MILKYWAY

- Nee muthal'la kuli'maa. Naan shave pannittu vanthiduraen.

- Enna aachchu? Sanyaasam mudinchu poachchaa?

- Nee koduththa inbaththula mudikkaama irukka mudiyumaa?

- Appadip poadu, en aanaip poolaa! Ammaavukku ithaividap periya paaraattu vaerae enna irukka mudiyum?

Avan bathroomai vittu veliyae vanthappavum appaa kurattai vittukkonduthaan kidanthaar. Ammaavai ninaiththuk kondaan. Appadi oru sorggaththai..., paavam appaa!

Mazhu mazhu entru avan shave seythu kondu thirumbi vantha poathu, ammaa kuliththu mudiththu, maaralavukku aeththik kattiya pavaadaiyumaai, kannaadi mun nintru, thalai vaarik kondirunthaal. Avanaik kandathum izhuththu, avan mazhu mazhu kannangalil muththamittaal. Appadiyae thuniyoadu kootti avan poolaip pidiththu aasaiyaay amukkivittaal. Avan bhayanthu pinvaangi, appaavaip paarththaan. Avar marupakkamaaga mukam thiruppik kidanthu, kurattaiviyyuk kondirunthaar. Dhairiyam vanthu, mun thallik kondu nintra aval mulaigalaik kaipoattu 'horn' adiththaan. Aval, vaanjchaiyoadu, avanaith thalaiyil thatti, kuliyal araikkul thallivittaal. Appadi, oru iravup puthu uravil, ammaavum makanum oruvarai oruvar cheendik kalikkira kadhalargal aagippoanaargal.

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Avargal kalyaana mandapaththukku vanthu saerntha poathu koottam koodivittathu. Appaa avarudaiya seettuk kachchaeri nanbargaloadu poay saernthukondaar. Shave seythu, teekaaga dress pannikkondu vanthiruntha than makanai, ilam penngalin kazuguk kanngal koththi vizhunguvathai, aval kavanikkath thavaravillai. Avalukkul perumaiyum thalai thookkiyathu; poraamaiyum kozhunthu vittathu. Avanaith thaniyaaga vittuvidak koodaathu enpathupoal avan kaiyaip pidiththuk kondaal. Appoathu manappennin thaayaar avasaramaaga vanthu avalai, aval makanaip piriththu, engaeyo ittukkondu poanaal.

Anthak kalyaana mandapaththil, maadiyil, sila araigal irunthana. Manappenn thaayaar antha araigalin saavik koththai, paathukaappuk karuthi, Santhaavidam oppadaiththu, thaalikattu mudikira varai vaiththuk kolla sonnaal.

Saaviyai vangkik kondu thirumbukira vazhiyil, Balaavin appaa avalaik kooppittu, oru azhagaana siru pennaik kaanpiththaar.

- Thoa, anthap ponnukku namma Balaavaik kaetkuraanga, enna sollalaam.

- Onnum solla vaenaam.

- Aen, Santha?

- Aannpillaip paiyan thaanae, ippo enna avasaram? Ponnaiyum kattik koduththaachchu. Neengalum kaasi ramaeswaram'nu poayiduveenga. Ennaala thaniyaa irukka mudiyaathu.

Aangaaraththoadu thirumbi, than makanaith thaedi vanthavalukku angae kanda kaatchi maelum erichchal moottiyathu. Makanaich chuttri oru kumarigal pattaalamae irunthathu. Santhaavukku avalgalai ellaam kolai panna vaendumpoal veri vanthathu. Aval avanai, avalgalidam irunthu piriththu, izhuththuk kondu poanaal. Aval avanoadu, padi aeri, maadiyil iruntha araigalil ontraith thiranthu, nuzhainthu, ullthaazhpaal poattuk kondaal.

Antha araikkul oru periya kattil, meththaiyittuk kidanthathu. Pakkaththil, sila koodaigalil uthirip pookkal, pookkannigal irunthana.

- Ithu enna room'maa?

- Ithuthaandaa puthu maapillaiyum ponnum first night kondaadap poara room.

- Ingae naama ennammaa pannap poaroam?

- Avangalukku munthi naama kondaadap poaroam.

- Yaarum vanthuda maattaangalaa, ammaa?

- Thaalikattu mudiyira varai yaarum maela vara maattaanga.

