The news of 'death' of Kunti along with her 6 children has spread throughout Hastinapur. With common people being  in sorrow of losing their crown prince, Duryodhan and Shakuni, on the other hand are making necessary arrangements and talks with the elders to crown Duryodhan as the new Yuvraj of Hastinapur.

"Mamashree, I had sent spies throughout the kingdom and turns out that people won't be willing to accept anyone other than Bhrata Yudhishthir as the crown prince." Dushasan said in a fury.

"If all the ways of dharma are closed, adharam takes the charge. Now, we'll not convince people, instead, we'll bribe." Shakuni laughed as he rolled his dice.

Soon, both, Duryodhan and Dushasan stared bribing the traders and poor farmers in the kingdom were distributed loads of gold coins and other wealthy objects without the permission of the mantris of the Royal Treasury. Everything started working the way Shakuni wanted- in favour of Duryodhan.

" Bhanajee, Now, its time for mourning on the deaths of our 'beloved'. Send a letter to Dwarka. Let that Devkinandan know that he couldn't save his love from a massacre." Shakuni laughed as an order was passed to send him this horrific news.

"Maharaj, the locals on reaching the location have informed that dead bodies or two women and 5 men along with their respective weapons have been discovered ." A mantri reported as he stood in front of Dhritarashtra.

Bhishma with a heavy heart and guilt in his eyes, walked towards Ganga as he prayed for his mother to appear in from to him.

"Putra?" She called out.

"Now, its on me to complete their final rites. Mata, I failed Pandu. I failed to protect them." Bhishma looked down as Ganga walked towards the place he was seated.

"This is the place, where I brought Dhriti to meet you. This is the place where Bheem used to gather mangoes with me and his is that very place where Arjun , Nakul and Sahadev used to ride on my back while Yudhishthir looked after the other two like an elder brother he is. Then, after so much of love and affection that we showered upon each other, I failed to save their lives Mata, I won't be able to forgive myself." Bhishma cried.

"Putra, why are you here to complete the last rites? They all are capable enough to protect themselves. Brave warriors like them have a long life.A" Ganga assured him.

"What are you saying Mata?" Bhishma asked in surprise.

"Why don't you ask Vidur? " Ganga smiled as she submerged under the waters.

As Bhishma turned around , he saw Vidur waiting for him.

"Pranipat Tatshree." Vidur greeted.

"Vidur, what is this? Where are my Pandavs, what are you hiding from me. Tell me everything. " Bhishma spoke restlessly as Vidur sat beside him and narrated him everything from the start.

"Tatshree, I know how attached you are to Pandavs, and whatever I did was somewhat against the rules. I used my spies to spy over Angraj. And if I would have told you about Shakuni's dark tactics, even you know you would have not been able to stop yourself from revealing the truth to everyone and punish Gandhar Raj. And that would have caused huge matters because we have absolutely no proofs against them." Vidur explained as Tatshree still had doubts and unanswered questions in his mind.

"But putra, the sipahis have already informed about the 7 death bodies and their weapons." Tatshree spoke.

"Those 7 bodies belong to Purochan, his wife, her maid and their 4 other helpers. While leaving the palace, kids left their weapons so as to make everyone believe that they are dead. In reality, they all are safe in the forests on the outskirts of Varanavat and won't return to Hastinapur anytime soon." Vidur assured him.

"I'm proud of my kids. But Vidur, how did you managed to reveal their plans when Purochan, and Shakuni's men were around them 24/7 ?" He asked making Vidur chuckle.

"Tatshree, before leaving , Dhriti had sensed something was wrong. She informed me about her doubts regarding Shakuni's sudden interest in building them a huge Palace and Maharaj's abrupt decision to send them. What I did was promised her to send help as soon as possible.
Later, I sent a bag of rice under which 7 costumes of vanvasis were hidden for them to use it while they are hiding in the forest. And I also sent a little mouse, because we all know our Nakul can converse with animals, hoping that they would atleast figure out a little part of the plan." Vidur said as Pitamah finally smiled knowing that they all were safe.

"Putra, Dhritarashtra has already sent a letter to Dwarka. Everyone must have figured out that the Hastinapur's royal family have personal tensions amongst themselves and someone might use this reason against us." Bhishma said going back to his worried tone.

"Tatshree, the gates of the Mathura jail automatically opened when Devkinandan Krishn was born. The river Yamuna reduced her mighty flow when the water touched his little feet while Vasudev carried him to Vrindavan. He knows everything and I'm sure he would have been the first one ensuring Dhriti and everyone else are safe." Vidur smiled as Tatshree nodded hoping everything would be alright.

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"Ohoo Bhrata Bheem, you are looking so nice." Dhriti and Arjun giggled seeing Bheem dressed up in the traditional dress of Kamayaka.

"Dhriti, Arjun keep quiet." Kunti said suppressing their little giggles as Bheem teased them.

The 5 siblings stood inside the huge cave like palace surrounded with huge trees and wild flowers as the locals danced around Hidimba and Bheem showering them with flowers.

"This is low key wierd." Sahadev said looking at them.

"But Hidimba's love and devotion towards Bheem is pure. Look how happy she seems." Kunti smiled as everyone continued looking to all the rituals keenly.

"Kumar Bheem, you have to put this garland around Rajkumari Hidimba's neck. But remember, you got only 3 chances." One of the man standing with the Varmala smiled.

"Ofcourse ofcourse ." Bheem laughed as he took the garland to put around Hidimba, when the other men raised her above Bheem's height making everyone chuckle.

After one more try, Bheem looked over at his brothers standing there, looking at his sweet plight.

"He is not adoring you all. He's asking for help. Now go." Dhriti laughed pushing them towards him as she stood beside her Mata.

