Author's note

Will you believe if I say I typed this chapter while waiting for doctor at hospital? I have the plot in mind but couldn't find it in me to sit down and type for so long (was and am sick n stressed) but finally managed to complete it. Sorry for the typos.

Thank you for 1K followers makkaleyy 💜

Hope you all are doing good. I hope you guys enjoy reading the chapter. I know I'm being very irregular these days. I'm going through a bad phase, travelling and also, sick. Trying my best to keep up.

I have NET exam coming next month, most probably second week of August and I have been preparing for it. So, I'm concentrating a bit on that.

I'll be taking a huge decision in my life in the coming days which will influence my story writing as well. I'll let you know once I make my decision.

Do watch Adipoli whenever you can and support Ashwin and Sivaangi professionally and keep them in your prayers.

PS. Anyone from Courtalam/Kutralam or Tenkasi or nearby?

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Disclaimer

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

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Chapter Thirty Three

"Ashwin"

Ashwin looked up from the laptop screen. He eyed at Tasha and Mila who stood in front of him.

"Solunga Mila"

"Athu vandhu..." Mila hesitated.

"Parava ila, solunga" Ashwin said placing the laptop down from his lap.

"Ila, athu naanga Sivaangi ku thaali pirichu korkura function ku saree eduka veliya oru Saree exhibition ku kuptu porom nu sonom" Tasha started.

"Seri, careful ah poetu vanga. Kuda pasanga yarachum anupuren"

"Ila, athu ila. Sivaangi ku naanga kondu vandha endha saree um set agala. Saree exhibition polam, permission kekurom nu sonnom aana ava permission ketalum vara maten, force panadhinga nu solitu room kula poeta" Mila said.

Ashwin scratched his beard lost in thoughts for a couple of seconds before he looked up at the duo.

"Ava inga vandhadhula irundhu veliyaveh pola. Na vida maten nu nenachu apdi panirupa. Neenga thappa eduthukadhinga. Na pesuren" Ashwin stood up, "Aprm indha laptop ah pakathu apartment la Rakshan irukan, avan ta kuduka mudiyuma?"

The duo accepted and left to the opposite apartment while Ashwin walked towards their room. The door was unlocked. He opened the door and saw Sivaangi sitting on the bed scrolling her mobile. She had airpods on and so, she didn't listen to him walking in.

"Sivaangi" Ashwin said placing his hand on Sivaangi's shoulder.

Sivaangi looked up at Ashwin and removed one of her airpods.

"Yenna Ashwinn?" Sivaangi asked closing her mobile and Ashwin sat facing her.

"Mila um Tasha um veliya kuptangalamey, yean varla nu sona?" Ashwin asked looking at Sivaangi fidgeting with her mobile.

"Ila, avanga kondu vandha Saree la yeh onnu choose panikalam nu dhan venam nu sonen" Sivaangi averted her gaze.

"Athan eduthutu vandha edhuvum unaku set agala nu sonanga. Saree exhibition dhana, poetu vaa di" Ashwin pressed.

"Ila, Ashwin. Enaku thalai valikudhu, ipo pora mood ila. Avanga aduthu kondu varadhula na choose panikuren" Sivaangi said trying to stand up but Ashwin held her hand making her sit back, "Ashwin-"

"Nee yenna namburiya ilaya?" Ashwin asked in a stern tone making Sivaangi look at him surprised.

"Ashwin, yenn-"

"Ketadhuku pathil"

"Namburen" Sivaangi stared at Ashwin.

"Apo solu yean veliya poga maten solra?" Ashwin asked holding her gaze with his.

"Atha thalai valikudhu nu sonen la" Sivaangi said averting her gaze.

Ashwin sighed before palming Sivaangi's cheek and made her look at him.

"Inaiku thalai valikudhu ok aana anaiku oru naal FIKA kuptu poren nu sonen, venam nu karanam sonna. Shopping kuptu poren nu sonnen, venam nu karanam sonna. Veliya sapda polam nu kupta venam nu karanam sonna. Idhu mathiri neraya thadava solita. Na notice panala nu nenakuriya?"

"Ashwin" Sivaangi averted her gaze as she placed her hand on top of Ashwin's that's resting on her cheek, "Ipo na veliya pola na yenna prachana? Vidunga, namma sapda-"

"Inga paru" Ashwin grabbed Sivaangi by her waist pulling her on his lap before encircling his hand around her neck making her look up at him, "Ena namburen nu solra aana na kekuradhuku pathil sola matra. Unoda bayam, insecurities una life la pull back pana kudathu Sivaangi. Evlo naal ipdi indha apartment kulayeh iruka mudiyum nu nenakura? Veli ulagathula unaku nu oru life unaku nu oru identity iruku, ath-"

Sivaangi cut Ashwin's sentence in middle as she placed her hand above his.

"Veli ulagathula enaku nu oru life ah?" Sivaangi chuckled sadly, "Appa Amma pona aprm enaku nu oru identity irukanum nu dhan chithapa aprm veetla irundhu dhurama padiche. Na college padichu mudichu vandhadhu la irundhu naalu sevathukula dhan neraya neram irundhruken. Pechu kekala nu adachu vaikuradhu, veliya ponum na guards, pidikadha vishayam ah seiya force panradhu nu."

