Arjun's POV

I was too happy as finally the moment had arrived, my sister had arrived. I have always wished for her to return back earlier and now that my wait is over I'll share everything with her. I always envied Sahadev and Nakul as they have a great bond. I know that even they missed her a lot as after all she is our sister even before Dusshala. I know that though Bhrata Yuddhisthir and Bhrata Bheem don't say anything they have missed her like hell as they had held her in her arms. The time she arrived I felt a different wave of happiness hit me. I was worried about her after seeing her condition but Raj Vaidhya said she would be fine after some rest and so here we are waiting for her to wake up. We as in Pitamaha, Kakashree Vidur, Bhrata Yuddhisthir, Bhrata Bheem, Madhav, Nakul- Sahadev and Mata Kunti and Gandhari. All others have left. I wonder what would she call me. Will she call me by my name or will she call me Bharata. But most importantly will she accept me as her brother. We all were waiting when Vaidyaji said that she was waking up from her unconsciousness I, Mata Kunti- Nakul- Sahadev rushed to meet her. We heard loud chuckles of Madhav and Bhrata Bheem. She slowly stirred and got up. She was looking at the surroundings in awe and shock. I was upset as she could did not recognize us or was able to understand us. But Madhav said that he understands her language and hence asked her to rest as it would take some time for him to console and make Arunika understand everything. Being honest I was jealous as Madhav got to speak to her while here I am sulking. But I am sure she will surely be closest to me soon after all I'm her twin. With this thoughts I went to sleep but it seems it's far away as all I think was how my childhood would have been with Arunika with us. She would have asked us mangoes and fruits when we were in the forest with Pitashree and we would have climbed trees for her. I would have picked the most and would have saved some from Bhrata Bheem. How wonderful it had been, but destiny had to play her game.

POV ends

Next day

Dhriti's POV:

I woke up early morning as I was habitual to it. My head still hurts a little but not much as the herbal paste is soothing. I should learn about the medicines of this yuga for sure. I then closed my eyes and said "Om Namo Bhagvate Vasudevai Namah" (I bow down to God who resides over the hearts of all beings). It has always been my habit to send my first prayers to Shri Hari Vishnu from childhood. I then touched the floor seeking its blessing as well as giving my respect to the Goddess Prithvi before stepping down the bed. Soon some dasis came and said me that Rajmata Kunti has sent me my dresses and jewelry and has asked to join everyone soon for breakfast. I took a bath with the help of daasis, it was too relaxing and intoxicating. But when I saw the dress and jewelry I was like 'how am I gonna wear this'. Trust me when I say that the dress alone looked like it weighed more than 5 kg, then it is true in every sense as seriously it was too heavy along with jewellery which must have been more 10 kilos. Anyhow I wore them as I didn't want to upset Rajmata Kunti or should I say my newly found mother. God help me! These are so confusing. Though Kanha made me understand everything yesterday, it still does not feel right. How could I just forget about the mother who took care me all those years for my biological mother who happens to be the same who abandoned her first child consciously. I just could not forgive her easily. A dasi came to inform that Kanha wants to meet me

"Let him in with due respect" I said and soon he entered.

"Waise Behena I just remembered that someone can't handle all traditional dresses well and once also tripped in a simple saree in Fresher's day. Do you know her" What the.. how could he use my weak moments to tease me.

"Tum na kanha..you...ughh I won't leave you" as I said this I took a pillow started chasing and beating him. He too was running, saving himself from my attacks. But then I stopped in my tracks as I remembered Ro and Mish, we three used to fight like this. Kanha as if understanding my situation came to me and kept his hand above my forehead.

"Will I never be able to meet them Kanha" I asked him as a tear left my eye. He brushed it off and gestured as if saying- don't cry

"Waise I came to say that I've got all her dresses and more for her from Kaliyug. Now I can't see my dear sister tripping here and there like her college farewell, right. Oh I'm so kind hearted" he said with innocent eyes praising himself. I know he was trying to lighten the situation so I played along and gave him a mock glare. We then shared a laugh.

