Bheem :- Just tell is it worth or not.

Shopkeeper eyed the two strange, well built men, having their faces covered and carrying weapons in a bag. He then checked the jewelry and bracelets.

Shopkeeper :- Where did you get it from ?

Sahdev :- Does it matter ?

Shopkeeper shook his head and gestured at the pile of clothes. Bheem and Sahdev collected all the brahmins clothing and wrapped them in a bundle.

Shopkeeper :- Travelling somewhere ? Still such lot of clothes are not needed, and why these sarees.

Bheem :- It's nothing to do with you, moreover we're not alone, our family must be waiting for us.

They carried the luggage and went away, shopkeeper kept looking at them with suspicion, then continued his work.

In the forest,

Kunti was preparing fruit salad from the fruits Arjun and Nakul had bought.

Karn made slippers for them out of rags, Yudhisthir sharpened some stones to make knives.

Nakul was changing bandages on Awantika's knees.

Awantika :- Though all looks fine, it still hurts while walking or standing up.

Nakul :- You've injured your ligaments, it takes time to heal such wounds, if not dealt carefully, your knees may get damaged permanently.

Awantika :- Wait, it ain't gonna happen in my case right ?

Nakul :- Can't say anything for now, just be utmost careful while walking, and try to avoid jerks. There, all done.

She caressed her knees wondering what worse could have happened.



'Better than being held captive by him'

She thought, Karn came there carrying a pair of pads in his hand.

Karn :- This can help, knee pads, it can ease out some pain and provide heat to reduce swelling.

She took the pads and tied them over bandages. Bheem and Sahdev returned carrying clothes and weapons. They gave one to each.

Arjun :- (testing the string) Pretty durable, not much though.

Karn :- So, all spent ?

Bheem reached his hand inside a pouch he was holding.

Bheem :- Almost everything, only this necklace and these pair of bracelets remain.

Yudhisthir :- Save them for now, might be useful afterwards.

Kunti :- All of you, first eat, salad is ready.

She served the salad to all as they sat around her, having something to eat after a whole day long. ----------------------------------------------------------- Maharaj Shantanu stood beside the young man, his face reflecting plain shock at the sight in front of him. A wall of arrows had stopped the flow of Ganga.

'Aryaputra'

He heard a voice and turned towards its source, moisture appeared in his longing filled eyes as he saw his wife approaching.

Shantanu :- Gange. At last, you came back.

Ganga :- How are you Maharaj ?



Shantanu :- How would be the body without soul priye ? Not having you by my side, life feels like a light-less night of Diwali.

Ganga :- Past can never replace the present, past is past, once happened cannot be reversed back. I am your past Maharaj, who's here to return you your future.

She looked at the young man and noded, Shantanu stood confused.

Ganga :- What are you seeing aryaputra ? Yes, he is our son, Devavrath. Putra, take your father's blessing.

Bhisma touched Shantanu's feet, who hugged him proudly.

Shantanu :- You don't know how much I've waited for you my son, Hastinapur will be grateful to have you back.

Ganga :- He has been taught the art of warfare by Lord Parsuram, Ved shastra from Maharishi Vashisth, Politics from Devguru Brihaspati and when asur guru Shukracharya said that none in the universe will now be able to stand upto Devavrath's level, I thought its the time Hastinapur should be returned it's yuvraj.

She then turned to Bhisma and caressed his face.

Ganga :- Now you should go with your pitashree, to Hastinapur, where history awaits you.

Bhisma :- And you mata ?

Ganga :- I will always be there when you'd need, whenever you want to talk, just come here and meet me. Now go putra.

She kissed his forehead, walked towards the running water and dissapeared.

A smile rested on Bhisma's face as he recalled the day when he met his father for the first time. He stood up, picked a scroll from nearby table and went out.

Walking in the corridor, a soldier came upto him.

Soldier :- Hail Mahamahim Bhisma, Vasudev Krishna have arrived in Hastinapur.

Bhisma :- (confused) Dwarikadheesh Vasudev Krishna, in Hastinapur ?

