Ponniyin Selvan-Untold

The Night Before | Vandiyathevan-Kundavai

(After Ponniyin Selvan ended)

It was midnight.

On the Arisilar, there was a small grassy island with a tiny temple beside it, giving the impression that they floated. The moon was brighter than ever and cast its silvery beams on the dark-looking river.

Vandiyathevan and Kundavai sat on the island, wearing simple clothes and minimal jewelry. Vallavan was braiding her long, dark hair as they chatted.

"I can't believe that it's tomorrow. The big day!" Kundavai exclaimed. "Me too. The wait seemed to go on for eons, and suddenly it's tomorrow." He replied.

"We're wrong, look at the position of the moon. It's today!" She said. "All the better." He smiled. "I've finished the braid. Now I just need something to tie it..." He plucked a long grass and used it as a hair tie.

"Thank you. By the way, how do you know how to do braids?" She enquired.

"I have seen mothers doing this to their little daughter's hair. I'm not the most skilled, though."

Kundavai hummed and leaned back to rest her head on his chest. Vandiyathevan put his arms around her.

"I've read a lot about a Thalaivi sneaking out of her house to meet her Thalaivan at night in poems, Devi. She does so with the help of her Uyir Thozhi."

"I have too. Except in my case, my Thozhi didn't help me."

"Vanathi Devi didn't?"

"Vanathi fell asleep, poor thing. She was running around to help with the marriage preparations. Someone else did."

"And who was that?"

"Here's a hint. He's your Thozhan."

"Arulmozhi Varmar? Please don't lie to me, Devi. He spoke to me earlier."

"What did he say?"

Vandiyathevan cleared his throat.

"Vallavare! I know you must be excited to carry away our Kulavilakku. But please be patient till the marriage is over. People, including myself, will make fun of you if you talk to my akka today." He said, imitating Arulmozhi's voice.

Kundavai chuckled.

"Don't worry, Veerare. We'll take revenge on him when he is about married. He saw me sneaking away, so I had to make up a story that a woman should take a bath in a lake or river all alone the night before her marriage. The innocent guy believed it and said he wouldn't let anyone out of the palace."

"That's what I love the most about you, Devi. Your quick wit is impeccable!"

"Is it? Then what about my beauty?"

"Those kohl-rimmed doe eyes have haunted me so many times. Even the Apsaras would become jealous of you, a Goddess on earth."

"I was brought up between two brave tigers. What does that say about me?"

"You have a hard heart, not one made of stone but of iron. Your courage and determination surpasses many people's"

"I know that you're flattering me, but still I like it."

"That's because it's the truth, my sweetest." He said, hugging her tighter.

Kundavai looked up at the sky. She didn't want to leave, but time decided to go faster. "Vandiyare, I must leave. Or Arulmozhi may start growing suspicious."

"I understand Devi, but I just want to do one last thing."

Kundavai looked at him. "What's that?" "You'll see when we reach the river bank."

The journey by boat was short and silent.

Once they step foot on land again, Vandiyathevan turned to Kundavai. "Please give me your dagger, Devi."

Kundavai gave it to him, unsure of what he'll do next. Vandiyathevan walked over to a tree and gestured her to come.

"This bark looks soft enough." He said and carved a 'கு' (Ku) on it. "Won't it hurt the tree?" Kundavai asked. "It would hurt if the tree had a brain. Here Devi, it's your turn."

Kundavai carved a 'வ' (Va) right next to the letter signifying her.

" 'வ' for Vandiyathevan, 'கு' for Kundavai. Since it's just one letter, no one can figure out that it's the princess who did this."

"Oh! So the princess decided to carve on a random tree. Her husband didn't do anything, is it?"

"It feels so nice to hear the word 'husband' from you."

They smiled at each other.

"They once said that my future husband would be as handsome as Anangan, as smart like Brihaspati and as valourous as Arjunan. It's true."

"I am the luckiest person on earth. My heart has been taken away by someone as beautiful as Rathi, as fortunate as Mahalakshmi, as knowledgeable as Saraswati and as brave as Durgai Amman."

"I lost. You've praised me more. Sleep well Vallavare. For tomorrow, no, today is a very special day." She said and started to walk off. Vandiyathevan grabbed her hand.

"Must you leave so soon?" He asked with yearning.

"Please wait. I will be always under your gaze by this time tomorrow." She smiled and started to walk off

Vandiyathevan smiled. "Can you atleast give me the key?"

Kundavai looked back.

"What key?"

"The key to open your Idhaya Siraichaalai."

"Why? Don't you like me?"

"No, so that I can throw away the key somewhere and stay trapped in that prison."

"Don't worry, I'll never let you out." Beamed she and started running off.

"Just a few hours more..." He whispered to himself and looked up at the stars, which winked at him.

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Glossary:

Thozhan- Male friend

Kulavilakku- Lamp of the clan, light of the family

Anangan- The God of Love

Amman- The mother Goddess

Idhaya Siraichaalai- Prison of the heart

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