Chapter 8: A Savior

🖤🤍🖤

🖤🤍🖤

The sounds of conch shells and bells resonated throughout the gardens. Goosebumps sprouted to life at the gradual ascension of the aarti.

Exuberance of all different voices sent a wave of power shooting through people. Cheers rang through the crowd, people shouting on the top of their voices, praising the six Kaunteyas.

Karn stood in the front with Yudhisthir, the other four flanking on their either sides. Watching the princes move towards the center of the stage the roars of the mob was going crazy.

It was as though a diety had stepped on earth. The chants of their name were deafening.

Dhriti's eyes were wide, gazing around at the people. What in the name of everything holy was happening?

Never in her life had she witnessed a crowd go this crazy. Maybe this is how one knew how much a good rulers the Kuruvanshis were.

She moved around trying to get a look at all the five brothers of Karn. But the mob was pushing and pulling in every direction.

Making it impossible to even get a glimpse. All she could see was their backs, as the six siblings stood on the high stage, joining their hands facing the idol.

Anticipation thumped through her veins, her heart was at unrest. It wanted to fly out of its cage. She wanted to see them.

This was ridiculous! She didn't even know them.

One after another, the children of Kuruvansh took their places on the stage, cutting her view of the five brothers.

"What happed Sakhi?" Krishn teased, all too aware of her predicament.

"Nothing."

"Sure, sure. If you say so." Humor tainted his words. Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

Stupid Dhriti! You don't even know them. So, stop embarrassing yourself over them.

The loud words of aarti made it impossible to hear anything. Every word that the Kuruvanshi's sang sent a wave of power and zeal through the mop.

The atmosphere charged with enthusiasm. Colours were begin thrown everywhere, as people danced with a energy that was soul capturing.

Vibrations created by the dancing feets intertwined with loud sounds of large Indian drums punching the air with its loud sounds.

It was magical. Irrevocably energizing.

"Come on Dhriti, Let's dance!!" Bhanumati shouted over the music grinning broadly at the new girl.

"Oh no. I don't know how." She protested louder.

"You let the music guide you!!!"

The second wife of Duryodhan shot back grinning broadly.

Wrapping her hands around hers, she tugged her  through the crowd at the center space of the gardens, where all the royal women were dancing.

There was a moment of hesitation when they neared the group, but quickly decided to follow behind.

They wove between dancers, the rhythmic pounding of drums echoing off.

A few times, Dhriti stumbled against people, but right as she  was about to apologize to everyone.

Bhanumati caught her, waving her apology off.

"Dance! Shut your eyes and feel the music!!"

And that's what Dhriti did.

She shut her eyes, and let the music wash over her. Let it touch and sooth, let it spark a life in her.

Soon enough she was  lost in the mass of bodies.

Dhriti felt the excitement and exhilaration running through her body. With every beat of the drumming feet, the music pulsed in her ears like thunder.

The singing voices guiding her feet. And soon enough, she found herself disconnecting from the world around.

The air was electric.

For the first time in the longest, she felt alive.

The euphoric feeling of dance filled her.

With every movement, the rhythm seemed to grow stronger, making Dhriti feel as if her body possessed some newfound strength.

With every step, she seemed to gain confidence. A sense of purpose and excitement washed over her.

She forgot about the world around her, forgetting the pressures that plagued her days.

Dancing became the most important thing in her life.

Awe infiltrated through the air, as people turned to watch the girl dance.

Her liquid movements were flawless, a goddess descended on earth.

Out of the corner of his eyes, Sehdev's gaze fell on a bystandard in the crowd.

He squinted his gaze, his eyes focusing on the man. There was something eerily disturbing about the guy.

Just as he was about to dismiss him away, the man raised a bow.

Sehdev slapped his hand against Nakul, pointing his attention towards the man, before springing to action and running towards the dancing people he was aiming for.

"Ganpati bappa moreya!!!!!"

Loud cheers defeaning the sky, making it impossible to shout for the guards.

Nakul sprang towards the man, his brother moving towards the crowd.

"Twameva mata cha pita twameva Twameva bandhu sakha twameva Twameva vidya dravinam twameva Twameva sarvam mum dev deva"

He pushed himself to run faster, dodging people.

"Achutam keshavam rama narayanam Krishna damodaram vasudevam harim Sridharam madhavum gopika vallabham Janki naayakam ramachandram bhaje."

The main pulled the arrow back, unaware of all the happenings. Aiming for the people ahead.

Nakul pushed himself to run faster. Adrenaline pumping through his veins.

"Hare ram hare ram Ram ram hare hare Hare krishna hare krishna Krishna krishna hare hare."

The man let the string go, arrow cut through the air, a turning into a fiery Phoenix, spreading its majestic orangish scarlet wings.

Squeaking the loud warning of death, aiming to burn the people down.

Sehdev sailed over the obstacles, wrapping his arms around the girl dancing.

Electricity zinged through his body, he swirled her around, propelling her off the ground, where the arrow hit.

Hare ram hare ram Ram ram hare hare Hare krishna hare krishna Krishna krishna hare hare...

It was as though the floor was made of petrol, waves of fire crashed outwards.

Screams rang through the air, a lake of fire surrounding Sehdev and Dhirti.

Her hands clutched on his angvastr. Fear slunk it's talons in her heart.

Disoriented she gazed around, trying to make sense of what was happening. One moment, she was happy and dancing the very next, flames were everywhere.

The heat of fire licked on their skins, Sehdev's grip tightening on the girl in his arms.

Agonised screams filled the sky, cries of terror punching the stars.

In the distant he could hear his family shout his name. His mother crying.

