" AALAMARAM "

THE WORKING WOMEN'S HOSTEL

TRICHY .

ROOM NO 25

MULLAI WAS SEATED OPPOSITE A VISIBLY ANGRY RED FACED MIDHULLA _

MIDHULLA WAS MULLAI S CHILDHOOD FRIEND AND BESTIE .

Both of them started schooling together , went to the same coaching classes , took up the same college ,but different courses and almost at same time joined their respective jobs ,but in Trichy itself .

Nope !!!

Whilst Mullai discontinued ( or more so didn't even complete a month's job) , Midhulla still continued her job in a private bank .

Mullai s native was Musiri _ a taluk town , an hour or so drive from Trichy .
Midhulla too was from nearby place of Musiri .

Both of their families being socially and economically in par , they grew up as family friends as well .

Mullai s father , Murugan held a clerical job in a private firm . Her mother , Parvathi was the quite. , soft spoken (😂 )typical TN homemaker .

Midhulla s father and mother were teachers .

Whilst Midhulla was the only child of her small family , Mullai had a much younger sister and brother who were twins .
Being born after a long time interval than Mullai ,they were still schooling kids .

With Midhulla' s parents both gone to work always , Midhulla would usually spend her whole holidays and vacations at Mullai s home only , her younger siblings and Parvathi s , delicious cuisines making her yearn , for Mullai ' s wholesome family .

Since both of them knew each other from their kindergarten itself ,there was practically no secrets between the besties .

Midhulla knew everything about Mullai ' s unanticipated wedding proposal from The Rangan .. family .
Infact she was the most happiest one on knowing about her friend' s wedding .
She never felt jealous even once on knowing that Mullai was to tie the knot with Kathir .
She was literally jumping with joy then ,

Midhulla : De.. Mullai , enaku semma happy ya eruku .
Ammadiyov ...evlo periya veetuku , nee marumagal ah poga pora theriyuma ?

Mullai : Evlo periya veedu ? Ivlo erukuma ?

The , then enthusiastic ,happy brimming to be bride Mullai , extended both her hands wide apart and asked her friend in a mocking tone.

Midhulla : Aye ...jokeu !

Mullai : Vevavaa !!

Midhulla : Paathu ..paathuma ....oraediya sullikaatha , apuram Kathir sir mutham koduka uthada theda vendi erukum !
Face ku naduvulla eruka vendiya lips , epudi kannathulla vanthuchunu , first night layae yosika poraaru !
Awee .....erumai , pisaasu ....yendi killina ?

Mullai : Pinna killama ? Kalyaanam fix aagirukunu thana sonnen.
Nee athukulla .... fisst...fist ....fist...she blushed not able to complete her word .

Midhulla : Ama ...Brucelee nadicha ," Fist of Fury" !
Aala paaru ....ithukaae thikura . Hmm...antha manushan paavam than !
Thirutu mulli mullika poraaru .....,

Mullai : Nee kanda , thirutu mulli laam illa , nalla than erunthanga !

Midhulla : Paara ! Porumaiyin sigharathuku vara kovatha !

Mullai was ofcourse known for her extreme patience and level headedness amongst her friends , and had earned the name Porumaiyin Sigaram and Boomimaatha !

With having small babies as siblings at her 12 th year of age she had imbibed that natural quality to be patient .
A well talkative Mullai slowly had cocooned herself without even her parents noticing it .
As well she hadn't had big expectations whatsoever in anything in life . Not that she didn't like her family nor siblings . They were her world .
But just that she kept expectations on a low note always , understanding her family's situation.
Midhulla was a bit just the opposite . Being a single child of working parents she had a bit more freedom than Mullai , and grew up to be a big chatter box .

Midhulla : Hmm...Nalla erunthangala !!! Mariyaathai laam balama eruku .
Vitta , " Praana naatha "nu kaala viluva pola ?

Mullai : Epadi ? Nee ..... Sakthi anna kitta vilura maathriya ?

Sakthi was Midhulla s own cousin with whom she was to tie the knot .

Midhulla : Naan yendi awan kaala la villa poren ?
Awan than , en kaala vidaama , thongitu erukaan . Maadu !

Mullai : Yendi ipdi thitra ?

Midhulla : pinna ...intha perusunga mattum , Iwan than unaku purushana vara poravenu chinna vayasullae sollama erunthuruntha , enakum unga " Aalu " maathri , jackpot adichurukum la ...she winked playfully .

Mullai knew it was a lie .Midhulla was head over heels in love with this cousin of hers . She was just pulling her friend' s leg .

