Thoorigai

Presentation

Mullai and Kathir were seated in the living room of his house again the following weekend. Mullai simply sat there observing Kathir working.

"Ipadi chumma okandutu irukaradhuku, nee un veetlayey irundhu irukalam", Kathir snapped becoming uncomfortable with her constant gaze.

"Enna pananum?", she asked.

"Intro and conclusion slide panraya nee? Inum rendu naal than iruku", Kathir instructed.

"Munadiyey kettu irundha, panni irupean", she muttered.

"Neeya panna vendiyadhu thana?", he shot back.

"Edhuku? Aparam en notes seriya illa nu nakal adikava? I was waiting for you to swallow your pride and ask me"

"Pride? Enaka?", he shot an angry look at her.

She wanted so bad to say something back but shook her head.

"No more arguing or insulting. Namba deal nybagam irukatum"

He gave a look "You are the one who started"

"You have a PHD in insulting me. Don't get me started!", she sneered.

They needed to finish the research and presentation by today but they were getting nowhere with it.

Nila walked in giggling. "Mullai akka super ponga"

"Edhuku?", Mullai asked curiously

"Ivan kuda ninnu sandai podarengaley. Pakka supera iruku. Eppo paaru, ivan solradha naan kekanumnu scenu poduvan. Keeta periyavanu peethika vendiyadhu. Ivana sikiram naana poraka sonean?"

She turned towards Kathir and noticed him glaring at her "Dei, morachadhu podhum. Amma inaiku night shift edukaranganu unna vazha elai, poo, pazham vangi vekka sonanga. Vangitiya? Kadai satharadhu kula po"

"Oh marandutean, nalaiku amavasai illa"

He turned to Mullai "Oru 1/4 hour la vanduduvean. Paravalaya?

"Oru prachanaiyum illa. Nee poitu va."

"Illa late achu. Nee kelambaradhu na kelambu, naan pathukarean"

"6.30 thana agudhu. Its ok. Nee poitu va", she assured him.

As soon as he left, she turned to Nila "Amavasaiku enna panuvenga? Enga veetla naan edhuvum panni pathadhu illa"

"Appa thavarinaparam, amavasai aana padaipom. Ivan viradham irupan sandhiram varai. Enala mudiyadhu pa. Soru mukiyam achey!"

"Sorry. Didn't know"

"Enaku 6 vayasu than appo. So perusa theriyala. Vaguea than appa'va nyabagam iruku enaku . Appa panna vendiya elam ivan paniduvan. So perusa miss pannadhu illa appa'va"

Mullai felt a tug in her heart. She couldn't imagine losing a parent at such a young age and wondered how much responsibility Kathir must be holding.

"Unga rendu peraiyum patha, enakum oru anna irundhu irukalamnu thonudhu", Mullai gave a small smile to Nila.

"Aiyeeee. Apadi elam thappa yosikadhenga. Ipadi oru anna kita matikitu, naan padara paadu, enaku than theriyum..", she lamented earning a laugh from Mullai. They ended up chatting with each other and Mullai enjoyed Nila's company a lot. Nila was a contrast to Kathir. She was carefree, jovial, and cheerful whereas he hardly spoke unless needed and always serious. She has never seen him smile. She couldn't help but wonder what made Kathir so rigid.