In Hastinapur...

After the heroic way Chitrasen saved his child and Shatrunjay showed up on time their praises rang across Aryavarta... Chitrasen was always with Vrishasen was well known in Aryavarta but as for Shatrunjay...

He felt that his father and brothers had their own identity but he felt he was inferior to them.. He wanted to get stronger and create his own identity...

That was one the reasons why he decided to train under Yamraj.. First The lord of Death refused to train him, but after Shatrunjay meditated and did many things to get noticed... Yamraj finally gave in he was testing his nephew's patience...

After taking him under is shelter.. Shatrunjay was invited to stay in Suryalok.. Suryadev,Devi Chhaya and Devi Sangya showered all their love to their grandson.. It wasn't the first time Suryadev was meeting Chitrasen.. When Vrishasen was training under Suryadev Karna once brought Chitra and Shatrunjay to meet him..

After gaining maximum knowledge in the time that Shatrunjay had he returned back to earth ,much more intelligent and stronger..

He was granted a boon that during his end moments he could save his breathe and spend time with family before coming to heaven...

Now presently, after leaving from Indraprastha they decided to go back to Anga.. While traveling they received a letter from Karna informing them to come to Hastinapur.. It was pretty suprising for both of them as he called them on a very short notice..

After reaching Hastinapur, Sushen immediately hugged Shatrunjay.. As for Chitra who was still recovering, Vrish helped him to walk.

Karna hugged Shatrunjay.. He was proud of him! After Vrushali welcomed both of them Shatrunjay felt that everyone were staring at him more like grinning at him...

Just than Lakshmana came and pulled his cheek...

Shatrunjay-" Oww You lizard! That hurts!"
Lakshmana-" It hurts?! Call me lizard again and I will pull your cheeks harder!"

Shatrunjay- " Oh you liz-I mean the pretty princess of Hastinapur the apple of everyone's eyes Lakshmana.."

He said it with great sarcasm and Lakshmana couldn't help but laugh..

Lakshmana-" Hehe jhest! Apart from the jokes! Congratulations!"
Shatrunjay-" Thanks.."

Just than he realized.. What was he being congratulated for? Before he could ask Lakshmana Bhanumati called her..Just than his favorite little brother, Sushen hugged him from behind and patted his back..

Sushen-" Jhest! Who are you staring at?"
Shatrunjay-" Well I don't understand why did Lakshmana congratulated me!"

Sushen's face turned grim.. Just than Duryodhana came..

Duryodhana-" Putra Sushen! Please help us with those letters! Mitra karna wants you to inform Krishna about this!"
Sushen- "Ji kakashree! I will be there in a moment.."

Duryodhana disagreed he pulled Sushen's arm and almost dragged him in the palace.. Shatrunjay was curious and equally angry... As he went to find karna everyone would either pull his cheeks and say congratulations.. He was getting annoyed...

He found karna and Vrushali in their chambers..Vrishasen was blabbering something about someone's " marriage" when Shatrunjay entered..

Inside the chamber...

Shatrunjay-" Pranipat Pitashree! I am sorry to bother you but I have a question!"
Karna-" Ofcourse putra!"

Shatrunjay-" Pitashree I don't understand anything! Everyone has been congratulating me since my arrival! What is all that about?"

Karna and Vrushali shared a laugh...

Vrushali-" Arya seems like we have to tell him.."
Karna-" Ha Vrusha!I assume no one can keep this a suprise anymore!"

Shatrunjay left lost.. More like left out from the conversation.. Vrishasen came and patted his back...

Karna- " Putra.. We have arranged your marriage with the princess of kekaya"

Shatrunjay-" You are joking right?"

He asked without any second thoughts.. He hoped that his father was joking..

Vrushali-"No putra.. Why would we joke about such a thing? Marriage isn't something we can joke on.. We have arranged your marriage with her when you were out there on a penance."

Vrishasen nodded his head...At this point Shatrunjay felt numb... He couldn't get married to any other princess apart from Suthanu.. Shatrunjay jerked his brother's hand and his breathing was heavy...

Shatrunjay-" But why.. and how? I don't understand anything? Why would you want me to marry her.. I don't even know her.."

His voice trembled.. Karna understood his boy's concern..

