Intimacy - Part 15

As Rakesh was having the milk, he kept staring at the ceramic boy. The piece, had already turned into an inseparable possession, of his life. That is the only piece, in his whole room, he tends to dust now and then. Every time he looks at it, he relishes an unfathomable joy within. Rakesh believed that, it sends out an aura, that soothes his heart, during the toughest times and multiplies his happiness.

Yedho ondraith thedum nenjam inge kandathe
Yengum kannil thondrum inbam inge endrathe
Pen malaiyaruvi panneer thoovi
Pon mazhaiyazhagin sugam yerkaatho
Ivai yaavum paadangal inithaana vedhangal
Ivaigal ilamaalaip pookkale pudhuch solai pookkale

Kodai kaala kaatre kulir thendral paadum paatte
Manam thedum suvaiyodu dhinamthorum isai paadum
Adhai ketkum nenjame sugam kodi kaanattum
Ivaigal ilamaalaip pookkale pudhuch solai pookkale

ஏதோ ஒன்றைத் தேடும் நெஞ்சம் இங்கே கண்டதே
ஏங்கும் கண்ணில் தோன்றும் இன்பம் இங்கே என்றதே
பெண் மலையருவி பன்னீர் தூவி
பொன் மழையழகின் சுகம் ஏற்காதோ
இவை யாவும் பாடங்கள் இனிதான வேதங்கள்
இவைகள் இளமாலைப் பூக்களே புதுச் சோலை பூக்களே

கோடை கால காற்றே குளிர் தென்றல் பாடும் பாட்டே
மனம் தேடும் சுவையோடு தினம்தோறும் இசை பாடும்
அதை கேட்கும் நெஞ்சமே சுகம் கோடி காணட்டும்
இவைகள் இளமாலைப் பூக்களே புதுச் சோலை பூக்களே

Rakesh's mobile beeped and disturbed him, as he was trying to get some sleep. It was a message, from an unknown number and it read, ‘Sorry :(‘. He wasn't sure whom it could be and it was almost middle of the night.

‘May I know, who is this?’, replied Rakesh.

There wasn't any reply for a while. Then, the mobile beeped again.

‘This is Aarthi’. Rakesh couldn't believe the truth, that Aarthi messaged him.

‘Hi Aarthi. How are you?’

‘Sorry. I got you into a big trouble today.’

‘Don't be sorry. It's alright. I shouldn't have done like that.’

‘I was a bit careless. Sorry again.’

‘Oh no no. I have got one week, to get some rest :)’

‘OK. Good Night’

‘Good Night’

Rakesh was feeling on top of the world. He was way too happy, that Aarthi messaged him. He did not wanted to end the conversation. But, he wasn't sure, how to prolong it either. Still, he was feeling ecstatic, for the tiny conversation. He kept looking at the messages and was smiling to himself. Aarthi did not hesitate to apologise and that amazed him even more. It is the hardest thing for him, but Aarthi dealt with it neatly.

Next day morning, he wished he could go to college, just to look at Aarthi and smile at her. But, he realised that, he need to wait a week, for that.

“Really, she is a nice girl, Rakesh!”, exclaimed Rakesh’s mother, when she heard about Aarthi’s messages.

“Yes mom. But, my friends are mad at her”

“All of you are so kiddish. Wonder when you will all grow up!”

Evening, Rakesh was hoping to get a message from Aarthi. But, his wait was in vain. She never messaged. He wasn't sure whether to message her. He grew restless, after a long wait and finally decided to try his luck.

‘Hi Aarthi. Are you OK?’

‘Hi Rakesh. Yes, I am good. Why?’, texted back Aarthi, instantly.

‘My friends are little upset. So, I was worried whether they had been rude to you, today’

‘No Rakesh. No one said a word. I am fine. Thank you. Good night’

‘Gud night’

The conversation ended before Rakesh could realise. Now he needs to await a chance, to text her.