Next Morning –

Vrushali woke up and smiled feeling the warmth of her husband's embrace. She looked up at karna's face and got lost in her own thoughts.

Soon she felt Karna move, which brought her back to the present.

She looked at him, and saw him smiling at her.

She blushed, and tried to get up.

(the main word to be noted here is tried)

Because she was not even able to move an inch, before Karna wrapped his arms around her and pulled her on him.

Her blush grew, and she hid her face in his chest and spoke, "Arya, let me go."

Karna smiled at her shyness and said, "Why? Don't you want to be close to me? He said this in a mock hurt tone."

Vrushali gently punched him on his chest and said, "Don't tease me. And don't you have to go for your Surya pooja."

Karna chuckled and let her go.

After that they both performed their morning duties, post which Karna asked Vrushali and Vrishseina to get ready as they have to leave for the palace.

After a while both of them reached the palace. And as soon as they entered Vrushali was tackled by an emotional Bhanumati.

Bhanumati hugged Vrushali and said, "Jiji, how are you? Its been so long."

Before Vrushali could speak anything, Karna spoke out, "Waah Bhanu Waah, Jiji ko dekh kar Sakha ko bhul gayi. Kya mitrta Nibhai hai aapne."

And he started singing,

'Dushman na kare dost ne wo kaam kiya hai

Dushman na kare dost ne wo kaam kiya hai

Umra bhar ka gham hamein inaam diya hai" X2

Bhanumati looked at him annoyed, and said, "Sakha, why do you always have to act so childish. And also, I am meeting my Jiji after a long time. Whereas you used to visit Hastinapur frequently."

Karna made a mock sad face and said, "Ghar ki murgi daal barabar."

Vrushali who was watching their interaction with amusement, burst out laughing hearing karna's last comment.

She shook her head and said, "Arya stop teasing Bhanu."

Karna pouted and said,"Fine."

Bhanu suddenly felt someone touch her feet and looked down to see Vrishseina.
She smiled brightly and bent down to pick him up.

Bhanu then spoke, "Vrish, how are you? Did you miss me." Saying that she tickled him lightly.

Vrishseina started giggling and said," Choti ma, of course I missed you. And gently hugged Bhanumati."

Bhanu then put Vrishseina down and said, "Vrish, go to Lakshman's chamber. Both Lakshman and Lakshmana are waiting for you there."

Hearing this Vrishseina ran away and disappeared in the halls of the palace.

Vrushali then spoke up, "Where is Bhrata Duryodhan?"

To this bhanumati gave a sad smile and said, "Arya along with Dushi and the Pandavas have left for their punishment, before any of us got up."

To this Karna playfully said," Durri is now starting to think from his brain, I see. Nice idea to leave before anyone woke up and saw his disguise."

Bhanumati just nodded her head to that.

Bhanumati then turned to Vrushali and said, "jiji come with me, all the women are sitting in Mata Gandhari's chambers."

Before they left an eagle came flying to Karna and landed on his shoulder.

Karna was shocked, he never expected to see this eagle ever again in his life.

Yes he knew this eagle, how could he not. This was the messanger of his Gurudev himself. He soon came out of his shock, and looked at the letter tied to the leg of the eagle.

As soon as he took the letter, the eagle flew away.

Vrushali stopped after looking at the eagle and then Karna's shocked expression.

As karna opened the letter and read it, a smile formed on his face.

Vrushali got confused and couldn't resist anymore and spoke, "What is in the letter Arya and whom is it from."

Karna looked up, smiled widely and said," This letter is from my Gurudev, he wanted to meet me urgently.'

And so, I would have to leave immediately for the Mahindragiri hills.

Vrushali also smiled and nodded her head. She knew what transpired between her arya and his gurudev. And how much Karna missed him.

Bidding his farewell Karna left for his journey.

While Bhanumati and Vrushali went to Mata Gandhari's chamber.

As soon as they entered, everyone turned to them.

Vrushali went to mata Gandhari and touched her feet. Who lovingly hugged her.

Draupadi was surprised seeing Vrushali after so long. She had not seen her friend after her Swayamber, and had missed her a lot.

Bhanumati then spoke, "Mata Kunti, Panchali, Devika, Subhadra, Valendhra, Vijaya and Karenumati meet Vrushali jiji. She is the wife of my Sakha Karna."

Kunti was having mixed emotions hearing that, she was happy that her elder son had such a beautiful wife, but sad that she could not be a part of their lives.

Draupadi was also stunned hearing that.

She always wanted to meet her friend, but she never expected their reunion to be in these circumstances.

Moreover, she could have never imagined her friend marrying Angraj. She always thought that Vrushali would choose someone who could make her laugh, not someone as serious as Radhey.

