Sun slowly rose through the horizon, spreading light and showering new hopes for upcoming day.

Radha was busy preparing breakfast for her husband and son, who had to leave for their jobs. Suddenly a pair of hands covered her eyes, she smiled and shook her head.

Radha :- Vasu, how many times I'll have to tell you not to disturb me when I'm busy. Remove your hands so I can finish with this.

Karn removed his hands and leaned on the shelf kept aside.

Karn :- Radha maa, how do you come to know its me, I didn't speak or made any sound.

She ruffled his hair.

Radha :- Because except you or Shivangi, no one else does it. So, why here, did you see her again ?

He looked at his mother with plain shock reflecting on his face. Radha noticed his expressions and chuckled.

Karn :- Maa, how it's possible that you know everything before I can even open my mouth.

Radha :- I'm your mother, I raised you from when you were just a new born baby. I know you more than you know about yourself.

Karn :- Hmmm... Then you've got a tough competitor I guess, Suchitra too knows such things which I don't even have any idea of.

Radha :- Like ?

Karn :- Like..... Like I have a part of my god father's enormous energy stored inside.

He reached his hand around his neck but to his surprise, pendant was missing.

'Must've left in the room' he thought.

Radha :- Okay okay, you can go and mess around with your sister, I need to prepare it soon.

Karn :- Oh, actually I came here to tell you we'll be leaving for Varnavrat, today.

Radha :- We ?

Karn :- I mean mata Kunti, I and brothers.

Radha :- I see, any special occasion ?

Karn :- Ya, a yagya is organised every year in memories of pitashree and choti maa and some chilling vacation.

Radha :- Enjoy your vacation then.

She continued her work for a few minutes, when her eyes fell on her son, he was probably figuring something out.



Radha :- Not getting late now, are you ?

Karn :- One more thing I wanted to say...... maa, please talk to Amrit.

Radha stopped her work for a moment and turned to him.

Karn :- I tried but he won't listen to me, neither will he talk to pitashree, but he needs to understand that he's getting himself in the wrong direction, this path will lead him to noting but trouble. His mentality and actions if not stopped will one day make both of us fight....... (sighs) upto death....

Radha :- VASU!

He looked down.

Karn :- I'm sorry maa but, it's the truth and whatever happened at Kaling palace was the proof, it was a warning for upcoming times. I don't want to say it.... but.... next time if our choices cross path, I won't be the one to hold back.

He touched her feet and walked out, Radha kept thinking about his words for a few moments, then continued her work. ----------------------------------------------------------- Kunti and Bheem entered Karn's chamber to find him fussing around, probably searching for something.

Kunti crossed her arms as he didn't noticed them.

Kunti :- Putra.

Karn immediately turned to see his mother and brother standing there, he smiled sleepishly.

Kunti :- I told you we will leave today only, but I don't think it'll be possible.

Karn :- I know mata but I can't find my pendant anywhere, have you seen it.

Bheem :- Which pendant ?

Karn :- A golden one, sun shaped having a red daimond in center.

Kunti :- Whatever, find it after returning, we're getting late, come on, everyone's waiting outside.

He sighed and glanced around, then left with them. All others were waiting outside to bid goodbye. He touched feets of elders one by one, Vidur hugged him and handed a small scroll.

Vidur :- (wishpering) Keep it safe.

Karn felt confused but before anyone could notice, he tugged it safely with his dhoti. Breaking the hug, Vidur noded and gestured him to go.

Shakuni and Duryodhan watched with smirk as 6 brothers and their mother went to their chariots and horses to leave. Bhisma eyed Shakuni with suspicion, he was getting a feeling of an extreme plan being carried out.

First chariot was occupied by Kunti and Karn, followed by Bheem and Yudhisthir, rest were on horses. People had gathered on either side of road and bowed their heads as Pandav family went past. Kunti wiped the tears at corner of her eye and prayed for same love and support of people for her sons throughout life.



Soon they were out of villages and continued their journey on barren highway (of that time😅😅) Sun slowly began to set as time passed by, sky changed to orange and crows were gwaking.

Karn :- Mata, we should stop here now. As forest is not more than a couple miles ahead and I don't think it's a good idea to cross it during night.

Kunti :- Okay, that's better then.

Karn :- (loudly) Stop.

Chariots, horses and soldiers halted. He looked at Arjun.

Karn :- Arjun, we should rest here for today, it's best if we cross the forest in morning.

Arjun looked around to scan the surroundings. Nakul came there on his horse.

Nakul :- We can set out tents some further up, a river flows nearby.

Yudhisthir :- Why late then ? Lets find a suitable spot.

They all got down to rest and do the arrangements. Arjun and Karn scooped the nearby area, Nakul and Sahdev kept an eye on all requirements. Bheem was checking out food stuff while Yudhisthir managed security as only a handful soldiers were present.

Till the time tents were completed, sky had turned black, few strands of clouds floated here and there admist the starry sky.



They had their dinner discussing happily. Kunti laid on her bed and closed her eyes as Bheem massaged her feet. Nakul had went for a walk near the river, while Karn called Yudhisthir, Arjun and Sahdev to have talk.

They sat on a huge rock, Karn took out the scroll and handed it to Yudhisthir.

Karn :- Kakashree gave me this when we were leaving.

Yudhisthir glanced at Arjun and Sahdev, then opened the thread.

