Vani FF// The Phoenix (Thread 2 Link in Pg 1) - Page 17

Amazing...

Excellent update...

Continue soon...

Aww 🤗 It was purely 👏VANIlicious

Read all the 4 parts in one go. 😊

The ferocious, Adi Naagin 👍🏼😲

Poor Singhanias got scared seeing her 🤣

Mainly Balwant and Ponky. 🤣

Veeranshu really knows about his family and their priorities 😳

Like Balwant want power and position , and he may change sides anytime. 😔

Veeranshu Singhania = Wikipedia of Cheel and everything. 😎

One question to bani. - bani do u know everything about ur clan ??the entire history ?? Solutions ??

See veer and learn something. Don’t depend on the panditayan for everything.

More than Bani , veer thinks a lot about the consequences and what will be going on the enemies mind. 🤗

Proud of you Veeranshu 😎

Shakura Shakura....u r still fearless of Bani. And I love it. 😆

I don’t know why but I was missing Markat. 😔

Amazing updates

Loved ur way of writing

As usual amazingly written!!

Chalo, at least we got the kiss here. The backstory is fantastically threaded. Usually in Indian television the viewer is left to guess and speculate on the character's backstory and even in the shows they give the viewers some kinda background, it's usually littered with loopholes.

Hmmm, so i was right in my previous comment, bani will have to learn to use fear and power to subdue the naaglok because if Jai is any example to go by, it's filled with backstabbers and power hungry people who need to be controlled.

If and ever bani decides to take control of the naaglok, its not just her vansh which will be tough to swallow for naag- naagins of other vansh but even her own clan might have some issues with Bani heading the naaglok, because afterall Bani might be the adi naagin, she is also the Bahu of the royal cheel clan and wife of cheel rajkumar. A tough pill to swallow for uptight naag naagins!!😂

I hope dear ballu doesn't change sides and become bad😌, I like this very odd pairing of sasur and bahu. Both crazy about veer!! Make him teeter a little but let him remain on the good side..

As for the rest I've said it before, it is very articulately written. You've got aome serious talent here!!!

Waiting for the next chapters.

Superb job...

Love every bit of it

Continue soon

Hello,

I am a silent reader of this forum and I have been reading your fan faction.

Well researched and the way you had added the parts from mythology to the story was commendable.

I do check your updates for the new chapters. :)

Great job and keep rocking!!

Chapter 39

Bani looked at Veer playing with gandhak in his hands. Ponky, Balwant and Pawan stayed a good distance away from the stone. Veer laughed.

“V… Veer bhai. Please uske saath aise mat khelo. Pata chala phir se hum hawa mein ulta latka diya.” Ponky complained. Veer let the red shining stone hover in the air. Ponky ducked behind the sofa. Balwant moved back too. It continued to hover higher in the air.

“Yeh bahar aaya toh aaya kaise? Aur agar gandhak ne attack kiya tum sabh pe tohi se roka kisne? Mere alawa koi hai nahi jo ise control kar sakta hai.” Veer commented. Could Shakura control it too?

“Usi Shakura ne. Usne hi bachaya hume.” Balwant answered. Veer thought but it didn’t match. Gandhak started throwing sparks around the house. “Veer, ise rok pehle.”

The stone started making stuff hover in the air. Suddenly, it made Ponky fly up in the air. Veer just looked at it.

“Veer, mazak mat kar. Ise shaant kar abhi.” Balwant told him. “Woh mantra padh ise shaant karne ka.”

It shot at Balwant and made him how in the air too. Veer laughed.

“Veer, bohot ho gaya.” Balwant shouted at him.

“Dad, come on. Last time maine scene miss kar diya tha. Iss baar thodi der toh dekhne do.” Veer laughed.

“Veeranshu…” Bani told him. “Yeh kya harkat hai.”

The stone went towards Bani and was about to attack her but Bani stopped it. Veer was surprised that the stone listened to her.

“Seems like tum kar paa rahi ho. Tum kar do.” Veer suggested her. Bani tried but didn’t work. Veer laughed. Veer clicked his fingers and the stone stopped shining and returned to Veer’s hands. Everyone fell down and the things crashed on the floor. He let the stone do its work and made all the things return to their original state. Bani noted the amount of control Veer had on it. Bani did have some control on it but not the way it listened to Veer. It was like an obedient puppy with its owner.

Veer made it hover in the air. Then it faced Veer. Something like lightning strike, a red electric spark was shot at Veer. It was a continuous strike.

“Aaahhh” Veer exclaimed in pain. His face scrunched in the pain that the strike was causing.

“Veeranshu…” Bani tried to stop the stone but this time it didn’t listen to her.

“Veer…” Balwant and Pawan exclaimed together. Veer was pushed on a chair but the strike continued. He was sitting as the strike continued. After a few moments, it stopped and just hover before Veer. Veer breathed heavily. The stone had sort of recharged him with energy that was lost due to the whole fiasco earlier.

“Veer, tu theek hai. Isne tujhpe aise attack kyu kiya?” Balwant asked.

“Attack nahi kiya, dad. Yeh bas meri baat sun raha hai. Main kamzor ho gaya tha aur itne jaldi mujhe theek sirf gandhak kar sakta hai. Aisa samjho ki yeh mujhe recharge kar raha tha.”

Veer stood up and tried to feel himself.

“Try karein?” Sam asked with a grin. Veer gave a ‘bring it on, brother’ smirk. Sam dashed towards Veer. He grabbed Veer’s throat and started pushing him back with all his strength. After being pushed a little back, Veer used his strength and stopped. He took off Sam’s hand and pulled him into aheadlock. Sam elbowed Veer and freed himself and twisted Veer’s arms. Veer kicked him from the back and Sam crashed over the sofa. Veer gave a victorious grin.

Bani helped him up.

“Yeh zaroori tha? Ek dusre ke saath ladna?” Bani asked.

