Across Time

13. after you left me (part four)

For the tenth time, Ashwin picked up his phone, typed in Sivaangi's number then deleted it.

He didn't know why he was so nervous. Perhaps her indifference, her formality scared him. She was so docile and spiritless, nothing like remembered. But it was driving him crazy and he couldn't just leave their meeting like that... he had to see her.

He took a deep breath and hit call.

After a few rings, the line clicked.

"Hello, yaaru?"

"Hi, Ashwin pesuren."

There was a pause.

"Oh, eppadi irrikinga Ashwin?"

"Nalla irruken."

"Um... call ethukkunga?"

"Illa nee thaana veetuku oru naal sapda koopta, nalaikku na free, varratuma?"

"Oh, um athu vanthu... I'm not sure if-"

"Enna ma? Nee thaana koopta? Naane vanthu kekkuren appovum no ah?"

There was another pause.

"Illa, onnum illanga. Neenga vanga, dinner oru 7 o'clock ku senjuren."

"See you then!"

"See you then."

An early and a very eager Ashwin pulled up to her house the next evening, straightening his collar and fixing his hair.

She opened the door apprehensively, looking quite similar to how she did the day before.

Dark blue sari, hair pulled back and no makeup aside from some kajal.

As she led him to the living room, Ashwin was surprised by the silence of the house.

"Where is everyone?"

"Everyone na?"

"Illa, husband, kids, relatives?"

She sighed.

"My husband stays in Dubai for his job. I live with my in-laws, but they're visiting relatives in Bangalore for a month. And no kids, so it's just me here."

"Ah."

Ashwin was relieved to not have to interact with strangers, and have time with just her alone.

Sivaangi motioned for him to sit at the table as she brought out the dishes she had cooked.

She moved with a practiced sharpness, setting down down plates and silverware quickly and precisely.

They ate in silence, with her checking to see if everything was of his standard and taste now and then.

"Super ah cook pandra, seriously saptutai irrukalam. Yaaru kathu koodutha?"

She took a terse sip of her water.

"Naane thaan. Kathu kodukkara maari yaarum illa."

He frowned.

"Appo amma?"

"Amma left to join a yogic center in Switzerland few years back. I don't see her much, and when I do she's always spurting off spiritual jargon. Can't really ask her about chili powder when she's discussing the third eye."

Ashwin nodded, swallowing a handful of sambar rice.

"You know what's great about Switzerland Sivaangi?"

She shook her head.

"I'm not sure either. But the flag is a big plus."

She blinked for a few seconds, then groaned.