A month had passed by exactly .

Kathir returned back to Trichy right on the eve of his wedding .

The wedding was to take place at the early muhurtham between 6:00_7:45 am .

He arrived to Trichy airport around 7:00pm the previous evening .

And now ,

Not knowing an inch that his life was to turn upside down , without an ounce of suspicion as to why the whole family had asked him to book his return flight back to Trichy instead of Chennai , without any  intriguing thoughts as to why his thaatha called him frequently regarding selection of few auspices dates and his aunties often advising him to take care of his health and return back safe asap , Kathir s expensive Benz entered the huge grilled gates of The RANGAN Palace only to see it decorated colourfully with glittering lights , making the whole palace sparkle as a diamond against the dark velvety blue sky .

With raised eyebrows , Kathir walked along the lawn , noticing the green banana plantains that were adorning the entrances as well the Maavillai thoranams , decorating the hall .

All the family members were present dressed in silk dhothis , kanchivarams , diamond Harams with his young sisters adorning colourfull lehengas .

As far as he remembered Diwali was long from then .

There wasn't any need to dress up so grand to receive him .

It wasn't anyone s birthday also nor any one s wedding anniversary too ....

Wait !!!

He jerked and stopped just to notice that one side of  the big wall of the huge foyer was being decorated with real fresh flowers written in big bold letters ,

Kathirangan weds Mullainayagi !!!

Kathir froze in shock !

His face lost colour instantly and then shades of red appeared slowly deepening more and more , as whilst inferring the message it meant !

What the heck ?

The red carpeted hall area , was filled in with large silver trays  ( thambulams ) each filled in each with  flowers , variety of fruits , glass bangles  of multiple colurs ,  imported chocolate , sweets _ ladoos ( his favourite) , silk knokknacks , small silver kumkum give away boxes , jewelry in one , heavily worked Kanchivaram saree in another , chandhan boxes and finally the huge colourfully decorated garland

How dare !

Maaama....!

The whole family came in attendance on his shocking scream that echoed through the walls and rooms of the Rangan palace ,that few new faces too came out of the guest rooms that were situated in the ground floor .

Of all who came out of the rooms , Kathir s eyes were shocked to see , Murugan' and Paravathi dressed in pattu saree and dhothi with garlands around their neck .

So were Skandhan and his chithi Saraswathi .

The Parisam !!!

The finalisation of any marriage ; between both the parents  just before the couple  were to tie the knot .

It was the custom in their community .

It was then Kathir noticed that all only their relatives were present there .

None of the business relations nor the second group friends were seen .

So were Kailesh and Pragya !

They weren't there !

Kathir wasn't that dumb _ in an instant he knew that he had been trapped .

The whole family knew it but him !!!

He roared aloud ,

Maama !!!

Sadha  expected this _ but not so soon .

Almost flying along the breeze that flew through the foyer he presented himself first in that small crowd that had gathered around Kathir .

His driver was standing with all his luggages hanging in both hands .

Clearing his  dry throat Sadha tried to ease the situation .

Kathir stood solid as a rock statue except for his eyes that were oozing fire like the lavae of a violent volcano !!

Sadha : Ramesu ....pottiyelaam kondu poi ullara vachutu , panthiku pooda.
Vaa Kathira ......ulla poi pesalaam !

Kathir : Inga enna nadakuthu mama ?
Onumae theriyatha maathri pesuringa !

Skandhan : Kathir ...athu vanthu ,

Kathir : Chithappa ....I didn't expect this from you !

He said in a curt tone that hurt Skandhan deeply .

A simple sentence...but the tone and voice in which Kathir said it shocked the elder man .

Skandhan : Deei .... Kathir ,naan..

Kathir : shpp ! Wait ....

Raising his hand and commanding him to stop he looked around to see that almost all the relatives both near and far , as well some new faces were looking at him , at them in eager and confusion .

Of them , Murugan and Parvathi stood out , with a happy as well as confused face .

Their looks by itself implied him what they meant .

He turned sideways and looked at the decor that read Kathir weds Mullai !!

How on earth is it possible ?

His face hardened and teeth clenched . His fist gripped hard .

More than anger the feeling of being cheated was ebbing high within him .

He had made innumerable calls to his relatives back home in thia one month .