Santhaa than pattup pudavai, blouse-ai madippuk kuzhaiyaamal avizhththu, madiththu vaiththaal. Avanudaiya pant shirt-aiyum kazhattri appadiyae madiththu vaththaal. Avan jattiyilum, aval bra petticoat-ilum, oruvar oruvaraip paarkka nintraargal. Vazhakkam poal, than ammaavin mulaik kavarchchiyaal munnizhukkappattu, avan aval mulaigalaip pidiththaan. Aval thaanae than bra neekki, avan kaigalil, mulaigalaik koduththaal. Avan avattrai amukkip pidiththu, chappi chavaiththu mulaikudiththaan. Appadiyae avanai nadaththik kondupoay, kattil vilimbil than kundi azhuntha, aval amarththaal. Aval avanaith than kaalgalukku naduvil izhuththu niruththi, avan jattiyaik keezhurinthaal. Avan sunni thimiri vidupattu aval moonchiyil muttiyathu. Aval athai chellamaagap pidiththu, puzhuththi, kasinthu kondiruntha ottraikkann sivaraasanai naakku neetti nakkinaal. Inba unarchchiyaal, avanil, karakarappaana oru munagal velippattathu.

Piragu aval avan sunniyai than paruththa mulaigalukku idaiyil kidaththi, pakkavaattil kaivaiththu neriththu, than mulaigalaal avan sunniyai nerukki, oakkach chonnaal. Mulai oalukku avasiyam, kozhuththa mulaigal. Athu avalukku irunthathu. Athoadu, avan poolai, than udambin ovvoru angulattilum urasip paarkka vaendum enkira aasaium avalukku irunthathu. Avanukkoa, athu puthu anubhavam. Avalukkum, than mulaigalai oakkak koduppathu, athuthaan muthal murai. Avan aval mulai idukkil sunniyai uruvich chorugi aanadhamaaga oaththaan. Appadi oakum poathu avan neelamaana poolu aval naadiyil poayp poay idiththathu. Appadi vantha avan poolai aval than vaay thiranthu vaangik kondaal. Avan sunni vazhiyaaga aval echchal vazhinthu, mulai idukkil masagu poattuk koduththathu. Oalukku oal; oombalukku oombal, avanukku athu thrilling-aaga irunthathu. Avan kottaigalil vinthu kothiththu veliyaerath thudiththathu.

- Ammaa, thanni vanthidum poala irukku, enakkuth thaangalai.

Aval kannsoruvik kaatti, 'vaayikkulla irakku' entru anumathi koduththaal. Avanathu thondaiyin muthal karakarappil, aval than mulagalai vittuvittu, avan kundiyai iru kaiyaalum pidiththukkondu, avan poolai oombi urinjchinaal. Anthamattil avan vinthu veliyaerich cheeri, aval thondaikkul adiththathu. Veliyaeri vara vara, athai madak madak entru kudiththu vizhunginaal. Appadiyum oru thaarai aval vaay vilimbil vazhinthuvittathu. Athai aval, avanai oombi mudiththa pin, oru viralaal vazhiththu, moanthu paarththu, vaaykkul vittuch chappikkondaal.

- Nalla manamaa irukku'daa.

- Oru thuli kooda vidaama vizhungittiyae, ammaa?

- Aen, Subha'naa thuppiduvaalaa?

- Ammaa!?

- Enakku ellam theriyumdaa, thiruttup payalae.

- Eppadi'mmaa?

- Kannaale paarththaen'nu vachchukkoyaen.

Avan amaithiyaanaan. Aval kannuyarththi avanaiyae paarththuk kondirunthaal.

- Appuram, aen'maa engalaith thadukklai?

- Gangaiyaith thadukkalaam, paapamillai; kaama vellaththai thadukkirathu paapam.

- Appo, unakku varuththam illaiyaa'maa?

- Irunthuchchu, avalaith thallittu, antha idaththula naan paduththu oalvaanga mudiyalaiyae'nu.

- Ayyo, en chella ammaa!

- Neethaandaa en chellam. Sollu, ammaavoada mulai-oalu eppadi?

- Aahaa, supero super'maa!

- Ammaa mulai'naa makanukku aasaiyaaththaanae irukkum? Athanaalathaan angae un poolavittu aattach chonnaen.

- Appadiyae vaayaalayum kavvi oombunayae, aahaa, enna karpanai'maa!

