads.

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Ashaangi SS Entwined

Chapter Ten

Sivaangi was half expecting Ashwin to roll his eyes at her and half expecting to change the topic as he always does but her eyes widen in shock when he said,

"Ama, unaku dhan samaika theriyathey. Namma kalyanam ku aprm onna dhana irupom. Sapdanum na daily order panite iruka mudiyathu la. Naan samachu dhaney aganum. Vera vali"

(Yeah. You don't know how to cook. Once we are married, we'll stay together. We can't always depend on food delivery right. I have to cook. No other go)

Ashwin didn't know how to initiate the marriage topic. So, he said it in a flow. He wanted to know Sivaangi's decision before he speaks to Baba Baskar.

Sivaangi's eyes widen in surprise. She may sound dumb or slow most of the time but that wasn't how her system works when things that concerns her whole life are being discussed. Her mind went back to how Ashwin reacted to her teasing, how he smiled at her and behaved with her in the past few hours.

And now, with Ashwin's subtle proposal, Sivaangi wasn't dumb to catch up on things. Like she thought, she was supposed to be happy that Ashwin agreed to marry her but strangely she wasn't.

Ashwin trained his eyes on Sivaangi who grew silent, her eyebrows scrunched in confusion, a frown adorning her face as her lips were slightly part and her eyes stayed on her plate rather than on him.

Sivaangi's mind was filled with various thoughts, her frown turned into a thin line as her face went blank before she lifted her eyes to look up at Ashwin.

"Nalaiku kalyanam panikalam" Ashwin said as he stared right into Sivaangi's eyes, "Master elam ready paniduren nu solirukaru"

(We can get married tomorrow) (Master said he'll take care of arrangements)

Ashwin's hand reached out to Sivaangi's to hold her hand as he talked but she took a sharp intake of breath and pulled her hand back, out of his reach making him pause.

Sivaangi heaved a long sigh before pursing her hands together and look up at Ashwin. He got alarmed when he realized her eyes were at the verge of pooling with tears.

Ashwin watched in anticipation as Sivaangi opened her mouth to say something but closed in mid before shaking her head. She was struggling to form words, her mind racing with various thoughts at once that she couldn't find it in her to effectively voice out her thoughts.

"Yethachum enta solanum ah?" Ashwin asked putting Sivaangi out of misery as she looked up with him.

(You want to say something to me?)

To think that the person you have loved for seven years only wants to marry you because of a tough situation made Sivaangi's heart feel heavy. She knew she can't expect him to love her right away. She was the one who was teasing about marriage and stuff but the thought that its forced and not out of his own ill made her feel lost.

"Ashwin" Sivaangi took a sharp intake of breath, "Neenga master kaga matum dha-"

(Only for master, are you go-)

Ashwin was quick to understand what Sivaangi's thinking. He quickly reached for her hand, made her stop in middle and look up at her.

"I didn't say that because of Master. I don't love you yes, but most people who get married doesn't love each other when they enter into it. Let's get married. Iruka prachana mudiyatum. Unnoda chithapa is still behind you. Unna secure panathum master ku puriya vachathum unaku venum na you can leav-"

(Let the issues solve. Your uncle is still behind you. Once securing you and making Master understand everything, you can lea-)

"Please niruthunga!" Sivaangi stopped Ashwin in middle and wriggled her hand out of his hold making him frown.

(Stop!)

She was silent for a brief moment before she looked up at Ashwin's anticipating and puzzled gaze.

"Yenna Marriage with benefits ah? Sorry, I marry for life and I don't believe in divorce. I love you, Ashwin. I don't make deals out of my feelings. I would rather stay single whole my life loving you than getting married to you for a short time until everything settles only to part with you and leave" Sivaangi was calm and firm in her decision as she spoke, her eyes staring right into Ashwin's, "Indha ponnu yenna yeppa pathalum Ashwin, Ashwin nu solitu suthura nu yenna naalum solalam ah?"

(Marriage with benefits?) (Just because I roam behind you saying Ashwin, Ashwin, you thought you can say anything?)

"I-" Ashwin was at loss of words as he stared at Sivaangi.

"My feelings aren't joke for you to ridicule at!" Sivaangi heaved a sigh and made up her mind to go to their room. She needs to clear her head first.

