CHAPTER 2
Durai is trying to punch hard at the punch bag, but he is visibly disoriented. He was apparently distracted and losing his focus. Disgusted with himself he sits down on the oversized chair and the day of his last meet with Priya weaves in front of him.
Priya's dad is adamant that he wont let Priya marry Durai inspite of Shanthi, RK and Durai's parents interference. Durai succumbs to the fact that priya might indeed have a terrible life if they married, but he cant bear to let her go either. But Priya is determined and pleaded with RK uncle and Durai's parents to come and talk to her dad. But her dad just would not agree. So Priya wants Durai himself to come and speak to her dad.
Durai walks into Priya'house with hope.
Priya's' DAD:Vaanga AC sir, eppadi irukeenga?, thirumba priya pathi pesa vantheengala. Naan thaan en mudiva sollitenla.
Durai: Neenga intha kalayanathukku thirumba thirumba maruthum naan inga vanthirukenna, ungalukku puriyalaya Priyava naan evlo virumbarennu. Ippa kooda priyava oru kovilukku kottittu poi ava kazhuthila thaali katti en sondhamakkikka mudiyum, aana enna pethavangalum enna appadi valakkalai, neengalum priyava appadi valakkala.
Priya's dad: Enna AC sir, meratreengala? ,
Durai : Illa uncle, naan inga Duraiya vanthirukken AC ya varala.
Priya's dad: Sari sir, naan sammathikkaren aana unga police velaya neegna vitturanum.
Durai looks visibly shocked and so is priya. Appa, enna pesareenga, avoroda velai avarukku evlo uyirnu ungalukku theriyalaya, priya asks her dad angrily. Amamma, enakku puriyudhu avaroda uyir avar velai thaan, nee illa.
Priya looks at Durai and brings her hand together and implores, Naan kuppitu neenga inga vanthathukaga rumba thanks. Aaana intha veetla ethuvum maraporathulla, ithukkum mela engappa ungala avamanapaduthina ennala thaanga mudiyaathu. Athu namma anba kochapaduthramathiri irukkum. Neenga Kelambunga. Enna mannichidunga, I am very sorry.
Priya is crying and encounter Durai looks beaten. He lets out a big breath and asks priya's dad that he wants to talk to priya alone for few minutes for the last time. Priya's dad puts on his sandals and leaves the house. Priya is sitting in the sofa crying. Durai comes closer kneels down near the sofa and calls her gently. Priya with red eyes looks at him and says "Enakku ungala paathu pesa kooda thaguthi illa"and turn away Durai says, "Illama inga paaru " and gently turns her face towards him. I am not being a martyr or anything. Parents decide what is good for us, infact unga appa nenachathaye thaan naanum munna nenachen,
athanalathaan unkitternthu velagi velagi ponen. But deep inside I loved you and still do. This will remain forever in both our hearts but we also need to make our parents happy. So I want you to promise me that you will get married and live happily. Priya nods her with disagreement. "Illada, you have to. Your dad has already lost his son and its your duty to make him happy ", Durai compels her.
Priya wipes her tears and looks at him, Ok I will, but you must promise that you will also get married and live happily. Durai nods, takes both her hands squeezes them and says, "Take care Priya, I will meet you few years from now...who knows, maybe as a mom. He gets up and as he is close to the door looks back and gives one last yearning look at Priya. Priya with flooded tears glances at him back.
That's it , Priya was out of his life. After that fateful it was today that Durai saw her and though he was happy to see her, somewhere inside his heart was the yearning for this unfulfilled dream.
..will be contd soon
