Madurai

Tamil

I am in my deep sleep with a wonderful dream before I groaned as my grandmother shook me in my
sleep and rant as usual.

“ kadavule.. Pombala pullaiya Olunga padukarala paru.. pavadai mela eri iruku… maarapu othingu iruku athu kuda theriyama urangitu kidaka.. intha di Tamizhu ipa enthikiya illaya di ? “

( Oh god, why doesn't she behave like a girl. She is asleep without carrying about her inappropriate dresss.. Tamizh.. are you up to wake or not ? )

“ Yen appatha kalangathala kathitu iruka.. ipa enna Inga 10 ambalaingala irukanga.. Nee thena iruka… therinja pathutu po.. ipa enna thoonga vidu “

( Why are you yelling at me early in the morning Granny.. is there any men to watch me.. it's just you.. so please let me sleep )

“ unaku romba than di vaai neeluthu.. iru pesara vaai melaya soodu poduthan.. “

( You have become so talkative.. wait I will punish that lips of yours with a heat burn )

Hearing that word I wake up jerking and I start to sweat profusely. I glared at my grandmother who by the time had realized her mistake. She quickly came to me and tried to wipe my tears that were hidden in my sweat.

But I pushed her hands away before I got up from the floor where I was laying and corrected my dress. I fold the traditional mat that I was laying and replace it in the corner between the wall and the small wire cot that my grandmother uses. I place the pillow and the folded almost torn blanket on her cot.

I tie my knee length long hair into a bun and glare at my grandmother who stands there like a kid seeking forgiveness to its mother. I am not going to let her go this time. Knowing how uncomfortable I am with what she said, she repeated it for the 47th time. I had forgiven her all the time but today I am not going to do it again. However might the day go I would love to start the day with a peaceful mind. This had always helped me to cope up with whatever was coming in my way for the day. And now the morning peace has flown away with her single word. And I had just got the teaser of the day that's gonna follow.

Ignoring my grandmother who tried to speak to me I grab a towel and my dress and walk out of my small house. I pushed open the door that was weaved out of dried coconut leaves. The bathroom was also made of the same dried coconut leaves with a roof that was almost worned out. I put my clothes on the door before I undress myself into my skirt that is raised to my chest and tied there. Yes even though it is a covered space it was not completely covered with the hole in the almost worned out coconut leaves walls. There won't be anyone around the house this time but still I feel safe bathing this way.

My grandmother had already filled warm water in an aluminium bucket for me. I sit on the small wooden stool opposite to it and start washing my hair. Usually my grandmother would do it for me as it was difficult for me to wash my long hair. Today I did not want to ask and struggled to do it. Somehow managing to wash off the traditional hair powder from my hair, I tie it with a towel before I take a bath. I don't look down at my body and just apply the powder mix by letting my hands inside the skirt. The one more reason for me to bath with a skirt is that it helps me to not look at my body.

Shaking away my thoughts I quickly bath and pat dry myself. I put on my blouse and when I grab my skirt it comes to my hands with a huge tear in the front part. I huff at the way my day has once again been spoiled. With no other option I wear it and cover myself with the half saree as I walk to my house.

My house is a small house with a large single room with a clay tile roof. I walk into it and stand in front of the slab where we had our dress and grab the last skirt I had. I put it through my head and remove the old one.

“ Enna Tamil.. intha pavadai uh kilinju pocha enna ? “

( Is this skirt also torn tamil ? )

I glared at her before I threw the torn skirt on the wired cot that was opposite to the slap.

“ Ipa ethuku di suma morachuta iruka “

( Why are you glaring at me ? )

“ Yen unaku theriyatha.. “

( Don’t you know ? )

“ Seri di nan theriyama solitan manichuru.. ini sathiyama Sola matan.. “

( Ok fine.. I have said it by mistake and I promise to no repeat it )

“ Ini nee sonna enna solala enna.. Atha inaiku epadi iruka poguthu ipava therinjurucha.. “ i speak as pleated my half saree and draped it.

( What is the purpose of realizing now… I had already guessed how bad is my day going to be )

“ Thuni kilinjathuku naal ku enna di samantham ? “

( What's the connection between a torn skirt and a bad day ? )

“ Inaiku Vandhana akka uh avunga amma, appa uh  urula irunthu varanga “ i said with a blank expression on her face.

( Vandhana sister and her parents are coming back today )

No one else could have guessed what ran through my mind. But my grandmother knew what i hid behind this blank face of mine.

“ Inaika varalunga ? “

( Are they coming today )

“ Ama “ I said as I turn away and wipe my hair.   ( Yes )

My grandmother sigh before she moved to the murugan photo that hung on the wall.

