Hello…Its Jessie here…. Happy kaanum pongal to all of you….
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Impressed !! (Shot 2)
Arjun’s POV
She stood still,after I kissed her cheek…”Rattu kutty ma…”,I turned her to face me,as I felt a drop of tear on my knuckles…
“Hey…why…”…
she pushed my hold on her shoulders,pouting.. with her gaze down….
“Why did you come here…you dint want to meet me isn’t..”,she stepped behind…
“Rattu….what’s this…I..”
“Ajju….”,she called me..only she calls me so..!.,and shook her head closing her eyes… “I…I…was stupid…..you were right….our love…won’t…..
“I dint say so!!”,I said firm….”you know right…I …
“Pls…lemme finish….This 2 years….”,she inhaled deep and continued….”Arjun…!! Please leave…please..!! This is the last time am visiting here….I don’t want to…”
“Look me….Rattu….you aren’t even looking me…!!??? So ..you don’t want to see me….What I did…”,I asked helpless…
“Then why dint you come here or contact me…somewhere you thought to leave me isn’t….then why to pretend.?..”,she asked rubbing her nose….
“Pretence???!!!”,I asked surprised.!!Shocked !!…
Radhika’s POV:
“Pretence”,he asked….
I mentally facepalmed…how did I say that word…??…but…but…now I can’t back off…I did feel so when the moment he hugged and kissed me….I was losing myself…though I was angry on him….and he..he…din’t even had the guilt of keeping me away from him…
“You said….they won’t let us marry…”,I immediately took a point favoring me.,which we conversed 2 years back..
“I did say…another plan,too….forget it…Tell me this….Why you thought me so…?”,he cornered me with his question…
We heard our Granny to call him…
“Because..you din’t contact me…did you think about me at least once…but…every year..I came here….all this place…you never knew..how much…”
“Rattu…do u think am pretending?…”,he asked straight….”our plan worked isn’t…then….??…,he asked after few secs…
“Your plan”..I said…..
Of course it was his plan….When my dad and uncle behaved cold because of a argument,he said me to follow their way to make them realize their mistake…after all.,they couldn’t withstand when I ignored his parents..and he did the same….
“Rattu”,his voice broke my trance… “get ready and come.down..”,he said looking away..
“Ajju…why you avoided me…”,I asked to his back…
He turned and saw me.,smiled a little…”Radhika….I dint want to give any false hopes to you….what if.,both of our families remained the same way…” he asked…
He never calls me by my name unless he wants to say something serious….He was correct….Our families were like close knit one,until they had a argument few years back…when I met Raghu uncle to share my board exam results..,my dad was little furious,that I dint inform him first….Raghu uncle is always my fav….and after I realized Arjun’s love…I grew even more fond of their family…
We weren’t aware of their cold behavior until we both witnessed 3 years back..,exactly on Pongal.,that day..I feared only for our love….having hatred with Raghu uncle,I knew my dad will never accept our love…even Arjun knew….We tried to behave normal…that’s when he came up with an idea of following our parents footprints…I blindly trusted it….only because I wanted to live with him…but that plan,cut our ties completely….not even a phone call to greet each other on occasions….but in next 6 months.,things took a turn….and I saw our family to converse.,still they weren’t like before…It was hard for me to avoid his parents.,but still I did…Only for our love…and when we came for Pongal last year…Raghu uncle came to our house…but still I dint interact to Uncle and aunty…even when uncle wished me for my job….!! But what he said…Arjun too left for Malaysia..!! Raghu uncle settled there 15 yrs back..but Arjun studied here.,in India…his masters in VIT…and he worked in Chennai….one more reason,we all were close to each other…..My dad admires him for his,this nature…and my mom loves him more,for he stays away from home….he dint even inform me…I was unaware for a year that he went to Malaysia….!!!
Initially,I worried why he dint contact me…via..phone or mails…and then..the hope seemed to fade…2 years…I came here for Pongal..,only to meet him…To interact with him in person….After my 2nd year.,I din’t get to meet him..I shouldn’t have come this time…even after I got to know,that he dint inform me…I shouldn’t have…now he is here…and…what false hopes….means…he too feared…
When I raised my head to ask him…he wasn’t there…I quickly ran down and there he was.,waiting in our hall….
