Never in his life has ashwatthama ever though he would feel so much anger like he is feeling now. He has felt anger towards many people from his childhood, the one who mocked his parents, his childhood, his biggest enemy and his father's greatest shishya, royals and their duty and Gandhar Raj, there is no point of his life which he has not felt hatred for but this one is like, if he didn't let it out then he would burst out for sure.
But why is he feeling like this? He has felt angry before and for many people but this is first time he is feeling anger for a stranger, the one he has never meet before. He met a woman, the one gender he has never looked at, in his whole life except the one who is same age as his mother as he respects them but not of his age, then why is he feeling such burning emotions for her? Why her avoidance mattered to him? Why did it made him question when she ignore him? To the point that he asked about her past and now is feeling ire towards the Rajya he has rarely even heard of?
He wants to show her that he is not like other royals, hell! He also hates royals but some are exceptions..........but why? Why does he want to prove this? Why does he want her to know about this? Since when did he started thinking about others opinion and thoughts for him? And all above a woman?...........Just-
"-why?"
"mhmm" The sound of clearing of throat, took ashwatthama out of his thoughts as he immediately stepped back, noticing it is vrushali who cleared her throat.........obviously fake to make ashwatthama step out of her way since she didn't wanted to talk.
Staring at her, Ashwatthama contemplate about how she would had bear it all alone until karna came back. She seems like a open book yet full of mysteries, a garden but filled with unknown flowers, a lake without it's known depth, anyone can see her from outside but no one knows, what lies inside. And he wants to read that book, explore that garden, dive in that lake, he wants to know about her, why? He don't know, he just know he wants to know her and he will.
It seems as if he stuck in a room cause neither he has courage to make first move of talking to her nor he knows what to say to her and beside she does not even live here cause in reality, Vrushali rarely comes to karna's palace.
They both meet daily but outside the palace when karna go for Surya Puja, whether at morning or in evening, she does not come to palace, that day was an exception as there was a Puja that day and both karna and vrushali don't have anyone in this world except each other as family and that's why vrushali came for Puja cause karna does not do that but only help her. Vrushali does not like to go to palace and karna knows that, that's why he never forced her, it is solely her choice of coming here or not but vrushali also care about karna so she comes when there is a need since they already meet each other after Surya Puja, near riverbank.
"I will take my leave now"
He heard Karna saying as vrushali also whispered something which ashwatthama has no interest in knowing....................No, he truly does not have no interest in eavesdropping unless-
"Ashwatthama will drop you"
What? Karna you bloody rascal! We are friends Man, you can't do that?..................Hell to our friendship, I will kill you
Ashwatthama should had said that loudly but did he? No and that's why he is cursing karna internally while watching vrushali shaking her head denying and karna trying to persue her.
"I don't trust others except avyaan and avni and right now they both are busy practicing. Ashwatthama is the only trustful person here beside them. Please vrushali, for my heart's content"
It is very much rare to see karna saying please, he never says please to his friends even. This already shows how much he and vrushali are close and it automatically gives ashwatthama warning.
Not like, karna would harm ashwatthama, he trusts ashwatthama too but ashwatthama knows that karna wants everyone to be happy and most of the time, karna get caught from both side and it worries him, if any of the side got hurt then it would karna who would feel guilty first and ashwatthama don't want that, so he will take it as warning beside any friend would be protective of his other friend.
Looking at karna, he nodded, getting a nod back before walking behind vrushali. Today is truly something, first he got tangled in his own emotions without knowing why and still does not know why but wants to show her, tell her that he is not like those royals about whom she assumes and now he is here walking behind her to drop her at her house.
He does not know why he is so intrigued about her but he is. He is curious about her, intrigued about her way of thinking, living, speaking..............he has Never heard her voice but he wants to. He sincerely, seriously, definitely wants to hear her voice.
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Soon after a while, Ashwatthama found himself in front of Suta Samaj of Hastinapur where his steps halted when vrushali also stopped at the entrance of Sita Samaj, no turning around nor even going in.
It doesn't seem like, she forgot anything or wants to go somewhere else infact it seems like as if she does not want Ashwatthama to know about her House, which of course ashwatthama has no problem but-
"karna would not like me to leave from here before confirming that you did enter your house safely............I will tell karna that you reached home safely" He said, turning around to leave without any sign of being offended or hurt or anger by vrushali's behaviour. He respects her wish and he will beside he knows vrushali will enter her house since Karna did said that she does not like to go out at night.
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YOU ARE READING
MIRAGE OF HEARTSTRINGS
Historical FictionIn the shadow of a legendary feud, where ancient rivalries simmer, a hidden truth awaits. Beneath the surface of animosity and pride, a tangles web of emotions threatens to upend the fate of sworn enemies. As the winds of destiny sweep them towards...