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Thank you so much for your love and support, even after a long time. It was overwhelming when I read your comments that I have continued the story. Appreciate 🥰.
The way you guys have taken personal interest in how Shikha and Gangaputra think is truly commendable. Like do this, don't that and all.
Both of them are going through a rollercoaster ride and they also need your love and support.

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***

“Leave before dawn.” 
These were the last words of him to her.

Gangaputra felt an urgency to find Shikha.

Okay, so he only wanted her to leave his bedchamber, not the palace itself.

Understatement; not him, for sure.

His words might have struck her like a sword, deepening her wounds.

She must really hate me, he thought.

How could he be such a fool not to understand the fragile emotional state of Shikha after she has been assaulted and told him that she is Amba.

She had summoned immense courage to reveal her secret identity as Amba, yet he had been too lost in his own turmoil to appreciate the gravity of her confession.

It must really take her a lot of courage to tell him about her secret. But as it happened, he had been so dazed and self absorbed by his own past and past deeds that he overlooked the situation.

In that moment, Gangaputra recognized a painful truth: perhaps this was why women are so scared to share their secrets with men.

He tried to understand Shikha's predicament and feelings which she might have gone through.

Hurt, pain, utter betrayal.

Traumatized.

She might have felt abandoned or invalidated, especially if she believed their connection was strong enough to transcend their past.

And he was such a fool. For taking her feelings for granted.

Gangaputra felt the weight of responsibility pressing down on him led by regret and guilt.

He realized too late that love was not just about duty—it was about connection, understanding, and vulnerability.

The bond they had forged in the past five days was something special, and it pained him to think that his foolishness might have jeopardized it.

And because of his foolishness…

Her trust, shaken.

Their friendship, broken.

Their love… well it has not even begun.

His fault.

His fate.

Nope. He'll fight for both of them for their fate.

As he moved swiftly through the palace corridors, his mind raced with calculations, envisioning all the possible actions she might take in this moment of distress. Just don’t let this girl do any harm, he thought, a knot of anxiety tightening in his chest.

He was acutely aware of where she might go. Hastinapur and Panchal were not far apart, and he knew that when faced with insecurity or fear, Shikha would instinctively seek refuge in her safe place—her home. Any girl would do the same. For a fleeting moment, he had been that safe haven for her during the assault by Vrushchak. Yet, he couldn’t shake the feeling that he was just as responsible for her pain as that cold-blooded reptile.

Time was slipping away, and Gangaputra understood that he had to act quickly. He discerned the depth of Shikha’s turmoil; it was easy to predict how she would react after leaving the palace. She had a tendency to take everything to extremes, and he felt like an idiot for not recognizing it sooner.

Yet amid his turmoil, there was a strange mix of happiness and misery swirling within him. He had realized his love for Shikha, but only after she had left him, leaving him with a profound sense of loss.

But whenever faced with a challenge, Gangaputra found a calmness within himself. He understood what needed to be done, and this clarity propelled him forward.

Determined to reach her before she could spiral further into despair, he focused on the path ahead. He would find Shikha and remind her that she was not alone—that even in the darkest moments, she could always count on him to stand by her side.

The last incident was merely a fleeting moment of weakness, a misunderstanding that had clouded their connection. Both of them had let emotions dictate their actions, momentarily overshadowing the deep bond they shared.

Yet, they both knew that a misunderstanding could never outweigh the strength of their relationship.

He was over explaining himself again and again that the last time was just a moment of weakness. A misunderstanding. Between both of them. Certainly, a misunderstanding can't be stronger than their bond.

As Gangaputra hurried through the palace corridors, his mind was a whirlwind of thoughts centered on Shikha. Just as he was about to exit, he encountered Satyawati, her presence commanding yet warm.

“Putra, where are you going?” she asked, a hint of concern in her voice.

“Some important chore, maata. I'll be back soon,” he replied patiently, though urgency gnawed at him.

“Have you talked to Panditji about tomorrow's functions?” she inquired, her brow furrowing slightly.

He had been a great son, nice grand uncle, best warrior among best. But when it came to friendship and love, he felt like he had failed miserably. Now was his chance to rectify that.

“Yes, maata. I have looked after every detail all by myself. Everything is going to be perfect. Only one thing is left to be done for which I've to go. Now I really must leave. Pranipaat.” With that, he bowed slightly and continued on his way.

Yet, as fate would have it, he was halted four times before reaching the palace  gates demanding his attention here and there.

Just as he thought he could escape, Karna appeared before him, his skin still smeared with haldi from the rituals.

“Pitamah… Pitamah!” Karna called out, his voice echoing in the grand hall.

Bheeshma’s thoughts were so consumed by Shikha that he didn’t respond immediately. When he finally turned to Karna, irritation flashed in his eyes. “Karna… What are you doing here, son? You should be enjoying the Haldi and participating in the rituals.”

Karna remained silent, his gaze intense and searching.

Noticing the weight of unspoken words hanging between them, Bheeshma leaned closer and asked quietly, “What’s the matter, son?”

Without hesitation, Karna spoke. “Pitamah… with due respect, I think you might have understood what is going on here.”

“And what is that?” Bheeshma pressed, sensing the gravity of the conversation.

When Karna remained silent again, Gangaputra’s patience began to wear thin. “Look, child… I really have to go.”

“You’ll bring her back, won’t you?” Karna’s voice was steady but laced with urgency. There was no need to say who she was.

Bheeshma’s eyes narrowed at the question. “How do you know?”

Karna shrugged nonchalantly but there was a seriousness in his demeanour. “She’s my friend. I obviously would have known about it. I would have gone myself, but I believe you two needed to talk.” His expression softened as he added earnestly, “Please bring her back. It’s my wedding tomorrow.”

Karna's words sank deeper than expected.

Bheeshma stared at him without blinking, a mixture of surprise and concern washing over him. He couldn’t quite decipher how much Karna truly understood about the situation between him and Shikha. A feeling nagged at him that Karna knew more than he let on.

“You blame me for it?” Bheeshma asked solemnly, his voice barely above a whisper.

Karna shook his head firmly. “I’m here because tomorrow is my wedding and I would very much like her to attend it. That’s all. And I love you, Pitamah.”

In those few words lay a depth of emotion that transcended their brief exchange; a bond forged in understanding that needed no further elaboration. Men often communicated in silence and subtlety—a glance or a nod could convey what words could not.

Just because he is a man, doesn't mean that he was devoid of emotions. Often misunderstood by the situation, Gangaputra found a sliver of hope from Karna at this precarious situation.

Karna's unspoken words conveyed a profound understanding to his Pitamah. He placed his trust in him, believing that even a revered figure like Bheeshma was human and capable of making mistakes.

Nodding slowly in acknowledgment of Karna's plea and unspoken support, Gangaputra felt a sense of resolve wash over him.

Finally turning away from the palace gates once more into open air—determined now more than ever—to find Shikha before dawn arrived at Karna's wedding day looming near.

He moved his chariot at breakneck speed—the urgency propelling him forward faster than ever before; time was slipping away rapidly but so too was hope if action wasn’t taken soon enough!

Fast, he needed to move fast.

***