A Journey To Mahabharata

Chapter 26

After a few moments, I got up. He stood up with me. "We should leave. Others are waiting outside, right?"

"How do you know that?" He asked as he walked beside me.

I lied, "Just a lucky guess."

"So where were you these days?" I asked him in an attempt to change topic.

"I was in the castle," he replied.

"Then why couldn't I find you? Were you avoiding me?" I laughed. I could see that we were near the exit of the tunnel.

"Yes." Just one word, which created a thousand questions.

"But why? Have I offended you in any way?" I asked. I didn't care if I wasn't making everyone happy. That's impossible. But I need to keep track of people I have offended.

"You haven't offended me. But I don't think you would like to know the answer." He replied.

He gave me the option of backing out. He knows the impact of the truth. It feels so out of character for him. But do I actually know him? These are just the assumptions I've made myself. Biases I have created by watching a biased show.

"I would like to know the truth." I said.

He smiled. But it was not a happy smile. It was a smile which said, right now I am going to break everything.

"I know, you are my brother's lover." How did he know that? I didn't know what to reply to that statement. He continued, "How can I be with you knowing that I desperately wish for the same?"

I was shell shocked. But before I could get a chance to say anything, think anything, bua Kunti ran towards me and hugged me.

While caressing my hair she said, "I was so scared for you. The fire picked up so quickly and you were in your room which was so away from the exit."

"I am so glad that all of you are safe. That castle is not meant for us. Your lives are more important than the kingdom. I wish all of us to live in the forest just like before." By the end her eyes watered.

Rubbing her tears away, she turned towards me and said, "You can go to Dwarka dear. I will send one of my sons to drop you off. Just don't let them know we are alive. I know I am asking for a lot but,"

I cut her words, "Are you sending me away, bua Kunti?"

She asked confused, "Why would you wish to live like a wanderer? You've grown up as a princess."

I answered, "So have you bua. I wish to be here. Anyways me being alive will create a lot more questions and suspicions." I obviously wasn't a fan of living in a forest. But at that moment the only thought in my mind was Draupadi. I have to stay here, for her.

Yudhistir said, "Mata is correct. You don't have to stay here on our account. Life here will be a lot harder."

I turned towards him, "But I wish to stay."

Bua Kunti held my face again and smiled, "If you wish to stay with us, we would love to have you."

I smiled in answer. Then I heard a horn and my smile widened. Alexa was just behind them. In all the commotion I couldn't hear her. I ran towards her. Excited I asked, "how did you know your way?"

"I was told before by Prince Arjun that in case of fire, reach at this specified location." Alexa replied.

I was so happy that Alexa was here, that I turned towards Arjun and hugged him and said, "Thank you thank you thank you."

He was so flushed that he patted my head awkwardly. Everyone laughed at that. A few seconds later, I let the man out of his misery by letting him go.

Then Bheem announced, "Let's find a place to sleep as it is already late."

At that point it was around 10, the fire started around 6 in the evening we were in the tunnel for approximately 4 hours. A place to sleep right. I turned towards Alexa and asked this time in English, "Alexa, can you convert into a camper which can fit all of us?" She was given by lord Krishna there is a high probability that she could convert.

My assumptions were proven right by her answer. "Yes, I can do that. Please step back while I can make the changes."

I then stepped back and motioned everyone to do the same. This time Alexa changed shape and became almost twice her size. After a few minutes when she announced that she was done.

I was the first one to get in. The inside felt a lot bigger than the space it consumed externally. She had even created a small wall like barrier which had two beds on one side and five on the other. The best thing was that they were bunker beds. Obviously one bed was normal among the five.

After inspecting the insides, I went out and motioned the Pandavas to come in. Everyone except Arjun, was shocked to their core. I was smiling. It wasn't everyday that you shocked Pandavas.

I obviously took the upper bunk as bua Kunti took the lower one. I offered her my clothes. As most of my luggage was in Alexa, very few things were burnt. She declined it and I didn't pressure her. It was already a long day. I went on the upper bunk and hid myself in the blanket.

I really needed to process what had happened. But I couldn't bring myself to remember the visions, the betrayal. But was I actually betrayed? Did Duryodhan know I was in the castle? Was the letter actually sent? This is why you should use phones.

Even if I wasn't betrayed the Pandavas were. Why would he do such a thing? Who was that man and what did he want from me? Will Duryodhan think I am dead now? Does he even know I'm here? It seemed the more I lived in this world more questions increased. What am I even doing here? And what about Yudhisthir? 'Yes, what about him?' my inner voice taunted. It was too overwhelming. I pushed everything deep in my mind and proceeded to go into a restless and sleepless night.

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