Life is a fairytale....But don't fairytale have up & downs? The one's who survive the down , rise up.

In the past years chaos and sufferings were the only constant of Hastinapur. Chaos of royalty & suffering of common folk. Nothing has been same after the departure of Vasusen. The events of the past still haunt the mind of the royalties, especially Bhishm.

A dharmatma like him couldn't be at peace knowing injustice had happened and he had openly supported it for his promise, leading to a series of injustice. Although he was the same Mahamahim Bhishm before the court and folk but in the solitude of his chamber , he was a lost soul, someone who needed guidance and affection. Someone who wished for a normal life.

The suffering of other royals wasn't less.Vidur was always tensed and apprehensive , Dhritarashtra frightened and annoyed and Shakuni pissed with the royals of Hastinapur.

The ladies weren't less...The apple of their eyes wasn't there.

Ambika and Ambalika weren't very close to Karn but yet missed his presence. His laugh and games would make their day. He would tease them and run away with them chasing behind. With him they felt like little girls and not the grown up queens.

Satyavati was deserted. She wasn't a lady of emotion. She at first was skeptical of Karn. But Karn managed to warm her heart and be her favourite in the multiverse. She would talk , play pranks and cook for him. She felt free , active and joyous with him. For him she was a normal mother and not the queen mother. He provided her the bliss of motherhood that she hadn't received during the upbringing of her other 3 children. He was her " Satyavrat " and she was his "priye". There wasn't a day after his departure when she hadn't missed and prayed for his well being.

Gandhari's condition was no better . She felt suffocated in between the royals. Their was no joy , no life , no light . Her world was darkened. The only joy were her children especially her daughter, Dushala. Dushala was her mother's protective cover from the harsh cold world . She is full of love and life , just like her name. Gandhari loved her kids alot but was a bit biased towards her daughter,may be because she was the only daughter born in the Kuru Kul and the youngest of all.

No, it's not that she didn't love Kauravas or didn't have time for their upbringing . She tried to divide her time for her kids equally but wasn't really that successful. & How does one expect her to be successful ? She was a ruling queen , a queen who looked after the palace, was always present in court meetings and essential events and a mother to 101 childrens.

Even with 2 children ,one child is bound to get a little neglected doesn't matter how much one tries to sustain equality , then how can you expect her to be available for all her 101 kids?

Dhritarashtra was always confident but Vidur's calling him incomplete made him doubt himself and all his abilities. He, now could be easily manipulated by anyone. & His biggest fright was loosing the throne...no he wasn't greedy for throne but he realised being in power is the only way people would respect and accept him. He was a slave to his own doubts , insecurities and fears and therefore never had enough time to look after the Kauravas.

Although Shakuni was present in Hastinapur but it wasn't possible for him to look after 100 kids at once ..But nevertheless he always tried to be their for them especially for his first nephew.. Suyodhan.

The Kauravas were growing and so were the Pandavas. On one hand as the Pandavas were experiencing love ,care and nourishment, the Kauravas were neglected , rejected and overlooked. On one hand , Pandavas had enough for survival and we're brought up with values, morals and ethics , the Kauravas were brought up in luxury , politics and arrogance.

The initial years of a child is just like a pot under making.If the pot doesn't get the adequate amount of sunlight , air and water, it cracks. Similarly if a child doesn't get morals , ethics and values in his initial years , his/her character development is inhibited which later inhibits his overall development. Thus the initial years of child decide and develop him .

The Kauravas not having a morally and ethically strong character wasn't their fault but of those who neglected them. Similarly , the Pandavas being very well behaved wasn't their own merit but the strong upbringing that has been passed down to them by their father.

Everything was going well ...until one spring morning.....

Uffo!! I don't know understand what fun Nakul gets in teasing bhrata Bheem. He knows ladoo are his favourite yet always steals them. I just hope this time Bhrata Yudhishthir saves him from getting hanged upside down from the tree. Although that monkey brother of mine deserves this punishment. Hahahaha!!

