Krishna stood at the window of his guest chamber in Hastinapur, watching the silvery rays of the moon reflecting on the little ripples of the Ganga. He turned his head slightly toward the door as if he were expecting someone to walk through it. Just then, Bhishma's personal attendant stepped in.

-"Pranam Vasudev, Mahamahim Bhishma is seeking your permission to enter."

-"Please tell him, he shouldn't embarrass me by asking for my approval. In fact, I was waiting for him to ask for me in his chamber."

The attendant gazed inquisitively at Krishna, but the royal servant knew better than to ask questions. He bowed to him and departed to convey Krishna's message to his lord. 

A few minutes later came the Grandsire of the Kurus, Mahamahim Bhishma. His eyes roamed to every corner of the room without making any contact with the brown orbs that were noticing him very carefully. 

-"Ahem", Bhishma cleared his throat, his mind forcing the corner of his lips to stretch, "I hope your stay at Hastinapur is comfortable so far, Vasudev."

Krishna returned a polite smile. He brought his palms together and replied, "Pranam Mahamahim, the Kurus are renowned throughout Aryavarth for their hospitality. My stay in Hastinapur is beyond comfortable."

Bhishma forced a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. His troubled gaze wandered out of the window. 

This time Krishna took the initiative to break the awkward silence, "I still don't know the reason for your arrival in my chamber. It's not just asking about my well-being, is it?"

-"I came here with a proposal, Vasudev..."

--

"Tatshree..."

Since the sabha ended earlier that day Bhishma had been sitting inside the royal strategy room of Hastinapur alone, with his chin resting upon his palm. Startled by the voice he turned towards the source of it.

Vidur walked in and sat in front of Bhishma. He asked, "Why do you look so troubled Tatshree?"

-"You know very well the reason for my worries, Vidur. I know the Pandavas have married the daughter of Drupad in the presence of Vasudev and Ved Vyas but I couldn't accept it in my heart, no matter how much I try. I don't know if I will be able to accept her as the queen of Hastinapur."

Vidur sighed, "Tatshree, we are all toys in the hands of circumstances, we do not have any other option but to accept. It does not matter if our heart is there or not."

The pleading look in the eyes of the person who is the backbone of the Kurus shattered Vidur's heart. Bhishma asked in a broken tone, "Vidur, you are the most intelligent and knowledgeable person in this Kingdom. Can you not find a solution for this unusual situation?"

Vidur looked at his feet. His eyebrows knitted together as he said slowly, "I can think of two, but I don't know if you are going to like it or not."

Bhishma's face shone with hope, "Tell me Vidur, What solution have you come up with?"

-"Tatshree, Panchal Kanya is shared among the five Pandava brothers, she is not the only consort of Yudhisthira. According to the rules, the chief consort of the king is the one who becomes the queen of the state. As Drupad Kanya is their common wife, Arjun was the one who married her first then the rest of the brothers did. If Yudhisthira agrees to make the next woman he marries his chief consort and not the princess of Panchal then that woman shall be the one to share the throne with Yudhisthira, not Panchal Kumari"

A smile appeared on Bhishma's face, "Excellent Vidur, Excellent. We know exactly who can be the perfect wife of Yudhisthira and the next queen of Hastinapur."

The frown didn't leave Vidur's face, "Tatshree we need to discuss this with Yudhisthir first. Something tells me it won't be that easy."

-"I don't think Yudhisthira will disobey us, will he, Vidur?"

Vidur nodded firmly, "Let's hope so, Tatshree." He sent one of the attendants to bring Yudhisthira to the Strategy Room.

-"Pranam Pitamah, Pranam Kakashree." Yudhisthir greeted both his elders upon entering the room.

-"Ayushman Bhava." Bhishma blessed him when Yudhisthira touched his feet. Vidur passed him a nod paired with an affectionate smile. 

Without wasting any time Bhishma went straight to the point. He said, "Putra we have something very important to discuss with you."

Yudhisthir looked at him curiously. Bhishma cleared his throat and started, "Putra Yudhisthira, me and your Kakashree since the day she arrived in Hastinapur for the first time we wanted Putri Tiasha to be the Kulabadhu of the Kuru Dynasty. We wanted to see her on the throne beside you. We want you to marry her and make her your chief consort. You have seen how good she is when it comes to royal duties. We know that you married Panchal Kanya only just a few days ago, but it is our request..."

-"That you marry Kumari Tiasha and take up the crown prince of Kuru Kingdom again along with her. We believe she is the only one who can put an end to the rivalry for the throne between you and your cousins." Vidur finished for Bhishma.

Yudhisthira's heart sank. He lowered his head and said in a small voice, "I am sorry, Pitamah, Kakashree. Kumari Tiasha is an extraordinary woman. The man who will get her beside him will be the luckiest man to ever exist. I want nothing more than to have her by my side. But before marrying Panchali, I promised King Drupad that she would be the only one to sit on the throne beside me. I cannot turn away from my words."

