Chennai Egmore – Journey 20

எல்லாரும் பொங்கலுக்கு படம் ரிலீஸ் பண்றாங்க... நானும் 20th journeya பொங்கலுக்கு ரிலீஸ் பண்றேன்...... (no bad words) journey begins........

Jegan and Mona now agreed to wait for few more months,’ even years. Jegan’s days are going smoothly whereas Mona’s is going good and bad, She is unable to find balance between; She is seeking for more care from Jegan. Jegan always makes her comfortable.

Days and weeks passed still no success from Mona’s side. Jegan parents also started questioning when you are going to get married. Jegan didn’t tell Mona about it. Mona was continuously talking with her father but all went in vain.

On one fine day in summer, Aruna called everyone and happily told them that she is gonna get engaged next week with a software professional in Bangalore. All of them are very excited and congratulated her. Aruna was over the moon and said, ‘marriage will be within a month I hope as he may get an onsite assignment. Sooo’.

All 3 clearly know what they r going to hear now. Ganesh asked, ‘Soo Madam, tell us’.

Aruna, ‘Soo. I am going to put papers and after marriage will shift to Bangalore. And May not continue working’.

Jegan, ‘Ooh that’s great and it’s good I would say. So u r the first one to be getting married in our gang ah‘. Jegan silently looked at Mona indicating ‘I thought ours will be first’ and Mona understands and signaled ‘our time will come’.

Ganesh seeing them, ‘Ennada paarvailaye pesikiringlo.. Karumam..’.

Jegan, ‘Ithellam unnaku puriyathu Machi’.

Ganesh, ‘Who said I don’t understand, This morning I saw one girl in our cafeteria perhaps a fresher, she looks so beautiful u know. When I saw her first, manasukulla paatu lam ketkuthuna paaren’.

Jegan, ‘Paaarrreeen.. Kaalam pona kalathulla unnaku paatu ketkutha. Poi velaya parrunga Ganesh Sir’.

Everyone is laughing including Ganesh, Ganesh saw the funny side of it and told, ‘Come on Guys’.

Aruna, ‘Enna song sir Athu?’.

Ganesh, ‘Mundhinam Parthene Parthadhum Thootrene’ and Ganesh continue to sing.

Jegan stopped him and told, ‘Ganesh Unnaku Mundhinam parthene song ketkuthu, ennakulam Annal Maele Pani thulli thaan ketkuthu’ and continued laughing

Aruna looked Mona, ‘Paaru avanuku koluppa’. Mona sharply looked at Jegan, Jegan stops laughing and turn the attention to Aruna’s Marriage and said, ‘Guys its time to book tickets to Aruna’s Marriage, Aruna please book the flight tickets and everyone ask for leave’.

Aruna, ‘Wat flight ticket ah? I can’t afford even bus ticket. But for u poor guys I book train tickets’.

That time Aruna phone rings and it’s her hubby and she looks everyone, all started making fun of her. Aruna blushed and slowly moved from their place.

As planned they all went to Aruna’s Marriage for 3 days, and really had a fantastic time. Since Aruna was released from the office, they enjoyed their days to the maximum.

Aruna as expected her hubby got an onsite assignment in Germany, so soon she also left to Germany. Soon they all miss Aruna as she was a well wisher, and more a friend.

Months now rolled over. Ganesh and Jegan in the same project, both were offered an onsite opportunity at the same time. (Readers, this is a story. So these happens only in a story... :D)

Ganesh was excited since this is the one he waited for so long and so as Jegan. But Jegan told Ganesh that he is not willing to go on during this situation. Mona needs me more; I can’t leave her alone here and come. So I m gonna inform the boss’.

Ganesh jus nodded his head and said, ‘I know u ll say this’.

On knowing this, Mona was upset and feels guilty. Jegan told Mona, ‘Hey what happened. You are more important for me than anything. We can get onsite opportunity anytime later. You should be feeling happy and proud about ur hubby. How great he is nu’.

Mona, ‘Saappa.. Intha mokka poduratha niruthuringla..’.

Jegan, ‘Hey enna thidirnu mariyathai lam thara..’.

Mona blushed and said, ‘Hmmm... Ini apdithaan’.

Jegan, ‘Oooh’.

Mona, ‘How long will u wait to marry me?’

