6 AM

It was a fine new day
The bright sun rays filtered through the sleek curtains of the room, falling straight on Roja's face.
As the sun rays fell on her face, she woke up with a wide smile. She emerged out from the sheets, sat up straight, and slowly opened her eyes. She rubbed her palms gently and placed it on her face.
Then she turned to see her husband tucked in, sleeping calmly on the other side of the bed.
She gave him a wide smile. Then, edging closer to him, she whispered a 'good morning' into his ears.

"Intha veetode marumagal ah Inniki ennode first day Arjun sir. Enakku all the best sollunga" 😃

He didn't respond but a small smile inadvertently crept into his sleeping face. That was enough for her. She quickly went to shower and was ready in 20 minutes. She wore a soft pink and pista green saree with floral designs.
Arjun was still sleeping when she came out.

Roja's POV :
Ada Ada
Evlo azhaga thoongararu. Kozhandai mathri
Paathute irukkalam Arjun sir thoongara azhaga irukku
Concerned ...
Paavam, night ellam nalla thoonginaro illayo. Situation vera Ippo sari illa. Athaye nenachu Avar night ellam kannu mulichu irunthu irupparo

Wondering to herself, Roja started drying her wet hair. As she did so, tiny droplets of water fell from her hair onto Arjun's eyelids.

He awoke as the water drops fell on him. He gave Roja a wide bright smile as he sat up in his bed.

"Ithu pothume, Intha sirripu pothume, Enakku naal fulla thevaiyana energy ellame kedacha mathri irukke😌
Arjun sir, Intha sirripu permanent ah unga face la irukkanum" (Roja to herself)

Arjun : Good Morning Roja

Roja : Good Morning Arjun Sir. Night nalla thoonginingala

Arjun : Nalla thoonginen Roja. Nee nalla thoonginiya. Puthu edam. Vasathi ellam ok thane. Comfortable ah irundhuchu la?

Roja : Athellam no problem sir. Nalla comfortable ah irundhuchu. Ashramathula olah paayila thoongina Enakku Ithu oru sorgam sir.

Arjun : Roja! Nee unnodu palaya vaazhkai ah nenachu feel panna koodathu! Athu vera Ithu vera. Nee ethukagavum feel panna koodathu nu Naa nenaikiren. Ashramathula ippdi kasta patten, appdi kasta patten, yarume illama irunthen nu yosikatha roja. Enakkaga please...enakku Romba kastam ah irukku
Ithu unnode new life! Unakkaga Naa, Intha full family eh irukku! Atha pathi mattom nenachiko. Athukaga unna Ithana varusham ah valatha appa vayo, illa ashramathula un kooda iruntha mathavangala yo nee maranthurnam nu Naa sollala. Avangaluku Enna laam thevaiyo ellame pannu, yean naane unakku help panren. Aana palaya kastathellam nenaikatha Roja.

Roja was listening to him in awe. She truly appreciated the concern he had for her, despite all that he was going through.

Roja : Puriyarthu sir😊Neenga solli Naa kekkama iruppena

Arjun : Sari Roja, Naa poi kulichitu varen.
Kulichitu nera keela vanthurven breakfast table ku

Roja : Ok Sir. Naa poi mathavangala ellam paathutu breakfast table ah ready panni vekkaren.

As Arjun went to shower, Roja decided to do the bed first before going downstairs.
She first folded the sheets and tucked them neatly into the bed. Then her focus shifted to the pillows which were scattered all over the bed. She arranged them in an orderly manner on the bed. That's when her eyes fell on Arjun's pillow. There was some wetness on the pillow. She gently felt it with her hands. There was a round wet stain.

Roja : Arjun sir, yean sir unga vali ellam ulla marachu, enkitta sirrichu akkarai kaatringa...

She knew that Arjun had shed silent tears after she had dozed off, the previous night. Yet, he greeted her with a wide bright smile just a few minutes ago.

Roja : Arjun sir, unga vali ah maraikarthu la Neenga expert ah irukkalam. Aana oru nalla manaivi ah, atha kandupudikarthula Naa expert. Neenga Enakku konja neram munnadi kudutha sirripu permanent ah unga face la varum. Promise!

Roja went downstairs to meet her new family.
Kalpana and Sumathi amma were already in the kitchen, preparing breakfast. Roja went to the poojai room and recited the kanda sashti kavasam.
Kalpana and Sumathi were intently listening to her

Kalpana (once Roja was done with prayers) : Good Morning Roja! 🤩 Vanthutiya...

Roja : Athai, Enna athai Neenga. Athukulla breakfast panna arambichitinga. Naa than late ah

Sumathi Aunty : Cha cha illa ma Roja. Solla pona nee ivlo seekiram ezhunthu varuva nu naanga ethir paakave illa.
Nethu avlo periya naal. Nee innum konjam neram thoonguva nu than naanga nenachom. Innum yarume keela varala Roja.

