The city of Hastinapur mourned for the loss of its five illustrious princes, the Pandavas and their dowager Empress Kunti. The air grew thicker and gloomier in the palace as the murky politics finally began to seep into the familial dynamics. What was hidden and conspired in the darkest corners of the palace was now in the open. Duryodhan's bitterness for the sons of Pandu was no longer hidden beneath a facade of acceptance.

Political tension loomed over the funeral ceremony as royals from around the country gathered to pay their respects to the deceased.

What would happen to dharma?

Who would be the heir-apparent now that Yudhishtira was no longer in the world?

What would the future be as the partial king of Kururashtra would obviously choose his evil and cunning son as the heir-apparent after removing the son of Dharma, who was like a thorn in their ambition?

The attendees' minds were filled with questions of various interests, each with a vested interest in the turbulent politics of the City of Elephants.

Vidur stood by the river. Unbothered and calm, he dipped his feet in, absorbing her motherly warmth.

It was all a plan. He knew it; the sons of Pandu were acting on his advice, yet he was pretending to mourn for them.

His conversation with Yudhisthir flashed before his eyes. In the tongue of the rogues, the two wise men devised a plan to cement Pandu's eldest son at the centre of politics—and that plan required Ajatashatru to know his subjects as if they were his kith and kin.

The sacred chants uttered for the well-being of the deceased in the afterworld were heard faintly.

Keep them safe and sound, he prayed to the almighty.

The cool breeze gently brushed his hair as he wrapped his angavastra around his torso.

This was required; he kept convincing himself - intentions and reasons were clear (all for dharma, including the political web of lies), and yet the uncle in him felt tired of the conspiracies charted every day against his beloved nephews.

"I knew I would find you here, Vidur Kaka!" Kanha interrupted Vidur's chain of thoughts.

"And may I know who you are, Prince?" Vidura asked as he examined Keshava and stepped out of the water.

" Vasudev Krishna, the Prince of Dwarka," Kanha introduced himself, then bent down to receive the blessings of the man who was Dharma himself.

"Ayushman Bhava, Vatsa," Vidura blessed as he affectionately embraced Devakinandan. "And forgive me for not recognising you," he apologised.

"Please don't. It's been too long," Kanha said. Moreover, I came here to talk about recent events." His voice was now serious. He guided Vidura to a more secluded corner where there would be no disturbance.

"What about it?" Vidura asked.

"Tell me all of this is a plan." Kanha was desperate for confirmation from the orchestrator. " I refuse to believe this to be the truth."  He could not afford to lose a part of his soul; the Pandavas and Krishna were the same soul, just like Hari and Indra were brothers and belonged to each other.

Vidur was surprised and also knew the intelligent Prince of Dwarka may have seen through the facade.

They were only putting up facades; politics was slowly killing them all. It felt like walking on a tightrope: keeping the subjects as their highest priority while giving up on a lot they loved (sometimes even family they loved dearer than life).

Sacrifice was a demand that had to be met for the well-being and greater good of society. Those who kept Dharma above all made it willingly and with a golden heart.

"What do you think it is?" Vidura asked.

The moment of uncertainty bound them together like no other. It's said that grief brought humans together, sometimes even closer than joy would.

"I want it to be a scheme for the greater good. I know it is, but today I want assurance," Krishna said honestly.

At the moment, he was a brother who wanted the well-being of his brothers. He wanted assurance of the safety of the brothers who were a part of his soul and existence. He knew he would never be able to part from those sons of Pritha in his wildest dreams. The six were a soul in six bodies.

"I assure you, Mahadeva is protecting them from every harm in the world," Vidura consoled Krishna. And I'll let you in secret." Vidur leaned closer to Kanha and whispered in his ear, " My men have informed me that they are only growing stronger. They will soon be back when they find the right alliance that will truly support them even if I can't."

Kanha sighed in relief, everything was falling in place - finally.

"Thank you," Krishna said earnestly. "You don't know how much of a relief it is," he expressed his gratitude.

"All for dharma and dharmasthapna."

***

"I refuse to believe Phalguna is no more, " Dusshala sobbed in the arms of Yuyutsu as hymns were sung for the peace of the sons of Pandu and Pritha in the background.

