Iniyavale

Chapter 22

The next day, Ashwin was pacifying a grumpy Sivaangi, asking her to accept something. WIth Rakshan and Mrini seated comfortably on the floor mat watching the show, Ashwin threw a pillow on Rakshan's face.

Ashwin: Inga enna padama odudhu?

"Athu thothu pochu da ungakitta" Rakshan murmured such that the only Mrini could hear and they whisper giggled at his comment. Clearing his throat, Rakshan called SIvaangi to sit beside him. Sivaangi sat down with folded legs and hit Mrini on her hand.

SIvaangi: She is the only reason for all this chaos.

Mrini let out a "I am an innocent" look and faced Ashwin with her ever famous puppy face, asking for help. Ashwin chuckled and sat down, right infront of Sivaangi, who was next to Rakshan.

Ashwin: She is not at fault. She did the right thing.

Sivaangi: No, naa othukave maaten. Singing competition, adhuvum the winner will be singing for the ever famous music director, no... no... no.... vaaipe illai.

Rakshan: Thangam, nalla opportunity ma. You'll have more exposure and you might end up having more connections. This can be a good start for your career.

Sivaangi: Illa thangam, I cannot do this.

Ashwin: Please accept it Sivaangi, this is a great opportunity for you. You can do it, don't underestimate yourself.

Sivaangi: Ashwin, illa ma I cannot. Had I known that Mrini was about to send a recorded song of mine on the very first day you and I met, I would have definitely stopped her by any hook or crook.

Mrinalini: And that's the only reason for me to hide it from you. Just think on a positive perspective Minion, that day even I was procrastinating whether to send it to the company or not. But with anna's words, I got a new hope and sent it. Just get this into your head okay, you have been selected as one among the lakhs of voices that were sent to them. After a two month filteration process, they have taken ten contestants and you are one among them.

Ashwin: This is not something easy, Panda. Will they select someone who's not efficient in singing. Think Sivaangi, think.

He squinted his eyes like her and received a free hit from her.

Sivaangi: After her, you are responsible for this. Had you not let out those philosophical words that day, she wouldn't have got the guts to send it. Adhuku thaan apdi ukandhu irundhiya di nee?

Mrini let out a sheepish smile and hid behind Ashwin to save herself from Sivaangi's hits. Ashwin held her hands in his firm grip, caging her movement.

Ashwin: Illa naalum anupi iruppa. Look Panda, you are going to participate that's it. You are going to do it for me okay?

Sivaangi sulked and Ashwin got up from the mat. Sivaangi followed him and he asked her to follow him.

Ashwin: Neenga ellarum irunga, naanga pesitu vandhudrom.

Ashwin and Sivaangi left while all others got up.

Raji: Avlothaan ippodhaiku vara maatanga. Dei ponga da poi padinga, Raksha nee kadala podu un aaloda. Naa konjam thoongi ezhundhutu varen. Lunch seiyadhinga, naa samachi eduthutu vandhudren.

The gang dispersed to do their works and the best friends duo reached Ashwin's room. She sat on the bed, dangling her legs slowly with a sigh.

Ashwin: What's stopping you Sivaangi?

Sivaangi: Nothing paa, I am nervous as hell. Athaan pogala nu sonnen.

Ashwin: If you are worried about winning the competition, then that's of no use, SIvaangi. Participate panna thaana nee endha idathula irukka nu theriyum. And if you are worried about people disliking your singing, again the only solution is to try and see. My Sivaangi is a fighter, fight like a princess. Not the princess who just stays in the castle basking in her comfort, fight like a warrior princess who can handle herself and win hardest battles as well.