Air-borne - Part One

She settled down for her 263rd flight. To the ever beautiful land of Mumbai. She was exhausted after a gruelling day at work. She just wanted to close her eyes and be left alone. It was a window seat. There had been times when she would have been completely excited at having the window seat. She always liked peering through the window. High above, it will give her the feeling that she is inside a bubble. A bubble where nothing or nobody can touch her. A bubble of clouds. A temporary safe cocoon. It will always give her the adrenaline rush, when the plane tears through the clouds on its descent, when she used to count the minutes until she will hit the reality. Hit the ground. 

Now, after 262 flights, she did not feel any of the excitement.

Her mind wandered to her first flight. About 8 years back, she took her first flight to Mumbai. She travelled with a friend who takes flights every other day. She was surprised that anyone flying could be so disinterested about it.  She kept chattering non-stop - about the airports, about the travellers, about the ‘frisking’, about the security check for women. She jumped up and down in excitement when the safety instructions were briefed and she read the safety pamphlet back to front without leaving a word. What if she had to use it? A very sane rational fear! Her friend was silently observing her, stifling a grin. He was kind enough to refrain from telling her that, after ten or so flights, all these will become boring, if not tedious. He knew that if he had told, she would have denied point black. So he kept his mouth shut. He let her experience. 

That was the day she fell in love with him, all over again. Off all the guys she has had the pleasure to be friends with, this one was different. He made her feel alive. Oh he can pamper and court. All in earnest. Once when she went out with him, he never let her feet touch the ground. Or may be she always felt high. Anyway. She wearily opened one eye to see that the food trolley was approaching. They were bringing dinner. Dinner in the planes will be hot and she needed hot. She mustered all her energy to sit up straight and start on dinner. Thinking about him had curbed her of all her hunger. Drained her. 

Its almost five full years since she saw him or heard from him. They had parted after they both had married and decided its best to stay away. Okay. They married different people because,they were foolish enough to believe that they were not right for each other. They fought too often for starters. She missed him. All those years without him in life, hit her in the face and she desperately wanted to call him. Once they were the closest. When they hangout with their friends, everyone around felt their connect. The aura that they cast around themselves and people around them. It was beyond magical and may be thats why it had to stop. Calling would not be wise. He has a family of his own and she, hers. No. It would be totally unwise. She thanked God that she is 40000 feet above ground and in no way to make any call, let alone him. However, she wished. Wished with all her heart that she see him. Just once may be. To see what time has done to him. If he still had that moustache, if he still had that twinkle in his eyes. If his eyes would still light up when she came in front of him. She sighed again. She would always love him, no matter what. Even after having her own family whom she loves dearly. 

She gripped the seat belt tightly. She wanted to land soon. She closed her eyes and settled down for an uncomfortable nap.

One last time

She was pacing the balcony, telling herself that he will walk in any moment now. They had had an argument and he had walked out without a backward glance. She was raging herself and hence she didn't care. She went about doing her work. She knew, this time, she was not wrong. So she stood her ground. She hoped he would come back. He loved her, she told herself as she finished 97th round of her huge balcony.

Every time a bike passed, she rushed and saw, hoping it was him. And every time, her heart crumbled in disappointment. And with every passing bike sound, her hurt grew. Like a bubble about to burst. When it bursts, there will be nothing between them. It hurt. Big time.

By the end of her 163rd round and 5 hrs later, she was resigned. She told herself it's not worth the pain or the hurt. She has to let go and get on with her life. She thought she finally got a grip. She got up to go down for dinner. As she started to climb down the stairs, she heard the revving of a bike. Her heart thudded in her ears. Her mind waged war with her heart. She wanted to turn back and see. At the same time, she wanted to keep climbing down without checking out who it is. Go on or go back, on or back. She gave in. She turned and saw with a bone-crushing disappointment that it was no one of significance to her.

H.E.R

He was walking aimlessly in the extremely crowded square. He heard a familiar voice amidst millions of random ones. He looked up to see her walking towards him, hand in hand with her friend. With all her elaborate gestures even in that tiny space. He watched her. She was talking animatedly. 

Her eyes crinkled..

Her lips curved..

and she smiled..

His world went on an overdrive. After all these years, her smile stirred something deep inside him. He stood and stared, not knowing what to do. 

She passed him. Not realising that she broke his heart, yet again.

Promises to Keep..

Kochadaiiyan songs are out and no wonder we are all listening to the songs in loop for the ARR magic to sink in. I have seen some reviews which say that the songs are not worth of ARR. I tell you, speak for yourselves, losers! Spellbinding songs. And trust me, it gives you peace and you can just close your eyes and listen to it and get pulled into the magic slowly. Its like a sedative. That slow pull into myriad of thoughts, well no, I should say feelings. All those powerful feelings inside you and only ARR can make you feel all that with his music. Okay, I will stop. However, I wanted to write about the stark contrast in these two songs specifically. 

One: Manapennin Sathiyam (Sung by Lata Rajnikanth)

Two: Manamaganin Sathiyam (Sung by Haricharan)

Just click on and listen while you read this. The contrast characters of a man and a woman will be subtle but stunning and will take your breath away.

Edit: A point I noticed after watching the movie. The man's promise is played before the marriage while the girl's promise was played after the marriage. 

