Intimacy - Part 1

A universal language that is embraced and cherished by every life is LOVE. A soul will be lost without love. For some, time and fate pushes them high above, see them fall and laugh at their face. But for some, time and fate join their hands, take them to their destination with ease and pat on their shoulders. This story is one such picture perfect love life that anyone would want to live or associate with.

To add to the feel and emotion of the story, few lyrics from various songs composed by Maestro Ilayaraja have been added. This is a special tribute to the musician of all seasons, times and emotions. Not forgetting, a special thanks is always reserved for my friend Suresh, who is the reason behind this story.

Part 1

"Good Morning mam!", said all the students in chorus. A fresh start and first day of the academic year, for Higher Secondary School students. All looked very enthusiastic and eager, except Aarthi, who is new in the class. Aarthi looked like a typical South Indian girl, with long hair, wheatish complexion, average height, slim and ofcourse calm and serene face.

"What is your name?", asked her teacher.

"I am Aarthi", she replied.

"Come to the dias and introduce yourself"

"Yes Mam!"

Aarthi felt nervous but she went on to introduce herself.

"Hello everyone! I am Aarthi. I did my 10th at Akhilandeshwari Vidyashram, Trichy. My family recently moved to Chennai. My father is working as a Bank Manager and my mother is a housewife. I have one younger brother, doing 8th standard. I scored 83% in 10th CBSE exam. Thank you", she said and rushed to her seat on the first row. Her teacher praised her for her good score and continued with the subject.

Few girls spoke to her during break time and she felt comfortable with them. After a week's time, she got settled and earned a bunch of friends. But, she dare not to speak with or even look at any of the boys in her class.

New city, new people and new feel seemed to be another world for Aarthi. She missed her home town. The very thought of her hometown brought back the reminiscences of all the beautiful memories that she preserved all these days. Her world remained too small and simple. Her life till now was confined to a couple of streets in a devotional town of Trichy. Though she had heard a lot about other cities and places, never had she bothered about exploring them. She was happy to flutter around her hen's coop.

ival oru ilanguruvi

ezhundhu aadum malarkodi
idaiyil nadaiyil iraivan varaindha kolam
thavazhndhidum malaiyaruvi

parandhu paadum pasungkili
nitham.. nitham nitham.. nadai thathi thathi pazhagum!

இவள் ஒரு இளங்குருவி
எழுந்து ஆடும் மலர்க்கொடி
இடையில் நடையில் இறைவன் வரைந்த கோலம்
தவழ்ந்திடும் மலையருவி
பறந்து பாடும் பசுங்கிளி
நித்தம்.. நித்தம் நித்தம்.. நடை தத்தித் தத்திப் பழகும்!

Intimacy - Part 2

Aarthi felt distanced from her own terrain. But she was more matured to accept the change and looked ahead of her life. She wanted to get accustomed to the new dimensions that her life projected. She regretted for her unshaken belief that the city girls are very westernised and hard to mingle for someone typical like her. But her new friends, from this new city, were all adorable. They were all western, but in their thoughts. She liked their forward approach and 'out of usual' perspective of life.

Her friends helped her to erase off the rules and restrictions that she had defined to herself. They took her to movies, beach, shopping and what not. She loved looking at the city through their eyes. It looked much more beautiful and extravagant. She believed till now that the idea of an 'ideal' girl is all about spending all her time either studying, praying or doing households. But now she realised that there is a life beyond that and no idealistic definition are concluded and comprehended for that matter. She learnt to live her life for herself than for others. Definitely thanks to her friends for all that smash downs of unfathomable laws that Aarthi was clinging onto.

The term exams queued up and Aarthi prepared enthusiastically. She, along with her friends, stayed focussed and determined to get good score. They all worked hard and gave their exams well. The most awaited term holidays arrived and that was the first tick in the box, as they had a list of 'to-do' fun filled activities. It was 24*7 fun time, filled with laughter, teasing, chatting, gossiping and above all, being and staying together.

