Shesha was on the edge of anger all night. He didn't know why he was angry.
"I'm getting angrier and angrier, ah... I don't know why I'm getting angry! I feel like my head will burst with anger," he muttered, pacing around his room like a caged kitten.
Maya thought, "Why did Shesha suddenly change like this? I don't know what happened to him! Anyway, when we go to celebrate Vesak tomorrow, how can we keep Nisha and Prince Shesha together?" she pondered, lying down on her bed and falling asleep.
Shesha quickly opened the door to Maya's room and entered.
Maya woke up.
"What, Prince! What has happened? Why have you come to my room at this hour?" she asked.
"Why can't I come?" he retorted.
"No, Prince! I didn't say that. Why did you come here in the middle of the night? Is there any problem? I came to ask," she clarified.
"Yes, that's the problem. You're the problem!" he declared.
"What? Me! What did I do?" she exclaimed.
"You don't know what you did to me? I can't sleep because of you. When I close my eyes, I can only see your face."
"No, I don't understand what you mean, Prince!" she said, bewildered.
"You don't understand! How can you understand? It's what I need. I don't care how it goes, but I really don't like you talking to men other than me, even if it's my brother."
"Prince, you're overstepping your bounds. Who are you to decide who I should talk to?" she protested.
"What am I? I am your future husband. You are my wife; keep it in memory," the Prince declared, leaning closer to Maya's ear. "You are mine, only mine."
Maya was stunned, speechless. Shesha brought his face closer to hers. Their eyes slowly closed, their lips poised for a kiss.
Suddenly, the Prince felt as if someone had slapped him.
"Who is alarmed like that?" he exclaimed, opening his eyes. Maya was gone, and he was alone in his room.
"Is this just a dream? What a dream! What will Maya think of me if she knows that I am dreaming like this?" he muttered to himself.
Then, a voice echoed from behind him,
"What dream did you have that made Maya feel bad about you?"
Hearing the voice, Shesha looked back in shock.
A man stood in a corner of the wall, dressed in black and purple, with a small bag in his hand. His head, face, hands, and feet were covered by a black cloth.
Upon seeing him, Shesha approached, knelt down, and saluted him.
"Greetings, Master."
"Greetings! Greetings!! Wake up, Shesha."
"What is the reason the Master came here?" Shesha inquired.
"What, Shesha! Have you forgotten? Tomorrow is full moon Poya day. Keep this! Rub this and take a bath when dawn breaks tomorrow."
"I didn't know tomorrow is full moon Poya day, Master."
"Well, you know now, don't you? Go out tomorrow with caution! That demon has been waiting for years to possess you. Be careful; I am on my way." He vanished from there.
The next morning
The rooster crowed, "kokkarakkoo."
When Maya woke up, she wanted to see Shesha and thank him.
When she opened the front door, some maids were waiting for her.
"Why are you standing here?" she asked.
"We are tailoring the dress you chose yesterday in your size."
"Really! Thank you very much," she said gratefully.
The maids brought the dress and, leaving the ornaments on the table, they departed.
"When will it be evening? When will I wear this dress?" she exclaimed eagerly, gazing at the dress. She didn't realize how time had flown by.
Evening arrived.
Nisha quickly got ready and waited at the door of Maya's room for her to appear.
A few minutes later, Shesha and Rudra arrived.
"Is Maya getting ready yet?" Rudra asked before he could finish his sentence, Maya emerged, the door swinging open.
The breeze gently caressed her soft hair. The earrings she wore brushed against her cheek playfully. Her slender foot touched the ground as she walked slowly, smiling at the three of them.
Seeing her beauty, the three of them were awestruck.
"She looks like a statue made of gold," Shesha murmured without realizing it. Hearing his comment, Nisha and Rudra immediately turned their heads and looked at Shesha.
He was captivated by Maya's beauty, oblivious to their stares.
Maya approached them. "Shall we go see Vesak now?" she asked, taking Nisha's hand.
Nisha held Maya's hand and began walking down the path, saying, "Let's go."
Behind them, Shesha and Rudra followed.
The street was bustling with activity, filled with the sights and sounds of music, dance, and drama. Colorful decorations adorned every corner.
Suddenly, Maya said, "Second Prince, I want to talk to you alone. Come with me," pulling his hand.
As she was leaving, she said, "Your Highness, don't wait for us! You and the Prince go together and have some fun."
Nisha disliked the way Maya was taking Rudra away. Shesha was also irritated by Maya's actions; his eyes turned red, and he was consumed by anger and jealousy as he watched them go. Nisha noticed the Prince's anger mirroring her own.
"Prince! Let's walk," Nisha suggested.
Without answering her, Shesha began walking quickly.
Maya, who was pulling Rudra away, stopped and released his hand.
"Forgive me, Second Prince! To tell the truth, I have nothing to tell you."
"Then why did you bring me so far, Maya?" he inquired.
"No, no, not like that, Prince! Her Highness Nisha and Prince Shesha love each other. Let them have some fun together for a while."
"What?? Nisha and my big brother are in love with each other?" he exclaimed, bursting into laughter.
"Why are you laughing now?" Maya asked, confused.
"No, nothing," he replied.
"No, you are hiding something from me!" she insisted.
"Yes! I have hidden one thing from you, and that is..."
"Say, What do you want to say? I'm running out of time," she urged, pulling Rudra along. They hid behind objects and pillars, observing Nisha and Shesha.
"Wait a minute, Maya! Listen to me! Nisha and I have been in love with each other for seven years, and even Prince Shesha knows this."
"You have been in love for what, seven years?" she asked, her eyes widening in surprise.
"Yes! For seven years," he confirmed.
"But this is not the case in the story. Perhaps many parts have changed since I entered the story!" she thought, gazing at Rudra.
"Forgive me, Second Prince! I didn't know about this! Come on, let's go back to them," she said.
They returned to where Nisha and Shesha were standing.
Maya whispered to Nisha, "Your Highness, I mistakenly thought that you were in love with the Crown Prince! Please forgive me."
Hearing her words, Nisha replied, "It's fine, darling. Don't feel so sad. Let it go."
They spent the entire night happily, enjoying the Vesak festival. They bought many sweets and feasted while celebrating.
While they were reveling in the festivities, a man wearing a rat mask, his eyes fixed on Maya, watched them from a distance. He looked strangely out of place.