Im thinking about
1. how iam going to enjoy this month without my boss bothering me ..hehehehe( he is actually out town for the month of august..hurray)
2. Strength of human spirit
3. Beauty of the world around me
4.my dad and mom
I said
1.sambar tastes better with idli than with dosa ..:P
I want
1. Strength to do what is right no matter who opposes me
2. courage to face the truth and accept it
3.Equaminity to accept the things that i cant change
I wish
that i could be happy with simple things..
i Hear
1. Hum of my laptop
2. "give it up to me" sean paul
3.chattering of my lab mate from her desk
4. sonicator that is putting my teeth on edge
I wonder
1.About the delicate balance that is our body and how people abuse it thinking it is invincible
2. the beauty of everything that is around us and how we all miss to enjoy it everyday :)
I regret
Actually i cant think of a single thing now ..:D
Iam
1. Very friendly
2. a chatter box as well as a good listener
3. pretty vindicative when iam mad
I dance
almost every weekend ..well whenever iam happy
i Sing
when iam happy
i Cry
1. only when iam alone can never cry in front of others
2. only when the situation seems hopeless and at the end of the crying bout i somehow feel positive as if i have washed out all the negative feelings off me
i am not
1. naive..i would say never was
2. very patient with people who think too much of themselves
3. judgemental ( atleast try not to be)
i make with my hands ..pretty good Gulab jamuns and lemon rice
i write..whenever i feel and think..:D
i confuse
Living with planing
i need
My family
my cell phone as it connects me to all my friends
Books
Friday, August 04, 2006
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Jeenu on her own
Some one at work asked me how i was faring living alone and it got me thinking..so here it goes comparison of my life in US with a room mate and without a room mate
Before:
i have to get up before my room mate does or else i will be stuck waiting for an hour to brush my teeth and get all the morning ablutions done.
Now
i get up whenever i want and walk in to take showe..*sigh* probably the best feeling ever..
Before:
when i come home i usually switch on a TV whether iam watching it or not becos as long as i have to assualt my ear drum with some crap sound i guess i can as well do it with something i like..:D
Now
i sit on the table and have a relaxing cuppa of chai and enjoy the silence when i get back home.
Before :
I have to wait for my turn to cook ( we both kept our cooking seperate) so by the end of the day when i get home ,i have no energy to wash other's dirty dishes. so i rarely cooked
Now:
Trying to be this generation's Lakshmi ammal..:))
Before:
have to make sure that it is ok with your room mate to have party or get together in the house
Now:
"lets get the party started...whenever for whatever"
I think i can keep the list going on and on but in short all iam trying to convey is ..jeenu loves her new apartment and recommends everyone who has never lived on their own to try it..it is such an awesome feeling.
cheers
jeenu
Before:
i have to get up before my room mate does or else i will be stuck waiting for an hour to brush my teeth and get all the morning ablutions done.
Now
i get up whenever i want and walk in to take showe..*sigh* probably the best feeling ever..
Before:
when i come home i usually switch on a TV whether iam watching it or not becos as long as i have to assualt my ear drum with some crap sound i guess i can as well do it with something i like..:D
Now
i sit on the table and have a relaxing cuppa of chai and enjoy the silence when i get back home.
Before :
I have to wait for my turn to cook ( we both kept our cooking seperate) so by the end of the day when i get home ,i have no energy to wash other's dirty dishes. so i rarely cooked
Now:
Trying to be this generation's Lakshmi ammal..:))
Before:
have to make sure that it is ok with your room mate to have party or get together in the house
Now:
"lets get the party started...whenever for whatever"
I think i can keep the list going on and on but in short all iam trying to convey is ..jeenu loves her new apartment and recommends everyone who has never lived on their own to try it..it is such an awesome feeling.
cheers
jeenu
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
jeenu says
Finally the penultimate week of june is and i have been looking forward to this week for almost 6 months now..since December 2005 when i made the decision. it was not an easy one to make and when i seeked the advice of my friends regarding this most of them were like
"are you sure you are ready for that??" "can you handle it"
These queries intially made me very nervous but eventually i decided iam ready and now here it is
if you are wondering what that decision is Jeenu is moving in to a single bedroom apartment on her own this week :D
"are you sure you are ready for that??" "can you handle it"
These queries intially made me very nervous but eventually i decided iam ready and now here it is
if you are wondering what that decision is Jeenu is moving in to a single bedroom apartment on her own this week :D
Sunday, May 21, 2006
of Graduations and grand kids:)
This was the Graduating weekend in my school and i got to attend the first graduating ceremony in my department. the first part of the ceremony is called as walking the lawn where graduating students from different deparments in the university walk the length of the historic"lawn" as it is refered to in the university circles to much delight of their family and friends.
As the students were walking i could see so many parents who were so proud of their kids, i think today i was in the one of those places where there was no malice or discontent in any of the hearts..the entire area which was jampacked with people was redolent with love and hope.
One sight that caught my eye was that of a frail old man sitting in his wheel chair all hunched up. he was attended by one of his kin but for most part he was sitting very quietly. in my estimate he seemed to be in his late 80's. the heat and humidity of the place seemed to suck the energy right out of him but still i never once heard him complain and as the students starting walking the lawn i saw life comeback in to his eyes and he sat up straight in his chair and then suddenly he was standing up waving wildly to a blond haired boy , there was tears down cheeks but i saw the spark of life in them too. His face perhaps best reflected to me the feelings of a parent on seeing that the their future generation was well of in to the next step. After the kid passed him he slumped back in to his chair but there seemed to be some quiet contenment in him and i imagined that from come from the fact that in some little way the future is secure for his Grand kid ( i came to know that later) and in a little way he has contributed to it.
somehow the old man's face stuck with me all day and so i decided to blog about it and also dream a little about my own graduation...
Jeenu
As the students were walking i could see so many parents who were so proud of their kids, i think today i was in the one of those places where there was no malice or discontent in any of the hearts..the entire area which was jampacked with people was redolent with love and hope.
One sight that caught my eye was that of a frail old man sitting in his wheel chair all hunched up. he was attended by one of his kin but for most part he was sitting very quietly. in my estimate he seemed to be in his late 80's. the heat and humidity of the place seemed to suck the energy right out of him but still i never once heard him complain and as the students starting walking the lawn i saw life comeback in to his eyes and he sat up straight in his chair and then suddenly he was standing up waving wildly to a blond haired boy , there was tears down cheeks but i saw the spark of life in them too. His face perhaps best reflected to me the feelings of a parent on seeing that the their future generation was well of in to the next step. After the kid passed him he slumped back in to his chair but there seemed to be some quiet contenment in him and i imagined that from come from the fact that in some little way the future is secure for his Grand kid ( i came to know that later) and in a little way he has contributed to it.
somehow the old man's face stuck with me all day and so i decided to blog about it and also dream a little about my own graduation...
Jeenu
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
A nice song
i was listening to the radio as usual today morning to go to lab and then this song came on . i have heard this song being played on the radio a lot these days but have not payed much attention to it and somehow today morning i did and the lyrics just felt so apt..so after the cribbing blog i decided to post a song that some how made me think of playing in rain.. here are the lyrics for the song
Listen to it whenever u have time junta
cheers
jeenu
Bad day
Daniel powter
Where is the moment when needed the most
You kick up the leaves and the magic is lost
They tell me your blue skies fade to grey
They tell me your passion's gone away
And I don't need no carryin' on
You stand in the *light just to hit a new low
You're faking a smile with the coffee to go
You tell me your life's been way off line
You're falling to pieces everytime
And I don't need no carryin' on
Cause you had a bad day
You're taking one down
You sing a sad song just to turn it around
You say you don't know
You tell me don't lie
You work at a smile and you go for a ride
You had a bad day
The camera don't lie
You're coming back down and you really don't mind
You had a bad day
You had a bad day
Well you need a blue sky holiday
The point is they laugh at what you say
And I don't need no carryin' on
You had a bad day
You're taking one down
You sing a sad song just to turn it around
You say you don't know
You tell me don't lie
You work at a smile and you go for a ride
You had a bad day
The camera don't lie
You're coming back down and you really don't mind
You had a bad day
(Oh.. Holiday..)
Sometimes the system goes on the blink
And the whole thing turns out wrong
You might not make it back and you know
That you could be well oh that strong
And I'm not wrong
(yeah...)
So where is the passion when you need it the most
Oh you and I
You kick up the leaves and the magic is lost
Cause you had a bad day
You're taking one down
You sing a sad song just to turn it around
You say you don't know
You tell me don't lie
You work at a smile and you go for a ride
You had a bad day
You've seen what you like
And how does it feel for one more time
You had a bad day
You had a bad day
Listen to it whenever u have time junta
cheers
jeenu
Bad day
Daniel powter
Where is the moment when needed the most
You kick up the leaves and the magic is lost
They tell me your blue skies fade to grey
They tell me your passion's gone away
And I don't need no carryin' on
You stand in the *light just to hit a new low
You're faking a smile with the coffee to go
You tell me your life's been way off line
You're falling to pieces everytime
And I don't need no carryin' on
Cause you had a bad day
You're taking one down
You sing a sad song just to turn it around
You say you don't know
You tell me don't lie
You work at a smile and you go for a ride
You had a bad day
The camera don't lie
You're coming back down and you really don't mind
You had a bad day
You had a bad day
Well you need a blue sky holiday
The point is they laugh at what you say
And I don't need no carryin' on
You had a bad day
You're taking one down
You sing a sad song just to turn it around
You say you don't know
You tell me don't lie
You work at a smile and you go for a ride
You had a bad day
The camera don't lie
You're coming back down and you really don't mind
You had a bad day
(Oh.. Holiday..)
Sometimes the system goes on the blink
And the whole thing turns out wrong
You might not make it back and you know
That you could be well oh that strong
And I'm not wrong
(yeah...)
So where is the passion when you need it the most
Oh you and I
You kick up the leaves and the magic is lost
Cause you had a bad day
You're taking one down
You sing a sad song just to turn it around
You say you don't know
You tell me don't lie
You work at a smile and you go for a ride
You had a bad day
You've seen what you like
And how does it feel for one more time
You had a bad day
You had a bad day
Sunday, May 14, 2006
when you have a bad day...
Let's just say if this weekend was erased out i will be happy and i cant believe iam saying that...the previous week has not gone great at all what with my budda snapping at me and basically telling me that i need to get more work done.."common budda.." i felt like screaming " i have been working my tail off for almost last 3 months i have not taken any weekend off ..worked atleast 12 hours minimum each day..and all i get from you is work hard..i might as well shift to my lab why waste money paying rent for an aparment that i mostly come and see at night." but ofcourse being me i did not scream at him..actually in that one hour tirade i hardly got more than 2 secs inbetween to say "Huh" "yes" "No" and finally when i thought i can speak he got a call and he dismissed me..i waited for 5 mins outside his room to see if he will get free but he did not and i walked off feeling very miserable..
i came to US leaving my family behind and sacrificing so many things because i knew that this is what i want to do i want to get my PhD for last 4 years my life has revolved around my work everything is adjusted to it..i have not been to india mainly because taking a month off might hinder my research..and now to hear my budda say that i need to work hard and i need much better time management just got on my nerves and not to forget the fact for last month and half i have not been able to sleep for more than hour at night ..oh i sleep alright but it is so restless that i hardly get any rest..
Anyways this weekend was something i was looking forward too and here iam sitting at my desk sunday morning actually more tired and more lost..i am just getting mad at me for feeling like this now..just cant wait for this week to start.
a very frazzled
jeenu
i came to US leaving my family behind and sacrificing so many things because i knew that this is what i want to do i want to get my PhD for last 4 years my life has revolved around my work everything is adjusted to it..i have not been to india mainly because taking a month off might hinder my research..and now to hear my budda say that i need to work hard and i need much better time management just got on my nerves and not to forget the fact for last month and half i have not been able to sleep for more than hour at night ..oh i sleep alright but it is so restless that i hardly get any rest..
Anyways this weekend was something i was looking forward too and here iam sitting at my desk sunday morning actually more tired and more lost..i am just getting mad at me for feeling like this now..just cant wait for this week to start.
a very frazzled
jeenu
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Mangalyam thantuna nena..-8
Vishali spotted shankar walking towards her and headed out to him
"hey you..how are you??" vishali tried to be cheerful. It has been almost a month since sudha had come back still shankar always looked grim these days and fact that people and students here have been gossiping about it had not helped at all..but she wanted to break him out of this gloomy mood and tried to be cheerful around him all the time.
"Hmmmm" shankar replied.
