July 7 2018, 7:00 am, Coimbatore

Aadarsh 🔆

'Aadarsh Vishwanathan, a promising businessman of the coming decade, a most happening smart and handsome bachelor of the country, along with his best friend Dev Neelakandan, another 'on-demand' bachelor, have made a huge mark in the business arena by incorporating their new ideologies, turning the tables in their favour within seven months of their start.

The road renovation project was a huge success, which gave them much-needed hype, and they started concentrating on bigger projects. Their joint venture, ADR Constructions, has bagged a government project worth a hundred crores to construct 'compact homes' for all those who aren't able to afford a home on their own.

Many leading construction companies are at a loss of words, witnessing their tremendous growth. Prominent analysts have remarked on the return of business demons Vishwanathan and Neelakandan through Aadarsh and Dev. ADR Constructions will soon overpower other top companies, including their fathers' IS Industries, the present top company in the country.

The honourable Chief Minister has officially announced that ADR Constructions will be starting the project soon.'

I heard a girl reading out the newspaper aloud, and she smiled, recognising me. Few people turned to see, to which I reciprocated with a smile again. I was known as business demons Vishwanathan's son and Neelakandan's nephew, but today the identity has changed to businessman Aadarsh Vishwanathan, and I am loving it.

Achieving a goal is not a great feat when we haven't attained the level of contentment. With the inner voice screaming that I have done something, at least a little is warming up my heart.

Building up your business in a really short period of time with integrity, morality, hard work, and dedication as ingredients is definitely not a cakewalk, and realising that we have started the journey as we wished is giving me literal goosebumps.

I breathe in fresh air while jogging around the park for the fifth time as the energetic lyrics from the Damakku Damakku song escape from my headphones. Being the son and nephew of the leading businessmen in the country didn't make any difference for us in the construction field. Though we tasted success in a short span of time, the efforts from our side were huge, and we had to face a lot of hurdles. Luckily, the Supreme Lord took our side, and with the blessings of the elders of our families, we could achieve a huge feat, marking our stamp in the construction world.

ADR Constructions is nothing without Dev Neelakandan and Rithvik Nandakumaran, my best friends since my existence.

Dev is my uncle Neel's son, and Rithvik is the son of Nandan uncle, my dad's and uncle's college friend. Rithvik and I stay in Coimbatore while Neel maama, Shambavi athai and Dev are settled in Canada. Dev used to come to India on his yearly holidays. They shifted to Canada when I was five, and as far as we know, there was a dispute between Neel maama and Rajeshwari, my periyamma. None of us stopped talking but stayed away. Dev came every year to meet us, and maama came once every three years. It's Shambu athai who has never come to India since 1999.

After finishing the jog, I exited the park and started the bike quickly. My senior has arranged for a puja at our residence, and I must be there on time; other else, I should sit and console her for a long time.

A man feels the best when the woman who birthed him, grew him up into a better human, and stood by his side by not giving up in any circumstance becomes his baby.

Amma is my miniature now, while I have turned out into a mighty and angelic Indhumathi.

"Aadhu." I heard her calling my name and walked to the kitchen to see her running hither and thither, making all the arrangements. She was wearing an orange silk saree, which I had bought her the last time I visited Kanchipuram.

She's so fond of silk sarees, and I take pride in buying her as many sarees as possible. The deities at the temples should definitely look up to my mother for her endless divinity.

"Enna da paathutu nikkura?" Amma faced me with her cute smile, wiping her hands with a towel.

"Saaptingala baby?" I questioned her, knowing well that she would have skipped breakfast.

Is it only my mother, or all mothers, who often skip meals and give out everything to their family? Dev too complains about athai starving for no reason, and if we skip food, then they will talk for hours on 'importance of health.'

'Oorukku upadesam,' moment.

Amma let out a sheepish smile and tried to escape, but I blocked her way. "Idho paaru Indhumathi, nee enna venum naalum panniko. Ana nee saapdala na, I'll stop all the arrangements. Un purushanum unnaiya kaapatha mudiyadhu. Viradham nu ellam poi solladha, naa night ey appa kitta ketuten. Poojai onbadhu manikku, mudiya eleven aagum. Adhu varaikkum patniya irukka poriya haan?"

