உன்னிடம் தந்த இதயத்தை தேடி
(In search of the heart that was given to you)

Inspired from Sita Ramam ❤️

'Letters aagayaaa!!!',one of the army men announced making everyone gather.The soldiers face bloomed with a smile hearing him.Staying away from their loved ones for their own country must be tough but it was their job to protect.The day has finally arrived,the day they'll receive their loved ones messages.They ran towards the voice's direction.

'Ashwin,you are not coming?',A men asked.
'No Abdul,You carry on..',Ashwin said with his usual smile, adjusting the cap he was wearing.Soon the soldier moved leaving him alone.

Sipping the hot coffee from the mug he was holding,his brown orbs surfed through the white snow fall.His mind always wanted to press his body on the snow which was limitlessly lying on the floor and roll down in it.But him being a strict lieutenant,controlled his emotions and continued admiring the snow flakes.

'Ashwinnn saabbbb!!!There is a letter for you!!!!',he could not believe what he just heard.There was no one in his life could write a letter for him as he has no one in the world except the army base."Lieutenant Ashwin Kumar has received a letter?" that was the talk among the soldiers.

Ashwin's face frowned in confusion.
'Letter ah?Enakka?',he asked.
'Haan saab!The letter is for you!',he said and Ashwin kept his coffee mug and ran to the guy who was running towards him with the letter he has received.

Ashwin grabbed the letter from him and looked at the letter to find no from address.With all curiousness he opened the letter.

அன்புள்ள போர்வீரனிற்கு,

எனது இதயத்தை காணவில்லை!எங்கு தேடியும் கிடைக்கவில்லை.தொலைத்த இடத்தில் தானே தேட வேண்டும்? அப்பொழுது தான் நினைவுக்கு வந்தது, காஷ்மீர் எல்லையில் இருக்கும் வீரரிடம் எனது இதயம் தொலைந்தது என்று...
இராணுவ வீரரின் தர்மம் இது தானா?தொலைத்தவரிடத்து இதயத்தை திருப்பி அனுப்பாமல் தாங்களே வைத்திருப்பது முறையா?சரி தொலைத்த இடத்திறகே எனது இதயத்தை திருப்பி அனுப்ப வேண்டுகோள் விடுக்கிறேன்,இயலாத பட்சத்தில் தங்கள் இதயத்தை இரவலாக அனுப்புவீர்களா?

-இப்படிக்கு
இதயத்திற்காக காத்திருக்கும்
வெண்பனி

(A request letter for the man whom I lost my heart from the woman who lost the heart,

My heart has lost.I can't find it anywhere.
We should search where we lost right? That's when I remembered,I had lost my heart to the man who was guarding at the Kashmir border.Is this the moral of a Military Man?Is that right not to send it to the person who has lost?Fine then,I request you to send my heart back to myself,In case you can't,Can you send your heart to me for rent?

-Yours
Venpani who was waiting for the heart to return)

Ashwin chuckled in curiosity.Whom it might be?
'From address illaye..Venpani?',a smile crept over his lips.
'Ashwin sir!Time hogaya!',he heard someone calling him,he left to the barracks with all smiles.

'Yaara irukum indha Venpani?
'Enna yenga paathurupanga?..',Millions of questions where running into his head about this anonymous letter.That whole night slumber Goddess has left him all alone.

The next seven days went in a swift but Ashwin's thoughts were all on Venpani.Unknowingly he started waiting for her letter.
'Indha vaaramum letter varuma? Edhavadhu clue kedaikuma?',Ashwin's thoughts were revolving around his mind.An unknown girl has took all the control of his mind and thoughts.

And it was the day of letters arriving and ofcourse he received a letter from the Venpani.

அன்புள்ள போர்வீரனிற்கு,

அஸ்வின் என்ற தங்களின் பெயரிற்கு அர்த்தம் நட்சத்திரம் தானே? இருள் வானமெங்கும் தெளித்து கிடந்த பல நட்சத்திரங்களின் மத்தியில் ஒரு மின்னும் நட்சத்திரமாக அறிமுகமானீர்கள், பின்பு பகல் வந்துவிட்டதைப் போல் மறைந்து விட்டீர்கள்.

விடியலுக்காக ஏங்கிக் கொண்டு இருப்பவர்கள் மத்தியில் இரவுக்காக காத்துக்கொண்டு இருக்கிறேன், மீண்டும் தங்களை சந்திப்பதற்காக!

இப்படிக்கு
வெண்பனி

(Dear Warrior,

Does the name Ashwin mean star? You appeared as a twinkling star among the many stars scattered across the dark sky, and then disappeared as if the day had come.

Among those who yearn for the dawn I wait for the night, to meet you again!

Thus,
Venpani)

He was there sitting near a window on a wooden chair,star gazing.
Ashwin was more confused now!Who is this Venpani?And she had seen Ashwin? Confusions as well as curiosity rang around his mind to find this Venpani.

Then he received a letter the following week too.

அன்புள்ள போர்வீரனிற்கு,

எத்தனை நாட்களுக்கு தான் இப்படி ஒளிந்து கொண்டிருக்கப் போகிறீர்கள்?இந்த வெண்பனியிடம் இருந்தும், உங்கள் முன்னால் பொழிந்து கொண்டிருக்கும் வெண்பனியிடம் இருந்தும்?

இந்த வெண்பனியை போலவே, அந்த வெண்பனியும் உங்களின் தீண்டலுக்காக ஏங்கிக் கொண்டிருக்கின்றது!காக்க வைப்பது என்ற முடிவா?
காத்திருப்பது தங்களுக்காக இருப்பின், காலம் கடந்தும் காத்திருக்க நான் தயார் ஆனால் பருவத்தில் வந்து செல்லும் அந்த வெண்பனி தயாரா?

அதனிடமே கேளுங்கள், பதில் கிடைக்க நிச்சயம் வாய்ப்புள்ளது!

