Seetha Kalyanam Vaibohame

Mann vaasanai

Arun was watching his wife's reaction every now and then, when she was writing the letter. She was very animated and he couldn't help enjoy her expressions. He also noticed how she was writing in tiny prints and literally wrote edge to edge. Once she completed one letter and was satisfied, she sealed it and went on to the next one. It took her a couple of hours to finish four letters. She licked the ends to seal them. She then sighed and looked up at Arun, who pretended to be engrossed in the book that he was reading.

She did not want to disturb him but she cleared her throat. He immediately looked up and said, "Kooptiya maa?" She smiled and nodded a no but then continued, "Illai koopadle aana ippo Neenga paathadhunaala kekkaren...." He closed the book and said, "Sollu maa. Edhuva irundhaalum thayangaama sollu." She smiled and pointed to the folded letters, "ungalukku akshepanai illai na indha letter ellam poi post panittu varalaama?" Arun smiled and said, "Post box pinnadi theruvula thaan irukku. Vaa poitu varalaam." Seetha smiled and nodded. She quickly adjusted her saree and said, "Polaam polaam naan ready" walking towards the front door.

He held her hand quickly and she gasped and looked at him. He smiled and said, "Indha vazhiya illai. Pin vaasal vazhiya." She nodded blushing a little feeling his gentle touch on her wrist. She whispered, "Seri Appo naan seruppu pottundu pin pakkam varen." She tried to free her wrist which was still in his hold. When he held on, she looked into his eyes and said, "Pch.. kaiya vidungo. Appo thaane pogamudiyum." He was lost in her eyes momentarily but then gently let go.

She put on her slippers and met him near the back door. He walked towards a small wooden gate. She followed him. This led to the back yard of the next house. He closed the gate and yelled out, "Maami naan thaan Arun. Post box ku poren." Seetha looked confused as there was no one there. Arun looked at her and explained, "Kamakshi mami oda veedu idhu. Ippidi varache namma yaaru nu sollalena mami konjam bayappuduva." Seetha nodded saying, "oho." Just then Kamakshi mami stepped out, "Arun eppidi irukke? Idhu thaan unnoda pondaati ya? Lakshnama irukke kozhandhai" and she did a dhrishti breaking her knuckles. "Parvathy illiya? Naane ungathukku vandhu unga renduperayum paakanum nu irundhen. Padma vandhirundha kozhandaiya eduthundu. Ippo thaan kelambi pona." Arun nodded although he wasn't very keen in standing and talking.

Kamakshi mami's younger daughter Rohini stepped out from inside the house. She seemed a little upset about something. She looked up at Arun and then glared at Seetha. Arun tried to excuse himself and Seetha saying, "Seri mami naanga kelambarom" but Kamakshi mami continued, "Ennamo po. Oru pakkam Padma ange kozhandaiya vachundu kashtapadara paavam. Ava maamiyar seriyana Rakshasi. Ivalukku oru varanum seriya Amaya maatengardhu. Unakku theriyuma nu therila. Enakku Rohini ya unakku paarkanum nu romba aasai. Parvathy kitta sonnen aana adhukkulla oorula poi chattu puttunu unakku kalyanatha panitta." Then she looked at Seetha and said, "Kuduthu vachirukke nee. Arun thangamaana pullai. Ennoda Rohini ku kedakkavendiyavan. Nanna irungo rendu perum." Seetha nodded but there was something about Kamakshi mami's tone that did not sit very well with her.

Arun gestured her to follow him and they walked out. Seetha was quiet. The post box was right beside Kamakshi mami's house. Arun extended his arm and said, "Tha." She quietly handed the letters to him which he dropped inside the red box. He knew that she was upset so he smiled at her and said, "Thirumbi pordhu suthi polaam. Appidiye unakku ennellam irukku nu kaamichu kudukaren." Seetha nodded with a feeble smile.

