" While I do agree with you Raajkumar. I simply cannot allow you to do so. " Alata said, frowning as he refused to let her put the red and orange marigolds.

" But Devi. Mata and Pitashree have always loved the blue flowers... So shouldn't we -"

" And is it your parent's marriage Raajkumar? They had their choice when they got married. My friend wants a different style. Why are you so insistent on going against her wishes on HER wedding? "

" That is the biggest problem isn't it. She considers you her friend. " Moksh blabbed out, uncaring of the impact of his words.

He may realise them a bit late, but Alata finally got what he had been trying to say ever since she came into her friend - sorry, her Yuvrani's service a year ago. That's all she was, an attendant. She couldn't be a friend. She couldn't be someone equal, because that is all she could ever be.

" Kshama Yuvraj. You may do as you wish. Your wish is my command. " She whispered, walking away, the tears at bay. No one had ever made her feel so humiliated before and that was not the first time someone had tried.

" Devi -I please forgive me. Devi! Alatakshi! " Moksh tried but she had left.

Well, he just had to do it... He couldn't have been more sensible.

~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~

While he sat in the sabha, dejected beyond words at his cruel tongue, trying to follow his father's instructions, he heard the voice he dreaded the most.

" Moksh! What did you say to Alatakshi! " She yelled, walking in followed by the lady in question. She looked anywhere but at him and her eyes we're red, as if she had been crying.

" Putri? Why so much anger? Calm down. " Adam tried, hoping to dissuade her anger.

" No pitashree. He must realise the consequences of his actions and words. Mata and I were the ones who asked to put up the red and orange marigolds for my decorations because I said so. Who are you to order my attendant? Her primary correspondent is me followed by my parents. Who gave you the authority to question our friendship bhrata? " Aahana said, eyes furious.

" I -I didn't mean to -"

" You didn't mean to? You don't mean to do anything Moksh. You just do it. Not even realising what you are saying. Have you never listened to a word mata and pitashree say? Think! Think! Think before you speak. Ankush lagao apni jivah par (control your tongue.) "

" Putr is this true? I did not expect this from you. Apologize to Devi Alatakshi immediately. " Adam said sternly.

" Ji Pitashree. Devi please forgive me-"

" It doesn't end at forgiveness putr. Now, you must make friendship with her too. " Karunika said, walking in, a hand on his shoulder.

" Ji mata. Devi Alatakshi, please forgive me if I ever hurt you, directly or indirectly. I should never have undermined or questioned your friendship with my sister. You are her closest companion. Only because of you have I been able to learn about the pains she is not comfortable in sharing with me and only then have I been able to find a solution to it. I take back all my words. Please forgive me. Will you be my sakhi? " Moksh said, seriously. He was genuinely apologetic and that is what Alatakshi saw in his eyes too.

" Who am I to forgive you kumar. But I accept your friendship. After all, everyone would be honoured to have the Yubraj himself as your sakha. " She said, shyly.

" But in friendship there are no titles, no formalities and no hierarchy. You are Moksh's friend as I am Alatakshi's." He said and Karunika and Adam smiled, who had a hand on her shoulder, held by her.

" Now, you we're sure that you won't trouble her. Alata, come we'll arrange the orange and red marigolds. Moksh, bhrata Prativindhy and the rest are coming with mamashree's from Hastinapur. Please go attend to them. They'll be here in a matter of two prahars. " Aahana said, running out with Alata.

" I still cannot become her friend like you expect me to mata. She and I are vastly different. "

" But friendship is about celebrating the differences my dear putr. That is why your mamashree Karn and mamashree Krishn are friends. They have varying thoughts about the world, yet they accept what the other says, even if they may not agree with it, unless it harms the world. I am sure, your disagreement about the flowers being blue or orange does not harm the world. Right? " Adam said, laughing.

" No pitashree. It does not. " He said, beet faced.

" Now go putr. I wish to talk to your pitashree."

" What are we doing? "

" You'll see. "

~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~

Karunika took Adam by hand to the most seuded part of the castle. Here no one would ever look for them.

" Open your eyes Arya. "

As he did, he saw one of the most beautiful sights. The windowsil was decorated with their blue flowers, but most of all, we're paintings. Paintings of them, their love, their life.

" Priye. What's all this? "

" Well I hoped to celebrate the day of our wedding. It has been about 25 years now. Don't you think it deserves it's own celebrating?" Karunika asked smiling as she stood by his side, while he held her hands.

" This is beautiful Priye. I am so grateful for you. You are the light in my darkness and the purity of my soul. You are in true sense my ardhangini and I have never been more blessed to have you. I hope to follow you even in death and beyond. Swarg, nark, it won't matter. For me, swarg is where you are. When I have you, even the boiling pits of a volcano are my swarg and when you aren't, even the Nandan van of Deveaj Indr is my nark. Never leave me? Alright? " He whispered near the end, a line tear shed by both their eyes. Simultaneous hands went to wipe them away, holding their faces. Their love was tested time and time again by the pains and problems of their lives, but they prevailed, because those who choose to see the world through the eyes of love can never imagine any problem to be too big to fight.

" I have another gift for you. " She said, bringing out a small box from her odhini.

" One more ? I didn't even bring you anything. " He said, now guilty.

" You bring your love, that is more than enough for this premika. " She whispered, smiling through the tears.

It was a beautifully carved metal dagger, with a golden hilt. It had bright red and green gemstones on it.

" This is for you. I made it. I hope it reminds me of you each time you use it to fight, so that it reminds you to kill those who are unjust and have mercy on those who need it. " She told him warmly.

He looked at the dagger with wide eyes and said, " I don't think I need anything to remember you. But you have made it for me. It's beautiful. I will always keep it with me. " He said, bringing her close, as they stood there, basking in the peace of the few moments before they returned to reality.

∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆

Aww. I love these two... Also, they became friends... Or did they.
They are always going to be frenemies alright? Maybe become better friends if there's someone who wants to marry Moksh... Hmm. I wonder who that could be.

Anyways, share your opinions on the chapters through inline comments as well as the votes.

Much love

Radhakrishn ❤