vaenaamnaa vittuduraen.
– Ayyayyoa! Onnum vaenaam. Ithuvae poathum.
Poathumaa? Poathumaa? Entru, karakaraththa kuralil kaettukkondae, irandu kaikalaiyum poattu, en poolai neevith thadavi uruvik kulukki, kaivaelai kattinaal.
Adaa! Adaa! Thanakkuth thaanae kulukkik kolvathil enna sukham irukkirathu? Ammaavin kaikalaip poal miruthuvaana kaigalum melliya viralgalum valaiththup pidiththu, viraiththa nam poolaip puzhuththi puzhuththi vaelaikaattukira sukhamae sukham!
En pool munai vaayilirunthu ozhuki ozhuki velippatta ilaneerai, ammaavin thalir viralgal, en pool maththil izhuki izhuki innum inbam koottina. Naan ekkiki ekki aval panjchuk kaimuttiyae pundai kuzhiyentru bhaaviththu uruvich chorukinaen.
Ammaa ennai kattil vilimbil utkaarach cheythu, en kavattukkul vanthu mandiyittaal. Aval mulaigal en thodaigalil azhunthach charinthu, aval kaivaelai kaatiyathu innum sukhamaaka irunthathu. Kaikkuk kittaathathu kaalukkaavathu kittiyathae entru en thodaigalaal aval mulaigalai neriththaen. Ammaa, oru viralai uyarththi asaiththuk kaatti, echchariththaal. Aemaatraththoadu vilakkik kondaen. Aval chiriththuk kondaal.
En kottaikalai oru kaiyaal thadavik kondae, en kuththeettiyai maru kaiyaal pidiththu, aval puzhuththip puzhuththi adiththa sukaththil kannmayangkich chaaynthaen. Kanmoodi, aval kaivaelaiyai rasiththuk kidantha poathu, en thodaigalil meththentru aethoa padintha oru unarvu. Moolaikku udanae purinthuvittaalum, namba mudiyaatha en kangal pattentru thiranthu paarththana. Blouse-ai thiranthu ammaa than mulaigalai veliyae vittirunthaal. Mattumalla, mulaigalaal en thodaikalukku oththadam koduththuk kondum irunthaal.
Vellaip parangkip pazhangal poal thullith thalumbum mulaigal. Ullangkai akalach chengkaruppu vattam. Athukku naduvil, kattai viral nuni enath thadiththu viraiththa karum kaambukal. Yammoav! AaaaaaaaahhhhhhhH!
Vinthu peeychchi peeychchi adiththathu. Aththanai adigalaiyum, ammaa, nenju nimirththi, than mulaigalil vaanghik kondaal. Aval mulaigalil en vinthu vellaik koozh poal thaarai thaaraiyaaga vadinthathu. Aval poattiruntha chaingalaiyum thaaliyaiyum koodak kulippaatti irunthathu. Ammaavin mukaththil kurunjchirippin nilavu olirnthathu. Aval koalaththaal eerkkappattu aval mulaigalai noakkik kai neettinaen.
– Sshh, kai enna neeluthu?
– Illammaa, athe thodachchu viduraen.
– Onnum vaenaam, naanga thodachchukkuvoam.
Aanaal appadiyae than blouse-ai maattik kondu kilambip poayvittaal. Naan ammaavin mulaigalaik kannukkul vaiththu nedunaeram urangaamal kidanthaen.
Marunaal naan lungi koodak kattaamal, ammaavai ethirpaarththu, ammanamaay irunthaen. Kaalgalai tharai mael akatti vaiththu, kattil vilimbil utkaarnthu irunthaen.
Ammaa kulirukkup poarththiyaval poal oru shawl poarththikkondu vanthaal. poolaik kilappik kondu ready-yaaga utkaarnthu iruntha ennaip paarththathum avalukku chirippu vanthathu.
– Enna, thambi ready poala irukku?
– Aamammaa, raathrip pooraath thookkam varallai.
– Ean?
– Un mulai kannukkullayae ninnuchchu.
Aval ennaiyae paarththuk kondu nintraal. Mulai entru naan chonnathu ‘ketta paechchu’ entru ennaith thittap poakiraaloa entru bhayanthaen. Anaal aval thaan poarththi iruntha shawl-ai nazhuvavittaal. My God! Koppuzhukkuk keezh oru paavaadai mattum katti, maelaadai ontrum illaamal vanthirunthaal! Kanaththa aval mulaigal, kaambugalai neetti, ennnaik kuri vaiththuk kulungkina. Athaik kanda kilarchchiyil en sunniyum ekirik kuthiththathu.
‘Enna thambi romba ekkuraan’ entru sollik kondae, en poolaip pidiththu, en thoalpattaiyil than orupakka mulai idikka, en arukil aval amarnthaal. Thadiththa kaambugalum, sutri aalavattam poattiruntha thavittuk karuvalaiyangalum, veluththa sathaik koalangalum… aval mulaigalil irunthu kannakatra mudiyavillai. Kozhuththuk kanaththa avai, ennaip paiththiyam pidikkach cheythana. Athaip pidiththu amukka en kaigal paraparaththana.
– Ammaa, please’maa.
– Enna?
– Un athek konjam pidichchup paarkiraen’maa.
– Ethe?
