MIRAGE OF HEARTSTRINGS

EDGE OF DEMISE

The morning sun hues found its way to the Maharaj of Hastinapur who woke up, filling himself tired and his body paining which is surprising cause he does not remember doing anything that would make his body tired and hurt, especially when the last thing he remembers is hugging his friend while laying down on bed.

Is it after poison effect? Maybe but it still didn't stopped him from opening his eyes as he rub his face before sitting up.

It wasn't long until he massages his body to relax himself only to look at other side to be empty.

"Huh? Did she woke up early?"

It wouldn't be a lie if he said that he also didn't wanted to face her after yesterday night. Deciding to freshen up and go back to check papers, he went to bath place before coming back after a while, while wiping his wet head, only to find her in the room but he decided to continue his work, knowing how much awkward it already is until his attention went to large stole on her body.

It is confusing for her to use stole as it is peak summer season with open long hair while her back is facing him but he decided to keep quiet, not finding courage to initiate conversation as he went to office, leaving her to work inside room.

It went as usual as everyday until Duryodhana realise that Bhanumati is avoiding as he noticed her changing tracks when they were about to face each other in corridor earlier. Although he does understand her reasons but isn't she the one who told him yesterday that friends can hug them? As much as he wanted to confront her, he let it go only for it goes on-

TWO DAYS LATER

"Bhanu"

The room's door barged open as the said lady look up in surprise.

"Huh? Wha-"

"What is going on?"

For a moment both of them stare at each other before Bhanumati turned her head away making Duryodhana know that she knows about what he is asking but she isn't going to answer. Well, unfortunately for her cause today he is going to get answers.

"Even Maa is asking about this and.............[DEEP BREATHE] weren't you the one who said that friends can hug?" The question was barely above whisper but the bitter chuckle in reply wasn't. Duryodhana look at her in astonishment as she look towards with such Fierce glare that if it would be any less than warrior, the person would had cowered away by now.

"Did you find out what poison was it?"

Duryodhana shook his head making her ask again "then who poisoned you?" only to see him shake his head in reply again making her bite lips as she almost yell "Why!? You don't even know who poisoned you nor you know what poison was that! Why!? Don't you worry about that?"

The glare directed from her remained unfazed as he look at her without blinking before opening his mouth "cause firstly, the poison is already consumed hence it would hard to identify unless the behaviour after poisoning is understandable and secondly, it is nothing new for me to get poisoned from childhood, being the Yuvraj of Hastinapur and now as Maharaj" making her glare soften up as she sighs before standing up from chair.

"we hugged that night, right?" To which Duryodhana nodded as Bhanumati sighs "right..........sorry, I was being immature-"

"No, you weren't. In the last it was my fault-"

"It is not your-"

"-That despite getting into this situation many times, I still couldn't recognise the poison. Beside I just....."

Bhanumati stare at Duryodhana in confusion as he scratch his neck awkwardly before letting out "I didn't had anyone to advise me about the public work"

It took her a while to fully comprehend his sentence before she let out a small chuckle until it changed into full laugh while he pressed his lips tightly, staring at her as she continued laughing at him.

"You done?"

"I.....I am......I am sorry duryo but.......pfft" And in the last the laughing continued until it turned into coughs as he gave her water, rubbing her back to reduce her coughing.

"Thanks"

"Why stop laughing? Laugh more" He let out sarcastically making her stare at him before she again started giggling making him frown "Bhanu!"

"Ok-Ok, my apologise. I won't laugh now. So tell me, how can I help you?"

"About the-"

"And I apologise again for avoiding you even though-"

"You had your reasons and I don't blame you for it" The sternness in his voice keep making her heart warm "Although I hope you won't leave me alone to attend guests" until he let out his making her frown as he chuckles while she stare at him before looking somewhere else, clearing her throat "so?"

"Yeah, here"

It didn't took much time for them to go back on track but still it didn't stopped her from glancing at him from moment to moment, even when he is not noticing, actually only when he is not noticing only then she is looking at him, for what reason? Only she knows.

The week again started getting comforting and peaceful as they both found their solace again and the tranquility of Hastinapur Palace came back.

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