The next day, Duryodhan made up his mind to discuss his dilemma with Shakuni, who was his ultimate counsel in most of his matters, and especially matters relating to the Pandavas. After regular court proceedings were over, Shakuni, Dushasan, Ashwatthama, and Karna were called by him, for a parley. He had to reach a conclusion today and then proceed, because a single decision of his would embroil the entire family of the Kurus, his unborn baby included.

"I think, we need to give our plan a second thought,"- Duryodhan gravely said, -"Everything has to be clarified, and there may be an easier way out." he added.

Shakuni's eyebrows were raised, and Karna was pleased.

He has heeded my words, after all,  he thought.

"Why is my dear nephew so indecisive? Doesn't he trust his uncle?" Shakuni silkily said.

"It is not a question of trust, Mamashree. All I'm saying is, there is another way out, and after all, a warrior defeated is a warrior shamed," he quoted Karna, which caused Karna immense relief. 

Ashwatthama looked on knowingly, comprehending his friend's turmoil, while Dushasan, simply stared on.

The moment Duryodhan spelt war, he understood what must have been the reason behind this sudden discussion when almost everything was finalised, rather who were the persons because of whom he had been compelled to think on these lines. "Well, well, of course, a warrior defeated is a warrior shamed, and, you're all warriors, par excellence, I daresay, but when were you defeated in a war in the first place, dear boy?"

"But being defeated in a war would show them their place, ending everything, once and for all. Moreover, I can defeat them single-handedly," Karna said, clarifying Shakuni's opinion concerning the reason behind Duryodhan's second thoughts.

"Sure, you can Angaraj-," Shakuni said, "-But that is not the answer to my query. Tell me nephew, was Indraprastha created as a result of a war? Were you humiliated as result of being defeated in a war? Moreover, were you, Angaraj, not allowed to participate in Draupadi's swayamvar, because you were not a warrior worthy enough to be considered for her hand?"- he turned to Duryodhan,-

-"Or, when you, had been insulted in their Sabha, there wasn't any war, that had been the precursor to your humiliation, was it?", he added, reminding them of every recent instance of insult they had faced, in the recent circumstances. 

His repetition of those instances was enough, for Duryodhan's anger to arouse. Yes, of course, none of those humiliations were a result of a war. Shakuni could see him clenching his fist, and the incandescence in Karna's countenance, when they were reminded of it. 

Karna, had his pride hurt in Panchali's swayamvar, when she had loudly said that she would not marry a lowly charioteer's son, notwithstanding his humiliation in the arena wherein the graduated Kuru princes were displaying their mettle in their respective area of warfare. He had made Arjun look like a novice, by his stunning display of archery when Kripacharya had questioned his caste, and declared him unfit to engage in a combat with the prince. Duryodhan had come to his rescue, by crowning him as the king of Anga.

And Duryodhan's humiliation had been the final straw. The laughter of those present in the Sabha, Bheem's caustic mockery, Draupadi's smirk, were all vitriolic enough to have incensed him to a point where there was no consideration impeding his anger.

Each insult meted out to them, was nowhere related to war, and now, their taut silence was enough for Shakuni to conclude that, they wouldn't shelve their plan. But he had to cement this in their minds and so he spoke further to strike his final blow.

"If it is for your unborn child and dear Bhanumati you worry for, don't you think that sweet girl deserves better than playing a second fiddle to that whore of a wife shared by five husbands, and, my dear nephew, don't you think, that it is your blood that deserves the throne of Hastinapur, much more than those illegitimate cousins of yours?" he said, ensuring that Duryodhan would say what he had envisaged him to say, and this time, no moral oppositions would be raised.

"Well then,"- his grave voice answered pertinaciously, -"We carry on with what we had planned. The only step left now is to obtain Pitashree's assent, which won't really be a problem, considering his affection for us," Duryodhan said with a tone of finality in his voice, leaving no further scope for any doubts or queries at all. 

His father would most certainly, give his consent, and then Bhishma's or Vidur's opinion won't really matter. After all, those Pandavas and their wife had to know their place, and, since this was the most appropriate way out according to them, then so be it. Duryodhan's rationale only focussed on getting back at them, by hook or by crook, and, hence any other consideration was to be reckoned in that perspective, and nothing else.

Finally, the proposal of inviting Yudhishtir,(and, in consequence, the Pandavas, and Draupadi) for a game of dice was put forth to Dhritarashtra, who, convinced by his son's arguments, and, his deep affection for him, consented, without even giving a second thought to the advices of Bhishma and Vidur. Bound by duty as the Prime Minister of Hastinapur, Vidur went to Indraprastha, with an invitation, on behalf of the state of Hastinapur, and of course, at Dhritarashtra's behest.

***

"A game of dice, Kakashree?," Arjun asked, when Vidur presented them with the invitation. He was sure that there was a motive, a deception behind this sudden invitation by the Kauravas, and that, Duryodhan's humiliation in Indraprastha was not something that they would easily ignore, or ignore at all, for that matter. All of them knew that they would mean harm, and considerable harm.

"Yes, dear boy, a game of dice, supposedly as part of a festival organised as a reconciliation attempt, by Duryodhan." Vidur said.

"Mamashree Shakuni must have engineered this," Sahadev said in a worried tone, he had a premonition that something untoward was destined to happen.