Paravaigal pol naam parandhidavendum

Panimalai Mel naam midhandhidavendum

Edho oru bothai

Manam kondaadutheyyyyy....

Pazhamudhir cholai enakkaagathaan

Padaithavan padaithaan adharkaagathaan!

பறவைகள் போல் நாம் பறந்திடவேண்டும்
பனிமலை மேல் நாம் மிதந்திடவேண்டும்,
ஏதோ ஒரு போதை
மனம் கொண்டாடுதே...
பழமுதிர்ச்சோலை எனக்காகத்தான்
படைத்தவன் படைத்தான்அதற்காகதான்!

Aarthi stopped missing her hometown and is more happier than ever. The heaviness that clutched her heart whenever she heard her hometown's name, is not happening anymore. She found a new Aarthi in herself and her parents loved their smiling, confident and admirable new girl. On top of it, she started to dig out and display her talents that were long buried within herself. She loves singing and even without any formal training and knowledge, she would sound like a pro. Her friends loved her singing and when they get together, it's a definite show of musical medley.

Oh butterfly...butterfly...
yen viriththaai siragai..va va (Oh butterfly)
arugil nee varuvaayo
unakkaaga thirandhen manadhin kadhavai

nerungumbodhu ahappadaamal parandhu pogiraai
nizhalaip pola thodarum yennai marandhu pogiraai
aahaa unakku yaarum thadaiyum ingu vidhippadhillaiye
aahaa yenakkum kooda adimaikkolam pidippadhillaiye
unai naan sandhiththen...unaiye sindhiththen
yenai nee inai serum
thirunaal varumo butterfly

ஒ பட்டர்பிளை ...பட்டர்பிளை ...
ஏன் விரித்தாய் சிறகை ..வா வா (ஒ பட்டர்பிளை )
அருகில் நீ வருவாயோ
உனக்காக திறந்தேன் மனதின் கதவை

நெருங்கும்போது அகப்படாமல் பறந்து போகிறாய்
நிழலைப் போல தொடரும் என்னை மறந்து போகிறாய்
ஆகா உனக்கு யாரும் தடையும் இங்கு விதிப்பதில்லையே
ஆகா எனக்கும் கூட அடிமைக்கோலம் பிடிப்பதில்லையே
உனை நான் சந்தித்தேன் ...உனையே சிந்தித்தேன்
எனை நீ இணை சேரும்
திருநாள் வருமோ பட்டர்பிளை

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sempoove poove un megam naan vandhaal oru vazhiyundo
saaindhaadum sangil thuli pattalum muththagidum mottunde
padai kondu nadakkum manmadha silaiyo...oh...
mannavan viralgal pallavan uliyo....oh...
imaigalum udhadugal aagumo...

vetkaththin vidumurai aayulin varai dhaano

செம்பூவே பூவே உன் மேகம் நான் வந்தால் ஒரு வழியுண்டோ ...
சாய்ந்தாடும் சங்கில் துளி பட்டாலும் முத்தாகிடும் மொட்டுண்டே ...
படை கொண்டு நடக்கும் மன்மத சிலையோ ...ஒ ...
மன்னவன் விரல்கள் பல்லவன் உளியோ ....ஒ ...
இமைகளும் உதடுகள் ஆகுமோ ...
வெட்கத்தின் விடுமுறை ஆயுளின் வரை தானோ

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Vaan maegam pooppoovaaith thoovum
dhaegam ennavaagum inbamaaga noagum

vaanilae vaanilae neerin thoaranangalo
en manam pongudhae enna kaaranangalo
avan vizhi asaindhadhil ival manam asaindhadho
thalirkaram pidikkaiyil malarkkodi silirththadho
saalai engum ingae sangeedha
maedaiyaanadho vaadai paadudho
thooral poadudho thoagai aadudho
boomiyengum kaviyarangam saaral paadum jaladharangam

