(A/N: No Proof read, Kindly adjust.)

They all went into the settlement. In order to arrange for their lodging, Raju called his acquaintance. They all took a walk to the designated residence. Ashwin is closely examining his surroundings. Ashwin abruptly shut the home after they had gone inside. when everyone turned to stare at him in confusion,

Ashwin- "palaya plan vendam, please nan oru plan panren. Ellarum co-operate panunga. (We can abandon the earlier strategy we had. I'll outline a new strategy. Cooperate with me, please.)"

Rakshan- "enachu mapla? (What happened dear?)"

Ashwin- "inga ellame konjam mosama iruku da, pasanga padikama velai pakuranga, library la oruthar kooda illa anga verum rendu rack books than iruku. Inga pana vendia velai niraiah iruku machan. Please namma intha ooruku vanthathukana reason ithuva irukatumae. please"

(The situation is worst here. Without studying, kids are working. The library is not very book-filled. In reality, nobody is in charge. I've got a lot to do. Please make this the reason we came here. Please)

Raju-" enna panna pora? (What will you do?)"

Ashwin- "neriah pananum, aana enala evlo mudium nu theriala. en team kita solli arrange pana poren. Nan yerkanave solirukenla nan oru welfare services la member nu. avanga kita pesi yerpadu pannanum. Please konjam co-operate panunga"

(I would like to, but I'm not sure I can. I'll discuss plans with my group. I was a member of a welfare services, as I mentioned earlier, and will discuss this with them. I need your help, please.)

He then looked at Maya and said, "Enna thappa eduthukatha Maya, kandipa pali vangalam. athula entha matramum illa, athe nerathula enala mudinjacha inga seiyanum nu ninaikuren. Please. (Maya, don't get me wrong. Certainly, we will exact our retribution, but there are also issues that need to be resolved in this area. Please.)"

Maya- "ethuku anna kenjitu iruka?, nee epavum nalathu than seiva. enaku nee ena panalum okay than (Brother, why are you pleading with us. We are confident that you will always act honorably. Any plan you have is fine with me.)"

Raju- "enna pananum sollu mapla senjudarom, summa please please nu verupethatha. nanga enna matom na solrom (Tell me what to do, and we'll do it. Say no to "please." We didn't object.)"

Rakshan- "athane, ennane solama please poda arambichutaan. poi solrathuku bathila unmaiah sila peruku uthavurathu nallathu thane. un plan-ah sollu da (Exactly, You began pleading without explaining the situation to us. Your strategy and being honest are acceptable to us.)"

Ashwin gave everyone the details. They never anticipated him to have such a thought.They were pleased with him. Also, he called his team and proceeded to meet with them.

Raju- "oru opportunity ah kooda miss panama impress panran da"

(He never fails to make an impression on us.) 

Rakshan- vara vali ellam gavanichute yosichukute vanthaan, appove ninachen ethavathu soluvan-nu. but ivlo peria visayam irukum nu ninaikala da .

(On the way, he took everything in. Even I had anticipated that he would make a comment, just not one this significant.)"

Maya- "annan solra padi panna, enga gramamae maridum. ithula en pangum irukunu ninaikum pothu romba santhosama iruku (I have no doubt that this village will transform if we follow his advice. I'm glad I got to be a part of it.)", she said happily.

Malini- "ivan innum ennana suspense vachirukano (His suspense intrigues me.)"

Sivaangi was silent through out the conversation.

Once he finished his call, Ashwin came back.

Ashwin- "Nan poi oru 5 note vangitu vantharen. apuram nan epadi proceed panalam nu solren

(I'll get five notes and then explain the steps to take afterward.)"

Rakshan- "nan poi vangitu varen (I will go and buy)"

Ashwin- "Machan, inthe oor panchayathu thalaivara pakanum (I need to meet this village Panchayat president.)"

Raju- "itho da, pesuren (sure will arrange.)"

Ashwin- "veedu ellam clean ah than iruku, neenga rendu perum irunga nan sapda ethavathu vangitu varen (The house is already tidy. Should I go out and purchase some food?)"

Malini- "athellam vendam anna. enaku pasikala (Not needed brother. I am not hungry)"

Sivaangi-" enakum pasikala. (me too.)"

They settled inside that house and began to make plans for the events. While making plans, Maya informed them of the village's way of life and her home address. Ashwin organized his own plans as well..

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(Author's Note: Such villages are still there in India. Please look it up on Google for further details. With this story, I tried to explore a little bit.)

