React according to the situation.

Advika was so into her own mind that she did not notice where she was going. She was about to fall, when a hand steadied her.

"Jiji, sambhalke! You could have fallen and got hurt!" said a male voice. Advika blinked and saw the male. Her little brother.

"Avinash? What are you doing here?" asked Advika confused. She looked at her surroundings to see she had not went very far from the palace yet.

"I was waiting for you! By the way, what were you doing in the palace?" asked Avinash, curiously.

" I will tell you later. First tell me, why does Pitamahi suddenly wanted to speak with me?" asked Advika, a bit worried.

"Pata nehi! Maa is very worried. She does not trust Pitamahi, at all!" replied Avinash, a frown on his face.

"I see! Anyway, how are you?" asked Advika, smiling slightly at her brother.

"I am good. Gurukul is completed, Pitashree wants me to join his work!" said Avinash, making a face. Advika laughed.

"What do you want to do?" asked Advika curious about her little brother's choice.

"Promise me you wont discredit it!" asked Avinash seriously.

"Why will I? Go ahead, tell me!" said Advika.

" I want to be a merchant! But Pitashree wont have it! He tells me it's your fault, apparently." said Avinash, rolling his eyes.

"I was not even there when you were growing up! How could it be my fault?" asked Advika, disbelief covering her voice.

"I have no idea. Pitashree hardly makes any sense! Maa did tell me about your and Bhrata Karna's friendship. And how you both went away to learn from revered sages!" said Avinash happily. He did not notice how his elder sister clenched her jaw at Karna's name.

Advika had managed to forget Karna's name for a few moments, but her little brother managed to remind her. Seriously, she still felt hurt by his accusations and what was he even talking about? Who knows what that idiot man managed to think up, now? She was hurt but she was angry too. He did not even let her say a word! He can get lost for a while! Advika will deal with that absolutely handsome, radiant...No! No!

'Stop! Advika, stop thinking about him! He is an idiot! That exactly who he is ! An Idiot! Not Handsome, and definitely not radiant!' thought Advika to herself.

"Uff! I will deal with you later, Karna. Now, get out of my mind." murmured Advika to herself or rather to her mind.

"Did you say something Jiji?" asked Avinash, who could hear his sister muttering, but could not the words at all.

"Nehi to, maine kuch nehi kaha! " denied Advika immediately.

"By the way, you did not answer my previous question!" said Avinash, looking at his sister.

"What? Oh yes! I was there with Karna. Don't tell this to anyone, but Karna is the Yuvraja of Hastinapur. The eldest son of Late Maharaja Pandu and Rajmata Kunti." said Advika, in a whisper.

"What?! " yelled Avinash. The people looked at them. Advika glared at him, and dragged him by the hand.

"Maun..Don't you dare say anything about it to anyone! If you utter a word, I will hunt you down. Brother or no brother! Samajh me aya tumhe? " asked Advika, her face stern and serious. Avinash nodded back. They started to walk again.

"Ab? " asked Avinash curiously, after a moment of silence.

"Ab kya? " said Advika, raising an eyebrow.

"What will happen now? I mean you are a commoner and he is the crown prince! What if those royals have problem with your friendship?" asked Avinash. His face was serious. He loved his sister and did not want her hurt and definitely not be disillusioned against reality.

"Chinta maat karo! I don't think there will be a problem. Rajmata Kunti, pretty much told me to call her Mata. And if there is a problem, I will deal with it when it comes." replied Advika.

"That's a nice gesture, by Rajmata." said Avinash, a bit shocked. Advika nodded her head.

They both stood in front of a huge house. The house was Advika's childhood home. Both of them had grew up here. This was the house where Advika had left when she went with her Maa Prithvi.

Advika gulped. Her palms suddenly sweaty. She had a bad feeling. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

"Chaliye Jiji! " said Avinash. Advika nodded as she stepped into the interior of the place.

"Putri!! " called a soft and melodious voice. Advika turned to find her mother dressed in finery, looking very beautiful.

