A Journey To Mahabharata

The wedding was held in a small temple in the outskirts of the city. Only four of us and a pandit was present, but even then, it felt like everyone was watching this divine union. It was almost evening when the rituals were completed.

I went to take the blessings of newly wedded couple. And when I looked up at Krishna, I couldn't stop myself form saying, "Can I ask you something?"

"You don't have to be so formal dear." He spoke gently.

"Can I mar- can I take major decisions which might, no which will change the future?" I tried to ask.

He looked at the sunset as he spoke, "You have one life Aarohi in this place, at this time, with these people, just one. Why should you care so much about the future which is yet to happen? I am not asking you to be hedonistic, but if you do not make your choices, someone else will make those for you."

He then looked towards me as he spoke, "I suggest you to go back with Arjun. I think you will find out many things, based on which you could make your right choice."

Then what, I was off with Arjun on our way back to .

It didn't take us long to reach there. We were already in Vidharbh which is roughly in Maharashtra and Lakshagritha was also around that area only.

The next morning, I was standing in front of a castle made entirely of combustible material. I didn't expect it to be this grand and was actually kind of scared to go in even if I knew there is at least a month's gap before the burning incident takes place, if it would happen. I had a plan, not a good one, but I think it could be stopped.

On the entrance bua Kunti and Pandavas were standing with aarti in her hand. As I moved closer, I noticed Yudhisthir was not present. Arjun ran before me. Bheem went closer to him and said something in his ear. After that he slapped the back of his head and hugged him. Others joined them when Bheem motioned.

I smiled when I saw them. Their connection ran so deep. I never had a sibling and now that I do, seeing them like that made me jealous and sad at the same. I already missed Subhadra.

Arjun turned his head towards me and with his hand motioned me to come join their hug. I actually wasn't close enough to them, but I couldn't resist the offer. I ran and they made a little space for me. I was fully grinning now.

After they broke their hug, Bheem teased me, "We thought Arjun might not return alive from that death trap."

I was offended by what they thought, "Alexa is not a death trap."

He argued, "She is."

I argued back, "No, she isn't. I will never let you guys travel in her."

Arjun said without missing a breath, "I didn't say that."

Bheem laughed, "What kind of black magic do you perform? Turning my brothers against me."

I glared at him.

At that Kunti bua interrupted, "Stop teasing her Bheem. Aarohi, Come with me. I have prepared delicacies for you. You might be tired after the long journey."

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After a hot shower, head bath and a lot of food, I was finally alone in my room. It had a lot of perfume and even if it made the room fragrant, I knew its real purpose. It was meant to make the smell of lakh go away. It was a small room compared to the Hastinapur's castle, but it looked comfortable.

I sat down on the table and started to write on a paper. I used pen (which I had bought from home) and a paper from a diary I had bought. I hoped to write the diary daily but I didn't get the time. I had not yet mastered the art of writing with a quill, so pen it is.

I started writing.

Dear Duryodhan,

And then I cut the above line. It was too informal. I started again.

Prince of Hastinapur, Duryodhan,

I cut even that line. Too formal. Fuck it. I am going to write what I want. I tore that page and started on a new one.

Duryodhan,

I hope this letter finds you in good health.

No no no no no, this is not an essay you are writing in school. What am I doing? I started again.

Duryodhan,

How are you? I am well and currently in Lakshagriha. I had asked my brother about; well, you know about what and he said the decision is up to me. I would like to tell you my answer, in person. Come and meet me. Or wait till I come back to Hastinapur with Pandavas.

This doesn't sound like a love letter. But I've never been 'love letter' type. But this sounds like a verdict to me. I don't want to write flowery words that anyone can read, it's private and if it went into wrong hands God knows what would happen. Also, I have not yet decided if my answer is yes or no. This letter gives no hint of either. Sounds good to me. I think this will do for now.

So now I've time till this goes back and something else comes here, probably even more. I have to decide by then, but first I need sleep.

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I woke up in the evening. Freshened up and then went to the Terese with the wooden sword I had picked up from Hastinapur and started doing some routines. I then tried something new. But something was not right. I felt a lot of strain on my hand.

"You are doing it wrong." A voice I recognized said.

"Then tell me how to do it correctly." I asked Arjun without turning back.

"Can't."

"Then leave."

I heard his footsteps as he turned to leave. But at one point he stopped and said, "Free tip. Ask bhrata Yudhisthir. You will probably not be disappointed."

"I will be." I replied.

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Two days later,

3rd pov,

Four men were present in a huge conference room. In the middle of the room there was a 3D model of a castle. And everyone was ideating in which location the fire could be lit so that the entire castle could be burnt in the matter of minutes.

"Firstly, we should block the entrance and exits of the building so that no one can leave." Duryodhan said.

"We also need to make sure that the bow is out of reach of Arjun at least for the initial ten minutes." Karna added. "Or else he could stop the entire incident from taking place."

"The most important thing is no one should come out alive. The one who has nothing to live for is the deadliest weapon anyone could harness." Shakuni said. It looked like he was the leader of the operation.

At that moment there was a knock on the door and the messenger entered, bowed and said, "I am here with a letter written to Prince Duryodhan by Princess of Dwarka, Aarohi."