The first war of the Kuru Princes ended with their victory. Yagyasen Drupad was finally captured. Suyodhan although didn't disarm Shikhandini but managed to gain an advantage when the blow of conch distracted her ....

The Panchal army went numb on spot. The loss was much on their Panchal's part...

Shikhandini stood shocked at the turn of the events. And why not .. the master of illusion and trickery was defeated and that too by none other than the son of the man he had insulted ... The mighty Shivansh Kripiputra Ashwatthama...

Kauravs hooted and whistled for the win... Suyodhan being the happiest for his friend Ashwatthama. Pandavs on the other hand had mixed feelings... They genuinely felt happy for win and at the same time were confused by Arjun's incapability in getting through the illusion.

Standing on the sidelines , Devrat had a proud face for the win and strong future of Hastinapur in warfare and Karn being Karn had a serene expression but his eyes did fail to hide the pride he brothers and friend's win.

Soon everything was wrapped in the warfield and all the warriors moved towards Devrat and Karn... They seemed the blessings of their Pitamah and the next moment, Suyodhan, Ashwatthama, Yuyutsu and other Kauravs took Karn in a hug ... They had formed something like a mini chakravyuh in name of a hug ..

Karn: What a new way to kill someone.... Guys... I'm unable to breath...

Itna bhi prem nahi chahiye ki praan hin chale jaye...

The Kauravas separated and smiled heartily... Karn looked at Pandavas and smiled a equally soulful smile .... Yudhishthir returned it with a polite smile, Arjun and Sahadev nodded whereas Bheem and Nakul chucked it.

The Kauravs began describe the war without letting Karn ,Suyo or Ashwat say a word ... Devrat smiled at their behaviour...

All of them were having a moment of peace when a shrill voice distracted them...

Panchalraj Drupad: Leave me!! U people have cheated otherwise There's no way u could defeat me ....

Arjun was dragging Panchalraj with him...

: Panchalraj.. Everyone here knows that none has cheated... Ashwatthama had taken u down by fair ways ... So please accept ur fall like a brave warrior should...

Shikhandini: Leave me.... U don't need to tie me...I can walk there all on my own .

Bheem comes there with Shikhandini tied up like prisoner of war....

: Prince Bheem , Prince Arjun What sort of princely behaviour is this? Stop dragging them.. They have got legs and would walk just fine ... They may have lost but are still King and warrior, u should give him the respect as such .... And that applies to everyone.... (looking at everyone)

Bheem: Who respects the loser? Only a loser....

Karn: Then I think I should start disrespecting everyone including ur dear Mahamahim... afterall I have defeated him.

His words catch Drupad and Shikhandini off-guard... They knew about the duel but not the result...

Bheem: U..

Devrat: Bheem... Karn is right here... Treat everyone the same way u would like to be treated... So untie Devi Shikhandini.. If she wants she will tag along or is free to return to her camp...

Although reluctantly but Bheem followed the order ...and to everyone's shock Shikhandini decided to tag along..

All of them were happy boasting about their victory , Drupad was seething in rage whereas Shikhandini, Karn and Devrat had neutral expressions. At times ,Bheem too commented on Shikhandini being war general and the capabilities of women... Which were shunned by Karn. Suyodhan went forward to support Shikhandini as a warrior and praised her skills too.

Shikhandini although maintained the same poker face but was visibly relaxed by Karn and Suyo's indirect support.

Soon everyone reached Gurukul where Dron was eagerly waiting for them.

Seeing Arjun with Drupad , he beamed with joy assuming Arjun captured him.

Guru Mata Kripi came, overjoyed to see her son perfectly fine.

I'm happy beyond imagination. Finally I have proved my worth. I have proved my prowess as a successful general and warrior. Suyo , Maharathi Karn and Mahamahim Devrat are proud of me as well. I saw Panchalraj Drupad glaring at Arjun the whole way as he continued gloating about his win ...which was technically mine..

When we arrived at Gurukul , I saw Pitashree beaming... but at Arjun. I felt bad but forgot it when I saw Mata beaming at me. I nodded at her and she smiled. Then we moved towards the tent to discuss...

I knew... I knew it that only u could capture Drupad .. Great work my son..Great...

With this he hugged him tight and I stayed rooted to my place...

Dron... Ur confidence in Arjun is commendable but this time u are wrong . It's not Arjun who has captured Drupad but ... Ashwatthama.

He seems shocked would be an understatement.

Ashwatthama? What? How can it be possible? Ashwatthama doesn't have the knowledge to defeat Drupad...I haven't taught him and neither he is capable enough now to see through illusions..

Seems u don't know ur son or his capabilities well (chuckled)

Loser!! That is what I feel like now.. Even after winning the war , I feel like the loser. U know what's worst , that my enemy has more confidence in me than my own father ...

I feel like laughing....And I did..

Hahahah!! Hahahaha!!