"Nee kulichitu vaayen, onna saapdalam." Amma said it in a 'casual way.' I clicked my tongue, understanding her intentions.

"Edhukku? Ennaiya anupitu apdiye escape aaga thaane plan pandra?"

Amma blinks her eyes, pretending innocence.

"Onnum selladhu, saapudriya illaiya?" She shot a glare, twisting her lips, and sat on the long-legged stool. She blew air to her fingers and looked up. "Enakku nalla muruvala moonu dosai venum. Seekiram eduthutu vaa."

She smirked, lifting her shoulders, and I couldn't stop laughing at this child woman. Dad and we three siblings are the luckiest to have her all for ourselves.

"Your orders will be delivered in the next ten minutes. Till then, wait, amma."

"Aadarsh amma." She corrected me, taking a spoon that was on the table. I laughed, raising my hands in surrender, and took out the dosai tawa. Lighting the stove, I placed the pan on the large burner and spread the dosai batter all over the tawa. After sprinkling a bit of ghee on the dosai, I flipped it and let it cook for a minute.

Amma was peeping behind me, just like a child peeping behind her parent while he or she is cooking.

After completing the three dosais, I shifted them to a plate, poured the hot piping sambhar beside the dosais, and took out a small bowl for the coconut chutney.

I placed the plate and bowl in front of her, nudging her to eat. She quickly searched for something, and by the time I realised it, I saw her squeezing the tomato sauce on her palms and spreading it on them.

With an innocent look on her face, amma saw me and showed her palms. "Paaren kaila full ah sauce ah irukku. Pesama neeye ooti vittuden."

Slapping my forehead, I tore a small piece of dosai and dipped it in sambhar and chutney. I fed her little by little, which she ate in a hurry.

I glared at her for ignoring her hunger, but again, I couldn't hold up looking at her baby face.

"Aniyayam pandra Aadarsh amma. Ooti vidu nu sonnale ooti vitrupen. Sauce thaan waste ah pochu. Pasi la epdi vegama saapudra paaru. Ivlo pasi vechikittu thaan saapdama irundhiya?" She twisted her lips and opened her mouth for the next bite. Chewing the dosai, she looked back at me again.

"Idhu ellam chinna vayasula valaradha thenna maram oruthan pannan. Athaan naanum revenge edukkuren." She let out a victory grin, gulping water.

"Valaradha thenna marama?" I glared at her, to which she raised her sauce-filled palms upward, acting as if she had surrendered to the investigator.

"Illa ippo valarndha thenna maram la da, athaan apdi sonnen." I finished feeding her and took the plate and bowl to wash. I kind of wanted to play around, so maintained a stoic face.

Amma washed her palms and took the plate away from me.

"Nee poi kulichitu vaa paapa. Amma paathukuren." She gave me a consoling cheek kiss and I couldn't stop laughing at her antics. She can never withstand my silence, even for a few seconds.

"Nalla ice veikira di Indhu..." I ran away yelling, escaping from her hits, and entered my bedroom. I was surprised to see the outfit for the day neatly arranged on the bed with a note.

Even after having shirts in many colours, I am sure you will prefer blue. So here comes a midnight blue shirt and white veshti. Please don't waste your time choosing a watch. Rithu has done his part there. I will be there at home by evening. Take care, Love - Dev.

God, this six-foot-one-inch monk has written a note, as if I were his spouse. I couldn't stop laughing imagining Rithvik, who always addresses us as lover boys. I hope that in the future, my wife will not be jealous of our bond.

'Wife', the word itself brought a huge smile to my face as I saw myself grinning in the mirror.

I am just twenty-four, but already impatient, waiting for her to enter my life. I need her as my better half in all aspects. Loyalty, trust and understanding are more than enough for a real relationship. If your girl has all these, she will automatically be the most beautiful woman in your eyes.

I entered the bathroom to finish up my regular routines and had a warm bath, relaxing my muscles. I came out with a towel wrapped around my waist and another, wiping away the water from my hair.

The shirt caught my attention and I looked at it with a mixed expression. There is always a love-hate relationship when it comes to this colour. I have shirts in almost all shades of blue, with endless pictures as well. But, will never admit that I like blue.