“Just a while of wait, Veer bhai. Phir we’re going to let everyone know ki boss toh sirf aap hai wahan. Jaise hi aapke pankh theek hue, main toh uss Nikhil ka muh todne waala hun. Bohot bakwaas kari hai usne.”

“Mere bhai, bas tu wait kar. Jis din main theek hua na, baaki sabko theek kar dunga.” Veer put an arm on Sam’s shoulder. Sam smirked.

“Bas. Show pakka na?”

“Tune kuch manga mujhse aur maine tujhe nahi diya aisa hua hai?”

“Uski shakal dekhne layak hogi.” Daksh grinned.

“Isi baat pe ek drink ho jaaye.” Ponky suggested excitedly. Veer put his arm around Bani’s shoulder.

“Aaj toh tum bhi humare saath ek peg laga hi lo.” He suggested Bani.

“Waise kya hai yeh? Pure ghar mein bina shirt ke ghum raha hai…” Pawan commented.

“Aap jalo mat, dad. Jab nazara itna haseen ho toh chupane ki kya zaroorat hai. Naturally, Bhabhi doesn’t mind. Toh aap bekaar mein kyu mind kar rahe hai?” Sam commented laughing. Bani threw a sofa pillow at him. He dodged it and laughed.

“Bas, bas… Sweetheart.” He wrapped his arms around her waist. Ponky brought drinks for everyone.

“Main nahi pi rahi.” Bani commented. Veer made her hold the glass and poured up some amount of sprite with vodka.

“Kaafi dilute kiya hai. Zyaada toh sprite hai.”

“Nahi, Veeranshu, agar mujhe chad gayi toh main -” Bani didn’t get to finish. He pushed the glass to her lips. Bani sighed.

“Kya hua agar chad bhi gayi toh? Zyaada se zyaada bina been ke aap dance karoge. That we can handle. Yeh Ponky bhi dance kar lega aapke saath.” Sam commented.

“Cheers…” Veer suggested. All the boys would drink neat while Bani was the only one who had it mixed with sprite. Bani clinked her glass with Veer. The two took a sip together. Bani almost a face. Not like she found it disgusting but she just wasn’t used to the slightly bitter taste. Veer grinned.

“Bhabhi… cheers.” Sam and Daksh offered her.

“Bani, cheers.” Sam, Daksh and Tapish clinked her glasses with her. The four took a sip of their drink. Veer chuckled at how she made a face.

“Ponky? No cheers?” Veer teased. Ponky decided to stand behind Tapish.

“Cheers Bhabhi…” He said from there itself. Everyone laughed at that.

“Aap kya has rahe ho? Aap dono ki bhi halat tight ho gayi thi.” Ponky commented to Balwant and Pawan.

“Bas Sam aur Tapish bhai hero ban ke saamne chale gaye. Mujhe laga ki dono toh mare aaj.” Daksh commented. Veer put his arm on her shoulder.

“Bas… kaash kisi ne woh pal record kiya hota. I missed the action sequence.”

“Action sequence se zyaada woh murder sequence tha.” Ponky pointed out.

“Bas. Ho gaya na? Bani emotional ho gayi thi toh bas emotions mein use pata nahi chala. Aur kitna chedna hai use iss baare mein?” Tapish asked his brothers.

“Main aapko batata hun. Imagine Markaat ki gufa…” Sam stood up on the table. Veer looked at it with attention. “Abh socho ki yahan aap hai, behosh and bhabhi ke naagin coils bedsheet ki tarah aap par the. Aapke peeche thi Vanshika aur aage Bhabhi thi. On the front left, puri Pariskshit Family thi. Sabhki Aankhen khuli ki khuli, dil jaise unke muh mein aa gaya tha. Shakura waha out hoke pada tha. I think kuch 15 foot long cobra. Koi bhi aapke aas paas bhi nahi aa sakta tha. Bade papa bade feel mein aa gaye with ‘mera beta..’ and all. Bhabhi bhi form mein thi. Woh aage aaye aur unhone ek distance cross ki aapke paas aane ke liye and hiss karke Bhabhi ne almost das liya tha. I hadn’t heard any naagin hiss so viciously before. You know that murderous look tha unke naagin aankhon mein. Ponky ne koshish ki aur bechara almost dasa gaya.”

“Mujhe nahi pata tha ki tum itni protective ho mere baare mein, sweetheart.” Veer teased Bani. Bani blushed and looked away. Tapish laughed.

“They’re never going to let you live that down, Bani.” Tapish told her.

“Bas, yeh hua aur Tapish bhai saamne aaye. Unhone Ponky ko peeche kiya aur khud slowly Bhabhi ke saamne aaye. Phir un dhokebaazo ko bhaagne ko keh diya. Tapish bhai saamne aaye aur unhe cool down karne ki koshish ki. Phir Sam ne aapki taraf point kiya toh Bhabhi aise naagin banke aapke paas chali gayi. Sam aur Tapish bhai dono aapke paas gaye. This time she didn’t hiss at them. Mujhe bada bura laga. Matlab hume almost das liya aur Tapish bhai aur Sam ko aise naagin aankhon se daraya bhi nahi.” Ponky complained.

“Kyuki tu idiot hai. Dekh raha hai ki pure gufa mein halat buri hai. Naturally aise cheelon ko sirf Naagin maar sakti. Vanshika khud bas chauki hui khadi thi. Itna signal kaafi nahi tha samajhne ke liye? She was almost covering Veer. Itna toh samajh mein aa hi gaya ki attack bohot saare cheelon ne ek saath kiya hai. Bani toh pehle se hai hi hot tempered. You can’t approach her injured mate and not expect the naagin to attack you. Tujhse same wahi cheel ki scent aayegi. She’s not going proceed first with her eyes but the scent. So, unless you let her see you and recognize you slowly, tu use kaise assure kar sakta hai ki tu Veer ko hurt nahi karna chahta?” Tapish pointed out. Bani almost hid behind Veer in embarrassment.

