They soon reached the edge of the forest. From there the Kauravas camp looked like a beehive with 99 bees buzzing in tune with their angry Queen bee. As they neared it, they could see a lone figure standing still, outside the tent. On looking at them the person quirked his eyebrow while a trace of smile appeared on his lips. Before he could say anything they heard voices and sounds of things being thrown around from the tent. Instantly Karna was alert, "Angraj, I think my brother Duryodhan needs you, his mitr might be the only one who can calm him down now". Without saying anything Karna ran into the tent. Aditi was about to follow him but was stopped by the person. "Bhrata Yuyutsu, I can talk to Rajkumar Duryodhan, maybe I can he__" even before she could finish her sentence she heard a loud bang from inside. "Aditi, I'm sure you can help, but now is not the right time. Maybe bhrata will listen to you someday when he isn't angry" Yuyutsu reasoned with Aditi even though he himself knew that it will never happen. "You also need to welcome the victorious Pandavas, go fast, they might be on their way to the camp" he shooed her away from there, afraid Duryodhan would hear her voice and vent out his anger in the wrong direction. 

She just had time to prepare the aarthi thali for doing the vijay tilak when she heard the footsteps of the Pandavas approaching. She ran to the entrance of the tent shouting "STOP". They stared at her with confusion before it dawned on them. They all stood in a line as she did the aarti. She can see her mitr Nakul buzzing with excitement to tell her about everything that happened. After she made sure that they didn't get any serious injuries, she started treating the small cuts. Finally they had time to sit down and talk. 

"We won sakhi" finally Nakul announced. Bheem also stopped eating the ladoos to give her a big grin before he continued. "Did you know we had to break through the Chakravyuh" he continued. "Isn't that the vyuh which is like a labyrinth of defensive walls made by soldiers which is difficult to get in and impossible to come out" she asked. "Did you also learn about warfare?" the ever silent Sahadev finally spoke to her. "No, I just learnt it from Guru Dron", she explained all that happened during their absence. "Wow sakhi, look at bhrata Arjun, it seems like he is already planning to teach you weaponry and warfare" laughed Nakul. "Why not Kul, our Diti is a fast learner, I will definitely teach her some basics once we reach Hastinapur" said Arjun eager to teach his sister all the battle skills she needs. "But what will she do with warfare Arjun" questioned Bheem. "Bhrata Bheem, we don't know when a skill can come in handy, she is a princess, it is always good for her to know self defence" Sahadev answered. Just then a chirping was heard making Aditi run to a table in the back. Everyone looked at her curiously as she brought Suroop to them. "I found him in the forest, he couldn't fly, can you check him mitr" she requested Nakul. "You went to the forest alone?" questioned the Pandavas worry evident in their voices. "No, Karna was with me, he helped me gather some herbs", they let out a sigh of relief.

As Nakul and Sahadev checked the parrot, everyone took turns in telling about the battle. "Bhrata Arjun was awesome, he single handedly defeated Panchalraj" Nakul said as Arjun blushed at the compliment before hitting Nakul. "It was teamwork Diti, I had help and without my brothers, we wouldn't have been able to pay our guru dakshina" he said, looking at his brothers lovingly. "Gurudev even forgave his friend and returned half the kingdom to him, he is so compassionate, isn't he sakhi" listening to this Aditi smiled, Guru Dron has kept his promise, he let go of his resentment. Now she just hoped Maharaj Drupad also wouldn't hold any resentment. If only she knew what the future holds.

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While the princes of Hastinapur were busy in battle, their only princess was worried sick of her brothers. All her 106 brothers are very dear to her and she can't bear to lose any of them. She has already been away from them for years. So she spent all the time praying at the Lord Shiva temple on the banks of river Ganga. It has been a routine for her since the day her brothers left to gurukul, later she had to leave for her kanyakul, but once she was back, she again continued visiting the temple everyday, she always felt like Mahadev listened to her and always showed her a way out of her troubles. 

On the day the princes left, she as usual went to the temple. She refused to take any soldiers with her as she wanted to be alone. She was scared and worried and felt only her Mahadev could give her an answer. Hence she sat in the temple, completely immersed in her prayer when a gust of wind sent a red rose adorned on the Shivaling into her hand. The priest on seeing this smiled and blessed her. She returned to the palace with a confused look, the red rose still in hand. 

Subhadra who has been waiting for her instantly decided to tease her on seeing a red rose in her hand. "Sakhi, you do know that a red rose is known as a symbol of love. You are clutching that rose like your life depends on it, who is that person who gave it to you?" she tried to lighten her friends mood who she knew was scared for her brothers. "No one gave it to me sakhi, it fell off the Shivaling while I was praying and that's what is making me confused" she answered still in thought. "What is there to be confused about it sakhi" questioned Subhadra not understanding why Dusshala is thinking so much "It is a good omen when a flower falls into your hand from a god's idol, I'm sure something good is going to happen, maybe your wedding" she again teased.

"Sakhi!!!" Dusshala protested though a cute blush has already adorned her cheeks. "I know it is a good omen, I'm just confused as to who offered this red rose to the lord. No one apart from the priest and me visit the temple this early in the morning, so I'm just curious who is it that came this early to pray to Mahadev". "Do you know what I am thinking sakhi?" Subhadra asked to which Dusshala shook her head as no. "You offered so many flowers, yet mahadev gave you back this red rose, the symbol of love and marriage. That means I'll have to visit Hastinapur again for your marriage" with this she started running as Dusshala chased after her. 

At the same time, a letter was received from Saurashtra informing them that they will soon be coming to Hastinapur to bring their princess back home. 

Listening to this Kunti, Gandhari and Pitamaha felt sad. She has become a part of the family in just a few days and now they can't imagine a day without listening to her laughter and the sound of her anklets as she chased the Pandavas or ran away from them after a prank. "She has become a part of this family jiji, I wish she can stay here with us forever" said Kunti to Gandhari as she wiped her tears.

On the other hand, Mamashree Shakuni was happy that the insolent girl would be leaving soon, how dare she say he's an outsider. And because of her, that Arjun escaped punishment. He planned to send Arjun to jail but that over talkative girl failed his plan, who does she think she is to give him lecture about what is right and wrong. But now after she is gone, he'll remove all those Pandavas from his way, he continued planning. 

The second day, Dusshala eager to solve the case of who offered the red rose went to the temple earlier than usual. She couldn't sleep the whole night, thinking about this. "Why am I so effected by this single red rose, why I am so eager to know who the person is" she whispered as she waited. 

When she almost lost hope and was about to leave she heard firm footsteps behind her, just listening to those she knew it belonged to a warrior. As the footsteps got closer her curiosity took over her. He was mere inches away from her when she turned and the sudden turn made her lose her footing. As she fell she closed her eyes but when she didn't feel an impact even after few seconds she slowly opened her eyes. The eyes that met her's made her forget everything. Those intense brown eyes held a lot of emotions in them and she can read all of them. It felt like she can understand him even without him speaking a single word. And that is when he broke the eye contact making her almost protest, before she realized the position they were in. Both her hands were clasped around his neck as he held her waist with his left hand preventing her from falling while his right hand held the rose flowers he collected to offer to Mahadev. 

She slowly stood up unwilling to look away from him as he let go of her.  "Are you ok Devi" he finally broke the silence, his voice as calm as a river. She just nodded as she couldn't find her voice. Once he made sure she was ok, he walked to the Shivaling and started his prayers, while Dusshala stared at him. All her questions were answered but why was her heart still so restless? He soon completed the prayer and left, which finally brought her out of the trance and she immediately ran back to the palace, still lost in those brown eyes. 

As she entered her room Subhadra started questioning her as to why she was late, but all she got from her was a smile and a blush. "So how was he sakhi?" she asked. "He is just like a river sakhi, calm in nature but I feel that if he gets angry he can be destructive. His eyes warm as honey, held so many emotions and I can feel them all. I don't know why, but it feels like I have known him forever, even though this is the first time I met him" she recollected as she hugged her pillow. "My sakhi is in love, I knew it, Mahadev already gave a sign yesterday, so when will I get to meet him" questioned Subhadra, before Dusshala could protest anymore they heard Mata Kunti's voice "Who is that lucky person who captured my putri's attention".