வான் மேகம் பூப்பூவாய்த் தூவும்
தேகம் என்னவாகும் இன்பமாக நோகும்

வானிலே வானிலே நீரின் தோரணங்களோ
என் மனம் பொங்குதே என்ன காரணங்களோ
அவன் விழி அசைந்ததில் இவள் மனம் அசைந்ததோ
தளிர்கரம் பிடிக்கையில் மலர்க்கொடி சிலிர்த்ததோ
சாலை எங்கும் இங்கே சங்கீத
மேடையானதோ வாடை பாடுதோ
தூரல் போடுதோ தோகை ஆடுதோ
பூமியெங்கும் கவியரங்கம் சாரல் பாடும் ஜலதரங்கம்

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en iniya pon nilaavae pon nilavil en kanaavae

panneeraith thoovum mazhai jillenra kaatrin alai
saerndhaadum innaeramae
en nenjil ennennavoa ennangal aadum nilai
ennaasai unnoaramae
venneela vaanil adhil ennenna maegam
oorgoalam poagum adhil undaagum raagam
puriyaadho en ennamae
anbae...

என் இனிய பொன் நிலாவே பொன்நிலவில் என் கனாவே

பன்னீரைத் தூவும் மழை ஜில்லென்ற காற்றின் அலை
சேர்ந்தாடும் இந்நேரமே
என் நெஞ்சில் என்னென்னவோ எண்ணங்கள் ஆடும் நிலை
என் ஆசை உன்னோரமே
வெண்நீல வானில் அதில் என்னென்ன மேகம்
ஊர்கோளம் போகும் அதில் உண்டாகும் ராகம்
புரியாதோ என் எண்ணமே
அன்பே.....

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indhu oru ponmaalaip pozhudhu
vaanamagal naanugiraal vaeru udai poonugiraal

vaanam enakkoru bhodhi maram

naalum enakkadhu saedhi tharum
oru naal ulagam needhi perum

thirunaal nigazhum thaedhi varum
kaelvigalaal vaelvigalai naan seyvaen

இ்து ஒரு பொன்மாலைப் பொழுது
வானமகள் நாணுகிறாள் வேறு உடை பூணுகிறாள்

வானம் எனக்கொரு போதி மரம்

நாளும் எனக்கது சேதி தரும்
ஒரு நாள் உலகம் நீதி பெறும்

திருநாள் நிகழும் தேதி வரும்
கேள்விகளால் வேள்விகளை நான் செய்வேன்

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Ilaiya nila pozhigirathe
Idhayam varai nanaigirathe
Ula pogum megam kana kaanuthe
Vizhaa kaanuthe vaaname

Varum vazhiyil pani mazhaiyil
Paruva nila dhinam nanaiyum
Mugileduthu mugam thudaithu
Vidiyum varai nadai pazhagu
Vaana veedhiyil mega oorvalam
Kaanum podhile aaruthal tharum
Paruva magal vizhigalile kanavu varum

இளைய நிலா பொழிகிறதே
இதயம் வரை நனைகிறதே
உலாப் போகும் மேகம் கனாக் காணுமே
விழாக் காணுமே வானமே

வரும் வழியில் பனி மழையில்
பருவ நிலா தினம் நனையும்
முகிலெடுத்து முகம் துடைத்து
விடியும் வரை நடை பழகும்
வானவீதியில் மேக ஊர்வலம்
காணும் போதிலே ஆறுதல் தரும்
பருவ மகள் விழிகளிலே கனவு வரும் 

Intimacy - Part 3

The term holidays came to an end and the school reopened. It's a nervous and anxious day for all. The class is expected to be filled with extreme emotions of happiness and sorrow. The term results are going to be out. The class teacher brought with her a big bundle of answer sheets. She started giving out the sheets and the class remained so silent than ever. There was one more reason behind this tide of nervousness. The class was already divided into four groups called Team Air, Team Water, Team Earth and Team Fire. The groups and its members were retained from High School, except that the leader of Team Earth is Aarthi. Besides, her team consisted of all her dearest buddies.