Yudhisthir :- Putra, I want to tell you some important things about life. I know you're intelligent enough to interpret its real meaning. 1. A person who always survives, knows that any weapon, not made of any material can kill as well. 2. Fire can burn the body but not soul, so protect the soul and you'll be safe. 3. If a forest fire spreads, rats and porcupines can save themselves hiding inside their holes, if they know how to read stars.

Yudhisthir read it out and glanced at confused faces of his brothers.

Karn :- That's wierd, what can it possibly mean.

Sahdev :- I think it's a warning, it says something about knowing how to read stars.

Arjun :- Astronomy ?



Yudhisthir :- Something like that I guess, and that forest fire.....

'JEYSTHA'

'BHRATA ARJUN'

They heard Nakul shouting and rushed towards the river. Nakul was coming towards them, carrying something in his arms. Silhouette of a woman dressed in warrior's clothes became clear as he came near.

Nakul :- Jeystha, bhrata Yudhisthir.... she was lying near the stream, her head and knees are hurt badly.

They looked at cuts and wounds on her arms and shoulder. Sahdev touched the small bump on her forehead.

Sahdev :- It's fresh, means she must've been in a fight not long enough.

Bheem and Kunti too reached there as they heard Nakul's voice.

Kunti :- What happened putron ? Why were you shouting Nakul ?

Nakul :- Mata, I found her lying unconscious there and carried her here, she needs immediate treatment.

Kunti looked at girl's face.

Kunti :- Okay, bring her in my tent, her clothes are all wet and littered, she will catch cold if not changed.

They all noded and moved towards her tent. ----------------------------------------------------------- Draupadi was sitting on a swing in verandah. She held the golden pendant and caressed it with a thoughtful look.

Krishna came from behind and smiled mischievously.

Krishna :- Missing someone, sakhi.

Draupadi was startled out of her thoughts and looked at her friend.

Draupadi :- Oh.... Govind..... missing ? Why will I miss anyone ?

He sat beside her and took out his flute.

Krishna :- You know sakhi, human brain is much more complex and complicated than we can ever imagine. We think about something, we want to know more about it but this stupid brain never allows you to go for it.

Draupadi :- What should we do then ?

Krishna :- We should sometimes listen to what our heart says, because mind can sometimes lead you astray but heart will always bring you back on the right path. So, what do you wanna know.

Draupadi thought for a moment, then looked at him.



Draupadi :- Will you tell me more about prince Karn.

Krishna :- (teasingly) Hmmmm.... so that is the real reason, how can my sakhi be peaceful when someone else had already stolen her sleep.

Draupadi :- (blushing) It's nothing like that okay.

Krishna :- This sentence means a lot more than just said.

They laughed and chatted about various things, as time slowly passed.

Draupadi :- (yawning) I should probably go and get some sleep, it was really nice talking to you.

Krishna :- Mee too.

Draupadi :- Don't you need some sleep ?

Krishna :- You go, I want to sit here for a few more minutes before retiring to bed.

Draupadi :- Subhratri.

Krishna :- Subhratri.

He smiled and watched her leave.

Krishna :- You're so innocent sakhi.

Next moment, his smile vanished as he closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRkDsYQkBg4

(Background music)

Opening his eyes, he found himself in the middle of a sabha. Courtiers, associates, teachers and all others watched with shock as a dice game went on. Then he saw a woman being dragged in the sabha by pulling her hairs. She screamed and cried but men around just laughed at her, Krishna clenched his fists as a man slapped her so hard that she fell down. A tear rolled down his eye as she begged in front of elders but they just hung down their heads. Her state was worse, saree torn at many places, barely covering her front part, hair messed up, eyes puffed due to crying, forehead swollen after banging, lips bleeding from cuts. She screamed and questioned everyone but met with silence while others laughed and mocked.

Another tear rolled down his eye as he heard those cursed words.

'She is a whore, even if she would've been bought naked, it won't have done any difference'

'You denied me, now I will make you the night queen of each and every bed in Hastinapur'

'She'll be much better of a prostitute, it'll be fun dealing with this ego and showing her real place to her'

'Strip her naked and make her sit on my lap, I want everyone present here to witness her beauty'

A couple tears continued rolling down his eye as he couldn't do anything except to stand and wait for right time to come.

His head shot up as blessings of change were about to be showered.

'I curse this sabha, that everyone persent here will get the punishment for their silence. Whole kuru vansh will cry the tears of blood. I vow that I will tie my hairs only after washing them from Dussasan's blood'

'My curse is my mercy, if I will punish them their life will become hell. Today everyone saw my helplessness, tommorow my husband will show me your destruction'

Next moment, he stood in the middle of a battlefield, millions of unidentified corpses covered the ground. Nothing could be seen except vultures feeding on severed body parts, women crying for their family members. Soil soaked in red, he walked admist all the painful sobs and cries. Finally, he saw a woman getting her hairs washed with blood as others watched.

Krishna opened his eyes and a sad sigh escaped his lips, he glanced outside the window.



Krishna :- It's just the start, sakhi. ----------------------------------------------------------- Did you like the chapter ?

Gods too feel the pain of a mortal sometimes when it comes to their loved ones. Agree with it ?

So who's the girl Nakul saved ?

Will brothers be able to find out the hidden meaning of warnings.

One more thing, my book will have numerous characters so I can't picturise them all, you're free to imagine your favourite.

Very soon you'll meet Yudhisthir's dream princess.

Target :- 42 votes.

Do comment if you have any suggestions.