The Immortal's Hidden Wife~ Book 2

Chapter 14

Gandhari gripped Lakshamana's hand. Her eyebrows furrowed together as she heard the pin drop of silence. Beside her,Kunti stood still, her face showed her confusion as she blinked rapidly.

" What's wrong ?" Gandhari asked only to be met with silence while Lakshamana's grip on her wrist tightened.

" This makes no sense! My husband is right...there's been a foul play," Banumathi said in a high pitch causing Gandhari's heart beat to increase.

" How dare you walk into my Palace and undermine my children's suyamwar !" Aaratrika snarled at Banumathi. The princess of Hastinapur however glared back defiantly.

" She was chanting some mantra. That girl resorted to witchcraft to ensnare Ashwatthama," Banumathi said as she crossed her arms over her chest.

The crowd murmured and some of the King's and Prince's whom were present rose up and agreed at Banumathi's words. The sabha soon erupted into chaos.

" Ashwatthama will not accept her," Duryodhan said out loud and a roar of acceptance swung by the crowd.

" Who are you to decide that!" Aaratrika shouted to Duryodhan who looked betrayed.

" Are you out of your mind? Ashwatthama and your daughter? That will never happen! Its not right!" Duryodhan shouted with exparation.

" Duryodhan! Why the first time your talking sense," Krishna said with a wry smile causing Duryodhan to grit his teeth.

" It's my suyamwar...I get to decide," Charvi said out loud in a calm tone as she kept her gaze on Ashwatthama.

"Nonsense! You're too young to decide that. Ashwatthama doesn't want or need a wife," Duryodhan said causing Charvi to shake her head adamantly.

" Mahadeva choosed him for me," Charvi said with conviction.

" You're a silly child and his a man! Aaratrika is this your way of reveng?" Duryodhan shouted causing Aaratrika to narrow her eyes at him.

" Mithir...Let Ashwatthama decide," Karn stepped forward, trying to calm his friend and gave Aaratrika a pleading look causing her to grit her teeth but kept quiet.

" There's nothing to decide," Duryodhan said causing Karn to shake his head.

" It's not Mahadeva's will....She chanted something to enchant him," Banumathi said causing Aaratrika to snarl and rush towards the woman.

Banumathi's eyes widened in fear as she stumbled behind while the fiery Mathura's queen snarled and raised her hand to slap the other princess. Balaram hurried over and catched his wife by her waist and swung her away before she could pluck Banumathi's hair.

" Urmila! Stop behaving like a street urchin!" Krishna said as he walked forward and placed his hand on Aaratrika's shoulder, gripping it tightly.

" Little Fish, perhaps we have to redo your suyamwar next year and if Lord Ashwatthama wishes to participate we can-" Krishna  began when Charvi shook her head.

" No...His the choosen one,"Charvi said with conviction causing Krishna to exhale his breath.

" His liege Lord doesn't acknowledge you," Krishna said causing Charvi to gulp.

She looked at the stoic man with stormy eyes and gulped before turning her face towards her parents and uncle.

" It doesn't matter...Its my suyamwar," Charvi said.

" No Child...its your suyamwar but you don't get to decide...none of us do, " Gandhari said causing Charvi to shake her head vehemently.

" Look Charvi," Karn began when Charvi shook her head.

Karn sighed and rubbed his temple before glancing at Ashwatthama who stood still.

" Ashwatthama...do you accept her?" Karn asked and blinked seeing the other man's eyes.

" He won't." Kunthi said decisively causing Karn to frown while the anger in Ashwatthama boiled as he fisted his hands while glancing at Pandu's widow.

" Choti ma is right. Dronacharya hates Drupad Maharaj and as such Lord Ashwatthama will never accept her...Everyone in Hastinapur knows that and won't accept this union." Banumathi said causing Aaratrika to    snort.

" You heard them Charvi ? You see the man you claim to choose? His a coward and will always stand behind them! He doesn't dare to utter anything in this sabba and how can  you still claim to be his choosen!" Aaratrika shouted at Charvi.

Charvi's eyes began to water while Balaram frowned and gripped Aaratrika's wrist.

" Enough," He told Aaratrika who looked at him with betrayal.

" Enough ? Is that the type of man you want our daughter to be with !? In her own  motherland, he makes her fight her own  battle ! What would happen to her there at that Snake's land!" Aaratrika said while looking at Balaram with despair.

Balaram sighed and rubbed his face.

" Do you accept this suyamwar?" He asked Ashwatthama who gave him an incredulous look.

" Even if he doesn't...my place is at Northern Panchal Pitashree, Mahadeva willed it so!" Charvi said clutching her idol tightly.

" Stop being childish Charvi! There's no peace for you if you go there! Can't you see that he doesn't care!" Nishantha shouted as he walked towards his parents.

" It's her mother's blood after all;" Banumathi said snidely.

" Refrain you're wife Duryodhan or Hastinapur will  not have their crown Prince and princess!" Balaram snarled before looking at Charvi.

" It's a one way path Charvi," Balaram said to his daughter who wiped her tear and nod.

" I understand Pitashree," She said with a soft smile causing Balaram to exhale his breath while Aaratrika shook her head and stormed away.

" I choose him as my husband and even if he doesn't choose or accept me, I will go to Northern Panchal as his wife or a servant," Charvi said with conviction.

Ashwatthama let out a cold bark of laughter. Krishna and Balaram frowned as they saw him walking towards Charvi. Charvi gulp as he neared her and gasped softly when he held her jaws. His stormy eyes met her shinning orbs.

Ashwatthama shook his head and snapped his hands away before groaning out loud. He gave a mock bow to Duryodhan and his wife before walking out of the sabha.

The Dwarkians and Mathurian soldiers then quickly disperse the crowd leaving only Krishna, his father and brother with Charvi standing in the middle of the hall.

" Charvi...don't take rash decision," Vasudev said as he gently placed his hand on her shoulder.

Charvi cried softly and hugged her grandfather's waist. Balaram sighed and shook his head before walking away.

Krishna smiled as he walked towards his father and niece. He gently wiped her tears and kissed her forehead.

" Let's get you ready, my little fish," he said as he took a hold of her wrist.

_______________________________________