"Mata, it is nothing like that" started Dusshala trying her best to ignore her heart which was beating like crazy just by the thought of him. "Putri, I heard everything and above all, you can't hide your blush from me. Tell me who that prince is, I will talk to jiji and pitamaha about your wedding" Mata Kunti said cupping her cheeks. That is when her heart dropped, she was so lost in him that she never got the chance to even ask his name. 

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The Kauravas already left for Hastinapur, unwilling to face the Pandavas who won. The Pandavas after the coronation of Ashwatthama and getting their wounds treated, slowly started towards their home. Everyone was tired, but their happiness kept them awake and thus continued their talks and jokes. Now their jyesth will finally get his right, that was the only thought in their mind.

Mata Kunti, Mata Gandhari, Pitamaha Bheeshma and Vidur were extremely happy and were waiting for them. The whole of Hatinapur is celebrating the victory of their beloved princes, while Shakuni already poisoned the mind of Maharaj Dhrithrastr making him hate his nephews for winning and stealing his son's right. 

As the Pandavas reached the middle of the forest, Sahadev suddenly felt something wrong was going to happen. He just had time to warn his brothers and Aditi when they were suddenly surrounded by the Kauravas. "It's an ambush jyesth, looks like they have been waiting here for us" Nakul said.

Duryodhan invited them for a fight. "Bhrata Duryodhan, what are you saying, are you willing to fight your brother for a throne" questioned Aditi. "I am not your bhrata, and neither is he mine" Duryodhan said pointing at Yudhishtir. All the Pandavas gritted their teeth and were ready with their weapons. "Mitr Duryodhan, there is a princess among us, she is a guest of Hastinapur, I don't think a fight would be good now, if she gets hurt, Saurastra will hold Hastinapur responsible and can declare war. Don't complicate things mitr" Karna tried to reason with him. "If that is the case, then I want you to promise me that you will give up the throne and make me the yuvraj" Duryodhan turned to Yudhishtir and demanded. 

"Ok, I promise you that __" Yudhishtir started but was cut off by his brothers "Bhrata, don't take any oath that'll cause pain to our father's soul or hurt the people of Hastinapur" they warned. "I take a oath that I will obey whatever decision is taken by Maharaj Dhrithrastr" promised Yudhishtir causing all the Pandavas to worry while the Kauravas, sure that their father will appoint Duryodhan as the yuvraj happily left them. 

Meanwhile Maharaj Dhrithrastr was fuming in anger, he was afraid the crown will again go away from him, and he was scared that the celebrations in the kingdom are going to hurt his son's heart by reminding him of his failure and Pandava's success. He was planning on conducting a competition to decide who will become his succesor, that is when his loving sons entered into his room. 

When he told them about his plan, they instantly screamed their protest, ordering the king to announce Duryodhan as his successor in the court, threatening him that if it isn't done, the result wouldn't be nice. Dhrithrastr, the mighty king of Hastinapur was begging in front of his kids to show him a way and give him a reason that can be used for making Duryodhan the yuvraj, but he was pushed aside saying he is the king and can take whatever decision he want. His words of how a king should not be partial and can't take decisions based on his heart fell on deaf ears. No one there valued his words or him anymore. Duryodhan stated that he'll revolt and promised to destroy Hastinapur if the throne isn't given to him. Now it all comes to that one decision Maharaj will take, that'll make or break Hastinapur forever.

Soon the Pandavas arrival was announced by huge sounds of drums being beaten while all the people in Hastinapur danced and sang their praises. Aditi was very happy seeing the people celebrating, she herself wanted to go and dance, but that'll slow them down and she knew everyone is anxious for them. They soon reached the palace and took blessings of everyone, Aditi observed that not everyone is happy. I will never understand people on earth she thought. Mata Kunti gave blessings to all her sons and then hugged Aditi, happy to see her again and afraid she'll have to leave them soon. Everyone is so happy, but she has to tell them the bad news tonight so they can spend more time with her. After the battle, all she wants is her family to finally be together and enjoy the time they can, because she has a feeling that things will soon become complicated.

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Here I am, back with another update, I wrote it twice and this glitchpad deleted the whole chapter two times, I was demotivated. But I promised, so I took a small break and now am continuing it. 😌♥️

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Have a nice day!!!

Love

-- Ashwini ★