Author POV

A story never stops until it gets an ending, whether it's good or bad. The difference between the happy ending or sad ending lies in the choices we make, sometimes others don't understand how and why you choose this when you had thousands of reasons to not choose, but only when you choose you will get to the end of the chapter thus changing the whole story.

Taking a deep breath Mira looked at the house before her, it's the same place where it all started and still holding up, she knew maybe this decision of her would turn drastic as well but she just can't comprehend her heart to choose anything but this.

She didn't know what had happened years back which resulted in him hating her, as now many things got clear, she wanted to know the reason behind his hatred. She was for sure it has to be something related to Avi his sister.

With determination, she took a deep breath and looked at people i.e, the pack, behind her giving her all the support she needed to take this step. She took baby steps to reach the gates of the mansion, there she saw once a happy and cheerful house was now just a building of rock and sand. She felt guilty of her actions as it was not anyone's fault but only the situation.

FLASHBACK

After successfully completing the marriage things got somewhat neutral between her and Aarav. Ani's family expressed the need to visit a temple in the Kerla near the Paalakat deep inside the forest for some rituals. Being the enthusiastic soul youngsters agreed eagerly as it would give an option to explore more adventures while elders were happy to see them like that.

They all reached there unknown to the tragic change to take place in their lives.

All were walking in small groups or pairs making elders sigh and muttering about their slow pace while others enjoyed the experience. Parth and Rohan saw how Aarav was keeping eye on Mira discreetly, so in order to tease him, they started speaking loudly gathering everyone's attention.

"Deii, Parth unnaku teriyuma inda kaadu pathi naa oru news padiche", Rohan started.

"Apidi enna padiche, pakka onnum kodurvama illaye idhu", Parth continued by now everyone was listening to them with utmost interest making the duo smirk slightly.

"Inda kaadu la oru vichitramana vilangu irrukuma, adu romba perusu laa illa romba kutty aa daan irrukum aana oru vaati kadichita romba poisionus aa irrukuma, aduku remeady kuda ellayama", Rohan said making the girls let out a small shrek and males just gulp their saliva.

Aarav knew how much Mira hates wild creatures specifically spiders so he was concerned for her than anything else.

Parth suddenly screamed, " Aah, un pinadi spider Miru".

Mira suddenly screamed and started running here and there, all were startled by her shout and they also started running here and there, by now Miru just ran before everyone and Aarav was behind her, after a certain point she stopped running and got scared seeing herself in middle of the forest all alone.

The rumbling sound of the leaaves made her gulp and she closed her eyes tightly started chanting mantra," Kadavule unnoda inda Chella kozhandai aa kaapatu, naa pavoma illa unaku, enaku ippo daane oru 21 vayasu aagudu innum eduvum life la paakale, Mamz oda Paris ponum, meriya padikanum, padanumm evlo irruku ipidi nadu kaatu la thaniya mata vechitiye, please kaapathu pa, unaku oru 101 aiyoo romba aaidum oru 11 thenga odakre".

Aarav who was listening to her rambling started to laugh loudly making her peek into his direction and she started blushing profoundly.

He came towards her and said," Enna maa vendudal laa balam aa irruku", and started laughing hard.

Mira now got irritated by his act so she glared at him and started walking in the other direction.

He controlled her and said loud, " Anda side ponna spider daan kadikum ipidi inda side la ponna daan namba family kita poga mudiyum", saying so he started making his way.

The word 'namba' made her little heart flutter with hope as she looked at him amazed, it's the first time he is considering her as a part of his family.

When he saw she was not following, he yelled at her, " Madam idhu unga Appa veetu sottu illa, ungluku etta pola edatla nikrathuku, seekrama varingala, ellarum anga wait panranga namakaga" and raised his eyebrow.

She chuckled and nodded her head and started following him. Both walked for another 30 min, she suddenly twisted her ankle unknowingly and screamed out of pain.

Aarav came to her within seconds and started inspecting her and scolding at her same time, " Paathu vara matiya maa, enna romba valikuda, vera enga adhi patu irruka, sollu maa".

