( AN- The bandits scene in the last chapter took 4 days later, I have made the changes! Also this contains depiction of Violence feel free to skip this chapter!)

4 days has passed since Snigdha had left Anga.. She struggled to forget her previous family.. It was not so easy for her.. Not mention Aahuk was complaining about the hard ground he had to sleep on.. She wondered if he could even survive if he was raised in the same conditions as karna..

Her eyes drifted to Aahuk who was playing with few of his new friends.. The window from the kitchen gave her a nice view of the village.. Her little home was situated near riverside, and most of the time no one would be visible.. At first she thought that the Sarpanch didn't like her staying in their village but to her suprise he made sure that the hut was built within two days..
Snigdha made sure that her little angry young man apologized to him..

Now here she was, cutting vegetables and lost in deep thoughts..What kind of pain her in laws must have felt when she left? What were their reactions? What was Vrishasen's reac- No! The knife in her hand fell and her opposite hand went on her stomach.. She didn't have to think about him.. She was here for the betterment of herself and her kids..

A creepy feeling took over her, she felt something bad might happen?With utter fear she immediately went to the door and called Aahuk.. He listened to her and came back.. Snigdha was already having trouble forgetting her past but her pregnancy hormones were demanding Vrishasen's presence.. She was frustrated and wanted to band the knife but she controlled herself as Aahuk was playing in the hall..

In Danda Village...

Shobha was doing her household chores while Jhobne was carving a beautiful wooden Bullock cart for Aahuk.. They adored him.. The Sarpanch had gathered under the village's biggest tree and was discussing few matters with his fellow panchayat members..

Kids who were earlier playing with Aahuk, came back to their main pit area.. The chirping of the birds, cries of small babies and angry mothers scolding their children to come back, for breakfast.. Everything seemed normal but no one knew that in the absence of their guardians, few bandits were planning to rob them and maybe kill them!

Drunk man-" Mr Sarpanch! I I have a prob problem! Solve iit!"
Sarpanch-" Ah here he goes again! For God's sake can't this fellow drink less?"
Drunk man-" Sarpanch! My wife doesn't open the door- for me whe when I come back at nighttime! Wh Why Sarpanch why?"
Sarpanch-" If you drink less, I am sure she will.."

Drunk man-" What! No! She is like my second wife! I won't be able to live without her!... ..."

The annoyed Sarpanch ordered two of his members to push the drunken man away.. He wobbled and fell, after getting up he cursed something under his breath and kept walking.. Suddenly, he stopped dead in his tracks.. All the men looked at him with curiosity, the worried Sarpanch called him name several times.. But he fell on his back, eyes half open and blood gushed out from his chest where a arrow was pierced.... He was dead..

The Sarpanch got up, and saw few men in black approaching with great speed.. He shouted his villagers to stay alert and to get out of here as soon as possible..But panic took over and people starting running in different directions all lost and confused.. Those who tried to free their cattle were killed in the process by the bandits...

Before the Sarpanch could run an arrow hit him on his right shoulder and his old age didn't cooperate him and he fell down.. An irritated look plastered his face and he hit the ground in frustration.. Just than he heard a family evil laugh, he turned around and saw the leader of the bandits..

Leader-" Well than old friend! It's been a longtime! How are you? Oh my are you hurt?"

Saying so he bent down, and deepened the arrow making the old man shout in pain..

Leader-" Seems like your protecters are not here? Haha, look how helpless you all are without them! Guys, we have hit a jackpot, kill them all and take everything you get! Cattle, money, food and kids!! Kids who will work for us! Oh and yes get rid of this oldie, I want his head to be hanged in our area..."

Saying so the leader let out an evil chuckle, and walked away.. His most trusted bandit beheaded the Sarpanch.. And two of his other men wrapped his head.. The beautiful paths of Danda village were scribbled by blood..

The merciless bandits didn't leave anyone, they snatched small kids from their wailing mothers and even went far enough to kill them.. The men bravely tried to protect their family, but unfortunately failed miserably.. In the midst of all this Jhobne was trying his best to get his wife out of the house..

Shobha-" No Arya, I won't leave without you and them!! Putri Snigdha's house in too far, I fear no one will be able to warn them and they might get killed!"
Jhobne-" I understand dear, but please go now! I-"

There was violent knocking on the door.. Jhobne heard someone say that they should burn the house.. Shobha had weak hearing, and looked at Jhobne with curiosity and worry.. He gave her an assuring hug and whispered the three magical words.. They didn't help her, infact they made her cry even harder.. The smell of burning wood was spreading at a great speed.. Shobha felt weak in front of her husband, and finally decided to go...

With tearful eyes and a heavy heart, she jumped out of the window.. Meanwhile, Jhobne was having trouble breathing.. His eyes traveled to the wooded Bullock cart he was making for Aahuk.. A smile crept on his face, and even in his end moments, he seemed grateful.. He was grateful because he was able to see his dead son, playing with a similar cart, when he was an infant..

He could see his wife pulling their lil one's ear when he refused to drink milk.. He could see, his young lad, quarreling with him because he refused to left him learn archery.. And that very night, his son had left home, and the very next day.. His body was found near the riverbank.. Jhobne wanted to leave his old body, he wanted to free himself for the cycle of life, and fly towards the bright light..

