One passed since the marriage of Karna and Avantika. In this month they were very busy the schedule of both of them were packed. They were little too busy so everyone else decided that after dropping Dushala to Hastinapur the couple should take a vacation and visit different places. Anga was getting populated and more and more prosperous by their efforts. The people were happy but they too were concerned for their King and Queen as they are exerting themselves too much for them. They often see them in public and knew of their efforts. They too agreed with their representatives that King and Queen needs some alone time for themselves.

For Karna he woke up did his pooja, comeback and practice and train with Ashwatthama then he had breakfast them he went to sabha and finish court proceedings as soon as he can. Then he with Ashwatthama went to army training. Ashwatthama suggested to help Karna in this to which Karna happily agreed. It went on till lunch. Then he returned to palace to have lunch with his family. Then he left palace with or without Avantika to nyay rakshaks forces to train them did his evening pooja train them some more and return to palace to have dinner and spend time with his family. He has also received bimonthly reports from his spies and knew almost what happening in whole Aryavart. He had always shared this information with Avantika.

Avantika too had very busy schedule she had to manage a daughter in law, a queen and a teachers duties daily which she had expertly manages. She also wole up after Karna leaves and did her pooja with Radha. She wanted to kitchen to help radha in preparation of food but Radha didn't allow her as she was busy as it is. Radha told her to do her duties she will manage kitchen duties. Avantika was thankful for that so till breakfast she also trained with Dushala, she was little surprised Dushala was well versed in sword fighting but lacked knowledge of mantras to summon energy and experience to be excellent fighter. She taught her that and spared daily for experience. Then after breakfast they both went to special academy they have for training women in Anga. After seeing the fight between Karna and Avantika it wasn't surprising that many young women came to train. Avantika and Dushala started training from basic like strengthening thier core strength and stamina to weapon holding method. Avantika was also Saint Vishwamitra's student she was also good at axe, daggers and bow and arrow but it's just that she preferred using swords. Her teacher too taught her various astra along side basic fighting. Both Dushala and Avantika trained with these women till afternoon. Then class usually ended. Then they returned to palace and had lunch with everyone. Then Avantika was busy with queen duties or training Dushala more or spends time with Radha. Sometimes she accompany Karna to spar with Nyay rakshak group. Then she also had dinner with her family. Her life though busy in Anga but wasn't difficult as Adhiratha and Radha was truly father and mother to her, They pamper her. With loving and caring husband like Karna she was truly happy. Her wishes are top priority for everyone in the family.

Ashwatthama and Dushala were too happy in this month. They bonded further during this month. They spared and spends time together here without some one poking their nose inbetween them. He understood that every one was aware of his love to wards Dushala and they allowed them to spend time together here but they do occasionally tease both of them. He gathered courage to purpose Dushala last night as he couldn't go to Hastinapur this time. He was a king and was away from his kingdom for long time.

Ashwatthama always followed Karna to learn not the Archery but how to be a good and impartial king. He saw happiness in Anga and wanted same for his kingdom. He truly admire Karna from his bottom of his heart. Despite of Arjun, Nakul and Sahdev betraying him for their quest of cheating knowledge of Karna, he didn't change his attitude or doubted Ashwatthama once. This kind of trust was something he experienced for first time. Despite of all happened between them, Karna still consider him his true friend and taught everything without holding back anything. He knew saying thanks to Karna for this would be insult to their friendship so he decided to help Karna to train his army with him. He respects Avantika as his mother, she like Karna showered him with nothing but love. Radha and Adhiratha too consider him as their second son. From Adhiratha he received the father's love he truly staved all his life. His father Drona loves him that he had no doubt about but in his love of Arjun sometimes Drona ignore and undermine him. His mother Kripi was always busy in pooja ad he didn't want to disturb her with his personal problems. He didn't have such inhibitions here. Adhiratha and Radha always had time for him they patiently listen to him and suggest what they could. He truly understood where Karna get his morals from. He understood the most correct decision in his life was to be friends with Karna.

Dushala too was happy in annga. In the month she became a godd warrior she could defeat likes of Karna, Pitamah, Pandavas, Duryodhana, Dussashan or any other warrior of such stature but she could defend herself just fine against others. She doubted she could some of her own brothers, Ashwatthama told her so. She actually like to be here where everyone has time for her, her family loves her but they didn't have time for her. Her father and mother was busy in duties of King and Queen. And Her all 105 brother were busy in their work or practice. Despite bey only daughter of Hastinapur they didn't have time to spare for her. But here every has time for her. She already had brother as karna but she got sister in her bhabhi, loving and caring Mother and father I'm Radha and Adhiratha. She learned various duties of queen and daughter from following Avantika. She happily spend time with Ashwatthama here which she couldn't do in Hastinapur. She was sad when he told her he couldn't come to Hastinapur. She understood his side of story but was sad. But yesterday when he proposed her in garden she was truly happy.

FLASHBACK

YESTERDAY NIGHT AT PALACE.

Karna told Avantika, Dushala, Radha, adhiratha and Dushala that he is goimg to take Dushala back with him and Avantika tomorrow. They were sad but knew it had to be done. Then Ashwatthama told them he couldn't come as he will leave for Panchal tomorrow as he was away from his kingdom for a long time. Dushala was sad. Seeing her sad Avantika told Ashwatthama to take Dushala for a walk in garden others nodded at that.

Ashwatthama and Dushala went to garden,They came to swing and sat on it Ashwatthama gently started swinging it. Journey was silent for first time as Dushala was being chirpy and bubbly. There was silence in the swing too. They were sitting close but there was a invisible Barrier between them. Seeing that Ashwatthama decided to speak.

