Discussions Mar 06 - Apr 07 - Page 278

Poo Suttral – Bonheur Sollai Thattadhe

It had been 2 weeks since Sigamani died. ACD, for the first time had been mentally shaken. His parents had left him temporarily and his efforts to contact Priya had failed. As a result, ACD had bungled up in 2 other crime cases. JC Vincent, who had assumed a fatherly role, off -duty hours, sternly advised ACD to go on 3 months break and he would manage with Gani and Karthik for the time being. But he wanted the old ACD back after 3 months. For the past 2 days , ACD had been spending most of his time in a library in his locality and the rest in his lifeless house.

One such day when he was on his way for lunch to a nearby cafeteria, he met Prof. Seshadri. The professor had been ACD's philosopher , mentor and project guide during his PG.

ACD: " Vanakkam Sir, eppadi irukeenga?"

Prof : " Pandiyan, innikku onna meet pannuven nu ennakku kalaileya thonicchu. Nee eppadi irukke?"

But looking at ACD's eyes , Seshadri knew that everything was wrong. 2 coffees and one sandwich later , ACD realized that Professor knew everything. Seshadri always had the knack – a question here or there, a calm and soothing voice and compassionate eyes – anyone would pour out their hearts to him – ACD was no exception.

Prof : " Ennai poruthavarai, ippo unnoda manasa amaidi padithikka oru nalla distraction thevai. Right now I have a solution for you. After retirement from Govt. Arts college, I hv joined ------- college as Dept head. One of my staff is going away for completing his thesis . I can arrange for you to take up his place as a 'guest lecturer' for few weeks. IPS panaradhukku munnala nee lecturera than irunde, so that should not be a problem for you. Anyway , think about this and let me know by Sunday".

Shanthi's house – Priya was sitting in a corner of the bedroom. She had grown thinner and her cheeks showed traces of tear lines. She did not want to go back to her college, the last thing she wanted was sympathy from her classmates.

Shanthi :" Priya , I understand your feelings. RK mama, with his influence has arranged for you to continue your studies in his friend's college. We will apply for your certificates and transfer documents, in your present college and submit them later at the new place, meanwhile you can start your classes from next week. Priya gave a grateful look at Shanthi, who gave a consoling smile.

ACD initially didn't care about his professor's proposition, but as days went by he started reasoning with the idea. So , Monday morning he found himself being introduced to the principal by Prof.Seshadri. After that the professor took ACD to the dept staff room and left with him with the fellow, going on leave.

ACD had to give 12 hours per week for theory and 5 hours for project guidance and had to start work from Wednesday. He entered his first class dressed in brick red shirt and half-white colour pants. It had been nearly 12 years since he stepped into a classroom in teaching capacity and felt a small sudden excitement , when old memories came back rushing in his mind.

Taller and well built than almost all the male students in the class, there was instant awe and respect in the way they stood up and greeted him. He still had his sunglasses on.

He started jokingly, "I hear all the students in this class are vey bright , so I think I may require this for protection."

There was appreciative murmur and smiles in the class and ACD knew he had already developed a rapport with them. He quickly introduced himself as plain Dorai Pandiyan and briefly told them about the temporary arrangement. He began the lecture with a question "Which is the fastest in nature……?"

He had the class spell bound for the next one hour with his excellent teaching abilities. The class was bursting into laughter every now and then with his jokes and ACD was rediscovering his ability to laugh along with them.

He was sitting on the edge, with one leg dangling from the teacher's desk and deeply engrossed in the topic of 'mind games' when there was a familiar sound from the class entrance "Excuse me Sir, may I come in" . He turned to see Priya, standing in a very simple, but elegant blue and yellow salwar.

- to be continued

Poo Suttral – Bonheur Sollai Thatadhe ( continued)

Surprise, shock, anger, hatred, pain – he saw all these emotions fleeting through her eyes in split seconds. This was the last place Priya expected him. ACD had an urge to jump out of the window and run away 10 kms, while Priya wondered if the earth can part ways for her to disappear. Without taking his eyes away from her, he simply said , " Please come in P…er Ma..am". She walked like a robot and gave him a slip from the principal. He read it and announced to the class , "This is Ms.Priya, she would be completing her course with you all".There were many 'hi Priya', 'welcome yaar', 'hello Priya'. She smiled slightly and walked to an empty seat. ACD cannot remember what or how he lectured the next 30 mins. However hard he tried, he could not resist the temptation to glance her way. But through out , Priya was looking down at her desk.

