You Are My Sunshine

Chapter 13 Unexpected Agony

The occasion was warmly celebrated. Dev was working on his laptop that evening, while Anu and Mugil were watching TV.

"Mugil, have you ever watched 'Jallikattu'? " - Anu inquired.

"Long back, tomorrow 'Mattu Pongal' right? There will be one nearby. If you want to watch, I can take you tomorrow." - Mugil promised.

Mattu- Bull/Cow/Oxen

Jallikattu – Traditional Bull chasing sport celebrated as a part of celebrations on the 3rd day of Pongal. Bulls will be released into a crowd of people, and multiple human participants attempt to bring the bull to a stop. They grab the large hump on the bull's back with both arms and hang on to it while the bull attempts to escape. A package of coins will be attached to the horns of the bulls. It is considered a test of masculinity.

"They are scary, and it never occurred without casualties; many people were injured during the event; you guys better stay home." - Dev answered before Anu could answer.

"Are we going to tame the bulls; we are just spectators. We will go, Anu." - Mugil retorted.

"I had never been to one; we can go." - Anu assured. Sensing Mugil's intention, she decided to play along with Mugil.

"You can also join us, if you are very much worried about our.., sorry your wife's safety." - Mugil teased.

"Who worries about whom? But let me also come. I watched it when I was ten. I can also be fun sometimes." - he stammered.

Anu and Mugil chuckled as they clutched their stomachs. Dev swiftly exited the area.

The next day after finishing the offering ceremony to the cattle on their farm, they started to the "Jallikattu." Sarada stayed at home.

They went to a village called "Alanganallur." - which is famous for the festival. The festival was held with the usual fanfare. They bought tickets for the VIP gallery. As many as 700 bulls and 600 tamers took part. Dev put his egos aside and mingled in with the crowd. They clapped for the tamers and bulls. Dev went so far as to sponsor rewards for the tamers. After a long time, he was happy. Anu, who never went outside with Dev, enjoyed his presence. They forget everything and behaved like college buddies.

When she was eating her sweet corn, Dev snatched it from her and started eating.

"Hey, it's mine." - she pouted.

She twisted his ears, for which he didn't tell anything. He started tickling her. Mugil was happy to see them like this.

"Am I the third wheel here." - he thought to himself.

They had a wonderful time and watched almost six rounds and reached home only by night. Previously they planned to visit a nearby hill station called "Kodaikanal" - for "Kanum Pongal." - but left that idea as they were damn tired.

Kaanum Pongal: The fourth/last day of Pongal. This day marks the sightseeing day. On this day, people dress up gaily; families go for a picnic and visit relatives. It is a day for the outdoors, and most people throng out of the home.

Without any ado, Anu slept beside Dev that night. In her red pyjamas, she looked stunning. She glistened in the dim light of the night lamp. His palms ached to reach out and touch her. Slowly he traced her face, and he could not take it anymore. He became so impulsive and crushed his lips on her.

Anu was shell-shocked and lost in a trance. Before she could figure it out, he deepened the kiss. She pushed him away and stammered out of nervousness.

"This is wrong; I better sleep in the next room before you cross the limit."

"But why?" he pleaded.

"When you don't love me, how can we go further? This is lust, not love. Intimacy is not purely physical; there must be some love to mingle with as a soul. I want a relationship from here," she pointed his heart and stood still in her place.

Dev is also shocked by his behaviour. He never took advantage of anyone without their concern. He never did anything against his principle, but with Anu, he is behaving like a teenager. Composing himself, he apologized,

"Sorry."

He didn't speak anything further.

"Sleep." - he commanded her and went to the backyard and lit his cigarette. So many thoughts ran through his mind.

"Where we are?" Am I falling in love with her? I'm afraid I can't say that right now. But I don't hate her," he reasoned to himself.

That night was quite a disaster for both of them. Though Anu felt guilty for rejecting him, her sanity consoled her.

As they don't have any picnic plans, Sarada arranged a trip to their family deity on the fourth day of the festival. That temple was fifty kilometres away from their ancestral village. After worshiping, they were returning to their home. They travelled in a Range Rover Sports edition, which has a top speed of 200 km/h. Mugil was in charge of the car. Sarada sat in the passenger seat at the front. In the back row, Dev and Anu were seated. After the events of the previous day, they didn't speak much.

It was a two-way highway, and there was a median in-between. Mugil was driving at a speed of 150 kilometres per hour. When they were crossing a roundabout, unexpectedly a truck came in front of them. Mugil was unable to control the speed, and he struggled to bring the car under control. Unfortunately, the car collided head-on with the truck.

Earlier, Sarada was reluctant to wear the safety belt, and she was sleeping with her legs stretched. Due to the impact of the collision, Sarada was thrown away, and she fell on a nearby puddle from a height of ten feet. She died on the spot. Mugil was saved because of the airbag, except for few bruises. Dev and Anu were panic-stricken. Dev became dumb, and was in emotional trauma, and couldn't speak a single word. He sat near his lifeless mother. Anu rushed near them and comforted him, but he was too paralyzed to react.

The incident shocked other motorists and bystanders. They informed the emergency service immediately. The police investigation started, and the ambulance arrived at the spot. Mugil was feeling guilty as he was the driver. But it was not his mistake. The truck came in the wrong direction, and as it was unexpected, Mugil was not able to stop the car. Though he arrested the motion, the impact of the collision was high, which took Sarada's life.