The Love Triangle [A CAS OS]

ASHOK - Permutations:

Upon a throne carved of wood, sat a boy of twenty-one. His leg rested on the other, while one hand rested on the throne arm and the other twirled a stick. His wheatish face, mixed with the lights of the fiery touches that lit the forest, glowed with magnificence. He was ever so calm, fixed on the passive nature of justice, hearing each and every case with the utmost of attention.

Then entered a girl of around the same age, twenty-one. Her straight hair was pulled back into a ponytail. Her wide eyes teared up as she gazed at the person on the throne. She held out her hands as if asking for the alms of justice.

The boy stared for a moment and then closed his eyes. Flashbacks of the events he had witnessed with this girl came back to him one by one. From the very first time they bumped into each other outside the royal palace, to the stinging insults she had so venomously said to him during the competiions. But then trickled the age of compassion. He reached out ot her when the entire world had their backs against her and they both found solace in each other. Gradually becoming friends, the girl finally revealed to him that she was in love with him. But fate, cruel fate, had intervened for she had told him when he was in disguise. She later found out the truth, but she never brought it up again.

He swallowed. "Ahankara ... " he said softly.

Ahankara scoffed. "You remember my name Ashok, you remember my face Ashok, you remember my feelings Ashok ..." she bitterly said. "You remember everything Ashok. Then why did you forget me..." Tears ran down her fair cheeks as she remembered those painful five years where Ashok had gone to Taxilla to curb a rebellion. He fell in love with the people there and never returned.

Ashok looked down. "I have no explaination for that Ahanku ..."

"Don't call me that. You lost the right to that when you didn't even let me know that you left." She swallowed, pausing for a moment. "And now that I finally meet you, I don't even know you ..." Her voice trailed off.

"I was in charge of putting down a rebell---"

Ahankara raised her hand, stopping him. "Save it Samrat Ashok. If only you knew how I lived my life all those years, maybe things would have been different today. Not even a single letter? How could you?"

Ashok stood up from his throne and walked over to Ahankara. He placed his hands on her shoulder, causing her to look away and shrug them off.

Ashok paused. He longed to reach out towards her and bring her in an embrace, but then again, this was court -- not exactly time for romantic maneuvers. He had no choice but to smirk and return to his throne.

"Ujjaini RajKumari Ahankara, I cannot solve your case. You are free to leave this court."

She gave a long stare at Ashok before turning around, her long braided hair flying as she spun and her yellow skirt swaying softly. Ashok could do nothing but continue to watch her as she left with her head raised high.

And then he awoke ... it had all been just a dream.

SUSHIM - Peril.

Rajkumar Sushim paced back and forth in his hall. He had failed for the first time in life, and that too to Ashok. Ahankara, the princess of Ujjain, was the one he loved. He knew she loved him back, but due to the confusion during the wax house and the resulting title of traitorhood upon Rajaji Raj, the then-king of Ujjain, as well as upon Rani NIharika, the then-queen of Ujjain, Sushim had thought that his beloved Ahankara was part of the group of traitors. He didn't recognize the innate love and respect she had for him until it was too late, and ended up being comforted by Ashok.

Ashok. ASHOK. A-Frickin-Shok. He had needlessly interferred between the growing relationship between him and Ahankara. Sure things weren't as well for Ahankara, but every couple had it's fair share of mad fights. All Ashok did was take Ahankara away.

"Why are you pacing like this Sushim?" A cool, calm, yet slightly crooked feminine voice awoke him from his dazing thoughts. He looked up to see his mother, Maharani Charumitra, stroll into the room. One hand was gracefully placed on her hips, while the other moved back and forth as she walked. Her black, silk sari outlined and showed off her gracious frame. She was one of the most stunning looking of Bindusar's four wives.

"Nothing ..." he mumbled. "It's just Ashok and Ahankara that worries me. That rat Ashok annoys the hell out of me."

"So kill him then." His mother retorts, her eyes sparkled at the notion of murder.

"It's not as easy as you think, Mother. Ever since we killed Chanakya, he has been ever-so-alert when it comes to me. I guess when Bindusar refused to believe that we had anything to do with Ashok's death, we were slightly lucky."

