The First Empress

Fool

'The shattering of a heart when being broken is the loudest quiet ever.'

Poovizhi slowly dragged herself to her chamber. As it was so much darker on that particular night, she didn't even bother about covering herself. When she entered the chamber, she didn't notice the wooden box placed near the door, which was used to keep their clothes, she hit her toe on the box and the toe immediately started bleeding.

With that thud, Bommi also woke up and came near Poovizhi who was just staring at the wound on her toe. Bommi brought a lamp with her and looked at Poovizhi's leg in that light.

Bommi: Devi, enna idhu??? Kaayam?? Ayyo kurudhi perugugiradhe!?

Poovizhi broke and started crying again. Her wails filled their chambers.

Bommi: azhaadheergal Devi... Kaayatthirku marundhittu vidalam. Azhuvadhai nirutthungal. Thaangal azhum oli kettaal pirar Vara nerum.

Poovizhi closed her mouth with her hands and continued crying. Bommi was able to see the difference in her mistress. Even in all her miseries, Poovizhi had never cried like then.

She made her sit down on the floor, held her shoulders and asked.

Bommi: Devi, thangaludaiya kangal ellaam sivandhu irukkindrana. Kaayam kandu azhuvadhu pola theriyavillai. Edharkkaaga azhugireergal??

Poovizhi: Perumpaavam izhaitthu vitten Bommi. Ennai edhuvum ketkaadhe. Irupadharku thagudhi illaadhaval naan. Endro poyirukka veandiya uyir enadhu. Ippodhum yean irukka veandum endru thondrugiradhu...

Aanal... Aanal... indha uyir enadhallave... Avanudaiyadhu. Ennai kaatthavanudaiyadhu...

Bommi: Devi... Enna pecchu idhu??

Poovizhi: Bommi. Naan kodiyaval theriyuma??? Ennaal iyalaadhu endru therindhum oruvarin manadhil aasaiyai vidhaitthu adharku neer vaartthu en manadhilum ennatthai valartthu indru avar manadhai noga seidhu vandhu nirkkiren. Paavi naan. Perumbaavi...

Bommi was able to understand that her mistress had fallen in love with someone.

Bommi: Devi, thaangal paavi alla Devi.

She cried along with her.

Poovizhi: Naan paavi dhaan. Nee ariyaai. Satthamittu azha kooda thagudhi illadhaval aayitre naan. Anaivarukkum bayandhu bayandhu olindhu olindhu mugatthai maraitthu vaazhum indha izhi piravi sila dhinangal en nilaiyai marandhu ponen. Enaku aasai kolla thagudhi illai endru marandhu ponen.

Kalimmanedutthu adhil azhagaana kudam seidhu neer vaarkum mun en kaigaalaale pottu udaitthen..

Enaku mattum yean itthanai valigal?? vedhanaigal??? Naan enna thavaru seidhen???

She covered her face with her hands and cried oceans. Her neck part of the saree was already wet from the tears. Bommi pulled Poovizhi towards her and the young girl hugged her and cried for a long time. Bommi didn't know what to say to convince her. Because she knew well that some day Rajendra's eyes would turn towards Poovizhi. If not, the latter would get to die as a spinster behind the same walls. However, there was no chance for her mistress to leave this damned palace.

After a point of time, Poovizhi stopped crying and dragged herself to her bed. She didn't even change her servant maid clothes. She just laid down on the bed. But Bommi was able to see her shaking in bed. Her crying continued until the early morning.

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Subodhar looked at his friend who reached the chamber so late in the night. Veera was fully wet when he entered.