The students were grouped and points were awarded for their every achievement. Be it academics, sports or extracurricular activity, students were encouraged to participate and points were awarded to their respective group. The team that secured the maximum number of points at the end of each year wins the prize of the year. This is purely done to create a healthy competition among students and to bring out the hidden talents. And it actually worked.

At the end of the day, the marks of all members from each group were averaged and points were awarded. This time Team Earth is leading as Aarthi and her friends scored well in the exam. All time toppers, Team Fire faced a setback. Aarthi, leader of Team Earth was called to the dias and everyone applauded. She was very happy and that could be seen clearly on her face, but she noticed that Rakesh kept staring at her with an outraging anger and did not bother to move a muscle. She felt a little uncomfortable, but still maintained her poise.

Rakesh is the leader of Team Fire. He never faced a setback in the past three years and was very boastful about it. He is the tallest one in the class, closer to six feet. His looks will draw anyone to certify him the sweetest person. There will be touch of neatness in his dressing and one can hardly find his shoes without shine. He smelled fresh always and his hair would seem like it wouldn't grow beyond its predefined shape and size.

The very feeling of losing, made Rakesh frustrated. He is not good at hiding his emotions and he never wanted to hide them either. Soon after a while, Aarthi saw him laughing and cracking jokes with his friends. But when he saw Aarthi passing by him, his laughter vanished instantly and pique spread all over his face. His mercurial temperament puzzled Aarthi.

"Dude are you OK? Why do you lose temper man? It's all in the game", said his friend.

"I wouldn't have lost anything if you have scored better marks or at least passed in the four subjects out of five", replied Rakesh sarcastically and shut his friend's mouth instantly.

He has higher degree of sarcasm, but still everyone loved him for he was an honest guy and a friend in need.

After few weeks, the school was gearing up for sports meet and this time Rakesh was determined to pull more points to his team. He is an all rounder. He is a Jack of all trades. He and his team participated in all activities and bagged many prizes with ease. And Rakesh inturn pocketed many points for his Team and is in lead now. Since then Rakesh gave a mocking smile to Aarthi and teased her, whenever possible.

Podhuvaaga En Manasu Thangam
Oru Pottiyinnu Vandhu Vittaa Singam
Unmaiye Solven, Nalladhe Seiven

Vetri Mel Vetri Varum

பொதுவாக என் மனசு தங்கம்
ஒரு போட்டியின்னு வந்து விட்டா சிங்கம்
உண்மையே சொல்வேன், நல்லதே செய்வேன்
வெற்றி மேல் வெற்றி வரும்

Intimacy - Part 4

Aarthi did not like Rakesh's attitude and felt annoyed by him. She thought, soon his attitude will get refreshed and he might take things sportively. But, he did not seem to change a bit. So her feud with Rakesh was getting intense and rivalry grew.

Aarthi decided not to bother about all that happened and that's happening, but to concentrate on her studies. She learnt to ignore or at least bother less about Rakesh.

It was almost the end of the academic year, and the arrangements for 'School Annual Day' was being sorted out by staffs and students. Aarthi and her friends were curious about dance and dramatics. Aarthi's friends recommended her to give a solo performance and suggested her to sing a song. The organiser of the event was pleased by her talent and she was listed for a performance on the day.

The day arrived and Aarthi and her friends were so ready to reach out and perform. Aarthi's friends performed a classical-western fusion dance and received a great applause. Now it's Aarthi's show time. She was absolutely nervous but she was conscious not to mess up. She got onto the stage and started singing.

Janani janani jagam

And the mic stopped working. She stopped singing and stood in panic. A technician came up to the stage and tried fixing and testing it. As she was waiting there, she noticed that Rakesh and his gang were laughing so loudly from behind the audience. She felt ashamed and wanted to cry. But without much delay, the mic got fixed and she continued singing. But, she couldn't put her heart and soul into it.

