Vani FF// The Phoenix (Thread 2 Link in Pg 1) - Page 3

Interesting One... Story becomes more interesting these days. Loving it

Chapter 8: Pomogrenate Feelings

"Wapas chali aayi?" The aghori asked once they found him. He was sitting near a burning pile and meditating. The strong smell of alcohol reeked from him. Even Veer drinks but it never reeked of that 'desidaru'. She would've run away from here if it wasn't so important to her. Veer simply sat down.

"Kon mara hai?" Veer asked like it was so casual.

"Veeranshu..." Bani shut him up.

"Bachpan se yeh aisa hai. Abhi chup ho jaayega phir se wahi sawaal puchega. Jab tak use jawab na do, iski aadat nahi hai peecha chodne ki. Tum pucho jo tumhe puchna hai." The aghori said. Veer took a sip from his flask.

Why was all this so normal? She knew he was crazy but why was he so crazy? Bani knew it was normal for Cheels but she never knew it would be this difficult to accept it. She knew she should have accepted it. Icchadhari cheels were a odd mix of a Golden Eagle and Brahminy Kite. It was in nature of a kite to be a scavenger and steal a prey that some other bird had hunted. Just like eagles, they fly at speeds that Bani couldn't imagine and fly at heights that she had never seen. The strength in their claws are strong and aren't afraid to use it.

"Mujhe ek tamsic shakti feel hui thi. Markaat. Woh kaafi takatwar hai. Mujhe uske baare mein jaanna hai.”

"Adi-Naagin, tumhe Bholenath ne sabse pehle icchadhari hone ka vardaan diya hai aur tum har shakti ko asaani se pehchaan logi. Markaat bhi tamsic shaktiyon ka swami hai." Aghori said.

"Bani ko lagta hai ki meri maa Markaat hai. Aapko Markaat ke baare mein pata hai.”

"Kya jaante ho tum markaat ke baare mein, Veeranshu?" He asked with a chuckle.

“Markaat. Giddh aur cheel. In dono shakti se janm liya hai. Arundev, jo suraj ka rath chalate hai, unke vansh se tha Markaat. Use takatwar banna tha. Isiliye takat paane ke liye unhone Shiv ji ki tapasya ki. Shiv ji ne unhe shaktiyan di. Takat ka bhoot sawar ho gaya. Tab unhe Naagmani ke baare mein patachala jismein bohot si shaktiyan thi. Apni shaktiyon ke confidence mein jaake Naagraj Vasuki se Naagmani maang li. Apne aap ko Arun dev ke vansh se bata kar naagon ko Daraya tha. But Naagmani dene se mana kar diya Naagraj ne. Naaglok se Garud ke liye offerings jaati thi. Un offerings ko chura liya aur aise batayaki Naaglok mein sabhko lagta hai woh sabh apne aap ko Garud se upar samajhte hai. Cheelon aur Giddho ne Naaglok mein attack kiya tha. Bohot saare naag-naagin us mein mare the. Shiv ji ne markaat shraap diya ki jo shaktiyan Shiv ji ne unhe di hai woh kamzor pad jaayenge. Markaat aur uske saare cheelon aur giddhon ko Naaglok aur Naag mandir bina ijazat ken ahi jaa sakte hai. Further unke vansh ke saare cheel aur giddh roshni mein kamzoor ho jaayenge." Veer answered.

Bani was surprised to know Markaat’s history. She was only toldthat Markaat a dangerous god. Her kul guru used to tell her that he was ashaitaani god. To know that Markaat was involved in such a long story wassurprising to her.

“Phir bhi use kuch log poojte hai?” Bani asked in confusion.

“Most of the cheels now don’t but some do. Jo bohot takatvar banna chahte hai.” Veer answered. Veer and Bani were trying to have a conversation with the aghori but the vultures kept trying to disturb. Veerpushed them away but it didn’t seem enough. He stood up. Irritation marred on his face. Bani held his sleeve. He just nodded at her and held her face.

“Sweetheart, I’m right here. I won’t be going far away at all. You turn around and I’ll be in your sight. Just that these vultures are making a bit much of mess. I’ll just deal with them. You continue with your talk. Ek baar ‘Veer’ kehke awaaz dogi toh main aa jaaunga. Don’t worry.” He assured herand walked away. He threw one of the vultures out of the way and it tumbled and fell on the ground.

"Jis mrityu ke devta ki baat Veer kar raha tha woh Markaat alag hai aur jiske baare me tum baat kar rahi hun woh alag hai. Jiske baare mein tum baat kar rahi ho woh Markaat nahi hai." Aghori said. "Markaat. Jis mrityu ko cheel kabhi poojte the, woh Markaat mrityu ka devta hai. Shamshaan mein uski shaktiyan sabse zyada shaktishali ho jaati hai jahan use koi nahi hara sakta. Isiliye markaat ki gufa mein kabhi cheel bali chadahate the. Aakesh Markaat ka sabse takatwar sipahi tha." He said looked at Veer.

“Mujhe yeh toh pata chala hai ki woh cheel, insaan aur naagin kaise bani but uske baare aur kuch pata nahi hai. Aap mujhe kuch toh bataiye uske baare mein.” Bani requested.

“Jis cheez se roshni takrati hai, uski parchaayi banti hai. Woh parchaayi uska aakar bata deti hai. Kuch aisa hi hota hai. Pure sansaar mein har cheez se bachna kisi ke liye bhi sambhav nahi hai. Kitne hi rakshas the jinhe laga ki saare tattvo par mahrat haasil karke woh puri duniya ki takat ko jeet chuke hai but phir bhi sabko maar diya gaya hai. Koi na koi kamzoori sabki hoti hai. Jo var ban jaata hai, wahi kamzori bhi ban jaata hai. Sarp hai toh sarp ki kamzoori hogi. Cheel hai toh cheel ki kamzori hogi.”

"Saare cheel bhi danger mein hai? Kya who Veeranshu ko bhi kuch kar degi?" Bani got worried.

"Par kon aisa reh paaya hai jisne apni shakti ka galat istemaal kiya hai? Ravan bhi sabse zyaada takatvar. Use maarne ke liye Hari ne khud dharti pe janam liya tha. Tumhe khud mushkil uthani padegi, Adi-Naagin. Aagah kar raha hun. Itna asaan nahi hoga. Woh bohot hi chatur hai. Tamsic shakti ko haraana itna aasaan nahi hoga. Tum khud ko hi nahi samajhi ho toh kisi aur ko kaise samjhogi? Khud ki shaktiyon ko nahi jaanti toh kisi aur ki shaktiyon kokaise samjhogi. "

"Main Adi-Naagin hun. Khud ko acche se jaanti hun."

He laughed. It was a bone chilling laughter. Almost ran goosebumps on her spine.

"Adi-Naagin. Sheshnaag ke vansh mein janam lene wali Adi-Naagin, jise sabse pehle icchadhari hone ka vardaan mila hai. Bas yahi hai tumhari sacchai?" The way he said, it sounded so taunting. It was as if doubted her very existence and pride. "Kya kiya hai tumne in shaktiyon ka? Sheshnaag ko bhi Adi Sheshnaag ya Anant Sheshnaag kehte hai. Sansaar ke saare Naag-Naagin apni kechuli badalte hain but Sheshnaag nahi. Narayan ka bhar uthate hai. Kehte hai ki humari dharti unke fan par rakhi gayi hai. Jabhi Narayan dharti pe janam lete hai, Sheshnaag unke saath avatar lete hai. Naagraj Vasuki, pure naaglok ki raksha karte hai. Amrit manthan ke liye apne aap ko rassi ki tarah istemaal hone diya. Tum Adi-Naagin ho. Tumne kya kiya hai jiske liye yeh taaj tumhare naam karke sahi hua hai? Taaj pehena asaan hai par uske laayak honaalag hai. Apni takat pehchaano, Adi-Naagin. Apne aap ko nahi pehchaan pa rahi,Dushman kon hai aur dost kaun hai samajh nahi paa rahi. Tumhara naam kyu likhaho un saare Naagon ke saath? Aisa kya hai tum mein ki Adi-Naagin ki shaktiyan tumhari hai? Adi-Naagin sirf ek title hai. Sach hai, Naagrani ki tarah woh kisi aur ko nahi mil sakta but kyu sirf tum iske kaabil thi?”

