Ratna did not answer; however, she too understood that there is something hidden in her query. She silently walked towards the toilet to freshen up and went to the kitchen to fetch her cup of coffee. Deepa asked, "amma, appa innaikku office pogalaiya? Ravi melayo en melayo romba kovam + adhirchi irukkumnu enakku theriyum. Adhanaley innaikku office-kku mattam adichhittu konjam indha vishayatthai 'clear'a discuss pannanum. Innaikkey idhukku oru mudivum sollidanum, aama yenna, enakku idhile suspense thaangaley. Unakku ennamma thonudhu? Neeyum appavum samadhipeengalley? Enakku theriyum, nichayam samadhippeenga. Yenna, adhule oru periya vishayam adangiyirukku… naan ninaikkiradhu sarithane sollumma?"
"Deepa, enn ippadi avasarappadurey? Ippo naanga sarinnu sollittal, naalaikkey kalyanam pannikkira maadhiri parakkirey! Innum naanga theermanama oru muduvikkum varalley. Appa unmayileye romba adhirchhi adainju poyittarudi. Nicchayama naano appavo idhai edhirpaarkkaveyillai. Adhuvum engalay maadhiriye…" and stopped abruptly, realising that she was about to spill the beans.
Deepa immediately asked "'ungalai maadhiriye'nna ennamma enakku puriyaley. Enna adhu ungalai maadhiriye?"
Ratna "Adhu vandhu… vandhu… engalai maadhiriye neenga rendu perum love pandreengaleynnu solla vandhen. Yenna naanum appavum love pannithaan kalyanam pannindom. Adhaan…"
"Appa enna kaadhalukku edhiriya? Kadhalikkiradhu oru periya kutthama? Adhuvum neengalum kaadhal kalyanam pannindu nallathaaney irukkeenga. Ungalukku oru sattam engalukku oru sattama? Neenga senja thappilley… aana engalukku 'andha' thappai seiya thadaiya?" (Again, this time, she stressed the word 'andha' deliberately).
"Illedi, adhukku sollaley. Unga vayasu enna, innum padippu mudiyaley… ozhunga unga rendu perula oruttharukku kooda velaikku pora alavukku padikkaley. Kudumbam nadathhara pakkuvam innum varaley. Adhuddhaan mukkiyam. Adhoda, neenga rendu perum 'akka' 'thambi', adhuvum otti pirandha rettai pasangadi. Appadi irukkumbodhu, idhai eppadi engalala etthukka mudiyum. Orey kuzhappama irukku."
"Ethuppeengalo, enna pannuveengalo enakku theriyadhu. Naan pesa vendiyathellam nethhe pessitten. Ini neengathan decide pannanum. 'Positive'a irundha namma yellarukkumey nalladhu. Illenna, ungallukkum avamaanamdhan minjum. Nangalum ungalai edhuthikkittu kalyanam pannikkuvom. Nalla irukkadhu illey! Adhanala, chamathha 'sari'nnu solliduveenga illema?"
"Saridi, Deepa, ippo unmaiya solludi. Nijamave nee Raviyoda endha alavukku pazhagiyirukkey… adhavadhu, unga 'kadhal' verum manasalavuleya illenna… adhukkum mela poyi…" she could not complete, felling somewhat embarrassed.
"Yennamma, naanthaan appavey sollittenne… nijamavey naan Raviyoda konjam enna… adhigamavey nerungi pazhagitten. Enn udambula etthanai macchham irukku, engenge irukku, enna size'la irukkunnu avanukku nannavey theriyum; avvalavu yenn, 'anga' irukkira mayirai kooda Ravidhaan oru thadavai 'shave' panni vittaan. Podhuma ille unakku vera eppadi solluradhu? Naan avanodadhai… solla konjam vetkama irukkumma… neeye purinjikko."
Ratna closed her eyes and sighed, releasing a heavy breath. She reclined on the sofa, mumbling something… 'ammava pola ponnu…' which Deepa gathered well in time.
"Yennamma sollarey? 'ammava pola ponna'? appadinna, neeyum appavum kalyanathukku munnaleya engalai maadhiri nerungi pazhagiteengala? Adhanaladhaan unga kalyanam nadandhadha? Veetile oththukittaangala? Ille 'Oodi poyi' kalyanam pannitteengala? Ippo enga thaatha paati irundha evvalavu nalla irukkum? Avanga engallukku support pannuvanga thane? Enna, avangalum konjam pazhaya panjaangama 'aiyaiyo, akka thanmbikulla kaadhala? Cheechee asingam… kali mutthi poyidutthu'nnu polambuvaanga. Illey engalai veetai vitte thorathiduvaanga. Vetti kolaiyey pannina kooda aachariya padaruthukkilley!" Saying this, Deepa let out a loud laughter.
At that moment, Mani came out of their room and yelled at Deepa "Kaalangaathaley unakku vera topic kidaikkaliya? Idhai patthi naandhaan decide panni sollarennu sonnene, adhukkulla ammakitte enna 'argue' pannidu irukkey? Cheche, enna ponno enna pillaiyo, ellam naanga senja paavam."