- Appadi eththanaiyoa karpanaigal irukku. Appaa anubhavikkaatha soththu pillaikkuththaanae saeranum. Onnonnaa anubhavi.

- Sollik kodu'maa, dhool kilappiduraen.

Aval thongikkidantha avan poolukku oru muththam koduththuvittu, appadiyae antha meththaiyil mallaanthaal. Anthak kidappil, aval than paavaadaiyai avizhkkumpadi avanukkuk kattalai ittaal. Avan aval kaalgalukku idaiyil mandiyittu, aval naadaavai uruvith thalarththi, paavaadaiyaik keezhae thallinaan. WOW! Akalamaana aval pundaiyin uppalaana am maedu, oru izhai mayiru kooda illaamal mazhu mazhu entru mazhikkappattu irunthathu. Athaip paarkkap paarkka avan vaayil echchil ooriyathu. Avan poolu viraththukkondu ekiriyathu. Naarpathu vayasilum aval koodhi uthdugalil kozhuppu vattrividavillai. Avan paarththuk kondirukka, aval than viralgalaith than koodhimaettil oadaviitu avanukku veri aettrinaal. Avan echchilaik kootti vizhunginaan. Aval than kaip peru viralgalai koodhiyin iru uthadugalilum vaiththu, iliththuk kaanbiththaal. Avanaal atharkku maelum thaanga mudiyavillai. Vaay kuppura vizhunthu, aval pilavil naakkai nuzhaiththaan.

Aval avan appadich cheyvaan entru ethirpaarkkavillai. Avanukku unarchchi ootti, avan poolai meendum kilappi oalvaanga vaendum enpathae aval thittam. Atharkkaagavae aval than mazhiththa pundaiyaith thadavith thiranthu aasai kaattinaal. Aanaal avanoa athil mukam puthaiththuk kidakkiraan; avan naakku aval koodhik kuzhith thasai madippukkul thuduppup poadukirathu. Avanoada appaa avalai nakkiyathae illai. Aanaal, aval avarai oombiyaaga vaendum. Orumurai aval avar thalaiyaip pidiththu than thodaigalukku naduvil amukkip paarththaal; avar asingaththaik kandavar poal, thalaiyaith thiruppikkondu ezhunthuvittar. Aanaal intru than arumai makanae than koodhiyil naaakkuppoattu...Aval than mulangkaigalai oontrith thalaithookki, than koodhip pallaththaakkil munghi ezhukira than makanaip paarththaal.

- Enna kaariyam pannurae, Bala, vaendaam.

- Aen'maa, unakkup pidikkaathaa?

- Naan ennaththek kandaen? Aanaa, athula poayi un naakku...

- Nakkunaathaan'maa athu naakku. Athulayum, ennaip peththeduththa inthak koodhiyai nakkurathaivida en naakkukku enna punniyam kidaikka mudiyum? Ithu unakku naan pannura archchanai; enakku naan thaedik kolkira aathma thrupthi.

- Ammaa pundai'naa unakku avvalavu mariyaathaiyaa?

- Pinnae irukkaathaa?

- Appo aen athula un poolai vittu oaththae?

- Athuthaan naan athukku seyyura mahaa mariyaadhai. Paettaith thullal kaavadi aattam aadi, bhakthargal kovilukkup poavathupoal, naan en thaayaar sannathiyil, kuththaattam aadi, aval gharpagruhaththil paalabhishaekam nadaththinaen.

- Poadaa poakkiri. Paesura paechchap paaru. Overaa neelura un naakke...

Oru kai neetti, avalae avan thalaiyaip pidiththu than pundaip pilavil amukkinaal. Avan nakka nakka, aval viralgalaal avan thalai mudiyaik koadhivttaal. Avan aval pundaiyin ull uthadugalaiyum oattaiyaiyum aasai aasaiyaaga nakkinaan. Aval paruppaik kavvi, oombuvathu poal oombi, chappich chuvaiththu nimindinaan. Kuzhanthaiyaay avan paal kudiththa kaalaththil, avanaith than mulaiyoadu anaiththu avan mudiyai eppadik kodhik koduththaaloa, appdiyae ippoathu, avanaith than koodhiyoadu anaiththu, avan mudiyaik kodhik kondirunthaal. Mulai koduththup paaloottuvathum koodhi viriththu nakkath tharuvathum ontruthaanaa? Pirarukku vaeru vaeru aagalaam; aanaal pettreduththa pillaikku? Munbu, aval naalangalil raththam paalaaga maari mulai mukappukku irangkiyathu poal, ippoathu raththam rathineeraaga maari koodhi mukappukku irangik kondirunthathu. Thaayaana aval than makanoadu anubhavikkira athu, antha naeraththu inbam entrillaamal, aval ilamaik kaalam thottu, avan kuzhanthaip paruvam thottu, ninaivugal koodi nikazhthtukira adheetha aanandhamaaga amainthu neendathu!