இப்படிக்கு
வெண்பனி

(Dear Warrior,

How many days are you going to hide like this? From this white snow and from the white snow that is falling in front of you?

Like this Snow flake, that Snow is craving your touch!A decision to make us wait?
If waiting is for you, I'm ready to wait as time goes by, but that white snow that comes and goes in season ready?

Just ask it and you're sure to get an answer!

Thus
Venpani)

Ashwin looked at the snow fall and smiled widely.How did she knew he was fond of snow?He looked around and stepped out from the lobby he was standing.He got drenched by the snow, happily!
The white snow touched him as much as it could while Ashwin too.

He pressed himself on the snow filled floor and rolled down laughing his heart out like a kid.

He panted as his heart beat raised because of rolling.He stood up from the snow to find still that white snow was on him.
His eyes fell on the soldiers who were looking at him weirdly.Their strict lieutenant Ashwin Kumar was playing with the snow like a little kid?

He walked away from there rubbing his nape after throwing them a sheepish grin.

ஆசை தீர அணைத்து விட்டேன் இந்த வெண்பனியை,எனக்காக காத்திருக்கும் வெண்பனியை அணைக்கும் காலம் எப்பொழுது?

(I have embraced this white snow to satisfy my desire, when is the time to embrace the white snow that is waiting for me?)

He didn't know when he fell in love with Venpani.The anonymous letters he was receiving contains full and full of love!Only love!He was a lone soldier but now he felt home with the letters,with Venpani's words.It gave him a feel that he wasn't an orphan anymore,it gave him a feel that there was someone for him, waiting for him.

'Letters aagaya!',the post man's voice broke Ashwin's trance.
Ashwin has no one,so he would never walk towards the postman but Venpani has changed the fact.His legs involuntarily took him to the postman who was carrying the letters.

Everyone saluted when Ashwin walked in the crowd.
'At ease soldiers!',Ashwin said and they began to receive eachother's letter.

'Bhaiya..kya mere lie koee letter hai?',(Is there any letter for me?)Ashwin asked with an eagerness filled eyes.
The postman searched for a while and Ashwin's face shrunken in disappointment when he could not find any letter.

'Haan saab,ye raha aap ka letter',(Yes sir,here is your letter)Ashwin grabbed the letter from the post man with a wide smile on his face.His happiness knew no bounds that second.
'Ashwin sir?Any special letter?',a soldier asked.
'Kind of',Ashwin replied with a smile which exposed his dimple making everyone say an 'Ohhhh' in a teasing manner.

Ashwin went quite far from them and started reading it,

அன்புள்ள போர்வீரனிற்கு,

என் இதயம் எப்பொழுதும் என்னிடம் வந்தடையும்? எனது இதயத்தை வைத்திருக்க தங்களுக்கு அவ்வளவு விருப்பமா? அது சரி, இதயத்தை திருப்பி அனுப்ப முகவரியை எதிர்பார்க்கிறீர்கள் போலும்? கூறுகிறேன் தாங்கள் அனுப்ப வேண்டிய முகவரியை...

தாயின் காலடியில்,
பன்னிரண்டு சக்கரங்கள் பன்னிரண்டு மணியை வந்து சேரும் இடம்!

அர்த்தம் புரிகிறதா?

எப்பொழுது திரும்ப வருகிறீர்கள்? என்னிடம் சேர வேண்டிய இதயத்துடனும்? காதலுடனும்?

-காத்துக்கொண்டிருக்கும்
வெண்பனி

(Dear Warrior,

Will my heart ever reach me? Are you so willing to keep my heart? That's right, looks like you're expecting a return address for the heart? Let me tell you the address you need to send...

At mother's feet,
Where the twelve wheels meet at twelve o'clock!

Do you understand the meaning?

When are you coming back? With a heart to join me? With love?

-Waiting
Venpani)

'Thaayin kaaladiyil..Pannirendu sarkarangal pannirendu mani yai vandhu serum idam?Enna va irukum..?
Venapani..Yenga iruka nee?',he sighed.

'Ashwin!',he heard someone calling him and he turned to find the Major.
'Yes Sir!',Ashwin saluted him not before hiding the letter.
'At ease!',he said and Ashwin came back to his normal position.

'Heard that you were receiving letters?',the Major asked.
'Sir...',Ashwin scratched his eyebrows.
'Who's she?',the Major asked.
'Magic sir..',Ashwin blurts out and soon clicked his tongue.

'Magic?Eppavum sincere ah irukura Ashwin ah sirika vecha magic nu nenaikire..Thanks to her,ungaluku sirika theriyumnu ellarukum therinjudhu..',the Major said making him blush inwardly.

'Seri get ready for your vacation young man,Next one month is all yours..',the Major patted his shoulder before moving away.

Ashwin was on his bed thinking about the clue his Venpani has given.
'Thaayin kaaladiyil?Adhuku enna artham?',Ashwin tossed to the other side and found an India map hanging on his room.He walked towards it and his eyes roamed around the map.

'Thaai,may be she is pointing India as the mother?Kaaladi naa keela..Kaaladi la irukuradhu Tamil Nadu..Apdina Pannirendu sarkarangal pannirendu mani yai vandhu serum idam na?Wheels vehicles ku dha Irukum,apdi paatha 12 wheels Train ku dha irukum,the time she is referring....Clock tower?Madras central railway station?!Yes!!!',Ashwin screamed in happiness.

'Venpani!Unna thedi vandhuten!'

Ashwin packed his bags along with the letters he received from Venpani.With all excitement, nervousness and curiosity he boarded in the Madras train.

'Ivlo dhooram vandhutom..Inga irundhu enga thedi kandupudikiradhu...',he sighed.
Its definitely not an easy task to find an anonymous girl in such a big town.

