Chapter 20 - Meeting a friend in dark

Raindrops fell on rooftops of Anuradhapura continuously. Whole country was faced heavy storm in this year. Because of this rainfall many rivers were flooded and many houses were damaged due to this while was destroyed many paddy fields. Especially Maha Waluka river was heavily flooded and made large damage to people who live around of river. People in the country viewed this as a showdown of the displeasure of heaven to the rule of the king and they showed more and more displeasure about the king. Anyway, with this situation war preparation between the king and Vambha parties had become back down and both parties had to spend their time, resource and people to help the people who faced disaster. But due to the fear of being attacked king was not ordered to slack off border patrolling and tried to enhance people and a more trained army than helping people in disaster areas. Therefore, it even more made people displeasure about the king.

But this situation was bought more than six months of gloomy period to capital to get some breath. Whether common people in Pihiti country faced some troubles they were not worried about war fear. So they tried to spend their life as it is. Subha also got some tranquil period in this situation, so he got better sleep compared to six months ago. It was nearly time for the delivery of the queen. So, he again started to worry and faced tension. Especially he was afraid of the future of his child. So, he wanted to make a plan for his child's protection.

Subha looked at the sky through the window quietly as if he was waiting for someone. Bell sounded time as 9 O'Clock. Then he locked the room and started to change his clothes. At the same time, he changed his appearance a bit too. After that, he activated a hidden mechanism which was placed on side of the bed and opened a hidden door under his bed. This hidden door led to a tunnel.

This tunnel was built recently under his command and made by one of a family clan which was talented in building tunnels. Due to the threat of Vasambha he decided to build a tunnel that connected to his bed-chamber. It was done in really secrecy and he decided to keep this tunnel in dark apart from him. After building the tunnel he killed off each person who associated with this tunnel building by giving poison. This tunnel led to wildness outside of the northwestern side of the inner city which is near the western road. With that, he thought to escape from the palace at any time whenever danger falls on the city, safely.

After walking through tunnel, he came out from small cave that enough to take two people out at once while was covered by large tree trunks. Subha then took the western road and went to merchants' streets that were covered by foreign merchants. While walking down the road he started to reminisce about earlier dates he spent in these streets. While remembering the past he entered a small food stall and sit on the mat that was placed in front of a table. Then he looked through the road while ordering some foreign cuisine that he has some acquaintance with. After some time, a middle age man came into this food stall and sit in front of Subha while trying to greet him.

"Your…"

"Don't talk about formalities. You are my friend. This time I only talk to you as a friend."

"Okay "the man sits on the mat and ordered food. Both of them started to eat food without making any sound and after some time Subha started to talk to that man. "How are you doing Migara? How about your family"

"I am doing well friend. Sumana also living well. But he is not yet adapted to live without his mother "Migara told to Subha and turned his head elsewhere with sad face.

"I am sorry about mentioning that. I know you also miss her. Asitha is really good wife to you. Also she was good mother too. Her unexpected death was really loss to you all."

"It is okay my friend "

Friendship between Subha and Migara directed to long time. Both of them met each other in first time when he tried to build a house in capital city area. At that time, he was ordinary gate keeper in royal palace. Migara was one of talented carpenter and architecture who came from clan that inherited this knowledge long time. He was helped him to build beautiful house in capital for Subha and within this period both of them built a good connection.  Both of them kept their friendship afterwards built of house too. After he became king also this friendship was not changed a bit. But he kept this friendship secretly without being aware of anyone apart from both of them. As king, he did not want to befall some danger to his friend. So both had met each other in incognito in the western market once in six-month time. Both of them were used to this routine and they met each other on the first quarter moon day in six months in this food stall same time and same table. Both were fortunate to hide this meeting from everyone so far.

"So what about you?"

"You know enough. What are you asking more? I am facing danger everywhere. My wife will be giving birth in the next few days. Apart from that, all things are bad news." Subha said worried expression.

"Why are you worrying? "

"I am worried about my child. If some accident happens to me what to do?"

"So…" Migara knew the condition of his friend very well. So, whether he hoped everything is well on his friend's side but he knew at this moment he was too late to hope so. So he looked at his friend attentively.

"I want you to take care my child"

"What?"

"I want you to take care of my child. Don't reject it. You are the most trust worthy person who I have this moment. So please accept my request" Subha asked from Migara pleadingly.

"Okay, okay. I agree to take care the child. But how could you send child safely?"

"After you heard birth of my child reside in capital temporally. If Vasambha's army passed border, I will place black rag on a tree branch of the side of western road in outer city area. After getting that black rag follow the path mentioned in there. Before the night I personally direct army, I will come marked place to handover the child."

"Okay. I agree with your idea. So I am going now "

"Okay. Await my news" Subha said and Migara left him while was nodding at him. After waiting some time in stall Subha started to walk back the direction he came first while memorizing one of doomed destined day of his.

Maha Waluka river- Ancient time Mahaweli river called as like this.