The worry in his brothers' voices but all he could focus on now was the girl in his arms.

He cannot fail another person. The way he had Drau. He refused to lose another person to this flames.

Fire was everywhere.

Just like it had been the day his wife had been snatched away.

Cold sweat rang down his back, agony pulsing in his mind, as memories sneaked up on him.

He dodged and attacked. "RUN!" He commanded, turning back to dodge and slaughter.

His blade cutting and killing. He was merciless.

But it wasn't his voice that had her sprinting. No.

It was the cloaked figure, standing amidst the burning forest. . .

It was the last time he had seen her. The memory pierced in his heart, killing his dark soul.

Poisoning his blood. He struggled to take a grasp of his reality.

Anxiety building in his chest, panic shredding away his defenses. Memories targeting his heart, making it bleed.

Dhriti could feel the man stiffen under her fingers. Her gazes clashed with his hollow dark ones.

That were drowning in pain. It was a look she recognised all too well.

The same soul wrenching agony that resided in her heart reflect in his.

And in that moment, the fire didn't matter. The danger didn't matter. What mattered was the gut clenching need to pull the tortured soul out of the confines of torment that he had damned himself too.

Her hand reached out to cup his cheek on their own violation. He was a very handsome man.

"You are not alone."

She didn't know what she was saying. It was the only thing, that she ever wished someone would tell her.

You cannot wipe out pain like that with a few words. That is not how life worked.

But having someone by your side through that agony helps.

Loneliness cut her deeper than anything else. "It is not easy. I know its not. And I won't say it is going to be okay. But I am here."

"I couldn't save her."

Four simple words. But the amount of pain they carried had her heart sizzling.

She intertwined her fingers with his.

Tugging him downwards. Pressing her forehead against his, she shut her eyes.

"She wouldn't want this for you. Your pain would hurt her too."

She didn't know, who this 'she' this man was talking about. But that's how relationships worked right.

If someone ever cared this much for her. She wouldn't ever want them to feel such pain.

Somehow this fire had awoke whatever memories this sweet man was trying to surpass.

"Come back to me. You are no longer there. You are with me. Focus on your senses."

She instructed, she had no idea what she was doing. But it was her heart that was guiding her.

"Tell me any three things you are feeling right now."

"The heat of the fire. Your breath. Your skin."

Sehdev let the soft angelic voice that sounded exactly like his Drau guide him.

In this one moment he felt himself slip out of the viscious cycle of memories that tortured him day and night.

The shackles of pain burst into particles floating away. A resonating calmness enveloping him.

A fire three years back stole away his mental peace. And a fire three years later was returning it.

Poetic, isn't it?

"Tell me three things you can hear."

That lithe voice whispered again.

"Your voice. The wind and the shouts."

Dhriti breathed in the smoke, heat beating down on her back.

Beads of sweat ran down her back. It pained to breath in. But couldn't stop if she wanted to.

Somehow his pain trumped over her needs. Which was insane. They just met.

She hardly new him.

"What do you see. . ." Her words faded away, eyes rolling back in her head.

Sehdev opened his eyes, her body went suddenly limp. His heart thudded hard, turning his body just right to catch her.

His fingers clutched her waist. Silky smooth skin caressed under his rough warrior hands.

Her dark lashes rested across her dusky skin. Fire reflecting her face, her rosebud lips were partly open.

Sweat beading on her gorgeous face. Her long dark hair flowed freely.

A beauty in her own rights.

"I see you."

The words slipped past his mouth, wrapping his arms around her back and her knees he picked her up bridal style.

His gaze flicked over at the fire around him. Returning back to her face.

He felt enchanted by her beauty. She wasn't someone you would call otherworldly beautiful, but there was just something about her that tugged him to her.

Not looking away from her, he moved back. Before lunching in the air.

Gasps filled the air. A stunned silence falling over the place. As the youngest prince of Kuruvansh landed on his feet through the fire.

"SEHDEV!!!"Multiple voices cried in relief.

The girl was snatched away from his arms. Before he was tackled by his family.

"Oh sehdev. My son." Kunti wrapped her arms around him, sobbing her eyes out.

The trance that he had felt moments ago vanished. He gazed down at his mother, guilt and pain stabbing his heart.

Wrapping his arms around her, squeezing her.

"Are you hurt somewhere?" She asked frantically looking around his body.

"Shh let me check."

"Kunti he is fine." Bhism assured smiling at his grand son. The worry lines from moments ago fading into a smile.

Kunti moved back, multiple bodies clashed with his, making him fall back on the ground.

"You idiotic moron. Dare you ever play super hero and I am killing you the next chance I get!" Duryodhan shouted, his voice a mixture of fear and relief.

"And I swear, I'll help you beat his ass to ground." Bheem boomed.

"What the hell were you thinking?!" Arjun snapped, fear pummeling through him.

"Exactly nothing! For the smartest man on the earth. You are quite dumb twin!" Nakul grumbled,wiping his tears off.

"Don't ever do that little brother." Yudhisthir stated sternly, terror reflecting in his words.

"Ya never ever." Dushasan agreed. "Did you hurt yourself somewhere? You okay! You know what? Forget that!" Karn burshed everyone off, before tugging his youngest sibling on his shoulder.

"Get the bloody royal healer in his room!" Karn's order boomed through the place.

Sehdev huffed, face palming. He was fine. But explaining that to his brothers? Well, good luck with mission impossible.

"Karn-"

"Let it be Kunti. He won't stop." Gandhari stated, before everyone dissolved in laughter. . .

🖤🤍🖤

🖤🤍🖤