But apart from general issues none of them had opened their mouth about this .....this....he still even couldn't think of it as his wedding .

No one really cared about his feelings ?

Nope ...

Not really ,

His thaatha !!

Ofcourse he too had spoken to him many times in this month .

And ...

Wait ... Kathir remembered RANGANTHAN , enquiring him on and off about his health , about some auspicious dates ....some invitation formats and similar stuff .

It was Kathir who overlooked them thinking it was about their new construction project .

It was common of Ranganathan to ask Kathir such questions .

Damn !

Fuck !

But still ...

He .... would have definitely found it out ,

If not for his mama _

Sadha !!

Damn...he had really played shrewd and smart enough .

Kathir was able to connect dots now .

Everything was communicated to him through his thaatha , Ranganathan ,but at the same time it was made to appear as if it was related to their constructions work .

Sadha must have silenced Skandhan and Balan , his Chithappas .

He suddenly turned in the direction of his aunt , Uma ,

Kathir : athai ?

Uma : Kannuu ..... she stammered in confusion .

So she too didn't know it fully .

It was out and out ,his mama Sadha s plan !!

Great job!

Flawless ....even in that agony he didn't get mad on his uncle , instead he could only appreciate his smartness into blindfolding him .

Well ,

Kathir was equally smart and shrewd as his mama _ he said to himself .

Sadha could only manage to arrange for this wedding.

But it was in Kathir s hand to tie the knot finally !!

And ,

At any cost ,

He is not going to get himself hitched to a simple girl whom he  considered as his employee .

He cursed himself for being kind and patient to her the other day .

Sadha had really tricked him well .

In a moment , Kathir brought back his furiousness and rage in control .

Looking around once ,he just announced ,

Unga kitta konjam thaniya pesanum ..ulla vaanga , thaatha enga ?

Murugan came forward and blurted innocently ,

Murugan ..: Thambi ....maa...he stammered as to whether he can address him as maapla ., Kathir looked too alien now to Murugan'.

The kindness and softness in Kathir s face he saw the other day had dissapeared .

He looked stern and stiff as an iron statue !

Murugan continued on Parvathi s insistence ,

Murugan : Ma..maapla , ipo than Parisam potruku . Inum nalangu erukuu ......he stopped on seeing Kathir s face change drastically .

The way he looked at Murugan' clearly implied _  Are you my equal to ask such things !!

He threw Murugan' a sarcastic look !!!

Murugan s face lost colour and he seemed to tear up sensing something bad ,when ,

Sadha : Muruga ....awan ipo thana , Dubai la erunthaae varaan . Ulla poi kullichu , veshti satta laam potutu vanthu ,nalanga vachukalaam .
Ama ... Parvathi ,nee poi Mullai ya ready aaga sollu .
" Parisa " sellaiya katti vidunga ,naanga athukulla appa va paathutu vanthroom .
Ellarum poi vellaiya paarunga pa.
Vidincha kalyanam ....intha maapla than vanthathulla , apuram enna ?
Poi ...soliya paarunga .
Vellai eruku .

Uma : Amaka ....vaanga poovoom .Sarasu anni ,ningealum vaanga , Mullaiku poo vaikanum !

Uma innocently dragged Sarawathi and Naramada .

Parvathi left with them .

Murugan and few relatives had to stay back in  the huge hall itself .

Something in Kathir s eyes disturbed Murugan .

But Sadha threw a comforting look at his friend and ushered the angry , boiling ...fuming Kathir into the room where Ranganathan was awaiting for his grandson .

Once the men entered along with Periyanayagi , Sadha closed the door behind them .

Ranghanathan and Periyanayagi weren't there .

So ,

He yelled immediately after hearing the door click behind him ,

Kathir : Mama ... what's all this drama about ?

Sadha : Kathira ...naan solratha konjam porumaiya kellu ..

Kathir : What ? Bloody porumai ! Ninge panni vachruka kaariyathuku ,vera oruthana eruntha nadakrathae vera.
Ningala eruka naala ,naan intha alavuku porumaiya pesuren .

Skandhan : athulla da Kathir ,

Kathir : Ninge kooda moochu vidala la chithappa ?Jammunu parisam poda vakanthutinga ...yen chithappa..

Skandhan : Kathir ...unkitta thelliva sollama , last minute la sollavendia soolnilai than . Vera onum illada ...

