"Take this scroll to Jiji and make sure she reads it this time!" Drishtdyumna said to his assistant. There was a feast next month in the Kampilya palace and the prince had earlier sent a message to his elder sister for inviting all the prominent personalities in all of Panchal but Shikhandini busy in her chores had forgotten to read it. Drishtdyumna started to turn away but stopped in his tracks when he heard a familiar sound. The pleasing tinkle of ghungroos. He smiled and made his way to the source of the voice. He knew it was his sister. Not the busy one who forgot to read scrolls sent by him but the one who was in pain of divergence. Besides being the fierce warrior she was also an exceptional dancer. As he got closer he observed the voice seemed to be more strident. The young prince raised his eyebrows in confusion. 

The area was located near the heart of the palace. The floor was tiled with stones of various colours resulting in the image of fire whose flames ascended radially. The area was enclosed within four walls but it wasn't suffocating. The enclosure was packed with white net curtains which were working as back dancers flowing in the breeze that was playing. Some plants were growing on the boundaries and the walls were decorated with artworks. The enclosure was breathtaking but it wasn't what Drishtdyumna was focused on.

In the centre of the flame danced a woman not more than twenty years of age. Her blouse velvet black and crepe looked marvellous with the multilayered red and white long pleated skirt called ghagra she was wearing. Her gold embroidered red angavastram was pleated and tucked in the front and its other end went up to her right shoulder and travelled through her back and was tucked roughly to the left side of her belly giving it a dishevelled look. Her hands were adorned with plain silver bangles. Besides these two the only jewellery she wore was her huge gold earrings and her hair was loosely tied in a bun. She looked breathtaking but Drishtdyumna felt that there was something wrong.

The floor was smudged with some red substance which seemed to flow out of her feet. Drishtdyumna looked closely, some metals beads of the ghungroo had come undone and were lying on the floor and the dancer ignoring them kept moving in circles sometimes stepping on them, the impact infusing blood.

"Drau!" Drishtdyumna shouted running towards her.

There was no music playing but she was so immersed she didn't hear him.

Drishtdyumna had almost reached her when she fell to the ground. He reached out and placed his hand below her head so that it didn't touch the ground. She wasn't fully unconscious yet. Her eyes were half open and her forehead covered with beads of sweat. 

"Drau!" Drishtdyumna whispered, tears flowing down his eyes. Draupadi didn't reply but she mouthed something and her head lolled to the left.

In a swift motion, Drishtdyumna bundled her up and was scurrying towards the ayurlay. She hadn't said it aloud but he knew what she had said. He couldn't see his beloved sister like this, broken. He had to find him, but how?

-:-

A month had passed since the incident and due to Draupadi's request, it was kept between Drishtdyumna and the doctor who healed her. It was time for the feast and thankfully there wasn't a lot of damage done to her feet.

Drishtdyumna thought he looked dashing with his elegant beige dhoti lined with a gold border paired with a net cream angavastram which had gold embroidered patterns on it. Instead of wearing it the general way he had just draped it around his shoulders leaving his torso exposed and his back covered. His wavy black hair was left open and his earrings were just simple bands of gold. To balance that he was wearing a heavy neckpiece made up of gold concentric circles. 

"I am not going to sit next to you today." 

Drishtdyumna turned to see his elder sister smirking. She was wearing a simple light blue dhoti and blouse paired with a dark blue angavastram and minimal gold jewellery and her hair were tied in a braid. 

"And why is that?" Drishtdyumna asked feigning hurt.

"I don't want other girls shooting daggers at me." Shikhandini said shrugging.

"Well, you shouldn't sit next to her either." Drishtdyumna said as he saw his twin descending the stairs. Drishtdyumna could bet his existence that at least one boy would faint seeing her. Yes, that was the kind of beauty she was.

