Nandini

Chapter 35- The Great Escape

Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar hummed a romantic tune as he entered his chambers. Though the custom was the husband visiting the chambers of the wife, Nandini was yet to be given her own chamber. They didn't have enough time to arrange it because Pazhuvettaraiyar's marriage was a hasty decision. Are these people acting like this is the most shocking news they have ever heard? The man already has 8 living wives, excluding her. She guessed a few wives would have died.

Nandini found the decorations in the room unbearable. She checked to see if all the paraphernalia she collected are ready to be used. The maids were confused and a bit reluctant to give her the things she wanted. God knows if they told anything to the other wives! She badly needs some obedient maids.

The scent of jasmines attacked her like the nauseating smell of a burning corpse. How many floral garlands like this have she strung in her life, for . . . For no one. Concentrate. Nandini rearranged her face to look pleasant. Smile, she reminded herself. Time to execute the plan. She averted her gaze and drew pictures on the floor with her toe.

" . . . en kadhali . . . um um um . . . "

Nandini prostrated before him. In the last week, she has bent her back so much that she lost count. Now time to start acting. She pretended to wipe her eyes, blinked her eyes and slowly raised her face. She trembled when she saw the elated face of Pazhuvettaraiyar filled with lust.

She took the tumbler of milk and gave it to him, without touching his hands. His face changed a bit but he smiled when he saw his 'latest acquisition' staring at him. Nandini heaved a sigh of relief. The maids have indeed added extra sugar to the milk. When he extended the glass to her, she urged him to finish it. Will he suspect her? Let him suspect, it is just a bit of sugar. He patted on the bed, beside himself but she sat on the floor.

"My Lord, I can't believe this. Last day, I was sleeping on the dirty floor in a forest. Now I am at this palace which looks like heaven, wearing fineries".

"Why are you being so formal and rigid in our privacy? It aches my heart, ambe. All these luxuries fade before your moonlit beauty. No, not moon. You are sun itself".

Nandini felt like someone stabbed her heart. This time tears flowed naturally. She averted her gaze again but Pazhuvettaraiyar noticed it.

"Please don't cry. Don't you like the decorations? Sorry, my sweet flower. When we arrange your room, you can decorate it according to your preferences. I am an old buffalo. What do I know about fashion and decorations? Forgive me, the queen of my heart".

Nandini fell at his feet again. What if this man invites her to sit on his lap like Veera Pandyan did?

"My Lord, these are the tears of joy. I only prayed for a good husband. I didn't expect that Parameshwaran himself will come down from Kailasam and accept me".

She hoped that it works. It's how that Sembiyan yakshi described her husband and everyone worshipped the ground she walked on. He looked pleased but started to yawn. Lukewarm milk with sugar is doing its job. Execute the next step. She took the vilvam leaves she made the maids collect, placed them on his head, applied the herbal paste on his forehead and folded her hands. He looked at her as if she had grown horns.

"My Lord, today is Shivaratri for me".

"Kanmani, we celebrate Shivaratri grandly. It is over. The next year's Shivaratri is eight months away. Please come and..."

"No, this is my Shivaratri. We got married only now, right? This is my personal marriage related ritual. I did palabhishekam by giving you the milk. I didn't drink any because I am fasting".

Nandini uttered "Om Namah Shivaya" repeatedly. She didn't know any other shaivaite prayer. She should get a complete list of Saivite festivals and prayers as soon as possible. Then she sat on the floor and lit another lamp. What drama is this! It wasn't devotion that filled her mind. She feared if he will drag her to the bed and rape her but he just lied down and closed his eyes. She shaked the bell. Pazhuvettaraiyar rubbed his eyes and turned to the other side. Good. She seemed to have irritated him. Very good. She continued chanting and ringed the bell at regular intervals.

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Chinna Pazhuvettaraiyar's daughter Amaravati Devi was a spoiled girl who complained about everything. Since Periya Pazhuvettarayar was angry about Chinnavar not attending his wedding, the fourth and seventh wives of Pazhuvettaraiyar, named Valarmathi and Devanayaki, sent Nandini to befriend his daughter.

"He dotes on Ammu and can't reject her words. Our husband and thambi are like Raman and Lakshmanan. That's the strength of our clan. He didn't like that you are a very young orphan."

"What can I do akka?"

"She is just one year younger than you. She can calm down her father. Also you can be friends. Here, gift this saree to her and say that this is your gift as her aunt".

Nandini liked that suggestion. If she makes too many enquiries in this palace, they will suspect her. But she can collect information from Amaravati on the guise of befriending a contemporary. That's why Nandini patiently listened to her complaints about everyone. She managed to pry out some relevant information too.

Both Pazhuvettaraiyars don't have sons. Ammu was born after years of prayers and austerities but her mother died when she was a child. Kalanthaka Kandar refused to remarry before and after the death of his wife and brought up his only daughter as the apple of his eye. He hasn't even conducted her marriage yet because he doesn't want to be seperated from her. Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar has 17 daughters, some of whom are grandmothers. His third, and eighth wives are barren.

Nandini repeated the half truths about her background and lied about fearing the possibility of her husband finding her unattractive due to their conflicting backgrounds. Ammu's naive heart melted before his impassioned declaration. She promised to train Nandini in the customs of their clan but Nandini was more interested in the austerities and penances her mother undertook.

She summoned an old maid who was a part of her mother's staff. Nandini committed every detail to her memory. She will observe every single one of them and will make something up when she runs out of options. However she wanted to run away when the old hag started to explain the "practical" things that Nandini needs to do now and Ammu needs to know about as a lady of marriagable age. Obviously, you can't make a baby by praying and starving alone. Who wants this baby! Nandini's mind shut down and she nodded like a puppet.