Ashwin wasn't much of a speaker. He was a man of action rather than lengthy words. His lack of experience in conversing with women put him at a huge disadvantage and he ended up placing his words wrongly. He wanted to tell her that he like her, that how he feels around her and that he wanted to marry her for that, not forced, not securing her or stuffs like that!

"Ma, naan ponnunga ta avlo va pesunathu ila ma. Unna offend panrathu enoda intention kedayathu. Two minutes time kudu ma. Let me get my mind straight" Ashwin said holding Sivaangi's wrist making her pause.

(I haven't spoken much with girls. My intention isn't to offend you. Give me two minutes)

Sivaangi stared at their joined hands and then at Ashwin. Her hard face softened on seeing him and with a sigh, she gently tugged her hand out of his grip and sat on her seat, looking at him.

Ashwin took his time to get his thoughts and words clear. He has one chance to rephrase his words properly and he can't afford to mess up. Being stern with Sivaangi was easy but opening up his feelings was indeed tough. He heaved a deep sigh before making his mind to speak his thoughts.

"I'm sorry, really sorry. I haven't placed my words properly but whatever I blabbered, that wasn't my intention" Ashwin quickly said as he watched Sivaangi's tensed form. Gone was the girl who was chirpy and didn't leave a single chance to express her love for him.

"Let me rephrase what I meant properly, Sivaangi. Master kaga, indha situation la irundhu thapikanum nu naan kalyanam panikalam nu solala" Ashwin said slowly waiting for Sivaangi to process his words. She looked at him with a blank face as he spoke,

(I didn't bring up marriage for master's sake or to escape from this situation)

"Unna love panren nu namma kalyanam panikalam nu solala. Enaku unna rendu naal dhan theriyum. Love at first sight la lam believe panra person naan kedayathu. Female attention kedachum, even after many proposals, I have been single all my life. I didn't had a pretty childhood with perfect parents, Sivaangi"

(I also didn't bring up marriage because I love you. I know you for just two days. I'm not the type of guy to believe in love at first sight. Even after I got female attention and so many proposals, I have been single all my life. I didn't had a pretty childhood with perfect parents)

Ashwin swallowed before he continued,

"My father cheated on my mother with his endless flings. I have watched him beat her, saw her suffer at his hands helplessly. He even left her for some other woman. Growing up I have decided that I'll only place my love and affections on my wife. I don't believe in divorces and when I marry, I marry for life too. I lead a dangerous life. Me and my friends are hackers. We have connections with underworld. We steer clear of danger but we lead a dangerous life and involving you in my life means involving you in danger. So, understand that I thought this whole thing through before talking about marriage with you"

Sivaangi let her eyes linger on Ashwin as she listened to him patiently,

"Enaku unna rendu naal dhan theriyum aana it feels as if I know you forever, instant ah unn kuda oru attachment form agiruchu" Ashwin said as he held his gaze with Sivaangi's, "Nee nee ah iruka. Athu pidichuruku. Bold ah iruka, you do things only you believe in. You fight for what you want. Unn pechu, unn kannu, unn siripu, unta neraya vishayam pidikum. Enn mela nee express panra mathiri pasam lam yarum vachathu ila... Naan avlo ah pesura aal ila aana nee pesuratha keka pidikum. Naan unna kandukala naalum indha rendu naal la nee ena oru raja mathiri treat panna. Naanum manushan dhana di"

(I know you for just two days but feels as if I know you forever; I felt an instant connection with you) (You are being unapologetically you and I like that. You're bold and you do things only you believe in. You fight for what you want. The way you speak, your eyes, your smile, I like lot of things about you. No one has shown me care like you do...I don't speak much but I love listening to you speak. Even if I didn't return the same feelings, you have treated me as if I'm a king in this couple of days. I'm human too)

Sivaangi watched with bathed breath as Ashwin reached for her hand and squeezed it before he said,

"Enaku unna pidichuruku, Sivaangi. Love ila aana athu gradually varum nu enaku theriyum. Unna kalyanam panikanum nu sonathu master kaga indha situation kaga nu mind la ila, unna pidikum nu dhan. I know you trust me. I trust you. You love me, I like you, isn't that enough to build our marriage? Athunala dhan sonen kalyanam panikalam nu" Ashwin stressed, "I only said you can leave out of this marriage because if you regret at any point then I won't hold you back. Otherwise, I have no intention of leaving you, not after this"

(I like you Sivaangi. Its not love but I know I'll love you gradually. I didn't say about marriage keeping Master at mind. I know we trust each other. You love me, I like you, isn't that enough to build our marriage? That's why I asked you for marriage)

Ashwin waited for Sivaangi to process his words. He didn't let go of her hands, rather held it firmly in his as he waited for her to speak up. She let her eyes meet his and took a sharp intake of breath.