Her eyes turned glossy seeing his concern towards her and she smiled contently and said" Enaku onnum illa, neenga vidunga vanga polam ellarum wait panuvanga namakaga".

He glared at her and scooped her in his arms then started walking ignoring her futile try to escape. With a huff she stopped her try and muttered, " periya Arnold ivru thukratha paaru, Valandu ketavan".

He did listen to her and laughed inwardly thinking how cute she is but didn't show on his face.

Soon they found the group, all gasped seeing her like this, and did first aid to her while Aarav flexed his muscles.

All started again but this time her Parth Anna tool her in arms much to the disappointment of Aarav, soon they reached the temple.

It looked like any haunted temple which had curses on it, but when they saw people coming in that direction they took a breathe.

Se of the village people came there were in utter traditional outfits, they saw the group and frowned. They came towards them and one of the man from the group asked, " Yaaru neenga, inga eduku vandu irrukinga".

Ani's mother said, " Naanga inga Kovil la oru vendudal neraveta vandu irrukom".

The man frowned further and said," enna prathna, neenga enga kuda vanga engloda Aiyaa daan soluvaru inime".

The group didn't say anything as they thought it's best not to quarrel with them and started following the village group.

All were standing in front of the small hut when an aged man with the help of a stick came towards them, he then went forward to the big tree in front of the house and sat on the rock indicating others to come there.

" Enna prathna pathi soninga Kaali kita", the old man indicating towards the other man who bought them here

Ani's mother started," Aiyaa ungluku nyabagam irruka nu teriyale oru 26 varusham munadi inga vandom engluku kozhamda bagyam ketu appo neenga daan aoninga inda Amman kita madi pichai keta ava kudupa, aprom evanuku kalayanam aana piragu tambadiya vandu Amman ku oru abishekamum aprom evangla koil la oru angapradarshanam panna soninga aduku daan vandu irrukom".

She told making all astonished with the newfound information, while the old man smiled after hearing her.

"Oh neengala, seri unga paiyan Yaaru idula", he asked fondly.

Ani came forward, gently put his hand in his hand and blessed him, and then creased his face fondly while saying, " nee romba nalavana irruke pa, apdiye irru".

"Seri nalaiku abhishekam panidalam, inga irruka ellarum konja koil ku udutura madri thuni potukonga, aprom ellam Kalyanam aaga da pasanga ponunga edavum saapadu kudadu Abhishekam mudiyatu vedikum, adu aidigam inga, purinjida ellarukum", the old said.

"Ellam seri Aiyaa aana sapdama irrukuratu mukiyama", Parth said silently while Megha also nodded vigorously making all chuckle and nod their heads knowing their love for food.

"Aama paa, romba mukiyumipidi saapdma irrundu Abhishekam aprom koil pinadi irruka kolathla kulichitu vandu inda Amman kita keta ava neenga kelra maari ponno paiyano ungluku kudupa", the old man explained making everyone nod their head

Aarav was more than excited to do this ritual ass he thought maybe this would bring his Sira back to him.

{ Author: aduku inda ritual illa nee seriya avla treat panale podum da Loosu paaki

Aarav: vandutiya nee, en di unaku enna daan problem

Author: enaku enna problem irruka podu, unaku daan issue

Aarav: ippo naa ritual panratla enna problem

Author: onnum illa, pannu paanu poi Amman kaal la vizharathuku munadi ava kaal la vizhi

Aarav: aiyoo mudiyale ennale nee kelembu

Author: naladuku ippolam kalam illa }

The next day the village people came to wake them up by 3.30 am making the youngsters groan in frustration while Mira was feeling like something big is going to happen but chucked it and went to get ready.

They were all welcomed by the men who were in traditional silk dhoti and shirts stood there seeing them like this while Aarav was drooling over his Sira like anything. Kaali came there and shook his head and asked them to accompany him.

