A man is shown pacing back and forth in his hut, while a lady sat on bed like thing made of rags with a disgusted look on her face.

Man :- (angrily) This is going too far Vritika, you need to stop all this right now. Because of you, all the people outside this door think of me a demon.

Lady :- What can I do then ? You let them think whatever they want to...

Man :- I am not talking about that, I am talking about your powers, you are openly misusing them and threatning innocent people. Do you have any idea how big of a sin it is....

Lady :- (irritated) What sin huh ? These are my powers, I have learnt them practicing day and night, so it's my choice how I wanna use it. You're saying like pitashree never did anything like that.

Man :- Your pitashree realised his sins and repented for them, he gave up all bad deeds and vowed to serve needy for the rest of his life. You here don't even want to accept your mistake and accusing him, have you forgotten why your pitashree married you to me....

Lady :- He just wanted to show how good he's become, he had nothing to do with whatever was told to you, and you think I married you at my consent, I didn't even knew who you were. One fine day he just stormed in my room and told me that I'll be getting married the next day. You know what, you're nothing but another stupid nerd, I would've got a million times better option than you but pitashree caged me here.

Man felt his head was about to explode due to frustration, he glanced furiously at his wife, this had now gone too far to be bought back again.

Man :- All this arrogance because of your magical powers ha. I curse you, in your next birth you'll be a normal human. The way you never listen to me, your husband will not listen to you no matter how much you explain him. You'll have to marry the man you hate and will have to endure pain of seeing your loved one happy with other woman, only then you'll understand pain of an innocent....

Bhanu woke up with a jerk. She was sweating heavily and her breaths broken.

'What was all that ? Who is Vritika and such a big curse ?' she thought and wiped the sweat on her face and arms.

Getting up from bed she realised it was pretty late and hurriedly went to freshen up. When she came back, a bunch of maids had gathered, they carried dresses, jewelry and all short of dressing up items.

Bhanu :- Do I have to get ready in the morning only, there's still some time left before everyone starts arriving. I can get ready after preparations are all done.



Maid :- But princess....

Bhanu :- No buts, where are mata and pitashree.

Maid :- They are in the dining room.

Bhanu :- Okay, I'll have my breakfast with them and get ready afterwards.

Saying so, she left the chamber and maids continued their work of getting everything ready for use. ----------------------------------------------------------- Jhanvi sat on sofa with a nervous look on her face while Subhadra walked around, gaze fixed on her elder sister.

Subhadra :- So you love him ?

Jhanvi looked at her and noded subtly with a small smile on her lips. Subhadra excitedly sat beside her.

Subhadra :- He helped you, carried you till here, laid you on bed and even gave you a rose, how romantic! Did he say anything to you ?

Jhanvi shook her head.

Subhadra :- Then what are you waiting for, he is going to participate in swayamvar of Bhanumati, you need to confess it to him before he leaves.

Jhanvi :- I don't think that's necessary, I know he doesn't wanna marry her.

Subhadra :- You know Bhanumati also, she's most stubborn, what if she chose him, he'll have to marry her then.

Worry lines started to appear on Jahnvi's beautiful face as her lips formed a pout.

Jhanvi :- But, isn't it too late now, I don't want to put him in between choices and create complications.

Subhadra :- You should go and say whatever's in your heart, leave the rest to him.

Jhanvi :- What if he gets offended ? Or maybe he doesn't feel the same way.



Although she was a bold and confident girl but these newfound feelings made her feel insecure and nervous. Subhadra squeezed her palms to comfort her.

Subhadra :- If you love him, then just go and say, have some faith in God.

Jhanvi noded lost in her thoughts and slowly walked out. ----------------------------------------------------------- Duryodhan opened the gates of Shakuni's room and found his mamashree talking to a few soldiers dressed in completely black with scarfs covering their faces.

Shakuni :- Do you understand, keep him engaged, attack one by one so it takes more time for him to clear out. If possible, attack him from behind and injure him with the poisonous darts I gave you. You all have to make sure he doesn't create any problem.....

He saw Duryodhan entering the chamber and gestured all of them to leave. They bowed their heads and left as Duryodhan walked upto him.

Duryodhan :- What is all this mamashree ?

Shakuni :- Just a finishing touch mere bhanje, I see you're very excited.

Duryodhan :- I can't wait to see Karn's defeated face when pitashree will remove him from yuvraj's post and give it to me.



Shakuni :- That's fine but remember bhanje, don't do anything in haste or out of rage. Talk to him politely, win his trust, as then he won't think you'll do such a thing.

