Gazing out of the moving chariot Panchaali wondered what had her life become. She really had no words to describe it.

Everything was so surreal, almost like a dream. That she wasn't really sure what to make of, the scenery ran past the window.

Just like the time, now any moment she will reach Hastinapur,  after twelve days of journey,  she will meet her in laws.

And to say that she was scared, was putting it mildly. Her heart hammered, rumors and words would spread faster than one can expect.

Slut.

Whore. 

Unworthy.

Unwanted.

And a series of more words, that she had heard since  her wedding twelve days back. Twelve days since she had been around her husbands. 

They had tried to keep as much distance as possible in the public eye, a suggestion by her father.

The last time she had conversed with them, was when she had spend the first night with them.

A soft smile traced her face, as warmth unfurled in her chest.  It was a new feeling, than again many things were still new for her, in her short life she hadn't really experienced much.

And a bond like the five brothers was surreal too. Was it how the bonds of all brothers were? Of all siblings?

Surely hers and her siblings wasn't. She was close to them, but they were more like distant relatives than anything else.

The sounds of chatter had her blinking her eyes, her fingers pulled back the curtains a bit more, as she peered out, people stood on either side of the path.

Hollering and cheering the names of her five husbands. 

She could see some girls send flirty looks to the men she married, she frowned,  not that she was jealous, but was surprised of their boldness.

Now only if she had that much boldness, she shook her head sitting back, letting the curtains fall back on the window, as people turned to her chariot.

She hated attention,  that was one thing that didn't sit well with her. Being a wallflower, unnoticed, was better than being the center of attention.

She sighed heavily, her heart hammering in her chest. As she could feel herself grow closer to the palace of Hastinapur.

She breathed in deeply, exhaling out. Steeling her heart, humiliation was on the way. She just knew it, after all which respected family would accept, the sons of their family share a woman?

How funny was it, she couldn't blame them for their reaction? Yet, she was forced to accept the burn of it.

Her heart quivered harder, as she bit her lip, "Yuvrani, we are here." Called a maid, once the chariot halted, she let the veil drop on her face, her hands trembling.

She stepped out, straightening her clothes, stalling her time. "Putri." Kunti's voice had her turning,  a kind smile was displayed on her lips, but the worry didn't go unnoticed.

"Whatever happens,  remember that you are not alone dear. I am very sorry dear." Guilt was heavy in her words, Panchaali shook her head.

"No mata, please don't apologise. This is my fate." She said softly,  what was done, was done.  There was no longer a point in playing the blame game.

"No, my dear. You would have a better life only if..." Her words were cut off by the shaking of her daughter in law's head. "No mata, a hundred 'ifs' could have happened. If we play this game of 'ifs' than there would be nothing but pain. So, no mata, as your daughter,  I would want nothing but happiness for you." She whispered,  squeezing her hands reassuringly.

Kunti nodded her head, wiping away a tear of joy, as she cupped her cheeks. "I am so proud to have you as my daughter.  I could never thank the gods enough for it." She whispered,  smiling, as she hugged her close.

Panchaali blinked back her tears, only if everyone thought similarly. "Come on dear." She whispered, holding her hand out to her, as maids followed them in, along with the soldiers. 

The pandavas, who awaited the two women began moving towards the palace that they had sworn never to return to.

Yudhisthir gazed down at the first step, of the place he once called home, but was also the place of deceit and plots.

He breathed in, and exhaled out. Preparing himself for the worst.

Without any mistake where they were tortured here so much, now they had returned with a common wife, a 'mistake' according to the society.

He knew Shakuni and Duryodhan wouldn't let this moment pass. What he feared was that now, a woman was involved. 

His wife to be more specific. He fisted his hand, clenching and unclenching. Concern setting in his chest.

"Putr." It was Mahamahim Bhism, his teary voice had their heads snapping up. They watched, as their grandfather rushed to them, joy unfurled in their chest.

"Pitamah." The five brothers exclaimed touching his feet,  "Be blessed my children." His overjoyed voice reverberated through the palace foyer.

He wrapped his arms around his five grandsons. For the first time in years, since his grandsons had gone missing he felt like his soul had returned to him.

Gazing at the five he felt like once again he could hope, that his entire life, all his sacrifices hadn't been in vain.

His throat clogged as he just gazed at them, tears tracing his cheeks, he just stared at each one of them, one after another.

Rejoicing the return of his soul. The hope and everything positive that this world had, all the darkness that had enveloped him vainished.

"Pit-" Arjun's word was cut off by him shaking his head, shushing him. "Shhhh,just let me watch. Let me watch the return of my five senses, my pride and my soul." He cloaked the words, as another tear traced down his cheek.

"Pitamah please don't cry." Whispered Yudhisthir, wiping his tears. A watery chuckle left the lips of the old man,  "No son, let this tears fall today. They are the tears of my joy, the happiness that had surpassed all the limits.  On the return of a life in this dead body, on the return of my great grandsons, my pandavas." Exclaimed the over the world happy man.

