The family cheered aloud expressing their contentment and unknowingly kathir and mullai looked at eachother with a small smile that spread widely and bloomed into a huge grin of love and fondness respectively...

P : mullaa... intha thaniya paathi yeduthu vechudu... appuram arisiya podalam... kathir... nee mudhala podu... appuram mullaa podatum...

K : what... are you guys kidding... ini than arisi podanuma... appo pongal inum ready agalaiya... athan pongal pongiyaache... then what...

Everyone laughed at his irritated and complaining voice enjoying the tantrums he was throwing right from the start for petty things...

M (laughing) : athai... unga paiyanuku cookingla ABCD kuda theriyatha... arisiye podama yepadi pongal ready aagum... yena arivu da saami...

L : nee vera de... enaku ninaivu therinju ivan kitchenkula kuda vanthathe illaa... nera nerathuku yellam dining tableku varanum... yen kudika thanni kuda kaila kondu poi kudukanum... atha kuda vanthu yeduka mattan... athukula nee pongalku poita...

M (amusingly) : ithu veraya...

Pre : akka... intha detail yellam theriyaama yemaanthu poi love panitamenu thane feel panre...

M (side glance at K)  : aama aama... bayangara feeling than de... correct ah kandupidichutiye...

Pre : vidu kaa... athelam maama unakaga maariduvaaru... yena maama... akkakaga maariduvenga than eh...

K (wink at M)  : maarita pochu... en honey ku illathatha...

Relative 1 :  intha kaalathu pasanga yepadi than pondatti vanthathum switch pota madhiri maararangalo theriyala... paathiya lakshmi.... ini un paadu thindaatam than...

L : akka... kathir maarina mudhala santhoshapadarathu naana than irupen...
ipadi stove ah kuda pathavekka theriyaama irukaatha da kashtapaduva nu karadiya kathiruken... kekkave mattaan...

athunala yenna nalla samaika therinja ponna kalyaanam panikaren problem solvednu soluvaan... ivan kita yaaru pesaanu vituduven... ippo paatha avan sonathu than nadanthuruku... mullai arumaiya samaipaalame...

Pre : athai... athai... stop... ungaluku vevarame illaa... maama mullai akkava manasula vechu than solirukaaru... ungaluku than puriyala... yena maama sari than eh...

The family who knew the truth had a amused smile while all others were laughing at it...
Kathir and mullai looked at eachother hearing to preethi's thoughts which webbed more beautiful imaginary scenes for their duped love story...
Kathir had a small smile with a glint of pain thinking how good it would have been if all those lies were true which was captured so well by mullai...

Though he was so rigid in emotions, She really liked how his eyes showed the raw emotion of his heart for flicker of a second and changed normal the very next second...
It really helped her understand him but she was more confused about her ownself...
She saw him in pain and to be frank it made her happy first but immediately she felt bad for him...
So whats her take about him...
She really didnt know...

As both were indulged in their own self, preethi pulled them again to present...

Pre : aama akka... nee maamaku samachu kuduthurukiya... first yena samachu kudutha... maama favorite yena... nee samaikarathula maamaku yena pidikum... kandipa intha one yearla senju kuduthurupa than eh...

Kathir and mullai shared a look remembering kathir's answer for her question about his favorite dish when they met first...

Pre : hello look vitutu iruntha yepadi... sollu ka...

M : athu... naan... athu... panathu illaa... athu... hostella...

Pre : adada nee hostel la than eh iruntha... cook paniruka mudiyaathu than... loose madhiri ketuten ka...

With preethi's facepalm, kathir laughed out loud...

K : wow preethi... what a understanding... instead of calling my parents, mama or even mullai i should have called you for help... nee oruthi pothum ma... enga love story ah super ah vazha vechurupa... miss panitene...

Pre  : puriyalaa mamaa... yena solrenga...

K : yellarukum yethum puriyaama iruka varai than enaku nallathu ma... vidu vidu...

Seeing mullai suppressing her grin and kathir laughing out, preethi was more confused and tried to probe more...
But...

