Ishani's POV:
Love was cursed; some who truly deserved it didn't get it. And I, wasn't sure if I wanted anymore in my life.

Arjun Mehta ruined it all. My entire being shivered, recollecting how he would split my skin apart and hit me on the same spot with his belt.

I looked at myself in the mirror. Was I really beautiful as they said? All I could see was a broken, hopeless woman.
"No matter what, I know you are the strongest person Ishani. " Karna said.

He was a blessing in disguise. I remember how we often sat in the garden or his balcony, laughing over silly stuff.

He would always make sure I was happy. Even if it meant sacrificing his own happiness. 

I wasn't sure what he meant when he said that. Maybe, he meant the friendship kind of love. I dreaded to think it any other way, because I didn't believe love existed for me.

Either ways, he would get married to 2 women. Why did I feel so uncomfortable picturing his wedding ? I had no clue. 

I had to send Shakuni far away, so that the cousins would live peacefully. And in the mean time, prevent Drupad from turning too vengeful. 

"Devi Ishani." I looked up, seeing the maid.

"Devi, your presence is requested in the main court hall." 

"Could you please show me the way?" I requested and she nodded, walking ahead of me. I looked around, at the magnificent court. A huge chandelier hung in the middle, glittering with gems. The soft breeze made me feel refreshed.

Krishna and all the Princes were already seated, probably waiting for me.

"Ishani, we have decided to go to the Somnath temple and visit the places around it. Would you like to come? We will be there for a week, and it'll be fun."

I nodded. "Are you all coming?" I looked at the princes, who nodded. 

"Vasudev!" Karna's voice made me look back. It was kind of awkward to look into his eyes, like I did before and greet him, but I had to.

I didn't want tongues wagging, so I greeted at him as if nothing happened.

"So what's up?" He sat next to Krishna, exuding a royal aura. 

"We're going to Somnath, Vasu. Would you like to tag along?" He nodded, looking at me from the corner of his eyes.

For the first time, I realised we really felt comfortable with each other. I found myself looking at him when everyone were casually talking among themselves.

Was it because both of us were always alone and found something common in each other?

"Ishani, your shoulder.." Nakul looked at me worriedly. 

"It's fine. I have a little pain, and it's little difficult for me to lift anything with this hand.." His tense features relaxed.

"Ah, that's alright. It will be alright in a week. I was really scared because the spear was coated in poison and your body wasn't responding for a while." 

"Thank you so much, Doctor Nakul.. You'd be very famous.." I found the other brothers groaning for some reason.

"Yes, I'm very famous among the Devis of Hastinapur and Dwarka." He smirked, and then I realised.

Nakul was no doubt, a narcist and in modern day time, he would be the popular flirt.

I chuckled, joining with the rest of the crowd. "When are we going?" 

"Tomorrow." Krishna replied, licking the last remains of butter from his fingers.

"What? I have to pack; and you tell me when it's almost evening. Damn you Krishna!" I huffed, rushing to my chambers.

I clutched my lehenga, lifting it as I sprinted to my room. 

"Could I get a trunk? And some lightweight clothes, jewellery and all my essential creams, soaps and perfumes?"

The maids nodded, 3 of them going in different directions. A maid brought a heap, leaving it on the bed.

I huffed, spreading the all around. There were over 50 of them, and only 7 to 10 were needed. I made a note to get at least two grand dresses. 

A knock on the door made me get up. I pulled the door, to be greeted with Karna standing nervously.

Damn, this was the most awkward moment. For both of us.

"I uh.. I mean .. I came for telling you .. I said that earlier in..."

"In a friendship manner. I me-mean I got it.. No worries.." I continued, and his eyes flashed before he smiled warmly.

Did he want to say something else but like a fool I completed it?

He looked around, seeing heaps of dresses lying scattered everywhere.

"Do you need help? I guess you never wore these kind of dresses in your time.." I looked at him, realising he too knew that I was from Kali Yuga.

"I , uh.. Yes.." I scratched the back of my neck, trying to look a bit poised. He nodded, biting his lip in awkwardness.

I guess both of us felt the same way. He sat on the bedside, sorting them out by their colours.

I tried to help him out, but his serious expression made me want to laugh. 

He knitted his eyebrow, trying not to show how annoying the task was. I sighed, putting away all the glittering ones.

"Which colour would look better on me?" I asked, and he seemed startled for a second.

"Sea blue, olive green, blood red, and vibrant yellow." He replied and I was shocked as to how he knew.

Those four were my favourite colours. And he spoke them as if he didn't know anything. I tried to ignore the burst of happiness that made me feel like a hormonal teenager.

"Thanks.." I began folding them, putting them into the trunk when he stopped me.

"Where will you keep your other stuff?" He asked, crossing his arms.

"Uh.." Shit, I completely forgot and at that moment, the maid entered with a tray of those bottles.

I smiled at him sheepishly. He looked taken aback by the number of those bottles.

"What are all these for?"

"Shampoo, conditioner,  body wash, body cream, rose water, handmade soaps, charcoal soaps, turmeric paste, hibiscus oil.."

"Okay, stop.." He murmured in shock. I guess he was mortified by the amount of beauty products, but hey, I used lesser than those women whose faces consisted of nothing but makeup.

"Devi, here are the jewellery.." The maid left, leaving a huge tray when I clutched my forehead. I would need at least two trunks.

"It'll be heavy to carry, so put the jewellery in between your clothes." He suggested, and I was impressed.

I dragged the heavy trunk, dusting it properly. I was arranging them in order, humming softly when I saw that the Lehenga had fallen down.

"Leave it, I'll pick it up later."

Karna nodded, sorting out the bottles when I turned sideways, spreading the lehenga so that I could fold it. 

He seemed to have noticed something and he was going to walk away, when his foot slipped due to the lehenga on the floor.

My eyes widened and I tried to do something when he fell down on his back, his head landing on my lap.

It looked like we were in the midst of something , but we both knew otherwise. He tried to get up, but he simply couldn't, because of the fact that his back had hit the floor hard and a bam sound was heard. 

And that's how Krishna and the other princes found us, like a couple enjoying their time.

Meme of the day: