வாயா என் வீரா
கண்ணுகுழி குழி காஞ்சி கெடக்குது
வாயா நீ வாயா
மயில் தோகை மேலே
மலையை போலேவே…ஏ…….

Kathir strode towards her with unwavering steady steps, he knew his misspelt words might have hurted her beyond means, but he had the trust that he could make her understand what his underlying concern was.

She felt the slight noise his feet were making with the dew filled drops, how the hell could he utter such a word to her, how could he regret the moment they shared each other.

Mulla....

She neither turned nor acknowledged his call out, she was going to keep mum, she was hurt beyong means.

Loosa di nee....

She stared at him, as if her mere stare could bore holes into him, first after uttering such a word about their intimacy he had the guts to stand before her, and to top it off, call her a crackhead.

The audacity of this man.

She had to applaud.

Antha mutta kanna vachu moracha enna naan bayandruvena...

She continued boring holes through him, but not paying any heed to her anger, she saw him walk behind her and pull her towards him from back.

Namba rendu perum, sendha andha nodi aa naan apdi soluvena...idha than nee enna pathi nenachu vechirikya...

Though she knew him better that that, the mere words did trigger and tug her heart painfully.

Loosu dan mulla nee...

Naan sorry sonna vishayame vera...

Illa nee poi solra kathir...nee namba...

Potruven paathuko...

Mulla, purinjiko babe....I did not mean the words that way...

Naan sorry sonadhu vandhu...

Andha moment control ezhandu..

Please kathir...ipdi thirupi thirpi sorry soli koladha...

Babe, can you stop this for heavens sake.

Seri sorry..

Aana naan sathyama protection illama irundaduku dan sorry sonen...

I was just worried...

Nee pregnant ayita na...

Ayiten naa...

Naan suppose ipo conceive aa iruken naa nee enna pathuka matiya kathir...

Illa indha baby vendam nu soluviya...

Hey, muttal aatam pesadha...

How can I even utter such a word...That would be our baby nevertheless....

Aana, nama veetla solumbodu unna or nama kadhal aa yaarachum thappa nenacha I would never be able to forgive me...

That was the only reason...

Illama, naan enn di ungala pathukama iruka poren..

Hmmm....

Adha sola varardhukula, naan pathi varthaya mennu mulungi, nee thappa nenachu...hapappa....

SORRY....

She pouted holding her ears....

Aana kathir, you don't have to worry...Today is my 3rd day and pecked on his lips and winked at him.

Kathir let out the gush of worry he was holding up within him...

Pain iruka di...

Nope first time enaku pain eh illa theriyuma....

Paara... Seri vaa ulla polam...

And guided her inside, Kathir saw that she was filled with some deep thoughts, the reasons for which are unknown.

Enna azhnda sindhanai..

Onnum illaye...

Poi solladha...

Illa onnum illa.....

Adhan vaai vara vandiche solu....

Illa naan kekuren nu thappa nenaikadha....kanna...

Kanna...

Kanna discharge ayitu inga varuvan la...

Aama adhuku enna ipo...

Illa kanna vandha naan..

Nee....

Naan guest room shift panidata...

Edhu? Guest room shift panriya edhuku....

Puriyama pesadha kathir...

Enaku sathyama purila nee enna solra nu..

Illa he is ur brother...

Adhu unaku ipo dhan theriyudha enna...

Velladadha da...

Seri sollu...enna nu apo...why do u wanna change room when kanna comes, avanuku dan nee enaku yaaru nu theriyume...aprom enna...

He knows we are in love and are together...

But nama rendum perum ore room la...

Nama rendu perum ore room la stay panrom nu solla unaku kevalama iruka enna...

Olaradha kathir...

He is younger brother and he adores you..avanuku nama ipdi live in.

Illa namale abhi n kanna ku oru bad example...

Shu...nee un investigative brain aa inime indha veetuku vararthuku munnadiye remove pani vechitu vara...