Grunts and monosyllable replies had been his response of late .vishali tried to get him to talk to her but he never opened up and when she insisted he just got angry and walked out in a huff. He was not hanging out with any of his other friends either
"atleast he has not started avoiding me yet" vishali sighed internally "what is going to make him to talk..atleast sudha was more communicative these days."
It has become a daily ritual for vishali to go to shankar's place and spend an hour with sudha after college and after the initial week she had started talking a lot to vishali..yesterday they both had even gone briefly to get some lassi and then sudha had insisted on taking a walk in the park..vishali was very excited with that but shankar on the other hand has become more quiet not talking about anything relavent..he has not been attending most of his classes too even though he had come to college regulary..she always had found him sitting alone deep in woods that borders the end of college and most of the times vishali sat there with him trying to get him to talk but he always claimed he was ok..
"iam going to canteen to get some chai..want to come" vishali asked
"ok" shankar replied
Vishali started chattering about the class and fresh year's party that she and swapna were incharge of but shankar just was not paying any attention to her and eventually vishali stopped her monologue and sat down silently in canteen with him sipping her chai.
"shankar iam worried about you" vishali started
"why..iam ok" he replied
"no you are not " something snapped in vishali " if u dont want to talk to me about it say it so but dont lie and say that everything is ok..we have known each practically all our lives i know that things are not ok..what happened was not ok and i want you to react ..."vishali realized that she was screaming and to her horror she felt tears sliding down her cheek but thankfully there were not may people in the canteen and the manager was trying his best to ignore them ..
" i love you and i cant see you like this.." she whispered
"i love you too.." shankar said breaking down " why should all this happen to sudha..why my family??"
"i dont know.." vishali said squeezing shankar's hand and tried to comfort him as he let all his anguish out...
***********************************************************************************
"oh he is so cute..thanks Vishali" sudha exclaimed as she hugged vishali
Vishali had gifted her a small pup and the smile fromr sudha was worth it..vishali felt herself reflecting the good as sudha took the pup on to her lap and started cooing to it and hearing little yaps everyone in the house came to look
"oh nai kutti (puppy)" patti exclaimed
"mine patti vishali got it for me" sudha exclaimed and giggled when the pup licked her hand
Sudha's father and shankar scooted down to take a good look at the dog and in no time every one was playing with it
"enna peru vaikaruku??(what should we name him)" shankar's mom asked excitedly
and that was met with barrage of suggestions from all the family members
"tiger" shankar said
"illai da ithu dorai veetu naai ya ( no it is not a british dog)" patti said " we will call him ganesh"
"enna ma naaiku vinayakaroda perra( what amma you are keeping god's name to dog)" shankar's appa mused "well pora vazikku punniyam( collecting good deeds when we die)" his appa roared with laughter
"i think it is sudha's dog we should let her name it" vishali said quietly...it felt the old days in this house..it has been almost 6 months since sudha had come back and it felt good to see them all happy
" well i have to think on that one" sudha said and started playing with the pup
"you are blessing for this family kannama" shankar's mom said and when vishali turned to look at her there were tears in her eyes " i never thought she will laugh like this again ..."emotions choked her voice
Vishali just hugged his mom and stood watching sudha play with the puppy..
*************************************************************************************
"i am filing for annulment Vishali" sudha replied in a sober voice
"oh..well it is long overdue but why an annulment why not a divorce..may be u can make him pay for his actions" vishali asked her a little heatedly
" i dont want any of his money..i want that part of my life not to exist . i want erase the fact that we were even married ..i feel that will make me free vishali..look at me i wasted almost an year of my life and does that even bother that guy no he is now happily living with that girl..i dont want him to spoil rest of my life because of him..i want to make my parents and my brother happy again and a person who is not happy herself can never make others happy vishali..i want to be happy again ..i feel i will be shackled as a divorcee too becos it means our marriage did not work..but there was no marriage to start with..that is why i want this annulment..
Iam going to make something out of myself do things that make me happy.." sudha said calmly
"sudha if that is what will make you happy then iam happy for you and 100% with you " vishali said squeezing her friend's hand
"i went and talked to Vasantha madam a week back..you know our principal in sankara vidhyalaya and applied for teacher's job there and today morning she called me to let me know that i have been accepted" a triumphant smile graced sudha's face and vishali beamed at her
"wow..u are gonna be a teacher..that is just great " vishali hugged her friend congratulating her
"i know it a small step but it is a start " sudha replied hugging her friend with equal vigour
*************************************************************************************
Five years in to future
Vishali smiled and sprinkled paneer at the people who were entering the temple..welcoming them for the wedding, shankar smiled at her and started walking towards her
" how are you doing..??" he asked her putting an arm around her shoulder
"let me see sudha is getting married to the guy who is love with her...your parents are happy and we have been happily married for an year..yes i would officially say iam doing great and things could not be better" vishali beamed putting her head on his shoulder
"well want to go and see my sister getting married .." shankar asked
smiling arm in arm vishali and shankar walked towards the area of wedding. sudha had met vivek about 2 years back during parents teacher's meeting. he had come as a stand in for his sister and brother in law and was smitten by sudha and rest as they say is history
"if there ever was a kodak moment" vishali thought" this is one " looking around at the proud faces of shankar's parents no my parents too she corrected herself to the happy face of sudha and vivek so much in love with each other .... shankar squeezed her hand and she squeezed his hand back and gave him a small special smile that she gave no one else ...
In a little while the pandit called for " getti melam"( drums) and as vivek started tying the mangal sutra started saying the mantra that would bind two loving souls in the holy bond of matrimony " mangalyam thanuthana nena..mama jeevana hetuna.."
"hey you..how are you??" vishali tried to be cheerful. It has been almost a month since sudha had come back still shankar always looked grim these days and fact that people and students here have been gossiping about it had not helped at all..but she wanted to break him out of this gloomy mood and tried to be cheerful around him all the time.
"Hmmmm" shankar replied.
Grunts and monosyllable replies had been his response of late .vishali tried to get him to talk to her but he never opened up and when she insisted he just got angry and walked out in a huff. He was not hanging out with any of his other friends either
"atleast he has not started avoiding me yet" vishali sighed internally "what is going to make him to talk..atleast sudha was more communicative these days."
It has become a daily ritual for vishali to go to shankar's place and spend an hour with sudha after college and after the initial week she had started talking a lot to vishali..yesterday they both had even gone briefly to get some lassi and then sudha had insisted on taking a walk in the park..vishali was very excited with that but shankar on the other hand has become more quiet not talking about anything relavent..he has not been attending most of his classes too even though he had come to college regulary..she always had found him sitting alone deep in woods that borders the end of college and most of the times vishali sat there with him trying to get him to talk but he always claimed he was ok..
"iam going to canteen to get some chai..want to come" vishali asked
"ok" shankar replied
Vishali started chattering about the class and fresh year's party that she and swapna were incharge of but shankar just was not paying any attention to her and eventually vishali stopped her monologue and sat down silently in canteen with him sipping her chai.
"shankar iam worried about you" vishali started
"why..iam ok" he replied
"no you are not " something snapped in vishali " if u dont want to talk to me about it say it so but dont lie and say that everything is ok..we have known each practically all our lives i know that things are not ok..what happened was not ok and i want you to react ..."vishali realized that she was screaming and to her horror she felt tears sliding down her cheek but thankfully there were not may people in the canteen and the manager was trying his best to ignore them ..
" i love you and i cant see you like this.." she whispered
"i love you too.." shankar said breaking down " why should all this happen to sudha..why my family??"
"i dont know.." vishali said squeezing shankar's hand and tried to comfort him as he let all his anguish out...
***********************************************************************************
"oh he is so cute..thanks Vishali" sudha exclaimed as she hugged vishali
Vishali had gifted her a small pup and the smile fromr sudha was worth it..vishali felt herself reflecting the good as sudha took the pup on to her lap and started cooing to it and hearing little yaps everyone in the house came to look
"oh nai kutti (puppy)" patti exclaimed
"mine patti vishali got it for me" sudha exclaimed and giggled when the pup licked her hand
Sudha's father and shankar scooted down to take a good look at the dog and in no time every one was playing with it
"enna peru vaikaruku??(what should we name him)" shankar's mom asked excitedly
and that was met with barrage of suggestions from all the family members
"tiger" shankar said
"illai da ithu dorai veetu naai ya ( no it is not a british dog)" patti said " we will call him ganesh"
"enna ma naaiku vinayakaroda perra( what amma you are keeping god's name to dog)" shankar's appa mused "well pora vazikku punniyam( collecting good deeds when we die)" his appa roared with laughter
"i think it is sudha's dog we should let her name it" vishali said quietly...it felt the old days in this house..it has been almost 6 months since sudha had come back and it felt good to see them all happy
" well i have to think on that one" sudha said and started playing with the pup
"you are blessing for this family kannama" shankar's mom said and when vishali turned to look at her there were tears in her eyes " i never thought she will laugh like this again ..."emotions choked her voice
Vishali just hugged his mom and stood watching sudha play with the puppy..
*************************************************************************************
"i am filing for annulment Vishali" sudha replied in a sober voice
"oh..well it is long overdue but why an annulment why not a divorce..may be u can make him pay for his actions" vishali asked her a little heatedly
" i dont want any of his money..i want that part of my life not to exist . i want erase the fact that we were even married ..i feel that will make me free vishali..look at me i wasted almost an year of my life and does that even bother that guy no he is now happily living with that girl..i dont want him to spoil rest of my life because of him..i want to make my parents and my brother happy again and a person who is not happy herself can never make others happy vishali..i want to be happy again ..i feel i will be shackled as a divorcee too becos it means our marriage did not work..but there was no marriage to start with..that is why i want this annulment..
Iam going to make something out of myself do things that make me happy.." sudha said calmly
"sudha if that is what will make you happy then iam happy for you and 100% with you " vishali said squeezing her friend's hand
"i went and talked to Vasantha madam a week back..you know our principal in sankara vidhyalaya and applied for teacher's job there and today morning she called me to let me know that i have been accepted" a triumphant smile graced sudha's face and vishali beamed at her
"wow..u are gonna be a teacher..that is just great " vishali hugged her friend congratulating her
"i know it a small step but it is a start " sudha replied hugging her friend with equal vigour
*************************************************************************************
Five years in to future
Vishali smiled and sprinkled paneer at the people who were entering the temple..welcoming them for the wedding, shankar smiled at her and started walking towards her
" how are you doing..??" he asked her putting an arm around her shoulder
"let me see sudha is getting married to the guy who is love with her...your parents are happy and we have been happily married for an year..yes i would officially say iam doing great and things could not be better" vishali beamed putting her head on his shoulder
"well want to go and see my sister getting married .." shankar asked
smiling arm in arm vishali and shankar walked towards the area of wedding. sudha had met vivek about 2 years back during parents teacher's meeting. he had come as a stand in for his sister and brother in law and was smitten by sudha and rest as they say is history
"if there ever was a kodak moment" vishali thought" this is one " looking around at the proud faces of shankar's parents no my parents too she corrected herself to the happy face of sudha and vivek so much in love with each other .... shankar squeezed her hand and she squeezed his hand back and gave him a small special smile that she gave no one else ...
In a little while the pandit called for " getti melam"( drums) and as vivek started tying the mangal sutra started saying the mantra that would bind two loving souls in the holy bond of matrimony " mangalyam thanuthana nena..mama jeevana hetuna.."
Saturday, April 29, 2006
Mangalyam thantuna nena..-7
"hello swapna" Vishali called out to her friend
"hey you are back??? how was the trip" Swapna asked excitedly hugging vishali
"it was awesome..." vishali gushed " 3 weeks of pure fun and u know how much i love to travel..i have to develope the photos once i do that i will show you all..kerala is an awesome place yaar"
"well all i always told u that" swapna replied . she was from kerala."when did u get back"
"yesterday night" vishali replied"have you seen shankar.."
"No come to think of it i have not seen him for almost a month" swapna replied "hey this is semester break who is gonna be foolish enough come here during holidays.." and then what she said hit her and she started laughing " other than me..well i had to still complete the assignment ..got an extension" she replied defensively.
"oh ok..anyways i came to check if the semester results have been posted" vishali replied
"not yet DPS told me it will be up day after tommorow" swapna added
"oh ok...since we are here anyways why dont we just get some tea from canteen" vishali said
"ok" swapna replied"let me go and submit this assignment first"
************************************************************************************
Vishali called shankar once she got home and his mother picked up the phone
"hello mami(aunty)..vishali here..eppadi irrukel( how are you??"