Weird, I know.

Wearing the shirt and draping the veshti around my waist tightly, I faced the mirror, combing my hair. Another love-hate relationship of mine is with this veshti. I am always cautious while wearing this, fearing the fall of the garment.

Amma, Appa, and many others have complimented me while I am in a veshti, but that internal war of saving my dignity incase if it loosens is only known to that white piece of cloth and myself.

Wrapping the white watch on my left wrist, I combed my hair for one last time and climbed down the stairs, straight to the kitchen.

My mouth hung open, witnessing a terrific scene.

"Amma amma ethana ma adukkura? Vairu vedinjidum ma enakku." I tried to stop her, but she batted my hand away with a tongue click.

"Kannu veikadha da en pulla mela. Avan nalla saapduvaan."

Typical mother's dialogue.

"Maa, kitta thatta pathinettu dosai nee adukuradha naa paathen. Avlo ellam saapda mudiyadhu." She closed the batter lid and placed it inside the fridge. With her one glare, I quietly sat down on the stool and opened my mouth for her to feed.

"Pathinettu illai thango, irupathu onnu." Amma grinned and continued feeding me. Sighing internally at her overaffection, I ate the dosai, relishing her cooking.

She skillfully finished feeding all the dosais, and I got up, hearing the ringtone of my mobile. Amma handed me a glass of water and gestured for me to drink. I gulped the water and continued with the call. Finishing it up, I leaned on her shoulder, shovelling the phone into my pocket.

Amma caressed my hair, talking about all the arrangements. After my dad, it's me who listens to all her daily chores with sheer interest. Akshay anna and Priya akka, my elder siblings, grew up independently, eventually having less attachment to my parents. It was me who stayed by amma's side since birth.

"Thango, iru amma vandhudren." Amma left, and I sat there, waiting for her. She came back with a box, probably a jewel box, and opened it, revealing a gold chain.

Amma clasped it around my neck and cupped my face.

"Yen chellam enaikkum happy ya irukkanum. Amma irukuradhe unakkaga thaan da. Enakku nee santhoshama irundha podhum, vera onnum venaam."

I held her hand back, kissing her palms.

"Maa, nee irukura varaikum enakku enna kavalai sollu? You are my guardian angel, Indhu. It's you who always defends and keeps me safe. I am trying my level best to keep you happy, but you always outshine me."

Amma ruffled my hair while I continued, "I am still your baby, maa. I don't mind if people tease or laugh at me calling 'mamma's boy.' I will be the happiest to get that tag. Neenga kooda irukura varaikum naa happy ya thaan iruppen."

Amma kissed my forehead and went out again to get the holy ash. She stroked a thin line of it on my forehead and blew over my eyes to remove the excess ash. It was almost time, and we decided to reach the backyard, where the puja was arranged for the day.

We reached the backyard and saw a line of Sivachariyars assembled, chanting the names of Lord Shiva, in front of the holy fire. I saw Rajeshwari periyamma with her three sons and Pechiyammal paati, my paternal grandmother, sitting in the front row, talking about something.

Nadesan periyappa, the first born in my father's side and Rajeshwari's husband, passed away in 2005.

Rajeshwari seemed to be polite and innocent, but I never felt good vibes around her. My grandmother always favoured her over my mother; that might be the reason for my hostility. But more than that, I always had some sort of uneasiness whenever I had an encounter with her. Her sons were envious of us and always tried to manipulate Akshay anna against me. Anna really never cared about these bunch of fools and started pampering me along with my family.

She also held a special grudge against Shambavi athai and as per mine and Dev's decodings, she should be the reason for our family dispute too. But when asked, our parents quickly denied, that arose further doubts in us.

I felt a pat on my shoulder that broke my line of thoughts and saw amma pointing to one of the Sivachariyars. He called me to sit in front of the holy fire and asked me to repeat whatever he said.

"Enna Indhu? Enakku kalyanam panni veikka poriya enna?" I teased amma to which she hit my bicep and nudged me to sit as per the elderly man's orders. The puja went on for a while, and all of them got up while I followed them.

