Episode 31...

The flight landed in Chennai late in the evening, and the humid yet familiar air welcomed them back home. As they stepped out of the airport, Surya let out a deep sigh of relief. "Oruvaliya, ooruku vandhutom..," he murmured, visibly more relaxed.

At the curb, Naren spoke up as the family gathered around their cars. "Appa naanga apdiye veetuku kelamburom pa" he said, adjusting his hair. "Konjam work lam pending la irukku, naanga nalaiki illa nalaiku aduthu ah veetuku varom pa."

Keerthana nodded, adding with a smile, "Ama, neraiya vela irukku" She bent down to hug Malini and planted a kiss on her nephew's forehead before turning to Surya. "Naanga nalaiki varom pa, odamba paathukonga, Zaara thatha ku ellarukum bye sollu." to which Zaara bid bye to everyone not before sending a flying kiss to her Aju mama..

As they moved, Ajay turned to Shreya. "Maa, nambalum namba veetuku kelambalama?" he asked softly, already sensing how exhausted she looked.

But before Shreya could respond, Surya and Malini chimed in simultaneously. "Dei enda!" Malini said, her tone firm. "Neengalum vaanga engakooda, epdiyum naanum konja naal la ooruku poiduven."

Surya nodded in agreement. "Ama da veetuku vaanga, paati vera wait pannitu irupanga."

Though Shreya hesitated, she couldn't refuse their heartfelt insistence, especially with Poornima waiting at home. "Seri.. okay," she agreed, smiling at Ajay.

The moment they stepped into Surya's home, Poornima came rushing out of her room, her face lighting up at the sight of her family. Her gaze immediately fell on Malini, who was holding her newborn son.

"En kollu peran vandhutana," she said, her voice trembling with emotion as she held out her arms. Tears streamed down her cheeks as Malini handed over the baby.

Poornima cradled the infant gently, her hands shaking slightly as she kissed his tiny forehead. "En thangam, apdiye un thambi madhiriye irukkan di!" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling. "Ellarum adha dhaan paati sonanga" Malini said. Ajay chuckled, crouching beside her. "Paati, nijamava?"

Poornima playfully smacked his arm. "Deii, en peran epdi irupan nu enaku theriyadha" She then looked at Malini with a bittersweet expression. "Unga amma irundhurundha romba sandhosha pattu irundhurupa.. ana andha magaraasi ku idhellam paaka kooduthu vaikala pola"

Malini, holding back tears, nodded. "Enga amma epome enga kooda irukura madhiriye enaku thonittu irukkum paati."

The family moved towards Meena's photo frame, which hung prominently in the living room. Malini gently lit the lamp below the photo, holding her son in her arms. "Ma, ivan dhan ma un peran" she whispered, her voice cracking. "Ellarum Ajay madhiriye irukan nu soldranga apdiya ma... nee enkooda ipo irundhurundha evlo nalla irundhurukumla"

Ajay placed a comforting hand on Malini's shoulder while Shreya stood quietly by his side. The atmosphere was heavy with emotion, and even Surya, who rarely let his emotions show, wiped away a tear.

Poornima broke the silence, her voice steady. "Kavalapadatha da kannu, unga amma epovume unkooda dhan irupa, adhukum mela unaku andha andavan oru pasamana appa, unnakaga uyiraye kudukura thambi, anbana purushan nu athana pera kuduthurukaru, nee edhuku da alugura.."

Later that night, after dinner, everyone began retiring to their rooms. However, Ajay, Shreya, Malini, and Hussain gathered in the living room, reluctant to let the day end.

"Deii, Vijay Abi ku oru phone ah podu" Malini suggested, holding her son close.

Ajay nodded, dialing Vijay's number. Soon, the video call connected, and Vijay's cheerful face filled the screen. "Enna pa ellarum chennai reach pannitingala!" he said. Abi appeared beside him, cradling Nila, who was pulling her bangs.

"Epdi irukkinga?" Shreya asked, smiling warmly.

"Neenga ellarum illama romba bore adikudhu," Abi admitted.

Malini laughed softly. "Engalukum dhan. Anga paaru athaiya paaru." She held the baby up to the screen, and Abi's face lit up.

"Chellam enna pandringa!" Abi exclaimed.

The conversation continued with laughter, updates, and lighthearted teasing.

