'Draupadi'

'Listen to me please'

'Just stop for once, please Draupadi'

Karn kept calling out but she ran to her chamber and locked it from inside.

Karn :- (banging on door) Don't be stupid Panchali, open the door.

She sat down, leaning near the wall and hid her face between her knees, sobbing. Soon all were gathered there, confused at the scene going on.

Karn kept pacing back and forth in front of his chamber, and Draupadi had locked herself inside.

Arjun :- Jeysth, what's happening ?

Kunti kept a hand on Karn's shoulder.

Kunti :- Calm down putr, lets go from here, leave her alone for a moment.

Karn :- (frowning) But mata...



Kunti :- She just needs some time to comprehend everything.

He glanced at the door and sighed, then looked at the keen faces of his family members.

Kunti :- There's no point in hiding it anymore putra, they all have right to know about it.

Yudhisthir :- What is it mata ?

Kunti gestured them and they went away, leaving the corridor empty. ----------------------------------------------------------- Hastinapur,

Duryodhan stood in front of his chamber, considering whether to go inside or leave. He felt bad for loosing control earlier but how could she do such a thing, she is his wife now.

He sighed at the contrast of emotions flowing inside, making him choose any one among trust and suspicion.

He slowly opened the door to peek in, through the light of glowing candels, he saw Bhanu cleaning the floor.

She picked up the pieces of Karn's potrait and brushed all the dust and marks of his shoes on it. Then assembled it together and wrapped inside that angvastra.

He couldn't control anymore and walked away angrily. Shakuni, who stood behind a curtain, watched the vanishing figure of his nephew with narrowed eyes.

Shakuni :- Hmmm.... something is definitely wrong.

And went behind him.

Bhanu tied up all the broken pieces of her beautiful memories as her eyes began to water at the cruel fate. Her husband dosen't trust her even a bit, will she have to give justification about her character now, where is the hope her sakha used to talk about, where is the happiness she needs to find.



Feeling broken from within, she hid the potrait inside a drawer and threw the key away from the balcony. ----------------------------------------------------------- Draupadi looked up when hearing footsteps.

Krishna kneeled in front of her and wiped her tears with his angvastra.

Draupadi :- Govind....

Krishna :- Yes sakhi, I am here, you can tell me.

Draupadi :- What is left to tell Govind ?

Krishna :- You think bhrata Karn dosen't love you. What made you think like that ?

Draupadi :- He himself said that she is his soulmate.

Krishna :- Yes, she is his soulmate but does that mean he dosen't love you.

Draupadi :- But...

Krishna :- He had been told that companion for his journey will not be her but someone else.

Draupadi :- Who Govind ?



Krishna :- It's upto you, whether you want to be his companion, whether you want to stand by his side, giving him support or just leave him like others.

She looked at him with a confused face.

Krishna :- I know it hurts, it hurts a lot to see your loved ones ignoring you, but it's not in this case, you've been with him all these months, you tell me did he ever do anything that you felt he dosen't love you.

Draupadi recalls his small gestures, his consern filled eyes, how she used to sleep in his embrace, he used to massage her forehead when she felt stressed up, a tiny smile formed at the corner of her lips.

Krishna :- It's just that he is too dumb to understand his own feelings, too confused to know what he wants, too weird to realise what he does and what can that result in. We all make mistakes sakhi, don't ever let it be the reason you give up on someone.

Draupadi :- So does he love me ?

Krishna :- (chuckles) You better ask this from him. Shall we....

He gestured to the door which was still locked from inside. She glanced at him confused.

Krishna :- No door, no lock can stop me from meeting my sakhi.

Draupadi :- (smiling) You are right Govind, I will be his companion, I will be by arya's side in every situation, I will never ever leave him.

Krishna :- That's my sakhi, now let's go out, everyone must be worried about you.

He opened the door and took her to the hall where others waited for them.

Karn sat on sofa with his mother and Yudhisthir. Arjun, Bheem and Sahdev stood near wall, Jhanvi and Subhadra sat with Rukmini on the bed, Nakul and Awantika stood near balcony.

All had serious faces on, they turned towards the corridor and saw Krishna entering with his sakhi. Conflict was resolved after a small talk, Draupadi looked at Karn and noded assuringly.

Jhanvi stared at him and shook her head, smiling.

'He's still too dumb'

She thought and chuckled.

