Lovedale - An Ashaangi FanFic

C H A P T E R - 6

Hello!

Dusting his hands hastily, Ashwin reluctantly stood in front of Vrindavan's classy porch.

He hurriedly brushed his clothes with his palms. Lifting his collar, he prodded his nose inside the salmon pink t-shirt that he wore and checked for any smell. Thankfully he didn't feel the smell he was expecting. Letting out a long sigh ,he ran his fingers through his lustrous locks.

Nevertheless, his feet fidgeted around anxiously like a cat on a hot tin roof.

'Focus. Focus.' he mumbled to himself.

Wetting his chapped lips and gulping for the hundredth time in the last hour, Ashwin feigned the best inexpressive face that he could. He loosened his shoulders and pressed the doorbell.

After a few seconds, the door opened slightly and a pair of eyes peeked from behind the doorframe. It wasn't difficult for Ashwin to recognise those large shiny beads.

He passed a smile at her, but was perturbed by the mischievous smile that returned back.

Sivaangi left the door open and quickly walked to her grandpa. They instantly resumed their chatters, wholly ignoring the young man who was still standing at the doorway.

Howbeit, Ashwin for the first time felt happy for the cold-shoulder that he was receiving.

He heaved a euphoric sigh of relief as he sat down on the single couch, a little away from the ludricous duo. Both of them were so involved in their story-telling session, that they didn't pay any heed to him.

Ashwin smiled triumphantly.

Maybe he hadn't noticed his cousin's ocassional wicked glances.

According to Ashwin, now only his ever-so-sweet mom was left to be handled with caution. He could hear faint pops and sizzles from the kitchen. She was probably making her favourite evening-time snacks.

Anyways, he wasn't interested in those bland and unadventurous vegetarian refreshments.

Ashwin mentally devised a clever plan. When she returns, he would speak a few words for namesake, act as if he was dog-tired and sprint to his room upstairs. That's it.

He badly wanted to help his mom with cooking. That was his best-loved part of the day, cooking with her and pulling each other's legs.

But not today. Not now. For he was certain that he would blurt out his deeds, even if she talks for mere five minutes.

Also, he could see that Sivaangi had a bowl full of onions on her lap and she was keenly peeling them, while Lakshmikanthan was slicing them carefully, simultaneously delineating the art of growing onions to his granddaughter. So, Ashwin preferred maintaining silence.

He unlocked his phone and started scrolling through Instagram to put on a casual look.

Realisation gently knocked his brain, as he spun his head towards them. Why were they chopping such a lot of onions?

'Onion pakoda?'

Ashwin scoffed mentally and muttered a stream of expletives. Cracking his knuckles in exasperation, he pouted sadly.