Jegan, ‘Hmmm.. I can wait. Don’t worry only with ur father approval I will tie knot with you. Ooh u r a Christian na, so will put ring too’.

Mona, ‘No Jegan we need to fix how long we can really wait. Since I am not sure my father will agree anytime sooner. I tried to speak with him thru phone and every time I went there. But still he is not agreeing. My mother will agree. I can’t even think of a life without you.’

Jegan, ‘I will ask my father to talk to ur father. Let’s see what is happening’.

Mona, ‘No.. Vendam. I asked my uncle to talk about our thing. But even before he started, my father told him we can talk anything other than Mona’s marriage’.

Jegan, ‘Oooh... I don’t understand. At first he said NO, that is understandable but still after these many months he didn’t change… What he is expecting from me? He is not ready to talk with me too.’

Mona, ‘He is not expecting from u. He first believed you but after he knows our love, he jus don’t like u. Also u r not a Christian. Also he made a promise with his friend that is also broken. So these many things are there’.

Jegan, ‘But u love me na, that is the important thing na. Bull shit. See after our marriage I will make our children to kick him’.

Mona, ‘OK.. Can we wait for another 6 more months?’.

Jegan, ‘Arey 6 months ah… No problem for me. I can even wait for years. But 2 days back my parents asked about the situation of us’.

Mona, ‘Oh Y didn’t you tell me that day. What they asked? What u said?’.

Jegan, ‘I could have told u on that day itself. But Naan sonna nee upset aga arambiba.. so apo sollala.. But now I m telling this, bcoz today u r speaking confident. Actually they told I am getting older, I have to marry soon. They can’t postpone my marriage aam. So they asked u to check with your parent.’

Mona, ‘Ooh.. Wat u said?’.

Jegan, ‘Hmmm.. Jus told them Plz wait for few more days. If her father says yes, I will marry her the next day’.

Mona, ‘Ooh. Ok…’

Months moved, Ganesh already went to onsite, now only Jegan and Mona were here. Days started to move faster.

Jegan’s parents also putting pressure on him, finally Jegan parents decided to meet Mona’s father.

Mona told her mother about this. Mona’s mother warned Mona that her father doesn’t like this, also he will insult them, so don’t ask them to come.

Mona told her mother, ‘I told them already, but they want to meet him. Ennaku bayama iruku, enna lam nadaka poguthunu’

In couple of days, Jegan’s parents landed in Mona’s hometown. It is one of the rainy day in winter. They didn’t waste any time, they went straight to Mona’s house. They didn’t get a warm welcome; Mona’s uncle alone welcomed them that too just for sake.

Jegan’s father started the conversation, ‘Hope you know why we are here. I will come straight to the matter. We came here to talk about my son’s marriage. My son is in love with your daughter. We are very happy with your daughter. Now they are seeking your approval. You know everything already, you know my son too. So unga mudivu ennanu sollunga’.

A big silence followed.

Jegan’s father, ‘Why no one is talking. See I am not here to say whatever u did was wrong, Your standing on your daughter is correct. But we are asking you to think again, can your daughter live happily marrying another guy?

Even I didn’t agree straight away, when my son told me that he is in love with a Christian girl. But I am here to give what my son wants. So I had a hard thought about my family relatives and others. But avanga kaalam vera namma kalam vera. Apolam we can’t survive, but nowadays society is changed, they can survive. My son is a good guy. He never gives up the persons he loved. He is also earning well. So you can trust him.”

Mona’s father thinking in his mind, ‘Both son and father were good in talking’. He finally opened his mouth and said a big No. He told, ‘Whatever you say I don’t like this marriage, so don’t waste time in convincing me’.

Jegan father, ‘No you can’t say like this. This involves my son’s life and more importantly your daughter life too. Or tell us why u don’t like this marriage, we will try to resolve’.

Mona father, ‘Hmmm... I jus don’t like him, he trapped my daughter. I don’t want to speak abt that any. Also I don’t want to see my daughter marrying an anti Christian.”

Jegan’s father got angered on heard what Mona’s father said about his son, but he didn’t show. He continued to talk in politely.