"Maa!! " replied Advika, her voice clogged with tears. She bent to take her blessings.

" Kalyan ho, putri! " said Aaratrika. She bought her daughter into a hug. Though she has met with her before, with the help of Karna. It was not enough. Avinash smiled.

" Haa haa, all the love is for jiji! No one loves me!" said Avinash dramatically.

" You also come here!" said Aaratrika, as she extended a hand towards her son, while the other was still wrapped around her daughter.

Avinash immediately went towards them and wrapped his arms around them both. All three stood there for a while. Aaratrika was very happy at having both her children here, with her.

"Tum logo ka ho gaya ho to hum suru kare..? "said a rude and cranky voice. There stood a old widowed lady. Advika and Avinash's grandmother Devi Sunaina.

"Ji Mata! " said Aaratrika. Her mood became sour immediately at her mother-in- law's presence. When she turned to sit, Advika rolled her eyes while Avinash made a face. Aaratrika sent both of her children a stern look. "Betho! " said Sunaina. All three obeyed and sat down. Aaratrika sat alone, while Avinash and Advika sat together.

Sunaina cleared her scratchy throat, before continuing. "Since this girl came back, I have decided something." said Sunaina. Avinash clenched his jaw, at disrespect towards his elder sister, while Advika rolled her eyes not caring at all.

"Kya mata? " asked Aaratrika worried for her daughter. Whatever her mother-in- law had cooked up, won't be good for her daughter.

"I have got an alliance for this girl. They are a wealthy, Kshatriya family. It's a good rishta. I have already talked to my son and he has agreed. It would be better if she is married off! At least she won't run around with unknown males and ruin the family reputation. We did not fully disown her after all. Our name is still attached to hers. I won't let her deeds ruin my family reputation, in the society." said Sunaina, as she sneered.

" What!!! " yelled three voices, one male and two females.

Aaratrika was looking at her mother-in-law, as if this is the first time she had seen her. Avinash looked absolutely shocked, he had no idea about this. And Advika eyes were as wide as the Sun. She looked stunned.

"Parantu Mata, meri putri..she is still young, we can get her married her a bit later!" said Aaratrika trying to stall.

"Haa, Maa is right. Mujhe abhi vivaah nehi karni! " said Advika, her voice terrified at the sudden prospect.

"Meri nirnay atal hai. This was a formality to inform you. You don't get to tell me what to do. As it is I should have married her before she left. It was my fault, nonetheless, the groom side will be here tomorrow to see her and finalize the dates. I don't want her stepping out of this house anymore. " ordered Sunaina.

"Parantu mata.." protested Aaratrika.

"Aaratrika, apne sima mei raho! The Kulavadu of the house speaking so forwardly is not nice." said Sunaina, anger in her voice at being challenged.

Aaratrika fell silent, but she won't let this happen. Her daughter won't be forced into a marriage. Her jaw clenched.

"Which family?" asked Avinash, who had been silent till now.

"He is Putra Devdutt's friend. You know them, putra Avinash. Putra Srihar and his family. The alliance is for his only son." said Sunaina, very pleased with herself.

Aaratrika and Avinash's eyes widened and a look of horror crossed their faces. Advika looked confused and shocked. She had no idea about this friend of her Pitashree Devdutt.

"My orders should be followed!" ordered Sunaina, before leaving for her room. Aaratrika gulped.

" Putra, take your jiji to her room. I will come in a while." ordered Aaratrika, gently.

"Ji maa! " replied Avinash. He helped his sister to her feet and led her to her old room. Advika looked at the room, with a soft smile.

"It's still the same!" said Advika, in a wonder. "Yes..Mata kept it the same. I helped her sometimes." said Avinash with a smile. Advika went to the window and opened it. The fresh air made her open hair fly. for a while. She took a deep breath.

" Jiji, you cannot marry that scum!" said Avinash, seriously.