Roja :  Naa enna pannatum athai

Kalpana : Roja, Intha veetla Ellarum first coffee than kudipanga. Appram than room ah vitte veliya varuvanga.

Roja : Ellarum na athu Arjun sir ah thavira. Avar mattom morning first black tea than kudipparu right Ah. 😀

Kalpana (surprised) : Eppdi Roja Athukulla...

Sumathi amma (nudging Kalpana amma, whispering) : Ada Enna kalpana amma vivaram theriyatha aala irukkinga. Rendu perum love marriage! Ivlo kooda oruthar oruthar pathi therinju irukkatha

Kalpana (sheepishly) : Ada Ama la Sumathi akka eeee... 😅

Roja giggled hearing their so called whispers.

Kalpana (turning to Roja) : Aana Inniki naane ellarkum coffee pottu kuduthuten ma. Inniki nee first time Intha kitchen la samaika pora. Sweet senju start pannu Roja. Tiffin naanga pannitom almost. Chutney ah mattom arachu edukanum. Atha naanga paathukarom Roja. Unakku entha sweet nalla varumo atha sei ma.

Roja decided to go with Gulab jamun as everyone loved her gulab jamun back at the ashramam.

As the trio was busy in the kitchen, Prathap, paati, Yashoda, Ashwin, Deepa..everyone came down one after the other.
Arjun was yet to come down, and Roja's eyes were literally searching for him, after preparing a huge bowl of gulab jamuns.

Paati : Marumagale, etho sweet vasanai appdiye mooka tholaikidhu 😋

Kalpana : Ellam intha veetu puthu marumagal ode thiramai athai 😉

Deepa : Anni, Neenga etho vera level sweet panni irukkinga nu puriyathu. Seekiram vanthu veinga Anni. Wait panna mudiyala!

Roja : Itho vanthuten. ☺️

She came carrying the big bowl of gulab jamuns. Though she wanted to wait till Arjun also joined, sensing the excitement and eagerness in others to taste her sweet, she decided to serve it right away.

She first served the kutties Malar & Kaushik followed by all others. She also put two gulab jamuns in a bowl and kept it in Arjun's place which was empty. She then turned towards the staircase to see if he had come. Nope!
All others smiled silently seeing her sense of "responsibility" towards her husband.

Sumathi : Ellarum tiffin ku munnadi sweet saptu start pannunga

Ashwin : Ada! Gulab Jamun! 🤩
Arjun Anna ode Fav!

Paati : Ama roja, gulab jamun na en peran ku avlo pudikum. Athuvum Avanga amma senja na bowl bowl ah count eh illama sapduvaan 😂

Roja was even more ecstatic to hear that the first sweet that she prepared in her new house was coincidentally her hubby's fav. She couldn't wait for him to taste the gulab jamuns made by her. She wondered if he would eat like he would when Kalpana prepared.

"Cha cha ithellam peraasai roja! Mothal naal eh va!"

Her thoughts were cut by Prathap's voice.

Prathap : Roja! Summa solla koodathu. Gulab jamun vaaila potta odane appdiye melt aaguthu ma. Avlo soft ah irukku. Asathita!

Roja : Thanks Mama! ☺️

Her patience of waiting for Arjun was almost gone when he finally arrived.
Wearing a cheerful smile, he came to the dining table and occupied the chair meant for him.
However as soon as everyone saw him, the happy atmosphere of the dining table quickly changed. All the faces had gone pale.

Everyone became silent and kept staring at Arjun. Some were glancing at him with sadness. Arjun was confused.
He finally spoke up after the sadness and confusion persisted with silence for two mins.
"Enna aachu. Yean Ellarum enna appdi paakaringa..."

No one replied. Only Roja did, with much hesitation.

"Arjun sir...Neenga..."

She slowly told him glancing at him from top to bottom
Arjun was quick to realise what was happening.
He saw his dressing and his face became downcast.
He had dressed up like he would, when he had to go to the hospital. He had even carried his medical kit and white coat with him. No one wanted to hurt him, hence they kept quiet.

Arjun : Ama la. Ippo Intha coat, kit laam ethukku. Naa yean ippdi ready aagi vanthurken. Naa enga poga poren🙂
Palakathula pottutu vanthuten.
Naa irukkara nilamai ah maranthuten. Poi change pannitu varen.

He quietly left the table, without tasting Roja's gulab jamuns. He didn't even eat a morsel of food.
The happy mood was ruined. Everyone had forgotten the bitter happenings of the previous day for sometime. But now everyone got reminded of it. Roja was eagerly waiting to serve gulab jamais to her husband. But all her hopes had got washed away.

Yashoda : Roja, avan paavam, eppovume ippdi ready aagi vanthe palagittan. Avanala innum Antha unmai ah accept panna mudiyala. Nee poi avana samadhana paduthu ma.

Roja took some gulab jamuns and went to their room. Arjun had changed into a simple white tee and black tracks by then. He was sitting sadly gazing deeply at his graduation picture.

He felt a hand on his shoulder. It was Roja.