M : chhh... preethi chumma iru... kathir... arisi potachula... ponga antha pakkam... velai pana vidunga... chumma pesikite irukenga...

K : no honey... i have decided to help you... namma pongal panalam vaa...

M (laughing) : what... ungaluku pongalku arisi podanuma venamane theriyala... ithula neenga enaku help panrengala... comedy panama ponga...

K : hey give it a rest honey... now you just give me instructions i will do... fine...

M : onum venaam... paarunga gents yellarum poi ukanthutaanga... neengalum ponga...

K : chhh... anga poi ukanthalum unna than sight adichutu iruka poren.... thoorama irunthu panratha pakathula irunthu panitu porene... apadiye unaku help panra madhiri scene potutu...

M (irritated) : ufff... thirumba arambichutengala...

K : when did i stop honey...

L : dei kathir... pothum da... oore paakuthu nee vazhiyaratha... konjam antha pakkam than poyen... maanatha vaangathe...

K : yen maanam poganum... maa... she is my wife... i have all rights to be with her... why are you asking me to leave...

P : unnoda urimaiya yaarum illaanu solalaa kathir... athukaga ipadi kudave nikka venaame... inga yellam purushan pondatti apadi irukaa matanga...

K : i think no one loves their wife here... athan ipadi distance maintain panranga... i cant do that...

Seeing all ladies laugh at him and lakshmi and parvathi going speechless, thayammal came for rescue...

T : dei thangam... konjam kootathula moochu mootara madhiri iruku... enna apadi thaniya kutitu poriya...

K : haan sure paati... ok you carry on honey... will be back soon...

With a amused sigh, mullai got back to work with help from fellow cousins...
Elders sat in groups chatting and eyeing the pooja and pongal preparations along with lunch... kathir wheeled paati aside as per her wish alone...

T : yen da thangam... veeduna paravala... ipadi vantha yedamum mullai pinnadiye suthina yepadi... yellarum sirikaranga da...

K : i dont care about others paati... i really couldnt stay away from her... infact i never knew i am so weak till i met her... also...

(Seeing paati smile)

sorry paati... naan yena sonenna...

T : avala vittu unnala thalli iruka mudiyalaanu sonne athan eh...

K (surprised) : paati... yepadi...

T : enaku english than da puriyaathu... mathavanga manasa nalla purinjuka theriyum... athunala than kalyanathuku oru mani neram munnadi vanthu nee sonathum un aasaiku othukiten...

Kathir kneeled down near thayammal's wheelchair caught in emotional whirlpool and kissed her fondly...

K : thank you so much paati... u know... you guys made things easy for me... kandipa neenga support panalaina enga kalyanam ivalo easy ah nadanthurukumanu theriyala... i should thank our family... athavathu periya nandri solanum namma familyku...

T : engaluku nandri yellam venam da thangam... en pethiya santhoshama vechuko... neeyum santhoshama iru... athu pothum...

K : kandipa paati... i will... and we will...

There was a still silence as paati caressed kathir's hair and then...

K : aama inum yevalo neram paati... lunch mudichutu kelambidalama... iam feeling sleepy... thookama varuthu...

T : yethu mathiyameva... athu sari... pongal senju saamiku padaichutu poojai mudichu appuram yellarum sapitu konjam neram kalichu naalu maniku nadai thiranthathum saami kumbitutu than poganum... iniki mullai poranthanaalum aache... athen rendu vishesha poojai soliruken...

Kathir got up in a wink shocked with what he heard...

K : what... iniki mullai birthday ah... really... December 13 ah...

T : oh iniki december pathimoona...

K : paati... velaiyadariya... date eh theriyaama yepadi birthdaynu solre...

T : enaku intha englisu thethi yellam theriyaathu da thangam... karthigai maasam chithirai nakshatrathula oru velli kilamai porantha... mahalakshmiye vantha madhiri... ava poranthathum yevalo athirstam theriyuma... solli maalaathu... neeyum ini paaka than eh pore...

