Animosity

Welcome to this week's edition of the Loose Bloggers Consortium. This is where Akanksha, Anu, Ashok, Conrad, Delirious, gaelikaa, Grannymar, Magpie11, Maria the Silver Fox, Nema, Noor, Padmum, Paul, Ramana Sir, Will knot, Rohit and I write on the same agreed topic. Please feel free to also visit my fellow blogger's pages, and immerse yourself in bloggery delights. This week's topic has been chosen by Padmini.

Animosity.

Like all cousins and family, ours are deeply rooted into the ground with strong hatred for one another. Never have I, or even try to remember, a moment where peace was not a signed agreement, and free of public announcements of cease fire.

Welcome to Hastinapur.

The five of us, we just happen to have the best things life had to offer. After all, being born into the royal house of the Pandu has its perks. Being the youngest of the five, along with my twin brother Nakul, I could not comprehend what was all the fuss about. For all I cared, the elder brothers would have their hands full keeping our cousins and their issues at bay. I'd rather focus on the stables. My first love, horses.

Ah, horses. Magnificent creatures. They actually can understand what we speak, I talk to them every time I visit the stables. My favourite among the many magnificent animals there is Trishulin, a rare horse given to us as a gift from the distant kingdoms of the west. I named him Trishulin for it had a distinct trident shaped birthmark just above the left ear. A fast runner, he's my choice whenever I go hunting.

It was a beautiful morning; third day of the month normally would start with beautiful mornings and drizzle with sporadic rains closer towards dusk. Today, however, the clouds seemed to move in spectacular fashion. Mother always said to look for omens in the clouds. The faster the clouds move, it normally signalled a distinct shift in destiny. I never really understood her words. So did she. All will be answered, today.

Animosity.

I broke the silence what was engulfing the courtyard. Fear and uncertainty seemed to have made mice out of men today. War is imminent. Thus our ultimate goal to bring the Pandus down to earth will be realised. Alas, I see everyone quaking in fear. It saddens me, for our army has now been bolstered with one hundred thousand men. One hundred thousand warriors from Krishna's kingdom, the one whom they call God amongst men. Now I, am God!

I am God! I am God!

My father is still very partial towards his brother's brood of insolent fools. I despise them with love. The deepest pits of my blackened heart cannot be lighted by any form of light, for it is emptied with hate. And father is blinded, not only physically but in all aspects, not being able to see how much power we, the Kauravas, could hold once these pests are out of the way.

Pests.

Pests!

In two days’ time, our armies will march to the great plains of Kurushektra, and I am destined to be the victor. And once again, I will walk with my heads held high, the conqueror of the Pandu kingdom, and vanquish all those who have mocked me in the past. Till then, my brothers, all of you, let us all enjoy what is left of our mortal coils. Let us now drink, make merry, and even bear new wives!

Embrace your destiny, my beloved Kauravas! I command you to do so!

And so speaks, Duryodhan!

I yearn for only one thing. Their death. My victory.

Ascension. Power. Rooted in deep animosity.

-fin

**Author's note - I was truly, deeply inspired by the Mahabharata, and had this idea of exploring the faces and thoughts of the characters in the tome. It is just an interpretation; none of these conversations was recorded in the actual Mahabharata. Just in case someone decides to burn me at the stake, let me tell you it is COMPLETELY done out of creativity. ***