Dusky Moonlight

26(2)

Standing by the river banks, Aathiyan watched the astonishing scenery ahead of him. But his thoughts were all about tomorrow. It's going to be one of the important days of life. He doesn't know whether he should feel blessed or afflicted because of these circumstances. He couldn't put his mind at ease. He's worried more than he was before.

"Aathiya," Narenthiran's voice snapped him from his thoughts.

"We should go, everyone must be looking for you," he said.

Aathiyan nods. He climbed on his horse, and they both rode slowly without sharing a word.

"What are you thinking, I hope you are not afraid?" Narenthiran asks.

"I am not, I am just worried," Aathiyan answered.

"Just worried? You look like you absolutely hate this,"

"Yeah, that's partly true. You know how much I am compelled to take this decision when my father is still alive. It doesn't feel right," Aathiyan said.

"It's time to stop this confusion. Tomorrow you won't have time for this,"

Aathiyan smiles. "You are right,"

"And I am so glad that you are going to be my Raja," Narenthiran said, "I will be there to help you in any situation,"

His assurance made Aathiyan smile. They were friends since they were kids, they grew up together and Narenthiran will do anything for him. Even having all this support that he needed right now, he still feels lonely and he doesn't know how to say this instinct that's taunting him inside.

When they entered the palace, which is all decorated for tomorrow's festivities, Aathiyan was called by his father to welcome the guests who came to see him become the next king.

Aathiyan plastered a smile and starts to act more welcoming. Even though he's the prince of this nation, he never stayed longer in this palace as he traveled and fought with the enemy lines for most of the past years. He never met all these people at once and this is all new to him.

More than him, others are envying all the good things that are happening to him. He's going to be a father soon along with this great responsibility that has been put upon his head.

They say he deserves this throne more than anyone here but he doubts it. He has been serving this country ever since he held his sword and he doesn't want to live this kind of life until his death. Tomorrow, when he's going to take the vow he doubts whether he could really mean it.

It turned dark when they finally let him go. As he walked solemnly, he remembered Kayanangai. He didn't realize that he didn't see her since morning. He has totally forgotten her in this. At that instant, his legs rushed towards his place.

Sitting beside the window, Kayanangai was looking at the skies. The full moon is glowing brightly in the dark sky. The wind is cold, her hand is freezing and she didn't mind it.

She doesn't want to fall asleep without seeing Aathiyan. In this palace, everyone is still a stranger to her including her sister and he is the only person she solely relies on. Now the increasing distance between them worries her all the time. She knows this is inevitable but her mind constantly misses him, no matter how much she tries not to feel that way.

The familiar footsteps got her attention and she got a smile on her face.

"Kayanangai," he called her name.

"You came," she smiled widely.

"Yes, I am sorry for making you wait," he apologized that instant and beside her.