#nanditha

Does Vanathi know the complete history of Kundavai and Nandini?

When they first met, Kundavai was so jealous of Nandini and called her owl-faced and bullied her. She didn't like her brothers interracting with her. But after Aditha Karikalan left for a battle, she and Nandini became best friends. When Karikalan returned after two years, he observed that Nandini's expensive clothes and jewellery were gifted by Kundavai. Nandini was shy to talk to him as in the old times but he seeked her out and both fell for each other, which angered Kundavai. Even at the end, she considered Nandini a gold-digger who pursued Veera Pandyan and her brother.

Has Vanathi ever imagined the consequences of offending her Kundavai akka in some manner? If she wasn't the Kodumbaloor princess but just another orphan girl like Nandini, she wouldn't have been considered to even dust Arulmozhi's sandals. Kundavai starts dreaming about the lost opportunity to end Chola-Pandya war by conducting Nandini-Aditha Karikalan marriage after she learns that she could have been Veera Pandyan's daughter.

Maybe it is one of the disgruntled girls in Kundavai's retuine who tells Vanathi that her position isn't as enviable as she thinks. How will Vanathi react? Will she find solace in the fact that she is actually a princess with the backing of a powerful clan and doesn't have to worry about hypothetical scenarios?

Nandini smiled, "How many thank you's have you given me now?"

Aditha figured out what she was trying to do and played along, "Let me think, the singing, the healing, taking me to the rooftop, returning my dagger now", Aditha was smirking now, "did I mention your beautiful presence?", expecting her face to go crimson again. 

"Yes, you have", she said, corners of her lips tilting upwards, "but many people acknowledge that, its not new"

Aditha could feel the challenge brewing, "Well, do you steal all of their hearts, or was that for me me exclusively?"

Mischief was glinting in Nandini's eyes, "Stealing hearts is easy, so no that wasn't exclusively for you. I own the heart of every man who finds me attractive"

Aditha. Why did that name sound so familiar? And that person.She was sure she had never seen him in Thanjai before, never heard a voice similar to his, never seen someone who even remotely resembles him but still ... .His presence was so comforting and familiar. Who was this Aditha? How was he able to have such an influence on her after meeting for only a handful of times? Nandini was suddenly gripped by a desire to know more about him. So she made a decision as she laid down to sleep that night. She will go back to the old Banyan tree one last time tomorrow. Just to see that person again.one more time. Maybe even have a friendly conversation as Vishaka told her to do. And then they would separate as acquaintances.She would find a new abode of peace and he can take rest under her Banyan tree with his sword and  daggers as much as he wants without her interference. 

 The next evening Nandini seated herself under the same old place as usual, savouring a mango she got from Vishaka, after putting some mangoes aside for her family and one more for her fellow visitor. He must be from a wealthy family, he may even get baskets of mangoes if he just wished. Her mind chided her. Still, she kept one aside for him so that they could start their pleasantries on a good act of benevolence. But time flew by and her visitor failed to come. She saw the sun disappearing and decided to return to the temple, her heart heavy with disappointment at the absence of her mysterious youth. Well, not so mysterious but a name and a suspicion about his status was all she knew about him.Why was she so crestfallen ? It wasn't like they agreed to a meet and greet. Surely he must have other important duties to attend to, just like she has. With these thoughts, she made her way to the temple. She was again assigned the role of distributing prasad to the devotees. 

Sometimes fate works in strange ways. That was what Nandini thought when she saw Aditha enter the temple. He was alone and seemed to be searching for someone. The moment his eyes locked on hers, he gave her a grin and made his way over standing at the end of the line.She returned to focus on her task at hand but couldn't help sneak a glance at him at times. He was standing straight, with hands at his back, moving ever so slightly as the queue started moving, looking around at the crowd with a carefree look. Suddenly she wished the queue would move faster so he could reach her quicker. Did he come to see her?  Maybe apologise for not coming today? She wished to talk to someone about it. Where was Vishaka when you needed her?

After what seemed to be a long time, he stood in front of her. "Hello Chempaka" he said in a teasing tone.

"I'm not wearing any Chempaka flowers today" she said 

"Do you want me to get you some?" He replied quickly, with his usual smirk.

She narrowed her eyes at him. How brashen he is. " You didn't come today" She said, meaning to say it as a question but it came out sounding like a statement. He looked at her for a minute in genuine confusion before a look of realisation came over his face. 

