chapter 71

Author's POVThulir glanced at Agathiyan, shook her head in disbelief, and began heading toward the stairs, determined to escape the chaos. But before she could take another step, her sister's voice stopped her in her tracks."Akkkaaa... is that it?" Thalir asked, her tone brimming with disappointment. She had been eagerly expecting a dramatic reaction from her sister-perhaps even a live demonstration of "How to Argue with Your Husband Ft. Thulir and Agathiyan."Thulir, however, was in no mood to indulge her sister's whims. She simply rolled her eyes, too drained to care. The day had already taken its toll on her, and sleep was the only thing on her mind. Ignoring Thalir's theatrics, she resumed climbing the stairs, her every step echoing her exhaustion.Thalir, left pouting in disbelief, turned to her husband, Aadhavan, for solidarity, only for him to knock her lightly on the head. She shot him a sharp glare, and just as they were about to launch into one of their usual playful squabbles, Agathiyan-who had absolutely no interest in witnessing their antics-silently followed his wife up the stairs.Deciding he'd had enough of the drama, Aadhavan took matters into his own hands-literally. He scooped Thalir up and threw her over his shoulder, silencing any further protests. On his way up the stairs, he casually flipped off the lights, plunging the hall into darkness. Thalir initially struggled, her muffled protests escaping now and then, but the day's exhaustion soon caught up with her. She eventually gave in, letting her husband carry her upstairs, her fatigue winning over her irritation.When Agathiyan entered Thulir was untangling her fizzy hair and combing it to plait her hair as she surely not ready to deal with her hair first thing in the morning and it's tedious task.....Agathiyan directly entered the bathroom to take bath as his pants have the mud splash....Thulir just looked at him and felt something is off but let it go for now after braiding her hair she climbed the bed after lowering the side rail and made her daughters sleep in the center and she laid on the left side and slipped under the blanket.....Agathiyan who came back after bath wore vest and track pants saw Thulir already slept he climbed on the right side and sat there leaning on the headrest and raised the rails fir safety as his daughters not only move side ways they also go up and down....he then kept looking at his daughter and his wife for long time with various thoughts running in his mind and only slept when sleep consumed him due to exhaustion...The next morning, Thulir's peaceful sleep was interrupted by an odd sensation on her nose. At first, it was faint, a gentle touch that made her stir slightly in her sleep. Whoever it was seemed to stop for a moment, but not for long. She soon felt it again, more deliberate this time, like someone was trying to rotate her nose pin. Her brows furrowed as she lay there, her closed eyes shifting as she tried to make sense of the touch. Gradually, she focused on the movement and recognized it-her daughter's tiny hand. A smile formed on her lips as she pieced it together. But which daughter was it? That was a mystery she'd have to solve.Slowly, Thulir opened her eyes, and the moment her gaze met her little troublemaker, the child squeaked and dove under the blanket, disappearing from sight. Thulir chuckled, amused by the little one's antics. Turning her head, her eyes fell on the scene beside her. Agathiyan was fast asleep on his stomach, his arms crossed under his head in a relaxed pose. His face was pressed against the back of his palm, peaceful and unbothered. On top of him lay Alar, who had adopted her father's exact posture. Her tiny body mirrored every detail, from the way her arms were folded to the tilt of her face.Thulir's heart melted at the sight, a quiet "aww" escaping her lips. Agathiyan and Alar looked like two peas in a pod, their synchronized sleeping positions creating a picture of pure innocence. While Thulir admired them, another head peeked out from under the blanket like a little spy. It was Malar, her other mischievous daughter. The sight of her two daughters always brought warmth to Thulir's heart. Though they could be a handful at times, their presence was her source of endless joy. They had a way of filling her days with laughter and love, and no matter how tired she was, she could never tire of watching their antics.Malar caught her mother watching her and quickly ducked back under the blanket, her tiny hands clutching it tightly. Thulir chuckled softly, slipping under the blanket herself to join her little one. She found Malar with her eyes shut tight, pretending to be asleep."Maybe my Malarkutty is sleeping, and I'm just having an illusion," Thulir whispered in a husky voice, playing along with the charade. Malar's head nodded up and down enthusiastically, agreeing with her mother in the cutest way. Thulir stifled a laugh and suddenly pulled the blanket off them, tickling her daughter mercilessly. Malar squealed in delight, her giggles filling the room as she wiggled and squirmed to escape.In her efforts to get away, Malar slipped and tumbled onto her father's legs. Agathiyan let out a sleepy groan, his voice rough from slumber. "Yeii Theeni, thoongavidri!" (Yeii Theeni, let me sleep!) He grumbled, his tone both annoyed and endearing. Both Thulir and Malar froze for a brief moment, glancing at each other before letting out simultaneous sighs.Thulir leaned back on the bed, exhaustion laced with amusement. Malar, on the other hand, crawled back to her mother and hugged her tightly. Thulir wrapped her arms around her daughter, pulling her into a warm embrace. She kissed her little one on the head and whispered, "Happy morning, Pattu." Malar smiled shyly and pressed a soft kiss to her mother's cheek, mumbling, "Happy morning, Mii."As they shared their morning affection, Malar's tiny hand reached up again to touch her mother's nose pin. Thulir smiled. "Do you like this nose pin?" she asked gently. Malar nodded eagerly, her excitement clear in her expression."Do you want one for yourself?" Thulir teased, and Malar's eyes lit up with excitement before quickly dimming into a pout. "Mii... valikumaa?"