"Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope."

—Maya Angelou

Author's Pov

Moonlight comes to a clear and starry night, whispering rainbow hues into the dreaming grey. The silver travelled through the night with graceful ease, lightening the rising path. 

Under the shining moon, she stood wrapped in the arms of lover, she felt safe, so content after a long time. All the negative thoughts that were accumilated in her mind and heart seemed to diappear as she laid her head on his chest.

She wished nothing more than for this moment to freeze, just him and her. But she knew at this moment it was not possible. There are many questions which needed answers, many problems that needs a solution, many relations that are yet to build and many more. 

Relations.

Pandavas.

Draupadi.

Marraige.

War.

She wanted to smack herself for forgetting the most important part of the Mahabhart. She had completely forgot about the entry of Draupadi in their lives due to all the tension, she was in. She knew the time has arrived for the main plot twist in their lives. A twist that will be so painful for everyone, especially draupadi.

Suddenly the talk, she had heard between the daasis rang painfully in her ears and unknowing a tear dropped from her eyes and her heart heavied with pain.

"And haven't you both heard that Maharaj Draupad had sent the a special invitation to Angaraj more like personally inviting him for his daughter's swayamvar? One of the minister told this news to me. I am very sure Angaraj won't reject it. The panchal rajkumari is said to be the most beautiful woman in the whole Aryavat. She is a kshatriya kanya not a yadav kumri like Angarani Juhi. She will be obviously the perfect choice as Angarani." The Daasi said.

She gently broke the hug making Karna look at her with a confused expression. She gave him a small smile as she unwrapped his hands from her waist.

"What happened Juhi?" Karna asked, confusion clouding his features. 

"Nothing arya it's quite late, almost midnight, we should sleep now otherwise it will affect your journey." Juhi said as she moved away from Karna with a heavy heart.

"Which journey are you talking about, Juhi?" Karna looked confused and lost.

"Tomorrow you have to leave for panchal, right? If you didn't get enough rest then it will affect you tomorrow's journey." It took a few seconds before karna understood what Juhi meant. 

"I'm not attending the swayamvar, Juhi." Karna said looking stright into Juhi's eyes. 

Juhi looked at Karna with wide eyes. She couldn't believe what she had heard. He is not attending the swayamvar but why? 

When she was in Kaliyug, she had read lot of articles about the love story between Karna and Draupadi, then what happened now? So were those articles just fake or is this change because of her presence here in this yug? She don't know but deep in her heart she is selfish, she wanted those articles to be fake. These is one of those situation where she really wanted her brother's words of comfort.

"Why arya?" She asked him, wide eyed.

"I will answer to your question but before that let me ask you a few simple questions. If I marry Draupadi or for instance any other woman, will you be able to welcome her with no bitterness in your heart? Will you be able to share my love and our life with her? Can you, Juhi?"

Just the merry thought itself is powerful enough to create havoc in her heart. She knew her answer, No, she will never be able to share him with anyone. Her heart churned at the mere thought of Karna loving someone else. But she knew, she can't be selfish by caging him in her love. He is a kshathriya King and it is common for them to return home, after a war, with another queen by their side. Her love for him was so selfish yet so selfless.

Swallowing the lump that formed in her throat, she spoke, "I might not be able to accept it now, but I will be do it. It might hurt me now but soon I will be able to accustom with it."

"Can't you see it, Juhi?," He chuckled softly, pulling her into his arms. "Just by thinking about it itself is hurting you and if this become our reality then I don't think you will able to live a happy life without getting hurt ever single second. Why are you forcing me to marry again when it is clearly hurting you?"

"You are a King arya and it is common for you to have other queens and even concubines. Moreover who am I? Just a mere commoner, who was adopted by your maternal uncle. There are many rajkumari's in this aryavart, who are more beautiful than me. I would never stand in the path of you and your happiness."

"Juhi you are my life, my happiness, without you my life is meaningless. It is only you with whom I want to spent the rest of my life with. In this life only you are for me. I can't imagine giving your place to another woman. As long as I'm the king of Anga, this kingdom will only have one Queen and that will be you, Juhi."

"Arya-"

"Not a word Juhi. I have already decided. Like the great Sree Rama, I too shall never take another woman as my wife. In my life only one woman shall decor the thrown beside me and she too shall be the one to be beside me for the rest of my life." Yet again another sacred vow was taken by the son of Surya, for the woman he love. 

Juhi looked at the man she loved with twinkling eyes.

Juhi didn't know what to do nor say. Her heart as well as her mind were just whispering his name and she knew never in a million years would she get someone, who loves her as much as him. She just threw herself on him and cried in his embrace. Tears felt good after a long time.

Love is a thief sometimes—it can steal the words right out of your mouth. But isn't that a good kind of love—the kind that leaves you speechless because of your overflowing emotions?

~*~ 

"Govind!" Panchali called out as she rushed towards her friend, whom she was meeting after a long time. 

"Slowly sakhi." Krishna warned, as he saw her stumbling.

"I'm fine, Govind." Panchali was panting hard yet she had the beautiful smile on her face.

"Sakhi! How are you?" Krishna asked as they settled themselves on the cushions.

"I'm fine Sakha, just a bit nervious thinking about tomorrow's swayamvar."

"What is there to be nervous, Sakhi?" He asked with a chuckle.

"I don't know Sakha. Tomorrow my whole life is going to change. After tomorrow, I will be no longer just a daughter, I will become someone's daughter-in-law and wife. I will no longer be panchali but Draupadi. What if I do something stupid and bring shame to my father's upbringing? What if I never live up to my new families expectation? Like this many questions are nagging my mind sakha. I don't know what to do." Panchali sighed.

"Relax sakhi. First take few breaths and calm your racing heart. I can understand your state of mind and it is natural for a girl to have this feelings before her wedding but let me tell you this sakhi, where ever you go or whom ever you marry, it doesn't matter. Your identity will never be changed, you will always be Maharaj Draupad's daughter, Princess of Panchal. And after marriage just be your true self Sakhi and everyone will love you for just being you." Krishna explained, his eyes twinkling with joy.

"Will they really love and accept me, if I just be my true self?" Panchali asked with doubt clouding her features. 

"When have I ever lied to you, Sakhi?" Krishna's reply brought a very beautiful on her face. All the doubts she had in her mind flew away with his one reply.

"You have never lied to my Govind and that is why my heart and mind are now at peace. You truely know how to soothe my worries." Panchali smiled.

"So sakhi, who do you think or want to win your swayamvar tomorrow?" Govind asked with a mischevious smile on his lips.

"Truely I don't know the answer to that question, Govind. There is no one who was able to take a place in my heart in these days, so the place in my heart is empty. Pitashree wants me to marry either Panduputr Arjuna or Angaraj Karna. But I have neither seen either of them, so I don't what I feel about them."

"Oh! Arjuna and Karna? No need to worry, sakhi. I can help you with that too. You see they both are my cousins. I know both of them in and out."

"Really?" Panchali asked with excitement evident in her voice.

"Yes Sakhi. Karna and Arjuna are my bua, Kunti's sons. Karna is the eldest while Arjun is the younger one. They are so similar yet so different from each other. Both of them had divine births just like you. Karna was the blessing of Suryadev and Arjuna was the blessing of Lord Indra. Karna is the student of Lord prashuram while Arjuna trained under Drona. They both are skilled archers and have added many praises to their guru's, they are class and excellent warriors. Karna is known as Daanaveera while Arjuna is known as Dhanañjaya. 

