Crisp streams of daylight glided in through the open windows, gifting the ivory curtains having allowed them entry, with the gentlest of a cherry blossom-scented breeze. Against which their sheer silk drapes danced, before cascading with its golden ambience upon the maiden who lay asleep. Loosely wrapped within the softness of the cashmere silks of bedding, caressing her glowing skin, as she lay doused in the brief moments of hypnagogia.

Even in her semi-conscious state of sleep, the corners of the princess's lips turned up the slightest inch, as her awoken heart acknowledged within the caressing rays of golden warmth - the smile of her treasured Surya Putra.

Finally, having obtained the state of eternal rest and peace his conflicting mind had yearned for since birth, Vasusena smiled down upon his dearest one, from his abode far, far away in Surya Loka. The crimson hued orb of the solar region, bathed by the golden glow of its ruling deity – his father.

The happenings of the four years that've rolled by like the waves of the tempestuous 'samudra,' having yielded well to the nature of the unpredictable sea itself. Moments of smile, closely trailed by an incessant clouding of tears. Bursts of excitement ebbed away by the flow of confusion. Tremors of longing singed by the incinerating flames of desire for normalcy. The learned ones were never quite mistaken when they had termed life as a never-ending cycle – eternally in constant motion.

Buried questions regarding the past – the shadows of what had once been. With their answers drifting in the air, as the white hairs of wistful dandelion heads. Just above the reluctant stretch of the mourners' reach.

Yet today, he could not bring it upon himself to ponder on the waves of turmoil, that clouded the palace of Hastinapura and its residents without fail at determined intervals. Rather, the luminosity of his thin-lipped smile further intensified with the radiance that'd glistened eighteen years back on this very day itself.

The day on which Daanveer Karna had lost his heart once more to a blanketed, feminine creation of the Almighty he'd held for the very first time in his arms. The soft peck of his lips against her forehead, silencing the wail having contorted the angelic features. And in its place leaving behind a mysterious flicker of wonder, as her minute finger had curled around his marginally larger one. The caress of the soft newborn skin healing the taut one, calloused by its intimate bonding with the rigid string of the Vijaya bow. And alas those small, rosy lips had stretched themselves into a toothless grin. Harnessing within their grasp the heart of the hard-headed man, who'd drowned both himself and his loved ones in his desire for proving himself. Whether that be as superior to his newfound younger brother in archery, or his loyalty as a devoted friend.

And now eighteen years later, despite the many events having transpired – from the demise of his identity as Anga Raj Karna to the birth of her own as Vijaya Nandini – the hold of her smile on his heart refused to waver even the slightest.

And as if that were insufficient, the smile of the Surya Putra widened to sport a full-fledged grin, as he acknowledged the silenced footsteps of his dear Indra Putra nearing Mitravinda's chambers.

Arjuna acknowledged the respectful greetings of the handmaidens with a gentle nod, as he allowed himself entry through the heavy oakwood doors of the young Kuru Kumari's chambers. A smile gracing its presence upon his lips, as his searchful gaze immediately located the sleeping angel occupying the centre of the grand room. The child-like tangle of the nymph limbs within the ivory sheets, unhinged the knots of princely duties weighing down the shoulders of the Madhya Pandava, as he sauntered his way towards its maiden. Who still carried within her bosom, the heart of a mere child.

Allowing his eyes to graze over the luscious black lashes that lay fanning the tops of the radiant cheeks, Arjuna found himself at a loss of words to grasp the reality of the years that had flown by within a mere blink of an eye.

Almost a decade had come to pass since the culmination of the treacherous battle of Kurukshetra. Lives had been lost, and yet the remaining ones continued to saunter on while dwelling in the memories of their late loved ones. Cycles of seasons had cantered by, bringing forth the birth of creations, while simultaneously claiming the ripening years of existing entities. Kingdoms had flourished and livelihoods thrived with the rule of the chaste Emperor son of Dharmaraja, his sovereignty gradually having ebbed away the wealth-deprived states of the post-war era. Yet, time had remained stagnant for the victorious hero of Mahabharata alone, who'd lost the onslaught of years and sorrow within the dips of the rosy skin of Karna Nandini's cheeks, ever-present as is the stretch of the radiant smile having induced them.

