Those who have read Akeshwari track in Naagin 5 one shots may skip this. Also skip in case you feel like avoiding this lengthy tale, I am going to add a short summary in next chapter.

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This unique story took place eons ago, in a time referred to as SATYUG. From where we start our tale, Cheels were icchadhari beings while Nags were yet to receive that power. It was mahashivratri's puja when a group of icchadhari Cheels and Gidhs decided to team up and attack the temple. The temple was a sacred place of Nags with the help of Pandits, they had sealed the doors temporarily. Nags were safe inside but many nags were stuck outside too. Nobody except the innocent and brave Nageshwari felt for her clan-mates and rushed to help them. She risked her own life and battled everyone. She bought most of her mates to safety. Rescued nags felt if others had helped her, they would have been saved sooner and with lesser injuries, while nags who were inside felt that if Bholenath had given them powers, like their enemies' deities had, this would have been avoided but it was only Nageshwari would did not have an ounce of bad feeling for those who chose not to step out of the temple or any doubt on her Bholenath. She prayed with full faith.

Out of spite, many Cheels and Gidhs tried to create a storm by blowing winds through the small windows as the larger ones were sealed as well and they could not enter themselves. It caused massive winds. All the nags and naagins caught hold of each other, coiled their tails together and latched on to corners to save themselves. Nageshwari coiled around the lamp lit in front of Bholenath. Mai is jyot of shant nahi hone dungi. Bholenath ki puja poori hogi..She resolved.

The morning sun bought in relief. The nags eased themselves out if their positions to find a fainted Nageshwari near the lamp. Suddenly, they heard a damroo sound. (Damroo is a musical instrument of Bholenath). All Nags got in front of their lord and prayed. They heard a sound.

B: Utho Nageshwari.

She joined her hands.

B: Mai tumhari astha se prasan hua. Tumne kl sahas dikhaya aur apne kul ke logon ki raksha ki. Aur to aur jb hr kissi ke mn ya to krodh ke bhaav they ya shanka uttapan ho rahi thi....tb tumhare jaise astha kissi ki nahi thi...bolo kya mangna chahti..

Nageshwari hissed: Bholenath! Apke darshan mere liye sb kuch hai. Mai khush hoon ki aapne mujhse baat ki, mujhe darshan ke quabil samjha...mai aur kya mangu? Ishwar pita-tulya hota hai aur aapka arshirvad mujhpr bana rahe, mujhe aur kuch nahi chahiye..

B: Tumne mujhe pita kaha hai to mujhse kuch to mangna ki hoga...bolo Nageshwari

While most nags wished she would ask for powers, Nageshwari asked for the temple to be sealed with powers so that it become a permanent safe haven for nags. Bholenath was so touched by her pure heart that he made the temple a place where no icchadhari Cheel or Gidh could enter. He also gave Icchadhari Vardhan to everyone. Nageshwari was given special powers. She was the strongest and could permit entry into the temple. All Nags and Nagins praised her. They felt guilty of their thoughts but were in awe of Nageshwari's kindness and good heart.

Adi Naagin ki jai ho!

Adi Naagin ki jai ho!

Adi Naagin ki jai ho!

Nageshwari blushed, shy at all these praises.

Later in the afternoon, Pandit and Panditayan were talking about Nageshwari and discussed how her mate would gain powers as well. They knew Hriday was her allotted mate as that was the system. Nags and Nagins were allotted a partner chosen by the clan at birth and Nageshwari was told to mate with Hriday when they came of age. Pandit ji said that Hriday too would gain certain powers like extra strength, ability to hide scent, agility, break through certain traps, track people by scent and heightened vision. Their poison would be deadliest too. They spoke how lucky Hriday was to be mated to such a beautiful and sweet Naagin.

All these praises fell into the ears of Hriday. He was now an adi nag but people were praising Nageshwari and he loathed that. He wanted Nageshwari to be his submissive mate but she was already on a position allotted to her that put her in a higher level than him. This did not sit well with him. His best friend- Dushyant told him that Nageshwari deserved the powers and it wasn't unfair that he got less. Infact, whatever he got was because of her. Hriday, however, could not digest the truth and left, envious.

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Post the boon, Nageshwari was running around the jungle. She had been slithering around these lands for years but the joy of running on two feet was new. If anyone saw her now, they would have been shocked to see that she was mighty Adi-Naagin. She looked like a child as she ran and her innocent, doe like eyes, took in the surroundings. While most Naagins and Nags rushed to see how they looked like, she rushed to experience the world differently.

Suddenly she felt as if she was being watched. She looked around to see a man in black robes, he was looking at her as if he had never seen a person before. She could not fathom his expression but to Akesh, he could not fathom his own heart either. He had rebelled his father by coming out in broad day light. The Cheel prince wasn't going to hide in the sun just because his cuckoo kul-pandit said so. He had expected to face some enemies though because he was told that daylight is bad for him but he had expected to be blown away like this.

The moment his eyes fell of Nageshwari, he felt sucked. Complete yet incomplete. Her soft features attracted his rough ones and he itched to talk to her. He tried to take a whiff but he couldn't really smell her. She perhaps sensed his eyes on her because she looked up and around and the moment their eyes met, Akesh knew his heart would never be the same.

N: Kon ho tum?

Akesh closed his eyes to soak in her voice, it was like music to him but them opened his eyes soon because even when they closed for a second, he missed her face.

A: Pata nahi..

Nageshwari looked at him perplexed and confused.