"Pullaikitta mannula sivalingatha seiya solli poojai panna sollunga ma, ella poorva jenma punniyangalum avara bathrama paathukum." I was amused by his statement and looked up to see amma patiently listening to him.

"Yen saami, paapavukku edhavadhu prechanai varuma?" I heard a group of 'sweet' relatives giggling when amma referred to me as paapa.

Indha sondhakarangala ellam evan da kandu pudichaan, avan mattum en kaila kedaikattum, apdiye pudichi nasukki.....

I stopped my internal ranting when amma asked, "Aadhu ma, ennachu?"

"Onnum illai annaiye." I pinched her cheek, kissing it and heard a sigh from the very same 'sweet' relatives. From my peripheral view, I could hear Rajeshwari periyamma's sons' laughter too.

Apdi enna irukku idhula sirikka? Ivanga ellam porakkum podhe kezhattu pakkingala porandhangala enna?

"Enna Indhumathi, ippovum paiyana kaikulla potu vechi irukka pola. Irupathu moonu vayasu paiyan thaane? Paalvaadi paapa va enna? Avanum apdiye nadandhukuran. Sakikala."

Amma held my hand, stopping me from picking up a fight.

"Neenga sonnathu seri thaan, indha thaayi ava pullaiya ava kaikulla thaan vechi irukku." I saw one of the priest walking in our direction, and he stood next to me, scrutinising me with his eyes.

"Irupathu moonu illai, nootru moonu vayasu aanalum seri indha pullai avan amma kitta ipdi thaan iruppan." Damn, that's a great shot. I am a believer of God and not that much into the priestly people. But this priest giving a befitting reply is a show to watch.

I tried to whistle but amma playfully glared, stopping me right away.

"Thanakku pudicha aalunga kittayum, yaaru thanna kaaya padutha maatangalo, ematha maatangalo avanga kitta thaan, oru manushanoda veguli thanam velila varum. Indha kozhandha avan amma kitta ipdi irukkan na, athu avan amma senja punniyam, ivanukku kedacha baakiyam."

Amma patted my cheek and I showed my full teeth to her.

"Happappa, panakkaranga pullaingalukku theramai illama amma appa pinnadi nikkuradha epdi azhaga soldraru saami, avanala sondhama onnum panna mudiyadhu nu theliva sollunga saami. Ipdi pesa solli evlo kaasu kuduthanga indha amma? "

Here comes a boomer uncle, my father's and uncle's best friend - in a sarcastic way. I saw amma clenching her fists and tried to stop her but she was not in a mood to listen.

Defender mode activated.

"Naa theliva sollata?" Amma's roar startled everyone present there and I saw Pechi, alongwith Rajeshwari getting up from their places as well.

"I am his mere defender, but it's him who does everything. He never asked me to protect him, he never asked me to pamper him. Ellame naa thaan pandren, yenna naa avan amma. Yen pulla uzhachi sambathikiraan. Kandavanga maari kudumbatha vittutu pala setup vechitu suthala." She snapped her finger infront of that man, shutting him off.

"Evlo kaasu kuduthom nu thane keta? Not more than how much you spend to manage your family and mistresses at the same time. Illa Indhu?"

The man of our house, my amma's heart stealer and my very own hero, walked in, oozing out the aura of a powerful hero, or probably a ruthless anti-hero.

His ideology is simple: if you are good, he'll be an angel to you, but if you are bad, then get ready to face the demon side of him.

Amma let out a shy smile, seeing him, and I secretly warded off evil eyes from this lovey-dovey couple. In any circumstance, they never let down each other and stood shoulder to shoulder, overcoming all the difficulties in the best possible way. They managed both the household and business skillfully and, also, saved time for themselves too.

A perfect couple in my eyes.

Appa hugged her and stretched his other arm, calling me for a hug. I gladly accepted the invitation and playfully whispered, "Stop romancing your wife, Vishwa. The crowd is watching you."

Appa snorted and patted my back a little hard.

"Jealous huh, junior?" I shook my head, feigning innocence, and we giggled among ourselves, and appa left us, turning to face our 'sweet' relatives.