All went towards the temple with the village people and old man, it was on top of the mountain having 7000 steps all looked at each other and elders were worried about it but village buff men came forward to pick them in  'pallakku' making them sigh but youngsters gulp. Aarav turned to see Mira looking frightened as she just got injured last night and now this. He thought,' enna ipidi solranga evanga, anda palaakku la evlayum poga sollalam evalala epidi nadaka mudiyum'.

When he was about to start Parth beat him and said," Aiyaa, enga Papa ku nethu daan kaal le adi patu irruku, evalale epidi nadaka mudiyum, evla mattum palaakku la kotitu pongaa Amma Appa kuda", making all nod theor heads.

"Tambhi idhu oru prathna madri paa, Kalyanam aagada paiyanum ponum nadandu daan varanum, venum na avaluku yaarna Mama murai la irrukangala inga", the old man asked.

All gasped at this and turned to see Aarav, he also gulped and started to take step forward but interupyed by Anirudh," Aiyaa naa evloda Akka va katti irruku anda murai la nanum Mama daan".

Old man shook his head and said," Illa paa, idhu unakaga panra prathna nee unoda pondati aa thukitu mela poganum, adanala daan evangaluku yaarna Mama murai irrunda avanga venum na thukitu polam mela nu sollalam irrunde illati evanga Anna yaarna kuda thukalam".

Aarav now was confirmed that he is only going to lift her aand camee forward and said," Aiyaa naa irruke evaloda Mama", making all stood rooted in their place while Mira was looking like he had grown horns.

The old man looked him with calculating eyes and nodded his head then asked Anirudh and Aarav to get their shirts off and pick their girls up. On listening to this Mira shrieked and mumbled," ennadu shirt laam illamaya, mudiyadu mudiyadu naan varla mella". All laughed at her cute antics.

Aarav and Ani took off their shirts off and carried Mira and Aishu in their arms making the girls squeal in surprise while Shiv started making video of it. All started to climb the stairs with lots of fun and teasing.

"Eduku neenga enna thukrathumu othukuninga", Mira asked whole clutching his neck securely.

"Aprom enna nanga vara verlum unna inda kaadu la thaniya vida solriya", he reverted back making her frown which he found amusing.

"Enga Anney daan irrukanga illa avanga yenna thuki irruparu neenga eduku modala sonninga", she further pestered him.

He was already getting frustrated with her non stop question and answer, so to stop her from saying anything he said," Miru ennoru vaati edanaa question keten unna ippo inga ellar munaidyum apdiya pudichi kiss adichiduven, unnaku adu venum na pesu illati konja silent aa irru, I will be happy in both choice".

She just gaped at him with open mouth and pinched him in arms, he hissed and glared at her while asking, " eduku ippo enna pinch panne"

"Illla idhu kanava nu paarthen but illa neenga ipidi pesra aalu illaye, engana adi gidi pathu irruka ungluku" , she kept on rambling making him laugh out loud gaining all the attention from the group.

He just shook and didn't said anything, at last all somehow made up to the top with teasing and fun. The old man asked all to come forward so that they can start the ritual.

"Seri  thambi neenga vandu inda celai aa unga kai aala kudunga pujai ku aprom unga vitu mahalaxmi kita kudutu potuka sollunga, nyabagam irrukatom inda celai unga pondati daan podanum vera yaarum illa", the priest told them affirmatively making all nod their heads in confusion nevertheless they did what the other men there asked them to do.

All were praying for the well being of all, but unknown to them Mira saree catches the fore from the lamp behind her, none noticed it till a small girl in the group screamed," Amma nerupu, anga nerupu ".

Everyone started to extinguish the fire, for which asked her to remove her saree, Mira was not in the state to say or understand anything so she just stood like a statue. Aarav quickly took the water which was supposed to do Abhishekam and poured it in her and then took the Saree which was in Amman and covered her fully.

The village people were gasping and murming about how this people did 'saamy kuttam' and whispering within themselves while whole family trembled and didn't know what to do, they tried many things to make her back to be normal but nothing worked, so Aarav went to her and gripped her shoulders and said, " Miru inga paaru", to which she looked at him but the hollowness in her eyes scared the shot out off everyone specially Parth and Rohan as they knew what happened with her in college.

