As she entered the raajmahal of Matsya, Aahana felt like she was reliving her memories of before the war.

Going on walks with the Yuvraj, playing with her brother. Her memories had been refreshed.

Looking at the brown garden bench, she recalled how her Arya would sneak down her favourite dish from the kitchens, just so they could eat. The verandah reminded her of the endless nights she had spent on the balcony, looking at the stars, hoping that they would write her fate.

" Yuvrani. Pranipat. I am Mrignayani. I am your attendant from today onwards. " Said a young girl, about only a few months shy of Aahana.

" Mrignayani. When we are alone, you will call me by my name. Rather all the time. You are now my friend." She told her, a hand on her shoulder.

"Jo aagya Yuvrani - I mean, Aahana. " She said, smiling at her.

" Parihar devi. I wish to speak to my wife alone. " Uttar said, walking in.

" Arya? You're here? Are we called down -aaaah! What are you doing? " She shouted, as he picked her up in his arms, taking rounds with her.

" Oh I am so happy that we are finally able to meet without worries of proprietary. It was such torture leaving you each night we parted ways under the stars. " He said, putting her down near the balcony and hugging her from behind.

" Yes. It is peaceful. We begin a new life from tomorrow Arya. You and me. Against the world. " She put her head back against his chest as they watched the stars, thanking them for their fate.

A few years ago, two lovers looked at the stars
Bring us together, or tear us apart
But atleast tell us
Am I still part of their heart?

I'd ravage the seas to find you, I will
But first tell me, if I find you, will you ask me to look for the amrit still
For if you will, then listen my darling heart
When I have you, what more could I demand ?

That night, Aahana and Uttar began their beautiful life under the stars, unknown of the dangers of their past.

  ~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~

The next morning, Aahana woke up with an empty bed, to see her husband dressed and already working, looking into the scrolls.

She looked at him, as he sat with his work. A finger rubbing the eeyebrow when he was stressed. The pursing of lips when something would not work out and the tiny lines at the corner of his eyes as he squintwd them to read the small texts.

" It is not wise to stare at a married man my dear heart. " He spoke suddenly, eyes still on his scrolls.

" But what if the one watching is your own wife Kumar? " She answered coyly, standing up to see him.

" My wife is a wonderful woman who looks at me without shame. She wouldn't choose such tactics. " He said as she suddenly came behind him, hair in her hands as she pulled his head back.

" Your wife is both. A tigress and a panther. I will do what I want, look at you however I want my dear prince. " She said, kissing his forgead and returning his head back to normal.

" You know, rather I should be angry with you. We haven't been married one day and you have brought me a co wife. "

Startled Uttar looked at her in fear. Co wife? When? How? Last he remembered he married one woman. Not two.

" How so my heart? I only married you! " He exclaimed.

" No. You married the scrolls at night. What sort of a husband are you? Looking at the scrolls. We have no work for a few days as we are newly married. Instead of spending time with your wife, preferably in bed while we can sit and talk together, you choose to work. I am not talking to you. " She harrumphed.

" Arre. But -"

" Nothing. Now you'll have to appease me to do anything. " She huffed, turning around.

So he got up and went to her vanity, choosing her sindoor box from there.

Taking some in his hands, he tip toed behind her, applying it all over her cheeks.

" See. Now I coloured you in my love. Now please forgive me? I promise we'll have fun today. I have planned an excursion for us in the kingdom. I was waiting for you to wake up. " He said as she turned around, furious at the red on her cheeks.

" So! You should have woken me. But where are we going? " She asked excitedly.

" Somewhere special, I'll tell you later. First get ready. " He said, leaving the chambers as Mrignayani entered.

" Aahana. What have you done? You do know sindoor is meant for the forehead right? " She said, laughing at her.

" Arre-but I never-Arya! " She shouted, as he laughed his way out.

  ~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~

They rode their horses and approached the LakshmiNarayan temple in the kingdom.

" My mata spent her agyatvas here. It's said, that any couple who come here are blessed with a long marital life. Shall we go in? " She said and he agreed, helping her down her horse.

They walked in and prayed, when a bright light glowed in front of them.

" Putri. Won't you hug your grandmother? " Called a melodious voice as she looked up to see the Jagatmata, sitting on her lotus flower.

" Matamahi! " Aahana said, falling g to her feet in front of her, while Uttar followed, offering his reverence to her.

" Sada saubhagyavati bhav putri. Congratulations on your wedding. It was only a few days ago when you had named Madirakshi here. Now you are married. " She said, smiling at the two.

" We have a Madirakshi now too Mata. Mata has adopted a child into her care, calling her by the same name. She is a beautiful girl with big beautiful eyes like yours. " Aahana spoke fondly of her little sister.

" I know. I also know how Krishn helped you all. " 'My Narayan cannot see a suffering child'. She thought silently.

" Yes Mata. Mamashree Krishn is a wonderful person. But he teases us too much. The other day he instigated the Avanti Kumari. Now she is on a look out for a husband. The poor lady will have to marry one of my brothers."

" Why do you think so putri? Why are your brothers not worth her? "

" My brothers are great warriors Mata. But they have no idea how to talk to women. They ripped my lehenga yesterday. " She said, while Uttar just laughed at the memory.

" They will change the fate of Aryavart my dear girl. Especially your Jyeshth. Neelansh. He will define the way the oncoming Kalyug will be. He will lay the paths to the future. " Mata said, as she closed her eyes to leave.

" My brother? Jyeshth? " She said, but by then, Mata had already left.

" Both of them are the same, they say something and vanish without any explanations.Your mamashree Krishn and Mata Lakshmi. One would think they are married. " Uttar said looking at Aahana's confused face.

" Well. They could be for all we know. Mamashree Krishn did escape prison as a new born. For all we know he is Narayan. I mean, he did assist Mata in the sabha. " Aahana added, laughing at the notion of her mamashree sitting on the shesh naag, watching the world.

As they returned to the palace, they were met by a very frantic Maharani Sudeshna.

" Putr! Putr! Your -your fath -" She began, but lost focus as she fainted, caught on by both of them.

" Mata! Mata! Dasi! Go get water! Mata! " Aahana yelled, trying to wake her up as her husband ran to look for his father.

He came back with a sullen face.

" What is it Arya? Is there something wrong? Is pitaji alright? " She asked, as she simultaneously tried to wake her mother in law.

He shook his head in silence, two lone tears making their way out of his eyes as he fell on his knees, head in his hands.

That night, Matsya raaj lost its greatest ruler.

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Ahem. Well. Don't throw juta chappal at me ok?

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Much love

Radhekrishn❤