THE IGNORED PRINCESS

CHAPTER 20

PRESENT

PLACE: SAAGNIKA'S CHAMBER, HASTINAPUR PALACE

     There was a grave silence after the narration of Saagnika's past by her.  All the occupants were in their own thoughts.  The one thing which was common now in Panchabhootham's face was anger.  Except Vasundhara, the other 4 had tears in their eyes.  While Karnaatmaja held a blank expression.  Lakshmana broke the silence by saying with tears in eyes "What a dharmic family.  Just because of a prophecy, they ignore their child.  Without even asking your explanation, they declare verdict.  Wow, what a great Dharma. They don't deserve you, Hrishika."

       Aakash said "How dare they?  How can they be this cruel to a 6 year old girl?  All Pandavas are Maharathi and administrating a glorious kingdom, Indraprastha.  Can't they analyze the situation with a calm mind?  Don't they have at least some common sense?" Everyone in the chamber were shocked hearing Aakash's anger tone.  Aakash is the one who is a lot calmer among the Panchabhootham. Saagnika said calmly "Calm down, Aakash.  It is all in the past now.  And they are not worth your anger.  Same goes to you also, Lakshman"  Aakash just kept quite not saying anything.

     Lakshman who had already known about her past was also in anger.  No matter what, he gets angry when someone hurt his family.  Lakshman was also in anger now.  Lakshman tries to control his anger.  Saagnika turned towards Vrishaketu who has still not uttered a word after knowing about her past.  Saagnika called "Vrish, what happened?  Why are you silent?"  Hearing his name, Vrishaketu looked towards Vasundhara with teary eyes.  He moved towards Vasundhara and hugged her tightly.  

     He started sobbing.  She wrapped her arms around him and took him in her protective embrace.  Vrishaketu said while sobbing "Why did it happened to you? You didn't deserve those treatments, Didi.  How can they treat you like that?  I am furious on them for treating you bad but definitely not for sending you away from Indraprastha.  Because if they had not banished you from there, you wouldn't had been with us here."

     Saagnika chuckled and said "You are right.  I am really grateful for them to send me away from there.  Because of them, I got a father, mother, uncles, aunts, grandparents, siblings and friends.  I got a real family here.  It is the best thing that happened to me in my whole life."  Everyone in the chamber smiled for the first time after knowing the emotional past.  "This is not a sibling hug time. It's Panchabhootham hug time." Saying this Lakshmana hugged Saagnika and Vrishaketu.  All of them laughed at her jovial behavior.  Soon, Lakshman and Aakash joined the hug and completed it.  All 5 promised in their heart 'No matter what hereafter I will not let any problem affect my family members and friends'.

     After some moments, Aakash said "Guys, its too late now.  Let's go and sleep."  Lakshmana whined "I am so tired and sleepy.  Let all of us sleep here itself."  "Okay, come let all of us sleep." said Vrushaliputri.  All of them settled in the bed and slept.  

NEXT DAY

PLACE: TRAINING GROUND, HASTINAPUR PALACE

    Karn, Duryodhan, Ashwatthama, Kauravas and Pandavas were practicing.  This might be the first time that the both the sets of cousins were not fighting with each other.  Everyone were minding their own business.  Pandavas were speaking among themselves and practicing while Karn, Duryodhan, Ashwatthama and Kauravas were speaking among themselves and practicing.  They were behaving cordially with one another for the first time in their entire life.  

   After getting ready, the Panchabhootham, except Lakshmana as she went to library, entered the training arena in their glory.  All four greeted everyone except Pandavas for blessings.  Everyone blessed them wholeheartedly.  When it was the turn for greeting the Pandavas, they just folded their hands and said "Pranipat".  Without waiting for their response, Saagnika moved towards The Three Musketeers.  

