All three—Karna, Duryodhana, and Shakuni—turned their gazes toward me, and in a moment of vulnerability, I thought, "Maybe I should just dig a hole and hide away from all this."

"Who is this, my dear Kichak?" Shakuni's smile felt both inviting and unsettling.
"Oh! I completely forgot! This is our Dhakshan, Uttar's trainer," Kichak said, a hint of mischief in his tone.

I cleared my throat, trying to steady myself.
"Nice to meet you, Gandharaj and Yuvraj Duryodhana," I managed to say, my voice quivering slightly.
"Tell me now, Dhakshan, may I proceed?" Kichak took a step closer, his tone insistent.
"Do whatever you wish, Mamashree. But let's go, Guru. We have so much to work on. Pitashree, excuse us," Uttar intervened, gently pulling me away.

I could feel the weight of their stares as we moved, Karna's expression was a storm of conflicting emotions. Duryodhana attempted to stand, but Shakuni subtly gestured for him to remain seated.

"Rajakumar Uttar, please slow down!" I said, trying to keep pace with him.
"Silence!" he snapped, his frustration barely contained.

He guided me to his chamber, and I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed. "Ugh, it's alright; you don't have to hold me so tightly! Look, I even hurt my toes," I said, pulling my hand away from his grip.
He sank into a chair while I examined my wrist, where his fingerprints faintly marked my skin.

"Why are you holding on to me like that?" I couldn't help but raise my voice, partly in frustration and partly to mask my vulnerability.
"I helped you, Dhaksha. I thought you were feeling uncomfortable there," he replied
I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. "Yeah, but you could have been a bit gentler. It's hard to keep up with you, Rajkumar," I said, my voice lowering.

He stood, retreating into another room. At that moment, even though he appeared cruel, I couldn't shake the feeling that he had also saved me.

"I'm going to my room now!" I called out, glancing back to see if he would hear me.
"I'm leaving!" I shouted again, needing to assert some independence.

Looking down at my feet, I saw the healed scars on my toes and knees; they reminded me of the struggles we faced in the courtroom—the pain and the humiliation. Tears began to stream down my cheeks as memories flooded back, blurring my vision. I wiped my tears and sank into a nearby chair, head hanging low.

"It's okay, Dhaksha. Don't cry. I can't bear to see you in tears," I heard Kanha's comforting voice in my mind.
"Bhaitya, I try to be strong and I do my best to forgive, just like you said. But sometimes, my feelings overwhelm me, Govindh," I sobbed.
"I know, my Dhaksha. It's alright to cry. Your brother isn't here to wipe your tears, " he comforted me gently.
"I miss you, bhaiya," I said, wiping my tears away.
"I'm always with you, dear," he promised.
"I just want to see your face again," I said, tapping the chair in front of me.
"Of course, ma'am," his voice was sweet and filled with warmth.

Suddenly, the sound of the door opening pulled me back to reality. I looked up to see Uttar standing by, holding a bowl in his hands.

I tried to muster a smile. "What's this?" I asked, peeking into the bowl.
"Medicine for your toes," he said with a genuine smile that caught me off guard.

"When did he become so kind?"

"Let me apply it," he offered, kneeling.
"No, no, Rajkumar, I can manage this. Just give it to me," I insisted, taking the bowl from him.

"Are you sure?" he asked, concern etching his features.
"Of course, just let me handle it," I assured him.

As I applied the medicine, feeling its sticky texture, he wandered onto the balcony, giving me some space.
"Is your pain better now?" he inquired, stepping closer.
"Yes, thank you so much!" I smiled sincerely.
"By the way, are you the slave they're searching for?" he asked curiously, kneeling to examine my scar.
"No, no, I'm not anyone's slave. I'm just a commoner from Hastinapur. I was afraid my brother would recognize me, that's all," I replied, standing up.
"Oh, in that case, take care, Dhaksha. I'm sorry about your wound too," he said, pointing at my toes.

"It's just a small one. I've had worse," I said, inadvertently revealing more than I intended.
"Worse than this? What happened, Dhaksha?" He asked, concern flaring in his eyes.

"Yeah, while practising with my brother, I got a few other wounds," I quickly corrected myself, realizing I was not adept at hiding my truths.

I had gotten too good at weaving tales.

