"Mullaiya kalyanam panitu naan Karaikudi pogalamnu irukean. Andha kadaiya pathu kitu, nanga angaiyey irundidarom", Kathir said determinedly, without an ounce of doubt in his voice startling everyone in the living room .
There was an eerie silence after he said what was in his mind. He was exhausted from today's events and was just ready to slip into his room and sleep like a log. However, he knows it was not possible. There was an elephant in the room he had to deal with.
"Enna da solra?", Dhanam asks in disbelief.
He looks at his elder brother sitting on the couch. His eyes were cold and lips were pressed together, forming a firm line. Though he was upset with his brother for the first time, Kathir kept his face neutral. He has never stood against his elder brother ever before and wishes it to stay that way.
He looks around the room. Kanna had wheeled in his mother and stood behind her. His mother had a blank expression that he could not decipher. Jeeva and Meena had just walked out of their room, hearing the commotion outside.
Kathir did not want to sit near his brother nor lean against the thoon. Instead, he crosses his arms, shoulders back and chin held high.
"Nenga solra mathiri, Mullai indha veetuku vara venam Anni. Nanga kalyanathuku aparam Karaikudi'layey irundhukarom"
His words echoes in the air. Dhanam gasps, a dramatic tear slipping down her cheek. Moorthy looks away in disgust, shaking his head. Jeeva stares at him in disbelief.
Kathir feels like an interrogation and the questions have not really even started yet. The vibe grinds against his nerves, making him feel uneasy. He did not want to make his family cry or be upset, because of him. However, he did not have a choice now. He calmed himself remembering what Kumaresan mama had said earlier. He has to stand up for his love and for Mullai even if it meant to stand against his family.
"Kandipa ungala elam vittutu naan engayum poida matean. Aana, nenga sonna mathiri Mullai'ya kalyanam panitu indha veetla iruka mudiyadhunu enaku puriyudhu. Adhan ipadi oru mudivu yeduthean. Ungala yaraiyum kaya padutha illa", he said in a pleading voice.
The seconds tick by in silence. Kathir draws his bottom lip between his teeth waiting for a response.
He saw his amma sitting with teary eyes.
"Amma...", he neared her only to be stopped by Moorthy.
"Dei Kathiru, idhu elam seri pattu varadhu da. Nee andha pullaya marakaradhu than elarukum naladhu", Moorthy says in a frustrated voice.
"Andha pulla pavam da. Palasu elam marandhu vazha vendiya ponnu da. Vera oru kalyanam panitu nimadhiya irukatum da. Thirumba andha pulaya en da kayapaduthara?"
The sympathetic look on Moorthy's face looked faker than fake to Kathir all of a sudden. Kathir forced himself to take a brief pause.
"Avala pathi namba kudumbatha vida yaruku anne jasthi theiryum? Naan kalyanam panna, ava en anne kasta pada pora? Namba kudumbathil irukaravangaley avala kaya paduthuvommnu solrengala?", Kathir questioned his brother for first time in his life.
Dhanam walks a step closer to him and shakes her finger at Kathir "Mama edhirthu pesara avaluku nee periya manushan ayidala. Idhuku mela oru varthai pesadha. Nee Mullai'a inametu pakka venam. Idhan en mudivu!"
"Manichudunga Anni", Kathir replies shaking his head. "Naan avala kadhalikarean. Avalum than. Avala yematha matean!"
The room is so quiet that one could hear a feather hit the floor.
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.
"Jeeva, neyavadhu avanuku solli puriya vei. Un manaiviya avan yepadi da kalyanam panna mudiyum? Oorla enna da nenaipanga elarum?", Dhanam got up and walked towards Jeeva with newborn determination.
Jeeva bend down his head in shame and said in a low voice "yen manaviya naan nadathi irundha, Kathir yen andha pulaya virumba poran? Illa, ipadi vandhu namba kita en nikka poran"
The words made Dhanam stop at her tracks, while Meena held Jeeva's hand in support. He looked up at Kathir. He knew Kathir should be hurt and disappointed in him. He wanted to be a better brother to Kathir.
He looked up at his anni and took a deep breath before continuing,
"Kalyanam agiyum Meena'va enala maraka mudiyala. Mullai'ya oru naal kuda en manaiviya enala nenachu pakka mudiyala. Idhu elam Kathir'ku theriyum. Therinju than , andha pullaiku arudhala irukanumnu pazhaga aramichan. Avana ariyama kadhalika aramichan. Indha vishayam enaku epovo theriyum. Naan venamnu avana thadukala"
Jeeva did not know why he was telling them the truth. Lying would be a better option. But telling the truth felt liberating. For a year, he had lied about his life with Mullai. He did not take ownership for his mistakes, when he had to. From now on, he wanted to be honest so Kathir can live the life he wants.
For a moment, his anni is bewildered, as if she cannot believe the words he has spoken. Then the steaming, underlying anger sets in
"Idhu epo da nadandhuchu?"
Her tone holds no emotion. "Naan Meena'va kalyanam panradhuku munadiyey enaku theriyum", he replied.
Dhanam opens her mouth to say something. She then closes it, biting her tongue as Moorthy walks into the place where they stood.
Moorthy sighs "Avanuku than arivu ilama pesaran. Neum en da Jeeva? Andha pulla indha veetuku vandhu un moonjiya pathutu yepadi vazhum? Ava namba veetu ponna. Sulnilai purinju sangadatha solama kuda polam. Indha Meena pulla pathi yosichu pathiya? Masama vera iruku. Ipadi avalayum kasta padutha pakara"
"Puriyudhu na. Aana, naan panna thapuku andha pullaiyum, Kathirum en kasta padanum?"