“What did you mean by false hopes..”,I asked standing in the last step of our staircase..
He turned to his left, facing our kitchen,and said..”Grandma is in kitchen”
“You say !!”,I demanded..what if she was there….
Arjun’s POV:
She demanded as though it was a one minute talk…Her Grammy would come any minute with coffee or tea,or with what ever she is asking the maid to prepare…
“We need to leave to temple..Go.,get ready..”,I tried to divert her…She gave one look to herself and shook her shoulders..
“You were in 3nd yr Rattu….”,I said…
“So…For my studies”,she asked crossing her arms…
“I don’t want anyone to blame our love as a reason….that too…at that situation…and if would have said..that I too was leaving….you….”I paused listening some noises…Argh…. her granny came back…but sweet she is…she brought my favorite refreshment…hot milk,mixed with palm jaggery and little of turmeric…well!….weather conscious !!
I couldn’t control my smile,when I saw her to glare her granny.,throughout that 20 mins car travel…She is still the same….When we saw our parents cold behavior,she was in 4th semester.,demanding me an answer saying she wouldn’t be able to study if I keep quiet…
“You would have demanded me to call me daily…which would have made you weak inturn…Think well”,I said when I crossed her after closing the back seat door after dropping them in temple….
Radhika’s POV
Weak…and me…!!
Of course..he is CORRECT…..that day…I indeed cried in fear of losing him… I even shared an thought of eloping….if not he said to follow his plan for 2 years…I have no idea how I would have studied…just with a hope tat for once our parents get into talking terms.,our love will succeed…I stayed relaxed…..and the thought of him being in Chennai..same city…gave me more confidence…..
Thank god..I was in last semester when I heard he left to Malaysia….else it would be only arrears in my record..
“At least now…you were angry…If I…”,he began again…
I raised my palm to his face..and gestured that I-understood…..I don’t want to further hear his lecture on this….
I was madly in love with him…May be he dint get me properly….though he is correct….how to accept that…ahhh..he indirectly meant.,I will lose my hold on life,if I get to know he is leaving India….
“Did you score well in 8th semester?” He asked more like a mock as we ascended the stairs..
Ah..yes..aunty would have said,how much shocked I was,when they said about him…He and his Malaysia…!! And how proud!! To ask me that…proud on his charm over me..!! Devil he is…but…
“Thank god..they will be lenient in last semester…”,he mocked again…
“I scored better..”,I gritted my teeth.,nerve of him to think I will keep arrears..missing him…
“Just better….?”,he chuckled aloud…
“Project drained my energy….I wasn’t well”,I said whatever that crossed my mind…
“Heard…Arvind helped you….and you even took bits for semester.”,he played with his mobile…
I stopped climbing those steps of our temple…he had a watch on me!!
“You spied me..”,I asked to his back…
“Don’t turn into fighter cock..I know Arvind before you…and..Yes..I kept watching you..”,he turned to my side.,but looked away…
I preferred silence…Nandu aunt and uncle was already there…I stumbled when I tried to walk faster..
“Rattu”,he came to hold me…I stood like a statue hearing him…what’s there in his voice…always.,I embarrass myself !!…
I discussed about Rangoli designs with Nandhu Athai….though I would just color instead of making the base designs….last 2 years.,I missed this fun…I searched him and there he was starring something on ground…
It was our style of Rangoli… kolam!!…Traditional way of Rangoli…patterns drawn joining dots….He always stays up till aunt finishes her Rangoli…while I would sleep when my mom does it…..One among many reasons,why my mom likes him..!..Is he still the same…!! He complimented those girls of my age.,who did those…
What the…he should be convincing me..!
Well…he said the reason.!…
I asked about Malaysian dishes to aunt..and my mom starred me wide eyed….how to embarrass your own daughter…!! She would be the author,if such a book gets published…how many times she did the same before Arjun….that’s why today he is speaking this much….
He recorded videos of elders saying Significance of Pongal festival….that’s y.,he took snaps of our style Rangoli…!!