A: Pr tumhe pata hai ki tum kya ho?

N: Mtlb?

A: Tumhari ye ankhe, ye chehra...

N: Pta nahi, maine abhi tk dekha nahi hai ki mai kaise dikhti hoon..

Akesh heart welled at her beauty and innocence. She was a stunner and had no idea about it. This made him love her more. Yes, love! He was positive that this was love. He quickly took his dagger out and Nageshwari took a step back.

N: Ye kya kr rahe ho?

A: Ant to aina dikha raha hoon...dekho...ye ho tum...jadoo

Nageshwari took in her features and smiled a little. Akesh studied her face.

N: Dhanyawad. Tum?

A: Mai cheelo ka rajkumar hoon- Akesh!

N: Mai Nageshwari hoon- Naagin.

Akesh was shocked. First because she was naagin and yet, did not look repulsed by him because he just said he was a cheel. Second, she did not attack him either, her face still had the same softness.

A: Tumhe koi pareshani nahi hui ye jaan ke ki mai cheel hoon?

N: kyun?

A: Humare kull dushman hai..

N: Mujhe yeh samajh nahi ata..

She brought her hands up in air and sat on a stone.

N: Kyu hai humare kull apas me dushman? Kissi bhi kul me dushmani kyu hai? Tum bhi ek jeev ho aur hum bhi...hum mil jul kr bhi to reh skte hai na? Aur mai janti hoon kuch Cheelon aur Gidhon ne humpr humla kiya tha kl pr jb tk tumhe icchadhari hone ka vardan nahi milla tha, kuch nag bhi ladte they...mai nahi janti is dushmani ki shuruat kaise hui but ye pata hai ki ye chal isliye rahi hai kyunki hum ek ka badla sbse lete hai...ek naag aur cheel ki ladai hui to sb bure thodi ho gaye. Ab kl kuch jeevon ne hamla kiya pr unka poora kull kyun badnaam ho?

Nageshwari suddenly stopped her rant. She had been warned by many to let go of her peace thoughts and looked at Akesh with worry but he only had an amused expression on his face. She indeed was very soft at heart- he thought. Her people were killed by Cheels but she still did not judge him for another cheel's actions. All nags thought of all Cheels as their enemies and vice versa but Nageshwari gave people the benefit of the doubt. Akesh smiled at her.

Nageshwari sighed in relief. She did not want another person to scold her for her liberal thoughts. By the looks on Akesh's face, he wasn't judging her for being a Naagin too.

Nageshwari!

Nageshwari!

N: Ye to Hriday ki awaz hai. Mandir jaa raha tha jb hum mille they pr tb sahi se mill nahi paye they...mai chalti hoon ab.

A: Hriday?

N: Mera saathi..

A: kya? Kya tum use pyaar krti ho?

Akesh's heart broke.

N: Pata nahi.

A: Mtlb?

N: Hum Naagon me humara saathi humare bachpan me chun diya jaata hai aur mere kull ke logon ne Hriday ko mera saathi chuna tha...Mai usse zyada milli to nahi hoon...pr accha hi hoga.

Nageshwari!

Nageshwari!

N: Vo mujhe doodh raha hai. Mai chalti hoon...tumse milkr accha laga...

A: Mujhe bhi

Akesh looked her retreating figure.

A: O Husnpari!

N: (turns) Mujhe keh rahe ho?

A: aur kon hai yahan pr?

N: (blushes) kya hua?

A: Kl milogi yahin pr?

Nageshwari turned without replying and ran in the direction Hriday's voice was coming from. Akesh kept looking at her and smiled. He was going away when he heard Nageshwari.

N: O rajkumar!

A: (shocked but happy; turns) Ji..

N: kya pata milu ya nahi...tum khud hi dekh lena...

She ran away and Akesh sat on a nearby rock for hours. He felt like he had found a purpose in life.

A: Mai is Hriday ko nahi jaanta pr tumhe ab mai kissi aur ki hone nahi dunga Nageshwari...kissi aur ki nahi...Mujhe koi fark nahi padta tum Naagin ho ya morni, ya koi aam insaan...tum meri hoo...khas ho..is cheel ki

Somewhere on snow covered mountains and the clouds above it; Bholenath smiled and nodded at Garud Dev.

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At the Cheel Gufa, Akesh was pacing in his room. His heart felt at peace but restless at the same time. He felt a connection with Nageshwari. He wanted her, loved her. He could do anything for her. Kill or get killed. His own emotions scared him. How could he feel so strongly for a woman he just met? His father saw his son a little lost and came there.

AF: Putra? Akesh? Kahan khoye hue ho?

A: Us husnpari ke khayalon me...kya jadoo thi vo?

AF: Kon? Humare kul ki hai? Tu bol aur vo teri..

A: Nahi, Meri to vo hai hi, uska dil mai jeet kr rahunga pr aise khareedi nahi jaa skti vo....vo sbse khaas hai...meri Nageshwari..

AF: Nageshwari? Ye kaise naam hai? Naam se to naagin lgti hai..

A: Sirf Naagin nahi hai vo, sarvashresth Adi Naagin hai...vardaan pane wali pehli Naagin.

AF: Tera dimag kharab hai? Tu pakka din me bahar gaya tha na? Mana kiya hai tujhe! Sunta kyu nahi hai? Vo teri nahi ho skti...