"Mujhe pata hai ki Shukla cheelon ko dhoka de raha hai. Mujhe pata hai ki Jay ke case mein mujhse galati hui hai par who Adi-Naag hai. Kaise bharosa nahi karti us pe. Janam Janam ka saathi hai mera. Mera joda hai. Kaise soch leti ki Jay mujhe dhoka deta? Kaise soch leti ki who mujhe marne ki koshish karge ja mujhse daga karega? Aur aisa kyu lagta hai aapko ki main Adi-Naagin banne ke laayak nahihun?"

"Mehsoos karte hai kuch cheezien, Adi-Naagin. Pyaar aur nafrat dono mehsoon ki jaa sakti hai. Jisse pyaar karte hai, uska har sitam bhi Khushi khushi seh lete hai. Aur jisse nafrat karte hai unki acchi baatein bhi khatakti hai. Kabhi gaur se dekhe, Adi-Naagin. Tumhe aise dikh jaayenge jinke paas bohot takat aur shaktiyan hai par us takat ke hone ki bhanak tak nahi lagnedete hai. Cheelon mein se sabse zyada takatvar hai Veeranshu. Jaise pura asmaan bhi uske cheel ke saamne jhukta hai. Zameen par apni takat haasil ki hai. Baathi kuch aur hai Veeranshu ki.”

Bani turned to look at Veer. What was about him that this aghori praised Veer so much but he assumed she wasn’t worthy of calling herself Adi-Naagin. Veer’s love was to an extreme. An extreme that Bani had never understood. She had seen the same extreme-ness in Aakesh’s eyes. Veer was something that rattled her soul. Why was he so attracted to her? Why is it that Veer’s love was to an extreme that scared her senseless?

Just as deep as Veer’s love was for her, Bani’s hatred for him was deep. So, why did it fall short? Why did it seem so small before his love?

“Pyaar mein kuch baat hi aisi hai jo nafrat ko chhota kar deti hai. 10,000 divya varsh apne ander nafrat paal kar tume apni duniya mein andhera kar diya. 10,000 divya varsh ka pyaar apne andar bhar kar, usne apne zindagi mein ujala kar liya usne. Pyaar nafrat se zyada takatwar hoti hai. Chahe kitna bhi nafrat karlo, pyaar ke saamn haar hi jata hai. Pyaar mein sar jhukta hai. Jahan sar jhukta hai waha Bhagwaan khud use uncha kar dete hai. Tumhare haath se maut bhi mile tabhi use koi gila nahi hai. Use dhoka nahi lagega kyuki tumne hamesha sach kaha hai par jab uska apna jisse who apni dhaal samajhta hai woh chura maare toh dard hota hai. Pyaar karte hai yeh kehke dhoka de toh uska dard hota hai.”

“Kya aap keh rahe hai ki woh Veer ko maar degi?”

“Zaroorat pade toh zaroor karegi.” He drank a bit more of his alcohol. Bani tried to control herself and not run away with the smell. “Uska beta hai Veer… phir bhi zaroorat padegi toh maar degi. Par uski shaktiyon ko andekha nahi karti.”

“Veer ko toh usne janam nahi diya. Phir kaise woh uski maa hai?” Bani asked. It was totally riling up her mind. How could someone have two mothers?

“Apni chaal chalne mein kaafi shatir hai. Par yeh baat use pucho jise iske baare mein zyaada pata hai. Balwant Singhania.” He added. “Aur ek baat, Adi-Naagin. Aghorinath ko yaad karke saari zindagi humari kat jaati hai. Bohot saare takatwar logo ko dekha hai in aankhon ne. Kabhi Veeranshu jaisa nahi dekha. Cheelon mein se sabse zyada takatwar hai. Jab tak tumhare saath hai, tabh tak tumhare paas rasta hai.”

Could she make the mistake of trusting Aakesh again? She haddone that once and she got cursed for 10,000 years. She gave him benefit of thedoubt and turned out to be the most errous judgement she had ever made.Everyone suggested her against it but still for some reason, she listenedagainst them and let him enter. The result was the death of so many Naag-Naaginin that temple. Hriday was killed by Aakesh. She killed Aakesh and then herself.

Then she thought of Jay betraying her. She tried to kill her.Her own soulmate tried to kill her. The one for who she was willing to accept10,000 years of a curse. For the one who she was willing die. That very personbetrayed her. She never loved Jay like she had loved Hriday. That much evenBani would admit. Yet, she trusted Jay blindly only to find out that everythingabout him was a show.

"Mujhe kisi ko apni dhaal banane ki zaroorat nahi hai. Main khud apni dhaal hun." Bani answered.

“Bani meri dushman nahi hai. Yeh Jay dushman hai. Mera bhi aurkisi aur ka bhi.”

“Uski do takke ke dhabewale ka plan hai.”

“Haan theek hai, tum uspe bharosa karo, mujhpe mat karo. Wohsahi hai, main galat. Theek hai. Fair enough.”

Bani though of all the times Veer had tried to tell her that Jay was not to be trusted. Still, Bani kept saying that Veer was lying and trying to manipulate her. All the while he tried to warn her about Jay. Tears lined up in her eyes. Bani didn’t know what to say. She looked at him.

The aghori looked at Veer too. A smile came to his face when he noticed the way Bani looked at Veer. He saw that hope and that fear in her. No wonder that she was said to be Veer’s light. She was two things that Veer didn’t have. Faith and Fear. He had long ago lost faith in that great lord and that made him lose any sense of fear. He was like an eagle, fearless and unbending to anything. Bani's strength was her faith. She feared doing the wrong thing. Yet, Veer had learnt both. He had such faith in Bani and feared losing her.

"Tum abhi apne purane waqt mein jee rahi ho. Isiliye aankhen khul nahi rahi hai. Jaanti kya ho Aakesh ke baare mein? Woh Aakash kebhi eesh hai. Isiliye use Aakesh naam diya that. Jo suraj ko aasamaan mein panah de, woh Aakesh. Baaj aur Cheel ki aankhon se shikaar nahi bachta hai. Jaanti ho kyu? Dono aankhon ka istemaal karte hai. Ek aankh se shikaar ko dekhte hai aur dusri se use aas paas ke jagah ko. Aasmaan mein cheel ka koi muqabla nahi hota. Jo saanp ko asmaan mein le jaaye toh uski shamat hoti hai. Apne dushman aur saathi ko acche se pehchaan lete hai."

"Mujhe pata hai ki mere dushman kon hai."

"Lagta hai ki dushman hi sanam ban chuka hai."

"Mujhe Veer se pyaar nahi hai." Bani stood up. It was offending to her. She was Adi-Naagin. It was quite foolish to think that Bani and Veer could be anything.

"Isiliye woh aaj bhi jeeta hai aur tum aaj bhi haar rahi ho. Sach ko swikaar karna sabki bas ki baat nahi hai. Tum us sach se aaj bhi bhaag rahi ho, Nageshwari, jo Aakesh ne ek nazar mein swikaar kar li thi.” He commented. She turned around.

“Sahi toh hai. Phirse ek baar dhoka kha chuki hun. Nageshwari se Bani banke bhi kuch seekh nahi paayi. Pehle Aakesh se dhoka kha chuki thi aur abh Jay se. Ek baar dhoka mile toh who dhoka hota hai. Dobara wahi dhoka mile toh yeh bewakoofi hoti hai.” Bani answered dryly laughing.

Veer turned around and saw her. Bani took off running. It was overwhelming in that moment. Veer followed her. She stopped before his bike. She sat down next to the bike and tears fell down her eyes. Veer instantly went up to her.

“Sweetheart…” He kneeled before her. She held her head.

“Bani… chup.. chup… tum ro nahi sakti.” Bani tried to shut herself up. She didn’t want to cry. No, she wasn’t going to let herself be weaklike that. She had to be strong. “Bani, chup ho jaa…” She scolded herself. Themore she was trying to keep herself silent, the more tears were falling. Veer tried to hold her but she started fighting him, pushing him away. “No… I don’t need to be comforted. I am not crying.” She hadn't been able to let go off the pain through tears but she wouldn't let herself cry anymore. She just wouldn't.

“Bani, even the strongest person breaks down into tears when it comes to the matter of their heart.” Veer told her. She kept trying to fight him but he held her face. “Look at me, Bani, look at me. To make yourself vulnerable to someone means that you have truly let someone inside your heart and nothing could be braver than that. It is easy to build up guards and keep everyone away but to open all the doors and windows letting in someone and let yourself be vulnerable to them take courage. You’ve been brave. Don’t choke yourself over it.”

