tryst - an ashaangi ff

xiii

The next few weeks were blissful, Ashwin felt like he was living in the soft clouds, because the love she showered on him was so. They noticed that they weren't really a physically affectionate couple, conveying their love through sincere eyes and unsaid sweet gestures.

Sivaangi had found love in the littlest things he did, like holding onto her bag while she rummaged for her phone or always making sure she doesn't forget her duppata behind or opening the car door for her while she was engrossed with someone on the phone. She knew all of this, and pretended not notice just for his satisfaction.

They decided to keep the relationship under the wraps from their families and friends for some time and even more for the world. They wanted to enjoy it without the cameras or opinions. So she managed to sneak off early one day from the Media Masons office, looking around to see her beau leaning against his bake. She jumped over to him, dumping her bag on him.

Surveying his surroundings once, Ashwin wrapped her in a hug. It had been almost a week since they saw each other in person. Until then, Ashwin didn't realise how weird his daily life felt without her. Smiling, he pulled away from her and asked, "Enna madam inniku ore kushi?". She simply giggled, and tugged his folded arms,

"Ashwineyy, sapadlama??"

He laughed and said, "Seri, unkitta oru mukiyamana vishayam sollanum, atha anga poi solren". She grinned, and asked ,"Enna matter Ashwineyy? CWC set lenthu thorathitangala?", she wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.

Ashwin narrowed his eyes and said, "Sollamata, vara vara unnaku thimuru jasthi aiduchu". She laughed more and said, "Engenthu varumbothu?". For some reason, she found utmost joy in using his words against him. She doubled over in laughter, emerging back up, unable to breathe and faced a less than happy Ashwin.

He rolled his eyes, but there was still a smile on his lips.

"Sirichadhu podum, vaa pasikuthu sonne la?"

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Ashwin always managed to find the most visually pleasing places for their dates. Less crowd, easy on the eyes and nothing overwhelming.

So they were seated in a novel restaurant, opened by his friend that looked over the beautiful Adyar beach and had dogs and cats and greenery of all kind. Ashwin knew how much she loved nature, and thought this was a perfect spot. Moreover, they sold ice cream and that was more than enough reason for Sivaangi to tag along.

They were on a high concrete ledge, licking ice creams, feet swinging brushing each other's sometimes. They talked about everything and nothing. When Sivaangi was with Ashwin, she could talk about anything and everything and not feel the fear of being judged.

"Seri etho sollanumnu soningale?"

Ashwin looked up from his cup of ice crema and nodded. He put it down and held her hands dramatically and said, "Enna oru music video ku kooptrukanga".  Sivaangi widened her eyes and did everything except for fly in the sky. She clapped thunderously, hugging him tightly. Ashwin laughed and went to return the hug, when she suddenly pulled away.

"Ashwineyyyy, music video na dance aadanum ungalukaga aadave varathe!"

Ashwin shot out of his seat, and poked her waist and started tickling her. She burst out into laughter, trying to clutch his hands in an attempt to stop him. He smiled at her laughter, sounding like music to him.

He finally stopped and freed her, but still clutched her hands tightly, barring her from moving away. "Romba vai aadhigam aidichu, enna kalaikalana thookam varathe?". She simply laughed and opened her mouth to respond but stopped when she saw him inch closer to her.