Aval kundi uyarththi, avan mukham than koodhiyil azhunthath thaeyththu, avanukku thaan adaikira aanandhaththai appattamaaga unarththinaal. Avan urchchaagam adainthu, aval thondikkul irandu viral kootti nuzhaiththu, avalai viral-oal oaththukkondae, aval paruppil palpadaamal oombi naakku nuniyaal nunu nunuththaan. Athu paiththiyam pattriyathupoal avalaip pidiththu aattiyathu. Irandu kaigalaalum avan mudiyaip pattrip pidiththu, than koodhiyai avan vaayoadu vaiththuth thaeyththu, adivayiru alai alaiyaaga nadunga aval uchchaththil mithanthu thalarnthaal. Avaludaiya rathineer perugi, avan thaadaiyil vazhinthathu.

Antha kshanamae, avan sattentru ezhunthu, aerkkenavae viraiththuvitta than urukkuth thadiyaal aval koodhiyaip pilanthu, avalukkul irangkinaan. Athuvarai arinthiraatha anandhak kilarchchiyaal aval azhuthu arattrik kondirunthaal. Arattrikkondae makanaith than maar meethu izhuththup poattu, anaiththu, avan muthugil piraandip pinaaththinaal.

- Oaludaa, Balaa, oanghi oanghi oalu. Raththam varuraa maathiri oaththu ammaa pundaiye naaru naaraak kizhidaa. Mavanae, kizhikkalai'naa, appaa oru puthuppundai paarththu vachchirukkaaru, athukkuthaan nee layakku.

- Inthap pazham pundaiye enakkup pattaa poattuk koduththuttu, anthap puthuppundaiye avarae oakkattum. Kani irukka, kaay ethukku'maa?

- Aahaa! Ammaa pundaiye unakku avvalavu pidichchirukka?

- Pidichchup poachchu; ini vidavae maattan.

- Appo, vidaathae, idi idi'nu idichchuk kizhi kizhi'nu kizhichchup poadu.

Aval koodhi thookkik koduththu, avanai 'kuththudaa kuththu' entraal. Ammaavin kaama veri kandu avan kushiyaagi, aval mulaigalaip pidiththu amukki, aval vaayaith than vayaal nasukki, aval koodhiyaith than ilamaikkae uriya veriyoadum vaeghaththoadum idi idi entru idiththuth thakarhthaan. Avalukku kannkattikkondu vanthathu. Appadi oru oalai aval kanavilum karpanai seythathillai. Inba alaigal avalai adiththup puratti aazhaththukkul izhuththuk kondirunthana.

Adi mael adi, aazhamaaga aakroshamaaga adiththu, avanum ammaa aasaip pattathu poal aval koodhiyai naaru naaraagak kizhiththuvidkira verikondu oaththaan. Vinthu velippattuch cheerip paayntha poathu, avan than kottaigal aval kundiyil nasunga, moththap poolaiyum aval koodhikkul mukki, ettaatha aazhaththil, avalukkul, inba neer peechchinaan. Appadiyae aval meethu vizhunthu vaerththaan.

Avan aval pundaikkul irunthu, poolai uruvi izhuththukkondu ezhuntha poathuthaan kavaniththaan: avan ammaa moorchchaiyaagik kidanthaal. Avan mirandu, kaikaal uthara, bathroomukkul oadi, oru mug thanneer kondu vanthu aval mukaththil adiththaan. Aval athirnthu kannthiranthu, malanga malanga vizhiththu, piragu thanninaivu thirumbiyavalaayp punnagaiththaal; avanaith than mael izhuththu, avan mukham kazhuththellam muththa mazhai pozhinthaal.

- Ennammaa aachchu?

- Onnum aagalaidaa, thaanga mudiyaatha alavukku inbamaa irunthuchchaa, athula...

