Kaveri approached Vennila’s room, her heart heavy with the emotions of the day. She knocked gently before entering.
Vennila, surprised but with a warm smile, greeted her. “Vaanga Kaveri. Ukkarunga.”
Kaveri hesitated, her emotions evident in her eyes. Vennila noticed and placed a comforting hand on Kaveri’s. “Don’t worry. Naan unga kita erunthu Vijay-ya Pirichi enakunu eduthuka Inga varala. Ennaku theriyum naan avaroda past nu. So, Kavala padatheenga.”
Vennila continued, her voice gentle yet firm. “Enaku en niyabagam thirumba vanthathum, Naan nenachathu enamo Vijay kita thirumba varanum avarukuda vaazhanum-nu thaan. But then, Ajay-um Ragini-um Vijay-ku kalyanam agiduchinum aavaru athula santhosama illa athu ithunu konjam extra potu sonanga. From their eyes, I could tell they were lying, but apo enaku confirm-ah ethum theriyathu, I can't let Vijay suffer because of my instincts right after all I loved him, athaan naney pathu therinjikalamnu Inga vanthen. Oru Vela avanga sona mathiri Vijay intha life la happy -ya Ilana avaru seri pananum. illa en instincts seri na neenga rendu perum santhosma eruka thadaiya eruka antha Ajay and Ragini pathi ungakita soli ungala warn pananumndra enathula thaan vanthen.”
She paused, her eyes reflecting sincerity. “Naan Inga vanthu ninum, Vijay unga kaiya pidicharey apove therinjikiten neenga Vijay-ku evlo important-nu. Avaru ungala paakura antha paarvaila therinjathu avaru unga mela vachirka kaadhal. Neenga mela ponathum avaru paarva padi-ya vitu nagarala. Keezha ivlo prechana nadanthutu erukumbothu kuda avaru vai la erunthu vanthathu enamo unga kita poganumnu thaan. I wanted to leave immediately but Ragini thaan ellataiyum sola soli varpuruthuna. I stayed to inform you both to be cautious of them because, Naanum Vijay-ya kaadhalichava thaan, avaru santhosama eruntha athu pothum enaku.”
Vennila’s voice softened as she recounted the moments she observed. “Naan Mela unga room-ku vantha apo Vijay unga munnadi muttipotu pesitu eruntharu, Enakum therinja Vijay, yaarukitayum entha suzhnilailayum panijiponathey illa. He was no longer the stubborn man I knew but rather the loving husband you’ve made him into. Athuku innaiku avara ungaluku vendiyavanga avlo adichum, amathiya eruntharey athaan saatchi—he was defending you. It was clear Ipo avaru unga Vijay unga purushan intha kaveri-oda purushan, Enaku puriyuthu, ungaluku puriyalaya? I’m here just because you asked, vera ethum enn manasula illa.”
Kaveri’s heart felt lighter as she listened to Vennila’s words. A relieved smile spread across her face. “Thanks, Vennila. Enmaku vera ena solrathunu therila!”
Vennila smiled back, her eyes reflecting a mix of gratitude and sorrow. “hmhmm...Naan thaan Kaveri ungaluku thanks sollanum enoda periya guilt-la erunthu enna relieve panathuku. Neenga matum illana Vijay ipo apdi erunthurupaaru nu ennala yosichi kuda paaka mudiyala. Avaroda intha nelamaiku naan thaan Karanamnu nenachi nenachi Antha kuttra unarchi enavitu saagura vara poi erukaathu.”
Kaveri quickly interjected, “Vijay-oda Chithappa senjathuku neenga ennanga panuveenga. Ungaluku nandantha ellathukum we owe you an apology.”
Vennila shook her head. “Avaru poga sonalum ponathu enamo naan thaana-nga. I should have informed Vijay, En thappu thaan and innaiku evening naan kelamburen.”
Kaveri’s concern showed as she asked, “Ipo intha nilamaila neenga enga-nga poveenga? Athelam venam ingaiye erunga, namma ethuna arrange panikalam.”
Vennila gently refused. “Neenga ketathey Santhosam aana naan poganumnu mudivu paniten. En amma appa-oda oru chinna business Trichy la eruku en chithi thaa atha paathukitu erukanga, ipo naan anga pona avangaluku konjam helpfull ah erukum.”
Despite Vennila’s insistence, Kaveri pleaded with her to stay. “Please, Vennila, don’t go. There must be another way. We can work something out.”
Vennila, however, was firm in her decision. “Erukatum Kaveri, thali ninu paatha thaan oru sila vishiyangal aazhaga erukum.”
As the evening approached, Vennila prepared to leave. Vijay’s grandparents expressed their concern. “Vayasu ponnu Thani enga poi enna ma panuva?”
Vennila responded, “Illa thatha, Trichy la en chithi enga business onna-ah manage panitu erukanga. Enaku anga poi antha business pathukurathu thaan ipo seri nu paduthu.”
Eventually, everyone was convinced of Vennila’s decision. Before leaving, Vennila approached Vijay, whose eyes were filled with guilt. He felt responsible for all the turmoil in her life.
Vennila spoke softly, as if reading his thoughts. “En vaazhkaila nadantha ethukum neenga porupilla Vijay. Unga uda erunthu eruka avlo chances erunthum Nana thaan ponen. Athu en thappu, en thappuku naan thaan porupethukanum. Don’t carry this guilt. Ipo unga kita Kaveri'ndra oru periya pokkisham eruku. Atha erukka pudichi bathrama paathukonga athu pothum.”
With that, Vennila smiled warmly and turned to leave. Vijay, relieved from his guilt, clasped Kaveri’s hand tightly. He looked into her eyes, his heart full of gratitude and happiness. Their shared glance spoke volumes of their love and commitment to each other.
As Vennila stepped out of the house, she took a deep breath, feeling a mixture of pain and relief. She looked up at the evening sky, the colors of dusk reflecting her own emotional state—a blend of past sorrows and the promise of a peaceful future. She knew that her decision to leave was the right one, not just for herself, but for Kaveri and Vijay too. The bond they shared now was unbreakable, and it was time for her to move on, embracing the unknown with a heart free from the burdens of the past.
Kaveri watched Vennila leave, a tear escaping her eye, not of sadness, but of gratitude. She knew that Vennila’s presence had brought clarity and closure to their tangled past. Turning to Vijay, she whispered, “vaazhkaila sila vishayangaluku-laam closure kedaicha thaan ellarukum nallathu illa-nga ?!.”
Vijay nodded, his grip tightening around her hand. “Aama, Kaveri. The past has finally found its peace, and so have we. Inime future-rah paathu nada potutu poitey eruka vendiyathu thaan.”
With those words, they stood together, their hearts beating in unison, ready to embrace whatever life had in store for them, knowing that as long as they had each other, they could face anything. The night enveloped them, a silent witness to their love and the new beginning that awaited them.
~~•°•~~
With love,
Until the next one
Meenakshi 💗.
YOU ARE READING
Contract of the Hearts ❤️
Fiksi PenggemarThis narrative unfolds the intertwined fates of Vijay and Kaveri, as Ajay, under the influence of Ragini and Pasupati-Kaveri's adversaries-brings Vennila, Vijay's former love, back into their lives to tear them apart. Yet, through this tumultuous jo...