“Sorry na. Mujhe bohot zyaada gussa aa gaya tha.” Bani tried to explain. Veer held her face and winked at her.

“Its okay. Tumhari jagah main hota aur tum behosh hoti toh shayad main bhi aise hi react karta.” Veer told her. “Ismein sharma ne ki kya baat hai?” He did a cheer and both of them sipped their drink.

“Jo bhi hai. Main khush hun ki tu abhi sahi Salamat wapas aa gaya hai.” Balwant said.

“Cheer to Bani then.”

“Cheers to Bani.” Tapish agreed. Veer and Bani finished their drink together.

“Chadi?” He asked her.

“Abhi tak toh nahi but main soch rahi hun ki I need to be careful with Chandrakal entering naaglok.”

“Acha okay. Hum dono jaate hai and we’ll get it done.”

“Veeranshu, bewakoofi mat karo. It is naaglok, you can’t enter there.”

“Tum saath rahogi toh of course I can.”

“Nahi. Main risk nahi le rahi.”

“Arrey yaar, thoda toh trust kar lo. I know I don’t give adamn about most naag-naagins but I do care about you.”

Bani stood on her toes and kissed his cheeks.

“Bharosa toh hai tumpe. Shayad khud se zyaada but I want to do this myself. Jaise cheelon ke matter mein tum khud deal karte ho, I’ll deal with this myself. But mujhe drop karne aa jana.”

Veer sighed.

“Fine…”

The next morning, Bani called Vanshika. Veer returned from his morning exercise with his brothers while Bani finished her breakfast.

“Give me five minutes. Main naha ke aata hun. Then I’ll drop you.” Veer told her. She nodded.

“Haan, Bani…” Vanshika replied.

“Suno. I’m going to naaglok toh tum bhi mere saath aao.” Bani told her.

“Acha... okay.”

Veer folded his wings. He couldn’t pull them back but he roughly tucked them folded in his back.

“Abhi bohot dard ho raha hai?” Bani asked him.

“It is better than last night. Thode din rahega thoda sa dard.” Veer told her. “Tum relax karo. Theek ho jaaunga.”

Bani told him the directions and Veer drove them towards there. It was a bit ahead of the Naag Mandir.

“Mujhe laga tum Naag mandir se jaaogi.” Veer pointed out.

“Nahi. Yahan se ek raasta hai jo Naaglok tak jaata. It is a naturally occurring opening to Naaglok. Kisi ko iss baare mein pata nahi. Only I know about it and a few other naagranis know about it. Subeh maine Vanshika ko bataya ki kahan aana hai. It was mostly kept a secret so no one enters from there into Naaglok.” Bani told Veer.

“And you’re trusting me with it?”

“Because if you can trust me with your clan secrets. So can I.”

Veer smiled at that as he took the turn that Bani told him to take. Once they stopped the car, the two walked out of the car. Vanshika was already there.

“Sudden trip?” Vanshika asked.

“Haan. Veer ne remind karaya ki possibly aisa ho sakta hai ki Chandrakala Naaglok enter kar sake. Toh main soch rahi thi ki ek warning issue kara hi dun about Chandrakala in Naaglok. If she can be at two places together one side as a Naagin and other as a cheel, then it would be possible for her naagin half to enter Naaglok.” Bani explained.

“Yeh toh sahi hai, Bani, but we don’t know much about Chandrakala to warn them of what she can do.”

“Jitna mujhe dadi ne information di hai, uske hisaab se Chandrakala was given a boon by Bholenath. Usne kaafi tapasya karke both naaginaur cheel ek saath hone ka vardaan liya. That makes her half of both. Agar dono ki shaktiyan hai toh dono ki kamzori bhi hogi. While fighting with her, we just have to pull her into two halfs. Uske baad toh it is like fighting just another cheel and naagin. She doesn’t belong to a certain vansh kyuki use toh Bholenath ne vardaan diya tha. If we compare her to Markaat, she isn’t the bigger threat but with Markaat, she’s a threat to Naaglok. Ek baar Markaat ne original naag ke time pe attack karne ki himmat ki toh phirse kar sakta hai. Especially now since maine use kaafi gussa dilaya hoga.” Bani explained.

“Yeh baat toh hai. But Jay already Naaglok mein hai. He’s been trying to be your representative there and has been in talks with several other naag. Chandrakala uski help kyu nahi legi?”

“Jay itni badi galti nahi kar sakta, Vanshika. Agar pure naaglok ko khatre mein dala usne toh sabh use disown kar denge. It would be impossible for him to get back his place there. Aur yeh gaddari toh alag hi hai. Mujhe powers ke liye marna ek baat hai par pure naaglok ko khatre mein lana dusri baat hai.”

“Mujhe toh bilkul bhi yakeen nahi hai uspe.”

“Thank you, baby. Tum toh mere side pe ho.” Veer gave her a fist bump.

“Of course. Aap toh hai hi humare ‘jeeja ji’.” Vanshika winked at him. Veer put his fist over his heart.

“Bas. Tumne successfully mujhe tumhari side pe kar diya hai. Abh chahe chachu jo bhi kahe. You have my support, tum shaadi kar hi lo Samrat se.”

Vanshika shoved him. The two fought like friends having a silly fight. Veer pulled her in a head lock.

“Acha bas karo abh. Let’s be serious.” Bani told them and pulled Vanshika out of Veer’s head lock.

“Jalan ho gayi…” Vanshika teased Bani. Bani rolled her eyes.

“Aisa kuch nahi.”

Bani noted for a few moments that Veer and Vanshika could pass for siblings. They both were wearing ripped denim, boots, black jacket and printed t shirt. Only Veer wore a black shirt and leather jacket while Vanshika wore a green t shirt with a denim jacket. Both of them could drink three bottles of alcohol and still be walking straight. Thanks to their high alcohol tolerance level.They’re both willing to cross the boundary for people they care.

