Seetha Kalyanam Vaibohame

Growing pains

Once a sportsman always a sportsman. With the encouragement from his family, Arun gradually started working on his body and stamina. At first, it was difficult. He even doubted himself thinking he will probably not able to get back to shape but he was not someone to back off. So he kept going.

In about 6 months he started noticing that his stamina was improving and his jogging had turned into running. Since his school times, badminton had become a more sought after sport. He came to know of a racquet club close to his office. When he went to enquire, they offered him a free trial. Although, Arun had not picket up his bat in a very long time and he was rather rusty, he gave it a shot. Soon enough, in a couple of rounds, he was back. That's when he realized how much he loved and missed the sport.

He quickly got a membership and became a regular. His family noticed a huge difference in him. He was definitely happy. They saw the enthusiasm of a child that had been missing all this while. Even though they had all found their passion, they also made it a point to continue making memories, as a family. Children continued to learn important life lessons such as listen to what your heart seeks and go for it. Work hard to succeed in that. Trust and hold on to each other for motivation and uplifting each other. Soon Arun got a great offer to coach children at the same racquet ball club. He loved the idea and immediately took the opportunity. It was fulfilling for him to help those kids achieve what he couldn't.

Meanwhile Arun's comic books had become Sowmy's favourite stories. Without Arun's knowledge, she started to add characters to his stories and started sketching and building on those. Apart from music and dance, Sowmy realized that she was an excellent story teller and an exceptionally talented cartoonist.

Years passed by. Ranju had completed MA, M.Phil and was a professor in economics. She had met Raghavan, a colleague, who taught physics in the same university. The two had fallen in love but had decided to focus on wait until his sister was married. At the right time they spoke to both sets of parents, who were more than happy to get them married.

Shivu, the quiet, introverted boy, had found love in Anusha. She was a quiet, demure gorgeous young girl. She was the only daughter of divorced parents. Her parents were both physicians. Her mother had sole custody of her, even though Anusha missed her father and felt that it was unfair that she had to be brought away from the man who loved her to death.

She was the new kid who had moved into Shivu's school and neighborhood, in the 9th class. As a new student, Anusha had to introduce herself and speak a little about herself. None of the girls mingled with her when they heard her story. During those days, single parenting was something that was frowned upon. Even though none of it was Anusha's, the other girls were instructed by their parents, not to befriend her. So one day, when she was sitting all alone eating her lunch, Shivu decided to go up to her. He cleared his throat and said, "Hello my name is Shiva." Anusha looked up at him and their eyes met. His heart skipped a beat. She had the most gorgeous eyes which was adorned with kajal. She smiled feebly and in the sweetest voice said, "Hello I am Anusha." He said, "Thaniya ukkandhu lunch saapadriye." (You are sitting alone and eating) She looked at her bread and jam and whispered, "Yaarum en kooda friend aaga maatanga. Adhu naala thaan." (No one wants to be my friend) Shivu sighed, "Can I be your friend? Inge ukkaralaama?" (Can I sit here) She thought for a moment and slowly moved a little, giving him the space to sit down. He noticed that she was not enjoying her lunch so he pushed his lunch box towards her. She glanced at the tomato rice and potato fry and smacked her lips. He bit his lower lip trying to control his smile, "Mmm... eduthukko. Enga Amma romba nallave samaipaanga. Try pannu." (Take some. My mom cooks very well) Anusha nodded saying, "Illai vendaam. Idhu unnoda lunch." (No that's ok. It's your lunch) He smiled, "Illai parava illai. Eduthukko. Chumma try pannu." (That's ok. Take some) Anusha took a spoon full and hurriedly tasted it. Her eyes lit up, "Wow, superb aa irukku. Unga amma unakku daily ippidi edhavudhu lunch ku kudupaangala? Enakku dhinam bread thaan. Amma ku time illai. Cook vachirukaanga aana avanga madhyanam thaan varuvaanga plus North Indian vera so dhenam night chappathi thaan." (Wow, it is so good. Your mom cooks for you everyday? I have bread daily. My mom has no time. We have a cook but she comes late plus she is a North Indian so it is chappathi every night)

Shivu smiled, "Kavala padaadhe naalelerndhu unakkum serthu lunch kondu varen. Amma sandoshama panni tharuva." (Don't worry I will bring you lunch everyday. My mom will be more than happy to pack extras) Hence began a beautiful friendship.

Brinda Subramanian

As you notice, the Tamil language that Shivu spoke, changed too. He adapted to the more commonly spoken dialect at school while they continued to speak the "mother tongue" at home.