Everyone gathered the following day in the Panchayat President's home.

President- "vanakkam thambigala, vanga vanga. (Greetings boys. Come in)" 

Ashwin- "vanakkam ayya. intha oorla konja naal thangi service pannanum nga. unga anumathi venum. (Greetings sir, We intend to provide services in this village. Please provide us permission.)"

President- "enna panna poreenga? (What is your plan?)"

Ashwin- "paatha varaikum solren ayya, library la book ae illa paathuka aalum illa. apuram neriah kulanthaigal velaiku poranga. (The library needs books as a beginning step, and it's also worth noting that kids are at work.)"

President- "sonna enga paa kekuranga. nanga thaaltha patta sathi pa, engaluku salugai irunthum mulusa kidaikurathu illa pa, pullaigalum velai pakura alavuku varumai pa. unala mudinchatha pannu pa, naan permission panren." 

(They ignored what I had to say. We belong to a lower caste and did not properly get the government-announced incentives. Since they are so poor, children must work. I'll give you my approval.)"

Rakshan- "kandipa ayya. romba nandri ayya (sure sir, Thanks a lot)"

President- "Library ku enna puthagam venum nu theriala paa. Naan padikatha aalu. en paiyan irukura varai avana ketu senjuchutu irunthen, ippo avanum velinadu poitaan. intha pullaigal onnum pecha kekurathe illa en paiyan utpada. panam irukuravan padikuran, illathavan velaiku poraan. avanga veetu varumaiah pokka ellam sambarika poiduchunga. athoda, gramam nu perusa yaarum velaiku varathum illa, vantha vathiyargalum kathi pathutu intha pullainga kekalainu vantha mathiri kanaku mattum kamichutu poidaraanga"

(Regarding the books required for the library, I'm unsure. I don't have a degree. My son helped me until he arrived. He is currently abroad. Children, even my kid, don't pay attention to what I say. Those who have money will go to school, while others who don't will look for work. Due to their poverty, they are acting in this way. Nobody is interested in working in the village. Even the present teachers are powerless to alter the pupils; they can only record attendance.)

Raju- "ithu thappu illaya? (Is it not wrong?)"

President- "Thappu thaan thambi. padipu mukiam thaan, aanaa atha padika kooda uyiroda irukanume. Nanga thalthapatta sathi thambi engaluku oru salugaium olunga vanthu serurathu illa. avanga avanga ulaicha thaan avanga vayiru niraium nu nilamai. (It is unjust. Education is essential. Due to our poverty, we are forced to work; the government's publicised programmes do not help us.)"

Rakshan- "appo ella salugaium olunga kidaicha nilamai mariduma? (If you got benefited, then will the situation change?)"

Ashwin- "ethukunga salugaigala nambureenga athukaga kathirukanga? kuranchabatcham tholil kalvi-yavathu koduthurukalame?. pattam padikalainalum, 12-vathu varai padika vachirukalamla. thinamum oru paathi naal matumachum school-ku pora mathiri neenga pesirukalame. intha kulanthaiga ithe oorula thane velai pakuranga, neenga ninaicha ellarkitaium pesi oru arai naal avangala school-ku anupirukalame." , In a low base voice, he inquired. He simply stated; he didn't argue.

(Why do you think it will be beneficial and why are you waiting? Why do you have them study till the 12th grade if you can't get a degree holder out of them? Why not make them spend at least a half day studying? They exclusively work in this village and only here. Why couldn't you set up a situation where they can go to school for at least a half-day?)

President- "thambi athu (but..)" , he struggled to answer. He never had this idea.

Ashwin- "vayuthukaga, uyirukaga ulaikura oru naal la, verum 4 mani neramachum arivukkaga othukirukalame. nan thiramaigala valuthuka padika vaikka solala intha samuthayathula yemarama iruka padika vaika solren. yosichu paarunga, entha panathukaga ivanga ivlo kastapadurangalo atha mathavanga ivanga yemathi vangida mudiatha, antha panatha saemikavo olunga selavu panavo arivu vendama? ", he said in a calm tone.

(Why not make them study for only four hours each day? I am adamant about it, but not to discover their skills, only to educate them and keep them from being taken advantage of by society. Just consider it. Despite having a dire need for money, they do not know how to save or manage it.)

President- "ipadi ellam yosika enaku theriala thambi, neenga ethu senjalaum nan thunai irupen. enna thonutho seinga thambi. intha ooruku nallathu nadantha sari"

(I didn't think like this, I am okay with your plans and support you. I hope for the best.)