A: Nahi...vo sirf meri hai...mujhe koi fark nahi padta ki Nageshwari kya hai ..kon hai...vo acchi hai...mera dil jeet liya hai usne aur mujhe ab koi aur nahi chahiye...

Akesh's father was about to protest when their kul guru approached them. He heard their conversation and took the king aside.

KG: Meri baat suniye...jaise mai krta hoon, krte jaiye aur Akesh khud hi usse door ho jayega aur saath hi saath Nag kul bhi barbaad ho jayega...

AF: kya? Tune koi yojna banai hai?

KG: Ji...samaye ane pr sb khul jayegi pr abhi ke liye aap rajkumar ki mohabbat ko swikriti de dijiye parantu ye kehkr ki ...(whispers something)

Akesh father come to him.

AF: Akesh! Tu mujhe sabse pyaara hai isliye mujhe koi eiteraaz nahi hai teri mohabbat se...tere liye vo bhi swikar hai lekin tu to jaanta hi hai ki vo humare dushman kul ki hai..

A: Vo is dushmani ko nahi manti ...

AF: Lekin uska kull to manta hai na...isliye, uski swikriti ke bina tu usse nahi layega...usse manayega, usse bina uski marzi utha mt lana...kahin jung na chir jaye..

A: Waah! Umeed nahi thi aap aisa kahoge pr aap nahi bhi kehte to bhi mai Nageshwari ke saath koi zabardasti nahi krta...

Akesh went away happily. The kul Guru came into view.

AF: ab?

KG: ab aap mujhpr chor dijiye...

AF: Jo bhi krna hai, sambhal kr krna...mere bete ko kuch nahi hona chahiye...smjha na....

KG: Ji..

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Nageshwari reached the spot where she had heard Hriday from but it felt like he was hiding from her. She ran around for him.

N: Tum bhi kaise khel khelte ho! Kahan ho Hriday?

Hriday who was hiding behind a trunk was actually trying to school his envious expressions and master those of love. Suddenly Nageshwari came in front of him.

N: Dhund lia maine tumhe akhir kar...

Hriday tried to give her a look of love but to Nageshwari it looked constipated. She frowned.

N: Tum thik to ho na?

H: haan...haan...mujhe kya hua hai...kaha thi tum?

N: Bs is jungle ko nihaar rahi thi...insaano ki tarah bhaag rahi tha...do pairon pr kaise lgta hai, mehsoos kr rahi thi.

It wasn't a lie. Nageshwari had rushed out to experience this but she was vary of telling Hriday about Akesh; she knew Nags didn't accept Cheels and she didn't know if Hriday was different. She also got weird vibes off Hriday but digested it down. After a while, she left to go to Nag Temple.

Hriday clenched his fist and sat down.

KG: kabhi kissi premi ko aise apni premika ko dekhte nahi dekha....is pyaar ko naam doon?

H: Nafrat!

He said and turned. He noticed a Cheel standing on a tree branch.

H: Kyun aye ho yahan? Jante ho na ye Naagon ki jagah hai...

KG: Tumhare kaam ke liye aya hoon...

H: Kya? Ek cheel mujhe kya de skta hai..

KG: Shaktiyan!

H: Mai pehle hi tujhse kai zyada shaktishali hoon...adi nag hoon mai..

KG: Lekin adi naagin ki shaktiyan mill jaye tumhe to?

H: Jo shaktiyan uski hai, vo mujhe kaise mil sakti hai? Uski shaktiyan shrapit ho jaye to aise ho skta hai ..

KG: ek aur tareeka hai...

The kul guru have Hriday a dagger. He told him that when the planetary movements are right and on a certain night, if he kills Nageshwari with it, he will absorb her powers. He told that in return he wants the Nagmani. Hriday promised that if he is successful in killing Nageshwari, he will hand over the nagmani to him.

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The pandit and panditayan were going through texts and studying charts when the panditayan pointed out something.

P: Iska mtlb samajhte hai na aap?

Pt: haan lekin? Aisa kyu?

P: Jo Bholenath ki marzi..

The pandit couple took the scripts to elders of the nag clan. According to them, Nageshwari's partner should not be chosen by any other nag or nagin but herself only. Some thought that since Hriday was chosen for her, she would also pick him at the end of the day as she grew up thinking of him at her saathi but most said that she should still be aware of having a choice. One of the elders thought that since all are allotted as a couple from birth, there is no use of giving a choice to Nageshwari as only available Nag would be Hriday. However the pandit pointed out that maybe Nageshwari will pick a nag from another kul or whoever she picks as a partner will accept her too and the Naagin he was initially paired with can pair up with Hriday.

Hriday heard of this conversation and joined in. He said that he did not mind it as he was not greedy for the power of Adi Nag that came with it but he wanted to break this news to Nageshwari himself. The elders agreed and everyone left. The panditayan turned to see Hriday's cunning expressions and frowned.

P: (thinks) mujhe kyu inke irade acche nahi lagte...kya mujhe khud hi adi naagin ko sb bata dena chahiye?

H: (thinks) bs do din tk ye baat Nageshwari ko pata nahi chale to accha hoga...phir mai usse kissi bahane se bulaunga ko maar dunga...

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It was a pleasant afternoon. Nageshwari slowly slithered her way to the spot where she saw Akesh first at and hid herself. Unknown to her, Akesh had already reached the place hours ago and had hidden himself. He noticed her hiding herself and smiled at her antics. He flew up and took a circle. He then landed to make it look like he just flew in.

