' Karali, don't let anyone enter this room. My daughter has been waiting eagerly for me to spend time with her. She needs my utmost attention and love. I will be in this room with Agneyi. Don't let anyone in. '

My creator, Agnidev said, with his malevolent face hidden away in favour of the love he held for his daughter, presenting the benevolent one.

I Sagarika could watch, as Karali, well me, stood outside the gate, her hands ready to peacefully stop those who seek to enter the room.

' Your wish is my command'. I answered, standing guard outside the door.

It had only been a few moments  that she.. Well, I had been waiting when I heard the sound of elephants.

'Devraj Indr. Pranam. How may I help you'? I asked him, looking up at him on Airavat.

'I wish to meet Agnidev'.

'Is it an urgent conversation Devraj, for my Lord has forbidden me to allow anyone into the room. Please tell me, I'll relay the message to him'.  I told him calmly, hoping to hear an answer.

'No, I must meet him, immediately. Move out of my way. I am Devraj Indr'. He answered and I persisted.

He was right in his position. I was in mine... Somewhere, Narayan was smiling at the course of events taking place in Agnilok.

' Please understand Devraj. I am bound by my duty to Agnidev. I cannot let you pass. I am upholding my dharm. You uphold yours. Please wait here'.

'No! I must meet him. It's extremely important'.

' Alright Devraj. Please wait'. I moved away from him and banged on the door.

'Agnidev, Devraj Indr wishes to meet you. He claims it is urgent'. I shouted across the door.

' Please ask him to wait. I cannot leave my daughter unhappy'. He answered back.

' Devraj, Agnidev requests you to wait for some time. Please understand-'

'Foolish girl! You should have moved away when I told you to. Without you here, I would have simply blasted the door open. You will regret your insolence'.

'Devraj. I am being very patient yet you are here aggravating me. Your anger has forced me to terrify you'. I said boldly, closing my eyes as I began to grow, a size of fire that felt terrifying. The terrific flame.

'  You have attempted to scare me with what power you have! I Devraj Indr curse you, you will have to live a confused life on prithvilok. You will not be able to find a stable ground ever. Your life will be full of challenges! You'll never understand which time you belong in'! He exclaimed and my fire was washed out by his words, just like an ant is stepped on by a footwear.

But I was no ant. I am a flame. No one can question my rage.

'Devraj! I was carrying out my duty. Despite my lord's answer, that he requests you to wait, you chose to threaten me. You chose to aggrevate me, to force me to use my flame. I am not some mere woman who will be subdued by a curse she didn't deserve. Narayan! I, Karali. The third flame of Agni seek justice! Answer me! Or else, all of Devraj Indr's prized possessions will be burnt down!  You have a great arrogance of your title Devraj. I will first burn down you'! I shouted, the fire dark in my eyes as I opened my flame, for Devraj to face. He shielded his eyes, afraid to, watch his doom when I felt a cooling chill spread through me. Not undersirable, it offered comfort, serenity.

'Narayan' ? I heard Devraj mumble as I opened my eyes, the fire dying down.

'Narayan '! I asked, grief settling in my heart as the anger abated, leaving a deep void in me, one I seeked to fill, yet was left empty.

I fell to his feet, tears of fire rolling down my eyes.

' Rise Devi, please'. He said, with his voice filling the world.

Agnidev also made his way out, the commotion and the voice of Narayan pulling him out of his reverie.

'Karali '? He whispered.

'I didn't let him in Agnidev! I did my dharm. I did my karm! Is this how one is to be punished for upholdong her duty! Answer me oh God's of the world! Is it my fault I listened to my creator'!  I screamed and he guiltily lowered his head.

' Devi Karali, you are one of the seven flames. You cannot survive without each other, hence it will be imperitave that the others follow you. You will be met by a man in Kaliyug, one not from your time, but you won't be from his either. You both will adapt to each other's ways, learning and growing together as you will go forward to redefine history as mankind will know it.Agnidev himself will help you return your memories as a flame . This is my boon to you. You were an honest woman. But niyati is stopped by no one. You are playing one of the greatest games in history. You are changing tides and crossing timelimes . Creating a new era'. Narayan blessed me, raising me up softly.

