Arshia carresed Vrishaketu's hair,who laid on his mother's lap asleep. A day had passed and they were nearing Indraprastha,the land of dreams.

The moment they entered Yudhishthir's land,a new fresh air engulfed them. The smell of flowers blessed Arshia's nostrils, making her drunk with the sweet smell. The happiness the people had here warmed her heart. People secretly gawked at Arshia's beauty as her chariot made its way to the royal castle.

Arshia joined her hands and smiled at the passing citizens,who showered her and Vrishaketu with flowers. At this time,he had woken up due to all the commotion and sleep-ly stood, appreciating the citizens. They couldn't help but smile at the cuteness of the Prince of Anga.

As soon as they entered the doors of the palace,Arshia asked the charioter to stop the chariot as she climbed down. Vrishaketu followed, staring at his surroundings, star-stuck. His sleep was long gone and he could not have enough of his surroundings.

"Vrishaketu, let's go" Arshia said, walking to her son who was staring at the flowers. "Mata,we don't have such flowers in Anga" He stated innocently. The sweet and soft smile on her face disappeared on her face but came right back when her son stared up at her.

"I am afraid I can't answer you,dear. But shall we proceed?" He nodded and walked in front of Arshia,still shocked by his environment. She looked up to see the Pandavas and their wife waiting for them. Passing a smile at them,she followed Vrishaketu.

He stopped at the bottom most stair and waited for his mother. Maintaining composure and hiding the sense of excitement in him,he walked along side his mother. He held his chin up and walked confidently, making sure everyone had a good impression on him,the future heir of Ang Pradesh.

Arshia smiled as soon as she put a step on the top most stair and bent down to seek blessings of Yudhishthir and Draupadi. They heartly blessed her and turned their attention on Vrishaketu. She took blessings of the remaining 4 Pandavas and Vrishaketu followed her. The love filled gazes of the Pandavas and Draupadi gave Vrishaketu an unknown feeling which reflected love and care.

Arjun bent down infront of Vrishaketu and put his hand on Vrishaketu's cheek,his eyes glowing with an unknown pride.

"You are just like Angraj Karna. You have his firey apperance and you walk like what a true king walks like. Your each step reflects how powerfull you might get in the future and you are just two years old"

Vrishaketu's eyes became moist at Arjun's flowing compliments. He blinked the tears away and joined his palms together, making sure Arjun knew he appreciated the comments.

"But you have your mother's honey brown eyes. "

Vrishaketu looked up at Arshia and smiled proudly, feeling a sense of proudness. The day he had started understanding what people said,he was always told he looked like his father,which was a huge compliment in it self.

But even he knew no one could be like his father,the ruler of Ang Pradesh,Karna. He was well aware of what Karna had gone through and Vrishaketu heard people calling him the son of a charioteer,when he had just turned 2. Adhiratha was a charioteer,Arshia had informed him and Vrishaketu couldn't be more proud. Handling a chariot was not child's play and his paternal grandfather being the great Mahamahim's chariotter was something to be proud about.

When he came to know that Ang was simply a gift to Karna by the Yuvraj of Hastina,he felt a pang in his heart. He didn't know how else was his father supposed to gain a kingdom but it wasn't this. After this,he also felt slightly indebted to Hastinapur. He realised all his comfort, luxury and happiness was all a mere gift of Duryodhana.

The humiliation Karna faced couldn't be felt and imagined by no one but him. How his heart must have been squeezed like a soft ball whenever he was called an unworthy husband for Arshia. How he must have felt when someone doubted his talent and power in Archery.

And he was well aware that Rajkumar Arjun,Indra-putra,demi-god, Sabyasachi,Phalguni and well-known archer of Aryavart was his father's arch nemesis.

Putting all his thoughts in a corner of his mind, Vrishaketu smiled at all of the Pandavas and their wife.

.

"Mata"

Arshia looked at Vrishaketu. He gestured her to pick him up as Arshia followed. She questioned him.

"Mata,is he Rajkumar Nakul?" He said, looking at Nakul who was sitting on the swing talking to Sahadev.

They were in the illusionary garden of Indraprastha. The flowers had a different glow here. Each one had their own identity and the garden remained illuminated all the time. Draupadi had gone to arrange food and Arjun followed to help her. Bheem was sitting near the small pond, eating fruits while the twins relaxed on the swing, talking. Arshia and Vrishaketu roamed around,with the help of Yudhishthir.

They were relaxing, enjoying the comforting atmosphere of the garden.

Arshia giggled at his excitement and nodded. His eyes begged Arshia to let him meet Nakul.

"Let's go then" The two stood up,with Vrishaketu still in Arshia's arms as they walked upto the twins.

"Bharata Nakul,you have a fan" Arshia said, teasingly looking at her son's red face. She put Vrishaketu back on his feets as he cleared his throat standing smartly.

Nakul's body language reflected excitement. He knelt down infront of Vrishaketu and smiled happily at him while Vrishaketu couldn't get how a man could be so handsome.

Vrishaketu had heard all about Nakul and always remained fascinated by him. Nakul was exactly what he(Vrishaketu) thought he(Nakul) was. Tall, well-built and extremely handsome. His dusky skin just added on to his handsomeness.

"Rajkumar Nakul" Vrishaketu whispered,not being able to tear his eyes of Nakul. "I have heard a lot about you. You are extremely talented in sword and horse-riding,am I right?" Vrishaketu asked,not being able to contain his excitement. Nakul nodded, matching his excitement.

His hazy honey eyes looked up at Arshia.

"Mata,have you ever battled with Rajkumar Nakul,with a sword?" Arshia nodded.

"Who won?!" He asked, expecting Arshia to say her name.

"Putra,you have heard how talented he is in sword fighting, haven't you?" Vrishaketu nodded. "It's him who won dear"

"Putra Vrishaketu,your mata is lieing" Sahadev joined in. "Haw!how could you posion my innocent son's mind?" Arshia fake complained. "He is not wrong,is he behena?"

They looked back to see Bheem.

"What are they saying Mata?" Vrishaketu asked. "The duel was interrupted" Nakul spoke.

"You would have won if we continued, bharata" Arshia stated the obvious. Nakul shrugged not accepting that he had won.

"Could you please battle now? Infront of me? please!" Vrishaketu pleaded. When Arshia was about to deny when Draupadi spoke up,who had just entered the garden with the food.

"Battle who?" She questioned.

"Duel is what he meant Panchali." Arjun informed her. "Between Anuj Nakul and behena Arshia" Arjun said acknowledging Draupadi's confusion.

Her eyes glowed. She looked at Arshia and Nakul as she kept the food on a desk nearby. Walking to the crowd,she asked like a child

"Arya Nakul and Arshia are going to have a duel?"

Nakul looked at Arshia for approval,who approved after deep thinking.

"I will go and change" Arshia stated softly, taking her exit.

.

"Rajkumar Sahadev,you are also so handsome and so are all your brothers." Vrishaketu admired. "You are no less, Vrishaketu. You really did soak in your parents good-looks"

He smiled and looked at Arshia and Nakul get ready for the duel. Beside him sat Sahadev and Draupadi.

As the two got into position, Vrishaketu's posture and attention sharpened.

Pointing the swords at each others chests,they got into a tense eye-contact. Nakul smirked and strongly struck at Arshia's sword. She resisted and stepped back. He didn't stop and continuously attacked Arshia. Feeling a pillar just behind her,she stopped her defence and struck at Nakul. It gave her minimum time to change her position,which Nakul tried his best to stop...eventually failing to.

Vrishaketu sighed in relief seeing his mother regain composer and continued the battle.

It was a bliss to watch how softly their swords moved and the sound it made when it cut through air was music to the ears.

Vrishaketu sat firm, praying for his mother's victory.

A child always prays for their parents victory.

. . .

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