Asmi: The Warrior of Fate

Her Departure.

The day of Asmi's departure arrived sooner than Duryodhan had anticipated, and though he had known it was coming, he couldn't bring himself to face it. As the palace courtyard filled with well-wishers and family members gathered to bid her goodbye, Duryodhan remained hidden from view.

Asmi stood, radiant in her travel attire, though her eyes displayed a mix of sadness and excitement. One by one, the royal family came forward to bless her. Queen Gandhari touched her head with a tender hand. "Putri, may you always stay safe and find happiness wherever you go."

King Dhritarashtra, with a heavy heart, said, "Asmi, Dwarka is lucky to have you. Don't forget your family in Hastinapur."

Mahamana Vidura and Mahamahim Bheeshma blessed her with kind words, their wisdom evident in their gaze. Kunti stepped forward last, her heart still full of gratitude towards Asmi for helping her reveal the truth about Karna. She held Asmi's hands and whispered, "Dhyan rakhna apna, putri. Tum kabhi koi vyatha ya pareshani mein ho toh mujhe yaad karna." (Take care of yourself, Asmi. If you encounter any issue or problem, remember that I'm there.)

Karna side hugged his mata to keep her steady.

Asmi nodded, her voice caught in her throat as she bid Kunti farewell. Finally, Karna approached. He had always admired Asmi for her fierce loyalty and gentle heart. "Asmi, tumhari sadaiv yaad aayegi. Dwarkadheesh ko humara pranaam kehna." His voice was soft, but his words held the weight of a brother's affection. (Asmi, I'll miss you always. Send my regards to the king of Dwarka.)

The Kauravas, including Dushasana and the others, also came forward, each wishing her well. They shared a few lighthearted remarks, but everyone knew the heavy feeling of her departure.

And yet, there was one face missing in the crowd- Duryodhan. Asmi's heart clenched, knowing he wasn't there to see her off. She had hoped for a goodbye, but maybe this was for the best. With a final look at the people, she had called family for so long, she stepped into her palanquin.

Hidden behind a pillar, Duryodhan watched her leave, his fists clenched. He couldn't let her see him in this state, overwhelmed with emotions he couldn't put into words. But as her palanquin moved away, a single tear slipped down his face.

Asmi's journey was long and tiring, made more frustrating by the cons of the palanquin. After hours of being jostled and shaken along the uneven roads, she let out an exaggerated groan. "Who the hell has made these palanquins? What a freaking torture it is." she muttered to herself, then shouted to her bearers. "Kya yeh palanquin ko thoda dheere nahi le ja sakte? I'm not in a hurry to get bounced out of this thing!" (Can't they slow down this palanquin a little?)

She huffed in irritation, but even her frustration couldn't cover her anticipation of reaching Dwarka. "Krishna ki city... unka toh bada naam suna hai," she said to herself, shifting uncomfortably. "Lekin agar mujhe aur thoda jhatka diya toh mere poore andar ke organs ghuma denge yeh palanquin-wale!" (Krishna's city. Have heard a lot about it. But if they keep giving me such jostles, my internal organs will end up pouring out.)

The guards, hearing her complaints, exchanged nervous glances and tried to steady the palanquin, but Asmi's running commentary continued throughout the journey. 

As the palanquin entered Dwarka, Asmi's eyes widened in awe. The grand city was unlike anything she had seen before- its golden and intricate architecture reflected the splendor of Krishna's kingdom. As soon as she stepped down, she was engulfed in the warmth of her family.

"Mata Devaki! Rohini Ma!" Asmi cried, rushing forward to hug them both tightly. "Kitni yaad aayi aap sabki!" (How much I have missed you.)

Devaki smiled, her hands cupping Asmi's face. "Asmi, putri, Dwarka ka ghar sadaiv khula hai tumhare liye." (Asmi, daughter, You're always welcome in your house in Dwarka.)

Rohini pulled her into a warm embrace. "Humein tumhari hamesha chinta rehti thi, but now you are here. Welcome home." (We have always been worried for you,)

Before she could say anything more, Asmi was taken into a bear hug by Balram. "Asmi! Tum yahan ho, ab Dwarka adhik sundar pratit ho raha hai!" (Asmi! Now that you are here, Dwarka looks even more beautiful.)

