THE IGNORED PRINCESS

CHAPTER 28

PLACE: VASUNDHARA'S CHAMBER

     After coming from the Sabha, The three Musketeers with their wives and Panchabhootham came to Vasundhara's chamber.  Vrushali and Gauri helped Vasundhara washing the blood off her face.  After sometime, Vasundhara emerged from the bathing chamber changing into a simple night dress which was a cotton black lehenga.  She noticed that everyone are in her chamber.  Lakshmana noticing that her Hrishika came out of bathing chamber commented "You looked hot with blood dripping sword."  Karnaatmaja chuckled while moving towards the couch muttered under her breath so that no one hears her "He also says that".  Unfortunately, Ashwatthama and Lakshman heard it as she muttered it while passing by them to sit in the couch.  They just kept in it mind to ask it afterwards.

     The chamber fell into silence again.  After few moments, Karna asked worriedly "How do you know that Asur King, Laila?  How come you are being an obstacle in his goal?  First of all, what is his goal?  What did he do to you?  Did he ever hurt you?"  Suyodhan spoke "Mitra, at least stop for a second before asking another question, so that she can answer the previous question."  Karna just smacked the head of his best friend.  Everyone in the room chuckled.  Gauri asked "We know that you always have some missions to go and you inform to us before going.  But till date you didn't say what type of missions you do, Nainika.  Is it related to these Asur thing by any chance?"

     "Okay.  What you guessed is correct Kaki.  Not every mission is connected with him but some of them are related with the Asur king.  I can't answer your every question now, Papa.  I will once and for all explain everything tomorrow at the Sabha.  Please understand, Papa."  Vasusen nodded his head understanding it.  Everyone again become silent.

     This time the silence was disturbed by Ashwatthama "I think we forgot about the other half of the warning.  That Asur whom you beautifully butchered stated He will kill every last person who you held dear to you heart and most importantly he will kill 'your heart, HIM' Who is that 'HIM', Adwita?"  said Ashwatthama quoting the three words.  Everyone's attention turned towards Saagnika.  She looked at her Ashwa with a deadpan look but was cursing him badly in her mind.  She was snapped out of her thoughts by Akash who spoke cheekily "Stop cursing at my Pita and answer his question." 

     Zaara observed the expression of the occupants in her chamber.  Her Papa, Suyo, Ashwa and Vrishaketu had blank look; her Maa, Kaki Bhanu, Kaki Gauri and Lakshman had curious look; Lakshmana and Akash had teasing and mischievous look.  She was contemplating whether to tell them or most importantly how to tell them.  Vrushlalisutaa stuttered "You know.. actually.. he.. me... I".  Everyone raised their eyebrows at her as they were amused to hear her stutter nervously.  Lakshmana mocked "Cat got your tongue?"  Saagnika glared at her but in return, Suyodhansutaa responded with a cheeky grin.

     Akash finally let the cat out of the bag "He is the whom Aainah deeply loves as her life partner."  Saagnika cursed at him "Prick"  Everyone in the room widen their eyes hearing the statement and asked in unison "WHAT?"  Vasundhara looked at everyone with a sheepish smile.  All males except Aakash rose from their seat in shock.  Vrushali said "I am happy for you, Gudiya"  Bhanumathi asked "Is he Handsome?"  Gauri asked "Is he caring and loving towards you?"  Karna said in shock "No".  Suyodhan said with the same shock "Impossible".  Ashwatthama commented bewildered "Yes, Impossible.  How come this cold brat is in love?  It is the most bizarre thing I had heard after knowing about Bhanu's confession of love for Suyo."  Everyone in the room glared at him for the comment.  Suyodhan said "Oh really?  I will handle you after this conversations."  Ashwatthama just gulped.  

     Vrishaketu and Lakshman said in unison "You can't love or marry before 60 years."  Suyodhan added "No, that is too young, she should not get married before 80 years."  Ashwatthama said sarcastically "Why don't we force her to become Bhramachari?"  But Karna took it seriously and said "It is one of the good idea you gave, Ashwatthama."  Vrushali got annoyed by them and said "Stop it.  For Mahadev's sake, calm down all of you.  She just loved not did some sin.  Why are you all thinking like this?"  

     Karna said sadly "We know but if she loves then, she have get married."  Gauri said "Of course, she will get married to her beloved, Bharata.  What is the problem in it?"  Suyodhan muttered sadly "Then, she will go away from us."  Bhanumathi asked "If she get married, she has to go away with her husband.  Didn't I come with you after our marriage?"  Ashwatthama looked away while saying "But she is our Putri"  This time none of the women had anything to rebuke.  They know nothing will make sense to a father if it concerns his daughter well being.  Vrushali said to Vasundhara "Only you can make them understand.  Go."

    Saagnika stood up from the couch and moved in front of the males.  She made the three musketeers sit down in the couch and kneeled in front of them.  She took one of their hands of the three musketeers and kept in her hand.  She said "I know what you three are thinking and I also know that you, three didn't expect it.  Even I also didn't expect it.  It just happened.  I just fell in love with him."  Karna frowned and said "You will go away from us after getting married.  And what is so special about him?".  "You know Papa, he somewhat resemble you three.  He always encourages like you, Papa.  He is protective of me like you, Suyo.  He aways loves to tease and annoy me like you, Ashwa.  He is many things to me but never rude, abusive and controlling to me.  He respects me a lot and also respects my self-respect.  He accepted me with my flaws, Suyo.  Like how Kaki Bhanu accepted you with you flaws, he also accepted me with it.  What I showed in the Sabha was not even an percent of my ruthlessness and you all know that also.  If anyone would have saw my ruthlessness, they would consider me as some arrogant devil.  But even when he saw my ruthlessness, he said that I was a golden-hearted devil.  He embraced me with my dark side.  He never made me insecure or uncomfortable.  I trust him and vice versa.  I know that I will have to go away from you after getting married but it doesn't mean I will be away from you forever, Ashwa.  I will be only away a little.  I will come running to you all the moment you need me, Ashwa.   Know this that I will always be your Putri before any relationships.   I am not saying you all to accept him. Take your time. I will tell him to come and you all can test him if you want.  But I promise you all that I will not marry him without the consent of everyone present in the chamber."

     The three musketeers noticed the eyes of Vasundhara while she was speaking.  Her showed many emotion - adoration, admiration, comfort, shyness, love, etc. but not a single negative emotions in it.  They concluded that their Putri is in deep love and the boy who their daughter love is also truly loving her.  They know that Vasundhara is best a reading someone emotions through their eyes.  They know that the boy is trustworthy if their Gudiya is trusting him so much.  But it didn't gave peace to their worry for their daughter.  They gave a thought and decided to test him.  

     Karna begrudgingly agreed "Okay. Tell him to come but we will not approve unless we meet and talk to him."  Suyodhan and Ashwatthama also nodded even when they didn't like the idea.  Lakshman and Vrishaketu also agreed and said that they will also test him.  Vasundhara sighed in relief and said "Okay, I will send him a letter to come after a week, Laila."  Ashwatthama questioned "What is his name?"  Saagnika said seriously "I am not going to tell you all.  You three might even wage war at his kingdom.  Meet him in person when he comes a week later."  The three musketeers nodded sheepishly as they already had the idea of waging a war. Every female and Akash smiled happily hearing the acceptance of their husbands/fathers.  Everyone bid good night and went to their chambers to sleep.  Vasundhara slept with a content smile in her face after sending a letter to her beloved through her her pet Baazigar [Eagle].

To be Continued.....

Yours Lovingly,

Author MAYAVATHI.