- Bhayanthu poyittaen'maa.

Aval kangalil neer katti vazhinthathu. Appadiyae avanaik kattikkondu visumbinaal. Avan avalaith than tholil kidaththi, aval muthugaith thadavith thattik koduththaan. Aval aanandhak kanneer perukkik kondae, than thangath thaaliyai eduththu avan ullangkaikkul vaiththu madakkip pidiththaal.

- Bala!

- Enamma?

- Enakku oru sathyam pannik koduppiyaa?

- Enna'nu?

- Evalaiyaavathu nee kalyaanam pannunaak kooda, 'ammaavaiyum innoru pondaattiyaa vachchu, ithupoala inbam kodupaen'nu...'

- Neeyae poathum'maa; innoruththi enakku ethukku?

- Appadi oru vaelai...?

- Appadiyellaam aagaathu'maa. Appadiyae aagi, eththanai pondaatti vanthaalum neethaan'ma en pattaththu raani, Ithu sathyam'maa. Ithu sathyam.

Appoathu athai aamoathippathu poal kettimaelam kottiyathu. Ammavukkum makanukkum aachcharyam thaalavillai. Keezhae nadakkira kalyaanaththil thalikattiya poathu oliththa kettimaelam thaan athu. Aanaal, ammaa thaali thottu makan seytha sathyaththirkum athu porunthi vanthathu. Appadi, Santha antru than makanukku, muraippadi, manaiviyaagip poanaal. Santhaavukku athu mana niraivaik koduththathu. Aval Balaavaip paarththup puruvam uyarththik kaattinaal. Avanum purinthu kondu thalai aattinaan. Aval avan kaiyoadu saerththu, than thaaliyai, vaayvarai uyarththi muththamittaal; kanngalil ottrikkondaal.

Kasangividaamal madiththu vaiththiruntha aadaigalai eduththu aninthukondu, thaayum makanum, ontrumae nadakkaatha bhaavanaiyil, padiyirangi vanthu, kalyaanak koottahthoadu kalanthu kondaargal.

Muthal naal, nischchayaththukku vanthiruntha avan thangai Subha, antru, kalyaanaththukku varavillai. Aanaal aval kanavar vanthirunthaar. Avar, Subhaavukkuth thalaivali; athanaal varavillai, entru sonnaar. Santha kalyaanam mudinthu than makal veettukkup poakath thittamittaal. Aanaal Bala angku vara maruththaan. Santhaa than makanai izhuththuk kondu veliyae vanthaal. Angae road-il oru bus stop, appoathaikku, aal illaamal verichchoadik kidanthathu. Aval avanai angae ittukkondu poay bus-ukku kaaththirukkira bhavanaiyil avanoadu paechchuk koduththaal.

- Aendaa nee Subha veettukku vara maattaen'kira?

- Athu vanthu...vaendaam, vidu'maa.

- Avalukkaaga illai'naalum ava vayiththula valarura un kuzhanthaikkaagavaavathu varalaam'la?

- Ennamma sollurae?

- Aamaandaa, ava vayiththula valarrathu un kuzhanthai thaandaa. Athai azhikka vaendaam'nu thaan avalukku avasarak kalyaanam panni vachchaen.

- Nijamaavaa?

- Avaloade nee paduththathu nijam'naa ithuvum nijam.

- Ammaa, vaa'maa, udanae avalaip paarkkanum'maa.

- Nallathu, aanaa, namma kaadhal avalukku therinjchidak koodaathu, enna?

- Athukkup pangam varaama naan paarththukiraen. Enna irunthaalum ava innoruththan pondaatti. Nee en pondaatti.

Vetkaththil aval mukam sivanthuvittathu. Public road-aagap poayvittathu, illaiyentraal antha idaththilaeyae avanukku award koduththiruppaal.

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Appaa oorukkup poakiraen entru kilambivittaar. Subhaavin kanavar angkirunthu naerae office-ukkup poayvittar. Santhaavum Balaavum subhaavin veettukkup poanaargal. Angae subhaavum avaloada vayathaana maamiyaarum irunthaargal. Ammaavaiyum annanaiyum paarthtuvittu Subhaavukku santhoasam thaangavillai.

- Sambanthiamma, nadai saththurathukkulla kovil varai, oru ettu, poyittu vanthudalaama?

- O poakalaamae. Thambi kooda ippoththaanae muthal muraiyaa vanthirukkaaru.