Kathir : Vera onum illaiya ? This is my life .
Atha pathi ninge yosikalaiya ...

Sadha : Atha pathi unnaiya vida naanga athigama yosichu , akkarai pattathu naala than da thambi intha maathri yerpaadu panoom.

Kathir :  This is highly ridiculous !
Ithulla nyayam vera solringala maams .

Sadha : Dei ...yellam un nallathuku than...

Kathir : En nallathuku ? Damn...my ...
Naan ketena ...illa ketena sollunga ?
Yaaro oruthi kooda enaku marriage eh fix panni vachutu ,yellam en nallathukunu solringa...

Sadha : Yaaro oruthi ya ? Dei ...antha ponna unkitta naan kootitu vanthu intro pannenaa illaiya ?
Awanga appa va paathu pesiniya illaiya ?
Nalla ponna than mama erukaanu ,sonniya illaiya ...?

Kathir : Wait ...wait ....,vitta "sonniya ... illaiyaanu"   raagam paadivinga pola .
Neenga solratha naan accept pannikren .

Sadha : Apuram enna , sooli mudinchu . Vaa ...vanthu thaaliya kattu , athuku munnadi vettiya kattu !!

Kathir : maama....he clenched his teeth ,

Sadha : Enna Kathira ?

Kathir : Theriyaatha maathri nadikaathinga.
Naan  sonathelaam antha ponna oru employee ah .
Enkitta vellai paakra thaguthi antha ponnuku erukunu sonnen.
Antha work ku thevaiyaana , intelligence and appearance eruku .
That's all ...
But ,

Sadha : Enada buttu ?

Kathir : She can't be my wife .
Gosh !
I couldn't even imagine her as my wife !

Sadha : Yenda  thambi ipdi solra ?
Antha ponnuku alagu illaiya , padippu ellaiya .
Athu gunathuku munadi vera yentha ponnum nikka mudiyaathu .
Awala kalyaanam pannika athirstam venum da .

Kathir : Is it ? He asked in absolute sarcasm .

Sadha : Illaiya pinna ! He answers sincerely .

Kathir : Fine ...apo ningala pannikonga ....he retorted back angrily.

Sadha : Abachaaram....Abachaaram .athu enaku ponnu maathri .
Yenda ipdilaam pesura ...

Kathir : Ennaiya pesa vaikringa mama.
Enoda wife ku nu sila expectations eruku .
Athulla onu kooda intha ponnukitta kedaiyaathu .

Sadha : Un expectations thooki kuppaila podu ...apdi enna than yethirpaakra ?

Kathir : Damn ! He didn't answer immediately . He had Pragya in mind _ he felt she more or less fit into his expectations .

He had a liking for her " milky white " porcelain skin and tailor made model alike features ,and was impressed with her business knowledge and tactics .
She had had studied abroad same like him and was running her career well .
Moreover , she too hailed from an affluent family .
He had thought that she would make a good match for him .
As well , since Kailesh had approached him much much earlier , Kathir very well knew that Pragya too was interested in him .
He couldn't frame it , exactly as" fallen in love " but for sure he couldn't think of this new girl as his wife .

Kathir hadn't finalised his relationship with Pragya .

Ofcourse they had made it to the pubs quite often but it was along with other common  friends .

So he himself  wasn't that clear in his relationship status with her .

He  had thought of taking things slow and steady and explaining things to his thaatha & family later on , knowing they won't be able to immediately accept a North Indian bride .

Well ,

But now the table had totally toppled in an unexpected way .

So he didn't mention Pragya s name to Sadha .

Instead plainly said ,

Kathir : Namma status ku intha ponnu set aagathu mama .
Even in looks she is simple and plain !!

Sadha : Dei...

Kathir : Porunga , Naanum onum extraordinary handsome personality nu laam solla maaten .
But ...just that she won't suit me .
Avlo than .... please leave me .

Skandhan : Kathir .... yen ivlo pidivaatham da ?

Kathir : Chithappa ,you don't understand me .
Neengalaam than sernthu ,enaku set aagaatha ,enala en wife ah nenachu paaka mudiyatha oru ponna ennaiya kalyaanam pannika solli pidivaatham pidikringa .
That too , enaku theriyama evlo vishyam laam pannirukinga ?