'I cannot thank you enough Narayan, you have proved that karm is always rewarded, maybe not in the way you expect it, but it is. I am indebted to you'. I said, closing my eyes, wiping the tears away.

I had to meet someone. Someone who needed to know the truth.

I gasped as I opened my eyes, breath rising and falling at a rapid rate as I processed all that I watched.

Scrambling out of the bed, I moved around the room, squinying my eyes in the dark as I looked for water.

"Sagarika? You're awake? " Called a familiar voice.

"Yudhishthir? " I asked in a hoarse voice, as I squinted my eyes I'm the dark.

He clapped his hands once and the lights came in....

Then I squinted my eyes because of the light... Honestly, I'll be walking around with half open eyes like this.

"Sagarika? Wht are you doing out of bed? You need to rest -"

"How long was I asleep? Where is Madhu? Where are we? " I asked him, as he picked me up, laying me back on the bed, despite my protests.

" Madhu is with Bheem. I am here. We're in Indrpasth. This is our home. You were asleep for a week. " He answered,holding my face gently.

" A WEEK! " I shouted and he shushed me, softly pulling my foregead to rest against his..

" You don't know how hard this week has been for me. Not hearing your voice, your sarcastic taunts. Not looking into your eyes. Let me revel in this now. I need to ground myself. " He said, pressing a kiss to my forehead as he pulled himself away, yet holding my face as one would their heart.

" I missed you so much. Life has been so dreary without you even though Madhu is here with me. She is the one who kept me hoping that you would wake. Soon. Agnidev blessed you and warned that it would take time for you to wake. How long, he didn't specify. " He mumbled, caressing my cheeks softly.

"Well, I'm better now. I have a few memories, some are still returning... But I'm hungry! " I whined and he laughed.

" I missed you Sagarika. Each moment you lay there silently was sending my heart into a deeper pit than I know. I was feeling like my soul died each day you wouldn't wake. " He said,pulling me into a tight embrace, as he breathed into my hair.

" I love you too. " I answered, burrowing in the love of his embrace as I shifted to sit on his lap, closing my eyes.

"You're sleeping again? " He asked, worried.

"No, just basking in your love. If it's a crime, consider me guilty. " I mumbled back.

" That's my line! " He answered, a smile in his voice. I could see it even without looking up.

" Well, we're one and the same aren't we? I mean... We're married... So... Or are you living in a different dimen-aah! " I laughed as he tickled my sides, tackling me into the bed.

" I love you Sagarika. Don't do this to me again. " He whispered as we sat back up, nuzzling my nose.

"It's not as if it was my fault! " I answered annoyed.

"I know it wasn't. I love you. " He answered again.

"So, when are we going on a tour of our home? " I asked and he smiled.

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" And that there is our throne room. The main sabha. " He said, as I could finally cuddle my little bundle of joy in my arms, who missed me as much as I did her, for she slapped my face quite a few times and even laughed at me.

" It's all so beautiful and homely. The place has been designed beautifully. It looks like nature got copy pasted into our home. " I said in awe, watching, as the mat, or well, the floor beneath me was filled with water, with schools of fish swimming around. The throne secured onto the ground with tree trunks, many seats more for the rest of the family.

" It's beautiful. It's home. " I answered and he smiled, pecking my forehead.

"Now it is. " He whispered

"What do you mean? You said it had been a week -"

"But the biggest palace of gold is not a home without all of my family in it. And the smallest of huts in a forest is home because you are there. " He answered my question.

"You're a lover boy aren't you? Papa is such a sweetheart isn't he darling? " I asked Madhu who smiled in happiness.

"Yes he is. " I nuzzled her nose, eyes closing to take in the warmth.

The only question is.... Who was I supposed to meet before my dream broke?

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Okay, tell me how it was?

AJ and Devika are coming soon! Unki bhi to shadi ki thi maine

Tell me in the comments how it was.

Much love

Radhekrisnn ♥