"The unexpected guest"

Ajay

First ever bike ride with my wife.

I grin when Sreedevi keeps her palm on my shoulder as she hops on to the bike. Rakesh and Sarath leaves followed by Maha and her husband. I looked over my shoulders to see Devi already staring me with a smile.

"Polama?" I asked.

"Mmm" she nodded in all direction with a smile.

I started the bike and rode off following them. The mandapam is situated quite far. It would take atleast 45 minutes to reach there. Devi's one hand is clutching my shoulders while the other one is holding the bike. I felt her gaze on me through the mirror and looked at it. She kept her chin on my shoulder and smiled at me.

I don't know how I am going to ride for forty minutes because I just cant take my eyes off her. Sreedevi has been my favorite recently and I am staring her even when she is asleep on her nightclothes. But this hits different. I have never seen her in such a traditional saree other than on our wedding and on her puberty function.

It was on her puberty function that I realised how a beautiful woman she was. It was since then I started sighting her. I would tell that story some other day for you.

But now, She is not that teenager Devi or the young girl whom I married. She has turned into a wife. A matured bold wife who sets desires for her husband.

Her appearance, her lite make up face, hair filled with flowers, her rose lips and last but not the least, her little hip that is peeking out of her saree are all driving me crazy. If not for Maha, I would have just stood there holding her in my arms without even caring to attend the wedding.

I remove my hand from the accelerator handle and clutch her hand that is on my shoulder and wrapped it around my waist pulling her closer. Her front glued to my back. She hugged me closer and laid her head on my shoulder. All these feelings felt heavenly with her.

Forty five minutes felt like forty five years with her. I wanted to just keep on riding with her behind me and travel to nowhere particular. But unfortunately we have a whole wedding on our plate.

I parked the bike on the parking. Buses have already reached and everyone were heading to the auditorium. Sreedevi got down and adjusted her saree. I got down from the bike carefully so that my dhoti won't come off and embarass myself.

Both of us went inside. My knees were doing better. Sarath gave me a leg massage in the morning. I can walk without actually limping. But my elbows do hurt. And then I found myself running here and there along with my boys.

Sreedevi was with her Maha akka and others. She seems to be comfortable with them. I don't have to worry much then. Jiffies later, the groom arrived with a whole lot of relatives. Krishnan uncle forced me to go to seat as I have hurt my elbows and knees. I went to the ladies who stood by the right of the auditorium. Maha, Devi, and Priya were standing there. Maya, Gopika and others would be with Geetha probably.

Priya had a baby in her hand, and Devi was playing with that baby. I smiled at that sight. I stood beside her but she was busy. Someone scratched my shoulders from behind. I turned to see Maha standing there.

"Anga nikura character ah engayachu paatha maari irukka??" She asked throwing her thumb over shoulder indicating someone behind her.

I looked behind her to see whom she is referring and when my eyes laid on that person, I slightly froze in my place. It was her. What was she doing here? She was talking with some one, with a girl child on her hips and a young man with specs beside her.

My hands shivered and heart thumped seeing her six years later. I glanced to my right where Devi was still playing with that baby. I wonder what would she feel if she meets her.

"Iva inga enna panura?" I asked Maha.

"Kalyana mapila ava husband kooda thaa vela seyraram"

"Ohh.." Nothing else left my mouth. It is not like I am affected with her presence. She is no more in my life. I mean it when I say I have overcome her. But my worries are all about Sreedevi. I am afraid of her reaction.

"Sreedevi ku theriyuma?" Maha asks.

I just nodded. I had a sudden urge to reassure devi but I stopped myself. It would be better if Abirami and Devi never met. I looked up again at her. She was nowhere there. I went towards Devi and touched her shoulder. She turned to me and smiled but she suddenly frowned.

"Ennachu Ajay.." She placed her palm on my one cheek.

I clutched her palm and dragged her from there. She was confused. Some rituals were going on in the mandapam. I dragged her to a room behind the auditorium and closed the door. She was visibly confused.

"Ajay.. Ennach-"

She stopped her words when I hugged her around her waist tightly burying my face on her neck. She slowly brought her hands around me and hugged me back running her hands down my spine thinking it would calm me.

"Ajay.. Ennachu ma?" She held my hair and pulled my head away from her neck.

