"What do you want to talk about bhratashree?" Vatsala asked.

"A lot Vatsu, but before that," he pulled a chair,"why don't you take a seat? This talk will be a long one." Shrutkarm answered,while Vatsala took the seat. Shrutkarm stared at the scenery beyond the window before turning towards Vatsala, who was clearly bemused.

"I have been thinking about my sisters affair with their respective lovers," Vatsala felt her body go tense,although she kept a straight face," and now that I think about this.Anga and Indraprastha are two such kingdoms which have no direct connection apart from your marriage with Chitrasen. Right?"

Vatsala slowly nodded, while Shrutkarm stared at the window and folded his hands.

"In order to exchange letters and such magnification gifts, the boys as well as the girls required a reliable source. Someone who they all could trust,and all this analysis only gives me one answer," Shrutkarm turned around and when their eyes met, for the first time Vatsala felt a certain amount of fear from someone who see saw as her brother like figure.

"Bhratashree, are you trying to imply that I-" Vatsala tried her best to act shocked.
"Yes, Vatsala. All the theories are giving me the same answer. The first one could be wrong, even the second but not all."

He indeed is sharp. It's fine Vatsala, act cool. He will never know it's you.

"Listen carefully Vatsu, if you are the one helped these four communicate, then it is alright but it will be better if you reveal it now. Believe, me you would not like to face jhest's wrath. Even if we have relations with the Anga family, it is all because of the marriage. Pitashree will never want to turn this into something more, and that's why jhest is extremely serious that time. He has even forbidden bhrata Satanik, Sutsom, Shrutkrit and anuj Abhimanyu from interfering in our actions. So Vatsala, are you one who helped them?" Shrutkarm finally asked.

Vatsala gulped, several thoughts clouded her head, she did not get enough time to think and immediately answered, "I am not the one who helped them."

That is all she was able to say and hoped that Shrutkarm would believe her. He stared at her for few seconds before breaking the eye contact with a deep sigh. He went closer to the window and massaged his forehead, "I am sorry Vatsala... I did not mean to scare you."

"It's alright bharatshree, I know that." Seizing the opportunity she immediately left, although before closing the door she behind her she took a last glace of him and felt sorry.

***

"Please Pragti, believe in me. I promise to keep you happy for the rest of our lives.Take my hand.."

"I CURSE YOU KUMAR-"

"...and today is the day we end our relations."

"Your extreme love for your wife will result in your impending doom kumar."

"Arya, please give this a second thought... Look at the children."

Pragti woke up with a jerk, sweat covered her hair and a terrified expression painted her face. She felt immense pain in her forehead, afterall it had been a longtime since she last saw a vision. Her stomach grumbled as she stared at the food plate which was given by her mother earlier, but she did not wish to eat. Her eyes travelled to the balcony which was now closed, from all sides as a precaution. Only a ray of sunlight was visible, indicating that it was sunset.

Should I eat something? No... What if Sushen is also not eating anything... I shouldn't. Wait- Sushen! That vision!

Pragti immediately got up from the sofa, her legs felt a bit wobbly due to weakness. She slowly made way to her drawer and removed a notebook. It was a special notebook, in which she wrote all her visions. Grabbing the near by chairs, she took their support and sat on her bed. Pragti quickly flipped the pages and made few connections with her visions and the real incidents.

Most of them have come true. All these visions give me small hints regarding what could happen in the near future. This latest vision hinted me about Sushen. Take my hand was what he said. Ahh I do not understand anything!

Pragti gave up and fell on the bed. A proposal from Sushen. A curse. Ending of relations. Love leading to one's own doom. A second thought. It was messing with Pragti's mind so she decided to only focus on Sushen's words and kept rest of them aside. She clenched her fists and go up, she sat erect and with determined eyes.

Whatever Sushen said in the vision,it was like a proposal. In order to put forward that proposal he shall be with me... But! Yes this is it! He must come to Nepa kingdom before I get married! I am sure along with him bhrata Shatrunjay was also tag up. But wait...

Few hours ago...

Pragti heard a knock on her chamber. She opened the door, and saw Draupadi with the plate, as usual. They couldn't see into each other's eyes, before taking the plate Samli, Draupadi's head maid came and said.

"Maharani, Maharaj has called you in Kumar Prativindhya and Kumari Vatsala's chamber in order to decide the guest list."

"I will be there." Draupadi answered as she waited for Pragti to close her chamber door in order to lock it from outside.

Presently, Pragti panicked as she realized that this could be her only chance for somehow bring Sushen and Shatrunjay to Nepa. She kept the notebook aside and ran towards the door. She started banging it and shouted for help.

Please Vatsala. Somehow open this door. Please please please!

Pragti knew that she would be in great trouble if someone else opened the door but she was willing to take the risk for her love. Meanwhile, Vatsala was going to her chamber,she was visibly still shaken over that conversation was Shrutkarm. She heard the her banging from the corridor where Pragti's chamber lied. Worried that something was wrong, she almost ran forgetting that it could be harmful for the baby within her. She quickly opened the door and Pragti seemed relieved.

"Pr-Pragti is everything alright?" She asked while catching her breath.
"No no Vatsala nothing is okay! Please Vatsu, I need your help. You need to somehow convince matashree and pitashree to invite the Anga family here."

"Pragti that is next to impossible!"

"I understand! But even if Angraj, Angrani and Kumar Chitrasen are here then it will be easier for Sushen and bhrata Shatrunjay to sneak out from Anga and come to Nepa! I had vision it said-"

Before Prgati could tell her everything they heard voices, it was probably Swara and Ciara. Vatsala was willing to take no risks and she assured Pragti that she will immediately go to her chamber and somehow convince everyone. She locked the door and brisk walked all the way to her chamber.

***

Yudhisthir sat on a chair with a peice of paper in his hand. It was the guest list. The Pandavas were no less stressed out than their brothers, they pitied their situation and Nakul hoped that Nitya wouldn't put him in a similar one. The only person who currently lightened the room's atmosphere was little Pradyumna. He walked around, randomly grabbing anyone's leg and babbled something in his baby language. It managed to make Yudhisthir and Draupadi smile while Prativindhya and Arjun shared a laugh.

"It seems like Shrutkarm will not be joining us," Prativindhya started the talk,"its better if we discuss the list now."

It did not take much time as Draupadi had made the list. The kingdom of Anga was naturally not mentioned. After adding two more kingdoms to their list and feeling satisfied Prativindhya got up and for one last time he glanced at it.

"We need to invite the Anga family as well." Vatsala announced.

Prativindhya looked at the door and saw a tired Vatsala. He squinted his eyes, how could she say that after whatever had happened?

[A/N- Will Vatsala be able to convince everyone invite the Anga family? I hope you like the chapter, stay tuned!]