Thayammal's words never hit his ears as he was thinking about mullai's birthday and luckily they took paati for pooja inside...
Kathir escaped the place and went straight to mullai who was chatting with preethi...

K : honey... when is your birthday...

Before mullai threw a alerting look, preethi was shrewd to catch the question...

Pre (shocked) : what... yeppo birthday ah... mama... yena neenga... akka birthday theriyaatha ungaluku...

Kathir understood his mistake and smiled apologetically at mullai thinking of a fitting reply...
But mullai was fast to react with a playful look at kathir...

M : paathiya... yenamo un mama love ah perusa pesina illaa... avaruku en birthday kuda theriyala...

K : hey honey...

Pre : maama... nijama birthday theriyaatha ungaluku... one year ah love panrenga... yepadi theriyaama pogum...

K : athu... one year na exactly one year illaa...

Pre : pesathenga mama... one year oh one month oh.... love panum bothu neenga birthday yeppo nu keturukanum than eh...

K (looking at mullai) : aama... athu... vanthu...

M (interrupting) : apadi kelu de... atleast ivaru birthday naan celebrate panapovachum en birthday pathi keturukanumla...

K : what... en birthday nee celebrate paniya...

M : aama... namma one year deep ah love panapo unga birthday vanthuche... naan kuda chennaila grand ah celebrate panane... athukudava maranthu pochu ungaluku... yena kathir neenga...

Mullai's eyes gleamed in concealed naughtiness and grin making kathir fall more for her antics...
He couldnt control his smile imagining things said and decided to play along...

K : haan... how will i forget it... super ah celebrate paniye...

Pre : paarunga... akka super ah celebrate paniruka... appovavathu neenga keturukanum la...

K : athu... naan kettene...

M : oh ho... naan yena sonen....

K : athu... athu... haan... enna kandupidika sonna...

M : appo kandupidichurukanumla... yen kandupidikala...

Pre : athane... kandupidichurukanum la... aama akka maama birthday yeppo...

M : maama birthday ah... athu... athu...

It was time for mullai for get caught and she smiled sheepishly at kathir who winked at her enjoying the moment...

K : sollu honey... kekara illaa...

M : athu... athu...

PREETHI... PREETHI...

Pre : chhh... intha amma vera chumma chumma kupitutu... maama... ingaye irunga naan poitu vanthu unga panjayatha paakaren...

As preethi left the place, kathir and mullai heaved a sigh smiling...

M : uff... escape... aama unga birthday yeppo...

K : august 1... when is yours...

M : sola mudiyaathu...

K : what...

M : SOLLA MUDIYAATHU...

Mullai crossed her hands determinedly looking at kathir shocking him more...

K : yen sola mudiyaathu...

M : naan yen solanum...

K : hey honey... nee ketathum naan sonenla...

M : neenga loose madhiri sona naanum solanuma yena... mudiyaathu...

K : loose madhiriya... honey... this is atrocious... (ruffling hair)

M : atrocity pathi yellam neenga pesa kudaathu kathir... yellarum sirichuduvaanga...

Though there was a tinge of retribution, Her voice was syrupy sweet pulling him more to her...

K : please honey... sollu...

M : yena kathir neenga... kalyanathuke please podatha aalu neenga... onnu ippo kalyanam illaa after three monthsnu demand pana aalu.... ithukelam kenjalamaa... unga gethu yena agarathu...

K : unkita than eh kenjaren... so im fine with it... please sollu honey...

M : hmmm yethuku en birthday theriyanum... preethi kita maatikitengana...

K : cha cha... avala yellam samalikarathu periya vishayam illaa... i want to know... karthigai month nu paati sonanga... inum 3 days la mudinjudum athan vara pogutha illaa mudinjutha nu theriyanum enaku...

M : therinjukitu...

K : therinjukitu yena panrennu neeye paaru... please sollu honey...

M : mudiyaathe kathir...

K : solaati po... naan poi athai...