– Mu…mu…mulaiye.
– Choo! Athellam koodaathu. Adam pidichchae, vittuttu poayiduvaen.
– Ada, poammaa. Aerkkenavae thottathuthaanae, ippo thottaa enna?
– Aerkenavae eppo thottae?
– Mmm, chinnap pillaiyila, paalu kudichchappo, thodaamalaa irunthiruppaen?
Ammaa chiriththuvittaal. Ennai anbu thathumba noakkinaal. Piragu, avalaagavae en iru kaikalaiyum pidiththu, than mualigaloadu chaerththuk kondaal. Aval mulaik kaambugal viraiththu nintrathai en ullangkaigal unarnthana. Kaigalukku adangaatha ammaavin mulaigalai amukkip pidiththean. Azhuththip pisainthaen. Kittaathu entru ninaiththathu kainiraiyak kittiyathil enakku aanandhamaaga irunthathu. Amukki amukkip pisainthaen. Amma, kangal soruga, en mulai amukkalai anubhaviththaal. En pidariyai pidiththu en mukaththaith than mulaigalil anaiththaal. Viraiththa kaambugalai, maari maari, en vaaykkul chappak koduththaal. Paal kudiththaen. Kaamaththup paaal.
Appadi, konja naeram en kaivaelaikkum vaayvaelaikkum mulai koduththuvittu, aval, kattilai vittu irangki, en kavattukkul vanthaal. Vanthu, mandiyittu, maarbil puranda thaaliyaiyum chaingalaiyum muthugu pakkam thiruppi vittaal. Piragu en poolaip pidiththu than mulaich chezhippukku naduvil poruththi, mulaigalaik kootti neriththu, ennai mulai-oal oakkach chonnaal. Oaththaen. En poolu mulai idukkil ekiri ekirip puzhuththip puzhuththi aval thaadaiyil poayp poay idiththathu. Aval than mulaigalai anai koduththu, azhuththam koduththu, enakku anubhavikkak koduththaal. Naanum aval kaambugalaip pidiththu nimindik kondae avalai mulai-oal oaththaen. Oaththu oaththu oaththu oaththu…
En vinthu velippattu, aval thaadai, kazhuththup pakuthi ellaam kulippaatti adangkiyathu. Aval chiriththuk kondae, than paavaadaiyaal athaith thudaiththuk kondu, en poolaiyum thudaiththu vittaal. Appadi oru mulai-oalai, naanae kaimutti adiththa naeraththilum, karpanai cheythathillai. Antraiyap pozhuthu appadi inithae mudinthathu.
Piragu oru moontru naatkalukku ontrumae nadakkavillai. Ammaavin uravuk kaara veettuk kalyaanam ontrukkup poayirunthoam. Naalaam naal iravu oorukkuth thirumbukira bus-il athu nadanthathu. Naan jannal oaram irunthaen. Light anaikkap pattathum, than pudavai munthaanaiyai en madimael poattu, ammaa, en pant zippai thiranthu en poolai veliyae izhuththaal. Udanae athu nattuk kondathu. Ammaa than panjchuk kai viralgalaal athai valaiththup pidiththuk kaimutti adiththuvittaal. Ethir paaraatha idam. Karpanai kooda cheyya mudiyaatha public place. Aahaa, enna thrill!
Maru pakkam, inai naer irukkaigalil, oru kizhaviyum, cricket pandhu size-ukku mulaigal ulla, thaavani poadaatha oru chiru pennum irunthaargal. Kizhavi thoonghi vittaal. Anaal antha chinnap penn engal pakkam koornthu koornthu paarththuk kondirunthaal. Cross aagum vandigalin vilakkugal, avalukku, engal vaelaiyai velichcham kaatta vaaippu irunthathu. Naan en ammaavin kathukkul kisukisuththaen.
– Anthap ponnu paarkiraa’maa.
– Paarkkattum, seekram vayasukku varuvaa.
Chollikkondae ammaa than pudavai munthaanaiyai izhuththuk kondaal. Antha naeram paarththu moontru naanku vandigal varisaiyaaga cross cheyya, en sunniyaiyum ammaa cheythukondiruntha vaelaiyaiyum anthap penn thelivaagavae paarththuvittaal. Aval vizhigal pithunghi echchil muzhunghiyathai naanum paarththaen. Athoadu nirkaamal, ammaa, than blouse-ai thiranthu, bra-vai maelaettri, than kozhuththa mulaigalil en kaiyai izhuththuch chaerththaal. Anthap penn vaayaip pilanthu engalaiyae paarththaal. Naan avalaip paarththukkondae en ammaavin mulaigalai amukkip pisainthaen. Ammaa en poolaik kulukkik kondirunthaal.
Vinthu velippadap poakum arikuriyaaga, en sunni, maelum viraiththu thudiththathu. Dress ellam naasamaagap pokirathe entru, en vinthai amukkip pidikka en kerchief-ai eduththaen. Atharkku avasiyamillaamal anthak kaariyam nadanthaeriyathu. Ammaa sattentru kuninthu, en sunniyaith than vaaykkul sorukik kondaal. Vinthu vediththu cheerip paayap paaya vizhungkik kondirunthaal. Kadaisith thulivarai kudiththuvittu, en sunniyai, than naakkaalaeyae nakki suddham cheythu vittaal. Naan en poolai ullae thalli zip poattaen. Ammaa than mulaigalai blouse-ukkul thalli maraiththaal. Piragu, ammaa anthap pennaith thirumbip paarththa poathu, anthap pen, pattentru, mukaththai marupakkam thiruppik kondaal. Bus oru tea kadaiyil nintrathu. Irangki onnukkup poanoam. Thirumbi vanthu thoongkip poanoam.
