Title: Young Love

Aditha Karikalan looked at the beautiful moon, tapping his foot restlessly on the floor. He wanted to share this news with Nandini, somehow. He saw the guards roaming around the castle grounds scouting out every inch from the balcony. A sudden urge to see his moon, Nandini took over him. He wanted to meet her before leaving.

Karikalan left his room and walked outside rapidly. There was an eerie silence lurking around the palace. The grasshopper buzzed their usual tone and the leaves ruffled with him as walked through the meadow. He constantly had to hide behind a pillar or a tree to prevent himself from being caught.

"Tomorrow the Prince is going to war it seems," A guard said.

"Isn't he a bit too young?" The other guard asked. "What will he do there?"

Adithan moved swiftly, successfully avoiding their gaze. Adithan approached the temple, the lamps were still lit indicating someone was in there. He decided the check there first and walked towards the temple. When he entered he heard a bird sing. No, No, not a bird. The voice was as beautiful as a sparrow's. If honey had a voice, it would sound like hers.

He stood at the door frame, mesmerised by his beloved's beauty.

Half of Nandini's face was lit by the oil lamp, the other half was lit by the moon light which was peaking through the windows. It was like adding the sun and moon's beauty. That's how beautiful she was. She was expertly tying the flowers which lay beside her into a garland, humming her favourite devotional song.

Adithan just stood there. He couldn't utter a word. It was like a crow caught his tongue. He couldn't move. All he wanted to do at that moment was to look at her and listen to her singing.

But nothing good ever lasts long. His shadow fell on her. She stopped singing and jerked up. Before she could gasp, Adithan put his hands on her mouth gently. "It's me," he whispered.

"Karikalare, don't scare me like that," She whispered in her sweet voice.

"I just wanted to see my beloved," He said, caging her between himself and the wall. He looked at her with his piercing black eyes. But Nandini's eyes fluttered.

"Someone will spot us," She said nervously, as she looked here and there.

"So what?" He said inching closer to her.

"They'll throw me out," She said.

"As if I'll let that happen," Karikalan scoffed. "I want to tell you something," He said, as soon as he opened his mouth someone called Nandini's name out.

"Nandini!" A man's voice called out.

Her eyes widened in fright. "Hide!" She whispered, as she shoved Karikalan behind a large pillar.

"Haan, Anna!" She replied.

"Who are you talking to?" He asked with concern. He was Nandini's foster brother, Thirumalai. He was the one taking care of Nandini since she was a child.

"No one, Anna! Just talking to myself," She lied. Adithan looked at her with a smile. He was about to say something but she put her finger on her lips, gesturing to him to not say anything.

"I heard some sounds though," He asked.

"No, Anna," She bit her lips as she tried to think of a lie. Adithan folded his hands and looked at her. "A rat! A rat came, Anna," Nandini said.

"Should I come in and get rid of it,"

"It's okay, Anna I took care of it,"

"Okay, ma, finish the garlands up, we need them for tomorrow's festival," He said.

"Haan, okay, Anna," She replied. Adithan could hear his footsteps fading away. Nandini gestured to him to stay put and went outside to check if he was really gone. She returned and sighed in relief.

"A rat?" Adithan raised his eyebrows. "How big was the rat?" He asked as he came out of his hiding spot.

"A big one indeed," She joked as she sat down on the pile of flowers.

"Oh god, look at me, I have to hide like a thief in my own kingdom just to see my beloved," He sighed as he complained to the Perumal statue in the temple. Nandini giggled at him.

"My dilemma is funny for you huh?" He sighed as he sat down next to her. She picked up a half-done flower garland and tied some flowers to it.

"Nandini," Adithan called out as he picked up a rose flower from the pile and tucked it behind her ear. He turned her head gently with his hands and enjoyed her beauty.

She looked simple yet no queen could compare to her beauty. She looked divine in her white saree. He wanted to adorn her with all the gold in the empire. He imagined how much more beautiful she would look. She would look as if the goddess Andal herself came to earth.

"What Karikalare," She asked with a smile. "You're looking at me as if it's our first time meeting," She said as she returned to tying the flowers.