"I'm sorry Devi. I didn't know you were waiting for me" he said, looking for confirmation in her face.  She knew even if she denied it, he would catch her lie from her face. " I was ..just…wondering" she nevertheless made a somewhat convincing excuse, as she handed over the prasad to him. He received it and said " I will come tomorrow. I promise" .Then turning to pray to the deity, he walked away, not before giving her a reassuring smile. She returned the smile.

He came as promised. And what occurred was deafening silence. Nandini quickly realised she wasn't like Vishaka at all. Vishaka could make friends with anyone within minutes while Nandini took longer time to create friendship. She was even comfortable sitting in silence instead of filling the quietness with words like Vishaka. It seemed Aditha was also of the same attitude. At first they used to bask in their silence, occasionally remarking on the weather or talking about the latest events. Slowly but surely as the days passed, Nandini found herself going back on her decision and arriving at her personal abode of peace now sharing it with her newfound friend, Aditha. And as the bond of trust between them started to strengthen, they exchanged their life stories. 

" I'm an orphan" Aditha said "My mother died in childbirth and my father was a soldier who was killed in war when I was seven. He was a close friend of the Sambuvarayar Shivarama. After my father died, he adopted me as his son as he and his wife were childless. I had been at Nagaipattanam for the past few months to learn sword fighting and horse riding . I wish to be a soldier like my biological father and to serve the Chozha Naadu" 

"Have you never wished for a sibling?" Nandini asked

"I like to think I had a handful of siblings last life and that's why I don't have any in this life" Aditha shrugged

"Well, I have two headaches in the form of human beings as my sister and brother. You are lucky " 

He laughed " I know you appreciate and love them despite their mischiefs, Chempaka. You seem like a very considerate person " 

"Nandini " 

"What?"

"You don't have to call me Chempaka anymore. You can call me Nandini, "she said softly.

"Nandini" He said it aloud as if testing to see how it sounded. " That's a beautiful name" 

Nandini was aware of a change in her feelings towards her friend. She started waiting for his arrival and reminiscing about their conversations afterwards. Even Kaveri caught on to her changed demeanor. "Akka, why are you smiling at the food? Are you thinking of someone? Am I going to have a brother in law soon?" She would tease, only to have Nandini box her ears for her cheekiness. But try as she may, she wasn't able to settle the butterflies in her stomach whenever he said her name. 

"Nandini, tell me, is there any backstory to your name?" Aditha asked once

" My father told me he thought of the name when he saw me for the first time" Nandini said

"He chose well. You really are a bringer of joy" He said with his signature smirk and Nandini tried not to let him see her blush. 

"What about you?" 

He let out a deep sigh " I remember my father telling me I was named after the late uncle of the current ruler, Aditha Karikalan. I have heard stories of how fierce a warrior he was and one day, I hope I can be a warrior just like him" then he turned towards her " I also remember there was a Nandini at that time. The Pazhavur Iliya Rani . People say she was the most beautiful woman to have walked the land. No one knows how she died though. Some say she passed away due to an illness, some say she was killed, others say she drowned herself" 

What has gotten into his mind? Nandini wondered. Comparing her to that of the enchanting Pazhavur Iliya Rani just because they share the same name. She looked back  to see he was gazing at her playfully. 

"What?" She asked, narrowing her eyes at him

"You know, before she became Pazhavur Rani, Nandini Devi and Aditha Karikalan were rumoured to be lovers" Aditha continued, watching her expression.

"So?" 

"So.." He took a minute to grin at her before saying " Would this Nandini like to be the lover of this Aditha?" 

Her eyes widened as she processed what he just said. This time though she wasn't able to hide her blushing cheeks from him. Not giving an answer and thoroughly taken aback by his upfront manner, she did what she did best. Standing up and briskly walking off. 

"Nandini come back" She heard him laugh behind her "I was just teasing you, Chempaka"

To be continued…

She was vaguely aware of being dragged away from her Aditha...she knew she was trying to scream but she could not hear herself...her ears were ringing with his sweet whispers when he used to take her out for the horserides and how desperately he had asked her to kill him. The sound of his body hitting the ground was too loud. Her throat burnt with her silent scream.

She crashed to the floor of her chamber. She looked down at her shaking hands...she wiped them on her clothes till her skin was raw...the blood won't go. The memories of the red kumkum on the thaali she used for her pujas all those years ago seemed to mock her. She wiped some more...then some more...his blood won't go. The weight of Aditha's lifeless body feels too heavy against her body.