Maru naal ammaa en padukkaikku vanthu, en sunniyaik kaiyil pidththuk kulukkivitta poathu, aval oomba maattaalaa entru naan aenginaen.
– Ammaa, please, bus-la pannunaa mathiri vaayaala…
– Cheey!
– Ammaa, please’maa. Please. Please. Please.
Amma kannaththil kuzhi vizha chiriththaal. Piragu, kuninthu, en poolaith than vaaykkul eduththaal. Kathakathappum echchil eeramum ennaik kiranga adiththana. Aval azhuththam koduththu chappi izhuththa poathu en uyirae aval vaaykkul irangkith thudippathu poal avvalavu inbamaaga irunthathu. Jimikkiyum madal neduka chiru chiru studs-um pottiruntha aval kathugalaith thadavik kondae, aval vaaykkul en poolaik koduththuk kondirunthaen. Aval en kottaigalaith thadavik kondae, en poolai oombik kondirunthaal. Oombuvathum, chappuvathum, chavaippathum, nakkuvathum, naakku nuniyaal nunu nunupathum aaga ennai inba vellaththil izhuththuch chentraal. Naan moochchuth thinarinaen. Inbam thaangaamal iduppai valaiththu nelinthaen. Avvappoathu aaththiram kondavan poal aval vaaykkul en poolaal idiththaen. Kural karakaraththu, ‘Ammaa’ ‘Ammaa’ entru aratrik kondirunthaen.
Piragu oru kattaththil aval thalai mudiyaik koththaaga pidiththuk kondu veri vanthavan poal en muzhup poolaiyum aval thondaikkul irakka muyantraen. Nalla vaelai, than irandu kaigalaiyum ontrin mael ontru poattu, aval, en adiththandaip pidiththuk kondaal. Athanaal, nuni mottoadu, kooda oru angulam alavukkae en sunni aval vaaykkul nintrathu. Appadi niruththik kondu, en sunni maththil irunthu cheeri cheeri vaay nirappiya vinthuk kanjiyai aval madak madak entru kudiththu vizhungkinaal. En sunni thalarnthu than vaayil irunthu nazhuvukira varai athai aval chappik kondirunthaal.
Marunaal en amma en araikku vantha poathu, avalaik kattilil mallaaththi aval mael padarnthaen. Aval ennaip purattith thalli adikkak kai oangkinaal. Adikkavillai, aanaal thittith theerththuvittaal.
– Ammaavaiyae pendaaluvaiyaa, paavi?
– Illammaa, namakkulla ivvalavu nadanthu…
– Evvalavu nadanthuchchu?
– Athu vanthu… vaayvaelai varaikkum…
– Vaayvaelai enna vaayvaelai? Nee kuzhanthaiyaa irunthappoa un kunjiyep pidichchu naan konji irukka maattaenaa? En sakkaraik katti’nu athe vaayila eduththu chappiyirukka maattaenaa? Ammaa than makane, angkae, muththam kodukkurathu thappa? Arivu ketta mundam!
Naan koonik kurukip poanaen. En kannil neer kattivittathu. Ezhumbi nintra en sunniyum paduththu vittathu. Naan thuvandu poay charinthu, avalukku marupakkam thirumbip paduththuk kondaen. Azhugai azhugaiyaa vanthathu.
Konja nearaththukkup piragu, aval than mulaigal en muthukil azhuntha, ennodu ottip paduththu, en thuvandu kidantha sunniyil kaipoattaal. Naan athaith thattivittaen.
– Ilavarasarukku koavamaa?
– …….
– Nee pirantha paathaiyila neeyae un ‘ithe’ vittu…athu eppadi’daa?
– Appadiththaanae karpanai pannikkittu kaimutti adichchirukkaen.
– Karpanai thappu illai, aanaa naerla… ammaavukku eppdi irukkum’nu yoasichchup paaru.
– Athellam nallaaththaan irukkum. Mulaiye amukkunappo kanne moodi anubhavichchiyae, sukhamaaththaanae irunthichchu?
– Nee kuzhanthaiyaa paalu kudichchappoak kooda kanne moodiththaan sukhap pattirukkaen.
– Ada, poammaa. Naan kaimutti adichchae kaalam thallikkiraen.
– Ennaththukku kovap padurae? Mothalla inthap pakkam thirumbu.
– Ennaththukku?
– Vaenumnaa, nee pirantha idaththe nee paarkkirathukku kaamikkiraen.
Naan sattentru aval pakkam thirumbi paduththaen. Ammaa ennai izhuththu anaiththu en uthttoadu uthdu vaiththu muththamittaal. Piragu, ennaip pirinthu paduththu, mallaanthaal. Mallaanthu, oru kaiyai than kangal mael poattu maraiththuk kondaal.
– Ammaavaa kaamikka koodaathu. Neeyae paarththukko.
