" I trusted him that he would have a valid reason. I trusted him till the last moment I saw him marrying Kavya. A promise which he was given to me..."Ragini stopped as Siddhiveena interrupted.

"That, he would never marry any other girl than you."Siddhiveena completed her sentence by making Ragini gasp.

The swear was given in secret on Lakshya's own will and later she converted  that as Promise. That was a secret which even her brother Aditya didn't know.

"Who are you?"Ragini asked.

"Do you remember how you met Prince Sanskar for the very first time?"Siddhiveena asked ignoring her question.

Though Ragini didn't want to answer any of her question, she gave the answer. She felt a compulsion inside her heart.

"He was kidnapped by King Shekar. I saved him."Ragini answered.

"Is it really easy to abduct a Prince of empire like Mayankpur?"Siddhiveena asked which made knots in Ragini's forehead.

Empress Sujata was in her last months of pregnancy. Though sujata was trying her best to take care of him, she couldn't match with his playfulness. Thus, the responsibility of taking care of Sanskar came in the hands of Parvati.

Parvati was in her room and in deep thought. Ram killed Rudra and she heard about Rudra's family demise. Yet the news about the new born heir of Tanishkant and Annapurna's pregnancy was creating havoc in her mind. The heir of Tanishkant should have been killed but didn't happen as per her plan.

"Queen Superior, King Shekar is asking permission to meet you."Maid informed.

"Let him in."Parvati ordered and then asked as soon as she saw shekar,"Shouldn't you be there in Ganthanam now?"

"My presence didn't have importance there, Queen Superior."Shekar answered while nodding his head down.

"Tanishkant is kingless now. It would be a perfect chance to strike now. But, I am afraid that Emperor wouldn't allow us for now."Shekar said.

Shekar's words took her a small travel to the past. The same situation which raised few years before , and her son's rejection which lead to her husband's death , were still fresh in her memories. She had to hurt her son and snatched his only chance of getting forgiveness just to force him to sacrifice his values.

"Dadi maa!!"Sanskar squealed once he entered into her room. She looked at him and a thought rose in her mind.

"Sanskar! Go inside my room. I will come in a few minutes."Parvati said softly and then looked at Shekar.

"Threaten my son with Sanskar."Parvati said in a low voice.

"Queen superior!! I will lose my head."Shekar shrieked but parvati's deep stare silenced him.

"Tell Emperor that you abducted Sanskar and have in your custody. He will support you in the battle."Parvati said and gestured Shekar to leave the room. Once he left, She sent a message through dove.

She went inside her room. Sanskar hugged her legs once he saw her. Parvati closed her eyes tightly.

"Dadi maa!! I am hungry."Sanskar said which made her kneel to match his height.

"Oh!! My Sanskar is hungry. Don't worry , I will get fruits for you  to eat now."Parvati said while her touch in his tummy made him chuckle along with her.

Parvati cut the fruits and then opened her small wooden almirah. She took the sleeping potion and layered it on the diced fruits. Her hands trembled a bit when she fed him the fruits.

"Dadi maa!! Aren't you feeling well?"Sanskar asked in a concerned tone after noticing her trembling hands. Parvati couldn't stop herself from feeling guilt still she fed him.

After taking nearly half of the bowl, Sanskar stopped her from feeding more.

"Dadi maa! I can't take more."Sanskar said while yawning and parvati stopped feeding him.

"Lay on the bed, Sanskar."Parvati said and he obliged the same as he was feeling sleepy. Soon, he fell in deep slumber and a black clothed soldier entered inside the room through secret way.

"Keep Prince Sanskar with you until I give my next order."Parvati ordered then the soldier scooped unconscious Sanskar in his hands.

"Keep him safe and happy. I don't want to hear any complaints from him other than missing us."Parvati said in a clear cut tone and the soldier nodded his head positively.

Ragini stared the illusion in shock. She couldn't trust what she saw.

"I saved Sanskar from Shekar. How is it possible?"Ragini mumbled.

"Shekar outsmarted Parvati at that time and abducted Sanskar from Parvati's men. And, you saved him from Shekar.Thats the truth."Siddhiveena said.

"Now think about my question, Ragini. Parvati had a single motive all in her life after both of her daughter's death; that upholding her daughter's word and Durgaprasad's destruction. If she could hurt her own son and try to scheme a fake kidnapping of Sanskar whom she loves the most, Could you imagine how much extreme she can go?"Siddhiveena asked.

"Are you implying that Lakshya betrayed me because of her?"Ragini asked.