Janani Janani Jagam Nee Agam Nee
Jagath Kaarani Nee Paripoorani Nee

Oru Maan Mazhuvum Siru Koon Piraiyum
Sadai Vaar Kuzhalum Pidai Vaaganamum
Konda Naayaganin Kulir Daegathilae
Nindra Naayagiyae Ida Baagaththilae
Jagan Mohini Nee Simma Vaahini Nee

ஜனனி ஜனனி ஜகம் நீ அகம் நீ
ஜகத் காரணி நீ பரிபூரணி நீீ

ஒரு மான் மருவும் சிறு கூன் பிறையும்
சடை வார் குழலும் பிடை வாகனமும்
கொண்ட நாயகனின் குளிர் தேகத்திலே
நின்ற நாயகியே இட பாகத்திலே
ஜகன் மோஹினி நீ சிம்ம வாஹினி நீ

Next day, Aarthi did not wanted to go to school. She knew that she is going to be the laughing stock and the very thought made her furious. Though her friends convinced her, she couldn't feel any better.

As she entered the class, she noticed Rakesh and gang standing at a corner and started singing in chorus, 'Janani Janani, mic testing 123'. They kept doing it whenever it was possible to and started making annoying comments too. This really got Aarthi on her nerves and she made a complaint about Rakesh and his gang, to the Vice Principal. VP called for Rakesh and his team to his room and bombarded them. As a compliment, they received a tight slap too. Rakesh felt embarrassed. Though he had got into a lot of troubles, no one had ever complained about him. He felt humiliated and undignified.

That evening, Rakesh and gang was waiting at the end of the school road for Aarthi. She and her friends understood this and they knew the problem is getting serious. The girls wanted to avoid them and move off in a sprint. But the guys surrounded them and clearly their target was Aarthi.

"Who the hell do you think you are? How dare you complain about us? Are you trying to show off and secure sympathy? No one had ever been this bad and you are crossing your limits way too much. I am letting you off, just for the reason that you are a girl. You don't deserve to be a girl either. You are so pathetic. We all were having a good time in our school and you messed up everything", shouted Rakesh angrily. Before he could continue, Aarthi's friends interrupted him and put an end to this show on the street. Aarthi's head hung low all the way to home and tears kept rolling down silently. 

Intimacy - Part 5

Silence engulfed Aarthi on the following days and she spoke lesser, with her friends too. She ignored looking at Rakesh. And it was obvious to everyone that, she was deeply hurt.

The academic year came to an end and Aarthi couldn't be more pleased. She went back to her native town and spent one long month. She visited her friends, relatives and spent her time the way she wanted to and stopped iterating the bitter memories on her head. She was happy for the time off from few embarrassing faces.

As she got set to leave her hometown, the feeling of ignominy entangled her. Still she felt much better compared to how she was a month ago. She kept telling to herself that it's a matter of one more year, to be with this class and after that she will fly far away from few people whom she never wanted to see again.

First day and last year at school. This year is so precious for every single student as it paves way to their dreams and in designing their future. The students had continuous assessments and were getting tuned to perform well in the main exam. They were all restricted from participating in sport or cultural activities. So there was lesser tension about points for the team. The score of individual's mattered much for all and no more fight for the team existed.

Aarthi and her friends indulged in fewer fun activities and spent more time in preparing themselves for various exams to get into a better University. Aarthi aspired to be a Software Engineer. She would be the first woman to get professionally qualified, in her family and the very thought made her proud. So she wanted to do her best and get good score.

The season of exams arrived finally. And exam fever was in the air. Sufficient hard work would never feel sufficient. The school organised a farewell treat for the students. As always, it was an emotional day for all the staff and students of the class. Every teacher spoke few words about the class and conveyed their wishes for the exam. Finally, their class teacher spoke.

