A reading of Ponniyin Selvan from Nandini's perspective. Nandini is the narrator of this story and the events are presented as she (could have) comprehended them.
I don't own any of the characters or situations.
The Emperess stared at the toe ring on Nandini's feet with uncomfortable expression on her face. Nandini always got the sense that she hated being in her presence after she became the Ilaya Rani of Pazhavoor. Ammu was elucidating about the austerities Nandini undertook and the poojas they conducted with a powerful sorcerer for the Emperor's recovery.
"Thank you Nandini and Ammu. I will convey this to the Emperor. I extend our heartfelt gratitude on his behalf".
"Amma, you look so tired and sad. We can take good care of our husbands only if we are healthy and well, right?" Ammu supported Nandini's earlier argument that Maharani should take some time off for herself.
"See ladies! This girl just got married and has become an expert by now!", Vanamadevi tickled Ammu. "Yes, yes, Maharani, Pazhavoor Ilaya Rani, we all should get marriage advice from Ilaya Madevi", her maids teased Ammu who whined innocently. "Did you hear this? No, I won't say anything. Come Periyamma, let us go", she grabbed Nandini's hands and stood up. Vanamadevi made her sit on the couch and enquired about her honeymoon pilgrimage. Though Ammu is young enough to be her daughter, they are the wives of cousins afterall. What a unity and love between the birds of the same feather! Ammu glowed with a smile only happy women can wear. Nandini felt jealousy burning her insides.
She really, really wanted the Emperess to leave Sundara Cholan's side. She was feeling bored and anxious since Kundavai and her retinue returned. Torturing them was so much fun. Who would have thought that she could miss Kundavai cobra this much?
Ravidasan too reduced his visits because he has undertaken a new task - finding Chola husbands for Pandya women. Inspired by Nandini's rousing speech, several Pandya girls have expressed interest in aiding the mission by infiltrating the Chola country. Poor Ravidasan has to find adequately moronic men for all of them. She didn't like that implication. Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar might be a moron, but he is her moron.
Ever since she came to know that the Emperor banished her from his presence, she was nervous that this marriage might cause Pazhuvettaraiyar to lose favour with the Emperor. That can't happen. His influence and money are needed to destroy the Chola clan and beat Kundavai at her own game. She has to meet the Emperor privately and beg him for mercy. For that Vanamadevi needs to go away for some time.
Finally Ammu convinced the Maharani to visit the nearby temples regularly. Good. She will wait for a few weeks untill Maharani makes it a habit.
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How can she convince the Emperor that her marriage shouldn't be a matter of concern for him? Periyavar was angry that old men (who are actually younger than him) have forgotten the throes of passionate love. Has the King ever seen her when she was in Pazhayarai? If it is about Karikalar, she will lie that she has forgotten him long ago. If it about their age difference, she can just say that it was she who fell in love with Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar and begged him to grant her love and life.
The maids took the gifts they were carrying from Ammu, who then led them to the nearby chamber to set up a surprise for the Emperess. Nandini excused herself, slowly entered their chamber and saw the once mighty handsome King lying paralysed on his bed.
"Why are you doing this?", a broken voice asked frantically. Is the Emperor hallucinating about something?
She stopped dead on her tracks. Her heart beat violently in her chest, and a heartwrenching cry thundered through her ears.
"Aiyyo! Aiyyo! Aiyyo! Go away! Please go away! If you want, please take me. Spare my children. It was I who killed you. Aaaaaaaa! Vana, where are you? Go away, Vana. She will take you too."
As his scream echoed in the anthapuram, Nandini ran for the heavy door that seperated the outer hall and the corridor outside that. She heard the footsteps of guards, sounds of anklets and the jingling of jewellery. When the maids and guards entered the room, she too followed them and hid behind a maid. The King was lying on the bed unconscious, shivering and breathing heavily. The maids fanned him and pressed his hands and feet. Ammu asked some of them to bring cold water. Nandini went with the maids to fetch the water and asked them to inform Ammu that she will be in her gazebo.
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It was I who killed you.
The Emperor's blood curdling screams echoed in her ears. He has killed someone and feels extremely guilty about it. Isn't killing and getting killed the fate of warriors? Wherever they go, people praise the 63 scars of her husband and the destruction he had unleashed on the enemies of Cholas. Nandini laughed at the irony of the situation. She is planning to undo his dynasty and yet feeling pity for the old man.
What is wrong with all these old men? Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar calls her Kannaki and spins mythological stories in weird ways to establish that they were destined to meet and live as husband and wife. The obscenities Veera Pandyan told her . . . disgusting. At least he was a delirious dying man. Didn't Sundara Cholan scream like this on the day of Karikalar's coronation too? There is only one other person who was present at both places - she.
No. It isn't possible. Is the Lord of Three Worlds lying like a fallen log and crying because he saw her? That's so absurd and preposterous but what else is the explanation? Didn't Veera Pandyan too do the same?
What if . . . what if Sundara Cholan and Veera Pandyan were crying about the same woman?
Nandini placed three stones on the ground. Sundara Cholan, the unknown woman and Veera Pandyan. Veera Pandyan spoke of her with great affection and Sundara Cholan screamed with guilt and fear. What a contrast! Didn't Ravidasan say that she resembles Veera Pandyan's lover? Sundara Cholan might have killed her in revenge. Sinner!
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Is that the little boy's mother? Nandini placed a tiny pebble between "Veera Pandyan" stone and the "unknown woman" stone. Since he can't be older than 3, his mother couldn't have died earlier. Sundara Cholan hasn't led any campaign after Karikalar grew up. Even then how could he kill a woman mercilessly, whoever it is? Revolting! But Ravidasan told that the woman who looks like her betrayed Veera Pandyan when his luck was down. Doesn't it mean that the child's mother and this unknown woman are different people?
Try to remember Veera Pandyan's words, Nandini exhorted herself but her stomach churned recollecting all those obscenities. There was something about swimming somewhere and making love under moonlight or sunlight. She felt like worms crawling all over her body. No, don't remember it.
If both Sundara Cholan and Veera Pandyan remembered this woman when they saw her face, she must bear a really striking, unmistakable resemblance to this woman. How is that possible? Is this woman related to her in someway. Nandini shivered like someone doused cold water on her.
Family! Her family!! What if this woman is her relative? She has often wondered about her real family and origins. Is this the key to her origins? That poor archakar family brought her up and she rewarded them heartbreak and difficulties. Where are they now? Did Thirumalai annan tell them about her situation? Poor annan! He has reached Tanjai in search of her. Alwarkadiyan- Vasuki made enquiries and told her that it is his new name. Her Amma! Akka! Nila! Athimber! The baby! Is it a boy or a girl? She will never get to see or hold them ever again.
Sundara Chola, have Cholas killed this woman too? Won't this family let any of us live in peace? I will show you, monster. I will show you all!!
That day, the stone of the unknown woman joined Karikalan's ring and the Pandya sword in Nandini's secret box.