"You never left any betrayers alive, Ragini. You never hesitated to kill people. Yet , you stopped your brother Sahil from killing Lakshya. Why did you do that, Ragini? Didn't you believe that he was a betrayer? Did you doubt that?"Siddhiveena asked without giving her an answer.

Ragini looked at Siddhiveena with teary eyes. That day's memories were nightmare one to her. Still, she thought as a bad dream.

"Let me remind you about the memories. You woke up in a sudden at a temple. You don't have any memories of coming there. All you could see was soldier's bodies. You heard your brother's voice from inside the temple and went inside just to witness your husband's marriage. Your sworn brother was safe guarding the marriage while the lady whom you thought as sister , was getting married to your husband. What was running in your mind, Ragini? All the three people were betrayers to you yet why did you stop Sahil?"Siddhiveena asked .

"I couldn't harm anyone of them."Ragini answered in an expressionless voice and continued ,"I trusted Sanskar and Lakshya till the night. I believed they might have a valid reason and would never break my or my siblings heart."

"Even after seeing your sister Swara in the brink of death?"Siddhiveena asked which made Ragini nod her head down.

"I truly believed that there would be some misunderstanding. I believed in Lakshya's love and Sanskar's words. I believed their friendship with my brothers. I trusted them till the last moment. And, I regret it."Ragini said. Her sad voice made Siddhiveena walk near to her then embraced her in a hug.

"You regretted trusting them; anger on yourself that you couldn't see Lakshya getting hurt even after his betrayal. The extreme you could do against him, was only cursing him and killing yourself in anger on yourself."Siddhiveena said.

"I am cursing you Lakshya. How my heart is burning in pain, you will also feel the same. I will reborn in this place and you also. You will feel the same pain what I am going through now. yes.. I , Ragini devi, cursed you Lakshya ... you wish each and every moment to be with me... but you couldn't . Even if you get to be with me, you will feel the pain . You will feel the same pain of losing your beloved ones. You will know how to live as lifeless."Her curse ringed in her ears. How much she tried to stop it, she couldn't and her memories of the night fully occupied in her mind.

"Not only you cursed him for his betrayal, you cursed him to go through all the ordeals you faced in your life. you wanted him to realize what his love and betrayal did in your heart."Siddhiveena said. Ragini didn't react even a bit to her statement. All her words weren't only making her remember the night , it was rekindling the same kind of emotions in her heart. The string of emotions which constituted anger, resentment and most importantly, love, was occupying her heart again.

"Sahi!!"Lakshya's voice made her frozen. The same voice and name which made her overflow with joy, soothed her heart, brought peace in her heart and finally broke her at the night. The word made her realize strength of the love which she had for him. She loathed herself, resented herself and hated herself because of it in a moment and she cursed him at last. 

She turned and looked at his eyes.

The same eyes which always held love for her, were looking at her as same as at the night of her death. The eyes which made her forget about her nation and siblings, was captivating her. Like coward, she chose death being afraid that she would forgive him in her love. And even now, she stepped back. She wasn't ready to confront him.

"I did each and everything for you ,Sahi. Even I commited sins just for you. I announced this war and married Kavya, I did all this for you Sahi. you are my life, soul and everything. I will born for you Sahi atleast to fulfil your curse. Whatever happens, I will never leave your hand in that birth. That's my promise."Lakshya's last words were breaking her from inside.

Lakshya knelt infront of her. Ragini was staring him while Siddhiveena stood beside her.

"He loved you with all he had, Ragini. Do you remember your curse? Prince Lakshya lived a life as per your curse . "Siddhiveena's words were ringing in her ears but she didn't take her eyes from lakshya. She kept her hands on his shoulder and Lakshya raised his head and looked at her. Meanwhile , Sanskar appeared beside Lakshya.

" I had to break my promise."Lakshya said while Sanskar continued," to save both of our promise."

Ragini raised her head by hearing the voice of Sanskar. His words about promise rekindled her past memories in her mind.

Prince Aditya left Tanishkant in order to get knowledge at his teens. Princess Ragini decided to learn a dance from Empress Sujata after getting confirmation from Emperor Ram that his wife would teach her. From both the sides, they agreed to stay in Tri nation point until the classes were over. Sujata arrived at Tri nation point. Mayankpur set up its barracks for their empress safety.

The days had been rolled down and on one fine day, Sanskar came there to meet his mother.

"Empress, Prince Sanskar came here to meet you."A maid said from the entrance of the tent. Sujata looked at Ragini once then said,"Tell him to get in."

Ragini thought to leave but Sanskar entered inside as soon as Sujata allowed. His eyes wondered first by seeing a teenage girl inside then got softened in a second.

