"I know our family is not the example people see when talking about normal families. But, this is weird. Even for us." Nakul whispered as he went stiff indicating the horse to finally halt and to do the same Arjun had to slightly pull the reigns towards him. Nakul was by far the best horserider among the brothers and that was undisputed, and right now so was his statement. 

The vast doors which opened to a beautiful entrance with an enormous fountain and innumerable sculptures and a flight of stairs that led to the royal court were hidden today by the gigantic dysfunctional family which the brothers called their own. Yudhishthira, wearing a sky blue dhoti and gold embroidered white angavastram which hung from his left shoulder and twisted around his right arm was standing in front of their tallest brother, Bhim who was wearing a pale yellow dhoti with embroidered orange borders, he was devoid of any angavastram and the abundance of jewellery on his torso were also unable to hide his big frame. The youngest of the Pandavas was dressed meticulously as always, with a lavender dhoti and orange angavastram placed neatly on his shoulder he was standing beside their mother, Kunti. She was wearing plain yellow coloured lehenga and angavastram which was draped around her torso, the only indication that ryal blood ran through her was the handful of jewellery she was wearing. But this was not what surprised Nakul and Arjun.

The interim king of Hastinapur, Dhritarashtra bedecked in an off-white gold-bordered dhoti and a heavy royal blue embroidered angavastram hanging from his right shoulder covering his arm and a gigantic crown oh his head stood beside his wife, Gandhari who was wearing a red lehenga and angavastram, her torso hidden behind heavy and abundant jewellery and her eyes behind a red satin cloth and her head held the crown meant for a queen. Though Gandhari would occasionally come to meet the Pandavas if an assistant was free, never was Dhritrashtra seen welcoming them. What shocked them more was the grin on the king's face.

As they dismounted their horses and started to walk up the steps Arjun observed that his cousin brothers were nowhere to be seen. But then again he was not even expecting their parents.

"Tatshree!" Arjun greeted him with a namaste and a low bow and Nakul followed.

"Sukhi Bhavah!" Dhritrashtra exclaimed as he found his hands to their heads, blessing them. Arjun stopped himself from frowning and went down to take blessings from the queen who blessed them with a long life.

"Oh putron why didn't you tell me about your dear friend!" Dhitrahtra asked laughing but Arjun knew he had ulterior motives.

"Which friend Tatshree?" Arjun's mind needlessly wandered to Draupadi, but not even his brothers except Nakul and their mother knew it. He had thought of mentioning it in his letter to them but had thought against it, wanting to tell them in person.

"The great Vasudev!" Dhritrashtra exclaimed looking slightly towards Arjun's right.

Arjun was dumbfounded. He had no friend named Vasudev. But before he could say anything to the interim king he was being ushered into the palace. He looked toward his brother and could only glance at Bhim's grin which made Arjun even more perplexed.

"We shouldn't keep him waiting!" Dhritrashtra said as he let go of Arjun's hand upon reaching one of many chambers the palace incorporated. Someone would have found this strange but this man though blind was born here, he knew the palace more than he knew his own mother.

"Putra, we all have already met him why don't you receive him alone?" Gandhari said and before Arjun could reply - not that he knew what to say, he was ushered in.

His mind though racing didn't affect his appearance, his pace was steady yet deliberate.

Vasudev? Is Tatshree by any chance talking about the one from Dwarka? the one who killed his evil uncle? Though I would relish being his friend I am not sure I have ever even met him.

Arjun stopped his thought of chain as he reached the centre of the chamber. The chamber was as opulent as any in the palace, but it was surely one of the finest of the spare ones. The walls and pillars were all painted white with some strokes of gold making beautiful patterns. The curtains were a bright blue colour which was made of cloth so light that it played even in the dainty breeze that was playing. But the beautiful gold sculptures and the handcrafted tablecloths were not what attracted attention, it was the uplifted platform that faced east, the window giving view to the sunrise, but the sun right now was just atop, a little more than a prahar till sunset. The whole platform from the carved panels to the stairs which led to it were plated gold. To the sides were seating arrangements cushioned with white velvet contrasting the tawny backdrop. On the ceiling as attached pieces of stained glass arranged in such a way that o the viewer just underneath, it looked like a blooming lotus. Beneath the platform, the reaming expanse was filled with water a cluster of white lotuses here and there.