“Just be careful. Sabse zyaada uss dhabewaale se bachke rehna.” Veer told Bani as he gave her bracelet back to her and took his locket. “Kuch hua toh mujhe contact karna.” He held Bani's face and brushed his thumb over her cheeks.

“I’ll be right around her. Don’t worry. Uss dhabewaale semain alert rahungi. So, he can’t trick her and harm her.” Vanshika assured Veer.

“Excuse me. Woh Adi-Naag hai. Tum naagin ho. I don’t think it is right for you to call him dhabewaala like that. Yeh toh cheel hai.” Bani told Vanshika.

“Puh-lease. The only Adi-Naag I recognize now is Adi Sheshnaag. Jo apne hi sabse closest person ko daga de sakta hai, he can’t ever be Adi-Naag to me. Woh sirf Jay Dhabewaala Mathur hai mere liye.” Vanshika answered. “Usne tumhe dhoka diya hai. Main iss janam mein toh kya agle 100 janam tak bhi use maaf na karun.”

“Yaar, ek hi dil kitni baar jitogi?” Veer teased her. Vanshika laughed.

“Tum na ek kaam karo. Aaj 31st hai. Toh tum party ki tayari karo. Hum party shuru hone se pehle aa jaayenge.” Vanshika told him.

“Perfect. New Year acche se shuru karna chahiye.” Veernodded.

“Acha. Toh hum chalte hai.” Bani said and started to walk. Vanshika pushed her towards Veer. Veer held her before she could fall down. “Excuse me. Yeh kya tha?”

“Baby, pati ko theek se bye toh bol lo. Sharmao mat. You can kiss him. I won’t mind.” She pointed out.

“Bakwaas mat k -”

Vanshika knew Veer well. She turned around and Veer kissed Bani. Bani was going to curse her weakness for him. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back. After a moment, they pulled back. A pink blush on her cheeks. She put her hair back behind her ears and Veer winked at her.

“Bye. I’ll be back.” Bani said. Veer grinned.

“Jaldi aana.” He told her.

Bani and Vanshika both started walking ahead into the cave. As they proceeded further into the cave, it got darker but the moment Bani’s foot touched a certain line, the torches began to light themselves up. Vanshika hadnever seen this cave before. She was amazed with the carvings on the cave walls.

“This is something really crazy.” Vanshika exclaimed. The stories of the original naags were carved on the while. One side had the carving of Narayan with Sheshnaag as his bed and on the other side was Shiva with Vasuki around his neck. The carving of the myth that Sheshnaag carried the earth on his hood and on the otherside was the amrit manthan with Vasuki as the rope. Further ahead was Kaliya naag episode with a young Krishna dancing on his hood. The other side was Shiva protecting naags from Garud’s wrath. The carvings of goddess Manasa. Her son Sage Astika saving all the snakes from being killed by King Parikshit. The carving of Kadru and her sons. Several stories of the nagas were carved on the walls.

They reached the end of the cave and there was door with snake carving on them. The door was seemed to be locked by a snake keeping the door closed with his coils. It wasn’t a real snake but an enchanted stone snake. The door was sealed over the edges with several more enchanted snake sculptures.

Bani and Vanshika both turned into her human naagin form. Bani’s red scales and Vanshika’s green scales flashed. The scales of each naagin differed in pattern like poisonous snakes. Bani’s scales were smooth like that of a cobra’s but Vanshika had sharper edges like that of a saw scaled viper. The scales flashed and slowly, one by one the locks on the door opened. The two entered the door and there were steps leading down.

It was like going down a snake hole. The size of the tunnel got smaller as they proceeded. It was to make sure that no other creature than a snake can go further. They both changed into their snake formed and slithered further into the tunnel. Finally, reaching the other end of the tunnel, they saw the beautiful vegetation of Naaglok. The hills, valleys, rivers flowing through them undisturbed and unpolluted. Much different from the ones on earth. The temperature was cool in water while a little warmer on the land. There were several trees. Many snakes were there. You could turn you head and spot a snake. Every single kind of serpent could be seen except desert ones. Large pythons, cobras, vipers, boas, and all other snakes. Venomous and non-venomous. Naaglok resembled a heaven for serpents. Vegetation, water and perfect temperature. Sunlight that came here was from a parallel source. Surya dev's part of energy was cast on Naaglok. Not same amount as found on earth but enough to make vegetation grow.

As they exited the tunnel and set themselves down on the ground, they returned to their human form. The moment, Bani shifted into her human naagin form, every snake in the surrounding bowed down to her. A soft hiss of a greeting. As Bani walked, the movement of her feet gave off the sound of a rattlesnake’s rattle as a response to the greeting from snakes.

Vanshika was greeted with a hiss. They didn’t bow down their heads like they did to Bani a certain amount of greeting was there. Her scales gave off the sound of saw scaled viper’s scales brushing together in return.

“Sach kahun toh bohot hi accha lag raha hai yahan aake. Aakhri baar aayi toh mujhe insaani roop bhi nahi mila tha. Inn sabki tarah bas ek normal saanp thi.” Bani told Vanshika with a smile.

“Welcome back home, baby.” Vanshika answered. Bani was glad she had ever met this cousin of hers. Someone to rely on. Someone who was actually loyal to her.

Chapter 40

Bani stood before that familiar statue of Shiva. The statue depicted him in a meditating form with snakes coiled around him. Bani bent down and greeted him. Bani just looked at the beauty of the idol. It was beautiful.

Shiva did tandav when he was pleased and he also had rudra tandav when he is angry. Naagins had their own tandav when they wanted to please their lord. Rudra tandav was when it was aggressive. Naag tandav was when they wanted to please their God and express their own happiness in the form that he did. Their human forms allowed them to be able to do tandav, so they did.

