Anbum Aranum Udaiththaayin

Pilavu

Each family member was staring at Kathir, some looks of utter disgust and some of disbelief on their faces.

An inaudible wail leaves Dhanam's mouth, her breath stuttering as her hands clawed at her throat. She stumbles into the ground and curls her head into her legs as she let out a silent scream into her knees.

A part of him melted at the sound right now. However, the anger dominated the softness he felt for her.

Kathir stayed silent, trying to urge his anni to poor out what is in her head before he continued speaking and hurting her more. When he got nothing, he let out a slight sigh.

"Anni", he touched her shoulder scooting closer to her, only to be shrugged by her.

"Anni", he hesitantly tried again and Dhanam caved and looked at him. She sniffled, her breath still heavy.

"Kadasila indha kudumbatha pirika pathuta illa? Naan edhuku bayandhu ava indha veetuku vara venamnu soneno, adha nadatha mudivu panita illa? Mullai solli than idhu elam panriya da?"

"Anni, avala edhuku thevai ilama izhukarenga? Kandipa idhu ava mudivu kedaiyadhu. Muluka muluka en mudivu than", he replied sternly.

"Ipadi elam unaku yosika kuda theriyadhey da. Nee en kita ipadi elam oru nalavum pesinadhu illayey da", she wailed more.

"Nenga modhala azharadha niruthunga. Indha kudumbatha pirikaradhu en nokkam kedaiyadhu. Nenga sonna mathiri Mullai indha veetuku thirumba vandha, thevai iladha kasapu than elarukum. Adhan ipadi oru mudivu. Adhuku nenga yarum venamnu naan pogaley? Karaikudi'la irukomnu than solrean. Nenga kupta koralku inga vandhu ungala pakka than porean"

"Idhuku vera enna da peru apo? Inga paaru da, indha veetla yarum kadhalku edhirpu solla poradhu kedaiyadhu. Idhuvey nee vera oruthiya virumbi irundha, naaney mama kita idhai pathi pesi samadham vangi irupean. Idhu apadi kedaiyadhu da", Dhanam wiped away her tears determined to make him understand.

"Nee mama solli idhu varai edhuvum thatinadhu kedaiyadhu, ipo matum en da ipadi panra?", Dhanam said crying louder.

"Anna'na edhirthu panala. Enaikum pannavum matean. Mullai'ya kalyanam panni inga kutitu vara vazhi ilama than indha mudivu yeduthean, Ungala yaraiyum edhirthu illa", he said furiously with a desperation plastered on his face.

"Apadi indha kalyanam paniyey aganuma da? Apadi enna pidivadham?", she snapped.

"Ungaluku kaga naan kaalam pura kalyanam panama kuda irupean Anni. Adhukaga Mullai'yaum iruka solradhu endha vidhadhil nyayam?", he replied with stern voice but then his eyes softened seeing her.

"Nee avala vitta, Parvathy chitti rendu masathula inoru kalyanam panni vechuduvanga . Avalukum oru nala vazhkai amaju sandhosama irupa. Nee than thevai ilama prachanai panitu iruka inga", she replied and looked way from his face.

"Yepadi? Jeeva ku kalyanam panni vechuta elam seri ayidumnu panni vechengaley. Apadiya?", Meena who stood silent until then, defended Kathir.

"Meena, periyavanga pesaranga. Kuruka pesadha", Jeeva tried his best so Meena does not elevate the issue any further.

"Ipadi avanga sonadhuku elam thalai aati than inga vandhu nikarom elarum. Un anna, anni nalavanga than. Naan ilanu solala. Adhukunu avanga sorladha en, edhukunu kekama seiyanumnu enna avasiyam?

Oru kudumbam na, elarum kalandu mudivu yedukanum. Adhan kuttu kudumbathuku azhagu. Aana inga apadi illayey"

"Meena! Anna, Anni enaikum engaluku naladhu than yosipanga. .Nee idhuku mela pesadha", Jeeva curtly replies shutting her down.