"etho irrukondi ...(somehow surviving)"his mom replied and her voice sounded as if she was crying
"mami...are u ok??" vishali asked her
At that his mom started crying and vishali felt a sense of unease settle in her stomach
"mami enna acchu (what happened?) een azarel ( why are u crying?)"
when his mom started crying even more "iam comming over there mami" vishali said and kept the phone down
Vishali's mom taking in the tone of her daughter asked her " what's wrong??"
"i dont know i called shankar's place and his mom sounded very distraught..she was crying mom" vishali felt very upset at that and her mom decided to come with her too
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Vishali knocked on shankar's house door looked at her mom .she felt very apprehensive she had never seen shankar's mom cry in all the time she has known her. she was one of those people who always looked at positive side of things no matter what happened and fact that she was crying did not bode well.
Shankar's dad opened the door. He looked very gaunt and his eyes looked red rimmed
"hello mama..enna achhu??( what happened??)" vishali asked as her mom hurriedly went in to the house to talk to shankar's mom who was standing in the living room. on seeing vishali and her mom she started crying and vishali's mom hugged her started guiding her to kitchen.
"mama enna achu..( uncle what happened??) is everything ok.." vishali asked her tension showing in her voice.
"kanna periya thappu panniten naan ( dear i have made a very big mistake) ..never should have sent sudha to US or gotten her married to that scoundrel..." Shankar's dad suppressed a sob
" is sudha ok mama???" vishali nearly shrieked the question...but she was not paying any attention to it..right now things started looking very surreal to her
"ennoda kuzhandaioda vazkaiyai naane pazungathula thalliten( i have spoiled my own kid's life)" her dad wailed and at that point shankar walked in to the room supporting sudha.
when Vishali saw sudha she gasped she looked like she was dead...
"sudha..enna achu( what happened) how are you" vishali asked as she rushed to her side
But sudha did not say anything she was just staring at some thing in distance..
"she has been like this since yesterday...i wish she will cry" shankar said despair plain in his eyes
"will someone tell me what happened" vishali asked firmly
"i told u vishali..we will never get what we want..it is all about compromise for us" sudha replied in a quiet voice and that actually vishali a lot
"sudha .." vishali started but sudha kept talking
"divakar never wanted to marry me but was scared to say that to his parents. he liked another girl there and since she was of not the same caste he knew his parents will not agree so under parental pressure he agreed to marry me. once we got married he realised that i was not right for him and that he could not live without that other girl. so a week after we reached US he just left our house and never came back for about a week and after that this girl shravanti came and told me that my husband loves her and wants to live with her only..so he had moved in to her place..he did not even have courage to come and tell me that in person. i stayed alone in that house for another week before i could think. i then contacted one of friends relative there and with their help came back home" sudha said in a low monotous voice .
Vishali felt her world reel under her feet.."if i am feeling like this..how sudha must have felt in a new place without friends or family" vishali thought and tears started pouring down her eyes as she hugged sudha
"when did she come here" Vishali whispered
"two days back" shankar replied "her friends relative called us a week back with the news and we were trying since then to get her back here"
By then Vishali's mom walked in to the room with a tray of hot coffee with shankar's patti( grand mother) in tow bearing some biscuits.
For the first time vishali saw patti without a smile on her face . Vishali looked from shankar's patti to shankar's mom, dad ..she saw a family that looked so lost...it made vishali cry even more
"have you talked to his family" vishali asked
"yeah" shankar replied bitterly" we are very sorry..we never thought our son will do this..we will talk to our son..dont worry..as if my sister will go back to him after all this happened"
"i think i will lie down for a bit" sudha replied in her emotionless voice and started walking towards her room and vishali followed her to make sure that she was ok
once sudha was settled in her bed and vishali felt confident that she is ok she walked back in to the living room and walked to her mom.
" they have not eaten anything for 2 days..iam gonna cook something for them to eat and i have called your dad he will be here..."her mom said..
"do u want help amma( mom)" vishali asked
"its ok..u stay here and keep them company.." her mom replied and then impulsively she hugged her daughter and then wiping her eyes she walked in to the kitchen
Vishali then walked to shankar's mom and putting a hand around her shoulders she sat down and then she looked around at everyone around her and she saw that they all looked like they were all lost in their own thoughts..
The entire house was quite except for the sound of her mother cooking in kitchen ...
"hey you are back??? how was the trip" Swapna asked excitedly hugging vishali
"it was awesome..." vishali gushed " 3 weeks of pure fun and u know how much i love to travel..i have to develope the photos once i do that i will show you all..kerala is an awesome place yaar"
"well all i always told u that" swapna replied . she was from kerala."when did u get back"
"yesterday night" vishali replied"have you seen shankar.."
"No come to think of it i have not seen him for almost a month" swapna replied "hey this is semester break who is gonna be foolish enough come here during holidays.." and then what she said hit her and she started laughing " other than me..well i had to still complete the assignment ..got an extension" she replied defensively.
"oh ok..anyways i came to check if the semester results have been posted" vishali replied
"not yet DPS told me it will be up day after tommorow" swapna added
"oh ok...since we are here anyways why dont we just get some tea from canteen" vishali said
"ok" swapna replied"let me go and submit this assignment first"
************************************************************************************
Vishali called shankar once she got home and his mother picked up the phone
"hello mami(aunty)..vishali here..eppadi irrukel( how are you??"
"etho irrukondi ...(somehow surviving)"his mom replied and her voice sounded as if she was crying
"mami...are u ok??" vishali asked her
At that his mom started crying and vishali felt a sense of unease settle in her stomach
"mami enna acchu (what happened?) een azarel ( why are u crying?)"
when his mom started crying even more "iam comming over there mami" vishali said and kept the phone down
Vishali's mom taking in the tone of her daughter asked her " what's wrong??"
"i dont know i called shankar's place and his mom sounded very distraught..she was crying mom" vishali felt very upset at that and her mom decided to come with her too
************************************************************************************
Vishali knocked on shankar's house door looked at her mom .she felt very apprehensive she had never seen shankar's mom cry in all the time she has known her. she was one of those people who always looked at positive side of things no matter what happened and fact that she was crying did not bode well.
Shankar's dad opened the door. He looked very gaunt and his eyes looked red rimmed
"hello mama..enna achhu??( what happened??)" vishali asked as her mom hurriedly went in to the house to talk to shankar's mom who was standing in the living room. on seeing vishali and her mom she started crying and vishali's mom hugged her started guiding her to kitchen.
"mama enna achu..( uncle what happened??) is everything ok.." vishali asked her tension showing in her voice.
"kanna periya thappu panniten naan ( dear i have made a very big mistake) ..never should have sent sudha to US or gotten her married to that scoundrel..." Shankar's dad suppressed a sob
" is sudha ok mama???" vishali nearly shrieked the question...but she was not paying any attention to it..right now things started looking very surreal to her
"ennoda kuzhandaioda vazkaiyai naane pazungathula thalliten( i have spoiled my own kid's life)" her dad wailed and at that point shankar walked in to the room supporting sudha.
when Vishali saw sudha she gasped she looked like she was dead...
"sudha..enna achu( what happened) how are you" vishali asked as she rushed to her side
But sudha did not say anything she was just staring at some thing in distance..
"she has been like this since yesterday...i wish she will cry" shankar said despair plain in his eyes
"will someone tell me what happened" vishali asked firmly
"i told u vishali..we will never get what we want..it is all about compromise for us" sudha replied in a quiet voice and that actually vishali a lot
"sudha .." vishali started but sudha kept talking
"divakar never wanted to marry me but was scared to say that to his parents. he liked another girl there and since she was of not the same caste he knew his parents will not agree so under parental pressure he agreed to marry me. once we got married he realised that i was not right for him and that he could not live without that other girl. so a week after we reached US he just left our house and never came back for about a week and after that this girl shravanti came and told me that my husband loves her and wants to live with her only..so he had moved in to her place..he did not even have courage to come and tell me that in person. i stayed alone in that house for another week before i could think. i then contacted one of friends relative there and with their help came back home" sudha said in a low monotous voice .
Vishali felt her world reel under her feet.."if i am feeling like this..how sudha must have felt in a new place without friends or family" vishali thought and tears started pouring down her eyes as she hugged sudha
"when did she come here" Vishali whispered
"two days back" shankar replied "her friends relative called us a week back with the news and we were trying since then to get her back here"
By then Vishali's mom walked in to the room with a tray of hot coffee with shankar's patti( grand mother) in tow bearing some biscuits.
For the first time vishali saw patti without a smile on her face . Vishali looked from shankar's patti to shankar's mom, dad ..she saw a family that looked so lost...it made vishali cry even more
"have you talked to his family" vishali asked
"yeah" shankar replied bitterly" we are very sorry..we never thought our son will do this..we will talk to our son..dont worry..as if my sister will go back to him after all this happened"
"i think i will lie down for a bit" sudha replied in her emotionless voice and started walking towards her room and vishali followed her to make sure that she was ok
once sudha was settled in her bed and vishali felt confident that she is ok she walked back in to the living room and walked to her mom.
" they have not eaten anything for 2 days..iam gonna cook something for them to eat and i have called your dad he will be here..."her mom said..
"do u want help amma( mom)" vishali asked
"its ok..u stay here and keep them company.." her mom replied and then impulsively she hugged her daughter and then wiping her eyes she walked in to the kitchen
Vishali then walked to shankar's mom and putting a hand around her shoulders she sat down and then she looked around at everyone around her and she saw that they all looked like they were all lost in their own thoughts..
The entire house was quite except for the sound of her mother cooking in kitchen ...
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Mangalyam thantuna nena..-6
Vishali sat lost in her thoughts in the library an open book of Integral calculus was sitting in front of her but that was the last thing on her mind right now
"Does shankar feel the same way about me??" she thought and that had been the thought that had been going on in her mind since sudha's wedding a week back.
sometimes she felt that he did but sometimes she thought may be she was imagining it all...
" Vishali.... did you find the equation for problem 4??" Swapna asked and that brought Vishali back to reality
" No...let me look" vishali replied glumly
" really i know this is not the most exciting course that we have taken but i have never seen u this distracted.. what is up with you??" swapna asked with a little concern in her voice
" did not get a good night's sleep yaar feeling very sleepy now..and this is not helping the matter" vishali said gesturing to the book..
"oh...you want to continue tommorow??? u can rest today that way we can get better work done" Swapna said
"no yaar..lets complete it today..let me get some tea iam sure i will feel better " vishali replied"u want to come with me the canteen??"
" Dont feel like Tea..why dont u get some for yourself and hopefully by the time u come back i would have finished the problem" swapna said
"ok" vishali said and started walking towards the canteen and in the distance and she saw shankar walking towards her
" hey how are u?? whats up with you u did not return my calls??" he asked worried
" err.. was little busy" Vishali replied half heartedly. somehow suddenly being around him had made her nervous and she could not understand it
"anyways sudha and diavkar are leaving tommorow ..so we are having a little get together today evening..." shankar drawled
"hey i have stuff to submit tommorow ..it is that calculus class " vishali sighed" i dont think i can come yaar...but i will call sudha and talk to her"
"Is there something wrong vishali" shankar asked
" no...nothing iam just worried about the calculus exam.." Vishali said
"I know you too well to know that it is not what is worrying you..c'mon yaar we are friends..u can tell me" shankar insisted
" hey nothing at all..i have to get back to library swapna is waiting for me there...just came to get some tea and then i have to tackle the assignment.." vishali grimaced
Vishali entered the canteen with shankar in tow and found it to be empty she got her tea and as she turned to leave shankar caught her hand and vishali froze
" i have something to tell u ..." he said vishali felt her heart beating faster as she looked at shankar .she felt like her tongue was stuck to the roof of her mouth she wanted ask him what he was doing holding her hand in a public place but so many questions also flooded through her mind..that she was unable to form one comprehensible question
"hey Vishali..." swapna called from the entrance of the canteen and shankar hurriedly let go of her hand " you forgot your wallet" she said walking in to the canteen
" hey shankar" swapna smiled at him " when is your sister flying to US"
"Tommorow" shankar replied very curtly " vishali i have to go now all the best to u girls"
Shankar waved to them over his shoulder and walked out of the canteen
" what is eating him" swapna asked looking at vishali
" i dont know ..i guess he is feeling low because his sister is leaving..thanks for getting my wallet yaar..i did not even realize that it was not with me.." vishali replied " lets go and finish the assignment"
**********************************************************************************
Vishali woke up and found that the sun was already up bright and shining..her eyes felt grainy from lack of sleep" damn the calculus assignment" she thought it had taken lot longer than she anticipated "s*** i have to call sudha" Vishali bounded out of her bed and called sudha
" hello can i talk to sudha" she said to the voice on the other line who turned out to be divakar
" sudha is taking shower..may i know who is this calling" He asked
" this is vishali..we met at your wedding" vishali replied hesitantly..he did not seem all that friendly to her
" i will ask her to give you a call later" he said curtly and hung up the phone
" yaruma phone la(who was on the phone??)" vishali's dad asked her
" i called Sudha at her Inlaws place pa" Vishali replied giving him a quick hug and peck on the cheek
by the time Vishali got ready she still had not gotten a call from sudha ..so she called again and this time sudha came on the phone
" hello Mrs. divakar eppadi irrukenga??( hello mrs divakar how are you??)" Vishali asked teasingly
" Alive " sudha replied and she sounded like she had been crying
" hey enna acchu??( what happened??) u sound like u have been crying?" vishali asked with concern
"onnum illai ( nothing) just feeling bad that iam gonna be leaving today" sudha replied in a subdued voice
" hey dont worry yaar we will never let you miss us all...u can always call and talk to us whenever you want and shankar will be comming there to study too soon..send me emails regulary and we can chat ..it will be like we close to each other" Vishali tried to console her
" i know..i have to go now vishali people have come to see us off..if u can it will be nice to meet u before i leave" She said
" i will try .." vishali promised " bye take care"
Vishali then hurried out of home feeling a little sad" why is it tht girls have to leave everything behind when they get married...well iam not gonna be like that..shankar is gonna come and stay her with my parents" and that thought made vishali blush .
