Sambaridli

Oh how much I miss this version of me

PEOPLE THINK I NEED THEM... BRO YOU'RE NOT MY MOMOS KI PLATE 👍

ménage

A series where i write about all the characters of the ps clan.....as family.

Aditha

Aditha is the kind of person, relatives value only because he's the eldest son. Otherwise he's just the bad influence. The parents keep their children at a distance from him, because who would want their children to take after the unruly beast of the family. He throws parties every now and then, pours his nephews or nieces a drink whenever he's having one and practices hunting as a hobby. He is the very definition of an Adventure Junkie. He seems as though he does not have a care in this world, and doesn't take even himself much seriously.

But in reality, Aditha is that uncle who'll give you realistic advice, which might for once, actually help you. When you're ranting, he will genuinely listen to every word you rant, be it about a college fight, academic pressure or (especially) a breakup. He'll throw you a bashful smile from across the room when you stand up for yourself against your relatives, and console you after you get yelled at by your parents for doing so. He will take you go carting after a horrible test, and make cold coffee for you, as you study at two in the morning for your next one. He will push you to work harder than you thought you ever could, and then pat you on your head, whether you succeed or fail. Yet, when something goes wrong, he's the first to be blamed.

So go tell him, that it was his day-out that gave you the break you very much needed before that test. Tell him about how much lighter you felt after spilling your bottled up emotions. Tell him that his assuring gaze is what fuelled you with confidence.

Because one day he'll be gone. Before you know it, before he knows it. And he'll go thinking that he did nothing but bring chaos into his families life. That his existence was worthless.

So go tell him, everything he needs to hear. Go tell him.

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@whippersnappersbookworm @thegleamingmoon @thelekhikawrites @vibishalakshman @yehsahihai @nspwriteups @celestesinsight @willkatfanfromasia @chiyaanvikram @harinishivaa

2- A JOB OFFER

Part 1

Panavilai

"Leave me, leave me", Ravidasan pretended to struggle. He showed a gold coin to the mansion guard and they dragged him to a building that looked like an outhouse. He purposefully didn't show the coin with fish insignia given by that ilaneer vendor. What if that's a trap by Cholas or Cheras? At the the same time, he wanted to get to the bottom of this.

From his enquiries, he had come to know that Nanjinattu Pillai's brother is stationed at Tirumunaippadi with the crown prince Rajadithan and this is his old mansion, which he had sold off before constructing a new one at Padmanabhapuram. The brothers have feet in two boats. Who knows if the other one will float if one sinks or both will sink simultaneously!

They dragged him to a big dark room lit by fire burning in a corner. Some mumbled discussions could be heard from the other room. A very tall man with a sombre expression entered the room.

"Whose spy are you? If you speak honestly, your death will be swift and painless."

Ravidasan noticed that the speaker didn't look like he belonged to this part of the world. His speech too was weird. He wore the garment of yavanas. No wonder he looks and talks differently! His white hair was tied into a bun and the man looked almost red, like someone roasted him on fire. Yet, he was taller than any man he had seen. Ravidasan's hopes were renewed. He had heard about the yavana meikappukar (bodyguards) of the Pandya kings. Looks like that ilaneer seller was speaking the truth.

"Ayya, forgive me. I couldn't be sure it your spy belonged to our side. I have the real mudirai with me."

"Where is it?" The yavana man gestured to the guard to free his one hand.

"You don't want to hold it in your hands". Ravidasan took the Pandya coin from his loincloth, showed it to the man and put it in the fire which was illuminating the room. He heard a laughter from the next room. Who is laughing at this misadventure?

"Thalapathi, that's enough", a well built man entered the room. Isn't this the ilaneer vendor? What a change! He cleaned up pretty well. Layers of pearl-gold necklaces and bracelets adorned his neck and wrist. His fine silk looked almost golden in the dim light of fire. "Arase!", the yavanan and the other two soldiers bowed down and poked his calf indicating him to join them. Is this his king? Really? The men left him alone and went to the other room.

Ravidasan was too embarassed to speak anything. He wanted to ask many questions when he meets whoever he was supposed to meet. But how could he have guessed that he would have the misfortune of calling the king an idiot to his face? Is this even the real king? It isn't that difficult to make or get a small Pandya gold coin. They might not have the crown jewels or crown with them and it isn't like he can recognise them anyway. There is no way to confirm his identity.  Won't he be a traitor if there is a real Pandya prince or king somewhere and he supports a pretender?

Moreover, this is Chera mandalam. What is Veera Pandyan doing here? Everyone knew about Rajasimhan's escape to this region because his mother was a Chera princess but that was years ago. Now they are allied with Cholas. Parantaka Cholan's sons were borne by Chera princesses. Some shameless feudal lords like Pazhuvettaraiyar have shifted their entire base to the Chola region and live there like minor kings.

If the Venad chieftain or his Chera overlord comes to know about this midnight adventure, he and Veera Pandyan will be skinned alive. He didn't hesitate to express his apprehensions to the yavanan who had come to interview him.

"Don't you know that there are no permanent friends and enemies in politics?"

That is common knowledge but no one will sabotage existing alliances simply because they might become enemies in the future. He consoled him that everything is carried out in secret and they don't even use messengers in the Chera country. All of them, including the king himself, go around in various disguises to meet people.

A teenager who looked like a prince entered the room. He bowed down before the prince. "So Ravidasa, you do have a sense of properiety after all", the boy tried to look very serious but it was evident that he was suppressing a smile. "My young prince, may I have the fortune of knowing who you are?", he tried to butter up the boy.

"That's my son. Amarabhujanga Jatilavarman*. You see this annan, Jatila, you too should study well like him". The ilaneer vendor, no, Pandya Emperor Veera Pandyan re-entered the room and Ravidasan stood up. Sadayan went to his father and stood on his right side.

"Do you know why were you summoned here?"

"To work in the Pandya country".

"What kind of work?"

"You are the one who decides that, my King".

"I can't divulge the details and ask if you are interested. Know this - if I succeed, you will be honoured. If I fail, your life too will end. Go now. Menandros will be here. If you are willing, come back and ask him for further orders. Otherwise, forget that we ever met."

*Kochadaiyan, Sadayan, Jatayan, Jatilan, etc were the names in the Pandya Dynasty, all meaning "the one with matted hair", an allusion to Lord Shiva.

@whippersnappersbookworm @willkatfanfromasia@celestesinsight @willkatfanfromasia @sambaridli @sampigehoovu @sakhiiii @harinishivaa

I have so much to write. So much to draw. So many songs to learn. So many ideas. I want to learn atleast one danceform. Learn atleast one instrument. Be an artist. Be full of colours.

And here I am losing sleep over an internship. Because I need the job. I need that financial independence.

I dunno I kinda just wanna live.