After a few hrs of tiring journey, Pandav family reached Varnavrat, sun was already set and sky was starting to turn black. People returning to their homes having worked hard for whole day long, some children stood on sides of road to have a look at chariots and horses.

They stopped in front of palace, where Purochan was waiting to welcome them along with few of his servants.

Karn helped Kunti get down, Nakul went to Awantika's chariot and saw her sound asleep. A smile came on his lips seeing her relaxed face, she looked gorgeous without those threatning looks and anger filled eyes. Her utariya was displaced from shoulders and was hanging by her left arm, he turned his head away, embarrassed for looking at her like this. He moved closer and placed the utariya on her shoulders, then shook her lightly. She immediately got alarmed and sat up straight.

Nakul :- Hey, relax it's me, we've reached.

She looked around to notice the surroundings, sky was dark bluish with yellow and white stars twinkling, closed shops, not much of a crowd was present and a huge palace stood in front of them.

Awantika :- Oh.

She tried to get up but her knees were still weak.

Nakul :- Let me help you.

Holding her arm, he somehow managed to get her down and they walked to the gates, where others were waiting. Kunti cupped her cheek.

Kunti :- How are you feeling now putri ?

Awantika :- I feel better Rajmata, would be okay in a day or two.

Arjun :- Lets go inside.

Purochan :- Ya, welcome everyone to this palace.

Karn :- So, we'll be staying here, hmmmm quiet huge.

Purochan :- I have used all my knowledge and experience of years to get it constructed, a palace like this never had been made before or will be made in future.

He took a mirror and adjusted it at such an angle that reflecting moonlight illuminated the entire palace.



Bheem :- It's beautiful.

Yudhisthir :- Purochan mahoday, it seems like a lot of hard work had been put to use.

Purochan :- It's my job to serve you all prince.

Sahdev was quiet, he had a strange feeling in his heart, as if something was wrong.

Nakul :- Do we have our rooms ready ?

Purochan :- Of course prince Nakul, my servants will show your rooms, please make yourselves comfortable and take some rest as journey would have been tiring.

They went inside followed by servants, an evil smirk appeared on Purochan's face.

Purochan :- Rest Pandu putron, rest in peace.

He chuckled to himself and went away. Exhausted by long journey, all had dinner in their rooms and retired to bed. ----------------------------------------------------------- Later that night,

Karn was lying on his bed, changing sides, unable to sleep, he sat up and felt his head reeling, breathing was also heavier than usual. His ears registered some footsteps in the corridor, removing the blanket, he stepped down and came out. Looking around he noticed a shadowy figure standing by the railings, walking closer it turned out to be Sahdev.

'What is he doing here ?'

He thought confused and came upto him.

Karn :- Not feeling sleepy ?

Sahdev looked aside to see his elder brother standing next to him.

Sahdev :- (sighs) I don't know why, but I feel something weird, like something's not as the way it should be or there's any hidden mystery. What about you ?

Karn :- Hmmm.... I feel suffocated, I mean this palace is really beautiful but it does have some mystery, not much of ventilation as only a handful of windows present. Only one door in every room and no balcony, strategically speaking, it feels like a place to trap someone as they won't be getting any escape point. It's such a huge palace but all our rooms are at 4th floor and this weird smell, it's itching me from inside.



Sahdev :- Weird smell ?

Karn :- Ya, like that of some sticky material..... like wax or glue.

This increased Sahdev's suspicion, he started wondering whether it was really a trap. His stance was broken by Karn's words.

Karn :- You free now ?

Sahdev :- huh..... Oh, ya, what else is there to do except to stand and wait for sleep to knock the door of this brain.

Karn :- (chuckles) Lets have a walk in garden, might as well get some fresh air, fed up of this smell.

Sahdev :- Okay, lets go.

They went towards the stairs as curtains continued to sway in the warm breeze.

Reaching the garden, they noticed 2 more figures sitting by the pond. They looked at each other and moved closer, in the dim moonlight, Arjun and Bheem were sitting on grass.

Arjun heard footsteps and glanced behind to see Karn and Sahdev approaching.

Bheem :- Are you too not feeling sleepy ?

Karn :- Thought to come here and get some fresh air, it was really suffocating inside.

Arjun :- Did you feel the same ?



Sahdev :- What same ?

Bheem :- Atmosphere inside is composed, no echoing of footsteps, and everything is dry, except the water containers.

Karn :- Lets just ponder about it in morning, I'm staying here tonight.

Arjun :- Ya, it's been almost two months when we last slept on grass in gurukul.

Sahdev :- I miss those days a lot.

Karn :- Golden days, when there was no tension, no responsibility, no stress, only mischief and fooling around.

Arjun :- You know Jeystha, once I saw bhrata Bheem eating in complete dark room, I asked him....

One by one, they shared their experiences as stars continued to twinkle. ----------------------------------------------------------- Hastinapur,

Bhanu came out from bathroom, having taken a long and slow bath, she was drying her hair with a towel when her eyes fell on Duryodhan, who was sitting on sofa busy reading a scroll, while food was kept on the table. He looked up at his wife and smiled.

Duryodhan :- Priye!

She stepped back in fear as he stood up.

Duryodhan :- Why are you behaving like this priye...... okay, I will not touch you, so relax.

Bhanu :- What..... do you.... want ?

Duryodhan :- I want to clear our misunderstandings, I know you have all the rights to be angry on me for what happened at your swayamvar....

Bhanu :- (angrily) Swayamvar ? Was that really a swayamvar, I don't think so.

Duryodhan :- I know priye that was wrong, but seeing you walk away hurted my feelings.

Bhanu :- What about my feelings ? And does that not mean I didn't wanted you as my husband.

Duryodhan was trying his best to control his anger.

Duryodhan :- Didn't wanted (chuckles expressionless) You know priye, when I was born, except my parents no one wanted me to live.

He turned and walked towards balcony.

Duryodhan :- They said I was a bad omen, I was such a seed that if not destroyed at the very instant, would become the reason of kuru vansh's downfall. Elders hated me from the very beginning and preferred those Pandavs, except my mamashree, no one really cared about my feelings. Amrit is the second person who ever sided with me in anything.

He took a deep breath to calm his anger.



Duryodhan :- When I saw them spending time with their mother, laughing and talking, I too wanted to do the same, to keep my head on my mother's lap, she'd feed me with her own hands, she will pat my head and hum a song so I could fall asleep, but that day never came. Maa was always busy with her duties, leaving me aside, and you know, at that time, only my mamashree stood by my side and supported me.

He clutched the railing tightly and wiped the tears formed.

Duryodhan :- Teachers, ministers, courtiers always count on them for everything, I am the one left behind. I am sorry for doing this to you but I fell in love with you the moment my eyes landed on your beautiful face. Seeing you, I was filled with hope, that I too will get all those love and affection, that someone would be there for me too. And when you walked away, my heartbeat halted, my world seemed to crash, your presence felt too important for me that I couldn't let it go.

He again wiped the tears flowing out.

Duryodhan :- I accept, that I acted out of anger but I couldn't afford to loose you, and you're not wrong being angry on me but we can atleast try to clear out things between us, can we atleast respect this relation. I can't bear anymore hatred priye, I've already had enough....

He closed his mouth with the end of angvastra to stop the emotional sob from escaping. Bhanu too felt sad seeing his condition and wiped the tears from corner of her eyes. He was right, she was married to him now and there was no going back, she'll have to move on eventually.

Bhanu :- Okay.

Duryodhan looked at her, his eyes had turned red, trying to stop the tears from flowing out.

Bhanu :- I will.... try.... to.... move on.

A hint of hope came on his face.

Bhanu :- But, I need some time for that.

Duryodhan :- You can take whatever time that makes you feel comfortable.

Bhanu sighed and glanced at the table, dinner was yet to be taken.



Bhanu :- Food will turn cold if not taken soon.

Duryodhan :- I'm not hungry, you can eat if you want.

Bhanu :- You will fall sick if you won't eat..... arya.

Duryodhan looked at her with disbelief.

Duryodhan :- What did you just said ?

Bhanu :- (smiles) Arya, lets have our dinner and rest, it's already late enough.

She noded at him and a happy smile appeared on his face, both sat on sofa, having their dinner along with some small talks. ----------------------------------------------------------- Next day, all the preparations were done, Pandavs completed the yagya and sacrificed clothes, food, herbs etc.

Kunti smiled proudly seeing the love between brothers, but she noticed something going on.

Karn was holding a plate of colour as priests chanted mantras, meanwhile Sahdev winked at Arjun. Arjun pinched Nakul, who yelped and slightly jumped in his place, throwing the colour on Karn's face, making it all red.

Everyone laughed as Karn wiped his face and glared at Nakul, who gestured at Arjun.

At last, everything went well, food and clothes were donated among the common people and a grand feast was organised where all had their stomachs filled upto content.

Sun was slowly setting, indicating the arrival of evening, brothers were exhausted after whole day's work and supervision, they all retired to their chambers.

Kunti told Purochan to arrange for their dinner in the main hall, as they will be eating together.

Night arrived slowly and all started gathering in the hall, Nakul helped Awantika to sit at her place as brothers grinned looking at him.

Kunti :- Where is Karn putron ?

Arjun :- He went to wash his face as he was feeling sleepy, he said to continue that he will come and join us.

Yudhisthir :- Lets wait for a few more minutes before starting.

Bheem :- Mata, atleast you can eat this ladoo.

Kunti :- We will putra, let your elder brother arrive.

Bheem :- Only one bite, from my hands.

Kunti chuckled and shook her head.

Kunti :- Okay.

Bheem picked up a ladoo and was about to feed her when.

'STOP'

Karn's voice boomed in the hall, everyone's heads snapped towards the gate, where he stood panting.