Ashwin was there standing like a lost puppy in the midst of the crowd, not knowing what to do.Running his fingers through his messy hair,he looked around the hustling and bustling people.

His eyes fell on a post man carrying bags of letters in a motorcycle.
'Mail train?Kashmir ku pora letters ellam thaniya pirichu edupaanga..Inikum Venpani letter anupirundha adhu anga dhan irukanum...Post office kandupudicha,area kandupudichudlam...So we should catch it before they could send everything..', without wasting seconds Ashwin ran from there thinking,'Kadavul irukaan da!'

'Sir Kashmir ku poga vendiya train innum kelambala..',the officer said and Ashwin sighed in relief.
'Iniku vandha letters la Kashmir ku pora letters ellathayu thaniya eduka mudiyuma?'Andha kashmir letters ellam endha endha post office la irundhu vandhurkunu details venum..',Ashwin said and the officer looked at him suspiciously.
'Ivan muzhiye seri illa...',thats how the officer looked at him but soon gasped when Ashwin showed his id.

'Im a soldier!Idhu oru mission sir..',Ashwin said and the officer's eyes widened.
'Mission ah?Apdi enna sir irukku neenga thedura letter la?',the officer gulped.
'Aama sir!!!Oru migaperiya ragasiyam namma theda pora letter la iruku...andha ragasiyam dha ennoda..uh I mean..pala peroda vazhkaiya maatha pogudhu..',Ashwin said and the officer looked in confusion.His anxiousness increased each minute from when they started searching for the letter.

'Sir neenga keta letters sir..Kashmir ku poga vendiya letters oru 7 iruku..Adhula ellaa letters layum from address iruku,aana oru letter la mattum from address illa..',the officers said and Ashwin's face bloomed in happiness.

'Endha station la irundhu vandhuruku?', Ashwin asked.
'Mahabalipuram post office sir...',the officer said and Ashwin received the letter.

உன்னை சேரும் நேரம் தூரமில்லை வெண்பனி!
(The time to join you is not far,Venpani)

Ashwin settled himself among one of the seats in the bus and brought himself a ticket for Mahabalipuram.He was so excited to meet the person who was behind the letters,the person who made him feel like home for the first time.

He got down from the bus and looked around the place and he had no clue about what to do next.He just started walking forward.

He walked few kilometres in and found his water bottle was empty and his stomach was growling in hunger.The sun has already set and the moon was helping people to find their ways.

Ashwin noticed a small idly shop on the way and decided to quench his thirst and hunger.
He drunk the water from the near by pipe and moved towards the shop.

'Thambi,romba kalaipa irukeenga pola?Enna pa sapdreenga?',the old lady who was transferring the hot idlies from the idly cooker to the basin.
Before Ashwin could reply,that old lady passed him a plate of idly with sambhar and chutney.

'Romba nandri paati..',Ashwin started eating it in a hurry.
'Porumai pa..',the old lady said.
'Romba pasi paati,Vazhi la inga dhan kadaiye paakuren', Ashwin said.

'Yenga irundhu vareenga thambi?',the man who was standing near the old lady asked.
'Kashmir paati..',he said and they looked at eachother.
'Enna panreenga?',the man asked.
'Army',he said and the man came out from the shop and the old lady clasped her hands.

'Sir..',the man too clasped his hands.
'Sir..Enna sir..',Ashwin held his clasp.
'Enna sir,Army la irundhu vandhurukeenga..',the man gave him a stool to sit.
'Ukkaarunga modhella..',he made him sit.

'Yaara thedi vandhurukeenga?Kudumbam inga dhan irukaangala?',the man asked.
'Kudumbam nu yaarum illa..Aana oru letter ah thedi vandhuruken..',Ashwin said.
'Letter ah?..',the man was about to ask but the old lady stopped him.

'Thambi ya sapda vidu da..Neenga sapdunga thambi..',the old lady said and Ashwin smiled before continued to eat.

Soon Ashwin finished and washed his hands.
'Evlo aachu paati?',he asked.
'Ada enna thambi neenga?Neenga unga uyira panayam vechu enga uyira kaapatheetu irukeenga.. Adhuku naanga thara oru nandri kadan ah vechukonga thambi,Kaasu venaam..',the man said and Ashwin didn't want to deny their love.He smiled and kept his purse back.

'Inga thanga edhavadhu veedu kedaikuma?',Ashwin asked.
'Enga veetulaye thangalam thambi,mela portion gaali ah dha iruku,neenga angeye thangunga..',the man said and Ashwin thanked them.

'Vasadhi ya irukungala?',the man asked.
'Romba nandri sir,Nalla vasadhiyave iruku..',Ashwin said resting his palm on his chest with a smile exposing his dimple.
'Paravalla thambi,Neenga asadhiya irupeenga,paduthu endhiringa..',the man moved and Ashwin sighed with a smile.

It was a not so big and not so small room with a kitchen and an attached bathroom.The chill breeze made him to look at the opened windows which gave him a direct view of the sea shore out there.
He stood there admiring the waves for few minutes before going to sleep.

It was all dark while Ashwin was standing in the midst of that darkness.He heard someone's giggling and turned towards the direction but due to the darkness he could not see anything.Again he heard some anklet sound but he couldn't see anything.He felt a shawl grazing over his face before he could catch it, it flew away.

'Yaaru?', Ashwin asked and he saw some light in the opposite direction.A young lady was there standing with a veil on her face and a lamp in her hands.
'Venpani?',he asked receiving a giggling sound from the lady.
She ran from there and Ashwin went chasing her.

Her gigglings sounds were enough to make an echo around the empty building.
'Oii..',Ashwin caught her hand who was facing the opposite direction.
'Yevlo naal enkitta irundhu odeete iruka pora Venpani?',he asked and pulled her making her dash on his hard chest.

He lifted her chin and was about to remove her veil..

He woke up!He found himself still on the blanket and a sigh escaped his lips.

