Pookal Pookum Tharunam

ᴛᴡᴇɴᴛy ꜱɪx

Author's Note :

So guys, as from this chapter the Coimbatore sequence begins, there might be many characters coming and going in between (as relatives and family friends) who are not mentioned in the "Characters and Introduction" of this book, so don't get yourself confused. They may not appear in the story after this sequence. Thank you :)

Sreedevi

No idea what this 5 days has in store for me. Sigh.

My mom keeps staring me as I stir the juice. I tilt my head and stared her back with a straight face. She sighs dramatically and pours the juice in the glasses. I wonder what drama is she trying to pull. She keeps a disappointed face and I cant help but ask what's wrong with her.

"Aanalum unak ivlo pudivaatham aagathu Devi"

I frown. Its been only 15 minutes I have entered to this house and I wonder what have I done.

"Ennathu?" I ask almost confused.

"Kalyanam aagi ondra varsham aachu... Inga varanu.. Amma appa va paakanu nu unak konjo kooda oru ennam illa.. Atha vidu.. Oru kozhantha pethukalam nu kooda unak thonala"

I roll my eyes hard.

"Arambichitiya? Naa vanthu ara mann neram kooda aagala.. Athukulla aarambichitya?"

"Pinna enna devi? Engaluk ore ponnu nee thane.. Unna pathi engaluk kavala irukatha? Kavitha epovume kooptu ore azhuga thaa peran pethi paaka aasaya irukku nu.. Ana unak atha pathilam kavala illa.. Enak nallave theriyu Devi unnoda pidivathathunala thaa unak innum kozhantha undagala nu"

Though her words turn daggers that prick my heart, I know I am not like what she thinks and I dont really care what she thinks of me. Controlling the tears that threatened to brim, I move out of the kitchen with the juice. My mom scoffs behind me.

Appa and Ajay are sitting on the couch and talking while I give the juice to them and take one for myself. Ajay frowns at my dull face but I fake a smile at him.

"Apro enna da panuvinga?" Dad asks Ajay.

"Illa Uncle athellam namma company innocent thaan nu prove panniduvom... Actual ah Intha one month close panirkrathu la kooda etho politics lam irukku.. Namma ithula elam thala idurath illa.. One month salary kudukrangala leave vutrukangala.. Enjoy panna vendiyath thaan" Ajay says.

My mind wandered to the day he lost the job. How he was washing the plates with a thud and how he was screaming at people whoever called him that day. I laugh in my mind and Ajay looks at me and squints his eyes catching my mind.

"Yen da jay.. Unak un amma vuk oru phone panni aachu pesalam la da? Ipo 2 varama summa thane irukka?? Ava epovume complaint pannuva nee koopdave matingra nu" My mom says.

"Illa aunty-"

"Athepdi.. Avuruk akka kooda romance pannave time seriya irukume Chithi.." Vinay, My periappa's younger son says coming from upstairs.

Ajay and I share an eyelock and avert immediately.

If only they know!

"Vinay? epdi irukka?" Ajay hugs his shoulder as he settles beside him on the couch.

"Naa nalla iruken Mams.. Akka epdi iruka?" Vinay asks me.

"Nalla iruken da.. " I smile softly.

"Seri sapduringala? Naanga ellam saptom" Mom asks me and Ajay.

"Illa aunty naanga saptom... Devi nee sapudriya?" Ajay asks.