ACD was in a way consoled, he had to go to her class again only after 2 days. During the next 2 days he saw her only thrice, once in the college canteen with fellow students and twice, on her scooty . ACD now had a new respect for Priya. He was amazed how certain events in life can transform a person completely. Priya was more matured, calm and sported a strong and stubborn desire to collect back her life. He never attempted to talk to her , but just looking at her gave him immense happiness.

Although Priya was inwardly shattered, she never mentioned about ACD to anyone, especially Shanthi. Once upon a time ,she had been running around the city trying to catch a glimpse of him. Now he was there in the same premises as her, but ….. She couldnot understand how fate was playing hide and seek with her. Now she was determined more than ever to finish her studies with flying colours. What better way to prove her worth than by continuing her studies at the same place where he was.

The next day, her heart skipped a beat, when she saw his car in the parking lot. Still not looking at him directly, she listened to his lecture during the next class and she was surprised to see a different side to him. Oh .. he can crack jokes , definitely laugh.. and what command over the subject and the rapport with the students. She was wondering where had ACD hid his kadukaduppu looks, when her benchmate commented in the canteen , "This new lecturer is Prof.Seshadiri's old student. Professor madiriye indha lecturer um romba theliva paadam kathu thararu, aalum nalla irukkaru… kalyanam aagiducha therila". Priya , for no reason blushed. Now she was having guilt as well, for softening towards him.

There was a college excursion to Ooty, next week. After lot of persuasion from her new friends and when she was 100 % sure , ACD was not coming with them, Priya agreed to go. Initially Shanthi was reluctant to let her go, but after talking to 2 of Priya's friends, she did not mind. They reserved their tickets by 'Blue Mountain' from Chennai to Mettupalayam and then by Nilgiri narrow gauge train to the 'Queen of the Hills'. Imagine her shock, when ACD, as a last minute replacement boarded the same train. How was she to know that he had arranged for this at the last minute, so that she wouldnot suspect anything. To add to her woe, he came and sat just opposite to her. She silently went to a class mate and exchanged her seat to another berth in the next compartment. As she was moving to the next coach, was that anger or disappointment in ACD's eyes?

After freshening up in their hotel rooms, they first left for Doddabetta Peak – the highest peak joining the Western and Eastern Ghats of India. Eating icecream at the top of ,over 2600mts high peak is a feeling better experienced, and not explained. The students split into groups and one group left for a photo session on top of a big boulder perched almost near the edgeof the hill. The clouds every now and then passed through them. ACD watched Priya stand on top of the boulder, smiling. A cloud just passed through her. ACD 's heart came into his mouth, when the cloud cleared away and only the boulder remained there.

( to be continued…..)

Poo Suttral – Bonheur Sollai Thattadhe ( concluding part)

Giriadimai is lying in a hospital bed. IF Anandham kudumbam is anxiously waiting outside for the doctor to come out. The psychiatrist comes out and immediately everybody surrounds him.

IF Anandham makkal :" Girikku enna acchu? She fainted while doing her new poo suttral…"

Doctor :"GA has triple personality disorder. She was a very very ordinary & normal person until she started watching Anandham . After that, her second personality surfaced … and she started writing AP comedy poo suttrals. Some recent episode has triggered her again and a third personality has taken shape and she started on TP serious poo suttral. But there is a similarity between the second and third personalities- edhavadu KP nu ezhudi..ellaraiyum verupethara, veri mattum niraya irukku. Ivangaloda 2^nd and 3 rd personalities kaanama poganumna ini indha seriala ivanga parkave koodadu.. atleast for 2 months".

The doctor cannot understand the reason for the raucous celebration in his hospital.

(P.S – AP –acchu picchu; TP – thatthu pithu ; KP – kanna pinna )

great poo suttral giri! call me stupid but what exactly happened to priya? did she fall off the boulder?😆