THIRD PERSON POV:

The moonlit sky rumbled ferociously . Bolts of lightning ⚡ with thunders replacing the peaceful silence of the atmosphere. In the chambers of the divine couple , stood frozen the Queen of Kashi or better say Ananya's mother. She still couldn't come to digest the words spoken by the divine mother.

Mahadev stood still with his ever-calm stance whereas the mounts of the divine couple were anxious and confused. For a long time, none spoke a word.... Knowing well , the breaking of this silence would only cause more pain and problems.

Fearing for the worst yet being hopeful for having misheard.... Amba again asked...

Amba: What? What did u just say?

O'divine mother of the universe, I think I might have misheard or misunderstood what u meant. Please please say that whatever I heard...death , killings , blood, whatever it was it isn't related to my daughter.... I mean obviously it won't be related to her ... How can it be ??

I... I..

The choking in her voice and deep breaths that she takes before saying a word is a clear indicator of her inner turmoil ; of the tension and pain the mother is undergoing.

Calm down Amba... U weren't suppose to hear what u heard but if u have, then there must be a reason...

Amba: Reason? What reason?

O' Tripurari I'm unable to grasp the riddles u are playing... U ask me to calm down but how can I do that when I know a danger is lurking on my daughter?

A danger that even the divine mother agrees to....

The pain and anguish that marrs Amba's face is enough to indicate the her hidden chaos.... Her pain and anguish is equally reflected by Devi Shakti...

: Amba... I.. I understand ur pain and feel it too ...but....

: Mahadev, Devi Shakti u both promised to give me a boon which would eradicate the darkness of my life and be the light of the lightbringer ... U gave me Ananya... Then why is she in danger? Haven't I suffered enough that there is suffering for my daughter too?

Hasn't she struggled enough? From the day she woke up till now , there hasn't been a day she didn't struggle for what she feels is right ... May it be in Mahendragiri or Kashi , she has fought for everyone , sometimes to protect them and their rights , sometimes to make them see their wrongs. Each day , every moment she has struggled , fought and emerged victorious.... Isn't this enough?

There were days when she was sad , ill , anxious , scared yet she always stood like a rock for others...then why does she deserve this fate? This cruel fate which has death , blood and what more...

O' Mother of time ...U are omnipresent. Can't u turn the tides and protect my daughter??

Amba's anguish and pain , were equally represented in the eyes of Devi Shakti...but there was something else too... helplessness...

A shadow could be seen near the door of the chambers.... (Any guesses? )

A mother's tear wounds another mother too ... Amba's concern , fear, anguish and helplessness are all felt by me...

She thinks I'm a Goddess who can do everything on her whims but that's not true... That's never true....

If it was up to me ... I would have never given my first born to the Kritikas ... Neither would I have let harm to Ganesh... Never would I have been separated from Dev... Never ....but how would anyone understand this? Y would anyone understand this? Y would anyone understand my pain? The pain of knowing something bad is to happen to my devotees or loved ones yet not being able to help them unless the time arrives. Knowing everyone's pain yet not being able to erase it , causes a turmoil of emotions none would understand...

I'm beyond time ...yet I have to follow some rules... I can't interfere with kaal chakra until and unless it becomes crucial... & Whatever is about to happen will unfold a series of events that would decide the fate of this multiverse.... If I, for sake of my motherhood, stop the upcoming events..... A huge disaster would befall... I look at Dev who seems to understand my turmoil and encourages me with a small smile...

Amba... Everything that happens in this universe has a reason... Birth , happiness, suffering & death everything is interrelated and depends mostly on a persons dharm and Karm... Everyone has a destiny to fulfill, a goal to reach... People think they choose it but no... They just follow the paths destiny has led ; all the while making choices to either fulfill it sooner or later, in easy or difficult way ... But in the end they have to reach their goals. So is the case with Ananya.

I see the wheels in her head turning. Although she isn't completely convinced at least she is trying to understand everything....

Ananya is born to fulfill a great goal, Amba. A goal on which the stability of the entire Aryavrat , Jambu Dwip , Bhulok and even the multiverse depends. For this she would have to encounter her own shares of trouble and sufferings. U , me or anyone else cannot interfere with this... at least not until it becomes essential. I know u are worried , but have faith , everyone will work out the way it has been planned.

A great goal can't be achieved without selfless sacrifice & if there's sacrifice written , then even Shiv-Shakti too would have to abide by it.

I can sense Amba getting worked up. Anyone would react as such when Dev-Adidev Mahadev says such things.

But was it really needed Dev to be so curt in saying truth?

Amba... U and me, both are mother's & therefore can understand each other far better than anyone else... I too feel the anguish and helplessness u are feeling but I too have to think for the greater good . If u remember this incident u will try to meddle with the destiny, therefore it's best if this incident will be erased from ur mind.

Before I could make Amba forget this incident...

Mata, u only said , I'm a mother and so are u ... U understand my helplessness, then how can u snatch my right to protect my child? Mata , when you can protect Vighnaharta Ganesh against all odds then y can't I get the same opportunity? I won't create any obstacles in her path only protect her as best possible by me.... Please don't snatch this right from me .... Please Mata, I beg u... Please Mahadev...

I look at Dev who seems to be engrossed in deep thoughts.... Dev, on which crossroads have u brought me? I can't let Amba meddle with destiny but also can't snatch her rights to protect Ananya....

I was the one who gave everyone choices for their destiny and now I'm being given a choice... Destiny is really a trickster.

I look at Amba . Her tear stricken face with blood red eyes full of anguish remind me of my pain ... I close my eyes and sigh....

Fine Amba.. U have this chance to protect Ananya....but u would be able to protect her up to a certain extent...

Thank you Mata ... Thank you..

The relief and gratefulness that appears on her face says it all...

Amba was about to leave when Dev asks something that catches her off-guard....

Amba, u never said what was the reason of ur visit? U surely didn't visit to talk about this danger? What was it?

Amba's eyes widened and a small bittersweet smile formed on her lips....

What is hidden from u O'Trikaldarshi? U very well know y I visited u and Mata.....

I had visited u to know if there's anyone who would be befitting for Ananya's hand?

But surely those plans would have to wait now....

Ananya's marriage? So suddenly?

Not suddenly... Some of the Kings and eminent warriors who have arrived for Karn's Rajyabhishek have asked for Ananya's hand in marriage... I have got nearly 7-9 proposals today... That's why I thought to seek ur guidance for Ananya's significant other...

Ananya is different from rest Aryavratan women so should be with her better half. Someone who respects , trusts and balances her . Someone who can make her smile; understand , support , motivate and strongly stand by her in all her fights. Someone who would pamper her like a princess and treat like a queen. Someone who would move mountains and challenge destiny to protect her and someone with whom Ananya would be willing to share her life with.

Amba the basis of relationship for Ananya is not love and pampering but respect and understanding... She is like the full moon of a dark night so be careful to choose the sun for her....

Dev's description of Ananya's better half makes Amba , Nandi and Sonanadi smile. Seems like the time of their union is approaching faster than expected...

Mahadev does someone like this exist? I'm no fool to expect these from the men of Aryavrat who know nothing more than their male ego... No , I'm not saying everyone is bad but majority of them are... How am I supposed to find the needle in hay?

Amba... Sometimes the thing we search in every nook and corner is just right before our eyes .... Keep ur eyes open to find him..

Wait!!! Is Dev trying to play cupid? Ohh 😮 Mahadev!! I can't believe it ... The Adiyogi Mahadev is playing cupid in someone's love story??? This is sooooo.. exciting.... Well I have seen him playing a lot of roles but never playing cupid....This is something new ....

AMBA'S POV:

Shock was not the word that could describe what I felt when I heard those words from Mata....Ananya , my daughter, my little troublemaker in danger!!! It felt as if someone squeezed my heart with utmost brutality.... Time stopped for me and the only thing I could think of was... Ananya in the land of death , covered in blood , screaming for help ....

The fear ,pain and anguish couldn't be explained in words. It seemed someone ripped my soul and stabbed it repeatedly..... Ananya has given me the world of happiness, fulfilled all responsibility of a daughter and best friend... Yes, we fight , we argue , we have disagreements and ego issues but we do love each other a lot , even after all the differences. It's true I haven't birthed her from my womb but she is my daughter.... She has taken up to me and I have myself moulded to her likes.... With her , the mother and queen in me were born and without her I would lose my existence.

I somewhat understand the reason of the upcoming danger but I won't let my daughter be a sacrificial lamb. I will do everything in my power to prevent it.

I don't know what danger it is but I will protect her from everything. Kaali is also a manifestation of the mother goddess which doesn't back out from bloodlust for her child's safety ; if needed I will cause mayhem too to protect my daughter.

Destiny is so cruel... Here I was thinking about my daughter's marriage and a suitable groom and now I am looking for ways to prevent any danger to her.... To be honest, I am thankful to Mata Shakti and Mahadev for their benevolence & guidance on Ananya's future groom . Was it my motherly feelings or was Mahadev really thrilled with the news of Ananya's marriage? Does someone really exist?

Forget it Amba... Concentrate on protecting ur daughter now.... How are u gonna do it when u don't even know what danger it is? People say parent's deeds affect the child's life.... If this is true, then I want the power of all my good and righteous deeds to safeguard my daughter.

Immersed in my thoughts, I reached my chambers, changed and went to bed.But sleep is far from my eyes... A dozen questions revolve in my mind , without a single answer... and the prominent of all of the questions being how to guard Ananya? How? How? How?????

"Someone who would pamper her like a princess and treat like a queen. Someone who would move mountains and challenge destiny to protect her "

Wait!!!!OMG!!! Was Mahadev trying to show me a way to shield Ananya?

What an idiot I am? Mahadev didn't let this statement slip ... He gave it as a clue as to what I should do....

Thank you!! Thank you!! Thank you so much Mahadev!!!!

Next day:

I can do this ... Com'on Amba... U have to convince Ananya for marriage and not for some war...Stop getting hyper.... Well talking to her about war would have been far easier than this... I know she is repulsive towards the idea of marriage and definitely won't agree to this... Hmm.... Okay I am not gonna ask her to get married...just to start assessing and looking out for grooms.... She can marry when she feels ready for it.... Yes , this might work.... Key word might .... Mata Shakti, Mahadev please make her say yes to seeing grooms at least..... Luck please favour me today.

THIS PART MENTIONS VIOLENCE & DEATH . SKIP IF NOT COMFORTABLE)

In a secluded part of a far-off palace, enveloped in darkness ,is a man standing in the balcony with a glass of wine.... seemingly waiting for someone.

In a whoosh of air , footprints 👣 materialize in the balcony, walking towards the man... The footprints lead to foot , legs and soon a beautiful maiden materializes. There's guilt, fear as well as love and longing in her eyes for the man standing before her....

Woman: Pranam Maharaj...

The man nods and gestures the woman to continue...

Woman: Were u so desperate to meet me Swami that u couldn't wait call for me?

The man turned out to be, the vile King of Mahishm , Meghdutt.

Meghdutt: No ... I called you here to know about the progress if there's any, Charu

Charu: What is this Swami ? U are only concerned about that bratty princess...She is the only thing u talk about....

Meghdutt: Don't test my patience Charu.. Answer me... Did you get any success? Did u scare her , hypnotize her ? Were you able to instill doubt & fear in the mind of the Kashi council?

Meghdutt didn't hide his impatience for knowing about Ananya and that irked as well caused fright to Charu...

I.. I.. couldn't... She just doesn't succumb to any of it. Neither did she get terrorized nor let anyone else be frightened. She successfully convinced the council that all the supernatural things were actually done by humans to scare and harm them ... & all of them believed it. She even hosted puja to eradicate dark powers which adversely affected me.... Yet I stayed there to help u out.... She is too smart and composed . She didn't even fall prey to my hypnotism. The methods I have tried to scare her can make anyone go berserk yet she stood calm and collected without any stress line.... Swami that girl is definitely something.... I haven't witnessed anyone as her ...

So u indirectly agree that she is far more powerful as well as beautiful than you?

Charu: What?!! No!! That girl isn't worth the dust of my feet ...

Meghdutt: (malicious eyes) Really? Then do explain me y u tried to kill her? Not once but thrice??

(Meghdutt's aura changes) Didn't I warn u not to cause any sort of physical damage to her??

Sparks of deep orange lights flew from his hand , forming a rope around Charu's neck , choking her..

Charu: Swami...forg.. forgivee me...I.. I am.. sorry..

Meghdutt: (with devilish psychotic eyes) Sorry? Just a sorry ? U tried to snatch my Ananya from me and just a sorry? U tried to kill her ...just a sorry?? No ... Never ... U would be punished... Punished for thinking u can come between us... Punished for trying to snatch her.. punished for hurting her... Ur punishment would be a lesson to every other wife of mine to behave themselves around her... She would be my queen and rest all her maids.... For the crime u have committed there's just one punishment.... Burn to death ...

Charu: No... No Swami .. I have always loved u, been loyal to u ,helped u in so many endeavours... Please don't do this to me... Swa.. Ahhhhh!!!

A blood-curdling scream resonates in the atmosphere followed by a series of screams. Meghdutt casually sips his wine looking at the burning massacre as if it's a camp fire and not a person; not his wife , who loved and supported him endlessly , set on fire ...

Meghdutt: (looking at sky) See my queen, what all I'm doing for u... Seems all my minions are useless... Now, there's just one way...I have to enter in this game to get u... Hmm...(takes a sip of his wine). Meet u soon my queen ....

The reflection of the burning pyre in his eyes consolidates his words ....

In a dark place, lit up only by the diyas used to worship Mahadev, is a man praying. Two cloaked figures are standing on either of his sides, waiting for his veneration to get over.

Cloaked figure 1: I have been keeping an eye on the girl & too say I'm impressed with her wouldn't be wrong. Beauty, brain and resilient... She is definitely gifted. For the first time I have seen someone not falling for Charu's trick...

Cloaked figure 2: Coming to Charu.... Meghdutt has burnt her alive for hurting Ananya.. For once I really thought he loves her...

The man sitting in puja laughs like he has heard the biggest joke....

The one who killed his first wife, the one who loved, supported and did everything for him blindly , can never love.

Y do u stand by him when u don't agree ..neither fancy his ways Yakshraj?

I'm bound by a promise I made to his father...If not for it , I would have destroyed him long back ..

Meghdutt is planning to get his hands on Princess soon , that too all by himself.... I'm worried for her safety.

What is so special about this girl that Meghdutt is ready to risk everything for her?

I have never seen him so hellbent on owning someone

Ananya to Meghdutt is like the parrot to the King ...

Does that mean ,harming Ananya would harm Meghdutt?

Hmph!! It's far more complicated than we can imagine...

Everyone enjoys the Leelas of leeladhar but when a Leela is staged by the originator of dramatics , Mahadev, even the leeladhar gets stunned. What the future holds, only the one beyond time knows....

(DIALOGUE IN ITALICS. KARN'S POV ¶___¶. ANANYA'S POV NORMAL. THIRD PERSON POV BOLDISED.)