Aarav continuosly asked Mira something or the other but when she didn't respond, he just did what made everyone shock, he just slapped her hard bringing her out the zone and her eyes started to water,amd she started crying while he hugged her tightly and saaid bothing but sweat words.

After sometime when he saw she was calmed down he asked her," Miru maa, ippo okay va nee, inda konja thani kudi", Ani forward the bottle to him but when he was about to give her the old man said," Tambhi neenga  ekanave romba periya thappu panitinga idhu innum etadinga, vera yaarna va thani kuduka vidunga".

All got confused by his words and elders were somewhat not getting good vibes from the villagers stare and now the old man words.

Aarav got irritated and said, " neenga enna solringa nu puriyutha ungluku, ava ekanave romba bayandute irruka Yaaru thabi kuduta enna aagum, and naa enna thappu panne", saying that he fondly made her drink that water which she gulped quickly, he turned to the group and said," paathingala epidi avaluku thaagam edutu irruku".

The old man sighed and made his way towards the priest and discussed something then asked the elders to come towards them, what they said made the elders tremble. Ahaana almost lost her balance and started crying while Aminesh didn't know what and how to perceive the thing.

The group came towards the youngsters who all looked at them with either scared or confused expression, Rohan started asking," Enna aachi eduku ippo neenga ipidi bayandu irrukinga, edana ritual la pretchana na namba thirambavum panalam daane".

Listening to this all elders started to tremble while Ahaana started to sob loudly making all go worry. Ani and Aishu came towards her and held her shoulders.

"Yaaravdu sollunga enna daan nadakudu inga", losing the patience Aarav asked.

"Neenga romba periya saamy kuttam pani irrukinga", the old man started gaing a snort from Aarav butt her further completed," neenga Amman oda Abhishekam ku vecha thani aaprom salei edutu anda ponnuku potinga adu peroya saamy kuttam, ippo aduku neenga daan parigaram seiyanum", the stern voice of him made all gulp expect Aarav who was fuming in anger.

"Yenga anda ponnu ippo thee pudichi posingi poi irrupa, oru manishan oda uyir vida unuku ungloda deiva kuttam daan mukiyama", he breathed fire.

"Tambhi ungluku puriyale, idhu romba shakti aanaa Amman, ipidi pesrathala onnum aagathu ippo neenga prayachitam panni daan aaganum", the old man again restored.

Making  a huff he asked what to do, as he thought may be some regular punishments like taking water from pond to the temple or 'angapradarsanam'. But little did he know the punishment is going to change the world for two people.

"Neeenga inda ponna vidi padi Kalyanam pani aaganum, aduku aprom rendu perum sendhuu Amman ku kizha irruka kolahthla irrundu 1000 kudam thani edhutu vandu Abhishekam pananum", the old man said making all gasp.

"Enna solringa neenga", Aarav and Mira said at the same time.

"Aama naa seriya daan solre, neenga evla teriyamle arai Kalyanam panitinga adanala mulu kalayanam pani tambadi yaa inda parigaram panunga", the old man said calmly making Aarav blood to boil.

"NEENGA YAARU IDHA SOLRATHUKU, illa teriyama daan kekren Yaaru neenga, englala Kalyanam la seiya mudiyadu", Aarav shouted but it didn't had any effect on the old man but the villagers got angry on him for disrespecting their leader.

"Vaanga ellarum pogalam, evanga edo solranga kelembla vaanga", saying so he took Mira hand and Aishu and started to walk only to be blocked by the villagers who looked very angry, he also glared at them and asked them to leave  their way but the villagers didn't bulge.

"Tambhi unga kita vera vazhi illa unga rendu perukum Kalyanam nadanda daan unga veetu aalungala evanga viduvanga" the old man said and indicated to the group which was mow in custody of the villagers.

