The woman led him through the thick groves of trees. Vandiya Devan found it difficult to keep pace with her. Stumbling in the darkness, he almost collided with a tree. On seeing this, the woman asked him, "What happened? Have you forgotten the way?"
In reply, Vandiya Devan said, "Sshh." At the same time, he heard some noise on the other side of the wall in the place where he was sleeping a little while ago. It seemed as if two or three people were running here and there searching for something. Vandiya Devan laughed softly.
"Why are you laughing?"
"Didn't you hear the sound of people who were searching for me outside the wall? I am just happy that I escaped from them."
On hearing this, the woman was afraid, "Somebody was searching for you?"
"Yes. Otherwise why would I be sitting outside the wall?"
Hearing this, the woman took a good look at him for the first time.
