The Tea Trail

En purushan thaan

It was like a thunderstorm just got over

Everyone sat sipping their tea..feeling quite spent and emotionally drained

Moorthy — felt sorry for Dhanam..but he didn't have a choice..he had been giving her advise..on quite a few occasions in the past as
well..but he had realised that a major adjustment was required from her end..for the men they spent the major part of their day at the shop..at the home the only adjustment was as husbands..but if that was to go seamlessly it was upto the women at home to find a common ground where all of them could be happy and gel..they came from 3 different families..different upbringings..different lifestyles...Dhanam had come into this family many years ago and found her rhythm..but Moorthy had realised lately that she might be forcing the other 2 girls unintentionally to accept the same rhythm..but in reality he knew it would not be possible..Mullai and Meena were at least 10 years younger..which in today's fast changing world meant an altogether different generation..even when Meena had issues he had thought maybe the difference in economic status was the reason..but Mullai having the same issue was an eye opener..he had tried telling her this time also..but she was not willing to listen..so he had opted a different approach..he had let them hash it out..Dhanam had stood alone with all his brothers, their wives and his mom had questioned her approach..he hoped and prayed that Dhanam understood
coz the next time no one would be patient..he sighed resignedly

Jeeva - felt light..it was nice to be honest finally...he had been 14 years when Moorthy Dhanam wedding happened..A couple years down the lane he was 16 and was at an age where he could see what all accommodations his anni was doing for the larger famaily's happiness and prosperity..his deep respect for his anni stemmed from there..so in a sense it was deeprooted..but now he was a grown man too..he had a wife he was responsible for..she was not easy maintenance either..but the main issue was his anni and his wife were diametrically opposite in nature..Meena wanted all the things that Dhanam had been willing to let go...but ironically to this day it was actually Meena who had had to let go when it came to things she wanted from Jeeva..initially even he had felt that she was too demanding..needed to learn the joint family way of things..but off late he had suspected that it was not one way..it is a way each family creates to suit their needs..everyone's needs..there was no handbook really..and definitely could not be authored by one..he knew Meena had issues with the way money matters were handled..but the 100/- had been the last straw even for him

Kathir - sat drinking the delicious tea..proud of his wife..the conversation had gone long enough..his wife had nicely broken the flow by serving tea..giving each person the much needed mulling time..he was happy that what he wanted to achieve this coming sunday was already done..he wished his anni had not ridiculed Mullai's efforts for his birthday..there were so many emotions behind it..he had seen her anger when the choice of gift was ridiculed..he had intervened and corrected his anni..but in a non confrontational manner..hoped it had appeased her..his hand involuntarily played with the metal band..their ring of life..this meant so much to him..

Kanna - well he drinks milk rt..

Kanna MV : shabba enna sirupullaithanam..aalaalukku kai selavukku kaasu kudukka embuttu yosanai..he looked at his milk...oru velai vellai velernu paal kudikkarthunaala thaan naama theliva irukkomo..kuzhambi colourla irukkara tea ah kudichuttu ivanga ellam kuzhambi thaan poi irukkaanga..cha cha vayasaanaalum ithe thelivoda irukkanum..paalaye kudichittu irunthudanum da saami..

Thinking all this the men realised that it was late to the shop and left..

Kanna left to college as well

The ladies spent the day in awkward silence

Went about doing their work but the usual chatter and laughter was missing