Intimacy - Part 29

After a brief silence, Rakesh turned to Aarthi and said, “fine Aarthi. I have decided. I will give you five years’ time. By then, you should have gifted me six babies of ours’. More than that, is also happily accepted. Will you?”. Then he smiled gently at her.

Aarthi couldn't believe what she just heard. She started crying profusely. She expected the worst to happen. But, Rakesh gave her a sweetest surprise.

“Aarthi, do I look like an idiot to punish you? You have no idea how heavenly I feel, to know the truth. This is what every man needs - an unconditional love from the lady of his life, for what he is and however he is. My mom used to worry that, the girl I am gonna marry might find it tough to cope up with me. But, never in my life had I ever thought, that I would find a treasure like you, to secretly love me, chase me and marry me, purely to make me happy and my life more beautiful. And for a successful marriage, you need two beautiful hearts, not stunning faces. You are the most beautiful angel for me. I don't need anything more in my life. Just YOU, complete ME!!!”, said Rakesh in a soft tone and Aarthi calmed down. They smiled at each other and Rakesh kissed her!

Tamil Sangathil Paadadha Kavidhai - Idhai
Angathil yaar Thandadhu
Sandathil Maradha Nadayudan En munne Yaar Vandadhu

Kai enre sengandhal malarai
Nee sonnaal naan nambavo
Kaal enre sevvalai idhalai
Nee sonnal naan nambavo
Mai konjam
Poi konjam
Kannukkul Nee kondu varuvai
Kaalathaal Moovadha oru Tamil

Anthipor kaanaadha ilamai
aadattum En kaigalil
Sindithen senthoora idhazhgalil
Sindhi then paaiginra uravai

Konjam thaa konjatha
Kannukkul ennena nalinam
Kaalathaal Moovadha UyarTamil

Aadai aen unmeni azhagai
Aadhikkam seiginradhu
Naalaikke aanandha Vidudhalai
kaanattum kaanaddha uravil
Kai Thottum Mei Thottum
Kobathil Thoongadha Viliyum
Sandippil ennenna nayam Tamil

தமிழ் சங்கத்தில் பாடாத கவிதை - இதை
அங்கத்தில் யார் தந்தது
சந்தத்தில் மாறாத நடையுடன் என் முன்னே யார் வந்தது

கை என்றே செங்கந்தல் மலரை
நீ சொன்னால் நான் நம்பவோ
கால் என்றே செவ்வலை இதழை
நீ சொன்னால் நான் நம்பவோ
மை கொஞ்சம்
பொய் கொஞ்சம்
கண்ணுக்குள் நீ கொண்டு வருவாய்
காலத்தால் மூவாத ஒரு தமிழ்

அந்திபோர் காணாத இளமை
ஆடட்டும் என் கைகளில்
சிந்தித்தேன் செந்தூர இதழ்களில்
சிந்தி தேன் பாய்கின்ற உறவை
கொஞ்சம் தா கொஞ்சத்தா
கண்ணுக்குள் என்னென நளினம்
காலத்தால்  மூவாத உயர்தமிழ்

ஆடை ஏன் உன்மேனி அழகை
ஆதிக்கம் செய்கின்றது
நாளைக்கே ஆனந்த விடுதலை
காணட்டும்  கானத்த உறவில்
கை தொட்டும்  மெய் தொட்டும்
கோபத்தில் தூங்கத விழியும்
சந்திப்பில் என்னென்ன நயம் தமிழ்

That night Aarthi slept peacefully, as she had vented out the hidden truths, of her heart and Rakesh was glad about it too. But, Rakesh couldn't sleep as he kept rethinking about all that Aarthi told him. He kept admiring her at the dimmest night light. She was prettier than ever and he felt like his own baby was sleeping there, rather than his lover or wife. His heart was overwhelming, with lustless love.

Next day, Rakesh got up very late and it was almost noon. He got dressed up and came out of his room, in search of Aarthi. He saw her talking with his aunt, so interestingly, in the kitchen. He was a little concerned that his aunt might question her about cooking and make fun of her, as she knows nothing about it. His mom served him lunch and Aarthi was busy talking with guests, at his home.

“Mom! Lunch is really good. Did you get it from that new restaurant, that you were talking about, the other day??”, asked Rakesh eagerly.

“No, not that restaurant”

“Then?”

“These are all prepared at home?”

“Really? It's delicious. Did aunt cook them all?”

“Not your aunt, but, Aarthi”

He felt as if he heard something that could never possibly happen, on earth.

When Rakesh grabbed a couple of private minutes with Aarthi, he wanted to know the answers for his questions.

“How did you cook so much, Aarthi? Everything tasted fabulous. How did you manage to learn them so quickly, within a month? I am impressed”, said Rakesh proudly.

“Rakesh, I actually started cooking when I was in 7th grade and mastered cooking, when I reached 10th grade. Have you forgotten that I am from a traditional family, from a small town? How can I not know cooking?”, replied Aarthi.

“Then…”

“I understand what you mean. I never cooked for you, all these days. It's very simple. Every time you cook for me, you take so much care and concern and made it special every single time. I felt a lot of love in that. Even when I offered to cook, you never let me alone, but would get involved and cook everything by yourself. Frankly, to experience your care and love for me, I let you cook every time and simply enjoyed the bliss”, said Aarthi and winked at him.

“How could any girl love someone like this, on earth?”

“Of course, every girl does. Some express it and others don't”

After all the post wedding celebrations, fun and feast, Aarthi and Rakesh travelled back to US, to start their life. Throughout the flight, Rakesh kept talking about her confession, on their wedding night. The truth couldn't still sink in and he loved hearing the same story over and over, from her.

Winning your love is an eternal ecstasy, but to realise that you have been loved more than you thought, is the ultimate jubilation. What else do one need, more than this?!!