"The Aftermath"

April 19, 2019.

Ajay

Why does it ache like my head is splitting into two?

I wake up pressing my temples. I looked around and found myself on devi's bed but she is nowhere around. The harsh sun rays hit the room through the window. I tried to remember what happened last night and the last I can recollect is Sarath and Rakesh pestering me to have more drinks talking about some random topics.

I shut my eyes tightly and groaned to the pain. The door of the room opened revealing Devi who had a glass in her hand and a scowl on her face. She stormed inside the room and kept the glass on the side table with a bang. I looked at her shocked. Passing me a glare, she walked around and went to the balcony without speaking anything to me.

I looked at the glass, it was lemon juice. I shook my head trying to remember and some vague images of me dancing, krishnan uncle carrying me, and an infuriated face of Devi flashed in my brain. I kept my hands on my head in disbelief. I have went overboard yesterday and she is angry on me for it.

I gulped the lemon juice in a go. I was stinking. I quickly took a pair of T-shirt and tracks and left to the washroom, not knowing how to face her again. I quickly brushed my teeth and bathed. Exiting the washroom, I wiped my face with the towel and found Devi arranging the bedspread.

I sauntered towards her, she glanced at me but averted her gaze and aggressively pulled the bedsheets. She had a straight face and it scared me to even near her. I tried to call her but only air escaped my lips. Clearing my throat, I called,

"De.. Devi?"

She grabbed the empty plastic bottle that was on the side table and threw it away angrily towards the door. I jerked back shocked at her action.

Aathadi aatha...

She is extremely outraged and it would be no wonder if she punch on my face. She spread out a new bedsheet on the bed and started making the bed. I ambled towards her and stood beside her gulping nervously.

"Devi?"

No response.

"Devi? Sorry ma"

She paused on her action but continued after a second. I sighed and touched her shoulder but she wiggled out and moved to the opposite side. It broke me seeing her moving away, without even sparing a glance at me. Regret flooded in my brain. I regret everything I have done last night though I dont remember half of them. I don't even know if I have misbehaved with her.

I moved towards her side and called her again but she went deaf to my pleadings.

"Devi ma.. Please ma.. Sorry ma.. " I caught her hand but she pulled it away harshly "Othukuren.. Kudichathu thappu thaan.. Sorry ma" I said.

"Kudikrathu ok Ajay.." She turned facing me "Ana oru manushan ipdiya kudipaan? Enna panrom enga irukom-ngrathu kooda theriyatha alavukka kudipanga?"she yelled.

I shut my eyes feeling defeated.

"Kudikarana vida mosama kudipinga nu sonnapo nambala.. Ana ipo nambeeten.. Pesave pesareethinga Ajay en kitta" she shouted and walked past me.

"Devi ma.. Devi ma.." I yelled. She turned around and glared me shutting my mouth.

She went to the small balcony and picked the dried clothes from there and walked back to the room slumping the clothes on the bed. She started folding it one by one. I slowly took one of the dress to fold but she snatched it from me.

"Devi.. Please ma.. Sorry ma... Inime sathyama kudikka maten.. Please please.. Pesu da.." I pleaded but she didn't budge.

My whole body felt feeble. Losing my ever favorite job didn't make me this upset but this woman infront of me not talking to me is making me feel powerless.

"Deviii ma..." I whispered moving closer to her. She pushed me away by my chest and kept the clothes inside the wardrobe before walking out of the bedroom without even sparing a glance.

I slumped on the bed holding my hair frustrated on the situation. It would have been better if she would have punched me across my face but this hurts. It aches like hell. My chest feels heavy. I rub my chest to ease the feeling  but it doesn't seem to help.

My phone rings. Its Rakesh again. I cut the call furiously. It rings again. Gritting my teeth and sighing heavily, I attended the call.

"Enna da?" I shouted at him.

"Macha yen da kathura?" Came his confused voice from the other end.

I composed myself breathing in and out to control my anger. Its no use to shout at him. Its my fault that I have overdrunk.

"Enna nu sollu" I said calmly.

"Macha catering service office varaiku ponum.. Nee konjo en kooda vaayen.. Avunga rend perum vera velaya poyirkanga" he said.

"Hmm seri" I said and cut the call.

I rubbed my face and got up. I should somehow convince her. Atleast by falling on her feet. But I will do that later. I changed to a pair of jeans and shirt. I stuffed my wallet into my pocket, put on my watch and grabbed my phone before moving downstairs. I looked for Sreedevi and found her working on the kitchen while the maid was wiping the kitchen counter. She smiled at me and I smiled back. Devi glanced at me and then averted her gaze back to the stove.

"Ummm Devi.. Naan konjo veliya poren.. Catering varaikum ponum.." I said and waited for her response but there wasn't any.

That maid akka looked between us while I sighed.

"Akka avara poyit vara sollunga ka" she said to the maid lady in a strict voice.

Maid looked at me and blinked her eyes not understanding what was going on while I sighed sadly. She is not even talking to me for formality.

"Sandaya?" That maid lady mouthed.

I nodded with a pout.

She chuckled silently shaking her head. It might be funny for her. But not at all for me. With a heavy heart, I walked out of the house to see Rakesh waiting for me on his bike. I stroded towards him angrily.

"Enna mapla.. Nethu ore mmm mmm thaan polaye?" He asked me mischievously with a wink.

I kicked his bike tyre furiously and he held the bike preventing it from falling down. "Yen da??"

"Macha nethu romba kudichiten da" I ran my fingers through my hair.

"Athaan theriyume daa" he said snickering.