Okay. About the Girl's promise: (I thought about writing it as a "Woman's promise" Somehow, it didn't fit. A girl sounded more apt for the theme of the songs.)

One word that I can relate to the entire song is 'Warmth'. Its like a woman's song who is totally in love, with so much feelings and care. No. Care is not the word. Its too light. Its more in the lines of protective in that shy, warm way. The way only a woman can make a man feel. The way a mother can make you feel. Feel loved and wanted.

The songs starts with these lines 

"Kaadhal Kanavaa Undhan Karam Vidamaataen" (Oh my Man of dreams, I wont let go of your hands)
The companion-ness. The Woman promises to hold on to him tight at all times. 

And then she says; 

"Unathu Ulagai Enathu Kannil Paarthida Seivaen" (I will show you your world, in my eyes)

Only a woman can tell this. The man will show the world to her. A woman makes it hers by making it warm. In this, she promises to make his world theirs and call it home with all the love

And then she sings about how she will make him warm. Literally and metaphorically. 

"Mazhai Naalil Un Maarbil Kamabliyaavaen (I will be your cover on a rainy day)

 Malai Kaatrai Thalai Kothi Nithirai tharuvaen" (I will make you sleep by caressing you like the mountain wind)

What more can a man want than to be accepted and respected and loved?

"Unathu Veeram Ènathu Šaaram Pillaikku Tharuvaen (I will bear a child with your courage and my roots)

Kaalam Maatram Naerumbøthu Gavanam Kølvaen (When the times change, I will guide you carefully)

Kattil Araiyil Šamayal Araiyil Puthumai Šeivaen (I will bring newness in the bed and the kitchen)

A woman is not naive. She is strong and she is authoritative in her quiet way. She promises to bear a child who will carry the roots from her and inherit the courage from him. These lines highlights that a dad and mom bring two different important qualities to the table which can go a long way in making the kid terrific. 

Azhagu Penngal Pazhaginaalum Aiyam Køllaen" (Even when beautiful girls talk to you, I will not worry)

This line highlights the implicit trust she has on him. Its naughty, lite and a kind of tease. Hats off to Vairamuthu for writing this.

Finally, she supports the man in whatever he does. For he is her partner, her companion, her life and her everything in this world and beyond.

"Un Kanavugal Nijamaga Ènayae Tharuvaen (I will give myself to make your dreams come true)

 Un Vaazhvu Mannil Neela Èn Uyir Tharuvaen" (I will give my life to make you live long)

Thats her promise. Promise of a dream. Promise for hope. Ain't she beautiful, inside and out?

This beautiful woman can meet her match only with an equally awesome man, who is gentle yet strong. What this song highlights is chivalry. Something very different. Only men can be chivalrous in a way that can make a woman feel like a queen. 

The Man's promise, (It gets even better) (Btw, I did not feel like writing "A Guy's promise. A guy is better when he is mature. So its sexy when we say "Man")

The song starts with a line similar to the girl's promise but with a very subtle difference.

"Kanne Kaniyae Unnai Kaivida Maataen" (Oh my dear Girl, I wont let go of your hand)

The use of Karam vidamaaten, and kai vidamaaten has made the difference. Its like saying that she will hold on to him tight while he wont let go of her. There is a world of difference between the two lines and perfectly bring out the characters of the woman and the man.

While she brings warmth to the relationship, he intones it with these

"Ippiravil Innoru Pennai Sinthaiyiul Thodaen (Will not even think of other woman in this lifetime)

 Netri Pottil Mutham Pathithu Nitham Ezhuvaen" (Will wake up by kissing your forehead)

He shows love in the most purest form. And the most tricky part, understanding her. He gives her what she would want most. Himself completely. 

And now, comes the chivalry, even cheeky lines

"Kaiporul Yaavaiyum Karaithaalum Kanakku Kaelaen (Will not say anything even if you spend everything we have)

Ovoru Vaathamum Mudiyumbothu Unnidam Thorpaen" (I will lose every time we argue)

A wise man understands that he can ever win an argument. Even if he wins, he would lose, straight away. So this man is wise and whats more, he does not mind her spending :D

Its true that a man can be gentle yet strong, quiet but brave,  simple on the face but a bunch of contradictions. May be its only for the woman of his life. Like this,

"Artha Jaamam Thirudan Pola Athirnthu Paesaen (I will not raise my voice in front of you)

Nøi Madiyødu Nee Vizhunthaal Thaai Madiyaavaen (When you fall sick, will take care of you like a mother)

Šwasam Pøla Arugil Irunthu Šugapadavaipaen" (Like breath, I will make you feel better by just being with you )

While she supports whatever he does, he respects hers as his own with everything he has. For she makes his world.

"Unthan Uravai Ènthan Uravai Nenjil Šumapaen" (I will respects all thats yours as mine)

Hers is a promise of hope, of dreams. His is a promise of life, of love. 

These two songs tell us how a man and woman complement each other. Rooting a family in love, nurturing it with warmth is something only a woman can do while the man does everything to protect it and seal it with love. Together, its beautiful. The relationship that a man and woman can share in this world. Songs like these make you believe in fairytales and happily-ever-afters. 

Why not, if you believe, may be it will happen to you.