Advika turned around to face her little brother. She opened her mouth to reply. "That is right! But putra please watch the words you speak, the walls have ears." said Aaratrika, from behind Avinash. Aaratrika had closed the door when she has entered the room. She has given the excuse to her mother-in-law that she would make her daughter understand.

"Haa maa, kshama kijiye! " said Avinash smiling sheepishly. Aaratrika went towards her eldest child, her daughter. She cupped her face and kissed her on the forehead.

"While she is right, that you are of marriageable age, I don't agree with her choice for a groom." said Aaratrika.

"But maa, I don't understand. I have no idea about any friend of Pitashree. Who is this Srihar?" said Advika, confused.

"Srihar is the friend of your Pitashree. You won't know him. I kept you away from him, when you were a child. He's character is very bad. He thinks that women should be at men's feet. They should do what their husband says. He does not respect them at all. His wife is very meek and quiet, who follows her husband's orders and believes whatever he tells her to believe. I don't know much about his son though or his daughter." explained Aaratrika.

Advika's eyes were as wide as a saucer.

"Pitamahi, wants me to marry the son of someone who is like this? I am an independent person, maa. I cannot marry someone who can't respect me and my values as well as my beliefs. Jo ek stree ka samman nehi kar sakta, usse mei vivah nehi kar sakti! "said Advika, terrified.

"Pata hai, putri. We will figure something out, I promise." said Aaratrika.

"Ishaan." said Avinash.

"What?" said Advika, confused. Aaratrika looked at her son.

"Srihar kaka's son's name is Ishaan. He is a year older to you. I know him, because I am friends with his sister Ila. Ishaan is arrogant and respects women when he feels like it. He is very sure of himself and is overconfident. He is lazy too and is used to ordering around everyone. His own mother never says no to her son. He is spoiled as well. He wears too much jewels, as if he is a prince. I belief you could defeat him in a dual, jiji. He has no strength, as he never practices with his weapons. He is a bully as well as a coward. And I refuse to accept that scum as my Jijashree. Marry any one you want jiji, but not that person." said Avinash, fuming.

Advika blinked, while Aaratrika looked thoughtful.

"He is a piece of work then?" said Advika, her voice very amused at her would-be-groom's description. "Yess! You can't marry him!" said Avinash, pleading his sister.

"Shant! You have said that thrice. I heard and I am not going to marry him either." said Advika, a small smile on her face at her brother's pleading.

Avinash nodded, a big smile on his face as he hugged his sister. Advika smiled at his enthusiasm that she would not get married to Ishaan.

Aaratrika smiled but then nodded thoughtfully.

"That reminded me! No one in the house can sneak you out. Mata is keeping an eye on me and Avinash. The servants in the home are keeping an eye on you, putri and the various exit points. We can't sneak you out! It has to be someone from the outside!" said Aaratrika. She was seated on the only chair in the room.

" What about Aarini bua? I did not see her today!" asked Advika, as she sat on her bed. Avinash sat beside her. His hands on his cheeks as if he was thinking something deep.

"No, she is not here. She married and left for her husband's home!" said Aaratrika, her tone sad.

"Kshama maa, I did not meant to remind you of sad memories." said Advika, hugging her mother.

"Koi baat nehi putri, you had no idea!" replied Aaratrika, as she hugged her back.

"Mil gaya! " said Avinash suddenly, jumping from the bed to stand in the middle of the room.

"Kya? " asked Advika, excited. Aaratrika turned her eyes towards her son.

" Idea! Jiji, that man was your brother right? The one I met at the Shiv temple? Perhaps he could help you!" asked Avinash, looking at his sister excited.

"Kanha! Of course, why did I not think of him? I will write a letter, wait!" said Advika, before going towards the sinduk in her room, where she kept her writing utensils. She took a parchment and a quill and started to write.

"Kon hai ye? " asked Aaratrika, to her son.

"His name is Krishna. He said he was Dwarkadeesh. And Jiji calls him Kanha. and he called jiji his soul twin sister!" explained Avinash.