They came out from the president house.

Raju- "mapla enaku oru doubt (I have a doubt dear.)"

Ashwin- "enna machan? (what dear?)"

Raju- "athu epadi da unaku odane idea thonuthu? (How do you suddenly come up with an idea?)"

Rakshan- "athuvum ethir la irukuravana off panra mathiri." (Also, you astonish the person on the other side.)"

Ashwin glared at them.

Raju- "moracha illainu aiyuduma? nee sandaiye podama jaikura mapla. ethirla irukuravana avane vanthu thothuten nu othuka vaikkura. (Never glare. Despite not engaging in combat, you made your opponent to submit and concede defeat in your presence.)"

Rakshan- "aana intha thiramai ellam velila vachuko. engakitayo illa papakitayo vachukatha soliten (make sure you don't show these talents to us and our sister)" , he mocked.

Ashwin- "dei, pesi mudichuteenga vaanga kilambalam. Maya veetuku ponum" (If you both are done, lets start. we need to go to Maya's home)

Raj- "enna pesinalum kariyathula kanna irukan da, kathukanum ithellam (He is still very much concentrated on the activities to be done.)" 

Rakshan smiled at him. 

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The boys went to Maya house and pretended like they stopped there due to thirsty.

Rakshan- "sir, ulla yaravathu irukeenga? (sir, Anyone inside?)"

Raja- "amma (Mother)"

Ramasamy- "yaaru neenga enna venum? (Who are you? What do you want?)"

Rakshan- "naanga inaiku than intha gramathuku vanthirukom. konja thagama iruku thanni thareengala? (We are new to this village. We are thirsty. can you give us some water?)"

Someone from inside, "varavunga poravangaluku thani koduka thaan nan kastapattu thanni pudichutu vanthena? en veedu than therinchatha? en pakathu veetla vangakika vendiathu thane?" (Are we here to supply water to passerby's? why don't they go to the nearby house.)

Raju- "ithuku thaanda sonen namma panchayathu thalaivar veetulaye avar koduthapove juice kudichurukalam (I already told that we can have juice in president house itself.)"

Ramasamy- "panchayathu thalaivara? (president?)"

Ashwin- "amanga, intha gramathula konja naal thangirunthu sila services pana porom. athukaga pesa ponom, vara valila thaan... (Yes, we are available to help. We travelled there to obtain authorization. We are thirsty as we travel.)"

Raju- "inum enna pesikitu vaanga pakathu veetlaye pesikalam (Come lets go the nearby house)"

Ramasamy- "aiyo samy kovichukatheenga. Peria velilaila irukura pullaiga mari theriureenga, ipadi sattunu kovapatta epadi. Velila veyila iruku konjam ulla vanga"

(please don't get angry. You look rich and it is not good to get angry soon. please come in.)

He coerced them into entering.

Ramasamy- "nan ramasamy, ithu en ponjathi rosa. engalukku oru ponnu peru veni (Myself Ramasamy. This is my wife, Rosa. I have a daughter Veni.)"

Rakshan- "vanakkam nga (greetings.)"

Rosa- "engala thappa eduthukatheenga, naan vera yaro nu ninachu kovathula pesiten. ellam peria idathu thambi pola theriuthu (Don't misinterpret us. I was mistakenly hoping for someone else. You all appear extremely wealthy..)"

Rakshan- "amanga, inga service panna vanthirukom (Yes, We are here to service)"

Rosa- "enna velai pakureenga? (What work are you doing?)"

Rakshan- "nanum ivanum IT job. en mapla , professor ah irukan (We are in IT job and he is a professor.)"

Rosa- "oh, sambalam lam epadi thambi varuthu, nalla irukeengala? (oh, so you must have good salary right. How are you?)"

Raju- "enanga peria sambalam masam oru 1.5 lakcham varuthu. etho atha vachu oturom (Not that much, Just 1.5 lakhs.)"

Ashwin suppressed his laugh.

Rakshan- "athuku yenda kavala padura, athuthan adutha masam sambalatha yethiduvangala, apuram enna? (Don't get vexed. Next month we will get paid more. )"

Raju-"athuvum sari thaan (True..)"

Rakshan-"romba nandri nga, thani koduthathuku (Thanks a lot for water)"

Ramasamy- "thambi enga thangirukeenga? (We are you staying?)"

