Chapter 28

Ishani wiped her stray tears, allowing herself to look around. 

She was in a dark, empty cavern and the vast expanse of the land infront of her seemed dark and eerie for a long time.

But from her eyesight, she could see the silhouette of a huge palace. Was this Paatal ?

"No, Aparaa." She swiftly turned around, clutching the hidden dagger  beneath the folds of her clothes. 

The woman's voice was soft and alluring, but Ishani couldn't see her. All she could make out was the blurry figure of an extremely enchanting woman.

"Are you.." Ishani's voice cracked in exhaustion and anticipation. She was tired of juggling between people and empires. Most importantly, her heart felt heavy. 

She knew deserting them midway wasn't exactly the best option, but she knew that things would only become more complicated because of her presence.

Karna would be ready to do step down from his position, but Ishani didn't want that. He deserved to be an Emperor.

"I am your foster mother, Bhu Devi. Aparaa, your time hasn't come yet, to behold us. You cannot take it. But when I heard your agonised pleas, I couldn't stand back and watch.."

"Mata..But why ? Why can't I come back home ? I long to bask in the warmth of a family and freedom. I admit that I miss Kanha and the cousins. But fate doesn't seem to favour me. The more I try to prevent those events, more catashtrophic ones seem to occur. Yet, I do not want to break Karna's heart. I don't want to let go of the only thing that gives me happiness. "

"Aparaa dear, a diamond is always put through the greatest of tests until it turns into an unbreakable and stoic one. Likewise, you have to encounter much more challenging situations that might seem very heart-wrenching and tragic, but you shall always be under our protection. But I have to say, you have grown well. We are all proud of you."

Ishani smiled weakly. It was fine. Somewhere, she knew she wasn't that powerful yet, to go back home. But it felt nice when they went out of their way to make her feel better.

"Now, you must ask the Daitya Guru to become your Guru. Only when you gain mastery over the materialistic world will you be able to see us." Bhu Devi spoke, closing her eyes as she knew the path ahead was a tough one.

"I will, Mata. Bless me.. Give me your blessings, so that I shall pass all the tests smoothly and come back home.." 

"Very well. You shall be successful in all your endeavours.. Vijayee Bhava, Putri.. You must hurry.. I can longer stay here. But remember.. There's always more than what meets the eye.."

Before Ishani could say something,  Bhu Devi vanished, leaving a flash of blinding light.

Ishani sighed, walking along the dark trail. No wonder  Pataal was reputed to be scary and bone-chilling. The eerie whispers and cackles would have scared her back then, but now she knew they were just guardian spirits guarding the powerful entrances. 

A loud scream made her stop. Ishani gritted her teeth. Just a minute more, and she would have reached the palace. Who the hell was it now ?

She turned back, to see a Pisacha, with bloodshot eyes and a greasly appearance. But she shook her head calmly, clenching her fists. 

'Its protruding eyes and veins are not scary.. Anabelle will be offended if I get scared..' She thought, trying to keep a blank face, her hands reaching for her dagger.

Even as she blinked, the figure shape shifted into someone else.. And her entire world came crashing down. 

It was the unmistakable figure of the man who never ceased to torment her, Arjun Mehta. He still had the maniac grin, paired with a tight, white shirt and a black overalls. 

But Ishani wasn't a fool. Pisachas were known to feed onto your greatest fears and eventually, enter your being and twist your mind to bend to its will. 

"Ishu, did you not miss me ?"

"No." She exhaled harshly, glaring at him. Arjun only smiled in response, striding towards her. Ishani shoved the dagger towards him, as a sign of warning. She knew that smile too well. Her body turned stiff at those memories, but she had to show him the consequences of messing  with her.

How dare a stupid illusion try to control her ?

"Come an inch closer and I'll swear to the Gods that I'll cut your head and parade it here." He only laughed, looking straight into her eyes.

"You say you didn't miss me. Never mind. But I miss you. So much..You look so heavenly and ethereal that ... " Ishani's temper snapped, hearing his fake words.

His words would have melted her once upon a time, but not now.

"Shut your stupid mouth before it gets you into trouble. Just leave me and get out ! I was doing fine until you barged in.."

His eyes softened; it was all his fault but he was going to make her forgive him. Yes, he was a guy who was evil and cruel, but he was selfish. He couldn't allow her to leave him again.

"Ishu, I am really sorry, okay ? I know I don't deserve you after all this, but I have truly changed.." Ishani's eyes reddened. There was a limit to being delusional and stupid.

