7 months flew peacefully from then, Pandavs settled in Rakshasvrat. Hidimba became pregnant, Kunti now heaved a sigh of relief seeing her sons living happily.

These months were a bliss for Karn, he practiced meditation most of the time to get a firm control on anger. The energy source inside him was still a mystery though, he tried many times, different techniques but all failed miserably, some of which even ended with a bleeding nose and passing out.

Yudhisthir changed his getup and met many brahmins passing by to get knowledge of ved shastras. He also handled most of responsibilities in place of Bheem.

Bheem, the new king, one who enjoyed the most. Everyday bought a new feast for him, as he ate upto contentment. Having a loving wife by the side, his life was now a vehicle on endless highway, smooth and soothing.

Arjun polished his fighting skills with other weapons, i.e sword, spear, mace and axe. He became aware with every inch of forest and could roam around even when blindfolded.

Nakul's most of time passed in Awantika's thoughts. He began to have a little crush on this weird warrior princess, even though she still didn't talked about her past directly, he could feel that she was slowly coming back to normal. The fact that she too loved using swords was like a blessing, they got to know each other more.

Sahdev trained himself to get full control over facial expressions, this allowed him to practice staying back and thinking, instead of acting out of extreme emotions.

Awantika's injury was fully healed, she could walk, run, practice with sword and all other things. Now the main question stood in her way was what's next ? Not wanting to go back and become a burden on her father, she had to settle down somewhere. But during these months, she felt connected to this family, and felt a heaviness in her heart everytime she thought of leaving. She noticed a particular liking towards the most handsome man, though she didn't ponder about it, he sure seemed different from others.

Hidimba's life was going on happily these months, all took great care of her. Now she carried amsha of her husband growing safely in her womb, but she was well aware of the fact that these days would one day, come to an end.

At Hastinapur,

Duryodhan's dream of becoming yuvraj finally came true as Kulguru Kripacharya did his yuvraj abshek. That didn't seem to bother him much as his happiness now revolved around princess of Kaling, his wife, Bhanumati. Their relation improved with time, he didn't let his wife know that he is aware of her feelings. They even slept in the same chamber, although not on same bed, but that is enough to give him peace of mind.

Shakuni was the only person who still remained alert all these months, he very well knew that Pandavs and their mother had a deep drawn image in the hearts of people.



Currently, he advised Duryodhan to start new projects all over Hastinapur and himself supervised them day and night, in order to replace their image with his nephew's.

Bhanumati found her life to be stable all these months, now she began to adjust with condition, convincing herself that she is now yuvrani of Hastinapur, wife of yuvraj Duryodhan. ----------------------------------------------------------- One night,

Karn felt something weird, he rubbed his eyes slowly before opening them, only to get confused. Found himself lying under clear sky, he wasen't inside his tent but on soft cool grass.



Sound of some women wishpering reached his ears and he turned around, surprise slowly grasped his features as he became aware of unfamiliar surrounding, he stood in front of a large hut. Reddish brown curtains covered the entrance, a lamp was kept near window. Moving closer he could feel restlessness in the air, but a voice made him stop in track. Voice of his wife, groaning in pain, he wanted to just storm inside and see what's going on but before he could do so, an elderly lady game out and saw him.

She was going to ask but Karn bombarded her with questions.

Karn :- Kaki.... my wife.... what happened to her ? Is there any problem ?.... I heard her cry.... What's going on inside ?.....

Woman :- Can't you see, she is going to give birth, you stay here, I'll tell you when you can enter.

Before he could say further, she took some clean towels and went inside again.



He kept pacing back and forth, sometimes tried to peek in through the gap between curtains but nothing could be seen. Tension growing with every second as his wife's cry became louder and more frequent. Finally, an hour later, her cry was replaced by the crying of a baby. His heartbeats began pounding as sweat beads appeared on his forehead, shaky hands and shallow breathing made his legs feel weak.

The elderly lady came out with a baby in her arms.

Lady :- Congratulations, now you're a father, here, take your son.

With slightly trembling hands, he took the baby, his reddish soft skin, small clumsy hands, delicate shrivelled feets, a cute face. Caressing the baby's cheek, he looked up at the lady.

Karn :- How is she ? All fine ?

Lady :- She's okay and is resting, must be exhausted due to all this.

Karn :- Can... Can I see her ? Please.

Lady :- Sure you can, just wait her for sometime.

One by one, all the ladies inside left, elderly lady went at last, not before making sure no one else was there. Karn slowly moved the curtain and stepped inside, in the flickering light of lamp, he saw his wife sleeping peacefully on bed. Sitting beside, he caressed her hair softly and placed a kiss on her forehead. Her eyes closed tight before fluttering open to savour the surroundings.

Karn :- Ehh... Sorry, I woke you up, didn't meant to.

She turned her head to see her husband sitting beside, holding the baby securely in his arms.

Suchitra :- Arya ?

She tried to get up but was stopped by him.

Karn :- Rest Suchitra, you need it, afterall, you're now a mother.

Suchitra :- I'm fine arya, I want to see him.

He sighed and laid the baby on bed, helped her sit up using pillows, then gave the baby to her. She caressed him with a happy smile.

Karn :- He looks more like you.

Suchitra :- Of course he will, he is my son.

She leaned on his shoulder as he wrapped his arms around them both.

Suchitra :- Arya.

Karn :- Hmmmm....

Suchitra :- What will you name him ?



Karn :- Hmmm... Good point.

He thought for a moment looking at the baby.

Karn :- Putra, may you be free of enemies, may jealousy and hatred never bother you, Suchitra's son, I name you Shatrunjay, the conqueror.