What a confidence in ur own son Pitashree!! Great ... Claps for u👏👏

Stop it Ashwatthama... U & I we both know that I haven't taught u dealing with and getting through illusions... Then how did u do it?

Yuyutsu and Sahadev narrate the incidents of battlefield...

I saw his eyes on Maharathi Karn...

: U .. u must have done this .. pitted my son against me.... U must have taught him to degrade Arjun & me..

Really!! As if he doesn't has any other work to do... I saw Maharathi rolling his eyes on Pitashree's accusations and honestly I am fed up of everything....

Yes ... He did and that's the only reason we survived.. But u would our survival matter to u ? He helped us hone our warrior skills and that's the only reason y ur dear Arjun isn't captive of Panchalraj.... If I hadn't arrived God knows what would have happened..

Nothing would have happened .. Moreover u could only take down Drupad because Arjun kept him busy ....

It felt as if someone poured ice-cold water on me ...Please just disown me now....

U know what... I'm leaving...

I knew one more minute in there and I would lose my control... I and Pitashree had a good relationship until the arrival of Arjun and Ekalavya incident. I don't blame Arjun.... He is a good warrior and I appreciate it, he too might be better than me but am I really not worthy of appreciation after winning a war?

Y? Y can't he see his behaviour hurts me? Did I wish anything wrong? I just wanted to prove my worth before my father , to make him proud of me ...to make him look at me the same way he looks at Arjun but seems that I was too much to ask for..

Did I really defeat Drupad because Arjun was able to keep him busy? Am I really a failure?

No .. U aren't.

I didn't look at him ... I couldn't. I was helpless, exhausted, vulnerable and I didn't want him to see me as such .. I couldn't even raise my eyes to ask what he meant.... Neither could I say a word...

He suddenly hugged me ....

I know that look so don't u dare go on the path of self-deprecation... U are a great warrior and u don't need another person to say that to u... Realise ur worth.

This world is shrewd and cruel.It will try to take u down for every single step u take forward and u know what's worst.. Most of the time u would be all alone ... All alone to fight ur darkness and ur demons , all alone to motivate urself , all alone to take a stand and in that moment of being all alone..u would realise ur true strength.

Ashwatthama, stop thinking about who doesn't appreciate u. Those who want to find fault they would find fault in Mahadev too ... So stop being sad and accept urself, take pride in ur success and think about happiness.

In this Ocean of life , u would get enough waves of sadness and pain but to stand in the waves and get joy is one's own decision... happiness, acceptance and peace are things that is always available in us and yet we search it outside. I realised it late but I don't want same thing to happen to u my friend so just live life on ur own terms and conditions.

Will doing so lessen my pain?

No...

I look at him..

But with time eventually it will stop affecting u the way it does now... Pain doesn't get less ,we just learn to live with it .

I didn't want to talk... I was lost and his words were like a mirror of this world. They weren't sugarcoated just pure, bland truth.

We both sat there in complete silence until Suyo arrived. He instantly hugged me. Okay what's with everyone hugging me today?

U fine? Ur father sometimes is a...

I looked at him and nodded and Mitra Karn glared at him for he was about to say something not-so-good words to father ..

Ur father has come to an agreement with Panchalraj. He has demanded half of Panchal ..for u.

I couldn't help but chuckle.

... A person who doesn't think me as a capable warrior has demanded a Kingdom for me...Can there be a better joke? He hasn't demanded it for me but to satisfy his ego.... So he will have to rule it .. I am not in for this.

Karn: This is not the way to talk about ur father. I agree he is egoistic and all but at the end of the day he is ur father. He might not trust ur capabilities as warrior but that doesn't mean he doesn't love u.

Okay first he sides with me ,then now with Pitashree??

Ashwatthama: Exactly whose side are u on?

The one which is right... I never said that Guru Dron doesn't love you.. He does but his love is a more on the controlling side... The love which thinks himself to be superior and u always in need of his assistance... U don't understand him ,he doesn't understand u but that doesn't mean u disrespect him. At the end of the day, he is ur father and Guru both so if not anything just respect him and do ur duties as son.

If u too become like him then what would be the difference between u both.

I don't believe Pitashree loves me but atleast I can do the necessary duties as his son. But that doesn't mean I have to be the King right?

Arjun Arjun Arjun... Can Gurudev be anymore delusional? I mean really.. Ashwatthama won because of Arjun?

Ashwatthama and me we both know how it feels to be neglected and one can say that our pain set the basis of our friendship. With time , he became a brother to me...

Sometimes I feel I'm fortunate than him.. because my father atleast trusts me and my capabilities ...

People might have seen his anger but I saw his pain...his longing .. I wanted to follow him but Bhrata Karn beat me to it.. & I knew he would handle everything.

The real show began after their departure...

I could clearly see Pitamah wasn't happy with Gurudev's claim ... I wasn't expecting him to say something but he did...

Giving the credit of one student to another doesn't suit u ...

Let's get done here so we can all go back to our respective duties...