“You don’t know. You can’t ever understand. To trust someone that much and to know that they have betrayed you. You don’t know that.” She shouted angrily. Tears falling through her eyes. Veer sat down before her. He took her hand and put it on his chest before his heart.

“You feel that? Every single moment, I have lived it is to see you. I have this stubbornness to make you mine, yes. Why shouldn’t I want to make you mine? I am already yours. Every time you’ve felt fear, I have felt it. Every time you have cried, I have felt the heartbreak. Every time you broke down, I felt hurt. Every time you take anger about me on yourself, I’ve felt the pain. Bani, I don’t know how to explain to you how much I love you. Mujhe fark nahi pada ki tume mujh par yakeen nahi hai par phir bhi meri zidd hai ki main tumhare saath rahu. I know you don’t trust me but I still can’t do anything but love and trust you. You know why I feel so relaxed around you because main jitna tumhara hun, use zyada kisi ka hona possible hi nahi. Main khud ka utna nahi hun jitna main tumhara hun. So, I don’t care what you wish todo with my life. Ab jo bhi hoga, theek hoga because I know it is going to come from you.” He told her.

"Veer, tum aur main ek nahi hai. Yeh jo duri hai tumhare aur mere beech. Woh difference exactly utna hai jitna zameen aur aasmaan mein hai. The sky and the earth on seem to meet at the horizon, Veer, they don't actually meet at the horizon."

"Bani, I don't have an answer to why I can never give up on us because I cannot. Dil jab tak dhadak raha hai tabh tak main ummeed nahi chod sakta. Pyaar hai mujhe tumse, Bani, and for nothing I can give up this feeling. I have never known anything more beautiful. I'm obsessed with it, sweetheart. Chahu tabhi nahi chod sakta hai. Zid hai meri. I just cannot accept defeat and leave it behind. Bani, agar seene se koi dil nikaal le toh zinda nahi reh sakta koi. Hum dono aasmaan aur zameen se jude hai but we're not the sky and the earth itself. Tum kuch bhi keh sakti ho, kuch bhi kar sakti ho phir bhi main tumse pyaar karna nahi chod sakta. Dil mein se ek awaaz aati hai ki 'Nahi, Veer, do not give up on us. Do not give up on this love. Mushkil hoga but ek din tum aur Bani ek hoke hi rahoge'. Is duniya mein aisa kuch nahi hai jo mujhe tumse nafrat kara sake. Koi cheez nahi hai jo mere dil mein tumse pyaar cheen sakta hai."

Wow..Awesome....Loved it.. Like too good.. u r brilliant. Super concept

Superb ! love it

Update soon dear

Originally posted by: LoveMyself_sri

Wow..Awesome....Loved it.. Like too good.. u r brilliant. Super concept

thanks 😳

Originally posted by: SemieM

Superb ! love it

Update soon dear

glad you're liking it

Wow its too nice yaar. I visualised it while reading. Full of emotions and these lines

"Is duniya mein aisa kuch nahi hai jo mujhe tumse nafrat kara sake. Koi cheez nahi hai jo mere dil mein tumse pyaar cheen sakta hai."

Perfectly explained veeranshu feelings towards bani

Chapter 9: Merlot Troubles

“Ready nahi hui abhi tak?” Bani asked. Vanshika closed the doors and came in. She held some clothes and shoes in her hands.

“Suno… listen carefully to me. Mujhe doubt hai that Markaat will be assured you are drunk properly. Tumse alcohol handle bhi nahi hoti. So, I’ll take your form and you take mine. Abhi tum yeh pehno.” Vanshika told her. They had planned to catch them in the party. She wanted to check if Jay would actually betray her so they had decided that Bani would act drunk so Jay thinks it is easy to take her away and she'll know exactly what he wanted to do.

“Are you mad? Tumhe danger mein daal dun?” Bani asked,almost shouted.

“Arrey shhhshhh… stop shouting. Baat kahi nahi ki top floor ud gaya tumhara. I’m also quite short tempered but tum ek kadam aage ho mujhse. Think, Bani, think. If this has to work then we have to take a chance. Risk har case mein hota hai, the question is where you can take the risk or not. Neither can you act drunk nor can you actually take a drink and handle the alcohol. Me, on the other hand, I’m downright close to having a steel liver. Meri din ki shuruat drink se hoti hai. I have a good capacity. I am saying that you stay around me. It will allow you to follow me easily. I’m faster than you regardless what you think, so the chances that I’ll escape are better than yours.” Vanshika suggested.

“Main itna bada chance nahi le sakti hun, Vanshika.Are you mad? No. Tum behen ho meri aur keh rahi ho ki main tumhari zindagi daavpe laga dun?” Bani asked.

“Bani, let’s be honest, okay? Tumhari acting skills are not even closely polished. Jay acche se jaanta hai tumhe. Asaani se pata laga lega. Aur you don’t have to be far away. Stay close but stay hidden.” Vanshika offered.

“I don’t want to risk your life. Agar usne tumhe kuch kar diya toh?”

“Then I die…” Vanshika answered dryly.

“Van -”

“Bani, socha karo. We have to be very convincing. We need to get this out in the open. Markaat sirf tumhari nahi pure naagvansh ki dushman hai. Saalon se Markaat ke kehne par, cheelon ne kitne hi naag-naagino ko maara hai. Jitni dushmani tumhari hai, utni meri bhi hai. You take my form and I’ll take yours. Mujhe khatra hua bhi toh you’ll be right around the corner and I know you have my back. Agar behen keh rahi ho, Bani, toh bharosa bhi karo jo ek behen par karte hai.”

“Okay but please be very careful. Pata nahi kon kya karega.”

“Gustaki maaf karna, Adi-Naagin, but as a sister I have to say this to you. You’re seriously daft at times. Sometimes we are meant to think big. Don’t think like a human because we’re not human. Hum naagin hai,Bani. Naagin ki tarah socho. Let your animalistic tendencies show up. Main yeh nahi keh rahi hun ki emotions feel mat karo but see what is before you and then act according to the requirement of the situation. Nani humesha mujhe kehti thi ki humari khud ki respect khud se banti hai chahe humare paas koi bhi title ho, respect hum khud banate hai. She’s no longer Naagrani but still everyone in Naaglok gives reverence to her words. She’s always said that own what you are. Jab saanp ko shikaar karne ke liye bahar nikalna hota hai toh shikaar banne ka bhi risk hota hai but that doesn’t mean a snake stops hunting out of fear of becoming a prey. They don’t hunt, they’ll die of starvation.”

“Mujhe itne saalon baad aisa koi mila hai jise main haq se apna keh sakti hun, Vanshika. You don’t realize what it feels like. Kayi saal beet gaye hai aur sirf sapne dekhe the ki kabhi koi mera apna mujhe milega. Khud ko samjha liya tha ki yeh bas ek khwab hai aur aaj when you’re right before me. Someone who is actually my family. How can I put you in danger and think of myself?”

“Think of what is important. Jo tumhare dushman hai, woh mere dushman hai. Jo tumhare dost hai woh mere dost hai. The whole point of being family is that you know they’ll take a risk for you and always have your back even in the direst situation.”

Bani smiled at that. She wished that they hadn’t met in such a difficult situation then she would have spent a lot of time knowing her and being with her. Bani sighed and the two changed their form. Bani helped Vanshika drape the saree properly.

“How do you even carry this saree so effortlessly? I’d worry about tripping all the time. I can carry off lehengas but this… I swear…all naagins wear sarees and make it look so easy but I almost feel I can’t carry that off at all.” Vanshika complained. Bani chuckled.

“Everyone has their own comfort zone.” She answered.

“Ab. You wear this dress. I’ve carefully selected the dress. I know you’re not one for too much skin and you have different dressing sense. But this one is something that I would wear and you’ll be comfortable init too.” Vanshika gave Bani the outfit. Long black jumpsuit like trousers, black off-shoulder full sleeved crop top with wedge boots.

Bani wore the outfit. Vanshika smiled when Bani came out of the bathroom wearing the outfit.

“I swear, babe, you look really hot in that. Matlab even as Bani it suits you well. Mujhe toh of course suit karta hai but you look good too.” She teased. Bani blushed slightly. In that moment, Veer walked in the room.

“Bani, tum abhi tak ready- ” His words got stuck in his mouth.

