At Hastinapur

Kunti's Pov:

Time passes really quick when you have a reason to smile but whenever I remember my biggest mistake all my happiness fades out. I know, I can't make it up all well but the regret will continue to stay with me forever, deep inside, burried in my heart, faraway from my joyous present. It's been 10 years since I gave birth to my bundle of joy my son, my Arjun. I love him more than anything. From teaching him how to walk to handling his tantrums, I never realised that he is 10 now and obviously naughtier than forever. In these whirlwinds of responsibilities and authority, he filled my heart with tranquility, but the irony is this very palace doesn't remain at peace when he wakes up, "Ah! it's a very cool yet calm morning but I know not it's not gonna remain calm for too long."

Kunti chuckled and smiled to herself cherishing the beautiful waterfall view infront of her standing in the balcony. Suddenly she heard little running steps coming towards her with cute little sobs. Her lips curved in a little smile as she knew who this really was. She turned in the direction of those little running steps where she saw her little son Arjun running behind the twins Nakul and Sahdev.

Kunti chuckled watching the heartwarming sight infront of her.

Madri: Oh god these kids!! Please stop!! Nakul, Dev return here!! Arjun leave them, atleast you can to me, can't you?

Madri exclaimed while chasing and trying to get them stopped. She continued to run behind them struggling to somehow catch those little feet those are enough to keep anyone on their toes for the entire day and this was just morning.

Madri: Atleast finish your milk three of you! Return back!

Madri finally stopped near Kunti panting and caught her breath. Kunti chuckled slightly.

Kunti: As expected, they have started it again, seems like they have made running like this their morning ritual now.

She laughed softly and then turned towards Madri giving her a glass of water.

Kunti: Leave them Madri, they are kids afterall, and kids and naughty isn't it? And didn't you got used to it now?" She chuckled.

Madri: Kids are naughty but our kids are naughtiest! and please stop pampering them Jiji! See them, they are making me run since morning behind them, neither eating themselves nor letting anyone else eat." *Madri pouted and rolled her eyes*

Kunti: Okay don't you worry, I will see to it.

Kunti smiled at her and pats her shoulder and swiftly came and stood folding her arms near her chest blocking the children's way. She was stared at those cute and naughty faces for a while unable to resist their innocence. She chuckled under her breath but then made a serious face.

Kunti: What's going on over here? Why you three are troubling everyone?

She spoke resisting her giggles trying to look as angry as she could, faking her anger. Watching her angry like this Dev tried to Calm her down.

Dev: Mother actually...

Kunti: Stop murmuring speak clearly.

Kunti cut through his words trying hard again to hide her smile.

Dev: Mother, actually Nakul will tell you what was happening. Isn't it Nakul?"

He smiled sheepishly trying to put all the matter on him. Poor Nakul having no choice finally spoke after it felt like eternity of glaring Dev.

Nakul: Yes... I mean no, how can I know. Actually mother the one who was running behind us will tell you. Isn't it Bhrata Arjun?

Arjun: Me?! *He widened his eyes upon listening the Nakul's statement*

Kunti: What me? Speak something will you? Why were you running after them?

Nakul and Dev both giggled looking at each other and them gave a sly look to Arjun.

Nakul & Dev: Speak Bhrata Arjun..

Arjun gritted his teeth looking at their sly smiles and mischievous plays.

Arjun: You monkeys!! I won't spare you today!

Nakul and Dev looked at each other and swiftly stepped back before Arjun could catch hold of them ready to escape.

Arjun: Wait! Stop! Come back! *He shouted*

Kunti: Arjun I guess I asked you something. Why were you running after them? *She raised an eyebrow questioning his seriously*

Arjun: Actually mother these two were teasing me that soon I have to leave you all and go to gurukul like Bhrata Yudhisthir and Bhrata Bheem and mata how can I leave you and go?

His eyes reflected longingness and his face reflected pure innocence as he uttered those broken words from his little mouth. Kunti's her heart melted listening him and her eyes went moist as she realised that really now it was time when the kids were to send to the gurukul. She got emotional on thought of getting seperated from them. Watching his mother lost in her own thoughts, Arjun gently shook her arms with his little hands bringing her back from trance.

Arjun: Speak mother, I'm not going anywhere right?

Listening to her son's innocent question, She kneeled down at his level and held his shoulders finding correct words to make him understand.

Kunti: Actually son....

Pandu: Yes my dear son you will have to go.

Pandu who was observing the mother-son duo since quite a while from outside the room came inside and sat on the large spacious couch and called Arjun near him making him sit on his lap.

Pandu: But who said that you are going away from us? Parents always stay with there children in the form of blessings, where ever their children may be and it's just the matter of a few years and your brothers will also accompany you, and your elder brothers- Yudhisthir and Bheem are already there, you won't be alone.

Arjun: But father I can't leave my mother, how will I stay there without her?

He made a puppy face looking at Kunti who returned his innocent look by her softened gaze. Pandu's made him look into his eyes and spoke with pride.

