UNEXPECTEDLY US

Intha veetla naan dhaan queen.

Periya queen illa. Aana ennoda chinna world-ku naan dhaan queen.

Enga family romba perusu. Appa, amma, mama, perima, peripa, athai, chithi, chithappa-nu mothama aaru families ore veetla serndhu irundhom. Enga veedu eppovume oru small festival maari dhaan irukkum.

Kaalaila kitchen-la vessels sound. Hall-la yaaravadhu pesittu iruppanga. Kutty pasanga odi vilayadittu iruppanga. Girls oru pakkam ukkandhu gossip pannittu iruppanga. Yaaravadhu sandai poduvanga; innoru five minutes-la adhe people serndhu sirippanga.

Andha chaos dhaan enga life. Andha noise dhaan enga veetoda heartbeat.

Enakku neraya cousins irundhanga. Sridar enakku romba close — mama paiyan, aana enakku avan anna. Sri, Lava, Nithu, Kavi, Nisha-nu neraya girls. Kutty kutty babies vera. Oruvaroda problem-na konjam nerathula motha veetoda problem aagidum. Oruvaroda happiness-na adhuvum ellaroda happiness.

Aana indha periya family-la enakku oru special person irundhaan.

Akash.

Avan ennoda athai-mama paiyan. Sondha relation enna, avan enga family-kku eppadi vandhaan-nu chinna vayasula enakku puriyave illa. Purinjikkanum-nu aasaiyum illa.

Enakku avan Akash.

Avanukku naan Reena.

Avlodhaan.

Chinna vayasula irundhe naanga rendu perum oru team. Prank panna vendumna — naanga rendu perum. Yaarukavadhu against-a sandai poda vendumna — naanga rendu perum. Veetla edhavadhu thappu pannitu escape aaganumna — again, naanga rendu perum.

Naanga sandai poduvom. Rendu nimishathula marandhudurom. Serndhu sirippom. Marubadiyum sandai poduvom.

Enga childhood appadiye pochu.

Andha days-la life romba simple. Romba happy. Enakku therinja ulagame enga veedu, enga family… and Akash.

Appo enakku theriyala.

Oru naal, naan romba safe-nu nenacha adhe ulagam enakku romba periya valiya kudukkum-nu.

Vayasu aagumbodhu life konjam konjama maarichu. School mudichom. College poitom.

Naan graduation mudichitu further padikka perusa interest illa-nu decide pannitten. Veetla irundhen. Family business, veettu velai, cousins — adhuve enakku comfortable-a irundhuchu.

Aana Akash-ku vera plans irundhuchu.

Avan further studies-ku vera state poitaan.

Avan pogumbodhu naan romba perusa react pannala. At least appadi kaamichitten. Aana avan kelambura nerathula naan sonna oru vaarthai mattum innum enakku nyabagam irukku.

“Unakku pudicha maari pannu. Poi mudichittu vaa. Naa inga wait pannittu iruppen.”

Adhu casual-a sonna promise. Aana naan adha serious-a eduthukkitten.

Naalu varusham pochu.

Enakku twenty-eight. Avanukku twenty-nine.

Pesinadhu irundhalum, munnaadi maari daily life share pannala. Aana en manasula oru feeling mattum maarala.

Avan thirumbi vandha… ellame marubadiyum munnaadi maari aagidum.

Naan appadi dhaan nambinen.

Enakku appo theriyala — avan thirumbi varumbodhu, naan expect pannadha pala vishayangalum avan kooda varum-nu.

Enga family-la next big event Sridar anna wedding.

College days-la irundhe oru ponna secret-a love pannittu irundhaan. Romba sincere-a love. Family-kku theriyama long time maintain pannanga. Kadaisila courage eduthu family-kitta solli sammatham vangittaan.

Andha ponnu dhaan Nitya.

Enakku Nitya romba pidikkum. Engagement mudinjadhilirundhe aval ennoda friend-a maaritta. Mukavasi neram ennoda room-la dhaan iruppa. Naanga rendu perum serndhu girls gang form pannitu, edhavadhu pannaama irundha naal-e illa.

Aval sweet. Aana Sridar anna avala manage pannradhukku vida, sila neram aval dhaan avana manage pannuva!

Initial family rituals veetla dhaan nadandhuchu. Periya engagement avaloda oorla nadandhuchu. Andha engagement-la dhaan naan Akash-a kadaisiya proper-a paathen.

Cousin squad ellarum onna serndhu semma fun pannom. Dance coordination motham ennoda responsibility. Romba kashtapattu rehearsals arrange pannen. Final outcome semma hit.

