The First Empress

Their Children

There is something about losing a mother that is permanent and inexpressible — a wound that will never quite heal.

Aditha's voice softened yet carried a quiet firmness.

Aditha: Aanal...

Neeyum naanum oruvarai vittu oruvar paadhiyil neengaadha piraviyaaga adhu amaiya vendum...

Sarojini's eyes filled with tears at his words.

Slowly, he held both her hands and looked at her with concern.

Aditha: Marundhugalai yean marukkiraai kanne?

Enakkaga marundhu arundha maattaaiya?

Sarojini shook her head faintly.

Sarojini: Naan marundhu arundhudhal koodadhu aiyyane...

Aditha frowned.

Aditha: Enna koorugiraai?

She answered quietly.

Sarojini: En maranam thangalin maranatthai polave irukka vendum...

Aditha's face hardened.

His jaw clenched.

Aditha: Andha Rajendiranai...

The anger surged through him.

But Sarojini quickly held his hand.

Sarojini: Avanum vidhiyin karangalil sikkiya oruvan dhaan aiyyane...

Her voice was calm.

Sarojini: Vidhi than gora seyalgalai nigazhttha avanai thernthedutthu irundhadhu...

Aditha looked at her sharply.

Aditha: Vidhiya?

Sarojini: Aam... vidhi dhaan...

She slowly explained.

Sarojini: Thangal thambi Ravindranai kondra vidhi...

Kringa desa arasarukku padhilaaga avarudaiya sagodharanin uyirai kudittha vidhi...

Veera annanin uyirukku padhilaaga Valavanin uyirai parittha vidhi...

Ungalin uyirukku padhilaaga oru uyirai kettadhu...

Aditha looked at her with confusion.

Aditha: Nee eppadi anaitthaiyum arindhu kondaai?

Sarojini replied softly.

Sarojini: Andha iraivan vazhi kaattinaan...

She wanted to speak of Sivanadiyar. But she stopped herself.

Aditha must find that path on his own. That too was part of destiny.

Seeing Aditha deep in thought, she continued.

Sarojini: Veera annan uyirudan iruppadhaaga thaan en kanavil thondriyadhu...

Aanal Valavanin maranam nigazhndhadhu...

Adhuve en manadhil mudhal aiyyatthai ezhuppiyadhu...

Her breathing grew heavier.

Sarojini: Adharku pinnaana alosagarin maranatthaiyum naan kaana thavara...

Appodhe ondrai purindhu konden...

She looked into his eyes.

Sarojini: Maariya vidhiyil nadappavaigal nadakka... irappugal thadukka padavillai...

Naan thalaiyitta velaigalil mattum oruvarukku padhilaaga mattroruvarin uyir parikkappattadhu...

Her voice trembled slightly.