OS: T/T in Treasure Hunt... final part @ pg 5 - Page 4

Fourth Clue

Thulasi shakes her head ... reads the note once again ... "I wanted to touch you ... and hold you ... I wanted to hug you ... and kiss you ... I wanted to be yours forever... "

Thulasi's eyes fall on Tamil's shirt draped around the chair ... she picks it up and inhales the distinct scent of Tamil still clinging to it ... she slips her hands through the sleeves ... shrugs on the shirt ... and buttons it up ... now she feels closer to Tamil ...

Thulasi struggles to bring her mind back to the clue at hand ... she tries to remember what she had been wearing ... a half sari no doubt about it ... what else ... she reads the note again ... pearl ... diamonds ... "Ah yes! My pearl earrings and necklace which Patti had given me for doing well in my studies!"

Thulasi takes the toe rings in her hands ... sits down on the bed ... bends to remove her old toe rings and then she fastens the new ones ... she swings her legs and listens to the tinkling sound...

She giggles and then turns towards the envelope ... she opens it pulling out another letter and another note ... she reads the letter first ...

Thulasi wipes away her tears ... and ponders ... "Now where exactly is the location for my next clue? ... There doesn't seem to be any hint in the note ... "

Looking completely lost ... Thulasi reads the note again ... and then one word strikes her above others ... the word "forgiving me" ... and the picture with "sorry" written on the board ...

Thulasi bursts out laughing ... the board in the picture reminds her of the book completely filled with "Thulasi, I am sorry" which was written by Tamil ... oh that was just so very hilarious ... what a sad puppy face he had kept ... what a tease he was ... and what a funny trick he had played ... how Patti had laughed ...

Thulasi yells suddenly ... "The book! The book!" ... and she rushes to open the drawer of the writing table ... rummaging for the book ... at last she finds it ... as she pulls it out ... out falls a thick envelope ... "What could this be... "

Thulasi opens it slowly ... hands shaking ... and pulls out the final letter...

Thulasi's eyes well up with tears as she reads the letter ... how much Tamil had also been tormented by the past ... then she wipes her eyes resolutely ... it's time to forget everything ... it's time to make a fresh start in life by wiping the slate clean ...

Thulasi walks to the cupboard ... she pulls out the lovely red sari ...

The door opens ... Thulasi enters hesitantly ... the curtains are drawn over the windows ... all the lights are switched off ... the curtains flutter gently as the cool breeze blows ...

On the table flickers two candles set on upturned steel glasses ... they light up the room, giving out a glowing and romantic look ... there is light music playing in the background ... the table is covered with delicious smelling dishes ...

Thulasi backs up slightly in amazement ... she is not prepared for the surprise Tamil had planned for her ...

The click of a closing door alerts her to Tamil's presence ... she slowly turns to look at him leaning against the closed kitchen door ... looking handsome but smiling uncertainly ...

"Kuttima... " Tamil whispers ... his heart thumps in his chest ... his Kuttima looks so very elegant and beautiful in her red sari ...

Thulasi quickly walks up to him and wraps her arms around his waist tightly and leans her head on his broad chest ... Tamil pulls her closer ... kisses her forehead and lifts her chin to gaze into her adoring eyes ...

Thulasi smiles tenderly ... rubs her cheek against his jaw and gently caressing the fine hair at the base of his neck ... she whispers shyly ... "Yenango ... I read a lovely quotation yesterday which says ... 'Maybe it is not all about trying to fix something which is broken ... Maybe it is about starting over and creating something better ... '"

Tamil's face breaks into a wide smile of happiness ... he nods his head and nuzzles her ears ... "Yes my lovely Kuttima ... you are right ... we will create a more beautiful life together... "

Then he steps a little away from her ... puts his hand into his pocket ... and slides out a velvet-lined box ... He opens the box and takes out a lovely golden thali chain ... Gently he turns her around ... pushes her hair aside ... puts it around her neck and closes the clasp ...

Tamil kisses the exposed neck and whispers "For a golden new beginning ... " and spins her around gently to face him ...

Tamil puts a finger on her lips to hush her ... "Sshhh Kuttima! This is not a want ... this is a need ... it is a symbol of our love ... " and then he encircles her within his arms and pulls her closer ... he pushes a strand of hair behind her ears ... she tilts her face and kisses his palm ... he gently cradles her face to receive his kiss ...

They break the kiss ... rest their foreheads against each other's... as they struggle to catch their breaths...

"Kuttima... " her name comes out in a broken whisper ... Tamil controls himself with great difficulty ... takes her hand gently in his ... kisses her fingertips ... and leads her to the table ... he pulls out a chair and gestures for her to sit ...

Thulasi shakes her head ... and leans forward to kiss him on his cheek and whispers ... "No ... not now ... let's eat later... now you give me lessons on how to love my husband... "

Tamil loses control completely ... and lifts her into his arms and carries her to the bedroom ... shutting the door softly behind him ... and leaving them in their own private special world where the only thing they need is each other, their love and their trust in each other ...