SARKARAI NILAVAAE

A/N: This chap happens after 3_4 days after Mullai meets Kathir in Hyderabad .
( Read ASURAN Chap once )

HYDERABAD:

AMIDS:

The silver lined grey painted house stood unique bearing the name of the house in bright bold Tamil letters.

In the top corner of the first floor was her room, facing a small terrace garden.

Her small own world !

She?

Mullai !

With her head resting on the cushions near by ,her frame curved in along the wall she was all dainty and feminine as ever !

Except....

For the ever bright sparkling eyes  hooded now , with brimming tears , along with an unknown fear and
unexplainable confusion.

Dried streaks of tears were seen running down her cheeks.

Her colourfull bright world that she possessed three days back was shattered into a thousand pieces now.

Her love of life had just like that dissapeared .

A fresh stream of tears pricked up and flowed down her cheeks.

She held her head with both the hands and shook in dismair suddenly at the thought of a voice.

"A deep calm yet ferocious voice that roared with the intensity of a feary beast., spitting nothing but cruelty at
her"

It had been almost a week since Murugan had left abroad for his work.

He will be expected to return only after 7_8 months later.

Her dad's abroad trip of this year !

It shook her again .

Infact, this trip of his _  this year ,was one of the main reasons that caused a major change in her life.

Few months back she was leading a much much plain yet peaceful life.

The start of all the rollar coaster events that happened in these few months in her life ,was from the time, she told her father that she wanted to pursue higher studies, which he declined and instead claimed to get her married at the earliest.

Knowing about the bad temper of her father as well his stand on his own decisions, she had kept quiet then ; with the silent prayers of either ,not having to get hitched early or at the possibility of getting hitched with someone who knew to atleast smile.

She now smiled in pain at her prayers!!!

They must for sure have reached the ears of all the Gods she prayed to !

Coz, she was bestowed with not just a person who knew to smile,but with someone who made her smile and
laugh heartily.

Someone friendly !!

Someone kind!!

Someone pleasant!!

Someone soft!!

Someone sweet!!

Karthiban!!!

Her Karthiban !!!

Was he even hers anymore ???

Her mind reverted back to the day she got to meet him here in her very own house.

It was around 3 months back to be precise.

Murugan had registered Mullai" s name in the matrimonial site almost 10 months back itself.

There were a lot of proposals from their subgroup, both from Telegana as well as TN.

With the proposals from TN
topping the list.

It was obvious.

Being Tamils by birth, the majority of the groom's who fitted into Murugan s, expectations were from TamilNadu
only.

But somehow Murugan was too reluctant or tbh too nervous to accept any from TN for reasons Mullai couldn't decipher .

He was in search of someone within the state that had given him life.

But in vain !!

It was realy difficult to fish in for the perfect groom ,he wanted within Telegana itself.

Those four months were a real relief for Mulai.

She thought that if the rest of the 3 months, left before her dad takes up the abroad trip were to go in the same way, she would have the breathing time of 7_8 months,of not getting married.

Atleast she can settle with her studies.

To complete basic in a professional course and settle for wedding immediately was the last in her list.

Her friends had already started mocking her for it .

Without Murugan s knowledge she had silently joinedonline coaching classes along with her best buddy,
Midhulla, the one person whom Murugan trusts.

Hailing from TN itself,Midhulla & Mullai were schoolbuddies.

Together they studied in school as well as college.

When things seemed to move clear stream,a small
whirlpool seemed to pop in the form of Rajiammas, long lost nephew.

Karthiban!!!

Having lost his parents in an aircrash years back,he was brought up in boarding schools all these years .

Somehow, they lost track of them.

It was through a common relative they came to know about Karthiban !

He too had registered in the matrimonial.

Much more than Raji amma, Murugan was interested and excited with this proposal.

Not only Karthiban was their relative ,but was a doing
good in his business also .

His studies proved him to be
intelligent.

He was successfully running his business.

But ,

One thing that didn't fit in frame was, his work was in Chennai.

With it being the only reluctant factor, Murugan visited his
textiles in Chennai.

His work appeared promising .

He was good looking enough.
Murugan had a calculation of convincing him to shift to
Hyderabad after their wedding.