As the call ended, the family shared a moment of quiet reflection. Ajay placed an arm around Shreya, pulling her close. "Namba veetuku varadhey oru thani sandhosham dhan la ma," he murmured, his voice filled with contentment.

"Ama ma," Shreya agreed, resting her head on his shoulder.

The first rays of the morning sun seeped into the house as the family slowly began their day. Poornima, always the early riser, had been up for a while, bustling in the kitchen. She carefully prepared a traditional dish, ulundhu kali, known for its post-partum nutritional benefits. As the aroma wafted through the house, Malini, sitting in the living room with her baby, sniffed the air suspiciously.

"Paati," Malini called out loudly, scrunching her nose, "dhaiyava senju adha pandra nu mattum solladha."

"Epudri kandu pudicha?" Poornima responded firmly as she walked into the living room holding a bowl of the dark-colored, thick dish. "Malu.. summa enna kathavidatha olunga sapudu un nalladhukaga dhana soldren, na venumna ooti vidata!"

Malini frowned, shaking her head. "Ponga paati, idha paathale enaku vaandhi varudhu."

Hussain, sitting beside her, chuckled and teased, "Chotti, sapudu da unaku indha timela naladhu nu dhana kudukuranga."

Before Malini could reply, Poornima's eyes narrowed mischievously. "Ajay!" she called out.

Ajay, who was just entering the room with Shreya, looked confused. "Enna achu Paati?"

"Unga akka ulundhu kali ya sapudamaten nu Adam pudichitu irukka" Poornima said, placing the bowl in Ajay's hands. "Idha iva mulusa sapudradhu inimey un poruppu."

Ajay smirked and walked over to Malini, pulling a chair beside her. "Vaiya thora"

Malini groaned, turning her face away. "Nee sonna naan kekanuma poda!"

"Oh, apdingala, ipo olunga sapudriya illa..," Ajay said, taking a spoonful and holding it in front of her. "un moonjikaga lam naan onnum solala, ellam en marumagan nalladhukaga dhan.. sapdu"

Shreya and Hussain burst out laughing as Malini reluctantly opened her mouth. Ajay fed her with exaggerated care, teasing her between bites. "Paaru? nalla dhana irukku!"

Malini grimaced, glaring at her brother. "Enna enda ipdi paduthura."

"Adhu en kadama" Ajay admitted with a grin.

Shreya chimed in, "Kaa, over ah pannadhinga ka, unga nalladhukaga dhana." to which Malini mocked "Nee solluva di, unakum oru naal idhellam nadakumla apo paathukuren"

Hussain added, "Adhu seri, unaku mattum vai illanu vaiyen unnalam nai thookitu poi irukkum."

The room filled with laughter, and even Malini couldn't help but smile as she finished the dish, much to Poornima's satisfaction.

By mid-morning, the doorbell rang, and Shreya's family-her parents Deva and Lakshmi, her elder brother Santhosh, his wife Kavitha, and their little son Aarav-arrived with beaming faces and arms full of gifts.

"Vaanga.. vaangaa!" Surya greeted them warmly as they stepped inside.

Lakshmi's eyes immediately fell on Malini, who was cradling her baby in her arms. "En peran enga!" Lakshmi exclaimed, rushing over. "Achoo, en chellam. Enanga apdiye Ajay kolaindhaila epdi irundhano apdiye irukanla?" to which Deva replied getting the baby "Ama ma"

Santhosh laughed. "Enna Malu ellarum ipdi soldranga"

Malini smiled. "Vidra avanuku ponnu porandha enna madhiri irukkatum, enna di." "Kandipa ka" Shreya said "Aiyayee un moonjaye paaka mudiyala, idhula en ponnu unna madhiri irukanuma" Ajay made fun

"Adhu enamo unma dhan macha" Hussain teased "Poda pakki!" Malini was annoyed..

Aarav, the young and curious , peeked over to see the baby. "Na avana thookalama?" he asked innocently.

"No Aarav," Kavitha said, patting his head. "Papa innum konjam valandhadhuku aprom nee thooku."

Lakshmi handed over a large bag filled with food and other items to Malini. "Malu, indha di.. idhellam unnakaga dhan senju eduthutu vandhen " she said. "Idhula neraiya sapatula potu sapudra podi irukku, kashayam thool, kozhandhaiku ora marundhu, unakum papakum oil, aprom karupatti podi, nu neriaya iruku.. ellathayum ollunga use pannu, Dubai kelamburadhuku munnadi sonna na unaku thevaiyanadhu ellam senji kuduthuduven"

Malini's face lit up. "Kandipa soldren athai, romba thanks athai.. edhukaga neenga idhellam ivlo strain panni senjitu irukkinga."