Purinjidha...

Adores aam...live in am...Bad example aam...

See babe, I believe in the constitution of love more than marriage, so nee veena edhum yosichu kolapikadha...

N am not gonna hear any such craps anymore...

Vaa, vandhu padu...

Its late...n naan nala nimadhiya thoongi 2 weeks avudu...

I want some nice sleep in ur warmth, and he took her inside.

They settled that day for a nice warm sleep. The tiredness from her menstrual cycle put her into sleep way before kathir. Hugging her close to him, he found another reason to make himself sure about their proposal.

Though he convinced her, he was sure, she wouldn't be completely convinced and would be having her share of bad or ill feelings for being in a live in relationship before kanna.

Should he propose on her birthday or should he prepone it?

He was in dilemma.

The moment she utters an yes, which he knows would be anytime he propose her, he would walk upto his parents.

He was sure, so better quick than late, he decided.

Days went on pretty quick pace, kanna was getting discharged today, and Mullai was all busy in making the house presentable to welcome the brother in law or her bestie.

Abhi had just called and confirmed that she would be coming today, to come and visit them owing to the Independence Day and its off.

When she heard the jeep pull into the car shed, she ran to keep the arathi ready and walked to the doorway.

Kanna and kathir were surprised to see Mullai standing with a plate of arathi.

Kan: hey mulla, naan onnum kalayanam panitu varala arathi eduka...enna annae idhu...

Kat: naan ennatha kanden...

Enna babe idhellam...

Mullai stared at him angrily, for calling her babe before kanna...

Kan: paara...babe aam laa....

Nee nadathu ne...

Nadathu...

Seri nagaru mullla, naan ulla poren, neenga romance continue panunga...

Mul: kanna, she admonished him...

Nillu da....hospital lendu vandha suthi podanum...

Asayama nilluu...

Kan: enna mooda nambika idhu...

Mul: enaku nambika iruku...so nillu...

And she took arathi of him...

Kat: hey nillu, apo ennaku en nee edukala...

Mul: nee nala dane iruka kathir...

Kat: naan hospital lednu vanda podu nee edukalaye...

Ohooo...kozhundanuku matum special aa edukuriyo...

Kanna and Mullai were surprised with his way of addressal...

Kan: annae, nee edhuku adi podara theriyudu....inime correct aa Mullai anni ne kooptukaren ne...

Mullai anni, arathi edunga ulla varanum la...

Mul: kanna enna anni nu lan koopda venam...mulla ne koopdu...

Kan: andha kanaku lan inga selupadi aavadhu...neenga inime enaku mulla anni dhan...

Ambutu dan...arathi edunga anni...

Though she was surprised with his way of calling, partly she liked the way he called, the sense of belonging she liked it...

Kanna came inside and admired the interiors of the house...

Kan: en room edhu...

Mullai stood with bowed and nervous reaction

Kan: ada ivalo periya veetla oru guest room kooda va illa....hall la dhana en stay...

Mullai was surprised he asked only about guest room, she knew both and Kanna and kathir had been sharing room right from childhood.

That was one reason she was willing to stay in Guest room from today, but seeing Kanna ask about guest room directly, she kinda realized her worries were unnecessary.

Kan: enn anna, mulla...mulla anni pendha pendha muzhikringa...

Kathir smiled at his way of correcting his way of addressee.

Kat: though adhan da guest room, he pointed in a direction...

Kanna and kathir walked towards the room, he loved the room and the view it offered..

Kan: happada....almost 1.5 years ku aprom thani room la nikaren...

BSF join panadhu lende camping dane...

Ipo dhan nimadhiya iruku...

Indha view um semma..

Nama oorlayo Chennai layo ipdi lan room aa therandha ivalo nala scenery illa le ne...

Kathir nodded his head...

Ada inga irundu backyard access um iruka..

Kat: illada guest room la illa, enga room la irundu backyard ku oru door iruku...

