Seetha Kalyanam Vaibohame

Dr. Padmini

Seetha was exhausted. It was a combination of many things. She was not someone who fell sick very often but when she did, it took a toll on her body. Even when she fell ill back home, she was used to home remedies  unless those did not work and she had to be taken to the town hospital. Hence she had never had to swallow pills.

The crocin knocked her off. She did not realize when she dozed off or even for how long. She was woken up by a gently nudge on her shoulder. She slowly tried to open her eyes but winced because her head was splitting and her throat felt extremely dry. She could barely swallow. Arun's warm voice reached her ears, "Maa idho paaru, unakku rasam sadam pesanjundu vandhirukken. Ukkandhukariya?" Seetha could barely open her eyes. She said, "Ennuku edhuvum vendaam. Enna ukkara mudiyadhu. Thalai, thondai ellam romba valikkardhu."

Arun gently touched her forehead, "Maa, nee kanna kooda thorakka vendaam. Naane Unna ukkara vekkaren. Naan ooti vidaren. Konjama, naale naalu vaai. Paaru unakku joram kammi ye aagale. Indha rasam unakku thondaiku edhama irukkum maa."  Seetha felt emotional. She wasn't sure if it was because of the care he was giving her or because she was missing her paati. Hot tears started to pour down her cheeks. She quickly tried to wipe them off only for fresh ones to pour down.

She felt weak and hated being sick. Arun placed the plate on the side table. He climbed on the bed next to her and gently picked her up and sat her up saying, "Achacho azhaadhe maa. Idhellam onnum illai. Nee weak aa irukke adhu thaan azhuga varudhu. Nee azhudha joramum thala valiyum adhigam aagum. Ukkandhu en mela saanjukko. Naan Thalaiya thadavi thandhu rasam sadam ooti vidaren. Seriya."

Seetha did not say anything but did not object either. She felt tiny when he gently picked her up and sat her down. He placed her head on his chest and massaged her forehead. That's when Seetha noticed that she had a shawl wrapped over her. She asked in a muffled voice, "Idhu yedhu?" Arun replied, "Nee kulir la nadungeedu irundhe Appo Amma oda berow lerndhu eduthu naan thaan maa pothi vitten." She held the shawl but tears flooded her eyes again, "Neenga enna ennoda Paati paathukara madiri paathukarel. Naan ippidi paduthundutene" she sniffled.

He kissed her forehead saying, "Nee azhadhe maa. Paaru marupathi joram varudhu. Naan unakku ooti vidaren. Modhalla nee saapdu. Saapta thaan thembu varum" and he brought the plate of rasam rice close to her. She slowly opened her mouth and he fed her. After taking a few bites she said, "Porum ennala mudila." He nodded and took the cup of warm water next to her mouth so that she could take a few sips. He used the same water to wipe her mouth. He then said, "Naan poi idhellam pottuttu varen maa. Nee konja neram ukkaru seriya?"

Although Seetha gave him a feeble smile and nodded, she was fast asleep in the sitting position, when he returned. He smiled and then went to her to adjust the pillow and gently picked her up and laid her down. When he was about to pulla away from her, he noticed that she had caught hold of his shirt. He leaned forward to slowly unclasp her fingers. He pulled the blanket over her and let her rest.

When Seetha opened her eyes the next time, she felt the cold stethoscope on her chest. She looked up to see a bespectacled lady, in her late 40's, sitting on the bed. She was intently listening to Seetha's chest. Seetha's pallu was moved away to access her chest. Then the lady pulled out a thermometer and shook it. She then stuck it under Seetha's tongue. With a little flash light the lady looked into her eyes. Then after removing the thermometer and checking it, she told Seetha, "102.5 fever irukku. Aa kaami maa." Seetha did as she was told although her entire face hurt when she opened her mouth. The lady used the flash light again to check Seetha's throat.

She then nodded and looked at Arun, "Bayapadara madhiri edhuvum illai thambi. Pudhu ooru, Pudhu thanni, Idhula mazhaila vera nenajuttanga nu sollareenga. Rendu naal la seriya poidum. Ippo oru oosi podaren. Aparam en kooda clinic ku vaanga naan maathra kuduthu vidaren. Manja maathraiyum, neela maathraiyum 3 vela kudunga. Velai maathra night kudunga. Kanji, rasam sadham, idli, bread ellam saapadlaam. Rendu naal la seri aagalaina naan marpadiyum vandhu oosi podaren."

Seetha's weak eyes widened. She quickly grabbed Arun's hand and said, "Ennadhu oosiya? Vendaame enakku bayama irukku." Arun patted her hand saying, "Onnum illai maa. Naan ingeye thaan irukken. Unnoda Kaiya pudichunde thaan iruppen seriya? Oosi potunda thaan seekiram seri aagum. Adhukku aparam thaan Unna Madras ellam suthi kaamikka mudiyum. Enna paaru maa." Seetha looked up at him and nodded reluctantly.

By then, Dr. Padmini, had pulled out the syringe and a small bottle of medicine. She uncorked the aluminum top of the bottle. She shook the bottle and placed it upside down over the needle and drew out the medicine. She then dabbed some Alcohol on a piece of cotton and approached Seetha's upper arm. She frowned saying, "Blouse konjam shoulder keezha erakku  maa. Appo thaan oosi poda mudiyum." Seetha looked up at Arun. He gently let go of her hand and said, "Unakku koochama irundha naan venumna velila poren maa" but Seetha tightened her grip on his arm and nodded, "Illai, vendaam, paravaillai. Neenga enna vittuttu pogadheengo."

She then unhooked a couple of buttons to pull down the blouse from the shoulder. Arun patted Seetha's head. She looked up at him scared. He whispered, "Nee en kanna mattum paaru maa. Doctor takkunu oosi pottuduvaa, seriya?" She nodded and looked up into his eyes. She winced when she felt the needle pierce her skin. Arun quickly touched her cheek and she feebly smiled. Dr. Padmini quickly rubbed the arm and pulled up her blouse to fix it saying, "Aachu maa. Innime seri ayidum. Naan anupara maathraiya seriya saapdu maa. Rendu naal la seri aayidum." Seetha smiled and nodded.

Arun tapped Seetha's hand and said, "Nee paduthukko maa. Naan clinic la poi marundhu vaangeendu vandhudaren, seriya?" Seetha let go off his hand. Arun returned back in a few minutes to find Seetha asleep. He walked up to her with a spoon in hand. He had mixed the medicine in honey, ready for her. As he approached her, he noticed that her pallu had misplaced. He gently fixed it, covering her appropriately. He smiled as he noticed a sweat breaking on her forehead. It was an indication that the medicine was starting to work. She was starting to get better.

Brinda Subramanian