Vidur and Bhishma's face visibly dropped. Bhishma sat back down in his seat with a loud sigh. Vidur tried to stay positive, "But you agree to marry Kumari Tiasha, don't you, Yudhisthira?"

A slight blush appeared on Yudhisthira's face, he nodded shyly, "No one will be happier than me..."

-"You go have some rest now, Yudhisthir. You had a long day. We will call you if you are needed" Vidur said trying to offer him a kind smile. Yudhisthir folded his hands together and left the room.

-"Vidur, what is the second solution you are talking about?" Bhishma asked.

Vidur started, "Umm, well, Maharaj Dhritarashtra...he is not very happy with the Pandavas' return. I am sure some people in the palace are influencing him negatively. I don't think he and Duryodhan would like to hand over the responsibilities to Yudhisthira that easily..." Bhishma listened to him keenly with his eyebrows furrowed. "...The only solution I see in this case..." Vidur hesitated to finish his words.

-"What is it, Vidur?"

-"The only solution I see here is to divide the kingdom equally." 

Bhishma's eyes widened. He whisper-shouted, "VIDUR!!" 

-"I am sorry Tatshree, I can't see any other solution in this situation." Vidur lowered his head. Bhishma sighed again shaking his head in defeat. The thought of splitting the kingdom brought tears to the eyes of both men. Vidur rubbed the corner of his eyes with his index finger and said, "Tatshree, I think you should bring the proposal of Kumari Tiasha and Yudhisthira's marriage to Vasudev. Maybe she could change the situation in some way."

Bhishma sighed again, "All we can do is hope. We can only hope that Putri Tiasha will come up with some solution."

--

"Mahamahim Bhishma, I am really sorry to disappoint you but it's Tiasha's life. I am her brother, her companion, her friend, not her guardian. And even if I were, I would not have any right to make such a crucial decision on her behalf. It's her life, she should be the one to say yes or no to a marriage proposal..." Krishna stopped for a second. "I know Bhrata Yudhisthira is a noble man, he will treat my sister with honour, respect, and love but at the end of the day it's her choice that matters."

-"But Vasudev..."

-"My hands are tied, Mahamahim."

Bhishma sighed, "You are right Vasudev." The last bit of hope was lost. He started leaving.

-"Mahamahim..." Krishna called from behind, "...If the marriage happens it won't just be a regular marriage between just two people, there are political aspects in this too. From your words, I can understand that Kuru Kingdom's future depends on it. I think you should discuss this matter in the court tomorrow." Bhishma paused. He thought for a moment then nodded at Krishna and left his chamber.

A few seconds later another attendant informed Krishna that this time Guru Dronacharya was expecting to have a meeting with him. As the attendant left to relay Krishna's message to Guru Drona Krishna heaved a deep sigh. He shook his head while laughing to himself.

-"Pranam Guru Drona." Krishna greeted Drona as he came into his chamber.

-"Pranam Vasudev, It's a pleasure to meet you. I hope you are comfortable here in Hastinapur." Drona greeted back.

-"The pleasure is all mine. And my stay in Hastinapur is exhilarating. I got a chance to be in the presence of such great men like yourself and Mahamahim Bhishma. What could be more rewarding than that?"

Drona held a pleasing smile on his face. Krishna asked, "What is the reason behind your appearance in my chamber at this hour, Oh revered Guru of Kuru Kul?"

-"I have come here with a proposal Vasudev..." Drona cleared his throat and braced himself. He started again, "I am unable to sugarcoat my words Vasudev, I will come straight to the point. We recently came to know that Kumari Tiasha is a distant cousin of yours. In my opinion, your sister is exceptional, she is kind, loving, intelligent and even her greatest enemy cannot deny her supreme beauty. My wife Kripi is very fond of the girl. It is our wish that she becomes our Putrabadhu, Ashwatthama's wife, and the queen of Northern Panchal. Now if you say yes..."

-"What does Uttar Panchal Raj Ashwatthama say in this?" Krishna interrupted him.

-"Oh! I know he will be delighted. He doesn't say it out loud but, we know, our Putra Ashwatthama holds a deep affection for Putri Tiasha in his heart."

Krishna hummed looking at his hands as if he was thinking deeply.

-"Right before you Mahamahim Bhishma came with a similar proposal..."

Drona's heart sank. He wondered for whom Bhishma had brought the proposal to Krishna.

-"But..." Krishna continued. Drona looked at him curiously, his heart drumming against his chest. "I am going to tell you the same as I told him. I am not her guardian. My sister is independent, her life decisions are hers and hers only. I am no one to say yes or no on her behalf. Maybe your son should go talk to her himself. As far as I know, they are pretty close friends..."

Drona understood Krishna was trying not to get involved in this. He stood up with a meaningful smile, "It was a pleasure Vasudev." 

-"You will get to know her choice very soon, Guru Drona." Drona passed him a smile and left the room.

--

Tiasha sat on the river bank staring at the waves.