" Muruga.. En pullai intha pathu naal ah tha nimathiya irunthuchu.. inaiku avulunga varalunga.. ini nee tha pathukanum.. “

(My god..  My child was in peace for a few days.. as the ladies are arriving today you are responsible for my child )

“ Nee enna sonalu.. ethuvum nadaka porathu illa Appatha.. en swamy ku theriyum enaku enna eppa pananum.. athu varaiku Avuru kudukara sothanai ela nan thangitha aganum.. “ i look at my grandmother through the mirror as I plaited my hair.

( Granny, whatever you request to the god , nothing is gonna happen. He knows to when and where to give me what I need.. so I will bear all the struggles he gives me )

“ Ennavo po tha.. epadi vazh vendiya..“

“ Ayoo appatha.. nee thayavu senju kalan kathala arambikatha.. enaku neraya Vela kadukuthu.. nee pesama kanji kachi kudichutu  amaithiya iru… nan poi vela ella mudichutu vanthu sapduthan seriya ? “ i say while grabbing a set of keys from the slab.

“ Yen aatha avalunga tha illaya.. nee porumaiya kanjiya kudichutu polam illa ? She said as she walked to the further end of the room which was the kitchen with a small partition.

“ Thenam solarathu tha aiyamma ipavum solaran.. avunga irukangalo illayo nama veliya nama correct ah patharanum.. nee samaichu vei.. nan vantharan… “ I informed her and walked out of the house.

Standing in front of the huge bungalow that was right adjacent to our small house in the same compound, I took a long breath. The last few days had been easy on me with Vandhana akka and her mother being out of the city. And with them returning today I have to be strong and careful enough to not end myself in trouble.

Bringing up the confidence I opened the door and an automatic smile appeared on my face. I  smile at the photo of a middle aged couple that hung on the living room hall. As the first thing i wiped the photo and cleared the dried garlands from it.

“ Veedu sutham panitu vanthu.. ungaluku velaku podran.. “

( I will clean the house before I lit the lamp for you )

I speak to the photo before I leave to the first floor. I sweep and mop all the rooms on the first floor except the one that is locked. I stand in front of the room and caress the door. I stand there for a minute before I leave downstairs. I clean everything on the ground floor and when I am done with all the work and lit the lamp it is already 9.00 in the morning. If I delay more my Grandmother would make tantrum out of it so I wash my hands and leave the house simply locking it outside.

When I get inside my house i smell kambu kanji and find my Grandmother having her breakfast.

“ Enna Appatha nee ipa tha sapduthiya enna ? “  I ask as walk into the kitchen partition.

( Why are having breakfast this late, Granny )

“ ivalo neram nee varuvan tha atha ukanthu iruntha.. ipa tha pada pada nu varuthu sapda ukantha.. “

( I was waiting for you to join me.. but I started eating as I felt giddy )

“ Yen appatha unaku evalo thadava tha solurathu.. nan vayasu pulla epa saptalum en odambu thangum.. nee apdiya.. enaku kathu irukama nerathula sapda vendiyathu thena ?

( How much time should I advice you, Granny ?, I can manage my hunger as I am an young girl.. what about you.. why can't you eat without waiting for me ? )

“ Enga atha.. thaniya thinna intha kanji kuda eranga matingu atha.. “

( What to say my child, I am not able to have food without your company )

“ imbutu naal apdi thena appatha sapta.. intha pathu naal la unaku palagi pocha enna ? “

( Are you habituated to have food with me just in these 10 day while you have been having food all these days alone ? )

“ Enaku thenam unga kuda ukanthu unganum tha aasai ana antha nasama ponavaluga enga uduthalunga.. avunga thinu arichu mudichu poga va 2 aguthu… athuku apram aachu viduthalungala.. ambutu patharathaiyum otha ala kaluvi potu sutham panitu vanthu nee sapduva mani 4 aguthu.. apavum saptum sapdamalayum.. antha thini pandrangaluku.. noruku theeni seiya avasarama odutha… atha thinu mudichathu… ravai ku enna nu ketu arambicharalunga.. atha mudichu thirumba 10.30 mani vanthu unutha.. oru vayasu pulla ipadi neram keta nerathula thina odambu ennathu aagum.. “

( I would love to have food with you daily, but those morons would only finish eating by 2pm. They force you to clean everything immediately and when you come to eat it's already four in the evening. Even at times you don't eat properly to cook snacks for thoses foodies. And when you finally come for dinner it is late at night. How would a young girl be healthy if you eat at random timings? )

I just smile at my grandmother as I drink my porridge, this is not new for me to hear her rant. This was her usual rant whenever I sat down to have my dinner late at night. But there is nothing to do with it so I just hear her rants in one ear and let it go with the other ear.

