Ponniyin Selvan-Untold

Magizhchi #2 | Karikalan-Nandhini

This kutty chapter was requested by @SapphireBlueMoon09 (I was bribed)

To make this chapter more clear, please read the first part.

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"Hmm..."

Karikalan raised an eyebrow. "Hm? Do you really want to go back there again?"

"I'm not really sure."

"What if you meet Periya Pazhuvettarayar?"

"It would be hard to even look at him."

"Or...what if the Aabathudavigal appear again?"

"Aiyo! They would hunt you down."

"Exactly. So we stay here. And as for this letter..."

Karikalan gently took back the olai and opened a trunk filled with neatly folded clothes. He tucked it between them.

"I might never see her again, so let me atleast keep this safely with me."

Nandhini softly smiled. "Well, let me prepare something for you to eat."

"I'll go get firewood."

•••

Karikalan locked the door, lit a lamp and sat down beside Nandhini.

"What are you doing?" Nandhini asked.

"I'm going to sharpen my sword. Must be good and shiny for my first day at work, right?"

"You're starting it a week later! And besides, they'll provide you one."

"True, but these Chozha-forged swords are just so good. My hands ache to touch them again."

"And behead some other guy?"

Karikalan shot a annoyed look at her. She laughed.

"Fine, I'll do it later." He said and gently placed it on a shelf. He stretched his arms and layed down on a straw mat. Nandhini too decided to recline beside him.

She placed her head on his bare chest. He wrapped his arm around her, securing her at the spot. Nandhini could hear his heartbeat, which seemed to beat slightly faster.

"Shall we have a baby?"

"Ehh...not now."

Nandhini looked up at him. "Why not?"

"Oh Nandhini...I am finally with you after a loooooong time. I wish to enjoy the time the both of us spend together alone." Replied Karikalan, hugging her tighter. "We have to move again to some other country. It's not safe here. Don't worry about the new job, I might get something better."

"I've heard that Eezham is enchanting."

"Nah. Don't forget that Arulmozhi and the Periya Velar's army is there. We'll go there next time."

"And before we go, we should repair the roof. The hole in it is getting bigger."

"It looks good! Falling asleep while stargazing is bliss."

"You'll know how bad the situation is when it starts raining."

"We can dance in the rain inside our home!"

After many years, Nandhini saw a little bit of his carefree nature which she thought had died away with young Karikalan.

"But why must you all leave Pazhayarai for a mistake I did, anna?" Asked younger Nandhini to Thirumalai, her heart heavy

"We are just mere puppets in Thirumal's hands. In the end, He does it all for our own good, child."

Nandhini inched closer to him. "You will never leave me again, will you?"

"Even if your Thirumal asks for you, I will hold you tight and refuse let go of you." He hummed.

She finally felt secure.

He finally felt happiness after what seemed like a Yugam.

They drowned into a peaceful slumber under the summer constellations.

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