Deepa, "adhu neenga pannina paavama ille punnyamangradhu enakku avasiyamilley. Enna mudivungradhudhan enakkum avanukkum, oh, sorry, kalyanam pannikkaporavan illaya, avarukkum avasiyam. Seekirama unga mudivai sollunga… naan poyi 'avarai' ezhuppanum." And left the room and moved towards Ravi's bedroom.
Both Mani and Ratna were stunned to hear their daughter's declaration. Mani said, "Ratna, office-kku phone panni naan innaikku vara maattennu sollidu. Neeyum seekirama breakfast panni mudichudu. Innaikkey idhukku oru mudivu sollidaren. Appodhaan indha pisasu ippadi pesaradhai thadukka mudiyum. Chellam koduthu kuttichuvarayitta unnoda ponnu. Payyano thholukku minji valandhu seiyya koodadhadhayellam seyyaran. Thalaividhi!" saying so, he slammed the toilet door and latched it from inside.
"Neenga enna mudivu senjaalum, engalukku saadhagama irukkumnudhaan naan ninaikkiren." Deepa replied and went to the kitchen to assist her mother in her daily chores. By the time hearing the commotion, Ravi too came out of his room to see what's going on. He found no one in the hall. He went to the kitchen. Ratna saw him and ignored him when he greeted her with a "good morning, ma!" He sensed tension hanging in the air. Deepa looked at him and winked; she asked him, Ravi, netthu raathiri nalla thoonginiya? Ille ennaiye ninacchittu irundhaiya? Naan nalla thonnginenda. Ammavum appavum kooda nalla thoonginaangannudhaan ninaikkiren. Nammalai patthi kavalaipattalum, adhukkaga avanga… avanga…" and she did not complete. Ratna turned and looked at Deepa questioningly and after seeing her, Deepa completed "avanga thoongama irukka mudiyuma? Ille saapidamathaan irukka mudiyuma? Edhu nadakkanumo adhu nadakkathaaney seiyum aana adhu nallapadiya, ellarum santhosapadumbadiyaa irundha nalladhu. Illaiya? Sarida Ravi, oh, I am sorry Ravi, inimey unnai 'vaada podaa'nnu mariyadhaiyillame koopida koodathu illey? Yennanga Ravi, brush panniyacha? Coffee kudikireengala?"
Ravi smiled and replied, "Innum illedi Deepa. Naan brush pannittu varren. Adhukkulle coffee ready pannudi. Kalyanam aagattum, nee appadi koopidalam. Ippodhaikku eppavum polave nee ennai 'vaada podaa'nney koopidudi. Naanthaan eppovum unnai 'vaadi podi'nnudhaan koopidaren. Sariyadi, chellam?"
"Sarida, seekirama vaa… coffee aaridapogudhu. Edhuvum sooda irukkaracheye saapidanum. Yennamma, sariya naan sollradhu? Aaripoyittal andha rusi kettudum. Sari, sari poo."
"Deepa, Ravi, neenga rendu perum adhigama vaayaada aarambichutteenga. Overaavey chellam kodutthu kettupoyi irukkeenga. Enna seiyaradhu. Enga thalaividhi appadi. Saridi Deepa, appavukkum Ravikkum serndhey coffee kalandhudu. Naan poyi kulicchuttu vandhurren. Appurama nee kulikka po. Solla marandhutten, appovoda office-kku phone panni avar innaikku office varamaatarnnu sollidariya?" and without waiting for her reply, Ratna moved out of the kitchen to her wardrobe to gather her clothes.
Deepa watched her select a saree, petticoat, bra and a towel and moved towards the bathroom. She went near her and asked her, "Amma, nee veetile irukkumbodhu panties poda maatiya? Panties edukkaliye? Adhudhaan ketten."
"Chee podee, amma kitte enna ketkaradhunnu vivasthaiyillai?"
"Idhule enna thappumma? Adhoda appavum veetile irukka poraar. Oruvelai appa solliyirukkalamonnu ketten."
"Appa enna 'solliyirukallamonnu' izhukkarey?"
"Illey, appa veetile irundha unnai panties podakkoodathunnu solliirupparonnu ketten. Yenna, Ravi enkitte appadithaan solli vacchirukkaan."
Ratna blushed and did not answer but shot a furious look at her daughter and said, "Idhu unakkey konjam overaa padalai idhu maadhiri ellam en kitte sollaradhukku? Podi, velaiya paaru. Naan kulikka porren."
"Sari po, badhil sollaama porriye, appave enakku purinji pocchu… payyanai polavey appaavum… illey illey appaavai polave payyan…" and giggled and went again to the kitchen to make coffer for Ravi and Mani.
Mani was all listening to this conversation and silently cursed his daughter for her talkativeness. He sat on the dining table and started reading the newspaper while waiting for his cup of coffee. Ravi too joined him soon. Deepa brought three cups of coffee, and she too joined them in the dining table. Both the father and the son sat silently facing each other sipping hot coffee. Ravi was intently starting at his dad hoping that he would talk something to him. But Mani totally ignored him and after finishing the coffee, he lighted a cigarette and walked to the balcony. Ravi went to him room and switched on the TV and started watching the morning news.
