Nyaabagam Varuthe

Ullaasa Ulagam

Kathir and Mullai reached the park..

As suggested by the caretaker they had taken a blanket along with the picnic basket that the akka had assembled ..Mullai had taken a book as well

They walked around a while and found a nice spot under a tree

They spread the blanket out..and settled against a tree trunk..

They sat chatting for a while when Mullai started peeping into the picnic basket

Pasikkutha Kathir asked

Light ah Mullai said

Kathir gestured for her to stop

He took out a box that had cut fruits in it and handed it to her

Mullai looked longingly at the box containing sandwiches

Athuvum unakku thaan kavalai padaatha ..Konjam arogyama saappidanum ille..athaan..ithu mothalla hmm he coaxed

She ate it readily enough

And once done she leaned her head on his shoulder

Thookkam varutha kannukutty he asked

Light ah she smiled

Nee vasathiya padu va he said

She placed her head on his outstretched legs and lay on one side a book in hand and promptly went on snooze mode 5 minutes later

Kathir sat patting her head gently and listening to songs on his phone

She woke up in about 45 mts and they sat chatting and laughing..

In a while he encouraged her to eat a sandwich

Gathering up their stuff they packed it back in the picnic basket and strolled around the park enjoying the greenery and colourful flowers..

Holding hands..fingers laced with a sense of serenity they explored the park

After about 30 mts they left back to where they were staying..A usual 30 mt drive took close to 50 mts thanks to Kathir constantly telling the driver to go slow ..

Back at the homestay they had a hearty lunch and spent a while playing indoor games

Mullai again saw a very naughty side to Kathir

He would grab coins off the board to ensure his win and argue to death that he did nothing foul..and have a very goofy grin on his face as if to challenge her with a Catch me if you can...

The only game Kathir was not good at was card games and having found that Mullai kept asking him to play rummy all the time much to his amusement

But what she didn't realise was Kathir was a fast learner..and very soon he had become adept at the game

And Mullai Kathir realised was a sore loser

Him starting to win the card games too was the last straw for her

On one occasion they were playing a game of rummy and Kathir's constant joyous exclamations got on her nerve and she flung her hand down and for extra effect shuffled the remaining deck on the floor with her hands and flounced off to the bedroom..

Kathir was greatly amused by her childish behaviour

He sat arranging the cards back in order..a fond smile playing on his lips

He remembered this Mullai from before marriage..his cousin then..constantly at loggerheads with him..they were in fact like this when they were younger..they would play running and catching or catch a pillar..