Ishani sighed, as she looked at herself in the mirror. The red lehenga definitely suited her, showing off her curves but she didn't know how the others would react. She parted the curtains, looking down at the marble floor. The curtains swished against her, and the women gasped.

Ishani looked so beautiful that they ran out of words. Her wavy hair was left open, and small diamond stones on her ears glittered. Rukmini gently held her hands, bringing her to the sofa for her to sit.

"May no one cast an evil eye.." Satyabhama uttered, applying kohl. 

"Ishani, you ready? The men are waiting..."

She nodded, visibly worried. She was still a stranger to their customs and way of living. She didn't know how to adapt to new places.

The women walked out of their apartments, escorted by the royal guards. 

She looked up, seeing Krishna and the other men.. Her eyes roamed around, in all directions to see him.., but he wasn't there. A flash of disappointment coursed through, but she brushed it away. 

"Hiding behind me is going to complicate your relationship, Mitr.." Duryodhana chuckled when Karna shushed him. He knew she was looking for him, but he was too embarrassed to face her after yesterday's incident..

His monster broke all rules and behaved like a husband with her.. Which must have been damn uncomfortable for her..

"Krishna.." Krishna, who was busy arranging the chariot, hummed in response.

"Where is Karna?" She asked softly, when he looked up. He smirked looking at Duryodhana, while Ishani looked at where he was looking. 

Why was he looking at Suyo? 

"I guess he hasn't decided to grace us with our presence, dear. It's all right, I'll find out.." He patted her shoulder, caressing her hair.

She looked away in sadness, ascending her chariot.  The chariot reminded her of the time they rode together, and she wondered why he didn't come.

Maybe there was something important.. Her mind reasoned, trying to calm her down but it only angered her further. 

She felt like an unruly, over pampered, tantrum-throwing brat, but  she didn't feel guilty.

He should have at least told her the reason. But no! He behaved like a caveman yesterday and mysteriously disappeared when she was waiting for him like a fool. How could he?

Stupid idiot, she cursed trying to blink away the tears. She had never felt this emotional for a man.

She shouldn't get affected; he was just a friend. She requested the charioteer to slow down, though others were already ahead. It didn't matter if she was late, the person she wanted to spend time with wasn't even there.

She felt so alone, like the way she felt before. No one to talk to, just the wind caressing her face and the birds greeting her with their chirps.

If only Karna knew what was going in her mind, he would have dropped everything and rushed to her, cajoling her sweetly. But he was busy discussing about Shakuni with the cousins.

"Ishani might have something to say.." Vikarna started when Nakul blurted, "Speaking of her, where is she? Jyesht, normally she would've loved to be with us, why is so far off?" All looked behind, seeing her too far.

"She's thinking that Karna is not here.. That's why she's sulking.." Karna's eyes widened at Krishna's words. The cousins smirked teasingly, but they were worried.

"Mitr, go to her. She really wanted to be with you, more than all of us. If she's far behind us, I'm not sure as to what's going on, inside her head. Just stop feeling shy." Karna looked at them reluctantly, but their glares were enough for him to nod. He turned his chariot back, riding towards her. 

Ishani frowned at the faint figure trailing towards her. Was it Suyo or Nakul? Her eyes widened, seeing those Kundals and those familiar locks flying in the air. 

It was Karna. So he had been there all along. Then why didn't he atleast greet her? She was going mad because of that. They had earlier decided that both would go together.

She crossed her arms in anger, looking away. Karna gulped, he could sense the fury rolling off her. 

"Ishani.."

"Shut up.." She hissed, trying not to look at him. He got down from his chariot, silently alighting hers. Before she could react, strong arms grabbed her from behind, not allowing her to move.

She glared, muttering words that were definitely not friendly, and tried to break free. But he laid his neck on her exposed, bare shoulder and looked at her innocently.

"Sorry.. I'm really sorry.. Ishani.. I felt awkward to see you because of what I did yesterday.. I thought you would feel uncomfortable.."

Ishani pushed him away, looking at him angrily. She sat down on her seat and he tried to sit next to her, when she glared and he flinched.

