"You don't have to apologize, Aarya." she slowly opened her eyes.
"Dhaksha, I'm-"
"Hush. Don't say anything." she kept her fingers on my lips. "I don't want you to go hard on yourself. I know that if they would've stood in front of my Arjuna on the battlefield. I know that you'd have killed them and put them under my feet." she smiled.

"She put on her fake smile to make me feel better."
"I failed as a husband, Dhaksha." I caressed her shoulder.
She let out a soft moan out of the wound on her shoulder.
"I'm sorry, Dhaksha. I'm-" tears streamed down.
"Arjuna. Look at me." she lifted my head.
"My man is the best in this entire world. Gandivathari Arjuna, stop blaming it on yourself." She gently caressed the inner palm of my hand, offering a warmth that melted away my worries.
"You make my sadness disappear, Dhaksha. But what did I do for you?"
"What did I do for her?"
"Only the person who can bring them the most happiness can also bring them the deepest sadness. You made me feel like I'm the happiest person alive in this yuga, Aarya. So you do have the right to make me feel the saddest too. That's love, that's life." she replied.
"The privilege of being yours is enough for me, Dhaksha. I don't wanna prove myself to the world that I'm a greater warrior than Karna."
"Prepare yourself, Aarya. You have to be strong. You have to bring back dharma into this world." she held my hands.
"For nothing makes me stronger than your fragile heart, my love. I love you, Dhaksha." I caressed her cheeks with my fingers.
"My heart is always with you. I love you the most, Arjuna," she replied.

I planted a soft kiss on her forehand.

"Where is my Sakhi? Is she okay?" she tried to lift herself.
"Panchali is doing good. Your brother is here."
"That's good to hear. By the way, where is my Chudamani?"
"Draupadi took a vow that she wouldn't braid her hair until she washes it with Dhushasana's  blood."
"Don't wear your Chudamani until I kill those monsters. Like you vowed. You shall bathe in Duruyodhana's blood," I shouted.

"Calm down, Aarya. I'm sure that I'm going to wear this in the place where I lost it" She replied.
"I'm going to make your wish come true," I replied.

"Aarya, I wanna ask you one thing."
"Yeah, Dhaksha."
"Did you see Karna in the Courtroom? Was he there?" she asked.

"I knew this was coming."
"Yes, Dhaksha. He was there when Draupadi carried you outside."
"He was there? He didn't try to save you all?" she asked me.
"No, but-"
"Yeah. It's fine. So have you guys planned what are we going to do next?" she changed the topic.

"I can see the disappointment on her face."
"Alright. Let's head outside and meet others." she walked outside.

"I still can't understand the weird attachment she had towards Karna. He was indeed a good friend. He kicked Dhushasana in the courtroom."

Dhaksha's pov

A small talk with Arjuna Aarya felt so good. All my pains and worries went away. I can see how guilty he felt for letting me suffer, but I don't want my Aarya to suffer.

"Dhaksha, are you alright?" Subhadra came running to me.
"Yes, I'm good. Don't run, Subhu. What about you, Sakhi? Are you alright?"
"Dhaksha." Draupadi gave me a warm hug. "Thank you so much for everything, Sakhi."
"Thank you so much for standing up for me in the courtroom, Draupadi." I hugged her back.
"Give me your beautiful smile," I asked her.
She smiled back at me.
"Panchali's smiling because of you, my sister," Kanha said.
"I didn't know what to do speak with him. Should I cry on his shoulder or should I be a brave sister and not do anything."
"My sister. Come to me." he hugged me.
"I don't usually hug my brother. But when I do, it feels safe and good. It felt the same with Kanha na. He took all my sorrow away in an instant. I couldn't control myself but cry on my brother's shoulder."

"Cry all you want, Dhaksha. I'm here to carry all your sorrows away from you," he replied.
"I couldn't do anything, Bhaiya. I-"
"It's okay. Calm down, Dhaksha," he replied.
"I knew it, but I couldn't stop any of those monsters. I never thought this would happen, Krishna." I sobbed leaning on his shoulder.
"Dhaksha, things can't always go the way you want it to be."
"But-"
"You thought you knew everything. Look, with your own eyes. It's not the same, Dhaksha." he replied.
"Kanha looked at me with his " I have 1000 meaning behind this stare" and nodded his head."

"Dhaksha, my brother's wife, my sister. I'm apologizing for letting you suffer in the courtroom. I lost my mind-"
"Oh, my brother, our respectful king. You don't have to explain or apologize to me. All I have in my mind is to kill the adharma from this world. I shall stand beside all the women in this society."
"I'll stand beside you, Dhaksha. I'm going to tear everyone and kill whoever stands in your way." Bheem na shouted.
"You all have to get ready for the 13 years of exile ahead," Kanha na said.
"It's true. We have to prepare ourselves." Yudhistran na added.

To be continued...

In court room while disrobing of Panchaali

What would it be like for dhaksha for 13 years?

What will happen to Karna and Dhaksha bond?

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