It's Complicated

One

Chennai, 2022

"Ashwin pa, please. I've asked you so many times. I have scolded, begged and I've even cried. Can't you just go along once? Ennakaga?"

Geetha knew what answer would come in reply.

"Amma ennaku ungaloda kavala puriyuthu, serious-ah puriyuthu. Aana innum career and work thaan ennodu full focus. Sathiyama marriage ippo set agathu."

"Aiyo ithu kettu kettu na sonthu poiten. But everyone has dreams besides their careers. And you've already achieved so much! I know you want to settle down, have a wife to come home to, and a companion to wake up with everyday."

She paused.

"And I know you want a child, your own child to hold and cherish."

He looked up, and Geetha knew she'd touched his soft spot.

"Listen ma, I want a family and kids, of course I do! And yes, I would love to get settled down but it just wouldn't be fair to my wife. These days my time is completely swallowed up by shoots, meetings, practices so much. No newlywed bride would want to put up with that."

"That's the thing, Ashwin. Nethu vantha match unnaku avlo suit aagum kanna. Peru Kavya, IT company la vellai pakkura, super ah cook pannuva and great family background. Her family says she's very independent and understands your work schedule. Nalla samathaana ponnu with nice height and looks. Inga paar."

She grabbed her mobile and clicked on a photo of the girl.

"Super la?"

Ashwin nodded, agreeing the girl was pretty but still had no clear interest in pursuing the match. A relationship, and especially a marriage took a lot time to grow and develop. He was just too busy to be able to dedicate effort towards that right now. But despite this logic, the mention of a child still rang in his head. Becoming a father was the one thing he truly yearned for.

"A long time back I learned I could never force you to be what I wished, Ashwin. You have always been so stubborn in your decisions. Even if you found a girl on your own who was in your range and fit our family we would be happy. But you're always occupied and that's why I took it upon myself to take care of this for you. Please just intha ponna meet panni paaru. No pressure, no labels. One time, avlothan kekkuren. Ennakaga ithu kooda pannamata?"

Ashwin stared at his mother's pleading eyes, then sighed.

"Seri okay. One time meet pandren. Now can we please talk about something else?"

One Week Later:

Her face broke out in a smile.

"Wow no way! Titanic is my favourite film as well, such a classic, na?"

Ashwin nodded as Kavya leaned to sip her lime soda. She was even prettier in real life, and very easy to talk to. He was glad he'd agreed to meet her.

"I don't really follow many actors but I'm such a Leonardo Dicaprio fan. When I was doing my masters degree in Australia I spotted him in a coffee shop and totally freaked out."

Ashwin laughed as Kavya continued to narrate her adventures abroad. She had experienced so much and had travelled all across the world. It reflected in her bold, confident nature.

Of course, he was his usual shy and awkward self but she managed to carry the conversation until their food arrived. As they dug into their meal, his gaze wandered out the window to an ice cream stall that was situated on the outskirts of a park entrance.

Ashwin licked his lips.

"Ice cream intha weather ku super ah irrukum la?"

"Oh illanga, do you know how many calories there are in just one scoop? And so much artificial flavoring and sugar. I just try to block out those cravings from my mind completely."

As Kavya began to cut up her grilled fish, Ashwin's mind went back to last month when Sivaangi begged him to get her ice cream at 1 am after an event. Of course, he had obliged.

Sivaangi was someone he'd known for two years, but it felt like forever. They'd met on a comedy serial called "Samayal Sothapal" as co-stars, and even though their characters had totally separate storylines the audience had shipped them and branded them as "ashaangi". This was mainly due to Sivaangi's cute antics with him in interviews and social media. They had stayed close after the show ended and while there was nothing romantic between them, he considered her one of the most important people in his inner circle.

Ashwin had entered the show insecure and close to giving up on his dreams of starring in movies. Then she entered and gave him a push out of nowhere, constantly hyping him to the directors and audience. He went from relatively unknown to a household name in no time, and Ashwin finally secured his long sought place in the film industry. Sivaangi, on the other hand, had become popular enough to be chosen as the first female host of Bigg Boss and was also gearing up for her debut as a heroine. They both made it a point to stay in touch and be there for one another. Her unwavering support and trust was something he treasured dearly.

As his attention came back to his lunch, he smirked, thinking of what Sivaangi would reply to hearing Kavya's refusal of ice dream due to health concerns.

"Yenna aalu pa ivanga," he was sure she would have said with a humorous frown.

Hey guys welcome to my new FF! I have been writing parts of this for awhile and was going to include this in my one shot book but it just became too long.

Please please comment below and let me know if you like the setup, this will be one continuous story not one shots.

As always this is totally 100% fiction and unrelated to any real people or events. Zero connections to real life.