Seetha and Arun had just finished breakfast. She heard the voice of the vegetable vendor out on the streets. She quickly grabbed her basket and her little purse. Saroja mami was already there and yelled for Seetha from the gate, "Seetha kaigari vandi vandhirukku." (Vegetable vendor is here) Seetha quickly ran out saying, "Idho vandhutten mami." (Coming)Arun was sitting on the verandah easy chair, reading the newspaper. The couple quickly glanced at each other as she crossed him to go to the gate.
She looked at the vegetables and decided to pick a few lady's finger. She started breaking the corners when the vendor said, "Yakka Yakka, vendakka va odakaama edu kaa aparam odacha vendakkava yaarum vaanga maatanga." (Don't break the okra. If you do so no one else will buy it) Seetha glared at him and said, "Appo edhu nalladhu edhu muthinadhu nu eppidi theriyum? Vendakkaiya eppovum odachu thaan vaanganum. Sei seri and muttakose a kudungo, aparam moonu thakkali, 10 pacha molaga, oru thundu inji. Etharai aachu?" (How will I otherwise know which is the good one. Give me the cabbage, 3 tomatoes, 10 green chillies, some ginger. How much for it all?) The guys told her how much but before handing him the money to him Arun heard Seetha say, "Andha kosuru thaango. Adhu thaan konjam karugapillaiyum kothamalliyum." (Give me the extras. A little curry leaves and cilantro) Arun literally burst out laughing. He was still laughing as she entered back inside.
As she was passing by, he held her hand and pulled her towards him, making her gasp and said, "sollu sollu. Thiruppiyum sollu." (Say it again) She frowned and said, "Ennadhu sollanum?" (What should I say) Arun bit his lips and said, "Edho sonniye andha kaigari kaaran kitta." (You told the guy something no) She still didn't understand, "pch... neenga enna kekarel ne purila. Ennoda kaiya vidungo. Enakku adukolaila ayirathettu velai irukku." (I don't know what you are taking about. Let go of me. I have work to do in the kitchen) He pretended to frown and said, "mmhmmm... vida maaten. Modhalla nee sollu. Ennadhu kosuraa?" (No I won't let go. First tell me what you said) He chuckled. She looked at him and said, "Amaam" then she smiled proudly and explained, "Adhaavadhu kaaigari ellam vaangeetu konjama karugapillaiyum kothamalliyum indha koodaila poduva adhukku peru thaan kosuraam. Ithana varshama Madras la irundhundu ungalukku idhu kooda therilai" (after buying the vegetables he drops in a couple of extras that's called kosuru. Having lived in this place for so long you don't even know this) she giggled.
"Aana nee adhu sollardhu romba azhaga irukku theriyuma?" (It sounds very cute when you say it) And he imitated her, "andha kosuru thaango" he continued to laugh loudly and she pulled away from him frowning, "Ungalukku sada sarva samaiyamum enna kali aakardhe velaiya pochu. Naan poi aaga vendiyadha paakaren. Neengal kekka bukka nu sirichundu irungo" (you always have to tease me and laugh. I have to go now) and walked away annoyed. Arun got up and gently walked in a few minutes later. Seetha was in the kitchen doing the prep work for lunch when she smiled suddenly. Arun had turned on the radio and the voice introduced the next song, "Adutha paadal idam Petra Padam Misiamma, isai amaithathu Rajeswari Rao, P.Leela mattrum AM Raja vin kuralil idho ungalukaaga" and the song began "vaarayo Ven nilave kelayo engal kadhaiye" (announcement on radio for a song from an old movie)and Seetha began to sing along and she forgot about how her husband had annoyed her just a few minutes back.
As she was happily singing away, she heard Saroja mami walk towards her back door, "Seetha, naan kovilukku poren. Variya?" (I am going to the temple. Would you like to come along) Seetha had just finished her work so she yelled back, "Idho mami rende nimisham." (Just give me two mins) She ran to the bedroom to adjust her saree and announced to Arun who was reading a book that she was going to the temple. She then joined Saroja mami as they walked past Rohini's house.
