Dusky Moonlight

Chapter- 13(4)

The chill wind is slowly blowing in the place. It made its way to Rathi and kissed her skin and made her smile. The small bell that's hanging on the crescent of the door clinked lightly dancing to the motion of the breeze. The bright clouds were chased by the grey ones and settled on the top, proudly.

Watching the changes in nature Rathi was quietly sitting on the door side. Her eyes were fixed on the hibiscus tree; the red flowers bloomed in big sizes. She wanted to take one of those but she can't. Shankari has taught her that, during menstruation, a girl shouldn't touch any kind of plants or else the plant will die, Rathi believed it during that time but as she grown-up, she couldn't change her mind even knowing it's stupid. She's afraid of whether it will happen. Rathi is not the kind of person who can harm something intentionally. So she watched it from sitting there with a smile.

Aadhiyan's great grandfather came there at that time. Rathi smiled seeing him and he smiled warmly. "Rathi, did you had food?" he asked.

"I had, grandpa," she replied and saw a bottle in his hand. It's evident that he's not there to see Rathi. He went inside Masumi's house and Rathi could hear what they were talking about.

"Give this medicine every night. This will reduce his pain," he told. Masumi didn't talk to him.

A few moments later he came out. "I am leaving, Rathi. I will ask Maaran to give you something hot to drink," he told and Rathi smiled. She watched him until he enters the kitchen side.

Then Rathi's face light up when Sumaya came placing her hand on her baby bump. She smiled seeing Rathi.

"I know you'll be bored to sit alone, that's why came here," told Sumaya after sitting on the ground.

"Thank you," Rathi expressed her gratitude.

"Don't mention, you're like my small sister,"

"So this month you won't get pregnant, I was waiting to hear the good news," Sumaya added.

Rathi felt anxious to hear that and last yesterday's dream flashed before her eyes.

"Rathi, how many days you'll menstruate?" she asked disturbing her thoughts.

"Four," she replied.

Sumaya nodded. "Look at the sky, whenever he goes to the ocean it will rain like crazy and I've to worry about him every time," Sumaya told.

"Are you worrying too?" she teased seeing Rathi's dull face.

Actually, Rathi doesn't feel anything, and she's not worried about him for sure.

"I am worried too but I know he'll come back safe," Rathi gave a convincing answer.

Rathi asked what they do with the pearls and Sumaya replied that they will sell it to a big dealer in Madagascar. Rathi wondered why do they living like cave people even having loads of wealth.

Then after talking for some time, Sumaya left when it started drizzling as she wants to take the clothes that put for drying at the backside of her house. Rathi again dwelled in the silence.

The drizzles slowly soaked the leaves and dried mud, spreading slight petrichor. That time Maaran gave a glass of tea but Rathi said she doesn't want it as it tastes awful.

"Give it to me," Masumi told when he was about to leave.

Rathi looked at her and she sat on the place once occupied by Sumaya. "Eat this," she handed a plate full of papaya.

It's sugary and juicy, Rathi had it thinking how much this old lady loves her but she doesn't know what's the reason behind it. Masumi holding the tea glass in her shaking hands watched Rathi's face in astonishment.