“Excuse me…” Vanshika exclaimed "Hum thoda busy hai.." Veer’s eyes fell on Bani and he froze. Bani in a modern outfit. It wasn’t her regular style but she still looked really beautiful. Vanshika grinned looking at Veer’s expressing.

“Main abhi bata rahi thi ki who bohot hot lag rahi hai.” Vanshika commented. Veer put his hand over his heart.

“Check karo zara, lagta hai mera dil ruk gaya hai.”Veer sighed. Vanshika poked Veer.

“Disturb mat karo yaar…” Veer gave her a shoo signal. She shoved him. Veer turned to her. “Kya problem hai? Apni biwi ko dekh raha hun.”

Vanshika pointed to herself. Asking his opinion on how she looked.

“Tume dekhna mera kaam nahi hai. Jaao Sam se pucho.”Veer retorted. She pushed him again.

“Badtameezi ki bhi had hoti hai, Veeranshu Singhania.” She complained. He laughed.

“Abh main kya karu? Meri Aankhen sirf Bani ko dekhti hai. Meri sweetheart, meri gharwali jab inti khoobsurat lage toh aankhen kisi aur ko kaise dekhengi?”

“Anyway… plan pe focus kare?” Bani asked.

“Sure…” Vanshika nodded. The two changed their forms. Veer was quite confused.

“What is this about?” He asked.

“Chalte chalte batau?” Vanshika who was in Bani form offered. She gave him her hand. Veer took it confusingly. The door was knocked on.

“Veer bhai… Bhabhi…” Sam called them out. Vanshika and Veer stepped out together. Bani walked out. She assumed if she can convince Samrat that she was Vanshika then she would be able to manage to keep the facade up in the whole party.

“May I?” Sam offered her a hand. Bani walked to him. Sam felt confused when she came close to him. There was a considerable space between them. He felt something was different about her. He could see downright to every single detail it was Vanshika but still he felt something was different. Sam can recognize Vanshika anywhere. He knew her so well that he could write fourteen books about her. Sam was someone who worked on his instincts. Sam’s intuition was stronger than all the cheels. In a way he can sense things coming his way. Feeling Vanshika’s presence was altogether a different part. “Bhabhi?” That was the only conclusion he could think of.

“Is there something wrong in me? Itni jaldi pakad liya?” Bani asked. Sam smiled at her.

“I have known her for 15 years, Bhabhi. Kuch log dil se jude hote hai. Unhe pehchaan bhi dil ki feeling se hoti hai jab woh paas hote hai. We recognize some people by their soul rather their form.”He answered.

“Vanshika aur tumhara dil? Connection kya hai?” Bani asked. He offered her a hand and Bani gave it. She didn't know why she trusted him like that. It was not the same as much she trusted Veer but for some reason she felt that he wasn't too bad. He wasn't like his brothers.

“Well, it’s a long thing.”

“She hates you.”

Sam chuckled.

“Hate is a rather strong word, Bhabhi. V and I don’t hate each other or anything like that. Just that bachpan se leke aaj tak she’s seen me as a rival. We were school kids. A bit immature. We have no story the kind that you and Veer bhai have. Of course, one major reason we can't get along is who we are. Mujhe problem nahi hai but she does. You know all that 'naagvansh ki pratha, respect, pride and traditions', that nonsense. Pasand hai mujhe V but hum dono ka ego beech mein aa jaata hai." He answered. Bani made a note to talk to Vanshika about it when she had time.

The two went to the living room where the party was already in full swing. Bani felt a small pang of jealousy when she saw Veer dancing with Vanshika. She was in Bani's form but still she felt the jealousy. They had such a sync in their movements. Veer grinned at something she had said. Bani looked around and tried to keep her mind on the task.

Bani spotted Jay giving a drink to Vanshika. Vanshika drank it. Veer was missing. Bani was about to move when Sam held her hand. He froze in his spot. Bani couldn’t understand.

“I can feel danger.” Sam told her. The two quickly walked around the party. They lost sight of Veer. They couldn’t find him anywhere. “Look for Vanshika.”

The two quickly started to look around for Vanshika. Bani followed Sam. They walked out of the house. Sam turned into a cheel and flew above the house looking around. He spotted Jay carrying Vanshika who was in Bani’s form. He flew down to Bani.

“Found them.” He spoke. The two quickly followed the direction.

“It would be easier if we flew behind them. We can’t get to them faster.” Bani suggested.

“Fine. Hold on tight.” Sam offered. Bani turned into her naagin form. Sam turned into a cheel, grabbed her in his talons carefully and quickly flew high up in the air. Bani knew this was a risk. She was giving Sam a lot of trust, letting him take her up in the sky where she’s helpless.They were quite high in the air. Bani couldn’t even see them. They flew so high so that they leave no shadow. Sam's cheel meant that he could see from that height clearly.

Sam’s sight was right up on Jay and Vanshika. He knew something was wrong. Jay must have done some magic over her because she looked motionless. Icchadhari cheel were something like a mix between a Golden Eagle and a Brahminy Kite. Like Eagles, they were large and had sharpest talons, they could fly super fast when needed, they were almost apex predators, they never feared much. Although Bani wondered that Ponky missed that part of being able eagle. Like Kites, they also often stole another bird's hunt, they're opportunistic hunters, they were also scavengers feeding on the dead and live in groups.

‘Damn it. I should have known that Adi-naag would do something to her like that.’ Sam swore when he noticed the lack of movement in Vanshika. Quickly entering into the forest, Sam silently flew down. He landed on a tree. The two transformed back into their human form. She was going to swear that Vanshika’s heels will kill her or cause her to fall down.

“How smart is it to put on heels while up on a tree.” Bani complained.

“Shshhh… lo aa gaya tumhara naag. Yeh do takke ka dhabewala is up to no good. I’m telling you. Kuch toh who kar dega V ko. I can just feel it. Something is going to go wrong.”

“What?”

“Bhabhi, I can only feel danger approaching. I can’t see the future or the threat. I only sense it.”

“Yeh Jay use tilasmi jungle mein kyu le jaa raha hai? Kisi bhi naag-naagin ko waha jaane se mana kiya hai.”

“Accha hua ki Bani ko yaha lane se pehle maine uspe jaado kar diya.” Jay said to himself.

“Isse toh main batata hun jadoo kya hota hai…” Sam muttered. He jumped off the tree without making a noise. When Bani was climbing down, her heels caused a ruckus and made sound. Jay heard that and got alert.

“Kon hai wahan?” Jay demanded. “Saamne aao.”

“Kya haal hai Jay?” Bani walked up before him. He was totally confounded. What was that? How was Bani here and also in his coils?

“Tum?” Jay asked confused.

“Tum par icchadhari hone ka vardaan bhari pad gaya, Jay?” Bani asked. Sharp talons made gashing cut on his coils. Jay retrieved hiscoils quickly. Vanshika fell down. Sam walked up to her.

“V…” He called out to her. Bani helped break Jay’s magic on her.

“Bani…” Vanshika almost jumped up to Bani’s defence. Sam pulled her behind.

“Woh khud ko protect kar sakti hai, V.” Sam assured Vanshika.

“Tumhe pata nahi hai, Samrat. He wants to kill her. Usse jaan se maarna chahta hai.” Vanshika shouted.

“Nahi… Main tumhe Veer se bacha ke kisi safe jagah pele ja raha tha…”

“Yeh? Yeh surakshit jagah pe le jaa rahe the? Yeh tilasmi jungle jisse dur rehne ke liye hum naag-naagino ko sadiyon se warning di gayi hai? Satyug se. You want me to stay here? Safe from veer? Main tumhe bewakoof lag rahi hun?” She roared in anger.

“Bewakoof tumne mujhe banaya hai..”

“Bewakoof nahi banaya hai maine tumhe. Tumhari chaal nakaam ki hai jo tum chal rahe the mere khilaaf.”

“Pagal ho gayi ho tum, Bani. Pata nahi tumhare Cheel pati ne kya kya bhar diya hai tumhare dimaag mein mere khilaaf. Bani, main tumhare side hun. Aankhen kholo aur baat ko samjho.”

“Bakwaas mat karo, Jay. Abh cover up mat karo”

“Jhoot nahi hai yeh.”

“Maine khud apne kaano se suna hai ki tumne us par jaado kiya tha.”

“Haan, to keep you safe.”

