Arjun POV

I stood alone.

I pulled my shawl closer to me feeling cold despite the burning fire, we had just finished the last rites of many soldiers who fought bravely.  The last rites of family members, friends, even so-called enemies. But the pyre I stood before right now... the pyre of someone who I had considered my biggest rival throughout my whole life. My biggest enemy... yet the person who turned out to be... family...

I sighed as tears rolled down his face looking at the burning pyre of my elder brother, who I had disrespected, insulted and what not throughout his life and now... I had killed him.

*Flashback*

"He's your Jyesth Arjun!!" Mata's Kunti's words rang in my head over and over again as I stared at the fallen body of Angraj Karn.

Faded voices reached my ears, crying, everything seemed to blur together as I fell to my knees. It felt like I couldn't breathe anymore... like I was drowning.

'How? How could th-' I thought to myself tears flowing down my face.

"Arya!!" I heard Angrani Vrushali sob. My bhabhi... I haven't even formally met her yet I've given her nothing but pain. The pain of losing her children and now her husband.

"Bhaiya..." I heard Deva's voice his hands shaking my shoulders as he got down beside me.

"I-... I killed..." My words are incomprehensible as I hold sobs.

"Arjun!" Mata calls but I can't seem to face her... I can't... I look up to see Madhav a single tear rolling down his face. He had a blank expression on his face.

"Parth," He says softly but I just get up too overwhelmed to be able to think of anything logically.

*Flashback end*

"Arjun," I heard a voice behind me. I turned around to see jyesth standing there with a solemn expression on his face like everyone else after this war.

"Yes, Jyesth?"

"Everyone is waiting at camp... it's late Arjun you can't stand here all night." He said resting a hand on my shoulder.

"I know...I just-... his death hurt jyesth, how could I kill him?! It's piercing me from the inside..."

"I know, I know it's tough but everyone needs you there, we can't give up now Arjun... we need to move on," Jyesth said calmly as ever.

"How? After what I did how?! I-... I committed a huge sin Jyesth, I killed our elder brother!" I exclaim my frustration and anger getting the best of me.

"Anuj you didn't know... Mata should have told us, I would give anything to have him back! To be a proper family! But we don't have that option..."

"It's still a sin... insulting him! Disrespecting him for years! I ca-... I called him a Sut putra!" I said my voice shaky.

He immediately pulled me into a hug. "We all did Arjun... we all committed a sin, but we will try our best to repent it!" He said caressing my head slightly.

"How?" I ask still not really able to respond to much of his affection.

"I don't know, but there has to be a way... there always is." He said softly.

"I hope you're right..."

He smiles slightly and again rests his hand on my shoulder. "We should go now,"

I nod and he leads us back to the camp.

"Arya," I heard Panchali the minute we reached the camp.

Jyesth nods towards us, "Rest for a little anuj." and with that he leaves me and Panchali standing alone in front of my tent.

"You look horrible," she says softly.

"I know... I'm absolutely exhausted," I admitted, she smiles and takes my hand leading us into the tent.

"What is it?" She asks making me sit down and sitting down beside me.

"Jyesth Karn..."

"Arya that wasn't y-"

"Don't Panchali. I've heard it enough, but we all know in one way or another it was..." I sigh interrupting her protest.

"You didn't know..." she said softly ignoring my snap back.

"Doesn't matter"

"What did Arya Putra Yudhisthira say?"

"He said there's a way to repent every sin,"

"Then I'm sure you'll find a way."

Vrishketu POV

"Mata..." I whispered to myself.

"Why did you leave me too ma? Why?" I said tears streaming down my face. "Everyone... everyone left... but you weren't supposed to! You were supposed to be here, I needed you! I need you..."

I sat on the cold floor of Pitashree's room in our small home in Hastinapur. Even after having lived in the lavish palace of Ang we all had a very special place in our hearts for this place. Home... it was home. The sweet memories of dad telling us stories, of mom chasing after us when we refused to listen to her. Small memories that made this place home.

"But they ruined it!" I said clenching my jaw, they did... this war ruined everything! I lost everyone, mom, dad, Jyesth, all of my elder brothers... this war took everything... they took everything!

"Putra?" I heard Pitamahi at the door. I quickly wipe my tears and turn the face her getting up off the floor.

"You don't need to hide your tears from me son..." She said cupping my face and bringing me over to the bed.

"I know Pitamahi..."

She just gives me a small smile and sits on the bed gesturing me to sit beside her. "How are you feeling?"

"After this everything happened? I'm not sure" I said looking down slightly.

"Hmm.. I understand putra, but I know my grandson, he's strong. You'll get through this... I know you will." She said softly, she gently cupped my face once again making me look towards her. "You remind me so much of your father..."

I smile slightly "You always say that,"

"It's the truth, you'll be a great warrior one day son... you'll make them proud!"

"I will... " I said getting up from the bed. "...and once I do I'll also take my revenge! Pitashree was killed by cheating pitamahi! I'll make sure they pay!" I said clenching my fist.

"Vrishketu! No... revenge is poison son! You're to never mention that again!" Pitamahi said her voice strict, but somewhere I saw fear in her expression.

"Why?! They deserve to suffer too! Pitashree was killed unfairly! They cheated!" I yell.

"Vrish calm down! I know... I know what happened and I also know you're angry my son but the cycle of revenge only brings pain. Don't let that continue." She said her voice calmer. "Your father would be prouder if you're just happy... he just wanted all of you to be happy, not burn in this hell that is revenge. Not seek power, but respect."

"But Pitamahi I-"

"Promise me... you won't seek revenge,"

"...I won't go against your orders," I said taking a breath. She wasn't wrong. I know she wasn't wrong, but even then anger boiled inside me at the thought of the injustice done.

"Good... now you should rest, it's been a long day for everyone."

"Can I stay here tonight?" I ask her.

She smiles softly, "Are you sure?"

"It just feels like I'm with them...here..."

"Of course you can," She says pecking my forehead. "I'll be downstairs if you need me."

"I know," and with a small nod, she left the room once again leaving me alone in the room I've spent so much of my childhood in.

I went towards the bed again sitting down and fall back staring at the ceiling sleep far away. How was I even supposed to sleep? After all of this sleep was the last thing on my mind.

I wasn't sure how long I just laid there but soon enough my exhaustion took over, my eyelids falling. Feeling the familiar warmth and comfort it felt like they were almost here with me... but they weren't and now they never will be...

...................................................

Hey guys! I hope you liked the chapter.

Yes I did make some changes for the story to suit my own writing style and all of that I hope no one minds. 😊

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