In just a couple of blocks he pointed to a store, "Idhu thaan Mani medicals. Adhukku pinnadi oru kutty 24 hours clinic irukku. Dr. Padmini yum Dr. Saravananum maathi maathi paathuppa. Token vaangindu ukkaranum. Adhukku pakkathuliye oru kutty anjaneyar kovil irukku. Inge thaan naan dhenam saayangaalam varuven." Seetha face brightened up at the sight of the temple. She chuckled and asked, "oooo ippo thaan puriyardhu yen ungalukku ithana naala kalyanam aagalenu." He looked at her confused, "Yen maa?" She looked at him teasingly, "Pinna? Anjaneyar oru katta brahmachari. Avara poi dhenamum sevichel na? Adhunaala thaan avar ungala nannave aasirvadhichaar." Arun fake glared at her and mumbled, "KD" and then they both laughed.

He then showed her the little grocery/ fruits/vegetable shop. They turned around towards their home, passing the milk depot followed by the bakery. The passed a bus stop before turning into the street and back home. It was a nice quick tour of the neighborhood. Once they reached home, Seetha offered to make the evening coffee. She heard Dhanam outside already. She handed a fresh cup of coffee to Dhanam first who quickly finished her work then Arun and Seetha sat outside in the verandah sipping their. Seetha was suddenly reminded of Rohini. She asked Arun, "Andha Rohini ku unga mela oru kannu irukko?" Arun literally choked on his coffee but Seetha continued, "Illai naan gavanichen. Ava ungala oru madhiri paathudu irundha." Seetha frowned then she took the kajal from the edge of her eyes and moved close to him placing a dot under his chin.

He chuckled asking, "Enna pannare?" She pouted, "kannu pottiruppa adhunaala thaan karuppu pottu vekkaren." He smiled, "Appidi ellam illai maa. Paavam andha ponnu." Seetha's eyes went wide in anger. She stood up and grabbed his empty cup, "Ennadhu paavama? Yaaru paavam? Appo andha Rohini ya ve kalyanam paneendu irukalaame" and she stomped into the kitchen. Arun could not help control his laughter.

She focused the next hour or so folding clothes and preparing dinner as she knew that her mother in law would return that night. Meanwhile Arun's colleague visited him. Seetha offered them coffee and then left the men alone. By the time the guest went it was time to light the lamp and Seetha sat in the swamy room chanting her prayers and song. The sun seemed to have set early and it suddenly grew dark. It was not until Seetha heard the thunder, she realized the reason behind the darkness.

She stepped out to the verandah to smell the earth right before the rains. She was humming an old Hindi song from Pyaasa, "Pyaar hua ikraar hua hai..." Although she did not recall the lyrics she knew the tune so she was humming lost in the moment. She did not notice that her husband was standing right behind her. They had not spoken since she stomped away. Although Seetha had completely forgotten about the incident, Arun felt bad for having hurt her. He wanted to give her some time but by then his colleague had visited and time had flown by.

There was a huge thunder and it started pouring heavily. Seetha jumped squealing and clapping. She then turned around to look at him. She was smiling. She said, "Ungalukku onnu theriyuma? Enakku mazhai na romba pidikkum. Andha Mann vasanai lerndhu, idi, minnal, mazhai ellame romba pidikkum. Naanum Jayanthi yum mazhai la nenanjunde varuvom. Adhu oru thani sugam theriyuma? Neenga nenajirukkela? Vaango vaango mazhai la nikkalaam." Before Arun could object she dragged him out side to get drenched in the rain. Once the stepped out she let go of his hand and let her hand open. She looked up with her eyes closed and let the rain drench her. Arun ran his hand over his hair but his heart was making summersaults looking at his beautiful wife.

He wasn't sure if it was the atmosphere, just how gorgeous she looked or the effects of the rain but he could not take his eyes off her. She was twirling, giggling and jumping. Just then he noticed that her foot was about to trip on a rock so he quickly went towards her saying, "Paathu maa Paathu maa" right on time to hold her by her bare waist to keep her from falling. She felt his firm arm around her and she instantly turned around to hold his shoulder. The close proximity made her heart flutter. Arun's gaze went from her eyes to the rain water dripping down her nose, reaching her lips, which was now partially open.

Their eyes met. She was blushing yet she wasn't moving away from him. His arms had completely enveloped her yet neither of then wanted to let go. She grip on his shoulder tightened. They were both completely went but the moment was interrupted by a loud thunder which shook her and she instantly placed her forehead on his chest.

A few moments later he whispered to her, "ippo kooda nee thaan enna kateendu irukke." She chuckled  without letting go and he imitated her and said, "Achacho."

Brinda Subramanian