'Cha..Kanava?',Ashwin ran his fingers through his hair,'Enna di panra enna?'
He looked out through the window and found it was yet to dawn.His eyes fell on the bag he brought and remembered about her letter he has brought from the officer.

'Enna anupeerupa..',his fingers tore the cover of the letter and started reading it.

அன்புள்ள போர்வீரனிற்கு,

நட்டநடு இரவு,கடற்கரையின் ஓரம் அமர்ந்து கொண்டிருந்தேன்.அந்த கடலலைகளைப் போல தங்களின் நினைவும் என்னைத் தொட்டுத் தொட்டு சென்று கொண்டிருந்தது.
அந்த குளிர்ந்த உப்பு காற்று தங்களின் தீண்டலைப் போலவே என்னை வருடிச்செல்ல, தனிமையில் காயும் அந்த‌ ஒற்றை நிலவிற்கு துணையாக நான் இருக்கிறேன் என ஆறுதல் கூறிக்கொண்டிருந்தேன்...

ஹ்ம்ம்...உனது தனிமையைப் போக்க நான் இருக்கிறேன், எனது தனிமையை போக்க வேண்டியவர் அங்கே எல்லையில் துப்பாக்கியை தழுவிக்கொண்டு இருப்பார்‌ என நான் பெருமூச்சு விட,என்னைப் பார்த்து நகைத்தாள் அந்த ஈர நிலா.. கோபத்தில் முகத்தை திருப்பிக் கொண்டேன்..

வீடு திரும்பும் முன்,என்னவர் என்னைத் தேடி வரும்பொழுது மீண்டும் உன்னை சந்திக்கிறேன் என்று விடைப்பெற்று நடந்தேன்..

வருவீர்கள் தானே?

ஏக்கத்தில் வாடும்,
வெண்பனி

(Dear Warrior,

In the middle of the night, I was sitting on the side of the beach. Like those sea waves,your memory was caressing me.

As the cold salty winds caress me like your touch, I am consoling the single moon drying in solitude as a companion saying I was there.

Hmm...I am here to relieve your loneliness, the one who needs to relieve my loneliness will be there hugging a gun at the border, the moon laughed at me as I sighed.. I turned my face away in anger..

Before returning home, I said goodbye saying I will meet you again when someone comes looking for me..

Will you come?

Withering in nostalgia
Venpani)

A chuckled escaped his lips and looked at the moon who was already looking at him.
'Unna thedi vandhuten Venpani..Nee yenga irundhaalum kandupudichuruven!',Ashwin kept the letter close to his heart.

'Thambi! Thambi!!',Ashwin woke up hearing someone knocking the door.He rubbed his eyes and pushed his comforter before standing up and walked towards the door.

He opened the door to find the same man who gave him shelter was standing outside.
'Thambi endhirichuteengala?',he asked and Ashwin nodded his head yawning.
'Indhaanga coffee..',Ashwin received the coffee with a thanks.

'Yedhavadhu venumna koopdunga thambi,Naanga keela dha irupom..',the man left and Ashwin continued to have his coffee.When he reached the window his eyes fell on a particular scene.

A petite woman frame was well visible for him wrapped in a red saree, teaching dance for the little kids.A smile crept over his face.
'Enna thambi?Coffee pudichuruka?',the man asked as he came up to keep the news paper.
'Anna,Andha ponnu yaaru?',Ashwin asked.

'Ada adha yen pa kekureenga..Namma theruvulaye adhigam padicha ponnu..Ippo irukura pullaingala ellam padikka veka solli pralayame pannitu iruku..Kaalathula kalyanam pannaama,Thaane ozhachi dhan than Kalyanatha nadathuvenu vairaakiyama iruku..adhukudhan indha chinna pullaingala kooptu bharatham solli kudukudhu..',the man said and moved.

Ashwin was surprised.A girl with this much will power was so rare on those days and the girl he came to know now was so new to him.

'Theruvulaye adhigam padicha ponnu?Oru vela..Venpani?',he kept the coffee tumbler away and left for a shower.Changing his clothes into a white tshirt,black jacket and cotton pants along with his coolers Ashwin walked towards the sea shore.

His lips parted looking at the God's beautiful creation out there.Her doe eyes were perfectly kohled and her natural lips carried a wide smile.A kutty pottu inbetween her eyebrows and her waist length hair was braided.The anklets and the bangles she was wearing joined the rhythm of the waves.Her saree was above her ankles like how usually dance teachers will wear but she looked etheral in her costume.She looked divine in Ashwin's eyes.His eyes witnessed her perfect curves whenever she turned, tutoring the steps to the students.He felt like an angel straight from the heaven was dancing right there infront of him.She wasn't lesser than a Goddess.

'Niruthu ma.. Niruthu..',Ashwin saw few group of people approaching her.
'Yen ennaachu?',she asked.
'Inime enga pullainga unkitta aatam kathuka vara maatanga..', one of the lady said pulling a girl from the crowd.

'Yen?Yedhunaala anuppa maateenga?',she asked resting her hands on her waist.
'Yennaa...Nee thevai illadha vishayatha avanga manasula vedhaikura..pombala pullaingala padikka solra..Adhunaala thevai illadha kelvigala kekuraakanga..',one lady said.

'Aama adhunaala naanga unkitta ini anuppa maatom', another lady said and she smirked.
'Thevai illadha kelvigala?Aama ungala maari bayandhu ellarum samayal kattukulla olinja kaalathula adhu thevai illadha kelvigala irundhuchu..Inimelum andha kelvi galuku thevai illama poida koodadhunu dhaa naan padika solren..

Kalvi ndradhu aan pen rendu perukume romba mukkiyam..Rendu perukume adhu samam ah kedaikanum..

Aama kelvigal ketka dha seivaanga!Adhellam verum kelvigal illa..avangaloda vilangugal ah odaika pora aayudham!