. Mullai : Adachi ...vaaya kaluvu . Jackpot aamla . Anna varum bothu pottu kodukren .

Midhulla : Koduthutaalum !
Aana onu Mullai , nee nejamavae romba lucky .
Trichy la mattum ,naalu centre la awanga Scans eruku .
Then oru factory . Ithu yellathukum enga bank layum transaction undu .
Itha thavira , oor pakkam "Mills " eruku pola .
Naan solrathu , Trichy la eruka properties mattum .
Inum , Chennai la erukratha nenachu paaru .

Mullai s face really changed then only . She had that doubt too often since the time the wedding was confirmed .

She very well knew about their Scans .

After all it all had started from that only .

She didn't know why such a rich family had opted for her as their daughter in law for the first heir of the next generation .

Ofcourse , her father and Sadhasivam , the groom's maternal uncle were more than thick friends .

They both belonged to the same community .

Their parents were well known as well .

During that time , Mr Ranganathan s family hadn't shifted to Chennai .

They were all at Trichy it seems .

This story was told innumerable times by her father ,Murugan .

He knew about their whole family .

Sadhasivam was the last son of that family .

Mr. Ranganathan was a well known Land owner of good old Trichy .

His wife was Mrs . Periyanayagi !

Their first daughter was Mrs . Lakshmi ( the son of whom , Mullai was to marry )

Then was Mrs . Saraswati and Mrs . Naramada , who were married respectively and settled in Chennai for good .

All of them were affluent .

Mullai didn't know what was that special in her for them to wholeheartedly choose her as their DIL .

Because everyone of them were genuinely kind and good to not only her but to her family as a whole .

She even asked Midhulla the same question ,

Mullai : Athu than Midhu , konjam kolapama eruku ..ivlo periya kudumbamum .
Ennaiya yen select pannanum ?
En kitta apadi enna special !

Midhulla : Ada loosaae !
Neeyaae special than di . Unoda arumai ,antha kudumbathuku therinchu eruku .
Unga appavum awangalku therimchavanga . Orae caste and community .
Awangalae thana sonanga sonna _ athan , Pathu poruthamum correcta porunthi poguthunu .
Apuram enna ?
Oru Vella , Mr. Nayagan _ photo la eruka alavuku ,nerla Avlo smart illaiyoo ?
Intha kolambu kolumbura ?

Mullai : Yeei ....Chu , Athelaam illa . Nerla alaga ,smart ah than erunthanga .
Sirichu pesinaanga ....hmm ...sirikum bothu koodavae kannum sernthu sirichuchu !

Midhulla : Adra sakkai ...... yendi , pappa maathri erunthukittub, evlo notice pannitu vanthruka .
Ithulla , yen ennaiya select pannanganu doubt vera unaku .
Enaku therinchu , unnaiya maathri homely look la eruka ponnungala than pasangaluku romba pudikum .
Summa venumna , modern wife venumnu sollikuvaanga . Athu than saaru ,unkitta sarukitaarunu nenaikren !!!

She too said with absolute happiness that time .

Not only then ,

Midhulla was right along with her all along the wedding ,

Except during the early morning _ when she had to go along with Parvathi for some chores , leaving Mullai all alone in the bride's room .

Midhulla didn't know what had happened in that small break of an hour .

That was the reason she was now yelling and all anger against Mullai' s ex husband and Mullai herself .

Back to Midhulla s room !

Midhulla asked nope yelled ,

Midhulla : So unoda panakaara purushan ... sorry sorry , ex purushan , unakum awarkum ulla yettra thaalava yeduthu sonnaodanae , porumaiyin sigaram ana unaku , nyayama thoniruchu .
Adutha nimishamae , madam ningalavaae , intha divorce ideava , yeduthu vitrukinha ?

Mullai : ......!

Midhulla : Saarum , ithan saakunu , gappunu antha idea va pudichukitaaru .

Mullai : .....!

Midhulla : Rendu perum sernthu oru varshama kootu kalavaanithanam panni , suthi eruka yellar kannulayum manna thoovi , pesi vachukitta maathriyae pirinchum vanthachu !

She breathed hard in anger with trembling lips .

Mullai s head lowered _ she knew this anger of Midhulla was for her own sake .

But ,

A deal was a deal !!

Mullai too had a small role in this mishap . He wasn't to be completely blamed for his fault . He ofcourse did give her a chance to free herself off this marriage .
But then she did not !
Midhulla didn't know this _ so she was dead angry over Kathir and was screeching on the top of her voice to Mullai .