He pretended to look around and feel disappointed and started to leave. Nageshwari saw this and wrapped her tail around his claws and pulled him back in. They both took human form.

N: Do pal bhi ruk nahi skte they?...agar mujhe ane me der ho gayi hoti to tum to bhaag jaate..?

Akesh laughed at her cute angry expression. Qayamat ho tum Nageshwari lekin Qayamat ko gussa bhi krna nahi aata. He then told her how he was hiding and saw her do the same. She blushed. Akesh sat on a rock and Nageshwari sat on another rock in front of it. He asked her how her day had been and Nageshwari was surprised. She did not know what to say because as simple as this question was, she had never told anyone these things. Nobody had cared enough to know.

All her life, she was alone. Her parents had left her at the steps of nag temple when she young and never returned. The pandit couple had raised her. She had spent her life devoted to Bholenath and even when Hriday knew she was his partner, he had never really gotten to know her. He never played with her or spoke to her. They often nodded at each other when their paths met but he told her friend that he will speak to her when they both come of age, till then he did not want to bother her and have both their lives filled with experiences without pressure. Nageshwari thought that was kind but wished he would at least be a friend. Then she saved her people and was made adi naagin by bholenath and now she was supposed to protect her clan, power-wise held a supreme position. This made her the care taker but the naagin in her too needed someone to take care of her.

So, she was pleasantly surprised by the amount of care Akesh showed. They spoke for a while when Akesh told her he wondered what it was like to be snake. Nageshwari tried to explain it to him but he urged her to transform. She did. Somehow, she wasn't scared of him. Akesh sat on her back and asked her to move. Nageshwari gave him a look of question but he sat on her back in his cheel roop and gave a hoot.

N: (thinks) ziddi!

She moved and Akesh hooted happily.

After a while they both took their roops. Nageshwari threw a small pebble at him.

N: Mujhe kya samjha hai tumne...aaj kuch nahi kaha maine lekin aise phir nahi hoga...samjhe na...

Akesh held her hand and pulled her to him. Her soft frame clashed with his and he lifted her up.

N: Ye kya kar rahe ho?

A: Hisab barabar!

He said and spread his wings. He flew up into the sky, Nageshwari in his arms. Her wide eyes took in his face and then her surroundings. She did not know if she should be angry or amazed but after a while, chose the latter and relaxed looking at the earth from the sky the first time while Akesh felt a strange happiness in his cold heart. It felt warmed up looking at her, sitting with a dazzled expression in his arms. They both continued in their own thoughts blissfully.

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Nageshwari was smiling broadly. The wind felt gentle on her face and she took in the earth below her. Her, being a Naagin, had been really close to earth but flying was a first for her. She looked at the tiny trees and river flowing at a distance. Her face was full of awe and Akesh smiled at her. He felt blessed to have seen such an expression on Nageshwari.

A while later, they both landed back on the ground.

N: Akesh! Mujhe bohot bohot accha laga...dhanyawad...mai bata nahi skti mujhe kaise mehsoos ho raha tha...

A: Nageshwari, mujhe sharminda mt karo, tumhe accha laga na? Mai khush hoon bs!

Nageshwari gave him a grateful look and left.

A: Husnpari! Kl bhi aogi na?

N: Ye rajkumar ka adesh hai?

A: Rajkumaron ka adesh aam janta manti hai...tum to khaas ho..

N: Kitni khaas?

A: sbze zyada khaas!

N: Itni ki ek rajkumar bhi mera hukum mane?

A: azma kr dekh lo...

N: Aaj man nahi hai...Kl aazmaungi...issi jagah?

Akesh smiled at how she indirectly confirmed that she will come tomorrow. He bowed at her as if she was the only being he will ever worship and left.

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KG: Maharaj! Maine sauda kr liya hai...Vo Nageshwari ka saathi ki uske khilaf hai...vo usse maarna chahta hai..maine usse khaas khanjar de diya hai...vo Nageshwari ko maar dega aur hume kuch krna bhi nahi padega...

AF: Ye to bohot acchi baat hai...mai inkaar krke bura bhi nahi banuga aur vo naagin jb mar hi jayegi to Akesh aur uska Milan bhi nahi hoga...

KG: (thinks) ek baar Nagmani mere hath lg gayi na to aapka bhi apne bete se dubara Milan nahi hoga...ye rajgaddi, takat sb meri ho jayegi...

Unknown to both of them, their private conversation fell on another pair of ears.

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Nageshwari was smiling thinking about Akesh when she heard noises. She looked down into the garden from the temple window. Hriday was talking to his friends and she suddenly felt guilty. The entire day had passed and she had not thought of him once but sitting here, she was thinking of another. But her heart could not stop thinking about Akesh; something about him felt so right, like they were meant to be. Also, she couldn't deny that Hriday had never made her feel like Akesh did. Hriday ignored her and ever since she became the Adi Naagin, she sensed negative vibes from him. Nageshwari was feeling guilty; like she was betraying a man in a relationship that did not exist. She felt very confused.

From the corner of her eyes she saw Hriday look towards her. She acted like she didn't see him and was lost in her own thoughts. The look he gave her wasn't of love but something she could not point out.

Hriday clenched his teeth in pure hatred. He was speaking to his friend and found out that the stars were aligned perfectly today. He didn't tell him the purpose but left. He sent a note Nageshwari disguised as a Naagin in need; Urging her to meet her in the temple backyard at night. He also made it sound like it was off supreme importance so that she comes anyways. He knew Nageshwari was kind hearted and if a she felt that another from her clan was in need and was asking for aid, she would go no matter what.

