“That’s because now you know that he is Krishna’s brother. You have already started thinking your would-be husband’s relatives as your family… Good!” said Saradha.
Thulasi was again confused… She looked at Kavya and asked,
“So did you tell him everything?”
There was a noticeable stress on that ‘everything’. Kavya could understand what Thulasi was asking.
“I mentioned about your marriage but didn’t give full details”
“Oh!”
“He was also shocked when I told him about that…”
“mmm…”
“So that’s the only thing that he doesn’t know now…” said Saradha with a smile. She then turned towards Thulasi and said,
“Really Thulasi, I never thought, one day I will talk about that marriage without any emotions… What you said five years back is correct… There is nothing like time to heal the wounds…”
“Amma, that’s not a big incident at all… We should be happy that we came to know about them before the marriage…” said Kavya.
Thulasi didn’t take part in that conversation. She was lost in her own confusion. So Dinakaran listened to all that heart breaking story of three women becoming poor in a day and…
“How come you missed only that part Kavy?” asked Thulasi in an emotionless tone.
“I didn’t miss it akka, atthai got up at that point and so I have to stop…” said Kavya with a wink.
“Oh, and then?”
“And then what, he asked me to sleep in the visitor’s bed and he stayed in the bench outside… And ofcourse that’s where I left my mobile… So when you called me in my number he picked up the mobile…”
So that’s it! Thulasi could guess Dinakaran’s mind set… In the past few months she has understood his character. Though he was a bit strict and tough to start with, she has realized that his real character is very sweet. So it’s sympathy after all?
Thulasi was unable to withstand the pain that came out of the thought… Why should things be always like this for her?
“Hey akka, what happened? Are you crying?”
“No Kavy, I think it’s a chilli…ooo…. It should be fine… It’s getting very late for me, let me start…”
Saying that Thulasi got up, washed her hands, got ready, waved good bye to her mom and sister and left.
Kavya was a bit surprised by the sudden change in Thulasi’s behavior. She was sure that her sister was in a good mood till sometime back. But she could not understand what happened suddenly. She was sure that there is some sort of chemistry between Thulasi and Dinakaran. She was also damn sure that Dinakaran showed keen interest towards Thulasi. But she could not understand what’s wrong with Thulasi.
Thulasi took few important decisions that day. She also started implementing those decisions from the same day. From that day onwards she avoided meeting not Just Dinakaran but also Seetha. She asked Uma to talk to or meet Seetha whenever required. When Seetha visited the boutique, every time in a mysterious manner Thulasi was too very busy or always had some urgent task outside… She also avoided any direct meeting with Dinakaran. Fortunately or unfortunately Dinakaran didn’t visit their boutique and hence there was no need for her to think of a plan to escape from him.
A month went on like that… Thulasi didn’t get a chance to meet or talk to Dinakaran after their conversation over phone. One day Saradha told Thulasi that Abirami enquired about her. Thulasi was aware that Saradha and Abirami have become close and they talk frequently over phone. But she was surprised that Abirami enquired about her. She stayed away from everyone in Dinakaran’s family without showing any discrimination!
That Sunday, after lunch, Thulasi was busy washing the dishes when the door bell rang. She heard Kavya opening the door and heard couple of extra footsteps. Out of curiosity she peeped out of kitchen and was surprised to see Abirami and Seetha together. Saradha and Kavya were busy talking to their guests that they didn’t see Thulasi’s expression. That gave Thulasi the much needed time to compose herself. When she came out of the kitchen after a few seconds, she had a smile in her face with a welcoming gesture.
After finishing the tea that Saradha gave them, Abirami started talking to Kavya her daughter-in-law. Saradha also joined their discussion. This provided an opportunity for Thulasi and Seetha to talk separately.
“Thulasi, I am surprised that you don’t have any urgent task now…” said Seetha with her trademark wink.
Thulasi gave a sheepish smile and said,
“Who said I don’t have any task now? I was washing the dishes when you both arrived…”
“Then why don’t you carry on with the task?”
Thulasi gave a surprised look, while Seetha continued her talk,
“You can wash the dishes and I can give you company…”
Thulasi couldn’t stop smiling now. She took Seetha to their small kitchen and said,
“It’s a small kitchen madam, we can’t bring in a chair here…”
“That’s ok, I can stand for a while…”
Thulasi started washing the dishes and Seetha kept staring at her for a few minutes. Then, she asked,
“So Thulasi, what’s the real reason behind all this sudden drama?”
“Drama? What madam?” Stammered Thulasi and stopped her sentence abruptly after looking at Seetha’s face.
Seetha still had the same smile in her face.
“Thulasi, I know you… You accepted that I am your friend. But I can’t understand what’s wrong with you now?”
“No madam, nothing…”
“Stop lying Thulasi! First, stop calling me as madam. You told me you will call me amma and not madam.”
“Ok amma…”
“That’s good! Now tell me, what happened?”
“No, nothing happened…”
“I know that you used to avoid Dinu but I can’t understand why you added me to the list.”
Thulasi was quiet for a few seconds and then said,
“How can I avoid meeting your son, if I continue to meet you Seetha amma?”
“Hmmm… so that’s the reason for you avoiding me?”
“Yes…”
“Nothing else?”
“No amma, nothing else, what else can there be?”
“Ok Thulasi. I will ask Dinu to not disturb you from today… He will not deal with any of our interactions, is that ok?”
Thulasi was shocked; she was not sure what to reply.
“Tell me Thulasi… My son is important but you are also important for me…”
Thulasi slowly nodded her head in acceptance.
“Ok Thulasi, you need not worry about Dinu from today.”
Days rolled on… Seetha continued to visit the boutique and she carefully avoided uttering even a single word about Dinakaran. Though Thulasi didn’t meet Dinakaran for the last two months, she still remembered the last conversation they both had via the phone. She remembered the exact words… his tone… his voice… But to her surprise Dinakaran stayed away from her… Yes it was she who started this “peek-a-boo” game but she didn’t expect Dinakaran to completely ignore her… Thulasi was not sure whether she should be happy or sad! Her mind urged her to stay away from him but equally her heart asked her to meet and talk to him…
To be continued...