“Do you know why the previous day of Pongal is called Bhogi”he asked…
“We throw unwanted old things from our house….few ppl will burn those in public….polluting air”,I explained annoyed without realizing his stunt…
“Polluting air??? Its kinda custom..and we never burn plastics….in fact plastics weren’t there in our times…..its only the decaying materials.,that would be burnt…The bonfire has only woods and worn out things that aren’t hazardous to nature…its only you people..now a days.,burn all nonsense in the name of Bhogi…and spoiled the essence of the festival…Only worn out..no longer useful things are burnt…and being from village…you should know these things….these children make fun of …”
“Is that the only reason we celebrate Bhogi festival?”,he asked interrupting that old uncle..who made me to freeze with his explanation….the people around us grew curious now….Dis advantages of being from a well known family in that village…!!
“Its not only the waste at home to be burnt,even those we had dumped in our heart….anger….hatred…jealous…egoism…everything that holds you back from enjoying the real happiness of being with people..that habits which spoils humanity…should be burnt..into ashes…the first day of Pongal….Bhogi pongal…!! Some do keep Pongal today also.”,my dad said aloud.,lil bit proud of his knowledge or culture that had such a indepth meaning…related to human race..
How would he leave such a golden chance being a native lover….he is so fervent to everything of our Tamil culture…well…that stupid argument also happened when Raghu said something about a ritual….that’s a old Nonsense….!Lemme burn that argument today..,and the fear I had for all these years because of it..
“Are we following it uncle?”,my Ajju asked…My Ajju..!! Clever he is…
I saw my dad,pressing my lips…my purple dupatta flew high in air just like how I felt that moment..,and my dark green silk skirt ruffled a little getting his attention on me…
“Of course yes.!!! It’s only you both…Aru..and Radhu should speak to each other…Aru…you dint even wish for her birthday…”,Raghu uncle out of the blue came my dad’s rescue…
“You were angry…so was…”,his words trailed off when Raghu uncle spoke further…
“We forgot those last year itself…did you both speak?…”,uncle counter asked him….Oh god!! Ajju…you kept fire on your tail…!!
“What if you both turn cold again….”,he asked back…Ah..My Ajju….securing future..!!
“Am sorry Raghav….it was my fault…I spoke harsh,challenging your self respect…”,my dad came near uncle,and next 15 mins continued with their apologies…surprising me…!
So..they behaved cool just for namesake till my Ajju made them to apologize…I saw my mom to look Ajju with tears of happiness….she would be imagining him like a savior….I was so lost.,unless I felt everyone’s gaze on me….and here…he was standing before me extending his hand…what for???
Oh…mending our relationship…tch..friendship in their pov..
“Am sorry Rattu…sorry for everything..”,he said…
I giggled and smiled wide…..this is what I want….My mom glared me and asked me to apologize…huh!! Why…..everyone should actually apologize me….how much I was stressed…
“What did she do…when Aru dint speak..how would she….”,Nandhu aunt coiled an arm around my shoulder…
“You dint apologize still”,he asked,when we descended the steps after praying in our temple…
“For what…”,I asked..
“I dint pretend”,he said….
“I won’t…I said what I felt”,I starred him…and he smiled…what the f****..gosh!..why the hell he smiles.,when I glare….
Arjun’s POV:
It was around 11.30 at night…she came with her mom and her maids to see our Rangoli…this is usual…we both will move along with our moms at that nii8 for Rangoli visit…in that chill weather,she would walk half asleep,leaning over my shoulder….but today she looked sober.!!..I smiled at my own choice of word for her state….Rolling her eyes all over the design…
“Kasturi…Peacock blue color…”,My mom asked..
“I will bring.”,she ran past me and came back with a small bowl.,turning conscious,not to notice me even by mistake….pulling her by elbow.,I said..”This is dark green..not peacock blue..”..
As usual..listening me.,her mom taunted her for inattentiveness.,and my mom supported her…This is something which happens for years…Sometimes.,just to listen my mom’s sweet support I would purposely pull her legs before Mala aunty…
“Don’t spoil your beauty sleep..”,I chuckled only to rile her up more…
“You shut up”,she said aloud and got scoldings from aunty., for speaking so…
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First time.,she wrote Happy Pongal beneath the Rangoli drawn…I know.,she wouldn’t have done,even at her home…I clicked it when she was busy writing it…
“Radhu…what got into you…you made Rangoli there…staying up till now…are you ok?”.her mom mocked her…
Everyone including our servants giggled listening that…All she could do was a stare.,narrowing her eyes.,which makes her look even more cute…
“You look like drunken..go sleep…”,I said when we walked through the lane at that hour….Few were still up drawing big designs….almost occupying half of that road….She walked along with me.,but neither I held her hand nor she leaned on my shoulder….
