Episode 11

Ilakiya was too tensed as she got down the car. Aaran held her hands gently once, looked into her eyes and said, “You will feel at home very soon here. Don’t think too much and stress yourself.”  She nodded. Aaran greeted Vasugi too and helped them with the bags and guided them inside the house.  

Aaran’s mother gave them a warm welcome. Ilakiya looked at her. She felt Aaran’s mother had a lovely smile. “Please make yourself comfortable. Don’t feel hesitated to ask me anything.” “Thanks a lot Aunty.” Vasugi mumbled back. “Thank you so much for inviting us aunty.” Ilakiya said and she got the lovely smile she admired as a reply.

“I have kept the upstairs room ready for both of you. There is a bathroom attached. Please refresh and come down. We will have dinner together. Meanwhile Aaran’s father will also be back.” Aaran’s mother told them. “Do you want me to help with anything in the kitchen aunty?” Ilakiya asked her immediately. “No dear, everything is almost ready. I will manage.” She replied.

Aaran took them to the room and left them there. Vasugi excused herself and went to the washroom. “Get well used to this room Ilakiya. It will be the room where we will stay after our wedding.” He winked at her. Ilakiya looked uneasy. “I really feel bad to talk like this here. What if your mom hears what you just said? What will she say and think about me? Aaran, I feel so confused.” Ilakiya was prattling on when Aaran came close to her and pulled her beside the door. The door was now neither shut nor fully open.

“You keep on getting confused. I just have one way to clear all your confusions.” He hugged her and kissed her softly. Ilakiya let go of him immediately and looked very angry. “I really want to make a great impression on your mom. Please don’t distract me.” Ilakiya protested. Aaran laughed. “Fine. Do as you wish.”

Ilakiya refreshed and changed into a cotton casuals and checked for the nth time before going down whether she looked presentable. Aaran was on the couch watching TV and his mom was seen in the kitchen. Aaran smiled at her. She smile back and went straight to the kitchen.

Aaran’s mother smiled at her and asked about Vasugi. “She is on an official call Aunty. She will join us in an hour.” “Aaran’s dad is also on the way. He should be here in another 15 minutes.” She said. The back door connecting the kitchen and the utility area was open and it was sending chill breeze inside. Ilakiya shivered and went near the door. “Shall I close this aunty? It is so chill outside.” “Sure dear. I usually close it early evening but forgot today.”

Ilakiya was about to close the door when she saw something slithering at the rag near the door. She went near to have a close look. It was a snake. It was a very big snake and started to move. At a lightening pace, the snake moved suddenly and was now at the heels of Aaran’s mother.

Ilakiya had no time to think now. She went to a trance. All she wanted now was to just move Aaran’s mother from danger’s way. In an instant she picked the snake by its tail and wanted to throw it out. It hissed so loud in reaction that Aaran’s mother turned to see what was happening.

She could not believe her eyes.”Aaaahhhhh” She shouted. Aaran came running inside. Ilakiya was holding the snake by its tail and the head was coming close to her to attack her. “Throw it out Ilakiya.” Aaran shouted at the top of his voice. Ilakiya now could not apprehend what she was doing at all. Somehow she managed to throw it out with all her strength. Aaran shut the door immediately.

Ilakiya was completely pale now. She looked as if she will throw up any moment now. Her legs grew weak and she fell down in a clump. Aaran lifted her gently and helped her to the couch in the living room. His mom followed them. She could not fully come out of what had happened. A girl has picked a live snake from her heels so that she could be saved. What would have happened if the snake had attacked her instead?

Aaran offered a bottle of water to Ilakiya and made her drink it. A little colour came to her cheeks now. Aaran felt relieved. “What made you pick that freaking snake?” He shouted. “It could have bit you. You should have called me or ran out immediately.”

“If I had raised an alarm the snake would have bit mom.” Ilakiya replied with a heavy breath. Aaran’s mom could not take it any longer. She rushed to Ilakiya and hugged her. “You are a very nice person. Noone will think about others in such a situation. You are literally God sent to save me.”

“Sir, sir” everyone turned at the tense voice. It was the watchman. “I just saw a very big snake coming out our back door. I hit it hard and it died. I heard amma’s shouts too. Did it bite anyone? “ He looked tensed. “Kanthasamy, a snake came inside the house and was about to bite mom when my friend Ilakiya here rescued her. Come lets go outside and check.” Aaran said.

They went outside and saw the dead snake. It was real huge and looked poisonous too. Aaran could hardly imagine his plight if the snake had bit either his mom or Ilakiya. He went near and kicked the snake. “Thanks Kanthasamy, I could not have put my mind to rest till its caught dead or alive.”

“Its my duty sir. Don’t worry. Amma and your friend looks shaken. Please go inside and make them comfortable.” Aaran went inside and as he heard, they looked badly shaken. Ilakiya was now sitting near mom and had her head resting on his mother’s shoulders. He sat near Ilakiya and spoke gently.” I never knew you had the guts to pick a live snake. You even get scared of worms and lizards when we go trekking.”

“Even I don’t know what made me pick that snake. I was so lost. I just wanted to get it out of aunty’s way but didn’t know what to do.” Ilakiya replied. Aaran’s mother was gently patting her head as she spoke.

“Sir”. It was again Kanthasamy. “Its just a myth but I don’t want to miss it out.” He started.”Yes Kantha. Feel free.” Aaran prompted him. “When you hit a snake it brings ill luck. Since it has come to your house and I have killed it for you, ill luck may favour you till you do some atonement.” “See I appreciate it but don’t believe all this” Aaran started speaking when his mother interrupted.

“I too thought of the same. Tell me what to do and we will do it.” Her voice registered fear. “Nothing much amma. Give me 100 rupees and I will do a series of prayers for atonement.” Kanthasamy replied.

“Fine. Aaran give him what he asks. I will fetch some more water. Ilakiya is still breathless.” 

His mom went to the kitchen. Aaran took a 200 rupees note and gave it to Kanthasamy. “Please have it and do what is required to.”

“Thank you sir but please don’t mind me saying this. It should be given to me by the lady of the house. Preferably the daughter in law of the house. If not, an elderly lady.” Aaran was about to call his mom when he saw Ilakiya. He gave the money to her and asked her to give it to Kanthasamy. “She is the future lady of the house, Kantha. Please get it from her.”

“What???” The three startled and turned to face the voice.

It was Aaran’s father.