"You all very well know that neither me nor my wife invited you. This puja is for our son's happy life, so vandhoma, paathoma, saaptoma nu poite irunga. Yen amma kaaga naa chumma iruppen nu ninachidadhinga."

He lifted his spectacles a little and kind of glared in the direction where Rajeshwari, her sons, and Pechiyammal stood. Rajeshwari walked off as fast as possible, and her sons followed. Pechiyammal glared at my mother, and I held her shoulder, glaring at her back. She followed them, and most likely, they left our house.

Appa sighed in relief and signalled our house servants to arrange for the lunch. The guests slowly dispersed, with only me, my parents, and the Sivaachariyars in the backyard.

"Aadhu ku onnum illaiye saami?" Amma asked one of the Sivaachariyar nervously again, and I could see appa was also in the same state.

"Adhellam onnum illai ma. Oru manushanukku thadaigal varadhu sagajam thaane. Adhuvum unga paiyan kozhandha maari, kadavulukku chella pillai. Poramai la avana thaaka thaan seivanga. Ana avana onnum panna mudiyadhu, gettikaran." Amma was pressing my palm, pretending as if she were assuring me, but it was the other way around.

The Sivaachariyar continued, "Unga kozhandha Suriyanukku samam. Avana suthi thaan unga kudumbam iyangum. Unga kudumbathoda aaniver, asthivaaram nu ellame ivan thaan. Avana paadhugakka kaaval dhevadhaigalum, pulimuganum avana suthi irundhite iruppanga."

Amma's face exhibited a plethora of emotions, and she clutched my hand in excitement, as if she were listening to a story. I chuckled and held her hand back. I always call her as my guardian angel, which indeed means kaaval dhevadhai in Tamizh. I was astounded to hear pulimugan, meaning tiger-face human.

"Enna saami, pulimugan nu dubbing padam title maari soldringa?" I joked, to which amma pinched my arm lightly, asking me to shut up. Appa laughed and quickly stiffled when amma glared at him too.

The priest shook his head with a smile and took out a black thread that had three little miniatures hanging from it. Upon closer look, there were a human face with big and sharp canines like that of a tiger in the middle, a deer's antler and a shining gold trident on either side of it.

To be super honest, I somewhat felt connected to all of them.

Strange.

He asked me to stretch my right hand and tie it around my wrist.

"Naa seriya thaane pa soldren." The priest said with a gentle smile, tying the final knot. I was pretty confused and saw him when he patted my cheeks.

So, is that human face with tiger teeth, pulimugan?

"Neenga enna solla varinga nu enakku puriyala, saami." I spoke out what I felt and bent down for him to place the holy ash on my forehead.

"Puriya vendiya nerathula puriyum kanna." He let out a warm smile and stroked the holy ash on my parents' foreheads. We bent down to touch his feet, and he blessed us happily. The priest once again looked at my face and caressed my hair lightly, as if he were trying to pamper and coax me.

He pointed at the thread on my wrist and said, "Idha nee eppome kattitu irukanum nu illai. Eppo venum naalum kazhatikko. Ana podanum nu thonuchu na, potutu po. Indha pulimuganum, kaaval dhevadhaigalum unakku enaikum thunaiya iruppanga."

I let out a confused smile, hearing his words, and saw him walking away to the dining place, where a special lunch had been arranged for them. The other priests followed him to the dining area. Amma and appa kissed my forehead and left to look after the priests and the guests. It was only me in the backyard now.

I looked at the thread with miniatures curiously and had an overwhelming feeling. I am not sure if that's my imagination or if they really have something to be done.

"Aadhu paapa, saapda va ma." I chuckled when appa called me for lunch and laughed loudly upon hearing amma's grumbling voice, as appa tried mimicking amma's tone.

Giving one last look at the miniatures, especially the one in the middle which is a human face with tiger canines or maybe, pulimugan as referred by the priest, I made my way to the dining area to have lunch.

Mr. Pulimugan, incase you exist, who and where are you?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hey peeps! Here is the first chapter. How's our hero? Kindly drop your much needed comments and feedback.

Next on line is our heroine, the chapter is published already for you to read.

Happy Reading!

Take care. Thank you.

Anbudan,
Mrinalini 💗