DESPERATE SOULSAfter meeting the Queen, there was only one thought in Tara's mind, "So what if he doesn't want to meet me? I am Tara who always follows what her heart says and for now it's saying that the Queen is correct and I should follow my heart. What more will happen? He will get angry. Ok, I am ready to face his anger. He might be rude from above but inside he is so gentle, kind and lonely. I am his only friend." And finally she made up her mind to do what she needed to do one week ago.
Next morning, as soon as Aradhana left for the palace, Tara got ready in no time with hopes of renewing her friendship. This was her perception of her relationship with Mrityunjay to convince herself. She was not sure about what to call her relationship with Mrityunjay, and so had named it friendship. She left for the forest.
Mrityunjay, at his place, was restless thinking of how to meet her, as he had banished her from the forest and as far as he knew Tara, according to that she was not going to come.
"Maria, do you know any way to bring her back here? I want to apologize to her for my rude behavior ...I have left her in grave danger... she needs to learn to protect herself. Although she knows archery but still she needs to know sword fighting to protect herself. I just want one single chance to apologize to her...she is my only friend...my... only..."
Meanwhile, Tara arrived when Mrityunjay was talking with Maria and heard half of the conversation between them.
"He wants to apologize...good." She smiled. "But I will not leave him so easily... I will... I will..."
She wanted to punish him in some way but hurting or punishing him was beyond her capability, whenever she thought about him she got all the more attracted to him.
When Mrityunjay turned to leave for his regular search of the vampire, he was surprised to see his wish granted so soon, he was in doubt whether he was dreaming or she was there in reality.
She grabbed his bow and released an arrow which made the pile of grass kept near Mrityunjay fall on the ground, confirming she was there.
"You!" he exclaimed."Can't you ever come without any disaster?"
She didn't reply to a single question. She turned her face away from Mrityunjay and folded her arms over her chest and made an angry face.
He sensed her anger," So she is angry. ...she has a right to be angry. The way I scolded her that day, anyone can get angry." Mrityunjay was thinking in his mind watching Tara's angry face.
"Is he going to say something or will he keep standing like a statue forever?" Tara slowly turned her head to see what he was doing when she saw him thinking something, "I will not talk to him until he apologizes." To get his attention, she shot another arrow at the barn's boundary.
"Tara will you stop this shooting?"
"Why should I? You said it that I am a disaster, so I am." She shot another arrow which narrowly missed Mrityunjay, grazing his arm, making a cut in his shirt's sleeve.
"Ok, I am sorry. I didn't mean that" he said trying to take the bow from her.
"I just wanted to protect you from the vampire, so I talked rudely. ..." he grumbled and finally was able to take the bow from her.
She loosened her tight grip on the bow when she heard his justification. "So he did it to protect me!" A smile came on her face indicating to Mrityunjay that his friend was no longer angry.
His heart felt some relief seeing her smile.
"If you want to protect me, teach me how to protect myself." said Tara making a face as if she was still not satisfied with his justification.
"I will teach you sword fighting." replied Mrityunjay in a hurry. He didn't want to lose his friend again.
"Ok. So when are we starting?" she asked enthusiastically.
"Today...right now"
He brought two swords and handed her one. Tara, who was busy cuddling Maria, was not able to manage herself when he gave her the sword and that resulted in her dropping the sword.
"Don't you know how to talk to a woman?" She shouted.
"Pick up that sword," he said without caring what she was saying.
"He will never change." She grumbled and then lifted the sword.
"First thing, the sword is to protect yourself, not to harm you. So use it carefully." He said, correcting her hold on her sword, which she was holding the opposite way which put the pointed end towards her.
"Hold it." He then moved the sword swiftly in air making a swishing sound and then signaled Tara to do the same.
Tara followed his instructions and did exactly what he said and copied him.
He was impressed to see her grasping power.
"You will learn soon." Saying this, he positioned himself to attack.
"Now protect yourself." He attacked her. She perfectly covered herself by moving her sword to resist Mrityunjay's attack. Although his attack was not light like what is expected during training time but Tara was able to handle it.
Till noon he showed her some of the basic moves and in this way her first day training session went.
"Okay now training time over. I have to go on my duty." Saying this, Mrityunjay kept his sword and brought Maria.
"Come I will drop you outside the forest." Saying this, he put his hand forward for Tara to hold it and get on Maria.
After one week, Tara once again enjoyed riding. Mrityunjay too, was happy to ride Maria with Tara. They soon reached outside the forest. He wanted this ride to last for a few more moments but it ended too soon.
"Tomorrow come on time." Saying this, Mrityunjay turned his mare and rode back inside the forest.
Tara was happy and thought to thank the Queen for her advice and marched towards the palace.
Nandini recovered from her injuries and was again on the move to find Tara and Prince Adi. This time, she was furious.
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Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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