Seated in her humble chamber, Valli found herself lost in a whirlwind of thoughts, her gaze fixed upon the window overlooking the landscape beyond.

Her heart fluttered with anticipation, her mind consumed by memories of Kartikeya. It had been just a few days since her beloved deity had made a vow to marry her, and her entire being danced with joy at the thought of their union.

Outside the window, the world moved at its own pace, unaware of Valli's enamored state. The villagers went about their daily routines, the fragrant flowers swayed gently in the breeze, and the trees whispered secrets to the wind.

But Valli's attention remained captivated by her own emotions, her thoughts consumed by the enchanting presence of her beloved lord.

Meanwhile, observing Valli's dreamy countenance from afar were the elderly women of the household. Their keen eyes and years of experience could not help but cast a suspicious glance at the young girl.

"Kya ho gaya hai Valli ko ?" One woman asked.

"Aaj kal aise hi khoyi huyi rehti hai. Kisi se do pal baat bhi nahi karti. Na toh shikaar par jaati hai aur na hi kheto mei." Another woman said.

"Kisi ki koi baat hridaye par toh nahi lag gayi ?" A concerned lady asked.

"Nahi. Mujhe lagta hai yeh kisi par hridaye laga baithi hai." An old lady said.

And so they whispered amongst themselves, their voices laced with a mixture of concern and apprehension. It was their maternal instinct, born out of both love and skepticism, that prompted the aged women to wonder if Valli's tender heart was being led astray.

Yet, as their work demanded their attention, they eventually returned to their daily chores, leaving Valli to her thoughts. With the final rays of sunlight giving way to the enchanting darkness of the night, the household gradually settled into silence.

As midnight approached, Valli's exhaustion began to overpower her yearning. She found solace in curling up on the small cot in her room, her head resting gently upon her knees.

With every passing moment, her eyelids grew heavier, and sleep eventually claimed her consciousness. A smile adorned her lips even asleep.

Perhaps, in her dreams, she found herself in the divine abode of Kartikeya, dancing through celestial realms, hand in hand. Or maybe she simply revelled in the touch of his divine presence, bringing her solace and reassurance.

The only sounds punctuating the silence were the occasional rustling of leaves and the soothing lullaby of nocturnal creatures. And amidst them came a sound of footsteps.

"Valli ?" Her friend whispered, gently shaking the young maiden.

"Huh ?" Valli opened her eyes, she got surprised seeing her sakhi but didn't say a word after being gestured by her to stay silent.

The sakhi then held her hand and took her away, tiptoeing the way out. Valli was confused and bewildered, not sure of what to make of it.

"Hum kaha jaa rahe hai ?" She asked, as they ventured deep in the forest.

The friend didn't say a thing, she just gave her an assuring smile. The clouds of confusion clouded Valli, for a few more moments before they stopped at a place, where the daughter of Nambi saw the familiar hunter from before, leaning by a tree.

A big smile appeared on Valli's face seeing her beloved in front of her. A giggle escaped her lips as she ran towards him and fell in his embrace. Kartikeya in the disguise of the hunter smiled gently holding her close to his heart.

He then looked at her friend, and gave her a nod of gratitude. She smiled joyously before leaving the lovers alone, in each other's embrace.

"Itna samaye kyu laga diya aapne aane mei ?" Valli asked looking at him.

He gave her smile, caressing her face gently, he said "Mai toh aya tha khet par, kintu tum mili hi nahi."

A sigh escaped her lips as she said, "Aapse milne ke baad mujhe sudh hi nahi hai."

A chuckle escaped the lips of Kartikeya. He cupped her face and placed an affectionate kiss on her forehead. And in each other's embrace, they lost the track of time.

The rays of the sun began descending on the village, and with the spread of the morning light, the news of Valli missing also spread in the settlement like wild fire.

Gathering together in anxious clusters, the village bustled with a sense of urgency and concern. The air was thick with whispers as worried faces came together, seeking solace in their shared uncertainty.

Nambirajan was worried sick, refusing to eat or drink anything. His precious daughter was missing, and he wasn't able to think straight.

Along with words of assurance, some whispers also found its way to Nambi's ears.

"Rajan, Valli pichle dino apne sudh budh mei nahi thi. Ho na ho, yeh prem prasang ka fal hai." An elderly lady said.

"Ha Rajan. Awashya Valli ka premi uska haran kar gaya hai." Another woman said.

Nambi at first was in disbelief, but slowly began to accept the possibility of it happening. He too had noticed that differences in Valli's behaviour, that suggested the same.

His eyes flickered with a mix of sorrow, fear, and intense wrath. Stoking the ember of this rage, Nambirajan resolved to gather a determined search party, venturing deep into the mysterious depths of the surrounding forest to find his daughter and unveil the truth.

Villagers, overcome by a collective sense of unity, rushed to offer their aid, fueling the search effort with an unyielding determination. They along with the guards, armed themselves and ventured into the forest.

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A/N

Climax aane wala hai Kartikeya and Valli ke story ka 🌝