One shots

Sam and Abi - Our Little secret

Samyuktha was a child prodigy. She started singing at the age of 3. Her parents were simple people from  Trivandrum. Her father, Sriraman, was an electrical engineer with the local electricity board and her mother, Radha, a simple house wife. One day when they were visiting the temple, the noticed Samyuktha repeating the tune to the bhajan that was being sung. Both parents were surprised and both of them could barely carry a tune. They enrolled her in the local music class. Even though Samyuktha was one of the youngest student, her teacher Bhanumathi mami, noticed that she was not only a fast learner, she was also very attentive and disciplined for a 3 year old child.

Soon Samyuktha became more and more proficient. As she grew up, she participated in inter school music competitions and started winning prices. When she was 12, she participated in a reality show and won that too. She became popular and was invited to sing along with professional singers. Then her parents decided that she needed to focus on her academics and so he did as she was told. Samyuktha was happy, performing locally. Her dream though was to move to Chennai and pursue music further. After completing her 12th std. Samyuktha told her parents about her dream. Opportunity knocked her door in the for of a renowned music Director, Mr. Sarath, who had been one of the judges in the reality show and was immensely impressed with her. He had told her to reach out to him when the time was right.

Samyuktha reached out to him and he advised her to move to Chennai and that they could work on something. So they moved to Chennai. Sriraman's friend had a flat there. The friend had settled abroad but had bought a property in chennai that he used only when visiting the country. He was more than happy to let them stay there as he knew they would also take care of the place well. This was in a very posh location on Chennai. It was a 4th floor lavish apartment.

Samyuktha jumped in excitement when she found out where they were going to live. The thing is Samyuktha had a huge crush on the actor, Abhimanyu. He was the latest heart throb since his Amazon thriller series had become a hit. He was a handsome man with intense acting skills. There was a mystery around him. No one really knew much about his personal life. He was known to be a loner and arrogant. Most of his female costars claimed that he was not very friendly and kept to himself when the camera was not rolling. Samyuktha was intrigued by him. She and her friends tried to find out about him. That's when she found out where he lived. Yes, the same lavish apartment complex that she was going to.

It was move in day and her excitement knew no bound. As their taxi zoomed in, she was amazed at the breathtaking landscape. As they stepped out, the cool breeze invited them, reminding them that the beach wasn't too far away. Menon uncle, the flat owner, had a helper there who had been taking care of the place. He was a cute little chap, Babu. He scurried down to help with the luggage. Samyuktha immediately felt a brotherly affection for him. She asked him "Babu anna, actor Abhimanyu inge thaan irukaara?" Babu's face immediately became serious, "Aama aana naan avara onnu rendu vaati thaan lift la paathirukken. Pesa ellam maatar. Avar kitta Yaarume romba vachukka maatanga. Avar varadhum theriyadhu pordhum theriyadhu. Avar oorla irukkum podhu veetla paatu satham kekkum." She smiled and nodded.

Babu was given a month paid vacation to go to his hometown Trichy as his mom wasn't feeling well. Days passed by. Samyuktha stuck her ears out to see if she could hear music from her neighbors house but no luck. She noticed Rani amma, the maid come in twice a day to clean his house but that was it. Rani amma wasn't the most friendly person especially since Samyuktha's parents did not want to hire her.

Per Sarath sir's suggestion Samyuktha had auditioned for the Tamil music reality show, which would help her reach a larger audience and the big music directors. So she began practices and started focusing on preparing for the show. It had been close to 2 months since they moved and she had lost all hopes of meeting her neighbor. One day, she was sitting in her balcony practicing an old melody. The next round was 70's and 80's and she had decided to perform "Kaatril endhan geetham". She was trying to practice the beginning humming in a single breath but she was struggling. After a few attempts, she decided to take a break and go downstairs to the garden for a walk. As she stepped out, she heard music coming from her neighbor. Samyuktha's eyes lit up. Should she listen to what the world says about him or should she find out for herself? Should she just try saying hello? What is the worst that would happen? He might snap at her right? At least that will be her own experience.

She suddenly remembered that her mom has made some chakkara pongal that day so she decided to take some in a little container. She went and tapped on the door. No response but the music was still on. She jumped up for the doorbell this time. She waited and then it happened. She heard footsteps, then the music volume reduced and a couple of moments later, she heard two clicks. The door opened and there he was. The handsome guy from TV was standing right in front of her in a t-shirt, sweatpants and apron. He looked at her puzzled. She smiled and said, "Hi, naan Samyuktha. Ungaloda new neighbor." Then she stretched the little stainless steel box and said, "naanga inge vandhu rendu maasam aachu. Inniki thaan unga veetla paatu satham kettudhu adhu thaan hello soleetu sakkara pongal kuduthuttu polaam nu vandhen." He stared at her for a few moments with his eyes and mouth wide open. Then he cleared his throat and said, "o...o... hello. Thanks" and he took the box from her. There was an awkward silence. Just when Samyuktha was about to turn around and go, he said, "Neenga romba azhaga paadareenga. Balcony la practice panninadhu kettudhu. Andha starting humming ku kashta padareenga nu puriyardhu but don't worry you will get it. Keep at it. Kandippa varum."

Samyuktha could not believe that The Abhimanyu had heard her sing and was actually talking to her. She felt butterflies in her stomach and her heart was pounding in excitement. Then he said, "chakkarapongal ku romba thanks. Enakku sweet na romba pudikkum." She immediately turned towards him excitedly and said, "Ayyo enakkum sweet na romba pudikkum. So friends?"  and she stretched her arms. He smiled and shook hers saying, "friends" in his base voice.

Abhimanyu soon became  Samyuktha's first audience. Although he could not sing to save his life, he had an excellent ear for music and the minute details. He was always very honest about her song choices.

It was the evening after she had won the competition. After all the celebrations and hue and cry, Samyuktha and Abhimanyu were sitting in his balcony with fresh orange juice, looking at the view ahead. Samyuktha smiled and said, "Thanks. Naan indha competition win panninadhukkum seri ippo enakku kedacha play back opportunities kum seri Neenga oru mukkiyamaana kaaranam. Unga kitta onnu kekanum. Yen ellarum ungala pathi ivvalo thappa pesara? Neenga yen clarify pannale?" He smiled and looked at her, "I cannot change people's opinion. Naan yaaru nu enakku theriyum, en kooda irukara vangalukku theriyum. Enakku adhu podhum." He then winked and said, "It is ok to be a little bit of a mystery." She nodded and said, "Naaliki naan interviews kudukka poren adhula sollava Neenga enakku help pannineenga nu?" He smiled and nodded saying, "Vendaam. Let it be our little secret."

Just then Radha called to Samyuktha from the balcony saying, "Samyu indha unga rendu perukkum Suda Suda sakkarapongal ready. Vandhu eduthundu po."

Abhimanyu and Samyuktha said together, "Wow sakkarapongal!"

Brinda Subramanian

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