After they finished their prayers, Narayanan handed them the prasadam, "inniki kaarthala thaan oruthar vada maalai chaarthina. Indhaango prasadam" (here is the vada prasadham) and he handed a couple of pieces to both the ladies. After finishing their pradakshanam and namaskarams, the ladies found a quiet spot to sit. Saroja asked, "oru maasam aathula ellaru koodayum sandhoshama irundhirukkum illiya? Idhellam ippo thaan kozhandhai. Namakku nu kudumbam kozhandhaigal nu vandhaachuna nenacha madiri oorukku onnum poga mudiyadhu. Seri, unkitta kekkanum nu irundhen. Nee romba nanna padariye paatu paduchirukkiyo?" (Did you have a good time in your town? Once you have your own family you won't be able to go there as and when you want. I meant to ask you though, you sing so well have you learnt music)
Seetha smiled and nodded, "Amaam mami. Puducode Krishnamurthy bhagavathar nu kelvi patirukela? Avaroda sishyay thaan naan. Oorula kovil le ellam kacheri paneerken." (Yes I am trained in Carnatic music. I used to even sing at our temple back home) Saroja smiled in pride, "Appo inge irukara kozhandhaigalukku cholli kudukalaame? Namma edhirtha aathu Lalitha paatu teacher ku thedeendu irukka avaloda rendu pongalukku. Avathula rendu pongal irukke? Unakku koodatheriyume." (So why don't you teach the kids here. My neighbor was enquiring for her daughters. You know them too.) Seetha nodded, "Oh andha Prabha Padmaja va? Seri seri." (Oh that Prabha and Padmaja, ok) Saroja nodded, "Nee seri chonnaina naan anuppi vekkaren. Appidiye enakku therinju rendu moonu mamigal irukka. Naangal ellam Lalitha sahasranamam class ku povom." (If you give a thumbs up I can talk to her and a few more people that I attend classes with)
Seetha thought for a moment. Although she liked the idea of teaching music, she said, "Naan Edhukkum avar kitta oru vaarthai kettukaren. Naaliki chollaren mami." (Let me talk to my husband and let you know by tomorrow) The ladies headed home. Seetha gave the remaining prasadam to Arun and she got busy with unpacking, cleaning etc for the rest of the day.
The day went by fast. At night Arun had already occupied the bed. Seetha finished the final cleaning of the kitchen and then went up to the Swamy room to turn off the velakku and check the front door to make sure it was locked. She then slowly walked to the bedroom and crawled into bed. Arun immediately turned around and wrapped his arms around her which she welcomed. He started drawing gently lines on her bare waist and she squirmed, "kichu kichu mootadhengo. Unga kitta oru vishayam kekkanum." (Don't tickle me. I want to ask you something) Arun got busy kissing her neck and mumbled, "mmm" Seetha said, "Saroja mami ku therinja va kozhandhaigalukku paatu solli thariya nu ketta. Naan unga kitta kettu sollaren nu sonnen. Enna sollarel?" (Saroja asked if I can teach music to the kids in our neighborhood. I said I will talk to you about it. What do you think?)
Arun stopped what he was going. He looked into her eyes affectionately and said, "Romba nalla vishayam maa. Naane unkitta sollalaam nu irundhen. Ippodhaikku inge aarambichukko aana inge pakkathula oru school irukku. Konjam pazhagina aparama ange poi kooda music teacher udhyogam paarkalaam unakku. Seriya? Namma kozhandhaigalukkum sollu tharalaam." (That's a very good idea. For now you can start with them and once you get comfortable you can reach out to the school close by and see if you can teach there. You can teach our kids too.) Seetha looked at him and said, "Namakku thaan innum kozhandaiya varaliye? Neengal seriyana makku" (we don't even have kids. You are so silly) she chuckled only for Arun to say, "Adhukku thaane erpaadu pannaren" (that's what I am making arrangements for) and he locked her lips with his.
His hands hastily worked on undressing her and pleasuring her. She had never felt this way before and every touch of his was having an electrifying effect on her. She was gentle yet firm and her body was automatically reacting. Soon her knees bent and spread automatically for the final moment. Arun lay on top of and whispered in her ears, "Valuchudhuna sollu. Naan udane nirutharen seriya. Nee muzhu manasoda thaane irukke? Naan onnum Unna varpuruthaliye?" (Let me know if I am hurting you. I will stop immediately. You are doing this willingly right. You don't feel like I am forcing you right?) Seetha's eyes were closed but she smiled and nodded a ok. He kissed her lips once again before making a gentle move , after making sure she was ready. After every move he looked up at her face to see if she was ok. She was giving him more access with every move until he put his entire weight in.
She never knew that this unity was a unique combination of pleasure and pain. Finally, after a couple of months of marriage, they consummated it and it seemed so perfect. After it was over, her held on to her and rocked her until she fell asleep.
Brinda Subramanian
YOU ARE READING
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...