It is fun to watch him getting tormented by bhrata Bheem. Soon bhrata Arjun joins us and starts laughing at both bhrata Bheem and Nakul ... after all an elephant running behind a mouse is laughable... I too join. Jyesth Bhrata just stands at the side and enjoys the show with smile.....

Everything was going fine but suddenly I feel .. nervous & weak.... y am I feeling like something bad is gonna happen? Something disastrous ... I feel shortage of breath and choked ...I try to take deep breaths but it isn't helping. Sweet drenches from by body heavily and out of nowhere I start hyperventilating...

Yudhishthir: Deva!! Deva are u alright? Bheem help carry Deva. Arjun fetch me some water. Nakul go and call mata..fast.

I can hear bhrata's talks but I can't understand how to calm down . My nerves are haywire . I shiver and feel Jyesth's warm embrace....I feel like something bad is gonna happen to..... Pitashree and Mata ...but what??

With everyone's constant efforts and Jyeshth Mata Kunti's warm embrace I calmed down and narrated what I felt.... Jyeshth Mata's face ashened.

She mumbled something and sprinted as fast as possible towards garden.

All bhrata's followed her except bhrata Bheem who stayed back to look after me...

Everything was going good until Deva's panic attack...he was mumbling something that only Jyeshth mata understood. She at once got panicked and ran .... Jyeshth bhrata , bhrata Arjun and I ran after her ...

When we reached the garden Pitashree was lying and Mata was crying and sobbing incoherent words ....I couldn't understand anything ...I looked at Mata Kunti who looked pale as death.

Aaaryaaa!! Aarya get up ... please get up aarya . Don't leave us alone .. please please get up aarya ....Aarya get up.

I look at Bhrata Yudhishthir and Bhrata Arjun to see the former standing still and the later having tears in his eyes .....I don't know why but seeing them like that my eyes teared up ....

Jyeshth ..what has happened?

Kul.. Pitashree ... Pitashree is ...

He just hugs me ...and I feel few drops on my shoulder ....

I heard Mata Kunti shouting ...

How? How can you do this Madri? Didn't you know the repercussions?? Y ? Was ur jealousy towards me so big , ur desires so unstoppable that u sacrificed Aarya for it? Tell me Madri !! Why did u do it? Why did you get involved with him? Y? Y did u snatch him?

She was painfully shaking Mata and pushed her. Jyesth Bhrata steadied Mata..

What are you saying Mata? Please control your feelings...Anuj mata is equally hurt.... please calm down

I saw Mata crying vigorously... She took one step near Jyeshth mata and said ...

Jiji ...he .. he..in..initiated ...I ..I tried to st..stop him ..but....(sobbing)

I have never seen Mata this helpless or jyesth mata this angry...

U tried ..U tried really ? Look here ...look at his dead body ..u tried my foot. He was a man ...he was bound to do such things u should have been in ur limits but no ..!! Look at him....U killed him Madri ....u killed him..U made our son's fatherless...Aree even a witch leaves 7 house before attacking ...but u ..(sobbing vigorously)

She sat on ground with a thud... Mata's face went stilll...I saw Jyeshth bhrata moving towards Jyeshth Mata and trying to calm her... Bhrata Arjun was still hugging me sideways as if to protect me from unknown harm ..I didn't notice when Deva and Bhrata Bheem reached us ..

Dead...🥺

I looked at both of them and saw Bhrata Bheem trembling and bursting into tears , he , me , bhrata Arjun and Sahdev hugged each other and cried ... While jyesth was busy consoling Mata Kunti ...

Yudhishthir: Mata the situation is grim but blaming someone isn't the solution. Anuj mata is equally hurt as you ... please don't blame her like this. I don't know what happened but Anuj mata would never hurt Pitashree , you or any of us..

I'm thankful that atleast someone understands mata...I look at the place Mata was standing ..but find it vacant and ... suddenly Deva says...

Sahdev: Mata ..mata

And starts panicking and I don't want to think about it's consequence.....

Y? Y us? I looked at the dead body of my father...My father who wanted the best for all of us..who was a guide , mentor , and friend to me. He was the one who introduced me to bows and arrows. He was our backbone but now....

