Seetha Kalyanam Vaibohame

I love you

Seetha was fixing Arun's cufflinks. This had become a daily morning ritual. Both of them seemed to enjoy those little moments of intimacy. Arun waited patiently, each morning, for Seetha to bring his tiffin and coffee and place it on the dressing table. She would then fix the cufflink on the right sleeve first and gesture him to start eating, then she would fix the other sleeve. He would, purposely, not fix his color so that she would tiptoe to reach it. This would give him an opportunity to wrap his arms around her waist and watch the goosebumps in her arm. She would then say her usual, "Achacho vidungo naan poi chandanam eduthundu varen" (Let go of me. Let me go get the sandal paste) and would run to the Swamy room and return with a dot of chandanam and draw it on his forehead. Just when he was about to leave, he would point to his cheek, which she would promptly peck.

On one particular day, while fixing his cufflink, Seetha said, "Appa oda letter paduchu Neenga onnume sollaliye?" (You haven't said anything after reading Dad's letter) He looked at her saying, "Naan enna maa sollanum?" (what should I say) Arun sat down and had his breakfast while Seetha fixed his color, she, hesitantly said, "Rendu naal la Ava vandhu enna oru maasathukku oorukku kooteendu poren nu ezhudheerkaale?" (They will come in two days to take me back with them) Arun sighed. His hands automatically wrapped around her waist pulling her closer. Her arms went over his shoulder. He looked into her eyes and asked, "Unakku enna thonarrdho pannu maa. Unakku oorukku poganum nu aasaiya irukka?" (Do what you feel like. Are you missing your home?) Seetha touched his cheek and said, "Enakku oru pakkam ooruku poi ellaru koodayum irukkanum nu irukku aana ungala inge thaniya vittuttu pogavum manasu varamaatengardhu. Aadi maasathula namma serndhu irukka pdaadham. Adhu edukku sollara nu kooda therila enakku." (I do want to go and see everyone but I don't want to leave you either. Apparently we should not be together during Aadi month. I don't know why)

Arun sighed and mumbled, "Enakku Aadi, Aavani ellam onnu thaan. Inge thaan innum kannathula thaane mutham e kedakkardhu?" (aadi avani is all the same to me. Nothing physical has happened between us anyway) Seetha couldn't quite hear him so she asked again, "Ennadhu? Enna sonnel?" (what did you say) Arun said, "Adhu onnum illai maa. Eppidiyum unga Appa Amma Unna kooteendu thaan poga pora. Enna pathi nee kavala padadhe. Sanikezhamai naathikezhamai naan samachuppen. Matha naalikki office pakkathula irukara komala vilas lerndhu carrier vaangikkaren. Nee sandoshama poitu vaa." (Your parents will take you back home. Don't worry about me. I will manage by eating outside on weekdays and will cook on weekends. You be happy) Seetha instantly smiled and quickly pecked his cheek before he could ask for it. He smiled and stood up. Before starting the scooter, he said, "Inniki sayangaalam Unna oru edathukku kooteendu poren. Unakku romba pidikkum." (I will take you to a place that you will really like, today evening) Seetha clapped in glee, "Haii nejamava? Adhu enna idam?" (really? Where?) Arun started his scooter and looked at her. With a quick wink, he said, "Surprise. Inniki 5 manikku ellam vandhuduven. Ready ya iru." (I will be home by 5 so be ready) Seetha nodded and waved at him until he turned the corner and disappeared.

Seetha could not wait until 5. She tried to focus on getting all the house hold work done but she could not get her mind out of the surprise plan that her husband had mentioned. She kept looking at the clock. Time seemed to be moving way too slowly today. She thought that the "ungal viruppam" will take her mind away from it but, even with her favourite songs playing, she still could not focus on it. Saroja yelled out to Seetha, inviting her to go to the temple but Seetha gave her an excuse as she did not want any company at that time. She could barely swallow her food during lunch thinking, "Ennava irukkum? Enge kooteendu poga poraar?" (where will he take me)

Finally, it was 4:45. She quickly went in to freshen up and change to her saree. She neatly plaited her hair. She then applied powder to her face and neck and applied Kajal in her beautiful doe eyes. She then placed the perfectly round kungumam dot. She smiled as soon as she heard the familiar sound of the scooter. She ran out to see Arun park the scooter. He was sweating and looked tired. She quickly went to the kitchen to get him a sombu of water from the earthen pot. She took the water to him as he was sitting down to take off his shoes. He smiled and took the sombu from her. He drank the water in one gulp. He handed the empty bowl to her saying, "Thanks maa. Enna veyil enna veyil. Naakellam varandu pochu." (It is so hot that my mouth became dry) He looked at her and smiled, "Parava illiye naan sonna maadiri ready ayittiye." (so you are ready to go) Seetha pouted, "Inniki naan muzhukka enakku mandaiye veduchuduthu theriyuma? Ippo aavudhu sollungo. Enge porom?" ( all day today I was thinking about this and could not focus on anything else)

