NandhininKarikalan PART- I

An Untold Truth

Thanjavur,
Sundar Cholar's chamber,

"Mandakini!" wept Sundar Cholar.

Nandini was paralysed, she didn't know how to react. She just kept staring at the woman in Sundara Cholar's arms.

" Who...who is she?" Whispered Nandhini.

Sundar Cholar's continued mourning,
" She is my sister" replied Sundar Cholar.

Nandhini's eyes widened, Nandhini dropped the sword from her hands and stared at the woman.

" What is her name?" Questioned Nandini.

" Mandakini " cried Sundar Cholar.

The face of her Father calling this name flashed before Nandhini's eyes.
" Mandakini" Nandhini repeated.

"If she is your sister, then why does she look like, me?" questioned Nandhini as she diverted her gaze from the woman to Sundar Cholar.

" She is your mother " uncovered Sundar Cholar.

Nandhini took a step back in shock, " No... No, My mother is dead. " Whispered Nandhini.

Sundar Cholar shook his head, "No, she was not." Replied Sundar Cholar.

" Is this the reason why you reacted that way on seeing me for the first time? Because I look like her replica?" Questioned Nandhini.

"It was not the first time I met you." Whispered Sundar Cholar.

" Then, when did you meet me? Do you know who I..am?" Questioned Nandhini as she felt her chest getting heavy with guilt.

" Very well, You are the Crown princess of the Pandiya Nadu."Replied Sundar Cholar.

Nandhini felt her legs giving up because of the overwhelming revelations.

" When did you meet me before?" Questioned Nandini as tears gathered in her eyes.  

" I met you before I lost my wife, nearly fifteen years ago," told Sundar Cholar.

"Where?" Asked Nandhini.

"Thanjai" Came the reply from Sundar Cholar as he started Narrating the whole Incident.

"It was a good start, everyone in Thanjavur was celebrating my return from Elangai.

My sister, Mandakini, the wife of Veera Pandian, Oomai Rani of Madurai."

A chariot stopped right at the entrance of the Thanjavur Palace, a beautiful woman carrying a small baby along with a small girl got down the chariot.

Vannanmadevi, the only wife of Sundar Cholar came to receive her.

" How are you Mandakini?" Questioned Vannanmadevi as she got the baby from her, she took them inside.

Mandakini, being mute from birth spoke with Vannanmadevi by gestures.

" I am fine how are you?" Mandakini questioned by gesturing.

" I am perfectly alright, is Veera Pandiyar treating you well?" Questioned Vannanmadevi.

Mandakini started to blush as soon as she heard his Name, "Of course, he will be, you both married out of love." Chuckled Vannanmadevi.

"Ah, I see, my lovely thang ai is here." Bloomed a voice from behind.

Mandakini ran towards her brother and hugged him. " I missed you a lot, Mandakini." Told Sundar Cholar as he caressed Mandakini's hair.