The First Empress

Needhi Sabai

'Justice will not be served until those who are unaffected are as outraged as those who are.'

In the morning, Aditha and others reached Aalakkarai. Salliyan lived near the town's entrance. Hence they reached his house at first.

Salliyan: Vaarungal, Ilavarase.

Eesan: Salliyan mama.... kaiyai keezhe podungal...

Ungal marumagan enbadharkaga ithanai mariyadhai avasiyama???

He said noticing the people around. He then whispered personally to Salliyan.

Aditha: kaanbithu kodukkadheergal, Salliyare.

Salliyan: Ah Ah... manithudunga mappillai...

Parvati: Vanakkam Sithappa. Ivargal en kozhundhanargal Subodhan matrum Veeran.

Salliyan: Vaa ma. Ivargalai dhaan naan munnare sandhithene... Vaarungal anaivarum... ulle vaarungal...

The people on the street kept staring at them. After the newly arrived members went inside, people also moved from the front.

Salliyan's house was much simpler and the poverty could be seen in their house. Salliyan had a daughter and a son.

Mrs.Salliyan: Vaarungal... Neengal Vara indha veedu ethanai punniyam seidhirukka veandum???...

She smiled warmly and Sangamithra responded with a smile. Salliyan's family was doing well compared to others in the region.

Aditha: Salliyar avargale... Thangalin veedu kalai izhandhu iruppadhu Pol thondrugiradhe...

Salliyan: Ilavarase... Naangal nandraga vaazhndha kudumbam. Aanal Indru porulgalai vitru unnum nilaiku thalla pattu vittom..

Oor thalaivar, Ayilan, veetilum andha nilaiye...

Engal nilaiyai kaattilum matravar nilai innum avalam. Naangal porutkalai izhakkirom... avargalo pendirukum pillaigalukum unavu kodukka kooda vazhi indri silar pitchai edukindranar... mattravar thiruduvadhagavum avvapodhu sedhigal varugindrana.

Innilathin makkal migavum nallavargal, Ilavarase. Aanal indha nilaiku thalla pattu vittanar...

Subodhar: Naangalum iravu silar thiruda muyarchithadhai kandom.

Salliyan: Appadiya??

Avargalai dhandithu vidadhirgal, Ilavarase.

Avargaluku veru vazhindri idhai seidhu vittanar.

Aditha's expression was unreadable.

Aditha: Avargalai dhandikkum urimai enaku illai, Salliyare... Innaattin aalum idathil irundhu avargaluku aneedhi izhaithadhu Naangal..

Idhil eppadi avargalai naan dhandippadhu...

Aanal, indha nilai vegu naatkal thodaradhu... Adharku naan poruppu..

Salliyan finally felt like seeing a ray of sun light. Their door was suddenly knocked heavily.

Salliyan went and opened the door.

Man: Ayya vaarungal... oru perum prachanai...

Salliyan: Enna pa aanadhu???

Man: Oorin needhi sabaiyil (panchayat) oru prachanai...

He then briefed him about the issue.

Salliyan: Sari nee po... Naan en thundai eduthu kondu varugiren.

Man: Seekiram vaarungal ayya... Oor thalaivar ungalai kaiyudan azhaithu Vara sonnar.

Salliyan: Nee sel... naan varugiren..