Andha night mudiyumbodhu ellarum tired-a irundhalum happy-a irundhom.

Aana ending-la oru strange thing nadandhuchu.

Akash sudden-a Sridar anna kitta edho serious-a pesinaan. Rendu perum konjam neram pesinaanga. Apram Akash party-lendhu kelambittaan.

Enkitta oru vaarthai kooda sollala.

Sridar anna avanukku edho solli anuppina maari dhaan therinjuchu.

Naan perusa yosikkala.

Engalukulla edhuvum serious-a nadakkaadhu-nu appo naan romba nambikkaiya irundhen.

Engagement-ku one and a half years aachu. Ippo Sridar anna wedding.

Wedding preparation start aana odane veedu full chaos — saree shopping, jewellery shopping, function arrangements, food lists, guest arrangements. Oru maasam epdi pochu-nu yaarukkume theriyala.

Andha naalum naan kutty shopping mudichittu gangs kooda veetukku vandhen.

Door cross pannumbodhe amma, “Yendi, ippa ethukku shopping pona? Panam-laam pathatha?” nu start pannitta.

Perima immediate-a support pannanga. “Parava illa. Avalukku pidichadhu edhavadhu paathiruppa.”

Amma ennai oru look paathu, “Unakku theriyuma? Innaiku Akash varaan. Maranthutiya?” nu sonna udane en heart konjam faster-a beat aayiduchu.

“Seri ma! Enakku nyabagam irukku,” nu casual-a nadichitten.

Kitchen-la food list check pannumbodhu oru item missing.

“Amma… kesari enga?”

“Adhu vera sweet pannitten. Anga irukku paaru.”

Naan head shake pannen. “Akash-ku kesari dhaan romba pidikkum.”

Amma sirichu, “Adhaan. Engalukku samaika maatta. Akash-ku mattum special!”

“Seri vidunga. Naane senjukiren.”

YouTube recipe open panni, enakku therinja alavukku follow panni kesari senjen. Finally ready aana udane taste panninen.

Naaney konjam proud-a irundhen.

Akash-ku pidikkuma?

Andha thought vandhadhum enakku theriyama oru smile vandhuduchu.

Nitya anni vandhadhu, bangle shopping, family teasing, and finally the horn outside — all of it made the house feel like it was holding its breath.

Car door open aana udane Akash mattum illa. Avanoda working colleagues ellarum vandhanga. Avanga group-la oru pudhu ponnu irundha.

Kanimoly.

Avalai naan appo first time dhaan paathen.

Akash car-lendhu irangi ennai paathaan. Oru second… avan face-la edho pudhusa irundhuchu. Aana naan adha yosikkaama odipoi avanai hug pannitten.

“Dei!”

Avanum sirichaan.

Aana enakku avanai paakumbodhu oru strange feeling.

Idhu naan pazhaya Akash-a paakura maari illa.

Still, naan adha ignore pannitten.

Lunch-ku youngsters ellarum onna ukkaandom. Usual-a Akash pakkathula ukkaranum-nu ponaen; aana avanoda oru friend already en seat-la ukkandhuttaan. So naan opposite side-la ukkandhen.

Dessert vandhuchu. Kesari naaney Akash-ku spoon-la kuduthen. Nitya anni immediately tease panna aarambichitta. Ellarum sirichanga.

Aana Kanimoly mattum silent-a irundha.

Enakku adhu appo notice aagala.

Next morning family prayer-ku ellarum early-a ready aanaanga. Akash innum room-lendhu varala.

“Seri. Naane poi ezhuppuren.”

Avan room door unlock-a dhaan irundhuchu. Ulla ponaen. Akash deep sleep-la irundhaan. Romba tired-a therinjuchu.

Naan usual-a avan bed pakkathula ukkandhu phone paathuttu irundhen. Konjam nerathula Kanimoly room-ku vandha.

“Akash-ah koopida vandhen. Ellarum keela wait pannanga.”

“Naa avane ezhuppuren.”

Aval poitta.

Naan bed pakkathula poi, “Dei Akash… dey… ezhundhiri,” nu koopitten.

Avan half asleep-la eyes open pannaan. “Ellarum wait panraanga.”

Avan finally ezhundhu ready aaga poitaan.

Temple-la family full crowd. Pooja, punaskaram mudichu guruji-a paaka ponaom.

Usual-a naanum Akash-um onna dhaan ponaom.

