44 Can you see anyone...

Wait for a while before reading this chap. Otherwise, be ready to face the great cliffhanger!!!

Devi Gandhari's P.O.V,

"O' great lord and the one who helped me, both of you have my heartfelt gratitude... Om Namah Shivaya~"

...

"My Empress, Is there a problem?"

That wonderful memory was broken by the reminder of Sughada, my maid, my friend and... the mother of Yuyutsu, our second eldest son.

"Ah, It's nothing Sughada."

I responded with a slight smile to dispel her worry that originated from my sudden halt for the past few minutes.

Honestly speaking, Sughada had been with me more than my mother did. We grew up like sisters. Though my hundred brothers do love me a lot, She was the one I can share everything with.

Therefore, the affair* of the past almost shattered my entire being... She knew about my grief, joy, feelings and everything. 

So, I felt betrayed and lonely for the first time in my life...

Previously, I could at least share my sadness with her but... this time, she was the source of my distress...

I know! I understand!

It was not her fault! She was forced by my Husband! BUT...

What can I do with my inner frustration...

One was my closest friend while the other was my respected husband...

Whom can I blame?... Selfishly though, I didn't desire to lose either of them..

Thereby, Seeing no path to vent these emotions, I kept them locked inside the deepest part of my heart. On the surface, I treated her the same. However, unbeknownst to me, I had already put a wall between us...

Maybe the lord couldn't see my misery. Hence, he blessed me with his mercy and dispelled the unnecessary darkness clouding me!

Anyway, no matter why it happened, I just wanted to find the source of the celestial by whom I am blessed!

With that intention, I hurriedly walked towards the source of the sound, startling my maids, who hurriedly followed me.

Though they were unable to find the reason for my unthinkable act, everyone quietly followed me.

'Om~'

At that time, I thought of nothing more than to meet my benefactor.

...

Rustle~

I waltz through the forest without colliding into any tree or tripping by the bumps on the path filled with rocks covered by leaves.

For the first time, my blindfold didn't provide any inconvenience!

Gurgle~

Splash~

Drip~

Shua~

'Om~.'

With each passing moment, the sound of the river, wind, dripping water and most importantly the chanting of the supreme syllable became louder and louder in my ears!

Without caring about my image, I increased my pace to reach the destination which was already near...

Doubts filled the minds of my maids aside from Sughada who kept following me like a shadow, evident from her footsteps rustling the dried leaves and grass on the ground.

'Om Namah Shivaya~'

'....'

Splash~

Albeit, before I could reach the riverside, the voice stopped with a final prayer to esteemed Maheshwar, leaving nothing but the sound of flowing river water...

"huff... hah... Sughada... can you see... anyone... hah..."

Exhausted from the light jog through the harsh forest, I hurriedly implored Sughada, the answer I wanted to know!

"My Empress... Please rest a bit... There is..."