She walked into the river slowly...she can hear strains of a familiar tune...Aazhi Mazhai Kanna...the water feels the same...the same cooling welcoming waves. The river seems to be lifting the weight of his death off her shoulders. The water touches her hands. Why does it feel like his touch? The water is now upto her shoulder...and she is slowly engulfed by the river as if it is her Aditha's embrace. At last. At long last.

@vibishalakshman and I are backkk!

*****

Vishva was in a hurry to get home. His cousin, Suresh, had let slip that Jeevika would be at his house with Kaamaakshi that day, and he wanted to see her, especially after the long day he had, coupled with a bad feeling of something big coming his way, case wise.

He rushed in through the door, hastily taking off his shoes. His sister smirked at him and made an excuse to leave at that moment, exiting into the kitchen and leaving him alone with Jeevika.

*”Vishva! Hey,” she smiled softly, her sweet voice like nectar to his tensed self. He automatically relaxed, leaning into the couch next to her, just needing to be close.

"Hello, Jeevika," he said softly. He ran his eyes over her face, wondering how it was possible for any woman to look this beautiful.

“Are you okay?”

Her gentle concern filled his heart with delight, her warm gray eyes making him smile in delight almost. 

“I am… now.”

Her small smile melted his heart instantly. He would do anything for her to be his- but he'd rather he suffer without her than make her suffer with him.

“Home, hmm?” She smiled softly. “You know, this home is like home to me too?” 

He brightened. Was it really?

"You're practically family, Jeevika." He whispered. Oh, if only he could really make her family.

“Really? Practically family? Akka and Anna have been pushing me to move in, actually,” she blushed.

Oh, he'd love it if she moved in! But could he really see her every day at home and resist the urge to take her into his arms and kiss her?

*”I don’t want to push myself into living here though, Vishva. I would be a burden for you all,” she said sadly, diverting him from his work stress with purposeful words that made him suddenly realize what she was doing.

"A burden? Why would it be a burden?" He asked, confused. When had Jeevika ever been a burden to him or his family?

“No no, I’m not saying you think of me as one. I am saying, what if I become one?” She said softly. “I love being here, but what if you three get bored of me? What then?”

"We could never get bored of you," he said firmly, "You don't get bored of family. That's not how it works."

She smiled softly. 

“I’m glad you think of me so, Vishva,” she reached out to pat his hand. “Now tell me, what’s bothering you. You can’t hide from family, right?”

He gave her a tired smile. "Just a bad feeling about work." He frowned, "I need to talk to Varun to see if he feels the same."

“He will be here soon, he said,” Jeevika responded. “He has just gone to get me chocolate ice cream. I was craving, and.."

"And Varun can never resist you." He said with a knowing smile.

“Best friend’s charm,” she giggled softly. “Hey, I am making him peach cobbler in return, so…”

"Would I like some? Absolutely." He smiled. Jeevika was, in his not so humble opinion, the absolute best at cooking. He would never turn down food from her.

“I kept you in mind before offering it for him too,” she laughed. “It will be enough for the whole group of us.”

"Good. Akka and Anna will get mad otherwise."

“Okay so, I have been thinking to do a food drive to raise money for the cancer patients at the Apollo cancer ward. What do you think?”

"I think that's a great idea." He said, smiling at her kindness.

“Will you help?” She looked at him with such beautifully hopeful eyes. How could he deny her?

"Of course I will." He said softly. More time with Jeevika and helping people in need? He would never refuse.

She smiled at him and was about to ask something, when of course someone interrupted. 

“Jeevi!”

“Yes Anna?” Jeevika turned to Aakaash, who had just come out of his room, or man cave as Vishva teased him. 

“Will you ask the designer to come for the event? I want to thank her for such a perfect suit. Really, it fits like a glove.”

Vishva laughed at his brother. "Finally decided to make an appearance?"

Jeevika smiled at him, elbowing Vishva. "I already planned to, Anna."

“You read my mind, baby sister. Vaalu, you just came home da. How was your day?” Aakaash looked at Vishva in concern, just as Kaamaakshi came out. 

“Well, dinner is almost done,” she smiled softly. “We are having peas pulao, and Jeevi’s potato karamadhu.”

"Nothing, Anna, don't worry. And I'm starving, so let's go eat!" He said cheerfully.

****

Vishva frowned, tensed as he heard the details of the case. His bad feeling had inteunsified that morning, despite seeing Jeevika’s lovely face.

He looked up as Varun walked in, sighing in relief.

"Varun!" He called him over.

Varun walked towards Vishva, frowning at his friend’s tense frame. 

“What happened? You were smiling this morning at the house?”

"Do you have...a bad feeling that something is going to come up?" He asked, rubbing his forehead. It had slowly turned into somewhat of a headache for him.

“I did, actually…” Varun said slowly. “What’s going on?”

He shook his head. "I don't know... the Commissioner wanted us to take a case and I've been feeling off about it. He just handed me the file, I've yet to look in it. Didn't want to start without you."

“I’m here, let’s do this.” 

Varun sat next to Vishva, the latter opening the file, and both reading the details, horrified.

"So our uneasiness was justified." He groaned.

"You bet it was."

“Let’s start then, Varun,” Vishva said, taking over once more, focused completely.

****

Pandimaa poured over her recent designs, crumpling the paper and throwing it away. Her room was filled with various pictures: dresses, awards, designs- all interspersed with pictures of her foster brother and Aakaash from when she was in college.

The sound of the shop opening reached her ears. She had to go and attend to a customer it seems. 

She walked out, only to hear a familiar voice say, “are we at the right place, Jeevi?”

“Yes Akka, I am sure of it,” came a sweet voice.

Her eyebrows furrowed. It almost sounded like Kaamaakshi- the girl was only a year younger than her, born three years after Aakaash. They had shared a lot of classes together.

"Welcome to Authentic Madurai, how may I help you?" She asked sweetly.

Kaamaakshi’s eyes widened. 

“Pandimaa? Is that you?”

So it was Kaamaakshi. She smiled and invited them inside. "Considering your shock, I'm going to guess your friend brought you here?"

“She did. Pandimaa, this is Jeevika. Jeevi, this is Pandimaa, you would have heard about her from Anna,” said Kaamaakshi frankly. 

“I have indeed! It’s a pleasure to meet you. Aakaash Anna loved the suit!” Jeevika said. “It was I who ordered it for him. He keeps… forgetting, apparently.”

She sounded incredibly skeptical when she said that.

Pandimaa blushed. "He might have just wanted you to do it." She said, "Do you want some tea?"

“That would be lovely,” Kaamaakshi smiled. 

“He absolutely did, so that he can make me order Vishva and Varun’s too,” Jeevika said. “He does not have an assistant, so I basically seem to have become a fusion of people for these two siblings.”

Pandimaa laughed, pouring them some green tea. "How are you both?"

“We are good. How are you? Where have you been?” Kaamaakshi said. “Anna kept searching for you. He was nearing the thought of asking Vishva to find you.”

Nandhini's heart melted. He'd searched for her? Really? She had assumed he would have moved on after a while. Hoped, really.

"An anonymous person got me in touch with my birth family in college and I moved away." She said. "I finished most of my education abroad and then moved to Madurai to start my own fashion business. I managed to get back in touch with Anna but not... not Aakaash."

“Do you want to get back in touch with Anna? Becoming the CEO made him have to shift into private numbers and emails,” Kaamaakshi said apologetically. “But he did try to find you. Jeevi even knows all about it.”

Pandimaa bit her lip softly. "I don't want to interrupt his life if it's going fine without me," she said firmly, "But if he wants me, then yes."

“He always wants you,” Jeevika said. “I have heard a lot about you from him in our late night Maggi sessions.”

So clearly he and Jeevika were close. She figured as much from the internet, which hinted at potential romances between Jeevika and someone in the family but Pandimaa had paid it no mind. People commonly speculated whom celebrities were dating.

"I'd love to reconnect with him then," she smiled, a text on her phone gaining her attention.

“Then come for our event? Let Anna meet you as a surprise from Jeevi and I?” Kaamaakshi said, pulling out the invite.

"Hm?" She said, shooting a quick reply after frowning. "Oh! Yes, I'd love to."

“Here you go. The dress code is inside,” smiled Kaamaakshi. “Let’s exchange numbers, and Jeevi and I will get going.”

Pandimaa smiled and nodded before handing over her phone. "Just type your number in. And I have Jeevika's too, from when she placed the order."

Kaamaakshi typed the digits in, saving her number and smiling. 

“Send me a text, yes?”

