Mending Broken Bonds

Shackles of Society

Guilt.

That was what coursed through the veins of Dhritarashtra Suta since the moment she had arrived in her tent, pearls of tears streaming down her face.

How could I? The question and her act ran in her mind like a circle, that neither had a beginning nor an end. The pain seemed eternal, endless. How could I force him to take so much pain?

His bleeding, unconscious form played in front of her eyes repeatedly.

Blaming herself for his current state, she could help but keep sobbing, forgetting the rest that happened around her.

As she cried her heart out in her darkened tent, Dushala made a decision.

She would never pick up the bow again.

_

Drona's son blinked his eyes, trying to adjust to the light.

"Mitra? You okay?" A soft, familiar voice- Duryodhan's voice- asked and he turned towards the direction of the sound. His friend's brows were knitted in confusion and he was leaning close to him.

"Yes, yes, fine, 'M fine." He said hazily, wondering why everyone had surrounded his sleeping form. "Uh...what happened?"

"Sakha, don't you remember?" Arjun hesitated to speak ahead. "You were...shot."

Ashwatthama sucked in a deep breath as the memories came reeling back. Him going in the forest for some solace, an arrow piercing his skin and- and the shooter being Dush- Princess Dushala and-

Stop. No more thinking about it.

"Of course." He replied, it sounded like acceptance.

"Well...it is fine now. You are in good health." Yudhisthir tried to lighten the mood and it worked a bit, for the Brahmin cracked a small smile.

"I guess so." He looked lost in thoughts. "Can I....rest for a while? I feel tired."

"That would be due to the blood loss." Nakul announced thoughtfully. "You do need the rest."

"Get well soon, Sakha." Bheem said, smiling in a reassuring way as the Pandavas made their way out of the tent.

Dushashan craned his neck to see if they were out of sight before nodding to his elder brother and heading out himself.

"What?" Ashwatthama asked indignantly as Duryodhan kept looking at him.

"Well." Duryodhan pouted. "They are gone now. You can tell me what you want now!"

Ashwatthama scoffed. "What makes you think that I want something? And why won't I say it in front of the Pandavas?"

"Come on! I am your best friend!" Duryodhan whined. "Tell me what you want."

"I don't really want anything." Ashwatthama raised an eyebrow before shaking his head in defeat. "Milk would be good."

Duryodhan grinned in trihumph before heading out to get what his friend desired.

Such a man child. Ashwatthama thought fondly as he watched him go before turning to the man at his bedpost who had not uttered a word since he had woken up.

"Karn?" He asked jokingly, placing a hand at his heart. "Why have you not made any inquiries about me? Do you care about me no more? Was it all an act, our friendship?"

"Oh please." Karn rolled his eyes. "Acting does not suit you one bit."

"I am offended."

"You are too wise for that."