Dusky Moonlight

Chapter 8(1)

The next morning, Rathi opened her eyes hearing the sound of drizzling rain. Her radiating brown orbs looked at the still dark ambiance. She thought it must be around five-thirty or six so she again closed her eyes feeling the coziness under the blanket scented like jasmine. Last night Aadhiyan was using this blanket and she doesn't put anything on her. Are we sharing the same blanket?

Then she abruptly opened her eyes when she reminded about where she is, in the lion's den. She slowly turned to see whether he's still lying beside her but he is not there. Rathi's attention changed when she heard Aadhiyan opening one of the cupboards.

"Are you coming with me?" he asked out of nowhere because he is turning to the other and there's no way he could know that she's awake if he is a normal human being.

She adjusted her saree and looked him having no clue about where he's asking her to come.

"To where?" she asked.

"I am going to take bath in the waterfalls, do you want to see that place?" he asked and she thought for a moment and nodded in excitement. She has never seen waterfalls before and she felt it's going to be a new experience for her.

"Then go and finish off your morning chores and come," he told and she happily got down from the bed. The water was ice-cold, she couldn't touch it but anyways she washed her face and swished her mouth with it after brushing her teeth and wondered how chill the water would be in the falls.

The pace of rain increased when Rathi came out of the bathroom, she started having second thoughts about going with him. When she entered the room, Aadhiyan gave her his shirt.

"Put this on after bathing. We will change after coming here," he told and took towels for them. He was wearing his last night costume, an oversized faded shirt, and worn-out pant.

"But it's raining," she pointed.

"So what, we are going to soak anyway." "If you don't want to come, you can stay here," he said seeing her confused face.

"N-No, I am coming," she told.

They came out of the house with no umbrella and barefooted, Rathi covered her head using the rag made of coir which he gave her and watched Aadhiyan walking casually in the rain. He carried the towels and shirt putting it in a cover protecting from getting wet.

"Come fast," he urged as they came to the backside of the mansion. It's a dense forest out there and Rathi never thought this place would be this magnificent. She followed him in the woods, and she could hear the sound of rushing water in the sound of pattering rains as they proceeded in. It's a dense hill and Rathi's legs wobbled to walk in that slope. She walked slowly then stopped and gazed Aadhiyan who's striding inside fast.

"Don't stop keeping walking, Rathi," he shouted.

Breathing heavily, she continued. It took around ten minutes and Rathi was totally exhausted when they reached the cascades and its large pond. Rathi took a deep breath, that's the most beautiful thing that she ever saw in her life. It feels like she's out of the world, mesmerized by the beauty of nature.

"Take my hand," Aadhiyan told as it is down from their path. She carefully stepped on the slippery mud and Aadhiyan was very careful in guiding her.

"Let's keep our clothes here," he told and Rathi nodded her head.

"Take off your saree," his voice gave goosebumps to her even in that shivering cold.

"I better bath in my saree," she said.

"Your wish, then don't complain to me if you get cold," he said. She considered his words but her shyness overtook those thoughts.

Aadhiyan removed his shirt and placed it in the tree's branch. Rathi saw a big lion tattoo on the back of his shoulders which is covering the burnt mutilation on the right side shoulder, she's shaken to see that trauma and Aadhiyan removed his pant with no shame which made her cheeks to blush. Thankfully he's wearing underwear. He turned to her and Rathi gasped seeing his rough manly frame.