It took everybody a moment to understand what was happening. Everyone present in the Sabha stood stunned even Dushasan and Karna.

The first one to come back to her senses was Supriya. Her panicked scream, "BHANU!!!" made everyone realise that Princess Bhanumati of Kalinga was being abducted by Kuru Kumar Duryodhan. Supriya ran full speed towards them to save her best friend from the clutches of that notorious man. When she reached them and tried to tug Bhanumati away, Duryodhan pushed her aside and she fell on the ground. Her forehead hit the door frame and hot crimson blood started to flow staining the floor red. Tears streamed down from Bhanumati's eyes seeing her dearest friend getting hurt. She cried, "SUPRIYA!!"

King Chitrangad's loud voice ordered the guards to stop Duryodhan, "GUARDS STOP HIM!" but all their efforts went into vain. With one hand he held Bhanumati and with the other, he held his Gada (Mace). He blew everyone that came into his way.

Uruvi too tried to run after them but the King of Kalinga stooped and dragged his niece away.

-"Mausha Shree please, Mausha Shree let me go, Bhanu needs me." Uruvi struggled against her father's grip.

-"Uruvi, dear, don't be a child, I wouldn't want anything bad to happen to you..." He dragged her inside and locked her inside a chamber. He ordered a Dasi to keep an eye on her.

Uruvi's Cries and screams could still be heard from inside. She banged on the door and pleaded tears clogging her voice, "Mausha Shree please let me out..."

King Chitrangad set a hand on the door, his own tears fogging his vision. He said, "I wouldn't let anything happen to Bhanu, I promised your Mausi...But I won't be able to forgive myself if anything happens to you." He rushed out without waiting for her reply.

The guards of the Kalinga palace fell like uprooted trees in front of a devastating storm. Duryodhan's grip on Bhanumati's arm tightened each moment as he dragged her behind him. Bhanumati's pained cries and constant begging fell on deaf ears.

Several kings jumped up from their seats and chased after Duryodhan. Karna blocked their way, preventing them from going out of the Sabha Kaksha. Dushasan followed behind his brother and sliced through the guards that obstructed his path.

The grave sound of Karna's bow string made everyone cover their ears. His divine golden armour shined in its full glory deflecting every strike from each of his opponents.

The once beautifully decorated Swayam Var Sabha of Kalinga Princess turned into a small battleground. The cheerful music of Sitar and Tanpura turned into the dreadful sound of clashing blades. The enchanting smell of exotic flowers was replaced by the metallic smell of blood, and yellow and white curtains were now stained with a splash of crimson.

Karna's bow sang through the air, arrows finding their mark with deadly accuracy as he single-handedly repelled the onslaught of the enraged kings. The clash reached its crescendo as Karna, like a force of nature, stood amidst the fallen, a solitary figure in the midst of the chaos. His skilful manoeuvres and unmatched combat prowess turned the tide of the battle, as one by one, the kings from other lands fell before him. Their valiant efforts proved futile against the might of Karna, who seemed almost invincible in the heat of the skirmish. All of them were stuck inside cages of arrows.

Karna rushed out of the court and to the entrance of the palace.

In between all this chaos, one stood still in his place. Yudhishthira couldn't comprehend the head or tail of the situation. When he did, he was happy and mortified at the same time. Happy and relieved because now, he doesn't have the thought of marrying someone else other than Tiasha, bother him. Mortified because of what his brother did. And terrified because when the news reaches Hastinapur, Pitamah Bhishma will be after Duryodhan's life. He tried to join the battle against Karna but within seconds he was caged, with no space left for him to even move the slightest.

Indrasena stood at the entrance with their chariot and horses ready, as per Rajkumar Duryodhan's orders. He was a trained soldier, a great follower. He followed the orders of the royals without asking them any questions, as he was taught. Although, with the king of Anga it was different. But, not everyone is Angaraj Karna or Kumari Tiasha, is it? Rajkumar Duryodhan, certainly not.

Although he was the Senapati of Anga, still he had to follow the orders of the Price of Hastinapur. Even his king does.

He saw Rajkumar Duryodhan coming towards the chariot. He was dragging with him a gorgeous maiden, by her arm, dressed in a lavish red attire. It didn't take a genius to understand that, the young maiden was the princess of Kalinga. Rajkumar Duryodhan has abducted Princess Bhanumati from her Swayam Var. Soon he will climb on the chariot and will instruct him to drive as fast as he can, in order to escape with her. Indrasena readied himself.

Duryodhan came, shoved Bhanumati on the chariot and climbed up after her. A yelp escaped her lips as her head almost hit the side of the chariot's backrest. Indrasena's heart twisted a little seeing Bhanumati's condition. Her dark doe eyes, now red and puffy, the kohl adoring them melting down with her tears staining her fair cheeks. A few strands of loose hair fall from the perfect updo. Bright red lips formed a pout as she breathed heavily. Indrasena pitied the princess.