Vrushali looked at Draupadi, who was lost in her thoughts.

She realized what her friend might be thinking. And she walked towards her and placed a hand on her shoulder. Won't you welcome your friend Drau.

Draupadi came out of her thoughts, and after realizing what Vrushali said, she got up and hugged her tightly.

Everyone was surprised.

Bhanu spoke up, "Jiji, Do you know Panchali?"

Vrushali looked at her smiled and nodded her head.

She then spoke, "Yes, I know Drau. She is also my sakhi.'

Draupadi looked at her in tears and said, "If I am your friend, why did you never contact me. You know where I was, everyone knew. But you were completely gone. I tried to contact the King of Virat, but he even refused that he had any daughter."

Vrushali smiled a sad smile and said, "Drau, sometimes we need to sort out our lives, before doing something else. And that's exactly what I was doing."

Soon they all settled down on the bed and couches in the room and started talking with each other.

Gandhari – Putri Vrushali, how did you make our calm and composed Karna so hasty and impulsive.

Vrushali looked at mata Gandhari confused and said, "what do you mean mata?"

Gandhari – putri after the court was dismissed yesterday, he was practically running to get back to his home. And I cannot understand the reason for his excitement to reach his home. The only special occasion I can remember which happened yesterday, was your arrival from Anga.

Vrushali understood what Mata Gandhari was implying to and blushed.

While everyone laughed at her expense.

Bhanu then turned to Vrushali and said in a teasing tone, "yes do tell jiji. I also want to know your magic trick."

To which Vrushali just glared at Bhanumati, which she intentionally ignored.

Draupadi then spoke up, "Vrushu, how has your married life been. I literally know nothing about you or your family, and I am your best friend."

Vrushali smiled and said, "Hmm... Let's see, where to start from

I am really happy in my married life. I have a loving husband, a lovely baby boy and loving parents in the form of Radha ma and Adhirath baba.

I believe marrying Radhey was the best decision of my life. He is loving, caring and very open minded. He not only supports me making decisions but also made me learn the art of fighting with a sword. "

Bhanu then spoke up, "I know jiji, I remembered you fighting with five soldiers and disarming them easily."

Vrushali looked at Bhanumati and spoke, "Oh see who is speaking, the one who wrestles with Bhrata Duryodhan every once in a while."

Listening to this Draupadi felt a little jelous, "Here she sacrificed so much for her husbands, and they don't even spend much time with her, forget about teaching her how to fight.

Devika spoke up next, "Vrushali jiji, where and How did you first saw Radhey."

Hearing this a small smile formed on her face and she spoke, I can tell you but mind my dear it's a little long story.
to this everyone sat in excitement and Subhadra spoke up, "Jiji we are all free, and what's better then hearing a true story filled with love."

Vrushali chuckled and started remembering the first time she saw Radhey.

-----------------

I was playing with the kids of my Dasis. Honestly speaking I never liked the cast system and discrimination that the royals forced upon the lower cast people, I mean they are humans too right. So, I always treated my dasis as my friends, and in way there were my sakhis. And I loved their children, I loved to play with them, teach them things and pamper them.

And that day was no different or so I thought. Because you see while I was playing a Dasi approached me and said that I have got an invitation from my Sakhi, to be by her side during her swayamber.

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Everyone turned to Draupadi, who just shrugged and said, "I wanted my best friend to be with me on one of the most important days of my life."

Everyone then turned back to Vrushali and asked her to continue.

Yes, the invitation was from the Panchal princess Draupadi, whose swayamber was being organized and who wanted her best friend to be by her side.

After a few days I left Virat and started my journey towards Panchal. I was really happy to know that my friend was getting married.

I reached Panchal in the evening. And as soon as I entered the palace, I rushed to Draupadi's chamber and hugged her.

We both exchanged pleasantries, after which I went to the guest chamber to freshen up.

We met in the dining hall and ate silently, after which we both went to her chamber and chatted the whole night.

Next morning since my Sakhi was busy with her preparations for her swayamber, I was getting really bored and hence decided to go out and explore the markets of Panchal.
Therefore I dressed as a commoner and went out.

Draupadi then spoke, "Hey that was not fare, I wanted you to help me and you ran out to explore the markets alone. Do you know how much boring it was to do all those preparations alone? "

Vrushali chuckled and said, "But you never told me to help you, you were so busy that you were almost ignoring me. That's why I decided to go out."

Vijaya spoke up, "oh come on jiji, we can fight over the incidents later. Please let Vrushali jiji continue the story. It's getting really interesting."

To this everyone nodded and Vrushali continued.

