"What? What are you saying, Duryodhan? Are you out of your mind?", Balram rose up and asked, astonishing Duryodhan. Dhritarastra rose up and shouted, "Mind your words about my son, Shreeman Balram! This is MY son you are talking about!". Balram retorted back, "Do you really think I care about who I am speaking with, King Dhritarastra? If you really care about your son's pride here, you should have taught him how to be intelligent beforehand!", they all soon got into a verbal fight. Duryodhan couldn't speak anything or couldn't even fight with them, as his mind was filled with what was about to happen now, if it wasn't for Arjun to interrupt. He would've gotten married to Subhadra instead of Arjun.

He looked at Vaishnavi, who was holding her head with her head, and looked like she was done with everyone. "Silent!", Duryodhan screamed, making everyone go silent and look towards him. He looked at Vaishnavi and said, "Anyways, Now that my Bride has eloped, compensate that with your other sister, Make Vaishnavi my bride!", and smirked. Shakuni joined as well, "Yes! Make your other sister the bride! Shreeman Balram! You at least can do this right?", he said and smirked but it died down as he saw that Krishna just entered the scene.

Vaishnavi, who was facepalming, started laughing out of nowhere. Krishna was glaring at him and Duryodhan and went to Balram and nodded his head, closing his eyes. Balram understood that he was behind all this and kept quiet, not speaking anything further. Vaishnavi continued to laugh, making Shakuni to get ick, "Hey, Yadav woman? What are you laughing at?". She said while laughing, "Haha! I- I can't believe how stupid the people are here! Haha! It's like, people don't get to make their own decisions!", and stopped smiling, glaring at Shakuni.

She continued with a fierce voice, "You really think that you demand me for being your bride, huh? You really thought that I would marry you? I? Duryodhan! Change your ways first! If you had come to me and spoke with me properly, I would have given some attention to it! At least some! Otherwise, Why would I even think about you? Huh?", making Duryodhan go wide eyed. He said, "I don't care! You have to be my wife! I only know that!". She laughed at his stupidity and said, "If you only know that, then go learn something useful, you filth brain!".

Karn interrupted, "Lady! Don't talk to my friend like that! Just listen to what he says!". She looked at him and scanned his whole existence there, "Hey Outsider! As I said, stay out of this! And I would not give a shit about your friend, why should I listen to him?". Karn went back humiliated again, making Duryodhan's rage go out of the roof, "Mind your tongue, Vaishnavi!". She retorted back, "You too! Duryodhan! Haa! One thing I wanted to ask! If you can't even touch me, how did you even think that you can marry me? Huh tell me? You thought you could touch me once you married me, huh? Let me tell you, Mr. Dumb brain! It doesn't work like that! If I love someone very dearly, they can touch me, regardless of marriage! And clearly, I don't love- what love? I don't like- tch tch tch! I don't even give a damn about you!".

Bheeshm stood up and said, "Putri! This is not the way you speak! And what your sister did is unacceptable!". She turned towards him and smirked, "And this is not the way you use your power to get any woman you want, And you are pretty experienced in that area, am I right Pitamah? My sister likes someone else, and if you forcefully make her marry this dude- You know how consequences were with one certain woman!". He held his head down, still feeling guilty about Amba. She turned towards everyone and screamed, "Everyone, OUT!!!!", and stormed off the place, leaving Duryodhan flabbergasted.

Balram ordered his soldiers, looking at Duryodhan, "Make arrangements for my sister and her husband's arrival! Now!", and left the place. Duryodhan just hit a plate of kumkum with his leg, which fell into the hawan's fire, and left the place cursing everyone, with his brothers, friend and uncle following him.

***

Vaishnavi was showering flowers at the couple, who were getting wedded with a blank expression on her face. Arjun wasn't able to concentrate on what he was doing, he was just looking at his first wife. But, he couldn't betray the girl who came to him, trusting him, so he finished the marriage without breaking down. He was totally ashamed at what he did to Vaishnavi, the one thing she asked from him, he couldn't do that. So, he decided to respect her decision about him.

The newly wedded couple went towards Balram and Krishna to get their blessings, when Krishna blessed them, "You will beget a son from this marriage, Parth! That son will be the future of the whole Kuru dynasty! And he will be known for eternity by the future generations, until the entire existence dies!". Arjun's heart filled with joy and pride hearing that. Subhadra then went towards her sister, carrying a guilt expression. She looked down, unable to speak anything, but Vaishnavi held her chin up and said, "And Subhadra! That son of yours! He will be my son too! I will raise him, not you! Okay?". Subhadra, unable to control her emotions for her sister's sacrifice, she tightly hugged her, and Vaishnavi just caressed her hair.

Arjun looked at her with teary eyes at her words, while Kunti was also wiping her tears, looking at the poor girl. Arjun went towards her to speak something, but before he could say anything, she left the place, much to Arjun's dismay. Duryodhan was noticing everything happening there, and was also getting suspicious of them both. He looked at Ashwathama, who was looking at them with longing eyes, and said, "Ashwathama, maybe you are right! I think she likes Arjun and vice versa! I just need to make sure that this is true! But if it indeed is, I won't be able to bear that! My marriage with Vaishnavi should happen! Anyhow!".

***

Everyone was getting ready to leave their respective kingdoms, while Vaishnavi needed some time for herself. She made sure that Dwarka cannot be attacked anytime by now and also ensured the safety, she left Dwaraka just informing both her brothers. Subhadra and Arjun came to meet the elders the next morning, and ask for permission to leave the place. But much to their disappointment, she had already left the place, breaking Arjun's heart more and more. But he respected her decision of not wanting him anymore, so he thought that he doesn't have any rights to ask for her hand in marriage anymore too.

Meanwhile, Duryodhan was fully drunk last night, unable to forget Vaishnavi and unable to bear the fact that he couldn't get her. He woke up with a massive headache, holding his head. His friend and brothers came towards him and Karn hugged him. "Forget her, Mitr! We will find some other princess for you! I will abduct whoever you want!". Duryodhan just pushed him and screamed, "No other princess is her, Karn! I want only her! Only her!". Shakuni scoffed at his Nephew's behaviour, but an idea struck his mind.

"My dear Duryodhan! I, in no way, am supporting you to get married to that head weighted girl. But, we do need the support of Yadavas now. Good thing that they have two girls and not just only one. To acquire their strength, and also to fulfill your good for nothing desire of marrying that weird girl, I have a plan! You will definitely get her hand in marriage this way!", and started to explain his plan to his nephew and others present there.

Soon after Arjun and Subhadra, along with Kunti, left to Indraprasth, The people from Hastinapur started to go as well. But Duryodhan did not come to the place of departure. Dhritarastra asked Dushasan, "Where is he, Dushasan? Is he not coming with us?". Shakuni, looking at Balram who was the least interested in them, said,"Maharaj!!! My nephew wants to stay here, and wants to redeem to his bad deeds and words he uttered in front of his Gurudev! So, he is not coming with us!".

Now, Balram's attention was fully on them. Even though he did bad things, he still had a place in Balram's heart. Listening to what his favourite student was doing, he was a little sad. But, his sister comes to him first! So he didn't budge or care. Dhritarastra scoffed and said, "No need of anything like that! Bring him-", but Bheeshm cut him off, "For once in his life, he wants to do something that is out of his box for him. He is feeling guilty! When he was on a bad path, you kept silent! And when he is trying to go on a good path, you are against it? He doesn't need to come with us! Whenever he feels like it, he can come home. At least this way he will cleanse all his sins and his mind", his words beamed making the king of Hastinapur stutter. "A-As you say, Tatshree!".

Shakuni looked at Krishna and smirked, but immediately joined his hands fake smiling. Krishna reciprocated the same and when he left the place, he immediately turned towards him brother. "Dau! Remember one thing! A dogs tail cannot get straightened, ever!", as if he was warning him of the future. Balram nodded knowingly and said, "Let's see, Kanha! Good thing that Vaishu is not here! Otherwise, she would have gone full Bhadrakali mode!", making him chuckle. Balram sighed and told seriously, "But! Let me see where this goes now!".

***

A man was trying to hit a target, with his eyes closed with a piece of cloth, but he failed everytime. "Maharaj! You didn't hit this time as well!". Scoffing irritated, he took the cloth in his hands and spoke to himself, "When am I gonna achieve this?". This was his 137th trial that day, and he couldn't achieve it. "Maharaj! You are well versed in everything! Every warfare! This- Why are you so keen on learning this?". He turned around and looked at his minister and said, "We should not stop just because we know something, Mahamantri! There is no limit to learn!", and tied the cloth back to his eyes, determined this time.