Duryodhan ordered, "Indrasena, drive as fast as you can, we need to reach Anga the earliest. Dushasan and Mirta Karna will catch up after us soon."

Indrasena nodded showing no emotions in his cold eyes. Just when he was about to take his spot on the chariot, he felt a shape pointy thing poking the back of his neck.

A girly voice said, "Don't take another step forward, or else this dagger will enter your neck and that would be enough for your end."

Indrasena smirked. Some Virangana has come to rescue their princess, he thought. He swiftly turned around and held the wrist which was holding the dagger, bringing it down. He stood face to face with another beautiful young woman, her nose almost touching his chest. The woman's grip on the dagger loosened and it fell on the ground beside them as Indrasena tightened his grip on her wrist.

Bhanumati's panicked scream was heard, "Supriya!!" Duryodhan let out an annoyed groan and glared at her. He held her hand again, to make sure she couldn't escape.

Indrasena wasted no time and shoved Supriya beside Bhanumati. He leapt to sit on the driver's seat and drove the chariot with all its might. Karna and Dushasan saw the whole scene unfold from a distance as they were running towards their horses.

They took a hold of the reins and jumped on their horses' back following full speed behind Duryodhan's chariot.

--

On the day of Kalinga princess's Swayam Var, Bhupendra was busy looking into the tax details of the state. The sun had gone down a few hours ago and the stars twinkled in the night sky like small bits of diamonds.

A guard entered his chamber and bowed down to him.

-"Mahamantri, there is a message from the soldiers in Hastinapur borders."

Bhupendra frowned in worry, Maharaj and Indrasena both went to Kalinga, if it's any kind of threat in the borders he alone wouldn't be able to defend the land.

-"What message, Guard?"

-"They saw two people enter Anga in the afternoon, they were probably coming this way, to the palace."

Bhupendra hummed, two people could be handled by the soldiers.

Another guard came running inside, "Mahamantri, two people have just entered the palace."

Bhupendra rushed outside to the entrance of the palace, followed by the two guards.

They saw a small figure jumping down from the horseback, a much taller person following behind. The smaller figure approached Bhupendra and the guards took off the veil covering the person's face. The guards were about to attack but Bhupendra stopped them. The person completely took off the covering and her long brown hair tumbled down her back like a waterfall, shining under the gentle moonlight.

-"Kumari Tiasha?"

The taller man came and stood behind her. Up close, now Bhupendra has no problem recognising him. One the best friends of his king...

-"Ahichatra Naresh?"

Bhupendra looked at them curiously and said, "I didn't know you two were coming, Kumari. Is there any problem?"

Tiasha smiled at him and said, "Nice to meet to after so long, Bhupendra."

Bhupendra folded his hands in front of them.

-"Forgive me, Kumari, I was just not prepared, please come inside." He gestured to the guards, they bowed down to the three of them and went inside.

Just as were were about to go in they heard a screech right above them. A large eagle flew in circles in the sky. Bhupendra whistled and the eagle landed on his outstretched arm. Bhupendra untied the note and looked from Tiasha to Ashwatthama.

Both of them looked at each other and nodded at Bhupendra to read the message. Bhupendra patted the eagle's head and it flew away.

The three of them stood at the entrance while Bhupendra read the message aloud.

Mahamantri,

We will reach Anga by tomorrow Afternoon.

I request you to start preparation for a marriage ceremony. Rajkumar Duryodhan Has abducted Princess Bhanumati and wants to have their wedding in Anga. Gandhar Raj Shakuni, along with The Kaurava Rajkumars and Rajkumari Dushala will be arriving at Anga a day after tomorrow. I request you to make the necessary preparations to welcome them.

Kumari Tiasha and Mitra Ashwatthama might have reached Anga by now. Make sure they have a comfortable stay.

Angaraj Karna.

Tiasha sighed, "Drauni, Bhupendra let's go inside. We have a lot of work left."

--

The following day Tiasha left to visit her Istadevi's temple first thing in the morning.

Siddhananda welcomed her happily inside the temple and did the Prata-aurati of Devi Krishnakali. Tiasha with her hands folded near her chest, sat on one of the main Upasana Kaksha watching Siddhananda. During the puja and aurati, Tiasha forgot all the worries and thoughts inside her head. A gentle serene smile graced her lips. She rested her head on the wall and her vision fogged while she stared into her Istadevi's eyes. Devi's idol glowed a little brighter than the other days, the ever-lasting smile on her face wider than ever, mirroring Tiasha's. It seemed that Sada-anandamoyee Devi was a little more happier today. After all her Kaushiki is present during her puja today.

Siddhananda finished the aurati and brought golden Pancha-Pradip to her. She stood up and took owm (the warmth of the fire) from the lamp.