"Do you know how lonely I felt? I thought you didn't come.. I would be left all alone.." She murmured, fiddling with her odhani.. 

Karna looked down in shame. He didn't realise that she would feel like this. 

It must have stirred up ugly memories. He tried to sit next to her, when she occupied the entire space, glowering. 

"Ishani.. I'm not used to being wanted by someone.. I-I didn't realise that you would be this affected.. I-I thought.. I ...."

"You thought I was a rock, unaffected right? Yeah.. I'm the most cold-hearted woman in history.. and pigs will definitely fly.." She shouted and Karn gulped in fear.

He didn't understand what she meant by the last phrase, but he was too scared to ask her.. He was clueless..

The mighty bearer of the Kavach and Kundals , the one almost undefeatable by mortals and admired by heroic men, stood in fear in front of an exquisite woman.

Even Vasudev remained suspiciously silent.. He looked into her eyes, trying to understand her state of emotions when his brain froze.

Her eyes were watery.. and her wide eyes were reflecting his blurry image.. Without thinking of the consequences, he hugged her tight.

To his broad chest, murmuring so softly. He'd rather drink poison than see her tears because of his foolishness. She looked up, her eyes hardened again, devoid of those tears.

His hold loosened, thinking she was back to being her cold self. It broke his heart, but he was not someone who forced his thoughts or decisions upon anyone else. 

He mentally readied himself to feel the loss of her in his arms, but the unexpected happened. Ishani glared furiously, but her words were the opposite.

"If you try anything stupid like that again, I'll order your Ajay to kick you to Pataal.. Understood?" 

He bobbed his head obediently, like a small kid being lightly punished. She then sat down, yet not saying a word when his arms were still around her.

He gulped in relief, and signalled the charioteer to get down and steer his empty one. Even the cool breeze flew by slowly, afraid to cut through the tension. The birds continued their sweet chirping, but even their sounds were soft. 

He clutched the reins of the chariot, and looked at her in anticipation. Her kohl eyes scrutinised him dangerously, and Karna tried hard not to stare at the way she bit her lips in anger. 

"Continue.." Her voice was low, but he nodded. She held on to the pillar behind her as he drove it swiftly, to catch up with others.

"They're coming ..." Krishna told the others, who sighed in relief.. 

To their shock, Karna was driving the chariot like someone had dropped the earth on his shoulders, so cautiously and his arm was around...

Her shoulder.. That was fine, but Ishani's expression was scary.

"Ishani.." She looked at Krishna questioningly, when Karna looked at him pleadingly.

"Let's continue, shall we? Just a Prahar more.." Ishani nodded, unconsciously leaning against Karna's shoulder as all of them moved together.

The cousins watched in shock and awe as Karna fidgeted around, feeling nervous about her resting on his hand. 

Did she really want it or was she feeling sleepy? Ishani, who was closing her eyes, peeked at him seriously.

"If you want to take you arm off, then please do so. I don't mind my neck placed on the hard metal.." 

It was an indirect threat , basically telling him to shut up and be still. Karna went a step ahead, like a brave gentleman.

He slowly pulled her closer, placing her head on his wide collar bones. Maybe she was really asleep or she was lazy to react, but he wiped a drop of sweat from his forehead as she didn't react.

Karna's hands were busy controlling the reins, but his eyes were fixed on her.

If it was possible, he would want to keep all of her to himself.. Her sassy retorts, her fiery anger, the way she kept him close even when she was upset with him.. the list never ended.

She treated him as a friend, and he thought he would burst from euphoria. If fate was in his favour and she ever developed feelings for him, how would she take care of him?

Play with his hair and allow him to sleep in her lap, kiss him and tell him it was okay to cry, roar at the idiots who dared to badmouth him.. His imagination was about to soar higher when a loud din brought him back to earth.. 

In the far distance, he could see the vague outline of a huge arch and blurry figures of people shouting, "Vasudev Ki Jai! Kuru Vansh Ki Jai!" 

Everywhere, Ishani and him were left out.. It wasn't the crowd's fault, but yet..

It made him feel like he wasn't worth anything.. 

