chapter 17
Tum todo na mera dil
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?Nahi jeena yoon tere bin
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?Nahi jeena yoon tere bin
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?Tum todo na dil mera
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?Nahi jeena yoon tere bin
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?Tum bin main dekho toh kya se kya ho baithi
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?Tum ko jo khoya toh khud ko bhi main kho baithi
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?Tum bin main dekho toh kya se kya ho baithi
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?Tum ko jo khoya toh khud ko bhi main kho baithi
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?Tum mujhko dhoondhe toh main khud ko paa lungi
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?Main tere badle mein ab jannat bhi na lungi
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?Mera dil tera hai, tera dil mera
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?Sachche-Sachche, saathiya, aaye mujhe maut
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?Jo todoon dil, yeh khaayi qasmein
?Tu ban ke lahu hai nas-nas mein
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?Tum todo na dil mera (oh, dil mera)
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?Nahi jeena yoon tere bin (oh)
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?Tum todo na dil mera (tum todo na dil mera)
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?Nahi jeena yoon tere bin (nahi jeena yoon tere bin) ????
? Happy Reading, everyone! I hope you will enjoy ,have a wonderful time diving into the story.
Back to the story
The temple grounds were overflowing with devotees.
The air echoed with the rhythmic chants of prayers, the ringing of temple bells, and the fragrance of incense that lingered in every corner.
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?A short distance away from the bustling crowd, hidden behind the thick trunks of ancient banyan trees, two men remained concealed.
Dressed as ordinary travelers, their sharp eyes continuously scanned the sea of people as if searching for someone.
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?One of them, unable to hide his growing anxiety, leaned closer to the man beside him and whispered,
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?"Suraj Bhaisa... are you absolutely certain your spy's information was correct? We've been watching this place since dawn, but that traitor still hasn't appeared." His voice was tense with impatience.
"You know what's in his possession. Those documents are priceless. Under no circumstances can we allow them to leave the kingdom."
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?Without taking his eyes off the temple entrance, Suraj sighed in frustration.
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?"Yes, Umaang... I know." His jaw tightened. "And how many times do I have to tell you? The information is accurate.
If you don't trust my sources, then perhaps you should've gone and verified it yourself."
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?Umaang frowned but remained silent.
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?Before another argument could begin
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?"Enough."
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?A deep, commanding voice spoke from behind them.
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?The single word carried such authority that both brothers instinctively froze.
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?The voice was calm, yet powerful enough that no one would dare question it.
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?A chill ran down their spines.
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?They immediately turned around.
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?Standing behind them was a tall warrior.
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?The loose end of his royal turban was wrapped across the lower half of his face, concealing his identity.
Only his piercing, sharp deep-brown eyes were visible-cold, observant, and impossible to read.
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?Those eyes alone were enough to command absolute obedience.
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?" Abhimaan","B-Bhaisa...!" Suraj and Umaang exclaimed together.
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?For a brief moment, they had feared they had been discovered by the enemy.
The instant they recognized the man before them, relief washed over their faces.
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?The Crown Prince.
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?Abhimaan Rathore.
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?but He was not here to pray but here to hunt .
?A traitor.
?Someone who had betrayed the state and disappeared.
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?Abhimaan looked at both of them with quiet disapproval.
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?He didn't need to raise his voice.
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?One look from him was enough.
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?Neither brother dared speak another word. both men immediately straightened .
?Abhimaan stepped out from the shadows.
?the crowd unknowingly moved aside as if sensing danger.
?A black turban partially concealed his face .
?his dark eyes scanned every corner of the temple grounds.
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?Cold.
?calculating.
?Merciless.
?the kind of eyes that had seen too much blood and felt too little regret .
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?Umang swallowed.
?Even after years , Abhimaan 's presence still made him nervous.
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?Suraj and Umang hidden among the crowd , again carefully starts observing every every face .
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?Just then, one of the disguised soldiers hurried toward him and bowed respectfully.
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?"Your Highness," he whispered, careful not to attract attention.
"The man we're searching for has just been spotted near the temple's main entrance, as he is trying to enter the temple to handover the document to other man."
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?Abhimaan's eyes narrowed.
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?The hunt is finally over.
?Without uttering a single word, he simply gave a subtle hand signal.
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?Immediately, Suraj, Umang, and the disguised soldiers dispersed into the crowd, blending seamlessly among the devotees.
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?Abhimaan adjusted the end of his turban over his face before stepping into the bustling crowd himself.
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?His sharp gaze swept over every face.
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?Every movement.
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?Every suspicious glance.
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?Somewhere among these people...
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?...the traitor was hiding.
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?Just then-
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?A sudden force collided against his shoulder.
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?Before he could consciously think, years of rigorous training took over.
