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***

It was early in the morning, the sun was shining beyond the horizon emitting it's golden rays. In the palace of Hastinapur, the sound of heavy footsteps of a man echoed through the hallways. He was looking for someone, but stopped in his tracks as her heard some voices, loudly arguing.

"They got burnt? What do you mean they got burnt Vrikasura?!" Shakuni hissed at his son ruthlessly.

"But father, it wasn't my fault it was the wind- -"

"How can you be so dumb and careless? Those scrolls were both of utmost importance!"

He only heard parts of the sharp arguing, but it made him ecstatic, especially since he knew Vrikasura deserved that and worse. It was Arjun, of course and had been looking for Aarohi to check on her and tell her that they would be travelling to Anga from today, but he had stumbled upon a gold mine in the process.

"I can't believe it. I have to tell Aarohi about this, she'll probably be happy to hear Vrikasura getting chewed out by his own father." He turned around, but as he was about to walk away, a voice called out to him.

"Enjoying the show Parth?" Krishna approached him cheerfully, while Arjun shook his head grinning ear to ear.

"What's not to enjoy about this Madhav?" Arjun stated, while Krishna narrowed his eyes mischievously.

"Are you hoping to find my dear little sister so you can tell her about this Parth? I didn't notice you've gotten this close that you've both started to gossip with each other." He smiled, eyes sparking playfully, while Arjun stammered, thinking of an appropriate answer.

"Oh no- - Madhav I wasn't actually- -"

"Oh! Really Arjun? Is this your way of saying that you like my sister more than me and you both won't include me into your gossip group?" Krishna gasped, offended.

"Madhav no- - I - I was actually going to inform her that we were leaving for Ang Rajya today and if she was fine enough to come with me - - no, not just me I mean us. A-As in all of us! She would be with mata-"

"Wow Parth, do you consider me as such an irresponsible brother? I'm hurt! You're not trying to keep my sister all to yourself are you?" Krishna's hearty laughter filled the palace while Arjun wiped a bead of sweat from his forehead, his face flushing a shade of deep red as he looked away from his Madhav's serene eyes, afraid of what they might find out, making him chuckle even more.

"I'm sorry Parth, but that look on your face was adorable! Hey, maybe Aarohi would have liked that expression, maybe you should make that face while you gossip."

"Madhav, please, I-" Arjun almost groaned audibly.

"Aww. Don't pout Phalguna, I was simply messing with you! And as for Aarohi, she will be arriving with me, so don't worry, she'll be alright. Unless... do you doubt me?" Krishna faked a frown while Arjun shook his head repeatedly.

"No, Madhav. How could anyone doubt you?" He replied, trying to gain his bearings, while Krishna patted him on his shoulder, satisfied. That was enough teasing for the day.

"You might not understand yet Arjun, but I understand how you feel..." Krishna whispered softly and left, smiling at his dear friend once more, while he was left standing alone in the hallway, not being able to control the heat rising up to his face. Arjun was absolutely lost, and he had no idea why.

***

Meanwhile, back in the future...

Aarohi examined her freshly turned black pearl bracelet with a scrutinising look. Now, having reached back to the future, she was getting restless thinking how many days it might have been since she was gone. Two? Five? Ten? What if she gets fired from her job? The numbers scared her.

Now, someone might say, oh she could have just looked at the date on her phone, but she had observed that her phone would always hang back to the date she time traveled on, for a few hours. So, Aarohi decided to look out the window of her bedroom, but that only confused her further, since it was still night, just like the one on which she had left.

Suddenly there was an urgent knock on the door. Aarohi's aunt gave her no more than a minute and then let herself inside. Immediately, an awkward silence filled up the room as Aarohi and Manmeet collectively looked at her outfit and the jewellery.

"Aarohi? Since when did you start wearing such traditional clothes?" Manmeet said looking her up and down while Aarohi's just shrugged looking around fidgeting. After her late mother, her Massi was the only person she was a bit afraid of. Sometimes Aarohi wondered what made her come to Manmeet instead of living alone. Maybe it was her mother's memories that made her do it.

"Uhh... W-What day is it massi?

"Day? Aaru it's night outside- - have you even been outside your room today? Because I haven't seen you the whole weekend. And I know I agreed to give you your space, but it's not healthy being on your own all the time! Especially since you've been having panic attacks these past months since you left the Goenka house." Manmeet voiced her concerns as she came forward to touch her hand.

"I-I'm fine massi, really- -" Aarohi began explaining but it was getting harder every moment to not break down right then and there as the heavy weight of everything that had happened in those three days settled in.

