Seetha Kalyanam Vaibohame

The White Fiat

Seetha and Arun's house had grown. Not just the addition of three children but Arun had also expanded the house. Seetha's music school had become popular and people from the neighboring areas started to join the classes too. Her students spoke about it in their school and thus new kids started to enroll.

With their own kids growing as well, Arun decided to extend the top floor. The small room attached to the terrace was not enough anymore plus he wanted to safe guard his father's memories there as well. So he extended that a little and added a couple of study tables there. It became a library and a study room for Ranju and Shivu. He built a separate pathway doing further and built a huge room. It had a space to leave your slippers and a beautiful wooden door, above which, was a name board along with the pics of the three legends of music, Thyagarajar, Muthuswami Deekshitar and Syama Sastri. The board said Swaralaya school of Music.

Seetha became one of the busiest music teacher in the area. She had two shifts everyday and Sunday was her only free day. Saturday was fully busy. Arun and Ranju had taken over the household responsibilities and Shivu helped with the outdoor errands. The happy one was Sowmy. She loved it when her Appa cooked. She would always tell Seetha, "Amma, unnavida Appa vekkara sambar thaan first class aa irukku" (Appa's sambar tastes better than yours) which only infuriated Seetha.

Arun had built an open terrace above that floor. It was not just that. Arun had also sold his old scooter and bought a second hand white fiat car. It was a surprise. One Friday night, while they were all having dinner together, Arun said with a mischievous look on his face, "Naaliki kaarthale enakku oru mukkiyamana velai irukku. Unga ellarukkum oru periya surprise." (Tomorrow morning I have an important work to do. You are all going to be surprised) Curious Sowmy could not wait for it. She took a little ball of her curd rice mixed with vadumanga liquid and a piece of pappadam. She took her little hand close to his mouth saying, "Appa aaa kaatu. Ippo enakku mattum sollu adhu enna surprise nu." (Appa open your mouth. Now just tell me what that surprise is.)

Ranju smacked her fondly, "Iva seriyana KD appa. Eppidi unakku ooteende kekkara paaru." (She is such a rowdy. Look how she is trying her tricks to get you to tell her) Sowmy frowned at Ranju. Arun fluffed Sowmy's thick hair and said, "Adhu oru periya surprise. Nee thoongi ezhundhukardhukulla vandhudum." (That's a huge surprise. It will be here by the time you wake up) After dinner, while Arun and Seetha were busy in the kitchen cleaning up, the three kids discussed wondering what the surprise might be. The next morning Arun had left before Sowmy woke up. She came to the living room where her sister was studying. She rubbed her eyes asking, "Appa enge?" (Where is Appa?) Ranju pulled her little sister making her sit on her lap and reminded her of the surprise, "Nee poi seekirama pal thechuttu bournvita kuduchuttu vaa. Adhukulla Appa varuva. Namma rendu perum gate kitta poi nikkalaam." (Go brush your teeth and drink up your bournvita. By then he will be here. We can go wait at the gate for him.)

Sowmy was excited. She gulped down her bournvita to her mother's surprise and then the girls went towards the gate, Ranju holding Sowmy so that she could peek out. A few minutes later, they noticed a white fiat approaching their street. It honked twice before stopping near the gate. Seetha came out from the kitchen when she heard the honk. The girls were squealing. Shivu looked out from the terrace and came down running. They owned a car. The entire family quickly examined the inside and sat on it. Arun was smiling at the excitement.

Arun and Seetha's eyes met. She looked worried but he blinked at her and said, "Ellarum seekirama kulichuttu ready aagungo. Modhalla pillaiyar kovil ku poitu varallam." (All of you quickly have a bath and get ready. We are going to the temple first) That was their first family trip. They had to head back home after that due to Seetha's music class but Arun promised that they could go to the beach the next day, hearing which, Sonya tugged his pant, asking him to bend down. He quickly picked her up only to get a long wet kiss on his cheek.

That night after the kids had slept, Arun moved Sowmy to the other side and pulled Seetha towards him. He kissed her forehead and their lips met for a long and passionate kiss. They did not get to be together too often as before so every moment was precious. Seetha whispered to him, "Neengal ippidi dhidu dhippunnu car vaangeerkele. Namakku kattupadi aaguma? Moonu kozhandhaigal irukka. Idhula rendu pon kozhandhaigal. Paathu chelavu pannungo." (You have suddenly bought this car. Can we manage financially? We have three kids out of which we have two daughters. Be responsible with your finances) Arun kissed her lips and squeezed her waist saying, "Maa Adhellam paathukalaam maa. Kozhandhaigal sandoshama irukka. Second hand vandi thaan idhu. Enakku bonus kedachudhu illiya adhula konjam potten. Maasamaasam kattikalam. Therinja oruthar kittendhu thaan vaanginen. Avare kammi ya thaan kettar. Nee kavala padadhe. Ippo enna gavani. Indha vaalu eppo ezhundhukka poralo." Don't worry about all that. See how happy the kids are. This is a second hand car. I paid some with my bonus that I received. I got it from a reliable person who gave it at a reasonable price. Don't worry. Now focus on me. This little rascal might wake up any time.)

Seetha smiled and then closed her eyes as Arun rolled over her, making a mental note to herself to somehow get Sowmy to start sleeping with her sister and brother in the other room. Sowmy was 5 years old and had started to go to school. They needed to work on weening her away from Arun.

Thank you.