The phalgun month passed rather quickly, with Karn guarding Karunika during the days to prevent Duryodhan from coming near her. However, he couldn't protect his brother's wife, Draupadi from Keechak's lustful gaze. One day, ladoos reached Karunika.
A little boy ran up to her.
" Devi! Devi! Ladoo Maharaj. I mean. Vallabh Maharaj, and Vallabhi have sent besan ladoos for you. They say it's important for your puja. "
" Vallabh has sent ladoos? Oh! You're such a sweet child. Thank you. You may have half the plate of ladoos for your kind job. " She told him, holding his face gently.
'Bheem has sent ladoos. What seems to be wrong? '
*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*
" Bheem! Why did you call us all here? We are nearing the end of the agyatvas. It is dangerous for us to meet now. " Devika said sternly.
" Bhabhsishree. There is bad news. Duryodhan, Dushasan and mamashree Shakuni are here. In Matsya.
" That is true. He came to see me. No doubt looking for me amongst women with veiled faces. Be careful. All of you. " Karunika told them, when she watched Draupadi make faces in disgust.
" Draupadi. What is wrong? "
" Jiji. Wo - That Keechak. He has his eyes set on me. It is disgusting. "
" He dared to touch my wife! Look at her with poor intentions! He deserves to die! " Arjun said angrily.
' You didn't kill the first one. That is why people tried to do it again' Karunika thought angrily.
" You can't go and kill him bhrata Arjun . We'll be revealed. We have to plan it. We need to ensure no one finds out we're here. We need to do this stealthily. " Sahdev said.
" We can't do it stealthily Arya. The more the secrets, the easier it is to look for them. We need to create distractions. If we attempt to attack him, he will shout. He is the sarsenapati of the kingdom. " Meenakshi mused.
" She's right. We need to be smart about this. I will go kill him. I couldn't protect my sister the first time. I will protect her now. " Bheem said, keeping a hand on Draupadi's head.
" But Bheem. We need to plan. How will you enter his room? "
" Leave that to us Jyeshtha. We can distract him long enough in the halls with dance and music. " Arjun told her, while Meenakshi agreed.
" I have been invited into his room, tomorrow night. Bhrata Bheem can be in the room, while I'll walk in
later. " Draupadi said .
" As Bheem begins to fight him, we'll start teaching Raajkumari Uttara the raudr tandav. He should die while we worship Kaal Bhairav. " Meenakshi says.
" I'll sing it for you. Invite me to the palace at night. "
" We'll let the cows and horses free. No one will say anything. " Nakul prompted.
" I'll make sounds in the kitchen. I'll play it off as clumsiness. " Valandhara said.
" I'll invite Maharaj to a game of chausar. He won't be able to deny. " Yudhishthir said.
" So it is settled. Tomorrow night. Keechak will meet his end. "
*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*
As Karunika was walking into the palace, she was caught by Duryodhan and Dushasan.
" Arre. Dushasan. This is the same lady who refused to join us in Hastinapur. What happened sunderi? You said you have lived and will die in the temples. What happened. Greed overcame morals? " He said laughing.
" Jyeshth. A woman is never tempted by gold and jewelry. She is tempeted by lovers. What happened devi? Did your lover's call overpower your need to pray? "
Keeping mum, Karunika decided to ignore the two idiots. She had a plan. Anger would not help here.
As she started to move away, her hand was clutched by the younger Kumar.
" Kumar! Leave my hand. I warned your elder. I am warning you. A devkanya should not be touched without her permission. Leave! Leave my hand! Or I shall curse you!"
He held on tighter, red marks imprinting on her wrists.
" At least tell us why you can come here but not in Hastinapur? " Duryodhan said, holding the other hand.
" Kumar. Every woman was informed to be wary of Hastinapur and their Yuvraj. Who knows who'll be disrobed next. " She said, trying to free her hands. She could fight them. She knew she could. But that would increase their suspicion.
" My tajshree was right when he said that the Kumars of Hastinapur don't learn from their mistakes. Didn't you know? Touching a woman without her permission brought you to this state. Do you want to suffer more? " Asked a voice .
That stopped Karunika's wandering mind. His voice was similar, but not quite. It had the authority that she had come to love in her husband's, but it had the serenity that was new. It was known yet unknown. Loved yet unheard.
" Yuvraj. You should have remained in Vajji only. After all. That is where your father has most power doesn't he? " Duryodhan taunted.
Karunika was now shook. Was that her son? She can't see him. She can't be weak right now. She had a mission.
" Leave the lady Kumar. Or I'll call my father. You know, the one whose wife you tried to harm. My mother? "
As they reluctantly let go of her hand, she ran, a glimpse at her son enough for her.
*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*
" What took you so long Jyeshtha? "
" Nothing. We begin. Today a criminal will meet his end. "
(https://youtu.be/VWjh5NPph-Q?si=KzHgeX--JuJ8peT4)
( link to the strotam)
With each prahar that Bheem made on Keechak, the dance became stronger, the forms sharper. Each mudra made had power. That day, nature itself helped them, heavy rainfall began in the city.
At last, with the last form, the last note of the song, the death blow was made. Keechak was killed. Bheem and Draupadi fled the room. Karunika sprinted back to the temple.
As Duryodhan and Shakuni ran into the room with Maharaj Virat in tow, they found the dead body of Keechak. A papi punished.
*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*
" Maharaj Virat. You have housed the criminals of Hastinapur in your kingdom. We will soon come back with an army. You are going to be at war! " Duryodhan shouted in the sabha, while Shakuni eagerly tried to instigate his nephew more. Guess his anger had some use.
*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*
As they stood outside, ready to fight for the king of Matsya, Karunika was reminded of the time it would take to meet her children. To meet her husband. To be able to freely hold them in her arms. Shower all her motherhood on them. It had been nine grueling years without them. A mother's heart had bled each day it was away from her children.
But all she could do was wait. Wait and wait. For a devkanya could not take up arms.......
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Hey everyone. How was this one? Share your opinions in the comments and vote 😁
She'll meet her children soon don't worry. After all. He saved her once. She'll be very happy with his morals won't she!
I wrote out the draft to the prologue of the time travel fic.
A teaser.....
Hope you all give it the same love ❤
Much love
RadheKrishn❤