NandhininKarikalan PART- I

The Second Hunt

Nandhini's Chamber,
Kadambor Palace,

Karikalan works up in a grumpy mood. As soon as he woke up, he started calling out for his wife" Nandhini! Nandhini! Where are you?".

Karikalan got up from the bed stumbling.

The curtains flew because of the wind, the brightness of the sun which came from the gap in between the curtains made him flinch.

He walked to the door and tried to open it but couldn't, so he started banging it.

After a few minutes of banging on the door. Someone from the other side opened it.

" Why would you lock me here Nandhini?" Asked Karikalan. Nandhini didn't look at Karikalan and entered the room.

" For what you did yesterday, I think you deserve it," replied Nandhini. " What did I do?" Asked Karikalan.

" Oh don't act like you don't," said Nandhini annoyed as she opened all the curtains properly. " I don't remember, please tell me," told Karikalan.

" Why didn't you tell me that you drink?"Nandhini asked as she paused opening the curtains.

" I am sorry Nandhini, I didn't tell you earlier, I do drink but only occasionally." Replied Karikalan.

"So you know that you drank yesterday, then why did you pretend not to know?" asked Nandhini. Karikalan sighed.

" I don't remember what I do, talk when I am drunk. " Replied Karikalan.

Nandhini nodded and pursed her lips, walking towards him," Promise me that you won't drink again." Asked Nandhini as she extended her palm towards him.

He placed his palms upon hers'. " I promise you that I won't drink again" promised Karikalan.

Nandhini smiled. Karikalan reciprocated her gesture. "So, karikalare take me out somewhere. I am getting bored staying in the palace, I thought that you would take me to new places in Kadambor, if I had known that we will be staying in the palace I would have stayed in Thanjai.", Nandhini pouted.

"hmm, where do you want to go ?" asked Karikalan smiling at Nandhini." Somewhere, magical." Nandhini told as she sat on the bed.

"To kodiyakarai?" asked Karikalan Nandhini thought for a second, "But what is so special in it? It is just a seashore," said Nandhini looking at Karikalan from the corner of her eyes.

"Can my Karikalar take me to a magical place?" asked Nandhini challenging him.

" Hmm, Nothing is impossible for This Karikalan, Ok, Then let us go to Thillai Vannam(present-day pichavaram)," told Karikalan grinning at Nandhini.

"Wow, Is it magical? I have never been there," told Nandhini.

" You will see when we go there go get ready, we will leave in half an hour," told Karikalan as he went out of the door to get ready.

Nandhini sighed and took out a palm leaf script and wrote a letter to the Ravidasan telling him to reach Thillai Vannam beforehand.

Nandhini summoned a maid and passed the letter to her, telling her to give it to a particular soldier who came with her and Karikalan.

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As soon as he left the chamber, he was joined by Sambuvarayar. "Ilavarase, there is some important meeting with the ministers today, everybody is wishing for your presence there" Sambuvarayar invited Karikalan, karikalan sighed and told,

"Whatever it is, postpone it tomorrow" advised Karikalan as he continued Walking.

"Please Ilavarase, I beg you, it is unavoidable, will have you have to come" pleaded Sambuvarayar.