After leaving Arun in a state of shock, Seetha swallowed her final dose of medication and went back to finishing Jayanthi's letter. She continued with her giggling, sighing, gasping etc, while reading through the, 5 pages long letter. Once she finished reading, she put it back in the envelope saying, "Jayanthi oruthar vidaama ellaru pathiyum ezhudeerka. Aparam pillaiyar kovil pathi, kovil mama pathi, kolatha pathi, avaloda aapis pathi, ellam ezhudeerka. Avalukku enge ponaalum ennoda orma varadhaam. Ennoda golusu chatham kekkara madiriye irukkaam. Paavam Jayanthi, illiya?" she said to a guy who was trying to figure out how to handle his own issue.
(Jayanthi has written about every single family in the village including the Ganesha at the temple, the temple priest, the temple pond, her office etc. She is reminded of me wherever she goes. She apparently feels like she hears my anklets all the time. Oh poor little Jayanthi, isn't she)
The effects of the medicine was starting to kick in slowly. Seetha yawned and stretched. Arun glanced at her and mumbled, "Iva oruthi. Naane onnum puriyama paduthundu irukken Iva vera verupethara madiri kaiyum kaal ayum odharara." (I am my self shocked after what she said and now she is stretching right in front of my eyes." Seetha, oblivious to what was going on in Arun's mind, slowly crept on to the bed next to him. The book that he had picked up to read, was placed on his chest, after his wife's confident theory about the baby making process. Arun was just laying on the bed, staring at the fan. Both his palms were between the back of his head and the pillow.
Seetha turned towards him saying, "Enna appidi yosikkarel?" (why are you lost in thought?" She then said, "Neenga thaan book padikkaliye appona light anachuttu thoongalaame" (Since you are not reading the book why don't you switch off the light and go to sleep?) She then yawned again saying, "Enakku thookam kanna kattardhu" (I am extremely sleepy) and she gently closed her eyes. Arun sighed and then slowly got up to return the book back from where he had picked it up, in the hall book shelf. He then returned to the room. He glanced at his wife whose eyes were closed but there was a sweet lingering smile on her face.
He too smiled and nodded his head in disbelief. With an empty house and a beautiful wife next to him, Arun had planned to get a head start on some "activity" but alas that would have to wait. He realized that this was going to take a lot more time than he had expected. He switched off the light and climbed on to the bed next to his wife, who promptly placed her hand on his chest. He placed his palm over hers. She had fallen asleep already as he could hear her muffled snore. Arun gently tapped her hands and dozed off. The night was breezy and Arun felt Seetha snuggling towards his for warmth. He promptly turned towards her and wrapped his arms around her in a hug. He then kissed her forehead. She placed a palm on his cheek earning one more kiss.
Seetha had a nice restful sleep. She was feeling completely fine when she woke up. She sat up on bed stretching and rubbing her eyes. She opened her eyes wide when she heard whistling sound. Whistling was considered "inauspicious" in Brahmin households plus she had never heard her husband do it before so it took her by surprise. There he was standing in front of the mirror, fixing his hair and whistling away. He was wearing a blue striped full sleeve shirt with black pants. Once he was satisfied with the way his well groomed hair looked, he grabbed the belt to hold his pant in place.
Seetha gasped, "Enge kelambittel? Enkitta oru vaartha kooda sollaliye? (where are you heading to. You did not tell me about this). Arun turned around and smiled at her, "Office." She gasped, "Adhu kullaya? Enna yen ezhuppale? Ayo naan innum kulikkaliye. Kaapi podale, tiffin pannale, ungalukku madhyanathukku edhuvume pannale." (so soon? Why didn't you wake me up? But I haven't had a bath yet. Haven't made coffee or breakfast. I have not even packed your lunch for you." Seetha started to feel guilty. She quickly jumped out of bed and began to run towards the bathroom but Arun held her hand and pulled her towards him. Seetha looked worried. She said, "Achacho naazhi aagardhu. Vidungo. Apparam madi. Neenga kulichaachu naan innum kulikka kooda illai" (It is getting late. Let go. Plus you have had a shower and I haven't so you can't touch me now.)
Arun said, "shhhh... badhatta padadhe maa. Naan sollardhu kelu. Inniki naan poi sign potuttu oru rendu mani nerathula thirumbi vandhuduven. Naalikki thaan first day. Aana inniki enakku oru meeting irukku. Adhu mudinju 10 manikku ellam thirumba vandhuduven. Nee medhuva kulichuttu, samayal velai paathukko. Paal kaachiyachu. Decoction pottu vachirukken." (don't fret dear. Listen to me. Today I just need to go and attend a meeting. I will sign in and will be back in a couple of hours. You take your time to freshen up and cook. I have boiled the milk and prepared the decoction for your coffee as well.)
Seetha looked up at him relieved. "Aanalum Neenga nethakki oru vaartha soleerkalaam. Eppidiyo, ennoda marundhu mudinjachu. Innime ippidi aduchu potaa madhiri thookam varaadhu. Irungo naan 5 mins la kulichuttu vandhudaren. Paati choluva aathukaarar aatha vittu kalambarthukku minnala kulichoodanum nu. Ayideeham aam. Unga ayisu Appo thaan gettiya irukkumaam." (still you should have mentioned this to me yesterday. Anyway, I am done with my dose of medication. I will not sleep like a log anymore. Please give me 5 mins. I will have a quick shower and return. My grandma has always told me that a woman should have a bath before her husband leaves the house. It benefits his life span.)
Arun chuckled at her theory but let go of her hand. She quickly rushed into the bathroom, only to yell from there saying, "Naan thorthu eduthudu vara maradhutten. Konjam tharela?" (I forgot the towel, could you please hand me one?" Sticking her bare hand out. Arun smiled and answered, "Adhellam mudiyadhu nee appidiye vaa." (Sorry not possible. You just step out of the bathroom). Only for her to say, "Achacho enna paduthadheengo. Seekirama thaango. Ungalukku thaan naazhi aaga pordhu." (Oh no don't trouble me. Hand it over to me quickly. Or else you will be late to work."
Her hand was still sticking out of the bathroom door. He handed the towel to her and she quickly grabbed it pulled her hand back in.
Brinda Subramanian
Hats off to all those who are translating while writing the story. It is not at all an easy task plus it takes away from the flow of the story 😢 Please readers let me know if you felt the same way. I have to go by what the majority think. Thanks for all the love and support.
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Seetha Kalyanam Vaibohame
RomanceSeethalakskshmi, a happy go lucky girl, was the third daughter of Ramani and Rajeswari. Growing up in a small town in southern India, Seetha's world revolved around her family, her friend Jayanthi and her favourite pillaiyar. She grew up at an age w...