Arun patted the other side of the bed when he realized that his wife's arms were not across his chest and her palm wasn't placed right at his heart like he was used to, when he woke up. When he realized that the bed was empty. It was just beginning to dawn and so the room was still dark. His eyes had to get adjusted to the light. So he sat up and placed his palms on his eyes, he gently opened them, saying a little prayer which he did every day. He then turned back to look again. The petite lady who had been beside him, was missing. He stretched his body and slowly walked out of the room.
There was a light in the kitchen but the rest of the house was dark and quiet. He took a peek into the kitchen. She was not there but the he heard the coffee dripping in the filter. He sighed and walked towards the living room which was starting to get some sun light as it was just beginning to dawn. The clock showed 5 am. He turned around to look at the front door which was ajar and far away, near the gate he saw a small figure bent down drawing kolam (Rangoli) outside. He smiled as soon as he saw her. As he slowly started walking towards her, he noticed that a lamp was lit in the Swamy room (Temple room).
Just then Seetha stood up and smiled in satisfaction at the kolam she had drawn. He noticed that she was mumbling something. She had not noticed him yet. Once satisfied with the drawing, she walked back inside the house with the empty koppara (Shell of the completely grated coconut) as it had taken the form of the container that held the kolam maavu (rice flour used to draw the rangoli). She noticed Arun standing at the front door looking at her. She smiled at him continuing to mumble her suprabatham. As she got closer to him she finished her chanting and said, "Ezhundhirundhacha neengal? Ippo thaan kaapi erangardhu. Neengal kulichuttu varadhukulla pottu vekkaren." (You have woken up? The coffee is still dripping in the filter. Why don't you have a shower? It will be ready by then)
Arun stood right there blocking her way. Seetha's kajal eyes looked into his saying, "Pch.. vazhi vidungo. Enakku neraya velai irukku. Ungalukku tiffin apparam madhyanathukku saapadu ellam samachu carrier la pottu tharanam. Pongo poi kulichuttu vaango." (Let me go. I have tons of work to do. I have to cook and pack both breakfast and lunch for you. Go have a bath) Arun nodded and gently touched her cheek. Seetha moved away, "Achacho idhu enna pazhakkam idhu. Enna thodadhengo. Naan kulichachu. Naan innum ennoda poojai ellam mudikkalai. Kulikkara varaikkum enna thodapdadhu." (what is this bad habit. Don't touch me. I have had a bath. I have not finished my prayers yet. You cannot touch me until you have a bath) Arun smiled and sighed saying, "Kaalankaarthala indha thortha thalaila kateendu, nethi neraya kungumam, indha mutta kannula mai, kannathula kola maavu" (Early in the morning with a towel wrapped on your head, the bindi on your forehead, Kajal in those egg shaped eyes and the rangoli flour on your cheek) he chuckled. She gasped and quickly wiped the kolamaavu off her cheeks with her pallu.
Arun stayed without moving and Seetha glared at him. Arun pouted, and used his morning base voice to say, "Enna Seethu vidiyardhukulla ippidi enna morachu paakarey. Naan paavam illiya. Enna aasaiya paaru maa." (why are you glaring at me so early in the morning. Poor me. Can't you look at me with love?) Seetha instantly blushed. She could not contain her smile. Her husband never failed to make her stomach and heart flutter. She said, "Ippidi aasaiya paathundu irundha aduppu thaniya samachukkuma? Dayavu seidhu vazhiya vidungo. Ungalukku aapis ku neram aaga pordhu." (if I stand here fulfilling your wishes, who will cook? Please let me go. You will get late for work) Arun smiled but left way and Seetha hurried to the kitchen. Arun walked past the kitchen announcing, "un kannukku kulirchiya naan poi kanathadi la kulikkaren seriya." (let me shower next to the well so that you can enjoy that sight) Seetha's eyes went wide and mouth went, "Achacho ivar vera romba padutharaare inniki" (He is bothering me so much today) but before she could respond her bare chested husband was already next to the well, directly in front of her. He poured water down his head and turned around to wink at her. She chuckled.
After his shower and the little romance in the morning, Arun finished his suryanamaskaram and sandhyavandhanam in the terrace. He then came down and changed into his office clothes. He combed his hair neatly. Seetha walked in with a glass of hot filter kaapi and piping hot upma with coconut chutney. She notice that he husband was struggling to put on his cufflinks. She sighed and placed the plate and dabara tumbler on the dressing table and fixed the cufflinks saying, "Oru vaartha koopta naan pottu vida maatena? Idha pottukka kashta pattundu irukkele." (why don't you call me for help. You are struggling with these) He nodded and said, "Innime dhenamum neeye pottu vidu maa." (from now on you do it for me everyday) She smiled and said, "Kaapi yum tiffin um eduthukungo. Madhyanathukku carrier ready panniyachu. Irungo varen." (drink your coffee and eat your breakfast. I have packed your lunch. I will be right back.) She quickly went to the Swamy room and took some chandanam in her finger and walked back up to him. She held his shoulder with her left hand and tiptoed to reach his forehead. With her lips slightly parted she focused on the center of his eyebrows and drew a small line with the chandanam.
Her close proximity and her cuteness were too much for him to handle. He wrapped his arms around her waist pulling her closer. She gasped, "Achacho enna pannarel. Ungalukku naazhi aagaliya? Seekirama saaptu kelambungo." (what are you doing. It is getting late for you. Please eat and leave) He looked into her eyes and said, " Namakku kalyanam aagi innikki oru maasam aayachu nyabagam irukka? Unna modhal thadavaiya naal full aa paakama irukka poren theriyuma?" (It has been a month since we got married do you remember? Today for the first time, I am going to leave you alone all day) Although she asked him to let go, she enjoyed his gentle touch. Her heart was beating fast and her cheeks were flushing. She said softly, "Hmmm.... Nyabagam irukku. Adhukku thaan kesari panni vachirukken ungalukku. Enakku Neenga en koodave illaina ennamo madiri irukkum aana Neenga aapis ku poi thaane aaganum." (yes I remember hence I made a sweet dish. I will also miss you all day but you have to go to work)
He gently pulled her closer and said, "Oru maasam aanadhukku kesari mattum thaana?" (For the one month celebration do I only get the sweet dish) and looked at her with puppy eyes. She gently touched his cheek and said, "Ungalukku vera enna venum sollungo naan sayangaalam Neenga varadhukulla panni vekkaren." (Tell me what else you want. I will make it when you return in the evening) He frowned, "Sayangaalam vara ellam wait panna mudiyadhu ippove tha." (I can't wait until evening. I want it now) She chuckled, "Ippove va? Ennadhu?" (now? What?) He moved his mouth close to her ears and whispered, "Orey oru mutham". (just one kiss) Seetha blushed and gasped, "Achacho" and pulled away from him covering her face with her palm.
Arun let go of her but in his base voice asked, "Thara maatiya maa?" (won't you give it to me) Seetha quickly walked up to him and pecked his cheek running away to the kitchen saying, "Achacho enakku vekkama irukku." (oh no I feel so shy) Arun smiled and held on to this moment while waving to his wife while riding away in his scooter until he returned home to the smiling face of his Seethu waiting for him at the gate.
Brinda Subramanian
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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...