Whole palace of Kashi was on another level of excitement. Servants were running here and there for last minute preparations, ladies guiding them, males having their own talks and what not.

Anayati enters the palace and immediately become the centre of attraction. Her sharp eyes travel throughout the place. Duryodhan is discussing something with Kashi raj who seems to be accepting it. Shakuni has found the company of Chedi naresh who is gazing at her with lust. Dushasan is sitting in the mandap with priests surrounding him. Yudhisthir is discussing something with Vidur. But what caught Anayati's eyes was a stoic Bheem sitting silently in the corner. Before she could approach him a voice stopped her.

" Bhabishri"

" Dushala" Anayati almost ran to hug her little nanad.

" How are you my dear? Are you not eating well nowadays? See you look so thin" Anayati bombarded her with questions to which she gives a forced smile. This didn't gets unnoticed by Anayati as she asks her.

" Is there something that is troubling you Dushala?" She asked more serious this time.

" Nothing bhabhi shri, stop worrying and enjoy the functions " Dushala said. Anayati knew she is lying but her attention got diverted toward Kashi raj and Duryodhan who went towards Yudhisthir. They discussed something to which Yudhisthir noded and they left.

Anayati went forward and stood with yudhisthir as the rituals continued. At that moment she noticed the eldest daughter of Kashi Bhanumati stealing glances at Duryodhan.

" Call the bride" her attention got diverted as valandhra was called. From the magnificent doors of the palace entered Valandhra. Her walk speaking elegance. Adorned in beautiful jewellery she enteres and sits beside Dushasan who gazes at her rather lustfully. Soon the wedding began with chanting of mantras. Everyone diverted their attention towards the rituals going on.

" Kindly stand up for varmala" said the priest and the couple followed. Valandhra stood straight in front of Dushasan, her gaze down as the varmala was brought in big thals of gold. Before any of them could pick up the garland, a small earthquake shook them. Vibrations were felt throughout the palace as Bheem stood from his seat and took calculated slow steps towards the mandap. All the eyes turned to him as he stood near Valandhra with an expressionless face.

Dushasan opened his mouth to say or particularly protest against this intruption but he was knocked down by Bheem with a blow of his hand on the back of Dushasan's head. He landed unconscious on the ground and before anyone could do anything else, Bheem garlanded Valandhra raising gasps all over the palace.

Duryodhan who was marching toward Bheem with his mace halted on his steps. His eyes almost popping out. Shakuni's mouth was literally touching the ground. Everyone held the same expressions including Anayati and Yudhisthir. Maharani was about to fall but got caught by Bhanumati and Anayati who were standing with her.

" What is this happening Maharaj Yudhisthir " Shouted Kashi raj

" Marriage Maharaj " replied Yudhisthir looking at his anuj with surprise and a small smile.

" Stop your brother dharmraj it's adharm, he is marrying my daughter against her will " protested Kashi raj.

" Let me correct you Kashi raj. She is not marrying me against her will " Bheem's loud voice echoed throughout the royal palace. " Tell your father rajkumari! Don't you wish to marry me?" He asked looking in valandhra's eyes directly.

Valandhra who was looking at Bheem wide eyed from the very beginning finally found her voice. Her tranc broke as she digested what all just happened.

" I ...I do wish to marry you" she said in a low yet stern voice.

" That's all Maharaj! Your daughter said yes and so did I. So according to the rules of gandharv vivah we are married" announced Bheem arousing whispers throughout the palace.

Kashi raj's face turned red in anger or embarrassment delivered by his daughter. "Dharmraj say something to your anuj. Why are you silent" he shouted again.

Bheem turned his gaze toward his jyest who smirked " yashasvi bhava anuj, sada suhagan rho rajkumari"

At this moment Kashi raj was about to brust. Anayati was hardly controlling her smile looking at the drama unfolding in front. She never imagined her dharmraj to be this savage. What surprised her more was Bheem's actions. But now she was able to relate what Valandhra was talking about and why Bheem looked so sad and thoughtful.