Midhulla : Epadi ...epadi ? Sirukum bothu ...koodavae kannum sernthu sirichuthaam !
Sonnava nee thanadi , en nyayavaathi ?
Apo yen man apadi sirichaaenu , sattaiya pudichu kekaama , neeyaae divorce pannikalaamnu plan pottu koduthurukiyaae ....unnaiya Enadi seyyalaam ?

Mullai : Midhu .... please ...

Midhulla : Enna please ? Illa ...enna please ngren .
Nalla thanadi eruntha !
Neeyena loosa ?
Kaila kedacha vaalkaiya asaaalta thooki veesitu vanthruka .

Mullai : Apadi illa ....

Midhulla : Pinna epadi ? Mullai ...nee Intha oru varshama happya erukenu than naanum nenachen .
Aana evlo alaga nadichrukinga ?
Antha "Maharaasan " kitta , Sakthi oda transfer vishyama meet panna bothu , enna alaga pesinaaru antha aalu .
Mothala appointment kedaikala ...apuram un friendnu sonathuku apuram , one hour kulla , Sakthi ku transfer order eh kaikku vanthruchu .
Ellam un mela eruka priyathulla pannathunu naan nenachen.
Ipo thana theriyuthu ......intha maathri kamukkama , pirinchu porathuku plan pottu koduthuvaloda friend ku ,oru nandri kadan maathri help pannirukaarunu !

Mullai : Midhu.......yendi ipdi pesura ?
Sathyama ithelaam enaku theriyaathu .

Midhulla : Enga theriya poguthu ?
Maadila orutharum , keela orutharuma kudumbamum nadathina , ithelaam epadi theriyum ?
Nee evlo maarita Mullai ?
Un manasukulla erukrathu apadiyae face la theriyum .
But intha one year eh , evlo alaga nadichu eruka .
Ennala sathyama kandupiduka mudila di !

Mullai : Vera enna panna solra ?
En purushan ku ennnaiya pidikala nu board eh maatikittu suthiruka solriya ?

Midhulla : Ivlo vakanaiya ipo pesu !
Unnaiya board maati announcement panna sollala .
But ,neeya yen poi , divorce pannikalaamnu commit panna ?
Unaku enna thalai yeluthu !

Mullai :....!

Midhulla : Un mela yentha thappum illa !
Nee onum aduthava purushana aataiya podala !
Illa , cienma la vara maathri ,neeya antha "Mahamethai" mela aasai pattu ,oodi poi onum awar kaala la vilala !
Illaiya , asingama drama panniyum kalyaanam pannikala !
Ithulla yethuvumaae illa , alaga ....veetla amma ,appa paathu vacha kalyaanam !
Apadi erukum bothu yendi ....,...

Mullai : Pidikalainu solra aal kitta .....

Midhulla ': Sonna ?
Illa ....theriyaama than kekren , saaruku yellamae pidichatha than erukanumoo ?
Awanga amma_ appa laam pidichu than choose panninaaroo ?
Athuva amanchathathu thana ....?
Apadi than ya , pondatiyumnu sollitu , angayaae antha , Mandaikulla oraikra varaikum , tent adikaama , nera puthumai penna kelambi vanthuta yellam sari aagiduma ?
Inga paaru .....ithuku yethuvum samaalikaatha , yenna unaku Awara rombavae pidikumnu enaku theriyum !

Mullai : Naan pidikalainu sollavae illaiyaae !

Midhulla : Kondruven unna !
Maadu ....pesaathadi ,pathi kittu varuthu !
Sari atha vidu , vanthathu vanthiyaae , yen Jeevanaamsam vendaamnu sonna ?
Antha oru point eh vachae Yevlo Kodieeswaran laam nadutheruvuku vanthrukaanha theriyuma ? .

Mullai : Chee....chee ....

Midhulla : Enna chi ..chi . Onu apdi erunthrukanum ....illaiya ipdi erunthrukanum !
Ithena , un purushanku sotha kaapathi kodukriya ?
Nee vendaamnu sollita . Antha Manushanuku enga pochu buthi ?
Chinna ponnu .... financial ah support pannanumnu koodava theriyaathu .
Nandri ketta aalu !

Mullai raised her eyes immediately to Midhulla. A streak of anger peaked in her eyes .

