Mullaikaaga Kathirin Thedal

~ What is Love without Hurt? ~

The next ten days were pure bliss for both Kathir and Mullai. Their new life, their little world and their sweet nothings brought them immense happiness. They, as decided, denied Moorthy and Jeeva's request to occupy either of their rooms. Though their act seemed sacrificial and done out of good will, it turned out to be the best thing that happened to them. Kanna slept near Lakshmi amma and they would wait for the whole family to go to sleep. Meanwhile, Kathir would help her in the kitchen most nights when there was little extra work than usual. Mullai was working round the clock. She takes care of things here at home and goes to the shop in the evening to manage the accounts. She came as a relief to Dhanam, who could finally have some time for herself and even Meena, since Mullai managed almost everything, the expectations on her decreased and she was her jovial self rather than being irritated all the time.

Kathir and Mullai slept in the Mutram adjoining the hall. They would settle there when everyone had long before left to sleep. They slept in separate mats with a considerable distance between them and talked for an hour or two about the happenings of the day looking at the moon and stars. They got so used to it that they eagerly waited the whole day for that few hours together they could spend with each other alone. Though they missed sleeping in the warmth of each other, those silent hours which belonged to them and them alone were more intimate and close to them. Kathir kissing her forehead before going to sleep had become their routine too.

Murugan and Parvathy visited Mullai on alternate days. They missed her a lot and visited her whenever they could find some silliest of reasons. Kathir talked with them for a few minutes before going to shop. Things between Kathir and Mullai's mother were amicable but not completely settled. They were trying to manage their differences for the one person they both loved the most- Mullai. But Parvathy always created a tense atmosphere in his absence because of her rude comments in matters regarding Dhanam, Meena or Lakshmi amma. Mullai tried her best managing them. On one such occasion, unfortunately Kathir was present there waiting for some load to arrive, Mullai was trying to deviate the topic many a times but at the end Parvathy came up with some hurtful words to Dhanam. Kathir, who was not used to this kind of conversation before, couldn't take it anymore. He didn't know this was usual these days and the elders had their way of mending things. Kathir interrupted them, losing his patience.

Kathir: Mama... Neenga avugala kooptutu kelambunga... inimel naane oru naal vittu oru naal Mullai ya kooptutu vandhu ungala paakuren... inga vara vendam... indha veetla indha maari laam yaarum anniya pesaratha kettutu summa nikka maataanga... na Mullai ya kalyanam pannathu kaaga ellarum amaithiya kekuratha ennala paathutu iruka mudiyathu... na auto va kooptutu varen neenga kelambunga...

Mullai couldn't believe that her husband was actually asking her parents to get out of their house. She was shocked and was looking at him waiting for him to realize what he is actually doing. But he was too impatient to think straight and was leaving to bring an auto. She looked at her mother and father and they were extremely hurt. Her mother, who always retorted, was so hurt that she just got up to leave without a word. Everybody knew Parvathy speaks like that and they couldn't do anything about it in all these years but sending them out is definitely not the way to deal with it.

Mullai: Enga konjam nillunga... neenga ippa solraku enna artham nu ungaluku puriyutha... illa puriyaama panreengala... ennoda amma appa va indha veetta vittu velila poga solreenga... neenga porumaiya sonnalum neenga sonnathuku athu thaan artham... avunga enna paaka vathurukaanga... idhu en veedum dhaan nu ellarum kalyanam paani vanthappa avalo thadava sonnenga thaana... avungala saapda vechu thaan anupuven... avungaluku eppa thonutho appa thaan povaanga... neenga enna kalyanam pannitta dhaala avungaluku order laam podatheenga... periyavunga appidi thaan pesipaanga... adha eppadi theethukanum nu avungaluku theriyum...