“Khatre se bachane ke liye itne bade khatre mein daal rahe the mujhe?”

“Tum yaha safe rahogi Veer se.”

“Bach ke rahungi? Veeranshu ne mera bigaada hi kya hai jo main use bachke rahungi? Bachna toh tum chahte ho Veeranshu se. Tum use darte ho aur mujhe wajah jaanni hai.”

“I don’t have to have to explain myself to you. I’m Adi-Naag. I know what to do and what is danger to you.”

“Right. You know what to do and how to play games. That is how you knew that Veer’s mom is Markaat. Something that even I didn’t know. How did you know something that I didn’t know? How did you know what I have never told you? What do you have to say about that, jay?”

“I don’t have to say anything. I don’t have an explanation. Even if I had, I wouldn’t have given you one. I don’t feel the need to explain myself to you.”

“You are answerable to me, Jay. You are. All this, you have done all this against me. You’ve hurt my sister. You are answerable to me.”

“I don’t have to. I’m tired of being your servant, Bani. I’m tired of acting like this. Tak gaya hun tumhare aage peeche ghoomte ghoomte.”

Bani just stood shocked at the outrage she saw in his eyes. The same outrage that she once held for Veer.

“Since when did you hate me so much, Jay? Itni nafrat kyu?”

“Jay nahi Hriday. Tabse yeh nafrat thi jabse Hriday tha.” Bani couldn’t believe it. She tried to convince herself that she was taking it wrongly and that the reason he was getting so anxious to kill Veer was because Aakesh had killed him. Yet, to actually face the truth on her face that he hated her since Satyug was like a cloud burst on her.

Vanshika was about to intervene when she saw Bani feeling weaker against that emotional pain. Bani felt those pangs of pain. She had killed herself because Hriday was dead, because she couldn’t live without him. She had killed Aakesh without him attacking first and broke the word she gave to Bholenath of not attacking unless it was for defence. She accepted a curse of 10,000 years for him only to know that Hriday had hated her secretly.

“Insaaf ki baat karti ho na. Main bhi yahi kar raha hun, Khud ke saath Insaaf. Sabh kuch tumhe mila. Sarvaresht Adi-Naagin ka taaj, Bholenath ka vardaan, Naagmani bhi tumhari aur unki kuch shaktiyan. Sab tumhe mila. Main bhi Adi-Naag tha. Deserve karta tha who saari takat jo tum enjoy kar rahi thi. Sab log tumhe mahaan manne lage. Har jagah Nageshwari, Nageshwari aur Nageshwari. Hriday ka zikr hua bhi toh kahan? Sirf Nageshwari ke aashiq ke naam mein. Main bhi takatwar banna chahta that. Mujhe bhi who saari takat chahiye thi jo tumhare paas thi. Aur mere haath laga toh sirf tumhara pyaar aur kaam tha sirf tumhari jai—jai kaar karna. Nahi jhukna tha mujhe. Nahi banna chahta tha us Veer jaisa. Jo tumhare aage humesha jhukta hai.”

Bani’s eyes watered. Jay had no right speaking about Veer. He had no right to comment anything about Veer.

“Tum Veeranshu ban bhi nahi sakte ho, Jay. Uske jaisa banne ke liye na bada banna padega. You have to think big and you can’t thinkthat with your small minded-ness. Woh mere saamne jhukta nahi hai. Woh mujhe importance deta hai aur is shaadi ki ehmiyat ko samajhta hai. Isiliye uske hissab se dhalta hai. Mujhe rishte mein barabari ka darja deta hai.”

“Wahi toh main keh raha hun. Main Veer nahi hun. Na main kisi aur ko apne aage dekh sakta hun aur na hi kisi ko apne saath. Main sabse aage rehna chahta hun sabse upar. Mujhe aisa chahiye ki sab mere neeche hai, meri baat ka loha mane.”

“Kabhi nahi, Jay, kabhi nahi. Mujhse aisi umeed mat karna.”

Bani felt anger. It was wrapped up around that pain.

“Soch lo. Maan logi toh baksh di jaaogi… aur shayad in dono ki jaan bhi baksh doon.” Jay offered her haughtily.

“Yeh toh wahi baat hai ki ghar mein rehne waali chipkali monitor lizard banne ke sapne dekh raha ho…” Sam commented. “Apni aukaat se bahar wali baat.”

Bani looked at Sam and Vanshika. She looked at Jay again. Vanshika saw tears in Bani’s eyes and wanted to her but Sam stopped her.He had a smile on his face.

“Chodo mujhe. Woh Adi-Naag use hurt kar raha hai.” She tried to free herself.

“V, dekho zara… dil pe chot lagi hai. Dard hai but sabse badi mistake hai us naag ki that he spoke about Veer. Jay ke saamne Bhabhi kamzoor pad sakti hai but Veer ke saath woh takatwar ban jaati hai. Bhai Bhabhi ki takat hai aur jab koi toot raha ho aur uske saamne uski takat ke source ka zikr ho, nothing can make her broken. Abhi beech mein mat jaao.” Sam told her.

“Tum mujhe bakshoge? Lagta hai muh-ki khaayi hai isiliye seedhe dimaag pe asar hua hai. Adi-Naagin hun main. Tumse zyaada shaktishaali hun main. Waise yeh sab karne se pehle tumne apne aaka se pucha toh hoga na?” Bani questioned, she tried to stand tall. No, she won’t fall weak and let Jay break her. She will look strong. She wasn’t ready to let him think he defeated her. “Kyuki mujhe yeh pata hai ki itni badi gustaaki karne ki himmat tumhari apni nahi ho sakti. Koi toh hai jiske ishaaron pe naachte hue apna kaam nikalva rahe ho.”

“Kisi ka gulaam nahi hun main.”

“Ho tum gulaam. Mujhe pata hai kiski. Veeranshu ke maa ke. Jiske saath milke tumne yeh sabh kiya hai.”

“Woh tumse zyaada takatwar hai.”

Sam froze in that moment.

“V, koi khatra aa raha hai. I can sense danger. Move…”Sam told her. “Bhabhi, niklo yaha se…” He shouted at Bani. In that moment, Jay fell down unconscious.

All of them turned around to see Veer’s mom there.

“Kaisi ho, bahu-rani?” She asked tauntingly. “Tumhare saath yeh dono bacche bhi hai… Kamaal ki himmat di hai tumne inhe ki mere saamne khade ho paa rahe hai. Kya laga tumhe? Ki main apne bete par hamla nahi karungi?”

“Beta?” Trio said together.

“Haan, beta. Jay aur Veeranshu dono mere hi bete hai.”She answered.

“Kya bakwaas hai yeh? Isha Singhania bhai ki maa hai. Tum nahi. Tumne sirf unhe bada kiya hai. Maa nahi ho tum unki. Maa ke roop mein dushman ho.” Sam growled. How dare she call herself Veer’s mother after hurting him? She laughed like crazy.

“Veeranshu hai mera beta. Mera hissa toh hai usmein.” She told them.

“Kya!!” Bani felt everything was becoming a mess. How could this woman be Veer’s mother? She was just his foster mother.

“Haan. Veer mein hai mera hissa. Beta hai woh mera.” She repeated. “Aur itefaak dekho. Dono ka hi koi na koi Rishta hai tumhare saath.”

“I knew there was danger kuch toh galat hai. Veer bhai mil nahi rahe the…” Sam felt panic. Bani got worried in that moment. She looked up over the sky. Veer had told her he’d come right after her.

“Kise dhoondh rahi ho? Veer ko? Nahi milega. Maine apne dono beto ko sambhal liya hai. Akhir khaar maa hun unki.” She told laughing.

“Kya kiya hai tumne Veer ke saath?” Bani roared. She was already burning in anger and provoking her wasn’t going to end well. "I swear agar tumne Veer ke saath kuch bhi galat kiya na, tumhe khud pata nahi chalega ki main tumhara kya haal karungi." Her eyes turned red. Violence threatening in them. Bani anyway had a short fuse. It just took almost as much as a threat to set her off.

“Lagta hai mere ek bete ki deewani ko gayi ho.” She laughed. Sam instantly turned into a cheel to fly off towards the Cheel Mansion but Markaat grabbed her and threw him against a tree. It was so hard that they heard a bone crack. "Bataya tumne Veer ko kitni fikar hai tumhe uski? Itna pyaar, haaye!! Kahin main mar na jaau yeh pyaar dekh ke. Romeo Juliet se tum dono." She further taunted Bani. She balled her hands in a fist.

