Ishani looked at herself in the mirror. Was it too flashy for a temple visit? Rukmini had informed her that all royals and guests would visit the Shiva Temple every Monday.

"It's too much, Maharani." She protested as expensive, glittering jewels were placed on the table. She gasped, seeing the lehenga. The olive green odhani, with the navy blue blouse and golden lehenga were decorated with exquisite handiwork and drawings. 

Rukmini shook her head. "First of all, call me Jiji. And you are a part of our family. You deserve all this and more."

Ishani's knees wobbled. "You are the incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi, right?" Her lip trembled; she was technically in front of her parents.

Her parents, who were watching from above would have been proud of her. She time travelled and managed to escape the conspiracies of Hastinapur. She knew her true identity.

Rukmini tried to blink her tears. "Yes. We all love you. More than you can imagine. You are a strong woman. Our strong woman. Don't let you confidence shimmer down. You are the most beautiful woman in the universe. Our daughter." She kissed her forehead, shutting the door behind her.

Ishani tried to control her emotions. Her throat felt choked, with that familiar feeling she hated the most- grief. 

"It's ok, Hridaya. Calm down." Krishna whispered, pulling her close to his heart. He wiped her tears, when Rukmini looked at him sadly.

"She should find her happiness, she's been through too much."
"She will, in a crazy idiot who's insanely in love but is petrified to even look at her in the eye." Krishna muttered, smiling slowly.

"Pranipaat, Shreeman Karna." Karna tapped his foot impatiently, waiting at the chariot. He turned, hearing the sweet, familiar voice which made him smile.

His entire being froze, seeing her. His heart thudded crazily, could anyone look more angelic than the woman in front of him?

He wanted to whisk her away into a far away place, where he could hear her blabber her heart out. Where she could look down, fiddling with her fingers nervously as her cheeks turned red. Where he would twirl her around and laugh with her to his heart's content. 

"Why that sudden respect?" He raised any eyebrow, trying to sound normal.

"Well you deserve respect after all." He looked down, acting as if he was wiping his mouth when he was grinning like a Cheshire cat.

"Pranipaat Devi Ishani. Pranipaat Shreeman Karna." Duryodhana greeted, arriving with his ninety nine brothers. 

"How will all of us fit into the temple? Hundred and seven, in addition to the Dwarka royals. ." She mused out loud, when Karna snickered.

She looked at him sharply, when he gulped. Okay, he didn't mean to.

"What's funny, Shreeman?" She titled her head, faking a glare. 

"Nothing, Devi. The temple is said to accommodate any number of visitors and that's its speciality." 

"Oh." Ishani felt like a fool. 

"It's fine, Devi. None of us knew this till Sahadev informed us. We were as clueless as you." Arjun attempted to make her feel at ease. 

Ishani was taken aback, nodding awkwardly. No matter what kind of ego problems he had, he was the Arjun- to whom Krishna preached the Gita. He was the Arjun who vowed vengeance in the assembly when their wife was humiliated. 

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to." She murmured, trying to bury her guilt. In her anger, she said words she never meant. She may be the daughter of the trinity, but she couldn't abuse her rights and behave egoistic.

"It's okay, Devi. It was my fault in reality. Please don't think over it again. Let's forget all that."

"Ok, but please all of you should call me Ishani. I feel like an old granny when I hear Devi." They nodded, alighting their respective chariots. 

Ishani looked around confusedly; she didn't think of this before. 

Karna fixed his Angavastram, clearing his throat. "UH, I'm not sure if we'll meet Vasudev due to his busy schedule. You can come with me. I'll drive." 

"No! " He winced at her high-pitched tone.  He looked at her in sadness, was she embarrassed to come with him? A darker part of him controlled the urge to grab her by the waist and make her sit besides him, even if she was hesitant.

"No. It's not like that.." Her voice turned softer. "I'm not so outstanding that a great warrior like you must drive the chariot I'm seated on." Karna shook his head, but she glared fiercely.

"If you want me to come with you, then allow me to drive."

"WHAT? Ishani, you don't even know how to..." His closed his mouth as she sat in the driver's seat. He prayed inwardly that they reach their destination.

"Don't whip them hardly. Just a light hit. And hold the reins tightly." He jerked, clutching the the bar as the horses charged off wildly. 

Ishani, to say the least was not a good charioteer. 

"Come on, boys ! I'll give you all extra apples if you try to run faster. But don't exert yourselves." 

Karna wanted to point out that they weren't to be called boys, and horses don't eat apples but seeing her excited face, he kept mum.

He needed to know who taught her to treat horses as human beings. 

"Left. Not that left. The one in the direction of the stalls. Okay, don't drive recklessly! Please!" Karna groaned; he would never allow her in that seat again. She was driving too fast and he felt like someone had hung him upside down. Even his baby neighbor could definitely drive better.