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Nageshwari reached the temple backyard and sat waiting for mystery woman. She rubbed her palms together as it was slightly chilly and waited for a while. It was a very dark night and behind the huge temple walls, it felt even darker. Hriday observed her from a distance, he looked up at the stars and threw a dagger at her. Right at that moment, sharp winds began to blow that caused the dagger to lose its speed and direction. It went away from its path and grazed Nageshwari slightly on her forearms. She felt shocked and dizzy at the burning sensation that followed the wound.

Akesh cursed himself for not reaching Nageshwari earlier. His loyal subject had heard the kul guru's talk with his father and informed him. Akesh first suspected Hriday to take Nageshwari to a different place. He was surveying the area when his sharp eyes observed Nageshwari and he began to fly towards her. He was lucky to have observed the dagger at the last minute and blown those winds to deviate it. He panicked when he realized that despite everything, Nageshwari was hurt. He could not take her to his clan as he knew his kul guru was the one involved in this conspiracy. He took Nageshwari and reached his ancient Garud Temple.

It was true that most Cheels worshiped Markaat- an evil entity that gave them boon to take human form but Akesh never stopped respecting Garud dev. Now that no cheel really came to his temple, this had become his save haven, his personal spot. He laid Nageshwari down and prayed for her. He then left for the temple backyard and began circling around the temple till he could spot the nag pandit from the window. He could not see him but luckily spotted his wife.

Panditayan was cleaning puja lamps when she heard Akesh.

A: phss...suniye...

P: aap? Aap kon hai? Ye bholenath! Cheel!!!

A: Dekhiye dariye mt...suniye...baat Nageshwari ki hai!

P: Kya? Aap adi naagin ko kaise jaante hai...kya kiya apne unke sath...

A: samaye nahi hai ...aap kripiya mera yaakin kare and chale...

P: Mai kaise bharosa karu aap pr..

Akesh looked at her, he knew time was tricky and produced Gandhak out of his pocket.

A: Mai Cheelon ka Rajkumar Gandhak ko Nag panditayan ko somp deta hoon...jb tk Nag panditayan khud mujhe isse wapis nahi somp deti, ye pathar unka rahega aur unhe tang nahi karega...

He threw the stone inside the temple and asked her to put it in a red cloth. Nag Pandityan was shocked and came out of the temple and followed Akesh to the Garud Mandir.

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P: Adi Naagin!!! Kya hua hai inhe?

A: Kissi zeher wale khanjar se var kiya gaya tha, vo chu kr nikla hai bs...

P: Ek Naagin pr zeher se vaar?

A: haan...aur ye bohot zyada zeherila hai..

P: Adi Naagin ka zeher hi sbse zeherilla hai...inhe maar sake aisa to sirf ek hi zeher hai...

A: Konsa...

P: kaalfani....aur iska upaye bhi khud kaalfani hi hai...uske foolon se jo zeher banta hai, ussi se adi naagin ke ye halat hui hai aur uski jadon ke lep se vo thik ho jayegi..

A: to intezaar kiska hai? Jaade laiye..

P: Itna asaan nahi hai...

A: kitna bhi mushkil kyu na ho...mai le aunga...aap mujhe bataiye..

P: Vo pauda dikhne me naagfani jaisa hoga...bs rang thoda sa aur gehra hai...

Panditayan explained all she could and told Akesh about the caves near which they could be found. It was on a very high peak and despite the difficult air around it, Akesh managed to get the plant. He got confused and got multiple plants. Panditayan was waiting anxiously. Had it pierced her, even someone as poisonous Nageshwari would have died within minutes but luckily it only brushed against her skin giving a small but possibly fatal would. The only one sleeping happy was Hriday, waiting for his powers to envelop him.

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Akesh reached back to the temple-cave and handled the various plants to the Panditayan. She had already made arrangements. She quickly crushed the roots in a grinding stone and added it to a herb paste she prepared while waiting and applied it on Nageshwari arms which had turned blue. They both sat worried when Akesh noted that the blueness was reducing. He started tearing up.

Panditayan sat shocked. Now that the high of saving the adi naagin was gone, she observed for the first time that it was a cheel who had begged her to save a Naagin. He had gone to bring in the cure and was crying happy tears here, knowing she was safe. Hey Bholenath! Ye kaisi unhoni dekh rahi hoon mai...ek Cheel ek Naagin ko baacha raha hai...uske liye ro raha hai!! She observed that Akesh too was wounded, perhaps during his search for the medicine. Panditayan took a clean cloth and placed it over the wound. Akesh looked at her confused while she gave him a motherly smile.

P: Dhanyawad ...aapka...

A: Apki Adi naagin ko bachane ke liye?

P: Sirf Adi naagin nai...meri beti...

A: kya?

P: Ji...Inke maa baba inhe mandir me chor gaye they jb ye bohot choti thi...Naglok pr akraman ki sazish ki jaa rahi thi aur vo wahi pata lagane gaye they...koi akraman to nahi hua pr vo dono bhi laut kr nahi aye...Nageshwari ko maine hi pala...tb to iska insaano jaise swaroop bhi nahi tha pr mere liye meri choti se lal sapoli meri beti jaisi hi thi..

Panditayan wiped her tears and excused herself.

.............................

