Everyone at home were eager to know how the day went..

Kathir was shocked to see her give an exuberant account of how it was

She did not lie he noticed..spoke about how her parents had fawned over him..cooked his favourite food..but she left out the part about how they had summarily dismissed her

He almost wondered if it was he who had misread the situation but he knew that was not the case

Things settled into a comfortable rhythm

The coming week 2 important things happened

One was the construction of the super market they were going to open in Kaaraikudi needed more supervision

Kathir volunteered to take on that responsibility

Mullai was devastated when she realised it was at least a six month work and he would shift base to Karaikudi for that time

That night in their room

6 maasam na inga varave maatteengala

Sundays varuven..theriyale..romba velai tired ah iruntha rest eduthuduven

Appo saappaadu

Anga hotel illiya..ille velai seyyara akka yaar kittayaachum sonna enakkum serthu samaichu konduttu varuvaanga

Oh..athu taste ellam set aaganum la

Pasikku thaan saappaadu

Thuni ellam..

athellam paarthukkalaam ..periya vishayam ille

Mullai stood looking at him

Naan enna pannattum she asked in a whisper

Inga iru ..ellarum irukkaanga..

Neenga

Yen naan daily kaarthaale pona night thaane varen

Night varuveenga ille

Oru 6 maasam thaane..athellam periya vishayam ille..thoongu he had said

Not knowing what else to say she slept not liking this one bit

But the next day another thing happened

Mullai's parents came visiting

L amma and Dhanam were in the hall

Vaa Muruga..Parvathy Vaa eppudi irukkeenga

Nalla irukkom attachi..Dhanam eppudi ma irukka

Chittappa chithi vaanga..ukkaarunga..thanni konduttu varen

They sat

Maappillainga ellam enga kadaikku poi irukkaangalo

Ille Muruga..Mo Jeeva mattum vellenna kelambittaanga ..Kathir innum pogala

Oh seri ka seri ka

Neither of them asked anything about Mullai

Dhanam brought the water glasses out and called out to Mullai

Mullai came out

Enna akka and stopped short on seeing her parents

Kathir came close behind her all ready to leave to the shop

Amma appa vanthu irukkaanga paaru Dhanam said

Mullai stood silent

Enna ma onnum solla maattengara L amma asked

Mullai turned to leave

Mullai L amma's voice was stern

Enna athai

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