But as he as about to hit, another arrow came and sliced his arrow, successfully hitting the target. Everyone present there saw who it was, and were astonished to see a girl on a horse, all alone by herself. "Hey! Mr. King? What King will you become man? You can't even do this single thing? Huh?", she instigated him. Clenching his teeth, he asked still with closed eyes, "Woman! Don't be foolish and go against this kingdom's king!", the minister shouted, but the king stopped him and said, "It's okay! Mahamantri!", and joined his hands at her.

"Woman! Please go away! If you don't want severe punishments!", he said, to which she just scoffed. "There there! I love your confidence! You are just afraid that you will lose to me!". Triggered, he was up for a competition, where she also closed her eyes with a cloth.

He lost to her miserably and she started laughing, "Haha! What man! You can do better. You lost! Haha!". She smirked and with one of her arrows, she pushed the king down on the ground. "Ouch! Tara!", the king shreiked and took the cloth away from his eyes. She started giggling and like a small child, she squealed, "VIRATTT!!", And tightly hugged him.

The soldiers were shocked at that sight, at why he was able to touch her and they weren't. She understood their confusion and started telling them by kicking Virat's stomach, "He was able to touch me because I hold him in high regard!". She looked at him, who was clutching his stomach in pain, with a wide smile, "Because he is my brother, in every universe!".

***

The kingdom of Matsya was very happy at the arrival of their darling princess, Tara! The last time they saw her was Years ago, and most of them became old as well. She went to their father's portrait, who died of old age, and joined her hands. "You indeed were old man!", she whispered to his portrait and chuckled to herself. There was a huge celebration going on in the whole city, and this time, they were not ready to send her off to another country. They don't even know where she lives now, as she restricted Virat from revealing anything to them.

Both of them sat on the sofa, and were talking about each other's lives and what all they missed out on. Virat held her shoulders and said, "Tara! Just stay here! You don't have to go back!", to which she replied sadly smiling, "No Virat Bhaiya! There is a girl I have to help! She might face with many hardships! After whatever happened-", she couldn't say any further and he understood, "Draupadi?". She nodded in Yes. "But one thing! Who am I, where I come from! What am I doing! Bla bla bla! And even my actual name! Nothing should go out! Not even bhabhishree should know anything about me! Please! I- I need time to cope up with things! I-", he squeezed her hands and nodded knowingly. She smiled at him and said, "Thank you!", and blinked her tears away.

Just then, Virat's wife Sudeshna, who was heavily pregnant, entered the scene. "What are the brother and sister talking about? Hmm?". Vaishnavi stood up and hugged her, "Bhabhi! We are just talking about what to name my Sweet nephew!", and held her belly tenderly and started talking to the yet to be born baby. "Uttar! Your name will be Uttar! You will be my best friend, right Uttar!". The baby kicked as soon as she started talking with it. Sudeshna was beyond happy at that and said, "Aarya! Tara! The baby is Kicking! I think he likes the name, Tara! Uttar!", with that, the baby kicked again. Three of them hugged together and Vaishnavi became an instant favourite to Sudeshna.

"Didi! What is happening? Why-", a person entered, with an alcohol bottle in his hand, but his words dried in his mouth as soon as he saw Vaishnavi, "Who is she?", he whispered out in awe. He was totally scanning the girl from top to bottom and he couldn't take his eyes off her face and certain areas. Vaishnavi and Virat definitely did not like the way he was looking at her and kept mum. Sudeshna said, "Keechak! This is Tara! Your brother in law's sister! And Tara, this is Keechak, my brother!". He joined his hands at her, while She just nodded at him, uncomfortably.

'Cha! Not even my stalkers in Kaliyug made me feel this uncomfortable! This man is doing it with just one look! God I hate him!'

***

It's been 3 months since she went to Matsya, and most of the time, she spent her time with her new born nephew, reducing the queen of Matsya's work. Keechak always tried to talk to her, but, as he is the commander in chief of that country, he was always going on some battles and didn't even get proper time to ogle on her.

There was no time when she didn't remember her husband. She didn't want that, she wanted to forget him, that's why she was here. But the more she was away from him, the more his thoughts were haunting her. She was still unable to take off her chain, maybe he is still not ready to give up on her. She didn't hear his voice as well, which she used to hear when he was in his Vanvas. Uttar held her dupatta tightly and was pulling it down, making her come back to reality, "Hah? Oi! Uttar! You really like me that much that you are unable to bear the fact that I was not paying attention to you? Huh?", and started playing with him.

