New Beginnings....

A visitor...

    Sorry had some technical issues... Republished again just now...

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After celebrating New Year, Mullai's parents leave for their annual week long trip to Kunnakudi and Kathir goes along with them... Life goes on as usual for Mullai and Mahi. The house seems unnaturally silent. Since Hasini studies in the same school as Mahi, her mother picks them and keeps Mahi there until Mullai comes home from school...

One evening, Mullai comes home from work, completely drained and walks over to Tanvi's house, to bring Mahi home...

They walk back, and she opens the gate and sees Kathir sitting on the threshold...

At that moment, she realizes how much she missed him, his presence...

Mh: Kathir Uncle....

She screams in delight and runs over to hug him and kisses his cheek.

That pure, innocent kiss purges him, it is like a salve to his scarred soul... It renews him...

He has tears in his eyes at that simple act.

Mahi talks non stop...

K: Hi Mullai...

M: Hi Kathir.... Eppo vanthae?

K: Ippo dhan, 10 minutes avuthu...

M: Amma Appa engae?

K: Avungae appromae varom nu sollitangae... Ennaku dhan office irruku leh...

M: Ennakum unnodae office liyae velae vangi kiduthudu... Evloh jolly ah irrukae nee...

He laughs...

She sits next to him.

M: Eppo venumnalum work from home, nenachae leave pottukalam... lucky Kathir nee..

K: Aama... Inthae office leh ennaku konjam freedom athigam dhan... Seri...ullae poie paaru, yaaru vanthirka nu...

She looks at him curiously and rises to go inside...

Mullai enters the hall and screeches..

Kathir shuts his ears and Mahi laughs..

M: Kanna...

She hugs her cousin...

M: Dei Kanna... Nambavae mudilae...

She hugs him again..

M: Eppadi da irruke?

Kn: Naan nallae irrukken...Neengae? Ethanae varusham kaluchi....

M: Aama... Kanna... Evlo valanthutae...

She can't believe that he's a fully grown man now... She has always thought of him as a child, who trailed behind her begging to be included in their games.

Kn: Ithu dhan Mahi kutty ah? Unnae pathi dhan Annae pesitae irunthuchu .. Hi Mahi...

Mh: Hi Uncle...

She hesitantly goes to him...

Pretty soon, they are chatting like old friends...

M: Kathir... Oorlae ellarum nalla irrukangalah?

K: Superah irrukangae...

They chat for a while... And the brothers leave to freshen up.

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By the time they come down, Mahi has finished her homework and Mullai is about to start preparing dinner...

M: Kanna ippo dhan licious app leh, chicken order pannirukken, vanthathum kolambu vekkavah, illae biriyani seiyava?