Arshia POV

Until I saw someone..

My eyes widened.

My hands,filled with gold coins,froze mid-air when I made eye-contact with that bhrahmin.

It was Arjun...

He had the same reaction as me.

I felt the gold coins slipping through my fingers. This snapped me out of my trance as I gripped the coins harder. I gulped looking at him.

"Angrani,is everything okay?" They said called out.

Upon hearing my title, Arjun's face turned into shock. His folded hands became loose.

"Yes, everything is okay." I cleared my throat and handed him over the coins,my hands shaking.

I went to touch his feet but he backed away, saying

"My blessings are always with you, Rajkumari—"

He stopped.

I bowed my head and moved forward.

.

The sun was going to set and all the Brahmins had left, satisfied with our service.

The last one to leave was Rajkumar Arjun.

His eyes lingered in me and I knew he wanted to shower me with questions but couldn't. I saw his fingers scratching each other and his eyes filled with questions.

I joined my hands and said

"Bhrahmin Dev,where you satisfied with our service today?"

I knew Kumar Arjun had understood what I meant and denied my question.

I turned to the dais and asked if any more 'daan' was left to which they nodded and where about to go and get them.

"Bhrahmin Dev, would you please take the pain to follow me and collect your daan?"

He nodded.

.

"Why?"

When we were far away,he asked...betrayal and hurt filled in his tone.

I turned to him,a soft and elegant smile on my face.

No One POV

Seeing that smile on her face,the worry,hurt and betrayal vanished away.

"Why what, Rajkumar?"

"Why Angraj?"

Arshia's smile fell flat. She cleared her throat and answered

"He won me in my swamyvar."

"And you had the right to deny him."

"But I accepted him."

Arjun gritted his teeth but nodded anyways.

"How is Rajmata Kunti?How are Bhrata Bheem,Bhrata Nakul,Bhrata Sahadev and Rajkumar Yudhishthir?How are you,Kumar?"

She rapped.

"It's Yuvraj,Arshia. Not Rajkumar"

Arjun frowned. Arshia tilted her head but nodded anyways.

"They are all good and healthy and so am I. How are you Arshia?"..

"Better"

Arjun nodded and stared at the sun which was already set.

"I shall leave and start my journey to Panchal. My mother and brothers are waiting for me"

Arjun joined his hands.

"Please take my horse"

"No,Raj—Angra—"

He gritted his teeth,not being able to complete his sense.

"Arshia is just fine."

"Then,Bhrata Arjun is also just fine. Don't go around calling me Rajkumar..."

Arjun's awkwardness and tense-ness vanished away. He rested his arms by his sides and a small pout formed on his face. Arshia laughed in reply and nodded.

"Sure, bhrata."

"Behen...tum mujhe,mera bhaiyo kno adhikar do gi?Tumhe rakhya karne ka samman dogi?Tumhare upar adhikar hamko dogi?"

(Sister...to me,to my brothers will you give us the right?Will you give us the honour to protect you with rights?Will you give the rights over you to us?)

Suddenly the fun and playful atmosphere seemed to have vanished and a tense and serious atmosphere took over.

Arshia thought it over and said

"Yes"

.

"You didn't have to,Behen"

Arjun said climbing the horse.

"The people here know me and I am safe enough to walk back to the palace"

Arjun nodded and took the horse right in front of Arshia. She looked up and Arjun softly patted her head.

"We will meet you soon!"

.

.

Arshia had absolutely nothing to do this morning. She had explored every single part of Anga and there wasn't a single temple that hadn't already been visited by Arshia twice. Painting to learn how to ride chariots, everything Arshia had already mastered. She knew how to play almost all instruments,

almost all.

"Mariya jiji!" She jumped off the bed and called her chief maid.

"Yes,Angrani?"

Mariya asked,her hands locked in front of her skirt and her head bowed down.

"Could you arrange a flute? I will have to learn that now!It is also Shree Krishna's favourite!I am sure he would be delighted when he comes to know that I have learnt how to play the flute!"

"Ji,Angrani. Shall I also arrange a flute master?"

"Of course not,Mariya! It's his signature instrument,his identity..his thoughts will make me learn it in an instant..."

Mariya obeyed her words and proceeded to get the flute.

.

Arshia sat on the swing of the royal garden,her legs settled elegantly on the right side.

And it was as if magically her fingers knew exactly where they were supposed to be placed on the flute. She neared the flute to her mouth and as she thought,with mere thoughts of the universe's flute master she would be able to play it.

The soft and enchanting sound that the flute produced filled the halls of the Anga palace. The dasis and dasis,all who could hear the sound, followed it magnetically.

Upon reaching the royal garden,every single one of them widened their eyes falling on their knees and joining their hands. Tears filled their eyes as they stared at the heavenly and godly figure in front of them.

Arshia looked no less like Shree Krishna himself. Her closed eyes,dark skin,lotus-like feet,closed eyes while playing the flute,the soft swings of the swing and the sound produced made the people believe that she was Shree Krishna. Imaginary gold lights seemed to sign from behind her.

She opened her eyes and stopped playing the flute. She saw all the servants on their knees and expressions as if they had seen God. She stood up from the swing and tilted her head confused. "Why are you kneeling down and having such expressions on your faces?"

The servants stood up and gazed at her with their tearful eyes and spoke "We had seen Vasudev Krishna only once,when he had come to Anga for your and Angraj's marriage. The whole of Aryavart knows he is the most finest and one of the most handsome people to take birth on mother earth. We all were enchanted by his beauty and wanted to see it again. Today when you were playing the flute,Shree Krishna shined through you"

A smile made up Arshia's face and she nodded.

"Arshia....you will always have a part of me in you. Always." Krishna said placing his hand on the left side of his chest and then placing that very hand on top of her head.

"He really does shine through me"

. .

Back to Arshia's and Karna's first night

"How is that possible?How did that knife just vanish?"

Karna asked, surprised.

Arshia stared at her hands,a loving feeling washing over her. "This is a boon given to me by Vasudev Krishna. When he first met me I was the daughter of his beloved devotee my mother,but now he considers me as a friend. When we met the first time,he told me that a part of him was instilled in me."

"This is a gift for my mother's devotion"

Arshia kept staring at her palms.

"You seem to really admire Vasudev. why don't you tell me some other tales about him?I would love to hear."

Arshia,with the hint of excitement in her eyes,looked up.

"Really?!"

"Really"

The both of them settled themselves comfortably on the bed,after having worn lighter and more comfortable clothes.

Arshia started and Karna listened to each and every word with peak attention.

. .

I don't like this. But here you go. I will deliver better next time.

Thank you! Enjoy reading! Vote.