Upon my return to the ashram for the second time, I experienced a familiar mix of nerves and anxiety deep within my heart. A wave of sensations stirred in my gut, yet amidst it all, there was a profound sense of belonging. As I laid eyes on the ashram once more, a sense of peace washed over me.
The lush green canopies, the vast fields adorned with mustard and paddy, and the crisp cold weather all captivated me. The following morning, everyone gathered to bask in the warmth of the winter sun. Devpriya didi, who had blossomed beautifully, exuded a captivating feminine energy that drew the attention of all the kuru princes. Her laughter resonated through the quiet ashram, accompanied by the gentle jingle of her anklets.
Tushti resembled her in every way, yet she possessed a serene and delicate demeanor. Her presence exuded a gentle aura, and she primarily dedicated herself to the tasks within the ashram, unlike devpriya who often wandered aimlessly. Upon my return from Dwarka, I had the opportunity to meet with everyone, and I was delighted to find that they remained as welcoming and warm as ever.
However, I couldn't help but notice the subtle change in the behavior of Arjuna, Yudhistira, and Bheem. They seemed to overlook my presence more frequently than before. It became apparent that I was no longer seen as a child. While Nakul and Sehdev continued to engage with me, there was now a noticeable distance between me and the others. This change in dynamics was likely due to my growing friendship with Duryodhan.
As the days went by at the ashram, everyone was occupied with preparations for the final test, which was scheduled to take place in Hastinapur as kalapradarshan. In just five days, we would be accompanying the Kuru princes to their kingdom for the test, and I couldn't help but feel that this marked the end of our friendship.
There was no trace of him. When I questioned Duryodhan, he chose not to respond. I found myself with no other option but to wait. My mind wandered away from my studies, reminiscing about the moments we shared in the ashram. Where could he have gone? I worried about his well-being at times, but then again, he was Ashwattama. I reassured myself that nothing harmful could happen to him.
"Your major weapon, your in knowledge every subject and your archery skills would be tested in front of the great states and their kings from all over the aryavarth in Hastinapur." Guru Drona, who had been ignoring me since my arrival, spoke up. On the day I reached here, I respectfully touched his feet, and in response, he simply uttered, "May God bless you with wisdom." What could that possibly signify?
"You've three days for your preparation, i do not want anyone to fail this test. As it will only bring you either of the two Honour or Shame." Said Gurudev addressing to the crowd of students under the banyan tree.
"Why on earth they have choosen archery to be one of the compulsory subjects---?" Said Nakul with a stressful face.
"You very well know this Nakul. Or do you need an explanation---?" As I made my way towards the tent, a sense of disgust enveloped me, completely ruining my day. Each person retreated into their own tents, knowing that time was limited for preparation. Although I lacked proficiency in archery, I was determined to prove myself to Gurudev. I couldn't help but imagine how different things would be if Ashwattama was present, as I would have sought his guidance in honing my skills. However, the harsh reality was far from my imagination.
I longed for his presence in the ashram, unable to sense it when he was out of sight. In Dwarka, I had managed to keep my emotions in check, but upon arriving here, I had completely lost control. Now, I was once again consumed by my longing, yearning for his touch, his warm gaze, and his captivating smile. I yearned to have him by my side, yet I had no knowledge of his whereabouts. My heart constantly ached for him, but that was the harsh reality I had to endure. I had to live like this, all for him.
. . .
As I made my way towards the lake, the sun had not yet risen. It had been such a long time since I had last seen this beautiful lake. The month of February brought with it a biting cold during the early hours of the day, and the chilly breeze that swept up from the lake sent shivers down my spine. Upon reaching the shore, I unsheathed my sword and began practicing the moves taught to me by Krishna himself, right there in the open arena, as I awaited the sunrise.
The sound of birds chirping grew louder, and the limited daylight began to filter through the forest canopy. With my sword held high, I sliced through the air with great force. The tranquil flow of the water served as a stark contrast to my fierce movements, as it continued to move slowly and calmly.
As I paused to take a break, I observed the bushes at the edge of the forest moving. I pondered if there was someone, maybe an animal, present. Remaining quiet, I waited for any movement, but nothing occurred. Seated on the tree trunk, sweat dripping down my body, my hair damp, and breathing heavily. Once more, I noticed the bushes moving. I grabbed my sword and hurriedly approached the bushes, ready to confront whatever lurked within.
