We should not fret for what is past, nor should we be anxious about the future. Men of
discernment deal only with the present moment. - Chanakya Neeti.

Indraprastha:

The sky transformed into a splendid array of colors as the sun rose, radiating its usual brilliance and golden aura.

A man stood by the window, his gaze fixed on the sky where the sun lay, as if all his questions would be answered by simply staring at the burning ball of fire. In his hand, he held a parchment delicately written in red ink—an invitation that felt like a trap.

Two small delicate hands wrapped around his middle, though they couldn't completely encircle his well-built, broad torso.

He smiled as he turned around to see his little princess standing in front of him with a soft smile. She was his eldest daughter, Aparna, named after his wife's godly mother, Mata Parvati.

"Pitashree, aap yeha kya kar rahe hai?? Mata aapko bula rahi hai bhojan ke liye! Shigra chaliye!" said Aparna, her eyes filled with delight as she dragged her father.

The daas and daasis smiled at the familiar scene of the father-daughter duo walking quickly towards the dining area, where their entire family awaited so they could begin breakfast.

As the heavy doors opened, Karna gulped at the stern look on his wife's face before giving an apologetic glance for being late.

Advika sighed before smiling at him, understanding that whatever kept him busy was genuinely important. "Now, pitashree is here... can we eat now maa?" asked a teen, his face radiant like his father, and his smile mischievous like his certain uncle.

"Advait, yes, you can eat!" answered Karna, laughing as he looked at his eldest child.

Advika simply smiled fondly at the familiar banter of father and son. "Yayy!" cheered a young boy, utterly cute with his sweet and adorable face. He was Mahesh, the second son of Bhima and Vandita. Ghatotkach, their first son, spent time with his Maa and Pitashree in Indraprastha, while his Maa Hidimba handled matters at the Forest Kingdom.

Vandita had lost a significant amount of blood during her labor, rendering her unable to conceive again. Another pregnancy could pose a serious risk to either her or her future baby's life. Despite this, she found contentment in having Ghatotkach as her first son and was happy with her two sons.

"Badi maa, where are the ladoos?" asked a boy with a calm and gentle face. He was Virendra, the only son of Yuddhisthir and Devanshi.

"Arre bhratashree, instead of questioning Badi maa, look over there!" pointed out the beautiful melodious voice of Dhruvi, the younger sister of Virendra and the only daughter of Yuddhisthir and Devanshi.

Everyone turned to find Mahesh lost in his own world, eating those ladoos.

"I wanted another laddoo," pouted the handsome face of Raghav, the son of Arjun and Draupadi.

A small hand holding a laddoo appeared in front of his mouth, and a delicate child's face came into view.

"Anaya??" asked Raghav, shocked.

"Ye lijiye bhratashree!" said Anaya, chirpily.

"But... this is yours!" protested Raghav.

"I am giving it to you! Have it," Anaya insisted, pushing the laddoo into his mouth gently.

Karna, Advika, Yuddhisthir, Devanshi, Bhima, Vandita, Arjun, Nakul, and Sahadev watched as their children mingled and ate among themselves, blending as readily as water does with salt.

"This scene melts my heart every time I see it!" said Devanshi with a bright smile.

"I don't know about you, jiji, but I believe Mahesh is not so innocent. How did he get all those laddoos?" asked Vandita, a bit confused and exasperated at her son's sneakiness.

"No one will say anything about my baby boy! And he has his father's love for laddoos! Don't worry too much, Vaani!" said Advika with a wink towards Vandita, as Devanshi burst into giggles, and Vandita looked amused and resigned.

On the other hand, Yuddhisthir noticed his elder brother's hardened eyes.

"Jyesht?" called Yuddhisthir, making sure his voice was low enough to only reach the males.

The four turned towards the two elder brothers.

"Yes, anuj?" asked Karna, with a raised eyebrow.

"You seem worried about something," pointed out Yuddhisthir.

"I am! We will need a council meeting soon!" said Karna, his posture tensed.

"Is this about the invitation?" asked the perceptive Sahadev.

Karna simply nodded his head.

"Kakashree said he will arrive in a few hours!" informed Arjun, as he frowned.

"We can ask for his advice then!" said Bhima, looking thoughtful.

Everyone nodded. "When will the meeting be, jyesht?" asked Nakul.

"In a few hours after Kakashree arrives!" replied Karna.

Suddenly, the sounds of feet running and giggles could be heard as a small boy of 2-3 years of age ran inside, with Kunti and Kalyani after him. Draupadi also came in but far more slowly; she was pregnant after all, around 3 months. She went straight towards a cradle in the room.

The boy ran straight towards Advika, babbling happily. Advika picked up the child in her arms and kissed his cheeks, making him giggle and clap his hands.

"Gaurav ne to daura daura ke uff! Acha hua bhabhishree apne pakar liya isse! Pure mahal ke 1 chakkar toh ho hi gaye honge abhi tak!" said Kalyani, huffing slightly.

Devanshi laughed, while Advika and Vandita exchanged a smile. Kunti was watching everyone with a fond smile.

"Maa, you should not have run at this age!" said Karna as he got up from his place. The children all stayed where they were, watching the free entertainment, with barely suppressing mirth.

"Are you calling me old, putra Karna?" asked Kunti sternly.