"Sure," she nodded, shooting her a quick 'Hi'.

“It was good to see you, Pandu,” Kaamaakshi smiled, hugging her gently. “Let’s go, Jeevi.”

Jeevika smiled and said her own goodbyes before both left, arms linked and giggling about something like best friends do.

Pandimaa smiled down at the invitation and opened up to see the dress code. Oh, she could work with this.

****

The relationship between Nandini and Veera Pandyan is something that has perplexed Ponniyin Selvan readers for almost 70 years. Were they married? Were they living together as lovers? Was Veera Pandyan Nandini's father? Were they in an incestuous relationship? Did they have a son?

There are enough reasons for this confusion. Nandini tells Karikalan that Veera Pandyan is her lover. Aabathudavigal too call her his wife and Queen. Nandini tells "Veera Pandyan's son' that she is his mother.

So, what was the relationship between Nandini and Veera Pandyan?

Nothing. It might be surprising, but there was absolutely no relationship between Nandini and Veera Pandyan when Veera Pandyan lived.

(There is a possibility that he was Nandini's father. Nandini believed so but any physically strong person could have taken advantage of a lonely heartbroken mute woman like Mandakini)

A little bit about Nandini's life before meeting Veera Pandyan . . .

Nandini never explains her life story to anyone. We get a picture of Nandini's life through others. Their stories are pretty consistent across the books, except some omissions like Alwarkadiyan not telling Vanthiyathevan that it was he himself who took newborn Nandini to his village.

After being forced to leave Aditha Karikalan, Nandini decided not to marry anyone else. Remember that Nandini was not a financially independent woman from a progressive family. There must have been immense pressure on her to get married, especially after the marriage of her sister (yes, she had an elder sister who is mentioned only once).

So Nandini took refuge in the only outlet she had - devotion. His sister becoming a saint like Andal was acceptable for Alwarkadiyan too. Nandini renounced worldly life, wandered with her brother and sang devotional hymns in different temples across Tamil Nadu.

One time, around the time of the sister's delivery, Nandini stays back at their home and Alwarkadian leaves for Thiruvenkadam (Tirupati). Pandya Aabathudavigal brought an injured Veera Pandyan to Nandini's hut. Nandini treated him for a few days.

Why do Aapathudaivikal call her their Queen and Veerapandyan's wife?

Veera Pandyan, injured and delirious, told everyone that Nandini is his queen, he is going to marry her and place her on the Pandya throne with him.

We know that Mandakini and Nandini shared a strong resemblance and Veera Pandyan had a connection with Mandakini. Karuthiruman later says that Veera Pandyan paid him a lot of money to bring Mandakini to Madurai. In his last days, Veera Pandyan was not in a condition to recognise that around twenty years have passed and the girl before him is a different person.

Hell, he was not in a state to get up from his bed when someone came to kill him.

Why was Nandini alone with Veera Pandyan?

Aapathudaivikal who were with Veera Pandyan somehow got last minute information that Aditha Karikalan is coming. Nandini, who felt pity, promised to save him and asked them to hide. She must have told them that Aditha Karikalan once loved her and wouldn't reject her request. Ravidasan, their ever pragmatic leader, recognised that letting the girl use her charm is better than all of them dying. As I said earlier, Veera Pandyan himself was grievously ill and couldn't move from his bed. 

Why does Nandini say that Veera Pandyan is her lover? Couldn't she have said that Veera Pandyan is her father?

Killing or defeating enemies and marrying their daughters was very common in that period. There is a living example in the Chola royal family itself - Sundara Cholan's mother Kalyani, whom Arinjayan married due to her unparalleled beauty was the daughter of a defeated vassal. Vanthiyathevan reminiscens about her when he thinks about the inconsistent enemity and friendship between royals.

Killing your own family wasn't uncommon either. The close relationship of Cholas and Rashtakutas turned into enemity because Paranthaka I was crowned as Aditya I's successor instead of Kannara Devan, the son of "munnam pugunda mita deviyar" (senior queen) Ilangon Pichchi, the daughter of the Rashtrakuta Emperor Krishna II.

Why did Aapathudaivikal try to burn her on Veera Pandyan's pyre?

They were angered by her failure to save Veera Pandyan and wanted to punish her.

Why does Nandini address Veera Pandyan's head as "my lover"? By now, Nandini had deducted that Veera Pandyan is her father. Still, why does she treat "him" like her lover?

