Seetha Kalyanam Vaibohame

Overwhelming desire

Arun stepped into the temple and looked around. There were a few people standing in front of the pillaiyar as the priest was holding the karpooram plate in one hand and the bell on the other, chanting away. There were some who were busy doing pradakshanam, some regular, some adi pradakshanam and one anga pradakshanam. Arun walked up the couple of flights of stairs with folded palms. The priest came out to distribute the kumkumam and vibuthi as people took the blessings from the aarathi plate and placed money there.

Arun took some rupees from his wallet and placed it on the plate. He hovered his palm over the fire and then turned it around for the priest to place the prasadam. Arun looked up at the priest when he heard him say, "Neengal Ramani mama oda maapillai thaane? Eppo vandhel? Sowkiyama? Oho aadi maasam kazhiyarthukku aayachu allava. Seethalakshmi ya kooteendu poga vandhirukela?" (Aren't you Ramani's son-in-law? When did you arrive? Are you fine? Did you come to pick Seetha up after aadi month?) Arun smiled and nodded, "Aamam. Oru vela vishayama indha pakkam vandhen appidiye kooteendu polaame nu nenachen. Illaina paavam mama thaan kondu vida varanam." (Yes. I had work here soidecidedtocome and get her as well. Otherwise her dad would have had to come all the way to drop her off) Priest chuckled saying, "oho appidiya? Seetha va pirinju irukka mudilai nu chollungo" (is that so or were you not able to stay away from her) he laughed and Arun looked away unable to meet the eyes of the man. The priest continued, "Seetha veguli aana romba nalla ponnu. Avaloda mugatha paathave theriyardhu neengal avala nanna paathukarel nu. Rendu perum ippidiye sandoshama irungo." (Seetha is innocent but a very nice girl. I can see that you are taking good care of her. Both of you stay happy always)

Arun thanked the priest and went around the temple to complete the pradakshanam. Now it was time to look for his wife. He had an idea as to where she might be so he walked towards the pond (kolam). His reduced the pace of his walk to look around. It did not take him too long to find the love of his life. She was, animatedly, talking to her friend, sitting on the steps. He leaned against the pillar and stood there admiring her. Arun mumbled to himself, "Naan inge irukken nu theriyardhukku unakku ethana neram aagardhu nu paakattum." (Let me see how long it takes for you to realize that I am here)

Seetha suddenly stood up, "polaam vaa dee." (Let's go) Jayanthi said, "Enna dee dhideernu? Innam irutta kooda thodangalaiye." (Why suddenly? It is not even getting dark yet) But Seetha turned around and looked directly towards him. He smiled but she immediately turned away holding her head. Jayanthi asked, "Ennachu?" (What happened) Seetha said, "Enakku pithu pidichirukku dee. Avara vittu romba naal pirinju irukardhunaalayo ennavo enge paathalum avar nikkara madhiriye kannukku theriyardhu." (I think I am going crazy. I have been away from him for too long so I think I am hallucinating) Jayanthi asked, "Enna dee petharey?" (What are you blabbering) Seetha again looked in his direction and this time Arun waved at her. Seetha gasped and turned away to look at Jayanthi, "Ennoda nethi ya thottu paaru. Enakku pani irukkonu paaru. Ippo ange paathapo avar enna paathu kai aatina madhiri irundhudhu dee." (Please touch my forehead and check if I am running a fever. Now I looked there and it seemed like he was waving at me) Jayanthi touched Seetha's forhead and said, "adhellam onnum illai. Jillunnu thaan irukku. Enge Dee paathe sollu. Naanum paakaren." (No your forehead is cold. No fever. Where did you see.tell me and I will check for you) Seetha closed her eyes, stretched her hand pointing towards the direction that he was standing.

Just then she felt someone holding her stretched hand. She gasped and looked. She was about to trip but Arun quickly wrapped his arm around her waist to hold her from falling. Seetha's eyes and mouth were wide open and she stared at him in shock. She shut her eyes and opened it once again saying, "Nejama ve neengal thaana?" (Is it really you) Arun chuckled and put the kumkumam from his hand on her hair that was parted in the center. He said, "Aama Naane thaan." (Yes it is me)