**********************************************************************************
Vishali parked her scooty in the parking lot and hurried to the terminal hoping she was not late
it was almost 6pm in the evening and her lab had gotten cancelled and so she decided to go to the airport to meet sudha. she had decided on the whim but now as she neared the terminal and saw lot of people milling about she realized that it might be difficult to locate sudha just when she was about to give up she saw shankar's dad and patti and came running towards them
" hello mama, patti" She said taking deep breath's because of her running
" Sudha onnoda friend ( your friend) " shankar's appa hollered
"hey" sudha smiled " i did not expect that you will come" smile seemed very genuine and she looked very haggard and her face was tear stained
" Did u think i will let go of you without even saying..Bye" vishali said hugging sudha
Tears trembled at the corner of her eyes " dont worry sudha everything will be fine..email me whenever u can ok..u know me i online most of the evenings..we can fix a time to chat..ok" vishali said
Sudha just nodded her
" sudha we have to go now" divakar said
" ok da kannama ( darling) take care" patti said and surrounded by her family she walked towards the terminal and soon was out of vishali's sight
"poor girl she has never been away from her mom and dad for even a day since she was kid and now she is flying all the way across the world.." patti said wiping her tears
" dont worry patti ..she will be fine" Vishali replied and put an hand around patti's shoulder and saw shankar hugging his mom who was crying a lot.
when she looked towards sudha's inlaws they are seemed to be a little tense and worried " well they must be feeling sad too.." Vishali thought
"Does shankar feel the same way about me??" she thought and that had been the thought that had been going on in her mind since sudha's wedding a week back.
sometimes she felt that he did but sometimes she thought may be she was imagining it all...
" Vishali.... did you find the equation for problem 4??" Swapna asked and that brought Vishali back to reality
" No...let me look" vishali replied glumly
" really i know this is not the most exciting course that we have taken but i have never seen u this distracted.. what is up with you??" swapna asked with a little concern in her voice
" did not get a good night's sleep yaar feeling very sleepy now..and this is not helping the matter" vishali said gesturing to the book..
"oh...you want to continue tommorow??? u can rest today that way we can get better work done" Swapna said
"no yaar..lets complete it today..let me get some tea iam sure i will feel better " vishali replied"u want to come with me the canteen??"
" Dont feel like Tea..why dont u get some for yourself and hopefully by the time u come back i would have finished the problem" swapna said
"ok" vishali said and started walking towards the canteen and in the distance and she saw shankar walking towards her
" hey how are u?? whats up with you u did not return my calls??" he asked worried
" err.. was little busy" Vishali replied half heartedly. somehow suddenly being around him had made her nervous and she could not understand it
"anyways sudha and diavkar are leaving tommorow ..so we are having a little get together today evening..." shankar drawled
"hey i have stuff to submit tommorow ..it is that calculus class " vishali sighed" i dont think i can come yaar...but i will call sudha and talk to her"
"Is there something wrong vishali" shankar asked
" no...nothing iam just worried about the calculus exam.." Vishali said
"I know you too well to know that it is not what is worrying you..c'mon yaar we are friends..u can tell me" shankar insisted
" hey nothing at all..i have to get back to library swapna is waiting for me there...just came to get some tea and then i have to tackle the assignment.." vishali grimaced
Vishali entered the canteen with shankar in tow and found it to be empty she got her tea and as she turned to leave shankar caught her hand and vishali froze
" i have something to tell u ..." he said vishali felt her heart beating faster as she looked at shankar .she felt like her tongue was stuck to the roof of her mouth she wanted ask him what he was doing holding her hand in a public place but so many questions also flooded through her mind..that she was unable to form one comprehensible question
"hey Vishali..." swapna called from the entrance of the canteen and shankar hurriedly let go of her hand " you forgot your wallet" she said walking in to the canteen
" hey shankar" swapna smiled at him " when is your sister flying to US"
"Tommorow" shankar replied very curtly " vishali i have to go now all the best to u girls"
Shankar waved to them over his shoulder and walked out of the canteen
" what is eating him" swapna asked looking at vishali
" i dont know ..i guess he is feeling low because his sister is leaving..thanks for getting my wallet yaar..i did not even realize that it was not with me.." vishali replied " lets go and finish the assignment"
**********************************************************************************
Vishali woke up and found that the sun was already up bright and shining..her eyes felt grainy from lack of sleep" damn the calculus assignment" she thought it had taken lot longer than she anticipated "s*** i have to call sudha" Vishali bounded out of her bed and called sudha
" hello can i talk to sudha" she said to the voice on the other line who turned out to be divakar
" sudha is taking shower..may i know who is this calling" He asked
" this is vishali..we met at your wedding" vishali replied hesitantly..he did not seem all that friendly to her
" i will ask her to give you a call later" he said curtly and hung up the phone
" yaruma phone la(who was on the phone??)" vishali's dad asked her
" i called Sudha at her Inlaws place pa" Vishali replied giving him a quick hug and peck on the cheek
by the time Vishali got ready she still had not gotten a call from sudha ..so she called again and this time sudha came on the phone
" hello Mrs. divakar eppadi irrukenga??( hello mrs divakar how are you??)" Vishali asked teasingly
" Alive " sudha replied and she sounded like she had been crying
" hey enna acchu??( what happened??) u sound like u have been crying?" vishali asked with concern
"onnum illai ( nothing) just feeling bad that iam gonna be leaving today" sudha replied in a subdued voice
" hey dont worry yaar we will never let you miss us all...u can always call and talk to us whenever you want and shankar will be comming there to study too soon..send me emails regulary and we can chat ..it will be like we close to each other" Vishali tried to console her
" i know..i have to go now vishali people have come to see us off..if u can it will be nice to meet u before i leave" She said
" i will try .." vishali promised " bye take care"
Vishali then hurried out of home feeling a little sad" why is it tht girls have to leave everything behind when they get married...well iam not gonna be like that..shankar is gonna come and stay her with my parents" and that thought made vishali blush .
**********************************************************************************
Vishali parked her scooty in the parking lot and hurried to the terminal hoping she was not late
it was almost 6pm in the evening and her lab had gotten cancelled and so she decided to go to the airport to meet sudha. she had decided on the whim but now as she neared the terminal and saw lot of people milling about she realized that it might be difficult to locate sudha just when she was about to give up she saw shankar's dad and patti and came running towards them
" hello mama, patti" She said taking deep breath's because of her running
" Sudha onnoda friend ( your friend) " shankar's appa hollered
"hey" sudha smiled " i did not expect that you will come" smile seemed very genuine and she looked very haggard and her face was tear stained
" Did u think i will let go of you without even saying..Bye" vishali said hugging sudha
Tears trembled at the corner of her eyes " dont worry sudha everything will be fine..email me whenever u can ok..u know me i online most of the evenings..we can fix a time to chat..ok" vishali said
Sudha just nodded her
" sudha we have to go now" divakar said
" ok da kannama ( darling) take care" patti said and surrounded by her family she walked towards the terminal and soon was out of vishali's sight
"poor girl she has never been away from her mom and dad for even a day since she was kid and now she is flying all the way across the world.." patti said wiping her tears
" dont worry patti ..she will be fine" Vishali replied and put an hand around patti's shoulder and saw shankar hugging his mom who was crying a lot.
when she looked towards sudha's inlaws they are seemed to be a little tense and worried " well they must be feeling sad too.." Vishali thought
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Mangalyam thantuna nena..-5
The Wedding hall was bustling with people comming in and going out. The hall entrance had an elaborate Kollam( rangoli) in arisi mavu (Rice flour)
"patti must have been incharge of that " vishali thought smiling to herself. she had come for the viradham ( pre wedding ceremony in all Brahmin marriage) along with her parents.
on entering the hall she noticed both the bride and the groom,s family were chanting matra's .
on seeing vishali shankar a huge smile and came to greet her
" hello mama ,mami vangao ( come in uncle and aunty)" he said very formally.
Vishali smiled mischieviously at him " enna ( what) u wont give the invite for me"
"well vishali madam do come in " he said with a mock bow vishali's parents laughed along with her
" ennapa shankar akkaku kalyanama ( what shankar you sister is getting married today)" vishali's mom asked him . Vishali's parents were very fond of shankar and it was very evident in the way her mom and dad talked to him now.
By that time shankar's mom came over to greet them too and she needed some grown up help and both her parents went to help her.
" i thought you will comming in a saree today" shankar said
" well i dont want to wear it everyday ..u know the effect comes when worn on special occasions" vishali replied putting on false air and then burst out laughing " well i will wear saree for the wedding and reception" she replied seriously
" anyways amma has selected a saree for you ...for our wedding..errr i mean for sudha's wedding" shankar colored furiously..he could not believe he said that
Vishali colored too " oh that is sweet of her she did not have to..." she replied half heartedly and then both of them fell silent and thankfully patti came looking for her and asked vishali to sit with sudha during the ceremony to give her company
During the entire ceremony vishali kept thinking about shankar and about their future they both have never talked about them.. they had always been happy to be friends and have never discussed things beyond that...but somehow being in a wedding today made vishali wonder about her's
" this is foolish " she thought but everytime she looked up at shankar and their eyes met she blushed becos she could almost the same thoughts going through his head.
***********************************************************************************
The wedding was early next morning but before that there was Unjal( swing) ceremony which was a occasion for much good natured ribbing of both the bride and the groom. Sudha looked resplendant in her dark green kanchiveram silk saree . Her long black hair was braided with a jasmine and rose flowers interwined in the braid. she was decked with all the tradition jewellery like netti chutti( ornament on head) to uddiyanam( gold chain around the waist) she really looked like an angel to the vishali.
All around her people were dressed in their finest with tons of jewellery. Vishali looked very nice in her Red color silk saree that shankar's mom had bought for her. Many people actually told her she looked very beautiful that made her blush .
She kept looking out for shankar but he was very busy and was running all around the hall and she was little disappointed that he did not compliment her ...even though she understood that he had to work.
The wedding ceremony itself was very interesting with matras being chanted and with it the siginificance of the ceremony hit her
Durning kanya dhanam ( giving away of the bride) the significance of the matras brought tears to her eyes. she was with sudha through out the ceremony and as she saw divakar very religiously repeating all the mantras and all the small smiles that he gave sudha actually put vishali's mind to rest becos the way things have been before the wedding .
" may be things do get better after getting married.." vishali thought and at that moment she caught sight of shankar comming towards the stage and their eyes met and Vishali blushed ..
