"I have to go" Arshia mumbled. Yudhishthir turned his attention at Arshia and asked her for the reason.

"I just have to. Give me the permission to leave your court,Samrat Yudhishthir" Arshia joined her palms and bowed her head. Getting permission she turned and started walking away.

"Arshia" Krishna called out as Arshia turned and looked at him. Walking to her,he said in a tone that was only audible to Arshia.

"You know what happens after this and I want you to stay alert. Events occur and some of them leave our mind broken and we end up losing patience. But keeping the mind and heart under control is the right thing to do in such situations"

Arshia stared up at him,not having a clear idea of what he meant.

"When you are in a deep sense of trouble,protect and safeguard the most important thing you have. You will find joy in darkness,I can assure you that" Krishna softly said.

Arshia nodded at him, registering his words in her head but not trying to give a deep thought to his riddles.

"Don't lose yourself,Arshia or else your sakha,your Govind will lose himself too"

"P-please tell Mahamahim Bhishma to take Vrishaketu to Hastinapur"

Krishna nodded at her and let her go. Arshia joined her palms and walked out of the court.

.

Entering the Hastinapur gates,she could already feel the negative and tense situation. She climbed down her horse and informed a soldier to take care of him.

The jingling of her anklets marked her entry as Gandhari turned her tear-stained face to sense who just entered.

"Arshia" She whispered. Arshia walked to her and placed her hand on her (Gandhari's) shoulder. "Is everything okay,Maharani?"

Gandhari scoffed and backed away.

"How could everything be okay Arshia?!" Gandhari suddenly screamed at her. Arshia widened her eyes but let her continue.

"It's because of you my Duryodhana set his room on fire and tried to kill himself!Thanks to Putra Karna or he would have died!" Gandhari cried and fell on her knees. "Why was he insulted in such a way?" Gandhari whispered.

Arshia walked to Gandhari and came to her level,resting a hand on her shoulder.

"You haven't heard the whole story have you?" Gandhari looked up, sniffing. "Chedi Naresh Shishupal accused me and Bhabhishree Draupadi of having a relationship with Vasudev Krishna and your oldest son said that he was correct. He also said that if not because of me,Arya Karna could have participated in Rajkumari Krishnaa's swamyvam and possibly won her. Isn't that insulting,for me?But I didn't try suicide,did I?"

Gandhari stopped crying and went into deep thought.

"You have to know both stories to understand the situation,Maharani. I get that you love your son a lot,every son does but blind love is harmful love" Gandhari sniffed and stood up, nodding at the girl.

Heavy footsteps were heard as the two women turned around. Arshia saw Duryodhana, Dussahan,Karna and Dhritarashtra make their way to the two women.

"Gandhari,are you okay?" A hurried Dhritarashtra made his way to Gandhari and placed his hand on her shoulder. Gandhari nodded and bowed her head.

"Arshia"

Karna called out, grabbing all the attention. He walked to her and took her hands in his, staring at Arshia with guilt.

Suddenly,he went on both of his knees and fixed his gaze at Arshia's feet,his hands still in her's. Arshia widened her eyes at such a sudden act and tried to pick him up but Karna resisted hard. Tears landed on Arshia's feet, concerning Arshia.

"Mitr Karna!Get up thi—"

"Not now, Yuvraj. Just not now" Karna stopped him. Duryodhana gritted his teeth and looked away.

"I am sorry,Arshe. I shouldn't have stayed quiet when Shishupal was insulting you and I should have stopped Yuvraj Duryodhana when he uttered words that might have hurt you. As a husband,I should have stopped those insults from reaching your ear. I am sorry" His voice broke in the end.

Arshia sighed and quickly looked around to see everyone's attention on them. Looking at the huge gates,she saw Vidur and Bhishma had already arrived and Vrishaketu laid peacefully in Bhishma's arms. Even they were staring at the scene with confusion. She looked at Karna and mumbled a yes, bringing him back on his feet.

"Why did you have to do this in front of everyone?" Arshia whispered, looking at their joined hands. "Because I let you get insulted in front of everyone. This is not even in front of everyone" Karna mumbled with a guilt filled tone.

"What's going on here?" Although he was whispering,his strong manly voice was clear. "Nothing, Mahamahim" Bhishma squinted his eyes and nodded at Arshia.

"Let him sleep" Vidur whispered, carreseing Vrishaketu's head.

"Angrani Arshia shall not stay here!" Duryodhana's voice boomed. Vrishaketu turned on his place and buried his face into Bhishma's chest, trying to cut off the loud sound.

"Duryodhana!A child is sleeping" Gandhari said in a relatively low tone. "I said what I said" Duryodhana mumbled and walked away, followed by Dussahan and Shakuni.

"I will take him,thank you" Arshia thanked and took Vrishaketu in her embrace. Bhishma and Vidur wished them a good night and walked away. "Maharaj and Maharani,you shall take your leave"

Gandhari and Dhritarashtra nodded at Arshia, walking away.

"Arya,please take Vrishaketu" Arshia whispered, handing him over. "Arshe, don't take his words seriously" Karna's eyes fluttered at her.

"If it's his wish,I have to follow. We are in his kingdom at the end,eh?I love you and I am sorry" Arshia whispered, placing a small kiss on Karna's cheeks.

Karna, knowing Arshia won't even take his words into consideration, said "Let's go to my parents'house,the three of us"

Arshia shook her head.

"When the whole world was against you,when no one was ready to be a friend to you,he befriended you and I don't think it would be right for you to leave him at such a point. He is deeply hurt,I can feel it. Stay the night over and we will see what to do the next morning."

"Where are you going then?" Karna asked,worried. "I will figure it out. Make Vrishaketu comfortable. I love you" Arshia smiled at him, turning and climbing down the stairs.

A tear left Karna's eyes that landed on Vrishaketu's cheek. Wiping the tear off,he walked to the guest chamber,his heart craving for his wife.

.

Arshia POV

I made it to the horse stable and sat down on the ground, leaning against a stable. I carresed the mane of the horse which was behind me. He seemed satisfied and laid on the ground.

I stared into the dark horizon and a soft smile made my face.

Yes,it was true I was slowly turning double-faced and I have to stop myself, from turning into something that I wouldn't want to turn into.

Was I turning into a monster?

Why does it feel like such?

From what I know from this era is that wives followed their husbands blindly and it doesn't seem like I am doing the same thing.

Obviously,I am not from this yug,I am from Kaliyuga and things are different. I should have adjusted to this era but it seems too late now.

Then,the words of Bhagwan Krishna were replayed in my head.

"You know what happens after this and I want you to stay alert. Events occur and some of them leave our mind broken and we end up losing patience. But keeping the mind and heart under control is the right thing to do in such situations"

What did he mean?

I never understand the importance or the scenario of someone speaking in riddles. Speak straight-forwardly,the talk is done. It must be something related to being the avatar of Lord Vishnu.

Yeah, that's my conclusion.

My eyes felt heavy and I finally blocked off my vision, entering a land where me, Vrishaketu and Karna were enjoying ourselves without all this drama.

Oh,how beautiful it felt.

. . . . .

Thank you!

(Karna POV anyone?)