Sadha : Athukaaga un kaala venumnaalum vilren raja , awala kalyaanam panniko !

Kathir : Damn ! Maama ....why are speaking such words ?
F**k !
What is so special about her ?
Ipadi compel panringa .....

Sadha : Nee yen vendaamgra ? Naangalaam unaku theriyaama pannotoom na ?

Kathir : Athuvum oru reason !
But , enaku varava  , enaku equal ah erukanum .
Ipdi enkeela work panravala eruka koodaathu .
Bold ah erukanum ....this girl looked like a baby that day .
Marundu ...marundu paatha , kannula bayam than therinchuchu .
School kid maathri !
Uff...
Enaku paavama erunthachae olliya , vera onum thonala .
She didn't attract me as a woman _ pothuma ungalku ?
Ithuku mela enna solli puriya vaika ?

Sadha : mV : Ohoo ...antha Maida maava paatha than saaruku ' woman ' ah thonutho !!!

As he was struggling for a befitting reply , Skandan helped him .

Skandhan : Kathir ...I think you are wrong in this aspect .
Wife nu vanthutaa , attraction laam thanaala varum ....ithelaam oru valid reason ah sollatha !
Yen ,enaku kooda than unga alavuku periya sothu illa ,un chithi ennaiya kalyaanam pannikala ?

Kathir : Chithappa ....athu vera ... but naan ,

The door opened suddenly and Ranganathan entered along with Periyanayagi with all happy tears and smiles in their faces .

Ranghanathan : Kathir ! Bathirama vanthutiya saami ,
Ipo than nimathiya eruku .
Praayanam laam epadi erunthuchu ,

Periyanayagi : Ipo than pa , Uma sonna .
Keela ponnuku nalangu aarambichachu .
Mothal aala vachutu unnaiya paaka vanthen Kathiru.
" Palagaaram"  laam saaptiya ?

Sadha : Hookoom ! Awan , Balaae Kaarama  erukaan ma . Nee vera ?

Periyanayagi : Enada Sadha solra ?

Kathir : Panrathelaam Naarathar vellai .
Ithulla ungalku rhyming counter veraiya mama !

Ranghanathan : Enathan da Sadha , kolanthai mogam yen sevanthi poiruku ? 

Sadha : MV : Iwan kolanthai ya !
Hmm....unga kolanthai ku Namma paathu vachruka ponnu vendaama , athuku bathila vera China bommai than venumaam !! 

Ranghanathan : Enada olara ? Kathir enna aachu thambi . Ellam unkitta kettutu pannathu thana ?

Kathir was actually waiting for his grandfather to utter these words .

He knew how to tackle him .

His grandfather would never stand such forgery and for sure will understand him .

He was waiting for the elderly man to question him .

Then he could explain his stand and expose what sort of mess his mama had dragged him into .

He finally spoke patiently ,

Kathir : Ellamae enkitta ketutu than paninga thaatha .
But athu antha ponnada work related ah nu naan purinchu kitten , I mean ...antha maathri ennaiya nenaika vachathu ,Thiruvalar mama .
But naan marriage ku consent kodukala thaatha.
Antha ponna , enala athu maathriyae nenaika mudilla .
I don't want this marriage .
Kalyanatha odanae niruthunga thaatha .
I can't marry her !!

There was pin drop silence for sometime .

The Son in laws didn't open their mouth .

Sadha panicked .

Periyanayagi amma was shocked to the core .

Ranghanathan sat thoughtfull .

Kathir looked calm and composed .

After long minutes , Ranganathan spoke .

Ranghanathan : Saami , ithulla enna solrathu enaku oru kolapum eruku .
Un mela thappu illa than
Nyayama paatha , Sadha than thappu pannirukaan .

Kathir : Uff .... atleast ninge ennaiya understand pannikitingalaae thaatha ,

Ranghanathan : Aana ...saami ,

Kathir : Aana enna thaatha ? He asked in a levelled voice .

Somehow he couldn't behave harsh with the old man who was his Godfather .

