सुखान्तः - A Happy Ending

||CHAPTER 7||

“The right one may not bring moon and stars, but will treat like one”

~Author

~•~

Near The Ganga River

The Grandsire of Kuruvansha joined his hands infront of Ganges. The heart of milky way galaxy rose up slowly. The sunlight fell upon him. He stood with his head bowed, hands joined, chanting suryamantra.

That was quite a peaceful activity to do during dawn time, but Mahamahim Bhishma's mind was filled with extreme stress. He couldn't focus on the chants properly. His thoughts were like his enemies, not letting him do his prayer peacefully. This was Mahamahim's daily routine; to approach the Ganges before sunrise, chant suryamantra, sit on the sand for a few moments before going back. Whenever he was disturbed, he would call his mother and have a talk with her. Today too, he wanted to share his problems with her. Only then he could have some peace.

An enchanting lady appeared from the Ganges. Goddess Ganga! Smiling beautifully, she walked towards her son, who bowed his head infront of her. Bhishma touched his mother's feet, gaining pleasant blessings from her.

"You seem distress, putrah?", Mother Ganga's honey-like voice decreased her son's stress a little.

Bhishma smiled lightly at her, "what can be hidden by you, Mother? You know the whole. You know what is behind my stress"

"I know, son. But I want to know it from your mouth", Mother Ganga's words furrowed Bhishma's brows.

He heaved a heavy sigh, before starting, "Princess Viraanshi Bhanumati". "Princess Bhanumati is the cause of my tautness. Even her very existence is confusing me, mother. I just... can't understand, why is she here? Because of the light, I got to know that she'll be a shield to our clan and empire. But why did the light gave her warmth? Why does she possesses solar dynasty blood in her bloody?".

Mother Ganga smiled, totally amused by her son. "I thought you're a grown up man. Grandfather of 107 grown up kids. But look at you, still behaving like a kid", Bhishma's cheeks redden out of embarrassment as he heard his mother. "Whatever is written in dynasty, that'll surely happen. Nobody can innovate it", Mother Ganga smiled sadly seeing Bhishma's face dropping. "Don't get disappoint, son. Princess Viraanshi Bhanumati mean no harm to your clan or kingdom. Instead, she is going to preserve your entire family and monarchy", Bhishma got a light smile on his face as his mother admired Princess Bhanumati.

"Warm or cold... Only your forefathers can tell you about that, son. I have no idea about it. Your clan own the light. And it's your work to research about it. I can't help you in that, son", Bhishma looked dismayed. "And about belonging to a different dynasty.... I can tell you only this much that she'll soon belong to your dynasty and your family too. And the rest, the time will tell", Bhishma stared at his mother in confusion. How was Bhanumati gonna be his family?

"I shall take my leave now. My devotees must be waiting for me. Take care, son", Mother Ganga caressed Bhishma's head before going away.

Bhishma's brain was now filled with positivity. Although there were still many questions. But he had decided that he'll have the answers soon.

•

Mahadeva Temple

"Jyeshtha Bhraata!", Dushassana's call reached till Duryodhana's ears, who was standing infront of the Lord Mahadeva statue with joined hands and bowed head. "Jyeshtha Bhraata, you're here! I need to talk-- no, ask for something", Dushassana spoke panting slightly, after having a long run to the temple from palace. He stood beside his eldest brother. Duryodhana nodded his head lightly, still busy into chanting hymns.