'Sollunga senior ey,adhisayama enakellam call pannirukeenga??',Kanmani asked as she stopped dragging the trolley.
'Heyyy.. apdila illa Kanmani..',before the opposite voice could finish Kanmani intervened,'No samalifications of yours will work out here my dear anni...En annanoda romance pannave seri ya irukum ungaluku...',Kanmani pouted.
'Yaaru unga annan?Romance?Nee dhan mechukanumm..',Meera twisted her lips.
'Haann en anna na kalaikaadheenga..',Kanmani defended her beloved brother.
'Seri ma,unga annana onnun sollala..Yenga iruka?Veetuku vandhacha?',Meera asked.
'Illa anni..Veetla konjam items la theendhu pochu adhaan vaangalamnu vandhu super market vandhuruke',Kanmani replied.
'Ohh madam ipoo cooking lam panna aarambichuteengala?',Meera asked.
'Ayoo adha yen anni kekureenga?Oven kulla bowl odanjuruku,appalam porikumbodhu satti la theevandhuruku..Adhu enna ne therila anni nalla dha anni patha vechen..adh apdiye satti eriyudhu anni..Annaila irundhu Shakee ma sonnanga..Dha bha adhu nee kitchen pakkame pogadha nu',Kanmani explained making Meera laugh out loud.
'Adhaan,edhuku risk eduthutu,one month ku thevaiyaana Maggie packet,coffee powder,apro konjo toiletries lam vaangalamnu vandhuruke',Kanmani said.
'Seriiiiii,yeppo avara intro kudukalamnu iruka?',Meera asked.
'Yevara?',Kanmani asked while her eyes going through the instant noodles packages as her mind was struggling to choose Maggie or Yippee or Top ramen.
'Boy friend',Meera said.
'Yaaru boyfriend uh?', Kanmani asked still focusing on the shelves.
'Haan en boy friend...',.Meera rolled her eyes.
'Cha Anni sollave illa...', Kanmani teased making her huff.
'Heyy..Naan un boyfriend ah sonnen di..',Meera said.
'En boyfr....', that's when she remembered the story she has cooked up.
'Ahn adhu anni...Avaru busy ah irukaaru,naan seekrame intro kudukurene....',Kanmani lied.
'Avlo secret ah maintain panra? Atleast avaru photo? Instagram account?',Meera asked making her sigh.
'Aale illa bell uh...',she murmered under her breath.
'Huh?',
'Anni..Naa idho bill poda vandhuten..Naa apro koopdre bye..', Kanmani declined the call and sighed in relief.
'Yebhaa ore oru poi sollitu naan padra avasthai iruke... adhukunu poi andha Santoor daddy ahva boyfriend nu introduce panna mudiyum..Aabathuku paavam illa...Pch ketaa paathukala..',she shrugged her thoughts and soon moved out from the super market.
'Macha,macha..Please da..Vandhu just oru formality ku pesu macha..', Rakshan said while Aarav remained deaf to his words.
'Maapla poi just pesuradhula enna da prechanai?', Prakash said.
'Yaara kettu mudivu panreenga?Naan sonnnena?Naan dhan enaku konjam time venumnu sonnella..',Aarav yelled at them.
'Machaa..Unaku yaarume naalike kalyanam panni vekka poradhilla..Poi pesu, pudicha let's proceed further,unaku neraya time iruku macha..',Rakshan said.
'Pch..enaku yaaraiyum paaka venaam..Velai iruku..',Aarav said checking the accounts.
'Adhaan maapla,nee poga venaam..Andha ponna namma cafe ku varum,pesu..3.30 mani ku vara sollirukom..',Prakash said and Aarav glared at them.
'Deiii 4.15 ku clock Aayushi ku school vitruvaanga..',Aarav said.
'Machaa..Nee avlo neram lam aagadhu da..pesi paaru..',Rakshan said.
'Appo ellam plan pannitu enta inform panreenga?',Aarav asked.
'Maapla..konjam consider pannu da..', Prakash said and Aarav huffed.
'Enavo pannunga...',Aarav moved as he noticed a customer.
'Thanks macha..',Prakash kissed his cheek before running towards the customer.
'Cheii..karumam pudichavane..',Aarav sighed and Rakshan chuckled.
'Oo solriya mama,oo oo solriya mama..ta ta ta ta ta ta ta ta ta tan ta ta ta ta ta ta tan..',Kanmani vibing while driving her car but stopped slowly seeing a familiar face.
'Ada.. Aayushi dhana adhu..',she got down from the car.
Aayushi was there standing outside the school with the watchman.
'Hey doremon,nee enga inga?',Aayushi asked her eyes beamed in happiness seeing her.
'Hey Aayushi,Nee yen wait panra?', Kanmani asked.
'Appa innum kaano... Adhaan wait pannitu iruken..',Aayushi pouted.
'Seri,naan veetuku dha poren.. Enkooda variya?',Kanmani asked.
'Hmmm..aana appa ta sollanume...',Aayushi said.
