In kekaya kingdom..

Vatsala had never seen kekaya before.. Prativindhya and the upapandavas had visited this place once or twice to make peace with the kingdom which in return gave nothing but disrespect..

Draupadi took the baby in her arms and gestured Vatsala to join Prativindhya on his horse.. She gladly took the opportunity...

While they travelled through the famous bazaars of Kekaya which were known for their silk saares.. Arjun spotted a peacock feather.. It seemed the person was waiting for them..

Without wasting anything, Arjun raced his horse but Nakul was quicker, he was first to reach there.. He greeted Krishna and Nitya immediately hugged him.. When they were invited for the marriage Krishna assured Draupadi that he will bring Nitya with him..

The upapandavas and Vatsala took Krishna's blessings.. Draupadi kissed Nitya's forehead over and over.. Dvipat and Banasen chuckled..

For some reason Sambh was being impatient he kept muttering everyone to hurry up.. After small talks they finally went to the palace.. They were greeted by Lakshman and Lakshmana.

Lakshmana greeted the Dwarka folks while her twin did the needful for the Indraprastha folk.. Dvipat and Banasen got down of their horses and ran in to find their mother.. They were wearing Mathura's finest clothes and were dying to show the same to their parents..

Suthanu ofcourse was least excited.. She had imagined very well on how to ignore Shatrunjay, Pragti tried to pull her in.. Vrihatshatra, Salvi,karna and Vrushali came to greet them..

Karna-" Sorry to call you all at such a short notice! I really appreciate it! And Krishna thank you so much for bringing the twins safely!"

Bheem felt Karna was being sympathetic for no reason..

Bheem-" Yes Angraj well you should be glad that we came all the way here keeping our egos aside! Afterall who attends the marriage of a sut's son?"

Vrihatshatra-" We can see very well where your ego is! And just as a nice gesture, Angraj invited you! It wasn't compulsory for you to come! Huh, or are these arrangements making you jealous?"

Vrihatshatra couldn't stand a word against karna.. He immediately retorted before Bheem could say anything else, Krishna stepped in..

Krishna-" Everyone! This is a marriage! Let's not fight here if anyone of you have problems, sort it on a battlefield right now DONT!"

The 'Don't' seemed more like a warning the way he would smile made it 1000 times threatening.. Salvi decided to show the Pandavas their way.. Visoka the eldest boy, talked with Krishna's sons.. Duryodhana and Krishna exchanged few words..

Madhura and Snigdha were waiting to meet the baby... They talked to Vatsala about whatever had happened during the birth..Vrushali and karna were happy, even though the child wasn't Chitrasen's their seemed to be a connection between them..

Aahuk looked at the baby, when Vatsala held him really close to him,aahuk started crying on the ground as if seeking everyone's attention.. Prativindhya giggled and picked him up, Vatsala handed the baby to Vrushali.. Draupadi introduced Swara..

It had barely been a month since Sutsom and Swara's marriage ... Vrishasen brought Chitra.. He was rubbing his eyes as if he just got up from a sleep.. When he saw Vatsala staring at his childish behavior he straightened up..

In the midst of all this.. Ciara felt left out.. She belonged to a tribe.. she wasn't used to, too interacting with royals... Shrutkarm nugded her and assured her.. He introduced her...

Everyone were rather curious to know about her story, background and their marriage..

So many topics to talk on?! Duryodhan was staring at a certain pair when Krishna came by his side..Lakshmana was talking to Sambh. She would playfully hit his chest, and both of them were laughing.. Enjoying each other's company..

Krishna-" What are you thinking about kumar Duryodhan?"
Duryodhana-" Haha Krishna! You know very well.."

A smile occurred on his face..

Everyone were engaged in talking while Suthanu leaned to a tree, Salvi brought Raakhi.. Vrushali very gently held her hand and helped her greet..

Suthanu felt a pang.. It could've been her.. How lovingly Vrushali treated her future daughter in law.. Just than she saw Shatrunjay.. She immediately turned the other side..

Shatrunjay followed by Sushen and saw her..He tried gesturing her with his hands and sending eye messages.. When she turned he decided to go to the other side and call her in a corner to talk this out..

But she ignored him.. Before he could go the other way.. Everyone came in.. Singing praises on how good the new couple was going to look.. Suthanu soundlessly started crying.. Vatsala immediately covered it up..

The rituals were supposed to start.. Shatrunjay tried his best to get close to her but failed too.. The ritual started..

The the bride and bridegroom were made to  sit beside each other and everyone will apply turmeric on them..When no one was seeing Sushen snuck a chit in Pragti's hand and told her to give it too Suthanu..

Suthanu read the slip...

" Please give me a chance to explain..
After this ritual ends meet me behind the third chamber.. Sushen will guide you "

Suthanu toke a deep breath.. Something deep down in her heart, told her to listen to Shatrunjay...