Yuyutsu shed silent tears as he soothingly brushed Dusshala's hair. The sudden turn of events took a toll on these children of Dhritarashtra. They refused over and over that it was an impossible situation to occur.

How could they leave this world this early?

What sin had they done to be separated from their beloved aunt and brothers?

They hated to be in the situation they were in. Why was Mahadeva cruel only to them?

Were the rumours of their father being the root of adharma a reason for their suffering?

They couldn't help but think of the worst possible reasons. Their cousins and aunt were among the few people who truly loved them, and now they were gone.

"I don't know," Yuyutsu said thoughtfully. "I have my doubts, but let's keep that aside for now."

"I don't understand a word." Dusshala was utterly confused by Yuyutsu's words.

"It's alright. At least they are in peace away from idiots," Yuyutsu attempted to joke and brush away his earlier words.

"Very much, and perhaps they are living their best life," Sahithya said, which caused the Kuru siblings to snap in her direction and look confused.

"You're talking as if they are alive." Dusshala felt offended at the words.

"They are in my heart, and I assume in yours too. You seem to adore them." Sahithya turned towards them as she folded her legs, adjusted her position and straightened the pleats of the antariya. "For those who love their loved ones dearly, they are always in their heart no matter how far they are." Her words soothed their aching hearts.

Those optimistic words were alien yet comforting. She reminded them of Bhimasena's words.

"Just in case you feel I may have interrupted you, I apologise," Sahithya apologised, realising her words may have questioned their respect and reverence for her cousins.

Be more careful with your words, Sahithya - she scolded herself mentally.

"The ones who speak wise and intelligent words should not be apologetic. Those words were soothing and assuring in ways I can't explain, Devi," Yuyutsu said.

The maiden's words were indeed soothing and refreshing. To see someone acknowledge the love and respect and keep the memories of their loved ones was rare and a quality that attracted Yuyutsu the most.

"Those are some of the kindest words heard," Sahithya accepted the compliment she received.

"You deserve the praise, Rajkumari..." Yuyutsu said as he stuttered towards the end.

"Rajkumari Sahithya of Kuntibhoja." Her face shone with a gentle smile, exuding warmth and compassion. "And you are?"

"Yuyutsu and my sister, Dusshala, the Queen of Sindh," Yuyutsu said as Dusshala gave a tight-lipped smile.

Yuyutsu is the son of reigning monarch Dhritarashtra and a maid who is apparently in the service of Queen Gandhari. She had heard very little about him back in Kaliyug. She knew he eventually sided with Dharmaraya and saved himself; that was all she knew.

She repeatedly reminded herself that prior knowledge of the epic should not be used to judge people. She kept meeting people she had heard about in tales that lulled her to sleep and taught her lessons for life.

"We crave peace, familiarity and togetherness but have to live through pain, unfamiliarity and separation to achieve it. It will all be worth it in the end as you one day look back at it, even the pain that ripped you apart for it made you, you," Sahithya said again and focussed back on the prayer meeting conducted and hoped it would instil the hope and assurance the Kuru siblings needed the most at the moment.

Yuyutsu could only gawk at those words that held wisdom. She managed to carve a place for herself in his heart. She was a woman he admired and wanted in his life, but was he worth her - that would only be answered with time.

******

There goes the fourth chapter!

Writing this chapter was surely one of the toughest as I touched on something I had not before.

The Vidur and Kanha conversation was meant to be a conversation that actually is between an uncle and his nephew who loved their kin dearly, knew what a lie they were living and still reassured the younger one. 

While Kanha is God and all of it, I wanted to tap on his brotherly bond with the Pandavas, which is beautifully described by Arjuna at the very end of the Mahabharat just before the Mahaprasthana. I think he may have felt vulnerable for a brief second in this episode, he needed a little assurance with the Pandavas kind of vanishing and had to know what was going on before getting back to normal. He lived as a human first and a God later. I did not mean to offend anyone and sincerely apologise if I did.

And finally, the leads have met *squeals.*

I honestly wanted them to have a very normal meeting over a romantic one as their story is supposed to develop organically over time. Let me know how it has turned out.

Hope it was an enjoyable read.

Until then take care and see you guys in the next chapter.

Love Siya.