"Woah!" Ishani whistled, removing the clutch and let her hair loose. It flew in the wind and she squealed in thrill. Karna thought he was going to pass out in giddiness. 

The chariot finally stopped, and he jumped out of it. Ishani got down, smiling at him gratefully.

"How was it?" 

"Wonderful." He muttered, clutching a tree for support as he lost balance for a moment. Ishani looked so fresh, as if she hadn't rode crazily.

He fixed his messy hair, wrapping his Angavastram. He wasn't a narcissist, but he found it uncomfortable when women stared at his biceps and well toned chest.

"You wouldn't mind if Ishani stared right?" Vasudev's cheeky tone made him stumble in shock. He was leaning casually against a pillar, smirking at him. Karna clutched his chest in relief.

"Please stop the teasings." Krishna just laughed, pulling him inside. "This is my senior most wife, Maharani Rukmini." 

Karna bent down when Rukmini stepped back. "No need, Vasusen. It would be enough if you could take care of her." 

Karna looked up in shock. How many knew? 

"All the Dwarka Royals." 

"VASUDEV!"

Ishani smiled, walking towards Krishna and Karna. The priest and the commoners had not yet arrived yet. 

"Krishna, how dare you not introduce me to her? You naughty brat!" Ishani looked at owner of the booming, scary voice. He was well built, and was fair in complexion.

"Dau, you didn't introduce yourself. So busy with Bhabhi.., I understand." Balarama's eyes widened. He composed himself, looking at Ishani.

"Pranipaat, Ishani. I am Balarama. You can call me Dau.." 

 Her head ached, as images flashed in front of her.

"You never talk to me. Am I am a bad girl?" A small girl cried, while the huge snake moved helplessly. 

"No, I'm busy serving your parents." His human voice made her look up, and she pinched his soft skin. 

"But you have to spend time with me and show me your teeth. I have big and white ones, how many you have?"        

"I don't have any teeth. Because my tongue is more than enough." The small Ishani giggled.

"Yes, many get scared by seeing your face only.. I mean.. I don't find it scary though.. You are cute.." He looked at her in shock.

She thought he was cute ?

"Adi is the cutest snake ! No, Adi is my cutest friend !"  The little girl screamed, and every diety in heaven wondered if she was alright.                                                                                                                                                                                                           

"Adi?" She mumbled, and Balarama gasped softly. She remembered.

She remembered him! "Yes, call me that." He nodded, trying to hide his tears of happiness. "You were that girl." He whispered, confirming her suspicions.

"Maharaj Vasudev aur Maharani Rukmini ki Jai Ho!" Loud cheers made all of them turn. All of the commoners had arrived. 

Every single person stared at the beautiful woman. Her beauty was too rare, and she seemed to be a royal. 

"Om Namaha Shivaya." The priest chanted, as the servants handed each of them flowers. Karna, in nervousness clashed his plate against Ishani. Their fingers brushed in the process. Karna wished to hold her hand, wanting to feel that electric spark again. 

"I'm sorry."  "It's ok. No hard feelings." She closed her eyes, revelling in the calmness of the temple.

"You don't feel an ounce of what you said, you hypocrite. You want to touch her hand again." His inside taunted when his heart argued back fiercely.

"I accept it. But what's wrong in wanting to touch a woman I love? I love her so much that I know my boundaries and am satisfied in just holding her hand." 

No response. He sighed, trying to concentrate.

"Ishani, can you start Shiva Tandava Stotram?" All eyes turned towards her. Ishani gulped.

"I'm nervous. God." She muttered, fiddling with her Odhani. What if she forgot? She couldn't destroy her reputation, in front of many.

"Your father will be happy." Krishna's words prodded her. She wanted Shiva to be proud of her. He should show off that he was pleased to have a daughter like her.

Verses flew out of her mouth effortlessly. All were lost her in her devotional voice. Such a melodious voice made them fall into a trance. Most of all, few noticed tears in her eyes.

They marvelled at her love for God. Ishani was lost, she didn't know where she was, or what was happening around her. She wanted Shiva to appear in front of her. 

At that very moment.

"You brought tears into my eyes, Ira." She gasped, tears flowing freely as she saw him. Clad in a tiger skin with ash smeared all over, his face held a calm smile. 

Nothing compared to the moon over his matted locks. "Pitashree." She wept, and he gently wiped her tears. "I'll come again. But be aware of your surroundings. Enemies lurk in shadows." His face held worry as he vanished in to the thin air. 

She stopped, as the crowd burst into murmurs of wonder and appreciation. "You have a sweet voice." Karna praised, and she nodded shyly. 

She looked at him, but he looked down.

"Thousands of eyes were on her, but she fell for the ones looking down." Krishna whispered to Rukmini who nodded smilingly. 

A sudden swish of an arrow made the crowd break away. Karna looked in horror, as a familiar scream resounded in his ears.

"ISHANI!"

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