With Karthiban being all alone in Chennai , even Rajiamma thought that it would be a wise decision to shift to
Hyderabad later .

So that was how it started.

The horoscopes were sought.

They matched.

Murugan was the happiest.

As well the others.

An auspicious day was marked
.
Mullai was the last one to know about all this.

She was informed exactly on the morning of the day he was to arrive.

Now, that wasn't  such a shocking news to her.

Knowing her dad ,she was expecting something of this sort to happen.

Though Rajiamma, was supportive of Mullai, she very well knew that Rajima had no say in this issue.

So, there was this guy Mr. Karthiban, S/0 Late Thiyagarajan, MD_KN Textiles, nephew of Rajiamma, all
set to meet his bride Mullai.

The only attractive thing about the whole info was, he was from Chennai .

Mullai, felt an unknown relief on knowing that he had his
ground in Chennai.

She for sure didn't know why she felt so .

Maybe her profession?

She didn't know !!!

As usual she retorted to her prayers, before getting ready for the supposed date evening

He must be a man who knew the meaning of smile !!!

Nothing more than that !!!

Suddenly her mobile beeped now ,

Mullai was disturbed from her thoughts with her mobile ringing high.

It was from Customer care !!

Irritable as hell ,she answered the call in a robotic voice and settled back, her thoughts drifting back to the day
she first met him.

She closed her already swollen orbs with a slight murmur ,

Karthi .. Karthi ..I love you !

******************†*****************

It was a breezy yet slightly drizzling evening in Hyderabad that day.

Rajiamma had prepared the best of delicacies as anyother mother and was happily gleeing.

Murugan was engaged in calculative talks with their relative.

Though Rajiamma wanted her to be decked as a goddess, Mullai preferred to be as simple as ever.

Being the truthfull and purest soul as always, being her ownself was the best and most appropriate way to meet someone who is going to be her life partner.

She draped a lemon yellow self designed soft silk with contrasting turquoise blue silk blouse meticulously worked with beads and silk threads all over .

Matching pearl drops and pearl necklace intricately woven with golden leaves were the accessories.

Pearl bangles and a pearl brooch to go with it.

When she was pinning her plait with the Mullai  flowers Rajiamma had threaded for her, her groom had arrived.

After the intial formalities, they were ushered into a small office room near the main hall.

Murugan and others were waiting in anxiety as well as happiness on the seeing the perfect match of them as a
couple.

But Mullai?

Once inside the room, both seemed to look at the intricate details of the room, rather than each other.

It continued for sometime.

Not that they weren't even exposed to speaking or accustomed  to the opposite sex.

Being adults and professionals, they were ofcourse exposed to it.

But to think and fit  in some  stranger person as a life partner ,all of a sudden was difficult.

Atleast for Mullai !!

After the intial hesitation,her orbs arose to meet his.

And..then ,

Dressed in a baby blue coloured full hand sleeved Lenin shirt paired with grey trousers, eyes shielded with a carbon framed anti UV coated spectacles, standing high in that
small room, with an airpod clinging to his ear, the person in front of her looked every inch like the typical CEO.

He looked perfect in looks.

Well groomed infact.

Definitely a handsome man _ every inch of his fibre was attractive .

But?

Was something missing?

A small bubble broke inside her...she didn't know why !!

Was her dissapointment shown in her face ?

Because the second next he threw a questioning look at her,and before she could answer a word, he smiled
brightly at her !!

That was it !!!

His smile !!

The missing piece !!

Her heart warmed at the simple gesture.

The bubble bloomed in big and colourful within her .

It was the very second ,she understood the meaning of what to fall in love at the first sight .

She liked him instantly !!

Nodiyil piranthu ,malarntha oru Kadhal ,

Kaalam kadanthum , thodarum oru Paadal ,

Alagaai oru Kanaa _ kadhal Kanaa ,

Ithuvaae vaalvendru unarnthaal ,

Thanullaae sila vinmeen vara , athaiyae  kondu  Vinnooki  paranthaal !!

She felt high and elated all of a sudden as if floating amidst the softest and most fluffiest of clouds surrounded by gleefull laughters of all the fine fairies in this whole universe .