It was her turn to apply the turmeric,it was her first interaction with Raakhi.. Raakhi flashed a smile at her.. She opened her eyes.. Suthanu noticed..

Those pretty deep black eyes.. A fear kindled in her.. What if Shatrunjay would fall for these pretty eyes? She immediately congratulated her and proceeded towards Shatrunjay...

While she applied turmeric and looked at him.. His eyes were pleading her to listen too him..

An hour or so.. The ritual was over.. As decided Suthanu went behind a pillar.. Sushen was waiting outside making sure no one was here and Pragti was at the doorstep...

Shatrunjay was wiping his face.. He signalled his brother before going... Suthanu wasn't making any eye contact..

Shatrunjay-" Suthanu please.. Please don't be so harsh on me.. I promise I didn't know anything about this! When I came Pitashree had already arranged my marriage with Raakhi.. I-I tried revolting but failed too achieve my goal.. I really don't want to get married please understand..."

Suthanu-" OH? UNDERSTAND? Shatrunjay I WAITED FOR SO LONG! Just to know that you are getting married?! This isn't fair! I STAYED LOYAL.. I KEPT LOVING YOU.. AND NOW YOU STILL WANT ME TO UNDERSTAND YOU?"

Shatrunjay-" Priye.. I.. I cannot go against my father's will.."

Suthanu-" Than forget me.."

Shatrunjay-" What? NO! I CANNOT DO THAT!"

Suthanu-" I have decided.. I am no longer waiting for you.. I feel I have been betrayed.. I went against my parents will.. but you.. Did you even try talking?! Ofcourse not! Kumar Shatrunjay today your endless fake promises come to an end.. I wish you a very happy married life with Raakhi.. "

Saying so she almost ran.. Though she didn't show it there were tears.. Shatrunjay shouted her name.. Several times...

She didn't stop.. Pragti tried convincing her crying sister.. Suthanu couldn't just end it.. Shatrunjay sighed.. He sunked to the floor as a tear escaped his eye...

It was soon time for the wedding...

Raakhi dressed up in her mother's marriage saare.. Shatrunjay felt half dead inside..Ofcourse his other half had left him.. Everyone were happy..

Dvipat, Nitya, Banasen and Charumati were probably imagining the way they would get married.. Despite the break down between their older siblings, Sushen and Pragti were giggling and talking as if nothing happened....

Shrutkarm, Ciara, Sutsom and Swara were like a mini group.. They as responsible husbands were introducing their wives to everyone.. Vrishasen and Chitrasen were trying their best the bond Aahuk with the new baby..

Snigdha, Madhura and Vatsala simply adored the moment.. The baby babbled while suprising Aahuk was able to speak with him in the same baby language!

In the midst of all, as Shatrunjay stood in the mandap he realised..

The harsh truth about life...

Even if his life was a disaster..
No one cared...
As long as their lives goes on, they would pacify, give advises, probably even emotionally torture him...
But in the end, after being satisfied with the part they played..
They wouldn't care...

His eyes widened.. Karna was tying the knot between him and Raakhi.. As he slowly walked those 7 rounds around the sacred fire.. He kept remembering all his happy and sad moments with Raakhi...

He didn't realize it.. Raakhi garlanded him.. He looked at the Garland in his hands.. He was suprised.. His hands were shivering.. He was probably ruining lives, even if he got married to Raakhi he wouldn't be able to stop his feelings for Suthanu.. He won't be able to love Suthanu or Raakhi entirely..

Shatrunjay was snapped out of thoughts when karna shaked him and asked if everything was alright.. He simply nodded.. He tried to search for Suthanu in the crowd.. Ofcourse she wasn't there..

Suthanu felt it.. Shatrunjay was trying to search her in the crowd... She hid behind Bheem..

Shatrunjay tightly shut his eyes as he garlanded her.. His hands still shivered after he let go the Garland...

Suthanu's heart was completely ripped off.. She felt all her memories fade away as she saw Shatrunjay Garland Raakhi... Though he had shut his eyes she could feel his pain...

She tried her best not to tear up.. Pragti noticed it and pulled her sister close to her without being suspicious..

Suthanu's body was completely hot and her forehead was sweaty.. Pragti couldn't see it anymore and decided to draw her sister out of the crowd..

Everyone congratulated the newly wed.. They offered them the best gifts of their kingdoms..

In the midst of all this.. Pragti felt scared, she didn't want Sushen to be next in line.. She didn't want herself to end the same way her sister did.. Sushen was quick to notice it and sent a secret note telling her to come behind the kitchen area..

[ Why is Sushen calling Pragti? Will Shatrunjay be able to love Raakhi the way he loved Suthanu? Stay tuned!!]