Jayanthi excused herself although her friend had completely forgotten about her. After a few moments Seetha flashed a smile and asked, "Eppo vandhel? Eppidi? Oru telegram kooda anupaliye. Indha nerathukku Madras lerndhu vandi kooda illiye. Aathukku poitu vandhela. Ayo naan oru paithiyam. Ange thaane saaman ellam erakki vachuttu vandhiruppen. Ayyo enakku kaiyum odala kaalum odala." (When did you come? How? You did not even send a telegram. There isn't even a train from Madras at this time. Did you go home? Obviously you must have left your bags there. I am so thrilled that I don't know what to do) Arun gestured her to take a deep breath, "Seethu maa, moochu vidu. Adhu enna unga aathula yaarukkum kaiyum kaalum oda maatengardhu." (Take a deep breath. How come everyone in your house get excited and not know what to do) Seetha grabbed hold of his hand and said, "Seri seri vaango aathukku poi pesikkalaam. Neengal ippidi dhidu dhippunu varuvel nu naan nenakkave illai theriyumo?" (Come let's go home and talk. I never thought you will drop in suddenly)

Seetha, as usual, walked backwards from the temple. As soon as they stepped out they wore their slippers  and walked towards her house. Meanwhile, everyone in the house was were running around panicking as mapillai had arrived and they weren't prepared. Seetha and Arun entered the house for him to be welcomed by his father in law yet again, "neengal dhideernu vandhadhu naala inge konjam padhattama irukka." (Since you arrived without prior notice everyone is a little agitated) Arun smiled, "Enna maama idhu. Naanum ungathu manishan thaane. Seetha eppidiyo appidi thaan naanum. Enakku Coimbatore la velai irundhudhu. Inniki sanikezhamai naala paathi naal thaan velai. Adhunaala thaan adhu mudinja udane mama athukku poitu saaptu adutha bus pidichu vandhutten. Innum 5 naal la aadi maasam mudiyardhu. Adhu thaan Seetha va naalikke Coimbatore kooteendu polaam nu irukken. Adhutha vellikazhamai varaikkum ange velai irukku aparam Apidiye angendhu Madras ku kelambalaam nu nenachen." (I am also one among your family. Treat me like you treat Seetha. I had some work at CBE. Saturday was a half day at work so I had lunch at mama's place and took the next bus to palakkad. I was hoping to take Seetha and leave for CBE tomorrow and then, after 5 days, head to Madras. By then aadi maasam will be over)

Since maapillai had arrived Paati quickly made some kesari along with sevai and chutney. Once dinner was over Paati called Seetha aside and said, "Maapillai ku maadi room la padukkai virichu kuduthuttu nee inge keezha vandhu enga kooda paduthukko." (Give Mapillai the upstairs room to sleep and you can come down and sleep with us) Seetha glared at Paati, "innum 5 naal la aadi maasam mudiya pordhu paati. Idhula naan enge paduthunda unakku enna?" (Aadi month will be over in 5 days so how does it matter where I sleep) Paati sighed, "Ennavo pannu po. Avar maadikku poirukkar. Indhaa indha paal eduthundu kondu poi kudu." (Do what you want. Here take this glass of milk for your husband. He has already gone upstairs) Seetha grabbed the tumbler and held it by her pallu. She then went up the creaky stairs.

Arun was taking off his shirt when Seetha entered the room. She cleared her throat and without looking at him, said, "Indhaango paal. Idha kudingo adhukulla naan padukkai ya virichu tharen. Neenga inge paduthukongo naan keezha poi paati kooda paduthukaren. Innum aadi masam mudiyalaiyaam." (Here you go, milk. I will spread your bed for you and I will go downstairs. You sleep here) He took the tumbler from her, placed it on the window sil and pulled her towards him. She gasped and both her hands went right to his chest. In his base voice, he said, "En kanna paathu pesu maa." (Look at my eyes and speak) Then he wrapped both arms around her waist pulling her closer. Seetha refused to look up. He kissed her forehead and repeated, "enna paarka maatiya?" (Won't you look at me) She nodded, "mmhmmm....maaten" (no) He kissed her cheek and she closed her eyes. He said, "Yen maa?" (Why not) She gently pushed him away and then looked at his eyes and said, "Unga kanna paathen na enakku keezha poga thonadhu. Ingeye unga pakkathula ungala kateendu paduthukka thonum." (If I look into your eyes I will not feel like going down. I will want to hug you and sleep beside you).

Before she could escape he pulled her back close to him. Her arms automatically wrapped around his neck and his hands sqeezed her bare waist. Their eyes met and, for the first time, his eyes went from her eyes to her partially opened, luscious lips, yearning to meet them with his own.

Brinda Subramanian