An unusual love story

Patching up

The following day Abhi was dropping Mithu at school. He stopped the car at the drop off point. Mithu reached to open the door but suddenly stopped and said, "Daddy, naan onnu sollaata?" Abhi said, "Sollu da Ennachu?" Mithu smiled and said, "Avanga... actually not bad. Unga choice parava illai. Ange Vera poi unga wife nu soleerkaanga. Hmmm.... Ippo naan idhu sonnadhu naala Neenga romba happy ayidadheenga. I am still not ready to share you." Just then they heard a honk behind, indicating Abhi needs to move out of the way. He gently touched Mithu's head and said, "Seri ok. Pinnadi irukara uncle enna thittardhukku munnadi ne erangu. Good girl aa irukkanum. Already unnoda teacher nee romba vaai adarey nu solittanga so behave." Mithu giggled at his chella kovam and nodded.

As soon as he reached the main road, he called Samyu on video call, "Hi maa, enna pannare?" Hearing the sound of the exhaust fan and seeing her fighting with pots and pans, he continued, "Enna samaikkare?" Samyu sniffled and said, "Oru simple egg curry and rice. Vengayamum poondum urichi orey kan ellam eriyudhu. Ennamo developed country adhu idhu nu peru thaan. Aana inge cook lerndhu scavenger varaikkum namma thaan. Enga amma ku Ungalukku ellam jolly. Veedu clean aalu, pathram wash panna aalu, thuni thoikka aalu. Cook panna mood Illaina swiggy. Jolly life." Abhi laughed listening to her whining and said, "Appo seekirama enkitta odi vandhudu. Naan Unna Rani madiri paathukkaren." Samyu pouted like she was giving him a kiss. He couldn't help smiling at her cuteness. He continued, "Seri unkitta oru vishayam sollanum. Mithu ku konjam konjama Unna pudikka arambikkardhu nu nenaikaren. Aanalum anda kutty mandaikku othukka enna oru ego" he laughed, "Nee ok thaanam aanalum enna share pannardhukku ready ya illiyam" he laughed. Samyu's face turned serious. She switched off the gas and turned off the exhaust. She picked up the phone and walked up to the dining table, "Abhi I have been thinking about this a lot. Mithu sammadhicha aparam thaan namma kalyanam nadakkanum Abhi. I know how important you are for her. Naan ethana varsham venumnaalum wait panna ready but it has to happen organically. Let her take her time Abhi. I am happy knowing that you love me and this will never change." Abhi frowned, "Enna Maa nee ippidi ellam pesarey. Ellam nalla padiya nadakkum. Naan shooting spot reach ayitten. Neeyum poi saaptu nimmadhiya thoongu maa. I love you." She smiled and said, "I love you too. Costar kooda Edhukkum oru distance maintain pannunga. Ungalukkunu varadhunga ellam seriyana vesham especially this one. Paah enakku paathale irritate agudhu. Adhu sirippum vazhisalum." Abhi laughed, "Yarukko poramaiya irukko?" She immediately replied, "Poramai ellam illai. Enakku thaan ungalapathi theriyume. Shot mudinja udane caravan la poi odi olinjipeenga." He laughed out loud hearing what she said. They quickly exchanged flying kisses before hanging up.

Time started flying by. Abhi started to get all the tests done for Mithu. After each test, waiting to hear back from Dr. Brown was the part that was causing anxiety. With each result coming back on a positive note was a huge relief. Samyu was also vehemently working on wrapping things up and returning back home. Fortunately she was able to close on her house 10 days before her tickets were booked. She was able to stay with a friend for 10 days. Mithu's surgery date was finally set. Samyu was returning back to India exactly a month before the surgery.

Samyuktha had asked Abhi if she could talk to Mithra in private. Abhi had conveyed the same to Mithu and she had agreed. Samyu came on Saturday. She wore a jeans and white kurtha. She had a bag with her. She gave a quick peck to Abhi. The two then walked up to Mithra's room. Abhi knocked and said, "Mithu maa Samyu is here to see you." Samyu immediately said, "Ulla varalaama?" Mithu responded, "Vaanga." Samyu then said, "Abhi naanu Mithra vum konjam thaniya pesanum. Girl talks? So can you excuse us please?" Abhi smiled but gestured a thumbs up and mouthed a "all the best". Samyu walked in and said, "Hi Mithra, eppidi irukkenga?" Mithra nodded, "Naan nalla iruken. Neenga eppidi irukeenga? By the way, thanks for your help. Enakku Dr.Brown a romba pudichirukku." Samyu immediately said, "Thanks ellam Edhukku. Naan edhuvume pannaliye." Mithu replied, "Illai Daddy oda wife nu ellam poi solli appointment vaangi kudutheengale adhukku thaan." Samyu wasn't expecting her to say that so it baffled her momentarily, "Adhu...vandhu..da...ba..adhu summa." Mithu immediately interrupted, "Nejamave summa thaan soneengala?" Samyu knew that if she had to earn Mithra's respect then she had to be very honest with her. She took a deep breath and said, "Mithra naan un kitta nejamave girl to girl thaan pesa poren. Even though you are only 8 years old I know that you are much more mature than that so heart to heart pesalaama?" Mithu nodded. Samyu said, "Mithra unakku theriyadhadhu illai but Naanum unnoda Daddy yum oruthara oruthar romba love pannarom. He means the world to me but I understand very well that you are his world. You are his priority. Naan enakki unnoda Daddy ya vittuttu poneno annikke andha urimaiya vittu kuduthutten. I just want to be a part of your family. I am not here to take him away from you. Nee indha kalyanuthu othukara varaikkum adhu nadakadhu da, okay?" Mithra was listening intently and then asked, "Suppose naan othukkave illaina?" Samyu held Mithu's hand and said, "Appo naan unakkum unga Daddy kum oru well wisher aa irundhuttu poren. I will be in your lives that way and you cannot stop me from being a friend. I want to be there when you get your vision. Unnoda puberty la naan kooda irukkanum. Unnoda periods pathi solli thara naan irukkanum. Unnoda mood swings a purinjukka naan irukkanum. Abhi oda naracha mudikku die adikka naan irukkanum. Avar night shoot poitu varum podhu thala amikki vida naan irukkanum. I just want to be add to your lives but not take anything away. Puriyudha?" Mithu was patiently listening to everything Samyu said. Samyu gave her the time to process it all.

After a little bit, Mithu said, "I know that Daddy unga kitta pesum podhu happy ya irukaanga. Neenga nallavanga thaan. I think I am ready to get to know you but naan ungala Samyu nu thaan koopduven, ok va? Seri naan ketta item enge?" Samyu smiled and handed her the bags of chocolates. She opened up the large box of Ferrero Rocher, picked one and handed it to Mithra. She slowly unwrapped it, felt it and popped it in her mouth. She relished it saying, "mmmmm....yummy.... Enna madiriye crunchy outside and gooey inside" and the two lovely souls cracked up laughing.

A couple of hours Abhi walked into Mithra's room hearing loud giggles. He heart swelled at the sight of the two important people in his life, playing a game of "Miss Mack Mack Mack" clapping their hands. It was the most beautiful sight that he wanted to cherish forever. He quickly grabbed his phone to capture the moment forever.

Brinda Subramanian