"Well, our reply is pretty clear, we refuse to accept the invitation," Arjun said, Bheem, Nakul, Sahadev, and Draupadi nodded in assent.

"Obviously, Jyeshth can refuse the invitation, being the Supreme Ruler of Aryavarta, conventions can be ignored in his case, isn't it, Kakashree?" Arjun said.

"That is what I would suggest. And child, Duryodhan means harm, it won't really be wise to walk into this trap, knowingly," Vidur said.

"But ethics are clear, Kakashree, we cannot rule them out, can we?" Yudhishthir spoke. He spoke with the surety of the supreme monarch that he was. Dharmaputra couldn't ignore ethics when it came to them, even in the face of the possibility of an impending adversity.

"But, Aryaputra, we cannot risk this, they might harm us," Panchali said. There was a very strange foreboding which strongly repelled her from the masquerade of reconciliation that stood in front of them. Yes, when Duryodhan had fallen into that doomed pool in the Sabhagar, much to everyone's amusement, she couldn't deny that she had let her guard down as well. The slight curl of her silent lips hadn't been missed by the humiliated Prince, already housing a mad rage of desperation and envy within him. Somewhere, the consequences wouldn't leave her unscarred either, she understood that full well.

"All they want is, our kingdom, Panchali,-" Yudhishthir spoke,"-And for me, ethics hold far more importance than a kingdom. Traditionally, it is unethical for a king to refuse an invitation for dice, and a summon for war," he added.

"But, exceptions can always be made, dear, specially for the Supreme Ruler of Aryavarta," Vidur said, in a deeply concerned tone, praying that his beloved nephew would refuse.

"But I do not want to be an exception, Kakashree. I'll accept whatever fate has in store for me. All my life, I've been inspired by you all to be righteous, and if destiny holds some misfortune for us, we accept it, wholeheartedly." Yudhishthir said, much to his uncle's disappointment.

"Are you sure, child?" he asked again.

"Yes, Kakashree, I believe, my ethics won't let us down. Please do convey our assent and regards to our cousins." Yudhishthira replied.

"So be it, sons. God be with you." he said, and with that, he departed for Hastinapur, regretting Yudhishthir's decision. He made it a point that, he would talk to Bhishma and Drona about imminent steps that could be taken for their safety on the day the event was supposed to be held in Hastinapur.

***

Bhanumati had been very happy the entire day. Their uncle, Vidur, had been to Indraprastha a few days back, and Yudhishthir had accepted the invitation, which meant she would be able to see her beloved Jiji, finally, and, this afternoon, after the Vaidya had checked her, he had, alluded at a possibility of the birth of twins. Overall, the heavens had granted every wish of hers, that, she could possibly wish for, and now she was eagerly waiting for Duryodhan to return from court so that she could tell him about their babies, that they would have in due course. Her excitement was uncontrollable, and her heart did little somersaults, in sheer happiness. She just wanted to talk to him, endlessly. Also, today, she had made an extra effort to specially decorate their chamber, which was something that she regularly did, but today, she had added to her decorations by tiny little lamps that fluttered a little, which she had made with her own hands, and a few improvisations here and there. She was roaming all around the chamber, happily humming her favourite song when she felt his arms around her.

"My lovely princess seems to be infinitely happy today, which just makes her more beautiful than ever. Was she thinking of her admirer?" Duryodhan lovingly said.

"Arya!"- she ecstatically fluttered in his arms,- "I've been waiting for you for so long." she added.

-"Easy, love, you'll scare our baby. She is not used to her mother jumping like this,"- he said.

"Arya, I have great news for you,"- she breathed, barely able to contain her elation, -" Vaidyaraj told me that we might have twins!" she said, ecstasy brimming in every word.

"Really?!" he felt like jumping. So, he cradled her in his arms in sheer joy. He couldn't believe what he had just heard.

"Thank you so much, love. Thank you so much for being there in my life, Bhanu!" he exclaimed, while he joyously kissed her with intense fervour.

"This festival really comes at a very auspicious time in our lives. Everything shall be so peaceful. I'm eagerly waiting for this week to end. Once Jiji comes, everything will be perfect." she said.

"Of course, love, I'm equally eager for our cousins to come to us," Duryodhan said, hiding his intentions from her. 

This is such a befitting gift for you. And I'm doing this for us, my love,  he thought to himself, blurring his doubts for the umpteenth time.

***

Notes:

1. The cover image has again been made by the celestial Surbhi aka @ghadiakanya on Tumblr. Please shower all your love on her at ghadiakanya.tumblr.com

2. The timelines,  might be a little messed up, because, well, I wasn't sure as to the proper chronology of events. And, since this is solely, purely, and absolutely fictional, the apparent errors are regretted, and do ping me up if you come up with a suggestion and/or a rectification.

3. Here's hoping that you like this part. All comments, criticism, evaluations, and suggestions are always welcome with- wait for it- WIDE OPEN ARMS! <333333

Here's hoping that I have been true to all the characters in place. And, if I don't turn out to be a butcher, do vote, (maybe?), comment, and maybe, a teeny-tiny bit of a follow. (If you think I'm worth the space on your dashboard, of course :) ) 

Thank You for bearing with me! LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!! <33333333333