The First Empress

Aalakkarai

'True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost.'

Poovizhi was petrified and for a moment, she lost her composure. She didn't expect herself to get caught by that witch.

Poovizhi: Akka... Adhu vandhu... Adhu ennavendral....

Rukmani: Yeanamma thayyakkam?? Ennai paarka vandhaai endru koora veandiyadhu dhaane???

Porchelvi and Poovizhi turned their heads to see Rukmani standing at her chamber entrance.

Poovizhi: Vanangugiren atthai..

She thanked the elder with her eyes for saving her at the right time.

Porchelvi: Vanakkangal.

Rukmani: Nee innum un aadaigalai maatra villaiya, Poovizhi??

Avalai edho ketkiraai endru thondrugiradhu, Porchelvi??? Edhenum aanadha??

Porchelvi: Illai indha velaiyil yaarai sandhithu varugiral endru ketten. Neengal dhaan endraal parava illai...

Rukmani: Ival nandraga poocharam thodukkiral. Sangamithrai maaligaiyil illadha kaaranathinal, naalai Eesanin poosai en kaiyil.

Adharkaga Thunaiku azhaithen. Iravu vegu neram aanadhaal, panippen Aadaiyil Vandhaal polum.

Porchelvi: Oh... Indha iravil enna poocharam???

Rukmani: Yean naan poocharathai kondu vandhu un kaiyil thara veanduma??

Porchelvi noticed her intimidating tone.

Porchelvi: Illai... Iravil edharku ithanai vedhanai endru thaan koora enninen...

Mannithu vidungal. Naan Purapadugiren...

She then left with her maid.

Poovizhi: Mikka nandri atthai.

Rukmani: Nee enna thunbathil uzhalgiraai ena naan ariven... Aanal ennaal iyandra udhavi idhu mattume, magale.

Sendraval atthanai ilaguvanaval alla. Arindhu nadandhu kolvaai ena ninaikiren.

Poovizhi nodded her head with eyes full of tears. Rukmani hugged her.

Rukmani: Un vaazhvai Avargal ippadi seidhirukka koodadhu..

Ppccht.... Andha Eesanai Manadhil kol... Un vidivu kaalam viraivile varum.

Naan varugiren magale.

She touched Poovizhi's head in affection and left the chamber. Bommi looked at her mistress without any words.

-------

On the second night, finally Aditha, Sangamithra and Subodhar reached Aalakkarai.

Subodhar: Ilavarase, siridhum thuyil indri Thaangal indha kudhiraiyil payanam seidhu varugirirgal.

Naam dhaan aalakkarai vandhu serndhu vittome. Yean engenum thangi sella koodadhu???

Aditha: Naanum adhai thaan ninaithen.

Sangamithra: Appadi aanal naam iravu engu thanga pogirom???

Yaar veetu thinnaiyiluma???

Aditha: Illai Kanne. Aalakkarai meenava praandhiyam...

Ingu veedugal thinnaigal kondu katta paduvadhu illai... kudisaigal pola thaazhndhu katta paattirukkum.

Innum siridhu dhoorathil oru sivalayam irukkiradhu... Angu sathiram Ondrum irukka veandum...