Raju- "ellam pakathula thaan. (Nearby only)"

Ashwin- "neraachu naanga varom (Its time, We will take a leave.)", they left.

Rosa- "aathi embuttu sambalam embuttu sambalam, ithula oruthana valachu potalum jolly ah irukalame (Oh god!!! This much salary they got paid.)"

Ramasamy- " apave sonen innoru pullai pethupom nu ketiah?, oru vela ketrunthaa ippo rendu pera valaichu potrukalam (In the event that we have two daughters, we can marry them off to these boys. The fact that we only have one daughter saddens me.)"

Rosa- "hmkmm, athuku enna panna onnum thangala enaku. (So what, we have only one.)"

Ramasamy- "amam enga un ponnu? (Were is your daughter?)"

Rosa- "town ku poiruka (She went to town)"

Ramasamy- "ivanukalayavathu olunga valachu poda sollu (Tell her to seduce them at least this time correctly.)", with that he left.

Maya could hear everything clearly, which made her rage even more. She cannot handle it, even if they expect it to happen.

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Maya relayed all she had heard from the house in the evening.

Girls were taking care of Jeevan and discussing events while boys planned their next move. They could hear the calling bell. The trio exchanged glances with one another. 

Ashwin- "ulla vanga (come inside )", he saw a man approaching them. 

Rakshan- "sollunga (tell me)"

Marimuthu - "en per Marimuthu, inga etho kulanthaigal padipu samanthama thalaivar ta pesinathu (I am Marimuthu. I got to know that someone here are talking about the children studies)"

Ashwin- "nanga thaan (Yes, we are.)", at the same time Sivaangi served him  coffee. 

Marimuthu- "Romba nandri thangatchi (Thanks a lot sister.)"

Sivaangi- "irukatum anna (Its okay brother.)"

Marimuthu looked at the trio and talked, " oru velaiyavathu padika anupunga nu kaeteengalam (You talked about the school for half a day)"

Ashwin- "amanga, atha pathiya pesa vanthirukeenga? (Yes, Are you here to talk about that?)"

Marimuthu -"amanga sir, ena panaporeenga nu therinchukalamnu (Yes sir, I am here to know about the plans.)"

He was told by Ashwin about his current plans.

Marimuthu- "Romba santhosamnga. Nanum munadi ithukaga poradinen aana ennala en veetu soolnilaiya kooda matha mudiala, manasalavula odanchuponathu thaan micham. ipo neenga vanthirukeenga nu kelvipaten athan vanthen. ithu en number, enna uthavinalum kelunga panama iruntha kooda thayaka padama kelunga. nan epavum panni tharuven.enga ooru pullainga nilamai marina pothum"

(Well said. I also fought for the same thing, but I was unable to affect any changes in my family and suffered a broken heart. You're here right now. My phone number is this. Do not hesitate to seek for assistance of any form. I'm available at all times.)

Malini- "apadi enna nadanthuchu anna? (What happened)"

Raj- "Malu ma" , he said in a commanding tone.

Malini put her head down. 

Raj- "sorry nga, ava epavum ipadi illa. inaiku thaan." (Unfortunately, she is not like this; yet, today's behaviour was inappropriate.)

Marimuthu- "vidunga sir, ithellam masama irukum pothu sagajam. antha kodumaiah yen thayi kekura, en akka ponnu romba nalla padipa aana veguli. amma na romba istam, ennaium romba pudikum avaluku. enaku saria varan amaiyalainu 18 vayasu pullaiya 28 vayasula irukura enaku kalyanam panna paathaanga. nan thaduka muyarchi panapo, kovathula 'vayasu ponna veetla romba naal vachiruka mudiathu'nu enavida vayasanavanukku katti koduka paathanga ma." his eyes had tears. 

(Leave it sir. This happens frequently while pregnant. The daughter of my sister is a very good  person and brilliant. She loves me and her mother more. I didn't receive alliance for a variety of reasons. Therefore, when her daughter became 18, my sister became quite determined to wed us. However, I turned down the offer because I had just turned 28. She intends to force her daughter to wed an elderly guy as a result.)

Sivaangi- "achacho apuram enna anna aachu (Oh God, What happened then)"

Marimuthu- "antha pullaiah kaapatha nane katikiten. athukapuram avala padika vaika muyarchi panen. avalum oru vaaram school pona anna athuku apuram en akka vanthu thangina enga kooda. enanamo avaluku solli koduthu mansa kalichu avala padika vidama paniduchu."