Ashwatthama : Dushala do you want to know about my childhood and about my mani?

Ashwatthama knew she was always curious about mani. Dushala nodded.

Ashwatthama (smiles sadly) : Dushala my mani was with me since my birth. I was birthed to my parents after hard penance of my parents to lord Shiva. He blessed my parents to have a son which will be part of him and contains his anger. I was also blessed with this mani with this I can control hunger, fatigue and no rakhas could harm me. It makes me fearless of any asur or dev. When I was birthed a sound of horses escaped from my throat thue I was named Ashwatthama.

Dushala my childhood wasn't as good as others. Though I didn't have struggles like Mitra Karna but I too have difficult childhood. Despite of being Brahman my parents were poor. They couldn't afford very much. You know milk was a commodity we couldn't afford. Despite of being Brahman my father didn't want to ask for alms as he was a warrior too. I was always proud of having such father. One day I heard from other kids about milk, I was a child and curiosity took over me. I ran to my mother and asked her for milk. She started crying but I didn't knew why, she then went to kitchen and came back with a glass, I thought it was milk as it was white later I came to know that my mother has mixed flour in water. My father saw that and for the first time he decided to ask alms. We the whole family went to Panchal as King Drupad was student of my grandfather Saint Bhardwaj and promised my father half of everything he has as symbol of friendship. My father reminded him of his promise but instead of fulfilling his promise he insisted our family. I was child at that time I couldn't understand what was going on but was very sad and angry about insults of my family. My father got very angry and vowed there that he would train students who will defeat Drupad and forcefully take what Drupad promised when he was young and training under my grandfather. I think from that moment he forget his duties as brahman and guru. He went to Hastinapur to train 105 of your brothers for that vow only. In Arjun he saw the potential to bring Drupad on his knees. He had taken oath to make him best Archer of world completely forgetting his son who also happens to be archer. I was jeolous of Arjun since that time he stole my father's time from me. But it changed when Mitra Karna came to my life. He showed me that my jeolousy and one sided hatred towards Arjun was what stopping me from what could I achieved. I in my one sided competition rushed through everything so my foundation weren't best it could be. But thanks to Mitra it is now being getting better.

Ashwatthama suddenly felt a hug around him he saw Dushala was hugging him and crying. She was consoling him. He too had tears in his eyes. She wiped his tears while he wiped hers. They both hugged for a while. Then parted. Dushala touched his mani he didn't stop her, he knew it was a way of showing her love and concern for him. Dushala was rested her head on his shoulder. He too wrapped his hand around his shoulder.

Ashwatthama : Dushala you know I never wanted kingdom or any luxury. I just wanted my father to be proud of me. That is why when my father asked for his gurudhkhsina I didn't stop him though I had thought it was wrong. Because of one king's mistake various soldiers died. Their family are going through what my family had gone through in my childhood. This is the reason why I have accepted the kingdom and trying to make their life better. I love how people of Anga are happy, I want this happiness in my kingdom too.

Dushala : That is so kind of you. I am sure you will achieve it as good deeds won't go unrewarded form god's.

Ashwatthama : I wish so too but I will need a queen like bhabhi Avantika too. So Dushala are you willing to be queen of Panchal.

He asked with nothing but love in his eyes. Dushala blushed with this sudden confession and pure love in his eyes but she did replied.

Dushala : Yes Ashwatthama, I will be you queen.

Ashwatthama : I am happy with you reply but we don't need to rush. Let me settle my kingdom and make it atleast One fourth of what it is here in Anga. Then I will go to Hastinapur and ask maharaj Dhritarashtra your hand.

Dushala : I will be waiting for you. Remember Ashwatthama I will your wife or will concede my life. Take your time but don't wait too much I don't want luxury I only want love.

Ashwatthama : Don't worry Dusha I Drona and Kripi putr Ashwatthama take oath that you will be my one and only wife.

They stayed together for a while. Then they returned to have dinner holding their hands. Other seeing this smiled.

Karna (smiles) : So you both finally gather courage and confessed. It took longer than I expected.

Avantika (smiled) : I too never thought you both could do it. Congratulations.

Ashwatthama and Dushala were blushing. Karna and Avantika teased them more. Radha stopped them.

Radha : Don't tease them too much.

Adhiratha (seriously) : I am happy for both of you. Ashwatthama remember though you are like my son, Putri Dushala is like my daughter too and a father favours daughter more. If you hurt her I will make karna go after you.

Karna (seriously) : Pitashree is right Ashwatthama, if you hurt her I will come to you but not as friend but a brother.

Ashwatthama gulped hearing this. He knew that these were not empty threats. He would have to face his friends wrath ans Hastinapur will come for him too. Personally he will take his chances with whole Hastinapur than Karna.

Radha ( Teasingly) : Stop scaring my putr you two. Ashwatthama loves Dushala so much he would never hurt her.

Dushala (blushing) : Maa you too.

They all laughed.

FLASH BACK ENDED.

They all had breakfast and came to palace gates where two Chariots were ready. One was Ashwatthama's while other was Rashmi. As promised Karna will personally drop her. Ashwatthama first hugged them and got their blessings. He told he will write letters and left for Panchal. Message was more for Dushala than anyone. Dushala too hugged Radha maa and Adhiratha last time and they blessed her. Karna took diver seat and Avantika and Dushala climbed Chariot. Dushala suddenly got idea to prank Karna. She Mockingly stood up.

Dushala (fake arrogance) : Charioteer take me and Queen of Anga to Hastinapur.

Karna was stumped while Radha, Adhiratha and Avantika started laughing. Karna decided to go with flow.

Karna : As you say princess.

Dushala was happy and satisfactorily sat down. Seeing her reaction everyone including her bust out laughing.