MIRAGE OF HEARTSTRINGS

EMERGENCE OF AMBIVALENCE

DURING SANGEET CEREMONY

The Groom and Bride side didn't left any chance of jokingly taunting each other making all the guests laugh as Duryodhana can't help but to press his lips when Ashwathama nudge whenever a sentence about him come from bride's side while all his best friends laugh.

Glancing towards his brother who is talking with Vikarna but still managed to steal glancing towards his bride, it all seems worth and not like it is painful, it is just his mood. Oh by the way, remembering the mood-

"Hey karna"

"Hmm?"

"When are you getting married?" That took his other bestfriends towards karna who seems surprise at sudden question towards himself as Duryodhana grin lightly "Has no Rajkumari caught your eyes yet? I thought you were looking for a warrior one?" before his smirk turned into smirk as Ekalavya and Ashwathama lowly Hooted at karna, who stare into Duryodhana's eyes until he understood at which road he is standing.

"Ah, you mean-"

"No need man. Just don't forget to invite us to wedding" Ashwathama said, finding a chance to throw back at karna while others chuckle at that but what they didn't notice is to Mata Gandhari listening to them.

"Correct. When are you getting married Putra Karna?" This took everyones attention towards who quietly stare at the ladies who is still playing instruments but has stopped singing. And if one knows karna, they certainly know that karna does not like attention at all, so what centre of attention? Not to forget that this time he has become centre of attention.

After a moment contemplatement, karna seem to open his mouth which made everyone thought he is shy but only if they know, however before he could say anything a soft voice break the silence of words.

"Why not first we finish this after all the groom and bride seem impatient?" Making everyone laugh as they look towards groom and bride who are flabbergasted at that sentence while karna couldn't help but to give grateful look towards Mata Kunti who nodded at him with same gentle smile which he saw the first time he met her, unknown to the stare of five people.

Upon feeling a hand on his shoulder, the Archer look at his left, finding it is said bestfriend who just created this situation as he hear a mumble from him.

"I am sorry karna. I didn't mean to make you centre of attention" As much as he knew Duryodhana isn't a type to apologise, he does know that Duryodhana does not keep the words from them three making him sigh out before he put his hand on Duryodhana's, pinching his palm making Duryodhana take his hand abruptly as he glare at the him (karna) who just shrug nonchalantly.

"Don't do it from now" Karna said, hearing a low groan "yeah-yeah. God you are too much" from his friend who is rubbing his pinched palm until they hear Ekalavya saying "saying like you aren't the one who is high maintenance out of all here" making Duryodhana raise an eyebrow at him "excuse me?" while Ashwathama agreed with Ekalavya "True".

"You are saying like I am the one who ignore a person's whole existence after realising he isn't worth giving attention?"

And this made Ashwathama point at karna while saying "that's true man. I have never seen a person like this before until I met you who has this much standard-" and before ashwathama could complete hear his sentence he hear a exaggerate voice from him behind with a scoff "-as if you aren't the one who whined about having to walk around Maya Van to find Duryodhana for just a week"

And the bickering took whole Sangeet Ceremony until certain two's wives didn't came to take them for their care.

Both Ashwathama and Karna also decided to have dinner before going towards their respective room with other guests and family members too going to their rooms.

INSIDE MAHARAJ AND MAHARANI'S ROOM

"How unrealistic yet realistic! Tomorrow is the wedding duryo"

Duryodhana chuckled at bhanumati's excitement as he watch her laying on bed while hugging and extra pillow as he tied his hair for sleep.

"It is. What have you planned for tomorrow?"

"You already know Maharaj" Bhanumati said, emphasising the word 'Maharaj' making Duryodhana shook his head "I mean about you all ladies" making Bhanumati sit up immediately "oh about us, we have planned many things like..........." and Duryodhana couldn't help but to regret his decision of asking as both of them watch the sky turning red.

"................"

"It is already morning bhanu! Wh-"

"Good night duryo"

Duryodhana sighed looking at the cocoon of blanket made by his friend before he himself decided to take at least a short nap too since today is wedding and there is no way they are going to get rest today.

It wasn't even much later when Duryodhana found himself standing in his brother's room who is getting ready while getting teased by his other brothers who show no mercy on him.

Just as he hear the sound of Pandit (Priests) welcome, he immediately went outside, welcoming the Pandit Ji with his wife as they took them to the Mandap (wedding pavilion).

Nodding his some brothers, he watch the ladies of the house helping the Pandit Ji and in between Draupadi got so many blessings from the Pandit Ji too.

It wasn't much late until Dushasana arrived, already looking annoyed by all the ornaments and extra touch up as he gave a exaggerated look towards Duryodhana who just shrug at him. After all it was Dushasana's decision, wasn't it?

"Boy, he is seriously looking ready to throw hands, even on his own wedding day" Duryodhana hear Ashwathama chuckling and he also couldn't help but to chuckle with him.

The dhols (double sided Indian Drum) sound increased, taking everyones attention towards the front from where the Bride is making her entry with the ladies. Bhanumati and the Elder Lady of RakshasVan careful made Hidimba sit beside Dushasana as the Pandit Ji start the wedding.

Bhanumati came to stand beside him as hears Ekalavya says teasingly "Maharani Bhanumati must be also wishing to marry duryo again" only to hear a dramatically tired tone "it is bhanumati and no, I do not wish that. I can't handle that again" in reply making all four friends laugh at that.

Duryodhana stare at the burning fire in the Mandap as he look noticed a reflection in it making him glance towards his left corner where Vikarna and Draupadi are standing. Not much like standing as Draupadi is leaning towards Vikarna who has her in his embrace while her eyes struggle to stay open making Vikarna took her inside; though she protested, he seemed to make her understand as they both went inside after signalling to Sughada beside Mata Gandhari who will tell her and towards him. Which not at all is bad, it is necessary for her to rest and not to forget that yesterday late night ceremony was also quite tiring......Hah! The beauty of Shaadi wala Ghar (wedding house).

"Vivaah Sampan hua (the wedding is over)"

In the last, everything is good like always.

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