Trauma

Some stranger with armed guards telling you indecent things when you are all alone with them in itself is pretty traumatic. After his murder, Nandini was destined to spend a lot of time with an even older man who sees her as a sexual object- Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar, her husband.

He often asks her about living as 'husband and wife', but she uses saccharine words, empty promises and excuses to postpone their consummation. Then she realised that Veera Pandyan could have been her father which was even more traumatic.

What Nandini hears as Veera Pandyan's words are the result of her trauma - a mix of Veera Pandyan's own (mis)behaviour and Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar's constant questions about Nandini's reluctance to sleep with him. What she uses against him are only tools Nandini has in her arsenal against lecherous men - sweet words.

She has already decided to commit the murder-suicide. With "eyes gleaming with hate", she is asking what she sees as Veera Pandyan's ghost to leave her alone. Alright, she will kill Karikalan and die. Will Veera Pandyan leave then? There are many beautiful women in heaven. Can't he go to them?

They are the same words she use when Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar compels her to share bed him. There are many high born women in his anthapuram (Nandini is his 9th wife) , why can't he leave her alone?

Nandini was not Veera Pandyan's lover or wife. She wasn't proclaiming her undying love and loyalty. She was just desperately pleading him to leave her alone.

P.S. What about the young child who is crowned as the Pandya Emperor? Isn't Nandini his mother?

Nandini is manipulating the child so that he won't choose anyone else to kill Karikalan. It works- the child chooses Nandini.  Nandini has no idea about the identity of the child. Ravidasan brought the kid from somewhere and she just played along.

What do you say?

Sooryanarayanan couldn't believe time could fly so fast. His eldest daughter Nandini was now a young woman of 16 years. She helped in the temple by making prasad, weaving garlands, arranging Pooja thaalis in addition to taking care of her younger siblings. His second born was also a daughter named Kaveri was quite different from her sister with her haughtiness as if she was a princess in her previous life. The youngest was a boy, Ananda who admired both his Akkas and possessed a very generous and kind heart with a little mischief once in a while. His wife died of fever when Ananda was a year old and from then on, Nandini had donned the role of mother-figure for the her young brother and sister and also acted as a supportive pillar for her father. 

Nandini also practised Bharatanatyam in the riverside mandap along with other girls. She was passionate in learning dance. Much like Kaveri who like boat rides and discussing politics with anyone she can get her hands on and Ananda who liked to read and write poetry. "Nandini is a very fast learner" her dance teacher would remark "It's as if she had already learned the art in her last life" .

Their life was mixed with happiness and sorrows. It was difficult to make ends meet for a family of four but they managed very well. Nandini's sole relief was her best friend Vishaka who entertained her with jokes and stories. Vishaka was the daughter of the local blacksmith who forged weapons for the royal army. She was also her neighbour and grew up with Nandini as her childhood friend. She was probably the only girl in the neighborhood with such a silvery tongue. 

" Oho Vishaka! If you keep talking like this without taking a break, Suseel is going to get bored of his life" Nandini taunted her, poking fun at Vishaka's betrothed Suseel who came to Thanjai with his family from Nagaipattanam to join the royal army as soldier. 

"No, you are wrong Nandini. He is delighted to hear me talk. He's such a patient listener" Vishaka said dreamily, already thinking of her beloved. 

I wish I also knew what it felt like to be in love - Nandini wondered silently.

That evening Nandini slowly made her way to the huge Banyan tree near the riverside. It was a place she often retired to whenever she wanted some quietness and time to daydream. Mostly whenever Vishaka goes off to meet Suseel, Nandini would come here and rest against the tree trunk and goes home after Vishaka comes back. Today was no different. She slowly walked to her abode of peace, hands playing with her long braid which Vishaka helped to decorate with Champaka flowers. When she reached her destination, she stopped abruptly. Because there was an intruder in her abode of peace. She has never seen him there before. He rested his head against the tree trunk with eyes closed, as if taking a nap. He wore a black vest and white dhoti. His long hair almost reached his shoulders and partially covered his face. Nandini stepped forward to see his face clearly, her feet rustling the dead leaves underneath. The seemingly sleeping person snapped his eyes open, hands gripping the sword laying by his side for a moment in alert before relaxing on seeing a bewildered young woman in front of him. But for Nandini, her curiosity was replaced with panic on seeing the sword in the youth's hand. She quickly scanned the man's face, his confused look and another glance at the shining, unsheated sword by his side and turned around to run. She heard his voice calling out to stop and listen but she continued to run.