Guruji mudhala Akash-ai paathu, “Un mudivu yosichu edu. Avasarathula edukkaadha. Kadavul paathuttu dhaan irukkar. Maranthudaathe,” nu sonnaar.

Akash silent.

Apram enna paathu, “Un manasu pola dhaan un vaazhkai irukkum. Aana adhu kedaikka, nee ellathaiyum thaandi vara vendi irukkum,” nu sonnaar.

Enakku onnum puriyala.

*Nadakkumbodhu paathukalam*, nu mind-la vechittu veliya vandhen.

Appo enakku theriyala…

Andha words dhaan en vaazhkaiya vida correct-a predict pannirukkum-nu.

Sridar anna wedding nerunga nerunga veedu full chaos.

Naan sangeet-ku cousins-a gather panni dance steps teach pannittu irundhen. Akash friends ellarum semma friendly aayittaanga. Rehearsal-la full fun.

Oru naal naanum Akash-um pair-a practice pannittu irundhom.

Appo Kanimoly vandha.

“Avaloda partner romba short-a feel aguthu. Swap pannalaama? Steps already therinja partner venum.”

Naan avalai paathen. Enakku konjam odd-a irundhaalum, Akash immediate-a “Parava illa. Help dhaana,” nu sonnaan.

Partner swap aayiduchu.

Appo adhu oru small incident maari dhaan therinjuchu.

Later… adhuvum oru sign dhaan-nu purinjadhu.

Finally sangeet night.

Lights. Music. Dance. Games. Laughter.

Sridar anna and Nitya anniya paakumbodhe love therinjuchu. Avanga happy-a irukkaradha paatha naanum Akash-um naturally smile pannom.

Enga performance time vandhuchu. Music start aachu. Naanga full energy-la dance pannom. Everyone cheering.

Aana oru point-ku apram en manasula edho strange feeling.

Something was wrong.

Enakku explain panna mudiyala.

Party late night varaikkum pochu. Naan dress change panna room-ku pogumbodhu reading room side-lendhu loud voices ketuchu.

Sandai.

Door open panninen.

Inside — Sridar, Nitya, Akash.

Nitya Sridar-ai pidichu irundha. Akash and Sridar arguing.

Enakku shock.

“Enna nadakkuthu?”

Sridar stop pannala. Naan kovathula kathinen, “Sridar! Akash mela irundhu kaiya edu! Illana inga nadakurathe vera. Naa kathi oore kootiduven!”

Finally Sridar silent aanaan.

Nitya enna paathu edho solla try pannanga. Naan, “Anni… Sridar-ah inga irundhu koopittu ponga,” nu sonnen.

Avalum Akash-ai paathu, “Neenga mudhala kelambu,” nu sonna.

Akash enna paathaan.

Naan avana paakala.

Andha night enakku thookame varala.

Naalaikku wedding. Innum oru problem varakoodaadhu.

Aana en manasula oru question mattum:

Akash enna maraikkiraan?

Wedding day somehow smooth-a mudinjuchu. Everyone happy-a irundhanga. Aana en mind peaceful illa.

Akash amma relatives-kitta enna introduce pannumbodhu, “Idhu Reena. Enga veetla valandha ponnu,” nu sonnaanga.

Andha vaarthai enakku emotional-a irundhuchu.

Aana en ullae oru storm already start aayiduchu.

Next day kitchen-la help pannittu irundhen. Nitya anni enna paathu, “Sridar-kum Akash-kum irundha problem avangale solve pannikuvaanga. Nee yosikkaadha,” nu sonnaanga.

Naan head nod pannen.

But something inside me kept warning me.

Later coffee eduthuttu Akash room-ku ponaen.

Door open.

Ulla pona udane…

Kaniyum Akash-um close-a ninnu pesikittu irundhanga.

Adhu normal friends conversation illa.

Oru couple-kulla irukkura closeness.

En kaiyilirundha coffee cup keela vizhundhuduchu.

Sound kettu rendu perum thirumbi paathanga.

Akash odane en pakkam vandhaan. “Reena…”

Avan ennoda kaiya pidikka try pannaan.

Enakku oru second world blank.

Naan onnum sollama room-ku odi vandhen. Door close pannittu azhudhen.

Ithu unmaiyaa?

Avanga rendu perum relationship-la irukkaangala?

Naan years-a wait pannina person… enakku sollama vera oru life live pannittu irundhaana?

Door knock. Nitya anni.

Naan open pannala. Konjam nerathula door open aayiduchu. Sridar, Nitya, Akash amma-appa ellarum ulla vandhanga.

