Pragti slowly came behind the kitchen area.. No one noticed her absence since the main hall was already a chaos..

She whispered Sushen's name.. Just then someone pulled her wrist.. Before she could scream or jerk the hand Sushen covered her mouth.. Pragti hugged him.. He felt something different about that hug..

Her hugs would be filled with joy but this one was filled with worry and fright.. Pragti's heartbeats were fast...

Sushen-" Oh Pragti...You need not be scared.."
Pragti-" Sushen.. How can I not be scared?I am scared that after Kumar Shatrunjay it would be your turn to get married.. I don't want to lose you..."

Her eyes were filled with tears..Sushen wiped her eyes and made a direct eye contact with her he cupped her face and promised..

Sushen-" Priye.. I promise you.. No matter what happens we both will always be together.. Nothing in this world can separate us.. It's because in you I have found the love of my life and my closest,truest friend.. That's why Pragti no matter what happens I will Never give up on you..."

Pragti looked at his assuring eyes.. His words were promising and tender... He gave her a hug.. His heartbeats were calm and their was warmth in his hug..

Pragti finally felt at peace and they both decided to go back before their absence feels anymore suspicious..

By the time they came they saw Prativindhya announcing something..

Prativindhya-" Good morning to all our dear guests and congratulations to the newly married couple!! I would like to thanks Angraj karna for allowing me to share this beautiful moment! His son got married today and my wife Vatsala, Kumar Chitrasen who is no less than my brother and a equal father to our son, We three would be naming our son today who was born a month ago!"

Chitrasen-" Our son shall be know as Pradyumna meaning eminently mighty one! "

Everyone clapped, some looked at the boy happily and some with creepy eyes.. Aahuk who was around 4 at the time was observing everyone..

He glared at some prince and kings who shrugged at Pradyumna's name.. Snigdha sweat dropped at her son's violent reaction.. Vrishasen noticed Aahuk was short tempered, he doubted if it was due to the extreme love they gave him or did it come naturally to him?

Aahuk and glaring at the prince of Pandya kingdom,Malayadhwaja who was around the same age as Dvipat and Banasen.. He envied Dvipat and Banasen since they were the students of Krishna..

He kept his relation bright with the Upapandavas because of his special liking towards Nitya.. Before Malayadhwaja shortly known as Malaya could harm Aahuk in anyway, Dvipat picked him up and shushed him.

Malaya-" Huh, well such a spoiled brat he is!"
Dvipat-" Not as much as you kumar!"

Dvipat was ready for a talk argument.. But before Malaya could say anymore, Nitya came, she was cheerful and unknowingly by habit she grabbed Dvipat's arm.. She smiled at him, which Dvipat returned..

Malaya didn't like the way things were going on he cleared his throat to get her attention.. Nitya greeted him and asked about his well being.. Throughout the talk she didn't leave Dvipat's arm..After sometime Abhimanyu gestured her to come.. She took Malaya's leave and winked and Dvipat before leaving...

Having the chance, Dvipat decided to leave but Malaya's words echoed through his ears..

Malaya-" She is mine.. I don't care about what's going on between you both but in the end I shall be her partner!"

He scoffed and left.. Dvipat's eyes narrowed and he felt that he had to be more cautious about the prince of Pandya..

It was time for Raakhi's vidai.. Vrihatshatra gave her a last loving hug before she started a new journey at a completely different place.. Salvi gave Raakhi and Shatrunjay her blessings and requested Vrushali to take care of her.. Shatrunjay was in a dilemma. He wanted to talk to Suthanu, convince her win back her love..

But she was nowhere to be seen.. Shatrunjay leaned to a large pillar, he was exhausted physically and drained mentally.. Behind the exact same pillar, stood Suthanu.. She kept crying, their hands met, Shatrunjay's grip tightened around her soft wrist..

He turned and said...

Shatrunjay-" Suthanu.. My love.. I am sorry ,please forgive me.. Please believe in me for this one last time.. I will come.. We will be together.. And without anyone's fear we will walk hand in hand.."

He squeezed her hand before leaving.. Suthanu broke down, Pragti hugged her and tried to pacify her..All the lovers took each other's leave and kept various promises.. Vatsala daughter of Balram also known as Vatsu was taking special interest in a certain Hastinapur prince... Before the Indraprastha folks left, Nitya was conversing witg Dvipat.

The prince of Pandya, glared at Dvipat and gestured him that he would be dead if he got any close to Nitya.. Though Dvipat professionally ignored that warning..

Dvipat and Banasen bid farewell to their parents, brothers, sisters-in-law and nephew before joining Krishna back to Dwarka..

The journey from kekaya to Anga wasn't exhausting.. Karna had already sent a scroll to his trustworthy ministers and decorated Anga..

Snigdha and Vrushali welcomed the new bride according to the rituals. Everyone were tired and karna assumed Shatrunjay wanted to spend sometime with Raakhi.. alone..

Aahuk had already fell asleep, Madhura kept him in Snigdha's room and Vrishasen kept his heavy ornaments in, Madhura's chamber..

Chitrasen didn't realise when he slept.. Vrishasen tucked him and left the chamber and dramatically fell beside Aahuk..

Vrushali showed Raakhi, Shatrunjay's chamber which was now equally hers..

Inside the chamber..

Shatrunjay shut the door, and locked it.. The bed was decorated beautifully, petals of rose were spread everywhere..

Raakhi removed her jewelry and washed her face.. She eyed to Shatrunjay from the corner of her mirror she noticed he was lost in some thoughts..

She sat on the bed, waiting for him to change and speak something.. His hands were shaking at his own thoughts, but eventually he got a determined look on his face..

He turned to Raakhi..

Raakhi-"Would you like to talk or take some rest?"

Shatrunjay-" Raakhi I don't love you."
Raakhi-" I understand.. We don't know each other.. But I know we will get along in few days.."

Shatrunjay-" No Raakhi.. The thing is .. I love someone else.. I have always loved her, I love her and always will."

Raakhi got up with a jerk , her breathing was heavy and her hands slightly shaked..

Raakhi-" I-I.. But.. Why did you marry me? WHY?"
Shatrunjay-" It was a forced marriage.. I was emotionally tortured to marry you.. The bottom line is I cannot love you she is the ruler of my heart..No one else..."

Saying so he took his blanket and kept it on a nearby sofa in their chamber..

Shatrunjay-" I will be sleeping here from today itself.. Raakhi I don't want any physical contact.. Intentionally or unintentionally, no touch.."

Raakhi was shocked.. It happened to quickly, Shatrunjay blew the lights in the room and opened the window allowing the wind to cool the boiled atmosphere..

Shatrunjay decided not to reveal Suthanu's name incase in future if Raakhi told his parents about his lover, atleast Suthanu won't be in trouble..

Raakhi sat on her bed as she stared at Shatrunjay who had turned his back towards her and shut his eyes, thinking about Suthanu..

Raakhi feared... How was her life going to be now?

[ Will Raakhi's admiration for Shatrunjay change after his confession? Next is the Indraprastha arc! Stay tuned!!]