In Kuntirastra:

"Mamashree? Why are you sitting here alone?" Bheem asked coming beside the lake situated in the woodland behind the palace of Kunti. He had come out of the palace to roam around when he found Rajkumar Purujit sitting here.

"You do know that I'm younger in age than you, right?"  Purujit asked in a bored tone.

The first time he met Bheem, he had slapped Purujit's shoulder asking,

'Kaise hai Mamashree? (How are you, Mamashree?)'

Purujit almost lost his balance stumbling on his feet. Apparently Rajmata Kunti had ten younger brothers and Purujit was the youngest son of Maharaj Kuntibhoj. It amused Bheem to no end that his youngest Mamashree was younger than even Nakul and Sahdev. Besides he knew hearing Mamashree from him irritated Purujit. So, he continued to be more amused by annoying him.

"But you're elder in relation Mamashree. And we should always respect our elders. That's what my Mata and your sister taught me." Bheem replied controlling his teasing smirk.

Purujit huffed out a breath knowing Bheem wasn't going to stop. Well. What was the inauspicious time when he wondered how would it feel to hear 'Mamashree' from the giant and mighty Pandava. It made him laugh at that time. But now the joke was on him only.

"I never got the chance to meet Jiji. How is she?" Purujit asked after a while.

Kunti had visited Kuntirastra when Pandavs were in Gurukul. But at that time, Purujit was in Gurukul too. He had only heard of the graceful woman, stout-hearted queen and mother of the valorous sons. She was the pride of Kuntirastra.

When Maharaj Kuntibhoj heard of the truth about Angaraj Karna, the first son of Kunti, he had been very upset. How could Kunti make such a crucial mistake? And how could she hide such a thing from him? Did she never considered him as her father? Or had he failed to be her father? He was really hurt and ashamed by Kunti's actions. What answer would he give if Hastinapur came seeking explanation or revenge?

But Purujit wondered what would his father have done if Kunti came to him after making the mistake. We all loved to see the world around us in only black and white. But the lingering grays either got ignored or forgotten completely. Rather than seeing or acknowledging our own faults, we loved to place the blame on others and throw accusations. We crunched our faces at the sight of mud, not realising we ourselves were neck deep in muds.

"She is absolutely amazing. Someday come to Indraprasth. Mata will be very happy to meet you." Bheem replied with a fond smile. And then added with a mischievous one,

"Aur humain bhi badi prasannata hogi hamare Kanistha Mamashree ke seba ka absar paa kar. Yoh kya hai na, Mamashree ke naam pe aabtak humain kebal Gandharraj Shakuni ke hi darshan huye hai. Aap Indraprasth aayenge, toh pata calega, ki Mamashree kebal kale dant, kutil hasi aur jatil mastiskh ke hi nehi hote. Kabhi kabhi kuch Mama sweta dant, pyaare bol aur akarsak mukhashree ke saath bhi nikal aate hai.

(And we will also be very pleased to get the chance of doing hospitality of our youngest Mamashree. The thing is, we only got the visual of Gandharraj Shakuni at the name of Mamashree till now. If you come to Indraprasth, then everyone will know that Mamashrees don't only come with black teeth, cunning smile and complex brains. Some Mamashrees come with white teeth, sweet talks and cute faces too.)"

Purujit stared at him for long moments. Before both of them burst in laughter.

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In Indraprasth:

Nakul sat in the meeting chamber looking over some parchments with a frown. He wasn't in a better mood. And how could he be when there was still no news of Sahdev. Drisana sensed the tension in him and tried to ask what happened a few times. But as per Yudhisthir's instruction, Nakul did not reveal anything. Drisana didn't pressurise him either.

"Rajkumar, a message has arrived." A guard informed him after coming inside and bowing respectfully.

"Who sent it?" Nakul questioned folding the parchments.

"It does not belong to any allied Kingdom of ours. Only after opening the message, it will be known who sent it and why." The guard replied. "But the insignia in it seems like the northerners."

Nakul frowned at that. They have very few allies in North. And not in good terms with all of them. Madra it couldn't be as the guards would be able to identify their insignia. Then who it could be?

