Across Time

7. see you again (part two)

Ashwin opened his mouth to speak, but found himself breathless, out of words. This was a moment he'd imagined for years. Yet here he was completely tongue-tied.

Sivaangi took a shaky breath, her usual bubbliness silenced.

"Neenga...neeenga eppadi irrukinga Ashwin?"

"Nalla irruken. Neenga?"

Sivaangi shifted, the formality of his reply feeling heavy on her chest.

Once upon a time, after a long separation she would have ran straight into his arms. Once upon a time, he would have gathered her in a tight, tender embrace. Once upon a time, there was no inhibitions no hesitations no unfamiliarity.

But that was then.

"I'm fine. How is work?"

"Oh you know...busy. How about you?"

"Busy as well. I just wrapped shooting for a song I've been working on for months. I got to perform classical dance which I haven't done in forever, Romba happy-ah irrunthuchu."

A barely there smile appeared on her face as she spoke, and Ashwin's heart softened. A single curve of her lips and he was affected.

"I myself just finished filming songs for a movie back to back in Austria. It was so exhausting, not just during the shoot but-"

"But when you stayed up until 3 am in your hotel room perfecting your steps and expressions?"

Ashwin chuckled. How was it she always knew exactly what he would do or say?

A flicker of pride crossed Sivaangi's face, pleased with finishing his sentence successfully.

"Romba late-ah thoongna you'll get dark circles under your eyes," she said indifferently.

He nodded slowly, savouring the comment that reminded him of the advice she used to always dole out about his health and well-being.

A silence fell between them, tension still thick. But even that fit them, didn't it? It's not like they needed to speak to communicate with each another.

Out of nowhere, Darsha cut in in.

"Hey Sivaangi, one second..just look at how cute Kani's baby niece is these days!"

She was then dragged away, her eyes locked with his in a pained expression.

Was everyone else beyond oblivious to their feelings? To their long-waited reunion? Ashwin had to draw a deep breath to remind himself the world didn't revolve around him and his stupid heart.

He controlled himself as person after person surrounded her, wanting to talk to her and hear her laugh and smile. He couldn't blame them. She was like a magnet of attraction in any room.

Sivaangi, on the other hand, wanted to burst into tears. She had barely been able to exchange two words with Ashwin before she was pulled into a flurry of conversations. Despite talking to everyone, her heart only yearned to speak to one person. Logically, she could excuse herself and walk over to where he was standing alone picking at his dessert. But some hesitance, even some ego stopped her. After all, did he even care to talk to her? Why couldn't he come over here, why did he always either do nothing or expect her to go after him?