Krishna's eyebrows raised high, while the Pandavas apparently seemed mortified and did a back turn, mumbling a sorry for interrupting.

Karna almost tried to get up, and Ishani helped him, clutching his shoulders. Both sighed in relief, before looking at the door where a lone figure was busy smirking at the scapegoat.

"Vasudev, we didn't do anything. Tell the Pandavas to come back.." He rasped, trying not to show his embarrassment. Ishani glared at Krishna, she wanted to wipe that smirk off his annoyingly sweet face.

They just slipped and ended up in that ... position. 

Krishna just chuckled, entering her chambers. He picked up the lehenga tossed on the ground, putting it on the chair nearby.

"Not my fault if they're hell bent on allowing you both privacy.." Ishani's eyes widened. Why was he behaving so strange? Of course, he teased her like this always, but Karna was also here today.

Karna looked down, not wanting her to see his red cheeks. 

"Anyways, we just wanted to know if you are willing to come to Somnath sea. It's what you modern people call beach." Krishna shrugged, while Karna intently listened.

"How do I swim then?" She asked, knowing women didn't have swimsuits and all that stuff. They would have had cardiac arrests seeing such flimsy clothing.

"Swim?" Karna was apparently shocked that she could swim. Ishani narrowed her eyes at him.

"Why can't women swim? " Karna shook his head nervously.. "No, what kind of clothing will you wear? I was just asking because most of what you wear is muslin..."

"We'll figure it out.." Krishna stepped in, trying to ease the atmosphere. "Now, Karna you too get cracking. Alright, I'll leave now.."

Karna looked at Krishna as if he were an alien. "Vasudev, I'm not a cracker to get cracking.."

Ishani chuckled, almost about to laugh. " I think I'm possessed by a Kali Yuga Witch. Actually, it means to start working.." Krishna explained, while Karna felt like he was a small boy.

Krishna smiled, walking out as the curtains swished lightly, revealing the orange sky. It was already nearing evening.

Ishani sighed, folding all the clothes and arranging them neatly in the iron trunk. "Here" Karna murmured, handing her  a handkerchief. She looked at him quizzically, when he pointed to her forehead.

She was sweating, and he was caring enough to notice that. "Thanks.." She collapsed on the wooden chair, wiping her sweat. 

Still some of her body washes were left.. She was about to call the maid to get another trunk when he stopped her.

"I have less stuff to take, so I'll put it in mine. I'll hand it over when we reach Somnath. How does it sound?" He ran his hand over his locks in nervousness.

Her eyes lit up. "Thanks. I've never thought of that." He nodded, seating himself on a chair near her as he locked the trunk in satisfaction.

"So, how was the world back there?" Ishani sighed.

"Kind of horrid. But ancient history always lit up my moods. My greatest wish as a 15 year old was to be born in Dwapara or Treta Yuga. Maybe because people were less back stabbing and had decency to behave like proper humans. Or because I wanted to learn warfare, music and arts in the ancient way. Fighting with real astras and meeting gods was something I awed upon.." 

He listened with rapt attention, realising she was so different from her appearance. He seemed to have remembered something. "How did you summon Astras without a mantra?"

She shrugged, "I really don't know. I just wished and boom, I felt a heavy weight on my arms, the arrow I had to release. I've never been trained in archery and stuff. I just learnt fighting with guns and little with knives."

"Ga-ns?" Kali Yuga was so strange.

"GUNS.. You put a small weapon, called a bullet in them.. one enough to kill a person if you shot at their heart or head.." His eyes widened at their weird weapons.

"They're not powerful as Astras." She waved off, seeing his awestruck face. He cleared his throat.

"So you knew me back then?"

"Kind of. You were Parashuram's greatest disciple and blah blah. But it doesn't matter.." He frowned at her serious tone.

"Because we're going to change history. And it begins with us." Karna nodded firmly, though he had a lot of questions.

"Pranipaat, Devi. Samrat has requested Shreeman Karna to show Devi the Niscala waterfalls, behind the women's apartments to the west."

Karna nodded, while the servant went out. "Can I change into comfortable clothing?" 

"Of course.. I'll wait out.." He smiled, closing the door behind him.

Ishani pulled out a white sleeveless blouse, stitched with golden designs on the end. Her odhani was slightly translucent, and her dhoti was slightly short, but she was running out of time. 

Karna must be waiting. She looked at her image in the mirror. She had to wear a waist chain. Her waist was seen clearly. She pulled out another drawer, but all she found was bangles and anklets. 

She sighed, putting them on as applied light kohl to her eyes. Perfect. She looked a bit sensuous, she knew, but no one would judge her here.

She bound her thick hair by a upper chain which held her hair firmly. Another ornament on her hair, and she was ready.

"Hey.." She opened the door, to glance at Karna who was walking up and down, his arms crossed over his chest.