“ Nan tha di kedanthu polambitu kedaka.. ethachu kandukaraiya ? “

( I am the only one worried here, are you even thinking about it ? )

“ Ipa pesarathu nala enna appatha mara poguthu.. neram ketta nerathula kudikara kanjiya vaachu enna nimathiya kudika viduthiya illaya ?”

( What's gonna change if you keep speaking ? At Least let me have this untimely meal in piece )

“ Athuvum seri tha… ne kudi.. “

( That's correct.. you have the food )

She says wiping her tears while I finish my breakfast and get up. I put the vessel on a plastic box where all the used vessels are placed. The vessels can't be washed inside so Granny would take it outside and wash it.

“ Appatha.. intha patharatha ella kaluvitu kidakatha.. nan apram vanthu kaluvikaran… “

( Do not do the dishes granny, I will do it later )

“ Ama di anga poiyu maadu mari olachutu vanthu ingayum velai seiyum.. nee ethu seiya Venda..  nee podi nan pathukaran.. “

( You work like cattle in that house and you  wanted to work here too.. You need not do anything here… you go I will take care of it )

I shook my head as I know she would not listen to me.

“ Nan enna solli nee keka pora… enavo pannu.. nan poi Marudhu ku Thani katitu periya veetuku poran.. “

( You are not gonna listen to what is say.. Do Whatever you want.. I will go feed Marudhu and leave to the Bungalow )

“ Marudhu ella nan Thani katikaran.. nee poi velaiya paru.. “ my granny says in a panic state but I don't bother about it.

( I will feed Marudhu.. you go do the work )

“ Illa appatha.. nethu ravai la kuda nan pora kula Avan thoongitan.. ipavum ena pakala na Thani kudika matan.. nana poi pathukaran.. “

( No granny.. he slept off last night before I met him.. if he doesn't not see me now, he would not want.. so I will feed him myself )

“ Illa atha athu… “ I sense the hesitation and panic in her voice.

I glare at her guessing what might have happened. I open my mouth to speak but soon stopped by the voice of girl.

“ Hey intha pulla Tamil uh.. “

( Hey.. Tamil )

“ Enna di enna aachu  ? “ She is Vennila, the only friend of my mine.

( What happened sister ? )

“ Karuppasamy Kovil kita nama Marudhu kovathula thimiritu irukan di.. nee vantha tha adanguvan va di.. “

( Marudhu is angry near the temple.. only you can control him.. come soon… )

“ Intha varan di... I turned to my granny.. unna vanthu pesikidu than iru.. “

( I will come.. and talk to you later )

I warn her before I tuck my pallu and the skirt in hips and run towards the direction of the temple.

I ran as soon as possible knowing how angry could Marudhu get. Marudhu is an original genetic Indian bull who was born to a cow gifted by my grandfather before he passed away. I was the one to grow him up as I started loving as soon as I laid eyes on him. He was just an hour old when I first saw him. He was black in color with a grey back which gave him a terrific look as he started growing up. As much as he is a good and calm one, he can equally become dangerous when he is angry. So I never let anyone near him except Granny and Vennila ‘s brother Udhay. Even vanilla is scared of him that she never gets near him. But this little devil Udhay as usual had taken Marudhu to show off to his friends. And to save him my Granny had not informed me about it, leading to new trouble.

As I reach the karuppasamy temple I search around the ground. I found no one and ran around the temple. I stop running with sigh and pant for breath as I find what I came in search for.

There stands Marudhu under a tree hitting his horn in the trunk of the tree. I tilt my head up to find two small boys on the branch of a tree with fear of life in their eyes. Now I knew what would have happened. Marudhu would never behave like this until he was being mistreated. These boys should have definitely done something that had made Marudhu attack them.

I walk towards Marudhu and call him softly for which he doesn't respond. Knowing I had to be harsh with him I sigh in defeat.

“ Marudhu… I literally yelled at him.. Marudhu ipa nirutha poraiya illaya ? “

( Marudhu… Marudhu, are you going to stop it or not ? )

Marudhu stops hitting on the tree but looks up at the boys.

“ Anga enna da parvai.. Inga va mothala.. “

( Why are you looking at them.. come here first.. )

He shakes his head angrily at the boys.

“ Ipa nee inga varala apram nan un kita pesama matan..”

( If you are not gonna come here I will not speak to you )

He looks at me before looking at boys as if complaining that it was their mistake.

“ Nee varatha nan poran.. “

( Ok you need not come.. I will go )

I said and turned to leave but stopped hearing his bell jingle as he ran to me. I turn and glare at him who stood with his head down letting.

“ Veetuku po… he looks back at the boys and me… veetuku ponu sonan da una.. “

( Go home.. i said go to home )

He shakes head before he starts to walk in the direction of the house. I walk to the boys and look up at them.