Lakshmi nodded, her tone softening. "En ponnuku naan seiyama vera yaaru di seiva."

Meanwhile, Kavitha pulled Shreya aside for a quick chat. "Aprom, Shreya" she said with a sly smile, "Ellam epdi pogudhu? neeyum Ajayum ipo modho madhiri illa pola irukku."

Shreya blushed, realizing what she was hinting at. "Enna anni soldringa?"

Kavitha chuckled. "Nadikadha di. You've started your life together properly, haven't you?"

Shreya looked away, embarrassed. "Well... maybe," she admitted softly.

Kavitha smiled warmly. "Enaku evlo sandhoshama irukku theriyuma. You deserve all the happiness in the world, Shreya."

After spending some time admiring the baby, Lakshmi turned to Poornima and Surya. "Ajay-Shreya ku kalyanam agi adhukula moonu masam aga poguthu, seri adhunaladhan thalli pirichi kothudlam nu ninaichen, ennanga ma soldringa?" she began.

Poornima nodded thoughtfully. "Sariya sonna ma, naanum idha pathi pesanum nu nenaichen, Shreya andha calendar ah konjam edu kannu."

A few moments later, Poornima announced, "Vara sevvai kilamai muhurtha naal ah irukku anaike vachikalama?."

Lakshmi clapped her hands together, delighted. "Haan seri ma, nalaiki poi chain eh ellam vangitu vandhuralam."

After a hearty lunch, filled with laughter and joy, Shreya's family prepared to leave. Deva placed a hand on Ajay's shoulder as they stood by the door. "Shreya va nee nalla pathupa nu theriyum, ana edhukum soldren konjam pathuko da."

Ajay smiled. "Kandipa mama."

As they drove away, Lakshmi remarked to her husband, "Anga ellarum Shreya va nalla paathukuranga la nga, Ajay yum Shreya mela avlo pasama irukan."

Later that evening, after everyone had settled down, Shreya picked up her phone to call her childhood best friends, Vishal and Nisha.

"Shreya!" Nisha's voice came through excitedly. "Enna adhisayama call panni irukka, epudri irukka?"

"Naan nalla iruken di," Shreya replied. "Nee epdi irukka? en marumaga enna soldra"

"Nalla iruken di" Nisha said. "Papa vara vara romba odhaikudhu, idhula enaku vera romba nauseas ah irukku di!"

Shreya smiled. "Konjam naal apdi dhan di irukkum."

Vishal's voice joined in. "Shreya, life lam epdi pogudhu, Ajay unna nalla paathukurara?"

Shreya hesitated for a moment before launching into a detailed narration of the past week's events. As she spoke, Vishal's initial concern turned into smile. "Edho soldra," he said. "Nee sandhoshama irukka la, adhu podhum enaku."

Before ending the call, Shreya invited them to the ritual on Tuesday. "Neenga rendu perum kandipa varanum," she said firmly.

"Seri di," Nisha replied.

Later that night, Ajay was sitting on the couch, gently cooing to his nephew, who was bundled in a soft blanket. He made silly faces and noises, earning tiny gurgles and half-smiles from the baby.

Malini and Shreya watched from across the room, their hearts swelling with affection.

"Ennada over konjals ah irukku" Malini said softly.

Ajay looked up, his eyes meeting Shreya's. "En champ ah naan konjuren unaku enna?," he replied, a warm smile on his face. "nee aproma konju, ipo nee avana enkita koodu, neenga poi nerathoda padunga" Malini took her son and walked to her room.

As the night wound down, Ajay and Shreya shared a quiet moment before heading to bed. He placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. "Good night, Mrs. Ajay," he teased.

"Good night, Mr. Shreya," she shot back, grinning.

With hearts full of love and gratitude, the family drifted into peaceful slumber, cherishing the bonds that tied them together.

' தினம் நீ தூங்கும் வரைதான் என் வாழ்கையே விடிஞ்சு உன் பேச்சொலி கேட்டாதான் எடுப்பேன் மூச்சையே '

To be continued...

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Stay Tuned!                                                                                                                                                                                  ~ Abi