Across Time

15. the flames around us

Sometimes Sivaangi felt like if she concentrated on the most insignificant things in a room, like really really hard then she could ignore the storm of intrusive thoughts that habitually built up in her head. 

It was a time old tactic, an escape from rash overthinking. Right now she was focusing on the reflection of the overhead light, dust on the floor, the bubbles in her ginger soda. Anything but Sanya Sridhar's red nails clutching at Ashwin's arm.

It was his fourth film's press meet, a grand function that displayed his rapid success. Ashwin and Sanya, the hero and heroine, were seated on stage answering questions. A standard setup, sure. But Sivaangi saw no need for the two to be so giggly and playful... her grabbing his arm, him leaning in to whisper something to her. It was like they couldn't go one minute without turning to each other to laugh.

She sat in the audience, keen to keep her presence lowkey. She had come to support him but didn't want to grab any attention. Clearly that wasn't a problem.

A journalist stood up.

"Ashwin sir, many said intha padathin trailer avlo azhaga irruku nu. The colours and characters all look dashing, how did it happen?"

Ashwin smiled.

"I have to thank the director for that, he's the reason the entire film is so beautiful. The scenery, angles, styling, just everything was carefully crafted to be stunning to the eye."

"Is Sanya included in that?" the journalist added coyly.

Ashwin laughed.

"Avangalum thaan, of course. But I doubt she needs much help in that department."

Sivaangi suppressed the urge to roll her eyes.

Before the event was over she chose to slip out into the lobby, eager to get ahead of the crowd. She wandered until she reached an empty hallway with a large mirror at the end of it.

She walked to stand in front of the mirror, squinting at her reflection. She was all dressed up, wearing a shimmering white dress that hugged her figure. Her hair was in shiny curls, lips glossed in a wine red colour and eyes painted with dark kajal. Beautiful, yet she wondered if she could be more. If something was missing, something Sanya had that she didn't. She pinched her arm tight, and tried to stand up taller.

"Enna pandra?"

Sivaangi turned to face the man of the hour, who was looking at her with eyebrows raised.

She kept a placid expression.

"Ippo thaan Sivaangi nu oruthi vantha, avaluku hi sollala nu thonucha?"

He said nothing, only giving her an aloof smile.

She crossed her arms.

"I doubt she needs help in that department. Sir romba careful ah paathu, analyze panni antha conclusion vanthingala? Heroine kooda romba jolly ah irrunthinga, atha pakka kooptathuku thanks. I bet you didn't even know I was here."

She was aware she was saying anything that came  to her mind but her irritation fueled every bit of it.

Ashwin bit his lip.

"I didn't know you were here? The only thing I knew today was you. You, and everything around you. The way you twirled your hair, you picking at the tiny designs on your dress. I knew the man sitting to your left wore a red shirt, the one to the right a white button up. Unnaku two rows pinnadi oru paiyan okanthu unna shameless ah sight adichan. Aana enna mattum thaan nee paatha, oru cute angry expression vida paatha."