Love is a bane... Chandini ff A/N at last page

Year 327 bc... Takshashila.
Chapter 1

It was a usual morning in the ashram of Chanakya. The Ashram had some 100 and above odd boys of various ages  studying under the group of eminent professors teaching political science, medicine ,economics and warfare.The head of the professors was Vishnugupt a.k.a Chanakya who was known for his strict behavior and discipline.
 He personally supervised everything in the ashram so that no student will become a vagabond after completing the studies.Timetable of chores were strictly planned and executed correctly so that the students never wasted a single minute in loitering.Chanakya saw to that that his student should not deviate even slightly from the discipline.He virtually kept them as a captive .Rich or poor , no one can flaunt their dresses or jewels. They have to wear a light brown dhoti and angavastra. Students should keep sacred ash in their forehead and tulsi beaded chain in the neck.No entertainment other than singing Bhagavad Gita ,that too only on ekadashi. There was no holidays .
 The meals were provided only once while at other times they were served with rice porridge. Chanakya believed that to conquer the world,first one has to conquer his appetite and taste buds. He was so strict at that.
  The students were classified based upon their ages and learning capacity. The best amongst all were directly tutored by Chanakya. Out of these 100 hardly 20 came under Chankaya's department.Chandragupta was in his class and was apple of his eyes.

Chandragupta maurya  entered the class quite late today. His mind was filled with anxiety thinking about the oucome at the hands of Chanakya.Though Chanakya was very fond of him,he never hesitated to punish him if he is found to deviate from his duty. Punctuality is supreme  and it is the key of success is the mantra of Chnakya.

Chandra entered the hall with heavy fear of punishment. More than physical punishment he has to face the anger in his tutor's eyes which resembles the Lord Shiva during annihilation of three cities.
As soon as he entered the class,he found students are happily chitchatting with each other . One of his friends waved his hand and called him nearby.

With mind full of questions he went near his close and trustworthy  friend Lakshman .
"Chandra, today our Guru wont be coming to the class".
"Lakshman!" Chandra paused " Is he ill?He was coughing yesterday evening when I went to give a parchment regarding medicine"
Chandra was very afraid whether his Acharya is not keeping his health well.Lakshman heard his words patiently and in chiding manner
" Bhai! You are 18 year old ,but behaving like a toddler.Let me finish.Acharya's wife Yashomati has come along with their daughter Mythili from Kausambi"
Chandra in a relieved tone but quite intuitively " Acharya 's family has come here.?Isn't it odd?"
Lakshman " Chandra what to say? Nand 's atrocity is growing day by day. He was after Acharya's family in Kaushambi. I heard he was after Mythili. To safegaurd her honor,they have fled to Takshasheela."
" Lakshman,what is new about this. Nand always lusty behind girls"
" This is not lust it seems, He wanted to marry Mythili."
"Lakshman dont joke..." Chandra in disbelief.He knows that nand always uses girls and throws like a crumpled flower.
" You have to see her,to believe my words".
The matters stood here when their leader of the class asked the students  to assemble in library and receive instructions from Assistant professor of Chanakya.

A month later, one  noon Chandra was on his way towards his room when Satyajit met him in on the way.

" Chandra, can you please hand over this parchment to our Acharya,That Malayketu is creating a scene over the food with the cook. I have to mend them amicably."
"Sure" came the reply. Satyajit was the class leader of Chandra. He has lots of leadership and management qualities . They never knew when Chandra becomes Chandragupt Maurya,Satyajit is going to be his one of the able minister.
 

Chandra carefully picked up the bundle of parchments and was heading his way to the Acharya's humble cottage. He noticed that the cottage was very different. It was a month ago when he came there,but now the cottage's appearance was totally changed. It used to be devoid of  plants and creepers till last month. Now it was full of flower-bearing plants and creepers.The fragrance of the flowers made him forget himself. He was spell-bounded by the appearance of the cottage and chirping of the birds.
"hm hmm" a voice broke his trance.

He turned around to see a beautiful girl of 15-year-old standing with a mud pot filled with water. She had a black eyes which was brimmed with innocence and a dimpled chin with a small black mole at right corner below the rosy lips.Her voice was so gentle and had no pride in her appearance.She was wearing a simple cotton attire.For Chandra the time stood there!

" I you" Chandra fumbled. He remembered Lakshman's words and he accepted the fact that she was so divine. Chandra remembers his mother's face which was withered with  constant coughing and crying." My mother used to be beautiful when she was young" The thoughts were going directionless.The thought of his mother broke him from inside.

Finally, Myhili broke the silence understanding the purpose of Chandra's visit" I will hand this to my father sir,don't worry",
Chandra was blushing and he thanked her.Without seeing her back he raced straight to his room. Mythili walked inside the cottage.