She laughed, squeezing her elder brother tightly. "Bhrata Balram! Aap toh hamesha apni choti behan ka uphaas udate rehte ho." (Brother Balram! You always keep on making fun of your younger sister.)

"Yeh mera adhikaar hai," he grinned. (This is my right.)

Asmi's eyes twinkled as she turned to her bhabhi, Revati, who smiled warmly. "Asmi, it's good to have you back."

But before Asmi could respond, a familiar voice cut through the air. "Don't you want to meet me, Asmi?" Krishna appeared, his mischievous grin firmly in place.

"Krishna!" Asmi exclaimed, rushing to hug him.

"Tch, tch, Aapke Hastinapur ke Yuvraj kaise hain?" Krishna teased, raising an eyebrow knowingly. (Tch, Tch, how is your Crown Prince of Hastinapur doing?)

Asmi blushed instantly. "Krishna bhrata! Aap bhi bas..." (Brother Krishna! You na...)

Before Krishna could tease her further, Rukmini stepped in, saving her from embarrassment. "Arya, don't tease her too much," she said, laughing softly. "Asmi thak gayi hai. Let her rest." (Asmi is tired.)

Asmi shot her choti bhabhi a greatful look before moving towards her chamber.

Later that evening, after Asmi had settled, she found herself sneaking into the royal kitchen with Krishna by her side. The two had often teamed up for mischief in the past.

"Hum itne saare meethai kyun chura rahe hain, bhrata?" Asmi whispered, stuffing sweets into her hands. (Why are we stealing so many sweets, brother?)

"Kyunki jo churaate hain, unka swad aur bhi adhik ho jaata hai!" Krishna replied with a wink, his mouth already full of ladoos. (Because when we steal, their taste is enhanced.)

Just as they were about to escape, they were caught by one of the palace attendants. "Dwarkadheesh! Devi Asmi! You both are stealing the sweets again?" the attendant scolded, hands on her hips.

Asmi and Krishna exchanged fake guilty looks before bursting into laughter. The attendant sighed but couldn't stay angry with them for long.

Meanwhile, in Hastinapur, Duryodhan found himself lost in thought, his mind constantly drifting to Asmi. He had tried to focus on his duties, but nothing seemed to distract him from the fact that she was no longer in the palace.

Dushasana, noticing his brother's long face, nudged him. "Bhrata, kuch to problem hai. Aapko kya ho gaya?" (Brother, there is some problem. What happened to you?)

Karna, who was standing nearby, smirked knowingly. "Mujhe to gyaat hai," he said, crossing his arms. "Asmi ka jaana tumhe itna pareshaan kyun kar raha hai, Duryodhan?" (I know. Why Asmi's absence is saddening you, Duryodhan?)

Duryodhan scowled. "Hume kuch nahi ho raha. Aap log bas..." (Nothing is happening to me. You people...)

But before he could finish, his brothers surrounded him, teasing him mercilessly. "Oh ho, toh yeh baat hai!" Dushasana said with a grin. "Asmi ke jaane se hamare Yuvraj ke hriday mein pidha ho rahi hai!" (Oh ho, so this is the case! Asmi's departure has caused some pain in the heart of our Yuvraj!)

Even Karna couldn't resist joining in. "Bolo, Duryodhan, satya kya hai?" (Speak, Duryodhan, what is the truth?)

Duryodhan, unable to hide it any longer, let out a frustrated sigh. "Uchit hai, uchit hai! Hum maante hain... Hum Asmi se prem karte hain." (Fine, fine! I admit... I love Asmi.)

The teasing stopped for a moment as his brothers exchanged glances, but then the teasing resumed, even more intense than before. "Toh yeh baat hai!" they chorused, laughing as Duryodhan groaned. (So this is the thing!)

But while the Kauravas laughed, Shakuni heard everything while passing by, his eyes gleamed with calculation. He had already begun to plot, his mind working towards the next move.