"Duryodhan will not be happy about this." Yudhishthir said, as he and Manvendra strode down the magnificent hallway bathed in moonlight, their footsteps echoed in the marble corridor.
"He is not. Yuyutsu wrote to me." The son of Vidur said.
Their expressions were grave, conveying the weight of the matter at hand. Deep lines etched the corners of their eyes, evidence of the responsibilities they carried upon their shoulders.
"I don't know what to expect now. A direct confrontation or another conspiracy." Yudhishthir sighed.
"Duryodhan lacks the competence to confront you directly. Not as long as the elders are with him." Manvendra said.
"He has Angraj. A warrior quite competent." Yudhishthir said.
"Angraj is indeed a warrior very competent, but he lacks gallantry. Arjun and Bheem possess both, why are you afraid then ?" Manvendra said.
"Duryodhan has Shakuni as well. A master mind unmatched." Yudhishthir said.
"But you have Krishna." Manvendra said with a smile. A similar one appeared on the face of Yudhishthir as well.
The flicker of candlelight casted shadows on their faces, as both of them stopped in their tracks.
"Indeed. When Krishna is there then what is to fear ?" Yudhishthir said.
"He seems to be Narayan himself. I couldn't figure it out the first time. With him by your side, you don't have to worry even if the entire world stands against you. What to say of Duryodhan." Manvendra said.
"That is true." Yudhishthir smiled.
The occasional pause hung in the air, allowing the weight of their words to sink in. Time seemed to stand still.
"I may confront Duryodhan, Raudra. But when will you confront Dhisana about your curse ?" Yudhishthir asked.
Silence pervaded the place as Manvendra looked at him with a confused frown. Yudhishthir smiled sadly as he kept his hand on his younger cousins shoulder.
"I saw how you interrupted Bheem. The marital relation should not be shrouded by veils of secrets." The son of Kunti said.
"Taat, my curse is broken. It is irrelevant now. Then why must I burden her with this knowledge ?" Manvendra asked.
"Because she deserves to know. I can see that she has committed herself to you, body and soul. Keeping something this significant hidden from her is not fair to her trust and love for you." Yudhishthir said.
"Our relation is very delicate, Jyesht. I fear that revealing this truth might only cause her unnecessary pain and worry, which will once again strain it." Manvendra said, concern evident in his voice.
"I understand your hesitation. But think about the impact of this revelation in the long run. It is better for her to hear it from you, someone she loves and trusts, rather than discovering it by accident from an outsider." Yudhishthir said.
Manvendra diverted his gaze as his heart weighed heavy with the burden of secrecy. He knew deep down that he should no longer keep this hidden truth from his wife, but fear still gripped his soul.
"It is not as simple as you make it seem." Manvendra sighed.
"Raudra, to hide one truth one says a thousand lies. Now you tell, which one is simple ? To tell one truth ? Or to tell thousand lies ?" Yudhishthir asked.
Dreadful thoughts clouded Manvendra's mind as he considered the consequences of unveiling his past.
"Have faith, Raudra, in her love for you. Have faith in her devotion for you." Yudhishthir said.
Looking back at his elder cousin, Manvendra reflected on his words. He realized that their relationship had already proven its resilience and strength. The advice of Yudhisthir reverberated in his thoughts, but so did the thoughts of how would she react ?
"I need time to consider." Manvendra said.
"Do it quick Raudra. Because I don't think that your secret can stay hidden for a long time after tomorrow, when we reach Nagasaharya." Yudhishthir advised.
-------
Reaching his room, Manvendra was still contemplating the words of Yudhishthir. A heavy veil of sorrow shrouded his heart as he pondered an agonizing decision.
Entering his chambers, his eyes fell over Dhisana, resting peacefully in the embrace of slumber, her innocent form a stark contrast to the torment that he was enduring.
As he gazed upon her delicate countenance, her face adorned with an expression of serene tranquility, Manvendra became filled with a mix of conflicting emotions, grappled with the weight of his revelation, torn between his desire for honesty and the desire to preserve the sanctity of her peace.
As he sat on the bed, beside her sleeping form, he observed Dhisana's gently rising chest and the rhythmic breaths that whispered through her lips. He thought about the flickering dreams that danced in her mind, blissfully unaware of the curse that haunted his very being.
While stroking her hair gently, Manvendra asked himself, wouldn't revealing the curse shatter her peace, and burden her with the weight of his own suffering ? But even the words of Yudhishthir were right.
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A/N
Lagta hai iss baar ka kaand Gajasaharya nahi.... Nagasaharya mei hoga 🌝
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𝐑𝐀𝐔𝐃𝐑𝐀 𝐁𝐇Ā𝐕𝐀
Historical FictionFirst among 11 Rudras is Manyu, the war god, wielder of thunder and Slayer of foes. He is the one who brings wealth and health. Through him Vidur and his wife Sulabha beget a son, named Manvendra, who was fierce, queller of foes, follower of Dharma...
