Banasen stared at Karna. His inner conciousness told him to tell his father about his relationship but... He wondered how  would he react? His brothers and he were raised in a strict environment, and Karna's bold question left him in deep thoughts.

Karna-"Seems like you really do like her. Don't you?"

Banasen's silence was the answer. He stared at his second youngest for a while before fixing his eyes on the path.

"Yes I do like- no I love her..."

Karna turned around, to find a crimson faced teen looking down. A chuckle left his mouth, and Banasen was suprised. Was his stern faced father actually laughing? After looking at him for a brief moment he couldn't help but join.

"Pitashree why are we laughing!" Banasen managed to say in between the chuckles.

Karna-"It's great that you found yourself someone! It takes away my worry."

Banasen-" What kind of worry?"

Karna-" Putra, as a parent, we are always worried for our children's future. We will not be with you forever. One day, Vrushali and I will depart and after that you will need someone. Someone's shoulder who you can cry on, someone who you can rely on, someone who understands you without speaking. Loneliness is a curse my boy and that's why you need a partner. It is always better when you find one yourself rather us fixing your marriage.
When you already have someone you love them and do not want them to leave. Although, in arranged marriage the tables might not be in our favor. Infact I would be happy if Sushen finds himself a girl and so does Dvipat."

Banasen's eyes widened as the words sunk in. He felt better after revealing the truth and hearing his father's thoughts. He hoped that just like him, his brothers would get the opportunity to talk about their respective lovers.

***

"Do you really have to leave?" Chitrasen asked for the third time. Vatsala sighed and turned around to meet his concerned eyes. It had been couple of days since Duryodhana, Lakshman, Karna and Banasen had returned with the good news. The engagement preparations had already started. In the midst of the joyful occasion Chitrasen was sad. It was the end of Vatsala's year with him.

Vatsala-" Arya, I understand your concern but this is how it is supposed to be and we cannot change it!"
Chitrasen-" I agree priye, but I want you to stay back just for two weeks because this journey could be exhausting for you! Travelling from Anga to Indraprastha and back to Hastinapur in the span of two weeks especially when you will be entering your eighth month soon... I am just really concerned..."

Vatsala smiled and ruffled his hair. Before she could speak something the door unlocked and Prativindhya entered with Pradyumna who was in his arms. She gave him a quick smile and fixed her eyes on Chitrasen.

Vatsala-" I understand your feelings and worry very well arya. Even arya Prativindhya asked me last night if I wanted to stay back. Indeed I want too, but I do not want any rumors. I do not want people to start saying that I am a biased wife. Please understand my situation!"

Vatsala hoped he would understand.

"Fine." That's all he muttered.

Prativindhya-" Woah woah! Chitrasen do not worry! I am equally the father of the child and I will leave no stone unturned when it comes to Vatsala's comfort! Just sit back and relax, do not drown in the sea of overthinking!"

The three of them bursted into laughter. At the gate of Anga's palace, it felt really out of place when Snigdha was not standing there with a box of sweets which she would always give Vatsala whenever she had to leave. Her lips curled down, when she stared at the little box given by Madhura. She pulled her into a hug and whispered to take care of herself and a the baby within her.

When she gave Chitrasen a hug, he whispered," Do not trouble my daughter! Take care of her and yourself!"

"Oh yes now she automatically is your first priority!" Vatsala faked a scoff and laughed. Before parting, Chitra gave her hand a last squeeze. He prayed that everything would turn alright during the engagement. Would it?

***

2 weeks later

The kingdom of Hastinapur was decorated similar to a bride. It was decided that the engagement would take place in Hastinapur while the wedding with all the rituals in Mathura. Although Duryodhana had mixed feelings about it since if wedding would take place in Mathura then Lakshmana would not get a proper vidai. They even suggested Sambh and Lakshmana to marry after or maybe before Lakshman and Vatsala but she disagreed.

Both the twins were extremely close to each other and they did not mind on sharing such an important day together. Lakshmana was really happy and joked about how her marriage life would get a good start since she won't be crying on her vidai.

Meanwhile Bhanumati seemed quite. She was extremely happy that she would be getting a beautiful and cultured daughter in law like Vatsala but at the same time she would have to leave her own daughter in someone else's care and shelter.

Since it was the engagement, the Kuru family wanted to keep it small and memorable. Only family members from close kingdoms were invited and that too in a small ratio. Suprisingly, for Pitamah Bhishma, Duryodhana himself wrote a letter to his cousins in Indraprastha. He believed that the Upapandavas and the Pandava putris wouldn't want to miss this!

Karna accompanied Duryodhana in welcoming the guests. The women were busy with dressing up the girls while Vrishasen and Shatrunjay were ordered to look after the arrangements. Sushen was with Lakshman,who was seemingly overthinking about whatever could go wrong on the engagement. The twins being the youngest and most spoilt were free and Dvipat eagerly waited for Nitya as Charu was already here. The four of them had planned fun activities and late night talks if they were able to convince their parents too stay longer. 

When the Indraprastha folks arrived, the younger generation gave Lakshman a tight hug, the girls apart from Suthanu excitedly ran to the women's chamber. Despite the good mood, there was still some amount of stiffness in the air when the Pandavas eyes met Karna's. While the older generation continued the talk, Suthanu excused herself and went to the royal garden. The place where Shatrunjay and she first met. She was happy for her cousins but dreaded coming to Hastinapur, as it would mean looking at Shatrunjay, avoiding him and seeing him happy with his wife.

In the women's chamber, giggles were heard. Vatsala, Pragti and Nitya entered the chamber and the first thing which Madhura did was hugged them. Raakhi stared at them from a distance as her shy nature did not allow her to immediately talk or bond with anyone. She stood near the window.

"Gosh Lakshmana you will look so pretty today evening!" Nitya exclaimed.
"After all she is indeed the prettiest amongst us,isn't she!" Pragti said. Lakshmana blushed and giggled. Just then Raakhi felt the room getting crowded and decided to leave for a while. She informed the same to Vrushali and headed for the royal garden.

The royal garden held so many memories for Suthanu. Painful memories. She exhaled deeply just then a twig snapped and she woke up with a jerk. That's how they met first time.  When she turned around and saw Raakhi, her smile vanished and she sat down again. She hoped that the young girl would go away not because she hated her but because she could imagine how happy she must be with Shatrunjay.

Unfortunately,for her Raakhi decided to sit next too her.

Raakhi- "Are you the eldest princess of Indraprastha?"
Suthanu-" Yes I am. And you must be Kumar Shatrunjay's wife?"

Kumar Shatrunjay? It felt so formal for her too say it. The person she wanted to address as arya... Now she has to adress him formally. The younger girl's lips curled down at the mention of her husband and she slowly nodded.

"How does it feel to be in Anga?" Suthanu asked trying to break the awkward silence between the two. Raakhi felt like she was stuck. How could she tell a stranger about her miserable life? She quickly faked a bright smile and began.

"It is lovely. Everyone is just so welcoming and treat me so nicely. Especially a-arya..." Before she could speak anymore Suthanu couldn't take it when it came to Shatrunjay, she got up and said, "I have to leave now! My maa must be finding me. Let's talk later shall we!"

She quickly took her leave and almost jogged away. When she turned and smiled, Raakhi's eyes widened, Why did she look so similar to girl who she drew when Shatrunjay described the one who he loved?

A/N- Hello everyone! I know it's been long and you all have been waiting for an update! I was busy and took a writing hiatus due to grade 10th boards. This chapter is small, the next chapter will certainly be big as there are several scenes and dialogues while this one was more descriptive! I hope you like the chapter! Stay tuned for next one!