Clash

This was all that could be heard. The Pandavas except Nakul where sitting in the pavement as their eyes had popped themselves out of their sockets. The Kauravas reaction was no less. Even Dushala who had expressed her wish to learn the art of warfare was permitted, so she stood there with Bhisma. Many including Shubhadra had gathered to see the two Kuru princess' first day of learning.

But what shocked all of them was someone sparing against Nakul equal to his ability on his/her first day of training. Yes, no one expected to witness the first Kuru princess already having knowledge about sword yielding. She had only said them that she knew a little about sparring as she learnt it due to her curiosity during her stay in the other country.

Everyone thought her to be a fragile doll but was shocked to witness that she could swing her sword with such ease that it even gave a tough to the world's best swordsman of all time. The way she was dueling against Nakul felt like they both were dancing to the tunes of their swords as no one was able to gain an upper hand.

The spectators could only move their eyes from one direction to other as the swords churned and moved with the wind. Though Bhisma was enjoying the show, he had to put an end to it so that he could kill his curiosity before the court hour starts.

"Stop! However interesting this duel seems to me, I won't be able to watch it as I have to attend the court. However I've few questions which Arunika putri can answer" Bhisma said and Arunika and Nakul bowed to each other as courtesy and gave Bheesma their full attention.

"Jaise aap kahe Pitamah" (As you say, great grandfather). Both Nakul and Arunika bowed to each other and then to Bhisma.

"You said you only learnt the basics of sparing putri, but you are so well in it. Why didn't you tell me that before?"

" Pitamah I never thought myself to be this much well as I only took sword fighting as my extra activity while I had taken my country's advanced knowledge of medicine as my main stream for education",Dhriti replied curtly.

The words she said made everyone happy that she was learnt well enough though somehow a bit of jealousy and hurt seeped into the mind of Parth as his twin had no common interest like him. But still the thought was neglected as his happiness for Nakul overpowered his emotions. As Dhriti shared most of her interest with their younger brother.

"That's truly nice to know Arunika! And I hope to know a lot more about your talents dears. But this old man here now needs to rush to the courtroom. So I'll see you later" Pitamah said chuckling to himself which made even the others present there gigle

"Who are you? You don't happen to know my pitamah it seems. He is not old but very much young and mighty and strong. Don't you say my pitamah weak" Dhriti said with a fake glare and pitamaha returned it to her with his own but soon they both were holding their stomachs and laughing.

Bheesma left the training grounds then and Nakul praised Aru for her sparring skills for which she just awkwardly blushed and waved off. Now Dushala, and Dhriti were being taught with basics of archery as Dhriti only knew sword fighting as she was too interested in it and also had learned it because one of her seniors in medical college came from Jodhpur's Royal family and hence had the training of different martial arts and weaponry. He taught Dhriti sword fighting during his final year and was also surprised by her speed at learning things. He taught every thing he knew about sparring and also connected her to his kakasa who was his trainer from childhood days. 

Shubhadra was an ace fighter in mace fighting and was also interested in other fighting stances and hence decided to watch them until a guard came to call her. They were all busy learning teaching and correcting each other. Even those who were not teaching them were practicing themselves and perfecting themselves in their respective field of warfare. 

A guard all of a sudden came to the practicing arena and bowed his head and said that " Your majesties' The Maharaj has called all the princes, their friend Drona Putra Ashwathama and Angraj Karn to the courtroom" 

"Who are all there in the courtroom and why have they called us " Yuddhisthir asked the guard.

" His majesty, the King his advisors and court members, the grand sire and the Guru Drona has been waiting for you all in the courtroom. It is also heard that the discussion of announcing crown prince was taking place when Guru Drona entered seeking his Guru Dakshina. Maharaj finds that Guru Dakshina should be discussed in the presence of his disciples as they have to give it, Rajkumar Yudhisthira"

Dhriti instantly knew, what was to happen. It was one of the small events that would lead to greater mishaps and in return those mishaps would lead to the inevitable war. She still did not understand the need of revenge as she was always taught that 'to take revenge you should dig two graves; one for your foe and other for yourself'. She knew what Dronacharya would ask was wrong as it would be for revenge as it would lead to one more event taint his image.

Yudhisthira had dismissed the guard and all Kauravs and Pandavs were leaving towards the courtroom when Dushala joined them. They asked Dhriti to join them as well but she just let it pass politely as she said she needed a bath as she was too sweaty and she could not go in a such a way to the courtroom. All nodded and Dushala too stayed behind.

Everyone assumed it to be normal but it was far from Normal. The reason behind Dhriti not going with them was because she knew she won't be able to control herself from bashing out at Dronacharya for his stupid revenge and that would be disrespectful to the sage. So she decided to speak to him personally as one should correct other privately and not publicly for the obvious reasons.

While walking along the path towards her chambers she met Kanha. Dhriti felt like why does she always have to meet him on the way. But we all know Our dearest lord would have obviously heard her thoughts and hence calmly replied, " Well you see, it's my duty to show the path to my people and for that I have always been known as Saarthi. I am the charioteer to everyone's destiny so for that to happen I have to meet them on their way"

" Woah. Didn't I say you not to read my thoughts Kanha. And if not then from now stop reading them" Dhriti huffed though her lips tugged upwards at his explanation.