Karn :- Keep it down Bheem.

Bheem :- What happened Jeystha, why are you...

Karn :- I said just keep it down, this food is poisoned.

Time seemed to stop for a moment, as all looked at each other, trying to register what he just said.

A shadow, who was eavesdropping on their conversation, gritted his teeth and went away.

Purochan reached where all his servants had gathered.



Purochan :- We need to burn down this palace right now.

Servant :- What ? Right now ?

Purochan :- Idiot! They've come to know about our plan, so before they can escape, burn this place. Take a mashal each and light every corner, they should be trapped in the center, so there won't be any escape point.

Servants noded and ran for their respective places.

Meanwhile,

Kunti :- What are you saying putra ?

Karn :- Yes, I'm saying right.

Flashback, Karn washed his face in front of a mirror and looked at his reflection, suddenly his eyes feel upon Vidur's letter kept aside and those three warnings came in his mind.

'Almost forgot about it'

He wiped his face and came out, wondering about words written in the letter. While walking in the corridor, he heard bees buzzing. As his gaze scanned around, he noticed a viscous liquid coming from behind a pillar, as he touched and smelled it, his eyes widened in horror. Sweat beads formed on his forehead as he started connecting dots to decipher the actual meaning of those words.

Present,

Sahdev :- I knew it, I definitely had the feeling about something being wrong.



Arjun :- So this whole palace is made up of wax and other highly flammable materials.

Bheem :- And that is the very reason for this weird smell.

Yudhisthir :- Any weapon, not made of any material can kill as well, it means...

Karn :- Treachery.

Sahdev :- If a forest fire spreads, rats and porcupines can save themselves hiding inside their holes, if they know how to read stars.

Arjun :- This might be the escape plan, but what ?

Yudhisthir :- Who will try to do such a thing, burn us down alive, overnight ?

Bheem :- (angrily) Who else can do this except that Duryodhan and mama Shakuni. I won't leave him, he will have to pay for this.

Kunti felt her heart breaking seeing her sons like this.

Karn :- We need to confront that Purochan right now, this palace is built by him, he has to be involved in all this.

Sahdev :- You're right Jeystha, lets go.

Kunti :- Wait putron.

They turned and looked at their mother.

Kunti :- Where are we going ?

Karn :- We are going to get our answers.

Bheem :- And teach them a lesson.

Kunti :- (shouts) But I don't need any answers.

Brothers were shocked seeing her outburst.

Kunti :- I don't want to go back where such conspiracies take place, where every time my sons lives get threatened. We will go away from here, far away, where no one can threaten my family.



Arjun :- But mata...

Kunti :- No more discussion Arjun, we are going, that's final, I just want you all to be safe and sound, nothing else matters to me. We will go far away and live peacefully.

Karn :- That is fine but...

Awantika :- Wait, can you smell something.

Bheem's eyes widened.

Bheem :- Fire!

Before they could even think of anything, door was blown away as a huge flame surrounded the entrance, it spread all around in no time.



Karn :- There's gotta be some escape plan, we need to figure it out, now.

All started looking around, admist the fire, searching for any break point, smoke began to accumulate inside the hall, making them cough.

Nakul suddenly noticed a rat running here and there, it ran under the carpet and dissapeared. His eyes twinkled as he connected the points.

Nakul :- Rat hole..... tunnel. Bhrata Bheem.

All turned to him.

Nakul :- I think escape plan is under this table, remove it and you'll see.

Bheem held the table and threw it away, Arjun and Sahdev removed the carpet, all were astonished to see a secret door. Opening it, they found a tunnel.

Karn :- Excellent work Nakul, now, everybody in.

Yudhisthir went inside first to make sure everything was fine, followed by Sahdev, Kunti, Karn and Arjun.

Awantika fell down as she tried to walk fast, Nakul ran upto her.

Nakul :- Are you fine Awantika, your knees are still weak and you shouldn't walk caresessly.

He noticed her open bandages around knees.

Bheem :- Nakul, we don't have time.

Nakul picked her up in his arms and ran down, Bheem jumped inside and closed the door just in time before roof above crashed. ----------------------------------------------------------- Did you like the chapter ?

So finally Lacquer palace tragedy took place. Many had been thinking what was going on since a few chapters.

How was Duryodhan - Bhanu talk ? Was I able to express his point of view.

Nakul cares a lot about Awantika, where will this lead him to ?

Next chapter might take some more time as it needs major editing and my schedule is also busy.

One more thing, I received many messages accusing me for violating and making fun of Mahabharat epic. Saying that it shows how cheap my thinking is and all that.

I want to apologise to all those people, as I keep on saying that I don't intend to hurt anyone's religious beliefs or sentiments.🙏🙏🙏

I respect Mahabharat and all its characters from my heart and it was never my intention to make fun of them. This story is merely my imagination about possibilities as what if.

Please don't take it seriously.

Target :- 51 votes.

Do comment if you have any suggestions.