"Stop thinking rubbish. It's alright not to be noticed. Saves you from the tedious task of putting a fake smile and complementing everyone." Ishani's voice startled his senses.

She got up, stretching her arms out lazily. He didn't know what to say so he made awkward sounds.

The duo stared boredly as Krishna and the cousins stepped down, exchanging pleasantries with a man in red and golden royal robes and a woman adorned with jewellery from top to toe, probably the King and queen.

Suyodhan looked back at them in alarm. Why were they sitting so coolly? He hissed at them, signalling them to get down and greet the royalty.

They reluctantly got down, and Maharaj Vidyut's breath stopped. The woman in front of him was... not a human.

His eyes shifted to her cold and disinterested orbs, yet he flashed a charming smile. Maharani Ayesha clenched her fists but smiled at Ishani, greeting her. 

Karna glared openly and the crowd murmured as to who the two were, if they didn't belong to royalty.

Krishna cleared his throat, as usual these two were the centre of attraction.

"Maharaj, he's Karna.."

"A very powerful warrior.." Suyodhan continued.

"And she's Ishani, technically my younger sister." Vidyut just stared at her as she greeted him.

"Uh.." Ishani was irritated as to why this guy looked at her as if he had never seen a woman in his life. 

She could feel his wife glaring at her, but how could she tell him? Karna's eyes narrowed at the scene.

"Pranipaat Maharaj. Ishani and I have to go, if you excuse you.." She exhaled in relief, nodding at him and walked behind his trail.

"Arya, let's go, shall we?" Vidyut ignored his whiny wife, striding behind them. She gritted her teeth, silently planning to finish that vixen off.

How dare she come between them? She seduced her husband, that characterless bitch!

"They've over decorated the dining hall. " Ishani mumbled to no one in particular, as the dining hall was filled with all the ministers and officers welcoming all of them. Servants placed huge plates before each chair, laden with all delectable dishes.

Vidyut  sat at the head of the table, and Ishani took her seat besides Karna. The talkative hall became silent.

Did she not know that women ate last? Ayesha sneered. She was behaving like an empress. She was about to open her mouth when Ishani retorted.

"Maharani, I've heard that your kingdom is well-known for equality of women, yet I find you not occupying a seat amongst the assembled. Anything I should be informed about the customs, in particular?"

Vidyut coughed, and she looked at him. "Devi, I am extremely sorry for this inconvenience. I shall arrange a seat immediately." He clapped his hands, and the servants placed a plate and a chair next to him. Ayesha sat next to him, smiling at Ishani gratefully.

Ishani tried to hide her scoff. This lady deserved an Oscar for being so double-faced. 

Ignoring the recent fiasco, everyone began eating. Ishani loved swinging her legs, and in the process, she Karna's legs.

This man, who was so immersed in the dishes, jolted in shock as he felt a feathery skin brush his legs.

Ishani apologized in murmurs, trying to explain that it was by mistake. He smiled, saying it wasn't a problem when she smiled back.

She soon discovered her inability to eat a plate full of spice and sweet. Okay, rice and paratha was fine, but dhoklas, puffed rice, 6 varieties of sweets, millet porridge..

It was too much for her, yet she could see that other men were gobbling on greedily, and even clamoured for more.

Karna looked at her in confusion. She had not even eaten a quarter of her plate and was simply staring at the plain ceiling.

What happened to her? He suddenly noticed that her eyes lit up. 

She looked at him pleadingly, pointing at her plate. "Please.. I'll burst if I eat another morsel.. Please.." 

He fell for that expression, but began thinking as to how he could take her food. Even as he looked around to see if anyone was watching, she shifted their plates stealthily. 

Karna raised any eyebrow at her cleverness, and just grinned cutely at her.

 Vidyut's sharp eyes didn't miss that and his expression was not obviously pleased. 

What was their relationship that they didn't fear eating each other's food? They were not married, but if they were engaged... it was going to be troublesome for him.

He was tired of his nagging wife. She was pretty but paled in comparison to the nymph before him. Rajputs weren't allowed concubines, but he could definitely marry more than once.

And Ishani was going to be his second and last wife. 

Meme of the day: