Journey Leading To Hazard

2(short version)

Who knew that the promise made that day would be fulfilled like this!

At least Rajkumari Dussala never knew of it. Even though they got married, Dhikshit never softened towards her and told her in no uncertain terms that whenever he got a chance to raise weapon against Duryodhan, he wouldn't miss it. No matter what!

Here, the same day Dhikshit got married to Dussala, Drisana fell unconscious at the halls of Maya Mehel in Indraprasth.

Nakul had told her that she couldn't get pregnant again so soon after giving birth. But ironically, nature proved the most knowledgeable Vaidya (healer) of the era wrong!

On the other hand, against Maharaj Dhritrastra's wishes, Rajkumar Yuyutsu asked for Rajkumari Citrangada's hand to Maharaj Chitravahana of Manipura. It was the first time in his life that he went against Dhritrastra. But he couldn't bring himself to hurt Citrangada.

Maharaj Chitravahana agreed for the marriage on the condition that after marriage Citrangada would remain in Manipura only with her husband. And their first child would sit on the throne of Manipura after Rajkumari Chitrangada.

Yuyutsu agreed and married Citrangada.

Here, just a few months later, Yadhav kumari, KarnaSthira, Subhadra gave birth to a daughter, Suthanu (beautiful bodied).

When the word reached Indraprasth, Arjun and Sahdev decided to visit them at Anga.

Sahdev frowned at the box that fell scattering it's contents on the ground while packing for his journey. It took him not long to recognize the box, nor the folded piece of paper that had remained secured inside it for so long.

The letter from Vijaya.

The one she handed to Devika to give him before leaving for Dwarka.

"Deva,

I hope you don't mind me calling you that. Though I thought about addressing you as Arya, now that we're married, but you'll always be Deva to me.

Deva. The one who rescued me.

Deva. The one who protected me.

Deva. The one who swiped me away from my prison.

And I, couldn't even find the courage to walk two steps without stumbling!

Do not think that I am angry or upset because you are sending me away. I understand. I have disappointed you. You have offered me everything that I ever wanted.

A family! You have given me something which I never had.

Freedom! And you have rewarded me with it even without knowing.

And most importantly Identity!

My father never actually acknowledged me as his daughter, nor did anyone else. But I am now your wife. No matter wherever I go, this is my identity and will remain so till the time I take my last breath.

In exchange, I have nothing to offer you but my prayers for your wellbeing and happiness. I will wait for you my entire life if I have to. So there's no need to rush. Take forever if you have to. I will still wait for you.

Forever Deva!"

*

As Anga and Indraprasth celebrated the birth of Karna's first child, another news hit the entire Aryavarth with restrained excitement.

The news of the swayambar of Dravida's eldest princess, the daughter of Yuvraj Dwijendra and Yuvrani Anandini, Rajkumari Chitrali.

Since receiving the news, Drisana fell quiet. Nakul thought it was due to the fact that she couldn't be there for her niece's wedding. But the reason was something else. And it was soon understood by all.

*

The day of the swayambar arrived. Surprisingly, along with all the kings and princes, Gandhar Raj Shakuni also arrived with Yuvraj Duryodhan in Dravida. His cunning smile was sending chills down the spines of the royal family of Dravida.

Anxiously, Drisana was waiting for news in Indraprasth.

Another swayambar!

Which was going to change the fate of Aryavarth once again.

After the initial formalities were completed, the challenge was presented. Whoever defeated Rajkumari Chitrali in sword fight would be announced the winner. Fits of laughter was heard through the crowd. Defeating a woman was the challenge? Foolishness! After all, how long could a woman stand before well seasoned trained Ksatriyas!

But all the laughter and haughtiness died down soon as one by one every single Ksatriya kings were getting defeated.

"What the hell is happening Mamashree? I heard, she is a trained warrior. But how come no one is able to defeat her?"
A baffled Duryodhan asked to Shakuni.

"Patience, mere bacce. Patience." Shakuni replied with a crooked smile.

Soon there was no one remaining to fight. Most declined to participate in the first place saying they wouldn't fight a woman. Maybe it was the fear of losing, but very few participated and lost very badly.

"Is there no one? No one in entire Aryavarth, who can defeat me? Come on! Has the fear of defeat turned you into such cowards that you're not even going to try?"

"Your ego is saying that Rajkumari. Be aware! Whoever gets themselves defeated by ego, can't stand as winners for long."

Someone's voice cut through the egoistic one of Rajkumari Chitrali. It did not belong to the rows of royals sitting there. But from the line of brahmins waiting for donations. One of the brahmins standing there came forward.

"It's not ego, but my confidence talking, brahmin dev."
Rajkumari Chitrali replied with her head held high in the silence of the area.

"If that is so, then you should not assume that no one can defeat you."

"It is not an assumption, but the blessings of Goddess Durga. No warrior can defeat me. I am undefeatable!"

"If that's true, then you shouldn't have any problem to give me a chance to fight you, should you?"

Rajkumari Chitrali frowned a little at the brahmin before agreeing. She saw no problem in humoring the brahmin. After Maharaj Drishadvat permitted, the fight between the two began.

Everyone watched in astonishment that the girl who was fighting so confidently just a while ago, was now finding it difficult to even hold her sword properly against the brahmin.

The fight didn't last long. Though Rajkumari Chitrali tried to defend herself, soon her sword was dissected in two by the brahmin and she lost the fight.

Pin drop silence there was at the ground. The musicians even forgot to play the drums.

Here, Duryodhan frowned at the scene and looked at Gandhar Raj.

"Mamashree? What did she mean? And what is exactly happening? Care to explain now?"

Gandhar Raj with a smile of victory finally explained.

"Information, mere bacce (my son). Information is the most valuable possession. And your sister has provided us just with that!

Rajkumari Chitrali is right. No one in the entire Aryavarth can defeat her, she is undefeatable.

Because years ago, Yuvrani Anandini accidentally swallowed a rudraksh while worshipping Goddess Durga. While she was afraid and crying thinking that her prayers wouldn't be fruitful now, the goddess appeared and told her that nothing in this world happened without a reason.

Rajkumari Chitrali was born from that rudraksh only. And by the blessings of Maa Durga, she remains undefeatable against any opponent except....."

"Except?"

As Duryodhan asked his attention went towards the brahmin who now was taking off the head scarf that was hiding his forehead till now.

"Except the one who bears the fragment of lord Shiva in himself!"