Duryodhan noded thoughtfully and walked out followed by Shakuni. ----------------------------------------------------------- Karn adjusted his dress in front of a mirror, looking at his reflection he took a deep breath.

Karn :- Relax Vasu, everything's gonna be fine.

Wearing his crown, he picked up his bow and moved out of chamber.

Coming out he saw Jhanvi standing there, probably waiting for him. She smiled at him but he noticed the nervousness on her face as she fidgeted with her fingers.

Karn :- Are you fine now ?

Jhanvi :- Ya, I'm good...

She looked at his eyes which were fixed on her face and gulped.

Jhanvi :- K... Karn... I.... want to.... tell you... something.

Karn :- Okay, but why are you so nervous.

Before she could say anything, they heard Kunti's voice calling him as she came looking for him.



He touched her feet and she caressed his hair.

Kunti :- May God bless you with all the happiness and contentment in your life.

Karn :- Mata, bless me to become the greatest warrior, I don't want anything else.

Kunti :- But first you come with me, everyone's waiting for you outside.

She held his hand and went away, Jhanvi just kept looking at them with dissapointment on her face. ----------------------------------------------------------- All the elders were waiting near palace gates, Karn touched their feets to get blessings. Bhisma kept a hand on his shoulder.

Bhisma :- Take care putra, I'm warning you again, I can feel something fishy.



Karn :- I'll try my best.

He then moved towards his brothers who hugged him wishing good luck. He then noded at Yudhisthir and went towards his chariot. Before he could climb up, Arjun came there with a serious face.

Arjun :- Jeysth, if you say then I'll also come with you. I can feel something being planned between mamashree Shakuni and bhrata Duryodhan.

Karn glanced at Duryodhan, who was busy talking to Shakuni, and then at his younger brother, who looked concerned.

Karn :- If there's really something being planned then someone needs to stay behind to lookout. I'll see what I can do there if things go out of hand.

Arjun sighed and hugged him once again, Karn then climb his chariot and they left. After a few minutes of ride, Karn saw Amrit coming towards them on a horse. He stopped in front of Duryodhan's chariot as he greeted him.

Amrit :- I'm sorry for being a little late mitr.

Karn :- Amirt, you here ? And mitr ?

Duryodhan :- He's my friend now and he'll accompany us to Kaling.

Karn :- You never told me ?

Amrit :- (irritated) I don't need your permission to do what I want.

He rode ahead, Karn was bewildered at his reply and kept looking at him for a moment before telling his charioteer to move. ----------------------------------------------------------- Karn, Yudhisthir and Duryodhan reached Kaling palace along with Amrit. They were welcomed grandly.

Bhanumati was sitting in front of a mirror as her maids did her makeup. Suddenly another maid came running excitedly.

Maid :- Princess.... he's here.

Bhanu raised her eyebrows.

Maid :- Prince Karn, he has arrived with his brothers.

Bhanu made bored expressions on her face and adjusted her jewelry.

Bhanu :- Oh, some more suitors arrived, they're a bit late though. You all can leave now, I need some free time.

Maids moved out one by one closing the door behind them, Bhanu kept looking at the gates to make sure all of them had left. Then she stood up and walked towards the balcony, she glanced at the entrance which made her eyes open wide.

Karn stood talking to one of her father's minister, sunlight fell on his face making it glow, his fair skin had complexion of gold and he carried a beautiful bow in his hand.



It seemed as if creator had taken all his leisure time in carving out each and every feature delicately.

She even forgot to blink her eyes looking at him. Karn felt something weird, he glanced around to scan the surroundings. Bhanu hid behind a pillar before he could spot her. She kept a hand on her heaving bosom to calm herself. 'You shouldn't stare a man like this' her mind warned and she went back.

Karn entered the hall, it was decorated precisely with even minute things were uniquely coloured.



Many powerful kings and princes were present there, Shishupal, Rukmi, Vakra, Midrashrava, Alambush, Ugrakarm, etc. While he was admiring the decoration, an elderly man walked upto him.

Man :- Are you the yuvraj of Hastinapur, the eldest prince.

Karn :- Ya, but who are you mahoday ?

Man :- I am Madra Naresh Shalya, Madri's elder brother.

Karn :- Choti maa...... means mamashree.

Shalya noded with a smile.

Karn :- How do you know me mamashree ?

Shalya :- Who dosen't knows you putra, I had heard your description from her many times. You're the only person I know having that sun mark on forehead.

Karn :- (surprised) She told you about me ?

Shalya :- Told ? She used to give me lectures about you putra, describing how you would look like, this and that whatsoever. You know she wanted to see you, meet you, hear you calling her choti maa but, on an unfortunate day, everything was over.

Karn too felt a little sad, he misunderstood his parents, who did so much for him, if he'll ever be able to repay one tenth of what they did.

Karn :- It happens, no one knows what's gonna happen next, all we could do is try, rest depends on almighty.

Shalya :- I'm sure she must be watching you from heaven, come with me, lets have a talk.

Karn :- Have you also come here to participate ?

Shalya :- (laughs) Bhanumati is like my daughter, I'm here to help my friend, your to be father in law.

Karn tried to smile through the uneasy expressions on his face. Both of them went towards Maharaj Chitrangadh, who were busy talking to Yudhisthir and Alambush.

Shalya :- Mitr, meet my eldest nephew, Pandu's eldest son.

Chitrangadh eyed Karn with a look of awe.

Karn :- Pranipat.

Chitrangadh :- Your eyes are exactly like your father as well as your walking style. Pandu seems to have got a replica of himself.

They laughed and talked as time for swayamvar to start was nearing.

About an hour later, all the guests and participants sat on their places, waiting for princess to arrive. Duryodhan sat next to Shishupal, Amrit stood there along with him. Karn and Yudhisthir sat at with Shalya, near Chitrangadh's throne.



Chitrangadh stood up to do the announcement.

Chitrangadh :- I welcome all the kings and princes in the rajya sabha of Kaling. I hope you didn't had to face any problem in our service, today is the swayamvar of my beloved daughter Bhanumati. There won't be any challenge or competition, groom would be the one whom my daughter will garland. I request everyone present here to please appreciate my daughter's choice and bless this marriage. Now I call before you, the princess of Kaling, Bhanumati.



Bhanu slowly walked into the sabha along with her mother, accompained with her maids. She looked like a Goddess in wedding attire, wearing beautiful red saree, her jewelry shone brightly, spectators were unable to believe she was a human, her face had a happy glow with a small smile.



Duryodhan was awestruck looking at her, for him, everything froze for a moment, his heartbeat began pounding and mind went blank at the sight of princess. Amrit noticed his expressions and smirked, he leaned near Duryodhan's ear.

Amrit :- Seems like my mitr is already in love, have patience for a few moments, she'll be yours.



A smirk appeared on Duryodhan's face as he looked at Amrit.

Chitrangadh :- Bhanumati will hear to each and every participant's introduction, and the person she'll garland will be married to her. Start the swayamvar putri.

Bhanu noded and walked towards the first person sitting in the line.

Maid :- Princess, he is yuvraj Midrashrava, son of Maharaj Chatradharma, excellent stragiest and an adept sword fighter. His war techniques are famous throughout aryavarth.

Bhanu glanced at him and moved forward. Midrashrava sat down, clenching his fists in anger. One by one participants stood up, their introductions were given but Bhanu glanced at them and walked ahead. Now was Duryodhan's turn, he stood up proudly as he eyed her from top to bottom, her face looked even more beautiful from up close.

Maid :- He is prince Duryodhan, eldest son of Maharaj Dhritarashtra, student of guru Dronacharya, he is an exceptional mace fighter.

Bhanu glanced at him, he gave her a smile but she walked away.



Duryodhan looked at her, open mouthed, he felt as if someone had punched his face knocking his teeths out, his heart pained as if stabbed with a dagger. He sat down disgustedly.

A few more participants gained a walk past, Bhanu stood before Yudhisthir.

Maid :- He is prince Yudhisthir, second eldest son of Maharaj Pandu, he is really good with a spear and an excellent politician.

Bhanu glanced at him and moved ahead. Yudhisthir smiled happily as she walked upto Karn, who slowly stood up from his seat. He was still digesting the fact that she rejected Duryodhan.



'But he said they love each other, what's happening ?' he thought confusingly but maid began his intro.

Maid :- Princess, he is yuvraj Karn, eldest son of Maharaj Pandu. He is student of Bhagwan Parsuram, an extraordinary archer and commander. He beholds lord Shiva's Pinak dhanush.

Bhanu slightly raised her head and glanced at him. Karn gulped in nervousness as she approached him step by step, she lowered her eyes as her cheeks started turning pink. Chitrangadh and Shalya smiled knowingly at her choice. Karn tried to step back but his feet were hitting the sofa behind.

She stood right in front of him with a garland, as she was about to place it around his neck.... ----------------------------------------------------------- Did you like the chapter ?

What do you think guys ? What's next ?

Will Bhanu marry him ?

I'll be busy for a few days and won't have much time to edit and publish, I will try my best but updates can be a little late. Hope you understand.

Target :- 39 votes.

Do comment if you have any suggestions.