Lotus among the Roses

❤️🩷 A silent confession 🩷❤️

The cool evening breeze filtered through the dark blue silk drapes of Vyom's chamber, carrying with it the echoes of the weight of his thoughts. Vyom stood by the window, hands clasped behind his back, his mind churning.

The earlier events of the palace celebration, Kumud's mission, and the unveiling of her deep-rooted trauma had left him unsettled. His hands behind his back tightened, as his mind replaying everything Devsena had revealed about Kumud's past.

He felt his heart tighten as he thought of that enigma of a woman - fierce, loyal, and utterly broken by the hurt and trauma she carried.

Kumud's confusion about her own identity, whether she was Kumud or Padmini, her actions were such that she distanced herself from everyone, even the ones who wanted to help her, yet what made his heart tremble each time were her eyes. So dazzling and ferocious, get so... so sad.

Her eyes always seemed to ask for help, for someone to pull her out of her misery... a silent plea for help... which weighed heavily on him. Vyom had admired her strength even before he had met her. He had heard about her selection by Guru Ved Bahu, and her achievements, all of which she had earned only due to her determination and strength.

But now, all he could see was her fragility hidden behind that iron-willed exterior.

He remembered the story Devsena had shared with him when he asked her about her concealed words, she had said to Kumud.

Devsena had sighed as she recalled the day of Keerti Pariksha, where Padmini had saved Kumud.

Kumud, only thirteen at the time, consumed by heartache for that unknown woman, had defyed everyone's expectations, when she declared that she would Pray for Padmini's safety. Even Sursa Devi, Padmini's mother-in- law, could not stop her. This was the day, when everyone, felt reverence for her, and Guru Ved Bahu acknowledged her as his disciple.

Under his guidance, she had ventured to a hidden cave temple of Mahadev near the forest, driven by guilt, grief, and an unrelenting kind heart for Padmini.

For three days, she chanted the Mahamrityunjay mantra, refusing to eat, drink, or even speak to anyone. She was just a girl, yet her heart beat with a resolve so profound that even the gods must have taken notice.

Vyom could imagine her small, pale, yet determined visage, sitting on the cold stone floor of the cave, her voice hoarse from chanting, her lips cracked, yet never ceasing.

Nobody was allowed to go in. The only person present there was an elusive Aghori, who would not even show his face to anyone.

Interestingly enough, The eccentric aghori who lived in the cave had tried his best to disturb her. He was a man of harsh words, cruel in his approach, but Kumud had remained unmoved.

" Ey Bachchi !" the Aghori had said with a sneer, " Go! Go Back! Huh! your prayers won't bring the dead back, nor will they stop what the gods have decided. Go! Go! You're wasting your breath."

But Kumud, had only bowed her head in reverence, her voice unshaken, continuing her chant:

Om Tryambakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam Urvarukamiva Bandhanan Mrityor Mukshiya Maamritat.

The Aghori's taunts grew crueler with each passing hour.

" Eey! He won't listen to you! You'll die here, girl! Just like the one you are praying for! It's her destiny! To die! Forgotten ! Nameless ! Do you think the gods care about your tears? What is one life to them? One sacrifice? Go! Go! " He screamed, eyes red, blazing as he appeared very ferocious.

And yet, Kumud had never retorted in anger. Instead, her voice, though quiet, remained resolute.

"Baba... You are right ..... A single life as a sacrifice to Mahader does not matter.... but that woman holds two... She and her child protected my life..... So... I will offer my life for theirs a thousand times over if it means their safety. My mother told me to call upon Mahadev with all I have... He will hear, He has to hear... because my heart knows no other way."