Rathi came out of the bathroom after her morning errands. The weather is too cold today and wrapping her arms with her saree she opened the door to see Mithran. He smiled and Rathi smiled back.

"Shall we go?" he asked as he had towels in his hand.

"Hmm," she nodded and went with him.

It's dark since the time is just 3.30 am in the early morning. Sumaya was waiting outside and told morning greetings when she saw Rathi.

After three straight days, Rathi is coming out of the house and looked around to see the fort was decorated with flower garlands as in the Indian weddings. It's so beautiful and she never thought these people will celebrate the wedding this much or is it just for them?

She walked with Mithran and along with them Iniyan also joined. He's another one cousin to Mithran and he isn't married.

"The skies are dark. I think it's going to rain," Iniyan told to Mithran.

"Yes, it will rain. After all, today is Ayya's wedding," Mithran replied when they were passing Aadhiyan's house. "Ayya must be getting ready?" Mithran said.

"Yes, he has completed the morning sacraments," Iniyan answered.

Rathi hearing their conversation walked having a nervous filled face. Her steps were slow as it is dark, thankfully Sumaya asked her to wear her slippers so she walked without having a fear of stung by the prickles.

The sound of small insects and water were heard in those woods. As they reached near the falls. Iniyan and Mithran asked her to bathe in the pond but not too long and handed her the towel. They both waited a few meters away and Rathi walked to the running cascade. Like how Aadhiyan has instructed, Rathi removed her saree and dipped herself in the cold water. She felt like freezing and gasped when she came out after the first dip.

She again went under the water and the coolness became easy on her skin. After properly washing her hair, she came out of the pond. Shivering in the icy air, Rathi immediately covered herself in the saree and above that the thick towel protected from the cold.

She walked to them but they not even glimpse at her and strode before her. Rathi felt protective and followed them to the fort. Her feet become froze and she rubbed both of her hands to make herself hot. When she was walking solemnly the rain started in a slow drizzle.

"As expected, the rain is here to bless you," Mithran commented and she smiled looking at his back. They guided her to the room near Aadhiyan's house where Sumaya and Masumi were waiting for her. The room is hot for Rathi after coming from the rain. She removed her wet clothes in hesitation when Sumaya asked her to undress.

Masumi went close to Rathi and examined the birthmark. That old lady's eyes grew wider to see that. She looked up at Rathi who's watching Masumi like what she's looking at.

"Here put your blouse Rathi, and this is your wedding saree," she showed a red old Pattu saree but looked beautiful. The texture is smooth but it's heavy as there's beautiful Zarigai weaved on the entire saree.

"This Zarigai is made of pure gold and this saree is traditionally worn by the brides of your family," Sumaya told.

"Even Masumi wore this, am I right grandma?" she asked and Masumi nodded her head. But she's terrified after seeing her scar. She didn't show it and went outside of the room.

Sumaya helped Rathi to drape the saree perfectly on her figure. Once they are done they both looked at the mirror. Sumaya couldn't take her eyes off Rathi. She's pleased to stand beside the marvel. Yes, for her eyes Rathi looked like a beautiful Magic. She's too bright and shining like a diamond.

"Am I looking good? Sumaya," she asked adjusting the pleats.

"Is that even a question? Look at your self Rathi, you're so beautiful," she told.

"Thanks," Rathi smiled.

The Sumaya handed the jewel box. She wore gold Jhumkas, four necklaces, gold, and diamond bangles but Rathi didn't remove her bracelet and the silver anklets adorned her feet. Placing Sindoor in the middle of her eyebrows Rathi smiled gazing at her eyes.

Sumaya beautifully braided her hair and placed a flower garland. The most beautiful bride on earth is here and Rathi blushed to see her and pondered whether she will look good for Aadhiyan.

"Rathi, you're so beautiful," Sumaya told.

"Ayya is really lucky to get you," she added.

That time, Mithran came inside and looked at Rathi in amazement but he didn't compliment her. It's not a moral thing for them to compliment other women even if it's their own sister.

"Ayya is waiting for you," he told and Rathi's heart thumped to hear it.

She came out with them and headed inside Aadhiyan's house where the wedding is going to take place. It's raining heavily and everyone was talking and happy about that.

"Rathi, you're really blessed. Look how it's rainy outside," Sumaya told. But all these giving shivers to Rathi.

Aadhiyan was sitting before the Agni Kundam and Aadhiyan's Dad was chanting mantras. They have already started the ritual.

The mantras aren't in Sanskrit, it's in ancient Tamil. Rathi easily identified as she has heard Shankari telling these chants while praying in the middle of the night.