Nageshwari opened her eyes a while later. Her head felt slightly heavy and the last thing she recalled was feeling a burning sensation on her forearms. She touched it slightly and hissed in pain. Akesh heard her sigh of pain and got up from in front of Garud Dev's statue and rushed to her side. He pulled he up and hugged her close.

A: Kyu thi tum wahan? Itni raat ko? Tumhe kuch ho jaata toh? Tum pagal ho kya? Thik to na? Koi dard to nahi ho raha hai? Tumhe kuch ho jata to mai...mai mar hi jata..

He began his rant-scolding.

N: Bs bs bs...mujhe chakkar aa rahe hai....itna kyu hadbada rahe ho tum..

A: Kuch nahi...bs tum thik ho na?..

N: Haan meri Rajkumar..

Nageshwari said softly touched his face. Her heart clenched at how worried he looked for her.

She suddenly pulled her hand back. No! You have saathi Nageshwari!

A: Mt karo aise Nagehwari...mt roko khud ko..

Akesh pleaded her with his eyes. Nageshwari's own eyes widened. Maine kya zor se bol di saathi wali baat?

Akesh nodded slightly and Nageshwari blushed. She also looked at him with guilty eyes.

A: Mai tumhe chahta hoon Nageshwari aur agar tum bhi mujhe chahti ho to kya samasya hai? Prem gunah nahi hai....Ek baar...bs ek baar...sirf aur sirf apne dil ki suno...bhul jao ki samaj me mai kon hoon aur tum kya ho...kya tum mujhe pasand krti ho? Bs ek baar Nageshwari...sach keh do..

N: (looks at him with tears in her eyes and feels vulnerable. She was going to nod when she stops) ye galat hai...Akesh mera saathi pehle se chuna jaa chukka hai..

P: Aisa kuch nahi hai adi naagin...

They both looked at panditayan who came back. She handed Akesh a red cloth and asked Nageshwari if she was fine. Nageshwari gave her a look of question. Panditayan told her how Akesh had saved her and implored her to come for help. He even put gandhak at stake, a stone sacred to the Cheel clan. Nageshwari felt something that cannot be put into words, she looked at Akesh with a mixture of awe, gratefulness and something she wanted to deny- love.

Panditayan went on to explain to Nageshwari that Hriday is not truly her partner and that she can chose whoever she wants. Elders have cancelled their preset unions and wiped off the record in Bel patra as well. Nageshwari was to chose her own Saathi. Hope fluttered in Akesh's heart. He held her hand and poured his heart out to her while now Nageshwari sat confused. Her heart tried to tell her that it loved Akesh while her mind pointed out that even though the elders decided to let her choose, would they be okay if she chose a Cheel?

...................................

The next day, Hriday woke up angry and confused. He was angry as he did not feel the surge of power like he expected he should and was confused about how Nageshwari survived the poison. He wanted to shout and scream. Moreover, the kul Guru of the cheels' was asking for the nagmani. Hriday had hissed angrily at the messenger and told him that he would pay up only if Nageshwari died but now that old cheel was blackmailing him. He clenched his fists in anger.

H: bs ek baar....ek baar mai tumhe maar doon na Nageshwari...to mai itna shaktishaali ho jaunga ki sb mere age jhukenge...use buddhe kul guru ko to mai palak jhapakte hi maar dunga aur duniya ki hr sapoli mere kadam choomegi......

A young serpent came his way and Hriday schooled his expressions.

S: Pranam..

H: Bolo...kyu aye ho?

S: Adi Naagin ji ne aapse poorani pahadi ki gufa ke pass milne ko kaha hai..

H: thik hai..

The serpent went away.

H: waah! Mauka mere pass khud chalkr aya hai...iss baar nahi chorunga..Pehle us kul guru se ek aur khanjar mangwa leta hoon...

............................................

Akesh was pacing back and forth. He had reached their usual spot an hour ago but Nageshwari was yet to come. He was getting worried. She was attacked last night and his heart started to panic; thinking of the worst. He recalled pouring his heart out to Nageshwari last night. He could see the love shine bright in her eyes as well. It was so obvious. His docile lover did not know how to hide things and her eyes were the windows to the depths of her heart; a place that had trapped him forever. However, he could sense something was stopping her. Even after the panditayan revealed that Nageshwari wasn't bound to another Nag and was free to pick her own Saathi- she looked torn and confused. Akesh felt the stress was not good for her and asked her to sleep over her thoughts and let him know tomorrow.

A: (thinks) jitni asaani se tumhe waqt lene ko kaha tha na maine...utni asani se ye waqt guzra nahi....Kl poori raat, subah se ek ek lamha maine kaise guzara hai mai hi jaanta hoon...ab aur intezaar mt karwao Nageshwari...Ye jaan tumhari hai...isse apna lo ya le lo...pr ab aa jao...

Akesh was getting restless and decided to inquire now. He reached the nag temple and flew to the window, carefully so that no nags spot him.

A: Phss....panditayan ji...

P: Aaaah!!.....hey bholenath....aap hai.!..aapko aise mujhe darana band krna hoga...

A: Mai bholenath nahi hoon...aacha, dariye mt...aap Nageshwari ko bulaiye na....usse kehna agr vo mujhse gussa hai to maar le lekin milley to sahi ...

P: Kya? Lekin adi naagin to bohot pehle hi yahan se chali gayi thi...

A: Kya? Kahan?

P: Unhone kaha tha ki unhe apse milne jaana hai lekin usse pehle ek aur zaruri kaam krna hai...

A: Vo nahi aayi mere pass....aapko kaam bataya tha usne?

