Veera Narayan Perumal Temple,

Nandhini was sitting near the pond at the back of the temple, looking at her reflection on the water. There was no one in the temple, it was empty.

Nandhini sensed a presence behind her she very well knew who it was. Then Nandhini could see a face in the reflection. The person behind her looked at her reflection.

"Nandhini?" Called the person from behind.

Nandhini didn't turn to see who it was, she asked " You came?".

" What do you mean by that Nandhini? Of course, I would come for you." Exclaimed Karikalan as he sat beside her.

" Oh, that's nothing I thought you forgot about me," told Nandhini as she got up from the place and and started to walk towards the house.

" How can I forget you Nandhini, you are my life," told Karikalan as he followed Nandhini.

Nandini chuckled bitterly and said, "If you had really loved me then you would have taken me to Thanjavur with you but you didn't."

" Nandhini I do love you but I asked you to come with me but you were the one who locked the door and stayed inside, I even waited for you till sunrise, but you never came," told Karikalan to convince Nandini.

"Oh really? I came to see you there, but you were long gone. So, Can I conclude that you listened to the grandfather of yours and thought that I was an orphan and left me?" Asked Nandhini as tears gathered her eyes, she sat down in the room.

Karikalan didn't know how to convince her, so he sat down beside her " Nandhini if I had hurt you then I am very sorry. But I can assure you that I had no such thoughts " he kept his hand on Nandhini's shoulder.

Nandhini's eyes softened at his apology. " Even I have made a mistake by listening to your grandfather's words. I am very sorry." Apologised Nandhini, tears spilt down her cheeks as she spoke.

Karikalan's heart was broken at her sight. He wiped Nandhini's tears.

Nandhini held Karikalan's hand and rested her head on his shoulders.

Karikalan patted Nandhini's back. Nandini apologised again.

Karikalan closed Nandhini's mouth with his palm "Please don't ever apologise again Nandhini It's like someone is ripping off my heart." Told karikalan.

" Ok karikalare," told Nandhini. Karikalan lifted Nandini's chin with his fingers. " Why do you look so dull Nandhini" asked Karikalan.

Nandhini got up, her eyes darkened at his question." Do I ? I don't think so, I am totally fine" replied Nandhini. Karikalan came and stood before Nandhini.

" Is that so, but your eyes don't have the old shine which I saw when I met you?" told Karikalan.

" No Karikalare, my eyes are the same, I think something happened to yours," said Nandhini as she chuckled.

Karikalan was about to protest but seeing her chuckle made him drop down his question.

Soon after Karikalan took the ring from his pocket and slid it into her finger." I forgot about that, I knew that you would believe the letter if you saw the ring " told Nandhini.

"Even if you didn't send me the ring, I would have come, "told Karikalan.
" That's ok karikalare but Who accompanied you?" Asked Nandhini.

" No Nandhini I came here all alone" replied Karikalan. " But how ?" asked Nandhini confused.

" You know, the messenger you sent gave me a nice reason," told Karikalan smiling.

" What did he say karikalare" questioned Nandhini. " He told that he was a messenger sent by Arunmozli from Elangai, asking someone from Chola Nadu to accompany him to the war he was about to wage on the south." Told karikalan.

" Wow, I didn't expect this from him." Told Nandhini as she laughed at the lie, it was all Nandhini's idea. Karikalan smiled.

" Karikalare but what will you tell them when you go back? They will question you and the person who sent the letter "said Nandhini slightly tensed.

" Don't worry Nandhini, I won't go alone and they won't question me too " told Karikalan. " I don't understand what do you mean? " asked a confused Nandhini.

" I will take you with me to Thanjavur," told Karikalan. Nandhini got up from the floor and looked at Karikalan's intention.

" Karikalare what are you saying, you are going to take me to Thanjavur? " Asked Nandhini.

" Yes Nandhini, I won't make the mistake which I did last time." Replied karikalan.

" Will your family accept my karikalare?" Asked Nandhini in panic. "Of course they will, who would miss the chance to have you as their daughter-in-law," told Karikalan.

Nandini was not convinced by this" But karikalare I am an orphan a poor girl How will they accept me as their daughter-in-law?" Asked Nandhini.

Karikalan cupped Nandhini's face and said. "Nandini I didn't love you for your wealth or face. I loved you for your character, your innocent heart, I am sure that they will love you too".

"But -"Nandini was about to protest but Karikalan stopped her "No more buts Nandhini, will you marry me?" Asked Karikalan.

Nandhini froze She replied after a few minutes "Karikalare I -I would love to marry you", Nandhini smiled

Karikalan was very happy he hugged Nandhini and said" I would keep you as the Queen of my heart, I don't care whoever opposes our love. I will always stay by your side."

" I love you too karikalare" whispered back Nandini. Slowly Nandhini's smile turned to an evil smirk.' You are going to marry your death, poor you. ' thought Nandhini as she smirked.

The next chapter will have an Amarabhiujhangan × Urvashi movement, an important chapter for Nandhini and Karikalan. What do you think?

Special thanks to RagKee for supporting, hope you liked this chapter, and don't forget to vote and comment.