I used the iron sword to clear away the bushes, but to no avail as there was no one there. I tilted my head in disbelief, questioning if I was imagining things. Out of nowhere, I was ambushed from behind by an arrow. Before it could strike, I grabbed the attacker's heavy hand and forcefully pushed them to the ground. Drawing my sword, I nearly sliced them into pieces.
My heart stopped and my mouth fell open as I recognized the person standing before me It felt as though time stood still for a moment. I was at a loss for words, unable to even take a breath. A jumble of thoughts raced through my mind, leaving me unable to process them. Despite the butterflies in my stomach, long gone, I was enveloped in their warm embrace. Meeting his light brown orbs, so familiar after three long years, was a moment I had been yearning for.
I lost myself in Ashwattama utterly.
I sat on his chest, meeting his gaze as the sword dangled above him Time seemed to slip away as we sat in that position. A faint smile appeared on his lips, causing butterflies to flutter in my stomach. I traced my fingers lightly over his bare chest, moving down his body.
*coughed* "oh my gowd, youre so heavy get off me." Without warning, he uttered words that startled me. He awakened me from my thoughts, causing me to stumble and land on the ground. Confused, I quickly gathered my composure and tried to comprehend what had just occurred. Suppressing a smile, I pressed my lips together tightly.
Oh my god nihira, stop smiling for once.
He rose to his feet, standing above me. I observed his increased height, his muscular and stronger physique, and the flawless beard he now sported. His eyes revealed his desire for me, yet neither of us spoke for an extended period. I sat on the ground while he stood before me, both of us enveloped in silence. Although the tranquility was soothing, I longed to hear his voice.
Someone had to ruin the silence.
"I would have killed you, but then i thought you're the only son of your father, so---" i said getting up from the ground, removing the dirt from my hands.
"Oh you were so lost to even think like that." He spoke, moving his head in disbelief.
"I can still kill you." I said placing my sword at his chin.
"Try it---" He firmly grasped the pointed tip of the iron sword, holding it in his bare hands, and forcefully pulled me closer to him. I narrowly avoided colliding with him, just as he swiftly unsheathed his own sword, effectively blocking my path. The clash of our swords resonated with a resounding crash as I unleashed all of my pent-up anger towards him, channeling every ounce of my determination. However, he reacted with remarkable speed.
I engaged in a fierce swordfight with him, our blades colliding with a resounding clash. In a swift motion, he attempted to strike me, but I managed to evade his grasp and retaliated with a powerful attack. My strike narrowly missed severing his neck, yet he skillfully evaded the blow.
Determined to gain the upper hand, I leaped from a nearby rock, aiming to disarm him. However, his agility proved too great as he swiftly sidestepped, disarming me and flinging my sword into the depths of the lake. I stood there, astonished by his speed and precision.
Suddenly, his sharp iron sword tore through the cotton fabric that adorned my chest, reducing it to countless shreds. Standing before him, only clad in a simple cloth covering my chest, a surge of heat welled up within me. It became evident that I had nothing left to lose.
I was spotted by him, despite not having long hair to conceal myself. I had a locket around my neck, which he deliberately snatched away with the tip of his sword. I couldn't help but be amazed. He flashed a flirtatious smile at me before turning towards the lake. As I observed his perfectly sculpted back, I discreetly retrieved my dagger from behind me and launched a surprise attack from behind. He swiftly turned towards me, and I managed to lightly pierce his heart. A small trickle of blood escaped from his bare chest.
"Ouch---" he spoke.
I tilted my head in contentment, returning his playful grin. He chuckled. I pushed my hair behind my shoulders with assurance. Making my way back to the tree trunk. He remained standing, gazing at me.
"Tried me---? Now get lost." I said. Walking with my back at him.
"OH, weren't you dying to see me--?" He questioned.
I paused at this moment, feeling my heart race rapidly. However, I regained composure and faced him, offering a sardonic smile. He comprehended my gesture and reciprocated, gently touching the wound I had inflicted upon him.
"Nobody's dying for you, you're useless." I said shouting.
"Dont lie in the morning princess." He spoke.
"Don't disturb me, go away." I spoke.