She never liked kids, but kids always loved her. But, once she got to know that she cannot conceive ever, her motherly instincts start to kick in as soon as she sees a baby. Sudeshna and Virat came to her and sat in front of her, while Sudeshna was fiddling with her fingers to say something to her. Virat sat beside his sister and was playing with his son, and sudeshna was contemplating on asking something with her husband, as well as sister in law. This is something her brother asked her, and she couldn't say no. But, All of a sudden, Vaishnavi stopped laughing and playing as she heard her brother Krishna's Voice in her head.

'Come Home, Sister! You are needed here!'

"NO!", she screamed, making them both look at her bewildered. "What happened, Tara?", Virat asked her with a frown. She turned towards him and said, "I need to leave, Virat! Now!", and she immediately left to her chamber with Virat following her. Sudeshna sighed, as she couldn't ask that one thing her brother wanted her to ask, his marriage with Tara.

She started arranging her things while Virat made her turn towards him and asked, "Tell me the truth! Now!". She sighed and said, "Virat! Kanha called for me! Dwaraka could be in Danger! Or- Or something really wrong is happening there! As I'm not there, there are many wicked foxes, who might take advantage of the situation! I- I should go! But once I go, I won't be returning back anytime soon, Virat!". Virat, understanding her situation, hugged her and wished her all the best. Taking Simba, she left for Dwaraka, not knowing what future has in hold for her.

***

Duryodhan, who was doing seva to Balram for the last 3 months, was on verge of losing patience now. So, he just straight up asked him, "Gurudev! Can I ask you for something?". Balram nodded and smiled, "Ask, Dear Duryodhan!". Duryodhan sighed and asked hesitantly, "You will give me anything I want this time?". Balram grew suspicious of him, but still asked, "What do you want?, tell me!".

Duryodhan sighed and asked, "I want your sister, Vaishnavi, to marry me!". Balram got furious and stood up, but Duryodhan fell on his feet, "Gurudev! Shreeman Balram! The great king! Please! Please accept my request! Please! I can't live without her! And I promise you that I'll take care of her more than anything!", he started crying. Balram's heart softened at the sight and he made him get up on his feet.

Sighing, he told him that, "I will! But on one condition! You have to make Yudisthir tell that you will take care of my sister! Only if he tells, I'd accept for this marriage!", making him stunned. Balram knew that Yudisthir was the epitome of Dharma, and he would never abide with Adharma, at all. Duryodhan accepted the challenge by composing himself and said, "Very well, Shriman Balram! Thank you for paving me a way for this! I, Duryodhan, will surely get his permission and will marry your sister! That's for sure!".

***

"Aarya! Aarya! Where were you!", Subhadra came in search of Arjun, who was caressing the Veena that Vaishnavi used to play. He was reminiscing those times when it was all normal. He just wanted to see her once, and apologize to her for whatever he had done to her heart. He held the earring close to his heart, and wanted to talk to her, but couldn't muster up the courage to do so. Subhadra saw what her husband was doing and felt bad for both him and her sister. In a way, she also became a reason for their separation, or so she thought.

Clearing her throat, she called him, "Aarya!", which broke his trance, "Yeah, Subhadra?". He left the Veena and came towards her to caress her head. She smiled and took his hand on her hands and kept it on her stomach, making him look at her wide eyed. She smiled nodding at him, and he smiled widely as well. Soon, his brothers and their wives, along with Draupadi and Kunti entered the music chamber, where vaishnavi's instruments were kept.

Devika, wife of Yudisthir, Said, "Congratulations Arjun! You are going to be a dad!", while Nakul, Bheem and Sahadev hugged him. Arjun and Subhadra went towards Yudisthir and seeked his blessings, "May you get a son who will carry forward your greatness!", and Draupadi hugged her Co- Wife.

Karenumati, Nakul's wife, entered the chamber and said, "Jyesth! Prince Duryodhan is here to see you!", making everyone frown at this unusual event. Yudisthir told the soldiers to tell him to wait for him in the guest chamber. Vijaya, wife of Sahadev, said, "I don't know why! I'm getting not so good vibes now!". Valandhara, wife of Bheem, said, "Viju! You talk just like your husband in this case!", making others chuckle. Draupadi smiled and said, "I second with Vijaya! Aarya! Please be careful with him! I don't like his intentions with us at all!". Yudisthir kept his hand on her shoulder and said, "He is my brother, Panchali! Don't worry!", he reassured her.

"Afterall, what bad will he ask for?".

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Tadaa lovelies! How was the chapter? Please vote and comment!

PS: The next chapter will be tomorrow! Expect a double update tomorrow 😉😉😉