"Good evening all. Farewells are the most toughest gesture in everyone's life. Every year, when every batch of students leave our school, it brings a lot of happiness to see them successful, but also it gives a tint of fear, as to how they will face the real world and its challenges. And I am sinking in the same feeling and the thought that my tiny birds are going to fly off the cage, to explore the world, is a little less than a dreadful nightmare. But that's how life goes. You have already started running your life race and years will roll over before you even realise. It is common to lose contact with each other and even the names and faces would go forgotten. But you children, please keep in touch with each other, get together when possible and never lose your friendship. Going forward, you will earn lot of friends. But the friendship earned at this age has higher level of innocence and truthfulness mixed in it. I know God has his bestest plans for each one of you and I will definitely remember you all in my prayers everyday. God bless you all!", she said, with her voice choking at the end.

Everyone were in tears and that's how farewell parties are meant to be. Everyone wants to grow up quickly and move onto next stage, just to regret later that they have not lived their previous phase to the fullest. Farewells are the saddest reminders to tell us that we have moved on and there is no coming back.

The following song is a work of the legend, K.V.Mahadevan. Unfortunately, I was unable to find a song similar to this, to suit the context. I hope Raja Sir won't mind!

Pasumai niraintha ninaivugale
Paadith thirintha paravaigale
Pazhagik kazhitha thozhargale
Paranthu selgindrom

Pasumai niraintha  ....

Kurangugal pole marangalin mele thaavith thirinthome
Kuyilgalaip pole iravum pagalum koovith thirinthome
Varavillaamal selavugal seithu magizhnthirunthome
Vaazhkaith thunbam arinthidaamal vaazhnthu vandhome
Naame vaazhnthu vanthome

Pasumai niraintha ....

Entha ooril entha naattil endru kaanbomo
Entha azhagai entha vizhiyil kondu selvomo
Intha naalai vantha naalil maranthu povomo
Illam kandu palli kondu mayangi nirpomo
Endrum mayangi nirpomo

Pasumai niraintha ....

பசுமை நிறைந்த நினைவுகளே
பாடித்திரிந்த பறவைகளே
பழகிக் கழித்த தோழர்களே
பறந்து செல்கின்றோம்

பசுமை நிறைந்த ....

குரங்குகள் போலே மரங்களின் மேலே தாவித்திரிந்தோமே
குயில்களைப் போலே இரவும் பகலும் கூவித் திரிந்தோமே
வரவில்லாமல் செலவுகள் செய்து மகிழ்ந்திருந்தோமே
வாழ்க்கைத் துன்பம் அறிந்திடாமல் வாழ்ந்து வந்தோமே
நாமே வாழ்ந்து வந்தோமே

பசுமை நிறைந்த ....

எந்த ஊரில் எந்த நாட்டில் என்று காண்போமோ
எந்த அழகை எந்த விழியில் கொண்டு செல்வோமோ
இந்த நாளை வந்த நாளில் மறந்து போவோமோ
இல்லம் கண்டு பள்ளி கொண்டு மயங்கி நிற்போமோ
என்றும் மயங்கி நிற்போமோ

பசுமை நிறைந்த நினைவுகளே ....

Intimacy - Part 6

Aarthi and her friends walked slowly across the school ground. They were all quiet and not bothered to discuss about the last exam, that they just finished. It's their last day of relationship with their school. If not for Aarthi, but for others it's a toughest end as they studied in this school since kindergarten. When they stepped out of the gate, they looked at each other and one last time, at the name board of the school. Whether they make their school proud or not, definitely they are proud of their school and will be forever.

