The Crown Prince and His Love

Chapter 33|Hide and Seek|

"Vanathi!" Arulmozhi called out, running through the corridors of the palace. "Vannu!" Arulmozhi called out again as he entered his sister's chambers, hoping to find her there, but no, there was no signs of Vanathi. "Vannu? Are you playing hide and seek with me?" He asked looking under a table.

"I'm really good at that game, I beat Anna always when I was a kid," Arulmozhi announced proudly, but frowned at the thought of his brother. It's been two years since he had seen his face, the last time he saw him, Adithan wasn't doing very well, who knows in what state he is in now.

***

Arulmozhi kicked a rock in disappointment as he strolled through the Kaveri river. Half of his mind was on his brother the other half was thinking about Vanathi.

"Akka?" Vanathi's sweet voice boomed.

Arulmozhi's face lit up in excitement. He poked his head through the bushes to find a beautiful sight. His angel and Kundavai feeding a flock of pigeons.

"Hmm?" Kundavai hummed. Arulmozhi was mentally jumping up and down in excitement. Finally! he got to see Vanathi, she's been avoiding him whenever she used to visit Thanjai. Arulmozhi was not going to let his Vanathi escape without seeing him again.

"Do you think Ponniyin Selvar likes me?" Vanathi mumbled. Kundavai rolled her eyes and sighed.

"How many times are you going to ask me that question, Vanathi?" Kundavai laughed. Vanathi's face turned red, Arulmozhi had to bite his tongue to prevent himself from dissolving into laughter.

"You hide from him every time you visit, how do you expect him to love you when he couldn't even see you properly for more than a second?" Kundavai said, Vanathi started sulking at her sister's words.

"Akka...I'm just shy," Vanathi said, her toes digging through the wet sand.

Kundavai sighed. "Oh how could the great Ponniyin Selvar marry someone as shy as you?" Kundavai started in a mocking tone.

"Akka...!" Vanathi stomped her feet and whined.

Kundavai chuckled and placed a hand on Vanathi's shoulder. "Thangachi, He loves you, he talks non-stop about you,"

"Go, Akka...Stop mocking me," Vanathi sighed. "You're right, I'm too shy to marry the ilavaraser,"

"Vannu, I was just kidding--"

"No, Akka, he doesn't love me," Vanathi sighed.

"Who said I don't love you?" Arulmozhi asked. Vanathi jerked in shock on hearing his voice. Arulmozhi waved at Vanathi, who stood there shocked and out of breath.

"Oh--Aru--" Before Kundavai could finish her sentence Vanathi collapsed into her arms. "Oh no! She has fainted again," Kundavai said struggling with Vanathi's weight. Arulmozhi swiftly moved towards Kundavai and took Vanathi in his arms.

"Why did you scare her like that?" Kundavai said punching Arulmozhi's arm.

"Ouch--" Arulmozhi winced. "I didn't know she would faint like this?" Arulmozhi said, looking at Vanathi who was lying unconscious in his arms.

"Hold her like that, I'll go bring some water," Kundavai said rushing off toward the river. She knelt down and fished out some water with a leaf.

Arulmozhi enjoyed this situation more than anyone. He was able to enjoy his Vanathi's beautiful nearly perfect face after a long time. He gently pinched Vanathi's cheek and smiled. "Oh look! how cute you are,"

Kundavai coughed, cringing at Arulmozhi's romance. "Vanathi?" She said gently, sprinkling some cold water on her face. Vanathi sprung to life in his hands.