Devrat Sangini

A little attack

Bhism and his people had reached into the dense forest of Sursen and decided to take a break as it was night already. Chitrangadh was really fascinated about staying in jungle. He was roaming here and there despite Bhism's order. But Bhism was keeping a stern gaze on him.

" Maha mahim" a soldier diverted his attention. And at the exact moment, Chitrangadh ran deep into the forest behind a rabbit.

After running for a while, he catched the Rabbit and was playing with it sitting on the ground.

Chandrika again was roaming in the forest to find some peace as the whole palace is on another level of excitement. People are not ready to sleep even at night. The preparations are on full swing and this made Chandrika come out in search of silence.

She finally found it in the forest and climbed up a tree, sitting on its branch she closed her eyes. Her attention got diverted by the soft giggle of a kid. A kid? This was a jungle full of tribal people and dangerous animals.

She thought the kid might be with some of the guests coming to Sursen. In search of him, she started looking here and there and finally spotted a kid playing with a rabbit. His smile was the most innocent thing Chandrika has ever seen.

She watched him playing with the rabbit untill her sharp ears sensed some danger. The sound of someone pulling his bow string. She was sure this is it. Without wasting time she ran to the kid to save him. She pushed him aside but in that attempt, the arrow pierced through her leg making blood oze from it.

In the mean time Bhism too reached there. He saw what all just happened and ran to Chitrangadh. Finding him all safe his gaze landed on the lady who saved his little brother.

He froze the moment he saw her blue or green eyes. He could not believe that he is seeing her again.

She was drapped in a beautiful yellow dhoti type saree and pink odhni. Her long dark Black curls were touching the ground as she sat there. Her eyes still held the rage blinding the calmness of her eyes. She hardly had any jewellery upon her which made Bhism wonder who she is? But before he could think further, his eyes landed on her leg which was covered in red. Her face hardly showed the pain she might be feeling right now.

Before Bhism could go forward to help her, another arrow came right to her direction, but she was fast enough to catch the arrow in her hands and break it. Her eyes spitting fire at the direction arrow came from.

As much as he wanted to help her by catching this attacker, he wished to see what she will do now. She without waiting any further threw a stone with all her force toward that direction resulting in a loud cry and then silence. Chitrangadh held the same amusement just like his jyest looking at this warrior lady.

" Let me help you Devi! You are injured" Bhism finally spoke finding her trying to get up. She for the first time payed attention to the stranger standing there. Her eyes widened finding the best warrior she have met till now finding in front of her eyes. But the next moment she realised who he was.

" I don't need your help" she spoke in an irritated voice. It will be a lie if Bhism says her voice is any less than the finest of singers he had heard till now. She again did a failed attempt of getting up. Bhism sighted at this stubborn warrior.

" I am grateful to you for saving my anuj Devi. Let me pay your debt by helping you" he again spoke in calm voice bending down at her level. She threw a glare toward him full of anger but then finally agreed knowing she will not be able to even walk like this. And God knows what will happen if her family saw her wounded leg. They will lock her in her chamber for rest of her life in fear of her getting hurt.

She found taking help as a better option than that. Bhism forwarded his hand to her which she took after hesitating a bit. She didn't want help from the Kuru whose chariot she destroyed weeks ago but there isn't any other option. With his hand's support she got up on one leg and tried to walk, resulting in more blood coming out of that wound.

Bhism saw that too. With some thinking he finally reached on the conclusion that right now she is an injured person before being a woman. He placed his one hand on her bare shoulder supporting her and the other one grasped her hand. Chandrika threw a quick glare at him before trying to walk again. God knows why but his touch sent chills throughout her body. His warm hand held her cold shoulder perfectly. She buried her thoughts and focused on walking to wherever this Kuru was taking her. She could see that kid which she saved looking at her with admiration and at that kuru with surprise.

After walking few distance they reached near some tents holding Kuru flag at top. Chandrika sighted walking with his support to wherever he was taking her. He led her to a tent and made her sit on a temporary bed.

Then he went out for sometime and came again with some herbs, cloth and water. He elegantly placed all those things near the bed. Chandrika watched his every move carefully. The first thing she checked was the herbs he brought by taking a leaf from it. It indeed was a medicinal plant. Bhism hid a smile glancing at her actions.

" May I?" He asked gaining Chandrika's attention. She raised an eye brow asking what. Bhism glanced at her wound telling her what. She noded the very next moment.

Bhism with a jerk took out the arrow from her leg which resulted in more blood flowing. This was the reason he didn't remove it before coming here. He expected her to cry in pain or atleast finch when he took out the arrow but she stayed still looking at him with a cold expression.

Only if Bhism could know how much she is tolerating the urge to bang someone's head on a pillar in pain. She didn't wish to show him that she is weak and so remained intact.

Bhism then lifted her saree a bit to see the wound. It was just inches below the joint of leg. He washed the wound with water first and then applied the herbs tying them with a cloth tightly. Chandrika didn't changed her expressions for even a second.

" It will heal soon" he said getting up. She too climbed down the bed.

" I am thankful to you for treating my wound........." She indirectly asked for his name.

" Bhism" he completed her sentence.

Oh, so he is the immortal celibate of Hastinapur. She thought.

" I must leave now . Pranipat" she said with same cold expressionless face.

" But who are you Devi? I think I met you few days ago too" Bhism asked out of curiosity. She stopped her shaking steps. Without turning around, she just turned her face a bit before replying

" Chavi" she replied and left without waiting for other questions. It indeed is her another name which her bhrata Nityan gave her during their childhood. He called her the chavi of chandr dev due to her fair complexion.

Bhism sighted looking at her retreating figure. Then his eyes found a smirking Chitrangadh. He realised he Chitrangadh was there too only at this moment.

" What?"

" I am not a small kid anymore jyest" he smirked again and ran away. Bhism wondered what this kid thought before sighting and picking up the left over herbs.

His eyes fell on a shining object placed at the bed. An anklet. He gazed upon it kneely before keeping it safely in a box .

After coming at a good distance from the tents Chandrika looked at her feet again which seemed pale due to blood loss. She again controlled the urge to shout her lungs out before starting her shaky walk again. She have to travel to the palace like this.

With determination she began her journey leaving a immortal celibate lost in thoughts....