As they walked down the street, Aarthi noticed that Rakesh and his gang of friends were standing at the end of the street. She did not wanted to go past them. She did not wanted to look at him either. Not even for one last time. So she told her friends to take a different route. Rakesh kept noticing that the girls were taking a different direction and looked at them, as they hide away. He knew that it is the last time he would be seeing Aarthi. But that did not bother him, as he was upset about parting with his friends. This expected and well known split ups are hard to resist. School and friends take major chunk of childhood memories more than self family. Waking up everyday to meet your buddies, laughing with them, fighting with them, growing with them, learning with them, makes our world revolve around them and that becomes our routine too. They become a part of our family, our life and self. Rubbing off the 'used to' routine and getting accustomed to a new life is pretty tough. Gender doesn't make any sense for this emotion and is equally upsetting to everyone. All the lovely moments, gets piled up in our hearts and revisiting them gives us a tear of longing, to relive the past. All the laughter brings tears and all the tears bring laughter at some point of time in our lives. But that's how the life is. Always longing for past, dying for future and limited living in the present.

Aarthi was happy from inside, to walk away from the living reminder of shame. She was not much disturbed by the conclusion of school life. This phase was simple compared to her shift, from her hometown. She managed to go through the tougher one. So she was doing fine already. Besides, she was looking forward for a new life and never wanted to think about her recent history. For her, the past is in the past and she had let it go. The sight of embarrassing faces, the sound of irritating voices and the most disliked names are not going to be a part in her future. She couldn't be more happier. But she is too small to realise that there is no such thing called permanent hatred or permanent love. It is all about the situation. Even our most loved mom and dad are looked at as villains by us, at some point of time in our life. Time and situation makes you a dangling doll in their hands. Once you realise that, you are then accepted as matured enough. But unfortunately, there is no finite frame for degree of maturity. Every human is moulded and evolve matured, until they die. Try giving a voice to the deathbeds, they will tell you how a person, nearing his end, gets matured and makes confessions, that he never dared throughout his life. Maybe, Aarthi was destined to regret her hatred later and might get matured enough, to confess.

After few weeks, the exam results were announced. Aarthi scored the best marks. But that did not make her happy. Her friend, happened to be the topper of the class. This was totally unexpected. Even that didn't make her happy, either. Rakesh had secured few marks more than Aarthi. She couldn't accept the truth. She was upset, while her parents were celebrating her success. All she wanted was to score more than him. But, it didn't happen. So, that kept her away from tasting the fruit of success, earned out of hard work.

Intimacy - Part 7

It was Aarthi's first day at college. She was feeling proud of her achievement (finally!) and was very glad to see the happy grin on her parents' face. She arrived at the college with her parents. There was an inaugural meeting with parents of all the fresher's in the college auditorium. It was so huge and grand. Seeing so much people at once, reminded Aarthi of the famous car festival back in her native town. The meeting was to list out the rules and regulations, that will be strictly observed by the management. It brought a 'satisfactory' smile on all parents and of course, nearly silent curses from students, not only for the rules, but they have to keep hearing them over and over for the next four years.

After the meeting, Aarthi walked cheerfully to her classroom. She felt like somebody pressed the 'restart' button in her life. And everything appeared new and awesome. None of her friends have joined this college, but she wasn't much worried. She knew her job is to chase her dreams, reach heights and make her parents proud. So, she was all set to start the race of Engineering, specifically Computer Science.

She sat in the front row with two other girls, who looked very humble and modest. The usual tradition of introducing self by the students followed and each one took their turn to step on the dias, to talk a few words about themselves. It was Aarthi's turn and she got on the dias with a cute smile. As she was talking, she glanced at the boys' rows.

'Wait a minute! Was that he?!', she panicked. Of course it was Rakesh. He turned his face away, when he saw Aarthi noticing him. It looked like that he already knew that she was in the class, but he stayed calm. There was hardly any expression on his face.

Aarthi managed to finish her talk and came back to her seat with a long face. When Rakesh got on the stage, she did not even raise her head and looked at him. His voice kindled anger and agony in Aarthi's head. Rakesh could see that she was upset, but nothing he could do neither he wanted to do anything about it.

All her cheer disappeared and she was waiting to get back home. She looked lifeless and her mom was worried to see her that way. Aarthi started crying, when her mom pestered her to speak up. She started sharing her agony.