Krishna :- Hmmmm.... I think so too.

She smiled akwardly and went away, making him laugh. ----------------------------------------------------------- Two days later,

A messenger arrived in Indraprasth from Koshal. He informed that Sindhu army is going to attack Koshal along with asur army of Dantvatra, so Maharaj Vaadkshemi seeks help from Karn.

Pandavs, Draupadi, Awantika and Krishna were in conference room, having a discussion.

Karn :- Sindhu...... Jayadrath ?

Bheem :- Nothing else could be expected from that fool.

Draupadi :- Who is Jayadrath, bhrata ?

Yudhisthir :- Dushala's husband.



Arjun :- I can't understand what he actually needs.

Sahdev :- Support, he needs support of one of the prominient asur armies in aryavarth.

Awantika :- How many asur armies are there in aryavarth ?

Krishna :- There are three prominient asur armies in aryavarth. First was under Hidimb, now Ghatotkach. Second under Makrasur and his friend Gajasur. Third under asur Dantvatra.

Bheem :- We already have Ghatotkach, so if he thinks of helping Duryodhan in attacking Indraprasth, then he's a stupid.

Yudhisthir :- Not much is heard about Makrasur's army, except that they're hiding somewhere in forests of Gadgundar.

Krishna :- No bhrata Bheem, he's not that stupid, weapon production of Koshal is famous throughout aryavarth, if they won over Koshal, asurs will get acess to its weaponry. After that, their target will be all those small kingdoms surrounding Indraprasth which won't be much problem then.

Karn :- (sighs) And most of our neighbours are not much convinced by our ruling. Lets first discuss that.

Arjun removed the cloth on another table, under which was a map of whole aryavarth.

Arjun :- Here is Indraprasth, to the south of empire of great Kurus, Hastinapur.

Yudhisthir :- Our eastern boundary is mostly clear, most of the smaller kingdoms are towards east, like Shivi, Panchvati, Manipur etc. But they've already accepted our peace treaty and trade policy.

Sahdev :- To our south is Tilprasth, it stretches till south western boundary, famous for its trained war elephants and horses.

Bheem :- Western boundary is most conflicted, Vidarbh and Magadh.

Nakul :- To the North west lies.... Mahendrapuri.

Awantika noded, frowning a bit.

Draupadi :- But if we get it rid of Ajmer, which is to the farther North, both kingdoms can join hands.

Krishna :- And here, to the north east is Koshal, kingdom of Maharaj Vaadkshemi. Both politically and geographically, Koshal is very important for us. If we can get Koshal to our side, one of boundaries by which any kingdom can attack us, will be covered.



Karn :- Rest can be somehow handled but this Tilprasth is a major concern. I don't want to wage a war unnecessarily but Maharaj Kaushik is not ready for any alliance with us.

Bheem :- What about Koshal ?

Draupadi :- Arya, you should go there and help them.

Yudhisthir :- I agree with bhabhi, Jeysth, it's a kshatriya's dharm to never decline help when needed.

Karn :- Okay then, I will set off tommorow only. Yudhisthir, you have all the responsibilities untill I return.

Draupadi :- Govind, can you please go with arya, he might need your assistance.

Krishna :- I will sakhi, and besides, there are a lot more works to be done. ----------------------------------------------------------- Draupadi's painting hung on the wall, between two pillars.

Vikram sat on a sofa in front of it, fruity aroma filled the air as empty wine bottles could be seen littered all over the room.

He glared at her picture before taking a few more gulps.



Vikram :- You.... you bit**.... you were supposed to be mine, your place was on my bed, not on the throne of some stupid kingdom. But.... but you denied me and married that ass****

He smashed the bottle on floor and got up.

Vikram :- I.... I want you, princess.... I will do anything you want.... just be mine for once.... only for a night.... I will give up everything....

He stepped on the broken glass pieces, making his feet bleed but that didn't bother him, he walked upto the painting, leaving footprints on floor.

Vikram :- (caressing the painting) I want you.... I want you.... only you....

He hugged the picture to his chest and fainted on ground.

A lady in blue and pink saree is seen walking in the garden, golden jewelry adorned her petite figure. Her aura was sincere yet eyes reflecting some innocence. A man walked along side her, showing some reports.



She is Pristi, Vikram's younger sister. Though her brother is the king but whole Anga is ruled by her.

