However much she tried, Devasena couldn't banish the thought process that led her to the palace, the hall, the portraits..and most importantly, the man. What bothered her most was that, the man knew her name. But she did not.

Devasena's roomie, Avanthika, was totally taken aback when she said she wouldn't have dinner.

" What? Hadn't you texted me to order mixed chow? What's this now, of all times! "

But nothing could get Devasena easier. Avanthika was good in guessing her moods, but Devasena was really not ready to share anything with her tonight. Not because things seemed vague, not because something paranormal or unbelievable played on the line, but because she had been strangely gripped by an uneasiness ever since, the reason not being very clear.

While Avanthika fell fast asleep after carefully placing her dinner on the table, Devasena surfed through the official website of their college. But even after an hour of effort, she couldn't get enough of the faces of all the students of her batch, or even seniors. It was too cumbersome a process. And soon she found herself almost dosing off.

As Devasena lay down, the atypical eyes of the man in question began haunting her once again. She shut her eyes tight, in vain.

Devasena struggled on bed. Whatever she had gone through was really not fun, neither a very usual affair in a person's life. The man...

The fear was not baseless. The man almost vanished in thin air from the hall. And was nowhere to be seen again.

Devasena got up and went to the couch. She sat down with a thud, highly unconscious of Avanthi and her momentary stir.

" Considering Rajmata...a witness, I, ... ... swear to protect the people of Maahishmathi with all my heart, soul, body and belongings. "

" Devasena, you proved your greatness by loving my son...and I lie on your feet tonight. I become the worst mother in world. I killed my son, and snatched your husband from you , your son's father from him... "

"... ... is the next heir to the throne. He needs to live. He needs to return...for the people of Maahishmathi, and for a mother who awaits his return. "

Devasena woke up with a wail, and saw Avanthika hovering over her face. She found herself all drenched in sweat.

" What's wrong Deva? You were screaming! Why are you on the couch? " Avanthika looked highly concerned.

Devasena couldn't at all get over the faint visions she had been having all through her sleep. But the pathetic part was that, the faces were unclear. And the statements incomplete.

Avanthika brought her a glass of water. She gulped the whole at a go.

" Now tell me. Something happened? Something wrong? "

Devasena stared helplessly at Avanthi.

" I... I...am...having visions Avanthi! "

" Visions? Like? "

Devasena got up. It was really foolish of discussing vague things in the middle of the night.

" Nothing. I am tired. "

She quickly lay on bed covering herself entirely with a blanket.

Avanthika sat speechless for sometime. But she knew the ways of her stubborn friend. And so she decided to retire to bed as well.

Next morning, the first thing Devasena did was to google up the only thing she clearly remembered.

Maahishmathi.

No results found.

WHAAT?

She altered spellings and tried again. But the search engine really wasn't ready to give in.

Devasena couldn't believe this. How could she possibly have visions of something that didn't even exist? Dreams come off as imageries of things registered in subconscious minds. But if she'd never heard of Maahishmathi to the extent that it didn't even exist, how the hell did she have visions?

Devasena cupped her face.

Avanthika!

She was a big time bookworm. And no doubt, books still remain the biggest source of the unknown.

" Maahishmathi... "

Avanthika squeezed her brows while Devasena stared on with aspiration.

" of course...of course...

I know the name. "

Devasena almost jumped up and hugged her. " I knew it, my living encyclopedia! You are love. "

Avanthika blurted on. " There's this book at the library of the White Club, of which I'm a lifetime member. Till last year I used to spend a lot of time at their library. I believe it's one of the most enchanting libraries I've ever seen. This year coz of this thesis I get so less a time...

Anyways there's this book I remember, named as The Demolished Dynasties. By Lord Cantabelle, a Brit. He researched on a handful of dynasties of Madhya Pradesh, that met an untimely demise due to issues mostly within home. 'Antaryudh' ---war within.

I bet, the clan that ruled Maahishmathi, a huge state on the banks of Narmada, was one of them. "

Devasena's head banged within.

Rajmata...son...murder...husband...return...

She couldn't however much concentrate on anything Avanthika said after that.

She suddenly spoke, " How is it that Google doesn't know about Maahishmathi? "

Avanthika once again drowned in thoughts.

"I...don't really understand. Maybe the history wasn't significant enough. But then...at least a reference of the book would obviously be there..."

Avanthika began checking her phone. In vain.

" That's strange.",she pursed her lips.

But Devasena was lost in another trail of thoughts. And that was zillion times stranger.

" Don't worry though. If you wish I can look for my card and take you there in the evening. "

Devasena immediately grabbed it.

" I would be immensely grateful if you take me there. And I promise to tell you my reason of concern after that. "

Avanthika smiled to this.

" I can wait.

Anyways, there's something with this book that is coincidental. Though the worst part is that I don't remember what. "

Devasena made a facepalm gesture while Avanthika laughed out loud.

In the evening, Avanthika took Devasena to the White Club. The library was huge, with ends of shelves invisible. After checking in, Avanthika took her to the search monitor in the middle.

She herself typed 'Maahishmathi'.

Only one name popped.

" Bless my memory. " , Avanthika winked. But their smiles faded when an 'NA' popped up next to it.

" Not available? My god! That's certainly not a book to borrow, unless you are hooked and cannot finish it here whatsoever. Let's go to the counter. "

Avanthika grabbed her hand and went to the counter. " Hello Ella! " ,she exchanged a smile with a lady over the desk. "Long time no see!" ,Ella said.

" Yeah... Caught in life you see! Anyways, there's this book named The Demolished Dynasties by Lord Cantabelle. Is it available?"

Ella had already began checking.

" errmm... No. It's been borrowed almost fifteen days back. In fact if it's not returned by tonight eight, the library will make a warning call. "

" to? "

Devasena uttered from beside.

"..to...the borrower. " , Ella shifted her gaze to her.

" his name?"

Devasena herself was startled with her surety of the gender.

Ella was surprised at the inquisitiveness and looked disturbed at Avanthika. But she too seemed interested with the name.

" it's some... ", Ella began checking. "...some Amarendra B. "

Avanthika's brows squeezed again as she got another feat of thoughts.

Devasena on the other hand very eagerly asked for his address.

" Shreebhumi, 13 Lalmaati Road. "

As Devasena sat behind Avanthika on her scooty, she found her unusually quiet.

Back at the PG, she asked. " What's bothering you Avanti?"

"The strange coincidence. I hadn't met you when I first read the book. And I completely forgot about it when I did. But today like a lightning flash I remembered, the Maahishmathi clan's last Raajmaata had your name, Devasena. The last Maharani was named Avanthika. And your husband was ... Amarendra, Amarendra Baahubali, who was murdered by his mother, Raajmata Shivagami... "

Devasena felt giddy.