Me Before You

1

Disclaimer : The characters aren't fictional, but the story is.

I know I have told on more than one occasion that I will not write fan fiction on real life people, but these two have been running in my mind for a while now that for my own peace of mind, I had to pen down everything in my mind.

Translation of Tamil dialogues added for benefit of non-Tamil speaking readers.

***

In his thirty years of existence, Ashwin Kumar could swear that twenty five years, at the least, were spent in full comprehension of what he was doing. He has never been extremely impulsive or inexplicably stupid until five minutes ago. All thanks to one child woman.

A cooking show is not a man's forte that is what everyone who he consulted before signing up for the second season of a very popular cooking reality show said. That was such a sexist thing to say considering even the judges of the show were two incredible men who touched greatest heights in the field of cooking. People thought it was better if he just accepted the call for Big Boss. How that will work for someone reserved like him is questionable.

Ashwin saw this show as an opportunity to strike a chord with audience because his previous shows have hardly garnered him any fan base. Also, more months without any step forward in professional front, after corona, he is going to go mad.

His mother was the only one who had encouraging things to say. She teasingly said if not anything he would at least get few marriage proposals by flaunting his cooking skills on television. How powerful universe's ears has to be because her phone has been ringing constantly ever since.

Ashwin was sure that marriage wasn't in cards for at least another couple of years. In fact, five months ago, even women weren't in cards, until a certain woman burrowed into his heart and mind unbeknownst to him.

This same woman is the one who made him act impulsive.

This show has given him much more than he wished for, including many firsts that he was afraid was going to remain just a dream. So, he had no hard feelings when he was crowned the first runner up. It was anyway a win-win for him. However, a certain doll that was his lucky charm throughout was displeased.

As force of habit, his gaze first flicked towards her when his name was announced as runner up one. Her eyes that usually widens with hint of adoration and mirth when someone says his name was depraved of any of those emotions. His heart sank at the look of her despair.

Should he have tried a little harder? Maybe added a pinch of salt more, a minute more of cook time, set the oven a minute less or presented the dish more decoratively.

What could he do to just go back in time and change things so that he could win this for her?

He saw the person beside her nudge her as the camera focused in their direction. It wouldn't do for someone in a neutral position like her to feel for a particular contestant. She immediately put on a smile. But, Ashwin knew that the damage was done. He has broken her heart by not winning it for her.

For some reason, her despair hurt him more than his own lose. All the rejections, all failures of seven years seemed simpler in front of letting her down one time in show that has otherwise given him the world.

Two hours later, when final good byes were being said half heartedly, Ashwin managed to find himself in a corner with her.

"Nee okay va ma?"

(Are you okay?)

She turned to look at him with a dejected face.

"Sorry Ashwinnney!!"