"Taat Manvendra you won again !" Yuyutsu sighed deeply in frustration of defeat while Manvendra just shrugged his shoulders after wining the third round of Chaturang from his younger cousin.

"Seriously Taat, it's impossible to defeat you in Chaturang. I'm sure one day you'll become a clever war strategist." Yuyutsu praised causing a chuckle to escape the lips of Vidurputra.

Suddenly, a Pratihari entered the room, bowing down to the princes.

"The Pandu-putras and their mother have arrived in the palace." She informed.

"Let's pay our respect to them, Yuyutsu." Manvendra said.

"Umm... You go. I'll just stay here." He said unsurely.

"Why ?" Manvendra asked.

"You know why. I have been humiliated enough already." Yuyutsu said gazing down.

"Oh Yuyutsu, they are our cousins. For how long will you avoid them ? Atleast accompany me, I'll do the talking." Manvendra said.

Yuyutsu looked up at this elder cousin, who gave him a assuring smile. A sigh escaped the lips of Vaishya-putra.

"Your smile is too compelling." Yuyutsu said getting up.

"I know." Manvendra chuckled.

Both the princes made their way to the palace gates where they saw five young teenage boys, dressed in deerskins and valkals.

Manvendra and Yuyutsu instantly came to know that they were the sons of Pandu who had just came from forest. But sadly they were already being welcomed by the Kauravas, and not in a good way.

"Petty forest-dwellers, you all should bow down before us princes. Because when I become king, you will eventually. So it's best you practice now only." Duryodhan said.

The three younger Pandavas were frowning, while the tallest one among them was clenching his fists. Only the eldest among them seemed to have retained his composure, and by his calm face it was obvious that he was Yudhishthir, the one who can be steady even in a war.

The atmosphere was tensed because of the misbehaviour of Kauravas, Manvendra could sense the rise of conflict, and hence he decided to intervene.

"For someone who is not the eldest, you speak with a lot of authority." Manvendra said walking towards them.

The Pandavas looked at the newcomer who stood tall with his well built stature, the younger four had suspicion in their eyes, wondering whether he too is two-faced like their Kaurav cousins. Whereas seeing him Duryodhan rolled his eyes.

"Then who is eldest here ? You ?" He mocked.

"To you I am. But Yudhishthir is eldest among us all. So if someone should bow, it's us in front of him." Manvendra said and turned to Yudhisthir, cupping his hands in reverence and bowing his head. The eldest son of Pandu smiled where as the other Pandavas looked rather pleased after this unruly welcome.

"I shall not bow before these forest-dwellers." Duryodhan said folding his hands, keeping his head high.

"They are our cousins. And if you cannot understand this, then just leave. Don't bother them further." Manvendra said firmly.

Duryodhan huffed before stomping out with his brothers. Manvendra then looked at the Pandavas, apologetically. He felt sorry for them, first they lost their father and now this was how they were greeted in their own home.

"Accept my greetings." Manvendra said and touched the feet of Yudhishthir. His contagious smile had its effect on all the Pandavas, who seemed to have been melted, so to speak.

"Bless you. You must be, Raudra. Am I right ?" Yudhishthir guessed.

"Indeed. I am the son of Mahamantri Vidur, your father's younger brother." He said.

"Brothers, Manvendra is elder to you. Touch his feet and seek his blessings." Yudhisthir said.

The rest of the Pandavas followed and introduced themselves to him.

"Bless you all. My condolences on the untimely death of uncle Pandu, and I am also sorry for the behaviour exhibited by Duryodhan." Manvendra said.

"You don't have to apologise for his behaviour, Taat." Bheem said.

"I am the eldest here, I should've been present to greet you all first. I just lost the track of time while playing with Yuyutsu." Manvendra said.

He looked at Yuyutsu who was standing demurely till now. He came forward and touched the feet of Yudhisthir and Bheem.

Yuyutsu was rather insecure about Pandavas too disregarding but to his delight they greeted him warmly.

"Jyesht, where is Aunt Kunti ?" Manvendra asked.

"She went along with Mata Gandhari." Yudhisthir said.

"Alright, I'll pay my respects to her there only. And if you need anything, I am at your service." Manvendra said, and left with Yuyutsu.

"Taat Manvendra seems to be so kind-hearted. He sensed our distress right away even though he just saw us." Arjun said.

"When he was scolding Duryodhan, I got chills by his intimidating face and tone of voice. But when he smiled at us, my fear vanished." Nakul said.

"Indeed. He has the most beautiful smile." Sehdev said.

"That he does." Bheem also acknowledged the fact.

"It is a blessing that we have gotten such sweet cousin." Yudhisthir said.

-----

Seeing her room after years, Kunti had become emotional. This was the room where she had come as a bride, and now she comes as a widow.

The bitter-sweet memories of this room brought tears in her eyes, but she didn't let even a drop fall.

Gandhari kept her hand over Kunti's shoulder, knowing full well the emotions in her mind.

"Kunti, am I not like your elder sister ?" She asked.

"Why do you ask so Maharani ? Was there some fault in my code of conduct ?" Kunti asked.

"Fault in conduct from you ? Never. It's just that I can sense the tears in your eyes, but you're not letting them fall. I am like your elder sister Kunti, tell me your pain, cry over my shoulder. You have that right." Gandhari said.

"Maharani, I am grateful for your generosity. But I have to take care and raise my own sons, as well as that of Madri. I do not have time to shed tears. I have to be strong for my children." Kunti said.

"O Kunti, great is this strength of endurance you possess. I was worried that after the death of Pandu, his sons have become anath. I was worried that now they have become helpless. But with a mother like you to take care of them, they can never be anath, they can never be helpless. Who else do they need when they have you as their roof ?" Gandhari said.

Suddenly a Pratihari entered the room, bowing to the royal ladies.

"Rajkumar Manvendra and Yuyutsu seek your permission to enter." She said.

"Send them in." Gandhari said.

The Pratihari bowed once again, and went outside. Soon Manvendra entered the room, with a smile on his face, followed by Yuyutsu.

Kunti looked at Vidurputra and for a moment seeing his serene eyes, well-proportioned face radiating the Kshatriya glow, and that charming smile she forgot her sorrows.

"Greetings to my aunts." He said touching the feet of both Gandhari and Kunti.

"Accept my greetings too." Yuyutsu said touching their feets as well.

"Bless you, sons." They said.

"Are you the son of Sulabha ?" Kunti asked.

"Yes Kakishree." Manvendra said smilingly.

"Su-Smit." Kunti muttered looking at his smile, caressing his face lovingly. (One with beautiful smile)

"Forgive me, I couldn't pay my respects earlier." He said.

"Son, you have the most beautiful smile I ever saw. It is almost magical. It is unlike anything I've ever seen before," Kunti said.

"O Kunti, please don't you also begin praising his smile. It's going to make me feel even more unfortunate that I cannot see it." Gandhari said patting the head of Manvendra.

"Well Maharani, not being able to see this smile, is a misfortune." Kunti said.

"Kakishree, it is your grace and generosity that makes you believe that my smile is worth to be praised." Manvendra said humbly.

"What a humble gentleman, aren't you a true Arya ? Bless you son." Kunti smiled keeping her hand on his head.

□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□
A/N

There is chini ki chashani
And then there Manvendra 😂