07

Ｌｏｓｔ ｉｎ
Ｔｈｏｕｇｈｔｓ

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It had been four weeks since Akarshika's return from Hastinapur, and the rain continued to pour relentlessly outside.

As Akarshika managed the kingdom's welfare and trades, she took on the responsibility in the absence of Gandhar Raj Shakuni, who was busy devising plans against the Pandavs.

Uluka, on the other hand, was busy learning how to manage the kingdom as the future king, while Harsh was there to protect them.

"Rajkumaari, the trades from Dravida are becoming less profitable," the trade minister expressed his concern.

Curious, Akarshika asked, "Why is that?"

Uluka chimed in with his thoughts, asking, "Should we consider stopping the trade?"

"Rajkumaar, I believe we should find a solution to this problem," the trade minister suggested.

Impatient, Uluka asked, "What is the problem? Please speak up."

Indu glared at him, making him go silent.

Harsh, for a moment, controlled his laughter as he observed the exchange.

"Rajkumaari, Rajkumaar, the trade from Dravida has been prosperous for us, but the transportation costs are making it expensive, resulting in more losses than profits," the minister explained.

As Akarshika examined the map of Aryavart, an idea struck her.

"Minister, what if we transport the trades through the sea route?" she expressed her thought.

"From Dwarka, Rajkumaari?" the Mahamantri asked.

"Exactly," Akarshika replied confidently.

"But we need to consult Maharaj Shakuni, and he would have to discuss it with the administrator of Dwarka, which could take a considerable amount of time," the Mahamantri pointed out.

The trade minister nodded in agreement, but Uluka couldn't help but express his impatience. "Why are we in such a rush? Can't we take some time to consider our options?" he asked.

"No, Uluka. We shouldn't waste time if it will potentially cause us damage," Akarshika firmly stated, turning her attention to the door as a messenger entered.

"Rajkumaari, Rajkumaar Arjuna has defeated Drupad, which has led to the division of the kingdom of Panchal into Northern Panchal and Southern Panchal. Drupad now rules the south, while Ashwatthama rules the north," the messenger delivered the news.

Akarshika raised an eyebrow, intrigued by this development. "Is that all?" she asked.

"It was Guru Dronacharya's guru dakshna to defeat Drupad," the messenger explained, glancing at the princess.

"Gandhar Raj will be staying in Hastinapur for a few more days," he added before bowing down and exiting the room.

"Rajkumaari, if Gandhar Raj is staying in Hastinapur, who will go to Dwarka Nagari?" the trade minister asked, clearly puzzled.

"I will go. Prepare for my departure," Akarshika concluded, about to leave the room.

"But Rajkumaari..." the minister began, still confused.

"Am I not capable enough?" Akarshika asked sternly.

"No, Rajkumaari," the minister quickly replied.

"Well, you're leaving too, Harsh," Uluka dramatized.

"Don't worry I'll find my Bhabhi- I mean that girl" Uluka intentionally spoke.

Harsh nodded, resigned to the fact that he was officially done with the siblings.

Hastinapur:

As soon as Duryodhan, Dushasana, Karna, and their ninety-eight other Kaurav brothers arrived at the Hastinapur palace, they stormed out in a fury. Duryodhana, who despised every achievement of the Pandu putr, always had his ninety-nine other brothers follow his lead, except for one.

Vikarn couldn't help but smile at the Pandavs, appreciating their victory. The Pandavs returned the smile with joy, their hearts filled with pride.

Meanwhile, Shakuni stood there, his vicious mind already plotting something. Nakul, perceptive as ever, noticed this.

"Mamashree, I always wonder who manages your kingdom since you always stay here in Hastinapur," Nakul calmly asked, trying to divert Shakuni's attention.

"You don't need to worry, Nakula. My daughter is more than capable of managing the kingdom very well," Shakuni replied with a bitter smile.

Nakul smirked sarcastically in response.

Gandhar:

Akarshika gazed at the stars, her heart in absolute turmoil as an unknown feeling tangled within her. She couldn't help but reminisce about the day she was leaving Hastinapur.

"I'll miss you," Dushala exclaimed, hugging Akarshika tightly.

Subhadra joined the hug, adding, "I don't know what I'll even do without you."

Akarshika, caught in the middle, struggled to respond. "Can't you stay for a few more days?" Dushala pouted, her eyes expressing genuine sadness.

A small smile graced Akarshika's lips as she replied, "It's not possible."

"Why?" Subhadra whined, hugging her friend even tighter.

Uluka, who was clearly bored, yawned, while Harsh found amusement in watching a pigeon fly around him.

