Pookal Pookum Tharunam

ꜱɪxᴛʏ ꜰɪᴠᴇ

"Quality Time"

May 15, 2019.

Ajay

Watching her apply makeup all over the hickeys is my favourite sight now.

It's May 15th. Sreedevi's duty is starting today again. She is getting ready, dolled up in a yellow saree with a dark green blouse. I stood behind her watching. I didn't care that I was running late. I kissed her neck while she gave a death glare through the mirror. I stepped back in defense. She is working hard to cover the hickeys and I was making it hard for her. It's fun to tease her but it's not that fun when she reacts to it.

Mom was calling out for me. I sighed and walked out of the room. She wanted me to help her with the oven. I don't have to go to office today because I went to work last Sunday so today is a week off for me. I thought of dropping Sreedevi to school and spending some quality time with my parents as they are leaving tomorrow.

Sreedevi has duty only till afternoon until the school actually re-opens for the students which is by June first week. I will drop Sreedevi at her school and go out with my parents and later pick her up from School and then we all will go for lunch. It sounds good, doesn't it?

Everyone agreed to the plan. Once we were all ready, we headed to Sreedevi's school. Parents were seated at the back while Devi sat on the passenger seat. She asked my father to sit in the front seat but he kindly refused it and sat with my mom in the back seat. She was constantly correcting her saree and hair making it hard for me to concentrate on the road.

Once we reached her school premises, she collected her things. I noticed something very unusual on her face. It was a strike of sindoor on her hair partition. I have never seen that sindoor on her hair when she is in her teacher outfit. It made me smile. So wide.

"Bye Jay.. 1 manik vanthudu" she said.

I caught her hand and stopped her. She started feeling nervous and looked behind, at my parents.

"Antha sotta manda kitta irunth konjam thalliye iru" I said referring to that idiot.

"Mch Po Jay" she slapped on my head and got out of the car.

"Bye uncle, Bye aunty" She waved at my parents and walked inside.

I watched her going with another woman who kept talking to her.

"Yaaru da athu antha sotta manda?" My mom asked.

I pulled the gear and reversed the car to get out of the school premises.

"Athu intha school la oru Maths Sir mummy... En pontati melaye kanna irukaan" I said with annoyance.

My father laughed "Devi kum fans pathiya da? Antha kaalathula neenga yaarachum avala thirumbi kooda pathurkingala da?" 

"Ada yen pa nee vera.. avala paaka thane naa antha get together party ke varuven" I said looking at the mirror checking for the vehicles behind.

"Ennathuuu??" Both of my parents chorused.

I paused for a while and clicked my tongue realising what I had blabbered.

"Illa enak puriyala?" My mother said.

"Onula mummy" I smiled sheepishly.

"Apro ethuk da antha ponnu pinaadi pona?" My mom asked a bit furiously.

"Antha topic vitrulame?" I got angry. "Athu mudinja pona kadha.." I said driving ahead.

"Dei Devi ah pudikuma da unak chinna vayasula?" My father asked a bit curiously.