“ Keela erangunga da.. “

( Get down from the tree )

“ akka Marudhu “

“ Avan poitan erangunga da.. “

( He is gone now get down )

I glare at them as they climb down the tree and thank me. Right in time Udhay runs into the scene and thanks me.

“ Thanks ka “ he says as if he did nothing.

I get angry and screw his ears while he yells in pain.

“ Akka akka valikuthu ka “

( It's paining sister )

“ Valikatum da.. unaku evalo thadava Solarathu.. un kutalingaluku kamika Marudha otitiu varatha.. “

( Let it pain.. how much time should I warn you not to take Marudhu to meet you friends ? )

“ Illa akka ivunga ketanga nu tha otitu vantha.. “ Udhay speaks as she tried to get out of my hold.

( No sister, i took Marudhu as they wished to see him )

“ ayoo akka nanga kekala ivana tha kutitu vantha.. apavum nanga sona athu seriya thudipana kaalai.. namala ethachu panirum.. and ivaan tha kekala..

( No sister.. we did not ask him to bring.. he himself did it.. we even said Marudhu was a raging bull and he would do something to us.. but he did not listen )

“ Hey Avan suma ella ethuvum pana matan.. mothala neena ena paninga nu solunga da..”

( Marudhu would not do attack anyone by himself.. first say what did you guys do )

“ Illa ka.. nanga ethuvum ah panala.. athuva tha thidinu engala thoratha arambichuthu.. “ one of the other boy says.

( No sister, we did not do anything.. Marudhu suddenly started behaving restless )

“ Poi pesninga pala odichu puduvan da.. en Marudha pathi enaku theriyatha.. Adei Udhaya.. ipa nee unmaiya solaraiya illa ravai ku unga appa vanthathu avuru kita nee panatha solava ? “

( I will break your teeths if you lie… I know about my Marudhu… Udhaya.. if you don't tell me the truth now I will complain about mischievous to your father at night )

“ Ayoo akka… nan ethuvum ah pana la ivunga tha Marudhu ah pudichu va.. Maadu thaluvi palagalam nu sonanunga.. atha pudichantha.. ana ivununga tha Marudha adakaranu soli vaal pudichu eluthunga.. “

( No sister…i did not do anything.. These boys asked me to bring Marudhu to practice bull taming.. so I bought him but these fellows teased Marudhu holding his tail.. “

I glare at the three boys who stand in front of me with a guilty look.

“ Yen da en Marudhu oda kaal osaram illa.. neenga madu thaluvi palaga en Marudhu venum ah ungaluku ? evanachu vaal ah pudichu ilupanada.. athu Marudhu kita… etho unga nala nera thapichinga.. illa kuthi potrupan.. apram antha pali ah nan vanga va ? “

( You silly fellows, you are not even the size of my Marudhu but you wanted my Marudhu to practice Bull taming. Anyone with the right mind would not pull a bull's tail.. it's your good time that you are safe now or else he could have  attacked you and I should be the one to take the responsibility )

“ Manichuru akka theriyama panitom.. “ Udhaya says with guilt.

( Sorry sister.. we did by mistake )

I sigh knowing the curiosity they would have in this age.

“ Ithuva mothalum kadasiyum ah irukanum.. inum oruka Marudhu ah ipadi ethachu thola paninga.. Suma iruka matan pathuka.. yelai Udhay ah mukiyam ah unaku than.. nee matum thirumba ethachu pana ?  apram nanum vida matan pathuka.. “  I warn them.

( This should be the first and last warning.. if you disturb Marudhu once again I will definitely punish you… Udhay it's a severe warning for you.. if you repeat it i would never let you near Marudhu.. watch it )

“ Ini mel panan matan akka “

( I will not repeat it sister )

“ seri kelambu mothala Inga aala illa Inga ella thaniya vilayada kudathu “

( Fine, first leave this place it's deserted you should play her alone ) 

The boys nodded and turned to leave but stopped when I called them again.

“ nama rendavathu theruvula Ayyaswamy anna irukaru illa.. avuru kita soli veikara.. anga
ponga.. avuru madu thaluva soli tharuvaru.. “

( I will inform Ayyaswamy who lives in the second street.. he will teach bull taming )

The boys face bright up before they thank me me.

“ ama akka inaiku yen neenga ipadi dress pani irukinga ? “

( Why are you differently dresss today sister ?)

Only after one of the boy questions be i look down at my dresss and face palm myself.

“ Athu athu.. onu illa.. nan varan.. “

( That's nothing… I am leaving )

I say in a hurry and literally run away from the place before anyone can see me.

*****

Hi, how is the chapter, the first few chapters would be to show the life of Tamil and Sid. Next one would be Sid Pov. I have an urgent aari order and will be busy for the next couple of days. Will try to update in between or will upload later

Do vote and share if you like and comment your suggestions.