But.. He was being held back.. He was feeling guilty.. Guilty that he was a terrible father who couldn't fulfill his son's one wish.. A wish which took him away.. Forever.. Jhobne could feel his burns getting intense.. Though.. All of a sudden.....

The room seemed white, he felt no pain physically except for the one which he was fighting emotionally.. He slowly raised his head, and saw him.. His son.. He wore the similar clothes when he died, he hadn't aged at all and too his suprise, there was a wide smile on his face.. Jhobne felt his heart rip in two when he heard his son's melodious voice asking him, that what was the reason for his tears?

Jhobne-" I feel I failed as a father.. Putra, only if I had done something else today you- you-"

The younger boy smiled.. He turned around and hummed till his father controlled his emotions..
Sajan-" It's alright father.. Not everything is in our hands.. You have already suffered for your bad deeds.. Please free yourself from his cycle of life.. More over I have forgiven you.."

Jhobne looked up, he was back in his burning house.. With a smile, he finally fell.. And so did his house of memories..

<-- At Snigdha's Hut-->

Aahuk was mumbling something while jumping up and down from the wooden couch.. Snigdha laughed at his cute actions.. Just than there was vigorous knock on the door..

Aahuk-" Mata! Someone is here! Should I open the door! I think it's dadi Shobha! Dada Jhobne told me that he would bring me a toy!"

He got down slowly, and ran towards the door.. Just than Snigdha remembered Shobha's advice, there were chances that it might be some kind of robber hence it was better to look from the gaps of the wooden wall..

She immediately pulled Aahuk who groaned.. Snigdha's heart stopped for a moment when she saw a man completely covered in black.. He had a sword with him, and it was sharp.. Aahuk's stubborn nature made him push his mother away, but when he looked at her frozen face.. he knew something outside was scary...

The knocking on the door became vigorous.. Snigdha immediately got up and pulled Aahuk away.. She instructed him to stay behind her.. Aahuk felt angry, he wished that he had an older body to protect his mother and sibling.. He couldn't do much, but he tried to growl..

Snigdha grabbed a wooden stick.. She took deep breaths and calmed herself..
The door broke open, and the bandit slowly walked in.. He didn't even flinch to see someone holding a bamboo infront of him.. Aahuk had a rough idea about the situation, and glared at him..

Bandit-" Hand me the kid."
Snigdha-" No!"
Bandit-" If you give him to me, I will spare you.."
Snigdha-" NEVER!"
Bandit-" Oh dear, why are women so stubborn.. Listen, both of us know you can't harm me.. After all you are weak."

Snigdha's eyes widened..

"Shy.." "Timid" "Someone who is warrior" " Maharaj your daughter was born weak" " How can someone get tired after running barely 10 steps? Are you lazy or weak?" " Why don't you try some weapons Snigdha? Haha mitra whi are you even asking? She is a complete weakling!" " WEAK" "WEAK" "WEAK"

That's all Snigdha since the day she was born.. But today was different, she wasn't the same timid and weak Snigdha today she was strong woman and moreover a mother.. And nobody can match a angry mother's strength..

The Bandit had clearly relaxed.. Taking the opportunity Snigdha ran as fast as she could and grabbed his right shoulder which held the sword.. The bandit was not ready to get in action and tried to grab her.. Snigdha threw the bamboo stick down, and punched the Bandit's nose several times.. It angered him even more and he placed a tight slap on her cheek and tried to understand what was going on..

Snigdha slightly lost her balance, and a scream left Aahuk's mouth.. His eyes were teary, and he wished his father was there.. The bandit was still dazed, Snigdha immediately twisted his hand, and the sword fell.. But she was tired, this was her first fight and she was pregnant.. The bandit grabbed her hair, and threw her near a corner peice..

Snigdha's head hit the corner of the one peice, it was the same spot, where she was hit when Vrishasen had pushed her.. Her breathing was uneven and the world around her was spinning, Aahuk ran to her and hugged her..The bandit picked his sword, he turned around and was absolutely irritated.. All he wanted to do right now, was to kill the unconscious woman..

Aahuk's little arms hugged her face, and the bandit raised the sword...
               The little boy closed his eyes, and kept chanting to God to send someone to save them.. Just than he heard the bandit scream, there was blood everywhere and his lifeless body fell while his head rolled around..

Aahuk was crying by this time.. He waited to see who was their savior.. A dark man entered, he had few scars, and it enhanced his beauty.. He stood 6 feet tall, completely ripped and he held a bow in his left hand,the grip was so tight that even his veins were visible..

He was suprised to see Aahuk, when his travelled to Snigdha a weird feeling kindled his heart.. When he stepped forward, Aahuk got up and tried to stand his ground.. The man had understood that he lil man was scared.. He decided rather than talking, he would use his actions to convey that he isn't the enemy.. He slowly placed his bow and arrow aside, and gestured to Aahuk that he had nothing with him..

Aahuk nodded and stepped back, the man came forward and bent.. He didn't understand if it was alright to touch, a unconscious woman, nevertheless, he took a deep breath and turned her.. He felt goosebumps and his heart was beating 10x times more faster.. But.. everything seemed to stop for him, when he saw Snigdha's side forehead bleeding...

[ Pretty violent? So who is this new guy? If you want a hint, pm me! ;) Next chapter will contain some big talks and someone's arrival.. And maybe This will go upto 90 chapters! Stay tuned!!]