If Arjun had time he would stop to admire the beauty and the craftsmanship but there was a figure who was standing near the window looking out at nothing in particular. The man was as swarthy as his black curls reaching below his shoulders and accommodated a headband made with entwined sky blue and peach cloth. He was wearing a plain white dhoti with a thick gold border at the end and on the waist was tied a peach coloured cloth, the ends of which were playing with the breeze. A sky blue angavastram was folded neatly and placed on the left shoulder and the other end o it travelling through the back twisted around the forearm.

Arjun didn't need another moment to realize who the man in front of him was. Even though his face was hidden from Arjun's view he could see those black eyes crinkling with mischief yet wisdom beyond years and that full toothed grin which forced him to break into a smile. Just the shock of his arrival left him tongue-tied and he didn't find his voice until his guest turned towards him.

"Parth." he heard, the mellifluous voice soothing his ears.

"Madhav."

-:-

"I thought your name was Krishn," Arjun said intrigued.

They had seated themselves after a long embrace.

"It is." the man before him simply said.

"But then why did Tatashree call you Vasudev?" Arjun asked, he felt like a simple-minded five-year-old but then again for the past few years he had no interest in knowing what was happening in the aryavarta. But the demise of the Dwarkan King, Kansa by the hands of his own nephew was something Arjun couldn't overlook.

"I have many names Parth. My name is Vasudev Krishn. But some call me Mohan and other Govinda, some call me Gopal and others Kanha." he said with a wistful smile on his face.

"Then I guess you won't mind if I call you Madhav?" Arjun asked, earning a laugh from his friend.

"Anyways, how is Keshavi?" Arjun asked, grinning ear to ear, but his grin faltered when he saw the look on Madhav's face.

"She is safe where she is, I assure you." He said, not looking at Arjun. His eyes had a distant look. A look of pain and understanding. He looked so much like the first time he had seen him, mysterious and having that enigmatic look to his face. He just seemed more experienced, like life had borne him every fruit - no matter how bitter or sweet. "She is happy," he said again and Arjun felt that he was reassuring himself rather than him. Arjun thought if something had happened between the two, but he dismissed the thought. Something must have happened around them. But Arjun knew his friend, he knew not to pry.

"I am sure she is Madhav," Arjun said squeezing his shoulder, to which Madhav gave a small smile.

"Enough about me. I heard you have already met our sakhi. I assume not just your sakhi anymore, huh? Now that I come to think of it you never really called her that." Madhav said, that mischievous grin back on his face.

"That's preposterous! I did call her my friend." Arjun said, his cheeks flushed.

"Is she though?" Madhav said wiggling his eyebrows.

"How did you know about it anyway?" Arjun asked fascinated not for the first time by the knowledge of his friend.

"If I tell you how I come to know of things,  I won't have that knowledge anymore. But if it appeases you -  I hear things." Madhav said.

Arjun thought against saying that he didn't say anything, that he would hear.

"Then I am sure you knew about me. Why come after so many years?" Arjun asked.

"Everything has its time and place, dear friend. But as to the question of why I am here right now? I assure you it's important." Madhav said, his face serious.

"What do you mean Madhav?" 

"Someone is on his way. Someone who we both know. And there is not much I can do to stop him."

"Who are you talking about Madhav? Who is coming?" Arjun asked puzzled.

"He will ask something of you. Something he has the right to, something very dear to you."

"Wha- Madhav, I don't understand."

"You will. In time my friend. Just know that whatever happens, I am with you." 

"Madhav-"

"I am with you."

"I know, Madhav."

-:-

"It had already been a week since Vasudev Krishna had left Hastinapur and Arjun in a dilemma. The week had passed rather smoothly, contrary to what Madhav had said to him. He had finally told his family the reason for his long stay in Panchal. Well, not technically him. A smile dazzled his face as he remembered the happenings of a few days ago in the very same room he was sitting in.

"Arjun are you fine?" asked Bhim concerned. Arjun couldn't blame him. He was puzzled by his friend's cryptic warning and hasty leave. But there was no need to worry his brother about it.

"I am fine Jeshtha," Arjun said smiling.