Kan: ohooo unga room...

He smiled...

Kan: sandoshama iruku annan unna ipdi paka...

Aana veetla epo sola pora...

Kat: solanum da koodiya seekarame....

Modhala ava okey solanum...

Kan: edhu okey solanuma...enna olarara...

Kat: hey avala propose panlam nu iruken da...

Kan: ada paavi anna, nee innum propose eh panama dan kudumbam nadathitu irukiya....

Naan nee pona masame andha ring vanginadhum panirupa la nenachen...

Kat: unaku epdi da theriyum...

Kan: en theriyama unna athana mura imsa pana varapo idhelam note panamaya irupen...

Nee adikadi andha velvet box aa eduthu mei marandhu sirikaradhu lan kannuku theriyama irukuma...

Illa andha size velvet box kulla enna iruku nu kooda puriyatha muttal aatam theriyurena naan...

Kat: appa periya manushane...manichidunga...

Propose pananum da...

Koodiya seekrame....

Ava birthday ku panlam nu iruka...

Kan: adhuku innum 3 maasam iruke...

Kat: adhan ore confusion aa iruku...

Kan: hmmm...seri unaku edachum help venum naa solu...

Kat: hellooo sir....adaki vasinga....

Kanna shrugged at him, and noth the brothers walked out happily....

Kat: dei kanna idhan enga room vaa ...

The moment he stepped into the room, he knew even without telling whose room this was. The undoubted feminine touch was too hard not to notice, a clear indication the room belonged to Mullai as much as her brother. And with these thoughts, he stepped out of their room.

Kan: room aa paathale theriyudu oru classic Mullai touch. Ava Chennai veedu bangalore hostel room lan epdi irundidho apdiye iruku...

Mullai bit her tongue, in minute embararssement, while Kathir chortled.

Kathir in low voice to Mullai: Nee dhan veena bad example adhu idhu nu sonna....

He couldn't stop himself from dreaming such a life with his better half, Abhi. Wish he would be given a couple of extra days so he could go and meet her up.

Hers was one face other than her mothers, that seemed to pop up the moment he was wounded with a bullet.

He knew his brother was his chief and that was one reason why he was being dilemmatic about seeking a permission. What if someone points out his brother was doing him favor, or even worse, his brother denies him.

He really hoped he could atleast bring her here for weekend, would his brother think he was taking due advantage of him. A squeal and tight hug brought him into the present proving all his worries were mere nothings.

Kan: Abhiiiii.....

There was astonishment, for sure.

Kan: hey inga enna panra...

Abh: independence day ki chutti thi na isliye...Aur tum aise bullet... (Independence day's off and u are with bullet)

Her eyes teared up..

Kan: am fine....tum zyada math socho...(You don't overthink)

Mul: mohatharma, do you believe at least now that kanna is all right...

Abhi nodded her head...

Mul: dei ore alapara da, unaku onnum illa nu evalavo solren...umhmmm....nambikaye illa ivaluku...

She joked.

Phone la lan Thembi Thembi azhudu, ennaku ivaluku phone panave bayama irundichu...

Adhan nee discharge aranadhum, ingatha oru guard aa anupi pick panitu vara sonen...

Abhi was kind of embarrassed, and hid a bit in kanna's shoulder.

Voice: hello, adha pathi yaaru pesuradhu nu venama....

Madhan piped in, he had just entered right now and was invited with the teasing words of Mullai over abhi, and he couldn't stop himself from chipping in...Mullai shook her head in no....

Abh/ Kan: hi madhan bhai, kaise ho...(Hi madhan bro, how r u)/ madhan, epdi iruka machi...

Madhan nodded his head in bright yes, indicating he was in good state of mind.

Kan: enna solitu irunda machi..

Mad: adhuva, ellam nama Mullai puranam dan..

Ipo vaai kizhiya kalaikara madam, kathir ku bullet patidichu nu sonadhum...

