Dusky Moonlight

25(2)

Rumors started spreading about Mathinila's alleged pregnancy and it went to the queen's ears too; thanks to her morning sickness. Rani asked the sisters to come and see her in her chamber to inspect this matter without any delay. Anxiously they both went there, Mathinila didn't utter a word and Kayanangai was hesitant to start a conversation.

"Tell me what's the truth? Are you pregnant?" she asks.

"Yes," she shook her head slightly without hiding further.

"Why you didn't tell me sooner?" she asks.

"I was afraid and ashamed,"

"Why you need to be ashamed, my dear. There nothing wrong with this," she assured holding her hand.

Mathinila starts to cry. She thought she will be judged but the opposite is happening here.

"You gave me the best news. I can't wait to see my grandchild," he said.

"I will ask the maid to look after you properly. You should take care of your health. And Kayanangai, you need to look after your sister," she advised.

After all the talk, they came out of the queen's place.

"Why did you say this to everyone?" Mathinila asked her suddenly.

"What do you mean?" Kayanangai got confused. "Why should I do that?"

"Because you are jealous of me,"

"No, I am not. Please don't talk like that," Kayanangai says.

"I don't want to hear anything from you," saying that coldly, Mathinila left.

Sadly, looking at her sister, Kayanangai wondered why she thinks her in that way.

Why she has to accuse me? Doesn't she know I won't do such a thing? Which means I am not a good person in her mind.

She now understood what her sister really thinks about her and walked to her chamber. She sat down near the pond, watching the tadpole's movement.

That time, Aathiyan came back as he got a small break.

"Why you are sitting here?" he asks. Seeing her apparent gloominess, he sat next to her furrowing his eyebrows.

"Nothing," she nodded.

"Do you think I will believe you when your face shows the other?" Aathiyan says wrapping his arms around her.

"My sister thinks that I am the one who told everyone about her pregnancy," she said.

Aathiyan smiles, "Did she scold you?" he asks.

"No," she sighed but Aathiyan could guess the truth.

"Did you scold her back?"

"No,"

"I am confused why she thinks me like that?"

"She was angry so she showed that you. Leave this matter, she will understand you one day," Aathiyan smiles.

"Okay," she smiles half-heartedly.

"Did you had lunch?" he asks.

"Yes,"

"Look at me, don't be sad. Your father has arrived at his new home and I will take you there, tomorrow," he says to change her mind.

"Thank you," she smiles. "You are always so kind to me," she never expected this side of him. The most caring man she ever knows in her life. He's not too controlling or rude as she thought before. Instead, he loves her and cares about her feelings.

What she has ever done to get a husband like him. Not only Aathiyan, but Veera also knows how to treat a woman in the best way. Even though he seems to be a bad person, he never acted that way to her sister.

They must have learned this quality from their father. It's so important how their mother is treated, that way their sons will treat their wives.

Kayanangai leaned on his shoulders. "Let's go to the garden. You will feel better," he said and took her hand.

They walk there and stand in front of the birdcage where Rumi is inside.

"She loves this cage, I guess," she says.

"No one likes to be in a cage,"

"What if you are caged in like a bird," Kayanangai asks.

"Like in a prison?"

"Yes,"

"Umm... I can never sit behind the four walls and watch my fate pass away. I will do anything to get out of there. I can't be caged," he says. His voice surged in determination.

"What you will do if I am in prison?" he asks.

"I wish to stay beside you even if you are caged. I can't separate from you as long as I live in this world," she answers.

He smiled and went close to her. "I won't let you go anywhere, I promise," he said.

"I hope my father shouldn't scold her for this. He should never find it until she says," she says.

Moments later, Aathiyan asked,

"Like your sister, did anyone asked your hand in marriage?"

"No, never. Till now I didn't understand how and when my sister decided to marry your brother," she says. "My father won't allow it at all."

"Think about this, if you are in your sister's place; I am in the place of Veera and asked you to marry me. What you will do?"

"Of course, I will say yes," she answers.

"There's nothing else to blame your sister. She did what she can do at that moment,"

"Yes, she even tried to suppress it for some days," Kayanangai agreed.

Maybe they are selfish but it's good to be selfish when it comes to love, she thought.

"But still it hurts me when my sister treats me this way,"

"Kayanangai remember this, love the people who love you and you don't have to love the people who hate you just because they are your sister or brother. Stay away from people who don't want you. That's the best for them and for you, okay?" Kayanangai took his advice and said, "Okay,"

"I guess; I need to learn a lot of things. I have lived all my life inside the four walls,"

"I will teach you everything. Don't worry," he said and hugged her.

She smiled and hugged him back. He's a good person but it's hard to understand him. He might look tough and unsympathetic but he understands people well.

He asks that question to make her understand that she needs to stop worrying about her sister and let go of these matters as these aren't so important to her. Aathiyan is kind of selfish in this, he thinks his brother's problems aren't his concern. He doesn't want to be involved in any of it and make the situation even worse.