M : yeah... yeah... amma appakita kekkalam... but avanga anga kovilkula uchikaala poojaila irukaanga... vara time agum... avanga mobile um car la iruku... kuda yelaarum irukaanga vera... ippo poi kettu neengale unga love story ku blackmark vechukaathenga... intha preethi oru ara vekkaadu... avala samalichudalam... yellarum apadi illaa... you know all eyes and ears are on us...

She has a point...
Kathir took his mobile out and mullai guessed whats next...

M : intha pottal kaatula fb, insta yellam open eh aagathu kathir... net work aagathu... blank page than varum... atho antha puliya maram kita ponengana konjundu tower varum... but atha vechu onum pana mudiyaathu... soooo saaaad...

Though she was listing out all negatives and deviating him , kathir found her extremely adorable with all actions and lip twists along with those dancing jhumkas...
He had to struggle to keep him in control because for each of the words she uttered, he felt like crashing his lips into hers...

K (smiling) : suthala vittu nakkal panre illaa...

M : cha cha... thousand miles thali irunthu, kalyana vishayam therinju, inga vanthu kalyanatha niruthi, unga aasaiya neraivethikita aalu neenga...

unga rangeku neengale kandupidikanum kathir... athum mass ah matter of minutesla ... atha vitutu athai kita kekkaren... attukuttikita kekkarennu solitu irukenga... yena neenga... iam expecting more from you kathir...

With her frolics and twinkles, kathir too grinned and came into the game...

K : nee expect panriya... fine honey appo athai mama kita kekkama just in fee minutes kandupidikaren... but what do i get in return...

M : yena venum kelunga... (urgently)  aana yetha yekkuthappa kekka kudaathu solitten...

K ( chuckling) : i think you mean kisses or hugs... dont worry honey... athelam kekka matten... athelam nee real feel oda kudukanum... appo than naanum enjoy pana mudiyum... neeyum enjoy pana mudiyum...

M : aiye... pothum pothum... appuram vera yena...

K : onnu iruku... athuku nee ok solanum...

M : whats it...

K : atha ippo sona you will kill me... so neram varum bothu kekkaren... dont worry... kandipa thappa yethum illaa... fine...

M : hmmmm... fine...

K : ok honey... i will be back soon...

M mindvoice : mulla apadi yena kekka poraaru... thevai illamaa vaaya vitutiyo... but thappa yethum illaanu than sonare... hmm paakalam de... mudhala kandipidikanum la... yaarukitayum kekkavum mudiyaathu... net um illaa... appuram yena panuvaru... hmmm... kalyanathaiye kedithanama pana aalu... ithelam avaruku chappa matter... paapom... entertainment thane...

Pre : akka maama yenga...

M : oru velaiya poirukaaru de...vanthuduvaaru...

Pre : sari ne sollu... maama birthday yepo...

M : august 1...

Pre : what... august ah... birthday mudinju ithana maasam achu... inuma kandupidikala... yethachum panu ka ivara...

K : hmmm what to do preethi... august monthla irunthu ipo varai november 26 than birthdaynu kandupidikala... so un akka enna yenna pana pora...

Kathir appeared out of thin air answering her question surprising mullai and preethi at the sametime...
They turned to see him standing with folded arms leaning on the nearby tree with eyes on mullai...

Ufff...
Mullai was lost completely...
It was not even five minutes since he left...
She understood this crazy fellow is intractable...
Seeing them glancing eachother with a hidden smile...

Pre : appo birthday therinjutu than rendu perum enkita vilaiyadinengala... athane paathen... yepadi theriyaama pogumnu appove doubt aanen... enaku bulb ah...

sari vidunga... maama... akka unga birthday ah chennaila grand ah kondaadina sari... neenga yena panenga... love paninathuku appuram vantha first birthday vera...

Kathir's face darkened in a wink and a unknown rage took over...
So her birthday was less then twenty days before, the so called time she was expected to be hitched...
Was she engaged to dheena by then...
Did he wish her authoritatively...
Did she celebrate it with him...
Did they expect to celebrate the next birthday as a couple...
Kathir's heart raised hell of questions worsening his mood...
In the very moment, he wanted to mangle the person who had an eye on his lady by then...
He stood still pressing lips together not to let out any negative emotions but orbs scrutinizing mullai for answers...

