melancholy

Parting...

"Anandhi eh avunga Appa kude anupichitten Mullai" was the reply...

"Engae Aunty?" asked Mullai, feeling as though the wind was rushing in her ears...

"Hospital ku... Covid test edukkae" said her mother.... "Avalukku entha symptoms um illae" assured Vasantha on seeing Mullai become pale... "Negative result odae travel pannalam... Naanga ooruku kelambrom Mullai... Rombha thanks ma.. En ponnae ivlo nalla  paathukutathukku" Vasantha patted her on her cheek, and from the bag took out a new saree and a shirt in matching color and gave it to her... "Ungalukkaga rombha naal ah vangi vechirthen Mullai" she said..

Mullai thanked her, but her mind was far away... Why were they in such a hurry all of a sudden! On the pretext of keeping the clothes in Kathir's room, she took leave of Vasantha and went in search of Anish, she had to warn him that something was off... She took her phone and saw the missed calls from Anandhi and her worry increased... She texted Anish to meet her outside the guest house and waited agitatedly, when she saw Anandhi arrive in the car along with her father and their driver...

"Mullai... Nee engae irrunthae? Phone panna edukka mattiya?" whispered Anandhi, coming close to Mullai... "Sorry Anandhi.. Phone eh room liye vechitten" She noticed that Anandhi had an air of nervousness about her... "Mullai... Naan sollurathe nalla kelu.. Anish, Anish odae parents, neeyum Kathir ippo odanae guest house ku vanga.. Rapid test eduthirkangae, negative nu text message vanthathum, kelamburatha mudivu pannirkanga.... Aana naan poga matten... Avunga etho oru plan le vanthirkanga Mullai... Bayama irrukku... Appa, Amma kitte Anish vishayatha sollalam nu irrukken... Neenga ellarumae moral support ku kude irrungae" She swallowed hard....

"Nee dhariyama irru Anandhi.. Naan ellariyumae ippo kutitu varen" said Mullai and rushed off... On the way to Anish Villa, she spotted Kathir and told him about what her friend had just told her... His face turned serious... "Naanum nenechen Mullai... Ivlo thooram travel pannirkanga athum intha maari time le na.. Kandippa etho oru ulnokkam irrukkum.. Nee poie Anandhi kude irru, naan ellaraiyum kootitu varen" He quickened his pace and rushed off...

Soon Anish, his parents, Kathir and Mullai were gathered in the hall of the guest house and Anandhi joined them.... After a while, her parents came out and if they were surprised to see everyone there, they didn't show it.... Some time passed in genteel chit chat... "Yehn Uncle, ivlo sikirama poringa? Innum konja naal irrunthuttu polam le" said Kathir and her parents exchanged shifty looks.. "Innoru thadava varom Kathir.. Aanadhi rombha naal ah ingae irrunthutta... Oorulae ellarumae ketkae aarmbichitanga... Lockdown veraiya, ponnu yehn veetukku varala nu neraiyae kelvi" Anbumani glared at his daughter when he said that...

"Appa naan ippo ungae kude varren aana ennae yehn ishatapadi marupadiyum ingae vara viduvingala?" She asked and her father's eyebrows rose so high in his forehead that they were in the danger of disappearing into his hairline... "Ethukku?" He asked dispassionately...   "Intha situation eppo mudiyum nu therila Anandhi" her mother interrupted... "Naangae,  nee inimae Adimali varathukku viruppae padala" said her mother shaking her head.. "Appo ennodae velae?" Anandhi's nose flared in anger... "Vitutu va" her mother's cool reply enraged Anandhi...

"She has to give a month of prior notice" said Thomas, speaking for the first time... "She is an excellent worker, we want her to continue.. Avae career ku ithu rombha important" he added... "Purithu Sir... Aana ippo ellamae maariruchu, intha situation innum two years continue aalam nu pesikuranga... Athu veraikkum Anandhi Adimali le irrukurathae naanga ishtapadala" he said politely... "Appa ithu ennoda career.... Ennae oru varthae ketkae mattingala? Ellae mudivumae neengalae eduthupingala?" Her voice rose and her father swelled in anger...

"Mothala inthae vishayathae, ingae pesurathae niruthu, approma pesikalam" he said, shaking his head dismissively... "Yehn pa... Ivunga onnum strangers kedaiyathu... Kathir and Mullai are family... And Anish... A.. Anish odae f..family.. Ennodae family dhan pa" she said, lifting her chin up bravely.... The atmosphere in the room changed in an instant... A chillness swirled in that had nothing to do with the weather..... Vasantha understood what Anandhi said before her father could, she gasped and covered her mouth with her hands... "Ennae Anandhi sollurae?" She asked, her eyes widening in shock... "Aama ma... Naanum Anish um virumbrom.. Kalyanam pannikanom nu asaepadrom" her knuckles turned white, she was gripping the arm of her chair so hard...