Bani’s tandav this time was to express her happiness. To return here in this human form was something she had never had the pleasure of doing for 10,025 years since she became human. She was graceful in her movement. Several movements of naag tandav mimics a snake’s movement. It was beautiful. Bani was soon joined by Vanshika.

The two had never done tandav together but no one who saw them could believe it. Their moments retaliated with the sound of soft hisses.The sound of Vanshika’s scales rubbing against each other and Bani’s own rattling sound. Their movements matched perfectly and synced well like they had done this for ages.

The movements were extremely graceful like the movements of a snake. As Bani move, every movement of her took away every single worry from her mind. She felt free. Leaving out all her worries and all her inhibitions.To experience the beauty that is in Shiva. His eternal peace. Her scales flashed hints of dark blue and black as the sign of belonging from Sheshnaag’s vansh. As if her God was slowly taking away everything that held her back.

The two finished with bowing down to the idol. Vanshika wasa little behind Bani.

“Bholenath, aaj meri bohot purani iccha puri hui hai. Apna pran pura kiya hai. Aapko maine vachan diya tha jab aapne mujhe Nageshwari ke roop mein insaan hone ka vardaan diya tha ki yahan Nageshwari Shiv mandir mein aapke saamne taandav karke aapko khush karun. Aaj woh pran bhi pura ho gaya.” Bani said, almost tears lining in her blue eyes. Her devotion for her lord was something unshakable in her. Her devotion for her God went beyond anything else in her. Bani had no words to express how she felt at standing here in front of the idol. A place so familiar to her yet she felt anew returning here like she had shed off the old skin. All her worries fading away, only thing left was an assurance that she was going to make it.

“Bani…” Vanshika put her hand on Bani’s shoulder.

Bani closed her eyes and something flashed into her mind. She saw Aakesh. He was looking up at something at the top of tall tree.

“Tumhe pata hai na ki jaise hi tum uss mandir ki chaukhat ke andar aaoge, tumhari cheel shaktiyan nahi rahenge iss mandir ke andar. Utne upar tak udd nahi paaoge.” A man told him who sat on one of the lower branches of the tree. The man was so beautiful that there was no comparison to his beauty. His hair was long and perfectly brushed back. His eyes were beautiful. Brown with flickers of green. He wore yellow dhoti.

“Mujhe pata hai yeh baat. Udd nahi sakta par chad sakta hun.” Aakesh answered. Aakesh started to climb up the tree but after climbing up little, he’d fall down but everything he’d stand back up and try again.

The man laughed at him. He wore a locket with a stone that shined beautifully. He twirled with the flute in his hand as he laughed at Aakesh. His aura was so beautiful that she couldn’t mistake who it was. The only one who could such a golden aura would be Narayan. Clearly, Aakesh did not know that. He laughed at Aakesh.

“Aakesh, rehne do. Kyu swayam ko kasht de rahe ho?” He asked Aakesh.

“Yeh khud ko takleef nahi, jeetne ki zidd hai meri. Upar tak pohoch ke hi rahunga.” Aakesh replied. This time he managed to climb up even above the branch that Narayan was sitting on. Aakesh fell down again which made him laugh again.

“Yeh dekho. Aakesh, kasht hoga, bohot dard hoga. Chot lagegi.”

“Toh lagne toh. Tumse matlab?” Aakesh felt his commentary unnecessary.

“Isiliye keh raha hun kyuki tumhari chinta hai. Dekha hai ki yeh vriksh kitna uncha hai? Kahin utni upar se gire toh marjaaoge.”

“Mujhe maarna itna asaan nahi hai. Main Aakesh hun. Maut bhi mujhse darti hai aur mujhse dur rehti hai.”

“Yeh maine pehle bhi kayio ko kehte hua suna tha.” Narayan chuckled as he remembered several asurs arrogantly claiming the same.

Aakesh growled at him to get him to be quiet.

“Main upar tak pohoch ke hi rahunga.”

“Aakesh tumhari bas ki baat nahi hai. Rehne do. Kyu jaana chahte ho itne upar tak?”

“Mere bas ki baat nahi hai? Yeh kehne wale tum kon ho? Aakesh jo ek baar thaan leta hai woh karke hi rehta hai. Mere takkar ka koi nahi hai aur mujhse jeetne wala koi nahi toh yeh unchayi kya cheez hai?”

“Waise tumhare cheelon ko bohot kasht mila hai. Haar kar aaye hai wapas.”

“Saab bekaar hai kisi kaam ke nahi hai. Mujhse koi nahi jeet sakta. Main unki tarah nahi hun.” Aakesh climbed up again. The news of their defeat didn't bother Aakesh much. He was determined to get to the top for some reason.

“Rehne do. Mujhe pata hai aisa kon hai jo tumhe hara sakta hai.”

Aakesh fell down again.

“Aisa kon hai?”

“Jisne akele 6 cheelon ko maar diya. Mahadev ki bhakt hai jisse Mahadev bhi bohot sneh rakhte hai.”

“6 cheelon ko maara hai? Humare 6 cheelon ko?”

Aakesh was shocked. It shouldn’t be possible.

“Haan. Use Mahadev ne sabse pehle icchadhari hone ka vardaan diya hai. Par main soch raha hun. Tum Shiv mandir ke paas mat jana. Din mein toh tum usse jeet hi nahi paaoge. Tum haar jaaoge usse. Kaafi chot lagegi tumhe aur tum kuch bhi nahi kar paaoge.”

“Mujhe suraj nahi jalata. Woh toh baba mujhe dur rakhte hai ujale se isiliye din mein nahi jaata. Mujhe suraj nahi hara sakta. Surya dev ko bhi yeh baat pata hai.”

“Main nahi manta. Tum khud bhi din mein jaane se darte ho. Din se darte ho toh Nageshwari se kaise jeetoge?”

