Aditha's Queen

Baby Chimes

The newly built Krishna temple at the Ponmaligai gardens was consecrated by the priests. Aditha and Nandini worshipped the freshly invoked Lord in all His splendour. They then donated gold coins to the priests and vedic chanters. Parthiva and Dharini took leave of the hosts after gladly taking part in the rituals. The palace staff too were invited for the sanctification ceremony.   Aditha and Nandini presented them with new garments for the occasion. The staff were then served the mahaprasadam.

Nandini experienced her first pangs of morning sickness inside the temple. She felt very nauseous and tired all of a sudden. Although she had a slight inkling that she might be pregnant, she was not aware that symptoms would show up so early.

"Are you alright, Nandini?", Aditha enquired noticing her pallor.

"I am quite alright. I think Krishna is extremely pleased with His new abode and has decided to bless us with our own bundle of joy soon", Nandini revealed to him, blushing a little. Aditha smiled at her with a twinkle in his eyes.

After they had prostrated before the Lord again feeling grateful and exited the temple, Aditha kissed Nandini and scooped her up in his arms. He then carried her all the way to their private chamber and deposited her gently on the bed.

 "Don't exert yourself, my love. I'll be back with the vaidyar soon", Aditha said and left. 

He himself has gone to bring the vaidyar along. He is obviously very thrilled.

Niraimadhi and Poongodhai came in. Aditha had sent them in to keep an eye on her. 

How am i going to put up with all his fusses from now on though I am used to the affection overload?

"Devi! Are you unwell? You look pale and fatigued", a concerned Madhi enquired.

"Can we help you with a massage or fix a refreshing drink for you, Devi?", Kodhai kindly offered.

"I am fine, my dear ladies! Please don't worry about me", Nandini reassured them, smiling.

Aditha came back with the vaidyar soon. After verbal enquiries and a physical examination, the vaidyar said, "Good tidings indeed. Ilavarasar and Deviyar are soon to become proud parents. My congratulations to the noble couple. Glory be to the progeny and to cholanadu."

"Thanks for your service and the good news, vaidyare!", Aditha gifted him the gold necklace he was wearing and gave away his gem-studded bracelets to Madhi and Kodhai who excitedly chirped their congratulations together.

The vaidyar promised to visit twice a week to check on the queen and left. Aditha sent the maids away and sat down on the bed, resting Nandini's head on his lap. "Do you want to bring your parents over during this time, honey?", he asked her.

"I would love to have them here during our baby's birth rather than now", said Nandini.

"Don't you want to go to Thanjai to be with them then like all the girls do?"

"I do not wish to be away from you even for a day, Aditha! Bringing them over will serve the purpose of being with my parents during childbirth whilst not leaving you", Nandini said.

She is constantly worried about my safety and well-being. And we have already been to Thanjai together a few times this year. Aditha held Nandini's face in his hands."I do not wish to be away from you either, my love.  Your idea is very sensible", he agreed.

They smiled at each other happily.

After Aditha left to do his official duties, Nandini was deep in thought. 

She had always wanted a son like Aditha. And then a daughter, maybe. But after she heard the old man's scary prediction in Mamallapuram, she favoured only daughters just so that his prophecy would become futile. 

In her distraught state of mind, she had even dwelt on the idea of committing sati if something were to happen to Aditha. And then she had been worried sick about her yet unconceived child's orphanhood and wept pathetically.

She always stuck close to Aditha and even accompanied him to the army camps in the outskirts of Kanchi and in the northern borders during his visits. When Aditha, who never failed to miss any detail, queried on her recent excessive anxiety about him, she had said that she saw some men who looked like the Aabathudavigals lurking in the background in Mallai. Aditha had just laughed and said that he really cherished how much she loved him.

But it was her unwavering devotion to Krishna that ultimately calmed her agitated mind. She surrendered herself to the Lord and prayed for Aditha's safety. She fervently learnt the literal linguistic and profound spiritual meanings of Bhagavatham and Bhagavad Gita from a couple of Kanchi scholars recommended by her friend, the knowledgable palace librarian, when Aditha was at work. And she sharpened her dagger attack skills and also learnt archery from Aditha with renewed vigour. 

She would give up anything in life but not her Aditha. She would protect him, come hell or high water, as long as she was alive.