The atmosphere in Hastinapur grew heavy with grief as word spread of Bheem's supposed death. Arjun, knowing the truth of the Mahabharata and the sequence of events that would unfold, found himself in a difficult position. He could not reveal the truth, even as he watched his family suffer.
Arjun had searched tirelessly for Bheem at Paramkoti, knowing well that his brother had been lured there by Duryodhan and Shakuni. When he heard the sound of someone falling into the water, his heart had skipped a beat. Despite being fully aware of Bheem's resilience, he found it challenging to remain passive, but he reminded himself of the grand design of destiny.
As the hours turned into days, panic spread throughout the kingdom. The royal family and citizens of Hastinapur were desperately searching for Bheem, but he was nowhere to be found. Whispers of foul play filled the palace halls, but there was no evidence to accuse anyone outright.
In the royal court, Dhritarashtra convened a meeting to discuss the situation. When Duryodhan was questioned about Bheem's disappearance, he maintained his innocence, claiming that Bheem had never accompanied him. His voice was steady, almost too steady, and though Bhishma's stern questioning made him falter slightly, he did not waver from his story.
Shakuni, always the master of manipulation, played his part well. He pretended to be devastated, lamenting Kunti's fate with exaggerated sorrow. "What ill fortune has befallen Kunti," he cried out, "to lose her husband in the forest, and now, this tragic news of her son!"
Bhishma, though usually composed, was visibly shaken by the unfolding events. He demanded to know what news Shakuni referred to. At that moment, two men entered the court, carrying a heavy bundle. As they laid it before the assembly and unwrapped it, gasps filled the room. It was Bheem's jewelry, covered in dirt and grime, allegedly found in the cave of a wild boar.
Kunti, who had been quietly praying for her son's safe return, collapsed upon seeing the jewelry. The weight of the news crushed her spirit, and she fainted. The court erupted in chaos, with cries of sorrow echoing through the hall.
Arjun, seated across from his grieving mother, felt an unbearable pain in his heart. He knew that Bheem was alive, that this was all a part of a larger scheme, but he was bound by the constraints of the story. He wanted to comfort his mother, to reassure her that everything would be fine, but all he could muster was a soft whisper, "Mother, Bheem is in our hearts."
As the kingdom prepared for the 13-day ritual to mourn Bheem's death, the palace was shrouded in sorrow. Kunti had not stopped crying since the news broke, her grief overwhelming her. Arjun, feeling the weight of both the truth and the emotions of those around him, struggled with the knowledge he could not share.
Each day passed in a haze of mourning, and though Arjun tried to remain strong for his family, the burden of knowing the truth weighed heavily on him. He found solace only in the hope that soon, the truth would be revealed, and Bheem would return, bringing joy back to the hearts of their family.