"Why not Indr Dev? What is my fault? " Karunika asked, looking at him.

" I-" He couldn't say, as if bound by someone else's will to stay silent on the matter.

" Has my wife hurt you in some way? If so please forgive her, she never intended to. " Adam said, joining his hands, followed by Karunika.

" No. Not that. I cannot speak of it. " He said, even though he seemed distraught at the situation too.

" Devraj, I'll do the honours. " Moksh stepped in, while a confused Karunika stood by her daughter in law.

" Don't worry about it mata. I'm sure it's not your fault, but we shall wait for someone else to answer our question. " Alatakshi reassured her.

So they waited, for him to be greeted and have his food, before he retired into his chambers.

~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•

"Priye, I swear I didn't know. I'm sorry. " Adam said as soon as he walked into the room.

" The last time a brhamin dev was unhappy with my service, or unsatisfied, my brother Bheem was found alive. This time as well there might be some reason." She answered, hopeful.

" I know priye. We'll figure it out." He said, pulling her in a hug.

~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•

𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕤𝕪𝕒

It had been nearly two and a half months to the blissful union of Uttar and Aahana. They truly were one soul and two bodies, for after sharing his soul, it seemed as if both parties had gained an

" Arya. What are we to do about the growing demand for more labour work in the mines? "

"Why? What seems to be the issue? "

"Well, there are more posts but equally less able bodies men. "

"What about women? "

"Not many are willing to work in the dark of the mines. "

" Alright, what about reserve guards? We have many of them don't we? "

"That seems like a probable decision. We'll talk to them . " She answered, as they wrote out a proposal to the mine superintendent and the sari senapati. (Chief commander of the army)

" What about us priye? Shall we also move towards the gardens now? "

" Always. " She said, smiling as they walked hand in hand.

" When do we celebrate your day of birth? "

" It was a few weeks after phalgun poornima.. In the next week or so. Why? "

"No reason. " He said, hiding a smile behind his hand.

" Right.... Shall we? " She asked, as they sat upon the horses brought out for them, rigmding into the sunset.

  ~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•

" Mata. Devraj Indr wants to speak to you. " Moksh said, walking into the gardens where his mother was collecting flowers for her Narayan poojan.

" Does he? I'll come soon. "

" But mata -"

" I am committed to my pooja right now Moksh. That is my dharm right now. I will come soon. " She answered sternly.

" Ji mata. "

She went into the temple.

On the other side of the castle, Devraj Indr who was sitting impatiently waiting for Karunika grew anxious. Finally having the go from Mata Lakshmi herself to tell her daughter the truth.

But her not coming to meet him even after half a prahar was  incredibly taxing to his patience.

" I am being incredibly patient... But I can't hold on that long. I need to tell her soon. "

So he walked into the temple, standing there, hoping her pooja would be over soon.

After waiting for another few minutes, she turned around. " Devraj. Please come. Here, prasad-"

"Kshama Maharani. I can't take this out of your hands yet. "

Karunika, who had been at the edge of her patience retreated with mirth in her eyes.

" Alright Devraj. Speak what you wish before I say something which is not respectful. You are my husband's guest in Vajji. I do not wish to degrade you honour."

" Please understand, I never wished for it... "

So he began his tale...

Many ages ago, even crossing yugs to the time when Hiranyakashyap ruled with tyranny and cruelty. This story, begins the day Holika sat with Prahlad on the fire...

The moment it lit, with the hopes that she wouldn't burn, she closed her eyes, arrogance clouding her mind. That is, until the flames began to burn her skin.

" Devraj! Please! Rain down your mercy on me! I can't die like this! What about my boon? " She yelled, her agony shook all of swarg and Devraj, out of compulsion to protect the devs in swarg.

However, he was immediately stopped by Narayan.

"Narayan, her painful cries for help will destroy all of swarg. " His panic clear, as the skies thundered.

" Please calm down Devraj. I will pacify her anger. " He answered, the tranquility in her voice as omnipresent as he himself.

So he, in her dying moments welcomed her to swarg.

She walked in, completely black, the soot covering her as well as boils and burns on her skin.

"Narayan, I know my arrogance consumed me... In my next birth, I want to be devoted to you. Please grant this woman a boon. Please!" She pleaded, falling into his feet.

" Devi, please, you have learnt you lesson and since this is your last wish, I grant it to you. "

Which was when Devraj made his entrance. Her eyes went from devoted, to furious.

"Devraj! I prayed to you! Endlessly. You could have dulled the fire! I learnt my lesson. Why couldn't you help me? " She shouted, wincing at her pain.

"Devi -I "

"No! "

" Holika, please calm your anger, he did not carry out his duty because of me. " Jaganath interrupted.

She whirled around, shock settling into her eyes.

" I -"

"Devi, I can bless you with my rain now -"

"No, Devraj. I understand, that you had your reasons, but my heart is still in agony at my plea being rejected. Hence, till I take my birth in the next life and you yourself don't bless me with your rain, I will not give you my respect. " She said, regret in her eyes, but her pain overpowered it.

" Alright. I accept Devi. I do apologize. "

" And that is why I haven't allowed you to welcome me as you would. You may have forgotten  your plea, but I haven't Devi. I respect your decisions... That day was one of them, now is another. Please let me bless you with my rain now. My hands have been waiting patiently for may yugs. " He said, as Karunika just looked at him with shock in her eyes.

" Yes-yes of course. " She whispered, sitting down, cross legged with her hands in her lap.

" Devrajay Namah. " She said and was instantly covered in the softest of rains she had felt. Each drop on her skin felt like the showering of rose petals, gliding off of her skin.

∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆

So he did know... And there wasn't any malicious reason behind it either.

Tell me how it was. And do vote if you liked it .

Much love

Radhekrishn ♥