Tears fell down the eyes of the five brothers, they had missed him too. More than missed him, he was their father figure, their guide, a man whom they admired in every sense of the world.

"Seems like you all have forgotten your old uncle." Vidur voiced, his throat tightening from all the emotions that clogged his throat, making it difficult for him to swallow the ball of feelings that have settled in him.

The happiness of the family had returned, the pride of kuruvansh was once again home.

The son of Pandu were back. The sun of righteousness had once again risen in the sky of Hastinapur, where strength and righteousness would once again sit on the throne.

It was Diwali for them, the festival of lights. "Kakashree!" The five exclaimed touching his feet, "The heart has it's place in the chest, not in the feet." He said stopping them, and embracing them hard.

He breathed in once again the sweet air, his lungs opened up once again, the air of freedom rushing in. The darkness that had once settled on their soul, and taken away every joy, killed every hope, had now diminished.

The five embraced him back hard, tightening their arms. "Took you too long to return sons." Whispered the old man in a frail voice as he pulled back,  tears of joy tracing down his cheeks.

"No matter how long the day is, the bird always returns to it's nest when the sun sets Kakashree." Bheem voiced his words, smiling through the tears. Vidur nodded unable to utter a word.

"You seem to have grown wiser Bheem." Guru Dhronacharya stated, pride ringing in his voice. His eyes glassed over with tears, he smiled.

He knew it, one day they would return, that no matter what the world said this five weren't dead.

He had trust in them, and his teachings. He brought up no morons, but warriors in every sense of the word.

Warriors who were prepared for every part of their life,  no matter what situation it was, he was sure that they would handle it.

For years he had raised them not as his pupils, but his sons. Given them every last of knowledge that he knew would ever be important for them.

He had raised men that would make history. Men, that would make this society a place that was exist able to everyone.

A society that would nuture a future that would be a place of equality. He had created a path for the future to walk upto a new dawn of freedom and equality.

"Pranipat Gurudev." The five chorused touching his feet, "Be mighty and brave." He blessed, he stood proud.

"I knew my students wouldn't give up so easily." He stated, pride ringing in his voice with happiness. "We have learned from the best after all." Nakul replied, beaming at his teacher, the man who practically made him the person he was.

The man who had been their family, for more years of his life than he could recall.

"Arjun." Guru Dron turned to his best archer, embracing him closer. Who returned the hug with a vigor, followed by others.

"Your Guru Maa would be glad to know that you all have finally returned home." He added, gazing at each one of them, "We would visit her soon." Sahadev promised, he had missed her indeed, she was like a second mother to them.

"You should, she will be ecstatic. After all it has been years since she last saw you." Dron smiled, at them.

"Let me welcome my sons Guru Dron. After all my Arjun has finally returned with his bride." Gandhari spoke entering with Dhritrashtr, who was guided by a curious Sanjay.

"Pranipat." The five touched their feet, recieving blessings. "Where is your bride Arjun?" Gandhari asked, a broad grin on her face.

"Jiji." Kunti greeted her once she recieved blessings from everyone. "Kunti." The queen of Hastinapur called out happily, embracing the woman who had practically become her sister.

"Oh Kunti." She gushed, hugging her close, as she embraced her back. "Did we do any crime for you to punish us this way?" Gandhari questioned tears tracking her cheeks. "Oh no jiji. Please do not misunderstand. It was just the path of our fate." Whispered Kunti, wiping the tears of her sister from another mother.

How could she explain to her that her own son, had plotted to kill Kunti and her sons? That it was Duryodhan who had planned the demise of his own Kakishree.

Could she tell a mother that her son was trying to murder his own family? Kunti shook her head in resignation, how can she give such an agony to a woman who had practically taken care of Kunti and her sons like her own blood?

Who had done so many favors on her. Gandhari had fought all the odds, and always looked after Kunti like an elder sister would.

She held her silence.

No, she couldn't break her sister's heart so horribly. "Kunti, where is our Kulvadhu?" An excited Gandhari asked.

"She is such a lucky charm, that the moment she married our Arjun, look everything in our family has become perfect.  You are back, our sons are back. The entire Hastinapur is rejoicing. She is indeed the GhrahLaxmi of this home." Happiness filled the words of the queen, whose joy today knew no bounds.

Her family was complete, what more one could want for? For a woman, her family is everything, and god had blessed her with it.

Panchaali's heart hammered in her chest nervously, her anklets reverberated as everyone turned to the bride who walked ahead.

Their eyes moving towards her, as her feet was about to touch the first step of the palace, a voice reverberated through the place,  anger ringing through every syllable.

"Stop, where you are right this instant." Everyone turned shocked towards the inner doorway from where a woman stepped out. Dressed in the plain white lehnga of a widow, walked out a woman. . .

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