He let her burst out and pour out all her agony .

Her head was buried deep inside the curls of his chest with her tears wetting them , with her hands wrapped tightly around him , as if a small toddler will possessively hold on to its favourite teddy .

He could relate and understand her feelings and emotions she was going through .

Confessing love isnt that easy _ especially for a couple like them !

She had a lot of insecurities inspite of him being kind and having confessed his own strong love for her .

But he didn't blame her at any cost !

For all the torment and agony she wei through one whole year , she had every right not to believe him instantly .

Kathirangan had maintained his cool and was patient for long .

But , he also felt that such oscillating mind of Mullai could ruin their life hereafter .

He wanted to put every little bit back into place for her mental peace of mind .

This was the start of all !!!

He had framed this plan long back _ just that the unexpected happenings delayed them a bit .

Anyways he was patiently waiting for his grandfather s birthday to arrive and moved the coins slowly and steadily without her knowledge .

The thorn that was pricking her had to be removed by her ownself !

It wouldn't be of any help if he is going to pull it out forcefully !

So once his plan was finalized with his mama and athai , he invited Pragya and Kailesh in person .

They too had come along !

Kathir left Mullai and Pragya to face each other one on one !

Truth was on his side !

So he believed that this face off would definitely bring atleast a little change in Mullai' , before carrying on his plan .

But _

He himself hadn't expected that Mullai would confess this soon !!

Shock _ happiness _ calmness _ an overwhelming feeling all engulfed him .

He let his lady cry out all the agony !!

Perhaps this will be the last time she is gonna cry ,

Hereafter he is isn't going allow her to shed even a single drop of tear !!

With a sigh ,he gently patted and carressed her back .

She was still sobbing like a baby pwithin his arms .

Slowly he shushed her back to normal ,

Kathir : Hey .. baby , ithuku nee ivlo ala thevai illa ma . Enough is enough ..one year ah nee patta vethanai pothum da !

Mullai : Illa ....ivlo naala , ninge evlo thooram yeduthu soninga , kenji konji soninha , morattu thanama nadanthukittum solli paathinga _ ungala namba than aasai , unga kadhala nambinen than _
aana yennavo onu ennaiya solla vidaama thaduthu kittaae erunthuchu !
Ennavo , yepovoo kettathu kaathukulla ketututaae erunthuchu !

Kathir : Athuku than....kannaal kanpathum poi, kadhaal kepathum poi nu periyavanga sollirukaanga !
Theera visaarichu ipo unamaiya purinchukitta pola !

His words irrked her !
.
Squeezing out herself from him she took a step backwards and looked up at him with hands resting on her hip ,as if a kindergarten teacher would look at a naughty toddler being caught !!

Kathir : Enadi .... yetho school teacher maathri paakura ?
Ipo than ennaiya kadhalikrenu sonna _ athukulla Kaali awatharam range ku pose kodukra ?

Mullai : Theera visaarichu therinchukitenu solringa !
Apadina intha vishyatha pathi pesa than ,ninhe awangala inga koopitingala ?
Thaatha pirantha naal kaaganu sonathu reel thana !
Yevlo samarthiyama vellai panirukinha !

Kathir : uff ! Ithan kovama , oh my baby !
U r partially right , but not fully !
Innaiku oru special naal _ thaathuku mattum illa , namakum than !
Innaiku Pragya un Kannu munadi erukanumnu naan nenachen .
Yennu ...unakaae apuram puriyum .
Koodavae .... Pragya kitta pesina , inum thellivu varumnu enaku thonuchu .
See Mullai ....I wanted you to be clear in few facts before we go ahead with something today ,
Avlo than ,
Mathapadi ....neeyum Pragyavum yenna enna pesinganu kooda enaku theriyaathu !
I just wanted to clear some air for you !

Mullai : .....!

Kathir : Unaku onu theriyuma ....nee innaiku happy ana mindset la erukanum aasai paaten .
Avlo than !
But ....nee innaiikaae , ipovaae unoda kathala declare panni , ennaiya santhashathulla thikku mukku aada vachuruka !
You have made this day more memorable !

Mullai : Memorable day va ? Namaka ?

