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Hastinapur Palace

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The Royal dining room was filled with pin drop silence. On the front dias King Dhritrashtra,Mahrani Gandhari, Gandhar Raj Shakuni, Pitamah Bhishma, Rajmata Kunti and Mahamantri Vidur with his wife Chitralekha were sitting.

And below them in front were other Kaurava brothers except duryodhana. And between both the tables eight Maharathis were standing in line with their hands clasp behind them like in Gurukul.

First Yudhisthir from right, then sahdev, nakul, Arjun, Karna,Duryodhana, Ashwasthama and infornt of all of them was bheem. Karna between Arjun and Duryodhana was thinking 'Yeh kaha phas gaya re baba. Apan ki toh kuch jyada galti bhi nai thi reee..'

Ashwasthama: Mitra Suyo, it feels like we are back in my pitashree's ashram. And are about to gonna get punished.

Duryodhana : I don't even know at the moment.

Karna : I was only shishya of my guru. I was never in such situations. Always well behaved. Mai, mere guru aur hamari tanhai. Shaitani karu to bhi kya or kiske saath? Aur kabhi bezzati ho bhi Jay toh akele mai pitaai hoti thi. Aise Saab ke samne kuta jana...is new to me.

Duryodhana: And who is your Gurudev mitra?

Karna : That I will be telling you when the right time comes. But for now you only know that Aisi bezatti bhare bazar mai kabhi nahi hui meri. Atleast not in my Gurukul.

Arjun : You are so blessed mitra karna. Otherwise I was my teacher's favorite student. Even more then his son Ashwasthama. Chahe phir prashansa karni ho ya pitaai.

And all four of them burst out in giggles. Especially Ashwasthama. And hearing that bheem sneered back on them dangerously which made them shut their mouth.

And when they though it was over...Doors of dining room opened and in came Yadavkumari Subhadra and Rajkumari Dushala. And all of them snickered looking at arjun except bheem who was only one who had confidence on what they created.

Nakul : Ye loo...Bhrata Arjun..What do you think about vegetables you prepared? Kyuki ab toh bhare bazaar mai sare aam izzat ki nilami hone wali hai.

Every one snickered more.

Arjun: Shut up kul! I am already stressed! Ek hi toh Rajkumari hai jisko mai pasand karta hoon!

Karna : More like....Ek hi toh rajkumari hai jise aap galti se pasand aa gaye hon mitra arjun!

And that made everyone laugh harder. And till then subhadra and Dushala were settled. And before bheem can again scold them Maharaj Dhritrashtra spoke...

Dhritrashtra: Today's dinner has been made by pandavas, Duryodhana, Ashwasthama and Angraj Karna.

And before he could say anything further all 99 Kauravas stood up.

Dushasan: Pitashree today is my fast. So I can't eat.

Vikaran : Today my stomach feels upset mata...so I also can't eat..

And so on everyone murmered.

Dushasan who was now near his Shakuni mama muttered

Dushasan: I am not gonna eat today mamashri. I don't want to die. Yeh sab ek saath milke zeher bhi thik se na bana pay...Aur yeh toh khane ki baat ho rahi hai!

Shakuni : You are right mere bacche! I too am not gonna eat. Bache Duryodhana ne ek baar ke liye zeher bana liya hota toh pee leta. Pan bhojan na grahan kar Sakta. Kya pata marne ke baad bhi yugo yugo tak atma tadapti reh jaye!

And this was heard by all the eight people who made the food.

And then Duryodhana wrapped his hand around Shakuni's shoulder and Dushasan's neck. And then he gave a little pressure on both.

Duryodhana: I have put my sweat and tears in making this stupid food. Quite literally. So you both don't have any other option then to eat. Aur rahi baat zeher ki..toh uska bhi intezaam kar lenge. Aap dono ko apne haatho se banna ke peelaunga priya mamashri aur anuj. Now go and eat.

He said last line in overly sweet voice. And Shakuni and Dushasan's eyes widened in fear. And everyone laughed.

Bheem : I will help anuj Suyodhana in making poison for priya mamashri personally.

Duryodhana: Sure bhrata vrikodar.

And they both smirked at each other. If everyone got a heart attack by bheem and duryodhana casually joking like that then they didn't show. Because they have more important matters to worry like eating today's special dinner.