"Naa konja evru kita pesanum", Mira for the first time spoke.

Nodding the old man gave them the space they needed and asked others to leave them for sometime.

"Ippo enna panrathu Aarav" , she asked.

"Enaku teriyale, idhu romba absurd, they can't do that to us", Aarav said still angry.

"Ippo thani thalai ku mela poidichi evanga solra madri seinjitu poidlam", Mira said calmly makug him surprised.

"Nee loosa di, idhu onnum chinna vayasu choppu kalaynam illa neja Kalyanam, evanga solranga nu seinjikla solre", he rambled.

"Pinna enna seiya solringa, anga namba family evaanga custody la irrukanga epidi vida solringa haan", she also kept her point clearly.

"Unaku puriyutha illaya idhu evlo periya situation nu edo bilayathu thanama pesitu irruke", he just wanted to yell at her but somehow kept his anger on bay.

In anger again he started saying things which broke her heart again," Oh ippo puriyuthu ennakuu en nee evlo cool aa irruke inda situation la , nee idhuku daane aasa paten, unaku innum self respect illale, chii unna poi naa viru... nalla aalu nu nenaika start panne paaru, nee apdiye daan irruke oru change illa ade selfishness, unnaku enna ippo Kalyanam pananum illa vaa,aana aduku aprom nee en kita onnum edurpakathe".

"Neenga kovathla enna pesringa nu ungluku appovum puriyale ippovum puriyale,ippothuku Ennaku namba family safe aa irrunda mattum podum, aduku naa selfish na seri, Ennaku idhu podum, na poiduven idhuku aprom engana neenga kavla padadinga, also ungluku oru naal puriyum appo naa kuda irruka maaten adu daan ungluku periya punishment aa irrukum", she said calmly with straight face but inside she again broken by his words.

In the heat of moment he didn't understand anything but anger in him didn't let him think otherwise, he grabbed her hand and came towards the people and said that both are okay to do the marraige making all gasp while Ani, Rohan and Parth had doubt but kept mum for time being.

Finally the wedding occured and the rest of 'patigaram' done by both of them aand they reached to their home by next day, none spoke to each other unless it's really necessary.

Mira staarted packing and told the pack about the conversation and told her decision of going to Kerla, all agreed and told her that they will accompany her even though she tried a lot too deny but none budged so she accepted reluctantly.

Ahaana was already sick by all the things happening around her, but when she saw Mira with luggage she broke down and hugged her.

"Attai naa ungla vittu pola konja time enakaga daan kekre, naa varuven seekrama okayva aduverikum neenga daan ellaeyum pathukanom enna", Mira said fondly and hugged her tightly.

By now all  had their perspective of why she is going far but kept mum as this space is much more needed than anything.

Aminesh hugged her tightly and asked her to take care of health and to be back very soon.

Aishu just hugged her and cried then ran to her room leaving Mira with sad smile seeing her favourite sister looking so broken.

She came outside and kept walking without looking back but from the balcony Aarav watched her goubg and a sting in his heart pulled and he felt unknown pain within himself.

FLASHBACK  END

"3 varusham aachi enoda veetuku vandu, Athai and Mama ekanave romba suffer panitanga ennakaga also Aishu Akka kuda romba miss pani irrupanga but Mamz neenga panadhu naa marakle, ungla love panle naa eppo kudaa vandu irruka maaten,pakalam enga inda tuen kutitu podu", Mira exhaled her breath and opened the doors.

The clattering sound in the hall made alll rush towards the sound but stood like a statue.

Aarav who also rushed just stood in last step of stairs and murmured, "Sira".

Heart may be weak in judgements
but
it never fails to find the small
hope
even in a strenuous situation.

***************************************
A/N

Hello Makkale,i.

Hope all are fine and good

Here is the next chapter, longest ever (3500 words), do give you support for this chapter as well.

Romba happy today also, an important update as Anirudh is in ESP CutePonnu, last nught only I put manifestation about it and it got completed, so happy . Eagerly waiting for this song.

Love,

Nish 💜