"Oh, just take care of yourself. Call me if you need anything, and for today, stay inside," he said firmly, his protective nature shining through.
"Thank you so much, Rajkumar Uttar," I smiled, grateful for his care.
"Uttar is fine. No need for formalities," he replied with a warm smile that made my heart feel lighter.

As I waved goodbye and turned to leave, he called after me, "Dhaksha!!!"
"What now?" I wondered, turning back.
"The bowl in your hand is mine," he said playfully.
"Oh my goodness, I forgot!" I laughed as I ran back to return it to him.
"Take care," he said once more, his smile radiating kindness.
"I will..." I promised him, feeling a strange warmth spread within me.

^^^^^^^^

As the sun dipped below the horizon, enveloping the sky in darkness, the stars began to twinkle through the wisps of cloud. In those quiet moments, I found solace in my solitude. The moon, in its soft glow, felt like a comforting companion, offering me peace amid the stillness of the night.

The nights in the Virat Kingdom were truly enchanting. As I strolled through the gardens. Eventually, I found a quiet spot by the lily's garden—my favourite flower. Their delicate beauty seemed to resonate with the calmness I was seeking.

As I heard footsteps approaching from the entrance, a wave of curiosity washed over me. The lily garden usually remained quiet and serene at night, untouched by visitors. "Who could it be?" I wondered quietly, I instinctively crouched behind the bushes, gently pulling my saree pallu to shield my face, hoping to stay hidden.

It was my dear friend, Karna. He walked slowly towards the lilies, gently caressing the delicate flowers. I could see the tenderness in his movements and the way he cherished their beauty. He was enjoying the weather and the peaceful moonlight.

"Who's hiding there? Who's spying on this Karna?" he called out suddenly.
"Oh, my god. How did he know I was here?"

"Are you going to reveal yourself, or should I summon the guards?" he asked again, a hint of concern underlying his words.
I gently hid my face with my saree pallu and stepped forward slowly.

"A woman?" he said, taking a moment to absorb my presence.
"Who are you? What brings you here at this hour?" he inquired, his eyes filled with curiosity.
He approached me slowly.

"I'm a Daasi here," I replied softly, taking a small step back
"A Daasi? Why are you wandering about at night?"
"I'm collecting lilies to make perfume for Rajkumari," I explained, hoping to sound convincing.
"Does your Rajkumari have a fondness for lilies? She certainly seems unique," he responded, a gentle smile playing on his lips as he glanced at the flowers.

"Yes, she does," I said, pulling the pallu a little closer to shield my modesty.
"But your voice... it feels oddly familiar," he remarked, intrigue evident in his tone.
"I'm sorry, Angaraj. I can't quite place it myself," I said.

"I apologize for interrupting your duties. Please, continue your work. I'll just sit here and admire the beauty of these flowers," he said, settling down with a calming presence.

I moved toward the flowers, plucking them delicately.
"Could I possibly have one for myself? There's someone dear to me who also appreciates lilies," he asked, a glimmer of hope in his eyes.
"That's me. It's sweet that he remembers."

"I'll get one for you, Angaraj. I happen to have a little lily perfume already," I told him, bowing before I made my way back to my room.
As I approached him, my face still hidden, I found him gazing at the moon with tears in his eyes.

"Angaraj, here is the perfume we create for our Rajkumari," I said softly, extending the bottle to him.
"Why is he crying? What weighs on his heart?" I wondered.

"How much for this bottle?" he asked, still trying to catch a glimpse of my face beneath the pallu.
"You're our esteemed guest, Angaraj. It's truly a gift," I assured him.
He took the bottle with gratitude, still confused but looking at me, his gaze searching for answers.
"Thank you," he said with a warm smile.

"If you don't mind, may I share something with you, Angaraj?" I asked softly.
"Of course, please do, daasi."
"When we sit under the bright moon on a beautiful night and let ourselves close our eyes, trying to recall the happy moments of our lives, we find solace rather than dwelling on the painful ones," I shared, hoping he would feel the catharsis.

"Is that true?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.
"Yes, my mother taught me this. It's what I do each day in this beautiful garden filled with lilies."
"So, you came here to immerse yourself in this beauty rather than to work?" he chuckled softly.
"No, it's not quite that way, Angaraj," I replied
"It's perfectly fine. This place is indeed magical, and after a long day of work, you certainly deserve to rest," he said kindly.