Avanga naaliku padichu veliya varumbodhu theriyum,naan yen avangala padika sonennu..',she huffed before continuing,

'Yethana naal dhan avangalum ungala maadhiriye adaipattu kedakanum?Avangalaavadhu parakka venaama?',she asked making the ladies think for a second.
Without answering her,the group left.

Ashwin was taken aback by her boldness.The way she questioned everyone with no fear in her chest and eyes,her pure heart and honesty displayed along with it.
His instinct kicked in,his heart kept telling him that she is his Venpani.

She noticed someone was watching for a so long.
'Malar',she called one of her student and walked towards Ashwin after instructing her to take over the class.

'Yaaru?Ena venum?',she asked snapping at him.
She was more beautiful when he looked at her close.He didn't miss how her Jumkhas swayed along when she spoke.
'Hello!Yaaru venum?',she clapped his hands to gain his attention.

'Idhayathai thiruppi kudukka vandhuruken..',Ashwin said and her breath hitched.Her heart beat raised at its peak when Ashwin removed his coolers.
'Venpani!',he said and she would have faint right there.And Ashwin understood that she is her Venpani just from her face reaction.

'Nee..Neenga yepdi inga?',she asked looking away from him not able to handle his gaze.
'Unga letters ellathukum badhil ezhudhanumnu nenache..Aana mai(Ink)um pathala paper um pathala..Kadasi vara unga koodave irundhu kaalam muzhukka badhil sollanumnu aasai padren..Venpani..',he said and she gulped at his sudden confession.

'Sivaangiii!!!!Unna un appa koopdraaru.....',she heard someone calling her and she just ran away from there leaving him with no answer but leaving one of her anklet.He took it in his hands and caressed it with his thumb.
'Sivaangi..',he smiled as he said her name.

'Avaru yepdi inga vandhaaru...',Sivaangi was lying on her bed and looking at the ceiling with a pillow in her arms..
Her mind went to the day she met him....

'Vidhya...Vidhya..Ellam ready ah?',Sivaangi asked.
'Ellaam ready...',Vidhya said checking out the things they were kept to welcome the guests.
'Bouquets?Adhu ellam correct ah irukulla?',Sivaangi asked.

'Ellaam iruku,Nee yen ipdi tension aagura..',Vidhya said.
'Yepdi tension aagama irukuradhu Vidhya..Principal madam vandhaa badhil sollanumla.. Guests ah correct aah welcome pannanum..',she said and the principal arrived.

'Ellam ready ah?',she asked.
'Yes mam,Ready',Sivaangi replied.
'Guests ellaam ippo vandhuruvaanga...',the principal was instructing and they heard the guests arriving.

'Vandhutaanga girls,get ready..',the principal said moving.
It was few army officers from the Kashmir border and the girls welcomed them.
They kept the Sandal and the Vermillion on their forehead and each were welcomed by a bouquet.

They all moved in and Sivaangi noticed someone arriving lately after they left.
'Ayoo oruthar miss aayitaare..',Sivaangi said and looked for the bouquet but nothing were left.

'Appove avala paaka sonnene..',she bit her lips in nervousness and looked at him who was standing in hesitation.
That's when she noticed him.He was nearly six feet tall and his body was well built.He was in his army uniform and he has no beard or moustache but yet he looked handsome.

Sivaangi who noticed his hesitation looked around and found few roses on the vase.An idea sparked in her and she took one rose from the vase immediately and ran to him.

She neared him and handed him the rose,'Welcome..'she smiled and looked at his face.His brown orbs looked into her's directly receiving the rose and with a wide smile he said,'Thank you ma'.

Her heart skipped a beat when she felt his touch.He walked past while Sivaangi stood there watching him.A tint of blush bloomed on her face thinking about his smile and she followed him.

She saw him settling with the other guests and she joined with her mates.
'Yenga pona Sivaangi ivlo neram?',Vidhya asked.
'Onnu illaye..',she shrugged and the function started.

'Good morning to one and all present here!
Im honoured to welcome you all in the auspicious day.

Let us welcome our chief guests,
Brigadier Roy Thomas,Indian Army.. Welcome sir!',the principal madam started welcoming the guests while Sivaangi was eagerly waiting for one particular man to get welcomed.She was eagerly waiting to know about him.

'Let us welcome Lieutenant Ashwin Kumar,Indian Army.. Welcome sir',she was peeping from behind the screen to steal the glances of him.She saw him standing up and he thanking the principal and the students by resting his palm on his chest.
'Ashwin Kumar..',she smiled to herself.

'We are very happy to welcome you all to our college's annual day..And now our girls are waiting to give you all a special welcome performance.. Girls please come upon the stage..'

Sivaangi suddenly felt a shyness.
'Ayoo avaru munnadi aadanuma?',she thought pressing her lips together.
'Sivaangi..Vaa..',one of her mate called her.
'Haann...',she nodded following them.

Sivaangi stood in the stage and looked at Ashwin who was particularly looking at no one.In her twenty years she yearned for a man's gaze for the first time.When his eyes fell on her,she felt shiver travelling down her spine.

When everyone's gaze were on Sivaangi,her gaze was fixed on Ashwin.Her eyes were all on him until she left the stage along with the group.

The function was going and now they welcomed Ashwin to speak a few words.

'Ellarukum vanakkam..Romba naal kalichu tamil pesuradhu romba magilichi ya iruku..Adhu oru sugam la namma makkal kitta namma thaimozhi pesuradhu..

First,Inga perform panna ellarum romba nalla panneenga..Oru miga periya kai thattal ellarukum..',Ashwin clapped when the crowd followed him.Sivaangi's clap was the loudest among the crowd.

