Hiii my lovely readers.. Here's the next part ❤️❤️❤️

After the dice game between Bhanumati, Duryodhan and Karna who had taciturnly(Khamoshi se) left the room. It was just the two of them. She had no idea when she had fallen in love with him, but she did. He could be stubborn, angry, aggressive, furious, and reckless towards anyone, but with her, she had seen a shade of Duryodhan that was unknown to the world.

An another version of him that no one believes...  that it could be actually him.

A teasing and loving brother when it comes to Dushala.

An equally loyal, honest, trustworthy friend just like Karna, to whom he can give his life, and he for him.

A softer version, only with her. His passion filled eyes, never staring at anyone but her. His childful glee when he made the points. They have no idea when they started playing with each other. She, never in her life has known this beautiful reaction of teasing and bantering, as she was the only child. And being a single favourite of her parents throughout her life, she wanted to be Her husband's only and only one in his life too.

Bhanumati stood and walked towards Duryodhan, he also did the same.

Bhanumati(challengingly)- You too lose, Arya.

Duryodhan(equally challenging)- Your wish is my command!!! Say your wish.

A deep stare. Let me just look at you, an eyeful of you, she thought. When she saw a smile tugging on the corner of his enticing lips, she gasped slightly. Don't do this to me, she mentally said to him. It was getting more and more difficult to keep her heart's desire in check.

He nodded with his chin, to continue, without breaking the eye-contact.

Bhanumati- A promise.

Duryodhan- A promise???

Bhanumati(shyly, a new feeling to her)- A promise that you in your life are never going to touch any other woman in the world; like a husband would.

Duryodhan who was so drunk in her beauty couldn't understand what she is saying. But tried.... Other woman in the world... He could not touch... Okay... Other than who ... You??? He thought.

Duryodhan (testingly)- Are you ... By any chance Priye.... Giving me your consent, that I could only touch you.????

Bhanumati couldn't say anything. All her haughtiness, pridefulness, arrogance had left her now when she is with him. It doesn't matter to her now, that she was still considered to be the fairest maiden in the Aryavarte. To be the most beautiful person in his eyes are her main concern. She was knowing slightly, how to be beautiful inside out. He was changing that in her without doing, and asking for anything.

Duryodhan who always thought that his burning desire for her was his love, now was going concerned. Look at her, he thought, all soft and me all harsh.

When she didn't say anything, he asked.

Duryodhan- Are you having a Stockholm syndrome??? (I have no equivalent for it that could have been used in Dvāpara yuga).

Bhanumati (bemused)- Stockholm syndrome????

Duryodhan (trying to make her understand)- a syndrome in which an abductee starts having feelings for its abductor. You possibly couldn't want me now.

Duryodhan was having a mini panic attack, like if this was all her teasing, and would be snatch away from him in a blink of eyes.

Duryodhan (continued)- look at you, you are all soft and fragile like a flower... And me.. I'm like a stone. A rock solid stone. I don't want you to be crushed by me. The whole of the country think that I'm an evil and vicious and vindictive bast*rd. You couldn't possibly have feelings for me. I've abducted you on your Swayamvar. You didn't get the chance to get a husband of your choice. You couldn't possibly want me now(he repeated).

Bhanumati was now in stage that she understood him so well. Poor boy, she thought. How can I show him the confirmation of the situation.

Duryodhan was still babbling something about not wanting him and etc etc.

She didn't know what to do to him, so she encircled her arms around his neck and kissed him. He was stunned for a moment but after a while he holds her in his embrace and responded and dominated the kiss.

After a long moment, when he broke it. He was heaving deep breaths as if he runs a marathon.

She cupped his cheek.

Bhanumati- Your Promise?

Duryodhan leaned on her touch and hold her hand. And muttered his promise.

Bhanumati have won the love game for both of them. She had tamed the feral wolverine and tamed him for life. She believes in his words that indeed he would never want anyone but her.

Duryodhan (gruffly)- I can't be soft with you.

Bhanumati(tenderly)- No, just be gentle.

Duryodhan- Then you have got a wrong man.

And with that, he carried her on his shoulder (ddlj style) and took her to his bedchamber. He helped her with her jewelleries to take them off. And when he saw her angavastra disoriented, he didn't, this time put it back.

He kissed her navel. And start blowing raspberries on it, like an infant child whose tummy was tickled.

She started giggling.

Bhanumati(giggling)- What are you doing????

Duryodhan (playfully)- punishing you for the way you punished me for this long.

He kissed the way upto her cheeks, to her corner of lips.

Duryodhan- No turning back.

She shook her head. And he sealed the deal.

Curtains off.

When morning sunshine came, and entered their chamber. She saw him sleeping peacefully in his tummy. She smiled. Silly man.

She couldn't help but wonder what had happened in his life to make him so bitter and angered. And with a kiss on his forehead. She left the bed.