"You've been on several antidepressants. You're appetite is almost nonexistent and don't try to deny that because I know you haven't been eating much, not to mention the fact that you're avoiding everyone close to you. " Manmeet gently held Aarohi's arms, as if trying to anchor the girl whom she regarded as her own daughter. Her words came out like a statement imbedded on a rock, that Aarohi just couldn't erase. It was all true. And she knew there were several reasons for it.

Oftentimes, in situations like these, Aarohi found herself wanting to seek comfort from this sweet woman who reminded of her mother, a gesture just as simple as a hug. But she couldn't and just further locked herself away, which hurt her aunt more than her.

"Massi, I think you're imagining things. I'm getting better, I swear."

"Well... as you say my dear." Manmeet sighed defeatedly. Her attempt to get through to her had failed ineptly. Her niece had locked her out, once again. She got up and started walking towards the door while Aarohi slumped back onto the bed, breathing out.

For Aarohi, it was one of the things she just didn't seem to have any control over. She'd always been afraid of getting close to people, even though she wanted to. As if she was preparing herself for that day, that if something terrible were to happen to them, she'd feel less miserable due to all the walls she'd put up. Just because of that distance between them, she wouldn't feel as bad.

"Aarohi... do you want me to sleep here with you? I have no problem if you're not feeling well- -" Manmeet glanced back from the doorway. She made an attempt once again noticing how dejectedly she buried herself into the covers. But she was cut off with a simple 'No, I'm good.', from Aarohi and so she left.

As soon as she left her alone, Aarohi was quick to text both her best friends, Rudra and Aakriti to cover for her, if her aunt called anytime and asked why she wasn't at her house. Obviously she couldn't disclose her secret.

Rudra thought nothing of it and thought she most likely would have been out with her colleagues having fun or something, but Aakriti was blowing up her phone with calls and messages asking where she was. Aarohi just switched off her phone, ignoring her invading questions.

"So, it's only Sunday night. Which means I haven't technically missed any work days. It also means that tomorrow is Monday and I'll have to wake up early... Ugh." She groaned, planting her head into a pillow and decided to sleep her anxieties off, maybe by doing that she'd forget about the fact that she was almost assaulted by that demon.

And before she knew it, the whole week had passed in a blur. It was always the same routine- wake up, have an awkward conversation with her aunt at breakfast, leave for work, come back home, feel depressed after seeing her best friends all lovey-dovey, sleep and repeat.

Currently, she was sitting in the hospital cafeteria with her colleagues, who in her opinion were the only decent human beings she had ever encountered in the hospital. They were busy with their own conversations while Aarohi's mind was restless thinking how many days might have passed in dwapar yug. She also wondered about the unusual fluctuations in time because the days in the future seemed to be passing slower when she was in the past, but appeared normal once she used to come back. Still, several questions clouded her mind.

Would she be back in time for Karna's coronation?

Or would she miss parts of it just like the Kalapradarshan?

Why did she even want to go there though?

But her attention was drawn back to the conversation as she heard the word 'Mahabharata'.

"Did you know there is going to be a new Mahabharata series soon?" Dr. Kriti Mishra, one of Aarohi's colleagues, squealed in excitement, taking a bite of her sandwich.

"Yeah I heard that, but I just hope they don't ruin it, you know? Like they did with the movie Adipurush." Dr. Rohan Anand mused, stretching back on his chair, yawning probably because of the lack of sleep.

"Yes, that was pretty bad, wasn't it? But anyways I'm excited to see who they pick as the characters! My favourite is Karna, so I'm most excited about that. I hope he's kinda hot, you know- - like Aditya Roy Kapur." Dr. Shruti Biswas, giggled helplessly, she'd just revealed her crush. Everyone shook their heads and joined in on the laughing.

'Well, the real Karna was quite good looking, I'll admit, so don't worry about it Shruti.' Aarohi thought as she sipped her coffee, nodding her head and shrugging, but cringed and shivered, remembering that awkward situation she had got herself into with Karna.

"Well, I don't know about that, but my favourite is Arjun and he always will be. Even though a great warrior, he never hesitated to show his emotions. Truly the sweetest man ever- -" Dr. Kriti was cut off before she could say something else by Aarohi, who was quietly listening until now, but sputtered and almost spit out her coffee, trying not to laugh upon hearing the words 'sweetest man' about Arjun.

'Sweet? My foot! Irritating and annoying? Oh yes, absolutely!' She thought shaking her head.

While Aarohi was busy lost in her own thoughts, everybody looked at her with a strange look in their eyes. The always blatantly herself and serious Dr. Aarohi Goenka was acting so silly. At first, a look passed between the three of them, conveying that maybe she was just ridiculed by their love for their favourite characters from the epic Mahabharata, but then concluded that her expressions were way to happy to be doing that.

"Hey, Aarohi? What are you doing?" Dr. Rohan snapped his fingers in front of her face, trying to get her attention as they questioned her.

"Huh-? Oh nothing just remembered something- -" She answered, startled realising she was still in front of people.

"Now, now Aarohi, I don't think that is the case. I mean you're literally reacting like you've met them personally." Dr. Shruti asked, jokingly moving her eyebrows up and down repeatedly, not knowing the truth of her words.

"Hey, if you have met them, please take us with you too. I would love to meet Arjun!" Dr. Kriti joined in, laughing, while Aarohi just gave them an awkward smile and pursed her lips as they chuckled and hi-fived each other.

"You know who my favourite character is in Mahabharata? Of course it our dear Shakuni mama!" He snickered, obviously playing and then got up, mimicking Shakuni's limping. "Ah, mere bache Duryodhan." He said, making everyone cackle. Aarohi was almost impressed at how correctly he had mimicked Shakuni's actions and started clapping while the others pretended to throw roses on him as he bowed down ending his little performance.

For some reason Aarohi's brain decided to remember the day of Kalapradarshan when she threw a rose at Arjun and he jumped to catch it, making her feel strange. Why did she even remember it? She shook her head, rolling her eyes, as if trying to delete the memory.

Suddenly the alarms on their phones sounded at the same time, indicating that their lunch break was almost over and they should now get going towards their respective duties. So the four friends sighed, quickly finishing their food, getting up from the table and made their way out of the cafeteria.

The friend group abruptly halted as they spotted the person they probably hated the most in the hospital.

"Oh look here comes the party pooper, Dr. Rishabh Sharma. Let's go guys, before he decides to accuse us of slacking off our work, that too during our break." Dr. Rohan pointed out.

"Yeah, let's just go, I'm in no mood to deal with his infuriating self today." Dr. Kriti moved forward.

"He's so hypocritical, I literally saw him trying to flirt with a nurse during his work hours! And he accuses us just because we are a year junior to him!" Dr. Shruti added, scoffing.

"Ugh- don't even talk about him guys, I'm so not interested in wasting our breath on Dr. Rishabh here-" Aarohi sneered.

"Aarohi! Hey!" A sound called her name from the opposite direction, so she turned around to see who would call her name in such a friendly manner, since except her three friends, she never liked talking to people unless required for work.

To her surprise, she found Aakriti walking towards her, waving her hand.

So Aarohi let her friends leave, wishing a quick goodbye, saying she'll be right behind them and strode right towards her best friend. She had to know what Aakriti was doing here at her work place, especially since she had work at the law firm too. There seemed to be no need to ask as to answer that question, Aakriti immediately lifted up her finger, showing she had a cut there, pouting exaggeratedly. "Look, I got gnarly a cut babe!"

Before Aarohi could respond, she saw Dr. Rishabh walking right towards her!

Oh shit!

Was she going to get in trouble for stopping to see what Aakriti was doing there? She hoped not.

But as he approached, he simply ignored her as Aakriti glanced at him. Aarohi passed a strange look to Aakriti but was more than happy to see him leave, so she didn't think anything of it.

"Oh gosh, how did it happen Aakriti?"

"Oh nothing just a paper cut, but it hurts. Aren't you going to do your job miss doctor? Won't you treat it for me?" Aakriti blinked her eyes like a poor little innocent deer. Aarohi rolled her eyes and then pulled her into a cabin.

"Oh my dear god! This looks so serious Aakriti. I'm surprised you're still alive! You didn't lose much blood, did you? You aren't feeling dizzy, are you? Should I admit you to a private ICU?" Aarohi pretended to act shocked, opening her mouth to gasp excessively and got a smack on the head from Aakriti.

As they sat down on a hospital bed, Aarohi put a simple bandage on the cut and Aakriti began telling her about how unexpectedly it happened.

"You know, I didn't even notice! Until of course, Rudra pointed it out. You should have seen the look on his face! He looked so cute when he was concerned about me. I told him it was just a cut and I was fine, but he didn't relent and told me to go to the hospital! He's so adorable, really!" She gushed about her boyfriend.

Aarohi felt a slight sting in her heart from how caring the couple appeared. They were absolutely head over heels for each other, she could feel that. Now she had to ignore it and act like it was all okay, because in reality it was her who had failed to confess her feelings. But no matter how hard she tried forgetting Rudra, Aakriti always reminded her of her super caring boyfriend, although maybe unintentionally.

"He insisted to come with me, but he had a meeting so I told him to not worry about it- -" Aakriti continued on until she seemed to remember something else. "By the way Aarohi, where were you last weekend? What was so secretive that you had to text me an Rudra to cover for you? What's going on?" She raised an eyebrow.

"Umm... Aakriti I was just in my room I- -"

"Dr. Aarohi, you are needed in the ER." A nurse barged in, interrupting them.

"Well, it looks like I'll have to go now Aakriti. But we'll talk later, bye and drive safe!"

"Yeah... sure... Later..." Aakriti left, grabbing her purse and crossing her arms as she watched Aarohi leave.

***

One gruelling shift later, Aarohi was home. After freshening up, she went downstairs towards the kitchen simultaneously trying to tie her silky hair in a loose bun. As she was reaching for the leftover ice cream to drown her sorrows in, she found a sticky note on the fridge, from her aunt. She could have just sent her a text, but Manmeet loved leaving notes for her.

Aarohi began reading it out aloud.

'I was in my blues like you today, so I ate your ice-cream.'

"What- - Seriously? That ice-cream was the only good thing in my life!" Aarohi whined in frustration but then proceeded to read the rest of the note.

Now, before you get mad, I told the cook to bring you a new one, along with a box of your favourite chocolates.

Ps:- I'll be coming back a bit late tonight. Take your medication and don't stay up too late. I love you and stay safe.'

"Ohh... okay... hehe..." She smiled sheepishly, embarrassed even when no one was around. Her Massi had already bought her a new tub of ice-cream. "She knows me so well." Aarohi whispered as she took out the ice-cream and pulled out a spoon to devour it.

But she stopped as she remembered her aunt's note reminding her of taking her anxiety medicine. Although she wanted to be strong enough to leave it, her doctor told her she wasn't yet. She tried skipping it one alternate day, but it made her less productive at work. She finally sighed and did it.

"Well, it is what it is." She admitted and then grabbed the ice-cream and scooped it out. But before she could shove a spoonful of that creamy goodness into her mouth, she got a phone call.

"Are you kidding me?! Who is it now- - wait, what? Rudra? What does he want to say at this time?"

Her ice-cream date was interrupted but nonetheless, grumbling, she picked up the phone.

"Hello, Aarohi?"

"Uh-hun. I'm listening, please make it fast, I don't want my ice-cream to melt."

"Haha, you and your ice-cream! But anyways, I wanted to ask you, have you talked to Aakriti today?"

"Talked? I actually met her, she came to my hospital with a cut on her finger, also she told me you got worried and made her come..." Aarohi trailed off, confused. What was he asking such questions?

"What...? That's strange... I didn't even know she got a cut." Rudra too, trailed off confused. Aarohi waited for him to say something, none of it made sense.

"Well, we actually had a little disagreement today. And she left work. I think I need to talk to her in private. Good night Aarohi."

"Uhhh... Yeah. Yes, yes- - absolutely you guys should probably sort this out. Good night." She ended the call and stood there still for a moment, trying to make sense of things.

"That was... the weirdest conversation I've ever had. Anyways I don't think I should get in the middle of couple drama, my life's already a hot mess." She shrugged and without turning around, tried to reach for her ice-cream. But her hand only grasped air.

"Wow, eating ice-cream alone? Did you forget me my sister?"

Upon turning around, she got the shock of her life!

"Kahna?!"

"Happy to see me bhena?" Aarohi was going to respond with a yes, but then she noticed that he was casually eating her ice-cream!

"Why is everyone after my ice-cream today?" Aarohi snatched the tub from him in a swift moment and huffed.

"Hey, give that back, it's so yummy! Almost rivals my delicious makhan that I stole from my mother! Maybe because it's butterscotch flavoured." He began contemplating.

"I-Is this even allowed? Like randomly spawning into my house? IN THE FUTURE?!" She questioned him.

"Why, of course it is! And I'm actually here for you! Take a look at your bracelet if you have a doubt dear sister. Don't you want to go to the coronation? We are supposed to go as a family."

Aarohi's glanced towards it, seeing that Krishna was right and at that very moment he held her hand and they were transported back into the past!

The spoonful of ice-cream fell from her hand in the process and clattered to the floor, looks like poor Aarohi wasn't getting her favourite dessert today.

***

I hope you all enjoyed the chapter.💕✨

Any thoughts on Krishna teasing Arjun?😏

As I've written in the book description, some chapters will be dealing with Aarohi's life back in the future, as she alternates between the two time lines. This will play a major role in in the story ahead. Many new characters were introduced today and they will play their respective parts in my story, so be patient and read the entire chapter!

You'll get to see other YRKKH characters later in the story too!

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