And by hearing what Duryodhana said to them other kauravas also set rather unwillingly to eat.

Kunti: I am glad kaurav putro that you decided to eat. Now tell me putra Duryodhana, who made what?

Duryodhana: Mata kunti. Bhrata Bheem was mainly in charge of everything because we didn't knew anything. So... Nakul and Sahdev chooped onions and Tomatoes and help bhrata bheem in frying puris.

Mitra Vasusen and Arjun chopped vegetables and help bhrata bheem in making Sabji and salads.

Bhrata bheem and Bhrata Yudhisthir made kheer.

I and Ashwasthama made puris till they were ready to get fried. And help bhrata bheem in making balls of ladoo from sweet churma he made.

Arjun : Mata though we couldn't make anything grand like rajbhog we made Bhindi ki sabji (lady finger), Aloo tamatar aur pyaaz ki sabji (Potato, tomato and onion) and Bengan ka bharta (Brinjal dish) which is Pitamah and Bade Pitashree's favorite.

Puris, Salads of three kind, Papads. And in sweet kheer aur bundi ke laddoo (Sweet rice pudding and Bundi balls).

Karna : And Rajmata not even that will be looking perfect. Because I and arjun chopped vegetables with nakul and sahdev. And we cut them very unevenly and imperfectly. Though Mitra Bheem didn't let the taste detoriate, still it was not looking perfect.

Puris are not perfectly round. And many more mistakes. But we promise ; We promise that we gave our 100% to it and learned that together we can face any challenges head on with emerging victorious. So please be linent on our mistakes Rajmata and all other elders.

And listening to that, all the other elders and kunti smiled in appreciation.

Gandhari : Very good putro. You have learned what we wanted you to achieve from this punishment.

And then everyone had the dinner happily. Though it was not perfect...But it was result of their efforts which tasted better.....

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Panchal War Ground

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As decided they will attack in two teams. First Kaurava lead by Duryodhana and Ashwasthama. Next Pandava lead by Arjuna.

Kauravas got trapped in the vyuh of panchal Naresh and as decided duryodhana blew the horn of warning. And as soon as pandavas heard their brother's call they marched to attack.

Arjun defeated Shikhandini and broke the view. And when he was about to capture Drupad, he made the Maya and devided his body in five replicas.

And when Arjun couldn't decide which one was real drupad he suddenly recalled the five stones given by shubhadra from her bhrata and her bhrata's message..

'Nothing is as it seems. Look into the eyes and you will have your answer.'

And recalling this, he threw five stones towards drupad. And he didn't knew what are they or what they can do. So the confused replicas of drupad slightly looked at real him as if asking now what? And at the moment arjun recognized the real drupad.

And then he binded him and brought him at his guru's feet as gurudakshina. And other pandavas freed kauravas. Guru Dhronacharya was ecastic with his sishyas. He praised all of them for their amazing performance.

He took half of the panchal kingdom and send drupad to rule over kampilya other half satisfing his vow. And then he made Ashwasthama his Son king of half panchal. All the princes were happy for their dear friend Ashwasthama.

And after Ashwasthama's Rajabhishek they with him started going back to Hastinapur where their family and their beloved Mitra Karna were waiting for their return anoxiously.

Drupad was furious and humiliated by defeat. But at the same time he was impressed by Arjun's skills. So he vowed to take revenge from Dhronacharya and to have a Son who will be great warrior like Arjun!

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Hastinapur Palace

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Here at Hastinapur Palace all were awaiting for the pinces joyously. And the most impatient one was karna. He was so impatient to meet his mitras that he was practically skipping from one place to another.

Looking at him every one was amused. He would nonstop talk about his Mitras and their valour. And also he was arranging something for their return what only he and God knows.

Karna : Do you know my mitras won their first war? They were so skillful and-

Bhishma cut him off exparted who was stopping each and every minister,das and dasi on the way and repeating the same thing again and again.

Bhishma: Putra karna we all know that. It seems like you are more ecastic then them and I understand. I truely do. But let them do their work and you continue what you were planning for them on their return right?

Karna : Oh yes! You are right! Every one is gonna gift them something for their win. And I also want to gift them one thing. And it so special. So much work to doooo....Phir milenge Mahamahim! Pranipat.