Charumitra quickly moved her palm across Sushim's face, leaving behind a red hand print.

"Oww!!" Sushim yelled, jumping back and massaging his cheek. "What was that for?"

"For thinking that we were lucky. Remember one thing, you deft, idiot son of mine, and only one thing. We don't belive in luck. We shape our own destiny. That fool Ashok doesn't even realize the amount of fortune he has, why? Because he doesn't care at all."

"But Maa..." Sushim protested, but in vain. Charumitra raised her hand, silencing him.

"Look, you are the eldest in this current generation of Mauryans. Before Ashok came, you were the obvious and clear choice to becoming Bindusar's heir. You still are, but now that Ashok is here, Bindusar is confused. Don't spoil your future because of a silly girl."

*cough cough*

Both pairs of eyes jerked towards the sound, which came from near the door. From the shadowy depths, emerged the oily-pasted face of a man. He was bald, but for one long bundle of hair on the back of his head. He grinned and said, "On the contrary Maharani, we could use this to Sushim's advantage."

"I don't follow you Mahamatya," Charu said. "It's certainly a dangerous path to follow, especially since everyone here dislikes Ujjainis."

"Exactly my point. There are two paths we can choose here. The first is Sushim and Ahankara and the second is Ashok and Ahankara. Both princes are fairly popular in the public, but Ashok, having spent the better part of the last couple of years in Takshilla, hasn't gained or maybe lost some of the popular opinion. If one of these two princes pursue for Ahankara, the public could either support or reject them."

"Why risk Sushim's fate though?"

"Because I love --" Sushim interjected.

"I thought I told you to shut up."

Sushim mimicked his mother in a high-pitched voice inside his head. He rolled his eyes and sat on a chair, throwing his hands up into the air.

"Why risk Sushim's fate though?" Charumitra said once more, after giving Sushim a disapproving look.

"The public thinks of Ahankara as a double traitor. But after the Khurasani incident, Siamak is also in a similar light, but he was forgiven and still continues to be a part of the Mauryan family."

"I'm not sure I follow."

"If Ahankara can be brought into a fair light like Siamak, we can bolster Sushim's appearance. If she can't be, we can teach her a listen and continue to get favor from her."

Sushim looked distraught. "But ... I don't want anything to happen to Ahankara." Charu and Khallatak shot him a dirty look. Sushim frowned, irritated, and sighed. He walked away from his mother and well-wisher.

"How does Ashok come into the picture?" Charu asked.

"Depending on the public reaction, we can throw Ashok either as someone who hates the traitor, or someone who defends a traitor."

Charu's eyes lite up. "Oh I see. So we do whatever we can at our end, and if we screw up ... bechara Ashok takes the fall."

"Precisely." Khallatak said, his eyes glimmering as he stared in Charumitra's beautiful orbs of darkness.

"Precisely." Charmitra repeated. It was time to play with Ahankara.

AHANKARA -- Plight

The glow of the rising sun slowly filled Ahankara's palace room with light. Starting from one edge of the room to the other, minute after minute, it was slowly filled by the warmth of the sun. Ahankara's eyes blinked as the light hit her face. After moments of twitching, she moaned and slowly got up. She stretched her arms and let out a roar of a yawn.

She clammered out of the bed, half-asleep, half-awake, and walked towards the balcony where she peered out into the depths of earth's natural beauty. Her palace was situated on the outskirts of Pataliputra, near the royal palaces, but away from the citizens. Her situation was still a matter of opinion and she wasn't sure if she was being held in a positive or negative light. It was true that both her parents turned out to be traitors, and it was also true that people thought of her, albeit temporarily (hopefully), as an instigator for the agradoot-ashok accusation (people thought her traitor like history influenced Ashok to become a traitor as well and stab his brother. This was before the truth came out).

She gazed at the calm grace of nature. For what seemed like thousands of yojanas, she could see nothing but the vast greenery of the jungles and forests. Every now and again, she heard the happy chirps of birds and the screeches of monkeys that lived nearby. She placed her elbows on the railing and leaned forward, resting her face in the palms of her hand.