"Of course, he is fine, Jeshtha!" Nakul said grinning ear to ear. Arjun cast a glare at Nakul, but couldn't help smiling himself.

"What do you mean?" Bhim asked, a confused smile on his face.

"By the way Arjun, what stopped you from coming to Hastinapur?" Yudhishtira asked, his face that of curiosity.

"Not what Jeshtha! Who!" Nakul said laughing.

"Okay, I know my twin brother is crazy, but what is happening?" Sehdev asked raising an eyebrow.

"You know what! Something is up. I mean look at him." Bhim whispered to the eldest and the youngest Pandava, the three of them now eyeing him suspiciously, making Arjun feel a little self-conscious.

"I see what you are talking about Jeshtha!" Sehdev said seriously.

"What?" Arjun said shrugging while his hands were folded along his chest.

"Don't you see it Jeshtha? There is something different about him." Bhim asked leaning closer to Yudhishthira, who genuinely looked confused.

"Okay, you are kind of freaking me out." Arjun said.

"Something we haven't seen in a long time," Sehdev said and Yudhishthira's mind seemed to click as he helped himself to a slight smile.

"He's smiling," Yudhishthira stated.

"That could probably mean only two things. Either Nakul has drugged him or-" Sehdev started only to be interrupted by Bhim. 

"Wait- Does that mean-" Bhim asked looking at Nakul but halted by his brother's enthusiastic nod.

"Yes!" Bhim said jumping up in the air and running towards his younger brother and within seconds Arjun was lifted off the grounds. Arjun couldn't stop laughing as he saw Nakul performing a hilarious dance and Sehdev contemplating if he should join his cuckoo twin and within seconds Sehdev was waving his hands in the air. Yudhishthira, despite his self-control, couldn't help grinning and when he saw that Arjun wanted to stand on the ground like a normal human he just tapped Bhim on the shoulder and without a word Bhim placed Arjun on the ground, only to engulf him in a bear hug. Arjun overwhelmed by the show of mention embraced him back and within seconds all the brothers were standing in a loving embrace until Arjun mumbled he couldn't breathe.

"I knew it. I knew this day would come! I am so happy for you little brother!" Bhim said ruffling his hair, knowing that he secretly likes it even though he had a scowl on his face while he set them back in place.

"Tell us everything," Sehdev said clapping his hands like an excited toddler. 

"Tell you what?" Arjun said smiling as he seated himself on the couch.

"Did you finally confess your love to each other?" Bhim said pleading in his eyes.

"Jeshtha!" Arjun shrieked blushing furiously.

"They absolutely did," Nakul said affirming.

"You weren't even there!" Arjun said, exasperated.

"I see you are not denying, Jeshtha!" Sehdev said grinning.

"You are embarrassing me!" Arjun said raising his hands to cover his flustered face.

"That's the point isn't it little brother!" Yudhishthira chimed in.

"You too, Jeshtha!" Arjun exclaimed to which Yudhishthira only grinned.

"You are so boring, Arjun! Nakul you tell me, did they kiss?" Bhim said wiggling his eyebrows.

"I am officially leaving this conversation," Arjun said hopping off the couch, trying to leave the room only to be halted by their mother.

"Where are you going Putra?" Kunti asked.

Arjun stiffened as he saw his mother worried if she had overheard his brothers' banter but relaxed after he saw her face.

"Nowhere Maa!" Arjun said smiling as he put his massive arm around his petite mother.

"So what are you all on about?" Kunti asked as she saw the grinning and smiling faces of her sons.

"Nothing really!" Arun spoke before anyone could.

"Oh, I assure you it was not nothing Maa!" Sehdev said grinning.

"You see Maa, your little son here-" Bhim started.

"Jeshtha!" Arjun said, halting him.

"What? It's not like you won't marr-" Naku chimed in.

"Okay! That's enough!" Arjun said playfully glaring at his brothers before turning to his mother so that she won't see his brothers' giddy faces.

"I have something to tell you Maa!" Arjun said hesitatingly but continued after his mother's nod, "During gurukul-"

A servant who had rushed in with his head bowed interrupted him.

"My lady." 

"What is it, Ronak?" Kunti addressed the servant of her paternal house.

"The esteemed teacher Guru Drona has asked for your permission to enter."

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