Invitations for the Swayam Var of Panchal Rajkumari Yagnaseni Draupadi were sent all across Aryavarth. The kings and princes were all lost in the dreams of winning the hand of the most beautiful princess of Dwapara Yuga.

All except for two. King Drupad didn't bother to send an invitation to Northern Panchal and Anga. And in all honesty, the two kings of those two lands were least interested to be invited to a Swayamvar. For them, there was only one woman they wanted by their side. And she was not a princess.

The eldest of the Pandavas sat outside their cottage, lost in his thoughts. For some reason, he couldn't get that woman out of his head. The woman they saved almost a month ago, Shyama. For some reason, he just couldn't think of her as a sister like Mata suggested.

He didn't see her face but from what he saw she was gorgeous. Every curve and bend of her body screamed perfection. The fine cotton material of her Sharee couldn't contain the exuberant youth of her voluptuous figure. Never in his life had he seen such beauty. She could put all the princesses of Aryavarth in shame with her mere presence.

He shook his head. No no, what was he thinking? Was he just lusting over a woman who would be someone else's wife within the next three months?

He can not think of another woman, there is only one who was in his heart. Only one, in this entire world, could be the queen of his heart, the future Empress of Hastinapur. 'Lord knows what she is doing now in Dwarika?' A small smile spread across his face. 'Does she even know I am alive?' the smile turned into a melancholy heartache. 'Is she ok? Does she think of me? Will Vasudev and Balabhadra marry her off to someone else if we don't come out of hiding?' A soft hand on his shoulder startled him. He jumped up from the rock he was sitting on.

-"Mata, why aren't you asleep yet? What are you doing here at this hour of the night?" He asked a sigh of relief left his mouth seeing his mother.

-"I could ask you the same, Putra." Kunti looked deep into her son's eyes. "I can tell something is bothering you. You can tell me, what is it?" she asked, cupping his face in her hands.

Yudhisthira tried to smile, "Nothing Mata, I was just thinking if we will ever go out of hiding or not."

Kunti sat on the rock. She gestured to Yudhisthira to sit beside her and when he did she pulled his head into her lap. Yudhisthira laid down on the rock, his head resting on his mother's lap.

She slowly caressed his hair and said, "I know what you feel, Putra. It's not just you, we are all tired of hiding like this." A twinkle of amusement played in her eyes as she continued, "And I know what you were thinking. You were thinking if we will ever go out of hiding so you could meet Putri Tiasha again."

Yudhisthira sat up immediately and looked at Kunti with wide eyes. The redness of his cheeks couldn't be missed even under the little light provided by the stars.

-"No Mata, it's...It's nothing like that!" He fumbled with his words.

-"I am your Mata, I know everything that is going on in your minds all the time, Putra. You can't hide it from me. You love her." Kunti said, touching Yudhisthira's cheeks. He looked down. A sad smile played on his lips.

-"What is bothering you so much, Putra?" Kunti asked.

-"She doesn't know we are still alive, Mata. What if she doesn't wait for me? What if Vasudev and Balabhadra decide to marry her off to someone else?"

By this time the rest of the Pandavas were awake and seeing Kunti and Yudhisthira missing they went out to look for them. They found them sitting on the rock in front of their hut and quietly listened to their conversation.

As an answer to Yudhisthira's question they all announced together, "Then we all will go to Dwarika and abduct her for you Jyesth Bhrata."

Kunti and Yudhisthira looked back at the four in shock. They grinned from ear to ear as they said this.

-"When Didi gets married, the entire Aryavartha will come to know of it, I am sure about that." Sahadev said.

-"We can't let our Bhabishree get married to someone else now can we?" Nakul said, looking at everyone.

-"She tells such fascinating stories, and I am not letting her go before hearing all of them." Arjun said with a determination clear in his voice.

-"I will do anything to eat the delicious food she cooks." Bheem said licking his lips and imagining the taste of the mouth-watering food.

Kunti laughed. She caressed Yudhisthira's hair and said, "Don't worry too much, Putra. The gods are always watching over us. They won't take away anything that you deserve."

--

Duryodhan became the Yuvraj one month after the alleged demise of his older cousin, the previous crown prince of Hastinapur, Pandu Putra Yudhisthira. Bhishma and Vidur tried their best to not let it happen but they too had to bow down to the King's orders.