Suchitra smiled in happiness.

Suchitra :- My son, Shatrunjay, will be a great warrior like his father.

She snuggled closer keeping her head on his bare chest, he patted her head slowly as she closed her eyes again. Karn stared at the sleeping figure of his wife, leaning on him. He too leaned back and closed his eyes, welcoming the land of dreams. A soft breeze blew the lamp out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6UXKpwxVzc

(Imagine Karn and Suchitra) ----------------------------------------------------------- Soft rustling of leaves filled the silence in air as a silhouette of a woman could be seen sitting near fountain.

Jhanvi had her feets dipped in water as she gazed at the crescent moon in sky. These months felt like a torture to her, the worst news of Varnavrat shook her inside out. She wanted to forget all those memories but the more she tried to run away, more she felt connected to them. Wiping the tears at corner of eyes, she shook her head trying to think of anything but him.



'Trying to ignore your conscience, but it ain't possible Jeevu'

Startled out of her thoughts, she turned to see Rukmini standing there, smiling.

Jhanvi :- Bhabhi, you..... here ?

Rukmini :- I saw someone, struggling with own self, so came here hoping to help.

She came and sat beside her, dipping her feet in cool water.

Jhanvi :- It's nothing bhabhi, I just wasen't feeling sleepy so came here.

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

She stopped, eyeing her for a moment, Jhanvi confused whether to speak or not.

Rukmini :- Missing someone ?

Jhanvi :- No.... Why will I miss him ? I know that was all a trick, they're alive and hiding somewhere. Bhrata himself told me, I'm not missing him, why will I...

Rukmini pressed her lips trying to suppress a smile as Jhanvi blurted everything out. She leaned closer to wishper in her ear.

Rukmini :- By the way, I never said a word about Karn and his family.

Jhanvi suddenly realised what she said.

Jhanvi :- I... uh... wo...

Rukmini :- Hmmm.... having a crush on youngest Parsuram deciple.

Jhanvi smiled akwardly.

Rukmini :- You know, I waited for your brother, for years, but my marriage was fixed with chedi naresh Shishupal. When minutes away from being called in mandap, I closed my eyes and asked nothing but death, it felt like living without him isn't possible. And when I finally met him, we got married, I realised one thing. Sometimes distance and wait is worth it, it brings us closer to our beloved. Situations in life will never be the same, it'll give pain, happiness, sorrow, joy, lonliness, celebration etc. But one thing it gives us for sure, irrespective of the situation we are in, it teaches us to face every situation instead of running away.

Jhanvi recalled everything at Hastinapur, each and every moment she spent there, those akward situations, the market tour. A smile spread across her lips as she imagined him sitting beside her.

Rukmini cleared her throat to break the chain of her thoughts.

Rukmini :- Now will you tell me ?



Jhanvi :- First you promise not to say this to anyone.

Rukmini :- Promise.

Jhanvi began her description of Hastinapur visit. As fountain sprinkled droplets of water in air. ----------------------------------------------------------- Future Glimpse :-

Karn looked at the army standing in front, horses, elephants, soldiers, ready to attack any moment. He clenched his fist tightly, gritting his teeth in anger.

Karn :- Take me to Takshak, Madhav.

Krishna :- But today, this whole 16 akashayani kaurav army stands between us and Takshak.

Karn :- No barrier can stop me today Keshav.

Krishna :- I told you earlier bhrata, you only have control on your actions, not the result. Same way, neither sunrise or sunset is in your hands. Why are you Bharatvanshis so fond of taking vows ?

Karn :- So was it right of them to do whatever they did yesterday ? Killing an unarmed injured kid. Was so many warriors against one boy according to rules of war.

Krishna :- Nothing in this universe happens without a reason bhrata, Takshak's death is necessary. But it was thier crime, they had to pay for it, why did you had to bind yourself in this vow. Now your eyes will be on the sun rather than him. It's the eyes that priece the target, not the arrow and now, dust of your vow will be blocking your vision.

Karn :- Forgive me Madhav, but vow has already been taken, just take me to him.

Krishna :- I will, but, you should know that Takshak stands inside pitamah Bhisma's Durg vyuh, i.e 12 miles from here. Not only this, maharathis like acharya Dron, Kripacharya, Upaplavya, Ashwatthama, Bhagdatt, await to stop you untill sunset.

Karn :- Even if he was 12000 miles away, even if all the devs try to stop my way, I will kill him before sunset or sacrifice myself in fire. He will have to pay for murdering my son ruthlessly, along with him whole kaurav army will suffer today. AKRAMAN!

'HAR HAR MAHADEV'

Both the armies collided with a huge roar for the fourth time. ----------------------------------------------------------- Did you like the chapter ?

How was naming ceremony of eldest prince ? Does this name suits his personality.

A good news for Karn - Vrushali lovers. She will be there in my story, how and where, you'll get to know.

How is the future glimpse, okay it's last, from now there will be serious chapters. It's a conversation from day 4 of battle. (Many would think how ?) Let me tell you, this war is designed by me, so events occurring might not resemble original war.

One of my readers suggested me an idea, he advised me to put Karn in role of Brihannala, as he is central character this time. He also suggested an amazing role for Arjun, I bet Arjun lovers would like it. But I wanted to ask you all, what is your opinion in it ?

Everyone knows Amrit will end up against Karn, Duryodhan will face Bheem in the end. But did anyone thought who will be against Arjun ?

Well, answer for this question lies in the next chapter. I'll be introducing Arjun's main villan, excited ?

Target :- 71 votes. I will update only when it's complete.

Do comment if you have any suggestions.