Kathir : Ofcourse yes ! Pragya Kum , Kailesh Kum thaatha mela paasamum ,mariyathaiyum undu than .
Athukaaga ....awanga eruka vellailaam vitutu , North la erunthu emergency flight pudichu vanthathu , unaku vilakam koduthutu , thaatha va wish pannitu poga mattum illaima !

Mullai : Apadina ? Enaku suthama purila nga !

( Author : Yeh loosu pappa ! Manaangatti maathri eruka ! Inneram ...all innocent MN fans karpooram maathri enna special nu guess pannirupaanga )

Kathir : Ha ha ha ..you know what baby ? Unoda intha innocence than gaantham maathri ennaiya yelukuthu .

He neared her smooching affectionately ,

Mullai ::Shhp ! Intha maathri laam senchu , maluppa koodaathu .

Kathir ::Naan yepo ma maluppunen !
Neeya thana ennaiya ipo koopita !

Mullai : Hmpt ! Koopitaanga ...koopitaanga ,

Kathir : Adipaavi ....en Kannu munadi odanae vanthu nillunu , order potutu , kadhalaiyum sollitu ,ipo ipadi sallichukra ?

Mullai : Vera enna ? Naan onu sonna ....ninga santhosha paduvinganu paatha , ninge vera ennavo puthu kathaiya solringa ?

Kathir : Puthu kathai laam illa ! Palasu than. ......aana puthusa aarambikroom !

Mullai : Aarambikroom ah ?

Kathir : Aamavaae than ! Neeyum , Naanum !

Mullai : Sathyama Purilainga !
Choo ....neram aagiruchu , Chithi theduvaanga , naan kelambanum ,

Kathir : Kelambu !

Mullai : Kelambanum na ...naa function ku ready aaganum nga ,

Kathir : Ready aagu !

Mullai : Acho .... pooja room layae erunthathulla verthu vadinchruchu.
Pothathuku ....ipo ipadi aluthu ,karanchu .....athu vera sellailaam karaiya theriyuthu ,
Naan vera sellai katti , thalai vaari , keela poganum .
Ninhe ingayae eruntha epadi ?

Kathir : Unaku ipo enna ? Vera saree maathanum , Avlo thana ?
Dhiviyama maathu _ alaga thalai pinniko , sernthaae keela pogalaam !

Mullai : Shu ...Kathirr ,ninge ingayae eruntha naan epadi maathurathaam _ she said in a baby voice ,

He replied in the same tone ,

Kathir : Nee intha maathri koral la , Kathirr nu konji ,konji pesina naan epadi vellila porathaam ?

His smile was truthfully naughty and eyes gleamed over her assets with want !

Mullai very well knew what that special look of his meant .

It was bright morning , an auspicious day with their family waiting below .

And here he looks at her with lust and want !!

He had wantedly refrained from her for few days since the return from hospital _ the reason which Mullai didn't know till date.

And now he behaves this way ,

She knew his stubbornness when it came to bed things ,

Mullai : Please nga ....ipolaam yethuvum vendaam . Innaiku ....keela saami kumbidanum la ?

Kathir : Cho cho ...apadiya ? He had had her hooked between the wall and his chest by now . Pressing against her he whispered into her ears , ithelaam nee ennaiya pala patini podrathuku munadi yosichu erukanum !
Kadhalikrenu sollitu .... thoda koodaathuna epudi di ?

He kissed her throat and asked ,

With difficulty she opened her parched lips to answer ,

Mullai : Ningala thana viratham kaathinga . Ipo en mela pali podringa !

She was about to cry ,

When he let go of her and laughed aloud .

Kathir : Loosu ...bayapadaatha di . Ipo onumaae seyya maaten.
Seekirama dress change pannu ,.but naan inga than erupen .
Reason eruku .
Apuram antha sky blue colour la oru puthu pattu saree erukum paaru , atha kattikoo !

Mullai :. aana athu....she dragged in confusion , which he used very well to his play .

Kathir : Aana ....aavenaalaam solli thara ipo time illa ma .
Ipo nee kattikriya ,illa naa varava ...

Mullai wasn't there anymore to hear what he said later . She had already dissapeared into the dresser .

In another few minutes she came out , bathed in a pure sky blue self designed light kanchivaram silk saree with silver border and swarovski stone works all over .

She didn't know how he managed to get the perfect blouse as well _ with all work done.

