Dusky Moonlight

26(3)

Slowly Kayanangai is coming out of this dreadful pain in her muscles and she opened her eyes to see Aathiyan sitting before her.

"Finally you woke up," he said and his face was sternly lacking the concern for her. He has been watching her for some time.

Her eyes instantly welled in tears, "I am sorry. I am not well when I woke up," she said.

"You are not well? So you came late and left without even seeing me?"

"No, I couldn't stand. I felt giddy," she reasoned.

He doesn't look like he's convinced. "I have asked the healer to come and see you," he said and got up.

"Wait, where are you going?" she asks.

"Where do you think? I have many things to do," Aathiyan said without looking at her and walked out.

The palace physician came and saw her.

"You are having symptoms of flu but, strangely, you don't have a fever," she said.

"I don't know. My head is still throbbing and I couldn't get up in the morning," Kayanangai said.

"Your symptom is weird. Better don't eat anything sweet or spicy for a few days," she said, "And take enough rest,"

After the physician left, she got up from the bed and walked outside with much struggle. Her legs felt heavier than before. She knows even that physician is not convinced to hear what she's feeling right now.

She came outside and saw the sky which is about to rain. Her husband is angry at her and the entire family is upset. No one is believing her and she suddenly turned into a headstrong deceitful daughter-in-law of this family.

She can't help but cry at this time. Even the one person she thought will understand her didn't say anything.

When she was in her thoughts, Rani entered her chamber.

"There you are?" she glares. This is the first time, Kayanangai is seeing that look on her mother-in-law's face.

"What have you been doing here. You didn't meet any of our guests. This isn't good behavior that I expected from you," Rani snapped.

"Forgive me, please mother," she said and her tears ran down to her cheek.

Seeing that Rani calmed a bit.

"I didn't expect that you will stay in this place on your husband's important day,"

"I am unwell,"

"I know, the healer told me but you don't look like you are sick," she said.

"I am not lying," Kayanangai said.

"I couldn't believe that,"

Now Kayanangai realized that she lost the good image she has got in all these days. Suddenly everything is against her.

"Why do you think I will do that?" she starts to cry.

"What's going on here, mother?" Aathiyan's voice got their attention.

"I am just asking my disobedient daughter-in-law what she did without attending the ceremony,"

"She's not well and she came there to see me even she's hurt,"

"She came?"

"Yes, she did. She stood among the town people because the imperial gates were closed under the instruction of your son Veera," Aathiyan said.

"Don't address him that way. He's your brother," Rani reproached.

"Okay, why my brother did that?" Aathiyan asks and she got no answers. Kayanangai watched him in relief that he didn't let her down.

"You spoiling your wife, I know it. Are you not worried about how people will talk about her?"

Aathiyan sighs.

"I believe; my wife is a good person like you. People can talk whatever they want, it's none of my concern," he confidently said.

Rani nodded in frustration.

"You both do whatever you want. When you ever listen to me?" she said looking at Aathiyan and strolled out.

Aathiyan's gaze turned to Kayanangai.

"I am sorry for my mother, I should have stayed by your side," he hesitantly utters looking down.

Kayanangai ran and hugged him as tight as she could. He hugged her back finally letting go of this matter.

"I thought you didn't believe me,"

"I believe you, my love," he said caressing her back.

"Are you still hurt?" he asks.

"Not anymore," she finally left a smile.

"I am sorry," she looks at his face. She's feeling so guilty for what happened earlier –she has become a reason for them to have a dispute.

"Stop apologizing," he smiles looking at her face.

"I was wondering what made you sick suddenly?"

"I don't know," she nods having no clue.

He doesn't want to confuse her and he's worried about her health. "Let's not think about that, but don't eat everything others give you. Not all people have good intentions here," he advised.

She nods agreeing to that.

"Don't trust anyone from now on and always listen to what I say," he said.

"I will do that," she nods.

"You didn't miss it; I saw you there and that's what matters to me," he said and kissed her forehead.

"You have skipped your meals and I am hungry too, let's eat something," he said and she nods.

The maids carried the food to their room and they had it in silence. She drank the tonic the healer gave to her and sat beside the window.

Aathiyan stood beside her and looked at the drizzling rain.

"I have spoiled my good name," she said.

"No, you didn't,"

"Don't defend me,"

He smiles, "Who cares about it? They will forget it soon,"

Kayanangai worriedly looked at him.

"I am not good enough for you," she blurts out the one thing that's bothering her.

Her grits hearing that stupid belief and sat next to her.

"Why do you get these thoughts? You are enough for me," he said. "Don't let anything shatter that thought and it hurts me to hear that absurdity from you,"

Kayanangai held his hand, "Forgive me. I don't know what's happening to me," she said. "It's alright. You will be fine tomorrow," he said hoping the same.

Aathiyan hugged her. "I want you beside me forever. You understand?" he asks.

"Yes," she nods.