chapter 59

Author's POVThulir entered Uyir's residence, her eyes scanning the serene surroundings that greeted her as they always did. But something felt off—she frowned as she noticed the absence of her daughters and the usual chaos caused by them along with 4-year-old daughter of Thalir and Aadhavan, who was always brimming with curiosity and energy, and Ilakiyan, the exuberant 2-year-old boy who turned every moment into a lively a fuss. The quietness of the place felt unnatural, raising questions in her mind about how it managed to retain such calm today.Uyir, sharp-eyed and attuned to her daughter's emotions, was the first to notice Thulir. Without waiting for her to voice her concerns, Uyir stepped in to explain."Your appa took the girls out to frame their drawings. They were adamant about going on their own, and you know your father—he never denies his granddaughters anything. As for little Ilakutty, he's fast asleep upstairs," Uyir said with a reassuring smile.Thulir's expression softened, her lips curling into a faint smile. The explanation was enough to ease her worry. Then, with an air of quiet determination, she declared, "Maa, I'll cook today."Uyir's brows shot up in surprise, unable to hide her astonishment. This was unexpected. Ever since Thulir's marriage, her visits to the residence had always followed the same pattern—requests for Uyir's handmade food, dishes steeped in nostalgia and love. But this new declaration carried a deeper, unspoken significance. Before her marriage, and before the revelations that had disrupted the sisters relationship.Thulir loved cooking, but for her, it was more than just making food—it was a time to bond with her siblings. While she prepared the dishes, her siblings would join her, sharing stories and ranting about their day. She listened patiently, adding her own comments occasionally, but their conversations often led to playful arguments. These small fights would end with Thulir scolding them, and they would quietly get back to work. During these moments, it was usually Thalir who decided the menu, often picking dishes she liked. However, Thulir always included at least one dish her younger sister loved, showing her thoughtfulness and care.But after the rift between the sisters, things changed. The kitchen, once a lively space full of laughter and connection, became a place filled with painful memories. Thulir avoided it, as being there reminded her of past wounds that still hadn't healed.When Thulir suddenly offered to cook, it was surprising and deeply meaningful. It wasn't just about making food—it was a step toward letting go of the pain and bringing back a sense of closeness. The gesture made Uyir happy, though she wanted to be sure about its meaning. It felt like a sign of healing, a small but important step in mending their siblings bond"You want to cook, papa?" Uyir asked softly, her voice a mixture of gentle curiosity and cautious hope."Hmm... When Thalir comes to pick up Gowri, ask her to stay the night. I'll take a short nap now and come down soon," Thulir responded with calm confidence. Without waiting for a reply, she began making her way up the stairs to her room.Uyir stood there, watching her daughter disappear up the staircase. A quiet, contented smile spread across her face. After years of strained relationships and emotional distance, it felt like her daughters were finally taking steps to heal. For Uyir, there could be no greater joy than seeing the first signs of reconciliation among her children.Thulir entered her room, fell onto the bed, and closed her eyes, letting the lingering frustration ebb away. She had managed to calm down from her earlier agitation, but the anger toward him still simmered beneath the surface. How could he say something like that? Especially after she had warned him not to speak in the heat of the moment, knowing it would only lead to an argument. Yet, he chose to push forward, and things spiraled into what she had feared.If only he had told her earlier about how the case had affected him, she might not have chosen Mozhi in the first place. She felt torn—a part of her angry and blaming him, while another side sought to justify his actions. After all, she hadn't informed him about Mozhi beforehand, thinking it would be a surprising revelation. In hindsight, that approach hadn't been the best idea.Her anger toward him was fierce, but what frustrated her even more was the anger she felt toward herself—how she always became so obsessed and overly considerate when it came to him. Deciding to cook wasn't just a random thought; it was her way of distracting herself, a conscious effort to avoid calling him and asking him to come pick her up without even demanding an apology. She was determined not to give in this time. He had ignored her warning and let the argument happen, so now it was his turn. Let him come to her and apologize.With that thought, Thulir closed her eyes, letting sleep slowly take over. Her mind, though calmer now, still carried traces of frustration and unresolved emotions. The quiet of her room enveloped her, offering a brief respite from the turmoil within. But her slumber was abruptly interrupted by a sudden weight crashing onto her. Startled, she opened her eyes, her heart racing, only to find her sister sprawled over her.Thalir had just arrived from work, still dressed in her formal attire, and was hugging Thulir so tightly that she struggled to breathe. The embrace was fierce, almost desperate, as if Thalir was trying to convey all the emotions she had bottled up for years in one single gesture. Before Thulir could even begin to voice her complaints, Thalir launched into her characteristic chatter, her words tumbling out in a rush."Aiyoo, akka! Thank you, thank you, thank you! Habbada! You've finally decided to forgive me! You don't know how happy I am. I'm struggling to find the right words—imagine how it must feel! And please, akka, don't be angry with me anymore. I missed you soooo much—so much that you wouldn't even believe. I'm not like you, locking up my feelings inside. Every day, I've been telling Aadhu how much I miss you. I even begged him to talk to you on my behalf! But that buffalo never did. Selfish guy! We had our rift because of him in the first place, so isn't it his responsibility to fix things? As a good husband, he should have asked you why you were punishing his wife all these years and convinced you to forgive me—the one who started the problem in the first place! But guess what he did? He just stayed silent! And whenever I complained or tried to bring it up, he'd kiss me to make me stop. Is that even fair?"Thulir, overwhelmed by the sudden onslaught of words and the tight embrace, lightly knocked her sister on the head and pushed her away slightly to catch her breath. Thalir, realizing her mistake, grinned sheepishly, her formal demeanor slipping away entirely."Sorry, akkaaa," she said, her voice tinged with guilt but still playful.Thulir narrowed her eyes at her sister, shaking her head in disbelief. She sat up, grabbed the water bottle from the bedside table, and took a few sips to compose herself."En dii... You're already the mother of a child, and you still talk like one yourself. I don't know how Aadhavan handles two babies," Thulir remarked, her tone a mix of amusement and exasperation.Thalir pouted, her expression shifting to one of mock indignation. "What about him? He never lets me talk at all! He just kisses me, leaves me dazed, and sneaks away. I don't even get a chance to have a proper fight because of his mischievous antics. I'd be arguing seriously, and then suddenly, sir would have his dirty ideas. I honestly don't know how that man's mind works!"Thulir shot her sister a bewildered look, shaking her head in disbelief. "Why do you even want to fight?""What do you mean, akka? That's what normal couples do, right? But me and Aadhu—we're anything but normal! He keeps cutting off our arguments halfway, takes me to bed, and then, me being me, I forget why I started the fight in the first place..."Before Thalir could delve into more details, Thulir clamped her hand over her sister's mouth, her expression a mix of embarrassment and frustration. "Thalir, calm down. Remember, I'm your sister. I don't need to know what you and your husband do in private. Understood?"Thalir nodded eagerly, her eyes wide with innocence, and only then did Thulir release her hold. She let out a deep sigh, but before she could say anything else, Thalir lunged forward and hugged her again, her emotions spilling over."I missed you, akka! Did you miss me? No, I know you didn't miss me. You've got maams and those little devils keeping you busy, and you've probably forgotten all about me," Thalir said, her voice breaking with emotion.Thulir took a deep breath, held her sister close, and gently caressed her head. "I always miss my papa Thalir... no matter who's with me," she said softly, her words carrying the weight of years of love and longing.