He noded and gestured the soldier to leave. At the palace gates, Bhanumati did Krishna's aarti and applied tilak on his forehead before welcoming him.

Shakuni kept looking at him with narrowed eyes, Duryodhan seemed lost, struggling hard to control the anger from bursting out, knowing that his wife is in love with one of his foremost enemies was killing him from inside.



Dussasan showed no expressions as he didn't had anything to do with it. Elders stood confused, mostly surprised by his sudden unexpected arrival.

He went to Dhritrashtra and Gandhari.

Krishna :- (joining his hands) Pranipat Maharaj, Maharani.

Gandhari moved forward and reached for his hand. She caressed his face with a sad smile.

Gandhari :- Ayushman bhava putra, although we've not met before but your aura is so familiar, as if you're a member of our family. I know that no one can ever take Kunti's place, but you can call me badi bua, I'm tired of listening maharani.



Most faces had lost their glow at the news of incident, Krishna wiped her tears and hugged her.

Krishna :- Okay badi bua, I'll not call you maharani from now.

Dhritrashtra :- Welcome Vasudev, please come inside and give us a chance to serve you.

Krishna noded and moved inside, he greeted Bhisma and Vidur, who greeted him back. Then he stood in front of Shakuni with a mischief smile. Shakuni too passed a sugar coated smile.

Krishna :- Pranipat mamashree.

Shakuni :- Vasudev Krishna, Pranipat, I am kinda surprised by these unexpected events.

Krishna :- (chuckles) Life is full of surprises mamashree, we just think that everything's normal but deep below, a whole plot is being devised.

Shakuni's smile vanished and his eyes narrowed once again. Krishna shook his head smiling and went inside with others.

Shakuni looked at the dices in his palm.

'Does he knows, but how's that possible' ----------------------------------------------------------- 8 people kept wandering in forest, searching for a spot to spend the night.

Yudhisthir, Sahdev moved in front, Kunti carried the bag of food, Awantika slowly walked with the help of a stick.

Arjun, Karn walked on either side, Bheem and Nakul followed behind. It was now evening as they've been walking for a few hrs.

Bheem felt something weird and turned to scan the surroundings.

Nakul :- What ?



Bheem :- I feel like someone is following us, keeping a strict eye.

Both glanced around but found nothing, they heard Arjun's voice calling them and went away.

At some distant, behind a tree stood a woman, observing them all sharply. Her eyes shined and a smile formed on her lips as she continued following them. Sun was almost set when they found a small clearing and sat down, spreading their angvastras on ground.

Kunti opened the bag she was carrying to prepare some food for her children. Karn held the pouch of water and took some gulps, then handed it to Bheem, who sat beside him.

Karn :- This forest is way too dense.

Sahdev hummed as he took the pouch from Bheem. Nakul noticed Arjun wondering, as he drank some water.

Nakul :- Now what's the matter ?

All turned and looked at him.

Arjun :- This forest is inhibited by rakshas. I kinda heard some people talking when I went to fetch water.

Yudhisthir :- What we have to do with it ? We're not here to fight them.

Awantika :- (glancing at Karn) Nothing can be sure said.

Karn made a sarcastic smiling face.

Karn :- I'm not in the mood.

Teasing and pulling each other's legs continued as they waited for food to be ready, but Karn suddenly got alarmed.

Karn :- Shh... quiet.

Brothers looked at him confused.

Karn :- Can you hear that ?

Arjun's head shot up.

Arjun :- Yes, seems like a woman is crying.

Sahdev :- Must be bhrata Bheem's stomach growling from hunger.

Bheem glared at him.

Bheem :- Does growling of my stomach sounds like a woman crying.

Yudhisthir :- Should go and check.

Karn :- Wait, not all, I, Bheem and Arjun are going, rest be here.

Kunti :- Stay alert putron, if this is place of rakshas, there must be some illusions.

Arjun :- Don't worry mata, we'll be right back.

They took their weapons and dissapeared into the bushes. Searching for a few minutes, they found a woman crying while hugging her knees. Her face was buried down allowing only some muffled cries to escape.

Three looked at each other and then at the woman crying.