Sivaangi paused before continuing,

"Yean, kalyanam kuda force pananga nu dhan thapichu oodi vandhen aana yenna nadandhuchu? Oru irutu cupboard la pidichu adachu vachanga. Ongala matum pakala na inneram na endha nelamai la irundhrupen nu theriyadhu. Veli ulagam ena yethukavey ila, Ashwin, athu ena kaayam matum dhan paduthiruku"

Ashwin listened patiently caressing her hair.

"Modha na enoda uyiruku kavala pattadhu ila. Ongala thedi ponum nu oru ennam matum dhan irundhuchu aana ipo neengaley enaku kedachurukinga. Ipo uyir mela aasaiya iruku, onga kuda vaazhanum nu. Veliya epo yaru pathutu thukitu poeruva nu bayathula, ongala vitu poeduveno nu bayathula enala mudiyathu"

A pregnant silence prevailed in the room. Sivaangi eyed at Ashwin. He lifted his eyes up at her before giving a dry chuckle and shook his head.

"Ashwi-" Sivaangi tried to place her hand on Ashwin's cheek but he shifted his face back making her hand pause on the air.

"Ena namburen nu sonna" Ashwin gave a sad chuckle.

"Ila, Ashwin, na solra-"

"Ena namburen nu solra aana veliya poga bayam, uyir bayam, bayathula veliya porathu valanum nu pesura!" Ashwin sighed and tried to blink back his hurt and disappointment but failed, "Enn mela nambikai iruku aana na unaku veliya edhuvum agama pathuka maten nu nambikai ila la"

"Ashwinn, na apdi mean panla" Sivaangi's voice cracked as she tried to place her hand on Ashwin's arm but he pulled his hand back.

"Vera epdi? Ila, enaku puriyala. Bayandhu valkai na, ivlo naal inga irundha la, apo nee enn kuda bayandhu bayandhu dhan vazhdhutu iruka?"

"Aiyo, na apdi sola varla, Ashwin" Sivaangi held Ashwin's hand before placing her hand on his cheek making him turn to look at her, "Inga parunga, na solra-"

"Bayandhu bayandhu dhan nee enn kuda vazhdhutu irukiya?" Ashwin asked and Sivaangi flared up.

"Na yenna solren neenga yenna solringa!" Sivaangi beat her closed fists at Ashwin's chest repeatedly, "Neengala yedhachum pesathinga Ashwinn!"

"Hey!" Ashwin held Sivaangi's hand, "Valikudhu di, kiruki!"

"Valikatum!" Sivaangi snarled at Ashwin.

"Psch! Na kovama iruken theriyudhu la, ipdi adikura, thitra!" Ashwin hissed and grumbled.

"Naanum dhan kovama iruken!" Sivaangi shot back.

"Nee yenna kovam, naan dhan kovam!" Ashwin circled his hand around Sivaangi's neck, pulling her closer by her nape, "Veliya pona epo yaru thukitu poeruvanga nu bayathula vazha mudiyathu nu solra, enala enoda pondatti ah pathuka mudiyathu nu nenakura la nee!"

"Enaku onga mela nambikai ila nu lam ila! Yenna ketinga, onga kuda bayandhu bayandhu vazhuren ah nu dhana! Oru oru naalum evlo ku evlo oru human sandhosama iruka mudiyumoh, avlo ku avlo sandhosama, peaceful ah vazhdhutu iruken!" Sivaangi placed her hand on Ashwin's cheek, "Enaku veliya poradhu bayam dhan, accept panikuren. Aana neenga nenaikura mathiri bayam ila! Yenna aanalum yendha prachana naalum neenga ena pathupinga nu theriyum, yean onga uyirayeh panayam vachu pathupinga, kapathuvinga num theriyum"

Sivaangi stroked Ashwin's cheek as she held his gaze in his.

"Ena secure ah vachuka endha limit naalum povinga, to the extent of keeping me away from here, from you. Enaku theriyum prachana nu ongaluku therinchuruchu na you won't hesitate to send me away from here, from you. That's what scares me the most, Ashwin - to be away from you. Idhu dhan enoda bayam! Athunala dhan ipdi oru vishayam nadaka enaku chance kuduka virupam ila! Athuku indha apartment kulayeh irukanum na naan irupen!"

Sivaangi stared into Ashwin's startled eyes. She saw a shift in his eyes. Before she could figure out what it is, he left her nape and wrapped his arms around her, envoleping her in his embrace.

Frowning, Sivaangi placed her hand on Ashwin's arm. Few seconds later, he pulled back from her and stared at her. She looked at him expectantly waiting for him to say something but he kept staring at her.

"Yenna ipdi pakuringa!" Sivaangi said with an angry pout.

"Life evlo short nu theriyuma di unaku" Ashwin scoffed.

"Huh, yenna?" Sivaangi scrunched her eyebrows.

