Sunlight peeked in through a small gap between curtains and fell on a fair skinned face resting on a pillow. Eyelids squeezed tightly before fluttering open to reveal a pair of jet black eyes whose gaze lingered all around.



A beautiful girl sat up and touched the cut on forehead. She looked around to find herself in a tent, her clothes were changed to a light suit, bandages sticking on her arms and left shoulder.

'Where the hell I am ? Seems to be any refugee camp'

She thought and noticed a dagger kept beside her bed. Removing the blanket, she took it and got up only to fall back on bed with a thud. She bit her lower lip hoping no one had heard or noticed anything, then touched her knees which hurt like hell.

'I shouldn't have jumped, stupid moron tricked us well'

She got up slowly, balancing her weight, pain in the knees and wound was unbearable but she needed to know what place is this. Barely able to walk, she tilted the curtain and glanced out.

A man stood near the tent, enjoying fruit salad while keeping an eye on others.

Nakul was having his breakfast as his brothers scanned the dead bodies found near river, where he came across the girl yesternight.

'She must've been awake by now'

He was going to turn but felt a cold sharp blade near his neck.

'Don't move'

Came the voice from behind. He left the plate and slowly raised his hands.

Nakul :- Listen devi, you're mistaken, I ain't here to hurt you.

Girl :- Shut up, I didn't told you to say anything yet, hand me your weapon.

Nakul :- Devi, it's already with you....

Girl :- Don't try to fool me, I said jus....

'How about you do that first'

Girl felt a sword placed at the back of her neck. She tried to tighten her grip around Nakul's neck.

Karn :- Don't, Don't even think of it, that's a bad idea. Hand me down your weapon and step aside.

Girl wanted to slap her forehead at this foolishness, she should've noticed him standing nearby.

Karn :- Didn't you heard what I said, your dagger on my hand, right NOW!

Others came running as they heard his voice and got alarmed at the scene. Girl felt the pain in knees slowly becoming unbearable, but she had to get answers.

'Putra Karn, what is all this, calm down, let me talk'

Everyone's head snapped towards Kunti, who came at the scene as she saw the crowd gathering near her tent. Karn slowly lowered his sword and glared at the girl.

Karn :- Tell her to do the same.

Kunti assured him with a nod, she stood in front of the girl, who still was holding the dagger around Nakul's neck.

Kunti :- Putri, I know you're confused about what all is happening, who we are and what place is this. I will tell you everything, but for that we need co-operation.

Girl looked around, at the faces of men and women.

Karn :- Are you deaf! didn't you heard what mata said, put it down.



Girl sighed and lowered her dagger.

Kunti :- Parihar.

All the servants went to their respective works, leaving 6 brothers along with their mother and a mysterious girl.

Kunti :- Lets go inside, sit and ask whatever you want to.

Girl looked at Kunti and then Karn.

Girl :- I'm not obliged to do whatever you say, just tell me where I am....

Karn pulled out his sword again and pointed at her.

Karn :- Listen, I am already very much controlling myself from chopping that head of yours at that foolish act, so just do what she says or get yourself in trouble.

Sahdev and Arjun were witnessing the drama with exhaperated looks.

Sahdev :- Don't you think Jeystha is over reacting.

Arjun :- What can be done, just stand and watch.

They looked at each other and Arjun noded. Girl wanted to protest but as she stepped forward, bandage around her right knee loosened and blood tickled down, before she could comprehend anything, her eyes blacked out. ----------------------------------------------------------- She slowly opened her eyes registering the intensity of light in the tent, she found herself on same bed, she woke up earlier.

She tried to get up but pain in knees was now extreme. Turning her head, she noticed gaze of seven pair of eyes fixed at her.

Kunti :- How are you feeling putri ? I said you to sit and have your questions answered but you didn't listen, now see your state. (Caressing her head) Putri, relax and know that we're not here to hurt you.

Girl looked at Kunti and then sighed.

