One shots

Golusu

The wedding was held at the mandapam attached to the pillaiyar kovil. During the 60's there was no concept of nischayadaartham or mapillai azhaippu. It was just the muhurtham. The grooms batch were hosted at relatives house the previous night and were directly accompanied to the temple. The muhurtham was from 7:30am to 9:00am.

Seetha's brother (cousin) greeted the groom with a garland and was led to the homam. The vadhyar had started the manthrams already and was instructing Arun to complete his Gayathri and surya namaskaram. Then the mapillai claims to be wanting to take brahmacharyam (Saint hood) while the bride's father and mother offer their daughters hand in marriage.

In a little while, he yelled for the "mami" to bring the bride. Seetha walked in wearing the typical maroon madisaar pudavai and walked up to stand facing Arun. Although Arun was hoping for a glance from her, Seetha did not dare to look up until she heard Shanthi akka whisper, "Maapillai kazhuthula maalaiya podi dee. Avar ethana neram ippidi guninjundu nippar." Seetha quickly put the garland around his neck and quickly looked away. They exchanged garlands six times back and forth while a mami in the crow started to sing, "Maalai maathinaal kodhai maalai maathinaal."

The bride and groom were then made to sit next to each other while the elders started to do the dhrishti and blessing them. Then they were fed 3 spoons of milk and banana mixed together. There was a whole line of mami's but Seetha was thankful that Jayanthi handed her a piece of cloth to wipe her sticky hands. Then it was time to go back to the homagundam where Seetha sat on her father's lap for Arun to tie the thaali amidst the sound of the gettimelam.

The newest bride and groom were now husband and wife with the blessing of all five elements, the pillaiyar, the elders and well wishers. The vazha elai was laid out and the food was being served starting with paal payasam, uppu, manga curry, thayir pachadi, puli inji, avial, thoran, podimas, pappadam, sadam, nei, paruppu, sambar, rasam, another round of payasam, thayir and ofcourse karpporavalli pazham. The food was cooked by the famous chaami mama and it was excellent. Everyone enjoyed the food except the anxious bride and groom.

Seetha was more than happy when Meena akka walked up to her and said, "Seetha podavai venumna maathikko." Seetha nodded and followed Meena. She said, "Akka ennoda dhavani enge" only to get a ghastly stare from Meena. "Adiyey, unakku ennachu? Ippo unakku kalyanam aayachu. Podavai thaan kattipa. Indha indha podavaiya katteendu vaa" she said. As she was walking away, she stopped and asked, "Unakku podava kattika theriyum illayo?" Seetha frowned at her and said, "Theriyum Theriyum." Meena sighed and said, "Seri Appo seekirama kateendu vaa. Innum konja nerathula Coimbatore ku porapadanam." Seetha nodded.

By the time she steeped out Arun too had changed out of his pattu veshti and was wearing regular veshti sattai. Seetha's parents had gifted their maapillai a new ring and a chain and Seetha's arms were glittering in the new pair of bangles but her dangling thaali and the kungumam on her center parting of hair, made Seetha glow.

It was a tearful departure, even though her parents were accompanying her to CBE. Jayanthi was inconsolable but Seetha promised to write to her and see her soon. After Shanthi yelled for Seetha for the third time she walked up to the back seat of the car, next to her brand new husband. The car was jam packed. Along with Arun and Seetha, three other children were shoved in. Seetha's arm touched her husband's and she shivered. He whispered, "Bayapadadhe maa" in his base voice. During their drive there were a lot of potholes which made it impossible for Seetha not keep from having any physical contact with him.

They finally reached and were welcomed with aarathi. "Valadhu kaal eduthu vachu vaango" someone said. The men settled down in the hall while the women walked in along with Seetha. The curious ladies were checking the jewelry she was wearing and asking her questions that she really did not want to answer. Just then Parvathy walked in and gestured Seetha to follow her. Parvathy said, "Seetha, Arun a koopdu. Unnoda samanam ellam andha maadi room la vekka solalaam. Inniki unga shanthi muhurtham illiya adhukulla unnoda paiya ange vekkanum.

Seetha's face turned red in embarrassment hearing the term "Shanthi muhurtham" but she was worried about how to call him. She said, "Achacho naan eppidi? Ange ellarum irukkale. Avarukku mattum eppidi?"  Parvathi smiled, "Po poi koopdu avana." Seetha walked slowly next to the door and looked for him. He was sitting and playing with some of the kids. She tried to wave but no one saw. She then cleared her throat loudly hoping he will hear. The first time he did not hear so she did it again and he turned around. She quickly said, "Orey oru nimisham inge varela?" Arun smiled and walked up to her. His close proximity made her gulp.

She said, "Ungala amma koopadra." Just then Parvathy came up to him and instructed him to take her bag up to the room. Parvathy kept giving her such errands so that she would have to fetch Arun and every time Seetha would stand next to the door and clear her throat to get his attention. But it was getting dark now and Seetha was starting to panic. Arrangements were being made for the Santhi muhurtham.

Seetha's mother had arrived. She helped Seetha get ready and handed her the sombu of milk and a tumbler covering in. She whispered to Seetha, "Modhalla avar kaal la vizhundhu sevichukko. Aparam indha paal kudu. Maapillai manasu padi nadandhukko. Unakku ippo kalyanam ayachu seriya?" Seetha frowned at her mother and said, "Vendaam maa naan ingeye u ga kooda paduthukarene." Her mom gently smacked her saying, "Po dee Makku. Mapillai ange kaathundu irupaar. Nee poo."

Seetha slowly climbed up the stairs. She did not know what to expect but her heart was beating at a 1000 beats a minute. She found the bedroom door open. It was decorated with flowers and Arun was standing by the window. As she walked in, he smiled and her and went to close the wooden squeaky door. Seetha gasped at the sound of the door being locked and she stepped away after placing the sombu and tumbler on the end table.

When she realized that Arun was walking towards her, she slowly turned around to bend down to touch his feet but he stopped her by touching her shoulder, "Ei enna maa pannare?" Seetha shyly replied, "Amma ungala sevichukka sonna adhu thaan...." He said, "Adhellam onnum vendaam. Nee modhalla inge ukkaru." He led her to sit on the bed. He then bent down. She suddenly felt his fingers on he feet and she immediately stood up, "Achacho neengal enna pannarel? Ennoda kaala Neenga thoda pdadhu."

He looked up and "Unakku golusu naa romba pidikkum illiya?" That's when she saw what was in his hand. He looked down at her ankle and hooked the brand new silver anklets. He then stood up to look into er gorgeous orbs and said, "Nee innime enna koopadanumna iruma ellam vendaam. Unnoda golussa rendu vaati tharaila thattina naan purinjuppen." Seetha blushed. Arun continued, "Idhellam Madras pora varaikum thaan. Ange nee enna peru vache koopadlaam." He smiled when her eyes instantly went wide and her hand went to her mouth and before she could say it, he imitated her saying, "Achacho."

Brinda Subramanian

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