An unusual love story

The speech

Mithu had always asked Samyu to read through her essays, speech before a debate or elocution competition etc. Mithu had amazing writing skills and loved to improve her vocabulary so, this time, Samyu was surprised when Mithu hadn't come to her with her speech which she was going to give on the annual day. Every year 2 7th graders were picked to give the farewell speech. It was based on overall performances through out that year. Mithu was an all rounder. Until the previous year, she was the class topper academically, the badminton champion who borough in cups from inter school competitions and was excellent in debates. This year she had an extra feather on her cap with performing arts as well. She was one of those students who was loved by all.

The annual day was on Saturday and Mithu had still not brought her speech to Samyu on Friday evening. She had shut herself in her room and everytime Samyu would knock, Mithu would hide her speech. Finally Samyu knocked on her door asking, "Mithu do you want me to review your speech for tomorrow?" Without opening the door, Mithu answered, "Nope. I am ok. I can manage." Samyu felt a little sad. She felt she was losing her "girls time" with Mithu. She decided to impress Mithu by making her favourite aloo gobi and hot puffed up pooris for dinner. She went and knocked on Mithu's door again saying, "Mithu saapda vaa. Unakku pudicha poori aloo gobi paneerken. Sooda sapda vaa." Mithu responded, "Haan varen. Nee saapdu." This surprised Samyu even more. They had a rule at home that if they were available then they should eat together, be it lunch or dinner. Samyu sat on the sofa and waited. It took about 30 mins before Mithu stepped out. She quickly grabbed a few pooris in a plate along with the aloo gobi in a bowl and walked back into her room. Samyu had tears in her eyes. All she wanted to do was spend time with her daughter but...but... and down came the tears. She wiped it, drank a glass of water and went into her room without eating. She dozed off until she was woken up later by Abhi, gently, "Maa ezhundhuru. Ippidiya saapdaama thoonguve?" She rubbed her eyes and looked up at Abhi sitting next to her with a plate of food. She slowly sat up, "Neenga eppo dubbing mudichu vandheenga? Naan saapadlenu eppidi theriyum?" He smiled and fed her a piece of poori with aloo gobi, which he had heated up. Her stomach was growling and she opened her mouth to take a bite. He smiled, "Sink pakathula orey oru plate wash panni irundhuchu. Aloo gobi same cook pannina kadai la irundhudhu. Nee saptirundhena adha hot case la pottu vachiruppe nu enakku theriyum." He touched her stomach and said, "Paapa ku pasikkidhu adhu thaan un vayatu grrrr grrrr nu sathampodudhe. Appidi enna nadandhuchu? Vayaru paavam enna panichu?" She frowned, "Ayayo Aama naan edhuvume eduthu vekkala. Neengalum saapdunga" she said holding his hand that was coming towards him and turned it towards his mouth. "Mithu eppovume enkitta varuva avaloda essays, speech ellathukkum but idhu evvalo mukkiyamaana speech but naan kettum ava ennoda help vendaam nu solitta. Ava enkittendhu velagara madiri irukku Abhi." Abhi smiled and touched her head saying, "Unnoda indha over thinking moolaiya konjam odhikki vai. May be she wants to surprise you with her speech. May be she wants us to hear it in front of the entire school. Adha yosichiya nee?" Samyu instantly smiled and her eyes lit up, "ohhhh amaa le. Naan appidi yosikkave illai. Idhuvum nalla thaan irukku. Ava ena pesa pora nu theriyama irukkardhum oru vidhathula exciting aa thaan irukku." Abhi and Samyu continued to feed each other and Abhi teased her saying, "Makku Makku. Summave moolaiya pottu kozhapikka vendiyadhu. Indhaa indha paal kudichu nimmadhiya thoongu." She pouted saying, "Innime enga thoongardhu. Football player arambichachu. Night full aa tournament thaan. Enakku sivarathri." Abhi kissed her forehead and said, "Iru plate a pottutu naan varen."

The following day Mithu pretended to be busy with something or the other. She had to be at the school an hour before the parents could arrive so Selvam dropped her off early. Abhi and Samyu picked up Samyu's parents and headed to the school. The program was delayed by 30 minutes. First the welcome speech was given by the school leader. The chief guests were introduced followed by their speeches. Samyu was getting impatient. She whispered to Abhi, "Naan school padikkum podhe indha chief guests speech semma bore adikkum. Ivanga eppo short and sweet nu oru concept irukardha purinjupaanga? Semma kadi." Abhi placed a finger on his lips indicating her to shhh. Next the awards were given out per class and final it was 7th grade. Samyu was cheering very heavily when Mithu kept coming up on to the stage to collect her awards one after the other. Finally the moment had arrived. Mithu was asked to give her farewell speech.

She walked up confidently up to the mic. She adjusted it to reach her mouth. She looked at the auditorium a smiled. She then took a breath and started, "Good evening ladies and gentlemen, our esteemed chief guest Mr. Seetharaman, our dear principal Mrs. D'Souza, my teachers and dear friends thank you for giving me an opportunity to give my farewell speech. I have been in this for the past couple of years but it feels like a second home. I am leaving this school to move on to higher secondary with mixed emotions. This school opened opportunities for me but my family has made me the person I am. There is something about me that many of you do not know and I am going to share that today. My life is a little different from the rest of you. Unlike you all, I don't know who my birth parents are." There was a sound of surprise from the audience. Mithu smiled and continued, "I met my Daddy when I was two at an orphanage. I do not remember much of that but since then I have never yearned for my birth parents. His love for me has been unconditional. He has never hidden this fact from me but has never given me an opportunity to doubt his love but there is another person who has shown me what true love actually means" she looked towards her parents and pointed in their direction and said, "my Samyu amma." Samyu could not believe what she heard. She grabbed Abhi's hand and let out a huge sigh. Tears of happiness gushing down her cheeks but Mithu was not done yet. She continued, "My Samyu amma fell in love with my dad when she was barely 19. Although life pulled them apart, their love for each other had not reduced one bit even when they met after several years. I was already adopted by then but she loved me from the moment she met me. She selflessly found the best surgeon and helped me get my vision." She then looked at Samyu and said, "Samyu amma I have always wanted to call you that but I was afraid that if I take that move you might leave us. I know it was stupid of me but, in front of my entire school, I want to tell you that I love you amma and I can't wait to introduce my Daddy and my Samyu amma to the baby. Also Thankyou for giving me the best thatha paati and a load of extended family. For me, who could have been in an orphanage, is blessed with the best family. They have taught me to be kind to all, to help others without expectations and spread love and joy always. Yes we all need to do well in school but most importantly I would like to tell you all to be kind, respectful and positive. I thank you all for this opportunity and now it is time for me to join my family." She finished her speech and the entire auditorium stood up for a standing ovation. That was such a heartwarming speech. Mithu quickly ran up to Samyu who could not stop crying. She hugged Mithu and kissed her cheeks and forehead and all she could say was, "I love you so much Mithu kutty. En ponnu enna azhaga pesara."

It was the best gift Samyu could ever get. Although Mithu still had trouble calling Samyu "Amma" she settled for "Samyuma" and that worked for them.

Brinda Subramanian