She looked up at the blue hue of the sky. Free of the cotton-like clouds, she hummed to herself a song her mother would sing to her whenever she felt lonely. Her mind filled with thoughts of that charming man of her heart, Ashok. It had been six long years since she last saw him. He had gone to Takshilla to quell the rebellion but apparently he fell in love with the people and the atmosphere and decided to spend his time there.

"Didi..." a small, chirpy voice cried as she felt a gently tug of her skirt. "Didi ... I'm hungry."

She looked down at her baby brother, dressed in a red-silk shirt and pants. He was roughly six years old. Six years old. She looked out to the depths of the world once more and her mind drifted back to thoughts of that handsome man that haunted her dreams.

Six years, she thought to herself. It had been six long years. She was but a teenager when the two were last together, and now as an adult, her appearance, her feelings, and her expressions had all increased.

As she walked to the small kitchen in the palace where they stored any extra food, just in case Reitesh, her baby brother, got hungry, she paused in front of the mirror.

Dressed in a purple silk robe that tightly clung to her body, she looked up and down her body. Her hair, a shade of a dark brown, fell on her shoulders in curls. Her eyes were white with dark blue orbs that enchanted many princes who had spent the last two years sending marriage proposals. Her small nose and her beautiful, pink, luscious and full lips graced a wonderfully long face. She smiled and two deep dimples appeared in the sides of her cheeks. She looked away bashfully, and continued towards the kitchen. Grabbing some rice, she mixed in some chaas and gave it to an eager Reitesh.

"Rajkumari Ahanakra Ki Jai."

Ahankara turned. It was the soldier who stood guard at the door.

"Rajkumari. Rajkumar Sushim is on his way."

Sushim. Ahankara's smile turned to a frown. This was typical behavior. Even though 6 years ago, Samrat Bindusar had cancelled the marriage between the two, it seemed that he still had some sadistic feelings for her. He had come at least once a month for the past 6 years and sat on a chair just staring at her as she went about doing her activities. He would occasionally make some nasty comment, but it was usually just him staring at her as if trying to absorb every inch of her body. It was creepy, but she had no choice but to tolerate it. She had once gone to Bindusar to complain but she was shot down by Charumitra and Bindusar who refused to believe that their son was capable of such things.

"How long till he gets here?" She asked.

"He left the palace about 10 minutes ago. He will be here in about another 25 minutes." The guard replied.

"Thank you!" she cried as she ran for Reitesh. She had to get herself and her brother ready in 25 minutes, otherwise that scumbag might even watch her as she took a bath.

SUSHIM - Romance

It was a quarter past noon, and Sushim had called for his charioteer to get his horse ready. Since he was within the boundaries of Magadh, there was no need to get aboard a chariot, and besides it was only a 30 minute journey by horse. It would give him time to ponder about Ahankara.

By about half past noon, Sushim was on the horse journeying towards Ahankara's palace. It was on the outskirts of the Pataliputra, alongside the wonderous Pushpa River, away from the city. He set off towards the west and turned North once he saw the Akanksha Jungle. He continued East once he came to the shores of the Pushpa, following it's curvey path. When the palace came into view, he slowed his gray horse to a stop and jumped off. Grabbing the reins, he lead the horse to the shores and allowed it to drink some water, while he washed his face.

He closed his eyes and dipped his cupped hands into the water and splashed it on his face. He brushed his wet hands through his hair and shook his head. Feeling refreshed, he jumped onto his horse and the two set off towards the palace.

It was about a 8 minute ride, but he alighted from the horse and strode like a lion towards the palace doors. The guards quickly bowed and opened the door for Sushim who nodded his head in a thankful gesture. As he walked away from them, the two guards exchanged a look of curiousity and awe. This had never happened before and was certainly a first for them.

Sushim entered the palace and looked around. He wanted to be different today, in fact, he even felt different today. For reasons beyond his understanding, he felt less of a prince and more of a romantic commoner. It wasn't a feeling he was proud of, but he felt great, nonetheless. The rhythm of his heart doubled as he approached the grand arch that was Ahankara's common room. Common, god I love that word now! He thought mentally.

