'Falling in love is like holding a candle. Initially it lightens up the world around you. Then it starts melting and hurts you. Finally it goes off and everything is darker than ever and all you are left with is the burn.'

Bhanumati's felt a pain in heart knowing it was time for their departure. She will miss everyone here in Hastinapur. The past few weeks she spent here in Hastinapur will forever stay in her heart. Her stay here taught her many valuable lessons of life which she will hold close to her heart.

She folded her hands in front of the royals of hastinapur, smiling softly. Her heart was paining yet the smile on her lips did not fade. Bhanumati took Gandhari's and Dhritarashtra's blessings before bidding goodbye to them.

Amidst all these her eyes were searching for him, the one who stole her heart. She knew he was here but her eyes couldn't find him. She sighed in disappointment. She really hoped to see him one last time before she leaves but seems like fortune was not on her side. She will surely miss him and his friendship. Leaving him was hard for her but there is nothing that will hold her back is here.

Bhanu's gaze fell on the woman, who had the heart of the man she loves. The woman was beautiful, not just outside but also from the inside and it was no wonder men are attracted to her like moths to flame. She was what any man want in his life. Not just men even women seemed to love this girl for her loving nature.

She used to adore Nandha at first not knowing she was the woman he loved. When she learned about his marriage, her heart was broken into pieces. Then knowing the woman he loves was Nandha, she felt guilt at first then slowly the feeling changed into pure jealous and then hate creeped into her heart.

Each time she saw them together a part of her heart shattered. Each time she saw Nandha happy because of him, her hate for the woman grew stronger. She wanted to snatch Nandha's position as his love, as his wife and his queen. She wanted him for herself. Call her selfish but she was madly in love. The hate in her heart made her do innumerable sins against the innocent woman.

The woman treated her with kindness and now she is repaying it by snatching her husband. She knew she shouldn't have desired the husband of another woman yet she couldn't stop herself from falling for him. He broke down the wall she had built around her heart. Within few days, he made a place for himself in her heart.

She tried very hard to ignore the attraction she felt towards him but she failed miserably. Her feelings for him grew with each day and unknowingly it became so strong that she herself couldn't let go of it. Her love for him made her hate the woman who did nothing but love her.

She walked towards Nandha and engulfed the woman into a soft hug. She broke the hug and forced a smile on her lips before joining her mother who stood there waiting for her.

With one last look, Bhanu turned around and got in her palanquin. She settled herself comfortably and prepared herself for the long journey that layed ahead of her. She rocked back and fourth, tears coursing down her cheeks unchecked. She couldn't suppress as the old memories coursed through her mind. She bit her lips, suppressing a sob that threatened to break out of her lips.

She closed her eyes wanting to forget all the unforgivable sins she did in a matter of just few days. If he ever finds out about it then he would never forgive her. He would surely hate her and she will not be able to bear his hatred. She would die rather than live knowing he hates her.

"Gandhararaj Shakuni, I had done exactly what you have told me to do. Now she will think thrice before speaking a word to Yuvraj." Tuya said making the wicked king smile.

"Make sure you use each and every opportunity you get. Install a constant fear in her. She should even fear the shadow of him. Also don't allow her meet him. Do whatever you want to make sure of it."

"I will Gandhararaj. I will make sure of it." The woman replied eyeing the small pouch in his hands.

"Did you add the leaves I gave you in her food?" He inquired, twirling the pouch in his hands.

"Yes. I have Gandhararaj. I even made sure she had consumed the food." She said without taking her eyes of the small pouch.

"Good. Keep adding it. Don't stop until I say you. Here take it and complete the job I asked for." Shakuni throwed the small pouch at the old woman before dismissing her.

He poured another drink into the glass in his hands and walked towards his Chaturanga board. He moved his black ashva killing the final enemy. The enemy king was finally captured, marking his victory. He ended the game gleaming at his victory.

"This victory is nothing in front of the real victory that I'm about to get in the next few days. Poor Alaknandha burnt herself in the fire of Duryodhana's love while my dear nephew is drinking the poison of hatred, believing it to the amruth of love. And Nakula is dying, every single day, bearing the pain inflicted in the woman, he loves. Love such a mysterious thing it is. It hurt both the giver and the taker yet people don't stop themselves from fallng into its pit of darkness.

