My Beating Heart

Chapter 42 - Baby steps

"Leaving already? ", Sivaangi asked looking at Ashwin wearing his shoes.

"Yeah", Ashwin replied without looking at her.
"Vidhya's appointment is only at 12 right?", she asked trying to keep him a little longer.

"So? ippo inga irundhu enna panna poren, anga amma sila work senju thara sollirkaanga so will go and be useful there" he replied getting up after tying his lace.

"Naan varathukku evening/night kooda aagalaam, don't wait for me", he added while taking his car keys.

"I don't have anything to do today" she said like a lost puppy trying to get his attention.

"Again, So?", he asked her with stone hard face not letting her paavam face melt him.

"Illa onnum illa, shall I go to thatha paati's house then? ", she asked, composing herself a bit.

"Sure, you can go there, or go shopping, or do anything you want, why are you asking me like my opinion matters in anything you do", he asked back in a vexed tone.

"Ashwinetta, en ippadi pesara? you and your opinions do matter to me" she replied trying to catch hold of his hand

"Appadiya? appo why don't you come to the ultra sound with me today like you promised Vidhya that you would? you do know it is just a human baby inside and not a monster for you to run away scared" he replied little bit harshly than required.

"Please Ashwin, will you leave that topic, you won't understand why I am doing this unless you are in my position" Sivaangi replied with slight irritation, in a raised tone, seriously hurt by his sarcasm.

"Fine, but know this, you won't understand how it feels to be denied of the biggest happiness of my life without any consideration, just because you hold all the cards. That is not how a relationship work, but when have you ever cared about that, so, I am going to go and spend time with my unborn nephew or niece. You are free to enjoy your day as you please", he snapped back and left, closing the door loudly behind him, startling her a bit.

"Ashwin wait" she almost ran after him with tear filled eyes but all she could see was the sight of his disappearing car.

"Ennada nee maatum vandhirkka, Sivu enga? avalukku pudikkumnu ada pradhaman pannirken" his mother asked looking at her son sitting alone.

"Avalukku edho emergency work vandhiruchu sonna, so varala, eduthu vai, evening poracha eduthutu poren" he replied looking at the tv screen, changing channel aimlessly.

"Appadi enna work, konjam vandhutu polaam la, nethu evening Vidhyakitta kandippa varen sonnale", his mother mumbled and walked back, slightly disappointed.

"Yaaravadhu oruthar vela seyyanum la ma, rendu perum vettla okkandhu tv remote kooda vilayaadittu irundhaa apporam bhuvakku enna panradhu? adhaan anni sincere ah work panraanga, un dhadi maadu pullaya paaru, jolly ah okkandhutu irukkaan", Vidhya commented with a smirk getting a cushion attack from Ashwin.

"Aei, kutty chathaan, pregnant ah irukaradhunaala nee thappicha, illa kola pannirppen unnaya, over vaai aagiduchu unakku, dei chella kutty neeyavadhu un maama maari chamatha iru, unga amma maari pisaasa irukaadha" he said throwing another cushion at her.

"Oh ho, adhu en pulla, enna maari dhaan irukkum, unna maari irukanumna, anni kitta solli nee onnu pethuko, mathapadi en property kitta vandha kola vizhum solliten" she said throwing the cushion back at him but it fell down as Ashwin got up stopping the playful act right away.

"Hey anna, ennada aachu, naan chumma vilayaatukku dhaan sonnen", Vidhya said, immediately getting up after him, looking at his tear filled eyes.

"Sorry da anna, neeye vetchuko, naan vena unakku thathu kudutharava?", she asked, her eyes too filling up, due to pregnancy hormones as well as seeing her darling brother's teary eyes.