He grabbed a bunch of a flowers from a vase nearby and giving one final shake of his head, he entered the room. Ahankara sat, dressed in a warm pink sari. In god know how much time, she had gotten ready and looked simply fabulous. Her hair was curled on the sides of her face bouncing as she laughed (gosh, that laugh he thought), while the rest of her hair was tied into a braid that rested on her left shoulder. She wore a pink bindi that matched her sari and long earrings that decorated even the sides of her ears. Her perfectly shaped lips was the color of his heart, red, and her eyes had been outlined in black.

"Ah-Ahankara..." Sushim stuttered; his heart, his mind, his entire body was completely in shock. He swallowed and opened his mouth, but words refused to come out. Ahankara turned her face in disgust and looked at the opposite wall.

Sushim lifted his arms and presented the bouque of flowers he had grabbed from the vase earlier to Ahankara, who just looked at the flowers. His arms shook as Ahankara stood up, touched the flowers and walked out the room. His eyes followed her every sway of her hips as she walked out the room, even though he tried to stop himself.

Ahankara returned after what felt like hours with the same vase from which Sushim grabbed the flowers. She wore an expression as if saying, "Are you f*cking kidding me?" Sushim lowered his eyes and looked towards the floor. He mumbled an "I'm Sorry" in a very soft voice, more out of embarrassment than disappointment.

He quickly looked around the room and sat down on a small seat adorned with a soft silk cover. His eyes were still lowered and he paused, thinking what his next move should be.

He opened his mouth to say something, but before he could,

"Why do you keep coming here again and again?" Ahankara said, her voice shaking with fear. She wasn't scared per se, but she had gone through a nightmare six years ago when she was bethrothed to Sushim, so naturally, some fear still existed.

Sushim kept his eyes lowered, unable to discern what his reply should be.

"Well ... " he started, but was cut short by the blowing of trumpets. He immediately got up and walked over to the balcony where he could make out a huge dust storm headed towards the capital. The sounds of the trumpets weren't alarming, so he knew that Pataliputra wasn't in danger. The sounds were more welcoming, so he figured that some great personality had arrived. Who could it be? He wracked his head over and over again, forgetting the main reason for coming into Ahankara's palace.

Following the sounds of the trumpets, various other sounds like the smoothness of the flute, the rhythm of the drums, and the ringing of the various bells. Ahankara joined him, her hands firmly fixed on the railing as she peered out into the distance. Like Sushim, she knew that the sounds were greeting an important personality and from the bottom of her heart, she wished it was Ashok, but after six long years of no communication, she didn't place much hope in the arrival of Ashok.

ASHOK - Tumultuous

The sunny atmosphere of Taxilla mixed with the delicious smell of the wonderous feast the cooks of the palace made reminded Ashok of home. He missed his mother Dharma, his father Bindusar, and his friends of the forest. Above all, he missed the air of Pataliputra, which his deceased guru, Chanakya, once inhaled. He loved Taxilla and it's citizens, but nothing compared to the joy in Pataliputra.

As he sat in the dining room, surrounded by ministers and other nobles of the court, he smiled to himself as he saw the food enter and served. Ahankara. For some reason, the delicious aroma of the food reminded him of one of his good friends from back home - the princess of Ujjain - Ahankara. Their relationship was interesting and different. On one hand, she was a friend- he would do anything for her happiness, but on the other hand, they both knew how Ahankara felt about Ashok, but only Ashok knew what his feelings were for Ahankara. She loved him, but he never returned the response for six long years. A part of him wished that she had moved on and not waited, but a larger part of him wanted, no desired, that she was still single. Strange was the ways of life. Ahankara had never told Ashok her feelings, she instead told the Agradoot, who was Ashok disguised, what she felt. Ashok never revealed his identity except in front of the court, but after that Chanakya died and Ashok left for Taxilla. The two never got a chance to speak about it.

As Ashok's mind wandered crazily, he washed his hands and rose.

"What is wrong Rajkumar?" A close noble friend asked. "Why did you get up without completing your food?"

"Nothing Kushji." Ashok replied. "I'm just lost in thoughts of Pataliputra."

"Right. It's been six long years hasn't it?"

