An unusual love story

Fear of separation

Mithu conveyed the good news to Paati and, by the time they were ready to leave, she had her big dabba of badam halwa which, she declared, was all hers. After some persuasion from Paati, she agreed to share it with the baby. Samyu was quiet on their way home. She did not want to bother Abhi with her thoughts. She brushed it aside but Abhi could read Samyu's mind by just looking at her eyes. So when they were cuddled in bed, he kissed her forehead and asked, "Enkitta solla maatiya maa?" She looked up at his adoring eyes and smiled, "Ennadhu?" He smiled, touched her head and said, "Indha moolai kulla edhayo pottu kozhappikariye adha sonnen." She changed the topic saying, "Adutha vaaram Mithu school annual day. Madam thaan all rounder award vaangapora theriyum la? Edho speech vera kuduka poraalaam. This is the last year in this school la? 8th lerndhu andha senior school building so best out going student speech madam thaan kudukka pora. Adhu arundha vaala irundhaalum she is the cutest, la?" Abhi smiled again, "Idhellam namma already pesiyachu. Ozhunga sollaporiya Illa naan un pechu kaa vidavaa?" Samyu quickly placed her finger on his lips and said, "Ayayo adhellam vendaam Naane sollaren. Adhu vandhu... inniki Mithu enna almost amma nu sonna." Abhi's face lit up but Samyu continued, "Direct a sollale but baby kitta pesaren nu solli namma amma nu sonna. Naan thirumba kettapo appidiye mazhupitta. Ava sub conscious mind la adhu irukku Abhi but ennamo thadukkudhu. Enakki andha barrier aa break pannuva nu therila but I will come out eventually la?" Abhi hugged her tighter and kissed her forehead saying, "Kandippa maa." Both of then were there lost in their thoughts and soon Samyu was fast asleep. Abhi tossed and turned. He could not sleep. He decided that he was going to talk to Mithu about it.

Monday evenings were always the father daughter badminton days. After a tough game and losing to Mithu, Abhi took her to the smoothie place as promised. They found a corner table and settled with their smoothies. Abhi waited for Mithu to take a few sips before asking, "Mithu kutty can we talk?" Mithu looked up and asked, "Daddy Daughter talk aa illai buddies talk aa?" He smiled, "Buddies talk." She nodded and said, "Appo ok. Kelunga enna therinjakkanum indha super star pathi?" Abhi sighed and rolled his eyes only for the duo to chuckled. Then he said, "Unakku Samyu va pudikkum nu enakku theriyum. You love her and respect her right?" Mithu nodded, "Aama enakku Samyu va romba pudikkum. She is very kind. She loves me a lot. Enna naraya help pannaraanga plus enakku naraya relationships um avanga moolama thaan kedachirukku including my favourite thatha paati." Abhi nodded, "Unakku thatha paati na yaaru nu theriyuma. I mean how do they become your grandparents?" "Of course, Daddy. Parents oda parents thaan grandparents. Adhu koodava theriyardhu?" she continued to slurp her smoothie. Abhi scratched his eyebrows thoughtfully and went ahead, "Appo Samyu unakku yaaru?" Mithu stopped what she was doing and didn't look up. She knew where this was going. She remained quiet so Abhi answered it for her, "Vaai neraya enna Daddy nu koopadrey, Samyu oda Appa ammava thatha paati nu koopadrey aana yen da Samyu va mattum amma nu koopda varale unakku?" Mithu's face turned red. This was the moment she dreaded. She had to tell him now, which means, she had to articulate her feelings but tears were threatening to escape her eyes. She blinked hoping they will stay within. Without looking up she said, "Naan Samyu va...." she paused. Then she looked up at him with tearful eyes and said, "Naan Samyu va amma nu koopten na avalum ennoda birth mother madhiri enna vittuttu poiduvaalo nu enakku bayama irukku Daddy. Enakku nenavu therinja naal lerndhu enakku ellame Neenga thaan but I am scared Daddy. Naan Samyu va amma nu koopta naan ungala love pannara alavukku Samyu vayum love pannuven but ava enna vittuttu poita?" Fresh tears started pouring down her cheek which she struggled to wipe off. Abhi quickly got up from the seat which was across from her and took the seat next to her and held her. He said, "Ayo Mithu kutty, Samyu will never leave you. Unakku unga amma va pathi ivalo aazhamaana feelings irukkunu yen ma Daddy kitta sollale. Why did I not know that you were hurting? Innoru vishayam sollata? I am sure your birth mom loved you to death too. We don't know the circumstances which made her give you up. We don't know if she even knew. Onnu mattum sollaren Samyu Unna...I mean nammala ennakum endha vishayathukaagavum vittutu poga maata. You take your time but remember something, nee Samyu va amma nu accept pannardhunaala en kitta irukara love enakkum korayadhu. Love only expands my darling. Nee evvalo Anbu kudukkariyo adhukku double madangu unakku love kidaikkum. Seriya?" Mithu sniffled listening to her dad but she felt a huge sense of relief after talking to him. She felt reassured that her "amma" will not leave her.

When they returned home Mithu walked straight up to Samyu, who was in the kitchen and gave her a tight hug and a kiss on her cheek. Samyu was surprised. She smiled saying, "Enna sudden aa ivvalo love adhuvum verva smell oda? But I will take it" she said kissing Mithu back, "Seekirama poi kulichittu vaa. Unnoda favourite pasta paneerken." When Mithu disappeared, Samyu looked at Abhi and asked, "What was that about?" He just shrugged his shoulder and said, "Who knows? That's between Amma and Ponnu" and he winked.

Brinda Subramanian