“Koi humare 6 cheelon ko maar sakta hai aur main uska saamna na karun, yeh nahi ho sakta. Main toh jaaunga aur dekhu toh sahi ki aisa kya usmein ki tumne itna yakeen hai woh mujhe hara degi.”

Aakesh walked away in rage. He crossed the temple’s gate and turned into a eagle, flying away swiftly. Bani could recognize the island. Aakesh flew fast towards the caves. The moment he reached the cave, changed into human.

“Yeh kya sun raha hun main? Humare 6 cheel maare gaye?” Aakesh demanded from the cheel bowing before Balwant.

“Haan. Unn naagon ke haatho. Uss Shiv mandir mein.” Balwant answered.

“Par hua kya tha wahan?” Aakesh demanded.

“Mere aadesh par naagmani lootne gaye the.”

“Jahan unn naagon ne hum par hamla kar diya..” The cheel didn’t get to finish because Aakesh silenced him.

“Main maarunga…” Aakesh decided. The words from Narayan had fuelled him with determination. Aakesh couldn’t bear the thought that someone was there who could defeat him. That someone thought Aakesh had to be scared of someone. No. “Ek ek ko chun ke maarunga.”

Balwant grinned at his son’s decision. The sun rise occurred in that time. Aakesh looked up at the hole in the sky as the sun’s rays touched Aakesh. He closed his eyes.

“Tumhe din se hi darr lagta hai toh Nageshwari se kaise jeetoge?” Narayan words were taunting him.

Some cheels thought sun was hurting him and tried to block the rays.

“Nahi, Aakesh. Tum wahan nahi jaaoge. Hum koi na koi rasta dhundh lenge. Tum kahin nahi jaaoge.” Balwant held Aakesh’s hand to stop him.

“Tum khud din se darte ho.” Aakesh’s mind rang with those words. No, Aakesh was not scared of the day. Why should he be scared of the sun? The sun was a part of the sky and the sky was his domain. Sky did as Aakesh pleased not the other way around.

Aakesh removed his hand from his father’s grasp. He clutched them in a fist and the cave shook. The cheels who tried to cover the sun's rays falling on aakesh feel down feeling the burn.

“Nahi, Aakesh…” Aakesh turned into an eagle and flew off. “Aakesh…”

“Maine kaha tha. Aakesh ko din ki Roshni mein mat jaane dena…” Kul guru complained to Balwant. “Woh cheel hai hukum, uski aankhon se parabaigani kirne tak nahi bachti. Aakarshit ho jaayega use dekh kar. Woh Roshni use khaa jaayegi. Khud mein vileen kar legi. Aakesh bhi yahi galti karega.”

“Nahi. Woh Roshni mere bete ko kuch nahi kar sakti. Woh Aakesh hai, Aasmaan… aakash ka eesh. Jisne suraj ko panah di. Uski kirane mere bete ko kuch nahi kar sakti.”

Bani opened her eyes. Whatever she saw had completely dumbfounded her. Narayan had himself met Aakesh? Why Aakesh? Aakesh wasn’t the most model person for the lord to himself go and meet. He wasn’t even the devotee of Narayan. Aakesh was never devoted to anyone but himself. Aakesh wouldn’t have given a damn about the attack and the loss that cheels had gone with because he was more determined to climb up the tree. For what, Bani didn’t know. Only Aakesh could tell her. But what she understood that Narayan had picked upon Aakesh’s weak point. His arrogance that no one can defeat him and he had no fear. Nothing could pull him down or shake him. Narayan had deliberately put Aakesh in her way. Deliberately made sure that Aakesh personally went to see Nageshwari.

She looked up at the idol of Shiva.

“Tumhare sawaalon ka jawaab hai yeh, Bani.” He answered to her.

“Aapke jawaab ne toh mujhe aur uljha diya hai, Bholenath. Yeh kyu? Jinke ek sparsh se saare kasht dur ho jaate hai, saari tamasic shakti dur chali jaati hai aur jo pure sansaar ki Raksha karte hai unhone Aakesh ko uss roop mein meri or aane ko kyu uksaya?”

“Hari ki maya sirf Hari jaante hai.” Mahadev answered with a smile to her. He knew the answer but he wasn’t going to tell her. He wanted her to find out.

“Bholenath, aisa mat kijiye. Aapko pata hai ki yeh saari paheliya main nahi bhuja sakti. Aapko toh sabh pata hai. Toh aap kyu nahi bata rahe mujhe?”

“Tumhare kayi saare sawaalon ka jawaab hai ismein. Bas samjhne ki der hai.”

“Main kaise Narayan ki maya ko samjhu? Woh toh Narayan hai. Puri sristi unke saamne haar jaati hai, jiski Raksha woh karte hai unhe kisi cheez ka darr nahi hota. Sansaar ke rath ko chalane wale bhagwan hai. Unki paheliya suljhana mere bas ki baat kaise hai?”

“Yeh itna mushkil nahi hai. Thoda socho. Saare jawaab saamne hai.”

He disappeared with that.

“Bani…” Vanshika shook her.

“Mujhe Bholenath ne mere past ka ek hissa dikhaya jo mujhe pata nahi tha. Aur usse dekhke aur zyaada confuse ho gayi hun main.” Bani confessed to Vanshika.

“Baby, theek hai. Zara saans lo. Take some time. Phir shayad samajh aa jaaye. Par aisa kya dikhaya tha Bholenath ne?” Vanshika asked.

She had just asked that question when Bani and Vanshika saw Jay appear at the temple.

“Mujhe tandav ki vibrations aayi thi. Toh yahan chala aaya. Waise tumhe yahan dekh ke accha laga.” Jay said with a smile. Bani just nodded.

“Adi-Naagin ko mera pranaam.” She saw Bela walk in. Bani smiled at Sheshnaag vansh’s Naagrani.

“Naagrani Bela.” Bani greeted her back.

