It's Complicated

Ten

Chef Fujiyama's brand new restaurant was set in the heart of Chennai, an upscale eatery that promised high end cuisine. The grand opening had been arranged to include notable people from all walks of life, and several celebrities were in attendance.

Two of such celebrities had just arrived in a sleek BMW together, and had been arguing the whole ride about everything and anything.

"Seriously, when are you going to stop wearing that airpod everywhere you go? People will think you're rude!"

Ashwin chuckled at her complaint as he went to open the car door for her. Sivaangi hopped out, gazing happily at the restaurant.

"Madam, ennoda manager anytime enna call pannuvaru. Ethathu miss pannena yenna pandrathu? Unna maari ellarum sumava sutha mudiyum?"

She gasped, and whacked him as he expected.

"Romba thimiru ayuta Ashwiney!"

They walked in together, shielded in privacy through the back door entrance. The place was bustling, full of sounds and aromas. Ashwin spotted Rakshan and Sarath at a booth in the back, but before he could make a move a familiar figure jumped into their path.

"Hey guys, eppadi irrukinga!" Vihaan greeted with a huge smile.

"Great!" Sivaangi beamed.

"Good," Ashwin replied politely.

Sivaangi's eyes lit up.

"Hey V, we're matching!"

Vihaan looked down at his blue jeans and white top that exactly matched the colours of Sivaangi's outfit.

"Woah SK, great minds think alike!"

V? SK? What were these awful nicknames, Ashwin thought to himself. He stood silent as they high fived.

"There's space near me for you guys to sit. Follow me," Vihaan said.

Before Ashwin could decline the invite, he felt a sharp tug on his arm.

"Darling, how good to see you!"

He swallowed heavily as he turned to see Savita Jagananth. She was hot shot producer Vikram Jagannanth's wife and someone he tried his best to avoid. He never knew how to deal with her uncomfortable flirting while also keeping himself in Vikram's good books.

"I keep telling everyone about our brunch last year, how warm you were Ashu. We must schedule one again soon."

He turned and gave Sivaangi a sorrowful look, and she stifled her laugh.

Savita grabbed his hand.

"Come, come there are many people you just have to meet."

"Actually, I was going to sit with my frien-"

Paying no mind she pulled him to one end of the table, and dumped him between her group of fellow rich snooty housewives.

"Avaru paavam la," Vihaan chuckled as him and Sivaangi took their seats at the table.

Sivaangi laughed.

"National crush, chocolate boy nu jolly ah peru vangarathu pothathu. Intha maari situations la manage pannanum."

She reached for a menu, smiling to herself.

"Namba vellai ah paapom. Sorru thaan mukkiyum."

Ashwin was in his personal hell. The ladies fawned over him and kept forcing him into their discussions, but he could not care less about the Dubai shopping scene or hardships of dieting. He just plastered on a fake smile and gave his utmost generic, polite responses.

He looked across the room and saw Sivaangi laughing her head off at something Vihaan whispered to her, and Ashwin felt all too irritated. What could he possibly have said that was so funny?

Usually he'd find any excuse to sidestep these social events, but he was intrigued by the restaurant and the fact that he could just sit with Sivaangi, Rakshan and Sarath. Of course fate had played a fun game with him.

Sivaangi, meanwhile, felt intense sympathy whenever she looked at Ashwin. He sat like a little kid, so awkward and uncomfortable. A large part of her wanted to swoop in and save him, never wanting him to even be slightly in discomfort. But it didn't feel like her place to do that.

The evening passed by, quick for some and painfully slow for others (especially one vazhalanda kozhanda). Eventually most everyone had left, and by midnight the event had winded down. Ashwin, Sivaangi, Vihaan and some of their mutual friends were gathered on the street outside, causally conversing.

Across the street, a dirty looking man took the last swig out of his whiskey bottle, and dumped it onto the ground. Wiping his mouth, he began to stumble down the road with his attention drawn to a noisy group outside a restaurant. His eyes fixed on one particular girl laughing loudly. She looked hot, her figure enticing and curvy.

As he walked by he crashed into her purposely, relishing the second of contact.

"Sorry papa," he slurred as he steadied himself by clutching her waist.

He brushed himself off and continued on his path until he was pulled back sharply by his collar.

"Enna da! Enna?!" an angry voice blasted out.

Ashwin's eyes were bloodshot, his stare dead and cold. He pulled a scared Sivaangi to stand behind him.

"Unna thaan kekkuren da naiye! Ippo intha ponnu mela ethukku viluntha?!"

The guy smirked.

"Un aalu ipdi sleeveless, crop potta ipdi oruthan vanthu vilathan seivan."

Ashwin didn't wait for a second before sending a tight slap across his cheek.

The guy fell to the floor, and Ashwin sent a kick to his back.

"Unna maari nai la ethukku vazhanum, huh? Chai."

He sent a few more kicks as the guy rolled around yelping. Blinded with anger, Ashwin didn't know how much or how hard he was hitting.

After a bit, Sivaangi placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Pothum, Ashwin. Paravala vitturu."

He stopped, and the guy crawled to a stand and ran as far away as possible. Sivaangi took a deep breath of relief.

The group was silent, unnerved by the scene that had taken place.

The rage in Ashwin melted into complete concern as he turned to Sivaangi.

"Okay thaana ma? Valikutha, should I get some tissue or bandage? Bayama, illa oru maari irruka? Ethu irrunthalum sollu ma. Okay thaana?"

She stared at him with a mix of awe and unrestrained affection. She curled one arm around his, and buried her head into his frame overwhelmed with emotion.

"I'm fine."

Vihaan stepped closer to them.

"Ashwin bro neenga ethukku antha loosu paiyan na avlo adichinga? Security easy ah kooptrikalam."

"Sivaangi ku yethathu na, enga yaaru nu lam pakkamaten. Savadichu pothaikathan poven. And you're telling me to wait for some security guard?"

Sivaangi sighed quietly.

"Analum ennala ethukku ungalukku intha drama lam."

He looked down at her, and his heart couldn't stand the twinge of guilt and upset in her eyes.

"Don't even think that way for a second."

He tucked a strand of her hair back gently.

"It's my duty to protect you."

Sivaangi's lips curved into a blushing smile as she let herself fall into the moment, snuggling into his arm further.

Lots to unpack in this chapter 🤔 What did you guys think of what happened? What will happen next, please comment your thoughts! I enjoy commenting on others stories and I love when you guys comment on this. So many funny replies that make me enjoy writing and posting a lot more thank you 🙏