Girl :- I'm better now but please tell me where I am, how did I get here, are you all Danddhar's relatives or friends.

Nakul :- You're at the borders of Hastinapur, Varnavrat.

Sahdev :- You were found lying unconscious near the river.

Yudhisthir :- Who is Danddhar ?

Bheem :- We don't even know him.

Karn :- Wait everyone, first let's know each other. I am yuvraj of Hastinapur, Karn, she is my mother, Rajmata Kunti, these all are my brothers, Yudhisthir, Bheem, Arjun, Nakul and Sahdev. Now you tell about yourself.

Girl looked at them for a moment, Kunti caressed her hair and blinked her eyes assuringly.

Girl :- My name is Awantika, I am princess of Mahendrapuri, daughter of Maharaj Vyagradatt.

Arjun :- Princess of Mahendrapuri, found in war armour, fatally wounded, why is that ?

Karn :- We found some dead bodies along with you, all had this badge on their left shoulder.

Awantika caressed badge and took a deep breath.

Awantika :- They're our soldiers, we were ambushed.

Karn :- Ambushed ? Dandadhar ? War.... You have confused us, please tell everything from starting, so we can provide some help.

Awantika :- You can't help me now, it's too late.

Kunti :- It's better late than never putri, we will try our best.

Awantika looked at concerned face of Kunti and a soft smile came on her face.

Awantika :- I live along with my father and younger brother Bhanudev, my mother Sunaina died when I was probably 3 or 4. We were raised by our step mother, pitashree always loved my brother and ignored me like I never existed, but that didn't mattered to me as I had my mother beside.

Nakul :- That's all is fine but who is Dandadhar ?



Awantika :- I am telling that only, he is yuvraj of Ajmer, son of Maharaj Alambush.

Kunti :- But how this all happened ?

Awantika :- Will anyone let me speak ?

All quitened and looked at her to start.

Awantika :- This all started a month ago, when we received a proposal from Maharaj Alambush asking my hand in marriage for his son. Pitashree already wanted to get rid of me so he agreed for it, from spies, I came to know that he is pervert and a drunkard, also that he isn't marrying me for alliance or love, they wanted control over coal mines of Mahendrapuri and as a princess, I couldn't just let it happen. I reported this to pitashree but he was too admanant to listen. So I decided to short this problem out myself, I sent him a letter, calling him to meet and have a talk. I planned to capture him and force his father to forget about Mahendrapuri. Meeting place was inside a forest, near a waterfall. I along with my very trusted soldiers reached there, they hid themselves in bushes while I and Dandadhar had a heated argument. When I signalled my men to capture him, they leaped out and had their weapons pointed at him, but instead of getting shocked, he laughed menacingly, it was then we realised he trapped us in our own plan, his army surrounded us from all sides.

She stopped for a moment and glanced at the curious faces of princes.

Awantika :- Very soon, he had his army track us down in woods as we ran to escape, knowing the forest well, we tricked the army into following each other, but their number was too much, one by one we lost soldiers. Finally me and him engaged in a duel, I tried my best but he was too good with a sword. I couldn't loose to him as he would hold me captive and threaten pitashree. So when we were fighting near the edge, I jumped down the waterfall but that wasen't my day I guess, I colided with a huge boulder, hurt my knees and passed out.

All were keenly listening to her story.

Awantika :- Now everyone probably thinks I'm dead, that's why I said you can't help me.

She wiped her tears and looked at them, Kunti caressed her hair with a thoughtful look.



Karn :- If, we leave you here, where would you go ?

Awantika :- I'm certainly not going back to become a burden on my family again, so I will change my identity and settle down somewhere in a nearby village.

Karn sighed and looked at Kunti.

Kunti :- If you want, you can come with us to Varnavrat, we were going there for a vacation, you can join us and get some free time for yourself. After that, we will help you sort things out.

Awantika :- But Rajmata, how will you help me ?

Nakul :- It depends on you, if you want to go back, we will talk to your parents and if you want to change your identity, you can settle down in Hastinapur.