- Avan nikkattum; Subhaavukkuth thunaikku aal vaenum'la? Naama poayittu vanthuduvoam.

Ammaavum maamiyaarum veetaivittu nakarnthathum, Subha avan maarbil vizhunthu kanneer vadiththaal.

- I'm sorry Subha, naeththu naan paaraa mukamaa nadanthukkittathukku.

- Nee vanthappuram kalyaanam vachchukkalaam'nu thaan sonnaen, aanaa en vayiththula nee koduththa inthap pillaiyaala...

- Sorry'daa, kannu; un purushan unnai nallaa vachchukkiraaraa?

- Avaru thangamaana manushan, Bala.

- Annanai vida super'nu sollu.

- Purnjchukkoa, Bala, un pillaiye avaru pillai'nu namba vakkirathukkaaga naan avaroadu paduththuththaan aaganum. Avaroadu paduththappothaan un 'ithu' evvalo perusu, nee koduththa inbam evvalo superb'nu purinjchichchu. Nee vaenumnaap paaraen, en aduththa kuzhanthaikkum neethaan appaa.

Avanukku aval paesiyathu santhoasamaaga irunthathu. Avan kuninthu aval vayitril muththamittaan. Aval thaan poattiruntha aadaigalaik kalainthu, avanukku vayitraik kaanbiththaal. Paruththu mun thalliya vayitrin adiyil, aval chinnap pundai, innum chinnathaagath therinthathu. Avan mandiyittu, aval pundaiyin china uthadugalilum muththmittaan. Aval kangalai moodi athai rasiththaal. Athil, avalukku, avanai oakkavittu anubhavikka aasai vanthuvittathu. Aval thaapaththoadu avanaip paarththaal.

- Aezhu maasam varaikkum udal uravu vachchukkalaamaam, doctoramma sonnaanga. Sukhap pirasavaththukku athu nallathaam.

- Appadiyaa?

- Aanaa romba aazhamaap pannak koodaathaam. Un 'ithu' romba neelam.

- Athuthaan un purushan irukkaar'la?

- Aanaa, avarukku un alavukku thickness illaiyae!

- Ippo, enna solla varrae?

- Thickaanathuthaan oattaiye nallaa virichchu vidum.

- Sari, athukku?

- Athukku un 'ithu' ulle poakanum. Aasaiyaa irukku Bala, aanaa paarththup pannu. Enna irunthaalum ithu un pillai.

Aval sofavaip pidiththukkondu kuninthum kuniyaamalum nintru koduththaal. Athu nalla munyoasanaiyaagath therinthathu. Avan pant-aik kazhatraamal zip mattum thiranthu than poolai veliyae izhuththu, Aval kundiyoadu otti nintraan. Poolai valaiththuch chorukiya poathu paathithaan poanathu. Appadiyae aval thoalil naadi poruththi, avan avalaik konjchik kondae, mantha gathiyil oaththaan. Vaasthavaththil, athu avalai oappathu poal illai; oru isak karuviyai nenjchodu anaiththu vaasippathupoal irunthathu. Neer varuvatharkku nedunaeram eduththathil avalukku inbam karaipurandathu. Oruvarukoruvar anbai mattumae parimaarik kondavargalaay, annanum thagaiyum oaththu mudiththaargal. Avan vinthu vitta paothu, sunniyai uruvi, aval kundik koalangalin poruththil niruththik kazhattrinaan. Athu, aval thodai vazhiyaaga kurukuruththu vazhinthu irangkiyathu.

Avanukku aval tea poattuk koduththu, avan kudiththuk kondiruntha poathu ammaavum maamiyaarum thirumbi vanthaargal. Avargalukkum tea koduththaal. Subhaavidam vidai petruk kondu ammaavum annanum purappatta poathu, aval thrupthiyaaga anuppi vaiththaal.

*

Antru avargal oor thirumbi veedu vanthu saerntha poathu, iruttivittathu. Iravu unavu sappittuvittu, avan maadi araikkup poayvittaan. Padukkaiyil vizhuntha maru nimishamae thoonghiyum vittaan. Paathi raathriyil, Santha, kaiyil paal tumbler-oadu maadi aerip poay, avanaith thatti ezhuppinaal.

- Ennamma?

- Paalu kudichchuttu paduththukkoa'daa.