Appoathuthaan kavaniththaen. Aval gown-il munvasam neduka, vasathiyaaga, button irunthathai. Ovvontraagath thiranthaen. Muthalil, naan aerkanvae kandu kasakkik kaliththa mulaigal velippattana! Piragu, ammaavin aazhak kuzhivulla azhakiya unthich chuzhi! Piragu, sattrae veliththalli, ennaik karuvuttru iruntha adaiyaalamaay, chiru nun varik koadugal thaangkiya aal ilai adivayiru! Piragu… en viralgal nadungkina! Thondai varandathu!
Ammaa than kangal maelitta kaiyai vilakkinaal. Thayangkith thavangum en mukham paarthup punnagaiththaal. Thodarnthu munnaeru entru kannasaiththuk kaattinaal. Thodarnthaen: uppalaay maedittu, akalamaay paranthu, mazhikkaamalum mandaamalum thangath thattil keerai vithai chitharik kidanthaal poala mayir minungum pundai mukkoanam! Naan en vaazhkkaiyil muthal muthal paarkkira pundai! Ammaa pundai!!! Atharkkumael en kaiyum oadavillai; kazhatra button-um illai.
– Kaalukku naduvula vaa, nallaath theriyum.
Ammaa than urundu thiranda vadivaana thodaigalaip piriththu, kaalgalai akattri vaiththaal. Aval pundai uthadugalum pirinthu nintrana. Naan nadvil poay mandiyitten. Ammaavin pundai ennai noakki, ‘Paarkkaththaanae mudiyum; pannavaa mudiyum?’ entru ilakkaaramaaga chiriththathu. En sunni, alavukku athikamaay viraiththu, vali eduththathu. Ammaa kaalgalai madakki viriththu, than pundaiyai maelum thiranthaal. Oru chemparuththi poo virinthathu poala avvalavu azhagu! En mukham viyarththu mookku nuniyil chottiyathu.
– Enna, ippo nallaa theriyuthaa?
– Mmm.
– Appadiyae athula oru muththam kudukkanum poala irukkaa?
Naan nimirnthu en ammaavin mukhaththai noakkinaen. Aval than muzhang kaigalai oontri, satrae thalai thookki irunthaal. En uthadugal thudiththana. Aval kannasaiththu anumathi koduththaal. Anthap poovin antharanga ithazhgalil ithazh pathiththaen. En vaayellaam thaen! Mayangi, athil naakkup poattu nakkinaen. Udanae ammaa enna cholluvaaloa entru bhayanthu, avalai, aerittu noakkinaen. Ammaa, thalaiyanaiyai izhuththu than kundikku keezh andak koduththu, than koodhiyai oru madhuk kinnam poal uyarththip pidiththu, ‘Taste pannip paar!’ entru kann imai sariththuk kaattinaal. Naan kuppurak kavizhnthaen.
Konja naeram, kannaa pinnaa entru vaaykku vanthapadi nakkinaen. Piragu, naane en kaiviralgalaal aval pundai uthdugalai iliththu, ovvoru idamaay paarththu paarththu nakkinaen. Ammaa, poadhai aeriya kuralil, ennaip pirasaviththa vazhiyaik kaattu entraal. Naan en naakkai aval kuzhikkul nuzhaiththuk kaattinaen. Mooththira vazhi kaettaal. En naakku nuniyaal antha dwaaraththai thottean. Ull uthadu? Nakkik kaattinaen. Veli uthadu? Nakkinaen. Kanthup paruppu? Nakki nimindinaen. Rathi maedu? Mayir minugkum maettil muththam ittaen. Ammaa en thalai mudikkul viral nuzhaiththuk kulaiththu, than kaama paana paththiraththai en vaayoadu poruththinaal. Chuvaiththaen. Ilam pulippulla vazhu vazhu inba paanam!
– Enna, ammaavoda taste pidichchirukkaa?
– Romba romba romba romba pidichchirukku.
– En chellam. Appo nakku. Mukkiyamaa paruppula nakku.
– Aen?
– Aen’naa ammaavukku romba sukhamaa irukkum.
Appadiyaa entru purinthukondu, ammaavin paruppapaich chuvaiththu naakku nuniyaal nimindi nunu nunuththaen. Amma, thudiththuk kilukiluththaal. Avalin uyir naadiyaip pidiththuvittathu poal, aval paruppai, en naakkaal padaatha paadu paduththinaen. Aval, aaa uuu entru anaththi, aanandham kondaal. Idai idaiyae aval yoanip pilavukkul thuzhainthu thuzhaavi, ull uthattu mellithazhgalaik keezhum maelum nakkik kilarththi, mayir minungkum rathi maettil palkkuri pathitththu, en vaay vaelaiyaik kaanbiththaen. Appadich cheythu cheythu, aval paruppai nuni naakkaal nimindik kondiruntha oru kattaththil, ammaa en thalaiyaip pidiththuth than koodhiyoadu amukki, isivu kandaval poal vetti vettith thudiththaal. Aval koodhik kuzhiyil irunthu antha ilam pulipulla vazhu vazhu paanam pongki vazhinthathu. Avalukku enna aanathu entru koodap purinthukolla mudiyaamal, aval koodhich chunaiyin ilaneerai, thodarnthu nakkik kodirunthaen.