Has it truly been eight years since he'd laid eyes on the child, who's frightened young orbs had dripped innocence while confined within the strong hold of his arm, near the Kaurava tents?

Trailing his hand gently over the loose locks of ebony curls, Arjuna stared absentmindedly at the eighteen-year-old form of the maiden. Containing within her the young girl of ten years alone, whom his eyes continued to visualize till this very day. The angel who'd appeared as nothing more than a newborn upon the gaze of the warrior, while re-kindling the spark of fatherhood in his heart once more with her guileless smile. Was it the curtain of illusion drawn before him by the Lord's inferior energy? Or had that infant truly blossomed into the flower of the young woman who lay asleep before his very gaze at present?

"My heartfelt wishes to you on yet another of your blessed birth anniversaries, my dearest one," whispered Arjuna, as he gently swept away the baby locks of hair covering her cheek, while pressing a tender kiss against its supple soft skin. "May this new year of age gift you with the wisdom to move yet another step forth, towards the bright and prosperous future that awaits you."

A soft smile grazed the lips of the young Princess, as her lids remained sealed in playful rebellion against the affectionate father. And his futile attempts at awakening her from her act of slumber.

"Will you not awaken, my child?" questioned a smiling Arjuna, as he sensed the dramatic act behind the motions of the young one.

Yet, a mute response, displaying the negative shake of her head housing a smirk, was all his amused self received in return.

"Are you sure?" he questioned, with an equally radiant smirk tugging up the corners of his own lips. "Did you not want to see the mountains of gifts and treasury that have come in as gifts for you from all of Aaryavarta?"

Miserably failing to bite back the well-natured chuckle propelling the quiver of his chapped lips, Arjuna watched with mirth dancing in his eyes, the repeated shake of her curly haired head in the negative.

"Then if not for these gifts, what else is it that may entice you to abandon this prolonging slumber?" he questioned, with fake exasperation dousing his carefully controlled voice. "What is that gift, which is of more value to my Mitravinda?"

The freshly poised question of Dhananjaya was met with a fragile curl of the rosy pair of lips, followed by the graceful lift of a long, thin finger from its place beneath the silks of the rich ivory sheets. The rouge of its dainty alta-hued tip, a striking contrast against the sheer, luminous skin of the porcelain forehead, upon which it now rested.

The mist of confusion condensed to form a clouding of salty wetness, behind which the orbs of the well-versed archer danced with affection, as he read the unspoken reply seeking shelter behind the child-like gesture.

Bending down the slightest, Arjuna let his chapped pink lips meet the skin of their aim, fixed by the tip of the damsel's slim finger. Infusing through the unspoken act of love, a surge of affectionate warmth down the spines of both the Kuru and Yadav descendants.

"I love you, my dearest," he whispered, lips fluttering against her porcelain forehead.

"As do I," came the groggy, yet chiming voice, catching the attention of Vijaya. His eyes flickering below a fraction to catch a hold of the petal like lids, as they fluttered open before his very gaze – to reveal the shimmering brown pool of mischief that lay beneath. Arjuna felt the breath catch in his throat, as his glistening eyes studied her mirth-filled ones in awe.

"Forever, my love?"

"And beyond, Baba."

Sarvam Krishnarpanam. 

Wishes for a blessed Varuthini Ekadashi to all observing and fasting.

Hello my dear friends! Back after quite a long break, with a post-leap chapter for you all. 

Were you expecting this leap? How did you find it? Where do you feel the story is now headed towards? Please do comment your thoughts - I'd love to read them :)

And how have you all been? I hope all is as well as possible for everyone.

I do apologize once again for this unplanned delay in updates. Things are quite hectic on this end with a time and energy consuming career and commitments flooding my schedule. But, I will try to update as frequent as possible whenever I get the chance to write. 

Thank you and take care!

Your Author Friend,

Geitha