Without further delay, she pierced his neck, only to scream as pain shot through out her body. 

It was as if a bolt of lightning struck her. It was pain and agony everywhere..

No one noticed the slow trail of red on the ground.

Meanwhile, 

Shukracharya and Daksh froze at the soft voice. Daksh wanted to rub his eyes twice and blink.

He wasn't dreaming, was he ? GuruPatni had finally come, after 500 years. 

Shukracharya kept staring, wondering if it was his imagination or that she had really come.

"Jaya.." He started, his sole eye tearing up. How long had he waited for her. Her twinkling, delicate eyes that always glittered at him and her soft scent of fresh rain, how long had he stayed in her chambers, reminiscing the only woman who loved him for his heart.

But she walked upto him and slapped him across the cheek. Hard and unforgiving.

He stiffened in shock and anger as he looked up at her. 

"You played with my feelings. Now you want to make another girl your slave ? For Rudra's sake, that girl has been through so much pain ! Do you have a conscience ? Stop this game ! Don't get an innocent girl in between your dirty politics." His heart shattered when he saw the disgust and anger in her eyes.

"Jaya.." 

"Get her here ! You may become her Guru, but she will be under my protection ! Touch her, and you'll face my wrath ! Daksh !" Jayanthi's eyes burned with a raw anger, and Shukracharya looked down.

Just when he began hoping, his dreams crashed.

Daksh hurriedly went to her, bowing down low.

"Yes, GuruMata ?"

"Get her safely here. What is her name ?"

"Ishani, GuruMata."

"Gurudev, there's an emergency !" A soldier rushed inside, his eyes widening as he bowed down deeply.

"What is it ?" Great. Just when his wife paid a visit, complications had to emerge all over.

"We found a lady being tormented by Ahur.. I am afraid she has lost a lot of blood..But.." Shukracharya raised his hand, signalling him to stop. God forbid, if she was Ishani, he was sure he'd be in a lot of trouble.

"Uh.. Gurudev.. The lady looks too beautiful to be a dead soul. Her exquisite features make her seem like a Devi.. But her bearing and attire resembles a human.."

Daksh grabbed his sword, rushing out. He didn't need a detective to tell him who it was. The answer was clear. 

"Her characteristics ?" Shukracharya barked at the poor soldier, his veins bulging out.

Jayanthi looked at him in anger, ordering her soldier before he could say something. For someone so powerful, he sure was careless.

"Ajay ! Call the royal physician and request him to report to our chambers.. Ishani shall be brought here !" The soldier nodded frantically, rushing to convey her orders.

"Gurudev..Her eyes.. they are shaped like lotuses.. And the Devi has a sharp nose.." Shukracharya banged the couch armrest, wrapping his angavastram around his shoulder as he clutched his rudraksh pendant in anger and trepidation.

"Rudra.. Have mercy.. If Ahur was powerful enough to draw her blood out, how long did she hold onto her illusions ?" He closed his eyes, muttering curses which definitely weren't allowed for a sage like him.

"Gurudev.." Daksh yelled out of breath, running inside with Ishani in his arms. Jayanthi held her breath.

"Quick ! Tell the physician to hurry !" Shukracharya signalled, Jayanthi checking her for serious injuries.

The soldier mentioned that she was beautiful. But he didn't mention that her beauty was a catastrophic one.

The beads of sweat on her forehead were like glittering oysters rolling down. Her skin shone like fresh honey, beautiful and exquisite.

Her plump lips were half-parted, her eyelashes fluttering wildly. Even when her shoulder bled profusely and Jayanthi tried to stop the bleeding, all she could do was to admire her unparalleled beauty.

"Gurudev.." The royal physician rushed inside their chambers, a bag hung by his shoulder. His saffron coloured clothes were a hasty mess, his sharp face tense and hard.

"A Pisacha's wound can only be relieved by another spirit.. But I am afraid it is impossible. I reckon that this Devi had earlier taken the halahal poison through this very shoulder. It only speeds up the danger. " Shukracharya held his head in his hands, sighing loudly.

"Which spirits are tame enough to heal her ?" Jayanthi asked the question all of them wanted to.

The physician looked at her in defeat, before a glint sparkled in his tired eyes.

"Vyom and Raksh are under hyposis, but we can never predict the side effects, since they are not completely conscious. But one spirit is enough, if he has complete control and can relieve her pain, I am sure that the Devi shall be completely healed."