Nakul went to the open area of the fortress of Indraprasth where the message had been sent using an arrow. Rajguru Cetaka was already there with the unopened message in hand.

"Do you recognise the insignia Guru Cetaka?" Nakul asked as the message was handed to him. Guru Cetaka nodded before replying.

"It belongs to Sivi."

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In Madra:

Flashback...

Sahdev was going towards the great hall of Madra Palace where the proceedings of Rajkumari Chitrakeshi's swayambar was going to be held. As he was late, he thought to take the short way to reach the hall and started walking down a narrow hallway situated on the back side of the great hall rather than taking all the way circulating to go from front side.

However, on the back side there were several doors which remained closed unless there was any need to open them. As Sahdev reached there, his eyes widened at the scenario before him. Understanding the situation fast, he quickly caught Vijaya before she hit the floor.

Vijaya had closed her eyes tightly and was holding onto him in a strong grip. Sahdev's eyes fell on her crouching face. There were sweats of perspiration on her forehead. The dark long eyelashes were lightly shadowing her upper cheeks which had turned red. Her lips were slightly a gaped and was trembling a little. Sahdev shifted his gaze elsewhere hurriedly.

"Are you alright?" He asked clearing his throat.

Vijaya opened her eyes slowly hearing his voice. She had closed her eyes in fear while falling from the high table where she stood. She blinked at him a few times and absorbed the situation. Sahdev's eyes vaguely narrowed before widening as he heard a hiccup, two and then the loud cry of Vijaya.

Sahdev couldn't decide for a moment either to be concerned or mortified. Here was a young girl, he held in his arms and she was crying loudly like a kid. He thought to place her on the ground. But wait!

Didn't kids cry louder if they were placed down?

"Stop crying! Why are you crying?!" Sahdev said in mortification looking around. If someone heard her cry and came to investigate, that would be so embarrassing.

"Eieeeeevaaaaddddeeiuuuudhhhddooooppphhhhaarrrrr."

Sahdev directed his gaze at her exhaustively. Pandu putra Madreya Sahdev who knew to read, write, understand and speak each and every language existing or existed before in Aryavart. But he could not get the meaning of a single word coming out of her mouth. It happened before with Drisana too. But Drisana was actually speaking in an entirely different language whereas this girl was speaking in Sanskrit only.

"Please stop crying. I am unable to understand anything you said." Sahdev pleaded.

Thankfully Vijaya's sobs slowed down and she stopped crying after a while.

"Are you hurt?" Sahdev asked in concern still holding her.

"No." She replied in a small voice.

"Then why were you crying?" He asked in confusion.

"I was about to fall. I got scared." She replied meekly.

Sahdev's mouth tightened and he immediately placed her on the ground.

"First tell me, what were you doing above?"

"I was trying to watch the swayambar." Vijaya said pointing at the air vent above the door.

"All the woman are allowed to watch from the balcony upstairs even if they're not allowed to enter the hall. Then why did you invent this unique dangerous way of yours to watch the swayambar?" Sahdev asked arching a brow. Vijaya remained quiet for some moments with lowered head fidgeting in her place and glancing at him time to time.

"I am not allowed to go there." She said in a small voice.

"Why?" Sahdev couldn't help but ask. Everyone was allowed to witness the swayambar. The families of ministers or other officials, people working in the Palace, even the maids too were allowed. And Vijaya looked like she belonged from some affluent family.

"I--Pitashree doesn't like me around." She replied again with a disheartened expression. Sahdev was surprised hearing her reply. Before he could ask anything else, a cold voice asked from behind,

"What are you doing here girl?"

Vijaya stiffened and her eyes rounded in fear hearing the voice. Sahdev noticed the change in her before turning to the owner of the voice. It was none other than the Maharani of Madra, Chitralata. As she came nearer with an expressionless face, Sahdev greeted her.

"What are you doing here Rajkumar? The swayambar is about to start." Maharani Chitralata asked alternating her gaze in between the two of them in such a way that made Sahdev uncomfortable. Vijaya was only staring downwards silently.