"Life la yeppo yepdi saavu varum ne theriyathu, athuvum na iruka field la lam enganaala paathikapattavan yevanavathu thedi vandhu potruvano nu oru risk ooda dhan irukum. Naanga lam saavuku bayandhu veetukula irukadhu ila. Iruka vara indha life ah contentful ah vaazhanum nu pathutu irukom" Ashwin sighed.

"Veliya matikura mathiri nelamai na ena vitu pirinjuruka oru situation vandhrum nu veliya poga maten nu solra. Indha bayathula sutha logic eh ila. Oru probability kaga you shouldn't stop living your life!" Ashwin paused, "Unoda bayathuku ena reason ah soli ena guilt ah feel pana vaikadha, Sivaangi"

Sivaangi kept staring at Ashwin waiting for him to finish although she was very tempted to cut him in middle. He averted his gaze from her, took a sharp intake of breath before looking at her,

"Agreed, na normal pasanga mathiri ila. Aana enaku enn pondatti kuda veliya suthanum nu lam aasai irukadha? Ipdi naalu sevathukula irundhu vaazhkaiya vaazhama irukadhuku kuda iruka time sandhosama endha oru bayamum thadumatramum ilama vaazhkai ah azhaga vaazhalamey"

Sivaangi chewed her lips as she listened to Ashwin's words with glistening eyes,

"Veli ulagam aabathu dhan aana azhaganadhuvum kuda. Unn kuda spend panra enoda life la I want us to enjoy it to the fullest, come what may. Pirinjuruvom nu nenachu kuda iruka moments ah miss pana virumburiya?"

Sivaangi swallowed her tears as she looked at Ashwin. He placed his hand on her cheeks and locked her gaze with his as he continued,

"Just imagine, veliya oru dinner date namma rendu per matum, anga saptutu, 'Taste ah iruku aana irundhalum neenga seiyura dish dhan enaku favorite, Ashwineyy' nu nee solradhu. Midnight la ice cream venum nu adam pidichu nee kuptu poga, namma yarum iladha road la ice cream saptute nadandhu varom"

Ashwin paused to read Sivaangi's eyes before continuing,

"Birthday, wedding anniversary apo kovil ku onna kai pidichu poradhu. Window shopping kaga shopping mall pona anga nee oru kadaiyayeh vanguradhu, food court la nee kekuradhu lam vangi kudukurathu, park la jogging, evening time beach la walking, engayachum vacation ku hill station..."

"Paaru evlo beautiful moments and memories we can create together. Oru probability ku bayandhu do you want to miss out all these, Sivaangi. Nee-"

Before Ashwin could say anything, Sivaangi threw herself in his embrace and cried. He caressed her hair and let her cry.

"Enaku idhu yellamey venum!" Sivaangi tightened her hold around Ashwin, "Onga kuda ipdi oru vaazhkai enaku venum, Ashwin"

"No one but your fear is stopping you from all this" Ashwin sighed, "Unna indha apartment kulayeh adachu vaikanum nu enaku endha intention um irundhadhu ila. If you wanted to go out, all you had to do was to voice out, to just say or ask. You can, seri ya"

"Hmmm" Sivaangi whined against Ashwin, still hugging him.

"Oii, yenna di, vaaya thorandhu solu" Ashwin rubbed his thumb on Sivaangi's nape, "Ini veliya poga madam ku prachana ila la"

"Ila" Sivaangi buried her face in Ashwin's chest as she said. So, what she said came out muffled.

"Kekala" Ashwin pulled back from the hug and cupped Sivaangi's face, his thumbs wiping away her tears, "Ipo solu"

"Veliya poga inum bayam dhan aana koncham konchama poerum. Veliya poga prachana ila" Sivaangi said slowly.

"Ena paru (pulling her face closer) Nee enoda pondatti di. Yenna aanalum, yenna nadandhalum, yean nee ena vitu dhuramavey ponalum enta unna yepdi kondu varanum nu enaku theriyum" Ashwin caressed Sivaangi's cheek, "Namma dhurama ponalum nammala sethu vacha universe, nee soluviyeh, kadavul setting, ena nambala naalum, trust them, it'll bring us back together. Seri ya?"

Sivaangi nodded at Ashwin before hugging him again. He kept assuring her by uttering comforting words in her ear as his hand caressed her arm. She kept saying of instances where trouble could come if she stepped out and asked how he would react in that situation. Somehow he managed to calm her down.

Soon Sivaangi fell asleep in Ashwin's arms. He placed her on the bed and covered her with a blanket. Caressing her hair, he sighed and leaned against the headrest. With his eyes fixed on hers, he can't help but wonder how she knew him too well to know what he might do in the coming future.

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Romance chapter venuma, serious chapter venuma? (Romance venum na chapter la comment pananum, pathukonga)

If you have noticed, I'm slowly sorting out the issues in the story, meaning I'll be ending Entwined soon. I've an outline of how the story ends and ran out of ideas to stretch the story. Also, with the commitments I have ahead, keeping up with a FF would be difficult. So, once I finish FF, it would be OS & TS.

Thank you for reading,

Nan ~