I just stared her, my mind contemplating on whether to just tell her she is here or not.

"Enna ipdi verthu poyi irukinga?" She wiped my forehead with her saree.

"Devi.." I exhaled tightening my hold around her.

"Hmm?" She nodded at me to continue resting her palms on my shoulder.

"Ava.. Ava inga vanthurka.." I breathed.

"Yaaru?" She frowned.

"Abi.. Abirami" I said waiting for her reaction.

Her eyes widened in surprise. "Apdiya?" She tried to get out of my hold. I pulled her more close and brought my left hand to cup her one cheek.

"Inga paaru Devi.. I swear I have nothing for her"

She held my hand that was on her cheek and smiled "I know Ajay" she whispered. "Unguluku ipovu feeling irukum nu naa sandhega paten thaan.. But that was before we talked.. Ajay we talked about this..remember?" I nodded while she continued "You have assured me and I trust you.. Thirumba thirumba sandhega pada naa onum psycho illa Ajay"

'I trust you', That was all I wanted to hear.

"Nee psycho illa ma.. I know.. I just wanted to reassure.. Avlo than.. Ava inga varuva nu naa ethir pakala ma... Konjund kooda ava unna affect panna koodathu Devi ma.. Konjoond kooda unak uncomfortable ah iruka koodathu... Athunala thaa" I hit my forehead with hers.

"No Ajay.. Kandippa illa.. Infact enak avungala pakanum nu thaa thonuthu.. Yen nu therila.." She kept her palms on my neck, a chill ran down my spine with her action.

"Promise me you wont compare yourself with her" I showed my palm to her.

"Yen avunga enna vida azhaga irupanga la?" She slid her palms from my neck down to my chest and clutched  my shirt.

"Athellam enak theriyathu.. Apo ava en kannuku azhaga therinja.. Ipo athu nenacha enak sirippa irukku.. Ippo en kannuku nee mattum thaa azhaga therira" I played with her hair strand.

"Oho.. Apo future la naanu ungaluk sirippa irukkuma??" She asks a silly question.

"Devi nejamave ava enak venum.. Ava enak aanava nu irunthuchu na.. Un edathula ava irunthurpa.." That sentence makes her uncomfortable "Illa na Naa vena avalaye nenachu thaadi valarthi suthit irukalam... Ana ennoda past nenacha sirippa irukanum nu enak thonuchu... Over come pannum nu enak thonuchu.. Athunala thaa overcome pannen.. Athunala thaa sirippa irukku.. " I told her calmly and she smiled.

"Nee apdi illa devi ma.. Kadaisi varaiku nee thaan.. Unna vitukudukratha enak idea illa... En koodave ipdiye unna vachukanum... Oruvela... Oruvela.. Naa un life la irunth ponum apo thaa nee santhoshama iruppa nu oru naal vanthuchu na.. Annaik mattum unna vitu poga naa yosika maten.."

Her eyes turned glassy "Apdi oru naal varathu Ajay... Varavum naa vidamaten" she threw her hands around my neck and hugged me.

I hugged her back burying my face on her neck.

"Intha rend vaaram iruntha maari ivlo santhoshama naa en vazhkaila irunthathe illa Ajay.... Oruthar kooda iruntha santhoshama iruka mudiyum nu nee thaan enak kaamicha.."

I pulled back and saw her face which had baby tears.

"I am happy to have you Devi" I said with utmost sincerity.

She smiled. I gazed all over her countenance. The wedding was long forgotten. My eyes fell on her rosy lips. I dont know what magnet she had on her lips but I find myself getting pulled by it. Slowly and very slowly. My nose touched hers, our breaths collided. Devi clutched my shirt into her fist and closed her eyes.

An earsplitting sound of a steel glass hitting the floor jerked me out of my trance. I pulled back and looked around to see a glass which was on the edge of the table rolling on the floor. I looked back at Devi who was looking down and blushing. She pushed me away and ran out of the room. I blushed rubbing my nape. I would have stealed her first kiss if not for that goddamn glass. I looked at that glass and sighed.

Son of a bitch!

I walked out of the room suddenly feeling awkward. With the redness on her face, I knew I had her consent but it would have been still wrong. To kiss her as soon. She is 26 years old, I know but apparently Devi never had any boyfriends before. She has no experience and so I don't want to rush.

