Anuragaanjali ~ The Eternal Love ✅

Chapter 29 : The Breaking Of The Promise

 Breaking the Line

Aaradhya stood frozen at the edge of the threshold, her bare feet just shy of the glowing barrier Arjun had created with the divine astra. The hum of its power seemed to echo in her ears, steady and unyielding, a silent reminder of her husband's instructions.

Her heart was in turmoil. Arjun's words of caution warred with the panic that gripped her at the thought of him being gravely injured. She closed her eyes and pressed a hand against her chest, willing herself to stay calm.

"Arjun is the greatest archer this world has ever known," she murmured to herself. "He is invincible. The gods themselves have blessed him. There is nothing that can harm him."

She repeated the words like a mantra, drawing strength from them. Her trembling subsided, and she stepped back from the threshold, determined to honor her promise.

But just as she was beginning to regain her composure, a shadow appeared at the far end of the corridor. Aaradhya turned her head sharply, her heart sinking when she saw who it was.

"Ashwatthama," she said, her voice wary.

Her brother stepped closer, his face an unreadable mask. "Aaradhya," he said softly, though there was a strange intensity in his tone, "I heard about Arjun. The guards are saying he's gravely injured."

Aaradhya nodded stiffly but said nothing.

Ashwatthama approached the threshold but stopped short of crossing the glowing line. He looked down at the divine barrier with a faint sneer before raising his gaze to meet Aaradhya's.

"Sister, you must come," he said. "They've brought him back to the palace gates, and he's barely clinging to life. If you don't go to him now, you may never see him again."

Aaradhya's lips pressed into a thin line. "I can't," she replied firmly. "Arjun told me to stay here, no matter what. He said he'd come to me himself."

Ashwatthama's expression darkened for a brief moment, but he quickly masked it with feigned concern. "Aaradhya, this is not the time for stubbornness. Do you really think Arjun would want you to stay here if he's dying?"

Her hands balled into fists at her sides. "He's not dying," she said, her voice trembling but resolute. "He promised he'd return to me. I trust him."

Ashwatthama sighed heavily, his shoulders sagging as if in defeat. "Sister," he said, his voice softer now, almost pleading, "I understand your faith in him. But think of the worst-case scenario. What if this is your last chance to see him alive? Will you truly let your love for him hold you back from saying goodbye?"

Aaradhya's resolve wavered. Her brother's words struck a chord deep within her, and tears pricked at the corners of her eyes.

"I..." she began, her voice faltering. "I don't know..."

Seeing her hesitation, Ashwatthama pressed on. "You don't have to step far," he said. "Just come to the gates and see him, even from a distance. No one will hold it against you—not even Arjun. He'd understand."

Aaradhya's mind was a storm of emotions. Doubt crept in, whispering insidious thoughts into her heart. What if Ashwatthama was right? What if she never saw Arjun again?

She took a step forward, but the divine glow of the astra flared as if to warn her. She hesitated, glancing down at the barrier.

"I can't," she said again, though her voice lacked conviction.

Ashwatthama's patience seemed to thin, and his pleading tone gave way to frustration. "Aaradhya, stop being so obstinate! I'm your brother, and I'm telling you that you need to go. If you don't, you'll regret it for the rest of your life!"

His words struck a nerve, and Aaradhya's tears spilled over. She looked at the barrier one last time, her heart aching with uncertainty.

"Forgive me, Arjun," she whispered, before stepping across the threshold.

The moment she did, the glowing light of the astra flickered and dimmed, its protective power dissipating into the air. Aaradhya's breath hitched as a sudden wave of guilt washed over her.

She turned to Ashwatthama, her eyes wide with desperation. "Where is he? Take me to him."

A triumphant smile flickered across Ashwatthama's lips, but it was gone as quickly as it had appeared. He extended his hand to her. "Follow me," he said simply.

Aaradhya nodded, her mind too clouded with worry to notice the subtle change in her brother's demeanor. She allowed him to lead her down the corridor, unaware of the storm that awaited her.