When Our Paths crossed..

The Gift (Part 2)

"Nee irukkum bothu, enakku unnoda value therila..ippo..indha nimishan..nee enakku solra indha Goodbye..please ma..please don't do this to me...."

"Sorry Ashwin. We are done!"

"Mudiyadhu. Nan unna poga vida matten". He held her cheeks and forcefully pulled her for a kiss. The kiss was so intense that she stumbled and the things on the side table started falling down. She struggled to push him aside.

They fell on the bed with him on top of her. Finally when he lifted his head tears rolled down her cheeks.

"Enna vittu pogadha..please.."

"Poga matten!" she declared.

Both of them smiled at each other. He bent down and their lips met again. This time it was slow...

"CUT!"

Ashwin got away from her immediately and held his hand out. Rithika took him arms to stand up from the cot. She pulled a tissue from the assistant and wiped her tears.

"Are you Ok Rithika.."

"I am fine Ashwin... Glycerine dhan romba eriyudhu.. I think I used more.."

"Paathu panna matingala...Your eyes have actually turned red."

"Seri ayidum Ashwin. Vanga shot ok va nu paakalam"

"SHOT OK ! Single take ! Good job guys!" the director gave thumbs up and the crew clapped.

"Sorry Ashwin. I couldn't make it to the reception" Director Manirathnam spoke

"Parava illa sir. Thanks for sending the video message. It meant a lot."

"Shivani eppadi irukanga??"

"She is fine sir.."

"Yen mela kovama irupanga illa ? pudhu mapla ya inga vara vechadhuku.." Ashwin just smiled. Its been 4 days. He was yet to predict her mind. He spoke to her every night. She seemed normal. Ofcourse for some unknown reason, he was scared to initiate his flirty talks and she seemed to be comfortably fine with it.

"Ashwin. You can leave to your hometown. All your shots are done. We will call you if needed. Post production and promotion ku we might need you. Avlo dhan.."

"Thanks a lot sir. I will start to Coimbatore then".

~

"Hello Shivani.."

"Sollu Ashwin!"

"Nan inniki Coimbatore varen . Start panna poren."

"Shoot mudinchirucha?"

"Mudinchiruchu ma.."

"Seri Ashwiney.. travel safe.. I am in the old house today. Will you come here straight?"

"Anga yen ponnen? We planned to go together right.."

"Illa Ashwiney..Amma nyabagama irundhuchu..adhan..I came today morning. Any issues?"

"No..I will come there straight.."

"Okay.."

~

"Nee pesadha pa. unna evlo nambuna?? Yen ponnu enna koranji poita ? Kandavan vandhu paridhaba paduran. Ennoda rasi ippo yen ponnuku. Ava thalai ezhuthu eppadi irukko appadiye nadakatum" These were exactly her last words to him. It never made its way to his brain in these years. While he was busy hustling for daily food and opportunities, these words from Devi least affected him. But the letter reminded him his last encounter with her years back, which no one is aware of.