Ranghanathan : Aana ithulla Murugan kudumbam melaiyum thappilaiyaae .
Nammala poi ponnu ketoom .
Jaathagam paathu , mudivu solli ,vaaku koduthoom .
Aasai kaati moosam panra maathri erukaatha ?
Oru ponnoda vaalkai thambi !
Nee , easy ah intha kalyanam vendaam nu sollitu ,adutha vellaiya paaka poiduva .
Unaku vera ponnum odanae kedaikum .
Aana antha ponnu ?
Athu vaalkai ?

Kathir  jerked immediately .

He actually hadn't thought on this line .

That girl !!

Gosh  ...he murmured to himself , pavam ...

Ranghanathan caught that one word and continued ,

Ranghanathan : Neeyae sonna maathri athu romba paavam thambi !
Paiyyanae antha ponna vendaamnu sollitaan , ennavo yethonu ooraae pesum.
Athuku innoru maapla kedaikrathu kastam .
Naduthara kudumbam . Inum athuku keela oru thambi ,thangachi eruku pa .
Antha ponnu mogatha yosichu paaru ....kallam kabadam illatha kolanthai mogam .
Atha nee vendaamnu sonna , ooru atha than thambi pallikum .
Athunaala ....neeyae atha ....

Kathir s eyes sparkled as his grandfather spoke.

The old man was still continuing and urged his grandson to marry her itself for the sake of her reputation being at stake .

But ,

It struck Kathir in another way .

He immediately accepted that Mullai s life will become questionable if he rejects her .

He accepted it openly to all that all the faces present there bloomed .

But ,no one knew the bomber that Kathir was going to throw next .

He once again proved he was a hard nut to crack .

Kathir : God ...ninhe solrathu true than thaatha .
Antha ponnu life paavam than .
Naan reject panna ,awala thappa pesuvaanga....

Sadha : Amada maapla ,ipo vaathu purinchu kittiyaae !

Kathir : Wait ...thaatha , enaku oru vishyam clear ah sollunga , antha ponnoda life kaaga thana ninge Kavala padringa ?

Ranghanathan : Amaam saami .

Kathir : Gimme a minute ...

He just left the room in a minute leaving all others in a confusion .

Coming out he dialled a number and spoke for sometime.

Then ,

He went in search of Mullai ,

And ,

Mullai was confused as well blushed red on seeing hism enter her room just like that .

She  knew  he had returned  back from Dubai .

But didn't expect him to come to her at that odd time of the hour .

It was almost nearing 10 pm when Kathir came inside her room .

Mullai : Va..vaanga...,intha ... nerathulla...ipo...ipo vanthrukinga....she asked softly heavily blushing as well .

But Kathir was in no mood to notice her antics.

He straight away came to his point and threw the thunder on her .

Kathir : hey look ...I know , whatever I am going to say now ,will be shocking for you .
But enaku vera valli therila .
Ok ..

Mullai : hmm...

Kathir : See first ,enaku intha kalyanathulla ishtam illa .
Annaiku ,nee officer ku , work related ah than vanthrukanu nenachen .
I didn't know all of this wedding drama .
I am not interested in this ,iwanga ellam sernthu ennaiya ipdi maati vitutuaanga.
So ...ya ...am not interested in this marriage .
But naan unnaiya reject pannina , unoda name spoil aagidumnu thaatha solraar .
In a way it's true _ silly people , thevai illatha gossips laam kelapi unoda reputation eh spoil panniduvaanga .
Aana athukaaga ennala unnaiya kalyaanam pannikavum mudiyaathu !
So ...

He paused leaving Mullai half dead !

Then came the next bomber ,

Kathir : So listen .
I have an alternate plan .
Naan unnaiya reject pannala.
Neeyaae  ennaiya reject pannidu ...I mean unaku ennaiya pidikalanu en thaatha kitta sollidu .
Give him any reason you want about me ...well ...he thought for sometime and said , Haan ...I booze , pubs poven ..so unaku ennaiya pidikalanu sollidu .
Kandippa athuku mela force panna maatanga .
And bayapadaatha ... unnaiya apadiyae vitra maaten .
I take responsibility for a secured life for you .
Enoda friend erukaan , Ashok' nu , enoda company la than work pannitu erukan .
He will be a good match for you .
He too belongs to the same communication . So athullaiyum no problem .
Naan pesiten .
Naalaiku nee ennaiya pidikalanu sollitu , awana kalyaanam panniko !

Mullai fell to the bed with a thud !!!