Forever with You! by Kalai Selvi Arivalagan (read my book TXT) 📕

Saranya got down from the train and walked toward the exit. Though the railway station looked brightly lit, it looked dark outside the station. The dimly lit street lights evoked a sense of scariness. With his umpteen numbers of promises that she will be safe once she landed on that town, Saranya took that assignment.

Waiting at the entrance of the railway station, she searched for her friend who promised her to take care of her accommodation at that small town. Unlike in Chennai, the evening still doused in heat waves made her feel tired and irritated.

As she could not reach her friend’s mobile, she decided not to wait there anymore. Though he failed to turn around for her, he was kind enough to book her accommodation and send the details well in advance through email.

Reluctantly Saranya walked to the auto stand and enquired about the ride to her the place where she has to stay. Much to her surprise, every one of them came forward to help her. Relieved by their helping attitude, Saranya took the first auto to reach her accommodation.

Saranya reached the place safely and it took another thirty minutes to complete the check-in procedures. When she started to roll her trolley-bag, a young man approached her with a smile.

“Hello, Saranya, How are you?” Saranya turned around to look who called her. ‘Hi, I am fine.’

At the first instance it did not strike Saranya that it is her e-mail friend Arun who helped her to book her accommodation.

“I am Arun. Sorry for not coming to the station.”

“No problem, I am not a little kid. Any way, thanks for reserving my accommodation”

Saranya started to walk toward her room. “Will you be there tomorrow to take me,” without turning around, she posed the question to him. “Or should I go on my own?”

Arun looked at her with a sheepish grin. “You need not worry. I will be here by 7 am tomorrow. I have made all the arrangements for you.”

“Thanks.”

“Will you join me for dinner?”

“No, Thanks. See you tomorrow, Good night.” Without expecting him to reply, Saranya walked away. Arun felt snubbed for a while and regretted for not going to the station to receive her. Their first meeting has started with a friction and he wondered how it will be tomorrow.

The next day when Arun met her, Saranya received him with a broad smile.

“Good morning. How are you?” Arun felt relieved as Saranya sounded normal. To impress Saranya in their first meeting itself, Arun arranged for a local taxi service so that the travel to Pitchavaram will be comfortable.

Having arranged for a car saved their back from a bumpy ride on the worn out road. Saranya, who used to talk to him so much over phone, did not talk much to him. Though Arun wanted to talk a lot to her, did not know what to talk and sat there observing her silently.

The breathtaking beauty of Pitchavaram mesmerized Saranya. The long stretch of greenery and the crystal clear water looked as a welcome relief for the monotonous life that she has been running for a while.

As Arun wanted to spend more time with Saranya opted for a row boat. As the boat ride usually passed through dark channels and overhanging branches, Arun wanted to change that trip to be a romantic one.

The boat man took them to Chinna Vaikkal Island from Pitchavaram. Fortunately, their visit coincided with the onset of an Eco tourism festival ‘Dawn Fest’ organized by Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation.

When they reached the island, the whole island vibrated with the festive mood, and in the meanwhile International and national delegates reached the place in decorated boats. Usually the island will be so calm and one can hear only the songs of birds.

As Arun was planning for a romantic retreat with Saranya on the lonely island, it did not attract him much. But Saranya enjoyed every second of stay over there. Earlier, she was wondering what she will write and fill her travel column. This sudden surprise gave her more input than she expected.

All through the day she kept herself busy by talking to people over there. Arun had to be a silent spectator and accompany her wherever she wanted to go.

In the evening, there were music performances on a floating stage boats. The sudden bustle of activity in the island did not disturb the migratory birds and they went with their routine chores.

The sea food served at the festival tasted delicious and Saranya enjoyed her food much to the disappointment of Arun. Saranya showed interest in every thing around her except him.

Around 5 pm, every one started leaving. While they were returning to Pitchavaram from the Chinna Vaikkal Island, the boat man shouted suddenly. ‘We need to return to the nearest island immediately.’

Saranya and Arun could sense the alarm in his words and asked him the reason. “I can feel a sudden change in the flow of water. The same way I felt when tsunami hit here.”
Saranya could see many birds flying here and there.

The songs of those birds sounded different as if a warning to move away from danger. Water snips, Cormorants, Egrets, Storks, Herons, Spoonbills and Pelicans flew and occupied the tallest spot on the trees.

It was really a delight to see so many birds together at the same time. The boat man started to row the boat faster and he wanted to reach a safer place as soon as possible. Arun guided him to the nearest island where he usually came to do his research work.

The night started to set in. Saranya looked at the twinkling stars in the sky. This is the first time she got stranded like this in a lonely place. They could not get the signal for their mobiles and it deprived them of contacting the world also.

Saranya though felt scared in the beginning started to feel excited with this sudden change of her trip into an adventurous one.

Quite a few families stayed in that island and there was no electricity or any other sophisticated facility. The small hut lacked fans or televisions. Only a transistor radio was there to hear the news or listen to some music.

The woman in the hut served their food on mud plates. The appetizing smell of fish curry made Saranya feel more hungry. Yet, she wanted to make that moment a beautiful one with the romantic touch.

Saranya took some candles from her bag and lit them. “Welcome to the candle lit dinner.” When Saranya called Arun to join her, he silently looked at the waving curls of her hair in the sea breeze.

With a whispering tone he murmured, ‘Do you love me?” With a twinkle in her eyes Saranya smiled at him. That showed her acceptance.

"Let us listen to some music while we have our romantic dinner." With a smile, Arun took the transistor at the doorstep. The first station that got the signal played a melodious love song of the olden days.

The heart rendering music with catchy lyrics filled the air. To listen to such music in the backdrop of dark night, made him feel love sick. Arun looked at Saranya and looked at her with a wide grin.

"Yes, I understand, but let us have our dinner first." With a stern looked she pushed a plate toward Arun. For Arun, it tasted heavenly and delicious. Love always do the wonders.

Text: Kalai Selvi Arivalagan
Publication Date: 11-24-2011

All Rights Reserved

Dedication:
Who are romantic at heart