"What can I do? You look more and more beautiful each time I look at you," Adithan smirked charmingly.

"Enough about me," Nandini scoffed getting tired by Karikalan constantly complimenting her. "What are these flowers for? What's the occasion?" She asked.

Adithan straightened his spine. He had come here just to say that. But when he has to, he doesn't know how to. He was scared of how she would react. Nandini stitched her eyebrows. Adithan shook her head.

"Leave it, let's go outside," Adithan said as he got up. He held out his hands for Nandini.

"Where? If anyone sees us--They will--I" Nandini shared her concern but Adithan stopped her.

"I'm the Prince, Nandini, no one can do anything to you without my knowledge," He said. Nandini thought for a while. Adithan kept his hands extended for Nandini.

If someone saw her with the Prince, she's a goner. They'll disgrace her and throw her out of the kingdom. She doesn't have or know anyone except Thirumalai and Karikalan. Where will she go if they exile her?

But Nandini knew Karikalan wouldn't let anyone lay a finger on her. He loves her so much and she loves him too. She knew he wouldn't let her down.

Nandini finally took his hands. A smile appeared on Adithan's face.

"Come before anyone sees us," Adithan said as he walked towards the door while he held Nandini's hands.

They went outside, the moon was shining beautifully illuminating the Kaveri River. Adithan looked around cautiously for the guards while Nandini's eyes was fixated on her Prince. The way his eyes glowed in the moonlight made her heart melt. The way he held her hands tightly, signifying that he'll never let her go made her fall for him even more.

He looked back at Nandini to check if she was there even though he was holding her. This drew a smile on her face. No one had ever loved her as much as Karikalan. The care she's recieving was all new to her.

They got to the far side of the Kaveri river, Away from all the guards and people.

"Careful, Nandini" Adithan warned her as they crossed the mossy path. "Don't fall in the river," He said as he looked at her

"You're going to fall in the river if you constantly keep looking at me," She laughed as she carefully stepped over the moss.

They finally reached their secret spot. There was grass everywhere, The Kaveri River flowed peacefully in front of them. Behind them were the thick wood forest. The air felt cold as it brushed past Nandini's soft skin.

The owls cooed as the saw Nandini and Karikalan.

Adithan plopped down on the grassy floor and rested his hands on his knees. He gestured Nandini to sit behind him. She sat down beside him.

"You were about to tell me something," Nandini said as she looked at Karikalan. But Karikalan didn't look at her this time. He was looking at the stars.

Nandini noticed something was disturbing him. His peaceful face didn't look so peaceful now.

"Karikalare?" She called out. Adithan turned back to her and sighed. "What's troubling you?" She asked.

"The thought that I wouldn't be able to see you for a week or two," He said looking at Nandini's face with more intent.

Nandini looked confused. "Why?" She asked.

"I'm going to fight for the Chozha empire, Nandini," He said. These words were a thunderclap to her.

A frown appeared on Nandini's face but she erased it quickly. "Wow," She said not so enthusiastically. She blinked her eyes to prevent tears from falling.

Adithan noticed Nandini's sadness. "Why the long face?" He asked. Nandini shook her head and formed a weak smile.

"Nothing," She said as she turned away from him.

Adithan cupped Nandini's face and made him face her. "I'll be back as soon as possible, Nandini," He tried to comfort her.

Still Nandini was scared of losing him.

"You're scared of me dyi--?" He asked. Nandini kept her hand on his mouth to prevent him from saying anything unauspicious. Nandini shook her head.

"I can't lose you, Karikalare, I have no one else except you," She said sadly.

"Don't you have faith in me?" He asked.

"It's not that, y-you're just too young to go to war," She said. "The enemies would have much more experience than you,"

"Age is just a number, Nandini," Adithan said picking up her hands. "I know what I'm capable of, just wait and see, in a weeks time, this entire Chozha empire will speak of my bravery," He said.

Nandini nodded and sighed. "Promise me you'll be back," Nandini asked him drilling into his soul with her eyes.

Adithan held Nandini's hands near his heart. She could feel it beating calmly showing no signs of fear that he's going to war and all that.

"I promise, Nandini," He promised.