Shankar came and stood next to her and translated the mantra for her
"She standeth here, pure before the holy fire, as one blessed with boons of a good mind, a healthy body, life-long companionship of her husband ( Sumangali Bhagyam ) and children with long life. She standeth as one who is avowed to stand by her husband virtuously. Be she tied with this red-grass rope, to the sacrament of marriage"
And as her father offered Sudha's Hand to her husband and recited the mantra shankar stealthily caught her hand and translated the matra for her
"I offer ye my daughter, a maiden virtuous, good-natured, very wise, decked with ornaments to the best of my ability-; that she shall guard the Dharma, Wealth, and Love! "
Vishali was very confused and felt flushed and happy at the same time but she did not pull away he hand either and when he actually let go of her hand she actually felt a twinge of sadness
" well i cant expect him to stand here holding my hand" she thought
after kanya dhanam( giving away of the girl) came the mangalya dharam and the groom tied the mangalyam ( mangal sutra) to the matra
" magalyam thantuna nena mama jeevana hetuna ( with this sacres thread i accept you as my wife..)....." as the pandits recited these mantras Vishali felt like two souls were meshed together for this life
and then came Pani ghrahanam ( holding hands) and Saptha padhi ( seven steps) and as all mantras were uttered Vishali thought that she could actually see Sudha and Divakar actually becoming married.
Vishali suddenly felt the process no longer seemed like a ritual but a profound age old process of uniting two people in the sacred bond for eternity"..atleast for this life.. may be becos i am in love and that is why it all makes sense" the thought creeped up on her and the thought shocked her and with that came the some doubts as to whether shankar felt the same about her......
"patti must have been incharge of that " vishali thought smiling to herself. she had come for the viradham ( pre wedding ceremony in all Brahmin marriage) along with her parents.
on entering the hall she noticed both the bride and the groom,s family were chanting matra's .
on seeing vishali shankar a huge smile and came to greet her
" hello mama ,mami vangao ( come in uncle and aunty)" he said very formally.
Vishali smiled mischieviously at him " enna ( what) u wont give the invite for me"
"well vishali madam do come in " he said with a mock bow vishali's parents laughed along with her
" ennapa shankar akkaku kalyanama ( what shankar you sister is getting married today)" vishali's mom asked him . Vishali's parents were very fond of shankar and it was very evident in the way her mom and dad talked to him now.
By that time shankar's mom came over to greet them too and she needed some grown up help and both her parents went to help her.
" i thought you will comming in a saree today" shankar said
" well i dont want to wear it everyday ..u know the effect comes when worn on special occasions" vishali replied putting on false air and then burst out laughing " well i will wear saree for the wedding and reception" she replied seriously
" anyways amma has selected a saree for you ...for our wedding..errr i mean for sudha's wedding" shankar colored furiously..he could not believe he said that
Vishali colored too " oh that is sweet of her she did not have to..." she replied half heartedly and then both of them fell silent and thankfully patti came looking for her and asked vishali to sit with sudha during the ceremony to give her company
During the entire ceremony vishali kept thinking about shankar and about their future they both have never talked about them.. they had always been happy to be friends and have never discussed things beyond that...but somehow being in a wedding today made vishali wonder about her's
" this is foolish " she thought but everytime she looked up at shankar and their eyes met she blushed becos she could almost the same thoughts going through his head.
***********************************************************************************
The wedding was early next morning but before that there was Unjal( swing) ceremony which was a occasion for much good natured ribbing of both the bride and the groom. Sudha looked resplendant in her dark green kanchiveram silk saree . Her long black hair was braided with a jasmine and rose flowers interwined in the braid. she was decked with all the tradition jewellery like netti chutti( ornament on head) to uddiyanam( gold chain around the waist) she really looked like an angel to the vishali.
All around her people were dressed in their finest with tons of jewellery. Vishali looked very nice in her Red color silk saree that shankar's mom had bought for her. Many people actually told her she looked very beautiful that made her blush .
She kept looking out for shankar but he was very busy and was running all around the hall and she was little disappointed that he did not compliment her ...even though she understood that he had to work.
The wedding ceremony itself was very interesting with matras being chanted and with it the siginificance of the ceremony hit her
Durning kanya dhanam ( giving away of the bride) the significance of the matras brought tears to her eyes. she was with sudha through out the ceremony and as she saw divakar very religiously repeating all the mantras and all the small smiles that he gave sudha actually put vishali's mind to rest becos the way things have been before the wedding .
" may be things do get better after getting married.." vishali thought and at that moment she caught sight of shankar comming towards the stage and their eyes met and Vishali blushed ..
Shankar came and stood next to her and translated the mantra for her
"She standeth here, pure before the holy fire, as one blessed with boons of a good mind, a healthy body, life-long companionship of her husband ( Sumangali Bhagyam ) and children with long life. She standeth as one who is avowed to stand by her husband virtuously. Be she tied with this red-grass rope, to the sacrament of marriage"
And as her father offered Sudha's Hand to her husband and recited the mantra shankar stealthily caught her hand and translated the matra for her
"I offer ye my daughter, a maiden virtuous, good-natured, very wise, decked with ornaments to the best of my ability-; that she shall guard the Dharma, Wealth, and Love! "
Vishali was very confused and felt flushed and happy at the same time but she did not pull away he hand either and when he actually let go of her hand she actually felt a twinge of sadness
" well i cant expect him to stand here holding my hand" she thought
after kanya dhanam( giving away of the girl) came the mangalya dharam and the groom tied the mangalyam ( mangal sutra) to the matra
" magalyam thantuna nena mama jeevana hetuna ( with this sacres thread i accept you as my wife..)....." as the pandits recited these mantras Vishali felt like two souls were meshed together for this life
and then came Pani ghrahanam ( holding hands) and Saptha padhi ( seven steps) and as all mantras were uttered Vishali thought that she could actually see Sudha and Divakar actually becoming married.
Vishali suddenly felt the process no longer seemed like a ritual but a profound age old process of uniting two people in the sacred bond for eternity"..atleast for this life.. may be becos i am in love and that is why it all makes sense" the thought creeped up on her and the thought shocked her and with that came the some doubts as to whether shankar felt the same about her......
Sunday, April 09, 2006
Mangalyam thantuna nena..-4
Vishali woke with a start to realize that she had fallen asleep in the middle of her math lecture . she rubbed her eyes greatful the professor DPS had not seen her snoozing he had a very nasty way of pouring water over the student to wake them.
she stifled a Yawn again and thought " i cant wait for this semester to end.."
Atleast i get to go shopping today evening " the thought perked her up .
Sudha's wedding was only 2 weeks away and she had promised her that she will go shopping with her.
Vishali was still surprised at the speed at which the wedding this is proceeding for sudha" but then i have never been so personally involved in the process may be this is how it is really done"
Vishali mused " still it had been just mere 2 months since the entire process had started and already they are getting married. sudha actually was starting to feel some prewedding jitters " shankar had told her as much but he had not elaborated on that matter.
" well i will talk to her this evening i will know what it is" Vishali thought pursuing her lips " watever it was shankar seemed very unhappy about it..if only this boring class got over"
"Vishali" professor DPS voice seemed to break her out of her reverie " can u solve this differential equation" he said
" god he had noticed i was asleep " vishali thought frantically as she started walking to the board " now what was he talking about..."
***********************************************************************************
" hey why the glum face" shankar asked when he joined her outside the class
" well i feel asleep in the class and Prof DPS made a do a problem on the board just when i got up and it was such a disaster i could not even remember which chapter we were in.." vishali replied glumly
" well forget about it yaar things like this happen" shankar said and that surprised Vishali it was not like him to give up a chance to poke fun at her
" are you ok" she asked him
" just a little worried about sudha and things at home. with only 2 weeks left amma and appa are busy with all the wedding preparations ..u know his parents always want to add one thing or the other after the arrangements were made"
Vishali had heard about these little requests that seem to be popping up from divakar's parents " what do u they want now??" vishali asked
"a light music troupe for the reception..u know all his friends might like it" shankar replied a little heatedly " there are only 2 weeks left and where will we find one??"
" hey relax ...did sudha talk to divakar about this??" vishali asked
" well that is what started the other problem divakar had not called for weeks and so amma casually asked his mom about it and then next day divakar called so sudha talked to him about these requests of his parents and all that guy said was to do as his parents asked and then after 10 mins he just hung up that was about 2 weeks back ..and then i guess he told this to his mom who called sudha and lectured her about ettiquettes of an tamil brahmin girl who is about to be married . sudha was crying the whole of the weekend and amma consoled her and told her that once she got married things will change as she will not be staying with her inlaws but in america."
Vishali felt bad for sudha and also for the fact that she had not talked to her in a week's time.." well i can rectify that today" she thought
" iam going to your house only want a lift" she asked
" no yaar i have a class in another hour i will come and meet you after that" shankar replied and said good bye to her
Vishali got on her scooty and reached shankar's house sudha was waiting for her and got on her bike not before vishali snagged some mysore pakku from shankar's patti and hugged her.
they both started towards the market centre to get some bangles first
Sudha seemed very quiet during the ride
" not the behaviour i expected from a about to be married girl" vishali said trying to make a conversation with her
" dont feel like one " sudha replied
" you know what lets first go and have some lassi and then we can do our shopping" vishali said and stopped at the nearest ice cream parlour
" hey sudha what is really up yaar" vishali asked her once they had given the orders
" i dont know vishali..i dont know if things are going wrong or something is wrong with me. u know when i thought about marraige i always was resigned to the fact it will be an arranged marriage and that it will take people to warm up to each other. i understand all that but i some how feel like divakar is feeling anything towards me there does not seem to be even a mild curiousity as to what iam doing or what i want. i dont know sometimes i feel like that but other times i feel like iam imagining it" sudha stopped looking about hesistatingly
vishali did not know what to say in response so " hey it will be ok .i think it is becos u guys have not seen each other may as ur mom says things will be better after u got married"
Vishali smiled at sudha encouragingly " now lets finish the lassi and then we can go and do some good shopping "
Sudha smiled back at her and nodded her assent.
she stifled a Yawn again and thought " i cant wait for this semester to end.."
Atleast i get to go shopping today evening " the thought perked her up .
Sudha's wedding was only 2 weeks away and she had promised her that she will go shopping with her.
Vishali was still surprised at the speed at which the wedding this is proceeding for sudha" but then i have never been so personally involved in the process may be this is how it is really done"
Vishali mused " still it had been just mere 2 months since the entire process had started and already they are getting married. sudha actually was starting to feel some prewedding jitters " shankar had told her as much but he had not elaborated on that matter.
" well i will talk to her this evening i will know what it is" Vishali thought pursuing her lips " watever it was shankar seemed very unhappy about it..if only this boring class got over"
"Vishali" professor DPS voice seemed to break her out of her reverie " can u solve this differential equation" he said
" god he had noticed i was asleep " vishali thought frantically as she started walking to the board " now what was he talking about..."
***********************************************************************************
" hey why the glum face" shankar asked when he joined her outside the class
" well i feel asleep in the class and Prof DPS made a do a problem on the board just when i got up and it was such a disaster i could not even remember which chapter we were in.." vishali replied glumly
" well forget about it yaar things like this happen" shankar said and that surprised Vishali it was not like him to give up a chance to poke fun at her
" are you ok" she asked him
" just a little worried about sudha and things at home. with only 2 weeks left amma and appa are busy with all the wedding preparations ..u know his parents always want to add one thing or the other after the arrangements were made"
Vishali had heard about these little requests that seem to be popping up from divakar's parents " what do u they want now??" vishali asked
"a light music troupe for the reception..u know all his friends might like it" shankar replied a little heatedly " there are only 2 weeks left and where will we find one??"
" hey relax ...did sudha talk to divakar about this??" vishali asked
" well that is what started the other problem divakar had not called for weeks and so amma casually asked his mom about it and then next day divakar called so sudha talked to him about these requests of his parents and all that guy said was to do as his parents asked and then after 10 mins he just hung up that was about 2 weeks back ..and then i guess he told this to his mom who called sudha and lectured her about ettiquettes of an tamil brahmin girl who is about to be married . sudha was crying the whole of the weekend and amma consoled her and told her that once she got married things will change as she will not be staying with her inlaws but in america."
Vishali felt bad for sudha and also for the fact that she had not talked to her in a week's time.." well i can rectify that today" she thought
" iam going to your house only want a lift" she asked
" no yaar i have a class in another hour i will come and meet you after that" shankar replied and said good bye to her
Vishali got on her scooty and reached shankar's house sudha was waiting for her and got on her bike not before vishali snagged some mysore pakku from shankar's patti and hugged her.
they both started towards the market centre to get some bangles first
Sudha seemed very quiet during the ride
" not the behaviour i expected from a about to be married girl" vishali said trying to make a conversation with her
" dont feel like one " sudha replied
" you know what lets first go and have some lassi and then we can do our shopping" vishali said and stopped at the nearest ice cream parlour
" hey sudha what is really up yaar" vishali asked her once they had given the orders
" i dont know vishali..i dont know if things are going wrong or something is wrong with me. u know when i thought about marraige i always was resigned to the fact it will be an arranged marriage and that it will take people to warm up to each other. i understand all that but i some how feel like divakar is feeling anything towards me there does not seem to be even a mild curiousity as to what iam doing or what i want. i dont know sometimes i feel like that but other times i feel like iam imagining it" sudha stopped looking about hesistatingly
vishali did not know what to say in response so " hey it will be ok .i think it is becos u guys have not seen each other may as ur mom says things will be better after u got married"
Vishali smiled at sudha encouragingly " now lets finish the lassi and then we can go and do some good shopping "
Sudha smiled back at her and nodded her assent.