'Hmm..veetuku poitu sollikalam..',Kanmani shrugged with a wink and Aayushi smiled nodding.
'Haa anna..Naan ivala kootitu poren',Kanmani said the watchman.
'Neenga ma?',he asked.
'Naan ivanga neighbour..', Kanmani said.
'Aama watchman uncle,enaku therinjavanga dhan..',Aayushi said.
'Seri ma,kootitu ponga..',soon they left after informing the watchman.
'Paatu podalama?',Kanmani started the playlist.
Stove mela kadai
Socket la sadaai..
'Heyy indha paatu unaku pudikuma?',they asked in unison and broke into laughter.
'Aana en appa irukaare...',Aayushi rolled her eyes.
'Yen?', Kanmani chuckled.
'Aama avaru seriyaana pazhaya aalu..Indha paatu edhume theriyaadhu...', Aayushi said making Kanmani chuckle.
'Doremon doremon,niruthuuu...', Aayushi yelled and Kanmani stopped the car.
'Yen ma kathura?', Kanmani asked.
'Anga paaru icecream!!!!Sapdlam!!!', Aayushi exclaimed.
'Un appa ku theriyaamaya?', Kanmani asked.
'Veetuku poitu sollikalam...',Aayushi shrugged with a wink and they both threw a known smile at eachother.
'Anna oru blackcurrant,Unaku?',Kanmani asked.
'Hmmm..oru choco bar..',Aayushi said and they both got one.
'Nalla climate la,mazhai vara maari iruku so seekram saptu kelambeerlam..', Kanmani said and Aayushi nodded but still concentrating on her ice cream.
'Aprom enna iniku school jolly ah irundhucha unaku?',Kanmani asked.
'Hmmm...Iniku naanum en friend Preetha,Vaishnav moonu perum jly ah velayando,neraya miss solli kuduthaanga apro oru project ku enaku 3 out of 3 stars kuduthaanga',Aayushi said.
'Heyy super!!!Enna project?', Kanmani asked.
'Family tree!',Aayushi said and Kanmani paused as she looked at her.
'Naanu,en daddy apro Prakash mama,Rakshan mama,Selvam thatha,Shanthini paati..ivanga photos ellame collect panni,oru chart la paste pannanu adhu dhan project',Aayushi said while Kanmani listened her silently.
'Paakuriya?',Aayushi took the chart paper from her bag's water bottle holder.She spread the chart and Kanmani's eyes moistened automatically looking at the chart.
Aayushi has pasted Aarav's photo and has written that "Father and Mother"
Kanmani was amused by the maturity of the child sitting nearby her.The love Aayushi has on her motherly father was incredible.She smiled remembering her late father and her eyes glistened more.
'Heyy Doremon..Evlo neram koopdradhu?Ice cream urugudhu..',Aayushi said and Kanmani's trance broken.
'Haann...Nallairuku..', Kanmani smiled.
'Un family la yaarellam irukaanga?',Aayushi asked.
'Naan,en anna,anni avlodhan',Kanmani replied.
'Un mummy daddy?', Aayushi asked and Kanmani huffed nodding a no.
'En mummy maari un mummy daddy um angels aayitaangala?', Aayushi asked.
'Daddy mattum..', Kanmani said.
'Apoo mummy?', Aayushi asked and before she could answer the rain started pouring.
'Hello Aarav,Im Deeksha',the women in her late twenties sat opposite to him.
'Aarav!',they both settled at a table.
'Enna sapdreenga?',Aarav asked.
'Hmm..Oru cold coffee ',Deeksha said.
'Hmm,Naan poi eduthutu varen maapla, unaku edhavadhu venuma?', Prakash asked.
'Illa da..',Aarav said and Prakash moved.
'Chinna cafe dhan,illa Aarav?',Deeksha asked.
'Aama..',Aarav said.
'Idha neenga moonu peru dha maintain panreengala?',Deeksha asked.
'Aama nga,Chinna cafe dhana,so ellame naangale maathi maathi pannipom..',Aarav said.
'Apo cleaning, cooking ellame?',Deeksha asked.
'Ellame naanga dhan',Aarav said and Deeksha nodded.
'Accounts koodava?',Deeksha asked and he nodded.
'Excuse me..', Prakash placed the coffee.
'Maapla naanga kitchen la iruko,nee pesu..', Prakash soon moved after Aarav nodded once.
'Actually Aarav,neenga partnership illama thaniya indha cafe run panninganna you may gain more benifits, neenga just workers ku mattu konjo salary kudutha podhum la..ipdi moonu peruna share pannikanum, profit paaka mudiyaadhu perusa,just my opinion',Deeksha said and Aarav silently looked at her.
'So,let me introduce myself Aarav,Naan Deeksha,Fashion designer.Divorce aagi one year aagudhu..Arranged marriage dhan..Avaruku kozhandhai venumnu aasai,enaku adhula interest illa.. Daily adhuve oru prechanai ya irundhuchu..And business vishayamum perusa rendu perukulla set aagala..So here we are..Neenga sollunga',Deeksha finished.