Karna-" Let me tell you everything.. Putra as you know Kekeya is a very prestigious kingdom.. During Shri Rama's rule it was one of it's most close kingdoms since his mother keiki was from there.. But later after his glorious period ended other kingdoms started attacking them trying to rob their gold in those bad times Hastinapur and Anga helped them.. supported them.. And now to make this bond stronger we decided to arrange your marriage with Raakhi the princess of kekaya.. Believe me son you have never seen a princess like her..."

Karna cleared his throat and continued.

Karna-" Oh well and Hastinapur  would be getting 2000 elephants,  1000 horses and 75,000 soldiers! Mitra Duryodhan was extremely pleased by the king's generosity! It's assuring that we have such a kingdom as our in laws.."

Shatrunjay was shocked beyond words. He was fuming with anger while everyone sang keyaka's praises..

Shatrunjay-" I did not expect this..."

Shatrunjay said it in a law voice almost as if a snake hissing who is ready to hunt his prey.. Everyone stopped and tuned their attention at him..

Shatrunjay-" I did not expect such a behaviour FROM YOU PITASHREE!"

Vrishasen's eyes widened.. He never saw Shatrunjay raise his voices especially in front of their parents..

Karna- "Putra..I don't understand very well?"

Shatrunjay- " HAHAHA! Please Pitashree don't act like this! Haha I know very well that you know what you have done! A political marriage huh? ARE YOU A FATHER? OR SOMEONE WHO IS READY TO SELL HIS SON TO A KING WHO IS OFFERING SO MUCH IN DOWRY?!"

Vrushali, disagreed she approached to calm her son but karna held her hand and gestured her 'no'.. Vrishasen was angry by his brother's words.. He didn't expect that... Shatrunjay started laughing maniacally..

Shatrunjay-" Oh my! I FORGOT! MAYBE STAYING WITH THOSE SELFISH KINGS HAS ALSO MADE YOU SELFISH PITASHREE!"

In a second or so the room went silent.. Shatrunjay received a nice slap by Vrushali.. Her eyes were teary.. Shatrunjay slowly looked up at her...

Vrushali-" Don't you dare talk to your Pitashree in that tone ever again! Is this the day why we gave you our culture to you? To see this day? I know it's a arranged marriage.. But.. Arya refused to all other kings who offered their daughter's hand in marriage for you.. We have met Raakhi.. We felt she is perfect for you.. and those things which Hastinapur is getting isn't in dowry.. It was a deal between king of kekaya and Bhrata Duryodhana.. I never thought.. You would think this way putra.."

A tear slipped down her cheek.. Karna had a stern face.. Shatrunjay looked is his eyes.. He shouldn't have blamed and insulted his father..

Sushen came in followed by Duryodhana.. He massaged his hands which were sore after writing all those letters..

Duryodhan-"Mitra all the letters are ready! Should I order my soldiers to deliver them?"
Karna-" No Duri.. Not yet.."

Duryodhan was suprised.. He was quick to understand that something had happened during his absence.. He gestured Karna to come outside.. Before leaving Shatrunjay in a really low voice called out for Vrushali .. She completely ignored him.. Vrishasen followed his father..

Shatrunjay sat down.. It seemed as if he had sunked into the ground.. He closed his eyes and endless tears rolled out.. 

Sushen was suprised he immediately gave his brother a warm hug..

Shatrunjay-" Oh Sushen! I don't understand what should I do? I don't want Pitashree too get hurt by my actions..But at the same time I don't have a perfect reason to not get married.. I cannot tell him about Suthanu.. No matter how close we get! The Pandavas will never give their daughter's hand in ours for marriage!"

Sushen felt his brother's pain..

Sushen- " Bhrata I feel you should tell Pitashree about kumari Suthanu! Rather than sitting here and making assumptions won't help!"

Shatrunjay-" Little one.. If I tell them about her and if they wouldn't like it.. I would have to marry The other princess and if this news falls on the Pandavas ears they will get her married to! I don't want either of this.."

Sushen went silent.. He didn't know what to say... A tingle of fear was installed in him.. What if after Shatrunjay's marriage his parents get him married to? What if he also gets separated from Pragti his only love? The worst situations flashed in his head .. His face went all pale...

Just than a senapati came and informed that Vrishasen was expecting Shatrunjay in his chamber to talk..

Shatrunjay sighed and wobbled as he made his way to his brother's room leaving behind a worried Sushen...

[What do you think Vrishasen will tell Shatrunjay? Well a hint- Big revelation which breaks someone's heart! Stay tuned for next chapter!]