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
Mangalyam thantuna nena..-3
Shankar came back to their table with 2 steaming cups of masala tea..Vishali looked up from her notes and smiled closing the book.
“ I did not think u will be coming here before tomorrow” she quipped
“well see I can still surprise you “ shankar retorted “ the line was way to long ..” he said
“ so how is Sudha I have not talked to her for weeks” vishali said
‘you know she is busy shopping and all “ shankar said
“ well most of the time iam sure she is on phone”Vishali said taking a sip of masala tea
“Hmmm.. Masala tea from the canteen is the best “
“ well not exactly u know time difference between US and India and all and anyways he did send an email to her sometime last week telling her he is working on something so he is very busy” shankar replied
“ Oh.” Vishali said
************************************************************************
Vishali entered the small community hall adjusting her Saree ..she had worn a pink chiffon saree with little chikken work on her blouse.
" you are late.." shankar's dad hollered at her from other end of the hall and smiled at her
"sorry mama(uncle) " vishali replied sheepishly
" Sudha is in back room towards the left trying to get ready..i think her amma is trying to help her but u know we are oldtimers ...we dont know the happenings of new generation.." Shankar's dad winked at her
" let me go and help her then mama.." vishali started to move towards the room
" i think we need to talk to your parents about getting married too...u never realize how much your girl has grown up until u see her in a saree..u are looking very beautiful today.." shankar's dad said
Vishali blushed and said a "thanks mama" shyly
Shankar's dad then saw someone he knew entering the hall and went to talk to them and Vishali walked to Sudha's room in the hall
The place looked very festive what with all the mav illai ( mango tree leaves) and thoranam ( not sure what it is)..also some artifical potted plants were strategically aligned making it look actually a little garish vishali thought
"where is shankar..???" vishali thought as she opened the door to the room and saw sudha arguing with her mother about her hairstyle
" amma i dont want to keep kunjalam( hair adornment) in my hair.." she protested and seeing Vishali her face lit up.." vishali please tell her na.."
Both Shankar's amma and patti saw her
"enn kannae pattudum neenakaren.. podaivaila enna naana irruka paaru..(i think i myself will give her an evil eye..she looks so beautiful in saree..) " shankar's patti said looking at Vishali
Vishali blushed and then said " well today is Sudha's day paati i think she should dress as she likes..and mami( aunty) kunjalam is so old time.."
"thanks.." sudha said hugging her and shankar's amma Beamed at both the girls and then
" serima nee vandutae .( ok u are here now) dress as u girls like.."
Both of them giggled and Vishali started helping in tying sudha's peacock blue saree
" it is his fav color.." sudha said
" oh i c...starting to impress your hubby already.." vishali teased her..
"well anyways he wont be here ..so it does not matter.." sudha replied her face a little downcast" it is just for our in laws u know...our only son is getting married..we want it to be a occasion to remember...i was not enthu for it vishali getting decked like a doll and standing in front of everyone so all his relatives can look at me and pass comments..but u have do it for customs.."
"if it is custom's i think you guys could have had a small ceremony now and then a grand one later when u and divakar are together..." vishali said
Sudha rolled her eyes and said " wait till u are in my position then u will know whatever u say will have no weight ..atleast if you disagree.."
" i will be honest all this grandeur when both the guy and girl are not interested..that seems like such a waste to me..." vishali said adjusting the pleats of sudha's saree
" well all divakar said when he called me a week back that too was whatever his parents wanted.." sudha said" amma and appa want this to be grand too u know..sometimes you are helpless in these things...i feel so bad that becos of me my parents have to waste so much money.." tears brimmed in Sudha's eyes
" Appa had to sell our ancentral land for my wedding..he says that he wants it to be a grand affait..but i can see it is his parents who want it...and everytime i bring out the expenses both my parents sush me by saying that you are our only daughter and we dont mind doing it for you...it breaks my heart to see them both sitting and working out expenses..we are only middle class people vishali...i feel like such a burden to them.."
" hey Sudha comon yaar today is day of your engagement ..u should be the beaming bride there and believe me things will be fine..i think you are just having some pre wedding jitters that is all...things will all be ok..." vishali smiled trying to cheer up her friend even though in her heart vishali felt exactly as sudha did
" seri(ok) no more crying iam gonna start with you eye makeup now we are getting late ok" vishali forced more cheerfulness in to her voice and started earnestly beautifying her friend
*********************************************************************************
"appa i withdrew the amount you asked me to" shankar said passing the leather pouch with money in it..
he was worried that his appa had broken their saving's account but did not want say anything to spoil the mood.
"seri da kanna ( ok dear boy) go and see if all our guests have coffee and here comes the grooms family..let me go and greet them "he said moving to the entrance
Shankar went and talked to the caterers and after making sure that everything was going good he went to Sudha's room and after knocking on the door he heard " enter" and knew that vishali was there and was very surprised to see vishali in a saree
"wow yaaru intha mami?? ( who is this aunty..?)" he asked in his mocking voice indicating vishali
Vishali threw the comb she was using to set sudha's hair at him and said " may be we need to get your eye's checked along with your brain.."
Sudha laughed along with Vishali at shankar
" anyways came to tell you that Groom's family is here so get ready soon.." Shankar said but was still looking at Vishali with open admiration
" just 2 more mins she will be ready " vishali said getting her hair set in the right way" there you are all set.." Vishali beamed " you look so pretty..iam sure if divakar was here he would be drooling.."
Sudha smiled at her compliment " i think i should go and say hello to my In laws now.." at that moment her sister in law came in with couple of her friends and took sudha out to introduce her to her relatives and other family friends
Vishali straightened her hair and saw that shankar was still there.." you really look very pretty today" shankar said very hesitatingly
" if you are making fun of me..i will hit you with my sandals" vishali said turning to look at him
" no iam serious ..you were always beautiful but today you look radiant" he said earnestly
Somehow hearing shankar say that made Vishali Blush even more
" you both are here" shankar's mom came bustling in" the ceremony is about to begin ...let's go"
She said
vishali gave shankar a very special smile and walked out with his mom..shankar sighed and then followed them both out.
“ I did not think u will be coming here before tomorrow” she quipped
“well see I can still surprise you “ shankar retorted “ the line was way to long ..” he said
“ so how is Sudha I have not talked to her for weeks” vishali said
‘you know she is busy shopping and all “ shankar said
“ well most of the time iam sure she is on phone”Vishali said taking a sip of masala tea
“Hmmm.. Masala tea from the canteen is the best “
“ well not exactly u know time difference between US and India and all and anyways he did send an email to her sometime last week telling her he is working on something so he is very busy” shankar replied
“ Oh.” Vishali said
************************************************************************
Vishali entered the small community hall adjusting her Saree ..she had worn a pink chiffon saree with little chikken work on her blouse.
" you are late.." shankar's dad hollered at her from other end of the hall and smiled at her
"sorry mama(uncle) " vishali replied sheepishly
" Sudha is in back room towards the left trying to get ready..i think her amma is trying to help her but u know we are oldtimers ...we dont know the happenings of new generation.." Shankar's dad winked at her
" let me go and help her then mama.." vishali started to move towards the room
" i think we need to talk to your parents about getting married too...u never realize how much your girl has grown up until u see her in a saree..u are looking very beautiful today.." shankar's dad said
Vishali blushed and said a "thanks mama" shyly
Shankar's dad then saw someone he knew entering the hall and went to talk to them and Vishali walked to Sudha's room in the hall
The place looked very festive what with all the mav illai ( mango tree leaves) and thoranam ( not sure what it is)..also some artifical potted plants were strategically aligned making it look actually a little garish vishali thought
"where is shankar..???" vishali thought as she opened the door to the room and saw sudha arguing with her mother about her hairstyle
" amma i dont want to keep kunjalam( hair adornment) in my hair.." she protested and seeing Vishali her face lit up.." vishali please tell her na.."
Both Shankar's amma and patti saw her
"enn kannae pattudum neenakaren.. podaivaila enna naana irruka paaru..(i think i myself will give her an evil eye..she looks so beautiful in saree..) " shankar's patti said looking at Vishali
Vishali blushed and then said " well today is Sudha's day paati i think she should dress as she likes..and mami( aunty) kunjalam is so old time.."
"thanks.." sudha said hugging her and shankar's amma Beamed at both the girls and then
" serima nee vandutae .( ok u are here now) dress as u girls like.."
Both of them giggled and Vishali started helping in tying sudha's peacock blue saree
" it is his fav color.." sudha said
" oh i c...starting to impress your hubby already.." vishali teased her..
"well anyways he wont be here ..so it does not matter.." sudha replied her face a little downcast" it is just for our in laws u know...our only son is getting married..we want it to be a occasion to remember...i was not enthu for it vishali getting decked like a doll and standing in front of everyone so all his relatives can look at me and pass comments..but u have do it for customs.."
"if it is custom's i think you guys could have had a small ceremony now and then a grand one later when u and divakar are together..." vishali said
Sudha rolled her eyes and said " wait till u are in my position then u will know whatever u say will have no weight ..atleast if you disagree.."
" i will be honest all this grandeur when both the guy and girl are not interested..that seems like such a waste to me..." vishali said adjusting the pleats of sudha's saree
" well all divakar said when he called me a week back that too was whatever his parents wanted.." sudha said" amma and appa want this to be grand too u know..sometimes you are helpless in these things...i feel so bad that becos of me my parents have to waste so much money.." tears brimmed in Sudha's eyes
" Appa had to sell our ancentral land for my wedding..he says that he wants it to be a grand affait..but i can see it is his parents who want it...and everytime i bring out the expenses both my parents sush me by saying that you are our only daughter and we dont mind doing it for you...it breaks my heart to see them both sitting and working out expenses..we are only middle class people vishali...i feel like such a burden to them.."
" hey Sudha comon yaar today is day of your engagement ..u should be the beaming bride there and believe me things will be fine..i think you are just having some pre wedding jitters that is all...things will all be ok..." vishali smiled trying to cheer up her friend even though in her heart vishali felt exactly as sudha did
" seri(ok) no more crying iam gonna start with you eye makeup now we are getting late ok" vishali forced more cheerfulness in to her voice and started earnestly beautifying her friend
*********************************************************************************
"appa i withdrew the amount you asked me to" shankar said passing the leather pouch with money in it..
he was worried that his appa had broken their saving's account but did not want say anything to spoil the mood.
"seri da kanna ( ok dear boy) go and see if all our guests have coffee and here comes the grooms family..let me go and greet them "he said moving to the entrance
Shankar went and talked to the caterers and after making sure that everything was going good he went to Sudha's room and after knocking on the door he heard " enter" and knew that vishali was there and was very surprised to see vishali in a saree
"wow yaaru intha mami?? ( who is this aunty..?)" he asked in his mocking voice indicating vishali
Vishali threw the comb she was using to set sudha's hair at him and said " may be we need to get your eye's checked along with your brain.."
Sudha laughed along with Vishali at shankar
" anyways came to tell you that Groom's family is here so get ready soon.." Shankar said but was still looking at Vishali with open admiration
" just 2 more mins she will be ready " vishali said getting her hair set in the right way" there you are all set.." Vishali beamed " you look so pretty..iam sure if divakar was here he would be drooling.."
Sudha smiled at her compliment " i think i should go and say hello to my In laws now.." at that moment her sister in law came in with couple of her friends and took sudha out to introduce her to her relatives and other family friends
Vishali straightened her hair and saw that shankar was still there.." you really look very pretty today" shankar said very hesitatingly
" if you are making fun of me..i will hit you with my sandals" vishali said turning to look at him
" no iam serious ..you were always beautiful but today you look radiant" he said earnestly
Somehow hearing shankar say that made Vishali Blush even more
" you both are here" shankar's mom came bustling in" the ceremony is about to begin ...let's go"
She said
vishali gave shankar a very special smile and walked out with his mom..shankar sighed and then followed them both out.