Off all things running inside his face was as clear as crystal but mullai could read his state and kept quiet for sometime with a sadistical feel allowing him to hurt himself...
Though his clenched teeth and tightened bunch of fives was not noticed by preethi, mullai did...
His measuring looks irritated and enraged her reminding all bitter things of yesterday...
But to her annoyance, She couldnt hold longer see the radiant eyes sparkled with love go into rancour...

Pre : sollunga maama...

M  : athu... appo kathir singapore poirunthaaru... also november 25th afternoon than anga avanga factory la oru fire accident nadanthuchu... appuram aniki night eh paati got sick...

unaku theriyume... two days she was in ICU... so naan mobile kuda yedukala.... yaaru wishum paakaala... infact amma appa kuda wish panala...  apadi oru critical situation...

Mullai looked at kathir meaningfully trying to soothe the sitch for him and he got it right...
Half of his worries seemed to get vaporated and he felt very much better...

Pre : aiyo aama la... maranthe poiten ka... en wish eh nee three days kalichu thane paatha...

M : hmmm athuku appuram...

Pre : aiyo ka pothum... athuku appuram antha ithu pona dheena mama story solathe... pothum....

maama... dont worry... oru birthday pona yena.... inum lifelong yethana birthdays vara poguthu... yellathaiyum onnu vidama special ah celebrate panidunga... sari ah...

K (smiling) : kandipa ma...

Soon then, they were called for pooja and after a good dharshan they settled for lunch...
During lunch...

K : honey... intha varusham birthday celebrate panalaiya...

M : panala...

K : hmmm...

Kathir didn't speak anything more but his eyes showed he was not normal...
Mullai didnt know what she was doing but she wanted to do it...
She cleared her throat and continued...

M : thaniyavum um panala... vera yaarukudavum panala... infact yaaroda wish um aniki paakala...

Though the answer implied there was a wish from dheena but it was not seen, it didnt strike kathir much...
He was happy with the unquestioned answer....

K : honey... i dont know how you understand my thoughts... thanks for this answer... it cleared my mind... but trust me... i dont doubt you... its just a helpless anger...

M : i understand... neenga doubt panrenganu thonichuna intha explanation eh kuduthuruka matten... paniko podanu vitutu poirupen...

K (laughing) : what poda ah...

M : yes... poda than... avalo than mariyathai soliten...

K : athu sari...

They smiled at eachother and continued...

K : anyways thanks for this honey... naan hurt agarennu care pani explain pannathuku...

M : but kathir naan...

K : puriyuthu... this care is not of love... its just your character... atha purinjukara alavuku arivu iruku enaku...

M : athan eh... neenga yaaru... (remembering something) hey kathir... en birthday yepadi kandupidichenga... that too within 5 minutes...

K : athuva.... i called up janaki aunty... marriage inga nadanthathala inga than register pananum... mullai documents yellam chennaila vechutu vanthuta... ava friend courier panita... athu varathukula i have to apply... so age proof documents soft copy anupunganu sonen... avanga file la irunthu yelame anupitanga... atha WhatsApp la irunthu download pana than time achu... mathapadi i would have got it in two minutes... as simple as that...

M (popping eyes) : my goodness... you are impossible...

K : off course... un vishayathula even impossible is possible for me honey... i will make anything possible...

His tenacious voice and looks caught mullai on guard and sent a shril along the spine...
As always he was surprising and super scary too...
They didnt know how long they sat stockstill and came back to present with people around...
Time flew soon then and after having a wonderful day at temple they came home by late evening...

As soon as they entered home, mullai went into thunderbolt mode and realised what he said was true...

"un vishayathula even impossible is possible for me honey... i will make anything possible..."

How true....

Her eyes landed on him dumbfounded just to receive a warm hug and...

TBC...