She turned her head slightly hearing a pair of heavy footsteps behind her. From the corner of her eyes, she saw a band of rudraksha on the man's arm.

-"After such a long day when I thought that I could finally have some alone time, Uttar-Panchal Naresh had to show up right at that moment to ruin it." A sarcastic sigh left her system as she shook her head.

-"Don't tell me you have been doing sadhana to get a pair of eyes behind your head." Ashwatthama smirked as she stood beside the rock where she was sitting.

-"With that huge hippopotamus-like structure like yours, you are not as sneaky as you think you are. You are aware of that right."

-"Right you have been blessed with a pair of eyes behind your head."

Tiasha didn't reply. She shifted a little and patted the space beside her for Ashwatthama to take a seat. Ashwatthama hesitated for a moment looking around then eventually sat down.

-"Now as you have successfully ruined my quiet, might as well say what you came here to say."

-"How do you know I have come here to tell you something?"

-"I didn't tell anyone except Malika that I was coming here. I told her I wanted to be alone for some time so she is not allowed to tell anyone where I am except it's Bhanu or Dushala. And knowing Bhanu and how she couldn't say no to her Bhrata Ashwatthama and Bhrata Karna, you got my location bribing her. Am I right?" Tiasha asked. Ashwatthma nodded the smirk remained constant on his face.

-"Now I don't think you would have put so much effort into finding me if you didn't have anything important to tell me. Although I could be wrong..."

-"What else could it be?"

-"I don't know, you could have been appointed for assassination."

-"You think I would still be alive if I even had the thought of infesting a scratch on your body?"

-"You are insisting, I should stick to my first conclusion, then?" Tiasha smirked back. 

Ashwatthama remained silent watching the waves. Tiasha wasn't looking at him, if she did she would have noticed the deep red colour on Ashwatthama's cheeks. When he didn't say anything for a long time Tiasha shifted her attention from the waves of the water towards him. She noticed him biting his lips.

-"What is it?" She asked. 

Ashwatthama cleared his throat. He gathered all the courage he had in his heart and started, "Tiasha, you see I am not the most romantic or poetic person in the world. I am not able to frame a wonderful adjective reach phrase for you. All I am able to do is speak from my heart. I admire you, your courage, your wisdom, your sarcasm all and every bit of you..." He paused to look at the beautiful maiden before him but he couldn't get a hold of her thoughts. her face was serious yet calm. He continued, "I don't have words to praise your beauty, that would be audacious of me..." Ashwatthama braced himself, "...I...I am in love with you...I...Tiasha, will you marry me?" he finished looking down at his hands, holding his breath. He closed his eyes to compose himself.

He felt a warm touch on his hands. He opened his eyes to see a set of soft hands pulling his own into her lap. Ashwatthama thought he was experiencing the joy of being in the heavens when he saw his hands being held in between the fingers which resembled the buds of Champa flower.

But his heart sank when he looked up into the dark pools of her chocolate brown orbs. Her beautiful fish-like eyes held sadness and hesitation. Ashwatthama shook his head a melancholy smile appeared on his face.

-"It would hurt if you say no, but you know what would absolutely break my heart? Your unhappiness."

-"I am sorry Ashwatthama, I...I can't. I...I love someone else."

-"I can see it in your eyes."

-"Forgive me if you can." Tiasha pleaded.

Ashwatthama forced a peal of laughter, "You know friends don't ask for forgiveness right? I won't give up our friendship for anything. We want your happiness above anything else, that's what matters."

-"I have always seen you as one of my closest friends, like a brother. You are the best friend anyone can ever have." Tiasha smiled.

-"We can't let Duryodhan hear that. Or else there would be nothing left of me tomorrow." Both of them laughed. 

-"I hope it won't be awkward between us." Tiasha said softly.

-"I hope not." Ashwatthama replied. After a short pause, he asked, "Can I know who the lucky bustard is?"

Tiasha blushed, "You know him."

Ashwatthama smirked, "Don't tell me It's Duryodhan."

-"God no! not that man child..." Tiasha bit her lips, "The other one..."

-"Ohh my God, I never thought you could be into Dusshasan." Ashwatthama teased knowing very well who she meant by 'The other one.'

-"Hahaha! Very funny, Daruni." Tiasha hit his shoulder lightly.

-"By the way, as you have called me your brother, I announce today that I am going to spoil the future Princes and Princesses of Anga as their uncle. And you are not allowed to stop me from that."

-"Hey!!" 

The playful banter between the two went on for some more time. What they didn't realise was that a pair of Amber orbs watched them for a few moments from a distance. He stormed back to his chamber with his mind clouded with negative emotions.

-XX-

Hey guys, your author is still alive.

Can you believe the story now has 105K reads!! I know I can't believe it.

Tell me in the comments if you liked this chapter or not. I hope you enjoyed it. See you all soon with another update. And the next chapter is going to be full of drama so prepare yourself for that. Thank you so much for reading and voting and bearing with me.

I made this meme, especially for this chapter.

Take care, Adiós my lovelies ❤️.