Daasi’s help Devi in getting ready. Devi smiles at her reflection.
Kaurvaki looks in the mirror. She hears someone asking servants to pack everything. We will leave in the morning. Kaurvaki picks up a dagger and touches it to her wrist. She cuts off something. Her parents rush to her but are confused to see her hand all fine. Kaurvaki shows the Raksha-Sutra. You have given birth to a brave woman. She shows the cut Raksha-Sutra. I was breaking my last ties with Ashoka. She throws it.
On the other hand, Ashoka too cuts the Raksha-Sutra and throws it on the floor. He notices Garud looking at him. He offers dry grass to Garud but he turns his face away. Ashoka pats at his hand and goes. Two servants are talking about the plight of Raj-vanshi’s. We atleast have a right to take our own decisions. We dint get royal food but we can make use of this liquor. They apologize as soon as they notice Ashoka. Ashoka walks away after gulping down the pot of liquor.
Ashoka comes to his room. It is all decorated. Devi is sitting on the bed with her head / face covered with a veil. Ashoka smiles as he imagines Kaurvaki. He sits down near her feet and keeps
When I saw you for the first time I had no idea we will come to such a sweet end. We used to fight so much earlier. Devi smiles at the memory of their fights. Ashoka says I wasn’t sure if we will meet again when we parted ways. He removes the heavy necklace from around Devi’s neck. He lifts her veil but only sees Kaurvaki. Maybe it is fate only that Ashoka will make you his tonight. You only said that it will be after wedding. We are married now. Right, Kaurvaki? Shock registers on Devi’s face. Ashoka says you are my wife now. I have full right on you. He keeps his head on her shoulder. No one can stop us from becoming one now. Not even you Kaurvaki.
My Kaurvaki! Devi walks aside and little and cries. Ashoka hugs her from behind and repeats. You are mine for forever, only mine. My Kaurvaki! She pushes him. Not Kaurvaki but Devi! Ashoka is jolted back to reality. Devi is in tears. Ashoka wears his cloth around him. Forgive me. No man is allowed to behave like this with a woman, no husband is allowed to do this with his wife. I am sorry. Devi thinks of Dharma’s words and calms down. Past cannot be changed. We cannot change the fact also that we were and will always be friends. I understand Kaurvaki is your first love and will always be. It isn’t easy to forget your first love. I have already told you, you don’t need to follow any formalities of this wedding. He thanks her and leaves,
Dharma sees Ashoka coming out of his room and walking absentmindedly / lost. She begins to go after him when Charu says one is punished for his or her deeds always. Dharma is confused. Charu says you would remember how much I love my husband. I had faith he will love me one day but then you came in between and ruined my home. You snatched the love which was mine. You snatched everything from me. You wont realise it. When a lover does not get love then he dies not once but many times. This time you will feel my pain through your beloved son’s pain. Your son Ashoka will never get the love of his life. You will yearn for it all your life. His love will be just a formality, a namesake. You are the culprit here. You will yearn for him for life. You ruined your son’s life with your own hands. Dharma shouts Ashoka and passes out holding her chest. Charu leaves from there. Ashoka comes running to his mother and lifts her up. Vit and Bindu come as well. Vit goes to call Raj Vaid. Bindu holds Dharma worried. Please open eyes. He takes Dharma in their room. Charu looks on from far. Samrat cares so much for this Dharma. Will Samrat be even a little worried for me when I am gone?
Raj Vaid tells that Dharma was stressed which is why she fell unconscious. She only needs rest and is better now. Dharma assures Vit she is fine. Take rest. He denies but Bindu tells him to go. Vit promises his mother he will never bother her. Dharma speaks well about him. You are braver than you think of yourself and smart than what you think. He tells her to take care of himself and leaves. Bindu sits down next to Dharma. I am sorry that you were so stressed because of me. Dharma denies. I am the one who is wrong here. Any father would have reciprocated in the same manner. I am only bearing the brunt of my deeds. Ashoka asks her what she is talking about. Dharma and BIndu go quiet. Dharma says I kept your name Ashoka.
Since childhood you have lived up to it. You always kept me away from pain but I couldn’t give you anything but tears. I wasn’t Raj-vanshi so you were not with your father in childhood and not much changed as you grew up. And now this wedding without love! I am sorry. It must be sudden for you but it wasn’t the case for me. I knew it well that you and Kaurvaki can never be together and that you will marry Devi. People think Ashoka married Devi in his anger, revenge and when Kaurvaki instigated him. It isn’t the truth. It was already destined to happen. I had already started to make Devi understand. I only helped fate do its job. Ashoka is confused. What do you mean? She tells him Sage’s prophecy. Ashoka is surprised. So much happened and I get to know now? You were living with such a burden since so many days? Since when did I become such a stranger for you? What had to happen has happened. You only have taught me to fight every obstacle. Your strength, your blessing has helped me in every thing. My Guru’s death was the biggest jolt for me. This is nothing in front of it. You could have told me once. I would have even married stone for you! Devi walks inside and they all go quiet.