"How sweet he is," I thought to myself.

"You're very generous, Angaraj. The people of your kingdom are fortunate to have such a compassionate leader," I offered sincerely.
"I'm not so sure about that," he said with an oddly distant glance at the moon.

I followed his gaze, captivated by the bright moonlight shimmering on the lake, the air fragrant with lilies. I inhaled deeply, savoring the moment.
"The Lilies, Karna," I whispered without thinking.
"What did you say?" he turned to me, intrigued.

"I mean, I can smell the lilies in the gentle breeze," I said, pulling my pallu just a bit tighter.
"Do all daasis have to hide their faces like this?" he inquired, moving a little closer, a compassionate look in his eyes.
"Yes," I replied
"How will anyone know if you're a daasi or a stranger in disguise?" he asked, lowering himself to my height.

"I don't—" I stumbled over my words, feeling the weight of his gaze.
"May I see your face, Devi?" he requested gently.

In that instant, the air around us felt heavy. I couldn't find my words, caught in the intensity of his eyes. Had he recognized me?

"I'm sorry, I can't do that—," I said softly, my heart pounding.
He slowly lifted my pallu, and I stood frozen, lost in the depth of his gaze.

"Dhaksha?" he exclaimed, shock blending with recognition as he held my pallu delicately in his hands.
"It's me, Karna," I whispered, vulnerability washing over me.
"Dhaksha—" Our eyes locked, the connection palpable.
"Karna," I called to him again.

"I'm sorry... I didn't know—" he stammered, stepping back, as if afraid of the truth.
"It's really me, Karna. I'm here for our Agyatvas," I assured him, trying to evoke a sense of calm.

"Oh... I didn't realize—" His voice faltered.
"I didn't know it was you, but something about your voice felt familiar," he reacted, his honesty disarming me.
"Please, keep this to yourself," I urged, knowing how important secrecy was for both of us.

"Sakhi, are you doing well?" he asked, concern etched on his face.
"How do I appear to you?"
"You look... umm—" he hesitated, searching for the right words.
"What's troubling you, Karna? Why do you seem so distant?" I pressed gently.

"Nothing is troubling me," he said, backing away slightly.
"Don't lie to me—"
"Who's there? Guards, check that area!" a guard's voice interrupted.
"Quick," he urged, pulling me into the sheltered embrace of the bushes beside the tree. We crouched down, fear and tension enveloping us.
"There's no one here," the other guard called out.

As we remained quietly hidden, and his eyes darted towards the guards, I broke the silence, "What weighs heavily on your heart, Karna?"

"I can't help but think of you, Dhaksha," he admitted quietly.
"What do you mean, Karna?"
"I regret how I let you suffer in the courtroom," he said, his eyes shimmering with unshed tears.
"Karna, stop—" I grasped his hand, as guards raised their voices again.
"I need to leave now, Karna. I can't compromise our Agyatvas. I'm so sorry," I said regretfully, standing up.
"Dhaksha..."
"I'll find a way to see you again, my Sakha," I promised as I walked away slowly.

^^^^^^^^^
Arjuna's Pov

"Why are you limping?" Aarya asked gently.
"That's—"
"Did you hurt your toe? Is there a wound?" His voice was strained with concern.
"Just a little scratch, Aarya," I reassured him.
"Let me see it," he said, kneeling down to get a better look.

"What did I tell you last time we met? You need to be careful while practicing. Now look, you've hurt your toe. How can you walk properly now? Do you expect me to be with you all the time? You're not a child anymore," he said.
"Rajakumar Uttar helped me out of there when things got tough in the courtroom. That's how I got this little wound. He pulled me out of the courtroom," I explained.
"I really do feel like I carry the other half of the universe on my shoulders. It's my responsibility to keep you safe, and I can't help but feel like I've let you down."

"My dear Arjuna, please calm down. I'm truly sorry about this. I promise to take better care of myself from now on," I said with a smile, hoping to lighten the mood.
"Alright, just go to your room for now," he said, still looking a bit away
"Are you still upset with me?" I chuckled softly, trying to lift his spirits.

I heard footsteps approaching and instinctively took a step back from Aarya.
"Shh. Who is it?" I asked, glancing behind him.
To be continued....

Who do you think Dhaksha saw?

Will Shakuni and Duruyodhana find about Dhaksha?

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Will Kichak inform them?

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