Arjun :- Devi ?

Her head immediately shot up and she got horrified seeing them, trying to drag herself away but her hands were trembling.

Bheem :- Relax devi, we're not here to hurt you, no need to run. Are you okay by the way ?

Girl :- Who are you ? A rakshas or a human ?

Karn :- (chuckles) Had I been a rakshas, I would be wondering whether to fry or roast you for my meal. But it isn't, so we're humans.

She heaved a sigh of relief and wiped her sweat.

Arjun :- You didn't tell us devi, who are you ?

Fresh tears formed in Girl's eyes as she looked at them.

Girl :- Some rakshas devoured my entire family, I was lucky enough to escape from there somehow but couldn't find any way out and got lost.

Bheem's POV

I didn't knew why but suddenly felt protective of the girl. Each and every tear rolling down her beautiful eyes preiced my heart with a million arrows.

I felt like taking her in my arms and patting her head, telling her to stay strong but that won't be appropriate.

What had happened to me ? I shouldn't think of a woman like this, but she didn't seem like any other random girl.

'If you want, you can come with us, our brothers and mother are resting nearby, we can protect you, then you can leave for village tommorow as it's late and sky is turning dark'

I found myself saying and immediately realised that words just flew out my mouth, girl looked at me and noded subtly. Then my eyes noticed Arjun and Jeystha, who looked at me with raised eyebrows.

I mentally groaned, they will definitely not leave a stone unturned to tease me.

POV ends.

All four walked back to where others were waiting. Karn slightly nudged Arjun and leaned closer.

Karn :- (wishpering) What was that ?

Arjun :- Something strange, haven't seen him act like that before.

He noded but didn't said anything and they kept walking.

Yudhisthir, Nakul and Sahdev got alarmed as they heard cracking of dry leaves, signalling someone's approach. A muscular hand tilted the bushes aside and Bheem came back, along with a Girl, followed by Karn and Arjun.

Kunti eyed the girl coming along with her son, she definitely had been crying as dried tears were still on her face and eyes were a little swelled.



Kunti :- Who is she putra ?

Bheem :- She was the one crying, some rakshas devoured her parents, she somehow managed to escape and is lost. I thought to bring her here so she can be safe and leave for nearby village tommorow as it's starting to turn dark.

Kunti :- What is your name putri ?

Girl :- Su.. Sumitra.

Kunti :- Don't worry putri, till my sons are around, no rakshas can get here.

Arjun :- Yes, and bhrata Bheem is here to protect you. Am I right.... bhrata Bheem.

Bheem glared at him to shut up, Nakul and Sahdev looked at Arjun curiously and he noded to confirm it.

Awantika :- How did your family end up here in terrifying woods ?

Sumitra :- Ah, wo.... we were on a pilgrimage, got confused in our way and entered the woods, didn't knew where to go and then.... those rakshas...

She began weeping again, Kunti came towards her and embraced her in a hug.

Kunti :- Shh.... putri, I know it is hard time but be strong. No need to be afraid now.

Karn :- Arjun, lets check out the surroundings, need to make sure nothing unwanted lurks around.

Arjun :- Sure.

Kunti :- Return fast, food will be ready in no time.

They noded and dissapeared again into woods. ----------------------------------------------------------- Krishna sat on his seat near Duryodhan as Bhanu served them both dinner.

Duryodhan's thoughts were still revolving around the potrait of his chief enemy, he bristled internally in anger. Wondering how to confront his wife, he certainly didn't want to do anything stupid and loose her but his anger wasen't allowing him to think rationally. Krishna tried to suppress his smile knowing his thoughts.



Krishna :- That was a shock.

Duryodhan was startled out of his thoughts as he looked at Krishna.

Krishna :- Whatever happened at Varnavrat, I mean it might take some time before things start coming back to normal.

Bhanu :- (serving him kheer) Ya, no one seems to focus on their work now, all just look like they're in their own world.

Duryodhan :- I miss them a lot you know, specially bhrata Karn, his pride filled face and angry voice.

He sharply noticed his wife as she fumbled a little with glass of water in her hand.