Friday, March 31, 2006
Mangalyam thantuna nena..-2
"Hmmmm..patti u make the best sweets in the world" Vishali crooned, patti smiled proudly at her and just then sudha walked in to the room and Vishali jumped up and hugged her " congrats sudha...this dumbo here is not telling me anything other than UIUC " Vishali said pointing to shankar " now u have to tell me all the details.." Sudha Blushed...and Vishali could not believe it sudha always seemed so cool, collected and serene all the time. " I think we should talk in private too.." Vishali said
"that is so unfair..girls always do this" Shankar whined but the girls have already walked in to sudha's room and locked the door.
"So Sudha tell me all the interesting details.." Vishali asked
"Well he is working in Denver..." sudha started
"Ungaloda avarukku peru unda..(Does your fiancé have a name..??)" vishali teased and sudha blushed again and said " Divakar" in a shy voice
"God..i would not have believed sudha would blush"Vishali thought "She was always so mature in school.." Sudha was three years elder to shankar and all three of them have done all the schooling together.
Vishali had been a bit of free spirit and always was up for a prank or two..usually dragging a passive shankar along for the ride..but sudha being the eldest had always kept them inline..Vishali initially was annoyed by her interference but over the time as they grew they have gotten closer to each other and now vishali saw her as her sister too.
"So do u like Divakar??" Vishali asked
"well..."Sudha dragged
"gosh i asked u a simple question..and sudha its me..u can tell me.." Vishali said
" Well he is very nice.." sudha said
" That still does not answer the question.." Vishali insisted
"i think with time i will like him..amma and appa think he is a good match for me and his family seems very nice too..did shankar tell u she is gonna join your college this summer.." sudha trailed off
"Hey Sudha..i can see that your family is happy and this decision that you are taking is something that will affect your entire life..i just wanted to be sure that you are 100% convinced that this is the guy for you...after all from what i heard u guys have talked once on phone and u saw his photo and u have said yes.." vishali said seriously..
Sudha looked up at her..her eyes suddenly seemed brimming with tears
"vishali when u are gonna get married u will realise that it is not like in movies..where u absolutely fall in love with the person who u meet. the reality for us is different here ..iam almost 24 now and amma and appa have been searching for a groom for almost a year and they have been getting really worried too becos guys with the reliable jobs and good background are very difficult to find and even among those the guys have so much expectations as to what they want in the girl ..u know they want to know if she has done computer engg and all.. but more than the guys his family has more expectations...u would understand this when u go through the process.." sudha sighed looking at Vishali's expression
"Hey watever happened to u marry some one becos u like them ..." vishali quipped
" this guy is not that bad yaar..he talks to me well and is well settled in US ..so u know no mamiyar and nathanar thollai's ( mother-in-law and sister -in-law troubles)" sudha laughed trying to lighten the mood.
"that i have to agree is def a plus to marrying a guy in US no in-law quibbles " vishali smiled " i can see u r brother trying to listen to us through the window....hey wanna go and get some icecream" vishali asked
"ok" said sudha
"then u can fill me in on the details..." vishali said " shankar do u want to..."
"Always open to ice creams....."shankar pronounced
****************************************************************************************
"God why should i have signed up for that calculus course" vishali groaned to swapna
"well i did the same..cant believe it has been just three weeks since the college had reopened and we are already having an exam.." Swapna cribbed with her " well do u want to do a joint study tommorow night"
Vishali yawned " well do we have anyother option.. the exam is on monday ..so this weekend is shot.."
She saw shankar walking towards her..it had been three weeks since she saw him and he was smiling
Vishali smiled up at him “ coming over to gloat..” she asked
“About wat ..???” shankar asked
“well I have an exam on Monday in calculus and I know u told me not to take that course..yadda yadda.” Vishali said
“oh welli never say I told u so..” Shankar winked “ Hey choppu..”
Swapna grimaced “ iam not choppu ( plaything) my name is swapna..”
“Anyways came over to invite you girls to my sister’s Nichayathatham( engagement)..” shankar said
“Oh” both swapna and Vishali said
“Thanks for the invitation..” swapna said “ I have to go to library will catch u tonite ok..bye” and she left.
“things to seem to be happenening pretty fast for your sister I think..” vishali said hesitantly..
“well when everything seems to fit so well my parents seem to think there is no point in delaying things” shankar replied
“ hey sudha has not even seen the guy..” vishali protested
“they saw the photographs..and she is ok with him..wat is the problem in that” shankar said in a serious tone
“ well nothing..its just that I can marry some one I have not seen or known for a little while atleast..” Vishali said
“ may be you don’t have to ..” shankar said nonchalantly
“ and how do u know that..” vishali asked raising her eyebrow
“well lets just say madam I have a hunch..” he laughed
“whatever..” vishali replied
“ iam going to canteen for tea want to come”shankar asked
“ that is where I was thinking of going too..” vishali said
“Well see I do know everything..” shankar said and raised the collar of his shirt and ducked when vishali tried to hit him with her folder.
"that is so unfair..girls always do this" Shankar whined but the girls have already walked in to sudha's room and locked the door.
"So Sudha tell me all the interesting details.." Vishali asked
"Well he is working in Denver..." sudha started
"Ungaloda avarukku peru unda..(Does your fiancé have a name..??)" vishali teased and sudha blushed again and said " Divakar" in a shy voice
"God..i would not have believed sudha would blush"Vishali thought "She was always so mature in school.." Sudha was three years elder to shankar and all three of them have done all the schooling together.
Vishali had been a bit of free spirit and always was up for a prank or two..usually dragging a passive shankar along for the ride..but sudha being the eldest had always kept them inline..Vishali initially was annoyed by her interference but over the time as they grew they have gotten closer to each other and now vishali saw her as her sister too.
"So do u like Divakar??" Vishali asked
"well..."Sudha dragged
"gosh i asked u a simple question..and sudha its me..u can tell me.." Vishali said
" Well he is very nice.." sudha said
" That still does not answer the question.." Vishali insisted
"i think with time i will like him..amma and appa think he is a good match for me and his family seems very nice too..did shankar tell u she is gonna join your college this summer.." sudha trailed off
"Hey Sudha..i can see that your family is happy and this decision that you are taking is something that will affect your entire life..i just wanted to be sure that you are 100% convinced that this is the guy for you...after all from what i heard u guys have talked once on phone and u saw his photo and u have said yes.." vishali said seriously..
Sudha looked up at her..her eyes suddenly seemed brimming with tears
"vishali when u are gonna get married u will realise that it is not like in movies..where u absolutely fall in love with the person who u meet. the reality for us is different here ..iam almost 24 now and amma and appa have been searching for a groom for almost a year and they have been getting really worried too becos guys with the reliable jobs and good background are very difficult to find and even among those the guys have so much expectations as to what they want in the girl ..u know they want to know if she has done computer engg and all.. but more than the guys his family has more expectations...u would understand this when u go through the process.." sudha sighed looking at Vishali's expression
"Hey watever happened to u marry some one becos u like them ..." vishali quipped
" this guy is not that bad yaar..he talks to me well and is well settled in US ..so u know no mamiyar and nathanar thollai's ( mother-in-law and sister -in-law troubles)" sudha laughed trying to lighten the mood.
"that i have to agree is def a plus to marrying a guy in US no in-law quibbles " vishali smiled " i can see u r brother trying to listen to us through the window....hey wanna go and get some icecream" vishali asked
"ok" said sudha
"then u can fill me in on the details..." vishali said " shankar do u want to..."
"Always open to ice creams....."shankar pronounced
****************************************************************************************
"God why should i have signed up for that calculus course" vishali groaned to swapna
"well i did the same..cant believe it has been just three weeks since the college had reopened and we are already having an exam.." Swapna cribbed with her " well do u want to do a joint study tommorow night"
Vishali yawned " well do we have anyother option.. the exam is on monday ..so this weekend is shot.."
She saw shankar walking towards her..it had been three weeks since she saw him and he was smiling
Vishali smiled up at him “ coming over to gloat..” she asked
“About wat ..???” shankar asked
“well I have an exam on Monday in calculus and I know u told me not to take that course..yadda yadda.” Vishali said
“oh welli never say I told u so..” Shankar winked “ Hey choppu..”
Swapna grimaced “ iam not choppu ( plaything) my name is swapna..”
“Anyways came over to invite you girls to my sister’s Nichayathatham( engagement)..” shankar said
“Oh” both swapna and Vishali said
“Thanks for the invitation..” swapna said “ I have to go to library will catch u tonite ok..bye” and she left.
“things to seem to be happenening pretty fast for your sister I think..” vishali said hesitantly..
“well when everything seems to fit so well my parents seem to think there is no point in delaying things” shankar replied
“ hey sudha has not even seen the guy..” vishali protested
“they saw the photographs..and she is ok with him..wat is the problem in that” shankar said in a serious tone
“ well nothing..its just that I can marry some one I have not seen or known for a little while atleast..” Vishali said
“ may be you don’t have to ..” shankar said nonchalantly
“ and how do u know that..” vishali asked raising her eyebrow
“well lets just say madam I have a hunch..” he laughed
“whatever..” vishali replied
“ iam going to canteen for tea want to come”shankar asked
“ that is where I was thinking of going too..” vishali said
“Well see I do know everything..” shankar said and raised the collar of his shirt and ducked when vishali tried to hit him with her folder.
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Mangalyam thantuna nena..( My second story ppl...:D)
Vishali turned off the ignition and parked her Scooty on the patio of Shankar's house. The patio as usual smelled of jasmine flowers ..she lingered a bit longer taking in that sweet smell ..
"what took you so long???" Shankar asked pulling her out of trance.." i have been waiting for an hour for you to get here"
" sorry shankar got stuck at the gate in tambaram.." Vishali replied " so you sounded very excited on the phone...so wat is the big news.."
"Hello Vishali..eppadi ma irruke..( how are u )" that was shankar's patti (grandmother) " it has been long time since u came our place"
"Patti i was here last weekend only..." Vishali said with a mischevious smile " shankar told me u have made Theratti pal ( milk sweet) and karasev so here ami braving the summer heat and tambaram traffic "
Patti laughed " ulla vadi kannama..unnaku illatha theratipala ( come in darling...there is def sweet for you)"
Vishali hugged shankar's patti.."i wish my patti was like his.." she thought...
"let me go and get the sweets" patti said and went inside
She looked over at shankar and asked him " hey wat is the big news???"
" Sudha's marriage has been fixed." shankar beamed...
"congrats yaar.. where is she ..???" Vishali asked..
"she is on the phone talking to her finance.." shankar replied with a big grin on his face..
"Hello mami and mama ( Aunty and uncle)" vishali said to shankar's parents..
She liked his mom a lot too...
" did u hear the news vishali " shankar's amma asked
" yes mami..congrats on becoming mamiyar( mother in law)" vishali replied..
"thanks da kanna ( dear)" his amma replied..his dad smiled at her..he was busy talking to some one on cellphone.
"so tell me the details yaar" vishali asked
" well the guy is denver US and is a consultant..he has also applied for green card and is in the final stage and he wants to get married before he gets it..some funda that i did not understand" shankar gushed
"and..iam presuming there were reasons other than his Green card that made a suitable match for sudha.." vishali quipped
"His parents are from chennai only and his sister actually is gonna join our college this june in BSc maths..." he winked his eyes and Vishali sniffed "anyways he did his BE computer science in Anna university.."
"He was actually a state rank holder in the 12th Standard " shankar's father quipped in very proudly..
"appa let me finish" shankar whined and then turned to vishali and started saying briskly " anyways he finshed his MS inUS ..in UIUC..can u believe it...He told me he can help with my SOP.." Shankar said dreamily...
"hey that is nice shankar.." Vishali said...he always dreamed of doing PhD there ...Vishali thought
"So do you guys know his family well??" Vishali asked
" Well one of friends saw this guy's profile posted online and told us about them...we them contacted them...remember i told you they came to see sudha last week.."
" oh that was really fast.." Vishali thought " wat about sudha...is she interested.."
" Well Dumbo..after she said yes only we are proceeding.." Shankar replied..
Vishali saw Sudha walking on the terrace with phone in her hand..she seemed to be glowing..
She turned towards shankar and saw him grinning from ear to ear..
"wipe that stupid smile yaar.." Vishali teased him .." your sister is the one getting married not you.."