"Who is it ?" Daksh's shoulders slumped in anxiety as he asked. He'd go and kidnap any damn spirit, just to hear her fierce taunts and smiling face.

"Devajit." That name was enough for their hearts to quicken. Daksh gritted his teeth, but Shukracharya laughed.

Daksh could already imagine that sadistic grin and over possessiveness behaviour of the damn spirit.

"Ah, what a twist of fate ! While she walks away from him, fate brings him to her !" Jayanthi shook her head.

"Stop these poetic dialogues and get to work !" She yelled sternly, causing him to swallow.

Hastinapur,

"ISHANI !" Dev yelled, punching his fist to the ground as it cracked.

"Jyesth !" Bheema knelt down, holding his hand, but Dev pushed him away, glaring fiercely.

"She went.. She left me alone.. How could she..Did I do something wrong ?" His whisper was so innocent and sad that even Vidura and Bhisma were rendered speechless.

He loved her to insanity. Probably more.

"SHAKUNI !" The cunning man found himself shivering at his voice. It was like a menacing warning, a threat to his life.

"Putr.. Come to our chambers. Putri Ishani shall surely be found, but you need to accept reality first." Everybody nodded at Kunti's words, but Dev only laughed like a maniac.

'Respect.. I might not have accepted her as my mother, but save them some face.' Dev ignored Karna's blank voice.

He could deal with this idiot later. She always came first.

"You want me to accept reality ? Then listen, you incompetent royals ! Ishani deserves this entire world ! Not a kingdom where all of them point fingers at her blemishless character ! Not a palace where a cunning bastard of a man feeds lies and stupidity into the Kauravas and the so called good people  keep the Pandavas in the dark ! "

"KARNA ! DARE YOU CROSS YOUR LIMITS !" Bhisma gritted out, clutching his silver angavastram in anger. Kunti's head hung low, sheen of tears in her eyes. 

Though she expected this, it still hurt. Hearing her son speak such harsh words.

"I AM NOT YOUR KARNA WHO'LL SIT LIKE A PUPPET AND LISTEN TO YOU ALL ! Look here, Devavrat. I am Devajit, the darkest aspect of his angst and warrior self. I maybe his alternate personality, but I don't give a damn to your rules and etiquettes. So think twice before messing with any one of us. " 

Pin drop silence. All of them shivered as the air turned colder. Probably due to his steel gaze.

This guy who was decades younger than their Pitamaha called him by his original name ?

No wonder, the cousins mused, looking at his red irises.

It was so out of place for a man like Karna to growl and threaten everyone. But they had to admit, he did look kind of.. charming.

"You.." Vidura stammered and Shakuni just realised that he had dug his own grave.

Devajit sighed, waving his hand.

"Let's go. Before I change my mind and make the ground eat you all as a meal." All of them looked at him warily, when he shrugged.

"What ? it's a joke ? Don't you all have a tad sense of humour to laugh ? How boring !" He muttered, his irises flickering around.

How could they feel like laughing when they felt the extreme pressure against their necks ?

All of them shook their heads, literally running to the entrance. 

He was about to follow them, when a something flashed in the air. It was a red and golden light, the signature insignia of the Paatal messengers.

How interesting. It was like a distress call, and they sent this to him after thousands of years.

He closed his eyes, trying to find out the matter when Ishani's pale and sickly form came into view. 

"Those fuckers !" He cursed, vanishing as his heart beat in dead terror and anxiety. Who did that to her ?

'Um, what was that word you used just now ?' Karna asked quietly, and Devajit sighed.

'Why, you monkey ? Did you have to ask it now ? Okay, it is like a really bad word for bad people.'

'Then, can I use it on that Daksh ? I don't really like his shady behaviour.' Dev choked, knowing very well that he would have to meet him now.

He closed his eyes, willing himself to lead them to her. He opened his eyes, looking bored as the soldiers gasped at his sudden appearance.

Why was this oldie doctor grinning at him ? He looked at Shukracharya and his wife, who nodded slowly.

"You.." He gritted his teeth at that irritating voice. He couldn't see his love because of the fathead of a man who was completely blocking her, that stupid Daksh.

'Let's use it on him.' Karna suggested, suddenly excited.

'Okay.. Since he anyways had the nerve to address me without respect, and our Ishani blushed infront of him.'

"You Fucker ! You can't even keep her safe !" Daksh froze at his words, his arms tensed.

And the actual hell broke loose.





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