Awantika thought for a moment, looked at their faces, then noded.

Awantika :- Fine.

Yudhisthir :- We should get going then, still enough journey is yet left to cover.

Bothers got up and left one by one.

Kunti :- You get ready and wait untill I come back, your knees are hurt badly, so I will call some dasis to help you to your chariot, here are your clothes.

She gave him a dress and went out.

Soon all of them were out on their chariots, continuing their journey.

Karn and Yudhisthir took the first chariot, followed by Sahdev and Kunti, then Awantika, rest took their horses.

Forest was crossed safely, day was a rather peaceful one, sun shone brightly, and trees danced with soft breeze.

Nakul took his horse near Awantika's chariot, she was engrossed in her thoughts.

Nakul :- Hey.

She glanced at him and looked away.

Nakul :- Whether's nice today, no ? Seems pleasant.

Still no response.

Nakul :- Didn't anyone told you that sometimes talking makes you feel better.

Awantika :- I want to be sick.

Nakul :- Oh, it's even better, cuz I am a doctor....

Awantika :- (annoyed) How much do you talk, don't you feel tired.

Nakul :- Sometimes I guess, you ?

Awantika :- I don't talk this much.

Nakul :- Then I was probably daydreaming when someone in the tent was narrating a novel.

Awantika's head snapped towards him as she looked at his mischief filled face, she couldn't help but chuckle softly. Nakul felt relieved to be able to break the ice barrier between them.

Journey continued as they kept going. ----------------------------------------------------------- In a dimly lit chamber, fluttering lights of mashals revealed a woman sitting on her bed, holding something in her hands.

Bhanu caressed Karn's potrait as tears rolled down her eyes.

Bhanu :- Why you did this to me prince Karn, I loved you, I wanted to marry you but you couldn't stop it all, why ?

She clutched the potrait to heart and sobbed, remembering the days of her swayamvar.

But suddenly she heard footsteps approaching her chamber and immediately hid the potrait under mattress. Duryodhan entered carrying dinner in his hand.

He closed the gates and walked upto her, keeping the plate on table, he looked at his pretty wife.

Duryodhan :- Mata said you haven't eaten anything since morning, here, have something or you will fall sick.

Bhanu clenched her fists and turned aside.

Duryodhan :- (sighs) Why are you hurting yourself like this priye....

Bhanu :- (angrily) How many times I've told you I'm not your priye, so don't call me that.

Duryodhan :- (smiling) You know what, you look more beautiful when angry, I feel like just standing here and watching this pretty face.

Bhanu :- I don't care what you think or feel, and don't even think I will give you a chance in this marriage. I married you only to save reputation of my parents.

Duryodhan slowly walked near her as she stepped back. She stopped when her back hit the wall.

Bhanu :- Don't come near me..... I will shout.... stay away....



Before she could say further, he trapped her between him and wall, he caressed her lips with his thumb. She tried to protest but he was too strong for her.

Bhanu :- Leave me.....

Duryodhan :- (threatning) Listen priye, if I want, I can do anything to you, whatever pleases me. But, (stepping back) I don't want to force myself on you, I will not do anything untill you trust me enough.

Saying so, he turned and walked out, Bhanu fell on floor crying.

Bhanu :- Why is this happening to me ? Please someone save me, I can't live like this.... I can't live like this..... ----------------------------------------------------------- Krishna glanced at the sky, as a slow deep breath left his nostrils, trying to calm his heavy heart.

Krishna :- I'm sorry but destiny has my hands tied up, stay strong, this will come to an end some day, you will get the love of your life as your husband. ----------------------------------------------------------- Did you like the chapter ?

How was Awantika's intro ? And her quarrel with Nakul, well, it's just the start.

Will Karn ever be able to get past his anger issues or it'll be too late.

Will Bhanu's suffering come to an end ?

Who should I pair Sahdev with ? It's became a confusion, help me guys.

Target :- 50 votes.

Do comment if you have any suggestions.