CHAPTER FIVE

TAMSI'S POV

I wake up and notice all the gods are around me. I then notice that Kartikeya has me in his arms. "Let me guess. I had a nightmare and screamed."

Kartikeya nods, and I sigh. I stand up and start to leave the room. Suddenly, I remember a question I had for Parvati. I look at her and ask, "Mother Parvati, do you have a sari I can have?"

She smiles at me and nods. "Of course I do. I bought the perfect one for you. Would you like to put it on?"

I nod. We go upstairs, and Parvati went to go get the sari from her room. She brought the sari to my room. I gasp when I see it. It's a beautiful silver color and there is silver glitter along the edge.

"It's so beautiful. I can't believe you bought i for me."

Parvati smiles at me and holds up a bag. "I have a surprise as well. I got some jewelry for you. Let's make you look like a goddess."

I smile and nod. Suddenly, I remember that tonight is another full moon night. I smirk and ask, "Can you help me with something, mother?"

She smiles. "What do you need?"

"I need you to sneak me to the backyard while everyone is still in the living room. If I'm going to look like a goddess, I'm going to act like one."

"It will be night soon. We have to hurry."

Parvati helps me put the sari on. I can tell when she finds my tattoo. She asks, "When did you get this?"

"I got it when I was a junior in high school. I had a vision of us like this, and I needed it as a reminder."

Parvati continues to help me put the sari on. She then puts the jewelry on. When I see myself in the mirror, I can't believe how I look. I look just like my tattoo. I look out the window and see that it is dark outside.

"It's time, mother."

Parvati takes my hand and made us appear in the backyard. I give her a box and say, "I would appreciate it if you will hand this to me when I say."

She nods and goes back inside, and I get into position.

AUTHOR'S POV

After she left Tamsi in the backyard, Parvati appeared back upstairs. She made her way downstairs. When Kartikeya saw her, he asked, "Where is Tamsi?"

Before Parvati could say anything, a voice starts to sing. Everyone follows the singing. "Come and dance with me,

my love.

We need to celebrate.

It's a full moon night,

and we've finally met..."

Everyone make it to the backyard. They see Tamsi singing and dancing.

CHANDRA'S POV

I can't believe my eyes. Kartikeya's friend looks so stunning in the sari. I feel a pull to go dance with her. I get behind her and dance along with her.

CHAPTER SIX

TAMSI'S POV

I feel Chandra start to dance with me as I continue to sing. "Come and have fun

with me.

We'll dance and play

under the radiant glow

of the moon.

We'll dance with the moonbeams.

We'll spread joy with

the moon's light.

The universe will

rejoice at our union."

AUTHOR'S POV

Everyone was surprised except Kartikeya, his family, Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu. They were even more surprised when the moon seemed to glow more brightly. Kartikeya smiled and said, "I knew it."

Tamsi turned to everyone and blushed. "I didn't expect any of you to hear me or come outside."

She then looked at Kartikeya and asked, "What did you know?"

"I knew you were Lord Chandra's destined one!"

Tamsi glared at Kartikeya. "It isn't funny anymore, Kartikeya. No mere mortal would be his destined one."

The Trinity smiled at this. Vishnu said, "You are no mere mortal, Tamsi. This is a result of a boon."

Tamsi goes over to Parvati and Shiva. "What do you mean?"

Shiva explained about her boon.

~FLASHBACK BEGINS~

Tamsi is in ancient India and meditating. She is praying to the Trinity. Suddenly, all three of them appear. Vishnu says, "Open your eyes, Tamsi."

Tamsi opens her eyes and see the Trinity. She bows to them and says, "Greetings, lords."

They nod. Brahma says, "It is rare for someone to pray to all three of us at the same time."

Shiva asks, "What is it you are asking for your boon?"

Tamsi smiles. "I prayed to all three of you, so all three of you could hear my request."

They nod, and Vishnu says, "Continue."

Tamsi takes a deep breath. "If I can prove I'm faithful to Lord Chandra for a hundred lives, I would like to become his wife on my one hundred and one times of being reincarnated."

The Trinity look at each other and smiles. Shiva says, "Your wish will be granted. You will be tested in a lot of ways though."

Tamsi nods. "I know, but I will always chant Lord Chandra's name in my heart."

~FLASHBACK ENDS~

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHANDRA'S POV

I can't believe what the Trinity is saying. I look over at Tamsi and sees that she is smiling. I'm confused by this. After Shiva explains the boon, Brahma says, "This is the one hundred and oneth time you have been reincarnated, Tamsi. You have fulfilled your part of the boon. It is our turn to fulfill your wish."

Tamsi asks, "What do you mean?"

Vishnu walks over to Tamsi and gently takes her hand. He then leads her over to me and places her hand into mine. "You were destined for Lord Chandra."

I feel Tamsi tense and start to pull away. I quickly grab her hand, and she looks up into my eyes. I say, "You made me wait a hundred lifetimes for you. Don't make me wait anymore."

She blushes and lowers her eyes. I lean my head down so I can whisper in her ear. "Let's make your song a reality."

Her eyes fly up to mine and are wide. She quietly whispers, "Are you sure?"

Before I can say anything, Mother Parvati comes over to us. She gently makes Tamsi look at her and says, "Tamsi, just as you have suffered so has Chandra. He has been very lonely waiting for his destined one. Don't make him wait anymore, my child."

