Mullai opened her tired burning eyes for the umpteenth time that night..She knew sleep would not come to her tonight easily..no matter how hard she tried..
Just to remedy this she had spent the entire day doing all the household works by herself..she had cleaned..washed..laundered..cooked and even went to the market on foot all alone...refusing anybody's help..just in the hope that when the night came..she would be dead tired and sleep the minute her head hit the pillow
But all in vain..she thought wearily..glancing at the clock..she had been trying to sleep for the last three hours..but no luck..she was sure exhausted from all the work she had done..but sleep still eluded her
She knew it was going to be a difficult night..she knew it since the time her husband had announced his overnight trip to procure goods..trying one last time by counting numbers backwards..she glanced at the empty side of the bed and sighed
What wouldn't she give to feel the warmth and comfort that only his arms could provide..now..her heart longed for him..she had bid him goodbye with a heavy heart when he left that evening..and had later chided herself for missing him so much..he was to return the very next morning afterall..
They had never spent a single night apart since the night of their union..then how can she be alone tonight..she thought with an adorable pout
M - Inneram avugha..chandramukhi jyothika maadiri..kannu viriya..arisi moota..ulundu moota..molaga moota nu kattipudichi thoongi irupagha..naan dan inga thookam varama thacikuren..hmpt
She stretched lazily..gazing at his side of the bed longingly and blushed thinking of all those nights..actually most of the nights when she had slept on his side..but not on the bed..
How she would be sprawled across his chest..legs tangled with his..his hand buried in her hair..caressing her gently..relishing their closeness as much as she did
She slid across to his side of the bed and buried her nose in his pillow..inhaling his faint fragrance..his maligai kada masala fragrance
Engulfed by a sense of peace her lips formed a shy smile..thinking of the numerous times she had snuggled into the crook of his neck..soaking herself in this very smell
She remembered how his arms would tighten around her in response..inhaling the scent of her flowing tresses
She chuckled thinking how sometimes his head would jerk suddenly..as a strand of her hair would tickle his nose..he would wrinkle his nose in annoyance and she would giggle uncontrollably at his cute expression irritating him more
The very next instant with eyes ripe with mischief..he would have swooped down..pinning her arms above her head with one hand..he would caress her waist with his free arm finding her ticklish spots easily..she would squeal and squirm in mirth trying to free her hands..madly wriggling under him
His hands would stop..only to slowly wander upwards from her waist..his eyes would darken..mischief replaced by another emotion
Her stomach would clench in anticipation and she would close her eyes involuntarily knowing his next move too well..only to have his lips capture hers swiftly..not disappointing her
She covered her face with her hands..blushing at the scenes her mind was reminding her of
She pulled the blanket up to her chin..warmth of which brought about another set of memories..memories of his touch..soft and gentle in the beginning..slowly transforming into passionate and possessive caresses..he would intimately stroke every inch of her skin revelling in her softness
She would lose herself completely to his touches..desperate fingers would delve into his hair..combined sensation of pain and pleasure bestowed by his lips and teeth would play havoc with her senses
Her sensitized body would surrender to his loving fierceness in every way known to the human kind..together they would soar towards new delicious heights before collapsing on their bed..their burning bodies tightly intertwined
After their frenzied lovemaking he would kiss her closed eyelids with a tenderness that would bring tears to her eyes..she would pull him closer..loving the feel of his sweaty damp skin on her vulnerable flesh..winding her arms around him tightly..she would fall asleep contently feeling complete
Sleep would not elude her then
She would only wake up the next morning snuggled against his chest hearing his steady heartbeat..or sometimes with her back against his chest..her head resting on one of his strong arm..his other arm around wound around her waist
She would turn to look at him..their faces so close together..noses almost touching..her tender movement will wake his senses and his face will lit up with a small lazy smile..without opening his eyes..
Her heart leapt remembering how her husband's small smile always made her day
Her dreamy recollection of their lovely moments was brought to an abrupt end by a distant thud
She looked fearfully at he clock once..it was 2.30am..
M - Kadavulae..erkanavae avugha illama thookam vara maatengudu..ippo ippadi ellam satham ketta naan enna pannuven?!..bayama irukkae..
She pulled his pillow and hugged it tightly to herself..
M - Eppadiyavadu thoongidu Mullai..avugha irunda ippo enna solli samadana paduthi irupanganu ninachiko
She reminded herself of all the times he had consoled her whenever they heard these kinds of noises at night before
She was a light sleeper and would wake up even at the rustle of leaves outside their window..scared she would restlessly clutch at his vest clad chest..He would instinctively turn to her in his sleep..murmuring soothing words..gather her more closer to him..and she would fall asleep just like that in his reassuring embrace
Now too..She closed her eyes tightly imagining her husband's soothing voice and tried to sleep
K - Thengai koora mela vizhundu irukum..bayapadada..naan inga than iruken..nimmadiya thoongu
After a lot of twisting and turning sleep showed some mercy on her at last..
Her disturbed sleep was again interrupted by a creaking sound..she groaned audibly..she had barely slept for a few minutes..now she will not let these doors and windows disturb her again..she decided determinedly..pulled the blanket over her head and closed her eyes again
She woke up feeling warm fingers splayed across her bare waist..she panicked for a fleeting second before she realised the familiarity of the touch..she knew those rough fingers and the hot breath that blew at the nape of her neck
She whirled around in his arms excited
It was really him
Her husband
Kathir
M - Eenga?!
He half opened his eyes drowsily..lips twitching upwards involuntarily..pulling her more closer to himself..he whispered
K - Thoongu Mulla..
But will she be Mullai if she listened to him without questions
M - Eenga..eppo vandiga..aama ungalukku kadhava yaaru thirandadu..enakku en phone pannala..kalaila dana varuveenganu sonnega..adhukulla vidinjirucha enna?!
She asked nonstop..looking around wildly..utterly confused at his sudden appearance
He sighed deeply looking into her eyes
K - Konja nerathukku munnadi dan vanden..vela seekram mudinjudu adhan udanae kilambiten..kadhavu yaarum thirakala..pogum podhae saavi eduthutu dan ponen..appuram mukiyama innum vidiyala..vilakam podhuma ..mudinjiduna..thoongalama?!
He asked stretching his arms towards her..Mullai didn't waste another second and settled down again happily
M - Thoongi ezhundu porumaya kalaila vandu irukalam la..edukku adichi pudichi inda nerathuku vandeega..
She asked her eyes taking in his tired form
K(murmured) - Thoonga mudinja thoongi irukka maatena..nee pakathula illana thookam varamaatengudae..enna panradu..
And with a content smile lingering on his lips..he closed his eyes and fell asleep
Having gotten over her surprise at his unexpected arrival..Mullai now struggled to control her frenzied heartbeat..at her husband's sincere declaration
He had said it..her husband..the man of few words had said it..what she had been feeling all night
She eagerly snuggled up to him..inhaling his fragrance..his distinct..unique..heady scent..she need not imagine it anymore..
Nor she needed their blankets to feel safe anymore..his warm presence and reassuring rhythm of his heartbeat under her palm was all she needed to feel safe..loved and treasured
Firmly wrapped in her husband's arms..her own private safe haven..she closed her eyes with a sigh of relief falling into a deep slumber