"I was about to go there only. As I am late, I thought to take the back hallway than going all the way to reach the front." Sahdev explained.

"I see. All the guests are to enter from front only. But of course, we can excuse this slight mishap." Maharani Chitralata said with a sweet sleek smile. "I won't delay you any longer Rajkumar."

Sahdev gave a forced smile and greeted her again before giving a last glance to Vijaya and leaving. As soon as he was out of sight, Maharani Chitralata's smiling face was replaced by a hard calculating one. She fixed her gaze on Vijaya and started advancing towards her. Vijaya's hands were slightly trembling in fear.

"Rajkumari!!!" To her relief, Manuja came there just then looking for her. Her eyes went to the Maharani standing before Rajkumari Vijaya and she hurriedly came closer standing in middle of the two slightly shielding Vijaya and greeted the Queen bowing respectfully.

"Where were you? And how this girl came out of her wing? Have you forgotten the orders?" Maharani Chitralata asked sharply.

"Forgive me Maharani. I was helping in the preparations of the swayambar and Rajkumari out of her curiosity, slipped away to watch. I apologise." Manuja replied nervously.

"I don't want your apology. You have one job to do. To keep an eye on this girl. The rest doesn't matter. I do not want there to be a scene created at my daughter's swayambar because of her." Maharani Chitralata said angrily.

Manuja nodded with downcast eyes. Maharani Chitralata took a deep breath to calm herself before saying,

"This curiosity of hers can get her in trouble. She was just here with a man. Do you understand what would have happened if someone saw or heard of this?" She said again causing Manuja to glance at Vijaya in concern.

"I understand Maharani. But as she remains alone all the times confined at her chambers, she feels lonely and bored. That's why sometimes she slips away to get some fresh air." Manuja replied sadly in a whisper. Vijaya had grown up and her curiosity and longing to see and know the outside world had increased too. She wasn't a little girl anymore who could be pacified with new toys or clothes.

"Just handle her for a little longer. As soon as Chitrakeshi's marriage is over, I will start searching for a suitable groom for her. Who can offer her the things, we never could." Maharani Chitralata said sighing and left.

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"Sahdev?" Yudhisthir called him again to get his attention. Sahdev came out of his stupor and looked around to find himself in the guest chambers of the Madra Palace. They were going to stay here until the matter was resolved. Maharaj Dyutimata had agreed to Yudhisthir's condition and escorted both of them there.

"Why are you silent Sahdev?" Yudhisthir asked quietly.

After the swayambar was over, the marriage rituals started. It was late when the ceremony was finally over and as the auspicious time for biding farewell to the bride was two days later, the groomsmen remained here only. But the guests were to leave on the next day. Sahdev came back to his chambers, but was unable to sleep after much tries as a feeling of foreboding made him restless. So, he thought to visit the practice area. Much time wasn't left before brahma muhratha anyways.

The practice area was situated outside the palace. Sahdev started walking towards the direction. At this hour, there were rarely any guards to be seen around. And those who were here in duty were half asleep. Sahdev shook his head before coming outside in the open area. He was moving in the direction of the practice area only when a premonition of something dreadful happening stopped him on his tracks.

Sahdev observed his surroundings before going in a particular direction which led him inside the palace. He passed several hallways and came to a more secluded wing of the palace at the very back corner of the palace. He stopped in indecisiveness thinking either he should go further or get someone else's help. But his instincts were screaming at him to go ahead.

After a few moments of hesitation, Sahdev moved ahead slowly. His breath caught at his throat as a faint sound reached his ears. Sahdev followed the sound through the maze of hallways and after a while he could clearly hear the scream of a girl. His feet moved hurriedly leading him in front of a smaller sized wooden door. The door was locked from the other side and the screaming was coming from there. Sahdev found a hatchet kept beside the door with other equipments. He took it and after a few tries broke the door.

As he finally reached on the other side, the scene in front froze him. The door opened in a secured smaller sized garden. There, a few feet ahead of him on the floor Vijaya was pinned down by a man who sat atop her. She was struggling under him to remove him from her. But the man slapped her hard and clutched her mouth tightly. His other hand grasped the stanapatta covering her chest. Her uttariya was already removed and discarded around.