'Romba sandhoshama iruku,Pengal neenga unga thadaigala odachitu,mela varadha paakura appo...Ippo neenga vandhurukeenga,idha paakura appo adutha thalai murai la ungala vida nooru(100) madangu adhigam varuvaanga,adhu aayiram(1000),latcham(1,00,000) madangu nu perugite varumndra nambikkai manasukulla..

Innum neengalam saadhikanum!Odunga nikkaadheenga,ungalukagavu,unga kanavukagavum,indha samudhayathoda munnetrathukagavum..

Naa adhigam pesa virumbala,Kadasiya mudikiradhuku munnaadi.. Indha Bharathiya pengaluku oru mariyadhai panannumnu nenaikire ',he moved back and saluted everyone making everyone stand up.

Sivaangi was impressed.His each words and his respect towards women among these male chauvinists made her fall for him more.According to her,he was the brightest star among the others.

When he finished, everyone clapped their hands and Ashwin thanked in his own gesture.Sivaangi didn't failed to notice the dimple on his cheek when he smiled.He was the one who was beautiful inside and outside she thought.

Ashwin left with the other guests and Sivaangi ran behind him.Ashwin stopped in his tracks as he was feeling someone's gaze for a long and now he felt someone following.He turned back but she hid herself behind a wall.He just shrugged before walking from there as Sivaangi sighed looking at his disappearing figure.

Ashwin chuckled remembering the day.
'Indha ponna?Naan yen yosikave illa..', Ashwin smiled and looked at her anklet.
The anklet was a silver one and it contains pearls around the thick bordered chain.The chain has Lotus symbols and two swans at the hooks.

'Avala polave avlo azhaga iruku..',Ashwin smiled to himself.

Pushing all her thoughts away,Sivaangi finally slept.But that sleep was disturbed when she heard some knocking sound.She rubbed her eyes and sat up while she found someone was knocking the window.

Her heart beat stopped and looked at the clock it was 02:05am.
'Indha nerathula yaara irukum?',she thought.She was afraid what if it was some thief or someone standing with a knife with a intention of killing her.

Shrugging fear she walked towards the window door.She took a safety pin with her to protect herself and hid it in her corner of her saree's pallu.

Sivaangi opened the window and sighed in relief seeing Ashwin.He waved his hand smiling while she glared.
'Inga yedhuku vandheenga?',she asked.
'Yenga from address eh illadha unga letter ah vechu ivlo dhooram ungalukaga vandhuruken..Yen vandhennu kekureengale..',he pouted making her chuckle.

'Serii..Indha nerathula ena?', she asked.
'Veliya vaanga...',he called.
'Ayoo appa paatha konne potruvaaru..',she said.
'Adhellam onnum aagadhu vaangalen..Nila ku promise panneerukeengale marandhuteengala?',he asked and she blushed remembering the letter.

The most beautiful sight he has ever saw.
'Vaangalen..',he pleaded shrinking his eyes.

The night breeze's sound was audible along with waves sound to them due to the silence around them.
Ashwin and Sivaangi was walking together leaving atleast two feet distance between.

'Kaalaila pesama odeegangale?',he asked.
'Sudden ah neenga varuveenga nu edhir paakala.. Neenga vandhu apdi en munnaala ninnadhum enaku yedhuvum yosikka thonala..',she said and he smiled.

'Mandaikulla avlo kelvi nga iruku...Kekalama?',he asked and she chuckled.
'Kelunga..',she said adjusting the hair strands that was disturbing her.

'Venpani?',he called her and she looked at him.
'Sivaangi ndra pera vittutu yen Venpani ya choose panneenga?',Ashwin asked.
'Enaku Venpani na romba pudikum,ungalukum pudikumnu enaku thonichu..Adhaan',she said and he smiled.

'Yen ungaluku pudikalaya?',she asked.
'Unmaiya sollatuma?',he asked and she hummed.
'Ippo andha Venpani ya vida,indha Venpani ya dha romba pudichuruku..',he said and her cheeks turned red.

'Letters yen ezhudhuneenga?',he asked and she chuckled.
'Neenga yenna kaaranathukaga enna thedi vandheengalo,adhe kaaranam dha naa letters ezhudhunadhuku pinnadiyum..',she said.

'Enna kaaranam nu neenga therinjuka venaama?',he asked.
'Adhu neenga enaku solli dhan theriyanuma?',Sivaangi asked and he stopped.Taking a deep breath,he stood infront of her and looked into her eyes.

'Sivaangi..En ulagam nee nenaikira maadhiri illa..Adhula neraya aabathu iruku..Enakku yeppo venaalu enna venaalu aag..',before he could continue Sivaangi closed his mouth with her palm and nodded horizontally.

'Apdi irukumbodhu..Unna naan..',he sighed.
'Unga bayam enaku puriyudhu..Aana oruthangaloda aayul kaalatha mudivu panradhu namma illa..Adhunaala naan naaliku nu ennikume yosichadhilla..Indha nimisham,indha nodi dhan nejam..Enaku ipdi indha nodi neenga enkooda irukuradhu..Podhum..Neenga en kooda irukura ovvaru nimishamum podhadha?En kaalatha thalradhuku?',she asked and his eyes became watery.

'Yen?Yen en mela ivlo kadhal unaku?',he asked and she smiled.
'Kaaranam theda poi ungalukulla naan tholanjadhu dhan micham..',she said and he chuckled in tears.

'Idhu varaikum enakunu yaarume irundhadhilla..Un letters enna thedi vara aarambikuradhuku munnadi varaikum...Ethana naal iruka poromnu theriyaadhu..Aana irukura varaikum unkooda ipdi sendhu nadakanum..Un kaiya pudichukitu..',he held her hands pulled her little closer.

'Irupiya?',he asked and a lone tear escaped her eyes.
'Iruppen..',she nodded.
He directly looked into her eyes and asked,'Sivaangi enaku oru mutham thariya?'.