"Accept my greetings, Princess Ragini." Sanskar said formally which made her greet him back.

"Gurumaa, I am leaving for the day."Ragini said with a thought to give privacy to both son and mother.

Sujata nodded her head while Sanskar looked at Ragini. His eyes told Ragini that he wanted to speak a lot yet she left the room. She wondered whether he would still remember his childhood memories and her mind pointed out the uncertainity of the same. Sanskar spoke with his mother while his mind hovered around with a thought to meet Ragini again. At around evening, he entered into Tanishkant in disguise and started roaming around in the village. He looked at shop which sold pearls and started to examine it.

"What are you doing here, Prince Sanskar?"He heard a soft yet demanding voice from beside. Sanskar smiled as he could figure out the owner.

"I am thinking about the ways to meet you , Ragini."Sanskar said with a smile and turned. Ragini stood there being disguised as a teen boy with cute fake thin moustache. Sanskar's smile extended as soon as he saw her disguise. Ragini gestured him to follow her and he did.

"Why do you want to meet me?"Ragini asked.

"I wanted to meet you again from the day I left Tanishkant along with my father."Sanskar said and his lips twisted in grin,"but didn't expect to meet you as a cute teen boy."

Ragini glared him a little then continued,"You should have waited for me in your barracks or should have come to my palace."

"There, I can't see your marvelous fight. I heard there is some bandit problem here. Guessed a bit , you may come here and I can  see your fight."Sanskar said which made her glare him more.

"How could you risk your life, Sanskar? What if anyone of bandits knows about your real identity."Ragini asked.

"Now, Not only I can save myself even others Ragini; I am a warrior ."Sanskar said while proud on his skill reflected in his voice.

"I knew but you never consider your enemy's strength. You are always impulsive."Ragini pointed out then continued," then and now also I don't think you changed that."

"Are you referring our first fight in the palace's secret room?"Sanskar asked.

"Do you still remember that?"Ragini asked him back.

"How could I forget? Still, I remember the fight and your little sister's angry face."Sanskar statement put a layer of sadness of occupied her face.

Sanskar scolded himself for speaking about her family and his eyes accidentally fell on her hands. An old thread still shined on the milky white skin in her hands.

"Do you still keep it with you?"Sanskar's question brought her back even made her smile a bit.

"I always keep things which were given out of love, Sanskar."Ragini said while a happy smile adored her face. Both met after a long years back and not even friends of each other. They were complete strangers except a single meeting. And, Ragini wondered how he could still remember her even after a near-decade.

"Buy this pearl necklace for your brother. It's quite rare to get these kinds of blue pearls."The seller said without knowing about the conversation.

"It's really good. I will take it."Sanskar said and paid it with the gold coins which he had.

To their luck or unluck, a group of bandits entered into the village with their face masked with black cloth. They forced people to submit the money, jewels, and other valuables on their own. One of the bandits came towards Ragini after noticing a small chain on her neck. Sanskar came in front of Ragini after noticing it.

"Don't come near to my sibling. What do you want?"Sanskar asked continuing their act. His authorative tone irritated the bandit. He pushed Sanskar a bit and held the chain. The next second, the bandit held his hand and yelled horribly in pain.

"Didn't I say before to not come near my sibling?"Sanskar asked meanwhile he got the attention of the bandits. His hand held a blood dripping dagger.

"What is the need of this heroic attack now?"Ragini mumbled in his ears.

"I thought to take your chance and show off my skills."Sanskar mumbled back while the bandits were coming closer to him. She was controlling her anger hardly.

"If anything happens to you in my nation, I have to be responsible for that Sanskar."Ragini scoffed at him yet the worry was evident in her eyes.

The bandits were surrounding them and Sanskar took out his sword which he hid in his cloth.

"You have your dagger. Isn't it?"Sanskar asked her.

Ragini came infront of him.

"It's my nation, I will take care of this."Ragini said while Sanskar counted the bandits.

"They are more than twenty . still, Do you want to say the same?"Sanskar asked her.

"I never go back from my words."Ragini said in a determined voice while taking her sword out.

"The same, I never step back from what I start."Sanskar said and they would have argued a more. But the bandits didn't give them enough time to argue and started fighting.

Two versus more than twenty was not a fair deal but no one cared about it. And for bandits, killing them was priority not the way. Sanskar didn't know how many people he wounded and the same with Ragini also. After a minute, both panted heavily for breath while their used to be clean cloth covered with blood. The lifeless bodies lay around them and still living ones were also on ground being heavily wounded.