"Kya? Dwarkadeesh Shri Krishna? He called my daughter his sister?"asked Aaratrika shocked.

"Advika?" called Aaratrika, turning towards her daughter, who was rolling the scroll to tie a ribbon, as she had finished writing. Advika hummed in reply.

"How do you know Shri Krishna?" asked Aaratrika, her heart still beating fast.

"It's a long story, maa. Will tell you some other day. We don't have much time now. I not only know him, but also the entire family of Dwarka. Devaki maa, Rohini maa, Pitashree, Dau and Subhadra. I will explain later. Here Avinash! Take these letter. You know the forest path that leads to Ganga ghat? There is a house there. It's the only house, so near to Ganga ghat. Go there you will find, Kanha, Dau, Sakha Karna and the five princes, who are sakha's brothers and also Mata Kunti. Okay? Give it to Kanha! We don't have much time. I don't know if they had left for the palace again." explained Advika, as she gave the letter and told him the instructions.

Avinash nodded and immediately went out of the room. Aaratrika turned to her daughter, for further explanations as her son left. Advika looked at her and then sighed.

"I won't explain how I met them yet! But you remember sakha Karna? " asked Advika, a bit nervously.

"Yes..I remember." replied Aaratrika, wondering what Karna has to do with it.

"Karna is adopted you know that, right?" asked Advika. At her mother's nod, she continued.

" We found his birth family, during the Kala Pradarshan. He is the eldest and the lost son of late Maharaja Pandu and Rajmata Kunti! Don't spread this. It has not been announced yet." said Advika. Aaratrika looked awed and shocked at the news.

" We never went to the Kala Pradarshan. So, we had no idea. He is the Yuvraja, then?" asked Aaratrika.

"I think so!" replied Advika.

"I hope your new family, could help you where Avinash and I cannot!" said Aaratrika, after a moment of silence.

" I hope so mata. I truly hope so!" said Advika as she turned to the window, and watched the clear sky.

Avinash immediately hid the letter within the folds of his angavastra, before going down. Which turned out to be a good thing, as his dearest Pitamahi was sitting downstairs in the angan of the house. Sunaina looked up as she heard footsteps.

"Where are you going putra Avinash?" asked she, in her scratchy voice.

"I am going to meet some of my friends, to share the news of jiji's marriage." said Avinash.

"Good, good. That stubborn jiji of your's won't create trouble for us, would she?" asked Sunaina.

"Nehi Pitamahi! Mata and I enlisted to her all the qualities of her groom-to-be, and convinced her." replied Avinash. Avinash laughed internally at the pleased expression on his grandmother's face. No one can say he was lying. He did speak of Ishaan's qualities and convinced jiji to not get married to him. Not that his jiji needed convincing. If his dearest grandmother thought the exact opposite of what he meant and did, that's not exactly his fault, is it? He stopped himself from grinning in front of her.

He had further not informed that his sister considers Shri Krishna as her twin brother. Or the fact that the person she had seen in the Shiv temple was Krishna. He had simply said that the man called himself, jiji's brother, when his grandmother has asked.

"Acha pitamahi, agiya dijiye! " said Avinash and left the house, before she could stop him. He breathed fresh air, before walking speedily to where his jiji has instructed him to go. He shook of the spy, that his grandmother had paid to follow him and took a de-routes before continuing on his way. He needs to reach his destination and fast.

»»————-　★　————-««

Karna looked calm and quiet, but his mind and heart was raging a war inside him. His heart blamed his mind for being suspicious of his closest friend, whom he may be falling for. While his mind defended, that it had only thought so because, he had no idea, that she considered Vasudeva as her brother. And then his mind went further to say, that while the heart might be falling in love with her, what proof there is that Advika, loved him too? His heart, replied that she sure would not fall for him now, with how he behaved with her.

Karna's inside was churning with this ongoing battle. For the first time in his life he was nervous. He had never been so nervous when he had first held the bow in front of Guru Parshurama, to impress him, so he could teach him.

