One Shots

Theera Payanam - Shot 1

Meghamalai

13 March 2022

The sun began to hide behind the mountains giving the sky a golden colour. The trees were dancing to the tune of the evening breeze and the climate was beginning to get cold. The U- bend road where a small tea shop was located outside of the city was almost empty, vehicles occasionally passing bye.

A little girl was settled on the bench that was placed in front of the tea shop and wandered her eyes to the surroundings with a sad pout on her face. A smile appeared on her face as she heard the sound of her favourite bike in the distance.

She jumped out of the bench as her eyes popped out in excitement to watch the bike crossing the shop. Her smile widened when she was able to see the bike at a distance and when she expected for it to zoom past her it took a left and stopped in front of the shop bringing more smile to her face.

A tall and fit man wearing a black jacket got out of the Black Enfield bullet 500 bike in which two large bags were tied in the back seat . He removed his helmet and shook his head to correct his hair before finger combing it.

" Anna Oru blank tea "

He said to the man who was near the tea boiler before he turned to look at the surroundings. He smiled when he found the little girl caressing the bike with a dreamy look on her face. He walked to her and knelt infront of her and turned her to him holding her shoulders.

" Pudichu iruka ? "

The girl gave a frightened look and turned to her father who walked towards them with a glass in his hand.

" Ava apdi tha thambi… bike naala pakathula poi ninupa.. avala vidunga.. inthanga neenga tea ah kudinga.. " he said forwarding the glass.

" thanks na .. he said getting up and receiving the before he turned to smile at the girl…. Iru vanthu una round kutitu poran.. "

There was excitement in the girls eyes but she quickly looked at her father with expectation.

" Thambi Athu ella Venda pa.. Neenga sonatha pothum.. Neenga tea ah kudichutu kelambunga… "

" Paravala anna.. aasai ah iruka ipadiya vitutu pona.. Enaku oru Mari kastama iruku.. oru round thena paravala.. " He said before sipping his tea.

" Illa pa ipa tha itha mari bike la vantha ponnu kutitu poitu vanthuchu.. "

" Ponna ? "

" Ama pa.. "

" Oh seri paravala vidunga..inoru time pona onum agathu.."

" Illa pa "

" Bayapadathinga anna.. venum na neengalum vanga.. "

The man looked at his daughter who was having exceptent look before he looked at him.

" Seri pa kutitu ponga "

" Neengalum vena kooda vanga anna.. "

The man smiled " itha edathula nan 15  varusham ah kadadi vechu irukan pa.. En thangachi uh en samsarum en thonaiku epavum ah Inga irupanga..avunga pathukapu intha kadaiku varavunga…avungala enna enathula pakarangara gavanathulaya irupan.. apdi pathu pathu yaru epadi nu avunga kannna vecha kandu pudichuruvan pa.. athu nala tha solaran kutitu ponga.. "

The man smiled at the shopkeeper before giving him back the glass and bending to the girl again " Appa ok solitaru polam "

The girl once again looked at her father who nodded at her making grinned and nod at the man. He smiled before ruffling her hair and carried her and placed her on the seat. He smiled when he found the girl smiling after he started his bike.