15

Ｐｒｅｍａ

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"Bhanumathi," Indu called out, and Bhanumathi greeted her with a smile and a warm "Pranam."

Akarshika had just stormed away from Dushala, just then, she spotted Bhanumathi.

She remembered Bhanumathi from their childhood in Kanyakul, a girl who was known for her innocence and silence. Duryodhan had abducted her from her Swayamvar,reasoned Pitamah had done.

Indu greeted her with a respectful "Praniprat Bhanumathi," and Bhanumathi smiled back at her old friend.

"I apologize for not coming to greet you sooner. Am I disturbing you at this time?" Bhanumathi asked, and Indu shook her head.

"Well, I would have been glad if you had greeted me earlier," Indu replied. Bhanumathi couldn't help but remember the straightforwardness and boldness of her childhood friend, Akarshika - also known as Indu.

The corridors fell silent as the two women found themselves at a loss for words. Akarshika finally broke the silence with a simple "Goodnight."

Bhanumathi nodded, and they both headed towards their own chambers.

The next day, in the afternoon, under the bright sun, Akarshika walked through the crowd with Subhadra, Dushala, Jaya, Harsh, and Uluka.

"My sixth sense is telling me that something good is going to happen," Uluka declared bluntly, catching the attention of the Senadipathi.

Jaya rolled her eyes and joined Subhadra, Indu, and Dushala.

Indu's eyes were captivated by an eye-catching brooch. "I want this," she exclaimed as soon as she laid her eyes on it. The brooch was a stunning brown color decorated with delicate white pearls. It somehow reminded her of his eyes, and she couldn't help but smile as she gazed at it.

She quickly purchased the brooch and adorned it on her yellow saree, completing the look with an emerald chain. "Indu, look at all the other jewelry. Let's get matching ones for all of us," Subhadra suggested, dragging Dushala and Akarshika along.

Jaya glanced at the assortment of brooches, and Uluka suddenly chimed in, "The green one will suit you." Jaya replied with a confused "huh?"

"That one will go well with your emerald eyes," Uluka explained, his eyes fixed on hers. Jaya nodded and decided to purchase it.

She hurriedly made her way towards Dushala. "Harsh, you look like a rakshas," Uluka teased, causing Harsh to let out a sigh.

"Look, that... umm, shri vri ran away after looking at you," Uluka continued jokingly, only to groan in pain as a white pigeon pecked at his head.

"Hey, hey! I am a prince! You shall not do that," Uluka exclaimed, but the grumpy pigeon decided to perch on his head. Harsh chuckled, and that's when he heard a voice as soothing as honey.

"Prema, stop that!"

He turned to see a maiden with long hair and a thin chain adorning her neck. She was dressed in commoners clothes and widened her eyes when she noticed him. She quickly signaled for Prema to come with an angry look before walking away.

Harsh couldn't resist and walked towards her, asking, "Miss, may I know your name?" Uluka followed closely behind him.

The girl looked at him, startled, and tried to run away. Harsh caught her hand, causing her to turn around and question him, "Why are you harassing a girl?"

The pigeon pecked at her angrily, leading her to comment, "Oh, a pigeon too."

"Harassing? Well, I am surely not harassing you. It's funny how yesterday you were all 'dear,' and now you're concerned about harassment," he replied with a smile.

The girl hesitated before responding, "I wasn't sending any letters."

"Well, he didn't mention anything about letters, Bhabhishree," Uluka interjected with pride.

Harsh looked at the prince, then back at her, wondering what she would say. She simply glared at him and started to walk away. Determined, Harsh ran after her, with Uluka in tow, protesting, "It's not fair to leave me like this!"

She smiled and replied, "It's not right. I wrote those letters thinking we would never meet."

"So, what should I do?" Harsh asked, a smile spreading across his face. "You Should go back home and forget about me?"she replied.

"Well, whenever I close my eyes, I see you. Forget about forgetting you; I always dream about you, miss," Harsh responded, his smile as innocent as a child's.

"You never said that to me. You left my questions unanswered instantly," Uluka muttered.

"Too bad for you then," the girl teased, as she ran into a vast crowd, leaving Harsh behind.

Harsh simply smiled and waved goodbye for now. "People are blind in love," Uluka remarked.

"Uluka, I was looking for you," Akarshika said from behind, with Jayashri by her side.

"Oh, my apologies, my beautiful dear sister," Uluka replied dramatically, making Indu smile.

"Sorry to leave you, Rajkumaari," Harsh apologized. Akarshika nodded.

"Where is Subha-" Uluka began, but Indu interrupted, saying, "They left. Jaya and I were the ones searching for you."

Jaya hid herself behind Akarshika for some reason, and Uluka simply responded with an understanding "Oh."

They all headed towards the Hastinapur castle.

In the evening, Dushala playfully teased Bhanumathi, saying, "Mata, when will bhrata return? Just look at how sad Bhabhishree is." Gandhari and Subhadra giggled at the remark.

Akarshika simply smiled.

Suddenly, they heard the announcement, "Rajkumaar Duryodhan has returned."

Gandhari stepped forward, her face beaming with joy as she felt the presence of her son. Duryodhan sought his mother's blessings and then hurried off, with Shakuni and Dushasana following closely behind. Bhanumathi was left confused.

Gandhari turned to Karn and asked, "What happened, Karna?"

Karna proceeded to explain everything that had occurred at the Swayamvar of Panchal Kanya Panchali.

In Dhritarashtra's chamber, the tense conversation between the king and his son Duryodhan unfolded.

"Pitashri, why did you send Vidhur to Kampilya?" Duryodhan questioned with anger.

"To bring the Pandavas to Hastinapur, my son," replied Dhritarashtra calmly.

"Why didn't you consult me first?" Duryodhan's voice rose in frustration.

"Did you consult me before plotting against the Pandavas?" Dhritarashtra's response left Duryodhan momentarily stunned.

"Why do you fear them, Pitashri?" Duryodhan pressed on.

"I do not fear them, my son. I also wish to see you as the ruler of Hastinapur, but the circumstances are not in our favor," Dhritarashtra explained.

"Dharmraj has the support of Panchal and Dwarka," he added as Karn entered the chamber.

"We must welcome the Pandava brothers graciously, Suyodhan," Dhritarashtra concluded.

"Do you intend to make Yudhishthir the next king?" Duryodhan questioned further.

"Your father may be blind, but I am not powerless, my son. The throne that is rightfully mine will be yours. However, the Pandavas are not ignorant of your past actions. For now, exercise caution with your words," Dhritarashtra advised.

》* 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ * 。° 。 • ˚《

ℙ𝕒𝕟𝕕𝕒𝕧𝕤 𝕒𝕣𝕖 𝕣𝕖𝕥𝕦𝕣𝕟𝕚𝕟𝕘!

𝕐𝕒𝕪𝕪!

𝔸𝕟𝕪𝕨𝕒𝕪 𝕙𝕠𝕨 𝕨𝕒𝕤 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕔𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣!

𝔻𝕠 𝕧𝕠𝕥𝕖 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕔𝕠𝕞𝕞𝕖𝕟𝕥.

𝔸𝕝𝕤𝕠 𝕨𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕕𝕠 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕜 𝕒𝕓𝕠𝕦𝕥 ℍ𝕒𝕣𝕤𝕙 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕘𝕚𝕣𝕝.

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