--------------

Everyone was cheerful and happy for the marriage of their princess, and the atmosphere indicated that.

And as I was walking around and exploring the market, I felt hungry. And So I went to the section of the market dedicated to the foods of various kind. I saw many poor children. They were all sitting in a corner, clutching their stomachs. They looked pale and weeak, as if they had not eaten for a long time.
I felt really horrible for the kids, and wanted to help them. But I was not carrying enough money to be able to feed them all.

But before I could leave to the palace to get more money (gold coins). I saw a man approaching the kids.

I was really curious about the man and started watching him. I wanted to make sure that he would not harm the kids.

The man went towards the kids, sat on his knees to be on eye level with them , and gently spoke, "Baccho aap log yeahan itne udaas ho kar kyu bathe ho?"

Karenumati spoke up, "Was this man radhey?"

To this Vrushali smiled and said,," who knows? And stop interrupting me, you will soon realise what is going on and who is the man."

Listening to the question a small girl in the group came forward and said, "Because we have not eaten anything from past two days. And no one is helping us."

The man got a little angry, he went to a store near by and said to the owner, "Small kids are sitting there, they have not eaten from two days and you don't have a little heart to help them. Tell me how can you ignore them."

Owner of the shop replied to the man, "Shriman I am doing business here, I need to be here for my customers. Moreover, I cannot feed them free as I will go in losses."

Hearing this Devika teared up and spoke, "How can someone be that heartless. I mean they are little children. How do they expect them to take care of themselves?"

Gandhari sadly smiled at Devika and said, "Putri this world is not as beautiful as it seems. Things happen to people in this world, which can only be described as horrible or despicable, and many a times to those who are innocent."

Hearing this Kunti also started thinking about what she had done to Karna. She was heartbroken on forcing a life of misery on her son, but what other choice she had.

If she had revealed the truth earlier, her father's reputation would have been destroyed. But now, she feared losing her other sons too. And so, she remained quiet.

Gandhari then asked Vrushali to continue, to which she obliged.
-----------------------------------------------

The man got even more furious listening to the owner, "Give everyone of them food to eat. I will pay for them."

Soon the shop owner gave him packets of food, which he took and walked back to the children.

He gave all of them the packets and asked them to eat as much as they want to.

The kids ate happily, while the small girl came back to the man and hugged him.

She softly spoke, "Thank you."
The man lifted her in his arms and said, "There is no need to say thank you to me."

He further asked, "Angel, how often do you get food to eat. And who takes care of you all."

The girl said, "once in a day or two, sometimes even once in three days. And we all are orphans, there is no one to care for us."

All the women were teary eyed.

They were not able to imagine the horrors and hardships such kids had to endure.

Vrushali who was also emotional remembering the scene, cleared her throat and continued

The man felt his heart clentch, a tear escaped his eyes which the little girl in his arms wiped away.

She gently spoke, "Why are you crying Bhaiya?"

The man shook his head and said, "Something went in my eyes Angel. Leave that, and give me the packet, I want to feed this little angel in my arms."

The girl giggled and ate from the man's hands.

All the women smiled at that.

And Bhanumati spoke, "I wish more people in the world were like that."

To which everyone nodded.

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The man then said to all the kids, "If you all want you can come with me, and I can make arrangements for all of you in my house."

The little girl jumped happily and hugged the man tightly, and said, "Will you take us with you?"

The man nodded and said, "Yes, but you will need to wait for a day. I will be leaving for my house tomorrow, and can take you with me then."

The kids nodded their heads.

Karna then put the girl down and said, "I will come tonight and tomorrow morning to ensure that you guys get proper food to eat. And in the evening we will leave for your new home."

The man then walked away and got lost in the crowd.

I felt overwhelmed, I never imagined that a person could be this generous and kind hearted.

I wanted to know more about him, and with these thoughts I returned to the palace.

Everyone smiled and nodded.

And Valendhra spoke up, "truly he is a kind soul, and I will pray for his happiness."

To this everyone nodded.

Vrushali smiled and carried on with the story.

THE NEXT DAY

Draupadi and I were talking in Draupadi's chamber.

Soon both of us were called to the hall where everyone was present for Draupadi's swayambar.

As we entered, both of us felt uncomfortable due to the lust filled gaze of the royal guests.

-------------------------------------------------
To this everyone sighed. They all had felt this way, at some point in their life.

Seeing this Vrushali spoke up, "You know this was one of the reasons Arya forced me to learn to fight with a sword. He always said women in our time are not treated as equals, and until they are confident enough and brave enough to face the dangers of life alone, they will never be treated as equals."

