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Chapter 15 - Chapter 15: Reunion of Forgotten Bonds

The soft wind of Vrindavan swayed the peepal leaves gently as if whispering secrets of a forgotten past. In the serene morning, the sun was still gentle, casting a golden hue over the village pathways.

Two chariots halted just outside a modest, flower-decked home. From one descended Gandhari, veiled but unmistakable in her graceful composure. Her son Duryodhan walked beside her with reverence. From the other chariot emerged Dhusala, excited yet nervous, clutching a small bundle of gifts.

They had come to Vrindavan to fulfill a silent yearning in their hearts—the desire to know more about the village that had brought so much change to their lives through one boy. The boy who had become dear to Dhusala, the brother Duryodhan never had, and the mysterious child who cooked like a demi-god and moved the hearts of royalty.

As they approached the entrance, Radha Maa greeted them with folded hands.

"Swagatam, Rajmata Gandhari and Rajkumari Dhusala," she said warmly. "Please come in."

"We... we hope it's not an inconvenience," Gandhari said softly. "I wished to meet the family of the boy who brought such warmth to Hastinapur."

Before Radha Maa could reply, a familiar voice emerged from the inner courtyard.

"Radha! Is that... is that Gandhari?"

Everyone turned. A woman, draped in a simple but regal saree, stepped into view. Her eyes trembled with disbelief, her hands clutched tightly to her chest.

"Vasumati?" Gandhari's voice cracked as she took a step forward. Her blindfolded eyes couldn't see, but her soul remembered.

"Gandhari! It's really you!"

The two women rushed toward each other, and the years melted away in an instant. Tears rolled down their cheeks as they embraced.

"Where were you all these years?" Gandhari whispered. "I looked for you in every festival, every celebration... and never once did I imagine you'd be in Vrindavan."

"After the tragedy... I had no choice but to hide," Vasumati replied through tears. "Aryan was taken by the gods, my husband was murdered, and I had to protect my daughter. So Ganga Devi brought us here."

They sat on the swing in the courtyard, their hands still clasped tightly.

"Do you remember how we used to sneak into the royal garden and eat mangoes before they were ripe?" Gandhari laughed softly, wiping her tears.

"And how you used to cover for me when I broke the prince's flute?" Vasumati chuckled, her heart swelling.

"I never thought I'd see you again," Gandhari said. "But now, it feels like the gods are stitching our fates back together."

As they talked, Dhusala stood near the door, fidgeting with her dupatta. A little girl, just two years older than Aryan, came out holding a clay doll.

"Aai, who are they?" she asked innocently.

Vasumati smiled. "Beta, meet Rajkumari Dhusala. She is your brother Aryan's dear friend."

The little girl tilted her head. "Brother talks about her in his sleep sometimes. Says she's a good hider in luppachuppi."

Dhusala's eyes widened. "He does? Truly?"

The girl nodded. "Do you want to play with me? Bhai says I need to learn to hide better."

Gandhari chuckled, and Dhusala dropped her formality, rushing in to play. The laughter of children soon filled the air.

Radha Maa, standing at the side, spoke gently to Gandhari. "You must know... Aryan is special. The gods watch over him. But more than that, he carries love like a flame in the dark."

Gandhari nodded. **"He healed a part of Duryodhan I thought unreachable. I used to fear my son's anger. Now, I see hope in his eyes. Aryan did that."

"He calls me Maa," Vasumati whispered. **"But I missed the years to cradle him. Still, when he looks at me, I see no complaint. Only peace."

"He's your son," Gandhari said firmly. "And now that we are reunited, our children shall share what we could not. Friendship. Family. Loyalty."

Later, as the sun reached its peak, Vasumati brought out bowls of daal makhani and paneer khadai Aryan had frozen with the help of his system.

"He made these," she explained. **"Before leaving for Parshuram's ashram. Said, 'Maa, serve this to anyone who comes from Hastinapur with love.'"

As Gandhari tasted the dish, tears spilled anew.

"This... this taste. It carries his heart. Every spoon sings of love, of longing... of home."

Vasumati placed a hand on Gandhari's.

"Let's not part ways again. Now that we are together, let us be sisters once more."

"Forever," Gandhari replied. "Let our children grow stronger together. Let us watch over them, as we once promised each other when we were young girls dreaming of kings and kingdoms."

The sun dipped toward the horizon, and the shadows lengthened like arms reaching out to embrace the past. Two women, once torn by fate, now reunited, sat with hearts brimming with renewed sisterhood.

And in the breeze of Vrindavan, it was as if Aryan's laughter echoed, a promise of joy to come.

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> SYSTEM UPDATE - HIDDEN QUEST COMPLETED "Reunite the Lost Sisters of Dharma" Reward: +500 Emotional Bonding Points Bonus Passive: Blessings of Two Queens

Vrindavan, once a quiet village, had now become the stage of reunited destinies. And Aryan's touch was the thread that wove them all.

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