"Naa Intha veetla first panna gulab jamun. Ellarum saptutu appdi appreciate pannanga. Ungaluku Ithu Romba pudikum aame. Sapdamaye vanthutingale Arjun sir"

"Sorry Roja. Nee Enakku ippo ooti vidu. Naa sapadren."

Arjun made her sit lovingly next to ney and signalled her to feed him. Flashing his cute smile he opened his mouth while roja fed him gently.

"Pramadhama irukku Roja. Avlo soft ah juicy ah irukku. Enga amma panra mathriye irukku Roja. Naa Avanga panna kanakke illama sapduven. Ippovum Enakku athey feel than. Ippdi oru superb gulab jamun ah Naa table la miss pannitene."

Roja was waiting to hear those words from her beloved's mouth. She was absolutely over the moon.

"Intha gulab jamun kulla avlo capacity irukku sir, sugar syrup ah absorb panra capacity. Athey mathri ungalukullayum evlovo poruthukara capacity irukku Arjun sir. Athukulla Neenga kalangi poga koodathu. Ithellam oru temporary rough phase than. Antha sugar syrup ellam absorb panni eppdi Antha gulab jamun sweet ah aagutho athey mathri Intha struggles ellam Neenga absorb panni Neenga innum strong aaganum Arjun sir."

Arjun gave her a grateful look. He felt so lucky to have her. After all her words were being his everything now.

"Vaa Roja keela poi sapadalam. Enakku Romba pasikithu"

When they both went down, everyone had finished breakfast. Only Ashwin and Deepa were there, eating their last bits.

As soon as they saw Arjun-

Ashwin : Anna, Neenga onnum varutha padathinga na. Ithukku Namma oru vazhi kandippa kandupudippom. Inniki night dinner ku appram Namma Ellarum onna ukanthu pesalam na. Ellam sari aayidum.

Deepa : Ama na, Namma Ellarum sernthu pesi oru plan pottuta Intha problem easy ah solve aayidum. Ashwin Anna lawyer thane. Theva patta Namma legal ah kooda proceed pannikalam na. Athellam Namma night détail ah pesuvom. Ippo Enakku college ku late aayirchu. Naa kelambaren. Bye Anna, bye anni.
Amma! Naa poitu varen ma!

Kalpana : Sari Deepa!

Arjun : Take care Deepa! Be safe.

Ashwin : Appdiye naanum kelambaren na.

Arjun : Ok da bye!

After both left, Roja and Arjun sat down to have breakfast together. Just then Naveen arrived.

Naveen : Good morning Arjun Sir!
Vanakkam Roja madam!

As he saw both eating together at the dining table
He muttered -
"Wrong time la vanthutom pola"

Arjun : Mindvoice nu nenachu sathama pesitu irukka man nee 😂
Athellam onnum illa, okkaru.

He told Naveen, signalling the empty chair opposite to them.

Kalpana : Vaa Naveen. Intha Dosa. Appram Ithu Roja kaiyala senja gulab jamun.

As he dug into the food, Naveen sighed -
Nethu news paathu ore sangadama pochu Arjun sir! Neenga eppdi irukkinga nu paathutu pogalam nu than Naa vanthen doctor!
Intha mathri situation la ennala aaruthal ah thavira vera onnum solla mudiyathu. Aana ethavthu help ennala panna mudiyum na kandippa enkitta kelunga Arjun sir.

Arjun : Kandippa unnode help theva padum Naveen!

Roja and Naveen both looked at him surprised.

Arjun : Intha aneedhi ah muri adikka enkitta oru plan irukku. Aana ithu teamwork naala mattom than saathiyam aagum. Enna plan nu Naa evening Ashwin Deepa vum vantha appram solren.

Naveen : Appo Naa Ippo hospital poitu sila admin work ah mudichitu night varen Arjun sir.

Arjun : Night dinner ku Inga vanthuru Naveen! Dinner mudicha odane Namma discuss panrom.

Naveen : Kandippa Arjun sir. Neenga odamba paathukonga. Romba itha nenachu stress pannathinga. Madam, neengalum than. Appo Naa poitu evening varen.

Arjun : Naa ethukku Naveen stress eduthukanum, unmai Namma pakkam irukku. Athunala ennika irunthalum Namma jeippom
Nee ithaye nenaikatha. Hospital la velaiya olunga paaru

Naveen : Bye Sir!

——————————————————

That night

As decided, Arjun, Roja, Naveen, Ashwin and Deepa were all in Rojun's room to plan the next course of action. Arjun was up with some idea, and all of them were keen to hear it.

Ashwin : Anna, athu Enna plan na..
Sollunga na

Deepa : Ama na, ethuva irunthalum sollunga. Rendu la onnu paathurlam

Arjun : Ellarum Naa solratha careful ah kelunga....

******

Author's note : Back with a chapter after a long gap. Sorry for the delay and thank you so much to all of you for the constant support and patience. Will definitely try to give regular updates from now on. 🤞🏼

To be continued.
Thanks for reading. ❤️