The next morning, the crimson rays of the rising sun gently roused Vandiyathevan from his slumber. Even after waking, it took him a few moments to regain full awareness. He could not immediately discern whether the light that fell upon him was the sunlight or the beam from the lighthouse. When he tried to recall which of the previous night’s experiences were real and which were dreams, he found himself utterly confused.

At home, only the elder’s wife and his daughter-in-law were present. They told him that the elder had gone to the Kuzhagar temple to offer flowers for the morning rituals. Vandiyathevan did not have the courage to ask them about Poonguzhali. After partaking of the breakfast they offered, he looked around the house, searching with his eyes. Poonguzhali was nowhere to be found.

He thought to go to the temple and see. There, he found her father, who was gathering flowers from the trees surrounding the temple for the puja. The old man said that sometimes Poonguzhali came to string the flowers into garlands, but she had not come today.

“She must be chasing deer somewhere in the forest. Or perhaps she is wandering along the seashore. Go and search for her if you wish!” he said.

“Brother! Be careful about one thing. She is a strange girl; do not say anything to her that might lead her astray. Don’t let the tales you’ve read in poetry tempt you into romantic mischief! She can turn into a fierce Kali in an instant. Then, your life will no longer be your own!” the elder warned him.

Remembering the dreamlike events of his first night, Vandiyathevan shivered with excitement. Then he set off into the forest to search for Poonguzhali. But where in that vast wilderness could he look? After a while, he grew weary of the search. He decided it was enough to simply leave the forest. Once outside, he headed towards the seashore. He wandered a long distance along the shore, but it was of no use. Poonguzhali was nowhere to be seen.

“She will surely return home for the midday meal. I can see her then!” he thought, and turned back. Suddenly, a new idea struck him. The sea was calm and gentle, its waves subdued. He felt a desire to bathe in those tranquil waters. He had already heard that the sea was not deep on this side, and Poonguzhali herself had mentioned it the previous evening. So, what was there to stop him from taking a dip? He decided to cast aside his fear of the sea. It was necessary to overcome this fear. There might come a time when he would have to travel by boat or ship. If he were afraid of the sea, how could he manage? He must rid himself of that fear.

He untied the cloth bundle and the dagger that were fastened around his waist, placed them on the shore, and stepped into the sea. Carefully, slowly, he set