Unna nenachadhum Manasu mayangudhe
Manasu mayangi dhaan mutham kettadhe

His cheeks turned red when she looked at him like that.His heart knew he needed it.

Mutham kettadhum Mugam sivandhadhe
Mugam sivadhadhum Idhayam thirandhadhe

She looked into him and pulled him to her height by his t shirt he was wearing.She looked into his lips for a second but pressed her lips on his forehead.The gap they had was now fully closed.

Idhayam thirandhadhum aasai nulaindhadhe
Aasai nulaindhadhum dhooram koraindhadhe

She left him and they both were blushing mess.They both smiled at eachother.

Unna nenachadhum Manasu mayangudhe
Manasu mayangi dhaan mutham kettadhe

They walked together talking some randoms and the more they talked the more they fell for eachother.

Dhooram koraindhadhum
Pesa thonudhe
Pesa pesa thaan innum pidikudhe

She was admiring him and she could not help but laughed at his timely silly talks.

Pidikum endru dhan nadikka thondrudhe
Nadikumbodhile sirippu vandhadhe

He admired her heart out laughs.The laughs they had brought them closer.The more close they came they witness their love for eachother.

Sirippu vandhadhum nerukkam aagudhe
Nerungi paarkaiyil nesam puriyudhe

Ashwin held her hand and she smiled at him forgetting about everything.She leaned on his shoulder and they felt home at eachother.

Nesangalal kaigal inaindhadhe
Kaigal serndhu dhan kavalai marandhadhe
Thol saayavum tholaindhu pogavum
Kadaisiyaga or idam kidaithadhe..

Spending some time together,they left from there bidding bye to the moon.He was now standing infront of her house, holding her hand.

Unna nenachadhum Manasu mayangudhe
Manasu mayangi dhaan mutham kettadhe

(Unna Nenachadhum from VTK)

'Naan ponum..',she said.
'Poganuma?',he asked and his base voice twisted her heart just like that.
'Ipdi keta naan yepdi poradhu?',she asked.
'Vidinja nila poi dhana aaganum..Kaathutu iruken rathiri varaikum..',he said leaving her hand.Sivaangi smiled and left inside her house when Ashwin left looking at her disappearing figure.

Days started rolling down and its been more the fifteen days since he started staying in Mahabalipuram.They met at night times mostly at the beach and rarely at mornings.Ashwin was used to steal her glances through his window in the morning while she was taking class.

One fine day,Sivaangi was teaching class as usually.
'Tsk Tsk..', Ashwin,who was hiding behind a boat, tried to gain her attention but she was too busy in teaching.
'Oi Sivaangi..',he called but no response.
'Adiye Sivaangi..',he called a bit louder and she turned towards him furrowing her eyebrows and raised his eyebrows at him.

'Unkitta konjam pesanum..',he whispered.
'Ippo va?Night pesikalam..',she said.
'Illa ippove pesanum..',he said and Sivaangi nodded.
'Naan ippo vandharen..', Sivaangi moved some far behind the boat where was Ashwin hiding.

'Enna Ashwin ey?',she asked.
'Summa dha...',he winked.
'Summa va?Ippo class ellathayu vittutu vandhuruken naanu..',Sivaangi was about to move but Ashwin held her hand stopping her.

'Vidunga..',she wriggled to get out from his hold.
'Yedhuva irundhaalu rathiri pesikalam', she said.
'Illa enaku ippove unkitta onnu sollanumnu thonudhu?',he said.
'Ennadhu?',she asked.

'Nee iniku romba azhaga iruka..',he said and his voice and eyes were enough to make her go red.
Ashwin loved whenever she blushed.
'Ippo romba..',he said and she chuckled.

'SIVAANGI!!!',she heard someone calling her and they both parted looking at her father.

'Enna Military ah?Adhelam othu varaadhu..',her father said and Sivaangi looked at Ashwin.He blinked his eyes as assurance.
'Sir unga bayam enaku puriyudhu,Oru soldier ah indha naataye kaapathura oru porupu enaku iruku..Aana adhukaga unga ponna paathukura poruppa naa ennikume marandhura maaten... Neenga enna nambalam..',Ashwin said.

'Thambi..Naan ungala namburen aana neenga paakura vela..Adhu.. Yeppo venaalum en ponnoda sandhoshatha parichurum..Oru thagappan ah ava kadasi vara sandhoshama vazhanumnu dhana naan aasai paduven?Naa aasa padradhula edhavadhu thappu irukaa?',her father asked.

'Neenga nenaikuradhula thappila sir,Naa indha velaila sendhadha appove theriyum indha odambu mannuku dha poga pogudhunu..Aana uyir..Unga ponnu kaila dha  iruku sir..Avala vittutu engeyum avlo seekram poida maaten..Naan vittutu ponaalum oru naalum ava kashta pada maata idhu en promise..',he said holding her father's hand.

'Enaku kudumbam nu sollika yaarume illa sir..Neenga rendu peru dhan ini enaku kudumbam..Unga ponna enna nambi kudunga sir,Ava kaiya kadasi vara vida maaten..',he said and stood up.
'Ungaluku time thevai nu nenaikire,Yosichu sollunga naan kaathutu irupen..',he said and looked at Sivaangi who was looking at him with teary eyes.

He gulped the lump formed in his throat and walked away from her house.

'Appa..',Sivaangi sat on her knees near her father's chair.
'Idhu varaikum en viruppam edhukum neenga ila nu sonnadhilla..Amma erandha appothula irundhu ippo varaikum amma illadha yekkame theriyaama enna valatheenga,naan edukura mudiva madhicheenga,enaku support panneenga..Ippo Ashwin dha enaku seriyaanavar nu mudivu panniruken pa..Nambunga pa unga ponnu thappaana mudivu edukka maata..',she said and her father patted her head.

He nodded his head at her and Sivaangi's happiness has no boundaries now.She ran from there to the place where Ashwin was staying to tell the happiest news but got disappointed when he was not there.