Since then, Mahamantri Vidur has constantly tried to poke holes in the decisions he had taken. But surprisingly Bhisma had shown his support to Duryodhan. Bhishma started noticing that the decisions Duryodhan was making were actually for the betterment of the people. Within a few months, the once-hated Rajkumar Duryodhan gained immense popularity as Yuvraj Duryodhan. He also noticed the new policies he was introducing in the court were similar to the policies Norther Panchal and Anga abided by.

Bhisma smiled internally, thinking, 'Looks like a certain someone has influenced all three of the friends very deeply.' He saw the reflection of her values and ideals in Duryodhan's work.

Just like every other kingdom in Aryavartha, Hastinapur had also received an invitation from Panchal Raj Drupad for his daughter Sawaym Var. Mahamahim Bhishma and Mahamantri Vidur were adamant to send him to the Swayam Var. They saw it as a chance to end the age-long conflict between Kuru and Panchal.

Duryodhan wasn't very thrilled to attend the Swayam Var at first. But as the new Yuvraj of Hastinapur, it was his duty to attend the ceremony as a sign of respect and peace between Panchal and Kuru. 

After a lot of convincing from Shakuni, Duryodhan finally agreed.

-"My dear Nephew, it's your duty. Besides, your position in the eyes of Kuru Sabha will reach a new height as you will be the one to bring an end to the age-old rivalry of Kuru and Panchal."

-"But Mamashree, I don't want to marry another woman." Duryodhan argued.

-"Don't be a fool, Duryodhan. Kshatriya kings always have more than one wife whether it's for political alliance or to produce children. Your own Uncle Pandu brought home his second wife just five months after his first marriage. It's been almost one and a half years since your marriage with Kalinga Kumari and she hasn't been able to give you a son yet. I am telling you Duryodhan it's high time for you to get another wife, or do you want to lose your position as the future samrat because your wife can not even carry a child even after almost two years of marriage."

Duryodhan was in a dilemma. It's true that even after one and a half years of marriage Bhanumati wasn't able to carry a child. But he doesn't necessarily blame her for that. And he also doesn't like people talking about his wife's ability to bear a child. At the beginning of their marriage, they spent a lot of time just getting to know each other. For the longest time, their love wasn't physical until quite recently. But he decided not to discuss his private matters with his Mama.

After quite unwillingly agreeing to attend the Swayam var and convincing Bhanumati that even if he wins the hand of Panchal Kanya, his love for her will never reduce even the slightest he decided to go to Northern Panchal first.

He sent a message to both of his friends in Ahichatra and Champa that he wanted to meet them before the Swayamvar.

He reached the palace of Ahichatra one week prior to the Swayam Var, accompanied by his uncle and Dusshasan.

--

Since the time Tiasha left Karna and Ashwatthama had visited Hastinapur only twice. Once during Dushala and Sindh Raj Jayadratha's wedding and once for Duryodhan's crowning as Yuvraj. The three friends hadn't seen each other for quite some time. So when they met a prolonged hug was shared between the three.

In the evening when the three sat down, Duryodhan first stumbled upon the news that his friends had not been invited to the ceremony. Being Duryodhan he became livid.

-"If you two are not invited then I am not going to the Sayamvar. If Panchal Raj wants to take that as an offence, I do not care."

Karna sat him down as Ashwatthama poured a drink for Duryodhan to calm him down.

-"Calm down Mitra, we do not care if we were invited or not." Ashwatthama said handing the goblet over to Duryodhan.

-"I don't want to take part in this SwayamVar. So, to me, it's just a waste of time to sit for an entire day doing nothing." Karna said in a calm voice. Ashwatthama nodded in agreement.

Durydhan frowned at his two best friends. He gulped down the wine in the goblet and whipped his mouth with the back of his hand.

-"I don't know what is up with you two. It looks as if you two don't want to get married at all."

Throughout the course of two years, these two kings have turned down countless marriage proposals. The two extremely handsome and talented men received marriage proposals almost every day, from kings and commoners. But every time those who brought the proposals had to return empty-handed.

The two of them looked at each other and then back at Duryodhan as he continued.

-"There is something that you two are not telling me. I demand answers! Why do you refuse marriage proposals right and left every day?"

-"I want to focus on the betterment of my kingdom." Ashwatthama replied quickly. Karna remained silent. He didn't want to lie, so he decided to keep quiet.

Duryadhan narrowed his eyes at Ashwatthama. "I said I want answers. And by that, I meant true answers, not your carp reasoning you give everyone. You can fool them with this. But I know you two a little bit too well to believe it. Now tell me what is truly going on with you two."

Karna looked down at his feet. Ashwatthama looked out of the window.

-"I want to marry someone else."

-"I am in love with someone."