    Pandavas especially Arjun was sad that his daughter didn't speak with him properly.  But he let it slide as he knows that he deserves it.  The other 3 also moved towards where Saagnika.  Ashwatthama said sarcastically "What a pleasant surprise.  Our Rajkumari woke up early today."  Vasundhara retorted  "It is a good thing that someone has decided to stop being lazy and woke up early today surprisingly." "I was never lazy" "I didn't said about you, Kaka Ashwa." Karn and Aakash smacked the head of Ashwatthama and Vasundhara respectively to stop their banter.  Karn said "Behave like an adult, Ashwa.  I still can't understand why you both always fight like a cat and mouse."  Except Vasundhara and Ashwatthama, all chuckled.

    "Okay, enough of fun.  Let's practice." said Saagnika.  "With what weapon are you going to fight today, Zaara?" asked Suyodhan while practicing with his mace.  "I will take sword, today." saying this Saagnika took a sword.  "Challenge?" asked Kripinandhan.  Karn, Suyodhan, Lakshman, Aakash and Vrishaketu shook their head smilingly at their antics and started practicing in their own.  Lakshman's primary weapon was Mace, Aakash's primary weapon was Sword and Vrishaketu's primary weapon was Bow and arrow.

    "Born ready.  What's the catch?" asked Saagnika playfully twirling the sword.  Ashwatthama took a sword and said "The loser has to obey the winner's command for the whole day."  Saagnika said "Deal" and positioned herself to fight.  The early playfulness from her face was vanished and replaced with determination.  Ashwatthama also took his stance.   Both of them were circling each other like a predator with hawk eyes.

    Both of the leaped towards each other at the same time.  Ashwatthama was on offensive mode and Vasundhara on defensive mood.  For the spectators, the fight was looking like a tandav.  Both of them yielded the sword meticulously.  Ashwatthama used his maximum strength in the fight.  Both of their sword moves were gracious.  The fight continued for 45 minutes.  Before 15 minutes, Kauravas and others moved outside the training arena as it was breakfast time.  The remaining people who were left in the arena were Pandavas, Karn, Suyodhan, Aakash, Vrishaketu, Lakshman, Saagnika and Ashwatthama.  Now, everyone were watching the fight keenly with interest after their practice.  Even though they know who is going to win except Pandavas, it was always interesting to watch the fight between Drauni and Karnaatmaja.

     When Saagnika realized that her opponent's blow was becoming less powerful than the previous blow, she became on offensive mode.  Her sword movements became so swift and ferocious that a normal person who is not a warrior might think that Saagnika is fighting in a sword handle without a sword.  With the final blow,  Vasundhara broke the sword of Ashwatthama into two pieces and kept the sword in his neck.  Ashwatthama said with a proud smile even when he lost the fight "It was nice.  You have improved a lot better than last time.  Keep it up, Adwita."  Saagnika smiled happily and said "Thank you, Kaka Ashwa.  It was actually refreshing for me to fight with you after many days."

     For others it was a daily routine but the same thing can't be said in the case of Pandavas.  They were astonished that Vasundhara can fight and was even able to win a fight against Ashwatthama.  Nakul said in shock "When I used to fight with Ashwatthama, it used to at least take me 2 hours to win against him.  But Saagnika won in 45 minutes.  Her sword moves are so perfect and gracious."  Arjun was proud that his daughter had become a great warrior but was also sad that he didn't know anything about her.  Nakul said sadly "If she would had been with us, then it would had been me practicing with her rather than Ashwatthama."  Nakul's statement further made Arjun to dwell in guilt.   Bheemsen said "Leave it, Nakul.  After asking for her forgiveness, you can ask her to practice with you.  She had became a good warrior.  I wonder who is her Guru?"  Hearing this question, Pandavas started thinking who might be her Guru.

To be Continued....

Hello everyone,

SURPRISE, double update today.  Present scenarios has started.  Like Pandavas, readers can also guess who might be Vasundhara's guru?  Keep supporting me and do kindly vote for the story if you like it.

Yours Lovingly,

Author Mayavathi.