"You really got a skill, Sanskar."Ragini teased him and he smiled at her tease.

"Well!! Thanks to the person whom I met in my childhood."Sanskar said while the head of village came towards them.

"Thanks to you both. We got relief from these bandits."Village head said.

"You don't need to thank us."Sanskar said while Ragini interrupted him,"They are just twenty in count. If you all really get the braveness to stand against them, you would have solved this without our help."

"My brother is a bit impulsive."Sanskar said in apologizing tone which made Ragini glare at him as he used her description about him on her.

"He is correct on his point, young man. And, I am really glad to meet such brave people."Village head said with a happy face and glanced at them both.

"Please stay in my house today. I will make arrangements for getting cleaned up and for medicines."Village head said.

Sanskar thought to decline but Ragini agreed on the point.

"I am grateful for your help."Ragini said and Sanskar looked at her shocked.

"I have to go to barracks before moon rises."Sanskar mumbled.

"Didn't you say that you won't leave anything in middle?"Ragini's question told him that it didn't end now.

Villagers met them in the hut which was allocated to them for a night stay. And, also they offered the fruits and other goods for their help. Though both were refusing to accept it , they had to accept at least some of these.

Sanskar put a long cloth which he received as a gift , from the middle structure of hut and it looked like curtain.

"Clean yourself. I will be here safeguarding at the front of the hut."Sanskar said and Ragini nodded her head positively. She cleaned herself and wore the clothes she took along with her. She opened the curtain and saw Sanskar who was looking at the orange shade in the cloud. It would get dark soon.

"Don't you feel hungry?"Ragini asked him and pointed out the fruits which people offered.

"I don't want to be poisoned."Sanskar answer made her smile. Both of them knew they couldn't trust anyone in the village. With her words, Sanskar understood still something was left without getting taken care of.

Ragini sat beside him and looked at the children who were playing . A young boy got evicted in the game and started crying. Soon, another boy came there and consoled him.

"They must be brothers. They resemble each other a lot."Sanskar said.

"Wish, I also had an elder brother."Ragini mumbled and Sanskar heard her mumble.

"yet , you got blessed with younger brother. Trust me, Ragini. Younger siblings will always follow us. They will do mischiefs but while seeing their eyes, we can't even be anger on them. we can't complaint against them and even sometimes, they will behave like they are elder."Sanskar said in memory of his sister whom he considered as dead.

"They are cute but a bit irritating bundle of joy."Ragini said in memory of her brother, Aditya and continued,"Being elder, we can't show our fears and scars to them, Sanskar. We have to comfort then during difficult times. Sometimes , I thought how my life would be if I had an elder brother."

"Then, I will be your elder brother."Sanskar said which made Ragini looked at him with surprised expression. She couldn't trust what she heard.

"I am not playing with my words."Sanskar said and took his sword out.

"I promise on my sword Ragini. I will always be there for you as your elder brother, to hear your feelings out, to protect you. You can lie on my shoulders and leave your burden on me."Sanskar said which made Ragini feel indebted.

" This doesn't stop me saying about your impulsiveness."Ragini said which made him chuckle.

"I am telling the same . My promise never restricts me to diss about your stubborness"Sanskar said with a smile. A rekindled sudden friendship brought smile in both of their faces. A promise had been made on the sword and he willingly tied his fate with her. He showed his affection for her on small , small things and she treated him like an elder brother at some instances.

Ragini looked at Sanskar with shocked expression. She treated him as her brother and later he turned as her brother-in-law. She even trusted him more than her siblings. She even shared her feelings with him when she thought that she lost Lakshya rather than her own and cousin brother.

"You promised that you will safeguard your nation with your life. And, Prince Sanskar promised you that he will protect you."Siddhiveena explained further meanwhile Sanskar and Lakshya vanished in thin air.

Ragini looked at Siddhiveena with determined eyes. Her eyes demanded truth .

"Didn't he decide to betray me?" Ragini asked about Lakshya.

"Indeed, he decided to betray you for your life, Ragini. That betrayal was the only way he found to keep you alive."Siddhiveena said.

"You never forgive betrayers. And he thought you will live atleast to take revenge against him."Siddhiveena continued taking Ragini's silence as answers.

"Tell me clearly."Ragini demanded losing her patience and Siddhiveena sighed.

"Your life is not what  you thought, Ragini. Most crucial judgements which you made about people, are wrong especially about Lakshya and Sanskar."Siddhiveena said and snapped her fingers. Rudra stood before her without even moving his eye lids.

"The very first person about whom you made a wrong judgement, was your father, King Rudra."Siddhiveena said.

To be continued...