Karna stopped, looking at her. She was making it more difficult for him to control his feelings. The way her hair rolled off like waves against her fair skin...

"Come on. Uh, the Princes have already gone, and there's only one horse left.." He didn't complete his sentence, afraid of her reaction.

She grinned wickedly, looking at him. "I'll take the lead then.. You sit back.." His jaw dropped.. He would never allow her near horses nor a chariot. She would be perfectly alright, but he would be the one looking like he was suffering from typhoid.

"Ishani.." He spoke little sternly, when she raised an eyebrow, as if she dared him to speak. 

"Last time was different, but a horse is wild and stubborn. You'll get serious hurt, if you send a wrong signal.. And chances of recovery are slim.." She cut him off..

"Won't you be there behind me? To hold me even before I fall..?" Her eyes swirled with trust and vulnerability. 

It was like someone had shook him out of his trance. She trusted him.

He looked closely into her lotus eyes.

 For a second, her breath stopped, seeing his blank expression. Had she said something wrong?

"Yes, I'll protect you, friends or not. I'll be there throughout.." She smiled, feeling her eyes watering.

He believed in her. He believed in her strength but still was determined to protect her. This man had probably dropped from the heavens.

"Throughout you'll be there?" It was not just about the trip to those waterfalls; and he knew it.

"Yes.  From Dusk Till Dawn.. You'll never be alone.." She turned away, not wanting him to see that flicker of surprise and shock.

She remembered the song, 'Dusk Till Dawn.' Those same lines.. She loved the song, and here was the ancient warrior uttering those same words so cluelessly.

"Come on, we don't wanna be late.." Her expressions turned blank and casual, as if nothing happened.

Karna's mood plummeted to Paatal. It was as if she didn't want to show her real self.. 

'This is the real Ishani.. A cold yet charming woman who stole your heart right under your nose.' His mind mocked, feeling angry that she just dismissed his emotions off. 

'Stop..' A faint, soothing voice stirred inside him. 'She's lost, brave one. Don't you see? Her heart's been torn apart, stabbed and twisted repeatedly.. Yet a minuscule of her emotions were reflected in front of only you.. You must heal her heart, for in the process, yours will mend itself too..' 

'And to heal her heart, I must make her so happy that she'll never look into her bad memories.. I have  to soothe her heart with the balm of kindness..' He thought, smiling warmly.

"Ishani?" His voice had suddenly became soft, as if he was speaking to a small child who needed love.

She glanced at his face, which really glowed. "I'll hold you tight, cause I have to protect you.."

"Okkayy.." She accepted, not realising that okay was the root cause of her feelings stirring up.

The royal stables were all deserted, except for a lone figure at the end. It was a black horse, looking at them in irritation. That shade of black was so beautiful that Ishani just wanted to run her fingers over his magnificent mane.

"Ajay.. He dropped his dung on me the first day I met him.. "Karna chuckled, tilting his head at the stubborn horse which just grunted boredly in response.

"Ajay.." She whispered softly, and the horse looked up. There was something about the woman in front of him. Her soft voice had an underlaying majesty to it. "We're going to ride on you.. Ishani?" Karna looked at her in concern, for she seemed to have blanked out.

Ajay neighed, realising the clumsy man in front of him liked the woman. This man was kind of awkward, but he knew better not to provoke his bad side.

"Huh.. Yeah.. I'm fine.. Let's get him out.." She walked closer to Ajay, patting his forehead. He bent down in acceptance, as he walked along with her outside..

"Climb on, and clutch the reins. Put your leg in the metal strap.."

"What about you?"

"I'll be fine without them."

She nodded, holding the horse as she climbed up. A second later, Karna climbed on effortlessly, his torso planted firmly against her lean back as she inhaled sharply. Her back was almost bare, and she could feel the warmth of his supple skin. 

"Sorry.." His rugged voice sent tingles down her spine, for his face was close to her neck.

"It's al-alright.." She croaked out, looking at him for directions.

"Pull the reins little tight. Not much force.. Kick into his muscles." She pulled up, kicking into his muscles, and Ajay raised up, neighing loudly.

Ishani closed her eyes, feeling a bit terrified. If it threw them down, even Karna couldn't save her. 

"Shh.. In a millisecond he'll be galloping swiftly. Don't get scared Ishani.." She opened her eyes as she could feel herself rocking up and down.

Karna clutched her shoulders, to make her still as she clutched the reins. The vast expanse of the forest was so enchanting that she looked around, her eyes meeting his for a second before she turned away.

He was constantly gazing at her.. She could feel it.

All of a sudden, Ajay almost tripped and she was about to hit her head on his neck when Karna wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her slightly back.

Ishani shivered, his warmth concentrated on his waist. A part of her whined for not feeling that warmth every time. 

Karna gritted his teeth; he had never felt so out of control as he felt at that moment. He just wanted to twist her around gently, and kiss the life out of her, breathing in that intoxicating fragrance. 