(Mii... does it hurt?)she asked hesitantly. Thulir's smile softened. "Just a little," she replied honestly. Malar's eyes widened in alarm, and she shook her head firmly. "Apo enaku venaaa." (Then I don't want it.)Thulir chuckled, stroking her daughter's cheek. "It's not compulsory, papa. If you don't want it, that's perfectly fine. I got mine pierced only when I was 25 years old."Malar's jaw dropped in surprise. Her big, expressive eyes-one of the few features she had inherited from her mother-were filled with wonder. Thulir often mused about how her daughters hadn't inherited more of her features. Yet, Agathiyan secretly relished the fact that his girls didn't have his striking, coffee-colored eyes, knowing how much Thulir adored them. That was a charm he wanted to keep just for her.Malar's tiny brows knitted together as she began counting on her fingers. Her lips formed a pout as she looked at her mother."Naa epo 25 aaven, Mii?" (When will I turn 25, Mii?) she asked, showing her tiny hands as if they held the answer."After 18 years," Thulir replied, her voice soft with affection."Avlovaaaaa?" (That long?) Malar's voice was a mix of disbelief and despair. She couldn't fathom waiting so many years. Thulir chuckled, leaning in to playfully nip at the tip of her daughter's nose. Malar squealed in protest, rubbing her nose with an indignant glare.Before Thulir could tease her again, Malar scrambled to her feet and promptly lost her balance, toppling onto the still-sleeping Agathiyan and Alar. Alar woke up with a startled squeal, while Agathiyan groaned under the sudden weight. Carefully, he turned onto his back, making sure not to disturb the girls. Alar rubbed her eyes with her tiny hands, sitting up on her father's stomach. Malar pouted, claiming her spot right in front of her sister.Thulir watched with amusement as Malar grinned victoriously, only for Alar to wrap her arms around her from behind and rest her head on her shoulder, clearly intent on continuing her sleep. Malar huffed in frustration, stood up with a dramatic flair, and plopped down beside her father instead.Thulir chuckled at their antics, her heart full of warmth. Malar, noticing her mother's amused gaze, pouted deeply and pulled the blanket over her head, hiding away like the mischievous little bundle of joy she was.Agathiyan let out a soft sigh as he gathered his younger daughter, Alar, into his arms. Still half-asleep, Alar buried her face in her father's chest, her tiny arms wrapping tightly around him as she closed her eyes. Agathiyan smiled warmly, pressing a gentle kiss to her head. Moments later, Malar shuffled closer to her father, snuggling against his side. She threw her legs over him, her feet landing on Alar's legs, but Alar didn't seem to mind at all. Agathiyan chuckled softly, kissing Malar's head as she grinned at him and nestled closer. He kissed both his daughters again, his heart full of love, before glancing up to find his wife watching him with raised eyebrows."Inga vaadii," he called, patting the empty space beside him.Thulir twisted her lips in mock annoyance. "Vena poya, nee un ponungalaiye konju. Naa poren," (No need...you pamper your daughters alone...I am leaving)she snapped playfully, pretending to be upset. She began lowering the side rail of the bed, ready to get up, but Agathiyan wasn't about to let her go. He grabbed the edge of her saree pallu, holding it firmly in his hand.Malar, catching the silent cue from her father, stood up and moved to his other side, wrapping her arms around him in a hug. Thulir noticed the scene unfolding through the corner of her eye. Though she smiled inwardly, she bit her inner cheek to keep her expression stern, acting as though she was still angry."Eiii Theeni, vaadi," Agathiyan called again, his voice teasing. Thulir snapped her head toward him, glaring, but he winked at her and puckered his lips in a playful gesture, mimicking a kiss. Her eyes widened in shock, her mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. She glanced at her daughters, relieved to see that they were still asleep. Malar couldn't see her father's antics, as Alar's head blocked her view, and Alar herself was too sleepy to care, her eyes already shut."Vaadiii,"Agathiyan called once more, his tone coaxing. Slowly, he began twisting the fabric of her saree pallu around his hand. Since Thulir hadn't pinned it, the saree was on the verge of slipping. She glared at him, her expression sharp, but he simply smirked, his eyes urging her to come closer.Feigning anger, Thulir crawled toward him, finally settling beside him with her head resting on his shoulder. Agathiyan checked on their daughters, ensuring they were sound asleep, before pulling his wife closer into his arms. He leaned in, brushing his lips near her ear lobe, and whispered softly, "En pondatiyaiyum naa tha dii konjanum." (Even my wife needs to be pampered by me.)"Ama, ama, sonanga," Thulir replied sarcastically. (Yes, yes, they said so.)"Yaru?" (Who?)"Yaro." (Someone.)"Soliruntha Sarithan... kudave ithaiyum solla solu." (If they told you that's good. Ask someone to tell this too.)"Enathu?" (What?)"Hmmm... Purusnaiyum konjam konjanumnu." (That even husbands need pampering.)"Ama, athu tha korachal."(Yes, that's the grievance here.)"Onume ilaiiye ithula enga korachal solrathu," Agathiyan said with a sigh. (There's nothing here, then how can I even call it a grievance?)Thulir glared at him, her playful annoyance returning. Without warning, she bit his cheek hard, her palms covering his mouth to muffle his scream and prevent him from waking their daughters. Agathiyan squirmed under her grip, his muffled protests only making Thulir chuckle as she held him firmly, her mischievous grin lighting up the room.