Sridar ellaraiyum veliya anuppinaan. “Akash, Reena pesattum. Neenga veliya ponga.”

Nitya en pakkathula vandha. “Reena…”

Ennaal pesave mudiyala. Azhuga mattum.

Sridar kovathula Akash-ai arainthaan. Indha murai naan avana stop pannala.

Finally naan Akash pakkam thirumbi, “Ithu eppo lerndhu nadakuthu? Unmaiya sollu,” nu ketten.

Silence.

Akash eyes lowered.

Adhu pothum.

Enakku answer kidaichuduchu.

“Ithula naan unakku yaaru?”

Akash still silent.

Naan avan shirt-ai pidichen. “Yen enna yemathuna?”

Sridar kathinaan, “Unakku pidikkala-na mothalule sollirukkanum!”

Akash finally exploded.

“Neenga yaarume enna kekka maatinga! Naa enna solla varen-nu kooda kekka maatinga! Naa padichadhu lendhu ippo varaikkum neenga sonnadhellam dhaan panninen. Aana enakku oru life venum.”

Avan Kani pakkam paathaan.

“Kani enakku one year-a theriyum. Engalukku understanding irukku. Nanga live-in-la irukkom.”

Andha vaarthai en heart-ai completely break panniduchu.

“Nee enna pannalum sari…”

Naan avanai arainthen.

“Unakku pidikkala-nu therinjirundha mothalule sollirukkanum! Naa enna panninen? Yen enna ivlo naal wait panna vecha?”

Akash silent.

Naan azhudhen.

“Enna yemathitta…”

Sridar finally ellathaiyum explain pannaan. Bangalore-la Akash-ai Kani kooda paathadhum avan serious-a doubt pannala. Akash “friend” nu sonnaan. Later Nitya dhaan something wrong-nu notice pannanga. Sangeet night-la Sridar confront pannumbodhu dhaan relationship reveal aachu.

Sridar enna paathu, “Reena… naan mothalule seri pannirkanum. Yen mela dhaan tappu,” nu sonnaan.

Naan azhudhu, “Unna thappaa kathitten. Enna nadakuthunu theriyama,” nu sonnen.

Avan ennai hug pannaan. “Sorry solladha.”

Konjam nerathula naan oru decision eduthen.

“Kani kitta naan pesanum.”

Nitya oppose pannanga. “Vendam Reena.”

“Ille anni. Pesanum.”

Finally Kani vandha.

Reading room-la naanga rendu perum thaniya pesinom. Kani calm-a irundha.

“Akash unakku hurt aagakoodadhunu dhaan mothalule solla ready illa.”

Konjam pause pannina.

“Nee special dhaan Reena. Aana Akash manasula nee irukkala.”

Andha vaarthai painful-a irundhalum…

Adhu dhaan reality.

Room-ku vandhu en neck-la irundha pendant-ai கழற்றினேன். Adhu Akash avanoda first salary-la enakkaga vaangi kuduthadhu.

Naan adha Kani kaila kuduthen.

“Idha inimel enkitta irundha dhaan thappu. Nee vachiko.”

Akash edho pesa try pannaan.

Naan onnum sollala.

“Neenga kelambunga.”

Days slow-a pochu. Akash vandhaalum naan avoid panninen. Family-ku complete truth theriyala.

One day kutty Sri innocent-a ketta:

“Reena akka… unakkum Akash mamavukkum enna aachu? Neenga pirinjuttingala?”

Andha question enakku realization kuduthuchu.

Ipdi irukka mudiyadhu.

Ellarum onna irukkumbodhu, indha silence motha veetaiyum poison pannidum.

So naan Sridar, Nitya, Akash kooda pesinen.

Finally Akash family munnadi announce pannaan:

“Enga rendu peroda kalyanatha niruthikrom.”

Whole house shocked.

Akash appa kovathula avana adichaar. Ellarum kathinaanga.

Naan finally kathinen.

“Podhum!”

Silence.

“Ella mama… naan dhaan kalyanatha nirutha sonnen.”

Everyone stared at me.

“Enakkum Akash-kum set aagathu.”

Amma azhudhu, “Chinna problem-ku ivlo periya decision edukkariya?”

Naan head shake pannen.

“Ithukku mela enna kekkaadheenga. Enga rendu perukkum set aagathu. Indha kalyanam vendam.”

Room-ku poi door close pannitten.

Andha naal…

Naan Akash-ai lose pannala.

Naan years-a naaney build pannina oru dream-ai lose panninen.

Adhu dhaan painful.