P: Nahi ...pr unhone kaha tha ki vo sahi krne se pehle kissi aur ke sath galat nahi kr skti...nayi shurat ant ke baad hi hogi...

A: Iska kya mtlb ho skta hai...accha choriye...dhanyawad...

Akesh flew up high in the sky and began surveying the area. He kept thinking where Nageshwari could have gone. He signaled his followers to come to him and made them to survey the area as well and be discreet about it.

................................................

While Akesh was searching high and low for Nageshwari, the cause of his panic was lying peacefully on a rough, rocky surface of the mountains. Her hands were tied using belpatras and sacred threads. Her eyes fluttered as she slowly began to gain consciousness. She noticed her situation and started to recall what had happened.

A while ago, Nageshwari had left the nag temple to first meet Hriday and break things off with him. Yes, it was true that she could not deny her feeling for Akesh. She felt something for him. Even if it was not love and even if their union was not acceptable; she could not stay with Hriday knowing full well that her heart belongs to another. She met him and told him that they were not saathis and that being an Adi Naagin she was free to chose her partner. To her shock, Hriday seemed to be aware of this rule. She went on to apologize to him if she hurt his feelings.

H: To tum mujhe thukra rahi ho adi naagin?

N: Nahi, baat ye nahi hai....baat ye hai ki pehle bhi humara rishta juda tha pr usme pyaar nahi tha. Lekin tb mai kissi aur se bhi pyaar nahi krti thi..

H: aura b krti ho?

N: Pata nahi, lekin jo mai mehsoos krti hoon vo aam chaahat se bohot upar hai...meri bhi samaj ke bahar...aur ye kissi aur ke liye mehsoos krte hue, ye jaante hue mai tumhare sath nahi reh skti..

H: Mai samjah skta hoon Nageshwari. Kya mai tumhare naye saathi ka naam jaan skta hoon?

N: Mera koi saathi nahi hai Hriday. Tum bhi jaante ho humare beech aise kuch nahi tha...hum pata nahi kis waqt ka intezzar kr rahe they lekin humne koi rishta nahi banaya... aur mai iss bandhan ko thodne se pehle tumhe batana chahti thi...

H: Baat ko ghumao mt Nageshwari...jiske liye mehsoos krti ho, uska naam batao...

N: Ye baat mai sbse pehle usse kehna chahti hoon...maaf krna..

Nageshwari turned to leave when Hriday spoke again.

H: Cheel hai na vo...rajkumar..

Nageshwari turned, surprised but suddenly felt something sharp hit her head and fainted.

Presently, Nageshwari opened her eyes to see Hriday talking to a man. To her, he smelled like a cheel and so did his followers. He handed Hriday a weapon. Hriday went on to thank him and promised him the nagmani. Nageshwari could not make much sense of the exchange but was disgusted at Hriday for trading off something so sacred to their clan.

N: Nagmani tumhari nahi, Bholenath ki hai...Nag vansh ki...uspr kissi ek ka haq nahi hai jo uska sauda kr de...

What happened next sent deep shock waves to Nageshwari and her very core trembled in horror. Hriday began to laugh like a maniac and her heart sinked. He held her face roughly and spat on it. He told her how he would kill her and absorb her powers using the special weapon went the time is right. He cursed her for wasting yesterday's mahurat and that if he failed today, he would have to wait for months.

Nageshwari had never loved Hriday but still, all her life she grew up thinking that when they will grow up, they will mate. So it was a shocker for her to know how little he cared about her. Hriday began to drag her away and threw her next to a tree and laughed with the kul guru. Nageshwari prayed for the clan's safety to Bholenath and urged him to not let someone like Hriday become in charge.

Suddenly, an answer to her prayers and a shock for the men, Akesh landed on the spot. One of his spies with Kul guru had snitched and Akesh got to know this.

KG: (gulps) a..a aap...

A: Haan be budhe! ..mai... tu kya kr raha hai yahan?

KG: M...mai...mai..mai vo..

A: Hatt!...bakri hai kya...ruk tu...kya bolna hai soch le...mujhe pehle ek zaruri cheez krni hai..

Akesh produced gandhak and invoked its powers. Nageshwari's trap got destroyed and she ran towards him.

N: Akesh!

Akesh closed his eyes in bliss. His name had never sounded so beautiful before.

A: Nageshwari...

He kept a hand on her face.

H: (in weird mimicking voice) Akesh!...Nageshwari! Band kro ye sb...

N: chup rahoge tum...beshrm Nag! Humare pass zeher hota hai lekin tumhare to khoon ki jagah bhi zeher hai...Nag vansh ko bechte shrm nahi ayi na tumhe?

Hriday was taken aback by a new boldness in usually sweet Nageshwari but composed himself and attacked her. Akesh pulled her away and the fighting commenced.

Akesh charged at Hriday, angry for his attack on Nageshwari. He clawed his face and Hriday spat the blood. He changed his roop and threw a heavy tail at Akesh who went back due to its impact but Nageshwari blocked his fall. She spotted Kul Guru trying to run and captured him by her tail. Hriday's loyal friend was fighting alongside.

Suddenly, the entire scene flipped and Nageshwari went dizzy looking at what just happened. One second Hriday was trying to attack Akesh and She had the kul guru in her tail, the very next second, Hriday turned at his own friend and bite him. He wrapped his tail around his body before it fell and threw it at Nageshwari's feet. He himself feel down and began weeping.