"Naaye antha velakkenna thaan da sollit iruken.. Nethu romba kudichiten.. Ipo devi en kitta pesa matingra" I yelled at him.

"Pesa matingrala?" He asked "Acho athu extreme stage aache.. Naa kooda adipalo nu thaan nenachen"

"Macha adichirntha kooda ivlo valichurkathu da.." I sighed "Ellam unnala thaan!" I yelled at him.

"Naa enna da pannen?" He asked aghast "Macha naanga ketom la da devi chill ah irupala illa kadup aavala nu?"

"Athu enak enga da theriyum?" I yelled again frustrated.

"Enak enga da theriyum na? Illa purila?" He stated confusedly. I have blabbered to him out of frustration. Shit.

"Macha naa sarakk adichu ondra varsham aachu da..." I said and his eyes widened in shock.

"Machaaa... Devi ku nee sarakk adippa nu theriyatha?" He asked me in disbelief.

"Macha avaluk theriyum da... Ana naa kalyanathuk apro sarak adichath illa da.. Athunala avaluk kovam varuma varatha nu enak therila daa.. Ipo thaan da theriyuth" My voice went dry.

"Seri vandila eru tea kudichite pesalam" he said.

I hopped on his bike. Rakesh rode to a tea shop nearby. We settled on a bench sipping our tea. I was lost on my thoughts having no idea how to convince her.

"Macha vudra... Athe yosikatha.. Devi thane pesuva" Rakesh patted my shoulders.

I shook my head "Valikuthu macha.. Orumaari uruthuthu.." I tilted my head towards him "kaalaila irunth moonjila kooda muzhikala da ava.. Enak.. Enak epdi irunthuch theriyuma" My voice started cracking.

"Dei jay uh... Yen da ithuk poyi azhuthut irukka? Macha ithella sahajam da.. Enaku gopika ku sanda vanthu ethana vaati pesama irunturka theriyuma? Ava ore naal la vanthu pesuva da.."

"Dei apdi illa da.." I rubbed my face controlling myself "Macha ava inime kudipiya da naaye nu naalu ara paleernu kannathulaye vuturntha kooda ivlo feel panirka maten da.. Ana ava moonjila kooda muzhikala.. Pesave peseerathinga Ajay nu sonna da.. Macha.. Ava en kitta pesamale irunthurvalo nu thonuthu da" I ranted all my thoughts from morning to him.

Rakesh face palmed.

"Dei kozhantha!!" He yelled at me"dei naa thaa solren la da.. Pontati lam namma kitta romba neram ellam sanda potu pesama iruka maatanga da.. Nee vena paaru inaikke ava pesuva.. Sorry kelu.. Kaal la vizhu.. Sathiyam pannu.. Mudinj pochu.. Ithuk poyi chinna pulla maari azhuthukit.. Dha chi peh" he chided and stood up.

I pouted and stood up emptying the tea. Rakesh and I went to the Catering service and gave them the money to be settled for them. Though I was physically present in Rakesh's bike, my thoughts were around Devi. Will she forgive me? Will she talk to me? What if she never talk to me? I can't imagine that.

A screech sound followed by Rakesh's yell was heard and the next moment I am on the road with the bike on top of my knee. I yelped in pain and looked at Rakesh who was trying to get up from under the bike. Some people gather and helps to take the bike off from us. An elder man gave his hand for me. I held his hand and stood up along with Rakesh and dusted my pants and elbows.

"Thambi.. Onum prechana illaye.. Ok thane" that man asked.

"Ok thaan uncle.. Thanks" I smiled warmly at him though my elbow is bleeding.

Rakesh sat by the footpath examining his hands while a lady was sitting beside him offering him water.

"Deii enna da aachu.. Yen da thallivuta?" I asked him.

"Macha naai kurukka vanthuduch da.." He said groaning.

"Anna Vandi ku onum prechana illa na.. Lite ah scratch thaa vuzhunthurk" A young boy who parked the bike by a side said. I just nodded at him.

I have hurt my elbows and knees and I dont know how many part of my skin has got scratches. The people around us  requested us to go in auto but Rakesh kindly refused and somehow started the bike as Devi's house is just one street away. I hopped behind the bike.

He stopped before Geetha's house and gave the bill to Krishnan uncle. He saw us bleeding and enquired about it. Chiding Rakesh for his carelessness, he called Vinay who was wandering inside and helped both of us to walk home.

I put my arms around Vinay's shoulder and limped towards the door. Devi who was sitting on the dining table cutting some vegetables widened her eyes seeing me limping and rushed towards me holding my shoulders.

"Ayyayo ennachu???" She asked frightened to people behind me.

"Vazhila varappo vuzhunthutanga da" Krishnan uncle said.

Vinay and Devi made me sit on the couch and Krishnan uncle made Rakesh sit on the one seater.

Shobha aunty, Mohan uncle and the maid rushed towards the hall but my eyes were on Sreedevi who was sitting beside me checking my wounded elbow.

"Yen neyy pathu ota matingala ney?" Devi chided Rakesh checking if there were any other wound on my body. But she still avoided to look in my eyes.

"Naai kurukka vanthuduch devi..." Rakesh said.

"Devi.. Jay ah kootit poyi first aid kudu.. Rakesh ah naa pathukren" Mohan uncle said.

Devi nodded and put my hand around her shoulders. Vinay put my another hand around his shoulders and both of them lead me upstairs. My eyes never left Devi who has kept her gaze down. My knee and the bleeding elbow doesn't hurt but Devi avoiding me hurts.

Please don't do this to me Devi ma!

-

Hey guys,

How was the chapter?

Ajay pavom la🤧