Anuragaanjali ~ The Eternal Love ✅

Chapter 30 : The Betrayal

A Brother's Betrayal

Ashwatthama walked briskly through the dim corridors, his grip on Aaradhya's wrist firm yet unyielding. Aaradhya struggled to keep up, her heart pounding not only from the pace but from an inexplicable sense of dread.

"Where are we going?" she asked, her voice tinged with anxiety.

"Somewhere we can speak privately," Ashwatthama replied curtly, not meeting her gaze.

The corridors twisted and turned until they emerged in a secluded garden surrounded by tall walls. The air was eerily silent, and the faint light of the moon cast long shadows across the stone pathways.

Ashwatthama finally stopped and released her wrist. Aaradhya stepped back, rubbing the reddened skin where his grip had been too tight. She looked up at him, searching his face for answers, but what she saw made her stomach drop.

His eyes burned with an intensity she had never seen before, and his expression was a mixture of anger and heartbreak.

"Ashwatthama..." she began, but her words were cut off as he suddenly grabbed her shoulders and shook her.

"You betrayed me, Aaradhya!" he shouted, his voice trembling with fury.

Aaradhya gasped, shocked by the venom in his tone. "What are you saying? I've done nothing to betray you!"

"Nothing?" he spat, releasing her shoulders and taking a step back. "You chose him—Arjun—over me, your own brother. You've turned your back on our family, on our honor!"

Tears welled up in Aaradhya's eyes as she tried to process his accusations. "Ashwatthama, no! I didn't turn my back on you. I..." She hesitated, her voice breaking. "I love him. How could that be a betrayal?"

"Love him?" Ashwatthama's laughter was bitter and hollow. "You've let your so-called love blind you to your duties. You were supposed to strengthen our family, to stand by my side. Instead, you've tied yourself to my enemy!"

"He's not your enemy," Aaradhya said desperately, her tears spilling over. "Arjun is your friend—he's always treated you with respect!"

Ashwatthama's expression twisted in rage. "Respect? Is that what you call it? He's taken you from me, and now he thinks he can take everything else, too! Don't you see? This is his way of winning, of humiliating me!"

"No!" Aaradhya cried, shaking her head vehemently. "Arjun would never do that. He loves me, and I love him. This isn't about you or anyone else—it's about us!"

Ashwatthama's fists clenched at his sides, and for a moment, Aaradhya thought he might strike her. But instead, he let out a guttural growl and shoved her to the ground. Aaradhya cried out as her knees scraped against the rough stone.

"You've made your choice, Aaradhya," Ashwatthama said coldly, towering over her. "And for that, you'll face the consequences."

Aaradhya looked up at him, her vision blurred by tears. "I'm your sister," she whispered. "How could you do this to me?"

"You stopped being my sister the moment you chose him," Ashwatthama replied, his voice devoid of emotion.

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Aaradhya crumpled on the ground, her body shaking with sobs.

On the Battlefield

Arjun stood amidst the carnage of the battlefield, his bow lowered at his side. The victory was theirs, the cries of celebration ringing in his ears, but his heart felt heavy.

Without warning, tears welled up in his eyes and slid down his cheeks. He wiped them away quickly, glancing around to see if anyone had noticed.

"Krishna," he said, turning to his charioteer, who was standing nearby. "What is this? Why do I feel as though something terrible has happened?"

Krishna's face was calm, but there was a shadow in his eyes. He placed a hand on Arjun's shoulder and gave a small smile, though it didn't reach his eyes.

"Sometimes the heart senses what the mind cannot understand," Krishna said cryptically.

Arjun studied his friend's face, searching for answers, but Krishna looked away. And then, to Arjun's shock, he saw tears glistening in Krishna's eyes.

"Krishna," Arjun said, his voice urgent now. "Tell me what's wrong. Please."

Krishna shook his head and looked toward the horizon. "Nothing is wrong," he said, though his voice wavered slightly. "Focus on the victory, Arjun. That is what matters now."

But Arjun couldn't shake the unease that gripped his heart. He turned back to the battlefield, the cries of triumph feeling distant and hollow.

Back in Indraprastha

As the war ended, the Pandavas made their way back to the palace. Arjun's restlessness grew with every step, his thoughts consumed by Aaradhya. Something was wrong—he could feel it in his very soul.

The moment they reached the palace gates, Arjun dismounted his chariot and ran inside, his heart pounding with urgency. He didn't stop to speak to anyone or explain himself; he only knew he needed to find Aaradhya.

"Aaradhya!" he called, his voice echoing through the halls.

When no response came, his worry deepened, and he quickened his pace, his footsteps echoing against the stone floors.

"Aaradhya, where are you?" he shouted again, his voice cracking with desperation.

He turned a corner and froze. There, in the distance, was the faint glow of the astra he had left to protect her. But something was wrong—the light was flickering, weak and unstable.

Panic surged through him, and he sprinted toward the chamber, praying he wasn't too late