'Enna ivaru inga illa..Haan enaku theriyum enga irupaaru nu..',Sivaangi ran to the beach and saw Ashwin standing there.
'Ashwinnnnn..Ashwin eyy..',she ran to him and held his hand while he was standing in tears.

'Appa...Appa namma kalyanathuku seri nu sollitaaru..',Sivaangi said and Ashwin let his tears flow down his cheeks.
'Ennaachu?Yen azhareenga?',she asked.
'Naan Kashmir ku thirumba poganum..Anga border la edho prechanai..',he said and her smile vanished.They stood there looking at the waves for few minutes in silence.

'En uyira pathi naan kavalai pattadhe illa Sivaangi.. Yeppavum..Romba varsham vazhanumnu naan aasai pattadhe illa..Aana ippo unkooda romba naal vazhanumnu aasaiya iruku..

Namma kalyanam panni,kozhandha pethikitu,avangala padikka vechu,kalyanam panni kuduthu,namma pera kozhandhaingala konjanum..Namakku onnaave vayasaaganum..Enaku mudi,meesa,dhaadi ellam vellai aaganum,Unaku thol la konjama surungi appavum nee enaku naan appo paatha Sivaangi maadhiriye irukanu naan sollanum.. Ipdi neraya aasai iruku...

Aana..Ippo naan poitu thirumba varalenna..?',he asked and closed his mouth with her palm.
'Enakkum indha aasai ellam illanu naan poi solla maaten Ashwin..Aana enaku theriyum neenga endha alavuku enna nesikireengalo,adhe alavuku indha dhesatha yum nesikireenga...Neenga poitu vaanga naan kaathutu iruppen!Ungalukaga..',she said and removed her hand.

'Yeppo kelambureenga?',she asked.
'Iniku evening..',he replied.
After receiving Sivaangi's father's blessing and thanking the mother-son duo Ashwin left to the railway station with Sivaangi.

'Sivaangi..Naan poitu varen..',he said and she nodded.
'Haan..',he remembered something and took the one single anklet from his bag.
'Idhu unnodadhu..',he forwarded his hand with anklet but she pushed it back gently.

'Idhuvum en idhayathukooda sendhu,unga kittaye irukatum..', Sivaangi said and he smiled.
'Naan unakku edhume kudukalaye?',Ashwin asked.
'Unga ninaivugala parisa kuduthurukeengale,neenga vara varaikum ungalaye nenachutu irupen..', she said.

'Haann..Naan varadhukulla ellam yerpaadu pannidu..Un aasai padi un selavu la dha namma kalyanam.. Maapilai vandhu thaali kattuna podhum la?',he asked trying to ease the situation and she chuckled wiping ber tears.

'Un idhayatha bathrama paathupen..',he said and they heard the train's announcement.
'Varen Venpani..',he said and she nodded.
Both were in the verge of tears,and Ashwin removed himself from her hold and walked inside the train.He stood near the door and Sivaangi stood there waving at him.

Ashwin tried to smile but totally failed when his tears betrayed him.He left down and ran towards her.He pulled her into his embrace and whispered,'Ill miss you'.
'Ill miss you too..Seekrama thirumba vandhurunga..',she said and he planted a long kiss on her forehead as an assurance.

He boarded inside the train and stood on the foot path and the train started moving.Sivaangi wiped her tears and waved at him and he waved back.She stood there until the train disappeared from her sight.

She came back to her house and walked into her room.She frowned when she noticed a letter on her study table.Sivaangi took it in her hands and opened it.

அன்புள்ள வெண்பனிக்கு,

எனது இருபத்தி ஐந்து கால வாழ்க்கையில் நான் வாழ்ந்த மகிழ்ச்சியான நாட்கள் உன்னுடன் கழித்தவை தான்.

அந்த நாட்கள் என் ஆயுள் முழுக்க நீள வேண்டும் என்று கொள்ளை ஆசை மனதிற்குள்.

காத்திருக்கும் பொழுது தான் காதலின் ஆழம் உணரப்படுமாம்.அதனால் தான் ஏனோ இந்த இடைக்கால பிரிவு. உடலளவில் மட்டுமே, உன் நினைவுகளை சுமந்து செல்லும் எனக்கும், என் நினைவைப் பெற்றுக் கொண்ட‌ உனக்கும்.

இந்த போர் வீரனை மனதால் மணந்தவளுக்கு சிறு பரிசாக எனது இதயத்துடன் ஒரு சிறு பரிசையும் அளிக்க விரும்பினேன்.

Sivaangi opened the other paper to find an sketch of both of them standing infront of the beach while Sivaangi was leaning on his shoulder and their hands were entwined.

Her eyes were now pool of tears.She wiped her tears when she found her tears making his letter wet.

மீண்டும் வரும்வரை காத்திரு காதலே! நிச்சயம் திரும்ப வருவேன் உன்னிடம் தந்த இதயத்தை தேடி !

இப்படிக்கு
Lt.Ashwin Kumar

(Dear Venpani,

The happiest days of my twenty-five years were spent with you.

I longed for those days to last my entire life.

The depth of love can be felt only while waiting. That's why this temporary division. Only physically, to me who carries your memories and to you who have received mine.

I wanted to give a small gift with my heart to this warrior who married her heart.

Wait till I come back my love! I'll be back in search of my heart which I gave to you!

Thus
Lt. Ashwin Kumar)

She hugged his letter closer to her chest.Her eyes were shedding tears while her lips were curled up into a smile.She strongly believed that Ashwin will surely comeback for her.

Sivaangi decided to wait!To wait for her Ashwin!To wait for her love!
She was ready to wait even its forever!

How is it Makkale?
Hope you all liked it!Im suffering from SitaRamam fever for the past few days and this was something inspired from it.
Comment down your thoughts and let me know it!
-Minnie 🌸