?his reflexes acted before his mind could ,
?His hand shot out instantly.
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?He caught the person firmly by the wrist and pulled them toward him in one swift movement against him.
?Strong arms instantly wrapped around a slender waist.
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?The stranger stumbled forward-
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?-and crashed directly into his chest.
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?Those eyes...
?Those impossibly deep brown eyes.
?The very same eyes that had haunted her dreams night after night.
?Before she could gather the courage to utter a single word, the man gently steadied her on her feet. and asks if she's okay? with her reply.
?For one fleeting heartbeat, neither of them moved.
?Then-
?A loud sound erupted from somewhere inside the fair.
?The stranger's sharp gaze instantly shifted over her shoulder.
?His expression changed.
?The softness disappeared.
?Only a ruthless warrior remained.
?His eyes narrowed.
?turning towards she he said it's not safe her she should go home .,then
?Without another word, he stepped away from her.
?Ashnoor unconsciously reached out.
?"Ru-"
?The word never left her lips.
?The man disappeared into the crowd like a shadow.
?Her heart skipped.
?No...
?Where are you going...?
?She pushed herself onto her toes, desperately searching for that familiar broad figure among hundreds of people.
?Every glimpse of a brown turban made her heart race.
?Every stranger disappointed her.
?Her chest tightened.
?Had she imagined him?
?Or had fate really brought him before her?
?The moment Ashnoor looked up again, the stranger was already gone.
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?His broad back disappeared into the restless sea of people, the dark blue Angrakha(cloth )blending with the crowd,
yet those deep brown eyes remained etched into her heart as if time itself had stopped.
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?For a long moment, she simply stood there.
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?The warmth of his strong hands around her waist still lingered, making her heartbeat race uncontrollably.
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?"Who... was he?" she whispered beneath her veil.
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?The noise of the fair slowly returned to her ears-the temple bells, children laughing, vendors calling out, and devotees chanting prayers.
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?But her mind remained frozen in that single moment.
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?"Rajkumari!"Shyama's worried voice finally reach her ear as anxious voice broke her trance.
?"There you are! We were searching everywhere!"
?Ashnoor blinked.
?She looked one last time toward the crowd.
?The stranger had vanished completely.
?Shyama noticed her dazed expression.
?"Rajkumari... kya hua? Are you hurt?"
?Ashnoor slowly shook her head.
?"N...nothing."
?But even while speaking...
?Ashnoor blinked and instinctively looked once more in the direction where the mysterious warrior had vanished.
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?There was no sign of him.
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?Only strangers.
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?No trace of those mesmerizing brown eyes.
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?With a small nod, she composed herself.
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?"I... I'm coming."
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?Shyama adjusted Ashnoor's slightly displaced veil before gently taking her hand.
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?"Come quickly."
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?Together they made their way through the bustling crowd.
?Her eyes kept wandering through the sea of people.
?As if hoping those brown eyes would appear once again.
?Meanwhile...
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?Harshvardhan stood at the entrance of the temple, searching the crowd with growing worry.
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?The moment he spotted Ashnoor walking toward him beside Shyama, relief washed over his face.
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?"Chotti!"
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?He hurried forward.
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?"Where were you? I have been searching for you everywhere!
I told you not to get separated."
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?Ashnoor lowered her head guiltily.
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?"Our anklet became entangled in the lehenga... by the time we fixed it... you had gone ahead."
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?Harshvardhan sighed.
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?"You frightened me."
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?"I am sorry, Bhaisa."
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?Seeing the genuine remorse in her eyes, his expression softened.
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?"Come. Let us take Lord Mahadev's blessings before the evening aarti begins."
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?The siblings entered the magnificent stone temple.
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?The fragrance of sandalwood and jasmine filled the sacred halls.
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?Hundreds of oil lamps illuminated the ancient shrine.
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?Priests continuously chanted Vedic mantras while the sound of conch shells echoed beneath the towering dome.
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?Ashnoor folded her hands.
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?Closing her eyes, she silently prayed...
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?May Lord Mahadev protect my brothers...
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?Then...
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?Almost unwillingly...
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?A pair of deep brown eyes appeared before her closed eyelids.
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?Her cheeks flushed crimson.
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?"What is happening to me...?" she wondered.
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?She quickly opened her eyes.
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?Harshvardhan received the sacred prasad before handing a portion to Ashnoor and Shyama.
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?Just then-
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?A loud scream echoed outside.
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?"Run!"
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?"They're fighting!"
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?"Save yourselves!"
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?The peaceful atmosphere shattered instantly.
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?Devotees rushed toward the exits.
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?Women gathered their children.
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?Merchants hurriedly closed their stalls.
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?The sudden commotion reached the temple courtyard.
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?Harshvardhan immediately became alert.
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?"We must leave. It is no longer safe."
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