Dusky Moonlight

Chapter- 19(3)

After taking a hot bath Rathi came out wearing her saree, her eyes had a calm stare, and her face somewhat better compared to yesterday. The inflammation on her face is healed but still has that scar.

She went behind the house to dry her hair but she stopped when she saw her father-in-law standing under the banyan tree placing his palm on its rough wood. Rathi watched his face which is deep in the thoughts of something, maybe their conversation yesterday might have reminded him about his wife and Rathi thought that tree must be her late mother-in-law. She doesn't want to disturb him so she walked to the front.

The sun is shining clearing up the clouds, the birds were chirping and the butterflies were fluttering around the flowers pleasantly. Rathi observed the ambiance with a smile on her face. She took off the towel on her hair and stood under the sunlight. The combination of moisture and warmth felt blissful to feel.

Like disturbing her peace Iniyan yelled, "Ayya," standing out of his house.

Aadhiyan came out of the room where they placed net, rope, and other necessities needed for fishing or pearl diving. Rathi watched him walking to Iniyan's house but he does not even glance at her even knowing that she's looking at him.

They discussed something and Aadhiyan again went inside that room, Rathi awkwardly stood there wondering what kind of human he is. He knows whatever that happened to Rathi but still, he didn't come to apologize or at least try to prove his innocence is what makes her angry and that has paved a path for her to hate him.

He never loved you, Rathi. All he told was lies, this marriage was a lie and everything you shared with him was a lie. He did nothing purely, everything word he said is having a malicious reason behind his head. Rathi's blood boiled thinking that and her eyes welled in tears eventually feeling that she has been betrayed. She wants to go there and grab his collar and ask him why he did this to her?

Or give a slap on his face? Or scold him until she feels so satisfied?

She doesn't know what to do and close her eyes. Her tears fell on the floor. When she opened her eyes, she saw Aadhiyan standing there and watching her intently.

This time Rathi decided to avoid him so she walked inside the house and Aadhiyan made his way towards her after dropping the things which he carried having that stern face.

"Rathi," he called out her name a little loudly and took a wooden rod in front of his father's house.

She turned in fear and saw the dowel in his hand. Her anxiousness raised thinking whether he's going to beat her. As she guessed he raised the dowel high on the air. Rathi closed her eyes in reflex.

"Beat me as much as you want," he ordered after giving it on her hands.

She looked at him in surprise, and she's seeing him closely after that incident. He didn't look good that's what Rathi noticed first. She gripped the timber in her hand and stared at his eyes. It's calm and didn't have that ruthlessness she saw on the other day but still, she couldn't accept he's innocent.

"Don't look at my face and beat me," he said getting her attention.

"Aadhiya, what you're doing?" his father said watching this.

"Don't come in this, stay there," Aadhiyan retorted.

"Just do it. I am not telling this for you, this is for my own peace," he told looking at her and kind of encouraged Rathi. She understood that he's asking seriously.

Do it, Rathi! He deserves punishment for whatever he did to you! Her mind said.

You're not that person who can do that Rathi, so drop it! Her heart said.

At first, she tried to do what her mind said but she couldn't so she dropped the dowel as her heart said.

Aadhiyan stared at her actions, she nodded gesturing she can't do that, and walked out of the house. He is speechless yet he felt she's too hurt now.

"Leave her, Aadhiya. She will understand eventually," his father said and led him outside.

"Yesterday I heard a lot more things. You don't tell her anything about the child, I don't have the strength to lose you," Aadhiyan said.

"I know what I've to tell and what I shouldn't." Aadhiyan nodded agreeing to that.

"Go soon and come back within the evening. I think it will rain again," Aadhavan told.

"Okay, ask her to eat the food and... nothing," Aadhiyan ended it abruptly and walked away to Iniyan's house.

As he left, Aadhavan headed to the kitchen to get food for Rathi. Rathi who's sitting at the backside of the house looked blankly at the banyan tree in front of her, around that fruit plants and some medicinal herbs were there. The smell of the sages, wet mud and the ocean sound accompanied her there.

In her solitary moment, she decided not to think about him, speak about him or even get angry at him and decided to avoid him totally for her own good from now on because he isn't anything to her.
"Rathi?" she heard her father in law.

"Uh," she turned to see him.

"Come and have your breakfast," he said and she nodded.

After eating, Aadhavan took the dishes back to the kitchen, and out of nowhere, she saw Aadhiyan at her doorstep. She turned to the other side immediately.

"Are you not going to talk to me?" he asked. She nodded yes.

If someone so dear to you gets distance from you, how do you feel? Obviously, it hurts but for Aadhiyan it hurts greater than anything.

He accepted her anger looking at her pity self, "I know you can never forgive me. I lied and I did hurt you unintentionally but you should know that I have never lied about my affection. It's hard for you to believe me but as much as I am loyal to my God my love is true," he confessed and dashed out of the place before Rathi could turn and look whether he actually means it. His words sounded sensible and for a moment Rathi slipped out from her thought that he's a liar. She sighed but that doesn't change her thoughts to avoid him.

To distract her mind, she walked out of the house and made her way to Mithran's house. He was feeding mild to his daughter, and Rathi smiled looking at him.

"Hey, Rathi," he smiled, "How do you feel today?"

"I am fine," she said.

"Thank God, you're speaking now," he teased.

"Come, sit here," he told and Rathi sat next to him looking at the child. She took the little fingers and nuzzled feelings the softness.

"She looks like you," Rathi said.
He nodded.

"Oi, did you forgot me?" she asked the child and it babbled, shaking legs.

Rathi smiled, "Have you chosen a name?"

"Yeah, Migali. Is it lovely?" he asked.

"Yes, it's so nice," she nodded.

"Stay with her, I have some work to do," he told. Since he wanted to look after his daughter he didn't go with Aadhiyan to the sea.

"Sure," Rathi shook her head, and after Mithran left Rathi carried the child to the backside.