"Ongaluku ena pidichuruka?" Sivaangi's voice cracked as she asked.

(You like me?)

For Sivaangi, it was seven long years she spent loving the guy in front of her. With each second the love she had on him growing, she spent every day with his thoughts and lived by his thoughts alone for all these years. So, Ashwin saying that he liked her shifted a huge part inside her as tears stung her eyes and she averted her gaze with tears.

"Unna pidichuruku di" Ashwin said as he freed his hand from Sivaangi's and held her chin making her look up at him, "Kalyanam panikalam ah?"

(I like you) (Can we get married?)

Sivaangi fought down the lump in her throat as she nodded vigorously at Ashwin that looked super cute to him. She lifted her hand to wipe her tears but he beat her to it and wiped her tears.

"Alatha, paaka sagikala" Ashwin said with a smile.

(Don't cry. You look terrible)

But Sivaangi didn't listen to what Ashwin said. She threw herself in his arms as a sob escaped her lips. He wrapped his arms around her, comforting her in the best way he could; by letting her cry.

"Seri, pothum aluthathu" Ashwin said after few minutes of letting Sivaangi vent out her tears.

(Okay, don't cry now)

Sivaangi pulled back from the hug and sat on her seat, her eyes red with tears and tears stained on her cheek. Ashwin brushed his fingers on her cheek, wiping her tears.

"Kalyanam panikalam ah nu ketathuku inum pathil varla, cancel paniralama?" Ashwin teased.

(You did't respond to my question. Shall I cancel the wedding then?)

"Huh, athellam mudiyathu. Panikalam, panikalam. Enaku ipo panikalam na kuda okay dhan" Sivaangi quickly said with a smile as she wiped her tears and Ashwin smiled finally seeing her smile.

(No! Let's get married. I'm ready to get married right away)

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Later that night after having a good dinner that Ashwin prepared, while he was still working, Sivaangi finally grew tired of her saree. Her body was itching. She checked the paper bags that he gave her. There were toiletries, cosmetics, dresses including under wears in it making her blush.

Sivaangi went inside the washroom, had a hot shower to sooth her aching body and came out dressed in fresh pair of t-shirt and track pants. She applied moisturizer and stretched her aching limbs as she walked towards the bed. Ashwin asked her to use cupboard to place her stuffs.

Picking the new folded clothes, Sivaangi walked towards the cupboard, turned the key and opened it. She placed her dresses in the free space Ashwin already made for her in it. Just as she finished placing her clothes, her eyes fell on a paper bag placed inside on top of Ashwin's cloths.

Sivaangi remember Ashwin placing it separately although he brought it along with his clothes. Curiosity got the best of her and she slowly peaked inside the paper bag only to find a saree in it.

Scrunching her eyebrows in confusion, Sivaangi took out the saree. It was a beautiful saree that looked like wedding collection saree. Her eyes caressed the material as a smile touched her lips.

Sivaangi couldn't help but keep the saree against her and stare at herself in the mirror. It looked perfect for her in her eyes. Even the color would suit the blouse she wore before.

"Yaruku vaangi vachurukaru nu therlayeh. Oru velai namako?" Sivaangi wondered aloud as she stared at her reflection in the mirror.

(Don't know for whom he bought this. What if its for me?)

"Unnaku dhan"

(Its for you)

Sivaangi jerked up for a second, a small gasp escaping her lips before she turned to find Ashwin standing by the room door.

"Enaka Ashwineyy?" Sivaangi asked with a surprised smile.

(For me?)

"Ama, pinna kalyanam na kalyanam saree vendam ah?" Ashwin said walking inside.