Now Rathi turned her eyes to Aadhiyan, he was wearing a pattu Dhoti and shirt; he has trimmed his beard and cut his hair short. Now she can't help but admire his striking face. With a charismatic smile, Aadhiyan suddenly turned his gaze to Rathi. His eyes traced her from head to toe, in eagerness to make her his. The corner of his lips curled to see her beauty. He had a welcoming smile and Rathi sat beside him. Their arms brushed and Rathi had goosebumps to be near him.

She has shared the bed with him but today it feels different and new because it's the new beginning of everything.

Aadhiyan's dad asked Rathi to repeat the mantras that he was saying and she did awkwardly. It's like most Hindu weddings. Aadhiyan's relatives were all present in the hall and they all watching the ceremony with a big smile. Though it giving creeps to Rathi they are all now a family.

Finally, Aadhiyan's dad, gave the thalli (Wedding chain) in Aadhiyan's hands with seriousness dancing across his face and looking at her innocent eyes he tied the first two knots firmly and Sumaya tied the final knot. The family showered the flower petals as a blessing. Rathi went to the peak of nervousness at that moment. She's now his wife.

Aadhiyan placed sindoor on her forehead and they both were asked to worship the fire God that's radiating in front of them. Aadhiyan got up and gave his hand to Rathi. They completed saptapadi, pada puja, and exchanged their flower garlands thus completed their post-wedding rituals. Mithran pictured them using his camera; they posed with a smile and the family members gather together for one group picture. Aadhiyan first took Rathi to his great-grandfather and got blessings from him.

"Aadhi, you got the godsend gift. No one can stop you now. This world is yours, you can get whatever you want," Aadhiyan simpered nodding his head. Rathi just took his words as praise without understanding the depth in that.

Next, they got blessings from his bedridden grandfather and Masumi. They didn't say anything and just touched their heads. Das blessed them and Aadhiyan's cousins swooned around and cheered him. At that time Sumaya accompanied Rathi.

Then everyone went to have the breakfast specially prepared for the wedding, Rathi readily proceeded to go with them but stopped when Aadhiyan's still standing there.

"I think you need to go to the temple with Ayya. There you complete your marriage," Sumaya told and left to have breakfast. Aadhiyan's dad was telling something on his ears and he listens to that with a stoic face.

"Rathi," Aadhiyan smiled and waved her to come near. After three straight days, he's talking to her. With a blushy smile, Rathi stood beside him.

"You both should go to the temple now, it's important." Aadhiyan's dad told and she nodded for her father-in-law's request.

He smiled for her yes and went out of the place leaving Aadhiyan and Rathi in that empty hall. Aadhiyan is silent and he intently watched his father until he's out of his sight. When Rathi was about to talk to him. He turned to her, his gaze was amusing. She just forgot what she's about to tell because his eyes sucked out all her sanity.

He got rid of his flower garland and Rathi's too. His silence is confusing her and she disbelieved whether he doesn't like her? Sometimes she just forgets that he could hear her thoughts. Aadhiyan casually dropped it on one of the plates and held her hand firmly before dragging her with him.

"Don't you talk to me?" she asked when they came to the path to reach the temple. He paused and took the rag hanging on the wall to cover his wife. He put that on her head and stared at her eyes, suddenly he drew the sides of the rag making Rathi come closer to his lips. Rathi smiled for this sudden intimacy and Aadhiyan smirked before smacking his lips on her soft luscious lips.

He pushed her on the nearby rock wall and kissed her wildly and Rathi stood on her toes and kissed him with equal hunger and passion. The smooching sound of their lips, the rustling sound of her bangles, and their breathing were so pleasing to hear with the clapping rain. Aadhiyan slurped her lower lip until it's swollen pink. After the kiss, Rathi looked down to catch her breath. Gasping heavily, she raised her gaze and saw the fresh drizzles making his face wet and she wiped it with the end of her saree. This act of hers deeply lured his feelings. He grabbed her hand and kissed her fingers.

"Right now the one thing I love and protect is you. You're my gift, Rathi," his words gave a feeling that she's special and she had tears in her eyes. Aadhiyan inclined close to her cheeks and started kissing all over her face and thus making Rathi obviate her emotions. She tittered when he kissed just below the crook of her neck.

Aadhiyan pulled out and has that face like, So this is your sensitive part?

He again kissed giving tingling sensations on her and Rathi pushed him when she couldn't bear it.

"We should go to the temple," she reminded him pulling the rag properly on her.

He chuckled and held her hand while walking. "You're getting wet, take this rag," she told.

"No, I don't want that," he nodded.

"Please,"

"No Rathi. I don't want you to get wet," he brushed off.

"I'll cover using my saree," she countered.

"Don't you listen to what I say?" he hissed.

"No I won't listen," she stopped walking.

