Aditha's Queen

Everything Is Hunky-Dory

Nandini was overjoyed to see Thirumalai who had travelled along with the royal family to Kanchi. "I am extremely happy that things have worked out in our favour now by Perumal's grace and your long-cherished wish is about to be fulfilled, Nandini! Amma, Appa and Akka's family will arrive any time now for the wedding", he said.

"Thanks Anna, for handing over my letter to Karikalar. Otherwise, i shudder to think where i would have landed."

"It was that thought that saddened me too and my brotherly feelings overtook my chola loyalty", Thirumalai said.

"You can stay with me, Anna", said Nandini.

"I was shown to the huge quarters right next  to yours by none other than Karikalar himself and have settled down. Our family will stay there and we can meet whenever we want. I am off to see the city now, Nandini", he said and left.

After some time, Niraimadhi and Poongodhai came rushing to Nandini excitedly. Niraimadhi said, "Devi! Chakravarthi, Arasiyar, Periya Piratti, Ilaya Piratti and Vanathi Devi are visiting our place to meet you soon. Please grant us the honour of adorning you suitably for the occasion."

Nandini had been her usual self thus far - clad in her usual kind of sarees, wearing a pair of bangles and earrings as always and putting on some flowers in her hair. Aditha accepted her as she was. He gave her a navaratna studded set of ornaments as his first gift on their arrival at the palace, which she accepted so as not to offend him. He sensed her qualm about taking it and only gave her flowers, fragrance or a small art-piece since then. She knew that she had to adhere to the royal dress code and look prim and proper on most occasions as Aditha's queen soon. And she was aware that she would be expected to deck herself up today in honour of the visiting royals. She had to do a little bit for Aditha's sake at least. So she tied the ruby red silk saree that Poongodhai handed her and wore the ornaments that Aditha had given her. She allowed Poongodhai and Niramadhi to do her hair and face to fulfil their request. 

"Thanks, Kodhai and Madhi! Can you please put the champaka flowers back on my hair as well?", she requested them when they were done. Nandini was the only royal who thanked them and treated them as her equal and they loved her for that.

The royals arrived. After Niraimadhi and Poongodhai had paid their respects to the royals and they were seated, Aditha signalled to them and they exited the scene to provide privacy. Aditha went inside to where Nandini was, gave a quick peck on her cheek and said, "Nandini! You look like a Goddess. Are you ready to meet my folks? They are here". Nandini nodded.

He took her hand and presented her before them. "Come here, my child!", Sundara Chozhar said, smiling kindly. She approached the frail but very handsome king and touched his feet and also his queen's, who was sitting next to him.

"Forgive all our past excesses, my child. And may you live happily with your chosen partner", the king said.

"May you live a hundred years as a sumangali", Vanavan Maadevi wished her and stroked her hair. The queen handed a huge tray full of gifts to her. Nandini thanked her and put them on a table. The queen vividly remembered seeing Nandini as her kids' playmate.