– Poathum’daa kannu, ammaavukku thrupthi vanthiduchchu.
Naan vaayvaelaiyai niruththi thalai nimirththinaen. Ammaa than kundikku andak koduththiruntha thalai anaiyai akatri ezhunthu utkaarnthaal. Ennaith thannoadu izhuththu anaiththu, thannai thrupthi paduththiya en vaayai anboadu muththamittaal. Appoathum viraiththu nimirntha en sunni aval thodaiyil idiththathu. Ammaa athaip pidiththu uruvikkondae en kannukkul aazhamaagap paarththaal. En sunnikku naeraaga than pundaiyaik kaatti, kaalai viriththu utkaarnthaal.
– Ammaa oattaikkulla vittu aattanum’nu aasaiyaa irukkaa, Raajaa?
– Aamaamma, please’maa! Please!
– Aanaa nee vantha vazhiyila vidurathukku oppukka maattaen.
– Ammaa please.
– Intha vazhiyila vaenum’naa vittukko.
Aval than kundi oattaiyaik kaanpiththaal. Thala thala entru aval kundi iruntha iruppukku angkaeyae oakkalaam poal enakkum aasai vanthuvittathu. Naan aasaiyaaga avalai nerungki utkaarnthaen. Aval kaineetti engkirunthoa oru kuppiyai eduththaal. Athaith thiranthaal. Vellaiyaaga oru kalimbu irunthathu. Athai valiththu en sunni maththu muzhukkath thadavinaal. Than kundith thulaiyilum ittukkondaal. Piragu munbu poalavae thalai anaiyai izhuththu kundikku adiyil ittu, kaalgalaith thookki viriththaal. Kalimbu itta aval kundi ottai en poolukku ‘welcome’ kaatiyathu.
– Sathak’nu kuththi irakkidaathae. Konjam konjamaa irakkanum. Un aayutham perusu. Ammaavukku kizhinjchidaamap paaththukkoa, enna?
– Sari, mellamaa cheyyiraen.
Amma manik kolusu kilungkum than kaalgalai en thoal meethu aetrinaal. En poolaip pidiththu than kundich chanthil poruththinaal. En kaigalai eduththu than mulaigalaip pidikkach cheythaal. Piragu, kannasaiththu, permission koduththaal. Naan azhththam koduththaen. Ammaa udambai irukkaamal thalarththi, than kundiyai viriththuk koduththaal. En nuni maththu vazhukki irangkiyathu. Ammaavin udambil oru nadukkam! Athu adangkukira varai naan aadaamal asaiyaamal porumaiyaaga irunthaen. Meendum aval udal sahaja nilaikku thalarnthathu. Aavaloadu, naan ammaavin mukhaththip paarththaen. Aval kangal asainthu permission koduththaal. En sunnikku azhuththam koduththaen. Maelum oru angulam irangkiyathu. Intha murai, ammaa tension aagavillai. Maelum ullae thallap permission koduththaal. Thallinaen. Thallith thalli aria neelap poolukku mael irakkivittaen.
– Paathiyaavathu ulla poyirukkumaa, kannu?
– Mmm, poayidichchu.
– Appo, konja naeraththukku, athai munum pinnum izhuththu aatti, oattaiyae elakku.
– Sari.
Arai neela aazhaththukku asaiththu oaththaen. Athuvae nantraaga irunthathu. Oru paththu irupathu adigalukkul ottai ilakkam koduththuvittathu. Naan en poolai maelum konjam konjamaagath thalli, muzhup poolaiyum ammaavin kundik kuzhikkul puthaithu vittaen. En kottaigal, ammaavin muthuguth thandu mudivil mutti anainthna. Ammaa en thoalgalil irunthu, than kaalgalai irakki en iduppil pinni ennai thanakkul izhuththaal. Naan aval mael sarinthaen. Aval en mudiyaip pidiththu izhuththu en vaayoodu vaay vaiththu urinjinaal. Ennai iyangka chonnaal. Naan aval mulaigalaip pidiththu amukkik kondae, chooththil nuzhaiththa en sunniyai uruvi choruki oaththaen. Sunnyai chuttri nalla irukkam! Chooththadikka sukhamaaga irunthathu! Pundaiyil oaththaalum athae position-il thaan oakkap poakiroam. Enna, oattaithaan oru angulam keezhae.
Piragu, thideerentru gnanam vanthavanaaga ezhunthu, aval kaalgalaip pilanthu vaiththu, kunthi irunthu oaththaen. Athil enakku aval pundaiyaip paarkka mudinthathu. Naan aval kundiyil kuththi izhuththu oakum poathu, aval pundaiyum, virinthu moodi virinthu moodi, ‘Ennodu un poolu, inaivathu eppoathu?’ entru paadiyathu.
