Jasmin – an aroma of soul (Short story by Senganithene)

” Thangai Malar” By Kadayam Balan- Translate by Senganithene

29-62020

நான் எழுதிய “தங்கை மலர்” என்ற சிறுகதையை தங்கை செங்கனிதேன் ஆங்கிலத்தில் மொழிபெயர்த்துள்ளார். நன்றி- கடையம் பாலன்.

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Vimal was extremely happy that day. Of course it was abnormal. No one knew about it. But it was that phone call from his lovely sister.

Tomorrow she is coming. Even in the silent room he could hear the ring tone and his sister’s voice. What a great day tomorrow be!!!.

She got married a year back and settled in Delhi. She comes tomorrow. The whole morning, he flew from one shop to another to buy different things. He chose them with love and care.

It was her habit to accept with immense happiness. Even if she did not like what he had given, she would never show it out. Instead she would start loving it. He could see the happiness in her elegant face. So he was constantly gifting her one or other.

Vimal enjoyed his after noon thinking of his sister He was seeing the things he had bought. His eyes fell on his sister’s marriage album. He turned the leaf very slowly. His eyes were focused on the first photo.

He could hear her words. “Anna, un like other marriage albums, my album should be different. You and me should be there. That too your blessings photo. Let my marriage life begin with your blessings.”

The tears in his eyes hid the photos. Wiping the tears with a pinch of pride. Who can be like his sister Vinita.

He thought ” oh!! I should go and collect the flowers.”
“Sir, flowers will be ready by 3 o” clock”,the words of flowers seller. Happily he was going out.

Shanthi was busy with snacks preparations. She was inside the kitchen from morning.”My only sister in law is coming from Delhi.” “l should make different items.”

She didn’t know much about the deep love between the brother and sister.
Their marriage took place 6 months ago. Her husband was so caring and loving and she wanted to share the same love on her sister in law.

Vimal was eagerly entering the house. In three hours, he is going to see his sister. A bundle of Jasmin(neatly and closely tide and rapped in half banana leaf ) in his hand changed Shanthi entirely. Her eyes were red in color. Lips were showing her anger. She tried to make him understand that. But, nothing was visible to his eyes.

He went back to his room. There was power cut. His sister’s arrival made this suffocation too nothing.
Shanthi has the habit of hearing songs in Fm. As there was power cut, the home was silent.

The power resumed and the song that he heard was so awesome. It was his favorite song, “” malarthum, malaratha, “, from the film” Pasamalar”.

He closed his eyes.
The scene from the picture was very pleasant to his inner eyes.

“Hey, Vimal and Vinita, today we are going to a movie.” “you both are tired after your quarterly exam. And it is week end, we will go out today”. His mother’s words on a Saturday afternoon. “Yes, ma, we will be ready in five minutes”, we both were yelling.

“We reached the theater. Wow, What a great feeling”

we came home with a pleasant feeling.

His mother’s words were still ringing in his ears. “you both should be like this Shivaji and Savithri”.

He was thinking about his sister’s words. “Ma, don’t compare me with that Savithri. She loved Gemini and got married. In my heart, I have place only to my anna.”

She proved that too. Till her marriage, she didn’t give space to anyone except her brother.

“Oh, it is going to be six. Two hours, – – -“

A taxi arrived in front of their house. It is his expected sister’s arrival. He went out to bring them in.

“Vinita, Come, Come.”,,
‘How is the journey “
” Come, Mr. Mahanth, how do you do?
Shanthi showed her happiness.

Inside the house, there was only a celebration. Vimal was busy with showering his love and gifts. Sheathing was surprising them with eatables.
Then and there, Shanthi tried to show her anger on her husband. But she was able to see pasamalar Shivaji only. To Vimal’s eye, only his sister was visible. Mahanth was entertained only by Shanthi.

Two days went by. Vinita was getting ready to go to native. “Anna, we are going to his house first and we will go our parents house.”
“l will call you tomorrow”.

Vimal and Shanthi went to Egmore to send off.

The house seemed to be empty. There was an abnormal silence.

Shanthi brought the night milk and kept near him with a force to show him her anger.

“Why, Shanthi, are you angry”?
“I have been angry for two days”
“Angry with me or with my sister?”

“Why should I be angry with her?” l am angry with you only. “

” What is the matter? “

Shanthi was waiting for this moment only. She poured out her heart.

” How many times did I ask you to get Jasmin flowers? “

‘
” No time, you bought it. But you bought for your sweet sister. So you have different love on us. “

” yes, yes, “l have different love on you both.
” ah, darling, Jasmin will always remind me of my sister. If I buy jasmine for you, I will see you only as my sister. So I will always buy pitchi to you, my dear.

Shanthi was speechless. She wondered how flowers too have stories to spread apart from their fragrance.

Both were laughing. She was looking at her husband with a new smile. She worried “l too should have a brother”.

“Jasmin, a wonderful flower, “, she thought.