She saw Arjun standing in front of her with a solemn look. Her eyes red, tears still streaming down her cheeks. She stood up and went toward him.

" WHY??" She shouted hitting his chest. Her voice showing her frustration, the anger she has supressed from years. Aanyati tried to stop her but Kunti stopped her from going further.

" WHY SHOULD I SUFFER BECAUSE OF YOU??" She shouted on top of her lungs, hitting him on his chest again and again." What was my mistake huh? Choosing you in my swayamvar? Thinking that true love still exists in this world? Choosing a mere brahman who had nothing in front of hundreds of mighty kings who would have placed this world in my feet? Why am I getting this punishment?"

" Draupadi calm down!!" Arjun tried to stop her. But she had lost her senses long ago.

" NO!!" She pushed him away " why should I calm down? You have snatched the biggest happiness of a woman from my life and you think I will be calm? Will serve you as an obedient wife? No I won't. " Everyone there were holding there breath. The Draupadi which they never even saw raising her voice at even the maids was shouting at her own husband. Years of frustration was pouring out today. Pandavas were clearly shaken of her words.

" I, the youngest daughter of Panchal raj Drupad, the divine daughter of Agni dev, I Yagyaseni Draupadi choose you in my swayamvar, rejecting mightiest of warriors I choose you and what you did huh? Showed me that I am nothing for you? You mentioned me as a thing you have brought for your mother? Ok , I tolerated it but no, you were ready to destroy my whole life. You divided me between your brothers just because your mother said so and that too without knowing?" Pandavas head were lowered so was Kunti's . Moti took Yom and Yojak out.

" I agreed to that thinking it's my destiny but I wanted you to atleast protest, even for once only but speak for me, to protect me, reserve me only for yourself but no, like a dumb lamb you agreed to whatever was happening. I accepted without complaining but you still thought of showing me how useless I am for you. You showed how cheap your thinking is when you asked for my jiji as a wife for your jyest. I drank that bitter truth as well. That day whole Kuru sabha questioned me, God knows how many names they gave me. I thought you will speak for me but no I was wrong there as well. On every step you betrayed me, showed me that I am nothing still I held on to you like an obedient wife. Never questioning you. " Till this moment no one was in a composed state, Draupadi's words were harsh but true. She chose to speak facts and throw them on their faces without any mercy.

"Are ye to tumhare bhai sant purush hai isliye mai bach gyi warna tum to apni patni ko durse purush ke kaksh me chorte samay bhi nhi katraye" ( Your brothers are sensible beings that's why I am safe otherwise you were fool enough to leave your wife in another men's chamber)

" Draupadi!!! Enough" Aanyati barged in but of no use. Arjun was completely shaken, his every misktake was shown by Draupadi in the worst way possible but he was angry, his wife was disrespecting his mother and brothers as well. Their wives are standing here.

" No jiji not today. Let me show him how ideal he is" Draupadi listened to none "today when I thought holding onto past is wrong and I should focus on present, you again threw me in a dark well. You took my unborn children away from me? " She chuckled bitterly " what all can I expect from a person who was ready to share his wife with other men?"

" I was just respecting my mother's words " Arjun finally spoke without matching Draupadi's gaze.

She laughed bitterly" what about respecting the woman who is your wife great Gandivdhari? Is she not human? Don't she have emotions?" Her voice was dipped in venom.

" Draupadi stop this right now " Aanyati shook her from her shoulder. She came out crying like the spirit of anger which possessed her is gone.

" Jiji!!" She again fell crying" Aanyati engulfed her in a comforting hug " jiji.... F..forgive me" she cried like a kid clinging to Aanyati. Kunti took everyone out leaving the sisters behind. Arjun did not talk to anyone, he locked himself inside his chamber away from everyone, his mind a complete mess. Draupadi showed him reality as it is without any filter. It was not like he didn't know it before, he did but no one threw it on his face like this.

Aanyati stayed with Draupadi until her cries died, her face emotionless, eyes red and puffy, she seemed drained of all energy.

Here on the way of Madr, Sahdev's gaze was more on Vijaya than the road. He was in his chariot while she travelled behind on horse back. He can't understand why he is so drawn to her. What is this obsession for? But he finds himself again and again in front of her.

" We will camp here for tonight" Sahdev ordered getting down from his chariot. Everyone got indulged in setting up the camp before sun sets.

Sahdev sat near the shore of a tributary enjoying the view. His mind set to achieve the goal. For the things he knew till now, he is sure that Vijaya was not a dasi of Madr, her tiny figure hide a lot of secrets. Her body language, her confidence it always proves her claims wrong.

