Seetha Kalyanam Vaibohame

The three personalities

The three children were were stark different, personality wise. Seetha and Arun's oldest daughter, Ranju was the typical poster child. She was academically outstanding. She was mother's little helper who was always ready to help out with her siblings. She was extremely protective of her younger brother and sister. As an older child, she understood, from a very early age that she had to be the role model for her siblings. Hence, Ranju was always the first rank holder, the badminton champion and an avid reader. She was the one to bring home cups and medals from debates, essays etc.

Ranju also has another side to her personality. She was the ring leader among the children of the area. She dominated them and, for some odd reason, they all listened to her. She was spoilt rot by her Joja Paati and hence she got away with crime. Ranju got into physical fight even with boys much bigger or older than her, if the dared touch her brother or sister, so much so that parents would come complaining to Arun and Seetha, which would embarrass them.

Shivu, on the other hand was an introvert and an above average student in school. He was told to be quiet and well mannered. He was lean and tall, like his father and was very good at sports. He was the captain of his school cricket team, volleyball team and kabbadi team. He was a terror when it came to sports and students from other schools did not have a chance when Shivu was the one they had to fight against. Even though he went to a co-education school, he barely spoke to any of the girls. Due to his good looks and athletic skills, many girls had a crush on him but he did not respond to any of them. Plus they all knew that Sriranjani was his older sister, although just by one class, so were scared of her. Seetha noticed the giggles and blushes from her paatu students too.

One day as Arun and Seetha were walking towards West Mambalam market, she sighed heavily. Arun asked, "Ennamaa perumoochu vidare?" (Why are you sighing) She smiled, "indha paatu class ku vara ponnugal paatu padikka varaala illai namma Shivu va paarka varaala nu therilai. Avana paathu paathu ilikkardhugal. Oru kaalathula ungala paathu vazhiyum. Ippo ungalukku vayasayachu. Naracha mudiyum, thoppaiyum irukkardhunaala enna thavira ungala aarum paaka maata" (These girls who come to music class are more interested in Shivu than music. They giggle and blush seeing him. At one time they would do the same with you but now you have a paunch and grey hair. Now it is only me giving you attention) she chuckled. Arun pouted at her, "Ippo enna pathi edhukku venumne izhukkare? Appidi enna vayasachu enakku. Ippo kooda neraya per enna paarpa theriyuma unakku. Naan nenacha enna suthi gobigal madiri ponnugal vandhu nippa." (Why are you unnecessarily dragging me into this now? I am not that old and even now women look at me. If I want to I can be surrounded by gorgeous women)

Seetha chuckled, "Kizhichel. Edhir aathu Priya oda amma anniki prasadam thara vandhappo aduchu pudichundu vayasukku vandha ponnu madiri aathukulla odinele? Marandhuttela? Unga pullaiyum appidiye ungala thaan urichu vachirukaan. Aana andha ponnugal ivana paakardhunu avanukkum theriyum. Ava vara neram paathu pathaayiram theram thalaiya kodheendu nikkaraan. Enakku ennavo ivan andha edhir aathu Priya va paarkarano nu oru sandhegam. Naalelerndhu paatu kathukka vara poraalam. Naan solitten naan romba strict nu." (I know how brave you are. The other day when the opposite house Priya's mother came you ran inside. Remember? Your son is also just like you but he knows that those girls are looking at him. He stands there fixing his hair for the longest time. I feel he is interested in Priya. She is joining my music class from tomorrow but I told her that I am very strict.) Arun smiled, "Vayasu appidi. Poga poga seri ayidum. Nee ennathuku indha chinanchirugala nottam vidarai? Namakku thaan adhukku onnum kuduthu vekkalai. Jadhagam serndha udane kalyanatha panni vavhutta." (That's because of their age. All this will change as they grow older. Why are you bothered about all this? We were unlucky in this area and had an arranged marriage) He tried to hide his smile but Seetha smacked his shoulder, "Veedu vaa ngardhu kaadu po po ngardhu. Ungalukku ippo varadho aasai? Ungalukku 30 vayasu namakku kalyanam aagarche. Narayave neram irundhudhu. Naan thaan paavam. 21 vayasula kalyanam panni vachuta. Ungalukku ishtam illaina enathukku ennoda golusa edhuthu pocket la potundelaam" (Oh so you are missing all this at this age? You were 30 when we got married. You had all the time to fall in love. I was only 21. If you didn't like me why did you pocket my anklet?) she glared. Arun quickly held her hand and said, "Kochukaadha maa. Summa Unna vambukku izhuthen. Indha kangal la anniki vizhandhavan thaan innum vizhundhu kedakkaren paaru" (Don't get angry dear. I was only kidding. I fell in love with those gorgeous eyes of yours and I am fallen until now) he winked. Seetha blushed pulling her hands away, "Achacho namma market la irukkom. Kaiya vidungo." (We are in the market. Let go of my hand)

Now coming to Sowmy, the youngest of the three. The readers might this that Ranju would be Dad's pet but it was Sowmya who had her father wrapped around her finger. She was not only the baby of the house but she was also the smallest in size. Sowmya used to fall sick very often as a child and would cling to her dad. All she had to do was sit on his lap and gently cup his face with her tiny hands. She would then lay her head on his chest and, with her does eyes, look into his and say, "Appa enakku andha bommai vaangi thariya pa, pleaach?" (Will you buy me that doll) and Arun would immediately get it for her. She was extremely lovable and affectionate. When Arun was at home, Sowmya did not need anyone else. He was truly her first love.

Sowmya was an above average student. She was not a bookworm but she was like a sponge. She grabbed anything and everything that was taught to her. While in school, she paid attention and remembered everything that the teacher taught. She was an extremely talented singer, dancer and artist. She was friendly with all but enjoyed her own company. Even at home, she sat by herself playing with her toys. She was very good at making stories. Every night she would crawl in bed between Seetha and Arun.  She would then run her little fingers through his hair telling him stories that she would make up. Although Seetha would insist that Sowmya was now a big girl and that she should learn to sleep in the other room with her brother and sister, she would scoff at Seetha and say, "Nee venum na ange po. Naan Appa kitta thaan thoonguven. Enakku indha world liye Appa va thaan romba pidikkum" (If you want you go and sleep in the other room. I will sleep only next to my Dad. My favourite person in the entire world is my Dad) Seetga would tease her saying, "Unakku kalyanam aana Appa vaa un kooda kooteendu poga mudiyadhu theriyumo?" (One day when you get married, you can't take your Dad with you) Sowmya always had one answer to that, "Naan kalyaname pannikka maaten." (I will never get married)

Sowmya was so attached to Arun that, on one occassion when he had to go out of station on a work trip, Sowmya ran a fever of 102 and kept asking for Arun. Her fever came down only after Arun returned from his trip.

Brinda Subramanian.