Jegan’s father, ‘Nadanthatha ninaichitu irukathinga. Remember they both love each other for more than a year. Both are good children, they told us everything and waiting for our confirmation. I even talked to them, they both were adamant. They want your confirmation, for that they will wait for years. We both have one thing in common, we have only one child and we want them to live happily forever. Remember Avanga life la happiness ponathuku nammale reason ah iruka kudathu. That is the worst thing that we could do to them. So think again’

Again silence. Jegan father can observe Mona mother and uncles mind changing. But Mona’s father mind stands still and his facial reactions suggest he want them to leave.

Jegan’s father doesn’t like the silence and he was very disappointed. So he decided to leave. Before leaving, he told them please think again, its all for their happiness. So come up with yes soon.

Jegan’s father after leaving he called his son and told them what happened. Also Jegan said, ‘I think he will be OK soon. He is silent, looks like all except Mona’s father is happy with tat. So I m hoping he will be ok soon. Now it’s your time to take decision.’

Jegan, ‘Ok dad. I will tell u’

Mona comes to know about the discussions from her mother, her mother told in another perspective, ‘Things got worse. Ur father didn’t talk to them at all. They tried to convince him, but they failed. Ur father got even angrier’.

Jegan and Mona met and talked for hours, Jegan stands still, the marriage would happen only if Mona’s father agreed, but Mona said, ‘we will wait for few more months, even though my father didn’t agree, lets get married. My internal feeling says one day my father will agree to our marriage’.

Some where I read it and jus sharing it…

Jegan and Mona were waiting, waiting and waiting for many days. Ganesh and Aruna were also settled with their new roles. Ganesh was asking Jegan to get married soon and come to onsite.

Jegan parents, Jegan and Mona met on fine sunny day in the summer of chennai and they were discussing with Mona. Jegan father asked Mona, ‘Mona tell us how long we can wait’ by putting small smile on his face.

Mona, ‘Uncleee’.

Jegan sits behind Mona and was listening.

Jegan father, ‘Illa ma, you both waiting for so many months now. U both are getting old. So it is the right time for u to get married’.

Mona with low voice started replying, ‘Yea u r rite uncle. Naaney unga kitta pesalamnu thaan irunthen. First of all thank u for being patient and showing trust on me. I am very fortunate to have u. I will talk to my father this weekend as I m going home, even if the outcome is negative, we go ahead with the marriage’.

Jegan father, ‘Hey we are not forcing you. I jus want to know the status. That’s it. Take ur time and tell us when so we will plan for marriage’.

Mona, ‘No uncle, already me and Jegan discussed this a lot. Even if u didn’t ask this, we could ve told this’.

Jegan firmly holds Mona’s hand and tighten his grip as sending assertive message to her.

Jegan father, ‘Soo.. Talk to ur father, even if needed we can also go again and talk to him. Talk to him first and tell us.’

Jegan was happy bcoz he knows one thing for sure, no matter what happened he will be married in upcoming months.

Mona and Jegan started going to their native place on the same very train. Train started. Both thinking about the best times they had in train. Mona teased Jegan about their first meet. Jegan said, ‘Yea I remember lot of thing. Actually one day I came to say ‘I love u’ in the train, I was nervous but very eager but when I reached ur place, I find ur parents. That is the worst thing ever can happen to a boy. That was great’.

Mona replied, ‘Oooh. Ada paavi sollavey illa.. Aaama How dare u ask for a mobile no. to unknown girl?’

Jegan, ‘Heyy enna.. Seri naan thaan no. keta nee thanthuratha.’

The chat went on like this till late night. In the morning Jegan asked Mona to update him. She said she will talk to her father on morning. But she said, regarding marriage I still dare to talk him; he then may not allow me to go out home.

Both looked into each other eyes for long time then Jegan dropped in his home town, where Mona left him.

After 2 hours of sleepless, loneliness, and very fearful journey she reached her home.

That day went Jegan didn’t receive any calls from Mona. Jegan was little worried. 2 days went still Jegan didn’t receive any calls from Mona. He was very afraid and worried what might have happened. His father calms him down and told him to check in the train.

Jegan decided if Mona didn’t come in the train, he will go to her home. He called Mona’s mobile. again and again but it says switched off.

Train arrived; Jegan rushed into the coach and didn’t find Mona.

What might ve happened to Mona? Is the question in Jegan’s mind and also us…….

Journey continues……