I heard what Mata said to Anuj mata but couldn't understand anything.Her words have deeply wounded Anuj mata. I have never seen Mata Madri this broken. She could be angry on us but never in her dreams would hurt us. She loved all of us equally. No...I can't see her like this.. She always smiles and plays with us. Always motivates us , supports us. How can someone like her kill anyone ? Forget anyone ...how can she kill Pitashree? Even if we get a scratch , she would scold us like babies and tear up ....she would never do anything like Mata said...Jyesth is right. Mata has lost her senses after losing Pitashree and is spouting anything...Anuj mata is the most pious soul I know....Mata will realise her fault when she would calm down...

I suddenly heard Deva panicking about Anuj Mata and noticed how Kul's face ashened. No no no !!! Anuj mata....my eyes searched her but she was nowhere......

Arjun: Anuj mata ?? Anuj mata where are you?

Deva & Kul: Mata ..Mata..

Yudhishthir & Bheem: Anuj Mata...Anuj mata ..

Suddenly bhrata bheem came up to me and picked me on one shoulder and kul on the other......

Bheem: Now you will have a wider range of view ...try to search her...

I tried looking for her and suddenly found a figure running ... Without wasting any time we all ran towards her...

I don't know how to feel... Pitashree is no more...what ? How ? Y?...

I just cry until Deva starts panicking for Anuj mata. We all search for her and I pick up Arjun and Kul on my shoulders to have better look for her. When Arjun points out her location we all run to her.

& What I see runs my blood cold ...

My dearest Anuj mata ...is standing on the wall of well...crying vigourously...and mumbling sorry

I'm sorry ...I'm sorry Aarya ...I'm sorry jiji . I'm sorry my son's... please forgive me ..I didn't do anything knowingly. I'm sorry (sobbing)

Anuj mata please come down the wall ..we don't know what you are talking about ..we forgive u please come down.

Anuj mata ..Mata come down please

Jiji is right ...I'm a witch ..who snatched her family's happiness ...& Witches don't have any right to live ...

Yudhishthir: Anuj mata ...Mata was angry that's why she said those things ..She didn't mean anything. U aren't responsible for Pitashree's death .. please come down... please

Madri: My son's forgive ur this mother if possible... Kul , Deva from now I'm entrusting u to jiji ..I know she will raise u well... Please forgive me if possible...I have to go and seek forgiveness from ur father. Take care my dumplings...

Madrii..I'm sorry...I didn't mean anything. I had lost my senses please forgive me... Don't punish me Madri .. please come down the wall. I apologise .. I had gone mad and was spouting nonsense .. please Madri come down ... please..

Take care of our son's jiji...& Forgive me if ever possible...

*Splashhh*

All: Anuj mataaaa...Mataaaa!!! Madriii!!

Sahdev hugs me crying and Nakul hugs Arjun ...jyesth runs to the well ...but..... Mata cries.

Y? Y did you do this god? Y? Anuj mata and Pitashree ... Pitashree was more a friend than father to me and Anuj mata was my favourite. She would always side with me when nakul would tease me. She would make special ladoo for me & even forsake her share of food for my happiness. Whenever Pitashree would scold me ...she will save me. She was my best friend. She would always experiment with food and ask me for review. She was the one who taught me cooking. Why god ? Why her? She was the purest soul among us ...why did mata say her such things ...if she hadn't said that she would have been here with us !!!

With these thoughts I burst into tears ...

Nakul's condition is no good and the same is with Sahdev...I have my mata but they have lost both parents today ..I look at Arjun to see him crying like a baby ..& Y not , he had his own special bond with Pitashree and Anuj mata.. Pitashree had introduced him to bows and arrows and trained him and Anuj mata would cook all greens especially for him to help him have sharp eyesight. She would also save him from Pitashree's scolding if he by chance caused damage to property while practicing, but would also reprimand him lovingly. Hey Mahadev!!! please give strength to my Anuj's to bear this loss....

First Pitashree then Anuj mata ..Y god y?