Leaving out a sigh, "Now what? You want to cover me with this rag," he asked and Rathi nodded.

He took her in his arms all of sudden. "Cover our heads," Rathi did what he told and Aadhiyan started walking carrying his wife.

She kept staring at him with all the affection she stored in her self. She never showed compassion for anyone and with him, it's coming out voluntarily. Perhaps, he's the person who belongs to it? She doesn't know but inside there's contentment for marrying him. He works and guarding his family, he has all the knowledge in this world, and yet he's too humble, calm, and sweet in nature. For every good that he owns, Rathi just forgets about their twelve years age gap, her doubts, and the rest of all.

Aadhiyan grinned hearing whatever that's running in her brain about him.

"Can you carry me till there?" she questioned.

"I have carried kilos of woods from the mountain, you doubt my strength?" he quirked his eyebrows.

"No," She blushed and it feels like she's being taken in a soft palanquin.

Aadhiyan held his grip tighter when they reached the slippery slope. He walked cautiously and right now Rathi wanted to kiss so much. He's caring and fascinating her with his manly charms. They reached the temple and Aadhiyan placed her on the floor.

"Hold my hand," he said and they walked into that crooked entrance of the cave. The temple was dripping wet from the rain. Aadhiyan went near to the giant door and closed his eyes clenching his jaws.

The lamps glowed on their own and Rathi agape, not for the lamp, the door slowly opened on its own. She took a step back staring at Aadhiyan. Now she believes that he's not a mere human like her, he possesses exceptional powers within him.

He opened his eyes and turned to Rathi. As he stepped closer she took a step back.

"Rathi," his tone was firm and commanding.

She's silent and staring at him in fear mixed with confusion.

"Don't be scared of me, take my hand," he reached out his hand. His eyes were calm hiding all the evil inside.

She gave her hand as she has no other way after coming to this stage. Aadhiyan smiled.

"You trust me inside, you should do or else you can't live with me," he said and Rathi agreed.

They both entered into the door, "This is my ancestors, our gods," he told and the lights turned on to reveal the tomb containing more than hundreds of monuments and there the huge majestic figure of the King with fiery eyes standing amidst.

"He's our great god, Aathirajendira Pandya," he told walking close to the statue. Rathi took a brief look at the figurine which stood tall as the cave's height.

She went to Aadhiyan and stood beside him. He looked at the fireplace and it started glowing like magic.

"Rathi whatever that we did today isn't an actual ritual. It's for our family but what we are going to do now is what going to makes us husband and wife. This is a tradition that my family follows, not Mithran or any other people," he told.

"Listen to me?" "You want to break our curse?" he asked.

"yes," she nodded.

"You know I want you, and you want me," he didn't ask her but telling her what she wanted or the other way what he wanted her to be.

"Yes," Rathi looking at her eyes shook her head. In his spell, she entirely forgot herself.

"And you will do anything for that? Don't you?" he probed.

"Yes," she answered. Because she wanted nothing but only him, she wanted to be loved by him and she wants to love him.

"Then give me your hand," he asked.

She gave her right hand and he pulled a small dagger from the folds of his Dhoti. "This will hurt but this is what makes us together, Rathi," he said and he pressed the sharp edge on her soft palm.

"You're mine," he told and pierced her skin, the hot blood oozed out making Rathi sob in pain. He made it worse by wounding it big, Rathi started shedding tears but strangely she didn't scream or jumped in pain. Aadhiyan did the same wound on his left hand and held Rathi's stabbed hand. Both of their blood collided and Aadhiyan shoved their offering into the fire. The flame heightened and the entire place glowed by that vigor.

After a moment of silence, the strong windblown on that place out of nowhere. Rathi shrieked in fear when she felt like hundreds of hands touched all over the body at that moment. She saw Aadhiyan who's standing motionlessly. He didn't open his eyes even after some minutes. So Rathi gently patted his shoulder.

He lurched his body and unwrapped his eyelids. Like a comet fall, Rathi saw something shined in his brown orbs in that split second.

"What happened?" she mumbled.

"Nothing, Rathi," he smiled.

"Shall we go?" he asked and she nodded.

They came out of the cave and Rathi's startled to see Aadhiyan. He just looked, everything turned off and the door closed on its own. What is this? What is he? She gaped and blood is dripping from her hand and fell on the mud.

Aadhiyan searched around and picked a betel leave near the cave. He tied that on her wound. She started feeling tired and there's a weird sound kept whispering near her ears.

"I couldn't walk," Rathi slurred and Aadhiyan held her when she fainted in the midway unable to bear this pain and everything. Aadhiyan carried her on his shoulders and strode to their home. Before closing her eyes, she saw something, a creature standing on its four legs and watching them from afar.