Asmi: The Warrior of Fate

Separation!

Asmi had barely settled in Dwarka, but her absence lingered in Hastinapur on Duryodhan's heart. He tried to distract himself with his princely duties, overseeing matters of state with the same vigor as before. Yet, even amidst the grandeur of the court and the endless scrolls of royal affairs, his thoughts always drifted back to her- her laughter, her loyalty, her teasing words that only he had the privilege to hear.

The Kaurava brothers watched him closely, aware that their elder brother wasn't himself. Even Karna, who was usually reserved when it came to such matters, couldn't help but notice Duryodhan's changed demeanor.

That afternoon, Duryodhan stood on the palace balcony, looking out over the vast kingdom of Hastinapur. Karna, who had been observing him for a while, stepped up next to him.

"Kya soch rahe ho, Yuvraj?" Karna asked, his voice soft but knowing. (What are you thinking, crown prince?)

Duryodhan sighed heavily. "Hum yeh soch rahe hain... Aisa kya tha jo use jaana pada? Kya hum use rok nahi sakte the?" (I'm just thinking... Why did she have to leave? Couldn't I have just stopped her?)

Karna smiled faintly. "Asmi ko tum kabhi rokh nahi sakte the, Duryodhan. Veh apni ikchha ki patra hai." (You could never have stopped her, Duryodhan. It was according to her own will.)

Duryodhan nodded, though his heart was heavy. "Par jab se woh gayi hai, aisa lagta hai jaise kuch apurn hai yahaan." He tapped his chest, admitting something he'd been denying for days. "Aur aap sab humari sthiti ka uphaas uda rahe hain, lekin hum kya karein, Jyesht? Uske saath na hone par ye mehel kuch nahi lagta." (But as soon as she left, I felt something missing here. And you all have been making fun of my condition, but what can I do, elder one? Without her, this palace feels like nothing.)

Before Karna could respond, Shakuni entered the balcony with his usual oversweet grin. He had overheard part of their conversation and wasted no time in sowing seeds of doubt.

"Aise kyun soch rahe ho, mere bhanje?" Shakuni said, his voice smooth but with an undertone of manipulation. "Asmi toh ab Dwarka mein hai. Krishna ke saath. Tumhein pata hai na, Krishna aur uska parivar kitna chatur hai?" (Why are you thinking like that, my nephew? Asmi is now in Dwarka. With Krishna. You know right, that Krishna and his family members, are how big of tricksters?)

Duryodhan frowned. "Shakuni mamashree, yeh kya keh rahe hain aap?" (Shakuni uncle, what are you saying?)

Shakuni shrugged nonchalantly. "Bas yeh soch raha hoon, bhanje. Asmi tumhari thi, lekin ab Dwarka mein hai. Tumhein nahi lagta Krishna uss avsar ka labh utha sakta hai? Tumhein nahi lagta woh tumhara saath ab kabhi nahi degi?" His words were designed to twist Duryodhan's trust, and they hit their mark. (Just I'm thinking that, nephew. Asmi is now in Dwarka. Don't you think Krishna will take advantage of that? Don't you think that she would never accompany you now?)

A flash of doubt crossed Duryodhan's mind, though he quickly shook it off. "Asmi, apne parivar ke saath hai. Woh humara avashya saath degi, yadi hum sahi hain to. (Asmi is with Krishna. She'll definitely be my companion, if I walk on the right path.)

Shakuni chuckled softly. "Mujhe tumhare vishwaas par poorn vishwaas hai, bhanje. Bas... dhyan rakhna. Tumhare sabse nishthawaan mitra ka hriday parivartan gaya to?" (I trust your trust, nephew. But... Beware. What if your most loyal friend has a change in heart?)

The subtle manipulation planted a seed of unease in Duryodhan's heart, one that affected at him in the silence that followed.

Meanwhile, Dwarka was bustling as Asmi settled into her temporary home. She had never seen such a beautiful city, with its beautiful architecture and the sparkling ocean that stretched as far as the eye could see. But more than anything, it was the warmth of her Dwarka family that made her feel truly at peace.