Midhulla didn't bother ,

Midhulla : Oohoo ...saara sonna , madam ku kovam vera varuthoo ?
Ada cha ....Enna Design di ,ninge rendu perum !
Sathyama purila da saami .
Vaaila yethachum vanthura poguthu .
Ivlo kova padrava alavuku , angana yenna eruku ?
Oru varsham mulluku , strangers maathri erunthu erukinga .
Unnaiya pathi awarku theriyaathu , awara pathi unaku theriyaathu !
Ungalkulla vera yethuvum illa vera .... apuram enn.....

Midhulla stopped abruptly on seeing Mullai s cheeks redden without her knowledge .
She blushed unknowingly _ and it meant something else to Midhulla .
A woman won't blush this much on just mentioning a man" s name , until otherwise they had something really personal .
Midhulla was no fool !

Midhulla : yeei ...unmaiya sollu ,enaku theriyaama yethachum eruka ?

A moment of hesitation sprang up from Mullai .

She reddened more .

Then slowly but firmly said ,

Mullai : Illa !

Midhulla : Nolla !

Mullai : Enathu ?

Midhulla : Hmm....mosa pudikra naaiya moonchiya paatha theriyaathu .
Poi kaari ! Podi ....ennathaiyoo maraikra en kitta erunthu .
Apadi paakaaatha ......enaku antha Aalu mela than ketta kovam varuthu !

Mullai : Onum illa Midhu !

Midhulla : Oh apadiyae madam . Namburen ....apo naan solra maathri seyyuriya ?

Mullai : Enna ?

Midhulla : Antha" Seemai illatha Prithvirajanku" ,innoru kalyaanam nadakrathu munadi ,nee kalyaanam pannikanum .

Mullai : Midhuuu .....!

Midhulla : Nenachen .....ipdi than "veel" nu alaruvenu !
Antha , Aalu unnaiya yetho senchu vachrukaaru di . Vasiyam panni vacha maathri behave panra .
Oruthi evlo thooram paithiyam ah erupaanu , ennala inum namba mudilla .
Yen Mullai ......she came over and bent on her knees in front of Mullai and repeated the same question , ithoo paaru , unga rendu perukum something eruku .
Vidu ...atha sollanumnu naan expect pannala !
But yen ipdi foolish ah oru mudivu yedutha ?
Husband and wife nu aana pinnadi , yethuku veembu paatha . , awaroda antha managatti ego & thimir laam , konja naalaiku sagichukittu eruntha , thaana valliku vanthrupaarunu than thonuthu !
"Kasta padra" ....un face paathalae theriyuthu .
Unaku Awara inum pidikum _ athunaala than ,naan awaruku " iirr " potu mariyathai kodukren .
Awara paatha , Attitude/ Thimir laam erunthalum , awlo "kettavar" maathrilaam theriyala !
Apuram yen ......unmela yentha thappum illatha bothu ,yen ipdi panna ?
"Divorcee" ngra tag oda vaalrathu oru kodumai di .
Namma onum metropolitan city la vaalala .
Kathava saathita , adutha veetla enna nadakuthunu theriyaama eruka !
Trichy !
Amma,appa erukrathu Musiri la ....unaku thangachi ,thambi eruku .
Kedacha vaalkaiya thakka vachukaama , yen loosuthanama kaiyya vittu naluvi poga vitta ?

Mullai didn't speak for sometime .

What will say ?

From where will she start to say ?

She didn't want " HIM " alone to bear the brunt of this divorce .

Because it wasn't totally his fault .

Attitude , arrogance or whatever he gave her a narrow chance to escape from this loveless marriage , though it was at the last minute ..

At the Eleventh hour of their wedding he did give her a chance to quit from this marriage .

But ,

It was she who turned down that and went in for this wedding .

It was because of that alone she came forward to step out of it also .

She very well knew that anyone who hears her will immediately brand her deed as Insane or Absolute foolishness !!!

But she really didn't know how to react at that neck of the hour .

And to be honest to her heart ,she was in no mood to let go off him ....let go off that marriage to Him .

Because , if she had to accept his idea and reject their marriage then , he had arranged someone , to tie the knot with her , exactly at the same time ,same date itself .

That was too horrible for her to think then , ..

So , instead she deceived him on face , and refused to call off the wedding ,even after knowing it's going to hell .

The decision of divorce was taken only after she came to know about Someone he said he had in mind ,that wedding night .

Till then she too had exactly thought like Midhulla ,that she could convince him after marriage .

She slowly opened her mouth and said ,

Mullai : Naan " Kathir " eh ," Kathir" kaaga than vittu koduthen !!
En melaiyum oru thappu eruku Midhu !!!