H: kyu kiya tumne ye Nageshwari?...akhir kyu?...kya milla tumhe ye krke? Mera dost...ek nirdosh naag...aur mai tumse ab bhi nafrat nahi kr paa raha...

Nageshwari mouth formed an O and she looked at Akesh, he was just as confused at her. It was then when Nageshwari noticed a group of Nags come their way. The kul guru and his followers escaped amidst the confusion and the nags saw Nageshwari and Akesh stand together; a dead Nag at her feet and a weeping Hriday.

Hriday saw them and ran towards them, he began to sprout lies. He told them Nageshwari ditched him and since only elders and the pandit couple knew about them not being Saathis, the nags believed him. Nageshwari tried to reason with them while they hurled accusation at her. Some of one them attacked Akesh for mind washing their sweet Adi Naagin. Akesh's followers tried to defend as they knew Akesh would not like them attacking Nags. Nags took that as a sign of weakness and killed some Cheels brutally. Nageshwari was shocked to see how cruel they were acting and tried to reason with them. Hriday laughed inwardly at the mess he created. He used the chaos to fulfil his purpose. Hriday smirked and pulled out his dagger. He threw it at Nageshwari in one swift motion. Akesh who was busy fending off the nags saw this and rushed to Nageshwari's aid.

A: Nahi! NAGESHWARI!

Nageshwari turned and gasped in horror as the dagger pierced the Cheel's body. A poison, so potent that it was enough to kill the Adi Naagin. The Cheel could not last seconds with it in his body. Nageshwari rushed to his side and took his head in her lap.

N: Akesh! Nahi!...utho...nahi tum aise nahi mr skte....

She closed her eyes and invoked her powers. She bite him, transferring her poison into him but it was already too late, Akesh was dead the moment the dagger pierced his heart. Nageshwari shook her body. All the fighting Cheels and Nags were shocked and observing the scene. Suddenly, Nageshwari opened her eyes, red and teary. They looked so scary that everyone present flinched.

She screamed and captured Hriday in her tail.

N: Kya bigara tha maine tumhara? (looks at others) tum sb ka?...maine sbka bhala chaha aur kiya....lekin tum sb qatil ho...sb ke sb qatil ho mere pyaar ke..mai usse bol bhi nahi payi.....nahi...kyu kiya tumse ye Hriday...shaktiyon ke liye? Vo chahiye thi tumhe?

The other nags began to close up to her. They began to circle Nageshwari. The shouted at her to let Hriday go and then they will make her death less painful.

H: (still captured) araam se...mai choot jaunga lekin tum isse marna mt...iske mai hi marunga...aaj hi vo bhi...wrna pata nahi kitne mahine aur zinda rakhna pade

Nageshwari was disgusted at Hriday... She threw him away and thrashed him with her tail. He was losing conscious but also noticed other nags close up to her as well. She threw the injured Hriday off the pahadi and ran to Akesh's body.

N: Akesh!...mn kr raha hai tumhare ek ek qatil ko dus loon lekin tumhare bina na ladne ki himmat aa rahi hai na aur na jeene ki chahat...mai toh tumhe bata bhi na payi ki tum mere liye kya ho...tumhare bina kasie jiyun mai?

Meanwhile, The nags had rushed to save Hriday who was hanging from a root. The deep valley below him. The nags tried to save him.

H: Arey pehle Nageshwari ko pakado...kahin bhaag na jaye...uski shaktiyaan..

N: (heard this) nahi...nahi...mai meri shaktiyan galat insaan ko nahi milne dungi...Hey bholenath! Mujhe pata hai atma-hatya paap hai lekin agar aaj mere aage koi vikalp nahi hai...

She held Akesh's hand and kissed his eyes lids.

N: Mai vada krti hoon Akesh. Mai aaungi wapis...hum dono ayenge aur apni kahani poori karenge...tb main tumhe bayan krungi apna pyaar...jo aaj nahi kr payi...mujhe pata hai tumne mehsoos kiya lekin jb hum doobara milenge na...tb mai bolungi bhi...

Her burning eyes looked at everyone around her.

N: Aur tum sb is din ko yaad krke dhikaroge...pachtaoge...Vo kul Guru, vo uske saathi...tum sb aur ye...ye dhokebaaz naag..Hriday!...tum sb tadpoge...tum sbka hath hai mere Akesh ki maut me....meri shaktiyan to tumme se kissi ko nahi milengi ....lekin jb mai lautungi na..tb ek ek se badla lungi...

She lifted the dagger and Hriday panicked. His followers rushed towards her while his hands slipped due to panic and he fell in the valley. Not caring about the enemies that surrounded her, she pierced her stomach with the dagger.

N: Hum phir milenge Akesh....JAI BHOLENATH!

The dagger, laced in poison that killed her love and his blood, caused the swift death of Nageshwari. She fell to the ground. This is how, hours later, the panditayan and Cheel king found the two lovers. Dead and lying side by side. Nageshwari's head was on his chest. Both wiped the tears off their eyes. The king tried to take his son away but their cold bodies refused separation. Both sobbed at the dead bodies of the two lovers and the king regretted not accepting his son's love sooner.

Heaven began to weep the loss and the soil absorbed its tears. The gods looked at each other, a solemn expression on theirfaces. Fate had been cruel to the two but their love was magical. They sent ablessing towards them, knowing that they would return to complete the magic.

......................................

Fate played a cruel game on Akeshwari. What do you think of them?

xoxo