“I too like Rangoli…I want to see everyones’ here”,she stood before a huge flowery design….
“I thought you don’t like all this”,I replied surprised…She never liked it.,as far as I know….she would sleep in that wooden swing in my verandah,until I stay up with my mom and once finished I will take her to home…this is what happened for years..and now suddenly….
“What you know about my likes and dislikes?”,she raised her head a little and asked me furious…
“Rattu…whats this…you are purposely fighting with me”,I looked her helpless.,while others were busy enjoying their views on Rangoli designs….
Radhika’s POV:
“Rattu…whats this…you are purposely fighting with me”,he looked me….
Where did I fight…I just asked…am trying to…He likes Rangoli..and am up still…can’t he realize that I am here only for him..but he kept appreciating everyone’s drawing..finally when we reached ours.,he repeatedly asked,if it was me who helped my mom….My eyes were drooping.,else I would have scolded him…Idiot..What he thought about me?
“Nandu…Just like 5 years back….finish your Pongal and come here for Pooja..we will be waiting”,My mom said…
5 years back..? Means they had a misunderstanding for 5 years…but we got to know only 3 years back….and Arjun proposed me 5 years back….My sleep flew away like a dust and I searched him…He was there,near the gate….”Ajju..ajju…”,I walked fast to him…”Ajju…does our love have anything to do with their fight….My dad..”
“No Rattu…They don’t know still…It was regarding that temple issue…You don’t worry”,he turned to my side completely…”You never stay awake till 1Am…why Rattu”,he held my cheek with his right palm….The chill breeze and his warm touch…No words to express my feeling…I smiled little tilting my head a little to his hold….He smiled back…Looking around.,he withdrew his hand the next sec…and took a step back…
I stood still with a faint smile.,watching mom-son duo to leave my compound….
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Next day.. Pongal!
I dressed up like a typical village girl..,Saree..with all accessories…Only for him!….I understood his like for being traditional….!! My eyes widened in surprise looking myself in mirror….Am I this beautiful!! I smiled at my reflection…He will swoon looking me…I braided my hair.,and pinned jasmine flowers….And my alarm rang for second time..its 5.30 am…I had woke up by 4.30am itself…Hearing the rush outside.,I ushered myself to the main gate.,where we keep pongal…The earthen stove.,was already lit and twigs and wood pieces were drowning themselves in fire,for the water in the metal pot was boiling high…When I was busy scanning the process.,all were looking me wide mouthed and eyed…”What?”,I yelled…
“Radhu…you wore Saree?”,My mom smiled like a toothpaste Ad…”Am happy atleast now you got some sense…”,she threw my respect to dust the next sec…
“Don’t scold my child”,My dad came to me…”Don’t throw your annoyance on her….You had maids to help you isn’t”,My dad reasoned my mom’s selective bipolar mode…
I saw him…If only you had this patience 5 years back.,now I would have become Mrs.Arjun and would be there at his house…Whats the use of lamenting about it now…I sighed…
“Aru…Come!! Happy Pongal”,My mom smiled… Now..Now..what did he do…to be this sweet with him….
“Iniya Pongal Nalvazhthukal”,he wished back in tamil….And my dad melted like that of the jaggery melting in the pot before me….Well.,who won’t..When a IT professional turns all traditional….That too staying abroad..!! After all.,they witnessed me turning into west once I got my job in that field…and my neighbor back in chennai.,would go outing with friends saying as IT culture,but won’t visit his native….I heard my parents to pour their love on him..well…what would they do..if he proposes me before them….I smirked nonchalant at that thought….
I turned around and was bowled over looking him in our traditional attire….Did he plan to kill me with a heart attack!!!
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So…how was it…Pls ignore my Typos and grammatical errors…Don’t forget to share your views…Take care and love you all loads…