My eyes moved to Devi Shikhandini who stood firm with her poker face seeming tensed for what was to follow. I honestly admire her courage , intelligence and bravery. She definitely lived upto the role of war general.

I looked at everything in the tent with great interest as if I haven't seen them ever in life. Don't blame me now... Do u really expect me to listen to Gurudev's self praise and Arjun Bhajan?

Moreover, he is insulting Panchalraj and then saying I'm not like u to insult people... I mean..Forget it... Just get over with it soon... I want to be out of here... I look at my brother's who were equally impatient... Wait!! What the..? I look at Ugrasen and gesture him to wake Suvahu who has slept while standing...And some fools are openly yawning.. Idiots!! Okay I get it u guys are bored but we have to maintain face... I pass a glare to everyone and they try to sober up...key word try..

I'm willing to let you go Drupad but only if half of the Panchal is handed over to my son..

Nice to know he remembers he has a son.

Did he say a kingdom for Ashwatthama? Ohoooo!! Yes.. My bro would finally get what he deserves....

I marked certain reluctance in Maharaj Drupad and Devi Shikhandini's eyes but they nevertheless agreed. They don't have a choice here .

Wanting to be out of here soon ... I rush to inform my buddy and bro... without even asking for permission. Well I am born rebel...

After searching for sometime,I find both of them sitting silently and gazing at the horizon, lost in thoughts... We had a short chat after which I disclosed Gurudev's wish... Just as expected he refused...

: Here I'm who is desperate to be King and here are the people I love who refuse throne every single time.. How are u guys even related to me?

that's a question I often ask myself about u...

Ashwu... say a yes. What's wrong in being a King? U ,me and everyone knows u are capable enough to rule then y not?

I don't know... I don't want...

I look at Bhratashree for help...

Karn: Ashwatthama.. I think he is right. U are capable to be a King. I can understand if u don't want to be because u don't feel the pull but if u are letting go of this opportunity for u are upset now.. I would

suggest you to reconsider it.

U know I too said a no for Kingdom because I didn't feel the need to be a King. It was until I heard the poor living standards, miseries and agony of the people which made me change my decision. As a warrior, I can help many but as a King I can help an even larger section. There are certain powers that only a King has. Being a King ,u can create a great diffrence in the mindset , living conditions and everyday life of ur subjects. I have enough faith in my lessons and in ur capabilities to know that u both would be fine Kings.. Just remember one thing... Ur every decision may it be personal or professional would affect a larger mass... Being a King is a challenge so take it up only if u are ready to face it & I will always be there for u guys...okay?

I don't know whats going in Ashwatthama's mind but I am happy for Bhratashree's faith in me & I will do everything possible to prove that his faith is right. I won't let him down.

U said my decision will impact everyone... Do u think Panchal really needs me?

Y don't u go and find out? Go and visit Panchal beforehand.. see what needs to be done and then decide...

Will u come?

I will but I won't give u my views.. U have to form ur own opinion and decide. I will show you the way... U would have to walk on it...all alone.

Suyodhan: Till the time u haven't made a sure decision, let's keep this between us.

If they are going, then I'm not staying back.

We decided to have dinner and leave for northern part of Panchal with sunrise.

Ashwatthama was in deep thoughts and lost for most of the time. I wanted to be around to cheer him up but Bhrata Karn stopped me saying he needs some lone time to figure out everything.

With the first rays of sun,we found Bhrata Karn offering prayers to Suryadev. No matter how many times I watch it... Everytime it feels divine. Words would fall short to describe this view. We then together move and worship Mahadev and Devi Shakti.

Another thing that I got to know about him is , he likes to donate something or help anyone who seeks it after his puja & he always worships Shiv-Shakti together.

We then had breakfast and together left for Northern Panchal.

I never realised how 4-5 days could drain someone. I had returned to Hastinapur 3 days prior the war and now look, I feel like I was in cage for God knows how long. I know I shouldn't say this but I feel more free out of Hastinapur than being in there.

We roamed the streets of Panchal and found many shortcomings to it... High prices of food grains, lack of proper security and governance, inadequate infrastructure and many more. It's condition is far better than Anga but still not fit for a Mahajanapada.

We leave soon & I really hope Ashwatthama takes up this opportunity.

I'm tensed... The father-son fights are escalating everyday. Arya doesn't think about Ashu and Ashu doesn't try to understand him.

I got to know about whatever happened from Veerbahu and to say I am disappointed would not suffice to what I felt. How can Arya do that? He always underestimates Ashu and hurts him unknowingly. He doesn't want to understand his own son and blames his behaviour on Suyodhan and now Karn.

I am a mother. Even from miles away I can feel my child. The image of the disappointed, hurt and crying Ashwatthama who just got to know about Ekalavya is still fresh in my mind. I had never seen him as such and to add to it Arya's justification on confrontation by him, broke his trust in his father and Gurudev.

Yesterday's image of him laughing, eyes shining with pride and confidence is still fresh in my mind.