Mul: dei madhan, gammunu iru please....

Madhan teased her,

Abhi: acha ji, and u r teasing me..

Mullai hid behind kathir and blushed in shy, he embraced her openly, with a tiny giggle. Merry was the one word that could describe the atmosphere of the house.

Day passed in a good way, teasing each other, reminiscing al the good moments and memories they had to share with each other.

Dusk settled up, bringing the sheath of dark to cover their abode of heaven, and Madhan took his leave after dinner. The four giggled up and were enjoying a movie with their better half by their side, leaning on the two-seater sofa.

Somewhere through the movie, Kanna felt a weight on his shoulder, she had dozed off almost curled up within his embrace and he embraced her tight, a soulful smile settling on his face.

Kathir and Mullai, shared a knowing smile, the triumph when their love rests on you unknowingly, or the peace that settles by merely listening to the beats of the heart, was not alien to either of them.

Kan: annan, naan ivala room la vitutu varen...

Kat: seri namalum thoongalam...lets watch the rest of the series tomorrow.

All of them accepted it, but Mullai was kind of dreading this moment. Will Kanna mistake them, or abhi if they stay together. But, Kanna was cool about it, he happily lifted Abhi and took her to the guest room. Kathir gave his hand to go to their room...

Before locking the guest room,

Kan: good night annae, good night Mullai anni...

Mullai was kinda gaping at him,

Kat: nee en pei aranja madiri iruka...

Mul: avan epdi ipdi irukan..

Kat: epdi...

Mul: illa as if seeing u n me going to bed together is a daily routine.

Kat: loosatam pesama vaa babe...

And they settled in for sleep. Days did roll by with their ever-happy moments and their busy period. The work was keeping them busy on their toes.

Kanna was away for almost half the days, though he was the brother of the captain, Kathir had made sure no such privilege was provided to him. The days all three were there were fun for all of them, with Kanna's jokes, kathir's tiny dance beats and Mullai's songs.

The Independence Day coverage had rendered to be a huge milestone for Mullai and Madhan. Their coverage was highly appreciated. Though Kanna was also pissed, once he knew of Mullai's unnecessary work, he for sure was proud of her.

When her channel had given her an option, to move back from Kashmir, she had outrighted refused it and wanted to continue her work here, there was already the smoke about her being romantically involved with one of the officer, and she did affirm that was her personal life and she knew to keep her professional life apart from it, but did give a hint on staying in Kashmir was her preference.

The months rolled off in a fast fashion, and her birthday was fast nearing. Right from the day Nov 1 started rolling, she was sitting counting the numbers left for her birthday. She was really confused how does drama and movie show people forgetting their own birthday, like really.

Infact. Kathir forgetting his own birthday was only understandable to her owing to the type of work he does, else she would have for sure judged something terribly wrong with him.

She can never do that, she was always aware of her birthday month and the number of days left for her birthday, So, tomorrow was her birthday, and she had a very hard time keeping her tongue under control.

She couldn't keep herself from thinking how nice her birthdays were even couple of years earlier, but after Vetri's marriage and her parent's reaction to his wedding, everything changed. Nothing was like before.

She hardly visited them, acted as if she was in far away country, had she wanted she could have gone for a couple of days in the past so many months after coming to Kashmir.

But no, she kept them at a distance.

Was she a bad daughter? She didn't know.

Maybe she was a better sister.

The clock ticked twelve, and she was lying wide awake thinking when would kathir wish her. But no he was busy in his beauty sleep, all naked and cuddled up with her.

Did he really forget her birthday or was he just fast asleep after their love making?

A couple of tear drops went down the path from her eyes, and her throat kind of clogged and hurtled running thousand miles a minute, all because this man next to her did not wish her.

Right at that moment, she felt a peck on her side frame and a tight hug pulling her more into him. Wiping her baseless tears, she snuggled more into him and slept.

Kanna and Abhi did wish her right in the morning...