Tamsi nods and bites her lip. "Mother Parvati, I know normally you and your family would be in the groom's procession. I would like to request you and your family be for me. I have no family anymore."

Parvati smiles and says, "Of course. We would be happy to be considered your family."

Tamsi looks around at all of us. "I would like a traditional Hindu wedding."

All of us smile at that. Suddenly, Tamsi becomes scared. She pulls her hand free of mine and hides them in her sari. "My arms are scarred though. They scare everyone if I don't cover the scars with makeup."

Shiva smiles and says, "We can take care of those right now."

The Ashvin twins approach her. One of them says, "Please hold out your arms, Tamsi."

She slowly pulls out her arms and closes her eyes. One of the twins washes off the makeup, and we all gasp when we see the scars. As soon as she hears us gasp, Tamsi trys to hide her arms again. I can see tears silently sliding down her cheeks. I walk over to her and hug her.

"We were only surprised, Tamsi. We aren't disgusted by you."

Tamsi whispers, "I know, but they are perminate reminders of the hospital. It took me three years to repair the damage they did to my soul and mind."

"Let the twins work. There won't be scars anymore to remind you."

Tamsi looks at the twins and nods. She pulls her arms out again. The other twin pulls out a jar of ointment and applys it to the scars. They soon begin to disappear. Once the last scar disappears, Tamsi hugs the twins. "Thank you so much."

The twins smile at her.

CHAPTER EIGHT

TAMSI'S POV

Suddenly, I remember the box I gave to Parvati. I look at her and ask, "Do you still have the box I gave you, mother?"

She nods and hands it to me. I smile at her. "Thank you."

I look back to Chandra and blush. "I never thought I would become your destined one, but I had these made for you anyways."

I hand him the box and watch him open it. He gasps when he sees whats inside. It was a moon shaped pendant and some silver bracelets. He slowly lifts them out of the box. I say, "I made them under the full moon. They are infused with some of my soul."

Everyone gasps. I gently take them from Chandra and begin to place them on him. "These were made in the hopes that someday they would reach you."

AUTHOR'S POV

Tamsi couldn't take her eyes off Chandra. Parvati said, "We need to make arrangments soon."

Everyone began to talk excitingly except Tamsi and Chandra. Tamsi and Chandra just starred lovingly into each others' eyes. Parvati walked up to them and gently took one of Tamsi's arms. She gently pulled her away from Chandra. "Don't worry. You'll see him tomorrow."

Tamsi blushed and followed Parvati. She took Tamsi back to her room. "Go to sleep, Tamsi. You've had a long day and must be exhausted."

Tamsi nodded, and Parvati left. Tamsi got ready for bed and went to sleep. Parvati went back downstairs and went over to Chandra. "You need to prepare your children for their new mother."

Chandra bit his lip. "Do you think she will accept them?"

Kartikeya said, "She will. She will love them like they are her own."

Chandra nodded and left.

CHAPTER NINE

THE NEXT MORNING

TAMSI'S POV

I wake up and get ready for the day. I go downstairs to get some breakfast and see Chandra with two other people. I smile and say, "Good morning, my love."

I go over to Chandra and kiss his cheek. He smiles at me and says, "I wanted you to meet my children. This is Budha and Chandravanshis."

I smile at them. "It's very nice to meet you."

Parvati walks in and smiles when she sees me. "What are you going to do about college, Tamsi?"

"I'll quit. It's not like they have a course on how to be a goddess."

Parvati and I laugh at my joke. Parvati says, "It will take some time to plan your wedding."

I blush. "What if I already have it planned?"

Everyone looks at me in shock. Parvati asks, "Why am I not surprised?"

"I can go get my wedding binder if you want me to."

Parvati nods. I go and get the binder that has all my wedding plans in it. I go back downstairs and sit at the table with Parvati. I notice that Chandra and his children had left. I open the binder and say, "This is everything."

We go through the binder. Parvati got a thoughtful look on her face. "This seems like a lot like my wedding."

I blush and nod. "That's because it is."

"This will take a week to set up."

"That's okay. I can wait a little bit longer for him."

Parvati smiles at me. "I will start preparing everything."

Parvati started to leave, but I suddenly remember something. "Mother, do you still have your wedding sari?"

Parvati stops and looks at me. "Yes."

"Could I wear that to get married in?"

"Of course, my child."

Parvati leaves.

A WEEK LATER

Parvati is helping me get ready for my wedding. I'm so nervous. "Do you think everything will be okay?"

Parvati smiles. "Everything will go smoothly today. You just worry about looking good for Chandra."

When I was finished getting ready, Parvati took me downstairs to the backyard. We see that everyone has gathered and is waiting on us. Parvati has me sit beside Chandra in front of the fire. The rituals begin. The last ritual is Chandra and I taking turns to lead each other around the fire.

After we are done with the last ritual, the sage says, "You are now married."

I smile, and Parvati comes over. "Chandra, take her to your palace and welcome her."

Chandra nods and takes my hand. We appear in his palace, and he leads me to a room. "This is a room I prepared for you. It's so you can have your own space if you need it."

Chandra shyly looks down. I gently touch his face and make him look at me. "Thank you. It's a great room. I don't think I'll ever sleep here, but I'll probably use it for something."