Ashoka makes Devi sit down next to him and turns to his mother. You worry that my marriage is loveless. It wont be like this now. I promise you. I accept Devi as my wife in every way. I will give her all the rights of a wife and will keep her happy. Dharma is touched. Ashoka requests her to have a little patience though. I am your son, Chand. I will take some time. It wont be possible for us to make our marriage successful in a night only. We will surely make it work as we have been friends for so long. Love finds its way where there is trust. Bindu looks proudly at his son.
Ashoka and Bindu bring Dharma where they will all eat food together. Dharma is relieved that Devi has taken her responsibility. I am not worried now. Devi will take care of you. Ashoka says no one can take your place. In fact, no one can replace a mother ever in anyone’s life. You are my life after all. Promise me you will never leave me. She says I am not going anywhere. Your marriage does not mean I am done. I have to guide Devi on the rules of a royal family. I have to see Vit growing up and going to school. I have to see you fulfilling your Guru’s dream. I also have to see Vit and your kids and play with them. She feels pain and goes quiet. He asks her to get well first. I will do whatever you say. If you think your action ruined 3 lives then I will marry Kaurvaki. It will ease your guilt. Devi stops in her tracks in shock. Dharma is also taken aback. What are you saying? Ashoka says when father can marry many times then why cant me! Bindu makes him realise that Devi is also present in the room. Ashoka looks at her. Ashoka tells his mother to have food first. Devi leaves the plate of food and leaves. Ashoka feeds his mother with his hands. Devi sweetly looks at them. Bindu notices her thus. Let me take care of your mother too. Rest for a while. Your mother isn’t going anywhere. Devi goes. Bindu tells Ashoka to go after Devi. She has heard you. Dharma too tells him to go. She is your wife now. She will spend her life with you after all. Bindu agrees with her. You go to your life partner while I will look after mine. Ashoka nods. Let me know in case mother’s help worsens. Bindu promises him. Ashoka leaves. Bindu turns to Dharma. You have to be strong now as I have to punish Sushim, Charu and Siamak for their misdeeds. I would need your help for that. She keeps her hand over his.
Ashoka looks on as Kaurvaki’s convoy leaves. I cannot live with hatred for you in my heart. Look at me once. Kaurvaki tells herself not to look back even once or she wont be able to leave. Ashoka thinks I have no strength to hate you. Look at me once. I will take your words to be of a hurt heart and not of Kalinga’s Rajkumari. Kaurvaki thinks she is Kalinga’s Rajkumari and not the one who loved Ashoka. He forgot everything in a second. He is only Chand Ashoka. He does not have anything to do with me. Ashoka thinks she wants to forget everything. He removes the necklace from around his neck. I hadn’t imagined that you will become so heartless one day. Devi says why wont she be like this when she is leaving her heart behind. Ashoka turns in surprise. You heard me talking inside about Kaurvaki and dint react yet I know you are hurt. She sadly looks away. He says I just said it to make Ma happy. I am sorry. She replies that it isn’t wrong what he said. If you and Kaurvaki are together again then no one will be happier than me. I will go away. I may be your first wife but I very well know that Kaurvaki is and will always be your first love. Truth is I know I am not worth you. We are incompatible. You are sky and I am dirt. She turns and her expressions turn to pain as she walks away.
Sushim comes to his room. Chanda is sitting on the bed. He says I shouldn’t have come here drunk but it is my first night tonight. She looks down. He looks away so she reaches out for his hand. She keeps her hand slightly near his and he is surprised. He tries to remove her veil but she gets yup feeling shy. She serves him milk as it is the ritual. He gulps it down in one go. They look at each other. She touches his face and removes his turban. He pulls her to him afterwards. They are about to kiss when there is a knock on the door. She says there is someone. He replies that he does not want any interruption today. There is a knock again so he goes to check. He scolds Siamak for ruining his night.
Siamak tells Sushim it is their golden chance tonight. We have to do it tonight only. You will escape tomorrow in the name of Pag Phere. I want to go to Takshshila tonight. I want a royal letter as my entry to Takshshila. Sushim asks him why he wants to ruin his night then. What help of you want from me? Siamak says he wants royal stamp. I want to use it to get what I want. Sushim says I understand it is important but right now nothing is important for me than my wife. He closes the door on Siamak’s face and comes back to Chanda. They consummate their marriage.
Dharma is sleeping in her room. She asks for water. Bindu tells her to rest. I will ask servant to bring it. He goes out himself as there is no servant around. Siamak goes inside seeing Bindu leave. He enters stealthily. He looks at the almirah. He tries to open them by using the statue which will open it. Dharma wakes up startled by the noise of the vase.