She had chosen a light pink gold embroidered lehenga and blouse which contrasted perfectly with her flawless dark skin. With that, she had paired a subtle net grey angavastram and minimal gold jewellery. Her hair was tied in a loose bun and adorned with a single jasmine flower.

"Is it only me or has her fashion sense improved since she has come from the gurukul?" 

"Well the credit goes to-" Drishtdyumna stopped himself in time as Draupadi had come into the hearing distance and he aimed to have a non-sad event tonight.

"Don't you look stunning!" Draupadi said keeping a hand on Drishtdyumna's shoulder.

"Well I try!" Drishtdyumna said trying to sound humble and failing epically.

-:-

"What do you exactly do in Hastinapur, Mrigatrishna Ji?" Draupadi asked as she finished the morsel of food in her mouth. 

I will have to personally visit Vaidehi tonight. The food is delicious!

"Nothing much Kumari just selling goods here and there." the man sitting across her replied.

Why are traders always so secretive about their merchandise? It's not like I will take over his business.

"And it's profitable?" Draupadi asked.

Of course, it is! Those extravagant jewels don't cost just some dimes.

"Enough to feed my family, Kumari." the man replied.

Right, I absolutely didn't notice the avarice behind that!

Draupadi just nodded.

Please just let me eat in peace!

"I have heard Kumari that you also excel at warcraft." the obese man said not wanting to miss the opportunity of talking to the princess of Panchal.

Why such a surprise? Yes, in one strike I can make your head drop on the floor, what is the big deal?

Draupadi just smiled politely in return.

Woah! The sabzi is fantastic! Vaidehi has outdone herself today!

"You should come to visit Hastinapur, Kumari! The princes are wonderful when it comes to combat!" Mrigatrishna said.

And what about manners? I have had enough of the eldest.

"Is it Mrigatrishna Ji?" Draupadi said.

The name is very apt! The man is a mirage.

"Yes, Kumari. All five of them are transcendent!" the trader said.

Five? Oh, the sons of the deceased king. Do they get importance? I had heard different.

"Especially the middle prince, Arjun."

Arjun? Have I heard that name before?

"Which weapon does he wield?" Draupadi asked.

It is okay if you don't know, I really don't care!

"He wields all Kumari! But he is an exceptional archer! Easily the best in all of aryavarta" Mrigtrishna said.

No, he is not. There is only one greatest archer in aryavarta.

"Indeed Mrigatrishna Ji! Is the food of your liking?" Drishtdyumna said cutting in.

Draupadi just gave him a smile of gratitude.

-:-

"Kumar, should we mutiny?" the cook asked.

"No, Dibakar Ji! Mutiny will not help either you or them. Show them the way of light and eventually, they will concede." Yudhishthira said.

The head cook was holding counsel with the eldest Pandava prince. He was fed up with the treatment of the servants by the hand of the vile Kaurava princes and come to take suggestions from the wise prince.

"But how can you be sure Kumar? The princes are sinister and spiteful." the cook said not believing him.

"Because the right way is the only way a man or woman can walk upon. Yes, seldom some can go astray. Then it is the duty of those on the correct way to show the light and usher them towards righteousness. And deep inside what a man or woman aches for is to live the right way." Yudhishthira said.

"As you say, Dharmputra!" Dibakar said.

As the cook went further from his sight Yudhishthira moved towards the sound that had been nagging him during their conversation. The old cook had thankfully ignored it. But the young warrior prince couldn't. He neared the chambers.

The chambers were the most elegant of the five. It belonged to the most fashionable Pandav after all. The entrance was marked with beautiful marble sculptures and the red carpet led the company to the heart of the chambers where a beautiful circular pattern was painted on the floor. The chambers had linear dimensions but radial floor patterns. The room was lined with oil lamps and lanterns. And every few inches your eyes could travel you would find a sculpture. On the other end of the room was the gold engraved royal bed with velvet white lines. The gold headrest was cushioned and the posts were draped with teal coloured curtains. On either side of the huge bed were a set of stairs. One led to the lavatory and the other to the bathing area.  On the right end of chambers showcased the weapons the owner wielded. The silver-plated bow was kept right at the centre along with various others. On the other end were kept the musical instruments the owner was fond of. But the main interest, the veena was missing. The white curtains lined with gold borders swirled with the breeze coming from the balcony located just behind the seating area. The chambers were opulent yet subtle. Just like their owner.

