Seetha Kalyanam Vaibohame

Vichu vin varavu

Jayanthi was not as lucky as Seetha. She managed to just get pass marks in all subjects. Her family was not as sound as Seetha's, financially so she could not even dream of going to college. However, her mother wanted to enroll her in the typewriting and shorthand class in the local technical institute.

As usual, the girls were sitting on the steps of the temple kolam when Seetha broke the news to Jayanthi, "Appa enna pre degree padikka anuppa othunduta. Modhalla avar venda nu thaan sonaar. Naan thaan thaatha kitta solli Arts group eduthukaren adhula neraya English irukkum nu kenjinen. Thatha udane serinu solitta. Appa ku vera vazhiye illama pochu." Then she pouted saying, "Aana nee illama podhukku thaan di kashtama irukku. Onnam class lerndhu namma rendu perum serndhu poi serndhu vandhirukkom. Ella class layum nee thaan en kitta ukkaruve. Ippo andha edathula edho oru ponnu ukkara pora. Adha nenacha thaan...Pch..."

Jayanthi smiled at her, "Adhukku enna? Parava illai. Enna Amma type shorthand class le sethu vida poraalaam. Ippo ellam pathaam class pass aagi type shorthand irundha office la velai kedakkumaame." Seetha's eyes went wide and she smiled, "Naanum appona serndhukaren. Adhukaavudhu serndhu poitu varalaam." The girls clapped in glee.

Seetha's classes were from 8-2. She paid a quick visit to pillaiyar every morning before walking through the muddy road to the main road where the college bus would pick her up and drop her off. Although she enjoyed the new environment and made new friends, she couldn't wait to return home everyday to accompany Jayanthi to the technical institute and tell her all about her day. Then the two girls visited pillaiyar every evening before heading home.

Two years flew by. It was a huge blessing that Seetha had been able to complete her pre degree. There was no way she would get permission to pursue her studies. Meanwhile, Jayanthi had got a job as a typist in a local newspaper office. The salary was not much but it did help her family's financial situation. It wasn't too far away so she could meet Seetha at the temple, as usual. There were days when Jayanthi would run late but she never missed to meet her friend.

One day when Seetha returned home from the temple, she noticed her mama and mami were home and the entire family was around, in deep conversation. Seetha quickly washed her legs and stepped in only for her Mami to look at her and smile, "Vaa maa Seetha. Unna pathi thaan peseendu irundhom." Seetha frowned for a moment in confusion but a bombshell was thrown at her immediately.

Mami continued, "Enna appidi paakare? Unna ponnu kettu thaan vandhurukkom namma Vichu ku. Unakku 19 vayasu. Avanukku 24 aagardhu. Kaalakaalathula pannavendiyadhu pannanum illiya?" Vichu was Seetha's mama's younger son. Older son was married to Meena akka. Seetha did not like Vichu one bit. He was a good for nothing. He wasted his father's money gambling. He was irresponsible and Seetha hated the way he looked at her. He was definitely not what she wanted in a life partner both physically and personality wise. Mami continued, "Unnoda jaadhagamum Vichu oda jaadagamum Somu mama kitta porutham paaka kuduthirukkom. Mama innum konja nerathulla inge varen choleerka. Unna engathu paatu pon aakardhukku aavala irukkom."

Seetha smiled nervously and ran into the Swamy room. She lit a lamp and mumbled to her Pillaiyar, "Pillaiyar Appa Unakke theriyum andha Vichu pathi. Avanum Avan muzhiyum mogarakattaiyum. Avana paathale enakku pidikkadhu Pillaiyar Appa. Enna eppidiyavudhu kaapathi vidu. Unakku 108 vadai yum 108 kozhakattayum en kaiyala panni kondu varen. Unakku thaan ennoda kozhakattai pidikkume. Kaapaathu kaapathu kaapathu." She applied vibuthi on her forehead and prostrated in front of the home temple just when she heard the bell on their door. There were bells on there door and when someone knocked the bell would gong. Seetha quickly mumbled again, "Pillaiyar Appa ennoda chella kutty. Enna kaapathu."

Everyone welcomed Somu mama. Somu mama was loud. He always laughed at his own jokes and would never leave unless he gets his filter coffee.  Raji quickly ran to the kitchen to make the coffee while Seetha stood near the Swamy room door, biting her nails. Somu mama cleared his throat and came to the point right away, "Rendu kozhandaigaloda jaadhagathaiyum oru vaati ku naalu vaati paathutten. Sollardhukku konjam varuthama thaan irukku aana Iva jaadagam serave seraadhu. Vichu jaadaga padi avanukku innum 5 varshathukku kalyana yogam illai. Naan nalla nunukkama paathen aana idhu seri pattu varadhu." Mama and Mami looked disappointed but no one dared to question Somu mama. He was the best astrologer and had been with their families for years.

Seetha literally jumped and thanked her Pillaiyar, yet again, for saving her but continued to listen to Somu mama. He said, "Kozhandhai Seetha ku amogamaana jaathagam. Avalukku adutha rendu varshathula nalla varan varum. Avala thanga thattu la vachu paathukara madiri maapillai yogam irukku. Aana neengal sondhathula paakadhengo." He took a sip of the coffee and glanced at Seetha who was beaming. He then said, "Kozhandai innum konja naal unga kooda odi aadi velayadeendu irukattume paavam." Then he glanced at Seetha and said, "Enna maa kozhandai? Mama seriya sonena?"

Seetha smiled at him and nodded in affirmation but she ran back to the little temple at home and whispered to pillaiyar, "Naaliki kaarthala seekirama ezhundhu unakku vadaiyum kozhakattaiyum panni kondu varen." She giggled patting the little pillaiyar figurine's tummy. 

Brinda Subramanian