"She is just like her mother, beautiful and innocent. They both resemble each other not just in their physical appearence but also in their behaviours. Both of them choose to love men, who were the defination of pure evil. They both experienced short happiness in their marital lives. And its funny, how both mother and daughter share the same cruel fate that would only end in the death. Niyadhi, you did a big mistake darling. You shouldn't have left your daughter to survive alone in this cruel world. You should have take her with you.Now see how the poor girl is suffering in my hands just like you did in Jayandhika's hands. Even her husband is useless just like yours. Both don't know how to treat precious jewels like you." He gulped the drink in his hands, smiling as the drink burnt down his throat.

He was so lost in gleeming over his upcoming victory that he failed to notice the presence of another person. The person looked completely shocked hearing the words of Shakuni. He knew the man was evil but he did not expect the man to hurt an innocent woman for his revenge. The man moved away in shadow before Shakuni or the gaurds spots him.

~*~

Duryodhana stood before the door of Nandha's chamber debating whether to enter in or not. Finally gathering his courage, he entered the chamber. The guards guarding the chamber looked at each other not knowing as to why their Yuvaraaj was entering inside his wife's chamber like a thief yet they did not question the royal and allowed him to pass inside.

Moonlight travelled through the night with graceful ease, lightening the rising path. The light comes to a clear and starry night, whispering rainbow hues into the dreaming grey sky. The chamber was dim lit in the moonlight with shadows lining around.

Small mud lamps were lit around the chamber trying to light the dark chamber along with the pale light of the moonlight. The chamber was neatly organised neatly with fresh flowers and lighted lamps. In the middle of the chamber, a queen sized bed was positioned with transparent layers of curtains towering around it.

He entered inside the chamber and immediately her alluring scent engulfed him. His gaze fell on the mattress, where his beautiful wife was sleeping soundly like an innocent baby. He walked towards the bed and sat beside her sleeping form.

It's been a month since the disastrous night. The night he let his rage and hatred control him. The same night he killed her love for him. He knew he was a sinner but he never dreamed of committing a sin like that to her. He wanted to treasure her in his love but instead he destroyed her in his love. He never meant for any of these to happen.

The past few days were pure torture for him. In this 30 days many things have changed. His Nandha became a completely different person. She had become so aloof from people, both men and women. She now fears the mere presence of man and he knew no one but he was to be blamed. She now spends most of her time either at the royal temple or with his mother.

She was avoiding him like he was a plague. His mere presence scared her. The only time she was near him was during supper time and that too just for a few minutes. At nights she had stopped coming to his chamber too. She now sleeps in the chamber beside his. Nights have now become longer for him. He couldn't sleep a wink without her and it was slowly affecting his health too.

He longs for her presence beside him. It killed him every time she looked at him with fear in her eyes. Despite how much he wanted he didn't try to interact with her fearing he might cause more damage. Moreover he knew she need time to adjust and move on from the night.

Her face was glowing like a diamond in the moonlight. His heart stirred seeing her close to him after many days. She looked so peaceful, so enchanting. Few strands of hair fell on her face disturbing her sleep. He slowly brushed the strands of hair from her face. He fingers gently brushing on her cheeks making a smile to appear on her face.

He smiled before pressing a soft kiss on her forehead. He savoured the feeling before pulling away. She was wearing a light blue lehenga and her body was void of jewels. His gaze fell on her semi naked body and he froze seeing the blackish blue marks on her pale skin. He gulped looking at the fading marks in her body.

He slowly caressed them with teary eyes. He was very well aware how this marks appeared on her body and it killed him knowing he was the reason for it. The marks on her body were the proof of what a true monster he had become. His cruelty has left behind permanent scares not only on her body but also on her soul.

He hurt her not just physically but also mentally. He called her a whore and many other disgusting names. He disrespected her dead mother. He questioned her purity, her chaste. He did everything that a man should not say or do to his wife. He let his anger control him and now he lost the only woman he truly loved.

He had promised to cherish her all his life yet he broke her beyond repair.

He promised to trust her even when the whole world turn against her yet when the time came he failed.

He promised to honour her yet he mercilessly crushed her dignity.

He broke the promise he made to her family.

He wiped away the tears that fell from his eyes. His love was nothing but pain and misery for her yet he couldn't leave her. Looking at her fragile form the words of Nakula ringed in his ears.