" What are you all looking at?" Shouted duryodhan burning in anger " catch this man who knocked my brother down. Arrest this woman who violated the laws of marriage and brought shame to her father" he ordered the soldiers who were standing around. Bheem held valandhra's hand tightly assuring her. His one gaze was enough to stop all the soldiers at there place.

" Dare to come near my woman and I will eat you alive " his warning made the soldiers sweat in fear. Valandhra's eyes allowed the tears to flow. Her lips curving into smile. Finally she got what she wanted. She got her love. Her eyes held deep admiration for Bheem.

When nobody came forward to protest, Duryodhan himself marched toward Bheem but was stopped by Vidur.

" Stop Yuvraj! We have no right to protest. Bride and groom have married according to their wish and now we don't have any relation with Kashi to protest for. " Vidur's words carried the rules and regulations written by the elders of Aryavart.

" But he has insulted us by marrying my brother's bride in his mandap" Duryodhan reasoned.

" He hasn't insulted us Yuvraj! Kashi raj has, by not asking his daughter's permission for this marriage and in that way he is all innocent" said Vidur.

" And what about my brother who is lying unconscious on the floor"

" What's my mistake in that if your brother is so fragile. I was just making him move aside but he fainted just by my touch" said Bheem innocently. Some chuckles broke out in the sabha.

" Alright if no body in going to do anything then I myself will fight with this criminal" announced Kashi raj.

" Will you?" Asked Bheem in amusement . His mere question was enough to shut Kashi raj. Then slowly Bheem marched out towards the gate holding valandhra's hand tightly in his. He went out of the palace, made Valandhra sit on the chariot and then himself sat on it and rode away leaving behind whole sabha of chaos.

" Maharaj Yudhisthir! Your brother will be punished for this crime" warned duryodhan.

" Which crime in particular Yuvraj?" Asked Anayati as Yudhisthir smirked. Duryodhan gritted his teeth but before he could say something else Shakuni stopped him. He mumbled something in Duryodhan's ears and the duo stormed out followed by Vidur and Dushala.

Yudhisthir sighted in relief and gestured Anayati to pack up for their return. She noded moving out to inform the people who have arrived with them and Yudhisthir too retreated from the palace.

In Hastinapur -

" Putri Devika! Do you wish to visit the market? I and Vikran are going to see the preparations for Dushasan's arrival with his bride. You can accompany us." Asked Kunti

" Why not mata? How can I miss the chance to visit the vibrant market of Hastinapur?" Smiled Devika standing up from the sofa. In Dushala's absence, she had nothing in particular to do so she agreed immediately.

Both Devika and Kunti along with Vikaran went into the market.

" Mata! Why is that home so beautifully decorated?" Asked Devika pointing to a particular house.

" Putr Vikaran! Isn't that Karna's house?" Kunti asked to which Vikaran noded . " Turn the chariot to that direction, I wish to meet him. It's been so long " ordered Kunti and Vikaran followed.

Devika got even more excited hearing karn's name. Her cheeks painted with a shade of red as they marched toward his house.

" Rajmata!!" Adhirat noticed Kunti coming and payed his respect accompnied by Radha.

" Where is your son Adhirath? It's been so long, I saw him" asked Kunti taking a seat on the sofa.

" Exactly and what's going on with this decoration Adhirath mahoday? Is there something to celebrate about?" Asked Vikaran gazing around.

In the mean time a girl particularly in her 20s came from one of the room adorned with light jewellery. Her face radiating another level of calmness. She got surprised seeing Kunti there and bowed in respect. Karn too arrived from the main door making Devika jump on her seat in joy.

" Who is she Radha?" Asked Kunti to a old sweet lady whom Devika recognised as Karn's mother.

" Bless her rajmata. She is Vrushali, my son's would be wife" .......

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