An unusual love story

Epilogue

It had been four years since the Abhi-Samyu family had grown from 1 upset single man to a happy family of 6. Today, though, was a very auspicious day, grahapravesam of her brand new home. Abhi had bought a large land on the outskirts of the city, several years ago, soon after his mom had passed away. Being the only child, his ancestral property had come to him and with a portion of it, he had decided to invest in a land, which had now become a prime sought out area. With the expanded family and lack of space in the city, they decided to sell the villa and use that money to invest in this one. They had finally built their dream home there. Each and every one of them had given their input including little Manu, and finally, the day had arrived. The front porch was decorated with the beautiful kolam and the mango leaf (maavillai thoranam) adorned the front door. Yellow and orange marigold danced on either side of the beautifully carved front door. This was a typical Kerala style single family home with a nice compound surrounding it. There was enough space for the kids to run around and play. They had planted trees several years ago which were now tall and well grown. There was a vegetable garden on one side of the house. On the back of the house was an old fashioned well and a hand pump too. The tulsi plant was placed at the appropriate spot with the little in build area for a little lamp (Suggestions by Thatha and Paati).

The house had a large 3 car covered carport adjoining the house. Cross ventilation was perfect. As per vaasthu one could see the tulasi madom right from the front door, which was considered auspicious. As the priest entered, he said, "Romba nanna iruuku aam. Nera tulasi madom tberiyardhu. Ippidi thaan irukkum pazhaya kaalathula ellam. Aathu vaasakadhavulerndhu kollapakkam theriyanam. Ethana rooms kateerkel sollungo?" Abhi invited the priest in saying, "5 room irukku mama. Keezha hall, kitchen, dining, swamy room, oru study aparam Samyu oda Appa amma oda bedroom. Keezha oru guest bathroom aparam avangaloda bedroom la attached bathroom irukku. Aparam maadi la 4 room irukku. Ellathukkum attached bathroom. Kerala style la thatched roof panittom so terrace kedayadhu aana ella rooms layum attached balcony irukku apparam pinnadi oru periya patio kateerkom. Ange guests entertain pannalaam apparam oru play area madiri yum irukku." The priest was impressed, "Besh Besh. Seri naan inge homathukku ready pannaren. Naan sonnadhu ellam vaangitelono?" Abhi replied, "Idho Neenga kettadhu ellame inge irukku mama. Naan ennoda wife a kootindu vandhudaren. Neenga start pannungo." The man smiled and nodded. He adjusted his veshti to settle down and begin the prep.

Abhi called out for Samyu, "Samyu Maa nee ready ya?" Samyu looked gorgeous in a red saree with tiny green prints. She wore a green blouse which had intricate work on it. Her hair was tied in a bun with jasmine around it. Large gold jhumkas, a bright red bindhi, kajal, eyeliner and lipgloss completed her look. Abhi was wearing a crisp pattu veshti and a green shirt with the sleeve folded near his elbows. There were traces of gray visible on his hair and his beard. Samyu was stepping out of the room when Abhi walked in and quickly wrapped his arms around her waist pulling her towards him, "Ayyo enna pannareenga. Mama Vera keezha pooja arambikiraar. Ungalukku neram kaalame illiya? Vidunga." Abhi pulled her even closed and nuzzled her neck saying, "Semmaiya irukke. Avarukku naan velai kuduthuttu thaan vandhirukken. Oru 5 nimisham konjeetu poren." His base voice still made her heart melt but they were interrupted by the sound of their bed room door banging and they quickly let go of each other. They heard Manu yelling, "Mumma Dada, naan ready. Open pannunga." Abhi rolled his eyes and Manu ran towards his mother in the cutest veshti and shirt to match his dad. Samyu picked him up a kissed him before saying, "Manu kutta semma cute aa irukkiye." He wrapped his arm around her neck and kissed her cheeks over and over again saying, "I missed you Mumma. Mithu thaan enakku dwesh panni vitta." Abhi muttered, "Un pulla vandhu pathayiram mutham kudukaran. Naan onnu kudukardhukulla romba thaan alatikkara."

Abhi and Samyu had left very early in the morning to come over to this house to set up the place for the priest. Samyu's parents decided to get the kids ready and bring them over. They heard sound downstairs and then Mithu appeared. Mithu, the now 17 year old, looked gorgeous in halfsaree. It wasn't very often that she would wear traditional outfit as she was an athlete. She wore tracks or shorts for badminton and skirt to school. Most of the time, she preferred wearing an oversized t-shirt and palazzo. Samyu was literally in tears looking at her gorgeous daughter, "Mithu evvalo lakshanama irukke da. Nee oru ponnungardhe ippidi dress pannumpodhu thaan theriyardhu." Mithu frowned, "Daddy Mumma va kalaaikadhe nu sollunga" and she ran towards him. His hands were already extended to hug his daughter. He hugged and kissed her forehead. Yes, Mithu knew the day Manu came into their life that he was going to copy everything she did. Although she had some difficulties initially, she also knew how much Samyu yearned to be called amma so Mithu slowly changed the Samyuma to Mumma and Manu started saying the same.

The family walked down to join the priest and start the puja. They had invited some close friends and families. Abhi's childhood friend, Sanjay, who had settled abroad, had returned to India. Sanjay was one such friend who had kept in touch with Abhi through all these years. Abhi was thrilled to have his friend back in town and had invited him and his family for the function. Arjun sir was invited too. He had now turned into a producer/director and Abhi and Arjun sir had done many successful projects together. Mithu and Manu called him Periappa and he was very fond of the kids.

As the puja continued, friends and families started coming in. Mithu, Manu and other kids occupied the back yard with Pugazh mama's daughter clicking all their pics. They were all surprised to see Mithu looking like a ponnu. As they were all laughing and giggling, Mithu heard Paati's voice calling out to her, "Mithra inge vaa". She ran inside asking, "Enna paati?" Paati handed her a tray filled with coffee tumblers, "Ellarukkum poi kudu maa kanna. Ange paaru unga Appa oda friends ellam vandhirukka paaru." Mithu promptly grabbed the tray and walked to the hall. She passed along the coffee with a smile. She was familiar with most of the people there until she came up to the other side.

There was a man about her dad's age. She assumed he was Sanjay. She held out the tray and he grabbed the cup with a smile. Then she moved to the next person, his son. Mithra's eyes met his. For the very first time, she felt butterflies in her stomach. He was about 22-23 years old young man. He was tall, muscular with a clean hair cut. He was clean shaven. There was something about his eyes when it met hers, that made her look away and blush. He smiled and said, "Thanks but I don't drink coffee." His voice was soft yet commanding and, for the first time, Mithu just walked away.

Later that day she heard Abhi mention to Samyu that Sanjay's son Avinash wanted to pursue acting. Mithu smiled and whispered to herself, "Avinash" and she giggled.

The End

Brinda Subramanian