Arun chuckled, "Iru maa. Naan indha kanathulerndhu jillunnu thanni ya konjam odambula vittundu, sattaiya maatheendu varen." (Let me pour some cold water from the wall on my body, change and come) Seetha sighed but she quickly went to make him some coffee and brought out some snacks. Arun quickly got ready. He was glad to see the glass of coffee waiting which he quickly drank. He grabbed his wallet and put it in his pocket. He then gestured to her saying, "Polaam vaa." (let's go) Seetha quickly went to the Swamy room and lit the lamp before heading out. He tilted the scooter for her to sit. He gently rode for a few minutes until they reached a place that looked like a local railway station. He stopped the scooter and seetha got off. Arun said, "Idhu thaan Mambalam railway station. Vaa." (This is Mambalam railway station. Come) He went to the counter and got two tickets. They then went to the platform. In less than 5 mins, a train arrived. Arun held Seetha's hand and got into the train which was quite crowded.

People started to get off at stops with the crowd gradually reducing. Finally, their station was approaching. Lighthouse Station. Arun held Seetha's hand and they got off. He continued to hold her hand as they started to walk. It was suddenly a little breezy. It took them about 3-4 minutes when she noticed a statue of Kannagi. There were lots of people walking that way. Soon she noticed the Ferris wheel, ballon vendors. Seetha's eyes lit up in excitement. Arun chuckled looking at her face, "Idhu thaan maa Marina Beach." (this is Marina Beach) The moment they stepped on the sand, Seetha quickly took off her slippers to feel it. As her feet was going into the sand, she held on to Arun's arm tightly. They dragged through the sand until they could hear the squeals of children who were playing chase with the waves. Seetha got excited. She dragged Arun saying, "Seekirama vaango. Thanni la poi vilayadalaam. Haiyoooo andha alaiya paarungolen." (hurry up let's play in the water. Look at those waves)

Arun let his petite wife drag him to the water. As soon as she felt the first touch of the wave and the sensation of her feet sinking in the wet mud, she chuckled loudly, "Enna pudichukongo naan vizhaporen." (hold me I am about to fall) Arun held her arms saying, "Vizhamaate maa." (You won't fall) Just then a big wave came splashing water to her face. She hugged her husband tightly only for him to wrap both his arms around her. After playing in the water for a little bit and getting completely wet, the decided to sit on the sand. There was sand all over them but the smile on her face was all worth it. Just then a little boy with a tin box walked up to them yelling, "Pattani sundal, thenga maanga pattani sundal. Anne anniku sundal vaangu anne." (A special beach snack) Seetha's mouth was watering even though she had no idea what it was. So Arun got a potlam for her and she loved it.

Before they could get back home Seetha, like a little kid, had wanted uppu, kaaram pota pallu maanga, kuchi ice, panju mittai, and even verkadalai. The train back from Lighthouse to Mambalam was pretty empty so they got a seat to sit down. The breeze from the window and the days excitement wore Seetha off.  Soon she dozed off resting her head on his shoulder. He tapped and woke her up just before their station, "Maa aathukku poitu thoongu maa." (let's go home and sleep) She was quiet on their scooter ride back home. Although they were both dead tired, they had to have a bath before heading to bed.

Seetha wrapped her arms around Arun. He tapped her hand as always. Seetha pulled him close to her saying, "ippidi Thirumbi enna paarungolen." (turn around and look at me) He turned around to hug her. He kissed her forehead while she smiled, "Inniki naan romba sandhoshama irukken. Enakku ungala romba pidichirukku theriyuma?" (I am very happy today. I really like you, you know) Arun smiled, "Appidiya? Naan beach ku kooteendu ponene adhunaaliya?" (is it because I took you to the beach) She smiled and said, "Adhuvum thaan aana ellame pidichirukku. Neengal enna romba sandoshama paathukarel. Oorukku pona apparam naan ungalaye nenachundu iruppen theriyuma?" (That too but I like everything about you. You make me happy. I will be thinking about you all the time when I go back to my village) Arun gently touched her head, "Appidiya? Nee illama enakkum ennavo madiri irukkum. Aathukku varave pidikkadhu. Naan office lerndhu 9 manikku mela thaan kelambaporen." (I will miss you too. I will not even feel like coming back home until late at night) Seetha said, "Achacho appidi ellam pannadhengo. Udamba paathukongo. Apparam enakku unga kitta English la onnu sollanum. Sollattuma?" ( please take care of your health. There is something I want to tell you in English) Arun smiled saying, "Oho ippo ennoda Seethu English la pesa poraala? Sollu sollu." (oh so now my Seethu is going to speak to me in English? Go ahead say it) Seetha giggled, "Aana Neenga kanna moodikongo. Enakku vekkama irukku." ( you close your eyes. I am shy) Arun obediently closed his eyes saying, "Seri moodiyachu. Ippo sollu." ( ok now go ahead) Seetha whispered, "I love you" and dug her face in his chest only for him to wrap his arms around her pulling her closer.

Brinda Subramanian