09 | Friendship

~~~~~~~~~Sandhya~~~~~~~~~~

Its been a week since Deva and his parents came to our house

As per my horoscope, the astrologer suggested to conduct our marriage in the next 2 months, else the date as per my horoscope is after 6 months. Hence the elders decided to have straight marriage and have engagement the day before the wedding.

I got Deva's number from Krishna. Did you think he made it easy for me to get his number? And the photos and videos he took while they all were at our house? No way.

Krishna made me do so much of work for him. Mainly taking care of his nephew Pranav. He wants to spend some time with Anjana who is always glued to Pranav , playing with him.

So he assigned me the work of looking after him the whole day. Uff.. Its difficult to take care of kids. I don't know how I would manage when I have my own.

Taking care of kid or doing other work is also fine. But the only thing which made me irritated, of all the task Krishna assigned to me ,was the last one.

That silly guy made me recite few phrases and even did a video recording. You know what was that?

Krishnan. romba nallavaru.. vallavaru.. avar nala dhan en kadhal kaikoodinadhu.. avaruku nan valka muzhuka kadamai patruken..avaruku nan enikum mariyadha kudupen..

(Krishnan is a very good person. He is the main reason for the success of my love life. I am obliged to him for my life time. I always would respect him and treat him with respect)

Though I agree that he is the main reason for the start of my love life, his sentences are too much. He was going overboard.

He strictly warned Anjana from sharing Deva's number. With no option left, I recited the phrase he gave five times for the video record and got his number.

I started conversing with Deva. He gets busy with his office work and gets less time to talk. But he always makes sure that he calls me or atleast message me everyday.

There is nothing much to describe about our talk. He was feeling shy around me. So it was always me who talks something to ward off the awkwardness .

I seriously wonder how he is very shy , whereas Anjana his sister is very talkative. But I have heard Krishnan say that Anjana's sister Vishaka too is very shy. May be Deva too is shy personality like her.

When I would make Deva come out of his shyness? When would he start talking normally with me? uff.. hope I don't get aged before all this happens and have grandchildren.

Grandchildren ahhh?? I don't even know if I would have children if he is this much shy.

Sandhya.. how will your life be with Deva? Is it you who has to teach him everything? I wondered.

I pinged Deva casually to know what he is doing. And pat got the reply from him.

"going to Vicky's house. will message later"

I heaved a longing sigh.

"Does this guy even remember that he is going to get married to me? Can't he think of going for an outing or secret meeting with me? Always Vicky.. I heard that he too is going to get engaged. I pity the girl whoever going to marry that guy."

~~~~~~~~~Vignesh~~~~~~~~~

Hearing the calling bell, my Father went to open the door.

"Its Deva paa. I will open the door" I said and moved to the door, while my Father sat again on the dining table shredding the curry leaves.

Opening the door, I welcomed him. We shared a friendly hug.

"Who's that on the door?" My mom asked from the kitchen.

"Amudhanoda Ilamaran vandhrukanga ma" my brother gave his reply, making Deva distance himself from me .

(In the movie, Vettayadu Vilayadu - do you remember Amudhan Ilamaran- that is what is referred here- like gay)

I looked at him with shocked face shaking my head as no, while Deva gave a disgusted look at me and stood few metres apart.

"Machi.. He is playing da" I said and went near my brother to give him a hard smack on his back.

"Ilamrana ahh?? yaru da adhu?" (who is Ilamaran?) My mom came out from the kitchen.

Seeing Deva , my mother gave a statement which made everyone laugh at me and Deva.

"ohh.. jodi pura onnu sendhrucha. Indha love birds ah inimey pirika mudiyadhu. Ivangala kalyanam panna pora ponnunga dhan pavam."

(Oh .. the love birds are together now. Its difficult to separate them. I pity the girls who are going to marry them both.)

"maaaaaa." me and Deva said in high voice with astonishment.

"don't shout both of you.. I am saying the truth" My mom replied as she carried on with her work.

"paa.. why can't you shout at mom for talking like this? Come on show your power as the head of the family" I Ushered my father.

"If I can talk back your mom, I would have done that very long time back. But not ready to take the risk now at this age. I don't have physical strength to withstand her beatings.. pcch.. Don't remind me all that"

"What is that you both are talking .. huh?" my mother's voice echoed from the kitchen.

"nothing Visu ma... I finished the task with curry leaves" My Father replied politely.

"Why do you want to waste your time talking with him? Here chop the coriander leaves in to fine pieces and store it in an airtight container. Once done , chop these onions for the pakoda" came the strict ordering voice of my mom.

"maa. I am leaving. Bye paa.. bye da anna. Bye Deva anna" my bro left for his guitar classes.

Me: " Machi.. Don't take my mom's words in to account. She was just teasing us"

Deva: "chill da.. I know your mom was just teasing us.. Anyway , your mom is preparing pakoda. Lets wait for it. Until then lets watch some match.

My mom is always Savage you know. She never cares about the warnings or threatening's and replies with boldness. She never ceased to tease me and Deva with her savage comebacks. Not only us to anyone. My sweet yet strict mom, surely belong to this generation not an old one.

We started watching a cricket match. My Dad too was looking at the match often while doing the work.

"sss. wideu... what are they bowling?" my Dad shouted looking at the tv.

"have you chopped the onions yet?" we heard my mom asking my Dad.

"haan... haan... almost done" replied my Dad.

"Dei... will our life be like this after marriage? listening to our wives and doing household work?" Deva asked me with worry leaning on the sofa.