"Yep." Ashok grinned. "I love it here, but I still miss home."

Kush nodded and smiled. "I'll arrange for your travels Rajkumar. Do you want to leave tomorrow or the day after?"

"Let's leave the day after tomorrow. Send a message to Bindusar to inform him of my arrival and arrange to have most of the work completed before we leave. I won't be sleeping well if my people are unhappy here."

Kush nodded once more. He bowed and left the room to arrange the chariots and work.

Ashok too left and headed towards his palace, lost in the thoughts of his home. Finally, I'm going home. I get to see Ma, Pitaji-Maharaj, my brothers, my friends, and ... He paused for a moment. And Ahankara. He smiled to himself.

ASHOK - Tumultuous

The sunny atmosphere of Taxilla mixed with the delicious smell of the wonderous feast the cooks of the palace made reminded Ashok of home. He missed his mother Dharma, his father Bindusar, and his friends of the forest. Above all, he missed the air of Pataliputra, which his deceased guru, Chanakya, once inhaled. He loved Taxilla and it's citizens, but nothing compared to the joy in Pataliputra.

As he sat in the dining room, surrounded by ministers and other nobles of the court, he smiled to himself as he saw the food enter and served. Ahankara. For some reason, the delicious aroma of the food reminded him of one of his good friends from back home - the princess of Ujjain - Ahankara. Their relationship was interesting and different. On one hand, she was a friend- he would do anything for her happiness, but on the other hand, they both knew how Ahankara felt about Ashok, but only Ashok knew what his feelings were for Ahankara. She loved him, but he never returned the response for six long years. A part of him wished that she had moved on and not waited, but a larger part of him wanted, no desired, that she was still single. Strange was the ways of life. Ahankara had never told Ashok her feelings, she instead told the Agradoot, who was Ashok disguised, what she felt. Ashok never revealed his identity except in front of the court, but after that Chanakya died and Ashok left for Taxilla. The two never got a chance to speak about it.

As Ashok's mind wandered crazily, he washed his hands and rose.

"What is wrong Rajkumar?" A close noble friend asked. "Why did you get up without completing your food?"

"Nothing Kushji." Ashok replied. "I'm just lost in thoughts of Pataliputra."

"Right. It's been six long years hasn't it?"

"Yep." Ashok grinned. "I love it here, but I still miss home."

Kush nodded and smiled. "I'll arrange for your travels Rajkumar. Do you want to leave tomorrow or the day after?"

"Let's leave the day after tomorrow. Send a message to Bindusar to inform him of my arrival and arrange to have most of the work completed before we leave. I won't be sleeping well if my people are unhappy here."

Kush nodded once more. He bowed and left the room to arrange the chariots and work.

Kaurwaki - JOURNEY

"Stop the chariot!" a young girl cried, her hands waving like crazy. Her dark, black hair flowed behind her as the strong winds blew fiercely. She wore a yellow skirt, with a designing border on the bottom and a white top. A dupatta was draped across her body and tied near her waist.

"Please stop!" she cried once more, jumping up and down. Her golden earrings danced in rhythm, and her anklets rang with joy.

The approaching chariot slowed to a stop and a young, handsome man glanced at the maiden.

"Yes, Kaurwaki." His voice was deep and manly. Dressed in a khaki dhoti, with a purple-red cloth draped around his neck, he stepped off the chariot.

"Rajkumar Ashok! Where are you headed!" she chirped excitedly.

"Kaurwaki..." Ashok groaned. "How many times have I told you to call me Ashok, and only Ashok. No need to address me so formally. We're friends now."

"Sorry Rajku---" she looked down in embarrassment, grinning shyly. "Sorry Ashok."

"So where are you headed?" He asked. Her eyes lifted when Ashok spoke, and the two pairs of eyes met.

"Well ..." she looked down again. "I heard you were going to Pataliputra and ..."

"And you want to come with?" Ashok finished.

"Yeah." She shuffled anxiously.

"Sure! It'll be fun!" And Ashok leaped onto the chariot and held out his hand. Kaurwaki promptly grabbed it and jumped onto the chariot.

"To Pataliputra!" She ordered, her arm thrusted forward.