( Author : Atha solluma , Intha Diwali ku blouse thaika kodutha ,adutha Diwali ku , kannulaiyaae kaatrainga ! )

Kathir : Wow ! He exclaimed ... openly , intha colour unaku perfect ah suit aaguthu .Ipo unnaiya paatha epadi eruku theriyuma ?

Mullai : Vaanathulla erunthu erangi vantha maathri nu solluvinga ! Athana ...she guessed so , keeping the colour of her clothing in mind .

But if he was to say exactly what others predicted he isn't Kathirangan .

He said something else ,

Kathir : Oh no no ...Saree kattina Cindrella maathri eruka !
London eh live play erukum , ...antha actresses laam unkitta picha vaanganum bbay!
U look so gracefull .

Mullai : Sellai Cindrella va ? Athusari ....apo Prince ninge enaku ,kanaadi la shoe pottu vida poringala ?

Kathir : Ha ha ha , cutie di nee ! Kanaadi shoe illa ma !
Vera oru item eruku ,kitta vaa ...,

Mullai : Hoonkoom !

Kathir : Ada ... nijamavae ipothaiku onum panna maaten ,enna nambu . Kitta vaa !

Mullai : Ipothaiku na ?

Kathir : Ipothaiku na .... Ipothaiku mattum than ! He smiled secretly

Mullai : Apadina ?

Kathir : Apadina .... konjam neram kallichu neeyaae enkitta varuva !

Mullai : Vevavava !

Kathir : Ha ha ha ...pallipu kaatinathu pothum , inga vaa .... dressing table munadi vanthu nillu .

She did as he said .

He came around and stood behind her .

Their reflections were glowing in the mirror .

Love and affection oozed and radiated from both the faces !!

Suddenly something caught Mullai s eye !!

There was some difference in him _

But before she could think more , his hands had wrapped around her neck , lifted her small chain off and suddenly a broad grand , multilayered diamond choker adorned her neck .

It happened so quick and fast that it took few seconds for Mullai to register what he did .

Mullai : Yenge ...yenge , yen ipadi panninga ,

Kathir : Enna pannen ? London Cindrella ku shoe , intha Sellai Cindrella ku Diamond choker !
Nalla erukulla ?

Mullai : Athu illa , enoda chain yen kalatininga ,kudunga nga ,

Kathir :. Ada poruma , un chain eh thooki ooda va poraanga ,tharen ,.mothala intha choker nalla eruka paathu sollu ,

Even without turning towards the mirror she said , it was nice .

Her eyes were glued only onto the simple chain of hers.

It wasn't just a chain for her _ the pendant had her life , hidden within it .

He too knew it !!!

Then why does he behave like this .

Kathir : Kanaadiyaae paakama nalla erukunu solra .
Nalla paathutu sollu .

Saying so ,he causually opened the pendant and took out the mangal suthra from it .

Mullai was astonished and suprised at his act .

Mullai : Yenge ...Yenge , enna pannitu erukinga ?
Atha yen vellila yeduthinga ?
Athuvum innaikunu paathu , en kaluthulla erunthu yen kalatininga !

Kathir : Shu ! Calm down ,

Mullai : Kathirrr ! Athu en thaali , enakunu sila sentiments eruku .

She said in a strict tone !

He didn't bother ,

Kathir : Paara , Cindrella ku kovam varuthu !

Mullai : Please ...Kathirrr !

Kathir : Intha tone la .... please oh. , Kathirr oh koopidaatha ma , manushanku seyya vendiya mukkiyamana vellai maranthuruthu paaru !

Mullai : Manaangatti ! Apadi enna mukkiyamana vellaiyaam ?

Kathir : Un kaluthulla intha thaali ya katti , thirumba moraipadi unnaiya en pondati aakikrathu , mukkiyamana vellaiya ,illaiya ?
Neeyaae sollu !

He causually threw the bomb ....an unexpected , colourfull ,happy bomb that blasted out with nothing but happiness and excitement within her .

Slowly she remembered all the happenings from morning .

Uma had said that it was customary in that household to conduct , weddings of 5 couples ,every year on Mr . Ranganathan's birthday at a temple either at Chennai or Trichy .
This year ,it was to be held at their house , at Rangan Palace itself owing to the elderly man ' s ill-health .
He was advised by the doctors not to step out of the house for atleast 2 months post his surgery .
So it was decided to conduct the weddings at their pooja room itself in front of Ranganathan' and Periyanayagi .
She and Uma only had been doing all those arrangements since morning .
And Kathir himself was on the wheels for all the other errands needed .
None of their other relatives were invited except for the family members and her parents .
So it was all because of this ?
And how come they both fit into this ?

She looked questioningly at Kathir' ?

Kathir : Enna maan kutty maathri apadi paakura ?

Mullai : Illa ...ithu ..enaku purila ,

Kathir : Puriyaama povaanen . Kaailaila erunthu pooja room la enna pannitu eruntha ?

Mullai : Uma chithi sonna maathri , Anju velli thambaalathulla , pattu podavai , pattu veshti ,poo ,palam , sweet Box , Check amount vacha oru periya cover ...ithelaam aduki vachen ,

Kathir : Mukkiyamaanatha vitututiyaae ,

Mullai : Marakala ....Manjal thadavina thengaai la , Thangathulla kortha Thirumaangalyam _ naan than vachen !

Kathir : Yethana ?

Mullai : Anju than ! She said in a flow and then paused thinking about something deeply .

She ofcourse did arrange five silver trays and other things .

But Mangal suthras ?

Weren't they only four ?

And when she asked Uma about it , she said a befitting reply that Mullai accepted without suspicion .

Kathir : Nijamavae five thana ?

Mullai : Illa ...naalu than ! Yen ...

Kathir : Antha inonu than inga erukaae !

Mullai : Vaalapala joke maathri solringa ?

Kathir : En life la itha vida naan serious ah erunthathaae illa ma !
Don't you remember what I promised you the other day ?

Mullai : _...

Kathir : Nee yelantha yellathaiyum unaku thirupi kodupen !
Naan pannina thappa enaala mudincha alawu sari pannuven .

Mullai : Nyabagam eruku ., aana naan than thaaliya potrukenaae !

Kathir : Athu un perunthanmai ....,nee en mela vacha kadhalaku kodutha respect .
But what did I do in return ?
Unaku vethanaiyum ,kastathaiyum mattum thana oru varshama koduthutu erunthuruken .

Mullai : Vendaam Kathirr ,kastapaduthikaathinga ,

Kathir : No no , apdilaam vitra mudiyaathu .
Naan sonna maathri ithu en thaali than , but naan kattinathu illaiyaae !
Neeya atha intha pendant la olichu marachu potrunthatha ,mothal mothala paakum bothu ,enaku epadi erunthuchu theriyuma ?
I was ashamed and angry at my ownself !!
Apovae mudivu panniten ,

His voice was too serious . Mullai didn't know that he was too sensitive in this issue

Mullai : hmm..

Kathir : Naduvulla konjam problem aanathaala , apothaiku itha thalli poten .
Amma , appava ( Parvathy and Murugan') to ooruku anupaama , ingayaae konjam naal thanga sonnathum intha naal kaaga than !

Mullai : Apo intha pattusellai ?

Kathir : Sareeyum anga naalu than erunthrukum .
Unakaaga ithu naan select pannathu ma ,

Mullai : Intha nagai ?Ithu yethuku ...athan athai nagai erukaae !

Kathit : Athu amma odathu ! Athu thani ,
Aana intha jewelry enoda wife kaaga ,naan vaangi kodukra mothal gift !
My token of love !
Vendaamnu mattum sollidatha di please ,
Yellamaae naan paathu paathu seyya sonnen!
Unakaaga special ah diamond varavalachu senchathu ,

Mullai : Yethukunga ivlo costly ah vaanginanga ?

Kathir : Because u are more precious than these diamonds baby !
Unoda mathipu unakaae theriyaathu , Unamaiyum ,nermaiyum , anbum kalanthava nee.
Unakaaga enna venumnaalum seyylaam ;

Inga vaa ,

He called her beside and open the other velvet boxes .

A pair of matching diamond danglers with pearl drops and a tikka was seen .

Another one had bangles arranged in order .

He took out a big haram and wore it around her neck .

Within refusing him , she wore the earrings and other jewelry .

When she looked at her in the mirror ...she was astonished .

She was glittering in and out with diamonds decked over her .

She remembered Pragya ' s attire !

So she knew it _ that was why she came up so much dressed.

She immediate asked ,

Mullai : Apo Pragyavuku munadiyaae theriyuma ?

Kathir : Kailesh kitta solli than jewelry panna sonnen . Koodavae vera sila mukkiyamana vellaiyum engaluku inga irunthuchu .
Thaatha va paakanumnu sonaan .
Apo thonina idea than , Pragya va inga invite pannathu .

Mullai : Yen ?

Kathir : Simple _ to show you ,that I belong to you and only you !
Awala nenachu thana sanjala patutae eruntha ?
Atha naan thappu solla maaten .
Because , namma palaya life la naan sonna , someone else in mind , Pragya than .

Mullai : Hmm,

Kathir : But athu kadhal naala sonna vaarthai illa .
I approached the whole wedding itself like a business deal .
Awaloda external beautyum kutty reason . Business la romba thiramaiyana ponnu ,
So athelaam calculate panni ....than anaiku apadi olarinen .

Mullai : Hmpt !

Kathir : Kochukaatha ma , apo enoda opinion , thought process laam apadi erunthuchu .
Unoda unmaiyana anbukum , make up podaatha iyaalbaana alagukum munadi , awalaam onumaae illa di .
Marriage panni family aagurathu .... business deal illainu puriya enaku oru varsham aagiduchu .

Mullai : Athuku ?

Kathir : She knows about our divorce !
Awa kannu munadi , awa paaka ,un kaluthula intha thaaliya naan thirumba katti , naan unaku mattum sonthamaanavanu ,unaku unarthanumnu nenachen .
Apo than un manasulla ulla uruthal pogumnu nenachu than invite pannen .

Mullai : Engala pesavum vachinga !

Kathir : Yup ....but athu oru chinna pori than .
En kai thaali un kaluthula yerum bothu , yentha kavalaiyum unaku eruka koodathunu nenachen .
Thappa ?

What will she say for this ?

He had thought so much for her inner feelings and had respected them .

This wedding thing itself was a sweet shocker for her .

And now to get married again in front of the girl who was giving her nightmares once , was something she hadn't even dreamt off .

Suddenly something sprang up to her mind ,

She almost screamed ,

Mullai : Yenge ...Yenge , she had to rock him a couple of times
MV : Kannu mattum enga poguthu paaru ,

Kathir : Hmm... sollu , he who was drinking her in looks came out of the trance ,

Mullai : Enna paakringa ?

Kathir : Choker la kallulaam correct ah erukaanu check pannitu erunthen !

Mullai : Nambiten !

Kathir : Naan enna paakurenu than theriyuthulla , pinna enna ipadi oru kelvi ?

Mullai : Vevavava !

Kathir : Irudi ....night enkitta sikkamaiya pova , apo vachukren !
Athusari ,....ipo yen thideernu kathina ?

Mullai : Illa ...ithu ...intha kalyanam _ namaku ....epadi nadakum ?

Kathir : Sathyasothanai ! Pona vaati epadi nadanthathoo atha vida , santhoshama .... nimathiya ,divyama nadakum .
Ithu ennadi question ?

Mullai : Athu Illainga , Namma vishyam than Thaatha , paati , apuram enga amma ,appakelaam theriyaathaae.
Enna solla poringa ?

Kathir : Solla poringa illa ! Yenna sonninganu kellu !

Mullai : Apadina ?

Kathir : Apadina ....en kolanthai pondatiya thavira yellarukum innaiku nadaka pora wedding pathi theriyum !

Mullai : Yepadinga ? Thaatha kitta enna soninga ?

Kathir : Athu va ...Namma Sadha maams yethuku erukaaru ?
Infact .....anga onu solli , inga onu sollinu ,nammala mothal mothala korthu vittathae Sadha mama thana ?
Athan .....awarae vachaae intha vaati , naan en kaariyatha saathichukiten !

Mullai : epadi ?