Siddhananda smiled at Tiasha and said, "Maa won't accept bhog from me today, she wants to eat from your hands."

Tiasha smiled back, "As Maa wishes."

Tiasha offered the Fifty-six bhog to Maa Krishnakali and Siddhananda closed the door behind them, both of them leaving the temple for a while.

Tiasha and Siddhananda sat on the stairs outside the temple.

-"Any particular reason for the sudden visit, Maa?" Siddhananda asked.

-"A very big one baba. Rajkumar Duryodhan's marriage and ..."

-"And? Is something bothering you, Maa? You can tell me if you want."

Tiasha hesitated, "And another one..." Tiasha looked down at her feet, her eyes turning distant.

Siddhananda understood Tiasha doesn't want to talk about it so he said, "You told me earlier, you wanted to talk about something important?"

Tiasha closed her eyes for a moment to compose herself. The usual cheerful smile returned.

-"Yes baba, I wanted to ask you if there is any auspicious date, soon for Sakha Duryodhan's marriage?"

Siddhananda smiled at Tiasha's enthusiasm, "There is maa, A day after tomorrow."

Tiasha's smile brightened, "I would be relieved if you take the responsibly of conducting the ceremony baba."

-"It would be my honour, Maa."

-"I must get going now baba, I have a lot of work to do." Tiasha said touching Siddhananda's feet as they walked out of the temple. Siddhananda blessed her and Tiasha went towards the palace.

--

In the afternoon, Tiasha heard the sound of chariot wheels and rushed out to the entrance.

The chariot carrying the Raj Kanya, Mantri Kanya of Kalinga and Kuru Kumar entered through the gates and stopped slowly in front of her. Karna and Dushasan followed behind going straight to the stables not wanting to meet Tiasha's wrath for the moment.

The two girls saw a young woman standing there, probably waiting for them. She seemed almost their age, perhaps younger by a year or two. Her yellow attire contrasted against her dusky skin. Her hair was tied in a low messy bun with a single hairpin, a few strands falling out of it framing her moon-like face. Never have they seen such a beautiful woman before. The two girls looked at each other confused and curious.

A tall, well-built muscular man stood on top of the stairs. A white mani embedded on his forehead shone brightly under the setting orange rays of the sun.

Seeing the two made a broad smile appear on Rajkumar Duryodhan's face. He hadn't said a word to them not even a sound fell out of his mouth. He avoided eye contact with Bhanumati and was looking the other way the whole time. On the other hand, it was Angaraj Karna who showed concern and asked every few hours if they were alright.

Who made Rajkumar Duryodhan smile more? The man or the woman? Bhanumati thought. A small pang of jealousy itched her heart when Duryodhan made his way to the young woman. Who is even she?

Duryodhan went to hug Tiasha but she completely ignored him and dodged his attempt to pull her in his embrace. She went towards the two girls, who held each other looking terrified. Duryodhan looked absolutely gobsmacked and stood there like a statue.

Ashwatthama made his way towards him and placed his hand on his shoulder.

He whispered in his ear, "She knew."

Duryodhan eyed Ashwatthama shooting daggers at him.

Ashwatthama raised his hands in a surrender pose and said, "I didn't tell her anything, apparently Gandhar Raj was making preparations to go somewhere, and I went there to bring her to Anga. And well you know her, she added two and two. She knows everything, always."

Duryodhan said, "I am so tired right now, I just want to relax for a bit.."

Ashwatthama very well knew what this meant. So he said, "I hope, your dear Sakhi doesn't get more mad at you for getting wasted."

-"Shut up." Duryodhan sighed.

-"Mitra Karna and I will join you in a bit then."

Karna came and stood with Ashwatthama and Duryodhan. Dushasan went inside the palace.

Tiasha went near the chariot and smiled at Indrasena. Indrasena offered a polite smile back. Tiasha then turned to the two girls and folded her hands greeting them.

-"Pranam Rajkumari Bhanumati, it's nice to meet you, and you don't need to be afraid of anyone here." Tiasha said smiling at Bhanumati and shot a glare at Duryodhan while she spoke the last sentence.

Tiasha extended her hand and said, "Come, you two must be very tired."

Bhanumati and Supriya looked at each other and nodded. There was something in the young woman's smile that warmed their heart. It made them trust her. Bhanumati took Tiasha's hand and climbed down from the Chariot. Tiasha helped Supriya get down and held Bhanumati in a side hug, bringing her inside. Supriya followed behind.

While passing them, Tiasha completely ignored the three men only smiling at Bhanumati and Supriya. Bhanumati gave one last look to Duryodhan before going inside.

-XX-

This was sooooo loooong...

Happy Republic Day Everyone 🇮🇳.

I promised I will publish two chapters today, so at the end of the day you will get another one.

Till then, stay tuned...

See you lovely people very soon. 😘