Third Person POV:
The journey from Hastinapur to Dwarka took three days on foot. Subhadra, the Rajkumari of Dwarka, preferred walking. She said it helped her "connect with the world," though her dashis (servants) might have had different opinions.
Arjun walked beside her in silence for the first few miles.
He wasn't shy. He'd faced down kings, monsters, and gods. But something about Subhadra's presence made him... thoughtful.
And quiet.
It was Subhadra who broke the silence first—nervously, but with determination. She began talking, asking questions, teasing a little. Slowly, Arjun responded. And then—like a dam cracking—they just clicked.
Laughter flowed easily. They debated silly things like the best kind of mango, who could climb a tree faster, and whether Dwarka or Indraprastha had better sunsets.
Arjun discovered that Subhadra was clever, curious, and playful—not just a princess, but a whirlwind.
And Subhadra saw that Arjun wasn't as serious as he seemed. Behind the archer's calm exterior was a man with sharp wit, a soft heart, and a deep, quiet yearning for something more than war and duty.
By the time they neared Dwarka's gates, they had become friends.
Maybe something more.
Arjun looked ahead at the glittering city by the sea, golden in the late afternoon light.
"Can I—"
"You should stay in Dwarka for a few days, Rajkumar," Subhadra interrupted with a smile, already guessing his question. "My family will be happy to host you."
He smiled. "Staying in the city of Madhav? I would like that."
"Madhav? Who's that?"
"You'll find out soon," he said, with a twinkle in his eye.
---
At the Gates of Dwarka
Shree Krishna was waiting for them at the city gates.
The moment Subhadra saw her brother, she ran into his arms. He laughed, lifting her slightly as if she were still a child.
Arjun stood frozen. That's Krishna... He'd heard tales. He had even met him secretly once. But now—seeing him out in the open, calm and radiant—he felt awe all over again.
Krishna turned, his eyes landing on Arjun with a knowing smile.
"Dhananjaya Arjun. Come here, Parth! Your sakha has been waiting since morning. Why are you standing so far away?"
Arjun smiled back, thoughts rushing: 'Still pretending we didn't already meet that night, huh?'
Krishna embraced him. For a moment, Arjun felt as if all his battles, all his weariness, had lifted.
Then Subhadra's voice cut through.
"Will you two keep standing there or actually enter the city?"
Krishna raised a brow. "Can't wait to show everything to your Kumar, bhadre?"
"Bhatashree!"
"Madhav!"
Subhadra and Arjun shouted in unison.
Krishna just laughed, shaking his head. "Alright, alright. Let's go."
---
Arjun's POV – Dwarka—
I had never seen a city like this. The people adored Subhadra—cheering her name as we walked through the streets.
"Dwarkadhish ki jai!"
"Rajkumari Subhadra ki jai!"
"Panduputra Arjun ki jai!"
They welcomed me with open arms, not as a warrior or a threat—but as a friend, as family.
At the palace, I met everyone—Maharani Rukmini, Mata Devaki, Devi Satyabhama, Rani Revati, Shree Balaram, and Vasudevji.
And over the next few days, they treated me not like a guest... but like one of their own.
Subhadra and I spent hours together—walking by the sea, laughing under starlight, bickering over silly things. Madhav joined us often, always with a sly smile and a perfectly-timed joke.
He dodged every question I asked about Hastinapur, so I stopped asking. Just being around him was enough. He had that effect—you forgot your worries in his presence.
But it was Subhadra who stole my thoughts.
I had fallen in love with her.
---
The Goodbye:
The hardest part was telling her I was leaving.
When I met her that morning, she smiled like always. The way she always did when she saw me.
I hated what I was about to say.
"Subhadra... I came to tell you—I'm leaving today."
Her smile faltered. But only for a second.
"Well... I don't have the power to stop you," she said, trying to smile again. "But I'll miss you."
"I'll miss you too, Subhadra."
There was a pause. Her voice was soft when she spoke next.
"Kumar Arjun... will you invite me to your wedding someday?"
She wasn't looking at me. And I couldn't lie.
"How can I invite you to my wedding, Princess... when I want to marry you?"
Her head turned so fast I thought I saw a flash of hope in her eyes.
"So?" I asked, stepping closer. "Will you marry me?"
She tilted her head in mock thought. "Hmm... let me think about it... YES."
We both laughed. And in that laughter, I knew the answer had been in her heart all along.
---
The Farewell with Krishna—
Krishna was waiting for me when I entered his chamber.
"You've come to say goodbye, Parth."
I nodded. "I've made up my mind."
"You've made the right decision."
I paused. "When will we meet again, Madhav?"
He smiled—that same, mysterious, maddening smile.
"I am always with you, Parth. But in person? Sooner than you expect."
I didn't even try to decode that. I just laughed and hugged him.
Then, I said my goodbyes to everyone else and began my journey back to Hastinapur.
I only had one worry on my mind: Hopefully, Bheem hasn't flattened two Kauravas while I was gone.
But beneath the jokes, my heart was full.
I was in love.
And now, I had something worth fighting for—not just dharma, not just honor.
Love.