Shiv - Shakti, The First Love Story - Dakshayani

Reminiscence

Shiva couldn't believe what just happened. For so long he had been reclusive, alone. But suddenly he was faced with her. He didn't expect anything that day when he was meditating at the peak of Kailash but suddenly he felt something so he went to the foothills and the next minute, she was in his arms. That same face. Those same eyes and that familiar touch. His Shakti. She was back. In a new form. With a new name, just like she had promised. He was about to make a move when he remembered it. Their destiny. Even if they were together again, they would have to separate. It was a painful cycle they had to participate in. He didn't want history to repeat again. And he didn't want her to get hurt so he controlled himself. Even after seeing his love after so long, he spoke to her coldly and went back but he couldn't get into meditating again. Thoughts of Princess Sati was troubling him.

"Do you enjoy drowning in your dejection, my friend?"

Came a voice that startled him. Shiva opened his eyes and saw his best friend standing in front of him. Cladded in yellow drapes that contrasted his bluish complexion, the man had a smirk on his face.

"Narayan, how can you find humor in every situation? Please teach me" Shiva said with a deadpanned look and then smiled. He stood up and then greeted each other with a warm embrace.

"Now tell me, why are you so grim my friend?" Narayan asked.

Shiva sighed, "You know it. I didn't think I would see her again like this."

"Then why didn't you say anything, Sakha?"

"I don't want to repeat what happened. It's better that we stay away from each other." Shiva replied.

"And keep being depressed? I don't want to see my best friend and my sister unhappy. Listen, we happen to know the future but that doesn't mean we can deny it. If we think about the destination, we'd miss the journey. The journey is the best part of life, my friend." Narayan said with a hand, patting Shiva's shoulder.

Shiva was silent for a while and then said, "She still doesn't know herself. Neither does she remember me."

Vishnu laughed, "I can bet you on that"

Meanwhile in Daksha's kingdom :

That night Sati was asleep in her bed.

'A man and a woman were dancing together in an eternal void. Their steps were synchronised. Their movements were graceful, like flowing water and with every move, a piece of creation was taking place. Their faces were not visible and only their back can be seen. The man had deadlocks down to his waist, wrapped in a tiger skin whereas the woman was in a red saree, adorned with precious golden jewellery and a magnificent crown. Slowly their faces were visible. The man turned out to be the same ascetic whom she had met earlier and the woman was.... Herself!

Sati jolted up on her bed, tiny drops of sweat forming on her forehead.

"What was that?" She thought out loud. "Why can't I think of anything else other than him. Who was he?"

Sati slowly moved towards her open window and looked out. Cool breeze blew past her, blowing her long luscious curls. It was almost dusk and amongst the fog, she could see the icy peaks of the mountain she had been to and without even knowing, she spelled out...

"Kailash!"