Pristi :- Mantri ji, I want you to personally go and check the work going on, Dam should be completed by the end of this month. Hire some more workers if needed.

Mantri :- As you say princess, I will surely go there myself. Now the only problem remains is Manipur.

Pristi :- (sighs) I know, but they're not ready to listen anything, I told Maharaj Purujeet that we don't want any war but I guess he won't stop without a fight.

Mantri :- And we're not in condition to fight a war right now, not after this recent flood.

Pristi :- That's the thing worrying me a lot these days and because of bhratashri, no neighbouring kingdom is ready to help.

Mantri :- We should ask help from Indraprasth, Maharaj Karn will surely not deny us.

Pristi :- Indraprasth.... that newly established kingdom but it's way far from here, even if I go there and talk to them, it would take about a couple weeks and leaving bhrata here alone will create many problems, taking him there will be another trouble.

Mantri :- But it's our last hope, all other kingdoms have denied help....

'Princess!'

A dasi came running.

Pristi :- What happened ?

Dasi :- Princess.... Maharaj....

Pristi :- Bhratashri, is he okay, what happened, tell me....

Dasi :- Please come immediately princess.

She gestured to Mantri and went away with dasi to see her brother. ----------------------------------------------------------- Evening,

Karn practised archery on terrace for a while, and then sat on the swing, enjoying the cool breeze under starry sky.

'Still have the habit of practicing late night'

He smiled and turned to see Jhanvi, who came and sat beside him.

Karn :- Like you have the habit of watching me.

Jhanvi :- So finally, my prince dumb showed some courage to come back to reality.

Karn :- And it wouldn't have been if you wern't there.

Jhanvi :- I know I know....



Karn :- I.... I wanted to say something Jhanvi....

Jhanvi :- That you love me too, no need for that, I'm not a cry girl like sakhi Draupadi.

Karn :- No, actually I wanted to say...

She looked at his uneasy face.

Jhanvi :- What is it ?

Karn :- The paint on this swing is still wet.

Jhanvi :- WHAT!

She got up immediately and looked for the paint marks on her dress when sound of a laugh filled the air. She looked at him folding her arms.

Karn :- (laughing) Okay.... I'm sorry....

Jhanvi :- You.

She began tickling him, making him laugh even more. Leaning her head on his shoulder, she held his arm as they gazed at the twinkling sky. ----------------------------------------------------------- Next day,

Karn joined his hands in front of Vijay dhanush and picked it up. He saw Draupadi standing there, she walked upto him. He noticed her worried face.

Karn :- (cupping her left cheek) I will be back soon and don't worry much, I'll be fine.

She just hugged him, resting her head near his heart, he too held her in his strong arms.

Draupadi :- Take care arya.

Karn :- I will and moreover, it's just a matter of few days.

He broke the hug and placed a kiss on her forehead.

Draupadi :- One more thing arya.

She showed him the sun pendant.

Karn :- (surprised) Was it with you all this time ?

Draupadi :- You left it in Panchal when you came there for the first time.

He chuckled and she placed it around his neck, both walked out of chamber.

Coming at the gates, everyone was gathered to bid them goodbyes, Krishna smiled looking at her.

Draupadi :- Stay safe Govind.

Krishna :- You too take care sakhi.

After greetings, Karn moved towards his chariot to notice Krishna sitting at Charioteer's place, he looked him confusingly.

Karn :- Madhav, you will drive my chariot ?

Krishna :- Someone has to take this responsibility, why not me. Now hop in.

Karn :- (chuckles) Sure, sure.

He joined his hands in front of chariot before climbing up, Krishna jerked the whips of horses and they began running.

Everyone watched as Kapi dhwaj sped away through the gates. ----------------------------------------------------------- Did you like the chapter ?

This chapter is dedicated to _RUDRA_, thanks a lot bro, for helping me.

And this idea of Vikram's younger sister was given by AmritSagar1

Too many things happening at once. So I wanna warn you guys about coming few updates, which might be a little complicated but one thing is sure that they'll be long ones.

Be ready for Karn Vs Dantvatra in the coming chapters. How do you think will it be and not to forget Karn's third marriage, start the preparations.

It takes a lot of brain squeezing to write chapters like these. 'Ek vote toh banta hai yaaron'



Guess who ? She is Malini, Amrit's wife.

Target :- 77 votes.

See you in the next chapter.

Do comment if you have any suggestions.