Ashwatthama and Karna said simultaneously.

Duryodhan smirked as he poured himself another drink.

-"Who would have thought that the two seemingly unromantic, cold-hearted but most eligible bachelors of Aryavart were refusing women day and night because they are in love with someone? Now, now, I am curious who these maidens are. who stole the stone hearts of my great valorous Mitras?"

-"Why is it so important for you to know?" Ashwatthama asked, a little annoyed with Duryodhan's teasing.

-"Because I want to have Bhabishrees. And nephews too in the future who I can spoil."

Karna's cheeks turned red at the thought of marriage and kids. Ashwatthama did everything to hide his blush but failed miserably.

Duryodhan watched them with an amused smirk.

He started, "Mitra Karna, I know you have had an eye on someone for a long time now. But I am not sure who it is. Tell me, I will see what I can do to bring your dream girl to you."

Karna shook his head, "No Mitra, I...she is out of my league."

-"Ohh come on! Tell us who it is." Ashwatthama teased.

-"Why don't you tell us about your darling, Ashwa!" Karna teased back.

Duryodhan thoroughly enjoyed Ashwatthama's annoyance and Karna's embarrassment.

Ashwatthama mumbled something under his breath which they couldn't hear.

Duryodhan asked again, "What did you say, Mitra? Who is it?" He took a sip from his goblet.

-"Tiasha." Ashwatthama blurred out.

Duryodhan almost choked and spat out the drink. But he composed himself within a moment.

-"What!" He looked at Ashwatthama in disbelief, "You want to marry Sakhi Tiasha?". He then at his other best friend. The expression Karna's face held couldn't be described in words. He looked at Ashwatthama with a mixture of shock, surprise, disbelief, and maybe a tinge of jealousy sprinkled on top of those. It doesn't take a genius to understand what that look meant, but as always Duryadhan was clueless about it.

Those words coming out of Duryadhan's mouth made a sharp pin go through his heart. Karna lowered his head down. A bittersweet smile appeared on his lips. For him, she is just a dream who came into his life and changed his world. Even the imagination of having her beside him was wrong for him.

Duryodhan carefully observed Karna's face changing. He frowned, 'Why does he look like that?' he thought. He walked beside Karna and asked, "And you Mitra Karna? Who are you in love with?"

Ashwatthama was looking down this entire time, hearing Duryodhan talk, he looked up. And as soon as his eyes fell on Karna, everything became clear to him as well.

The sad smile remained constant on his face as Karna said, "She is just a dream that will never come true." He sighed. "She has gone through a lot in life. I wish for her happiness." He uttered those last words looking deep into Ashwatthama's eyes. He passed him a smile.

Duryodhan watched the interaction between his friends in confusion. The other two quickly decided to change the topic.

They spent the rest of the evening together. Duryodhan managed to convince his two friends to accompany him to Panchal Rajkumari's SwayamVar.

A few hours later he decided to retire to his chamber. Karna got up to follow behind him but Ashwatthama stopped him.

-"Mitra Karna, I want to talk to you about something." He said.

-"Well, I am beyond tired. I will take my leave now." Durydhan said and left the spot.

After Duryodhan went out of sight Ashwatthama looked deep into Karna's eyes.

-"You love her too don't you?" he asked.

-"What! What are you talking about?" Karna tried to play it cool.

-"Don't! I saw the look on your face when I said I love Tiasha. You love her too, Don't you? And don't you dare say, It doesn't matter or you are not worth it. Tell me the truth." Ashwatthama placed a hand on Karna's shoulder.

Karna avoided eye contact with him. He said in an almost broken tone, "Yes, yes I do. I love her."

Ashwatthama smiled at him, "Mitra, I want the same as you do. I want her to be happy."

Karna looked up at him. Ashtthama gave him a nod and said, "We don't know who she loves though! Let's not jump to conclusions all by ourselves. Let's wait for her. We shall let her choose." The smile remained constant on his face.

Karna mirrored his smile and said, "You are right. We shall wait for her." He took a pause and continued, "No matter who she chooses, whether it's you or me or someone else, We will respect it. We will always stay by her side. And If the choice happens to be you or me, I hope it doesn't affect our friendship in any way."

Ashwatthma's smile widened. He said, "Our friendship is for life. You, me, Mitra Duryodhan, and Tiasha will always be friends no matter what. We won't give it up for anything, I promise."

The two friends embraced each other with a promise of never breaking apart.

-XX-

I don't know if the chapter is good enough or not. I wanted to dedicate a character to our men and explore their hearts.

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