Kathir : Nothing big !
Intha year birthday ku veetla vachu than , 5 pair ku wedding nu fix panniyaachu .
Athulla naalu per , already select panni vachruthanga .
Ella varshamum nadakrathu than _ nijamavae poor people , kalappu thirumanam , widow re marriage ,illa ... orphans nu , antha pair oda background eh visaarichu athu unmaina mattum than wedding nadathi vaipaar thaatha !
Athullaiyum perumbaalum , widow s remarriage , dis_abled people na preference undu .
Summa ....bantha kaaga panni vaika maataar .
Keela paathila , awanga life ku ella basic needsum provide panni , secured ah , nadathi vaipaar !!
Athu maathri ,intha varsham select aanathu 4 pair than .

Mullai : Hmm,

Kathir: Sadha mama than intha varsham antha responsiblity eh yeduthaaru .
Anga awaruku check vachu ...Namma pakkam kaai nagarthikiten !

Mullai : Ennanu ?

Kathir : Simple ! Naalu pair than kedachathu .
Saanthiyam padi , odd numbers la marriage panni vaipaanga .
So 3 nu koraikrathuku bathila , 5 pairs eh erukatumnu thaatha kitta sollunganu !
Anjavatha yaarum kedaikala ....Athunaala ,Namma Kathir' eh thirumba Mullai kaluthulla thaali katta solliralaam .
Ithu sambrathayathuku thana ....illati saami kutham aagumnu ,thaatha kitta saradu vidda sonnen !

Mullai : Acho .... Chithappa enna pannraar ?

Kathir : Awaru enna pannuvaaru !
Intha velaiyaata aarambichu vachathae thalaivar thana ?
Pona vaati ......ninge panna fraud thanatha ipovum pannunganu sonnen !!
Thalaiku solliya kodukanum?
Athuvum .... neeyum Naanum thirumba onna vaalanumnu aasai padra manushan Sadha maams !

Mullai : ....

Kathir : Thaatha kitta , navarasathaiyum kotti awaru nadicha nadipulla ,Thaathavaae ennaiya koopiru , " Enakaaga ,kochukaama , pappa kaluthulla thaali kattu saami ! Ithu oru custom than thambi , please da kannanu ,  enoda kannatha konji ,Kenji kettukitaaru ""
Naanum first konjam biggu panra maathri scene potutu , apuram accept pannikitten !
Epadi ...un Kathirangan oda plan !

He laughed victoriously and winked at her !

Mullai : Ungala ...ungala.....sariyana kedinga ninge !

Kathir : Ha ha ha ...erunthutu poren .
Aayiram poi solli oru kalyaanam pannalaam ma !

Mullai : Athusari , pechula ungala jeika mudiyuma !

He pulled her into his clutch again and kissed her lips gently ,

Kathir : I am ready to loose to you !

His face was so emotional all of a sudden that she involuntarily ebbed up and kissed his forehead

Mullai : Kathirr....she stammered not getting words to speak ,

By then ....his mobile rang up !!

He attended it ,

Kathir : Ithoo maams ! We I'll be down in another 5 minutes .
Vanthroom !

Turning to her he said ,

Kathir : Mama than Mullai !
Muhurtha neram nerunguthu pola. ,
Thaatha suthi kootam eruka koodathungrathu naala , oru oru pair ah than , poi aasirvatham vaangitu , pooja room pakathulla set panniruka stage la thaali kattanum pola .
I mean it will be in turns .
Namma than last pair !
So ...

Mullai : Ponuma ?

Kathir' : Onaae onu vittu poiruchu ...he opened another tiny velvet box and took out a small star shaped diamond nose pin !
This is my favourite and special gift !Atha kalatu ,he asked her to remove her old nose pin and screwed in the new one in her nose .

It sparkled bright !!!

In another couple of minutes they both entered the pooja room ,

They did all the rituals yet again _ this time Kathir full heartedly and filled with love , and Mullai with utmost calmness and happiness brimming inside her .

They took the blessings of Mullai s parents and Sadha _ Uma couple yet again .

Not knowing the reality, the young pack were pulling one another's legs as usual .

Kailesh and Pragya too wished the couple good with a clean slate heart .

Finally after taking the blessings from Mr Ranganathan' and Mrs.Periyanayagi , Kathir' tied the nuptial knot ,the mangal sutra yet again , around Mullai s slender neck !

With the huge garlands almost hiding their faces ,they both looked at each other ......eye to eye ...when Kathir' tied the final knot , safe and strong around her neck .

KANNUM ...KANNUM !