Around 9.00, they all assembled again at the dining table for their breakfast. Ravi was the first to ask: "Amma, neenga rendu perum enga vishayatthaipatthi discuss pannitteengannu theriyum. Aana yenna decided pannineengannu ippo naanga therinjikka aasaipadurom. Adhu edhuva irundhaalum please sollidunga. Ennala suspense thaangamudiyala. Deepa unakku edhaavadhu theriyuma? Appa neengalaavadhu pesunga?"
Mani cleared his throat and started talking. "Deepa, Ravi, nalla kettukkonga. Unga rendu peroda kaadhalala namma kudumbaththula evvalavu kuzhappam varumnu theriyuma? Nalla velai namakku relatives yaarum illai. Aana, namma 'family friends' nammalai patthi enna ninaippanga? Madhippum mariyadhaiyuma naama irukkom. Aana indha vishayathukku appuram enna aagumnu yosicheengal? Neenga unga mudiva matthikkonga. Neenga senja thappai naanum ammavum mannichhuttom. Aana, idhukku appurama ozhunga irukka paarunga. Konja naal kazhicchu, Deepavukku vera idathiley kalyanam pannidalam, nee unakku pidichcha maadhiri ponnu adhu yaara irundhalum naanga thadai solla maattom. Deepa, neeyumthaan, vera yaaravadhu unakku pidicchirundha sollu, nallapadiya kalyanam nadathidarom. Enakku idhukku mela very yosanai thonaley. Ammavum idhey mudivuleythaan irukka nalla yosichhu badhil sollunga."
"Appa, enna dhideernu ippadi oru gundai thooki podureenga?" Ravi asked.
"Neenga rendu perum yenga thalaiyila potta gundaividavaa idhu perisu? Adhaiye naanga thaangikkalai?" Ratna countered.
Deepa and Ravi stared at each other. They started to talk in unison… and Ravi let Deepa speak on his behalf too.
"Appa, neenga sollaradhai ennala ninaicchu paakavey romba aruvaruppa irukku. Naanum Raviyum endha alavukku pazhagi irukkomnu ungakitte sollitten. Adhai Ammakitte innumkooda detaila kaathaley sonnen. Adhukku appuramavum neenga ennai vera orutharai kalyanam pannikka sollradhu nallavey illai. Adhanaala, naan vera yaaraiyum kalyanam pannikka maatten. Ravikku eppaidyo theriyaadhu. Naan indha mudivila nicchayama urudhiya iruppen. Enakkum Ravikkum kalyanam nadantha sari, ille, naan pesaama naan padiccha convent'la irukkira Mother'tta solli naanum 'nun'aagiradhukkana erppadu senjuduven. Ennai patthina kavalaiyai vittutu, neenga rendu perum Ravikku vera yaaraiyavadhu kalyanam panni vacchudunga. Ravi, nee enna sollarey?"
"Excellent Deepa, naan enna solla vandheno, adhaiyethaan neeyum sollittey. Nee illamey naana? Neeyavadhu 'nun' ayiduve aana naan, nichayama 'none' aayiduven. Puriyale? Setthu poyiduven. Adhu nicchayam."
Ratna was too scared to digest what Ravi said. Mani retorted, "Sariyana kozhai… vaazha thuppilladhavanthaan ippadi pesi mirattuvan. Unnoda mirattulukkellam naanga maziya mattom Ravi. Adhudhaan unnoda mudivunna, adhai patthi engallukku kavalai ille."
"Appa, eppo ennoda uyirey ponalum neenga sammadhikka maatennu solliteengalo, appuram ungala nambi endha oru prayojanamum illai. Koodiya seekiram naan oru velaya thedikkittu Deepavai kalyanam senju unga kann munnadiye naanga nalla vaazhdu kattathaan porren. Unga friends, matthavanga enna solluvaangannu enakku kavalai illai. Deepa nichayama ennoda indha mudivukku support pannuvaannu ninaikkiren. Sollu Deepa, naan sollradhu thappa?"
"No darling, Ravi, nee sariyathaan sollirukka. Naanum velaikku try pannren. Koodiya seekiram namma kudumbam nadattharadhai ivanga paarkathaan poranga. Amaidhiya ippo saapidu… Amma, enakku innum oru thosais podu. Thottukka sambarum chutneyum vidu. Appa ungallukku thosais?"
After the breakfast, they returned to their rooms. Ravi made a few phone calls to his friends, and he asked a few of friends to meet him at the park in the evening. Deepa watched TV for some time.
Mani and Ratna were confused… they had no option but to yield to their demand; Ratna said, "Neenga raathiri enna sonneenga ippo enna senjeenga? Otthukkara maadhiri pesittu, 'konja naal kazhicchu kalyanathai pannikalam adhuvarai kaathirunga'nnu sollveengannu ninaichaal, ippadi kavuthutteengaley?"