"aya... don't think too much. My Father does not have courage to talk back at my mom. I won't have any problem. Coz your sister Neeraja is very timid girl. She can't control me. But your fiance , hmmm.. may be you might also be like my Father in future, considering your nature"

Deva bet me harshly. "Why da? Talk something positively"

Though my Dad is the head of our family, it is always Meenakshi aatchi i.e my mom holds the upper hand in decision. Sometimes, my mom's single glare at my Father would make him sit silent.

Surely I will not be like that after marriage. I won't listen to Neeraja or do things according to her wish.

I rubbed my back to sooth the pain and looked at the tv.

"Hey.. I was about to ask you when I saw you at the door, but forgot. What is this new avatar of you, huh?" Deva teased me, tilting my face left and right holding my chin.

I pushed his hand on my chin and had a frown on my face. " It is all my parents doing. Result of the cruelties that I face in this house in the name of marriage"

Deva laughed widely at me.

"only now he looks like a Brahmin boy. Earlier, he and his looks ..cha cha .. You should actually thank Neeraja and her family for choosing you , even in that worst face of yours" my Dad teased me.

Deva laughed even more. Why would not he tease me? I was forcibly made to do a clean shave and hair cut. I like to have long and thick beard , dense bouncy hair. But now everything is gone.

My heart broke when I saw my hair falling on me in the saloon.

Adding to all that , after my bath I was wearing a veshti and t-shirt. My mom came from nowhere and applied the sacred ash (vibhooti) on my forehead.

"machhan.. apdiye indha alaigal oyvadhilai karthik maari iruka da. kaluthula oru rudrakshamum potana.." Deva continued with his teasing.

"satcchath andha sivan kovil gurukal maariye irupen. " I completed his sentence.

I continued, "yenda nee vera.. indha get up oda veli la pona , nama office la elarum kindal pannuvanunga.. erkanavey college la noolu noolu nu kindal pannanunganu dhan.. dhadi valathen.. ipo adhuvum ila. Ini valandu, epo en face oru shape ku vandhu"

Deva: "thambi.. Neerja aathula romba acharam theriyumono? abhivadheye solluviya?? tirikala sandhya vandhanam seyriya? Vizhupu madi papiya?

Me: "idhu verayakum.. idhula onnu kooda nan seyya matten. Neeyum idhula edhuvum senjadhu ilanu theriyum..vidra pathukalan. Andha balli inga dhana varapogudhu.."

(Translation:

Deva: "you look like actor karthik in the movie "Alaigal oyvadhilai". If you wear a rudraksh chain on your neck.." )

Me : "I would like a priest in the Sivan temple" I completed his sentence.

"Already many are teasing me for my school boy look. Even in college students teased me for that look. Hence I grew the beard. Now that it is gone. I need to wait till and bear all this till I grow it"

Deva: " Neeraja's family is very orthodox one. Do you know to chant slokas and Mantras?

Me: "Is that so? But I don't follow any rules of an orthodox family. And Neither do you. Neeraja is the one who will come here. I don't need to go to her house often. so I can manage Chill."

)

Me and Deva spoke in general about few things and some random stuffs while watching the match. My mom came with two plates of pakoda and hot tea.

Mouthing thanks, Deva took one plate, while I took the other one.

"Deva.. consider me as your mom and take my advice. If you keep roaming and talking with Vicky, chances are there that your fiance might rethink her decision of marrying you."

"Maa.. why do you say about me like that?" I asked with a high pitch.

"You shut up ok.. you too are going to get married. He too the same. Soon to be married guys would spend time talking with their fiance, not with their friends like what you both are doing now"

"maa.." I started.

"Don't talk I say" my mom replied.

Deva replied. "maa.. I talk with sandhya or atleast mesage her, not like what you think"

"I agree you both are thick friends and wanted to maintain that for long time. But that does not mean, you have to ignore your soon to be life partners. Give importance and required time for them as well. Only then your friendship will sustain. Else they would hate your friendship."

"Did that bayandhangoli balli(timid girl - referring to Neeraja) or her family complain anything to you ?" I asked.

Deva bet on my back, " Don't call her that way"

"Poda.. dei.. " ( go man . I won't listen)

"Neeraja never said anything. Even if she wants to say anything, she won't say fearing you. ufff. I thought I would get a daughter in law who would drill my son , give left and right and put him in place. hmmm. what to do.. Neeraja is not a bold girl to control him. But I will definitely train her once she comes here."

My mom heaved a longing sigh and went giving advice again to us.

"Porama da machhan.. poramaila pongi pongal vaikranga elarum nama friendshipah paathu. nama pakoda va concentrate panuvom" I said and took a pakoda and stashed in my mouth.

(They are all jealous of our friendship. Leave it , lets concentrate on the pakoda)

Deva seemed to be thinking something.

"What are you thinking da?" I asked him shaking.

"nothing." He shaked his head and we continued watching the match.

After spending good amount of time, Deva left. We decided to have a bide trip on the next day. Once he left, my mom started.

"Vicky.. I heard about your bike trip. Tomorrow no trip nothing. We are going for your engagement purchase. You should accompany us."

"ok.. you people go for that...why should I come?"

"you are coming . that's it. don't have any other plans" she stood stubborn .

"I am not coming. and that is final. you guys carry on. I have got other plans" I replied stubbornly and sauntered to my room.

~~~~~~~~~~~

As if his mom would listen to him? Now his mom, later it would be Neeraja, to whom he would shake his head like a bull. Who would educate him about all this?