Krishna :- Hmmm.... everyone should get some time to move on, b'cuz we don't know what other person might be going through. Few memories get connected to our feelings, so should be dealt carefully or things might get outa hand.

Krishna glanced at Bhanu, whose face reflected frown, as she recalled Karn at her swayamvar.



Duryodhan started wondering about Krishna's words.

'Did she really love him, am I judging my wife too early, should give her some time to move on ?'

'But do she really want to move on, if so then what was Karn's potrait doing under her bed. Atleast she should respect me as her husband, how could she do this'

Krishna :- (taking a sip of water) Sometimes thinking too much is also disastrous, we get so indulged in it that when the track gets deviated from path and starts leading us to doom, we don't know, and when the light actually falls, it's too late. So instead of showing haste, we should slow down and let the time go as it is. Instead of forcing our feelings on others, we should give them space to adjust with surroundings. We don't have rights on anyone's thoughts, we can't force our thoughts on others, instead we should help them get over their feelings.

Krishna looked at Duryodhan as he spoke last few words. Duryodhan was now in deep thoughts.

'Is he right ? Instead of confronting her about truth, maybe I should help her get over it. Ya, that's way better and he is dead so she'll have to move on anyway'

Bhanu :- Arya.

His trail of thoughts were broken again as he heard his wife calling.

Bhanu :- Where are you lost arya ? And why are you not eating. Is something wrong with it.

Duryodhan :- Oh... no no, it's very good.

She narrowed her eyes at him, then turned to Krishna.

Bhanu :- Is there something wrong with food sakha ?

Krishna :- It's delicious sakhi.

Duryodhan :- Sakha - Sakhi ?

Krishna :- Why ? I mean she is your wife bhrata Duryodhan, I couldn't just call her yuvrani, so sakhi.

Duryodhan noded but now he felt a little relieved. Dhritrashtra and Gandhari came there along with Shakuni, Bhisma and Vidur. Bhanu started serving them as some small talks continued. ----------------------------------------------------------- Chirping of insects and croaking of frogs could be heard as a bunch of people slept under the clear sky. One of them kept awake, Bheem, who rubbed some sand on his mace to make the handle smooth.

Spinning it in his palm, he smirked trying some moves. As his eyes fell upon sleeping figures, he noticed a place empty, Sumitra was nowhere around.

He heard a faint growl. Moving towards the source, he could hear someone talking. Seeing Sumitra with a rakshas he hid behind a tree to eavesdrop on their conversation.

Sumitra :- Listen, they're not bad, they will leave the forest tommorow.

She felt the guilt inside her rising, for doing this to Kunti and her family. After the love she showered on her, and not to mention those pair of eyes looking at her with concern. A muscular man had caught her eye.

Rakshas :- If everyone will just leave, what will we eat then. You were assigned to bring them to us, if by tommorow afternoon they didn't came, you will be in danger.

Sumitra :- Who are you to threaten me ? Do you think of yourself to be my brother.

Rakshas :- These are your brother's words, if you don't believe me, then let them go and see for yourself.

He turned and vanished in the darkness, she kicked a stone in frustration.

'So you're one of them'

She heard a voice from behind and gulped in nervousness. Turning around, her eyes widened in shock. ----------------------------------------------------------- Did you like the chapter ?

I was getting so many requests for updates, so here is your update, hope you enjoy it as I will only be able to update once a week. Please ignore if there are any grammatical errors, I haven't checked it.

Thanks to :- 1. priyaprakash90

2. sal199118

3. AmritSagar1

4. abhaykatakwar

5. GoviAgarwal

6. user12569073

7. _Divyansh__

8. jewjelly15

9. KrishnaprasadU

For helping me throughout, with your wonderful ideas and comments. And to all the readers and voters who thought of giving my book, a try, I'm grateful to you all.

Please do not forget to vote and do tell me if you have something else in your mind.

Suchitra's son will be born now, can you guess his name and characteristics.

What is Krishna doing in Hastinapur and Why ?

Will Duryodhan be able to help Bhanu get over her feelings ?

Bheem - Hidimb fight in next chapter.

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