"Kanha thank you so much. I really won't be able to manage those dresses of this yug. But I also don't want to upset Rajmata. So after breakfast I'll change it. But till then you should help me so that I don't trip over and make a joke of myself" I said while his eyes had a serious expression.

"She is your mother behena. You should accept it as soon as possible. "He said. Since the conversation was becoming a little heated he added in a mischievous tone, "And you don't have to trip to become a joke behena as your face is enough to make one laugh"

I pouted and started moving out of the chamber with Kanha tailing behind.

As soon as we reached dining hall with me tripping and Kanha helping and teasing me, we saw whole Kuru family seated. When I started moving towards them I again tripped over that too heavy dress. Kanha came to my aid. We then got seated. As I sat I saw that, many were looking at me perplexed. "I'm Dhriti as you all may have known.Umm...I.." God what am I supposed to say to my new found family. I heard chuckles beside me and who do you think it was. Obviously, the one who knows it all. Krishnaaaaaa

He introduced everyone to me. Well I felt like Parth and the other Pandavas wanted to say me something. That Shakuni was giving me looks like assuming my strength. The Kauravs some had small smile and some indifferent looks. Duryodhan, Dusashan were giving disgusting looks while Mahamahim and Mahamantri Vidur looked too happy. Dushala, Rajmata and Maharani were overjoyed, I guess because I was now able to understand them. While normally conversing with everyone, I was using formal terms which I guess they didn't like much so Rajmata said that," Putri please don't be formal with us, call me and Jiji(pointing towards Maharani Gandhari) Mata" "Yes Putri" Maharani added. Then one by one all explained their relations, well however well I may have known and seen Mahabharat and its characters but you being a part of it is "awkward".

Moreover, it was so difficult to remember so many long names. Huh*sighs* cause that's my fate now. But then thank my mom cause she made me watch B.R Chopra's and starplus' Mahabharat. Well that was the point when I started loving this epic and immersed myself into reading about it as also it was a lockdown period. I understand a lot about this epic and I'll surely change it for the greater good.

After breakfast, I asked Mata Kunti that whether it is Ok if I wear dresses which I used to wear before

So she replied that" Putri I saw that you were falling so many times in this dress also, the dress you wore yesterday. They are strange and weird but till the time you are in palace you can wear them. But always remember as a princess you have to carry yourself with elegance and modesty so never disappoint me." I smiled happily and nodded.

Meanwhile Nakul interrupted and said," We can't see our Jyesta falling, so you can tell me I'll get anything for you" in response all Pandav brothers smiled and nodded while I choked and said "Jyestha??!!" It's really strange so I said " Umm Nakul, you can call me jiji as I'm elder to you as Jyestha is too long...also if you people don't mind can I call you people shortly as your names are a bit toooooo long" I pouted at last. They all chuckled and nodded.

"Ok then I'll call Bhrathashree Yuddhisthir as Sthir bhaiya, bhaiya means Bhrata (brother) and since yudhi bhaiya's name means Yudh- war and sthir- calm. I'll call him Sthir bhaiya." As I said they were looking at me in awe like I said something unbelievable.

"Wow.. you said it so well" Parth said. At first I felt he was shy and avoided talking. But now I doubt that I then looked at Sthir bhaiya and asked" Do you like that name" he nodded and said, " Very much, my sister for first time shared her thoughts, be it my name . How could I not like it" I knew he was saying truth. After all the great Dharmaraj never lies.

Then I looked at Bhrata Bheem and said, "I'll call you Bhrata Bheem itself because you are most powerful and it suits you" He smiled and nodded "I'll call Nakul and Sahadev also with their original names or maybe sometimes, Kul and Dev, yup all's good now" as soon as I said that I saw Parth frowning.

"But you didn't give me a nickname" Oh so that's why he was frowning.

"Well I'll call you Parth as your Madhav calls you and don't think I would call you Bhratha because we are twins and of same age" After I said this all chuckled.