"Careful Ajay.. " Karna warned, his tone guttural. 

For a hour, they travelled inside the deep forests, and Ishani was beginning to doze off.

A sudden sound made him alert. His Kavach formed, a clang against his Kavach was heard. It was an arrow.

"Ishani, don't move.." He whispered, and she stilled as an arrow whizzed past her ear, and he caught it, snapping it into two.

His hawk eyes spotted men in black, covered from head to toe except their red eyes. These arrows were lighter and swift, probably made of alloys.

The cities specialized in alloy arrows were Hastinapur and Gandhar.

Shakuni's suspicions were not put to rest. He noticed a gleam in a man's eyes, as he looking at Ishani.

"Ishani, turn back.." He muttered when she looked clueless. 

"How?" She didn't know how to..

He gulped, gripping her by the waist as he twisted her around.

"They're Shakuni's men.. Hide your face.. Or their aim will be to kill me and have their way with you.." His voice turned darker, and she clutched his Angavastram, resting against his chest.

She was capable of fighting, but her instincts knew it was difficult to face men who had tricks up their sleeves. And she was unfamiliar to their warfare methods completely.

He created a shield around her, and raised his Vijaya. Its twang made a deafening roar that the men fell off their horses.

Ishani wondered how they didn't lose their balance. That sound made her ears go deaf for a second and she felt dizzy. It was then she realised that Karna was clutching the reins tightly.

She felt so safe in his embrace. As if he would destroy the world but she would still be unscathed.

He let out 4 flaming arrows, and the unprepared men fell back again, this time dead.

"Continue.." Ajay trotted weakly, hearing his hollow voice. Ishani looked up, seeing his irises blood red.

"Shreeman.." She stuttered, when he growled.

"Karna. Call me that."

"Karna.." She whispered, when his orbs swirled with emotions. He wanted to hear her call him when they would be in the throes of passion. His muscles tightened, as he slowly wrapped his arms around her dainty figure.

Ishani knew it was wrong. If someone saw them, rumours would fly around faster than the Peregrine Falcon. That too, such an intimate position. "Karna, I'll turn in front." She muttered when he grumbled loudly.

"If some more are following, I can't keep holding your waist and turning you around." Her neck flushed profusely, and she remained in that position.

But her mind kept warning her; not to enter that territory which had left her scarred. But her heart wavered, whispering that taking one step wouldn't harm.

Before she could say something, Ajay stopped, neighing softly. Apart from the lush green grass and the birds chirping as they flew to their homes, the waterfall looked out of the world. But it was a huge distance, as they were on the cliff.

Especially when the setting sun's rays fell on it, and the water assumed a different shade of colour altogether.

She jumped off the horse, literally rushing atop the cliff which was narrow at the end. Across the vast expanse of the clouds was the waterfalls.

"Careful, little one. We wouldn't want you flying down the cliff, would we?" He murmured in her ear, pulling her back from the place where she could have slipped and fell.

She gulped, trying to maintain a distance across him. Karna had been behaving very differently, since the time the men had attacked.

Karna's eyes turned to the normal shade of brown, and his jaw clenched. The monster made him do things which made her uncomfortable.

"Sorry.. I didn't mean any of it.." He murmured, when she looked at his eyes. They were the usual brown orbs, which meant that he was either possessed or he had an alternate entity in him.

"Have you told about this to any one?" He looked at her in embarrassment, and she knew he hadn't.

"The monster.." 

"Don't call a part of yourself as a monster. We'll have to figure it out." Karna gazed at her. She didn't judge him for his earlier actions.

"It's beautiful.." She murmured, when he smiled.

"Do you know why we marvel at nature's beauty?" She looked at him to continue.

"Because unknowingly, we remind ourselves of the people we love; their kindness and simplicity, and how it would have been if there were right next to us.." Ishani looked at the scenery.

She wasn't reminded of any of her genuine friends or her parents. 

And it scared her, cause she looked at the person next to her. It reminded her of him.

"Who does it remind you of?" He chuckled, rubbing his feet against the rough grass.

"You." He really sounded sincere.

"I've never sat with a human, talking casually. My entire life was about avenging the insults I faced. But seeing you not caring about those who taunted you constantly, I realised I was running in circles, doing nothing all along. You taught me a lot, Ishani. From the way you defended me without thinking about yourself that day when I won in Mala Yudh, to forgiving the Pandavas and Kauravas and not judging me, I've been so wonderstruck. You showed me what friends would do. You showed me that not all women are fragile, waiting for the prince charming on a horse."

She looked at her toes, feeling shocked.

"Will you freak out if I say that only you came to my mind seeing the falls?"

His eyes widened for a second, before a beautiful, innocent smile appeared on his face. "I would, but it doesn't matter.."

He pulled her into a hug, savouring that fleeting moment.

Meme of the day: