Udaykhetra

When Vansh reached the stable, Viduyt, was there, clad in his war- attire and sword, ready to set out for the journey. He, was patting the back of his favourite horse Sundar, a beautiful black stallion, while Valbhadra that belonged to Vansh, was a white one.

"What are you doing here?" asked Vansh, as the stableman, helped him to bring out his horse out of the stable.

"Duty calls Yuvraj", replied Vidyut, as a little smile, played in his lips.

"We are not going for any war , I am going to meet my would –be –wife and in-laws , if you remember" , said Vansh , with a tone of amusement . "Now go and get some sleep, you're off duty my dear!'
"You cannot go anywhere alone; I am entitled to accompany you, my Crown Prince!"Viduyt was adamant to his standpoint, as usual.
"Buzz off Viduyt", said Vansh, in a bickering tone. I dont need a babysitter"

"I can't. Viduyt replied nonchalantly.

"Then join me, for a race". Saying so, Vansh, jumped on the back of his horse, pull its harness, and pat on the horse's back, encouraging him to run.
Few moments later, two horses, were found galloping, side by side, with the breaking of the dawn.

It took, three days for them, to reach Manyabhum, and the natural setting , was quite different .While, Udaykhetra, was an arid land , bordered my mountains,with scorching sunny summers , and chilly winter, scarcely adorned by small rivulets ,ponds .Manyabhum , on the other hand ,displayed , plethora of green , as if she is a voluptuous woman , with curves , in right places . Vansh, and Viduyt, halted in forests, as both were avid lovers of nature, and fed themselves, with fruits, meat, hunted down, and fresh water from the nearby streams. They enjoyed, such wild rendezvous, instead of being pampered, by lots of servants, always at their beck and call.

"Manyabhum, is beautiful, isn't it Yuvraj?"

"Certainly, it is! I hope, it had bred its women well, with all the proper vital statistics, winked Vansh , at his best friend , embarrassing him ,as his cheeks flushed red.

"So what are you planning Yuvraj?" asked Viduyt, as he gulped down the water, in a go.

"I have planned a surprise visit, but before that, I surely would like to visit the Mahakal Temple."

Vansh...Its just for the look. U can imagine him in royal costume.

(Consider this pretty face not the costume.)

Manyabhum,Temple of Mahakal.
Riddhima , wrapped her face , properly with the blue and golden embroidered veil , It was the wee hour,of the morning , and she was all ready , with the Prasad, made by her.
It was the last day of her "Sola Somvar", a Vrat , she had been keeping ,since her teenage , as per as the order of Budhi Maa", who had taken care of her, when she lost her parents , at the age of 6.

Budhi Maa, had been serving the kingdom, as a midwife,and a herbal medicine practitioner. She had taken care of Riddhima, along with all other girls, who were orphans. She was a sweet, chubby lady, and Riddhima, could never deter her requests.
"What would I gain doing Sola Somvar, asked once Riddhima, to her foster grandmother.

" A husband who will love you from the bottom of his heart", like Lord Shiva , loved Devi Parvati"said the old lady withba beaminģ smile .

Riddhima , never paid any heed to such dreamy ideas, She was practical enough to understand the facts , that these could only be true in fairy tales, but she could never break the heart of her grandmother, whom she had loved ,with pure adoration .

Riddhima , completed all her rituals , by pouring milk on the Shivlinga , and offer Belpatra . Now it's time to distribute the food to the beggars, and the needy ones. This was the most favourite part of the ritual, for her. It would give her an unique satisfaction, when she used to see the smiling faces of those people. She might not help all , who spend their lives in distress, but she had tried to be hospitable , at least to some , who were in her vicinity. She had made it a point , that she would do it in disguise , as she, never wanted to brag or show off her actions . She came down, through the steps, where they were standing in a queue. She offered them water, to wash their hands. When she reached to the last person, she was dazed, for a moment. He was lean and tall, actually tall like a bamboo tree, In no way , he was looking like a beggar, rather , he was a very handsome man , with a slender but healthy structure , accentuated beard , covered his face , hair tousled , due to some long journey , pert lips , and intense, magnifying eyes.

"You don't seem to be looked like a beggar", said Riddhima , as she scanned him , in his breech and armour , a perfect combination , a warrior should wear .
"So do you only give water to the beggars, replied the man, I had heard that everyone gets Prasad in the temple of Mahakal"

I didn't mean that , said Riddhima , in a hushed tone , "
"Everyone , had the right to get Prasad". Riddhima , made his hands , washed gently . She could see that another person, with similar attire, had accompanied him.

"You will have to wait, as your turn would come in the last" , she proclaimed firmly .

The man arched his brow, with an amused smile,

"I am ready to wait", said he, in his baritone.

Riddhma, distributed, the Prasad, one by one.

Vidyut , murmured – " Dont you think , we should , reveal our identity .How can she kept us waiting?"

"Not now", replied Vansh,
"Try to learn to bend with the wind. She is doing, what she is supposed to do rightfully, I want to look the place around, Let's explore the place first , We had already visited the Bazar,Now its time, to look around this beautiful Mandir. It would be a fun to watch their shocking expression, when we would reveal our identity."

Vidyut , chuckled , as he knew, what a mischief , his master could be.
"I have heard,that No one returns, empty -handed,from this Mandir, Is it true?"asked Vansh, when she finally offered him, the platter.
"It is indeed true ". said Riddhima, smilingly.
Vansh couldnt see her properly, but he could apprehend, that she had a curvaceous,yet lithe body. A beautiful  pair of eyes, resembles like a doe. Her frame, seemed soothing yet mysterious to him.
"I wanted to marry the most beautiful  girl of Manyabhum", Will Mahakal grant my wish?he asked her, with a poker face, While Vidyut, controlled his laugh, He would never miss a chance, to tease around.
Riddhima was agaped, "Is he joking? And what kind of a behavior it is?"How can a man like him, who looks like a royal bred, ask such question?

She went two steps back, with a pink hue forming her cheeks, She was about to trip, doing so. Vansh, immediately, got hold of her, as his hands, brushed over her silky smooth skin of her waist. To her surprise, the touch she felt, was though intimate, but not vile. Her kohl doe shaped eyes, met with his enigmatic one, The time was still, for both of them, for nano seconds.
"Your wish surely, would be fulfilled by Mahakal" said Riddhima, and ran like a rabbit, towards the backside of the temple, that directly  would lead her to the palace.
Few hours Later,
"Show this seal and this Oynx ring to your Maharaj ". Vansh commanded, to the guards, The guards scanned him and Vidyut, carefully, and walked towards,the Royal Court .
Salya and Kabir, was busy discussing, some administrative affairs. The guard showed the seal and the ring to Salya, which made his mouth agape.The words  "SURYAVANSHI- UdayKherta, and an emblem of sun was engraved in the seal, which could only be a possession of the crown prince. Salya stood up, hurriedly, earning Kabir's attention.
"What happened Salya"? asked he, as he was chewing beetle leaf.
"The crown prince of Udaykhetra,had arrived Maharaj, said Salya, in an exasperated tone.

Sola Somvar - A woman keeps a fast for 16 consequetive Mondays to get a good husband. Goddess Parvati,had kept it, to win the heart of Lord Shiva.

Vrat -Fasting.

Prasad -Assorted fruits and sweetmeat given to people,after the same is offered to God.

BudhiMa -Endearment for Elderly Woman.

Bazar-Market

Mandir -Temple

Hello Lovely Readers, So our leads have met finally. I hope you will enjoy it.Pls vote and comment.

I have kept Vansh jovial and fun loving, because I was missing Vihan. And moreover, he was young, and it was necessary to establish his character,to show that What menace,he could be,if gets angry.
I feel the song appropriate,  Ignore Shahrukh .😝😝🤭🤭And try to connect with the song.💗💗