Intimacy - Part 24

A couple of days later, Rakesh came to Aarthi's cabin and demanded some time of hers’, to have a word with her. He looked very upset and angry.

“What happened to you Aarthi? Why do you ignore me? It's been a long time since you visited me. You don't talk to me much, as you used to. You are not accepting my invite for dinners these days!?”

“Rakesh, I am busy with work. Nothing else”, interrupted Aarthi.

“Damn with your work. Do you think, I am dumb to believe that? Your mobile is staying suspiciously busy these days. What is happening?”

“I was talking with my mom”

“For hours?”

“C’mon Rakesh. Mom was discussing about my marriage proposals. Won't I be eager to know about the grooms and select a best match?”

Rakesh stood in shock.

“Are you serious?”, asked Rakesh.

“Of course, yes. But, why?”

“You are such a brainy fellow. And why do want to get married so soon and spoil your career?”

“Rakesh, I think this is the right time to get married. I don't feel like delaying it anymore. I promised my parents, that I will get married in two years, after my graduation. But, it has been already three years”

“Is everything finalised, Aarthi?”, questioned Rakesh in a low voice.

“No, Rakesh. We have received only the proposals. Nothing is fixed yet. We like one of the proposal and the groom is in US, but in a different city. He is coming here, over the weekend, to meet me. If everything goes well, then the wedding bells will ring”, said Aarthi. Rakesh noticed that she was blushing, as she spoke about it and her face turned pink. Rakesh couldn't resist the sight and turned his face away. He started fuming and his anger was clearly seen on his face. He did not speak a word more and left the place. His heart started to feel heavy and he felt an unusual pain, that he never experienced before. He wanted to cry. He was terrified, as if he lost a bigger chunk of himself.

Vizhiyile malarnthathu  

uyirile kalanthathu  

pennennum ponnazhage adada

engengum un azhage   

Un ninaive pothumadi  manam mayangum mei marakkum  puthu ulagin vazhi theriyum pon vilakke dheepame  

Oyivanum varainthathillaiye  unnai pol  

orazhagai kandathillaiye  

Kaaviyathil naayagi  karpanaiyil oorvasi  

kankalukku vilaintha maangani  

kaathalukku valarntha poongodi   

விழியிலே மலர்ந்தது உயிரிலே கலந்தது
பெண்ணென்னும் பொன்னழகே அடடா

எங்கெங்கும் உன்னழகே

உன் விழியே போதுமடி மனம் மயங்கும் மெய் மரக்கும்
புது உலகின் வழி தெரியும் பொன்விளக்கே தீபமே

ஓவியனும் வரைந்ததில்லையே உன்னைப்போல்
ஓரழகைக் கண்டதில்லையே
காவியத்தின் நாயகி கற்பனைக்கு ஊர்வசி
கண்களுக்கு விளைந்த மாங்கனி

காதலுக்கு மலர்ந்த பூங்கொடி

The following Monday, Rakesh rang up Aarthi and insisted in meeting her, at the cafeteria. He expected to meet her in the morning and drive her to work. But, in recent times she avoided him and started going to work, by walk. He couldn't think about anything else, other than Aarthi’s meeting, with her fiancé. So, he decided to do some serious talk about it. He was restless and impatient. As Aarthi walked through the door, she looked more beautiful than ever and the magical smile, clutched Rakesh’s heart and throat.

“Hi Rakesh. How are you? What is the matter?”, asked Aarthi cheerfully and she looked happy.

“Why did you not attend my call yesterday?”, questioned Rakesh, in an authoritative tone.

“Don't you know why?”

Rakesh couldn't control his raging anger.

“So, what have you decided Aarthi? Did you meet him?”

“Of course, yes! He is so amazing and humble. I liked him instantly. We had a very good time together. He had done Masters here. Earning a handsome salary. He is planning to buy a house, soon after the wedding is fixed. Nothing about him bothers or worries me. Overall, he is a perfect groom package. Look at this picture”, said Aarthi and extended her mobile, to show his picture. Rakesh hardly looked at it.

“What did your parent say?”

“They are fine about this proposal, Rakesh. I told them that I would give my opinion about him, after I met him. But, couldn't talk to them, as they are out of town for a wedding. So, tomorrow I will discuss about this in detail, with them.”

“Great! So, when you call your parents tomorrow, tell them that you don't like this guy.”

‘What?!”

“Yes, tell them that you are in love with Rakesh and want to marry him. Do you get that?”, said Rakesh firmly and looked into her eyes.

Aarthi froze in shock. She least expected this. She kept staring at him and couldn't speak a work. She felt a lump choking her throat and without her knowledge, tears started to roll down. She got up and left the place, without saying a word.

Sandhya noticed Aarthi, as she bounded to the cafeteria, to grab a coffee. She noticed Rakesh sitting there and deep in thoughts.

“Rakesh, is everything alright with you and Aarthi?”, asked Sandhya politely.

“Yes Sandhya! Why?”

“I just saw Aarthi. She looked upset and was weeping. Are you guys OK?”

“Well Sandhya. She was crying because of me. She met her fiancé, yesterday. But, I insisted her to marry me and convey the same to her parents. She least expected that from me. That's why, she is upset. I am telling this to you, so that you can find the answer that you have been awaiting. Bye Sandhya”, said Rakesh and left in a swift.

Sandhya sat there, weeping silently, to pacify the aching heart. The disappointment was a hard blow and slowly, she has to let it sink in.

Kandirunthen naan thaan kaadhal enum kottai
Katti vaithup paarthen athanaiyum oattai
Ullabadi yogam ullavarkku thaanum
Natta vidhai yaavum nalla maram aagum
Aadum varaikkum aadi iruppom
Thangame nyaana thangame
Aattam mudinthaal ottam eduppom
Thangame nyaana thangame

Unna nenachen pattu padichen
Thangame nyaana thangame

கண்டிருந்தேன் நான் தான் காதல் என்னும் கோட்டை
கட்டி வைத்து பார்த்தேன் அத்தனையும் ஓட்டை
உள்ளபடி யோகம் உள்ளவர்க்கு தானும்
நட்ட விதை யாவும் நல்ல மரம் ஆகும்
ஆடும் வரைக்கும் ஆடி இருப்போம்
தங்கமே ஞான தங்கமே
ஆட்டம் முடிந்தால் ஓட்டம் எடுப்போம்
தங்கமே ஞான தகமே

உன்னை நினைச்சேன் பாட்டு படிச்சேன்
தங்கமே ஞான தங்கமே