And he ran off from there. Kunti,Gandhari and Dhritrashtra who watched the scene from little far laughed amused at his childlike pride and happiness. All blessed him for his pure heart and deep loyalty.

When pandavas and kauravas really reached back to Hastinapur palace they were greeted by kunti and Gandhari first with Aarti ki thal. And then they got blessing from all the elders. And the first thing they asked was,

Duryodhana: Mata where is mitra Vasusen?

Arjun : Yes mata! You know we have many tales to describe to him about our first war!

And both the matas laughed.

Gandhari: Putro your mitra is more happier then you on your win. Aaj subha se sabko baar baar batate hi rehte hai ki kaisi unke mitra ne unka pratham yudh jita!

Kunti: Yes. He so pure. He was more joyous then your matas. He has done special arrangements for you all in his room. So go and freshn up. And go straight to him. Patanahi subhe se kuch khaye peeye bina bhet banane mai lage pade hai. Aur unki aapke prati prashansa se pitamah bhishma bhi tang aa chuke hai. Aab aur pratiksha mat karvao putra karn ko.

And every one laughed at hearing this. They ran to take bath and move towards their beloved friend's chamber.

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Karna's Chamber

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When all the princes came towards the door of his chamber they heard karna ordering the servants...

Karna : What are you doing dasi? No no...mitra duryodhana likes his vine chilled. Go and replace this with cold bottle.

What are you keeping at tables? Mitra bheem will have more laddoos and Arjun and Sahdev loves strawberries! Go get more fruits and laddoos.

Rajkumar Yudhisthir will not be comfortable on this mattress! Go and get a resham one here for him. And this jweleries and mirrors are gift for nakul. Put it safe.

And also get some kheer and sweets for Mitra Ashwasthama. He is now king. And he loved halwa! Go and get suji,gajar and loki halwa for him.

Hurry up! They will be here any moment! You all are so slow! And also is he ready? My gift to them is here or not?

Karna was in so much frenzy that he didn't even noticed when all the smiling Rajkumar came and hugged him together!

Karna : Mitras! You all are here! I was waiting for you all! Congratulations on your win! And Ashwasthama congratulations on becoming king! I have arranged for food and refreshments and games and--

Duryodhana: Mitra Karna! Calm down. We are so glad that you take care of us like this. We are all happy with the arrangement. Now please seat with us. We have lots of tales to share with you!

And that's how everyone sat on karna's bed and begane retelling the story of how they won against drupad.

They were sitting there talking while karna drapped around bheem and sahdev's shoulders,Nakul on bheem's lap, sahdev drapped around duryodhana and Arjun while Yudhisthir half lied on Arjun's lap with duryodhana supportedly leaned on Yudhisthir's leg. Yudhisthir had the special resham blanket in his lap which karna especially odered for him.

And at that moment karna signed him to complete his gift to them.

After some time all the elders came in karna's room and gifted swords,jweleries, dresses and many more gifts to princes on their win. And atlast Bhishma asked

Bhishma: Putra karna. Where is your special gift to your mitras? Jiske liye tum subha se yaha waha phudak rahe the aur sabka jeevan mushkil bana diya tha?

And all laughed. Karna chuckled embarrassed. And then he signed him to come with gift. And big board like structure was placed on the centre of the room.

Sahdev : Mitra Karna...Yeh toh Chitra jaisa kuch lag raha hai. Is this some kind of painting?

Karna : Yes! It is made by him. I mean Ananyatrak. The most honorable Chitrakar of Aryavartha. Mohoday please take this Coins for your hard work.

By saying this karna gave bag full of Gold coins to Ananyatrak and he left after greeting.

Karna : Come mitras. Open the cloth covering it together.

And all slid the cloth from the painting. And every one was mesmerised. Elders had tears in their eyes of happiness. All the princes hugged karna together once again happily saying...

Princes : BEST GIFT EVERRRR!!!!

(Please imagine Ashwasthama in it too)

Bhishma: May my Kuruvansh prosper like this only ever after...And all thanks to this blessed soul Karna...

And in far place a Morpankh dhari was smiling happily with flute on his lips...

There will be challenges on the road...But...

One for all...
All for one...