Arshia was leaning against the wall with the scroll clutched tightly in her hands. Her eyes were fixed on the ground and she had no idea what step to take after this.

The twins and Vrishaketu were the only ones who were clueless about the situation taking into consideration that they had just returned from the markets of Indraprastha.

"Arshia Jyesth,what is the issue?" Sahadev broke the cold and distant silence. Arshia's eyes fluttered at Vrishaketu and tears formed in her eyes. She was glad that Vrishaketu failed to notice it.

"Arshia, would you please read the letter again?" Yudhishthir asked,his voice void of any emotion. Arshia gulped and opened the scrunched up letter and started

"Dear Arshia, I am saddened to inform you that I have left the royal duties of Ang Pradesh and now I am merely a sut-putra. I am ashamed to request you to stay with your brothers for a while,just for your comfort and safety. I apologise for making such a huge decision without consulting you. I hope you are happy in Indraprastha with your brothers and sisters.

Your husband, Maharathi Karna"

The room was,once again,covered in cold and distant silence. Vrishaketu, being young and naive, couldn't register the heavy words his mother used and simply because he was a bit absent-minded. He felt Nakul's grip on his loosen as he stared up to his face and then everyone in the room.

Everyone had the same expression except his dear mother,who had a rather calm face.

The only thing he understood was 'Maharathi Karna'. Why did his father introduce him as Maharathi Karna and not Angraj Karna?

"Mata?I don't understand this letter by my father" Vrishaketu innocently asked. A warm and delicate expression took over Arshia's face as she walked to him and sat on a knee in front of him,to match his eye-level.

She gently rested her palm on Vrishaketu's cheek and smiled at him.

"Dear,your father is free of the Kauravas. He is no longer in debt. He is no longer the king of Ang Pradesh"

Vrishaketu paused.

Why was his mother saying this in such a happy and calm tone? Wasn't this something to be concerned about?They were void of all the luxury and advantages a royal gets.

Arshia let Vrishaketu decide if the information she shared was positive or negative. She walked to Yudhishthir and bowed her head, joining her palms.

"I am ashamed to ask you this but could Vrishaketu stay in Indraprastha for a while?Until everything is solved in Hastinapur?I shall promise-"

"Mourn!(Silence)" Yudhishthir raised his voice. His brothers, Subhadra and Draupadi stared at him shocked. It wasn't everyday you witnessed Yudhishthir raise his voice.

"Look up Arshia" she did like she was ordered.

"You are our sister. You supported us when no one did. That's what a family does,Arshia and family don't join their palms and seek refuge. You have a right,you have a right to stay in Indraprastha!" Yudhishthir gently patted Arshia's head,his voice calming down.

Arshia rested her arms beside her and she smiled at Yudhishthir.

"I thank you for giving me such a high position in your hearts. Let Vrishaketu stay in Indraprastha for a while and once everything is settled Vrishaketu shall go back-"

"Why go back? Sut-putra Karna has reannounced his kingdom and my sister and nephew shall not suffer due to this!You and Vrishaketu shall live in Indraprastha forever!" Bheem said arrogantly.

Arrogance destroyed Karna. It would have destroyed Bheem too but he had Narayan himself by his side,of course he would let nothing happen to him.

"If he is a sut-putra,then I am too because the last time I checked I was his wife!" Arshia said,anger lingering on her tone.

"Bharta Bheem!Behen Arshia!If you two are forgetting-" Sahadev indicated at Vrishaketu. Arshia sighed in annoyance and looked away.

"I shall return to Hastinapur today,Bharta Yudhishthir." Arshia sought permission.

"Why Arshia?I get it,you want to go back to Maharathi Karna and no one is stopping you but as you said,let the situation settle and you two shall proceed to Hastinapur" Arjun said. "No Bharata Arjun. Yes,this luxury life is not easy to live but I love him,quite a lot actually. Like Rajkumari Shanta left her royal life after being married to bhrahmin Dev,then I shall too stay by arya's side. I can't just leave him just because he is not a king anymore"

Arshia stated and Arjun sighed in defeat.

(Rajkumari Shanta is the eldest sister of Shree Ram and his half-brothers. She was Shree Ram's blood sister)

"Mata,I shall go with you" Vrishaketu said jumping off Nakul's lap.

Arshia turned to him and said

"Son,I will come back once everything is settled in Hastinapur. I promise. Just give your parents a little time"

Vrishaketu shook his head and started throwing a tantrum. It was the first time Arshia witnessed Vrishaketu acting so rationally. At the end,he ran out of the room with Nakul and Sahadev following him.

"Arshia,why don't you stay back?Even Maharathi Karna wants you to do that" Subhadra stated leaving Arshia to think over her decision.

.

Arshia paced back and forth in the chamber in deep thought. A good 2-3 hours had passed and Vrishaketu was refusing to talk to her.

"I have made up my mind"

Arshia thought, storming out of her chamber and going to Nakul's chamber.

After getting the permission of Nakul,she entered the chamber. Vrishaketu looked at Arshia and smiled, thinking Arshia was going to take him with her back to Hastinapur.

"Mata,are we going back-"

"I am going back to Hastinapur Vrishaketu and that's final" Arshia said strictly. Vrishaketu's face fell and tears rose in his eyes.

"Why mother?Why?!" Vrishaketu raised his voice,the anger clearly visible in his eyes.

"Vrishaketu,me and your father want you to have all the luxury and comfort you can-"

"I want you and father,mata! I don't want what Yuvraj Duryodhana threw at us!" Vrishaketu reasoned.

"Arshia,I think it's wise to take him with you. He won't calm down until you do and where's the harm? Maharathi Karna is a well-trained archer and I am sure Vrishaketu will have no problem with adjusting,am I right Vrisha?"

Vrishaketu violently nodded.

"And you always have Indraprastha when you even feel the slightest bit of discomfort!" Nakul continued.

Vrishaketu pleaded Arshia through his eyes and a mother's heart failed that day.

"Fine,you are coming with me"

.

"This isn't necessary,Arshia." Draupadi said, gripping the covered tray with Arshia's jewelleries.

Arshia was wearing a light red saree with no embroidery. It was just a plain saree. She had the earrings Karna brought her the first time,the ring Krishna had gifted her and the jewellery which marked her married life.

All other jewelleries lay in the tray.

"I am not royalty anymore, bhabhishree" Arshia smiled.

It was the next day and Arshia was stubborn to start her journey today,by feet because,for her,she has no right to use the chariot.

She picked Vrishaketu up and brushed her nose against his.

"Let's go?"

Vrishaketu excitedly nodded, wrapping his small arms around Arshia's neck.

"At least wear proper shoes Arshia"

Arjun started looking at her shoes which were cheaply made. Arshia shook her head and joined her palms as Vrishaketu followed.

"We will meet soon"

The Pandavas, Draupadi and Subhadra nodded each one of them hiding the tears in their eyes.

Arshia turned around and started her journey.

"Will Arshia and Vrishaketu live like suts?" Subhadra's voice shivered.

"They will learn to Subhadra. Vrishaketu is Arshia's and Maharathi Karna's child and Arshia is herself divine. They will get through this" Arjun replied, wiping his tears away.

A journey whose destination was although unknown and could be painful she decided to walk freely,trusting Shree Ram,Mahadev and Lord Bhrama.

. . .

Thank you! Enjoy reading! Vote.

(My updates might be irregular as I have my exams going on. I will try my best to update!)

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