Just like every year, Ani and Vicky were collaborating to release their customary Valentine's day single, a painful melody on love.
With only 10 days to Feb 14th, Ani was working on the tune round-the-clock but he kept feeling a void in it. The magic was missing but couldn't really zero-down on why.
When Sivaangi had finished recording her portion for the duet with Sid, he played her the melody and the track version he had sung, but stopped it halfway.
Ani: Something is missing. Enna nu therla. It feels incomplete.
Sivaangi: Na sollava enna missing nu?
Ani: Sollu ma..
Sivaangi: Your connect.
Ani: My connect? Enaku purila.. theliva sollu Sivu.
Sivaangi: I don't think you connect with a sad painful love song anymore. For a movie, it's different because you have a story and the directors brief to compose. But this single is about what you feel and maybe Love is not a hurtful feeling for you anymore.
Ani has always been stunned by how well she articulated it. She knew him better than himself and it wasn't surprising.
Ani: You think so?
Sivaangi: Yes. Why not try a full-on romantic love melody for a change?
Ani: I will try but if it turns out to be a duet, I want you to sing with me. Deal?
Sivaangi: Do I have a choice?
Ani: Do you need one?
Sivaangi: I don't.
Once he got back after dropping her home, he pondered over what she said.
It was true that he naturally drifted towards an aching emotion for most of his love singles. That was how he connected with the emotion. But thinking about it now, he recognized that over the last couple of years, precisely after she entered his life, his perspective on it has shifted vastly.
He wasn't ignorant of the fact that he was a completely different person with her, but he could not afford to complicate their bond. She was just too important in his life and it would be foolish of him to entertain any thought which might end up sabotaging that.
He shut off his thoughts before it consumed him and started to focus on composing.
In a couple of hours, the tune was complete. She was right as always. It sounded like a dream and he could not wait to share it with her. His Sivu.
He could not control his excitement and did not mind calling Vicky to finish the lyrics for the tune at 3 AM. Unlike any of his previous Valentine's day singles which were all about the distress in love, this one turned out to be a blissful romantic love of a young couple.
***
Sivaangi woke up to Ani's excited voice note, "Call me when you wake up. I will be there to pick you up" and she it was evident that her suggestion worked.
"Kozhanda" she murmured to herself.
He was one of the most sought-after music composers in the industry but with her he was just Ani.
All her life, she was the person who cared too much for others and ended up getting hurt. For the very first time, with him, she was at the receiving the kind of care and attention she yearned for. She deserved every bit of it.
Though she had known him from her Super Singer days, they got to bond really well when she was acting in Don with Siva Anna. She had accompanied her brother to all the composing sessions to keep her mind distracted from her broken and depressed self.
What started off as a professional acquaintance slowly over time turned into a close connection.
He was one of those rare people in her circle who did not know much about Ashwin which was one of the main reasons why she spent a lot of time at his studio during the initial days. She did not have to be super careful about how she reacted when someone randomly named Ashwin stopped by.
They connected on music. He was her mentor in the light music industry. Gradually, they started to trust each other and shared a comfort like no other. Reminiscing how far they have come was astonishing.
He was a major part of her life today and no one could say anything otherwise. What were they? No one knew including her and she didn't want to either. But undeniably, she would not be what she is today without his presence in her life.
Without giving it much thought, she recorded a voice note, "Good morning Ani... ippo dan muzhichen. Pick me up at 10"
Before getting off the bed she skimmed through other messages and she saw the name that made her heart flutter.
Manna: Rendu blanket pathalaye...
She could not stop the smile that crept across her face. "When and how did he become so expressive?", she asked herself before typing a response.
***
It was 9 AM and Ashwin was well into his day that started at 4 AM for his song shoot. He never complained irrespective of how crazy his shoot days got because he had spent years waiting for his break in the industry and this was his dream come true. He loved every bit of his work with all his heart.
The song was an out and out dance number. Sandy master's steps as always were so exciting to watch on screen but quite literally took every bit of energy he had to make it happen.
He was panting for breath when the director called cut. "Shot looks perfect Ashwin. Your moves are so good." The director exclaimed.
"Elam avar naala dan", he said pointing to Sandy who was making preparations for the next sequence and managed to walk back into his caravan.
He took his mobile and noticed that there were a couple of missed calls and a few messages. Out of all the notifications, a specific message caught his eye and instantly put a smile on his face. It was a response for a message he sent last night.
Rowdy: Inaiku night moonu blanket try pannunga..
Manna: Appo inikum kulu kulu nu irukumaa?
Rowdy: Maybe
Whatever the situation maybe, she never failed to make him feel special. Today was no exception. He could not possibly express in words how much the maybe from her meant.
It was hope. Hope for them.
Manna: Will be
He responded before getting back to his shoot with a wide grin on his face.
***
Ani was now in Sivaangi's living room waiting for her to finish the green smoothie he got.
Sivaangi: This is too healthy. Enaku venam. How do you even drink this?
She complained as she was halfway through the cup.
Ani: Kozhanda madri adam pudikaadha Sivu... finish it.
Sivaangi: Pleaseee...
Ani: If you finish this, we will get your favorite Italian food for lunch.
Sivaangi: No going back on it. Biryani sapadlaama nu keka koodadu. Ok?
Ani: Kandippa Italian dan. I already have a place in mind for you to try.
She quickly finished her smoothie before they drove off to his home studio.
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Thoughts?
I had to establish the relationship Sivaangi and Ani shared.
Thank you so much for 10k reads for this story. Do share it with your friends if you like it.
PS: Reminder it's a fictional story.