Jeeva turns to look at his mother, disgust present on her face. He knees down to her feet.
"Andha pullaiku naan panadhu romba periya kodumai. Andha pullaiku oru nalla vazhkai kedaikaadhanu naan ethanaiyo vatti veandi irukean. Kathir vida oru nala payan, thedinalum kedaikadhu Amma."
Lakshmi turned her face away from Jeeva.
"Amma nenga en mela inum kovama irukenganu theriyum. Naan senja elathukum verum manipu ketta matum podhadhunu puriyudhu. Aana, naan panna thappukaga Kathir Mullai kalyanam venamnu solidadhenga ma", Jeeva pleaded to his mother
Even before Lakshmi amma could respond,
"Enna da pesara!! Elarum periya manusan mathiri epo irundhu da pesa aramichenga?", Moorthy's voice bombarded across the room.
Jeeva turned towards Kathir who had a dejected look on his face. Kathir has stood up for his love to their family. Then, he can stand up for Kathir's love too. He will be damned if he allows to drag Kathir and Mullai's relationship down because of his past mistake.
Jeeva clears his throat, reminding himself that whatever happens tonight will not change his love for his family. Even if it means to lose someone close to him, he still will stand up for Kathir.
"Illa anne, Kathir kalyanathuku nenga samadhikanum. Andha pulla indha veetla vazha mudiyadhunu than idhu elam solrenga? Naanum Meena'yum vena indha veeta vitu porom anne"
"Anne, nee edhukune", Kathir interrupted
"Ellai, En Thapa naney seri seiyarean da. Nee ingayey elar kudavum sandhosama iru da"
It was Moorthy's turn to stand stunned now. Suddenly all his brothers were turning against his words.
Dhanam makes a hysterical sound, turning towards Moorthy "Pathengala mama?", she cried pointing at Kathir. "Mullai nala indha veetla evalavu kolapam nu"
"Anni, Mullai'ya edhuku thirumba thirumba idhil izhukarenga? Ava enna seinja?", Kathir snaps. His voice is thunderous that Dhanam flinches. He immediately feels guilty using that tone against Anni and even before Kathir could apologize, Moorthy steps in
"Ava un anni da. Mariyadhaiya pesi pazhagu! "
"Anni'ya edhirthu pesa naan apadi solala. Mullai'ya idhula thevai ilama edhuku ilukanumnu than...", Kathir replies his voice softening
"Indha kudumbathukaga un anni enna elam panni irukanu marandutengala? Kudumbathu mela irukara akaraila apadi solita. Adhukunu ipadi koral osathi pesuviya? ", Moorthy replied rudely looking alternatively at Jeeva and Kathir.
"Anne, ungala pathu thana naan vazhandhu irukean. Nenga yepadi Anni'ya oru naalum yarukagayum vitu kudukama irukengalo, adhey mathiri thana nanum en manaviya nadathanumnu nenachu irukean.
Anni'ya kural osathi pesinadhu thappu than. Manipu ketukarean. Aana, Mullai pathi thevai ilama thapa pesina, ketutu chuma iruka matean ne", Kathir said with determination.
Suddenly Kathir feels exhausted. The emotional turmoil he was dealing with is taking its toll on him. He did not know how much more we could handle.
"Nee ipadi mudivu yedutha apram nanga yarum kuruka nikka matom. Inaioda indha kudumbathukum unakum samadham ilanu solitu, un paiya yeduthutu nee kelambalam", Moorthy said pointing at the door.
Tears brimming at his eyes "Anne....Enna solrenga?", Kathir's voice cracks and a tear slips down his cheek. This was the family, for which we lived his entire life. He just can not suddenly pack up his things and leave everything behind.
"Mama, ungaluku enna payithiyama? Namba Kathira veeta vitu poga solrenga?", Dhanam shrieked hysterically.
"Nee chumma iru Dhanam. Nambala vida Mullai mukiyamnu mudivu panitan. Aparam enna?"
Another tear slips down Kathir's cheek and his confidence was dwindling. Despite the anger his family showed on him, he always believed them to back him up. Never in his dreams, he imagined something ridiculous as this. He can't deny the hurt he feels right now. His family did not care about his happiness nor did they support his decision. Everything he did for them accounts for nothing. He chokes on a sob, wiping his snotty nose.
"Mama! Chumma irunga nenga. Kathiru, nee ulla po. Edhuva irundalum nalaiku pesikalam.
Mama, nengalum ulla poi thungunga. Kovathula ipadi mudivu yedukarenga", Dhanam wiped away her tears and tried to settle the issue, before Moorthy's anger aggravated more.
Moorthy ignored her altogether and looked at Kathir and said in thunderous voice
"Inum edhuku da nikara? Nee than engala vitutu poganumnu mudivu panita illa? Velila ippovey kelambunu sonean!"
Kathir turned towards the door feeling defeated.
"Nillu Kathiru!", he heard his mother's feeble voice
"Kathiru, Nee engayum poga venam. Ulla po", she said as in a command.
"Amma. Avan panna thappa unaranumnu than apadi sonean. Nenga enna ma...", Moorthy started to be stopped by Lakshmi again.
"Indha veedu un appa odadhu. Idhula en 4 pasangalukum urimai iruku. Yaraiyum velaila po'nu solra urimai oruthanuku kedaiyadhu!" she said and Moorthy demeanor immediately changed.
"Ipo solrean, nala ketuko. Kathir Mullai'ya kalyanam panradhula enaku mulu samadham. Kathir indha pathi en kita munadiyey pesitan. Idhuku mela pesa onum illa. Elarum poi thungunga", her words echoed in the air.