"No!! I mean, you are aging rather gracefully..maa!" yelped Karna at the last, as Kunti had twisted his ear, before letting go. Karna pouted at her, while little Gaurav clapped his hands, happy his Tatshree got scoldings! The children tried hard to muffle their laughs, which was not successful if the amused looks of their mothers were any indication.

"I am still young, and these bones still have strength in them to play with my grandchildren and run after them, if the need be!" said Kunti sternly, her eyes glittering with laughter and mirth.

"We understand why you are running, maa, but why is Kalyani running?" asked Nakul, a bit confused. Draupadi muttered, "Ab to devarji ko Bhagwan bhi nehi bacha sakte!"

Arjun looked at her, confused and amused, as his hand wrapped around her. Draupadi simply smiled at him and leaned on to him. Beside them, on a cradle, was a small girl, their daughter Bhavya.

Kalyani fumed a bit before answering. "Pati parmeshwar ji! Aap ke putra bara natkhat hai..app hi ke bhati! So it's your duty as a father to help me. Now you feed him!" said Kalyani, as she gave the plate of food to Nakul.

Karna immediately stood between Devanshi and Advika, as Gaurav was placed on the floor. He had been squirming in Advika's hold for a long time, wanting to run or walk. Yuddhisthir also stood beside his wife. Bhima hadn't even got up from his seat, and neither had Sahadev. Both watched the show, very amused at their brother's luck! Arjun was already standing beside Draupadi, while Nakul stood in the middle, looking at the plate filled with food for his dearest and naughty son, as his wife looked at him with a raised brow.

Nakul gulped, where his little son stood with an innocent smile and mischievous look on his face. Was 2 years old supposed to be this naughty, wondered Nakul. He went towards his son, as his son ate a bite from his hand, and then ran around the room. Nakul blinked before he also started to run after him, too, while Gaurav went out of the room, making Nakul follow after him, juggling the plate of food.

"Arya, make sure the plate is finished!" yelled Kalyani, behind the running father-son duo.

Everyone laughed at the scene.

"Nakul and Sahadev were the same, especially if you include Arjun with them! They would make me run after them for hours on end!" said Kunti with a smile as she caressed Sahadev's head. He leaned into the warmth and touch of his mother's hand with a happy smile.

A soft crying could be heard as Vritika entered with two babies in her hands, a harried look on her face. A daasi followed her with another baby. Immediately, Devanshi and Vandita took the babies from her, and Advika made her sit beside Draupadi and Kalyani. Kunti took the third baby from the daasi following Vritika. All three were crying.

The twins were placed together in the cradle, and slowly the cradle was moved, making the twins slowly calm down from crying as Kunti hummed a song, with Devanshi, Vandita, and Advika joining in. The twins were named Devansh and Harshada. While Nakul and Kalyani had a daughter, named Jyoti.

After all the baby children had gone off to sleep, the rest of the children followed Kunti for their daily teaching before they left for gurukul. Now, all the adults sat together.

"Are you sure it is a trap, Arya?" asked Advika, finally sitting down beside her husband.

"Yes, the wording is clever! But I believe that it is not an invitation to a simple game of dice between two cousins. I do not know the exact thing they want, but something sinister is at play," said Karna, his voice serious and devoid of emotion.

"Who exactly is the invitation for, jyesht?" asked Draupadi, her brows furrowed in thought.

"All of us!" replied Karna.

"All of us?" asked a shocked Devanshi.

"What will we females do in a game between males?" asked Vandita.

"That is the matter which is making us uncomfortable, love!" replied Bhima, making Vandita frown.

"We need to wait for Kakashree before we discuss it any further."

-------------------------------------------------------

Mahamantri Vidur, known to be one of the wisest souls, was standing in front of his nephews and nieces-in-law. He had been so proud of them. Their success and their ideas were long-sighted. He sighed, wondering if he would be able to convince them not to go to the palace of Hastinapur.

"Kakashree?" called Arjun, a bit softly.

"Putra, I think and believe you should not go and accept the invitation," said Vidur.

"I know Kakashree. The wording and the mere invitation are giving me bad vibes," said Karna softly as he looked at the invitation on the table in front of them. Everyone was sitting around a round table.

"Not going will be insulting!" murmured Yuddhisthir, with Bhima nodding at that, a tensed look on both of their faces.

"I know anuj! But is there another way to avoid it, without sounding insulting?" said Karna, his eyes looking around the table. All his brothers gave a negative nod, their faces tensed and worried.

"Putra, I understand why you want a very good reason for not going, as otherwise..." trailed off Vidur.

"Otherwise... Bhrata Duryodhana and Gandhar raj would most probably fill poison regarding us to the elders of Hastinapur," completed Draupadi.

Vidur nodded, grimacing a bit at the thought. He knew, at least Gandhari and Bhanumati would fall for this plan. After all, both loved the six brothers as their own sons/brothers.

"Then go!" said a quiet voice.

Everyone turned to find Advika looking at them from the door.

"Priye?" asked Karna, his brows furrowed.

"Go, arya! If something happens, know God is there. He will send someone if you are unable to fight. But if there is no plot, then we can simply visit them and come back."

"But... putri... I know there is a plot," said Vidur, almost protesting.

Advika smiled and came in front of Vidur.

"Do you trust me, Kakashree?" asked Advika, softly.

"Of course, my dear."

"Then stay without worries, Kakashree. This daughter of yours won't let anything happen to our family. This is something I promise," said Advika, her eyes burning with an inner radiance that settled something in Vidur's chest.

He nodded, at peace with the decision.