" Haha. Now I don't really read one's thoughts but I couldn't stop myself when my dear sister is using so much of her brain and is screaming in her mind for me " Kanha replied chuckling and Dhriti just shook her head.

" Well now that you aren't going to stop reading my thoughts then you better help me. " She said with a huff. 

"Now how could this poor guy over here help the almighty brave doctress here" Kanha replied with a pout

"Doctress?!!"

" Yes, in your yug they make those weird ships right? So I thought why not try one myself. So I made Doctor + Princess => Doctress"

As Gopal completed saying this Dhriti burst out laughing. Our dearest makhan chor looked flushed. But after some time even he joined the laughter

" Gopal...you haha...are...so funny...haha"

" Me ? No way it's just you people make those weird names not me. " He said with a fake pout. Dhriti just pinched his cheeks laughing but then realized what she did and backed away a little and blushed. She just pinched the supreme lord! Madhav understood her hesitation and said, " Well you pinch exactly like Yashoda maiya. Oh Mahadev! Why are mothers and sisters so alike. "

At this Dhriti chuckled shaking her head. Kanha smiled that his antic worked. He then said, " Waise Behena, ( by the way sister,) I came to inform you that I will leaving for Dwarka today as Dau wants me there" causing Dhriti to widen her eyes

" What? But why? How? I mean- what would I do without you here kanha. You can't leave me here like this"

Trust me Dhriti I dont want to but for the betterment of the future I must- Kanha thought

"Woah! You could Manage the whole palace without me and here you are saying that what would you do without me." He tried lightening the situation

" I could do things because I know that if I do something wrong then you would guide me to my ultimate goal" Dhriti replied melting Krishna's heart

"Well for guiding you I don't have to be physically present. My thoughts and values are carved in your soul and I know you would never do anything wrong and if you are confused, then I would guide you like always. The same way you always used to speak to me kaliyug.  I would reply to you in all your queries like I used to by being a part of your conscience" kanha said and Dhriti had her mouth hung .

"You just did not mind link me, right?" Dhriti said still in daze

"Well it seems I did " Madhav said outwardly this time, chuckling

"So it means we could mind link each other like Werewolves. Yipee! I've always wished to do that Hurrayyyy! " Dhriti was cheering

"Arey bas bas behena. And what is this Werewolf? Those imaginary half wolf half humans ?" It was again the time for Dhriti's mouth to be hung open and eyes wide.

" What? They. Are. Not. Imaginary. Mr. Shri Krishna Vasudev Yadhav. Do. You. Understand." Dhriti said slowly through gritted teeth to make her words clear

" Yes- yes I understood...well understood " kanha said hurriedly saving himself from the biggest Toofan ever " these people of kaliyug and their wild imagination huh " he grumbled under his breath  and Dhriti narrowed her eyes at him while he just nervously chuckled.

"You wanted to ask some questions right Dhriti? So shoot. " He said trying to get out of one problem but who knew soon he would be caught in a bigger problem because of his mouth.

"Since all questions are about the future of Jaya and we don't want anyone eavesdropping now, so the questions will be in English" Dhriti starts and continues further in English

" If the Pandavas always have sided with Dharm, if they never forgot their limits then why were they sent to hell and not like the Kauravas were sent to heaven? And if they were sinners then why did you support them? And if not then does that mean that hell is were goodness is and heaven is where the sinners are?

 How is Drona considered the best teacher, when he would teach his students revenge and not justice? How did Parshuram who is also a Vishnu Avatar like you cannot know the truth of Karna while starting his education and how come Parshuram be angered so much by actions? 

Why did Mata Kunti said the truth of Karna's birth before war? Was it her helplessness or her greed towards her 5 legitimate sons? How could a lady, pious like Draupadi be staked and Yuddhisthir's Dharm did not find it wrong enough to burn the entire sabha? How could gambling be dharm if it bounds one to debts and not liberates one? How could you, oh son of Devaki! let the entire sabha witness the helplessness of Draupadi yet let the entire world call her kulnashini? Even today people in kaliyug blame her for her deeds, what was her fault?

 If evil is not born but created then how come Duryodhan and his brothers be called as evil creatures from birth? Agreed that they were not devputras like Pandavas but they were the children from Mahadev's boon? Why did a pious lady like Gandhari suffer so much? Was it all because of the curse a small bird gave her for destroying its 100 eggs? Why did Karna be cursed so many times?   Why Govind Why? All these questions and answers are none. Won't you answer me today Madhav" Dhriti said and was left in tears by the thoughts of the aftermaths' of the war. Even Kanha was endured helpless and speechless at her questions.

"The answers for your question...

*******

That's all for now! Blame me for all the delay but I won't list them to you for I am too late for that. Hope you like this update!

It's a cliffhanger and was supposed to be longer than this but I couldn't type more for this chapter. Part 2 of this chapter will be updated soon though 

What would be your thoughts about Dhriti's questions and what do you think of Panchal war? Are werewolves real (hehe I kinda like them *smiles sheepishly* you can't blame this innocent child now. could ya?)

Don't forget to vote!!! Comment and share your views for I'll be waiting for you 

Word count: 2289 words

Love y'all

Ela💖