(I got married to her to protect her from such circumstance. I made an effort to get her to study, and she spent a week at school. My sister then came and remained with us after that. My wife was forced to stop her studies after being brainwashed by my sister.)

Sivaangi- "ippo avanga enna panranga? (What she is doing now?)"

Marimuthu- "hmm, 20 vayasula 1 vayasu pullaiku thaaya iruka. (Hmm, She has a 1-year-old child and is a mother before turning 20.)"

Sivaangi gave Jeevan a quick glance before lowering his gaze. Everyone except Marimuthu observed this.

Malini- "19 vayasulaye avaluku pullaya koduthutu ipo varutham vera padureengala? (Even if you gave her a child when she was only 19 years old, you are now also concerned.)" 

Raju- "malu ma.. ", he said in a stern voice.

Marimuthu- "kovapadatheenga sir pullathatchi pulla kita. thangatchi kekurathula ethum thape illa. en vairaakiam en akka soolchi munnadi thothupochu ma, ithuku mela solla mudiala thaayi."

(Don't get angry at a pregnant woman. sister, My Zealous got defeated by my sister's cunning plan. I can tell only to this extent sister)

Sivaangi- "kavalapadatheenga anna" (Don't worry brother.)

Marimuthu- "vidu thayi, en vithi ithu thaan, matha pullaigalavathu padikanum nu thaan nan asai padaren" (I'm fine, sister. I am doomed to this. I hope the other youngsters will benefit.)

Ashwin- "yen, ini unga manavi padika vaika mateengala? (Why, Are you not planning for your wife's study.)"

Marimuthu- "padika vaika nan thayar sir, aana ava othukanume. padi nu sonna, en mamavum en kulanthaium enaku pothum padipu vendam nu thirupi thirupi sollitu irupa.  ithuku mela enala porada mudiala sir (I tried. but she is very stubborn. She repeats that she is satisfied with me and the baby. I can't struggle with her.)"

Sivaangi- "avanga per enna anna? (What is her name?)"

Marimuthu- "malliga", ha said with a smile and spark in the eyes.

Everyone is able to sense his love for her.

Malini- "ungalukkum avangala pudikum pola (You too love her a lot it seems)"

Sivaangi- "kannulaye theriuthe (It is visible in your eyes)"

Marimuthu- "athellam en usuru thangatchi ava. ava poranthapo mudhalla naan thaan thangatchi avala thookinen. anaila irunthu ipo varaikum nenjula sumakaren. enna onnu avaluku nalla vaalkai kidaikanum nu asai patten, ipadi imbuttu vayasu vithayasathula enna katikita.. (My life is hers. When she is born, I am the first to hold her. I have carried her in my heart ever since. Although she is married to me, who is considerably older than her, I still wished her a wonderful life.)", he ended in a worried tone.

Malini- "athellam oru prachanaium illa anna, anbukku yethu vayasu. neenga intha ennatha mudhalla mathikonga.(That is not a matter brother. Age is just a number. Please change your mind and accept that.) "

Ashwin- "enaku therinchu enga vayasu vithayasathula neenga pirinchuduveengalo nu bayanthe avanga kulanthai pethurukanum (My perspective is that your wife wanted a child because she is terrified of the age gap.)"

Marimuthu stood in shock.

Marimuthu- "epadi thambi paatha mathiriye solreenga? (How will you guess this correctly?)"

Ashwin- "avangala padika vaika ungala thaan mudium. ungala vachu thaan unga akka avangala padika vidama panraanga (She won't study until you make her. Even your sister stopped her studying by using you as a trump card.)"

Marimuthu- "nan sonna than kekamatikuralae sir (She didn't listen to me but)"

Ashwin- "athellam solra mathiri solidalam nalaiku kootitu vaanga (We can say in a way to make her listen. you just bring her tomorrow here.)"

Marimuthu-" romba nandri sir (Thanks a lot sir) ", he thanked by having his hand in a praying manner.

Marimuthu- "Appo nan kilamburenga. nalaiku pakalam (Then I will take a leave. )"

Sivaangi-"kandippa nalaiku vaanga. unga wife oda (Sure. come with your wife)"

Marimuthu- "sari ma thangatchi. (Sure sister)" , he looked at Malini and said, " varen thangatchi (Bye sister)" and left.

Malini-" romba nalla annan la (Such a good soul)"

Sivaangi- "amam anni (Yes sister.)"

After 30 minutes, three children entered their home.

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How is it?

Please do and comment.

Parvathi Suresh Sharma.