THE CHARMER • ♘ Mahabharat ♘

[𝟓] ~ ☆ 𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐊𝐋𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐖𝐄𝐃𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐁𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐒 ☆

Well, saying that they will find the proof was easy, but the reality of actually uncovering it was far more challenging then Krisha had anticipated. But she was still certain that no task could be more difficult than convincing their father to allow her to accompany her brothers on this quest. The discussion had been long and filled with resistance, their father's protective instincts clashing with Krisha's unwavering determination. Yet, with a combination of heartfelt pleas, relentless persistence, and her perfectly executed puppy-eyed expression, she finally won him over. While her brothers exchanged amused glances, silently impressed by her sheer will.

But it's not over there, an even bigger task was to convince Dau, his protective nature was far harder to sway but at last after much persistence, he finally relented, though not without setting firm terms & conditions. "You'll stay with either Krishna or me at all times" he said sternly, to which she nodded eagerly, her relief evident. She wasn't foolish enough to believe she could navigate a forest alone, let alone protect herself from potential dangers. She's yet to become that kind of delusional.

One pahar had already passed, the sun inching higher into the sky, but their efforts had yielded nothing so far. The forest seemed vast and unyielding, a labyrinth of possibilities hiding the answers they sought.

Krisha walked briskly beside her elder brothers, her shorter steps struggling to match their pace. As Krishna's sharp eyes scanned the surroundings, he noticed something unusual, a few ripped pieces of cloth snagged on the thorns of wild bushes. After a brief discussion, they decided to divide into groups, each heading in a different direction to cover more ground.

Krisha was with Krishna, flanked by a few soldiers as they ventured deeper into the forest. Their search soon led them upon more ripped pieces of clothes but this time they were stained with dark, dried blood, as though the person had been torn apart and then dragged further into the wildness. Following the ominous trail they soon found themselves standing before a cave.

Krishna turned to his soldiers and instructed them to wait outside and without hesitation, he began to walk towards the ominous entrance of the cave. But Krisha stepped forward and blocked his path "Let me come with you" she said firmly, her eyes reflecting both determination and concern, but Krishna obviously denied.

"Okay, so you won't let me accompany you." Krisha said while folding her arms, fixing him a pointed look "No, never" Krishna replied, matching her stance and tone.

"लोग तो कहते है की अगर सीधी उंगली से मक्खन न निकले तो उंगली टेड़ी करनी पड़ती है, परन्तु कल तो किसी ने मटकी ही फोड़ दी और आरोप लगा बेचारी बिल्ली पर परन्तु अगर माताजी को यह ज्ञात हो गया की मटकी बिल्ली ने नही अपितु एक बिल्ले ने फोड़ी थी, तो माताजी क्या करेंगी?" (People say that if butter does not come out from a straight finger then the finger has to be bent, but yesterday someone broke the pot and blamed the poor female cat, but what if mataji came to know that the pot was not broken by the female cat but by a male cat, then what will she do?)

"Are you blackmailing me?"

"You're still doubting, offcourse I'm"

"No, I was just making sure. Okay you can come" Krishna said with a sigh and Krisha's face lit up with excitement. She immediately took his arm, gripping it firmly as if afraid he might change his mind, and stepped forward, the darkness of the cave swallowing them slowly.

As they ventured deeper into the cave, their torchlight fell upon a lifeless lion sprawled on the ground. Krisha stared at the unmoving beast for a moment before leaning closer to Krishna "I'm not a specialist, but I'm pretty sure it's not alive anymore." Krishna turned to her with an exasperated are you serious look, his expression a perfect mix of disbelief and amusement. But before he could retort, a loud, feminine laughter echoed through the cave.