Ammaavin koodhip paruppil naan en kattai viralai vaiththu theyththaen. Appadi aval koodhip paruppaith thaeyththuk kondae avalaik kundi adiththaen. Ammaavukkum sukham kanduvittathu. Aval koodhiyin mathaneer kasinthu irangki, en sunnikku masaku ittathu. Unarchchi pongki uchcham kitta, udal athirvu kolla, iru kaigalaiyum uyarththi, ammaa ennai noakki viriththaal. Naan udanae kaalneetich charinthu, aval meethu paduththaeen. Aval en vaayai vaayaal kavvi, iduppaith thodaigalaal irukki nadungkinaal; munangkinaal. Naan aval thodaigalaip piriththuvittu, en vaeghaththaik koottinaen. Aduththa ainthu nimishaththil en vinthu kazhantru aval kundikkul vizhunthathu. Naan uruvik kondu ezunthu kattilai vittu irangkinaen. Ammaavum ezhunthu kondaal. Bathroom-ukku ennaik kondupoay, ammaa, en poolaik kazhvi vittaal. Than chooththaiyum kazhuvik kondaal.
Antrilirunthu thinamum naan ammaavaik kundiyadiththaen. Athoadu, naan aval koodhiyai nakkuvathum aval en poolai oombuvathum thavaraamal nadanthathu. Naangal kaathalargalip poala cinema beach entru inainthu suttrinoam. En bike-il aeri mulai en muthugil azhuntha utkaarnthu varuvathu avalukku mikavum pidiththirunthathu.
Oru naal oru traffic signal-il, than thambi bike-il aeri vantha Vijilaa aunty englaip paarththuvitaal.
– Enna, ithu unga makanaa? Nallaa valarnthuttaanae!
– Engae kilambitteenga, akkaavum thambiyum?
– Veettulayae irukka bore adichchathu, oru cinemaavukkup poakalaam’nu…
– Daughter-ai kaanoam?
– School holidays thaanae, paatti veetula kondupoayi vittaachchu.
Appoathu, signal vizha, avargal bye chollivittup paranthuvittaargal. Naangalum cinemaavukkup poavathu entru mudivu cheythu oru theaterukkul othungkinoam.
Ippadi, engal naatgal inbamaaga kazhinthu kondirukkaiyil, en exam results vanthathu. Paas! Naan pass aanathukku, ammaa, enakku aethaavathu parisu kodukka virumbinaal.
Maru naalae, ennai ittukkondu, city-ku veliyae engoa chentraal. Nalla thooram poanathum, oaridaththil niruththa cholli, vandiyai oru puthar maraivil evar kannilum padaamal oliththu maraikka chonnaal. Cheythaen. Than pudavaiyai maattri, thaan kondu vanthiruntha bag-il irunthu oru lungiyai eduththuk kattik kondu, muali theriyaamal irukka oru thola tholaa shirt-ai poattuk kondu, oru thoppiyai vaiththuk kondaal. Irandu aanpillaigal poavathu poal, oru chavukku thoppukku oodaaga, ennai izhuththuk kondu nadanthaal. Maru pakkam, naangal chentru chaernthathu, oru paarai irakkam; irakkaththil virintha karuneelak kadal.
Anthap paaraigalil irangkuvathu danger. Aanaal ammaavuku sariyaana vazhi therinthu irunthathu. Irangkina pin parththaal, paarai neduga guhaigal. Konja thooram vadakkaaga nadanthu, oru visaalamaana guhaikku vanthaal. Anthak guhaiyil nalla velichcham irunthathu. Maelae ulla paaraip pilavu aetho ontrilirunthu, sooriya velichcham, paaynthu paravi irunthathu. Ammaa ennai ittukkondu antha guhaikkul nuzhainthaal. Tharai eeramaaga irunthathu. Madiththu eduththu vanthiruntha oru plastic payai viriththaal. Athan mael oru poarvaiyai viriththaal. Nirvaanam aanaal; ennaiyum nirvaanam aakkinaal. Iruvarum nirvaanamaaga athil amarnthoam. Oru packettaip piriththaal. Cakes. Chappittoam. Soft drink kudiththoam.
– Innum irandu mani naerathula, high tide start-aagi vidum. Athukku munthi naam kilambanum. High tide-la guhai nirambividum.
– Intha idam, intha vishayam ellaam unakku eppadith theriyum’maa?
– Un appaa kandu pidichcha idam. Irupathu varushamaa innum maaraama appadiyae irukku! Naeththu raathrithaan enakku intha yosanai vanthichchu. Nee pass aanathukku ingke vachchuththaan parisu kodukkap poaraen.
Ammaa, neettik kondu nintra en poolukku chinnathaa oru muththam koduththaal. Oombavillai. Oombinaal nantraaga irukkumae entru aasaippattaen. Aanaal, ammaa mallaakap paduththu thodaigalaith thookki viriththaal. Ippoathellam kalimbu thadavath thaevai illai. En poolu free-aa poakira alavukku aval kundi oattai virinthu vittirunthathu. Aadap poakiravan maedaiyai thottuk kumbittuvittu aeruvathu poal, naan en ammaavin pundaiyai kuninthu muththamittaen. Piragu, aval mael aerip padarnthaen. En poolaip pidiththu, than kundi oattaiyil vaiththuk koduppathu ammaa vaelai. Aval en poolaip pidiththaal. Aanaal aval vaiththuk koduththa idamoa vaeru. Antha idam satha satha entru kuzaivaay, katha katha entru choodaaga irunthathu.
Naan kuninthu paarththaen. En sunni amma pundaiyin eera uthadugalaip pilanthu kondu, yoani dhwaaraththul puthainthu nintrathu.