"The whole aryavarta sings praises of their beauty and skills. Many young rajkumaries desire to marry them. Though the boys pay no attention to them. Karna married my sister, Juhi, a few months back while arjun is still trying to find a girl, who makes him complete. Karna is currently ruling Anga and the correct where abouts of Arjuna is unknown. Both are like two ends of a single rope. But I can promise you this, both Karna and Arjuna respect women. If you end up marrying either one of the brothers, I can assure that he will treat you like a queen. He will never let a tear fall from your eyes. He will love you, cherish you and will forever be with you."

Panchali smiled listening to Govind. She knew he would never lie to her. For her, his words are everything. Karna and Arjun, two ends of a single rope. By Govindha's description, she understood both the men are gems. She felt twinkles by just listening to their names. She don't know what her condition would be when she see's them for real, in blood and flesh. 

She have no idea whom she will end up marrying. Karna or Arjuna, she don't know. They both are everything a girl wishes for in her husband. They are good looking, great warriors, loving sons and brothers. She the ones marrying them will be loved no matter what.

Admist everything she is sure of one thing, the one who adorns her maang with sindoor will be one of Rajamata Kunti's sons.

~*~ 

"Bhratashree" The familer voice echoed through the corridor, freezing him in his path. 

It was not the voice that made him stop but the emotions that it held. Varchas let out a shaky breathe before turning around with teary eyes. There before him stood the girl he was longing to see for the past one century. The girl he brought up like his own daughter. The one who left her soul behind in his hands.

His little sister, his little Chandini.

'No it can't be.' He thought to himself rubing his teary eyes before looking at the smiling figure again.

Indeed, he was utterly wrong. This time it was not Angarani Juhi who stood before him rather his little sister, his Chandini. The past was burning like a fire in his eyes as he looked at her with teary smile. He remember the day like yesterday even though it had been many years since the tragedy. It happened right before his eyes yet he was helpless as he watched her die in his arms.

He looked utterly confused as to what feel or what to say. He cried and smiled at the same time as he tried to comprehend that he was not dreaming like he always did. Finally she was before him, this time in blood and flesh. He did not know whether to be happy that his sister is back or to be sad knowing the danger that layed ahead of her.

But at this moment he did not care about anything. His sister was finally with him after a long time and he won't let anything destroy this moment. He watched her making slow steps towards him, with tears caressing down her cheeks. Even with the tears flowing down her cheeks, she had a beautiful smile on her lips.

When she was right in front of him, he didn't think twice before pulling her into a hug. A sob escaped her lips as he wrapped his hands around her. His arms tightened around her in a bear hug as she sobbed like a child in his embrace.

He hated seeing her cry. Her tears were so precious to be shed. From their childhood he never hurt her nor let anyone hurt her. But at this moment he knew not to stop her.

With each tear she shed, she was letting go of a fragmet of the past which has been haunting her for the past few days.

"Everything will be alright, Chandini. Everything will be fine." He whispered caressing her hair.

'If only he knew.'

~*~

Hi guys,

Hope you all liked the chapter.

HAPPY NEW YEAR GUYS. 

At the start of each new year, I can't help but reflect on where I've been and who's been beside me all along. I'm so proud of all that we've accomplished together, and can't wait to continue our success into the new year! The years come and go, but our friendship will last forever. Happy 2022 guys!

1st update of 2022. 

Comment down your thoughts on Karna's decision. 

Will Karna be able to keep his promise of having one wife? Or he will end up marrying another?

Who do think will end up marrying Draupadi? Karna, Arjuna or another Pandu putra?

Guys also check out my new book 'HIS VICIOUS LOVE'. Its a dark romance starring Zain Imam and Rashmika Mandhana in main lead. Please check the book out guys, I promise you won't regret it.

Potterheads: Check out my new Harry Potter fanfiction 'Cindrella'. Do add the book to your Harry Potter reading list to keep an eye on the updates. I will start updating the book from Jan 01. 

Do vote, comment and follow me for more updates.

Target: 100 votes (for both this chapter and the previous one. I won't update unless the target is completed.)

Till then,

Take Care.