“Waise kaafi waqt baad aap yahan wapas aayi hai. Iss baat ki Khushi hui.” Bela said with a smile. The two hugged.

“Mujhe bhi kaafi accha laga yahan aake. Nageshwar Shiv mandir mein pehli baar icchadhari naagin banke aayi hun. Bohot Khushi mili hai mujhe.” Bani said.

“Mujhe aapka message mila. Aapko kuch important baat karni thi mujhse.” Bela asked.

“Haan.” Bani nodded.

“Naagrani Bela ko pranam.” Vanshika greeted by bowing down to Naagrani. Bela smiled at her and made her stand up.

“Dekho, Vanshika. Tumhe pata hai ki mujhe personally koi grudge nahi hai tumse. Honestly, mujhe tum bohot zyaada pasand ho but tumhe ek naag ko maar diya tha. I admit that you did it with very valid reason but you’re a lawyer yourself. Proof nahi hai. Aashna iss baat ki gawahi dene ke liye tayar nahi hai ki tumne use bachane ke liye us naag ko mara.” Bela tried to tell Vanshika.

“Of course, not, Naagrani. Mujhe pata hai and I really have no complaints from you. Aapne bas apna farz nibhaya hai. In case I wasn’t able to prove myself correct, you have to point me out as guilty. Aur meri family toh hai hi super active kuch cases mein. Hyper ho gaye and you had to confine them to Naaglok. No hard feelings.” Vanshika assured her.

“Sun ke accha laga. Warna main soch rahi thi ki meri bohot acchi dost mujhse naraz ho jaayegi.” Bela chuckled.

“Dost thodi na ek dusre se naraz hote hai.”

“Konsa kaam hai, Bani. Mujhe bata deti main kar deta.” Jay told Bani.

“Nahi, Jay. I just wanted to talk to Bela about Markaat’s situation. Thodi si prior warning important hai.” Bani said.

“Oh…” Jay nodded. Bela heard a sound. A particular sound which meant that she was being called.

“Its okay. Tum jaao. Main aake tumse milti hun. Shayad abhi busy ho.” Bani assured her.

“Bani, ek kaam karte hai. We’ll go meet our family aur phir uske baad tum Naagrani se mil lena.” Vanshika suggested.

“Haan. Yeh idea accha hai.” Bani agreed.

“Vanshika ko pata hai mera address. Aap aa jana wahan.” Bela said and left.

“Main aau tumhare saath?” Jay asked.

“Oh, hello? Kya? Family time, yaar. Bani pehli baar apne ghar aa rahi hai. Thoda sa privacy…” Vanshika commented to Jay. Bani knew why she was doing that. She was purposely keeping Jay away.

“Tum toh ho hi uss cheel ki vakil.”

“Haan. Main hun na apne jeeju ki vakil. Har saali apni jeeju ki vakil hoti hai.” Vanshika answered. Stressing on the word ‘jeeju’ every time she said it. That irritated Jay.

“Chalo…” Bani took her away before she and Jay got into a verbal argument.

Vanshika and Bani returned to their human form. Naaglok had changed a lot since she last remembered. Kashyap Family property was away from the general city where most of the naag naagin dwelled. They had a large property of land they got passed down from several generation. Kashyap Family were direct descendants of Sheshnaag.

The pathways were all covered with water and hence most of them travelled by a boat. It was something like Venice just without the buildings and all. As they reached the Kashyap Family property, she saw large gate. The sculpture of large snakes on the gate pillars. Bani noted that the names of each member of the Kashyap Family carved on the pillar. Bani smiled.

“See… there…” Vanshika pointed at her name. Bani Kashyap. Bani had always known her name as Bani Sharma. It was a little odd to read her name as Bani Kashyap. “Odd lag raha hai toh read your name as Bani Kashyap rather than Bani Sharma?”

“Haan… I mean humesha se hi mujhe lagta tha ki meri identity Bani Sharma.” Bani answered.

“Its okay. You’ll get used to it.” Vanshika assured. As they passed the main gate, Bani saw that the large outer courtyard had a few sculptures. Some with fountains. “Humari Family tradition hai. Every single member of the family has their own sculpture here in the courtyard. Some like to have plants next to their sculpture while others like to have fountains. Even the backyard garden has these. Nanu ke dad ne yeh tradition shuru kiya tha.”

Bani finally found hers. There was a beautiful sculpture ofa little girl with a deer.

“It is beautiful.” Bani said.

“Areey andar toh chalo.” Vanshika pulled her ahead. There were flower bushes perfectly maintained. “This garden is thanks to Nanu. He loves to maintain the garden.”

A manor came to view. Two boys were playing outside. They saw Vanshika and Bani.

“V!!?” They walked up to her and then noted Bani.

“Bani di?” They asked. Vanshika nodded.

“Bani, meet the in-house idiots. Rishi and Kartik.”

“Oh hello. Thoda sa respect. Bani di abhi abhi aayi hai. Stop saying bad things about us.” Rishi poked Vanshika.

“Let me introduce us properly. Main Kartik, bohot hi sweet aur kaafi popular. Toh you can approach me with any problems.” Kartik said.

“Rishi. The one with brains between both of us.” Rishi pointed out.

Bani chuckled.

“Come in.” Vanshika took Bani inside the house. The interiors were beautiful. Perfectly matched interiors with the outside. White interiors with soft blue. “Guys… Hello. Saare gharwalo. Please neeche aa jaao.” Vanshika shouted.

“Aate hi shor shuru kar diya tumne?” She saw a woman come out of the kitchen. The woman froze at the sight of Bani.

“Bani, this is Aditi mami. Chachi to you and mami to me. So…these two idiots are her sons. Mami, this is our Bani.”

“Bani.” Bani looked at the stairs.

“Nani and Nanu. Your dadi and dadu.” Vanshika introduced. Bani walked to them and touched their feet being their granddaughter.