Everyone nodded at that. It was true, women now a days were like a trophy, who were desired for their beauty.

Bhanu then spoke up, "Sakha even started a program for women to learn warfare in Anga right, what happened to that?"

Vrushali looked at her and smiled, "it was a success, at least till he was the ruler."

Draupadi looked at her friend and said, "what do you mean Vrushu?"

Vrushali looked at Draupadi and said, "Arya initially focused on training me in the arts of sword fighting, since he wanted me to instruct the young girls in the kingdom.

And it has hardly been about 2 months since I have completed my training and started instructing the girls.

So basically, I have only been able to teach them self-defense. But as Arya has left the thrown of Anga day before yesterday, I had to stop their training and leave anga to come here."

Vrushali - If there is any more questions please ask them, otherwise I will continue.

We both took our seats, and as I scanned the people who came for my sakhi's swayambar. I saw the man whom I saw yesterday with the kids.

While everyone was staring at us , he was simply looking at the birds flying in the sky and smiling.

Soon Draupadi's swayamber started, where the warriors had to pierce the eye of a fish which was hung in the sky by looking at its reflection in the water container kept below it.

Every warrior failed to even lift the bow. Draupadi was getting nervous, and she asked our Sakha Krishna about whether anyone can even complete the task.

Krishna looked at Draupadi and smiled his beautiful smile and said, "Sakhi there are only three people who can complete this task. One is me, the other is Pandu Putra Arjun and the third one is Angraj Karna."

Draupadi smiled at the name of Arjun, I knew she started to develop feelings for the prince from the time Govind told her about the stories of his valor and kindness.

But when she heard the name of Angraj Karna, her smile disappeared.

Draupadi spoke, "who is Angraj Karna, Govind?"

Krishna smiled and pointed towards a man.
-----------------------------------

Everyone looked at Draupadi and raised their eyebrow.

Draupadi was confused and she said, "What?"

Subhadra asked the question on everyone's mind, "Jiji, how did you not know the mighty warrior who challenged Lord Indra and brought rain to a barren village as his Guru Dakshina, who challenged Arya Arjun and fought with him on equal grounds and the person who defeated Jarasandh in a wrestling match without anyone's assistance. "

Draupadi shrugged and said," Maybe because I was born just a month before my swayamber, or maybe because most of the times people were only talking about Arjun around me.

Vrushali chuckled at that and said, "Maybe." And continued with her story.

He was the same man whom I was looking at throughout this swayamber.

Soon I heard the voice of King Draupad. He also joined the conversation and said that Karna is just a low born son of a charioteer, who was made the king of Anga by his friend. He does not even deserve to be hear, but we had to sent him an invitation because he is a capable warrior, and its not good for Panchal to make enemies with him.

I did not like the way king Draupad spoke about Angraj. I never liked discrimination among humans in any form. And if I remember correctly he was one of three men who can complete this impossible task, which many of the kings cannot even dream to fulfill. So why does he not deserve to be a king.

All the women were giving Vrushali teasing smiles.
While she was busy blushing and tracing the patterns on the floor.

Gandhari then spoke, "All of you stop staring at Putri Vrushali. If she continues to blush, then who will tell us the remaining story."

Vrushali wined and said, "Not you too Mata."

Everyone laughed at that

Soon Duryodhan's name was called and he asked Angraj karna to participate in his place. But Draupad said no to karna's participation in place of Duryodhan.

Duryodhan then forced Karna to participate for himself and win Draupadi's hand in marriage, "Karna sighed and came towards the bow. He joined his hands and lifted the bow easily."

Everyone was astonished at that. Krishna smiled a sad smile and closed his eyes.

For some unknown reason I wanted Karna to stop and not participate in the swayamber. But why was I feeling so.

But before I could dwell on why I didn't want Karna to participate. Draupadi stood up and said that she didn't wanted to marry a Sutputra.

I was stunned at Draupadi's words. I knew she also did not believe inn discrimination on the basis of cast, then why? Why she spoke those words.

Kunti was secretly glairing at Draupadi for insulting her son.

While others were looking at her disbelievingly.

It was Subhadra who spoke up," Jiji did you really say those words? that too in front of all the kings. "

Vrushali then joined in, "Yes she did, but what really bothered me was why? Why such words. Because as far as I know my sakhi never believed in this cast system. Then what happened on that day."

Draupadi bowed her head and spoke," I knew I did wrong, but I was really panicked.
From the day I was born, I was told that my destiny was to marry Arjun. And I was even told stories of his valor and kindness to make sure that I developed feelings for him.

And when another person came around, who not only had a chance but the potential of winning my hand in the marriage, I got scared and, in my haste, I insulted Bhrata Karna.