Pitashree ...he was my teacher , mentor and guide . He was the one who enlightened me on dharm . We both would sit together here , in this garden , every evening talking about dharm , shastra and Vedas. We would laugh , talk and do spear fighting. And Anuj mata would carry some snacks for us. Although we weren't her son's but she loved us like her own. She would cook for Bheem and Arjun & save them from getting scolded for any damages , would be a fashionista for Nakul and would solve puzzles and riddles with Sahdev & for me....She would always ask me to be more vocal of my needs and wants...

" Madri: Yudhi ..if u don't speak for urself no one else would do that for u. If u want something ask for it and take it. Stop sacrificing for others . U have been given life to live for urself first and then for others. Always remember if u aren't happy and satisfied urself then u can't provide others the same feelings. "

"Madri: Yudhi ...for how long will I save things for u.... If not for me u would give up everything to ur brothers. What will u do when I'm dead ??"

I never thought her threats would turn true one day . She would always save extra for me and give it to me when everyone has slept. She would ask me what new I learnt and would ask me to enjoy my childhood a bit more. She was the life of our family. Always smiling...cheerful and happy. Yes , she could easily get jealous and angry but she always said it on face. She didn't keep anything in her heart. This garden was made by her and Pitashree.

I'm sorry Anuj Mata .. I couldn't save u..Tears slip from my eyes and I just stand there... looking at the burning pyre of my two most beloved people.

Soon I hear horses coming towards us and find 3 ladies and one man ...almost the age of Pitashree... standing shocked. The ladies seem heartbroken and the man was in tears... Mata introduced them as our uncle, grandmother and great-grandmother.

Bheem , Arjun and Kul were crying but Deva was still ..not having any expression.. I had last time seen that expression on Anuj Mata's face ...I was about to move towards him when Uncle asked me...

Vidur: Son y aren't u crying? U can cry if u want?..

I can't cry... because me crying would down the morale of my brothers .They will think themselves weak and orphaned without someone to support them. Therefore I have to harden myself and stay strong for my family. After Pitashree it's my responsibility to look after them and their needs. It's my responsibility to provide them emotional , mental, financial and physical security .

I didn't even look at him while answering...I know it's a sign of disrespect but it's as if my eyes are only glued to the burning pyre..hoping to see the last glimpse of my Pitashree and Anuj mata.

I saw him moving towards Sahdev and followed him...he asked the same question to Sahdev...

Sahdev: I can't cry .. because me crying would make my jyesth Bhrata doubt his capabilities. In the absence of father ... Jyesth bhrata has ascended Pitashree's place as father and I can't disrespect his trials of being strong by crying.

I thought only I was struggling but my Anuj has surpassed me...Even after loosing both his parents he has belief in me ...he respects and cares so deeply for me just like Anuj mata... I will never disappoint u Deva... Today u have assigned me the place and respect u had for Pitashree and I promise u to live up to it.

Soon the last rites got over and Uncle asked us to live with them in Hastinapur...the birthplace of our father.... Our grandmother and great-grandmother didn't come with us , instead decided to live as sages near Maharishi Ved-Vyas for the rest for their lives.

Soon we were off to Hastinapur...

Life in this palace has turned into a battle for survival. This palace has lost its grandeur and magnamity.

Well it had lost its life with the departure of Karn...He was like the fresh breath of air in this dead palace. With him , he took away the happiness and joy . Gandhari, Rajmata , Maharani Ambika and Ambalika everyone returned to their shell of aloofness and rigidity.

I know Rajmata & Gandhari always pray for him..Every Monday they would do abhisek for him. Rajmata would even visit Mata to know about his well being but Mata would divert her saying he is fine and would always be victorious. Although that didn't appease Rajmata but she would be grateful for that tiny information. She even coordinated the information to Gandhari . He was the only topic they both would talk on. I know what I did back then was wrong but I was helpless and bound by my oath. I betrayed my friend. Well, Karn was more a little annoying brother than a friend to me. Hope one day he would forgive me...I really wish he returns soon. May be none of this had happened if he would have been here.