This chapter is a continuation of the previous work En Arunthozhi: 3.
Disclaimer: This is a work of FICTION.
As always, there's a note at the end of this chapter.
Trigger warning : Grief, death, pregnancy
This chapter isn't proofread.
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En Arunthozhi: 4
Ashwin's steps faltered seeing Sivaangi's brother, Arvind seated in the reception of his office. He nervously looked to see how many of his staff were loitering around the office on that Sunday who'd probably be witness to him being assaulted. The reception was empty barring the security standing outside. A few of his ADs were engrossed in one of the conference rooms. Before he could even decide how to approach this, Arvind looked up.
"There you are. Vandhruveenga Ippo nu sonnaanga. Seri adhaan paathutu polaam nu wait pannen. I called you in the morning, answer pannala. Seri Neraave varalaam, you might be busy nu vandhen", Arvind stood up from the couch with a smile.
"Sorry, Sunday mornings oru meeting", Ashwin stammered.
"Oh ok. Epdi irukeenga? Pesi, paathu Romba naal aachu? Single super ah irundhuchu. Annike text pannen, guess it got lost. Epdi podhu work?", Arvind asked sounding oblivious to the confusion brewing in Ashwin.
Ashwin thought for a few seconds if him saying an obligatory "i am good" might take him a step closer to getting hurt. "Haan", he replied hesitantly looking around.
"So, ya, edhuku vandhen naa, are you still playing football or cricket with your friends?", Arvind asked.
"Illa, haven't been in a while", Ashwin replied confused.
"Oh great, enga playing squad la one of my friends is injured. Chumma, friends ah Sunday evenings football and cricket nadula alternate pannuvom. Sometimes bet match. Anyway, indha Wednesday night oru football match iruku. Just this week Wednesday and Sunday, illenaa just Sundays. Aal venum. Vareengala?", Arvind asked quite casually.
"Umm, Illa Arvind. I don't think I can make it. Work hectic ah iruku", Ashwin replied still wondering if he was hallucinating.
"9-9.30 in the night dhaan start pannuvom, you'd be doing me a favor to be honest. Night Enna work? Just once a week. Once my friend is back to being fine in a few months, neenga vara venaam. Enna solreenga?" Arvind persisted.
Ashwin replied quite cautiously "seri, varen. Wednesday dhaana? Enga varanum?".
"I'll swing by here at 9 and pick you up on Wednesday", Arvind promised before leaving his office.
After Arvind had left, Ashwin was quite confused. Did his brother in law not know anything at all? But then he was reminded of Priya's words that no one in Sivaangi's family knew anything other than the fact that they were fighting. Seated in his office and pressing his temples, not knowing how to navigate this mess he had created by asking for divorce, he decided the best course of action would be to come clean to Arvind. Even if it meant ending up in the hospital.
If there was one thing he was quite determined about, it was trying his best to fix everything he had broken and fix himself for his Sivaangi.
After making the decision, he joined the rest of his team in the conference room and engrossed himself in work. It was wee hours in the morning next day when he went back home. Before he hit the bed, he quickly shot his wife a text. He wasn't expecting an answer but he had to let her know how he felt, every single day for the rest of his life, if that's what it took.