But I also apologized to him, and he forgave me for my mistake."

Everyone understood her side of the story as well and realized she was not completely in fault either. And smiled at her, as she realized her faults and asked for forgiveness.

But before I could think of any reason, I heard the laughter of everyone present in the hall and the comments thrown at Angraj which made my blood boil

These so-called royals were insulting him for his cast and were throwing more and more insults at him. One of them spoke, "Chale jao SutPutra, aur fir kisi Rajkumari ke swayamber mein aane ki himmat mat karna,", another one said, "Daan mein raja banne se koi Kshatriya nahi banta, isliye apni aukat mein rehna seekh jao sutputra", many more such comments were thrown at him.

My eyes moistened, I felt my heart bleeding and crying for the man. He simply smiled and walked back to his seat.

How could he ignore all that, how could he smile after listening all that and how did he controlled the emotional outburst. All these questions were roming in my mind.

Soon the swayamber was opened for the brahmanas. And a warrior came out of the crowd, who won Draupadi's hand.

A tear fell from Vrushali's eyes remembering the horrible insults thrown at her arya.

Bhanu who was sitting next to Vrushali, wiped it and said, "Jiji you know right that Sakha, hated your tears with a burning passion."

To this Vrushali chuckled, "oh how can I forget that, It was so difficult for me to make him share his feelings with me. He always kept all his pain and sadness within himself bearing everything alone, so that I am not sad or worried. And even in pain his first concern would be me, Vrish and ma baba. I sometimes feel he is like a sun in the form of a man, who can literally burn himself, just to give warmth to people around."

Kunti in mind – Dear, you don't even know, how accurate you are, and then got lost in her own guilt of abandoning her first born.

Draupadi noticed this, and was confused. Where everyone had a sad expression. Kunti had a forlorn expression and she was staring at the ground. As if ashamed of doing something.

Vrushali spoke up, and this is the part which actually made me fall for him, and continued her story.

I simply walked out of the hall and went back to the place where I saw Angraj yesterday with the kids.

The kids were still there, and soon he came too.

He smiled at them and said, "so are you all ready to go to your new home."

The kids jumped up and down and said yes.

Karna then instructed some people to take the children and make them sit in the chariots comfortably.

The little girl hugged Karna and refused to go with any one else.

Karna smiled and lifted her in his arms and said,"What happened Angel."

The girl spoke, "I do not want to go without you, Bhaiya."

Karna smiled and kissed her forehead, he then said," Angel I am coming with you guys. You are not going without me?"

To this the girl asked, "Okay, but can I stay with you?"

Karna smiled and nodded; he then carried the girl in his arms to his chariot.

I was stunned at his behavior and actions.

I literally questioned myself on how can he be so positive, even after facing such humiliation.

But seeing him smile, I too smiled and returned to the palace.
------------------------------------------

Everyone smiled at that and Subhadra said, "Wow jiji, I never expected a person who has been just humiliated would remember to fulfill a promise to someone he never saw and might never even see again."

To this Vrushali said, "Dear in my initial days of marriage, Radhey was a mystery to me. But I realized, that he is one of the kindest and selfless souls, which you can ever hope to meet. And so I thanked the gods above for sending such a person in my life, and promised myself to be his safe-haven where he can cry his heart out without being judged, express his childish behavior, his worries and his plans for the future. "

Bhanu then spoke up, "You are right Jiji. As you all know that Arya abducted me from my swayamber with the help of Sakha. Initially I hated them with a burning passion, but soon I realized that both of them are very kind and gentle. Where Arya has reserved that side for only a few people, because of the continuous heartbreaks throughout his life. Sakha is like a sun, no matter who ever you are, he will surely provide you with warmth and light."

To this Kunti smiled and a hope kindled in her heart. "Would he forgive her and accept her too", that was the only thing running in her mind.

After a brief silence Subhadra asked, "jiji, from your story we realized you love him a lot. But is there anything about Radhey which irritates you about him?"

Before Vrushali could say anything.
Bhanumati spoke up, "Oh Sabhu, let me tell you, the only thing which irritated jiji was sakha's surya pooja."

Everyone looked at Bhanumati confused

And Draupadi spoke," What do you mean Bhanu?"

Bhanu chuckled and said, "It's true, Jiji hated when sakha used to go for surya pooja, because every woman would go to the banks of the river to stare at him, which made jiji so angry at them and also over protective about him."

To this everyone burst out laughing.

But Vrushali blushed and glared at Bhanumati.

The evening progressed like this and everyone smiled and teased each other.

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Author's Note –

Guys please comment and vote.

Share your views and opinions on the chapter.

And , I will see you soon.