The intial hestitation slowly bid both adieu !

By and by they mustered themselves and spoke to each other first in bits and then in sentences.

Karthiban: Hi Mullai. How are you ?

For a second she thought it was too formal a talk.

But whatelse would a stranger speak !

Mullai: Fine. Nice meeting you !!

Karthiban: Then?

Mullai: Purila ?

Karthiban: How's your studies ? Hopefully you are
preparing for PGs?

Mullai: Enna ketinga ?..he hit her straight at her most
weakest point.

Karthiban: Your studies.Athuku yen ivlo strange ah paakra?

She noticed the tinge of British english accent in his speech .

The effect of studies in Anglo-Indian boarding convents .

His vocabulary was quite good along with a mix of Tamil .

Mullai: Hm..no.. nothing......Apdilaam onum illa ,
She paused .... bit her tongue and then continued ,
Neenga enoda higher studies la interest kaatrathu,enaku aachariyama eruku.
Ungalkku pidikaathoonu
nenachen.

Karthiban: What ? Why would I ? Infact, for your profession, you do need to go in for it .
And,if by any chance, we get to marry, am very particular that you pursue your post graduation .

She was happy that he too wanted her to study more : but his _ " if by chance we get to marry" brought her confusion.

Wasn't it already decided that they were to marry?

She didn't hesitate to ask her doubt.

Mullai: Enna solringa, enaku purila. Athu enna, "if by any
chance we get to marry "nu, solringa ?
Isn't it already decided.

His smile widened !

A beautiful smile, she thought.

Karthiban: Not yet dear, until you have expressed your consent.

Mullai : Ohoo ....

She blushed faintly.

Addressing her as dear and then asking her consent !

Does it imply that he has already told his consent !

Mullai: Hmm.
MV: Periya iwan. English la mattum than pesuvanamaam ? Tamil varaathoo.

Karthiban: Hmm...means?

Mullai: Hmm means Hmm than. Oru doubtu kekalaama?

She had reverted back to her normal self.

Karthiban: Sure.Go ahead.

Mullai: Neenga Tamil thana?

His eyes threw a suprised look for a second.

Karthiban : Ya ofcourse. And what's the issue about it now?
I remember we were discussing about your consent and studies .

Mullai: Hmm..athu kooda English la than varuthu ? Tamil eh varalayae!!

Karthiban: Woe.wow.. Cool.Oh sorry sorry.
Manichudunga Mullai. Inimel Tamil leyae pesalaam.
Namma kalyaanathuku unga sammatham unda, ellaiya ?

Mullai: Shoo... Athellaam undu. Summa than keten.
Athuku yen,ennaiya vaanga ,ponganu koopidringa Karthiban?

She didn't even know how swift and smoothly she said her consent.

Anyways even otherwise she wouldn't have had any other go, with her father having decided her marriage.

But she was surprised that she was able to converse with him with ease.

After her sarcastic talk wrt the language, he didn't talk in English much.

With a smile ,he accepted her consent.

Karthiban: Thankyou. Sorry Nanri. Ennaiya accept ...athuku enna Tamil la sollanum ...Haan ,ennaiya yethukittathuku .

.
Mullai: Aiyo,Common...naan summa than apadi sonnen.
Feel comfortable.
Infact naanum, mixed Tamil than pesuven. Am ok with it.

Karthiban: Really ? Am happy for me then. Orae oru request?

Mullai: Enna ?

Karthiban : Namma. , intha "Neenga, Vaanga,ponga "nu koopidratha stop pannidalaama?

Again he was speakingg, bringing her within a comfort zone.

Mullai: Athu ...appa yethachum solluvanga.

Karthiban: Ha..ha.ha.. See, it is we who are going to get married!!!
So naan mama kitta sollikren. Nee, ennaiya nee,vaa,poo
nae koopidalaam.
I mean if in case you have accepted me as your fiancee.
Otherwise it's ...
She cut her off inbetween.

Mullai:Enaku ok Karthi ! She said with a wide smile .

That was it !!

It went on so smooth and plain !

No ups or downs !!!

The graph was straight !!!