"Mom, I can't withstand him and seriously want to change the college. Please put me in a different one. I can't even imagine facing him for next four years. It is devastating. You please help me in this and talk to dad. I am absolutely gutted and I can't go back tomorrow. Please talk to dad. Please mom!", Aarthi pleaded.

Her mom was aware of the whole story. Aarthi loves sharing everything with her mom, as she will make her feel better and give her, the right advice.

Her mom thought for a while and continued, "Aarthi, I understand how upset you are. I know it's hard to be around someone, whom you dislike completely. But that's how life is. If you dislike someone and decide to runaway from that person, then you should keep running your entire life. I can see that you are grown up and is being serious about life. You are not playful anymore. But, you should get matured to accept these experiences. You will dislike someone or the other, your entire life. But you can't run away from them all. If you want to do so, you would end up living in a jungle. It's your life and you are living it. What if he happened to be in your class? That's not going to affect you unless you let it. Just focus on your work and stop worrying about others. All the successful people, kept themselves busy working hard, to reach their dreams and bothered a little about those who troubled them. So, take this as a chance to learn living with people whom you dislike, soon you will understand that's how world is designed. But don't forget, the times will change and so our opinions too."

Aarthi spent that evening in her room, thinking about what her mom just said. 'Mom is right', she thought. She felt her mom was sensible and decided to abide by her words.

'Yes, mom is right. Why should I have to bother about someone else and lose my peace? Why should I leave one of the finest institute and spoil my future? It doesn't worth it. I am here to study and achieve. I am seriously not going to bother about anything or anybody from now on', she said to herself.

Next day she was feeling better. Her new friends were lovely and she liked her lecturers too. She visited the library and laboratories to get the feel of an 'Engineer'. She carried a bulk of books back home, that she borrowed from the library. Her mom and brother looked at her books and shared a chuckle. Aarthi understood that they are trying to troll her. Still, she filled her face with pride. Sometime later, her dad came home and gave her a small gift box. Her mom and brother got excited and couldn't wait to find out what's in it. When Aarthi opened it, she saw a key in it.

"Oh my God! Daddy you have got me a scooty. Have you?", she asked in excitement.

"Yes my baby girl and it is waiting for you outside!", said dad.

"What?! No way", and she ran outside to see a shiny new blue scooty waiting for her. She fell in love with it, immediately.

It was an awesome day for her. She and her family, went to temple and to restaurant, to celebrate the big gift that she received. At night, she was so happy and wished every day is as happy and cheerful as it was today.

mayil pola ponnu onnu
kili pola pechchu onnu
kuyil pola paattu onnu
kettu ninnu manasu pona idam theriyala

vandiyila vanna mayil neeyum pona
sakkaramaa en manasu suththudhadi
mandhaara malli marikozhundhu sembagame
muna muriyaap poove ena murichchadhenadio
thanga muham paarka dhenam sooriyanum varalaam
sangu kazhuththukke pirai chandhiranath tharalaam
kuyil pola paattu onnu
kettu ninnu manasu pona idam theriyala...

மயில் போல பொண்ணு ஒண்ணு
கிளி போல பேச்சு ஒண்ணு
குயில்  போல பாட்டு ஒண்ணு
கேட்டு நின்னு  மனசு போன இடம் தெரியல   

வண்டியில  வண்ண மயில் நீயும் போன
சக்கரமா  என் மனசு சுத்துதடி

மந்தார மல்லி  மரிகொழுந்து  செம்பகமே  
முன  முறியாப்  பூவே  என முரிச்சதேனடியோ   
தங்க முகம்  பார்க்க  தெனம்  சூரியனும்  வரலாம்  
சங்கு  கழுத்துக்கே  பிறை  சந்திரனைத்  தரலாம்  
குயில் போல பாட்டு ஒண்ணு
கேட்டு நின்னு மனசு போன இடம் தெரியல...