It's Complicated

Twenty Eight

"Aw they're hugging!" someone exclaimed as Kavya squeezed Ashwin tightly.

There was a chorus of cheers as the room's attention fully focused on them.

"Mapillai ku vekkam parunga, thirimbi kooda pudikka mattingararu," some uncle chuckled.

"Yov, naane semma gaandu la irruken nee vera," grumbled Ashwin in his head.

As a photographer ran over to capture clicks of the scene, Ashwin leaned to look for Sivaangi. But she was gone.

"Listen, we need to talk," he whispered as Kavya pulled back.

She smiled.

"We'll have all the time in the world to talk later. Besides, I can seen in your eyes what you want to say," she replied with a wink.

Ashwin groaned as she walked off. How could she be so unaware?

Sivaangi walked out of the bathroom, having regained her composure. That entire scene had been too much for her, the first time she'd ever seen Ashwin and Kavya together was like a punch to the gut. She knew she shouldn't feel that way, that she couldn't. But it was impossible to control.

She spotted Ashwin's parents in a corner, probably the only people who looked more uncomfortable than her. On a whim, she strode over to them.

"Hi aunty, hi uncle, eppadi irrikinga? Enna nyabagam irruka?"

Lakshmikanthan laughed.

"Oru amnesia patient ku kooda una marraka mudiyathu ma. Nanga nalla irrukom, nee eppadi irruka?"

"Nalla thaan irruken. But wow aunty, saree semma! Bright colours super ah suit aguthu."

Geetha smiled at the uninhibited compliment.

"Thank you ma. Nivetha thaan eduthu kodutha, function ku nalla irrukom nu sonna."

"Avanga taste nalla irruku. Unga trip la safe ah irrunthucha?"

Geetha nodded.

"Ellam safe. Aama, nee enna thaniya vanthiya?"

"Yup, actually usually my parents don't let me go to late night parties. But it's Ashwin house so..." Sivaangi replied with a shrug at the end.

Geetha creased her eyebrows in confusion.

"Ashwin's house na?"

"Apdi na kandipa safe ah irrupen nu nambu vanga. Midnight pass aana kooda okay than solluvanga. Avaru ellam pathiparu."

Geetha was touched by her words. She had a daughter herself, she knew how protective her parents would be. It spoke volumes about her families immense trust towards him. It was also becoming clear Ashwin hadn't really revealed the extent of their relationship to them.

After sifting through the crowd, Ashwin finally spotted Sivaangi. Her back was to him, and she was surprisingly (or not so surprisingly) alone scrolling on her phone.

He reached to lightly tap her shoulder. Even faced away, Sivaangi knew who it was. That touch was unmistakable.

She turned, and gave him a tight lipped smile.

"Congrats," she said evenly.

He blinked.

"I didn't expect you to be here. Well I guess I didn't expect anyone to be here."

She shrugged.

"I'm your well-wisher, no? That's what well-wishers do."

Their exchange was cut short by a loud voice from the dining area.