- Adap poamaa, thookamaa varuthu.

- Thoongalaamdaa, ithek kudi, muthal'la!

Aval avanai valukkattaayamaaga ezhuppi paal koduththuk kudikka vaiththaal. Athil paadhaam, pisthaa, kalkandu entru sakala saththup porutkalum saerththu sundak kaaychchi irunthaal. Athaik kudiththu mudippatharkkul avanukku thookam poayvittathu. Avan aval madiyil thalai vaiththup paduththaan. Aval avan thalaiyaik koadhikkondu, avan thoalil thattikkoduththu thoongachchonnaal. Avanukkoa, thookam poayae poayvittathu.

- Aen'maa, innaeraththukku vanthu enne ezhippunae?

- Appaa vanthu, saptuttu thoongurathukku ivvalo naeram aayiduchchu.

- Ivvlo naeraththukku ennai ezhuppi, paalu kodukkalainaa enna?

- Thambi aadura aattaththukku sakthi vaenaamaa?

Aval lungiyoadu saerththu avan poolaip pidiththaal. Avan nightie-oadu saerththu aval mulaigalaip pidiththaan. Aval nightie-aith thiranthu, than mulaigalai veliyae vittaal. Atharkku vasathiyaaga munvasam button vaiththa nightgown athu. Bra koodap poadavillai. Avan aval kozhuththa mulaigalaik kasakkikkondae, ontril vaayvaththuch chappinaan. Aval, kanngal soruga, avanukku mulaiyoottikkondae, avan poolai veliyae eduththu oru kaiyaal athai uruvi vittaal. Avan mulai maattri mulai, paal kudiththaan. Aval avan uchchi moanthu, konjchik kulaavinaal. Anthap paasap pinaippilum, aval thodai idukkil, aasaik kasivu kurukuruththathu.

'Ammaatta nee paalu kudichchaiyila, ippo, thambitta naan paalu kudikkap poaraen' entru sollik kondae aval kuninthu avan sunniyil vaayai vaiththaal. Avan ekki, aerkkenavae viraiththu nintra than poolai aval vaaykkul aazhamaaga soruginaan. Aval athai aasaiyaaga oombinaal.

- Thatt that thada thada thada that that...

Kathavu thattappattathu. Aval than nightie-ai sariseythu kondu, avanai orukkaliththup padukkavaiththu, avan kazhuththuvarai poarvaiyai izhuththup poarththivittu, kathavaith thiranthaal. Angae aval kanavar nintrukondirunthaar.

- Engae, pakkaththula paduththiruntha aalak kaanoamae'nu thaedi vanthaen.

- Balavukku kaaychchal adikkiraa maathiri...

- Kaaychchalaa?

Avar araikkul vanthu avan netriyil kaivaiththup paarththaar. Netri choodaaga irunthathu. Athu kaamach choodu enpathu, paavam, avarukkuth therinthirukka nyaayamillai.

- Udambu chuduthae! Nee vaenumnaa ingaeyae paduththukko. Kaasikku poarathukkaaga, kaalaiyila, naan anjchu manikku muzhikkanum.

- Sari, kaalaiyila naan coffee poattuth tharraen.

Avar padi irangip poakiravarai kaaththirunthu kathavaich chaaththi ullthaazhppaal poattaal. Kattilukku vanthu, avanai muzhu nirvaanamaakki mallaaththinaal. Avan sunni nattukkondu nintrathu. Aval avan meethu thaavi aeri, kakkoosil utkaaruvathu poala utkaarnthu, avan sunniyaip pidiththu than pundaip pilavil vaiththu, kundiyaik keezhirakkinaal. Aval koodhi avan poolil vazhukkik kondu iranghiyathu.

Appadiyae utkaarnthu ezhunthu, utkaarnthu ezhunthu, aval avanai oaththaal. Avan than ammaavin kulungik kuthiththu attam poatta mulaigalai aenthip pidiththu, avattraik kasakkik kondae, aval sarukki vilaiyaada, than poolai nattukkuththik kidanthaan. Appadi avan poolil than koodhiyai maatti, aeri irangi adiththu, thaanum inbam kandu avanukkum vaarik koduththaal. 'Aanukkup penn salaiththaval illai' enpathu poal arai mani nearam oaththu, aval, appadiyae, avan maarbil mulai moadhich chaaynthaal. Udanae avan aval kundiyaip pidiththukkondu, keezhirunthu maelnoakki embi idiththu oaththaan. Athil vaegahaththaik kootti, adi adi entru adiththu, aval koodhikkul than vinthu venneeraip pump panninaan. Appadi avan poolai aval than pundaikkul vaanthi edukka vaiththa piraguthaan, idaiyil vanthu kuzhappivittup poana than purushan meethu, avalukkiruntha aaththiram thaninthathu.