Here Vijaya came to take some water from the river with her pot. Sahdev's gaze turned to her as she tried to fetch water by going a bit in. But somehow she fell into the tributary. Sahdev broke out laughing at her as she struggled to get out of the water.

" This is a small tributary dasi! Don't pretend you are drowning to it's current" he laughed but when Vijaya still struggled to come out, he realised the seriousness of the situation.

Without thinking much he jumped in the river and only than he realised that this river which seems small and calm is not so calm, river's current was too much for Sahdev to tackle as well.

" Vijaya... Give me your hand" he shouted as Vijaya struggled to get near him. The moment he found her hand, his grip loosened as he went on flowing along with Vijaya. Both trying to keep their face up, he held her hand firmly as the river took them to an unknown destination.

In the royal palace of Shivi, Karna was called to Maharaj's personal chamber. He wondered why he was called in personal chamber that's reserved for the royal family only.

But when he entered inside, he realised the seriousness of the situation. Maharaj was barely breathing, his eyes dull and face pale, vaids surrounded him, giving medicines, maharani sat beside him holding his hand.

" Pranipat Maharaj!" Karna greeted walking near him. Maharaj barely opened his eyes and then closed them again as if struggling to open his eyes.

" God has decided to punish us for our sins of previous birth. His state is not improving from past three months, he had strictly prohibited everyone to inform Devika about his state, she is not even allowed to enter here. He fears she will deteriorate her health seeing him like this. He just wanted to see you once for God knows why" Maharani informed crying, her face showing the pain she is going through.

Karna stared at Maharaj with respect and pity both.

" Ang.... Angraj..." He called Karna near. Karna bend to his level. He grasped Karna's hand in his firmly.

" Y..you saved my" his breath was ragged " my daughter putr. I....how will I thank you? This... Father is asking for another fa.... Favour from you putr..... M.. marry my daughter" his words surprised everyone present there equally. No one is unaware of Karna's identity as a suta and a kshtriya will never give his daughter to a suta, not until he is forced to do so by death itself.

" She... Is a little mad, a child by heart... she don't know what to do and when... I don't know what she will do after my death.... My kingdom is already promised to maharaj Yudhisthir... Otherwise I would have given it to you as well.... This father don't have anything to offer you except my daughter.... Marry her and protect her till your last breath putra.... Promise me you will marry her " Maharaj was loosing his breath with each passing second as if drifting into another world.

Karna did not know what to say to assure a father" promise me putr "maharaj pleaded with tears in his eyes.

" I promise maharaj! I will marry your daughter and protect her till my last breath, I promise " Karna's words were firm just like maharaj's grip on his hand. With a satisfied smile lingering on his face, maharaj closed his eyes drifting into another realm. A peaceful palour spread on his face, his grip loosened, silence spread throughout the chamber until a yelp was heard.

" PITA SHRI" Devika shouted on top of her lungs running to her father. She after months decided to visit her father forgetting his restrictions, she just wanted to see him once but had no idea that this will be the last time she will see him.

" No no pita shri you can't leave me like this" she held his other hand in her's " wake up please" she cried burying her face in his embrace but unfortunately, her father was not there to console her to scold her for crying this much.

Maharani turned all silent as if with her husband she left the world as well. Out of sudden she stood straight removed the vermillion from her forehead, placed the chudamani in Maharaj's feet and consumed a small pill. No one could understand what happened before Maharani collapsed on the ground, her pulse dead.

Age old belief it was which she followed and died with her husband leaving behind her daughter alone to deal with this cruel world. Within seconds, Devika's world shattered, her mother, her father both were dead.

Destiny could not see her get her love along with her family, it chose to snatch one thing and give the other. The vaids left letting Devika mourn her parents death. She cried until there were no more tears to shed. All this time, Karna stood beside her like a silent support, assuring her that there is still someone whom she can rely upon.

He arranged for their cremation and sent a letter to Indrprast, the only kingdom he thought should know about this. Then he took Devika out to her chamber, he remained with her until she slept of tiredness.

Karna took the command of the kingdom in his hands until someone from Indrprast arrived.

His mind a complete mess because of whatever happened, eyes closed as if trying to compose himself. Little Vrishasen spread his tiny arms to hug his father. Karna took him in his lap cradling him to sleep.

A lot awaits them now. They need proper rest for sometime.

I know this is a lot to handle but don't worry happiness will come around soon....