THE CHARMER • ♘ Mahabharat ♘

[𝟐𝟐] ~ ☆ 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐑𝐈𝐃𝐄 𝐑𝐀𝐍 𝐀𝐖𝐀𝐘 ☆

श्रीराधायै नमः

Krisha hurriedly slipped some bangles onto her wrist. Her reflection in the polished mirror staring back at her, with mild anxiety.

Just then a dasi entered, bowing respectfully before softly announcing the unexpected arrival of someone. It made her pause, her hands freezing mid-motion, the soft clinking of her bangles fading into the silence.

Her brows knit together in a subtle furrow. Why is he here right now? she wondered, a mix of apprehension and intrigue forming in her eyes. Adjusting the folds of her attire she strode purposefully towards the door.

And there stood Duryodhan, the soft play of light accentuated the sharp angles of his features, making his confidence seem almost tangible, like an aura that refused to go unnoticed.

But today, something about him caught Krisha entirely off guard. He was dressed in a green dhoti and angvastra, the vibrant shade mirroring the color of her own attire, like the lush depths of a forest after the rain, serene yet striking. It was an unexpected choice for him. One that truly surprised her, but she quickly masked her reaction "This color really suits you" she remarked softly, her voice carrying a gentle warmth.

At the sound of her approach, he turned, and for a fleeting moment the world seemed to still. His breath caught in his throat as his gaze fell upon her. She stood there, enveloped in her natural grace, her hair cascading like a dark, silken river over her shoulders and down her back, framing her face like an artist's finest work.

She was devoid of any jewellery yet her unadorned beauty shone quiet effortlessly, captivating him in her irresistible allure, in a way nothing else could. The soft clinking of her bangles broke the silence, their gentle rhythm weaving through the air like an intimate melody, soothing and enchanting him all at once.

A faint smile tugged at Duryodhan's lips, subtle and almost imperceptible, yet laden with something unspoken. It wasn't the broad, confident grin he often wore in court but a softer, more enigmatic expression, as though it was a secret meant only for the space that stretched between them.

Without uttering a word he extended his hand, revealing a pair of exquisite earrings, embedded with perfectly carved green emeralds, cradled delicately in his palm. The emerald stones shimmered with captivating brilliance, their deep green hue seeming to carry within them the essence of nature's purest splendor and the allure of distant, mystical lands.

"I came here to give you this" he said, his voice low and steady, yet infused with a warmth that again caught her off guard. Krisha blinked, her eyes widening in surprise as the unexpected gesture sank in. She parted her lips to speak, to refuse the offering, but the words faltered, caught somewhere between her thoughts and her tongue, leaving her momentarily speechless.

"But I can't---" she began, her voice tinged with hesitation, but before she could complete he cut her off with a quiet yet firm interruption. "I bought it as a token of our friendship." There was no room for argument in his tone.

Yet beneath his calm words, a deeper truth lingered---one that only his heart knew. Though he spoke with the ease of a friend, his feelings for her were anything but simple. In the quiet recesses of his mind, where no one else could tread, he harbored a love so profound it both terrified and exhilarated him. One he had concealed behind the guise of mere camaraderie.

Krisha hesitated, her thoughts a blur of uncertainty and confusion. For a moment, time seemed to stretch as she grappled with the unexpectedness of his gesture. Then finally, she reached out with a quiet surrender and extended her hand, her fingers brushing against the cool, delicate surface of his present. "Thank you" she murmured, the words slipping from her lips with a surreal and familiar softness.