We have got a lifetime..

I sighed seeing her standing beside my mother on the left side chatting with her. She glanced me in between and immediately averted her gaze back to my mom trying hard to hide her blush. I grinned and rubbed my nape. I went and sat on the other side of my mom and greeted her. Maha asked me where  we went and that made me blush. She hit her forehead and went away.

It was the muhurtham time, the groom tied the knot around Geetha. It remembered me my wedding. I looked at devi, she was already looking at me. Maybe she was thinking the same. We smiled at each other.

My mother and father went to eat with Shobha aunty and Mohan uncle. People were taking pictures with the newly weds.

"Ajay nov verkuthu paarunga" Garki said waving a hand fan near my face.

"Haa nalla irukku dii" I said and looked at Devi who stood with Maya constantly adjusting her saree near her chest and hips.

She looked at me and came near me before wiping my forehead and face with her saree pallu. She was also sweating, her sindoor was slightly smudged. The kajal on her eyes were also smudged.

I would have smudged her lipstick too if not for that fucking glass!!

She was worn out and tired but still she looked beautiful. There were sweat all over her neck but she was wiping mine.

"Intha couples tholla thaangalaye... " Garki hit her forehead and left.

"Ava kedakura" Devi said and turned her attention to Maya who showed her someone they were gossiping about.

"Ajay?" A voice came from behind me. I know whose it is. I do recognize her voice.

I turned around. She was standing there with a smile. I smiled back at her trying to be surprised.

"Hi.. Epdi irukka?" I asked formally.

"Nalla iruken.." She said and that man with the specs came from behind with that child on his hand. "Kishore.. Ithu thaa Ajay.. Naa solli iruken la" she said.

I wonder what she has said about me to him.

"Ohh yeah!!" Kishore smiles "Neenga thana athu.. Thappichinga brother neenga" he said and laughed. Abirami hit his shoulders playfully whining at him.

I was shocked at his comment. He wasn't angry or jealousy but he was joking. How much of a Green flag is he? Even I doubt if I would be reacting the same if Sreedevi had an ex boyfriend.

Abirami looked different. More matured. Happier. Her dusky skin was glowing radiating nothing but happiness. Her smile did reached her eyes. She was genuinely happy.

"By the way Ajay, Nice to meet you.. I am Kishore" he forwarded his hand.

"Hi Kishore glad to meet you too" I smiled shaking his hand. I looked behind me to see Devi frowning at us. I beckoned her to come. She walked over and stood beside me. I wrapped my arms around her shoulder and pulled her closer.

"Ithu Sreedevi en wife..." I said proudly.

Abirami's mouth went wide in a pleasant surprise.

"Devi ithu thaan Abirami.." I said and she looked at her in surprise and smiled. "Ithu avunga husband Kishore"

She said a simple vanakkam. Little girl was whining at Kishore.

"Unga ponna?" Devi asked.

Abirami nodded. "Aadhya.. 5 vayasu aaguthu intha August la"

"Ohh.. Hey" I shook her little hands.

She smiled shyly and hid on her father's neck.

"Oii uncle ku hi sollu maa" Kishore said.

I was annoyed he called me uncle. I wasn't that old. I am just turning 29. I am not even a father yet.

Maybe I should have tried earlier for a child to call him uncle.

I looked at Devi. She was suppressing her laughter. I glared her. She looked away trying not to laugh.

The groom called them to the stage to take pictures. They excused from us saying goodbye and went to the stage. Sreedevi laughed out loud. I looked around and found no one noticing us and pinched her bare waist that was tempting me since morning. She gasped aloud.

"Kalaikra nee?" I smirked but she was in shock. I pinched her waist again. She yelped and came out of her frozen state.

"Porukki" she hit my arms blushing hardly. I laughed while she ran away.

I looked at the stage and Abirami was already looking at me. I smiled at her.

"I am happy for you" she mouthed.

"Me too" I mouthed eyeing her little beautiful family.

She smiled.

I am happy that it wasn't awkward around her and her husband. I am happy that she was leading a good, healthy and happy life.

Above all I am happy that I am happier with Sreedevi.

-

Hey guys!

So how was the chapter?

Are you guys vibing to Arabic kuthu like me?🤣🤣