"well you know wat that means for me...not only will i be getting rid of my bossy sister..it also clears the line for me to get married.." shankar joked
"and who will marry a dumbo like you...i really pity that girl..." Vishali laughed " lets go and eat some sweets yaar..i feel hungry .." vishali said walked towards patti bringing the goodies ...
"what took you so long???" Shankar asked pulling her out of trance.." i have been waiting for an hour for you to get here"
" sorry shankar got stuck at the gate in tambaram.." Vishali replied " so you sounded very excited on the phone...so wat is the big news.."
"Hello Vishali..eppadi ma irruke..( how are u )" that was shankar's patti (grandmother) " it has been long time since u came our place"
"Patti i was here last weekend only..." Vishali said with a mischevious smile " shankar told me u have made Theratti pal ( milk sweet) and karasev so here ami braving the summer heat and tambaram traffic "
Patti laughed " ulla vadi kannama..unnaku illatha theratipala ( come in darling...there is def sweet for you)"
Vishali hugged shankar's patti.."i wish my patti was like his.." she thought...
"let me go and get the sweets" patti said and went inside
She looked over at shankar and asked him " hey wat is the big news???"
" Sudha's marriage has been fixed." shankar beamed...
"congrats yaar.. where is she ..???" Vishali asked..
"she is on the phone talking to her finance.." shankar replied with a big grin on his face..
"Hello mami and mama ( Aunty and uncle)" vishali said to shankar's parents..
She liked his mom a lot too...
" did u hear the news vishali " shankar's amma asked
" yes mami..congrats on becoming mamiyar( mother in law)" vishali replied..
"thanks da kanna ( dear)" his amma replied..his dad smiled at her..he was busy talking to some one on cellphone.
"so tell me the details yaar" vishali asked
" well the guy is denver US and is a consultant..he has also applied for green card and is in the final stage and he wants to get married before he gets it..some funda that i did not understand" shankar gushed
"and..iam presuming there were reasons other than his Green card that made a suitable match for sudha.." vishali quipped
"His parents are from chennai only and his sister actually is gonna join our college this june in BSc maths..." he winked his eyes and Vishali sniffed "anyways he did his BE computer science in Anna university.."
"He was actually a state rank holder in the 12th Standard " shankar's father quipped in very proudly..
"appa let me finish" shankar whined and then turned to vishali and started saying briskly " anyways he finshed his MS inUS ..in UIUC..can u believe it...He told me he can help with my SOP.." Shankar said dreamily...
"hey that is nice shankar.." Vishali said...he always dreamed of doing PhD there ...Vishali thought
"So do you guys know his family well??" Vishali asked
" Well one of friends saw this guy's profile posted online and told us about them...we them contacted them...remember i told you they came to see sudha last week.."
" oh that was really fast.." Vishali thought " wat about sudha...is she interested.."
" Well Dumbo..after she said yes only we are proceeding.." Shankar replied..
Vishali saw Sudha walking on the terrace with phone in her hand..she seemed to be glowing..
She turned towards shankar and saw him grinning from ear to ear..
"wipe that stupid smile yaar.." Vishali teased him .." your sister is the one getting married not you.."
"well you know wat that means for me...not only will i be getting rid of my bossy sister..it also clears the line for me to get married.." shankar joked
"and who will marry a dumbo like you...i really pity that girl..." Vishali laughed " lets go and eat some sweets yaar..i feel hungry .." vishali said walked towards patti bringing the goodies ...
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Something to share
I was having some free time today and i felt like reading some blogs and without a second thought my fingers typed "sulekha.com" until my fingers hit enter i did not realise that in my subconcious i still remember sulekha..then i searched for some of the old blogs.( by old i mean blogs that were written roughly about an year ago..:D) and i came across all of Fizo_al's blog and it reminded me of the time when i used to refresh the Browser every 20 mins to see if she had posted the follow up's of the series "what lies beneath"..reading her work i always used to think if i can tell a story half good as hers..then i would quit my current quest and start writing books..hehehehehe...
i re read our Vi's "Vishal story" and i was again transferred to the land of romance .....in a way it reassured me that i will meet the guy who is right for me :)
I then read all of Das blogs "the college days" and "malli Poo" and i for few mins was transported back to my college days in good old chennai...
As i was going through all these old blogs in sulekha i also checked the new ones..somehow i was not able to connect to them like i did with the old ones..may be iam biased but the simple fact is the simple joy i felt while reading the old blogs i wanted to share with ppl here and suddenly it made me realise that i feel so close to the junta here even though i dont blog here that often these days and i dont check others blog ..i feel like i will be welcomed back no matter wat...
so just wanted to share that with u guys
a Very contended
jeenu
i re read our Vi's "Vishal story" and i was again transferred to the land of romance .....in a way it reassured me that i will meet the guy who is right for me :)
I then read all of Das blogs "the college days" and "malli Poo" and i for few mins was transported back to my college days in good old chennai...
As i was going through all these old blogs in sulekha i also checked the new ones..somehow i was not able to connect to them like i did with the old ones..may be iam biased but the simple fact is the simple joy i felt while reading the old blogs i wanted to share with ppl here and suddenly it made me realise that i feel so close to the junta here even though i dont blog here that often these days and i dont check others blog ..i feel like i will be welcomed back no matter wat...
so just wanted to share that with u guys
a Very contended
jeenu
Thursday, March 16, 2006
Missing...
When i woke up today morning..i could not exactly remember where i was..it was not my room in chennai that much i realized and then i took me more than 2 mins more to realize that iam not in india..but in US..
that got me really depressed and no matter how much i tried to cheer myself up i kept remembering small small things about home and it got me in even more bad mood..and not to mention added to that fact one of my american lab mate kept cribbing to me that she has not seen her family in 3 months and how unfair it was.
I literally had to bite my tongue to keep from saying something sarcastic...also it seems that all the desi ppl in my university have decided to go home this time of year..becos everyone comes over to tell me how happy they are that they are gonna go home...and why i should go home too for a visit..
People it is not as if i dont want to go home..i do..i terribly miss getting up in morning listening to my amma humming bajans...i miss the warm complan that amma makes for me ( somehow no matter how much i try it just does not taste right here..), i miss picking up Indian express and seeing my dad had marked out some articles that i might find interesting...i miss walking along the paddy fields close to home thinking about inconsequential things...I miss talking to my dad about every small inconsequential thing that happened to me that day...
to sum it all up i miss being a kid..:(
just felt like ranting...now i feel a little better that i had written it down :)
jeenu
that got me really depressed and no matter how much i tried to cheer myself up i kept remembering small small things about home and it got me in even more bad mood..and not to mention added to that fact one of my american lab mate kept cribbing to me that she has not seen her family in 3 months and how unfair it was.
I literally had to bite my tongue to keep from saying something sarcastic...also it seems that all the desi ppl in my university have decided to go home this time of year..becos everyone comes over to tell me how happy they are that they are gonna go home...and why i should go home too for a visit..
People it is not as if i dont want to go home..i do..i terribly miss getting up in morning listening to my amma humming bajans...i miss the warm complan that amma makes for me ( somehow no matter how much i try it just does not taste right here..), i miss picking up Indian express and seeing my dad had marked out some articles that i might find interesting...i miss walking along the paddy fields close to home thinking about inconsequential things...I miss talking to my dad about every small inconsequential thing that happened to me that day...
to sum it all up i miss being a kid..:(
just felt like ranting...now i feel a little better that i had written it down :)
jeenu
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Jeenu says ..( Err not exactly sure what iam trying to say here..)
This post is all about the thoughts that ran thro my head from 4-5pm on this really boring and long tuesday...
i wanted to write something today but iam not exactly sure what i wanted to write about..as i sit here thoughts swirl in my head..should i write about the song iam listening to right now on my MP3 player..nah.."So happy together" is not the right song to write about until u are hopelessly in love ..which iam not Duh...may be i should write about the fact that iam not in love...Hmmm well i dont want to start ranting about how guys are so dumb ( just kidding..iam just going on with the hope that there is some guy out there who is smart...hehehe)
Well before guys here start throwing sticks, stones and worse stuff at me..i think i better think of a safe neutral topic :D
so there i go again..a topic to write about..Hmmmmm
well my boss just passed by me and waved to me..may be i should write about him..lucky guy is gonna take a month off in april and is going on african safari with his wife..."sigh" while i slog over here in the lab...well not the right direction to think ...leaves me very bitter at the end of the day..as i 1. dont have a husband 2. i cant afford an african safari and finally dont have a husband who can afford the african safari....whew...time to change the topic definitely..it is odd how" love, husband " seems to creep in to my thought.....got to think of something else lest ppl think that is all i think about..hehehehehe
well there goes the flirty american girl in my lab..may be iam being too judgemental here..but then i dont think halter top in the freezing temperatures in the chemistry lab scream..serious chemist...Boy i am mean....
May be i need to get out of my desk and go and look around may be then i will get something interesting to write about.....or may be i can be lazy and just post this thing i have typed ...ppl actually might even think iam smart...hehehe..
i wanted to write something today but iam not exactly sure what i wanted to write about..as i sit here thoughts swirl in my head..should i write about the song iam listening to right now on my MP3 player..nah.."So happy together" is not the right song to write about until u are hopelessly in love ..which iam not Duh...may be i should write about the fact that iam not in love...Hmmm well i dont want to start ranting about how guys are so dumb ( just kidding..iam just going on with the hope that there is some guy out there who is smart...hehehe)
Well before guys here start throwing sticks, stones and worse stuff at me..i think i better think of a safe neutral topic :D
so there i go again..a topic to write about..Hmmmmm
well my boss just passed by me and waved to me..may be i should write about him..lucky guy is gonna take a month off in april and is going on african safari with his wife..."sigh" while i slog over here in the lab...well not the right direction to think ...leaves me very bitter at the end of the day..as i 1. dont have a husband 2. i cant afford an african safari and finally dont have a husband who can afford the african safari....whew...time to change the topic definitely..it is odd how" love, husband " seems to creep in to my thought.....got to think of something else lest ppl think that is all i think about..hehehehehe
well there goes the flirty american girl in my lab..may be iam being too judgemental here..but then i dont think halter top in the freezing temperatures in the chemistry lab scream..serious chemist...Boy i am mean....
May be i need to get out of my desk and go and look around may be then i will get something interesting to write about.....or may be i can be lazy and just post this thing i have typed ...ppl actually might even think iam smart...hehehe..
Thursday, February 02, 2006
Tagged by ROS
Today i got couple of mins inbetween and decided to check wats up in blog spot and saw that ROS had tagged me with 8 qualities of a lover..long time ago ( long long ago so long ago..noone knew how long ago...i guess junta is getting the picture..hehehehe..) .. so here it goes...wat say folks " better late than never.." hena Rays..:)
so here is my list..
1. He should have a sense of humour..so that i dont have to Manofy/ patofy him after all the pranks i play on him :D
2. He should be a good listener..i think i dont have to explain this in detail as ppl here know i can talk...
3. He should be religious.
4. He should be well read..so that we can discuss different aspects of the book ..i think it is over good way to connect :)
5. He should definitely enjoy outdoors..i hate "couch potatoes"..( wat say ROS??????)
6. He should be definitely down to earth..i really hate ppl who put on airs...
7. He must like to dance...strange as it might be i have not met a single guy who likes to dance...:(..whenever iam happy i would love to just dance ..so i need a patner who can dance with me :D
8. The last but not the least..he should be absolutely love me for who i am and before ppl jump the guns..i am also willing to accept him on some terms for what he is..:)
Whew...that was so difficult..now iam sending this list to my mommy dearest..she has been bugging me for this list for quite some time..
so junta.. Iam backkkkkkkkkkkkk................
cheers
jeenu
so here is my list..
1. He should have a sense of humour..so that i dont have to Manofy/ patofy him after all the pranks i play on him :D
2. He should be a good listener..i think i dont have to explain this in detail as ppl here know i can talk...
3. He should be religious.
4. He should be well read..so that we can discuss different aspects of the book ..i think it is over good way to connect :)
5. He should definitely enjoy outdoors..i hate "couch potatoes"..( wat say ROS??????)
6. He should be definitely down to earth..i really hate ppl who put on airs...
7. He must like to dance...strange as it might be i have not met a single guy who likes to dance...:(..whenever iam happy i would love to just dance ..so i need a patner who can dance with me :D
8. The last but not the least..he should be absolutely love me for who i am and before ppl jump the guns..i am also willing to accept him on some terms for what he is..:)
Whew...that was so difficult..now iam sending this list to my mommy dearest..she has been bugging me for this list for quite some time..
so junta.. Iam backkkkkkkkkkkkk................
cheers
jeenu
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