Ashaangi Shorts

A Childhood Promise

*Fictional*

Title - A Childhood Promise
Type - Alternative Universe
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"Kutties, neenga rendu perum anga irrukura play ground-la poi vizhayaadreengala?" A middle aged woman calls out to the two children whom where keenly listening to her, while pointing at the playground near them.

(Will you both go have fun at the playground over there)

"Amma, neengalum yenga kooda vanthu vizhayaadunga" a small boy around the age of seven says, pulling on the woman's arm, trying to drag her along with him.

(Mother, you too should come play with us)

"Aama Devi ma, neengalum yenga kooda vanthu vizhayaadunga" a little girl, who was also around the age of seven exclaims, grabbing onto the woman's other, unoccupied arm.

(Yeah Devi ma, you should come play with us)

The woman, Devi, gently removes the children's hold on her and bends down to their level of height, "Illa chellangala, naa vanthu periyavanga kooda irunthu pesa poren" she says while nudging her head in the direction of three adults around the same age as herself, sitting on a bench and chatting among themselves, "Neenga kutties-la appo neenga Amma, Appa maathiri irunthu vetti katha peselaathu-la, active-ah energy-oda vizhaayaadunga ok-va"

(No dears, I'm going to chat with the adults) (You are kids right, so you shouldn't be sitting with your parents and have boring conversations like adults should you? Go be active)

"Apdina chinna puzhainga mattum thaan ipdi vizhayadalaama? Periyavanga vizhayada koodatha?" the boy asks blinking up at him mother, wanting a clarification.

(Does than mean only children can play and have fun? Adults can't do what kids do?)

"Apdi illa da", Devi says pulling on her son's cheeks, "Namma yellaarum ipdi onna park-ku vanthu enjoy panni pala naal aachu-la, so periyavanga catch up panna porom, venum-na naanga aprom-ah join pannikurom seriya?"

(Not like that) (It's been a while since all of us have come to the park like this hasn't it? So the grown up's want to do some catching up, we'll join you later okay?)

The little girl starts tapping her finger on her chin while thinking about the woman's words, Devi looks at her with adoration as she chuckles at the child's cuteness, "Kandippa vanthu enga kooda vizhayaadanum" the girl says finally. Devi nods affirmatively as the little one runs off pulling on the boys arm.

(You must play with us after)

"Kutties-ta ivlo neram enna pesitu vara ma?" Kumar asks his wife, she takes a seat next to him and starts explaining to the trio that the kids wanted her to come and play with them as well.

(What were you talking about with the kids all this time?)

"Yen Kumar, un pondaati-ya vittu oru anju pathu nimisham kooda irruka mudiyaatha?" Krishnakumar edges in laughing at his best friend's state, only to get a smack on his arm by his wife.

(Can't stay without your wife for at least 5 to 10 minutes can you?)

"Yenga, avar-ku avar pondatti-ah paakanum pola thonum, ava avar pakkathula irukanum-nu thonum, ungalluku enna?" Binni says twisting her lips at her husband.

(Hey! He may want to see his wife, have her sit next to him and stuff, how does that affect you?)

"Keta-thu en thappu thaan ma" Krishnakumar said surrendering to his wife while the trio laughed, just then they heard a feminine shriek.