“Samrat!!” Vanshika shouted and dashed towards him.

“G..go...” He shouted as his vision blurred. Intense pain surged through him. He couldn’t move. Bani turned into a Naagin.

“Mujhe pata chal gaya that ki tum plan kar rahe the.Sun liya tha maine tum logo ka plan. Bas thodi si der hui. Jab poore ghar mein tum teeno nahi mile toh main samajh gayi ki is Jay ke peeche nikal gaye hai. Maanna padega plan accha banaya tha. Sun liya tha maine ki tum natak karne waalithi ki tumne sharab pee hai jisse ki Jay ko lage ki asaani hogi use le jaane mein. Isiliye maine khud yeh Jay se confirm karaya tha ki who Bani ko juice mein sharab mila kar de. Sabh plan ke hisaab se chala par jab dekha toh samajh mein aaya ki tume koi nasha nahi hua hai uska. Sirf natak tha. Tabhi mujhe shakhua ki jise Jay le jaa raha hai who Bani nahi hai. Itni sharab peene pe baad tum theek se khadi kaise thi. Late ho gaya mujhe sabh jodne mein par pahuch gayi time se yahan.” She laughed at Bani.

Bani was about attack him when she pushed Bani into the cave.

“Bani!!!” Vanshika shouted. She dashed towards markaat. She returned an attack but Vanshika was quick to dodge. She was fast but against Markaat’s powers she was weak. She did her magic and threw her away.

Bani fell into the cave. Hitting the ground hurt. Bani felt panic as she realized she was inside the cave. Bani turned into a naagin and tried to break the rocks to free herself but it only resulted in bruises.Bani felt pain in her coils but she couldn’t stop. She went around the place ignore the pain in her legs but couldn’t find it. Bani felt like everything was breaking apart.

“Don’t you worry, bahu-rani. I’ll take care of Veer. He is my son after all.” She heard Chandrakala.

“Nahi… Veeranshu se dur raho, tum…” Bani shouted, her worry itching up. “Nahi!!!”

Panic. Intense panic. Bani made mad attempts to break the rocks that kept her away but she couldn’t even leave cracks on them.

“Veeranshu…” Bani fell down to her knees. She folded her hands. “Bholenath, Veeranshu ki raksha karna. Jitna koshish kar rahi hun samajhne ki, utni hi cheezein aur bigad rahi hai. Lag raha tha ki Jay toh mere saath hai. Chahe kuch bhi ho Jay toh hai mere saath par usne bhi mere saath aisa kiya hai. Bas Veeranshu hai mere saath par abh Veeranshu bhi…” Her voice cracked. Tears fell out of her eyes this time. She couldn't even bring herself to say that Veer could die. She had tried to hold herself together until then but now to think she was stuck here while Veer was out in danger was breaking her slowly.

"Main tumse kitna pyaar karta yeh tumhe nahi samjha sakta, Bani. Hamesha tumhare saath rehna chahta hun. Zid had meri."

“Nahi… Bani, nahi… yeh rone ka time nahi hai. Veeranshu ki jaan khatre mein hai. Tu haar nahi sakti aise. Jab tak saans hai, tabh tak asha nahi haar sakti.” Bani wiped off her tears. She turned into a naagin. She tried to break the rocks again but didn’t work. She stood back again in her human form. “Bholenath, abh toh bas aap hi se aasha hai. Aapne hamesha hi mujhe shakti di hai har mushkil se ladne ki, abh aapko Veeranshu ko bachana hoga. Mujhe pata hai aap bacha lenge Veeranshu ko.”

Bani’s tandav had begun. Every time her foot hit the ground, the ground shook. The rocks cracked against the force of her tandav. Bani was determined. She wouldn’t stop. She wasn’t going to stop until she got a sign that Veer was safe.

Tandav was a force of its own. The crack travelled upto the roof of the cave. The way the ground shook at her tandav sent vibration through the whole forest. Vanshika felt them. Tandav had a specific rhythm and that rhythm was felt in those vibrations. Even regular snakes could feel the vibration. All of them had appeared out of their hiding place. It was like theyall reacted to that tandav’s vibration. They hissed violently at nothing in particular. They all showed aggressive tendency. They reacted to the temper in the vibrancy. Bani's own anger was projected in the tandav causing them all to catch the vibration.

“Tandav. Itni shakti toh sirf tandav se aa sakti hai. Aur agar saare saanp itna react kar rahe hai toh yeh Adi-Naagin ka hi tandav ho sakta hai.” Vanshika started to follow the source of those vibrations. “Bani yatoh khus kisi mushkil mein hai ya phir kuch aur baat hai. Aisa rudra tandav ka kya matlab ho sakta hai? She’s not stopping.”

Bani’s feet had begun to bleed with the force her feet hit the ground and her movements. She wasn’t going to stop. There was aggression and grace in her tandav at the same time. Chandrakala herself was shocked with how the ground shook that way.

"Yeh kar kya rahi hai?" Chandrakala couldn't understand. She almost felt worry that somehow she's almost breaking the cave. "Itni shakti hai usmein? Dikhne mein toh choti si lagti hai ki ek baar maaru toh hawa mein ud jaayegi aur itne zor se pattharon par maar rahi hai?"

Regardless of her age old knowledge, it didn't come to her mind that it was Bani's tandav. Her pride didn't allow her to think that Bani's tandav could have that strength.

Chandrakala's own serpent instincts reacted to Bani's tandav. It took all her control to not react like all those snakes. Bani's tandav had the same mix of elements that were inside her. Rage, faith on her lord, determination of her soul, her very strength and strong emotions of care for her husband.

A rock fell down from the top breaking Bani’s tandav. She saw durva tied up around a wood. A beam of light fell through the break in the roof and set it on fire.

“This has to be a sign.” Bani assured herself with a relieved smile. Her lord had answered her prayers. He had saved Veer from whatever danger Chandrakala threw him into. “Bholenath, dhanyawaad. Aapne meri prarthna sun li. Veeranshu jahan bhi hai surakshit hai.”

For a brief moment, she placed her hand on her heart. Like she could feel his heartbeat in hers. Bani didn't know why she reacted that way. Or maybe she did but wasn't ready to admit it. Was it her dutiful nature that made her react that way?

Chapter 10: Crimson Feelings

Chandrakala got angry when she saw her plan turn into ashes. Nothing was working against the lot. She tried to kill Bani on kechuli raat but Bani managed to defeat her in that moment. Veer had entered at the wrong moment and she couldn’t return the attack. She tried to kill Veer this time and her dakini was turned into ashes. She couldn't even understand what the hell happened that she suddenly turned into ashes.

She decided to tackle with Bani herself this time. She walked into the cave. As she entered the cave, she saw that Bani had already begun to walk towards the secret entrance of the cave to that special place. She laughed.

“I have to agree, she’s of some use.” She scoffed following the path Bani took to the place.

Right behind Chandrakala, Vanshika had found her way into the cave. Chandrakala reached the entrance and saw Bani going ahead towards the door. She pulled Bani away.

“Yeh shaktiyaan meri hai, Adi-Naagin. Is duniya mein sabse shaktishali banna hai mujhe. Sabh mere aage jhuke, yeh chahti hun main.”She laughed at Bani. Bani stood up.

“Tumse, mujhse aur sabse upar toh woh Mahakaal hai. Unse zyaada na to tum ho na hi koi aur.” Bani scoffed at the woman. “Jo shaktiyon ke layak nahi, use Bholenath who shakti kabhi nahi dete. Tum toh kabhi nahi paa sakogi in shaktiyon ko.”

“Bohot bhaasan de rahi ho, bahu-rani. Itni himmat ki mujhe keh rahi ho ki main shaktiyon ke layak nahi?” She attacked Bani and threw her over the stairs. She was about to push Bani off the bridge but was pushed away.

“Yeh sochne ki galti mat karna ki Bani akeli hai. Bani tak jaane ke liye mujhse saamna karna padega.” Vanshika warned. Her green, black and silver outfit shining.

“Hum sabh se upar hai woh. Jisse pure sansaar ko shakti milti hai. Unse tum kabhi muqabla nahi kar sakti. Woh Shiv hai jisse yeh saara sansaar chalta hai.” Bani answered as she and Vanshika stood together.

“Toh woh shaktiyaan bhi main cheen lungi unse.” Chandrakala replied. The two laughed at her audacity.