"Putra! We have arrived." said Kunti.

"Haa maa. Wait!" replied Karna, as he looked around to see the familiar house where he spent his childhood. Karna went forward and knocked on the small house. The door opened after a few moments. Radha opened the door only to see her eldest son standing there in royal clothes and jewels.

She looked around a bit to see Rajmata Kunti, Rajkumar Yuddhisthir, Rajkumar Bhima, Rajkumar Arjun, Rajkumar Nakul , Rajkumar Sahadev, Dwarkadeesh Shri Krishna and Shri Balrama, standing there. She blinked and looked questioningly at her son.

"Let us come inside, Radha maa! I will explain then." said Karna, to her questioning look. Radha welcomed them inside. Karna and the others came inside. The Rajkumars looked here and there to see how the house their Jyesht had grown up in. The Dwarka duo was not uncomfortable at all. They had lived in similar environment in their childhood after all.

"Arey wahh jyesht, even with so less furniture, the house looked to be sparkling." said Arjun, as he looked around.

"That would be Radha maa, going on her cleaning spree!" said Karna, a fond smile on his lips.

"Jyesht? " asked Radha, confused. Karna nodded, before signaling to Kunti.

Kunti took a deep breath and took Radha by her hand and led her to a seat. They both took a seat.

"How about you give us a tour jyesht? While bua Kunti explains?" asked Kanha. Karna nodded and signaled them to follow. They left the two females to talk. When they came back, the females were hugging each other. Karna smiled at the scene. A knock on the door broke them up. Radha maa went to open it. Whoever was outside seem to ask some question. Radha nodded before allowing the person in.

Karna watched as a young man in his late teens came inside and looked at all of them. He raised his eyebrows when the man went straight towards Krishna.

"You remember me right? We met yesterday!" said the young man. Krishna looked amused but nodded in affirmative.

"Take this! Jiji wrote it. It's an emergency. I need to go now, but I will return in an hour or two. I need to throw off the spy, that is tailing me on grandmother's orders. " said the young man said hurriedly. He then turned to Radha.

"Radha kaki, I will come in two hours again. Okay?" asked the young man.

"Thik hai Avinash. Be careful! " replied Radha maa. The young man, introduced as Avinash, nodded and quickly slipped out of the door. Radha closed the door again.

"Who was he? How did he know you?" asked Bhima, curious. Everyone looked towards Kanha, who was staring at the letter in his hands.

"Kanha? " asked Balrama.

"Oh! That is Avinash. Mayuri's little brother. We met yesterday in the Shiv temple." said Kanha.

"Advika? Why is she writing a letter?" murmured Karna, wondering what was going on.

"Haa, jiji could simply come here right?" asked Nakul. Both Radha and Karna nodded yes at his question.

"We can only find out by reading the letter. Krishna, why don't you read it aloud?" said Kunti.

"Haa bua! Let's sit first." replied Krishna.

Everyone took a sit. Kunti and Radha sat together. Karna sat along with Yuddhisthir. Bhima and Arjun sat together, while the twins took another seat. The Dwarka duo also took a seat. Krishna unrolled the scroll and read it aloud.

Kanha & Dau ( If you are there ),

I am writing this letter, because of a huge problem! Let me explain. You remembered I said I need to visit my family members. So I went, only to get a huge shock. My dearest grandmother wants to get me married! My entire day is a mess! First...anyway forget about that!

I don't wanna marry! She arranged an alliance for me, those people are coming tomorrow, to finalize dates. I can't get out, every single exit points are being monitored. Ask Avinash for details. He will be able to explain. I don't even know who the so-called groom's family are! You better get me out of here and fast. I don't care what you do, just get me out of here.

Kanha, Dau you both better help this sister of yours from getting out of this mess!! If you need to know where my house use, ask Sakha, he knows where it is.

You twin, Mayuri.

Silence reigned supreme.