"Mata, what are you thinking." Dhriti asked putting a hand around her.

"Dhriti, this the first wedding amongst my children. I wished both of them would have got Pitamah's blessings." Kunti looked at her.

"Mata, Pitamah's blessings are always there for us, even when he's not around." Dhriti assured.

"Now look there, how your kids are struggling to pick up Bhrata Bheem. Oh finally they did it." Dhriti and Kunti laughed.

"Mata, Dhriti, come here. Look! taste these sweets." Bheem called as both of them approached.

"Bhrata Bheem, this would actually be the best day in your life. Look how many sweets you are surrounded with." Arjun laughed.

Dhriti saw the last sweet kept in the plate and swiftly moved her hand to grab it, but Bheem snatched it away cheekily smiling at her.

"Bhratashree! I haven't eaten a single one. Now give it to me." She tried to grab it but Bheem kept dogging it from one hand to other.

"Oh. Weren't you the one who said Bhrata Bheem won't get any sweets if they all tease you during Jyesht's coronation." Bheem said pointing at the rest of her brothers while he took the bite of the last sweet as Dhriti frowned.

"Don't worry Dhriti, here take this one. I have had enough." Hidimba smiled, feeding Dhriti the sweet as she hugged her in return.

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"Maharaj. For how long will you keep this throne of Yuvraj empty? We don't want other kingdoms to take the advantage of our adversity or do we. " Shakuni said to a devastated Dhritarashtra.

"What do we do now Gandhar Naresh. Its not even been a few days for Pandavas' deaths. We can't crown Duryodhan the Yuvraj so soon." Vidur reasoned.

"Why not Mahamantri? Duryodhan has the support of the whole praja and also has a right to get the position now. " Shakuni gave out an evil laugh.

"Shakuni is right Vidur, in order to protect the prosperity and integrity of Hastinapur, we have to crown my Duryodhan as the Yuvraj. " Dhritarashtra announced.

"But Maharaj-" Bhishma intervened.

"Tatshree and Vidur, announce the whole kingdom about the coronation of of the new Yuvraj of Hastinapur. Invite all the Kings and other royal families. Also , don't forget to send the message to Dwarka." Dhritarashtra said as a wicked smile started appearing on his face, his dream of crowning his own son was finally on the verge of being fulfilled.

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"No! None of us is going to attend the coronation of Bhrata Duryodhan." Kanha internally fumed at Dhritarashtra's vanity.

"Why putra?" Vasudev got up holding the scroll.

"Pitashree, it has not even been a week since the news of the death of Pandavas broke out." Kanha explained.

"But we know they all are safe right now. Wherever they are." Vasudev patted Kanha shocking both him and Dau.

"Have you been keeping spies Pitashree?" Kanha smiled back at him.

"If you count your mother and sister as my personal spies , then yes." Vasudev and Dau chuckled.

"If something grave would have really happened to your Priya, we know you would have not been sitting here doing nothing about it."  Devki said pulling Kanha's ear.

"But I could not believe, Gandharinandan along with his mamashree could do such a grave dishonour to their own cousins." Vasudev sighed.

"Kanha, we should inform Aunt Kunti and Pandavas about the coronation of Duryodhan and other changes happening in Hastinapur." Dau suggested.

"Leave it to me Dau. I'll send a letter to them informing about everything in some time. Send a letter? Or go there myself?" Kanha smiled as he walked away.

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"......And this is one of my favourite places to sit alone." Hidimba said as both her and Dhriti walked around a beautiful lake.

Crystal clear waters, the chirping of little birds, smell of the wet soil nearby and beautiful lotus floating in the lake; all this mesmerized Dhriti.

"This place is so soothing. And I'm in love with those lotuses floating there." Dhriti smiled as she walked towards the lake side.

"I always come her for some fresh air and whenever I feel alone." Hidimba smiled as she sat beside Dhriti.

"Dhriti?" Hidimba said to a smiling Dhriti playing with water.

"Yes?" She hummed.

"That small necklace is extremely beautiful." Hidimba smiled .

"Really? I love it too, its so close to my heart." Dhriti smiled as she held it in her hands.

Dhriti put her little hands in the water as she picked up a small lotus. As soon as she touched the beautiful flower, golden sparkling light started gleaming around it, which was visible to Hidimba.

"Dhriti? Did you see that?" Hidimba asked in amazement.

"What Bhabhishree?" Dhriti asked.

"No. Um-um I saw some fruits hanging there. I'll go pick some for everyone." Hidimba gave a small smile as she walked away.

"I absolutely saw that Bhabhi. I saw everything. But I myself don't have any answers to explain this to you." Dhriti sighed as she ran her hand over the gleaming lotus.

" Kanha... Am I cursed or something? Or am I a peculiar being who is making this flower shine?" Dhriti asked as she held the lotus close to the necklace in her hand.

"Oh Priya, how do I explain you, this beautiful flower potrays prosperity, wealth, eternal beauty, and power. You are the goddess of all this aspects and hence, Lotus is what pleases you." Kanha smiled before answering to Dhriti.

"No Priya, you're not cursed. Why would you think that. Making a lotus shine, by just touching it shows your divinity. Its not peculiar, its a sign of your eternal beauty and power." Kanha's voice echoed in her mind as she smiled.

"You would never love to answer straight way, would you?" Dhriti asked.

"I know my Priya is smart enough to figure it out little by little." Kanha chuckled as Dhriti saw an approaching Hidimba as she stood up, putting the lotus back in the lake, making it lose its shine.

"Seems like you loved this place a lot. Didn't you." Hidimba smiled as they walked towards the house.

"I absolutely loved it. I'll come here everyday. The sight is just pleasing." Dhriti said walking beside her, taking a bite from the fruit which she freshly plucked.

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