Nandini

Chapter 22 - Banishment

"Nandini, Nandini, wake up"

Who is shaking her? Has she been sleeping for such a long time? She groggily opened her eyes. It's only midnight.

"Akka, what's it?"

"Don't utter a word", Thiruveni whispered. Her voice was laced with fear and apprehension. "Just do as you are told, don't ask anything".

Nandini was confused. What happened? Did some other kingdom sack the Chola capital? How is it even possible in the reign of Emperor Paranthaka Sundara Cholan? She saw some soldiers standing in their verendah. Luckily, they aren't foreigners. What are they doing here? Appa and amma looked at her accusingly.

"Is this your youngest girl? Where is your son?"

"He isn't here".

"Are all the remaining members of this household present here?"

A very tall man entered their home. Kodumbaloor Periya Vellar, someone said. Isn't he supposed to lead the war efforts in Eezham? What's he doing here? Maybe that's his son or brother. Another man who arrived with him opened a document and read out the contents. Nandini felt like the ground slipped from under her feet.

Keshava Nambi has rendered unmatched service to the temple and the royal family for a long time. The temple management and the royal family will be indebted to him forever. He is allowed to retire and return to his native place. His remaining salary and benefits are hereby settled and accounted for. An amount of 200 gold coins is gifted to him as pension. A seperate undisclosed gift is bestowed upon him on the individual capacity of the patron for conducting the marriage of his two girl children. After considering the interests of the family, they are given permission to leave the country. May Perumal bless Nambi and his family with a long, happy and blessed life.

"Pack your belongings, now", Periya Vellar roared. "Here are the gifts graciously bestowed upon you by Periya Piratti. Since travelling with so much gold is risky, we are entrusted with escorting you till the border".

Treachery! Deception! Betrayal!

This was her intention all along. No wonder she and Kundavai were acting like they have forgiven her. Who else knew? Not many people could have known. Otherwise they wouldn't have come like robbers. She should inform Karikalan. How can she do anything in this midnight?

She saw Kumudam and her younger brother peeking out their window. Though she was one of the girls who always bullied her, there is no malice in her eyes now. Kumudam gestured and silently asked what is happening. For the first time in her life, Nandini regretted not forming a friendship with her neighbours. If writes a message, will they be able to give it to Karikalan or even Arulmozhi?

She took a palm leaf and waved it through the window. It seems like Kumudam understood what she meant. She nodded.

"Aren't you done with writing love letters, penne?"

What's this man doing here? She felt like screaming. No, this isn't the time or opportunity to make things worse. She should think and act with diligence.

"Ayya, it is improper that you entered the room of a young maiden at this hour, when I am inside and preparing for a journey. I have to change my clothes and arrange my private things. Please leave."

"You are the one to talk about propriety. It isn't like you are going to attend anyone's wedding. No one cares about your clothes. Just take your belongings.I have other business to attend to". He moved to the window and shooed Kumudam away. "Go away, don't you have sleep? Close the window". "Come, come", he almost pushed Nandini out of the room.

She saw Appa and Amma sitting in a bullock cart with their sacks and crying. They asked akka and her to get on the other cart. There was a wooden box on their cart. The gift of that Pazhayarai cobra and yakshi. Akka held her hands. She saw Periya Vellar standing there with a bored expression. Smoke curls were rising from the building they considered their home.