"Arrey but I gave him that name you think something else" Here comes Kanha's infamous melodrama.

"Not happening. You are supposed to share everything with your 'choti Behen' right 'Priya Bhratshree Kanha'" I said emphasizing in few words with a cheeky smile. Huh I knew it no one can win over my sweetness. Can they? Nah

"Can I call you Dury bhaiya bharathashree?'' I asked bharatha Duryodhana. He gave me an ear to ear smile like he didn't expect it at first. Oh, obviously there was always partiality among Pandavas and Kauravas. Tatshree (Dhrithrastra) was happy as well. He said" Putri, you are a nice soul. We all missed you for so many years. I've always wanted to give you immense love just like Dushala. I want to fulfill the wait and longing of so many years. Today I'm so happy that you can ask me anything. I won't say no to it. Take whatever you want from me as a gift Putri" I smiled and went towards him and kept his hand on my head as I said, "Tatshree for now your blessings are enough, whenever I would wish to have anything, I'll surely ask you."

"Sure Putri," He said and after a few more discussions, all left for their chambers. I went with Kanha as he said he wished to speak with me.

Author's POV:

Both made their way towards the garden when Kanha said" I see that you are trying to adapt here. That's good"

"Yes, Kanha I am. I have a question can I ask?" Arunika said

"You don't have to ask for permission behena because curiosity only could take you near to your answers. So ask"

"Kanha, since you know everything; I just wanna ask ' will I never meet Rohit?' " Dhriti asked and Krishna just gave her a sad smile.

"I don't know behena" as soon as these words left his mouth she looked at him in bewilderment.

"What do you mean by I don't know. You are the supreme lord. You are aware of everything" at this point she could not control her tears as they made their way down her cheeks.

"Yes it is true Parthvi but your destiny is not known by anyone. Only you know about it as you have to create it" He replied wiping her tears.

This was the promise you took before leaving us. How do I tell that this was the reason we even had to spend so many millennium years away from you – Kanha thought as he looked at her face.

"Ok, now no more tears." As he said that I felt too calm and I had a small smile. I guess that's the power of God. It felt like he took away all my worries. "By the way, I wanted to ask that what this brother of yours could get for you from Kaliyug."

"Well I-..." she was stammering

Phones are of no use here so it's a no-no. Ahaan I should ask him for this- She thought and said," Can I have a gun with self refilling bullets that never end" Arunika said.

"Well, what else could I have asked from a trained shooter and sword fighter- nice choice. So you will find it on your bedside table in your chamber. But along with that I also want to give you armor. It would so strong that no bullet, arrow, or divine weapon can pass through it. It will protect you from all your injuries" She blushed at her praises wondering how does he always manage to surprise her. But then again he is the Supreme God himself.

"Thank you so much, Kanha. You are the best"

"That I know. Now come let's meet your other brothers. They must be waiting for you"

She smiled and nodded and they both went to the common room of the Pandavas. They then spent time talking about their different interests. Dhriti found them nice just like she had read about them. She said she had read the Vedas as it was true and also told them about her interest in medicine and learning weaponry. They were amused but all agreed. Arjun was feeling proud as he wanted her to learn them breaking the norms. He always wondered that whether his sister would like to be a warrior? If yes then what would she prefer to wield? Now he could find the answers to all it seems. The Pandavs, Arunika and Krishna spend the entire day gossiping as the lunch was sent by Rajmata in their chamber. It helped them to bond well. The eyes of Krishna showed different emotions but, it felt as if he was reminiscing some of his old memories through them. 

************

A/N: 

That's all for now.

This chapter was to show their emotions as I thought it was also a necessary part. You may find the beginning chapters boring but as soon as I reach towards the main plot it will take its pace. However I hope you like them.

What is the relation between Kanha and Dhriti? What was the promise he was talking about? To find the answers to all your questions, keep reading.

Word count -2639 words

With Love

Ela💖