The Tea Trail

Ethukku??

Mullai had smiled to herself confident that with time he would be alright..

So she was understandably exasperated when he refused TEA the next morning as well

The third morning when he refused yet again..she broke down a bit...her confidence took a beating..she was not comfortable with this steely silence..

He did not come home during the day as often as he used to..which was quite often..so often that it had elicited comments even from L Amma..

'Ippudi adikkadi vanthuttu po Kathiru..kalelaiyum seekkiram kelambiduva..raathiriyum late aagum..unnaiya sila naal paarkave mudiyathu..ippudi nee adikkadi varathu un kitta pesarthu nalla irukku da..- L amma had said

He understood her feelings..he always made it a point to see her before leaving to the shop and once he came back..but these times she was groggy..but these mid morning visits gave her joy since she was awake and sharper and could have lucid conversations with him

L amma was an astute woman and before fate played this cruel joke on her she had been active both at home and at the shop as well..she was a spirited woman and it was this that helped her stay mentally strong although physically she had not much strength left anymore..

Dhanam on her end had watched his shenanigans in the beginning unable to decipher the what and why..

The old Dhanam would have felt insecure..but after a couple of talks with Moorthy, Dhanam's thought horizon had expanded..oh she did slip back every now and then but was  learning to look at situations from an outsider point of view..she realised it wasn't the tea..or the taste of it...Kathir was someone who would drink anything that he was told was tea..Dhanam had forgotten to add sugar..it didn't matter..light / strong..didn't matter..Tea gave him energy, kept him awake after a heavy meal, allowed him a break from the continuous hard work at the shop..

But in his married life it was different..she could see that tea was laying the very foundation on which their entire lives would stand..tall and proud..oh she knew they could still be at loggerheads at the drop of a hat..but Tea always helped them find their way back or maybe they used it as a tool to create, mend, maintain and expand their relationship..

It was this observation that led her to plan the Home Alone..for her Mullai fighting with her Mom and siding Kathir was huge..she thought this would be a good time to give them some alone space..

In hindsight she realised a little more honesty and a lot less planning might have worked better..and she was also wondering if it might have worked out better if they had left L Amma at home..she laughed to herself..olden days elders in the family would be the chaperones to ensure that young adults could be together and spend some time but also with dignity so they didnt create any scandal...but here L Amma being around might have actually aided the romance bloom and move to the next level...

She laughed thinking KM were different in this as well..

But what she didn't know was this little planning of theirs had actually created a larger rift..

Jaan era try panni Muzham sarikkina kathai

He was avoiding the room even in the nights...he sat out for as late as possible and once he came into the room he straight went to sleep..it was like she did not exist..It was like they had gone back to those initial days of marriage...

On the 4th day she diligently made tea again and stood holding it for him...

He finished getting ready and started to leave the room..

Mullai : (in a small voice ) enga..tea

Kathir : Venaam

Mullai : Sorry nga...please