The next evening Nandini found herself back near the Banyan tree. She waited a few minutes to see if the stranger from the other day would make an appearance again but not seeing anyone for some time, she let out a relieved sigh and sat down. It seems the stranger must have abandoned the place after their very embarrassing meeting. She started daydreaming, occassionally moving her hand up to see if her hairdo was still in place. This time Vishaka  styled her hair in a bun with some Champaka flowers again. Vishaka seemed to find joy in being Nandini's hairdresser. She was thinking of planting some Champaka in her small garden when she heard a voice. 

" It's you" she slowly turned her head to see the youth from yesterday standing in front of her with a friendly smile. There was no sword with him today but she saw a small dagger tucked into the waistband of his dhoti. Was he a spy? She quickly got up and started walking away.

"Please stop" the youth said, extending his hand in a gesture to stop "I understand you have been coming here far longer than me. If you wish to we can share this space. You can sit under the tree and I'll sit on the rock here, since we both enjoy the tranquility this place offers" 

 She felt tempted to take up the offer. But what if someone saw them and misunderstood the situation? What if Vishaka comes along and starts teasing her mercilessly and what if Kaveri hears this and tells Appa? All these fears made her shake her head and walk faster. "Wait" the youth called out again. Oh my Krishna! This boy is so persistent! She thought. "Atleast tell me your name" she heard him say before she reached the main road and almost felt and for not giving him an answer.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

" What? You met him twice and didn't even stayed to have a friendly chat?" Vishaka was appalled. 

"I'm not like you, Vishaka. I don't have the skill of being friends with everyone easily" Nandini said, a bit annoyed her Uyir Sakhi is not taking her side." And the first time I saw him,he had a big sword with him. It was intimidating " . The two girls were inthe Krishna temple, making garlands for the Sandhya Pooja which was about to start in a few minutes.

"Describe him. I'll ask Suseel if he knows anyone of that description " 

Nandini thought " He looked as if he was our age. Maybe a year or two older? Tall, with long wavy hair that almost reaches his shoulders. He looked quite strong and intimidating but his face also had a radiance. His eyes were quite expressive. I also think he has a calm and friendly demeanor as he was comfortable to share his space with me. And don't forgot the sword and the dagger. He also dressed quite nicely, now that I think about it. Maybe he belongs to an aristocratic family?" 

She broke her line of thought when she saw Vishaka looking at her, amused and trying to hide her laughter. "What is it?" 

" It seems you noticed quite a lot before you decided to run away" Vishaka replied while giggling.

Nandini felt her cheeks heat up "Vishaka!" 

" Well I am glad you have someone to admire just like how I admire my Suseel" Vishaka continued.

" I am not admiring anyone. And I'm not going there again. I'll find another abode of peace" Nandini said stubbornly. 

Just then, Sooryanarayanan approached the girls. " Kanne, The Sandhya Pooja is about to begin. I am going to do the aarti. Would you distribute the prasad?" Nandini nodded.

After the aarti, Nandini started handing over the prasad to the devotees. She loved helping her father in the temple. Being near her Krishna gave her strength and peace of mind. 

"Hello, stranger. We meet again" She looked up to find her mysterious youth she saw just that evening for the second time, gazing at her with the same friendly smile. " We must be in a time loop Devi, otherwise what are the chances I run into you the same day I decide to come for the Pooja here for the first time?" He said

This time he was wearing a gold coloured vest with a white silk dhoti and angavastram. Nandini knew she was right in her suspicions. This person oozed royalty. 

"I am still waiting for your name" The youth continued his narration

"Why?" Nandini asked

"So I can have a beautiful name to associate with this beautiful face" pat came the answer with a smirk.

What audacity! 

He must have sensed the reason behind the glare she was sending him now. He politely accepted the prasad and said " You don't have to answer if you don't want to Devi. For now I'll call you Chempaka since you were wearing those beautiful Chempaka flowers everytime we met" the smirk was back on his face. 

He was the last person on the line and as he moved to walk away from her, Nandini asked " But you haven't told me your name either " 

The youth turned around, his smile turning into a big grin "Apologies for not introducing myself earlier,Chempaka. I am Aditha" 

To be continued...

A/N: What do you want Aditha's identity to be? A prince or the son of an aristocrat? Let me know in the comments