“Jitna cheap dimaag hai tumhara, utni hi cheap baatein bhi karti ho. Tum Shiv se kya cheen logi. Tum toh khud unke wajah se khadi ho warna hoti kisi kone mein wahi sadi hui powerless zindagi mein.” Vanshika retorted. “Jise kuch paane ki laalsa na ho, use kya cheen logi, bewakoof. Shiv ne na hi kabhi kuch kisi se maanga hai aur jab kisine unse kuch maanga hai toh use dene se mana kar diya hai.”

“Jo mujhe pasand aata hai, main use haasil karke hi rehti hun. Hara ke dikha dungi main.” Chandrakala was too proud.

“Pata hai kayi varsh pehle kuch bewakoof the tumhari tarah jinhe yeh lagta tha ki who bhagwan ko hara sakte hai. Sabh raakh ban gaye.” Bani answered.

The two dashed at her to fight. Bani was strong and Vanshika was fast. Together they were formidable. Chandrakala kicked away Vanshika and took away her powers to be a naagin.

“Ab kya karegi? Naagin toh ban hi nahi sakti tum.” Chandrakala laughed. Bani turned to look at Vanshika and taking advantage of that she kicked Bani away. She landed on the ground, bruising her skin. Vanshika stood up on her feet.

“Mujhe naagin hone ki shakti cheen li hai. Mujhse mera saahas nahi cheena hai. Woh tum mujhse kabhi cheen bhi nahi sakti.” Vanshika answered. Courage is all that took.

“Koi shakti nahi hai tumhare paas abhi, ladki. Aam insaan ki tarah ho tum.” Chandrakala almost thought that Vanshika had gone mad not to understand that part. She ran up ahead towards her. Bani used her strength and fought Chandrakala. Every time she kicked behind Vanshika, she would stand back up. Bruised badly but still she didn’t give up. Bani gave a grin.

“Sheshnaag ke vansh mein janam lene waali har Naagin, apne shaktiyon se zyaada apne aap par yakeen karti hai. Jaan ja sakti hai par haar nahi maan sakti. Dekhle.” Bani answered. “Is vishwaas se toh tu haar hi jaayegi.”

Bani grabbed her throat and fought her. Chandrakala got angry. She couldn’t let two naagins defeat her. She summoned dark energies to attack Bani and Vanshika. The arrows pierced through their back but Bani’s grip stayed strong. Her eyes spitting fire. Vanshika stood behind Bani and took the arrows.

“Chodna mat, Bani. Izzat ka sawal hai.” Vanshika reminded Bani. While she had Chandrakala in her grip, she tried to heal Vanshika from the attacks. It made her vulnerable to her own wounds.

Anger surged through Chandrakala. To be defeated soeasily would break her pride. She turned into a cheel and attacked Bani withsharp talons. Bani turned into a Naagin and slapped away her eagle form. Shecrashed against the stoned staircase. She attacked Bani with her magic and tiedher. While Vanshika fought against her summoned servants. Vanshika relied onher physical strength this time. Dodging through the daggers and swords. She was trained by Naagrani to be well-versed in fights. She belonged to the royal family and to be defeated so easily would be disrespectful to her family. The daggers cut through her skin.

When Vanshika saw that Bani was tied up, she pushed them all away and fought against Chandrakala. Not that she was of any help.

“Bani, apni shakti lagao. Main tabh tak ise sambhal lungi.” Vanshika told her. Chandrakala got angry when she saw Bani using her powers to break free from the clutches. The ties around Bani were beginning fade and crack. There was crackling as Bani's powers attacked Chandrakala's magic. She went to Bani to kill her while she was stuck. Vanshika jumped up and put her in a head lock. She pushed Vanshika away. She threw a dagger at Vanshika. Vanshika recognized the dagger well. It was one of the daggers that never escaped the target. There was no escape unless they had a counter to that. Bani looked over and tried to put her magic to push it away from her. Bani’s magic only allowed her to hold it back. While she concentrated it to keep it away from Vanshika, Bani couldn’t free herself. She could only direct her magic in one direction.

“Bani, pehle khud ko free karo.” Vanshika shouted at her angrily..

“Main bach jaaungi, Vanshika. Tumhe kuch nahi hone de sakti.” Bani answered. The tone was clear. Vanshika turned to face Bani.

“Bani, bohot yakeen hai ise apni shakti par. Lekin mujhe bhi yakeen hai apne bhagwaan par. Abh toh jaan jaayegi ya phir wohhaaregi.” Vanshika answered. If Chandrakala thought she had pride, she hadclearly not known Bani and Vanshika.

“Kon bhagwaan aayega tumhari raksha mein?” Chandrakala laughed. Vanshika looked at her.

“Wonderful.” Vanshika taunted. “Tum bhi dekh lo.”

Vanshika stood proudly against the dagger. “Bani, tum khud ko chudao.”

Vanshika’s confidence stood so strong that Bani’s own determination shook. In a moment of wavering, the dagger cut through Bani’s magic shield and rushed against Vanshika.

“Vanshika!!!” Bani’s shriek shook the whole place. Veer and Jay almost felt scared. They heard it from the cave’s path.

“Bani…” Veer started running. Jay behind him.

A chakra flew through the place and cut through the dagger before it reached Vanshika. Chandrakala, Bani, Jay and Veer stood in surprise. No one knew where it came from. Vanshika picked up the chakra.

“Yeh kahan se aaya?” Chandrakala shouted.

“Jiske bhagwan rakshak hai, use koi nahi maar sakta.” Vanshika grinned. “Jitna khud par yakeen hai use zyada mere bhagwan par vishwaas hai.”

Just as Vanshika touched the chakra, Chandrakala’s magic on her, which took away her powers as Naagin, broke and Vanshika stood there in her green, silver and black outfit. Her eyes blue and spitting danger.

Chandrakala turned to cut down Bani but Veer and Jay stopped her. When Veer’s eyes fell on her, it shook him from the inside. The woman he called maa. The woman who brought him up and one he believed above everything was the one who wanted to kill Bani.

“Jay, Veer, ek ladki ke liye apni maa ke khilaaf jaaoge? Kyu tum bhul gaye ki main tumhar m-”

“Maa… yaad hai mujhe acche se ki tujhe maa bulata hun.Tum maa ho, jaanta hun.” Veer stopped her from saying that word.

“Yeh sabh main tumhare liye hi kar rahi hun. Yaad haina ki kya kaha tha Balwant ne? Ek naagin tumhari jaan legi aur yeh… isAdi-Naagin ne toh apne pehle janam mein hi decide kar liya tha ki tujhe harbaar maar degi. Isiliye tumhare liye hi yeh sabh kar rahi hun. Main tumharima-” Her acting was brilliant. Even Bani was surprised at that talent. Shecould surpass Vanshika in her acting skills. They way she tried to act so innocent before Veer.

“Jhoot…jhoot hai. Tum sirf apne baare mein soch saktiho. Apne matlab ki sochti ho. Tum woh ho jo apne matlab ke liye apne bete kibhi kurbaani de sakti hai.” Jay shouted angrily.

“Tu meri maa nahi hai. Tu maa nahi shaitani takat hai.Tu toh meri maa kabhi nahi ho sakti. Main hi bewakoof tha jise yeh lagta tha kitu sach mein meri maa ban sakti hai.” Veer commented.

“Isha ne mujhe yeh adhikaar diya hai, yaad hai na?”Chandrakala said her name. It burnt Veer from the inside.

“Meri maa ka naam mat lena.” Veer pushed her. Hegrabbed her throat. Violence danced vibrantly in his golden hued eyes. “Dobaraunka naam mat lena apni kaali zubaan se. Maa ne tujhpe yakeen kar ke apnezindagi ki galti ki hai. I’m sure ki mom jahan bhi hai, woh bhi tumhe meri maaki jagah dekar galti kar di hai yahi soch rahi hogi. But don’t worry. Main wohgalti sudhaar dunga. Tu maa nahi ek shaitani taakat hai.”

“Haan, hoon main shaitani takat. Shaitani takat acchinahi hoti. Apni buri shakal se kayi zyada buri hun. Yahi is Adi-Naagin kikahani khatam kar dungi.” She answered with a sinister laugh.

“Shut up…” Vanshika and Veer shouted together. Veerheld Bani’s hand. Bani looked at that and held his hand too. It was momentary surprise for her. She knew Vanshika would stand for her but Veer holding herhand and standing next to her while going against the woman he called mother.That surprised her.

