It's Complicated

Nineteen

Sivaangi watched as Ashwin waved goodbye to Vihaan and shut his front door. After many hours at the beach, the trio had decided to settle at Ashwin's for dinner. Unfortunately Vihaan had to leave last minute for a business meeting.

"Too bad V can't stay, huh?" she asked.

"Hmm yeah. He's not bad company."

Sivaangi laughed.

"Neenga ennoda avan kooda thaan neriya pesuninga."

Ashwin scratched his neck.

"Nalla paiyan thaan. It's been awhile since I've spoken freely with someone I barely know, not since-"

"Not since me?"

He smiled.

"Yes. Not since you."

They laughed then Sivaangi pulled up Zomato on her phone.

"Okay ennaku Domino's thaan venum. Hm, chili cheese paneer or triple veggie pizza? Or about spicy tomato cream pasta? Side ku garlic breadsticks must. And cool drinks!"

Ashwin watched with amusement as she poured over the menu.

"Ma, na diet la irruken paathu order pannu."

"Aiyo you and your diet. Nee thaan super ah irruka Ashwin, konjam pizza sappta onnum agathu."

She eventually decided on the order and they went to wait on his couch. Ashwin surfed for a movie to watch while Sivaangi savoured the moment. She knew it was wrong, but she was secretly happy that Vihaan left. Being alone with Ashwin in his house was an otherworldly feeling. Even better now that Ashwin and Kavya were on a break (she was secretly happy about that too).

Her thoughts were interrupted by a call from Sharanya, and she got up to answer.

"Hey, Sivaangi enna di pandra? Work ah?"

"Illa, work la illa."

"Okay appo I'm getting Chinese for dinner, do you want to come with?"

"Hm na already dinner order panniten."

"Oh apdiya? Seri na vena order pannitu unnoda veetuku varen ah? Thaniya bore addikuthu di."

"Sorry di, I'm not home."

"Veetla illaiya? Appo yenga?"

"Um... Ashwin veetla irruken."

There was a pause.

"Just you two?"

"Yeah."

"At 10 pm?"

"Amma appa okay solli thaan irruken di."

"Avangala vidu! Nee enna nenachu ithu la pandra, huh? You think this is going to help you get over him?"

Sivaangi walked farther from his hearshot.

"I'm just here to eat dinner and hang out with him for a bit. There's nothing wrong with that."

"Yeah nothing except the fact that you're madly in love with the guy."

Sivaangi sighed.

"You know I can't stay away from him. It's fine, I can be around him without it being awkward for me. And by the way I didn't plan all this, Vihaan was supposed to here too."

"Ugh, it should be you and Vihaan alone, not you and Ashwin."

"Vihaan is just a friend, a really good friend."

"Appo Ashwin?"

"Aiyo kaduppu ethathu di. Na phone ah vekkaren, bye."

"Hey Sivaangi, I'm your friend I'm trying to protect you di! Don't get yourself hurt-"