This chapter is a continuation of the previous work En Arunthozhi: 5.
Disclaimer: This is a work of FICTION.
As always, there's a note at the end of this chapter.
Trigger warning : Grief, death, miscarriage
This chapter isn't proofread. Ignore typos.
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En Arunthozhi: 6
தனியாக தவிக்கின்றேன் துணைவேண்டாம் அன்பே போ
பிணமாக நடக்கின்றேன் உயிர் வேண்டாம் தூரம் போ
(Thaniyaaga thavikindren thunai vendaam anbe po
Pinamaaga nadakindren uyir vendaam dhooram po)
Knock-knock
Ashwin had been working in his office since he walked out of Sivaangi's house in the middle of the night. He had merely shot Arvind a text that he had to run to his office for an emergency. He was engrossed in work with his headphones on when the knock on his door startled him. He hadn't realized there were other people in his office already and checked his watch to realize it was a little over 10 am.
Taking off his headphones, he saw one of his office staff, Praveena walk in "sir, naalaiku 11 am free dhaana? Unga calendar la appointment Onnum Illa?".
"Edhuku? Do I need to be somewhere? Did I not put it on my calendar?", he asked confused getting to his laptop screen to check his calendar.
"Illa. Sivaangi mam phone la. Unga calendar check panna sonnaanga", Praveena looked at him.
Ashwin was quite taken aback. When he last saw her in her room earlier that day or in the middle of the night, he did not imagine she'd reach out to him, ever again. Definitely not the very next day.
"Ummm", he looked quite confused when Praveena took the phone to her ear as if to listen to something.
"Ungala text check panna sonaanga", Praveena spoke looking at him expectantly.
Ashwin pulled his phone out to check the screen that indicated he had a text from Sivaangi. Clicking in, he read it.
I need answers. Can you meet me at Shobana's this week? She has an appointment tomorrow at 11 am.
Looking up at Praveena he replied "sure, I'll be there. Ten to one clear pannidunga if anything comes up".
As Praveena walked out his room, he wondered if she was finally willing to talk to him, give him a chance, before his phone vibrated with another incoming text.
From his wife.
I only want my questions answered. Nothing else.
Sighing and rubbing his face, as realization hit that it was not the good news he had hoped for.
நீ தொட்ட இடமெல்லாம் எரிகிறது அன்பே போ
நான் போகும் நிமிடங்கள் உனதாகும் அன்பே போ
(Nee thotta idamellaam erigiradhu anbe po
Naan pogum nimidangal unadhaagum anbe po)
Turning off the stereo and his car, Ashwin walked into Shobana's office on a Tuesday that was jam packed with work. He had kept his day busy with work the previous day and hadn't even gone home to sleep the previous night. He had slept on the couch in his office for a few hours and had just swung by his house to take a shower before arriving at his therapist's office. He didn't want to crumble by taking a moment to process his feelings.
