Asmi: The Warrior of Fate

Gurudakshina

The air in Hastinapura was thick with anticipation as the day of the crown prince's announcement drew closer. In the midst of this tension, Asmi found herself at a crossroads, her relationship with Duryodhan developing in ways she hadn't expected.

Duryodhan's jealousy and pride had created a wall between them.

One afternoon, Duryodhan and Karna sat together in a secluded part of the palace gardens. The environment seemed peaceful but Duryodhan's brow was furrowed with frustration.

"Mitra Karna, Ve sab kyu nahi dekh paa rahe humare prayaas, humara parishram?" Duryodhan said. (Friend Karna, why can't they see me trying, my hardwork?)

Karna looked at him thoughtfully. "You're not just proving yourself to them, Duryodhan. You're fighting against your own family's legacy. Yudhishthir and the Pandavas may seem favored but they too have burdens to carry."

Duryodhan sighed, his anger rising. "Aur humare rishton ka kya? Ye ek pratiyogita kyu pratit hoti hai?" (And what of our bond? Why does it feel like a competition?)

"It's because you let it become one," Karna replied firmly. "Your rivalry blinds you. You're cousins, after all. Family is stronger together than apart."

Duryodhan considered Karna's words, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. "Tumhe lagta hai ki hum saath ye kar sakte hain?" (You think we could work together?)

"Absolutely," Karna encouraged. "Par prathmic taur par tumhe unhe shatru ki bhanti dekhna tyagna hoga. Unhe apna parivaar manna hoga." (But first, you need to stop seeing them as enemies. Embrace them as family.)

Later that day, Duryodhan found himself wandering the corridors of the palace, his mind replaying Karna's advice. As he turned a corner, he nearly collided with Asmi, who was deep in thought.

"Oh!" she exclaimed, stepping back. "Prince Duryodhan. I didn't see you there."

He caught her gaze, feeling the weight of unspoken words. "Asmi," he started, hesitating for a moment. "Kya hum vartalaap kar sakte hain." (Can we talk?)

"Ji kahiye." she asked, her tone cautious yet curious. (Please, speak.)

"I... I've been thinking about everything- the rivalry, the crown, the Pandavas," he admitted, his voice low.

Asmi raised an eyebrow. "And what have you concluded?"

Duryodhan took a step closer, adding to the tension between them. "Maybe it doesn't have to be this way. Maybe we could find a way to work together."

His words surprised her. "Are you... Planning something?" She asked, playfully.

The weight of doubt in her words dawned upon him. or as he perceived them. 

Their discussion soon escalated into an argument, both of them raising their voices over the misunderstandings that had entered their interactions.

"Why do you always have to assume the worst of me?" Duryodhan shouted, frustration evident in his tone.

"Because you never let anyone in!" Asmi retorted, her heart racing. "Aap apne aap ko baandte hai, rishton mein bandhne ke bajae." (You build walls instead of bridges!)

In that moment, the heat of their argument ignited a spark between them. They stood inches apart, breathing heavily, the tension shifting from anger to something deeper as they realised their proximity. Duryodhan reached out, brushing a stray hair behind Asmi's ear, their gazes locking.

"Maybe I've been too harsh," he murmured, his voice softening.

"Maybe you have," she replied.

Before they could fully comprehend their positions, the moment was interrupted by the sudden arrival of Arjun and Karna, who look at them aghast.

Asmi and Duryodhan step back a little, embarrassed.

Asmi sensed a change in the atmosphere, a subtle sense of uncertainty. She couldn't shake the feeling that Shakuni was watching, his scheming eyes always there.

"Prince," Asmi began, her voice low, "We need to be careful. I can sense Mamashree's influence. He sees you as a pawn, and now he might see me as a threat to his plans."

"Such a sudden remark!" He called out, surprised. His expression hardened at the mention of his uncle.

"Well, a caution, to be honest." She retorted.

"Mamashree's motives are quite questionable. Par ab hum apne aap ko aur apne nirnay lene ki kshamta ko unke shabdon se bandhne nahi denge." (But I won't let him manipulate me or my decisions.)

Their discussion was interrupted as Maharaj Dhritarashtra prepared to announce the heir to the throne. The tension in the throne room was palpable, but just as the king was about to speak, Guru Drona stepped forward.

"Your Majesty," Drona began, commanding attention. "I believe I can help in choosing the rightful heir. As a part of my Gurudakshina, I propose that both the Kauravas and Pandavas must fight to defeat Draupad, the king of Panchala, to avenge my insult. It will be a test of not only strength."

The idea sparked a flurry of conversation among the princes, and Asmi seized the moment. "This is our chance to work together," she said, stepping forward. 

"If we can put aside our differences, we can strategize and defeat Draupad. It's important to complete our Gurudakshina for the throne, but even more so, it's about proving our strength as a family."

"Hum unpar kyu vishwaas karein?" Duryodhan challenged, though his tone lacked conviction. (Why should we trust them?)

"Because, prince," Asmi replied earnestly, "if you don't, you risk losing everything to a common enemy. United, we can show the whole Aryavart that the Kauravas and Pandavas are invincible together."

Arjun nodded, impressed by her perspective. "Asmi has a point. We've fought against each other for too long. It's time we fought for something bigger than our rivalry."

Karna added, "Strength lies in unity. Duryodhan, you should lead all of your brothers in this battle. With Asmi's knowledge of warfare and strategy, we can succeed."

As the princes began planning their approach to defeat Draupad, Asmi felt a sense of purpose. Duryodhan's earlier jealousy had transformed into respect and she noticed the trust blooming in his eyes.

With every meeting, Asmi found herself stepping into a more prominent role, her insights respected by both sides. Duryodhan began to rely on her and in turn, she felt the weight of his expectations resting heavily upon her.

As the sun set on their preparations, Asmi and Duryodhan found themselves alone again, the earlier tension replaced by a sense of understanding.

"Humne kisi par itna vishwas nahi kiya jitna humne tumpar kiya hai, Asmi." Duryodhan admitted, his voice low. "You see me, not just the prince." (I've never trusted anyone like I trust you.)

Asmi smiled, her heart fluttering at his sentence. "Aapne bhi humein kabhi anjan nahi samjha, Duryodhan ji," she trailed of at the end. (You as well didn't think of me as an outsider, Duryodhan ji.) Unsure of how he would react to her calling him well, his name.

His eyes snapped towards her as he heard her words, the way she called him Duryodhan ji. He felt warmth creeping onto his cheeks as he averted his gaze suddenly finding the floor interesting.

She looked up to him finding the mighty and cold warrior suddenly adorable with blushing cheeks and shyness in his demeanour.

As they prepared for the battle ahead, both Asmi and Duryodhan knew that their growing bond could either be their greatest strength or their biggest vulnerability. The stakes were rising, and the shadows of ambition and darkness ever closer, but for now, they found solace in each other's company.

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