– Ammaa oattai maaridichchu’maa.
– Sariyaaththaan vachchuk koduththirukaen. Nee pass pannunathukku naan unakku kodukkira parisu en koodhi.
– Ammaa! Ketta vaarththai paesura’mmaa!
– Aen unakkuththaan varumaa? Unnaiae peththa koodhikku paesa varaathaa? En koodhiyila oakkanum’nu annaikku kenjunaiyila, ippo oaththukkoa!
– Pirantha vazhiyila pannak koodaathu’nu neethaanammaa chonnae?
– Chonnaen. Aen chonnaen theriyumaa? Odanae koodhiyek kaatti oalvaangunaa nalla irukkaathu. Konjam konjamaa usuppaeththi koodhiyek koduththaen’nu vachchukkoa, mavanae, intha sukhaththe un janmaththukkum marakka mudiyaathu.
– Great’maa. Ippo, intha un koodhi gift-ukku romba romba thanks! Nee chonnaa maathiri, ithai ennaala marakkavae mudiyaathu. Thank you very much!
– Your poolu is welcome.
Athu naal varai kanavu kandu kondiruntha en sorggaththil — ammaavin pundaikkul — en poolai nuzhaiththaen. Athu sorggamaethaan. Antha choodum vazhu vazhuppum vaeru engu kidaikkum?
– Un appaa poolai vida unnithu rendu madangu perusu, makanae!
– Nijamaalumaa?
– Pinnae? Emmaa aazhaththukkup poakuthu! Kazhuthap poolu, mavanae, unakku kazhuthap poolu!
– Unakku pidichchirukkaa’maa?
– Pidikkamaiyaa veedu kootturaa mathiri mulaiyek kaattik kaati unnai valachchu, innikku, koodhiyila poattirukkaen?
– Vaenum’nuthaan kattunaiyaa? Peththa makanaiyae oakkirathukku plan pannunaiyaa, ammaa?
– Enna pannuvaen chollu? Oal-thimiru pidichcha udambu enakku. Un appaa varushaththuku oru murai thaan leave-la varraaru. Veliyila evan kittayaavathu oalu vaagki, ambalam aayidichchunaa asingkamaap poayidum. Oru naal, nee thoongikkittu irukkirappo, ezhumbikittu ninna un poolap paarththittaen. Route poattuttaen.
– Appo, ini, appaavukku naan substitute-aa’maa?
– Neethaandaa main. Avaru substitute.
Ammaa paesina paechchu enaaik kilarththi veri kollach cheythathu. Naan aval koodhikkul irakkiya en poolai izhuththu, oangki idiththu oaththaen. Ammaavum aasai aasaiyaaga koodhiyai embik koduththu, ennidam kuththu vaanginaal. Mattumalla, en mukham ellaam muththi muththi, vidaamal ennaik konjik kondirunthaal.
Onnum kidaikkaathavan kai adikkiraan. ‘Onpathu’ kidaiththavan kundi adikkiraan. Aanaal, pundai vemmaikkul vennai-vayal uzhak kidaiththavan evanoa avanthaan piravip payan adaikiraan. Athuvum amma pundai yaanaal…aahaa!
Mallaanthu, madi ekki, en idi vaendum ammaavai, mulai patri, muttuk kuththi, naan oaththaen. Pirantha vazhip pilavil, en irumbuth thadip poolai aetri aetri oaththaen. Puyal vaeghaththtil aanju aanju adiththuth thakarththuk kondae, koodhikkul kuliththu velippadum en poolaattaththai kuninthu rasiththaen. Aahaa, ammaavin pundai uthadugal vindu madhuvadikka, en thandu athil nuzhainthu kindik kilangkedukka, aval nandup pidipoattu than kundi konaiththaatta, naan undu illai entru oal oaththu oaththu, mandai kirukiruththaen; vaay ulari, idi idiththaen. Ammaavukkum veri vanthuvittathu.
– Kuththudaa, kuththu! En koodhi kizhiyak kuththu! Imputtu inbam, makanae, unga appanum koduththathillai; oru suppanum kodukkap poarathillai.
– Ammaa!
– Oaludaa, oalu! En oattai ellaam oalu! Vitha vithamaa oakka vittu un poolai en pochchukku adimai aakkalae, thaayoali, un poolaip peththa koodhi illaidaa ithu.
– Ammaa!
– Soruvudaa, soruvu! En thondi viriyach choruvu! Pirantha vazhi soruvip pukunthu vilaiyaadu! Puthumaip pillai, en puthu maappillai.
– Ammaa!
Koovik kondae aval koodhikkul en kundaanthadi vaegaththaik koottinaenaa, aval udalilum antha inba nadukkam vanthuvittathu. Aval ennaip pinnik kondu, kadal ponguvathu poal pongkith thaninthaal. Naanum, uchchi muthal ullangkaal varai uruki irangka, en vinthu vellaththai, en janma bhoomiyil paaychchi, aval maar meethu charinthaen. Moochchu mutta, aval kai kaal pinaippukkul kidanthu, viyarththaen. Amma, en mukam, mudi, kazhuththu ellaam thodarnthu muththam ittuk kondirunthaal.
– Ammaa!
– Ennadaa, chellam?
– Romba romba sukhamaa irunthichchu’maa.
