Journey Leading To Hazard

Chapter 5

In Hastinapur:

"Maharaj Vriddhakshatra has thrown out Rajkumari Dussala from Sindhu accusing her for his son's death!"

An unbridled fury arose inside Duryodhan as he proceeded the words. Gandharraj Shakuni's eyes had widened in shock. He looked at Duryodhan with uncertainty. Duryodhan sat still. Too still for his liking. Gandharraj gulped nervously sensing the upcoming storm. He knew how much Duryodhan loved his sister. He would never tolerate the insult of his beloved sister.
That's why that fool Vriddhakshatra was so silent even after his son's death. And that greater fool for a daughter he had! How could Mandakini hid it from him too?

"Where is Dussala now?" Asked Mahamahim Bhismah anxiously. His heart clenched at the misfortune of his one and only granddaughter.

"No one knows about her whereabouts Gangaputra. She was living on the cremation grounds since being thrown out of the palace. But for the past few weeks, no one has seen her anywhere." The informer replied.

"My daughter was living on the cremation grounds?!" Maharaj Dhritrastra whispered in a pained voice as a lone tear fell from his eyes.

"How dare them to do this to our sister?" Dhussasan rose from his seat angrily.

"Order us pitashree! We will wipe out Sindhu's name from Aryavarth's map!" Vikarna said taking his bow in hand, ready to march for war.

"Maharaj, first of all we should find putri Dussala and bring her back." Mahamantri Vidhur advised with sadness and worry.

Duryodhan sat with a lowered head and heard everything, not responding at all. No matter the sins, Dussala was still his sister. Maharaj Dhritrastra nodded decisively agreeing with Vidhur.

"Find her. I want my daughter back at any cost!"

***

In Dravida:

"Why have you come here, Gandhari putri? What do you want?" Maharani Mangalya asked her frowning.

"I only want justice Maharani. Will you be able to give me so?" Dussala replied solemnly.

"What injustice has happened to you that you have to come here seeking justice?" Maharani Mangalya asked again.

"My husband has been killed right in front of my eyes. And his murderer is roaming freely while degrading me in front of my in-laws. I have been kicked out of Sindhu only because of him. They didn't even let me see my son for the last time. I lost my everything in an instant! Everything is his fault. He is my culprit!" Dussala replied getting more angry with each word.

"Then why don't you go to your brothers? Is Hastinapur not able to take revenge on your behalf?" It was Rajkumari Shikhandini who asked this scornfully.

"No one can question my brothers abilities! For me, they can shake the entire Aryavarth if needed." Dussala said ferociously.
"But I have come here only because I want you to leave the facade of doing justice! You all are biased. You act like you're all high and honourable. But the truth is, you all are just actors!"

"Watch your tongue, Rajkumari!" Rajkumari Priyala warned her.

"Why should I? Is it wrong? If it is, then do justice! Give me justice! Punish the murderer of my husband!" Dussala shouted at them.

"Rajkumari, I understand what you must be going through ---" Yuvrani Anandini started to say calmly but was stopped by Dussala's scornful voice.

"Do you?! Do you Yuvrani?" She turned her eyes to Maharani Mangalya and added with tears in eyes.
"Can you understand how it feels to be kicked out of my only home just after my husband's demise? Do you know how it feels to spend nights at cremation grounds? Do you know how it feels when someone snatches a child from his mother's embrace? Can you guess that mother's pain, who day after day begs to see her son once but is denied and humiliated?!"