Disregarding his nonsensical behavior, I seized the bow from the tree trunk and positioned the arrows behind my back, ready to target the apple tree several meters in front of me. As I extracted an arrow, I tightly stretched the bow, but my focus wavered when I noticed him approaching. He stood beside me and requested that I aim through his eyes. Upon seeing him, I completely forgot how to even stretch the bow, causing the arrow to slip from its position, leaving me standing there in utter embarrassment..
"Go away from here." I said loudly to him.
"Why--- you know everything just point at the fruit." He said folding his arms and waiting for me to short the arrow.
"I—I—ah, will you go away from here." I said nervously.
"But why—?" He questioned.
"Because I'm not able to focus on the fruit, you're making me ner—" Before I could finish, he arched an eyebrow in my direction, clasping his hands together. I couldn't resist admiring his flawless appearance, and as I rubbed my neck, I was already aware that the situation had taken a turn for the worse.
Dont act fool nihira.
"You're getting nervous—" he said chuckling.
"No no no no, I'm not. Just turn back towards me" I spoke impolitely to him, causing him to remain motionless, gazing at me with a certain expression in his eyes that I could discern precisely. Our eyes locked momentarily, and once again, I felt a surge of anxiety as all the masculine vigor I had possessed seemed to have dissipated into thin air. I averted my gaze from him, observing the sun ascending and casting its radiant beams over the entire arena. The dewdrops enveloped the entire forest, and the chill became more tolerable, it already did.
As I gazed at him once more, he started to approach me, causing me to be overwhelmed with shyness. My cheeks flushed crimson as he drew nearer. It was unexpected for him to be so close to me. Nevertheless, I paid no mind to it. In that moment, his body lightly brushed against mine as his hand gently grasped my waist. His fingers glided slowly across my slim, exposed waist, evoking a tingling sensation not only within his touch but also within my heart.
As his finger grazed my waist, his grip tightened. I found myself gasping for breath as he gently brushed the hair away from my shoulder and rested his chin on my neck. Our breaths mingled, his nose grazing against my skin, overwhelming me with an indescribable sensation. In that moment, I realized how desperately I yearned for him, longing to be consumed by his presence eternally. There was no room for regret; all I desired was him, and his touch.
On the other hand, he lifted the bow from my grasp, extending it and directing it towards the apple tree. I paid little attention to the target, as I was gradually becoming captivated by him. He produced an arrow from an unknown source and placed it on the bow, holding onto me tightly like never before.
"Focus, Princess." He whispered softly in my ear, causing a shiver to run down my spine in response to his commanding presence. In a swift motion, he released the arrow, and within mere seconds, it found its mark with impeccable precision, causing the apple to plummet from the tree.
When the apple dropped, he delicately leaned in towards my neck, softly kissing it as his lips made contact with my skin, causing me to feel like I was floating on air. I held onto his hand firmly, our fingers intertwining, as he planted another kiss on the same spot on my neck. Sensing his breath mingling with mine, our bodies entwined, I wished to remain with him in this moment forever, until the end of time.
"Oh how much I've missed you nihira." He said pressing himself more within me.
I found myself unable to resist the urge for more of his presence, so I turned my face towards him, gently placing my hands on his chest. His height towered over me, causing me to rise up on my tiptoes as I reached up to touch his neck. As I gazed at his pink, soft lips, I felt a strong desire to kiss them. His eyes were locked on mine, and I longed to express my love for him. Slowly, I leaned in towards his lips, yearning for more of his affection in that moment.
I was on the verge of kissing him when he suddenly pulled back and shoved me forcefully into the lake. The impact of his push was so strong that I found myself airborne for a moment before plunging into the water. As I struggled to resurface, soaking wet and bewildered, I tried to make sense of the situation. Brushing my hair away from my face, I opened my eyes to see him standing on the shore, his head slightly bowed. I was left feeling damp and taken aback by his actions.
"Back to reality, princess."
Ahem ahem, so— i know yall liked it. Now please dont cancel me for the last scene. Because at the end he's Ashwattama. You cannot expect something perfect from him. But i bet yall were laughing screaming smiling blushing throughout. Haina.
Because i was doing the same. So, we deserve atleast 40+ likes on this chapter. I deserve it yaaaaar.
This chapter took the life out of me to write.
Thankyou so much for reading.
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