(Yes, bride needs wedding saree right)

'Ivara paru, kalyanam vendam, enn pakkam vara maten nu solitu kalyanam ku propose panrathu yenna, plan panrathu yenna, saree vangurathu yenna, cha, yenna Ashwineyy nee' Sivaangi thought as she folded the saree in her hand with a fond smile.

(Look at him, he was like no marriage, I won't come near nu and all that but then he not only proposes but comes full prepared for marriage right from preparation!)

"Pidichuruka?" Ashwin asked eyeing at the saree in Sivaangi's hand.

(Do you like it?)

"Romba pidichuruku, Ashwin. Blouse stitch pananum nu kuda avasiyam ila. Enoda palaya blouse eh potukalam" Sivaangi said with a wide smile.

(A lot. I don't even have to stitch a separate blouse for this. I can wear my old one)

Ashwin nodded at Sivaangi and watched her as she placed the saree back into the paper bag and placed it inside the cupboard.

"Late achu, nee indha room la paduthuko. Naan pakathu room la paduthukuren" Ashwin said.

(Its late. You sleep here. I'll sleep at another room)

"Yethuku pakathu room la?" Sivaangi frowned.

(Why another room?)

"Velai iruku, mudiya time agum. Nee rest edu" Ashwin explained.

(I have work. It takes time. You take rest)

"Velai iruku okay aana yean pakathu room la padukanum?" Sivaangi asked.

(Its fine if you have work but why stay in another room?)

"Yean? Inga padukava?" Ashwin asked hiding his amusement on seeing the myriad of expressions dancing on Sivaangi's face.

(Why? You want me to sleep here?)

"Pinna! Idhu dhana namma room. Apo neenga inga dhana Ashwineyy thoonganum" Sivaangi said sitting down on the bed, "Indha side naan paduthukuren (pointing at right), indha side neenga paduthukonga (pointing other side)"

(Why not! Its our room. So, you have to sleep here right) (I'll take the right side, you take left side)

Ashwin always sleeps at the right side of his bed. But he didn't want to point that out and make the smile get dull on Sivaangi's face. He wordlessly agreed.

"Andha blouse ah wash pani dry pana pota dhan nalaiku ready ah irukum. Naan wash panitu thoonga poren. Neenga velai mudichutu vaanga, seriya" Sivaangi said and Ashwin nodded with a smile.

(If I wash and dry my blouse then I can wear it tomorrow. I'll wash and go to sleep. You finish your work and join me)

When Sivaangi was about to walk towards washroom, Ashwin held her wrist stopping her, making his mind to ask the question that's eating him from within.

"Yenna Ashwineyy?"

(What?)

"Naan hacker, underworld pathi sonathuku nee perusa react panla, unaku elam munnayeh theriyuma?" Ashwin asked out of curiosity.

(I told about me being hacker and underworld stuffs. You didn't react much. By any chance, you knew all these before?)

"Namma college padicha apo irundhey theriyum, Ashwin. Pugazh anna, Rakshan anna kita naan kandupidichu ketaen, apo solitanga elamey. Ivlo varusham avanga valiya dhan neenga yenna seiringa, yepdi irukinga nu elam ketu vachurundhen. Avanga solrathula dhan onga nenapula valnthutu irundhen. Ipo kalyanam la irundhu oodi poetu irundhadhey Coimbatore la iruka onga safe house ku dhan" Sivaangi revealed.

(I knew it right from our college days. I have asked my brothers Pugazh and Rakshan after getting a hint. They told me everything. All these years they were the one who kept me informed about you. I lived thinking about you with what they said. Even now I was running away from my marriage to your safe house at Coimbatore)

Ashwin was genuinely shocked and surprised. He thought she let him go by the stone bench itself but didn't knew she kept checking up on him all these years. The knowledge that someone other than his mother and close friends caring for him and wishing for his welfare, to know that she showers him with unconditional love, he was baffled and taken aback yet that feeling warmed his heart.

"Naan pogatum ah? Blouse ah wash pananum" Sivaangi said bringing Ashwin out of his trance.

(Shall I go? I have to wash my blouse)

"Hmmm po" Ashwin said releasing his grip from her hand.

(Go)

Sivaangi smiled at Ashwin before walking inside the washroom while he stood rooted on the floor overwhelmed with the love this bite size woman has for him.

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Thank you for reading.

Nan ~