"After bidding your goodbyes, come outside," Uluka instructed before leaving.

"Hey, Harsh, come with me. You need to protect your future king," Uluka ordered, to which Harsh nodded in agreement.

The pigeon followed them as they departed.

"I really need to leave now. Uluka already left, you see. I didn't even have time to get ready," Akarshika tried to persuade, but Subhadra and Dushala stopped her with their tight hugs.

"Fine," Subhadra mumbled before leaving, while Dushala pouted and followed suit.

After freshening up, Akarshika was ready to depart.

She ran towards the palanquin, dressed in a royal blue garment, devoid of any jewelry. Her long hair was neatly braided.She was right now in corridor.

Suddenly, she bumped into someone, but they caught her just in time, preventing her from falling. Her left hand delicately rested on his shoulder, while her right hand gripped her dress. His strong grip firmly held onto her wrist.

Their eyes locked in a mesmerizing spell as an electric connection sparked between them. Captivated by her captivating beauty, astonishment spread across his face.

Spellbound by the unexplainable pull they felt, their hearts entwined in a web of unfamiliar emotions, leaving her with a stomach full of fluttering butterflies.

Emotions swirled within her, her heart entangled in an unknown sensation. With her grip on reality slipping away, she tightened her hold on her attire.

It was 𝗬𝘂𝗱𝗵𝗶𝘀𝗵𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗿.

She snapped back to reality, and they both stood still, continuing to gaze into each other's eyes.

Trying to escape, she took a step back, but fate had other plans.

Her dress snagged onto his golden bangle, binding them together in an unbreakable bond.

She quickly untangled her dress, feeling flustered, confused, and frustrated with the twist of fate.

Glancing at him one last time, she ran away, leaving him astonished.

And so, Her heart forever impacted by their brief encounter.

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𝔹𝕣𝕠 𝕚 𝕗𝕖𝕖𝕝 𝕗𝕝𝕦𝕤𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕖𝕕- 𝕃𝕠𝕝

𝕀 𝕒𝕞 𝕘𝕖𝕟𝕦𝕚𝕟𝕖𝕝𝕪 𝕓𝕝𝕦𝕤𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕘-

𝔹𝕖𝕗𝕠𝕣𝕖 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕤𝕒𝕪 𝕨𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖 𝕚𝕤 𝕦𝕡𝕕𝕒𝕥𝕖 𝕓𝕣𝕠 𝕝𝕒𝕤𝕥 𝕔𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝕙𝕒𝕕 𝟙𝟠 𝕧𝕠𝕥𝕖𝕤

𝕀𝕗 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕕𝕚𝕕𝕟'𝕥 𝕧𝕠𝕥𝕖 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕚𝕤 𝕒𝕤𝕜𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝕦𝕡𝕕𝕒𝕥𝕖 𝕚𝕥 𝕚𝕤 𝕝𝕚𝕜𝕖

𝔼𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕗𝕣𝕖𝕖 𝕓𝕦𝕥 𝕔𝕠𝕞𝕡𝕝𝕒𝕚𝕟𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕒𝕓𝕠𝕦𝕥 𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕥 𝕚𝕤 𝕝𝕖𝕤𝕤

*𝕡𝕠𝕦𝕥𝕤*

𝔸𝕟𝕪𝕨𝕒𝕪 𝕂𝕒𝕟𝕙𝕒 𝕙𝕒𝕕 𝕤𝕠𝕞𝕖𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕥𝕠 𝕤𝕒𝕪

"𝕀 𝕒𝕞 𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕡𝕪 𝕨𝕚𝕥𝕙 𝕞𝕪 𝟙𝟞𝟙𝟘𝟠 𝕨𝕚𝕧𝕖𝕤 𝕒𝕝𝕤𝕠 𝕀𝕟𝕕𝕦 𝕚𝕤 𝕝𝕚𝕜𝕖 𝕊𝕦𝕓𝕦 𝕥𝕠 𝕞𝕖"

𝔸𝕟𝕪𝕨𝕒𝕪 𝕤𝕠𝕞𝕖 𝕠𝕗 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕞𝕦𝕤𝕥 𝕓𝕖 𝕤𝕙𝕠𝕔𝕜𝕖𝕕 𝕨𝕚𝕥𝕙 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕞𝕒𝕝𝕖 𝕝𝕖𝕒𝕕 𝕓𝕖𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕐𝕦𝕕𝕚 𝕓𝕣𝕠

𝔸𝕟𝕪𝕨𝕒𝕪

ℝ𝕒𝕕𝕙𝕖 ℝ𝕒𝕕𝕙𝕖