Mullai couldn't even decipher how naturally and causually they got along with each other after it.

Much to her intial doubts on looking at his CEO personality , Karthiban was so much fun filled.

He made her laugh.

Her small small likings & happinessess were given much
importance to.

He headed to even the tiniest of her wishes.

He spent quality time with her ,as well attending to his business in Chennai as well.

Though his dressing and accent appeared sophisticated he was simple  to mingle with.

They got along well like close friends in a matter of one month after their meeting at her home.

He was one kind of a person.

He was really more of a friend.

And if she had to be honest ,one strong reason for her to like/love him was, he didn't try to get physical with her,on their date outs.

All their date outs were always informed to the elders .

There wasn 't any need for them to sneak out anyways.

Holding hands whilst walking side by side was the maximum limit for them.

She observed that he was very conscious about their physical limits.

Sometimes it was even amusing to her.

In totto, according to her he was a bundle of " Pleasantnes and sweetness " ,in perfect proportions.

"Nee oru sweety Karthi"
was her starting dialogue whenever or whatever she spoke to him.

"Nee oru sakkarakati.."

"Epadiyae sirichukitaae eru "..

"Enaku ithan pudichu eruku.."

"Hi sweety..." You are soo sweet..

These were her most common and repeated phrases spoken to him.

At the end of one month, Murugan had confirmed the dates for their engagement.

She didn't know why her father took a solid one month to confirm the dates.

What she didn't know was , Murugan had double checked Karthiban s whereabouts in Chennai in that month.

Karthiban seemed to dedicated in his commited work and business.

After the dates were fixed they were given a little more liberty to move around as a couple ,but only after
informing the elders about their whereabouts.

The couple had been happily expecting their engagement.

Unexpectedly due to business issues Murugan had to postpone the dates of their engagement.

As well he had to start abroad.

With much hesitations and dissapointments, it was
decided and the Urudhi was conducted as a small private
affair in the home itself and the wedding was to be conducted once Murugan returns.

Everything took place as planned.

Karthiban and Mullai together dropped Murugan at the airport and bid him adieu.

The day next Mullai was busy with her coaching class.

Rajiamma had taken a trip to Thirupathi ,the following day .

She didn't want to leave Mullai alone ,while her dad was
also off .

But it was a common thing that had happened in the previous years ,when Mullai happened to spend with
Midhulla" s company.

And again this trip was a pre-planned along with Raji ' s friends that they usually under take every year.

So convinced with the fact that Mullai would have the company of Midhulla, Rajiamma left.

One day later to it, Karthiban came home to meet her in the morning.

As along with their usual chatting,he
finished his business work as well.

The forenoon was just like any other normal day .

His disappeared that very noon !!

And that was it !

Everything had come to a stand still ,for Mullai !!

Nope !

Not everything....!

Whilst Karthiban had just like that dissapeared from her  life, a more dangerous, scary , fearfull beast just like that barged into her life with a dangerous ,too dangerous
deal.

She shook her head in shock once again.

That thunderous voice ...those fiercefully burning scarey
eyes once again appeared in front of her.

She felt as if he was exactly in front of her now also and roared at her .

Unaku Karthiban kedaika maatan !

Illama ponavana ini thedatha !

Unmai theriyumna , Awinashiku vaa !!

But ,

Vanthalum unaku awan kidaika maatan _ kidaika vida maaten !!

How cruel !!

Cruelty at its peak !!

She remembered her questions..,

All her questions ...,

With a shivering voice she spelled his name slowly ..

Kathir !!!

Neenga enna Mirugama ?

One of the questions she had asked him that very day she encountered him.

His answer was nothing but a dangerous, a very dangerous smile.

Ilamal ponnavan !

How cruel of him to say so ?

For sure he was a beast !

His wicked smile spoke her mind.

He didn't appear to speak _ she felt  he roared as a predator on seeing it's beast .

Veri konda Pulli ondru

Bayam konda Maan ondrai _

Kuri kondu paayam nitham !

Puyal mazhai oru pakkam ,

Bookambam marupakkam ,

Yaaruku vidiyum Vellai ?

Mullai totally collapsed that day _