Seetha Kalyanam Vaibohame

Home sweet home

Although Seetha had been in Madras only for a short period of time, she had an emotional bond with city. May be that was because of the person she was living with but Arun had woken up about half an hour before the train reached Madras central station so that she could freshen up. When she returned from the washroom, Arun was waiting with a little cup of coffee. She smiled, sat down and pulled up the window shutter to let the cold breeze hit her face. She closed her eyes and smiled. She then took a deep breath. She turned to look as Arun who was staring at her with a smile. Seetha asked, "Enna appidi paakarel?" (What are you looking at) Arun smiled and said, "Rasikkaren... en pondaati ya." (Admiring my wife)

Seetha looked away blushing with a, "Achacho... ungalukku konjam kooda Vekkame illai pongo." (You are so shameless) Arun chuckled. The whistle of the engine distracted them both and the break indicated that the station was approaching. Arun got up to gather the luggage and arrange them in order. The train took a sudden break with a screech making Arun fall on to the seat. Seetha giggled at that sight. Arun pouted saying, "Naan vizhardhu paathu enna oru sandhosham unakku" (why is it so funny to see me fall) but Seetha couldn't control her laughter. Arun made a puppy face and looked out the window. This time she was staring at him so he looked at her and asked, "Enna paakarey? Innime train muzhusa ninna aparam thaan nikka poren. Ellarum train a vittu erangattum. Kadaisiya namma erangikkalaam" (what are you looking at? I will wait till the train stops and people get off. We can be the last ones to get off the train) he pouted. She looked around. There was no one there so she quickly pinched his cheek.

"Neengal ippidi moonjiya vachunda kozhandhai madiri irukkel. Enakku romba pidichirukku." (You look like a baby when you pout. I like it) Arun sighed and then gave a slight smile, finally both of them chuckled as the train came to a halt. Both of them waited until the crowd rushed out. This was the final destination anyway. Arun slowly started to move their luggage to the door. He jumped down and slowly got the luggage down to the platform. He then held both his arms out for Seetha. At first she was trying to see if she could jump but the distance between the platform and the train door step was quite big. Arun noticed that Seetha was terrified. He said, "Ennoda thola pudichukko maa. Naan Unna erakki vidaren." (Hold my shoulder. I will get you off) Seetha glanced around. No one was looking at them. Arun said, "pch... naan unakku kazhuthula thaali katti kootindu vandha aambadayan. Ennoda thola pidichukkalaam. Thappillai." (I am your husband. There is no harm in holding me)

Seetha nodded and wrapped her arms around his neck and his swiftly went around her waist and he gently picked her up and placed her on the platform. Just then a coolie appeared asking if they needed help. Arun knew that he wouldn't be able to manage on his own so he agreed and they walked up to the auto stand. The auto pretty much was full with just a little room for Arun and Seetha to sit. They had to literally squeeze in. Arun held on to the auto door with one hand and his other arm was on her waist. The close proximity was already making Seetha's heart beat faster but, knowing this, Arun gently placed his finger on her bare waist to look at her cheeks change color. He bit his lips in triumph when he noticed the effect his touch had on her.

It was about 30 mins ride, early in the morning. When they stepped out of the auto rickshaw, a familiar voice welcomed them, "Seetha vandhaacha oorulerndhu? Arun aadi maasam mudiyardhukku kaathundu irundhiyo?" (Seetha you have returned. Arun could barely wait for Aadi masam to be over) Saroja chuckled. Seetha smiled at her. Saroja continued, "Idho engathula kolam potaachu. Ippo ungathu vaasal layum inniki Naane potudaren. Unnoda paal kuppi ya pinnala kadhavu kitta eduthu vai. Naan engathukku paal vaanga pogaporen. Appidiye unakku. Vaangeendu varen. Maavu venumna vaangikko. Nethakki thaan arachen." (I will put the kolam design outside your house after I am done with mine. Keep your milk bottle near your back door. I will get milk for you as well. I have flour for idli if you like) Seetha nodded saying, "Paal maathram vaangi thaango mami. Naan upma panikkaren. Naanga rendu per thaane. Naan maavu oora pottu aparama arachukkaren." (please get me milk but I will take care of the rest) Saroja nodded as Arun carried the luggage and walked in the unlock the doors.

As soon as they entered Seetha placed the milk bottles near the back door. She then told Arun, "Naan modhalla poi kulichuttu vandhudaren. Train la vandhadhu udambu ellam pisu pisu nu irukku." (Let me go have a bath. The train travel makes my body yucky) She had her blouse and in skirt already hanging on the kodi where the "madi" clothes usually was hung. Usually she would have her saree there too but she could not get the saree out before having a bath as it would be vizhuppu. She quickly had a bath and, wearing the blouse and in skirt, ran up to the bedroom, hoping Arun would have gone to the outside bathroom but he was still in the bedroom looking at some letters that he had taken out of the letter box.

The moment she walked in he had a naughty look on his face and he walked up to her. Seetha realized what he was up to and said, "Idhu paarungo. En kittaka varradhengo. Naan podavaiya kateendu adakolai la poi velaiya paakanum. Ippo Saroja mami vera paal vaangeendu varuva" (don't come near me. Let me wear the saree and go to the kitchen. Saroja aunty will return with the milk now) but none of that stopped Arun from coming close to her. Her back was towards the almirah and she couldn't move any further which was an advantage for him. As he got closer to her their eyes looking at each other's and knowing exactly what the other needed, he bent his head close to her ears and she closed her eyes. His bare chest was on hers and they could literally feel each other's heart pound. He blew air near her neck making her have goosebumps immediately. She was anticipating him to kiss her neck and his hand reaching out to places which were visible but, instead, he whispered in base voice, "Unakku enna venum nu enakku theriyum. Naan poi kenathadila kulikkaren. Nee adikolaiku po." (I know what you want. Let me go and have a bath near the well. You go to the kitchen.)

Arun grabbed a towel and walked away while Seetha was blushing profusely. She quickly grabbed a saree, wore and went off to the kitchen from where she admired her husband.

Brinda Subramanian