“Arrey nahi…. Bacchiyan pair nahi chooti.” Her dadu stopped her and hugged her. It felt exactly the it felt when her papa hugged. Soft, affection and filled with love.

“Kuch seekho apni behen se. Kitni acche sanskaar hai iske.” Dadi pointed out to Vanshika. Vanshika rolled her eyes. “Ise dekhke lagta hai ki badi hui hai. Tumhe dekho abhi wahi apne teenage phase mein lagti ho. Yeh phati jeans aur apne size se kaafi choti shirt.”

“Use crop top aur ripped jeans kehte hai.” Dadu corrected his wife. She gave him a look. Vanshika and dadu laughed.

“Love you, nanu.” Vanshika engulfed him in a hug.

“Aur bacchi hai toh bacchi hone mein kya problem hai? Jab bolegi ki ise bahar jaana hai kisi trip par toh kahogi ki abhi bacchi hai kyu kahin aise akele ghumna hai. Abh bol rahi ho ki aisa lagta hi nahi ki badi ho rahi hai. Matlab yeh kaisa confusion hai tumhara? Decide karlo.” He added.

Bani chuckled.

“Welcome back home, Bani.” She saw a man from the upper corridor. He smiled at her brightly. Right next to him a woman appeared. She could relate her very easily to Vanshika.

“Tumhare Chachu aur bua. My mama and mom.” Vanshika told her Bani. Her chachu pulled her in a tight hug. Bani suddenly felt like a little girl, hugging her father. He rubbed her arm affectionately.

“Hato na, bhai. Meri bacchi ghar aayi hai aur mujhe hug bhi nahi karne de rahe.” Vanshika’s mom pushed her brother. Bani chuckled.

Bani never knew a mother’s affectionate embrace. Ritu Chachi never bothered to give her that affection but when Aishwarya Kashyap hugged her, Bani was almost into tears. She felt as if she could spill out her deepest fears to her and everything would suddenly be alright. The comfort that Bani had imagined in a mother’s embrace was what exactly she felt. Aishwarya kissed Bani’s forehead.

“Waise mind mat karna ki humne tumhe exactly Adi-Naagin kind of greeting nahi diya but kya karen. For us, first you’re our daughter. Itni choti si thi tum, almost haathon mein aa jaati thi. It isn’t exactly how you remember Adi-Naagin. That’s how you remember your daughter. Bas wahi toh yaad hai hume tumhare baare mein. Waha jo tumhari statue par deer hai uske upar baith jaati thi.” Amar, her chachu told her. Bani smiled while tears lined in her eyes.

“It feels more better than any other welcome I could get.” Bani answered.

“Mujhe bhi hug chahiye….” Vanshika complained.

“Aa jaa…” Amar hugged her. Amar did not have his own daughters so Bani and Vanshika felt like his own daughters to him.

“Yeh batao, how are you? Is everything okay? Kuch baat hai jo pareshaan kar rahi hai?” Aditi, her chachi asked her. “Aur yeh kya haal hai? Theek se khaa nahi rahi ho kya?”

“Bhabhi… calm down. Bechari ko ek saath kitne saare sawaal puch rahi ho. Saans toh lene do. As such I believe Bani bas thodi der ke liye yaha hai. She’s going to have to get back to her sasural.” Aishwarya pointed out.

“Yeh kyu? Tumhe badi problem hai? Mujhe pata hai. Abh saari attention Bani le jaayegi isiliye bhaga rahi ho.” Amar teased her. She hit him.

“Shut up. Aisa nahi hai. Agar yeh sweetheart wahan nahi pohochi toh inke darling pati yahan aa jaayenge and that’s going to be one hell of a drama.”

“Jeeju yahan kaise aayenge? I assumed ki cheelon ki entry banned hai Naaglok mein. Dekhe hai kitne saanp hai? Saare saanp ek saath attack kar diye toh bachna impossible hai.” Kartik commented.

“Bacchu, tumhe abhi pata kya hai Veer ke baare mein?” Aishwarya asked.

“So, mom bohot time se Singhanias ko jaanti hai because we all studied in the same school. Because she was the only doctor who knew they weren’t regular human, mom unki unofficial family doctor bhi hai. That’s why, mom un sabhko acche se jaanti hai.” Vanshika explained to Bani. “You’ll find them in her cabin every week with something or the other.”

“Waise mujhe tumhare pati ke kaafi saare secrets pata hai…”Aishwarya told Bani with a smile. “Blackmail material.”

Bani laughed. Dadi didn’t look particularly pleased with the reminder that her granddaughter married a cheel.

“Shreya, abh tum kya kar sakti ho? You can either support her and stand by her or stay like this forever.”

“Woh cheel hai, Kushal.” Her dadi complained.

“Jo bhi hai. As long as he keeps her happy and does everything to be her partner, main support karne wala hun. You can decide what you want.” He replied. Bani sighed and held her dadi’s hands.

“Mujhe khud pehle bohot problems hui thi, dadi. I too held the same resentment ki woh cheel hai. Par yeh baat bhi sach hai ki Veeranshu mujhse bohot pyaar karta hai. Agar koi hai jispar main bohot yakeen kar sakti hun about myself then it is Veeranshu. Veeranshu is not the most ideal man in the world aur shayad jaisa aap chahti hai mere liye mera pati waisa nahi hai but shayad woh mere liye sahi hai kyuki shayad usse zyaada koi mujhse utna pyaar nahi kar sakta.” Bani tried to convince her dadi.

“Maa, ek baat hai. Agar Veer ne Bani se shaadi ki hai then I know he’s thought over it. Veer ne aaj tak New Year Resolutions ke commitments nahi kiye hai par shaadi kar li. Shaadi ki hai toh use bhi pata hai ki he’s tied her to himself. If he’s done that, he’s gone ahead and decided ki zindagi bhar use Bani chahiye.” Aishwarya told her mother.

Excellent...

Super amazing update...

Continue soon...