Kan: aprom anni...unga birthday ku anna enna gift panichu...

Were her words when they sat on their dining waiting for Kathir to complete his call.

Mul: manangati...unga anna enaku oru birthday wish kooda panala...

Kan: ennadhu....

Mul: mavane nee matum nyabaga paduthu unna tholachiduven..

Kan: aathi....right inime finger on my lips dan nalaiku kalaila veraikum poduma...

Mullai: hmmhmmm.

Kathir for sure found a grumpy Mullai in the dining, she did stare at him angrily.

Kat: enna da kanna, unga anni sema kadupula irukura madiri theriyudu...

Kan: en annae, en kita kekura...angaye kelen....

Mul: onnum venam...kanna innaiku enna nee drop panu da....

Kan: why why why?

Kat: yenam....

Mul: Idhu enna da vamba pochu...You seem busy vera edhum illa...morning lendu calls after calls...adhan...

Kat: that's true as well, seri let kanna drop you up today...

Mullai huffed up in another bubbling anger, though she tried to control it. She was repeatedly telling herself how he had forgotten his own birthday with work.

She had made up her mind to put a heavy fight with him tonight, once the clock strikes 12. The mean and cruel her from inside popped up and sat on her shoulder, wearing the black dress, while the sweet angelic side of her sat on the other shoulder, safeguarding Kathir.

Her birthday went about as any usual casual day would pass away, other than the fact that she did pick up both her parents calls and did talk to them for over a minute.

She did cut the call seeing the direction the call was going, and with a sulken face she did answer each and every WhatsApp text.

But the three wishes she wanted was missing...

From her brother, bestie and her man.

She didn't have the mood to call her man either, to pick her back.

Mad: hey enna mulla, innum inga ukandiruka....veetuku pola...kathir vara late aguma...

Mul: enna drop panriya...

Mad: okkey...but enna aachu why r u gloomy on ur birthday...Inga elarukum treat thandapodhum seri, cake cut pana podhum seri, nee seri aa ve illa..

Mul: onnum illa...enna veetuku kootitu po...

Mad: kathir?

Mul: unnala mudiyumuna solu madhan....

Mad: rightuuu...seri kadupagadha...Vaa naane unna drop panren...

Mullai hopped onto madhan's bike and rode towards their house, being winter, the night and darkness had set in far earlier today.

Mad: Ipolan seekram iritirudhu la..

Mullai kept mum, and their bike entered into their compound.

Mad: seri apo bye Mullai, nalaiku pakalam...

Mullai simply nodded her head...

Sulking within herself, she walked through the doorway into the passage, when she felt a tight embrace, for sure kathir.

Mu: pschhhh, enna kathir.

Kat: hey katti pudicha en kadi agura...aasaya dhane vanden...

Mu: onnum illa...

Kat: en mood off la iruka...

Mul: apdi lan onnum illa...just work pressure...

Kat: seri apdi na...lets do something...nee innaiku dinner panadha...

Lets go out to ur favorite food corner.

Mul: illa kathir mood illa...

Kat: please babe...veliya poitu vandha nala irukum...

Please....

He pouted with baby face, not wanting to disappoint him, despite being disappointed she went ahead to get ready..

Mullai got ready in a brand new netted saree, his favorite attire, at the least seeing her in a new dress might trigger his memory that it was her birthday.

Kathir stood mesmerized seeing her, an angel in disguise.

Kathir pecked her forehead...

Kat: avalo azhaga iruka babe...

He took her lips in for a smacking smooch and stood keeping his forehead against hers.

Kat: polama...

Mul; hmmm...

Kat: sure aa work pressure matum dane...

Mul: hmmm...

The breeze and the cold for sure lifted her mood, it was afterall her birthday, and he was in such a responsible position, least she could do was not burden him with guilt of forgetting her birthday.

Mul: kathirrr...

Kat; hmm sollu babe...

Mul: today is my birthday...

Kat: fuck, he jerked and stopped the car.

