Anuragaanjali ~ The Eternal Love ✅

Chapter 33 : The Call For AgniDev

The Flames of Devotion

The tension in the air was palpable as Aaradhya stood with her back pressed against the rough bark of a tree. Duryodhan's predatory gaze bore into her, while Shakuni lurked nearby, his sinister smirk only fueling the terror within her. Yet, even in the face of such overwhelming peril, Aaradhya's resolve did not waver.

Her hands trembled slightly as she brought them together in a prayerful gesture. She closed her eyes, her voice steady despite the chaos around her.

"Oh, Agnidev," she began, her words a whispered plea. "You, who are the purifier and the protector, I call upon you in this hour of dire need. If my love for Arjun is true, if my heart has never wavered in its devotion to him, then let your flames consume me before I allow myself to be defiled by another's touch."

Duryodhan's smug confidence faltered as her words echoed through the clearing. His brow furrowed, and for the first time, a hint of uncertainty flickered in his eyes. "What is she doing?" he asked Shakuni, his voice laced with unease.

Shakuni's smirk slipped. "This... this could be dangerous," he admitted, glancing at Aaradhya with suspicion.

Ashwatthama, bound and helpless, began to thrash against his restraints with renewed vigor. Tears streamed down his face as he shouted, "Aaradhya, stop this madness! Please, don't do this!"

But Aaradhya did not waver. Her prayer grew louder, her voice gaining strength as if the very heavens had heard her call.

"Agnidev," she continued, her eyes now open and filled with fiery determination. "Let your flames be my sanctuary. I would rather perish in your embrace than live with the stain of dishonor."

A sudden gust of wind swept through the clearing, carrying with it a warmth that rapidly intensified. The ground beneath Aaradhya's feet began to glow, and a circle of flames erupted around her.

Duryodhan stumbled back in alarm, his bravado completely shattered. "What is happening?" he bellowed, his voice shaking.

Shakuni took several steps back, his ever-present dice falling from his hands as he muttered, "She has called upon divine powers. We must leave at once!"

But Duryodhan, consumed by his obsession, refused to retreat. "No! She's mine!" he roared, stepping toward the encroaching flames.

Aaradhya's voice rose above the roar of the fire. "You may claim kingdoms and wealth, Duryodhan, but you will never claim me. My heart, my soul, my very existence belongs to Arjun and Arjun alone!"

The flames around her flared brighter, forming a towering inferno that seemed to touch the heavens. Within the fiery cocoon, Aaradhya stood unafraid, her hands still clasped in prayer. Her face was serene, as though she had already transcended the mortal plane.

Ashwatthama's cries grew more desperate. "Aaradhya! Please, stop! Forgive me for everything! I didn't mean for it to come to this!"

Her gaze flicked briefly to her brother, and for a moment, her expression softened. "Ashwatthama," she said gently, "may you one day find peace in your heart."

The inferno roared, engulfing her entirely. The sight was both awe-inspiring and heartbreaking, leaving everyone frozen in shock.

At the Edge of the Clearing

Arjun's horse skidded to a halt as he and Krishna arrived at the scene. The sight that greeted him was one he could never have imagined: the forest bathed in an eerie orange glow, and in the center of it, the woman he loved surrounded by flames.

"Aaradhya!" he shouted, his voice breaking as he leaped from his horse.

The flames began to subside as quickly as they had risen, leaving only a charred circle in their wake. Aaradhya's body lay crumpled on the ground, still and lifeless.

"No!" Arjun's voice echoed through the forest as he ran to her side. He fell to his knees, gathering her in his arms. Her skin, though untouched by burns, was unnaturally cold, and her once-bright eyes were closed forever.

Krishna stood nearby, his face a mask of sorrow. A single tear slid down his cheek as he whispered, "Her devotion was her strength, Arjun. And her love for you was her shield."

Arjun's hands trembled as he cradled Aaradhya's lifeless form. His tears fell freely, mingling with the soot on her face. "Why?" he choked out, looking up at Krishna. "Why couldn't I protect her?"

Krishna knelt beside him, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "This is not the end, Arjun. Her sacrifice was not in vain. Trust in the divine plan."

But Arjun, consumed by grief, could not hear his words. He clung to Aaradhya's body, his heart shattering into a thousand pieces as the reality of her loss began to sink in.

Somewhere in the shadows, Duryodhan and Shakuni fled, their plans thwarted and their spirits shaken. Ashwatthama, still tied to the tree, sobbed uncontrollably, the weight of his actions crushing him.

And in the clearing, surrounded by the remnants of divine flames, Arjun mourned the love he had lost, his cries echoing into the night.