Aarav deeply inhaled before starting,'
Thappa nenaikaadheenga Deeksha,I have a daughter and unga business ah vida ennodadhu chinnadhu dhan.. so I think this wont work out ',Aarav said.
'Daughter?',she sighed and took a sip from her coffee.
'Aarav, actually enaku ungala pudichuruku, why don't we think someother ways?'Deeksha asked.
'Huh?',Aarav frowned.
'Unga appa amma or unga late wife's parents irupaangalla..So let her stay with them..Neenga poi unga daughter ah yeppo venaa paakalam I wont stop you..Yosichu sonna it'll be better ',Deeksha said and Aarav nodded a no fisting his palms under the table.
'Illa nga set aagadhu.. Thank you..', Aarav stood up and moved from there leaving her.
'Poradhuku munnadi coffee ku pay pannitu poidunga'
'Enna da edhavadhu workout aayirukuma?', Rakshan asked.
'Therilaye da..', Prakash answered and they saw Aarav coming towards them.
'Enna maapla okay ah?', Prakash asked receiving a tight slap from Aarav.
'Ava yaaruda en Aayushi kondu poi anga vidu inga vidu nu solradhuku?',Aarav yelled.
'Maa..', before he could finish another slap landed on his another cheek from Aarav.
'En friends oda business panna koodadhunu solla ava yaaru?',Aarav shouted.
'Inime yaaraiyaavadhu ipdi kootitu vandheenga, manushanave iruka maten..',Aarav huffed.
'Time aachu,Aayushi school vitrupaanga..', Aarav moved while Rakshan was sitting there cupping both of his cheeks.
'Enna macha?Adichutaana?',Rakshan asked.
'Avan adichadhukooda valikala da,aana nee yedhuvume nadakaadha maari vandhu adichutaana nu kekura paathiya? Adhaan da romba valikudhu..', Prakash hissed.
'Seri da vidu vidu..Avan unna adikuradhu dha pudhusa illa nee vaanguradhu dha pudhusa?',Rakshan said throwing his one arm around Prakash's shoulder.
'Neeyum dhana da irundha pakkathula?Enna mattu yen da adichaan?',Prakash asked.
'Adhu maapla,sila perayellam paathale palaar nu kannathula onnu vekkalamnu thonum.. Un muga raasi apdi da..', Rakshan said and Pugazh sighed.
'Eppavum unga bodhaiku enna oorgava use panradhaye velaya vechurukeengalla..naan poren da..', Prakash moved.
'Yenga da pora?',Rakshan asked.
'Customer vantaanga da..', Prakash moved and Rakshan smiled.
They fight,they argue but they never fall apart!
'Aayushi,come on... Naaliku nee school poganum,cold pudichukum..Vaa',Kanmani pulled Aayushi who was enjoying the rain.
'Haiyoo Doremon.. Enaku mazhai na romba pudikum,appa irundha allow eh panna maataru...Please please innu 2 minutes..', Aayushi said.
'Rendu perum nalla mazhai la nenairo,enakum naaliku show iruku,unaku school ponum la..Vaa', Kanmani again called her but she didn't seem to be response.
'Neeyum vaa..',Aayushi pulled Kanmani and held her hands.She started swirling and Kanmani too joined her.
'Aayushi podhum ma..', Kanmani said but before she could finish they heard,'AAYUSHI!'
Aarav was completely confused,if a situation like Aarav getting married to someone arrived,how its going to have a effect on Aayushi's life,good or bad?What if the one who comes didn't treat her well?what if them make his daughter go away from him?He pressed his forehead in frustration thinking about the conversation with Deeksha at the cafe and paused the car infront of the school and found it was closed.
'Anna?Aayushi,1st standard 'A' section..',Aarav asked the watchman.
'Konjo nerathuku munnadi dha sir oru ponnu vandhu kootitu pochu,Papa vum avangala theriyumnu sonnadhunaala dha anupi veche, unga neighbour aam',the watchman said and he totally have no clue about whom it might be.Already many thoughts were occupied in his mind and this made him to rush to his car and on the way the sight he saw made his anger to reach his nerves.
He slowed down the car and once looked out the window and assured that it was Kanmani and Aayushi at the platform.
Both the girls gulped at his angered face.
'Aayushi car la yeru..',Aarav said.
'Aa..', before Aayushi could open her mouth he asked her to get in again by gesture.
She ran and took her bag and left into the car.
'Aarav adhu..',before Kanmani could speak.
'Arivu iruka?',he yelled at her face.
'Kozhandhaiya mazhai la nenaya vittutu irukeenga?Naaliku avaluku cold, fever nu vandhaa? Yosika venaama?',he yelled and she stood in silence.
'Mazhai la nenayaama veedu poi serunga..',Aarav moved from there leaving Kanmani behind.
TO BE CONTINUED...