Sahdev finally came out of the shock and clasping the hatchet tightly in anger, he aimed it for the head of the man giving a loud roar. But the man got alarmed and turned his body which resulted in the hatchet hitting his shoulder blade and sticking from there. The man got up leaving Vijaya and removed the hatchet with a groan. But Sahdev had already marched towards him. He grabbed the man and started hitting him. Though the man was intoxicated, he was also a well-trained seasoned warrior. He defended himself and was hitting back fiercely too. Yet, in spite of his best efforts, Sahdev was proving to be unstoppable as his anger was fuelling his hits.

Vijaya on the other hand dragged her weakened body at a corner behind some bushes and curled up into herself. Her body was shaking badly as her mind became paralysed in shock. She covered her ears to block the sounds of the on going fight. Silent tears fell from her eyes and some moments later she lost consciousness.

The man tried to get up from his kneeling position. However his beaten up body did not support him. Sahdev took the discarded hatchet in his hand and stared at the man with hatred and disgust. He took slow steps towards him grasping the hatchet.

"Look---you---you can't do this. I----I am---sorry. For---forgive me. I will not---do so ag-again. Let me----leave." The man pleaded stumbling over his words as he well understood Sahdev's intention. Sahdev didn't utter even a single word and raised the hatchet to kill him.

"Sahdev!" Yudhisthir called him again in concern. Sahdev glanced at him once before removing his eyes elsewhere.

"I--The girl was injured and unconscious. I took her to the nearest chamber and intended to call the maids and a female physician. But as her breathing was shallow, I was just checking to make sure she was alive. At that time suddenly the woman came inside and misunderstood me. She gathered the soldiers immediately and I was taken to Maharaj Dyutimata. I told him what happened, but he didn't trust me and sent me to the prison." He explained finally.

Yudhisthir looked contemplative. Sahdev had not told him the entire incidence and left some of it out.

"What happened to the real culprit? As there was no body found, he must be alive. Did you tell Maharaj Dyutimata about him?" Yudhisthir asked looking closely at Sahdev who was trying to avoid his gaze. Yudhisthir stared at his brother in confusion. What was he trying to hide?

"Sahdev?" Yudhisthir called him gently keeping a hand on his shoulder. Sahdev finally looked at him and Yudhisthir was surprised to see his eyes filled with tears.

"Please do not ask me who or where he is bhrata." Sahdev requested in a whisper.

Yudhisthir could see the guilt and helplessness in his eyes. It worried him to see Sahdev like this as he rarely expressed his emotions before anyone. Among the five of them Sahdev was the most introverted one. Whereas Yudhisthir was calm and cool headed by nature, Sahdev hid his emotions well. He never broke down before anyone or took decisions based on emotions. He would fight the onslaught of emotions internally while keeping a straight and strong front.

Yudhisthir nodded slowly assuring him. Sahdev took a deep breath before he couldn't hold himself anymore and broke down hugging his brother from the waist. Yudhisthir caressed his head not stopping him as Sahdev let the tears fell freely.
Heavy silence engulfed them while Sahdev unburdened himself. Finally when he pulled away from Yudhisthir, he handed a glass of water to Sahdev before sitting in front of him.

"The girl. If she tells them the truth, there is no reason for them to not believe her. We should talk to her." Yudhisthir said again.

"I don't think she will be able to speak up. Vijaya is traumatised after this incidence." Sahdev replied gloomily.

"You know the girl?" Yudhisthir asked finding familiarity in the way Sahdev took her name. Sahdev looked up at his brother before saying with a sigh,

"Haar mehel mei kuch rehassya chupa hota hai bhrata. Jinhe bahar aane ki aagya nehi hoti. Vijaya bhi unhi mei se ek hai.

(There remains some secrets hidden in every palace. Those are not allowed to come outside. Vijaya is one of them.)"

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Okay...I can't believe I gave another update...😀😀😀

Guys...
As a lot is going on at the same time it will take chapters to cover...😅😅😅

So be patient and enjoy...😊😊😊

Again....

Merry Christmas....🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