An unusual love story

Journey begins- Train

It was Mithu's last exam. Geography was not one of favourite subjects anyway and she hated the maps. She wanted to complete her paper and run home but she knew her Daddy will be disappointed if she did not give her 100%. For him, it was never about her being a topper or scoring high marks. All he would ask her was, "Did you give your 100%?" In most cases, if she scored less, it was only because she hadn't given her 100% either while preparing or while writing. So she finished her paper and handed it over just on time.

Mithu was excited not about meeting Samyu's family but because they were going to travel by train. Abhi was a little reluctant when Samyu told him that they were planning to travel by train to her home town. He had always taken Mithu by flight and he couldn't understand why they wouldn't do the same. He was laying in bed looking up at the ceiling and said, "Yen maa train la ellam ponam? Flight la chattunu rendu mani nerathula poidalaam la? Idhu overnight travel. Mithu ku idhellam pazhakkam illai. Bathroom ellam prachanaiya irukkum." Samyu kissed his cheek and placed her head on his bare chest. He automatically wrapped his arms around her warm body pulling her closer. She pinched his nose and smiled saying, "En mela konjam kooda va nambikka illai ungalukku? Trust me, she will have a blast. I want her to get a glimpse of my child hood. Some of these small simple things bring so much joy. Naan irukken apparam Appa Amma vum irukkanga. She is in safe hands." She then teased him by running her finger down his chest saying, "Unga ponna badhrama paathukkarom. Ippo konjam sir inge focus pannareengala? One month outdoor shoot vera. Ungala romba miss pannuven." He quickly rolled over on top of her taking control of her lips and the rest.

The next morning Mithu was up early. Her thatha and paati were coming over to spend the day, help her pack and then go to the train station together. Abhi dropped them off at the train station but kept pulling Mithu close to him and hugging her, giving instructions to behave well and be safe, until Mithu hugged him tightly, kissed his cheeks and said, "Daddy Neenga kavala padama unga outdoor shoot poitu vaanga. I will be good. Don't worry" and she pinched his cheeks. She then walked ahead with her grandparents, giving Abhi and Samyu a private moment to say good bye. Samyu placed her hand on his chest, looked into his eyes lovingly while he wrapped his arms around her bare waist. She smiled and said, "Ungala romba miss pannuven but shoot mudichuttu vaanga. Heroine kitta romba vazhiyadheenga. Romance a konjam kattupaduthunga. Okay?" He bit his lower lip trying to contain his laughter and said, "Kavalaye padadhe ennoda 💯 romance unakku mattum thaan. Idhula 10% kooda camera paakadhu. Podhuma en chellamma" he looked around and quickly pecked her lips. "Achacho idhu enna public la ippidi bad behaviour. Yaaravudhu paaka poraanga. Seri enna vidunga naan poren." He pulled her closer, "En pondaati ya naan kiss pannaren. Unakku enna? Neeyum venumna un purushanukku oru kiss kuduthuttu po." Samyu blushed and giggled saying, "Aye aasaiya paaru? Adhellam mudiyadhu. Enna ippo vida poreengala illiya? Ayo paarunga andha aalu namala paathu sirichuttu poraan." Abhi refused to let go of her but when she heard the announcement of her train leaving the platform in a few minutes, she quickly pecked his lips and rushed to get into the train. He smiled and stood there waving till the train disappeared from his sight.

Since it was still not fully dark outside, Mithu sat near the window. She was thoroughly enjoying the experience. The fun was yet to begin. Her grandma had packed food for the journey. Samyu sat across from Mithu saying, "Unakku theriyuma chinna vayasula enakku train kelambina udane ve pasikka arambichudum. Train la saapadardhukku ne sila vishayam ellam irukku theriyuma? Unakku pasikkardha? Enakku pasikkardhu pa." Mithu smiled, "Train la saapadardhula enna special?" Just then paati opened up the food bag. She handed over the potlams to the ladies. Mithu opened it like it was a treasure hunt. Inside the newspaper wrapping was the banana leaf inside which was the aromatic puliyodharai. The freshly made pulikachal mixed with rice and packed in the banana leaf had a special flavour to it. Paati then placed a few pieces of home made vadam and a spoon full off the roasted potato fry. Samyu was right. There definitely was something about eating puliyodharai in the train. The family chatted away sharing stories with Mithra while she thoroughly enjoyed the food and the conversations. Once she finished the food on her plate, Paati opened up another container which had the thayir sadam which was flavorful with the mu star and uluthamparuppu thalichufied and garnished with curry leaves and Kothamalli. She had brought the home made mango curry, which happened to be Mithra's favourite. This time Patti scooped a little bit of rice, made a small ball and placed it on Mithra's palm, then, over it she placed a couple of pieces of the mango pickle. Mithra then put the ball in her mouth. This was the most delicious thayir sadam she had ever tasted. It wasn't too sour. Since paati had packed it just before they left home and it was all still in the hot case, it was still lukewarm. Samyu and Mithra had a competition eating the thayir sadam balls to their hearts content. When they were done, it was fun to walk up to the wash basin on the end of their compartment. Mithra could not help laughing trying to hold still on a moving train.

Before going to bed Paati gave her a cup of warm milk that she had carried in a flask. As they pulled up the bed, Mithra wanted to climb on to the top berth so Thatha helped put up the bed and they blew up the air pillow. The cool breeze soon made her eyes heavy and before she knew, the train rocked her like a cradle and the sound of the moving train lulled her to sleep.

Brinda Subramanian