1 Year later

It had been a year. But to Arjun, it felt like yesterday. A year hadn't been enough to heal his wounds or make him stop grieving her.
These twelve months were a blur. Everything happened so fast, that he failed to keep up.

Over the past one year, he had fought many wars, brought wealth to Indraprasth, but all that success never meant anything to him .
He looked down at his bow. His Gandhiv. The divine bow presented to him by Agni Dev on his expedition.
It was a symbol of pride and prestige. A symbol of victory.
And it was only time throughout the year when he had genuinely smiled.

He had become more serious in this one year. His determination had increased. He had to find his Mata-Pita. And he needed to find Yagyaseni and her crown. He could not let Krishnaa's death go in vain.

Krishnaa. The one name which constantly echoed in his mind. The one name which brought so many memories. Both, beautiful and painful. It was bitter-sweet thinking about her.

He still loves her more than anything. He cherishes her. But it brings him pain. Yet, he couldn't stop himself. He couldn't stop thinking about her. He couldn't stop his lips from whispering her name in his sleep.
His hands held the letter she had written to him when he was in Malva.

I won't let you be alone, even for a second. I promise.

The words which were once the reason for his joy, now evoked a feeling of great sorrow and regret.

He still felt guilty. He was submerged in self-loath. His anger hadn't reduced. It was still hot. And he was still lost. His only aim was to live for Indraprasth. But he knew there wasn't much he could do.

The enemy was still there. Lurking in the darkness. Like a predator waiting for the correct moment to attack. He had already failed before. And he could fail again.

•••••••••••••••••••••••

Krishnaa walked silently to her room. She had just returned from the forest. Vrindavan is a beautiful place. Calm and peaceful. Whenever she felt restless, she would take a stroll there.

Vrindavan. It reminded of the forest outside Indraprasth. And even though the forest of Vrindavan had a comforting feel to it, it was not her home.
There was a dull throb in her heart as she thought of home, but she had slowly learned to live with it.

She sat at the dressing table, still lost in her thoughts. So much had changed in this year. She had faced ups and downs and it had made her a different person.

She looked at her reflection in the mirror. She was a new person now. Who she was a year ago, suddenly felt like a stranger. She had turned her back on that Krishnaa.
But who really is she now? Even she didn't know.

She raised her palm and her fingers gently traced the scar on her face. The scar which she got when Duryodhan had slashed his sword across her face.
The scar was a thin red mark starting from the right side of her forehead and ending at the lower left jaw.

It was not ugly or horrifying, but still very prominent.
Looking at it, always reminded her of one thing.
'Duryodhan', her palm fisted around the hilt of her dagger. Just thinking about him made her angry. Looking at her scar, kept reminding her of her goal. Looking at it, kept the fire within her burning.

She had been upset when Kanha told her to not go back, but she trusts him. She is in pain right now, but the time to go back will come.

"I am coming soon, Gandhar Raj", she whispered under her breath with gritted teeth. "And this time, you won't win."

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