- Kambu poadath thembu illai, Kaasiyaam Rameswaramaam...

- Ennammaa sollurae?

- Hmmm, solluraen, soraikkaaykku uppu illai'nu. Appan vittathai, pullaithaan ittu nirappanum, theriyum'la?

- Nirappiduraen'mma, kavalaiye vidu.

- Un poolu irukkira size-ukku athukku maelayum nirappuva'daa chellam. Aanaa, enakku vanthirukkura inba veriyila, unnaich chaaru pizhinjchu chakkaiyaa aakkiduvaenoa'nu bhayamaa irukkudaa.

- Peththeduththa koodhikkaagach cheththaalum punniyam'maa.

- Appo, innoru aattam, varriyaa?

- Sunni ezhumbunaa, eththanai aattam vaenumnaalum vaaraen.

- Ezhuppitta poachchu; kaiyum vaayum ennaththukku irukku?

Aval avanai vittu irangi, kozha kozhaththa thiravaththil kuliththiruntha avan sunniyai, than nightie-aal thudaiththu, vaaykkul ittaal...

Antru iravu, ammaa izhuththa izhuppukkellaam eedukoduththu, oaththuk kalaiththu avan urangip poanaan. Avalum paduththu, kannayarntha marukanam, yaaroa kathavaith thattiyathu poal unarnthu, kannvizhiththaal. Araiyil, palichchentru light velichcham. Bala, paaloottip padukkavaiththa kuzhanthai poala, thrupthiyaaga urangkik kondirunthaan. Avan sunni, kazhuvappadaamal, suklam kaayntha karaiyoadu, avan thodaiyil sarinthu urangkik kondirunthathu. Aval poarvaiyai izhuththu, avan iduppuvarai poarththivittu, ezhunthu poayk kathavaith thiranthaal. Angae aval kanavar nintrukondu irunthaar.

- Appo, naan purappaduraen, munkathavai thaazh poattukko. Bala thoonguraana? Kaaychchal eppdi irukku?

- Ippo vittudichchu. Raathrip pooraath thoongavidalai. Vaanthi maela vaanthi.

- Appo, coffee kooda vaenaam; nee thoongu.

Aaruthalaaga avar avalath thotta poathu, avar kaipatta idaththil, aval nightgown, vedaveda entru viraippaaga irunthathu. Antha naeram paarththu, ullae, makan Bala thookkaththil purandu paduththaan. Appoathu, poarvaith thirai vilagi, avan poolu velippattuk kidanthathu. Rathineer kaayntha karaiyoadu, thongkith thoyntha nilaiyilum, asaathaaranamaana size-il 'athu' irunthathu. Avar paarvai poana poakkaik kandu, aval thirumbip paarththaal; thigaiththaal.

- Enna nadakkuthu intha veettule?

- Athu vanthu... athu vanthu...avan suicide paniikkap poanaan...

- Suicidaa? Enna sollurae?

- Subha vaayai thorakka maataenuttaalilla, ava vayiththula koduththathu ivanthaan...

- Enna ularrae?

- Nijamthaan. Thookup poadap poanavanaek kaappaaththi, en maarumaela poattaen...

- ..............

- Avan ennai mallaaththi... naanum mayangi...

Avar thigaiththu silai aanaar. Aval thalai kuninthu nintraal. Piragu, avar paesik kollaamalae padiyiranginaar.

Avar padiyirangip poakira kaaladi oasai thaeynthu madikiravarai, araikkul, aval nintra idaththilaeyae nintraal. Piragu, kattilil poay amarnthu, nadanthathu ontrum ariyaamal urangik kidakkira, than makanaip paarththaal. Paarththukkondae irunthaal. Thannaik kaattik koduthu mattivitta 'athu' appaaviyaay neendu kidanthu urangik kondirunthathu. Kuninthu, 'athu'kku oru muththamittaal; appadiyae thannai ammanamaakki, avanoadu ottip paduththukkondaal.

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