When Red and Blue make Purple

Wedding anklets

Ahalya managed to stay away from Shankar as much as possible. Shankar too got busy at work. The recent floods had caused a few days of loss and he had some deliverables which needed to be handed over on time so with the time crunch, he had to work extra hours and pay his staff overtime as well. Since Saraswathi was now able to manage on her own, he was able to focus on what he needed to do. Ahalya made it a point to check on Sarawathi and spend a few hours everyday. This was an unspoken arrangement with Shankar.

Meanwhile Chaami mama had his eye surgery done as well so that took most of her time away. Ahalya was also preparing the essential thaamboolam bakshanams for the wedding and the functions associated with it. She made the paruppu thenga kutti, 11 big murukkus, 11 laddoos, 11 mysorepak, 11 mullu murukku, 11 thenkuzhal for each of the functions. Shankar tried to catch a glimpse of her but she kept disappearing. Although he missed her, he also understood that she was busy.

The day prior to the wedding, they all went to the kalyana mandapam. Shankar had helped arrange a van for all the things they had to carry and also an ambassador car for the next few days for the immediate need. It was a chaotic day with everyone trying to scramble their way through with everything. Everyone seem to be in panic mode but finally, they all reached the mandapam. The mapillai azhaippu happened where Shankar and Mukundan were in charge of taking care of the groom and his family.

Finally, it was the day of the wedding. The stage was set, nadaswaram was in full swing, the vadhyars (priests) were chanting loudly to outshine the sounds of the instruments. Mami's were sparking in the kanjeevaram silk sarees and mama is veshti sattai were laughing, talking and greeting each other. A couple of kids were made to stand at the entrance offering sugar to the guests entering. There was also a sliver plate with the kungumam and chandanam bowls. Of course, one kid was asked to sprinkle rose water on the guests as they entered. There was always a tug of war for that. The one with the rose water container was usually the oldest of the three. The entire hall was buzzing with happy laughter, giggles of children, some kids running around and some getting smacked by the elders.

Balan mama was the chief cook. He was an expert in the palakkad style cooking. He and his band of men had taken over the kitchen and the aroma was hitting the hall. Breakfast was being served as people walked in. They were invited to the dining hall were the banana leaves were placed. The steel tumbler with water that is infused with vettiver. Then a boy brought the piping hot kesari, followed by idli, pongal, sambar, chutney and the fresh piping hot filter coffee. The guests and the grooms family got to eat first of course.

Shankar had barely had a glimpse Ahalya. Early morning, by the time he got ready and came down to the main hall, the kolam had already been drawn. Sarawathi looked at him and said, "Ahalya thaan kolam potirukka. Andha ponnukku indha chinna vayasula eppidi thaan idhellam theriyardho. Annam sonna Ahalya thaan izhuthu pottu ella velaiyum paakaraalam. Ippo Radhu kutty ya alangaaram pannardhu kooda ava thaanam. Romba chamathu ponnu da." Then she gave him a naughty look saying, "Unakku adha madiri oru ponnu thaan paarkanam. Indha kalyanam ellam paakarche aasaiya irukku da. Unakkum vayasu erinde pordhu. Ingeye yaarayavudhu pudichirukkuna sollu da." Shankar tried his best to cover his face turning red in embarrassment saying, "Ayo paati. Adhuku enna avasaram. Adhellam nadakkum podhu nadakkum." Just then the priest gestured his to come forward. Shankar hurried up to the stage where the groom and the priest were chanting. He told Shankar, "Ponna vara chollungo." Shankar nodded and hurried up to the bride's room and gently knocked on the door. He heard a Radhu's voice, "Yaaru?" Shankar replied, "Radhu naan Shankar. Vadhyar Unna koopadrar." Radhika replied, "Ulla vaa anna. Kadhavu thorandhu thaan irukku."

Shankar opened the door and his eyes met with Ahalya's. She looked gorgeous in the orange and green saree. The sleeve on her blouse was puffed and saree perfectly tied. Her hair was parted in the middle and loosely plaited. Jasmine adorned her beautiful hair. A bright red, round kungumam on her forehead, right above the center of her eyebrows. Kajal added beauty to her does eyes which extended like a tail. Radhika looked gorgeous as well but Shankar couldn't get his eyes of Ahalya and he said, "Romba azhaga irukke." Radhika cleared her throat and said, "Shankar anna kalyana ponnu naan. Naan eppidi irukken adha sollu. Nee yaaroda azhagula mayangeerke nu enakku theriyum." Shankar immediately looked away blabbering, "adhu ba da... naaan... vandhu Unna thaan sonnen. Nee thaan romba azhaga irukke nu sonnen" and he nervously rubbed the back of his head. Then he continued, "Seri Unna koopadra medaikku." Radhika quickly got up. Ahalya said, "Nee chithi kooda po. Naan pinnadiye varen." Radhika nodded and quickly hurried along with the other mami's who had come to fetch her.

Shankar was still at the door waiting for others to go and get a moment with Ahalya. As she approached the door she said, "Nagandhukongo ange muhurthathukku nazhi aachu. Polaam" but Shankar reached for her hand, held it and said, "Ahalya ennachu? Naan edhavudhu thappu panittena? Nee yen enna kandukave maatengara? Naan edhavudhu thappi pannerndhen na enna mannichukko." She quickly moved her hand towards his mouth, covering it, saying, "Achacho... appidi ellam cholladengo. Neenga endha thappum pannale. Naan thaan..." then realizing where her hand was she pulled away looking down. Shankar said, "Ahalya naan enna inge ippidi sollarene nu thappa nenachukkadhe. Enakku Unna romba pudichirukku. Idhukku mela ennala unkitta sollama irukka mudiyala. Un manasulayum naan irukken nu enakku thonardhu. Naan unakaaga onnu eduthundu vandhirukken" he opened her palm and placed a box saying, "unnoda badhil kaaga wait pannaren" and he walked away.

At the perfect time the nadaswaram and mrudangam were at high pitch indicating that the thaali was being tied. Ahalya opened the box to find a beautiful pair of silver anklets.

Brinda Subramanian