Pandu: Look my dear son sometimes we have to sacrifice something and leave our comfort zone to benefit others not being selfish rather with generousity. You are the eldest here right now and you are the Hastinapur's future king to be. Just like your elder brothers will look after their kingdoms, Hastinapur looks forward to you after me. You have to bear the flag of righteousness and justice, simultaneously have to become a good warrior too and this is only possible when you concentrate with utmost focus to succeed without any distractions not being worried about anything and anyone, in a calm and peaceful environment. I and your mother we both have full faith on you. Will you keep our faith inctact?

Arjun: Yes father, I promise I will become a worthy king and always support justice and righteousness and will always protect my kingdom.

Arjun spoke with determination in his eyes and confidence in his voice which made Pandu's chest swell with pride. He ruffled his little boy's hair and smiled at him.

Pandu: I expected the very it from you my son.

"Never, Till I'm there!!" Suddenly a voice piercing and sharp echoed throughout the room. Pandu, Arjun and Kunti looked in the direction of the voice to look at its possesser. There stand a 10 year old boy who gave the father son duo a disgust look. He was just 5 months younger to Arjun. He was Duryodhan.

Duryodhan: You cannot become king till I'm present. It's me who will become future king of Hastinapur not you. You go and sleep in your mother's lap that suits you better.

He smirked looking at Arjun. Arjun calmly got up from his father's lap and came near him meeting his gaze.

Arjun: I don't feel it important to respond to your useless comments. Better keep it with you.

He turned to leave the room but was stopped him again who came infront of him blocking his way.

Duryodhan: Left with no answer right? That's the reason you are can't face me. Remember one thing you can run away from me but cannot deny the fact that you are still a mother's pet and will remain the same your whole life.

Arjun: Enough of this!!

He gritted his teeth in anger and formed stepped even forward to confront him just then Gandhari entered the room who was 6 months pregnant.

Gandhari: Arjun! Wait..

Arjun: Leave me mother, he just crossed his limits and I very well know how to bring him back.

Gandhari: Duryodhan! I listened everything, you shouldn't speak like that with him. He is elder to you, you should be careful.

Duryodhan: Me? Me mother? Fine! I am always on fault and you showed it today mother that you also love him more than me. I better leave where I have no one whom I can call as mine!

He went out of the room thrumping his feet before Gandhari could say something.

Gandhari: Duryodhan wait! I didn't mean that wait.

Before Gandhari could follow him, her brother Shakuni came inside and stopped her who was sly and manipulative in nature.

Shakuni: Dear sister, don't follow him, he is furious at the moment let him be alone for sometime and I'm there right, I'll look after him. You don't worry even a bit, just take care of your self.

Gandhari not satisfied with his words still wanted to go behind him as she knew Duryodhan was furious and short tempered by nature and he may feel bad.

Gandhari: But bhratashree...

Shakuni: Don't worry Gandhari, Just trust your brother with this. *He smirked*

Gandhari nodded sadly and left with Shakuni to her personal chamber. Arjun by nature was very sensitive. He felt a wave of guilt passing throughout his mind remembering Gandhari's gloomy face due Duryodhan's poor behaviour. Just because he confronted him and was elder and the future king he was never able to conclude why duryodhan was always at odds with him. His emotions turned him down making his innocent face gloomy. Kunti understood his inner turmoil but before she could say or do anything he made his way out of the room.

Here, Duryodhan entered the his chamber flouncing and thrashing everything.

Duryodhan: I will never forget my insult that too by my mother! Don't know what kind of a magic did Arjun performed on everybody that everyone including my own mother believes him more than me!

Shakuni observed him and came near him with a sly smile.

Shakuni: Mere bache, Why are you standing here alone like this? It's Lunch time, come I will feed you with my own hands.

Duryodhan: Leave me alone mamashree! I'm not in a mood to talk to anyone right know.

Shakuni: I understand my dear son. I understand what rejection feels like. I do understand.

His voice had hint of manipulation and face had a cunning aura.

Duryodhan: Rejection?

Shakuni: Yes my dear son, "REJECTION". I feel pity for you, because you are straight rejected for the throne. Didn't you saw how Maharaj Pandu and Maharani Kunti were dreaming of their third son becoming the king of Hastinapur after securing their other two son's place at Sivi and Kashi. Leave them for once and have a look at your own mother, she too trusted Arjun against you. (Shivi and Kashi were the neighbouring kingdoms of Hastinapur that Pandu conquered)

Duryodhan: This is not possible!! I won't leave him!!

He quickly took out his little dagger but Shakuni firmly held his hand resisting him.

Shakuni: Stop Duryodhan! Only here, here you lag behind. Control my son, control your anger. After watching your anger do you think they are gonna give you a chance even?

Duryodhan: I know If I don't do anything still I'm not getting any chance!

Shakuni: Who said not to do anything? *He smirked* Do but very smartly, the biggest weakness of your enemy can become your biggest power my dear!

Duryodhan: What do you mean?

Shakuni: Arjun's biggest weakness, his mother and........ *He smirked* I hope you understand that. They can become your biggest power and he can't remain silent when it comes to her and I've got to know that they are comming today itself.

Duryodhan: Perfect timing mamashree. Now see what I'm going to do. *He smirked*

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Any guesses who is the second weakness?