– Enakkumthaan. Nallaa oakuradaa, chellam.
– Nee ivvalavu ketta paechchu pasuvae’nu naan ethirpaarkkavae illammaa!
– Athuvaa? Athu un appavukku romba pidikkum. Oakkurappoa thaevadiyaa maathiri paesanum’nu avaruthaan chollik koduththaaru. Ingathaan.
– Intha guhaiyilayaa?
– Aamaa, intha guhailathaan un appa ennai seal udaichchaar.
– Nijammaalumaa?
– Ithae kuhaila nadantha pala oalugal’la onnulathaan unnai naan karuth tharichchaen. Appuramaaththaan kalyaanamae pannikkittaen.
– Nijammaavaa?
– Aamaam. Ippo ithae guhaiyila unnaiyum kondu vanthu en koodhikulla thirmba poattirukaen.
Chollivittup punnagaiththa ammaavin kanngal paniththana. Naan aval kangalai muththamittaen. Aval en kannangalaik killi, en thalaiyaik koathivttaal. Naan aval pundaikkul kidantha en poolai uruvaamal aval mulai anaiyil mukham puthaiththuk kidanthaen. Ammaa ennaith thoongap pannuvathu poal en muthugil thattik koduththaal. Aanaal thoonguvatharkup pathil, en sunni aval chandhanak kuzhaivukkul usumbik kondirunthathu. Athu usumba usumba, ammaa, than koodhi muscles-ai irukkith thalarththi athai maelum usuppaeththinaal. Antru, anthak guhaiyil, piragum oru murai oappatharkae engalukku naeram irunthathu.
Vidumurai mudinthu, naan kalloori maanavan aagi vittaen. Atharkkul ammaa chollith tharath thara, kaamak kalaiyin ellaa soothrangalaiyum kattruth thaerivittaen. Veettil ammaavum naanum kanavan manaivi poal, orumiththu, kaathalargal poal inbam anubhaviththu vaazhnthoam.
Naanku ainthu maathangkalukkup piragu oru naal, naan en kalloori vittuth thirumbi veettukkul nulaintha vaelai, phone ring aanathu. Naan haal-il iruntha phonai eduththaen. Athae samaiyam, bedroom-il iruntha parallel phone-ai ammaa eduththuvittaal. Paesiyathu Dubaiyil irunthu appaa. Nee nallaa irukkiyaa? Neenga nallaa irukeengalaa? Etc. etc. Naan phonai vaippatharku irunthaen. Appoathu paarththu oru interesting aana matter velivanthathu.
– Vijilaavai paththi neengka chonnathu sarithaanga.
– Sariyaap poachchaa? Eppadik kandu pidichchae?
– Oru naal aval veettukkup poanappo, neenga chonna maathri, calling bell adikkaamal, idukku vazhyaap paarththaen. Paarththaa, TV-la sound illaama padam oadikkittu irukku. Sofa-la, thambiya mallaaththi, akkaakaari aeri adichchukkittu irukaa! Naan moochchuk kaattaamath thirumbittaen.
– Paavam avathaan enna pannuvaa? Ava purushan paththu varushamaa Dubai-la kidakkaan. Athanaalathaan, athae maathiri oru yoasanaiye unakkum chonnaen. Eppadip poakuthu namma veettuk kathai?
– Super-aa pokuthunga. Vaazhkkaiyila vasantham thirumbi vanthaa maathiri irukkunga. Siru vayasup payyanaa vaera irukkaanaa, inbaththula kulippatturaan. Ayyo, athe eppadich cholrathunae puriyalai!
– Anubhavi. Un pillai. Unakkup poakaththaan ini oruththikki.
– Aenga, ini oru vishayam, koavappadak koodaathu.
– Naan un maela koapap paduvaenaa? Chollu.
– Unga pillai en vayiththula load aeththittaanga, ippo enna pannurathu?
– Peththukkoa. Enakku sammatham; santhoasam kooda.
– Nijammaavaa?
– Nijammaa. Kaekkurappavae thrilling-aa irukku, theriyumaa? Oru pillai enna oru dozen peththukko.
– Thanks! Aanaa, neenga angae irukkirapoa… ooru enna chollum?
– Kavalaip padaatha. Leave kidaichchaachchu. Aduththa maasam varraen. Ooru vaayai moodidalaam.
– Ungala maathiri oru husband kidaikkirathukku… I love you.
Enakkuth thalai suttriyathu. Ammaa phone-ai cut pannum varai kaaththirunthu, en receivarai vaththaen. En sunni, valikkira alavukku viraiththuvittathu. Araikkul irunthu velippatta ammaa, ennaik kavaniththu en arukil vanthu, vazhakkum poal, oru chinna mutham muththi, kitchen poakath thirumbinaal. Naan aval pinnal poay, en kuri viraippu aval kundi unara, avalai anaiththaen. Aval kazhuththai thiruppi, puruvaththai uyarththinaal. Naan aval kazhuththil uthadu pathithtu, en iduppai asaiththuk kaattinaen. Amma, than iduppukku mael thuni thookkik kuninthaal. Naan en iduppukkuk keezh thuni vilakki avaloadu inainthaen. Iruvarum asainthu inbaththil layiththoam. En appaavae plan panni undaakkiyathu engal uravu.