உறங்காமல் தேயவா!

~ உறங்காமல் தேயவா - 2 ~

Kathir entered the house like in a trance- his mind could think of nothing except her words and to do everything she wanted of him that second. He stood there staggering in the middle of the hall, not knowing what would come next- though everything felt like a dream right now, he knew reality could hit him any moment like it always does. He faced the open mutram of their house, concentrating on the downpour that drizzled a few droplets on his otherwise sweltering skin. The approaching jingling sound of her anklets made the hair on his body prickle.

He could see Mullai in the corner of his eyes, holding onto the same pillar she was hogging about an hour back. Her guilt-ridden mellowed voice made him look into her and she stood with her head bent saying, "mama thavarna po kooda neenga aluthu naan pakala... aana naan unga vaazhkaila vandha konja naal laye rendu mora aluga vechuten la... kudichutu vandheegala appo apram inniku... annaiku kooda neenga suyaninaivula illa athu kooda en friend pesanathu naala vandha vedhanai... aana inniku unga kanniruku muluka muluka naan mattume kaaranam aayiten...".

His left palm gripped the pillar opposite her, staring at the pouring down heavens and when he spoke in that steeled voice of his- there was not a tinge of self-pity or regret in all the melancholy it held, "neraiya mora aluthuruken Mulla... neraiya mora... Kumaresan mama kitta oru rendu moonu thadava... enkullaye thaniya pala thadava... appa irukura varaikum alugaikaana thevai irunthathe illa... aana... avaru engala vittu pona annaiku... unnoda amma appa engala nadu roadula nikka vitta annaiku... amma va andha wheelchair la paatha annaiku... en padipa venaam nu thooki potta annaiku... en vayasu pasanga endha kavalaiyum illama road la poratha paakurapo... saraku delivery panna pogum pothu en dress ah paathu anga irukuravanga othingi nikkarapolaam... aluthuruken... satham pottu kathi aluthuruken yaarukum theriyaama...", the silence that followed his words was deafeningly loud and she wished he wouldn't stop. She wanted him to let it all out, so that she could squeeze out every ounce of pain that had ever haunted his being.

After all that he had gone through, he still put up a brave face while he spoke of it to her. Her eyes teared up, seeing him with glistening orbs which she knew was not going to let its guard down, not again that night. When she realised he was so absorbed into himself, that uttering another word on his locked-up sufferings was not a possibility anymore, she took a few steps towards him. She stood a foot behind his right shoulder and when her fingers were an inch away from his arm, they froze mid-air before having felt his skin. He glanced at her before she took her hand away completely and the symphony of his voice gave her goosebumps, "kitta vandha kondruven nu sonnathu nee... naan illa...". He then half-turned towards her with a crooked smile on his face and the unforeseen humour from him made her lips curve up too.

He saw in her the night's first glimpse of the crescent, even though the sky was invisible through the happening cloudburst. He shook his head with a small smile still lingering on his lips and faced the dance of rain in their yard. Her fingers sent a wave of shock in him while they slid over his shoulder and she smeared herself over him from behind, making him hold onto the pillar more firmly. His legs turned jelly when she peeked slightly to catch sight of his almost red face, leaning her face on him, "ungaluku ippadi laam pesa varuma nga... apram... unga mogathula theriyurathu enna vekkama...", and she giggled playfully, making his heart do countless somersaults within him. Her play came to an abrupt end, as his fingers weaved into hers that were splayed on his shoulder and her heart started palpitating immediately- time for him to chuckle gazing at her awestriken face.

They stood there unmoving for many long minutes and the downpour slowed down to a drizzle, the chill breeze making their hold on each other more stronger. Mullai gave a small peck on his shoulders, which was as soft as a feather and she moved apart from him, standing beside him hugging his right arm and they looked into the starless night. Her soothing voice filled him with the missing warmth of her on his shoulder, "innime neenga eppavum ala vendam... unga kannula naan sandhoshatha mattum thaan paakanum... appadiye alanum nu thonunaalum enna katti pudichu en thol la sanju aluthukonga evalo vena... aana thaniya venaam... ungaluku nu naan irukum bothu...", her words trailed off and she turned to him, their locked eyes completing the unsaid. His breath hit her face and she heard him say, "namaku nu naama irukum bothu...".