“Itni himmat ho rahi hai teri. Tum sirf Naaglok ki Rajkumari ho. Aise ek chutki mein maar sakti hun tujhe.” Chandrakala threatened her. Vanshika laughed. She flashed the chakra before her eyes.

“Lagta hai sadma laga hai. Tune mujhse meri naaginhone ki shakti cheen li but ab dekh yahi hun, tere saamne.” Vanshika turnedinto her naagin form, “Apne naagin roop mein khadi hun, dekh le. Abh agarnaaglok ki Rajkumari tujhe hara sakti hai toh soch le Adi-Naagin kya kar saktihai.”

“Tum logo ko pata bhi nahi chalega ki kaise main is Adi-Naagin ko khatam kar dungi.” Chandrakala threatened. Her minions tried to attack but the trio began dealing with them. Bani ran up towards Chandrakala. Bani threw her and crashed her against the ground. Dodging through the tail attacking her, Bani pushed her off the bridge. She came back up flying. Veer tried to attack her in his cheel form.

"Hat jaao, Veeranshu. Main dekh lungi ise." Bani's voice was boiling with temper. Veer signaled her to run towards him. She ran up towards him. Veer changed in human form and pushed up Bani in the air, giving her enough trajectory to reach Chandrakala. She kicked her and the two landed on the ground. Bani got up quickly. Chandrakala saw that this fight was going out of her hand.

She raised dust in theair and they had to close their eyes. Using that distraction, she disappeared. Bani tried to catch her but got nothing in her hands.

“Bhaag gayi…” Bani kicked the ground angrily.

“Bani…” Veer tried to calm her down.

“Usne mere apno ko chot pohochane ki koshish ki hai aur bhaag gayi. Mere haath se bach ke nikal gayi.” Bani was angry and irritated. Veer started to heal her injuries.

“Bani, who bhaag sakti hai par kab tak bachegi…” Vanshika reminded her. “Aaj tak Sheshnaag ke vansh ki naagino se unke dushman kabhi nahi bach paaye hai. Yeh kaise bach jaayegi… Kabh takh bhaagegi. Ek din toh use humare haath lagna hi hai.”

Jay put his hand on Bani’s other shoulder healing her injury.

“Bani se haath hata…” Veer growled.

“Main uski madad kar raha hun.” Jay argued. Once that was done, Veer pushed him away from Bani.

“Abh tak jitni meherbaani ki hai woh kaafi nahi tha? Bhula nahi hoon jo tune kiya hai. Bani ko toh abhi pata chala hai but mujhe bohot pehle se pata hai tere baare mein. And if you think after all this I’m going to trust you not to hurt her again, tum jaisa bewakoof is duniya mein nahi hai. Tujhpe toh mujhe raddi bhar bhi yakeen nahi hai.” Veer’s eyes stated the danger. “Don’t cross your line. Jahan hai wahi reh.”

“Abh toh tujhe sabh pata chal chuka hai.”

“Kya jaan gaya hun? Kya?”

“Ke tum dono ek dusre ke sautele bhai ho…” Bani added.

“Shut up… Na toh yeh naag mera bhai hai aur na woh aurat meri maa hai.” Veer growled. It was so threatening that Bani was surprised. Veer calmed down himself. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to come off likethat.”

“Dekha… yeh bhi bohot accha nahi hai jo iski tarafdaari kar rahi thi tum. Yeh cheel wali harkatein dikh hi gayi.” Jay taunted.

“Tum toh kuch na hi bolo toh accha hai. Meri aankhon ke saamne tumhe Bani ko marne ki baat ki hai. At least Veer care karta hai Bani ki.” Vanshika reminded angrily.

“Yeh hamesha se mera dushman raha hai aur main hamesha isse nafrat karta rahunga. Tu shukar mana ki maine tujhe zinda choda hai, tujhe mara nahi. Pichle teen baar tujhe Bani ne bacha liya tha mujhse, yaad hai na? Phir se apni aukaat pe aaya na toh sach mein tujhe maar dunga.” Veer threatened him.

“Is baat pe main bhi Veeranshu ke saath hun. Tumne Naagvansh ke saath gaddari ki hai aur unke dushman, is markaat, se jaa mile. Mujhe maar ke shaktiyan paana chahte the.” Bani added.

“But main ab wapas bhi aa gaya hun, Bani. Yeh bhi toh dekho. Mujhe uski sacchai pata chal gayi hai.” Jay defended himself.

“Nahi… Uski niyat dikh gayi. Yeh dikha ki who apne matlab ke liye kuch bhi kar sakti hai.” Bani corrected him.

“Abh main wapas bhi aa gaya hun, Bani. Uska saath chod diya hai maine.” Jay tried to tell her.

“Nahi… girgit ki tarah rang badla hai.” Veer taunted.

“Acha ab bas karo…” Bani tried to stop them.

“Samrat?! He was with us right there when we arrivedat the forest. Main jab Bani ko dhundte hue yaha aayi toh kahin nahi dikha mujhe.” Vanshika asked.

“Woh ghar gaya hoga…” Veer thought.

“Nahi… use bohot zyaada chot aayi thi. I’m sure he’sinjured badly. Maine use dhudhne ki koshish ki but then Bani ki fikr zyaada huitoh pehle is situation ko sambhalne chali aayi. We need to find him.”

“Chalo, Bani.” Veer held her hand and they started walking out. Bani let him hold her hand and walked ahead with him. They looked around the forest and found Samrat unconscious. His body was healing.

“Sam…” Veer called him out.

“Samrat…” Vanshika shook him softly and bent down to.“Saans toh chal rahi hai. Phir uth kyu nahi raha.. Samrat.”

“Itni fikra toh kabhi hui nahi meri. Aaj aapki itni kripa?” He answered teasingly. Vanshika sighed.

“Tum itne irritating ho na, isiliye. Mujhe badla lenatha tumse. Mar jaate toh mer badla adhura reh jaata…” Vanshika replied dryly.

“Toh kya. Phir se janam le lena. Dekho. Abhi Bhabhi nebhi bhai ke liye janam liya hai.” He teased.

“Chhee… itni mehnat nahi karni tumhare liye. Tumhare stupidity ke liye apna ek aur janam barbaad kar du… Please… khud ko itni importance bhi mat do.” She helped him up.

“Dasna mat. Aur woh kahan? Madam jo hum sabh ko marne chali thi. Veer bhai, aap bache kaise?” Sam asked.

“Kahin gayab ho gayi. Pata nahi kya hua. I mean Bani ki tarah hi koi aaya toh tha mujhe maarne. Maine attack karne ke liye cheel roop bhi liya but suddenly raakh ban gayi. I mean… kuch bhi hota isse pehle sabh raakh ho gaya. Tabh mujhe laga ki Bani khatre mein hai aur bachane chala aaya.” Veer explained.

“Uska reason yeh hai ki Ba-” Vanshika was about to answer but Bani put her hand on Vanshika’s mouth.

“Chup raho. Zaroori nahi hai ki kya hua. Abh zaroori yeh hai ki hume kya karna hai…” Bani told them.

“Abhi toh ghar chalte hai.” Veer suggested. He looked at Samrat. “Ud sakta hai?”

“I swear life mein itni haddiyan nahi tooti hai meri. Aapki bike se gir ke accident hua tha tabhi inti buri halat nahi hun. I guess healing thoda slow ho gaya hai uski wajah se.”

“Kahan dard ho raha hai?” Vanshika asked.

“Itna pyaar, itni attention. Main ghash khake gir na jaau… Zeher ugalne wali baatein nahi ho rahi aaj.” He teased her.

“Fine by me. Socha ki help kar dun but meri acchai raas nahi aa rahi then suit yourself. Chal ke aao, ud ke aao, reng ke aao. I don’t care. I’m going to go. Toodles.” Vanshika started walking.

Bani healed Sam as much as she could. He winced every time he felt a bone repair itself.

“Maine kya bigaada tha aapka, Bhabhi. Zara aaram se. Dushmani aapki Veer bhai se hai. Mujhse nahi. Main satyug mein tha bhi nahi…” He complained.

“Baccho jaise complain karna band karo.” Bani shut him up. Once that was done with, the five returned home.

Double update🙂

Superb girl

Aise hi ache achhe part likhte raho aur fast fast update karte raho