Having the Rajsuy Yagy finally over put far too many things on my plate then I would have liked.

Primarily, seeing as both those idiot monsters had been rather radio silent ever since they poisoned Madhu was highly concerning.

Sulo was telling us how in the years that passed, she spent her time undercover, tracking their movements, their plans.

So far, all we know is they were just as close to finding the weapon as they were.

Which is the only good news since we literally have no clue where it is.

And I know what you're thinking...

Saag, just ask Krishn .

Believe me, I did. He refused outright, saying he doesn't know.

"How can you not know, you're Narayan! Trikal darshi! " I said, following him through the gardens.

" My dear sakhi, as I have said, humans write their own destiny. I cannot tell you. " He finished the conversation, running away as if called by Dau.

I even tried to have Mini extract it out of him, but he is just too clever.

Sighing in defeat, I had made my way back when I felt my eyes darken and the world go black.

^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•

I woke up a few minutes later and it had been minutes, seeing as the sun hadn't dipped much in the sky.

If dreams and I had a relationship, it would be unusual, seeing as everytime I dreamt something, it would end up either horrifying me or enlightening me...

"Mumma! " I heard my daughter call from her room, as I crossed it over.

Walking in, I saw Madhu and Mini busy with what I could see as Chaupad. Dyut.... Or, what is actually the precursor of Ludo.

I also saw my dear friend playing.

"Mamashree taught me how to play and now is playing on my behalf. We're winning! " She said with a toothy grin.

" They're winning because he's cheating. " Mini growled.

" But how dear bahan. I'm clearly playing fair, " Krishn said, smirking at her.

" He isn't playing fair didi. He's being a big meanie. "

" But then stop the game? It's not as if you're competing for something. If the game amongst family is causing such problems then stop it altogether. " I said, watching as my daughter's face visibly became overcome with sadness.

" Babu, come, we'll play something else." I said, as she circled her hand around my waist.

" I want to play with papa. " She said and I sighed.

"He's busy right now darling. Work and duty calls. "

"When is he not busy. Nowadays both you and papa are always busy. Doing this or that. " She mumbled, loud enough that it broke my heart.

"Oh sweetie, I'm so sorry, " I whispered, picking her up in my, arms as we moved towards our room.

"Sakhi? " Krishn called and I looked back to see him, he had a faraway look to him as he approached me.

" This thought of yours, to abandon the game... Remember it. It's important. " He said cryptic, walking out of the room.

"Does he ever not sound so ominous saying random things? " Mini asked suddenly.

" If he said it ominously, it's not random Mini. Go rest, we have work to do. " I said, pulling her into a side hug , walking out with my fainting and his words in mind.

"Mumma, you went away again didn't you? " Madhu asked, looking at me with big tired eyes.

"I'm sorry darling. I have too much on my plate. But I promise I'll be more attentive to you from now on. " I said and she nodded with glee, burrowing her face in my neck.

^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•

"What's wrong? " Yudhishthir asked as I walked into the room with Madhu.

"She fell asleep, " I said, arranging the pillows with one hand when I saw him looking at us.

"I can see that, but what happened to you ? You look conflicted, " He sighed, pulling the covers on Madhu.

"I had a dream, in the middle of the garden. Then Krishn's words... They've made my brain a bit tizzy. "

" Well, we should be going back to the sabha soon, it's only mid day -"

" Saavdhan! Hastinapur ke Mahamantri Vidur, padhar rahe hain. "

^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•

" A game of dyut? Nearly a year after the Rajsuy? Is Maharaj in his right mind? " Karn asked and I looked at him surprised.

"Putr, he claims to want to celebrate your win. Other than that, there's also kala pradarshani and such.... If you had to listen to me, as a kakashree, I'd say don't go. " He said, placing a hand on Yudhishthir's shoulder who sighed.

"We must, it's a familial invitation. Me and Sagarika will go see. You all wait-"

"Nahi jyeshth, we'll come along too. It'll be an excursion for us all. The last year has been demanding for all of us, especially pur wives too. " Arjun said, gently pulling Panchali into a hug.

" Alright we'll leave. " He sighed.

This was not good... I had a bad feeling.

^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•

The other day as we prepared to leave, I saw Mini and Krishn boarding their own chariots.

"Back to Dwarika? " I asked her and she nodded.

" I'm going to miss you all. Take care didi. This game gives me the heebejeebies. " She said, hugging me.

" I know, stay safe. " I said and watched as Krishn caught hold of the reigns, then wincing suddenly.

"Krishn! " I exclaimed, prying his hand away to see it sliced at the palm.

"You consider yourself a great charioteet and this is what you do? " I asked anxiously, looking around for something to tie it with, resigning to tear a part of my saree and wrapping it around his palm.

" It doesn't matter who's hands are on the reigns if the reigns itself are injurious. " He said, showing me the glass shrapnel embedded in them.

" Thank you sakhi, I won't forget your concern, " He said, wistfully running his hands across the makeshift bandage.

"It's just a piece of cloth Krishn. It's alright, " I said smiling when he looked up at me with eyes that looked beyond.

" I promise to return it, " " You need not, it's just a piece of cloth... However, you can repay me in another way. " I said, smirking at him.

"Sakhi, I've said this enough times, I'm not telling you where the weapon is. " He laughed out loud, the trepidation shook out of his eyes.

" I hope to see you soon. " I said and he smiled.

"For once I hope you don't have to. " He said.

When are his words not a puzzle.

^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•

The moment we stepped into Hastinapur, I could feel my goosebumps, it was like a warning, a constant pressure in my forehead as my conscience roared at me to turn around and run away.

"You alright? " Yudhishthir asked me as we climbed up the stairs.

" Yeah, just don't feel well. I'm fine. " I said, smiling at him.

The welcome made me even more antsy as I felt Duryodhan's eyes on me.

The real surprise was when I stepped into the Dyut sabha and as we were seated, heard the first rule...

"No women will be allowed to sit here in the game. "

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°
I know sab yahi soch rahe hain ki mein contrasting scenarios create kar rahi hoon..

Ruko zara, sabr karo...

Tell me how it was...

Much love

Radhekrishn♥