How the fuck did I forget it...

Naan infact un birthday ku nariya plan pani vechirunden...

Kanna aachum solirukalam la...

Mul: naan dhan venam nu sonen...

Kat: adhan morning lendu sidu sidu nu irundiya babe...am so sorry...seriyana muttal naan...

You had done so much for my birthday...

Aana naan...

Mul: hey kathir, please guilty aa feel panadha...I can understand...

Kat: sorry...

Mul: its okey....and hugged onto his arms. Kathir pecked onto her forehead and drove..

Mul; idhu endha hotel porom..

Kat: Oru pudhu drive through hotel innaiku dan opening...adhan lets try there...

Mullai nodded.

They finally drove into the woods and reached the place..

Mul: romba serene aa iruku kathir....inga jeep la ukarardha vida..lets go out la...

Kat: hmmm...vaa...

And he held her hand and walked her into the building where there were lights, when she heard the pop, burst and the sudden light.

The whole place was lighted beautifully, almost everyone she knew in Kashmir were there, Abhi and Kanna, were standing in one corner, Prabha sir, Singh sir, Madhan..literally everyone...

A cake was brought forward by Abhi and Poorni were seen walking towards her with a lighted cake.

"Happy birthday to you..." was playing...

She turned and looked at Kathir, he was standing with naughty glint..

Kat: apdi lan un birthday aa marandruvena enna...he chuckled...

Cut the cake...

Mullai cut the cake, and fed the first piece to Kathir, and later to abhi and Kanna.

Prab: happy birthday ma...nala iru...

Mul: thanks uncle...

Mad: enna mulla, un aalu bday surprise epdi...

Mul: neeyum iduku udandha la...

Mad: haha...

Mul: kanna neeyum...

Kan: what to do anni....u see avaru enaku anna matum illaye...captain um kooda..sonna keka dane mudiyum...

They all gifted her with presents,

Poorn: enna ipdi bore aa cake cut panitu pesitu irukinga...lets have a dance...

And she changed the tune on the speaker...

A sooper romantic dance number played on the speaker...

Poorni pushed, Kathir and Mullai onto the dance floor...Soon, the rest joined the floor..

ராப்பகலா அழுதாச்சு
கண்ணு ரெண்டும் வாடிபோச்சு
நாப்பது நாள் விடிஞ்சாச்சு
துரும்பென எழசாச்சு

He swayed along with her on the dance floor, enjoying the tune and the vibe the music was seetling on to their body..

ஆசை நோய் ஆராதையா
மசங்கு விழி கசங்குதையா
கை பிடிக்க நீயும்

Twisting and twirling her, holding her close, releasing her and pulling her back into his arms, he enjoyed the song to the fullest.

வாயா என் வீரா
கன்னக்குழி குழி காஞ்சி கெடக்குது
வாயா என் வீரா
நெஞ்சு வலி வலி கொஞ்சம்
மறைஞ்சி போகட்டும்
வாயா என் வீரா
கண்ணுகுழி குழி காஞ்சி கெடக்குது
வாயா நீ வாயா
மயில் தோகை மேலே
மலையை போலேவே…ஏ…

Once the final charan of the song settled, she saw Kathir kneeling before her with a a ring.

Kathir had finally let toss decide his fate and date of proposal, and just like his first wish, it was her birthday, her silver jubilee birthday and he ought to celebrate it.

He had planned everything meticulously, if all of them were to not wish her she for sure would have a hint of doubt and so he had planned each and every minute thing.

The only thing he didn't expect for sure was herself accepting it was her birthday, and so he had to put in another act...

Now, here he was all ready to open up his heart to her in front of the whole crowd.

Kat: mulla, I know am not the perfect man nor the best one either, aana I wanna always try to be the perfect man for you.

You started as my friend, aprom lover, oru separation and again here we are.

I want to make you my wife, will you give me the honor by accepting me as ur husband?

TBC...