Seetha Kalyanam Vaibohame

Saroja's yearning

A week flew by. This time it was different. Unlike Seetha having to run errands for everyone, this time everyone in the house was running around to pamper her. Arun was happy to see wife happy but he couldn't wait to go back to Madras, to their home. Seetha visited her favourite pillaiyar everyday during her stay there and thanked him every day for giving her a beautiful tiny human who was beginning to kick her more and more. It was the kick of love.

When the duo got ready to get back to Madras, Paati made sure to pack kaimurukku, ribbon pakkavadam, peruvalangai, tharatti pal along with vadu mangai, avakkai, nellikkai pickle, naarthanga pickle and the naranga pattai. It was all meticulously packed by Seetha's father. Seetha bid everyone goodbye. There were no tears this time because they all knew that she was only going to return in a couple of months for delivery. (The above mentioned items are traditional snacks and pickles)

The train journey was tiring and Seetha couldn't wait to get home and freshen up. She was hoping that they are not stopped at the front gate by Saroja mami. Although, Seetha loved the lady, now was not the time for sweet pleasantries. Thankfully, their train reached central stations a little earlier than anticipated and the traffic was smooth. They reached home right before dawn and before Saroja mami stepped out to draw the kolam. While Arun got busy unpacking, Seetha hurried up to have a shower. She knew that she had atleast half an hour more for Dhanam to come with the milk bottles so Seetha lay on the sofa and decided to take a nap.

The sound of the knock on the grilled door woke Seetha up. She rubbed her eyes and gently opened her eyes but then when she realized that it was broad day light, she quickly sat up. She had lost track of time and her husband hadn't even woken her up. It took her a moment to realize that Saroja mami was calling out to her. "Seetha, enna achu? Naan konja nerama kadhava thattarene kekkaliya?" (What's wrong? I have been knocking for a while. Couldn't you hear?) Seetha quickly got up to open the door and let her in, "Therila mami. Ashandhu thoongi poiten. Ivarum enna ezhuppalai. Neenga ulla vaango." (I am sorry. I must have dozed off. My husband did not wake me up either. Please come in)

Saroja stepped in with some chakkarapongal and vadai, "Aathula velikkezhamai nu konjam prasadam paninen." (I made some special treat today) She placed the steel tiffin dabbas with the content, on the tee poy and quickly grabbed Seetha's hands to examine the bangles, "Valai kaapu ellam nalla padiya nadandhudha?" (Did the ceremony go well) Then she looked up and Seetha and, reluctantly asked, "Naan onnu ketta thappa eduthukka maatiye?" (Don't mind if I ask you something) Seetha smiled, "Achacho enna mami ippidi ellam kekkarel? Neenga enakku amma madhiri. Edhuva irundhaalum sollungo." (Please tell me. You are like a mother to me. Please say whatever it is)

Saroja asked, "Unnoda valaikaappu ku oorukku vara mudilai aana unakku valai potu vidanum nu aasaiya irukku. Podalaama?" (I couldn't come to your hometown for your function but I would like to put bangles for you. Can I?) Seetha was touched, "Idhu enna mami kelvi? Dharaalama podungo." (Why are you even asking? Of course please do) Saroja was thrilled. She made Seetha sit down on the sofa and quickly went to the Swamy room to get the chandanam (sandal paste) and kumkumam. She applied a little bit of chandanam on Seetha's cheeks and then the kumkumam on her forehead. Then she quickly ran out to pluck a button rose and placed it gently on Seetha's hair. What she did next, shocked Seetha.

Saroja quickly removed two bangles from her own hand and gently started to put it in Seetha's hand. Seetha pulled away her hand saying, "Enna mami pannarel? Idhu ungaloda sorna valai. Adhu edhukku enakku podarel? Valai kaapukku podara valaiya kozhandha porakkara varaikkum edukka pdadhu solluva. Adhukku thaan kuppi valai podardhu." (Oh my goodness! These are gold bangles. Once you put this in my wrist I cannot take them off until the baby is born. Hence the use glass bangles.) Then she chuckled, "Neengal ippidi sorna valai potaa aparam adha Naane vachukka vendi varum." (If you give me gold bangles then I will end up keeping it myself) But Seetha was shocked to see tears in Saroja's eyes. She had never seen Saroja mami like this. Between those tears and sniffling Saroja said, "Ennoda Seetha ku ippo unnoda vayasu thaan irundhirukkum. Avalukkum kalyanam aagi Unna madiri valaikaapu nadandhirukkum. Andha Seetha ku poda mudiyalai. Avalukku poda vendiyadhu thaan idhu. Vendaam nu solladhe" (my daughter would have been the same age as you. She would have been married too and she would have had this function just like you. I would have given these to her but I can't. Don't say no please) she said wiping her tears.

Seetha was confused. She had not even, in her wildest dreams, imagined that the happy go lucky Saroja mami was hiding such a big sorrow from the world. Seetha hugged her tightly but did not ask for any details. She knew that the wound was old and deep and the last thing she would do was to dig deeper. After a long hug Saroja asked, "Indha chakkarapongala ooti vidattuma?" (Can I feed you this sweet dish?) Seetha nodded with a compassionate smile.

Brinda Subramanian