6 days have passed away in no time because of the hustle and bustle in Dwarka for the Swamyvar of Vasudev's dear sakhi.

Arshia sighed, seeing the numerous number of chariots entering the Dwarka palace. She bowed and shaked her head. When she travelled back in time,she would have never thought that she would be married off. She was just 21, pursuing her journalism course and now she would be married to a prince or a king..

"Arshia!All of them have arrived!" Subhadra exclaimed, back-hugging Arshia.

Arshia looked up and nodded.

"I know it's all too fast and overwhelming for you but I know who ever wins you, would love and cherish you forever." Subhadra whispered to which Arshia could simply nod.

"My sakhi and sister!" A voice called out. Both the women turned around and smiled at Aryavart's finest man. Subhadra went towards him and hugged him. Krishna smiled and hugged her back.

While hugging her,his gaze fell on Arshia. A tensed expression was pasted on her face. Subhadra pulled back, noticing his gaze on Arshia. Krishna looked down at his sister and passed a reassuring smile. Subhadra took the cue and nodded, walking out of the room.

Krishna walked towards Arshia and stood right infront of her,an enchanting smile on his face.

Arshia looked up at his face and for a second all of her worries had seemed to vanish. Although it was just for a second,his smile and face provided her peace and her burning heart seemed to calm down.

She bent down and touched his feet,her eyes lingering on his beautiful lotus like feet. She stood up and simply stared at his face,not being able to register how a man can be this perfect. When you know a man like Krishna exists,how can you even think of marrying someone else?It almost seemed impossible.

"Arshia,my dear sakhi Arshia...I can feel and hear what is going on in your mind and I would be pleased by all the compliments and opinions you have about me but within 24 hours you would be of someone else's and you having those thoughts about me would not please him~"

Krishna teased.

Arshia blushed in embarrassment and stepped back. His laughter filled her ears, making her forget about her embarrassment.

"Govind...this swamyvar,I don't know" Arshia's voice broke.

Krishna lifts her head to make her look into his own lovely blue lotus eyes.

"I know,Arshia. All this is too overwhelming for you,but this is what destiny wants and whoever wins you tomorrow will sure be lucky.."

After a pause,he said

"And if I wasn't the one who hosted this swamyvar,I would surely be the one to participate in this and win you,you know. Sadly, it's not the way I wanted it to be"

Krishna said in a fake sad tone as Arshia laughed...

. .

Arshia POV

The decorations for my swamyvar was over the day it was being held and nervousness filled my body seeing the spectators enter the palace. It would be the first time I would be revealed to the whole crowd,only the Kauravas and Angraj Karna being execptions.

Subhadra jiji and the maids had adorned me in red clothing,flowers and jewelries. The rose and sandle wood perfume perfectly mingling with my own vanilla scent. Never had I admired my dark complexion so much...

Subhadra jiji softly grabbed my hand and made me stand up,the proudness and happiness clearly showcased on her face. She, herself,was dressed in pink clothing adding in to the elegance.

When we reached,with the announcement of Govind,me and Subhadra jiji entered the hall. The moment I entered the halls were filled with mumers. Young women,married women and men, children and Brahmins who had came in as separators gawked at my beauty (judging Subhadra jiji was pulled away by Bhrata Balaram ). The kings and Princes lustful gazes made me ashamed and self-conscious that I wanted to hide my face with the help of my veil. My gaze remained on my feets,not daring to lift it up and look who the compitators were.

As soon I reached the top most level,as if Govind had read my thoughts,he came towards me and acted as a cover between me and the greedy kings and princes. Agitated that their was a block in their view,they breathed heavily. I mumbled a thank you to him and sat down on the throne.

Bhrata Balaram and Govind addressed the assembly filled with high birth. Then,Govind started to speak

"This is Arshia. The finest and most beautiful woman in Aryavart. Blessed with endless knowledge and experience in weapons,she is also endowed with the ideas of sculptures and our ancient histories,adept in music, intelligence and goddess-like appearance. O assembled heros!All of you who have come here to win Arshia's hand in marriage...."

His words slowly became vague to my ears as I played with my bangles. None of the rules and regulations registrarted in my mind,it would have if I heard them. I wasn't ready to live my life with some unknown man,yet I am here bound because of the love and admiration I have for Govind.

As bharta Balaram and Vasudev Krishna announced the compitators one by one,I didn't make the effort to raise my head and look at them,simply because I know none of them could calm the fire in my heart. It was an archery challenge simply because the warriors who could master this art were considered the greatest,among any other weapon-weilder and bharta Balram wanted the best and strongest one for me.

Many failed. Some were unable to put the arrow in the bow and some couldn't lift it up, creating laughable situations. All this reminded me how my mother used to describe Draupadi's swamyvar.

Their failures resulted them to think of rash decisions to abduct me. The discomfort ran through my veins because of their lust-driven sinful eyes. The number of failures increased as Subhadra grew tensed.

"Yuvraj Duryodhana of Hastinapur"

A low and soft growl was heard. I turned to Subhadra jiji gritting her teeth. She turned to me and stopped, seeing that I was telling her not to do whatever she was doing.

Rajkumar Duryodhana,too,was not able to even lift the bow. But no embarrassment or defeat was shown on his face,rather he kept on staring at his friend.

I decided to block out all the noise and words. I would know if someone has won me or not,which at this point seemed impossible. But then, bharta Balaram announced

"Angraj Karna"

I slowly lift my head up, seeing the young man walking to the center and staring right in my eyes. It wasn't the gaze that we two shared back in Hastinapur. Before it was all shyness with respect but now all I could see in his eyes were fire and determination to prove himself by winning me.

He removed the gaze from me as he paid respect to the sun god,his father. He easily and elegantly lifts up the bow, holding the bow high up. The cheers and clappings encouraged him to complete the task. Picking up the arrow,he set it...and when he was about to release it,an interuption came in

"But it's him!Sut putra Karna!I thought the princess was supposed to marry a prince or king of high class!"

Shishupal interupted.

Draupadi's swamyvars events flashed infront of my eyes. Horror was all I could imagine. It was true,I adored him the most out of everyone in the era and I would be unfair at times when it would come to him..

"Their is no such rule but if sakhi Arshia has any problem,we shall order Angraj Karna to leave the bow."

Govind turned to me and asked

"Then sakhi Arshia...do you have any problem with Angraj Karna winning you?"

Billions of thoughts ran through my head. One side of me desperately wanted to say yes,not to insult him I could never,but to not mess with destiny and fate....but on the other hand,my heart screamed to save him from humiliation.

It was out of consciousness that I had shaked my head, conveying that I had no problem with him winning me.

In the corner of my eyes,I could see a smile of releif pasted on Angraj's face and Rajkumar Duryodhan looking at me and smiling in admiration.

"Well,you shall proceed Angraj Karna"

Govind passed me a taunting and teasing smile before announcing that. I shaked my head turned my attention back to Angraj Karna.

He released the arrow and...

the target he did hit!

No one POV

A proud and winning smile could be seen on Karna's face. He looked up at Arshia,who had a knowing and calm expression on her face. It did confuse him but the happiness didn't let him over think.

.

Arshia,Subhadra,Balaram and Krishna walked down the stairs, going towards Karna who was surrounded with Duryodhana, Shakuni and Dussahan.

Krishna and Arshia where behind Balaram and Subhadra. Krishna stared at Arshia,who didn't even show a bit of surpriseness. He whispered

"Aren't you surprised or even a bit glad that Angraj won you?"

Even if the mocking and teasing tone irritated her,it was Krishna after all. So,she replied

"Even though you are unpredictable most of the time,this time you were obvious. You gave me too many hints that I would,at the end,be won by Angraj Karna...poor work Govind"

Arshia mocking shaked her head. Krishna fakely gasped and put a hand over his heart, faking his offended-feeling. They had already reached the center stage as the dasi streched her hands which had the flower garland. She looked at Karna,who was already clinching the garland.

He witnessed the interaction Arshia and Krishna had,an uneasy feeling taking over his heart. But he ignored it, knowing it was wrong to feel jealous of their friendship,he looked away and smiled at Duryodhana who was looking at him proudly.

"You have to touch his feets, remember" Krishna whispered, not even trying to hide his teasing sense. Arshia softly glared at him. He knew she was against all the customs of this era but then again she had to follow this era because no one would understand her ideas.

She walked towards Karna and bent down, touching his feets. She could feel her hands backing away when her hands made contact with his cold feets but she had to go against her senses.

She raised herself and smiled at Karna. She turned and grabbed the garland finally putting it over his neck and he put it over her. .

The flowers showed over them as they stared into each others eyes only with respect.

.

It was about time for Arshia to leave and Subhadra definitely wasn't ready for it,she was not ready to leave Arshia and to worsen the situation,it was Angraj Karna,someone who she didn't want Arshia to be with but here we are.

"But you aren't the one who is having the vidae,why are you crying so much?" Arshia said holding Subhadra close to her.

"Don't go away, please" Subhadra whispered. Arshia sighed and rubbed her back.

Subhadra pulled away and wiped her tears, knowing her pleadings won't work here.

"Visit me from time to time"

"Maybe the next time we meet,you would be married"

Subhadra hit her arm and shook her head in resistance.

She went to Balaram and seeked his blessings. He smiled and blessed her a happy married life as she moved to Krishna. She smiled at him and as she was bending down, Krishna stopped her and made her stand up right.

"My sakhi doesn't lie near my feet,she lies here" He pointed at his heart. Arshia nodded her head and moved to Rukmini and Revati. She seeked their blessings and finally turned to Karna and stood beside him. Krishna walked to him and patted his shoulder.

"Keep her happy. We will be arriving in Anga soon"

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Why was it so long?

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