It's Complicated

Twenty Three

"Mediterranean lunch nalla irrunthucha ma?"

Sivaangi nodded brightly.

"Vera level! Aana ippo sweet ah ethathu taste pannanum nu thonuthu."

Ashwin rolled his eyes.

"Always sappadu, sappadu. There's more to the world than food you know."

"Maybe so, but there's nothing quite as interesting!"

The auto they were riding in slowed to a stop at their destination, and Ashwin requested the driver to wait for them at the entrance.

"Where are we?" Sivaangi questioned, staring past the gate at a large white building flanked by bright green trees.

Ashwin smiled wistfully.

"PK Garden School, it's where I spent most of my days growing up. Such strict teachers, wardens and rules. This place is the sole reason for my discipline and seriousness."

"Oh... aama, neenga school la first bencher thaana?"

He nodded, and she laughed.

"Kandipa teacher's pet too."

"Hey there's nothing wrong with that!"

"Paathalai theriyuthu. Aprom romba popular ah irrunthingala? Sports la pichu eduthingala?"

He scoffed.

"Complete opposite. Theriyala ma... for some reason I could talk to teachers so easily but it took me much effort to make even one friend. And my parents didn't like me participating in extracurriculars. Ennaku football na avlo pudikkum but they never let me be in the team."

"Apdiya? My parents were only ever proud of me because of extracurriculars. Teachers praising my singing took away the attention from my marks."

She sighed.

"They were always upset I never showed serious interest in music. Then in 10th standard I learnt and sang thali pogathey for a function and got a standing ovation. They couldn't believe it. I wasn't even as happy when I sang it for AR sir last year."

He smiled, then frowned.

"You were still in school when that song came out?"

"Aama. Neenga enna pannitu irrunthinga?"

He didn't want to think about how old he was when she was in school. At the time he was roaming around the streets almost at rock bottom. He just thanked the lord they met at the right time.

"Onnum illa ma, ulla pollama?"

"Ulla va? Eppadi?"

He smirked.

"How I always did when I snuck in and out of here."

She gasped.

"You snuck out?!"

"Yeah, you know how much I love music right? But they never let us have cds or radios at the hostel. So I would keep a secret walkman with me, and sneak out of school at night and listen to songs for hours."

Sivaangi blinked for a moment, then burst out laughing.

"Na kooda etho girls a ragasiyama meet panni ooru suthiruparo nu nenachen. Pacha mannu man nee!"

"Hey athulam oru gethu ma! Nee yaaru pesuruthuku, huh? Nee athu kooda pannathillai."

She shrugged.

"Ennaku chance keddaikala, avlothan. Na la hostel ku periya rowdy don ah irrunthurupen."

"Apdiya? Seri rowdy don neenga thaniya ulla ponga paapom."