The seating area was occupied by a man not more than twenty years of age. He was wearing a cotton dhoti which was tied military-styled which was held by a thin silver piece of jewellery. Besides wearing the silver bangle on his right hand he wasn't wearing any other ornament. His angavastram was kept aside and his swarthy skin was glistening with sweat. His bun had come undone and his hair looked dishevelled. His face was tear stricken and his hand red with the power he was pulling the strings of the veena. 

Yudhishthira had heard the particular tune many times before. In gurukul both he and Prishati used to hum this and now Arjun played it whenever he yearned for her. And while the notes were the same the tone of the hymn changed on the basis of the emotion Arjun was going through. Sometimes the tune induced rage sometimes helplessness but today it emanated sheer despair. 

Yudhishthira was just about to enter when he saw Bhim, the eldest after him already advancing towards the instrument player. Yudhishthira smiled ruefully. Bhim though pulled Arjun's leg the most and teased him to no end he had immense love for him which maybe he didn't say out loud but bestowed it whenever needed. Typical Bhim. Yudhishthira left without letting his presence known.

-:-

"Do you know Jeshtha what I was going to give her on her birthday?" Arjun said his voice coarse from crying.

"N-No brother, what was it?" Bhim said not able to hold his tears seeing his brother in his arms so broken.

"My name. I was going to tell her who I was! I didn't care about the rules and regulations or the politics of the throne. I care about nothing. Nothing but her." Arjun said his eyes welling up again.

"I know brother, I know." Bhim said embracing him tighter.

-:-

"Oh no! Is that kheer?" Nakul whined.

"Putra, I thought you liked kheer?" Kunti said a little hurt.

"I do Maa! I love everything you make! It's just that Jeshtha Bhim does too and well... he beats us to it." Nakul said shrugging.

"What if I keep aside some part of it for you?" Kunti said touching his nose as she used to when he was small. To which Nakul giggled like he was four again.

"What are we talking about?" Bhim said his mouth already full of a ladoo.

"Bhim, let everyone arrive first!" Kunti said trying to scold him.

"You know Maa you look so cute when you try to scold us!" Sehdev said smiling.

Kunti pulled his right ear which earned a shrill yell from him.

"Not so cute now huh?" Kunti said affectionately.

"Who is cute?" Yudhishthira asked.

Nakul eyes lit up with the possibility that the eldest Pandava had any interest beside Dharma( where Dharma is not the name of a girl). But as he looked at Yudhishthira's face his hopes deflated. His was as solemn as the day he was born.

"Maa, of course!" Arjun said just entering.

"You weren't even here!" Bhim said amazed.

"Is it a question?" Arjun said taking his dainty mother in a loving embrace. As he pulled away Kunti held his face in his hands. It was as if they were in the forest again Kunti showering him with kisses but there was something different. Arjun's smile now rarely reached his eyes like it used to. His eyes didn't twinkle now and his shoulders were drooped. Kunti planted a kiss on his forehead. It pained Kunti to see his beloved son like this and the words of Rishi Agastya came flying back to her. Who was the woman who would pave Arjun's destiny? Something told her that he had already met her. The way the brothers hushed themselves when Arjun arrived, the empty scabbard and the eyes swollen from crying. What had happened in the gurukul? It pained Kunti that the Arjun who had brought her the right kind of flowers to adorn her braid now wasn't sharing his immense pain. But it was not Kunti's place to pry. He wasn't the cute five-year-old anymore and this wasn't the forest. He was a prince and this was the world of the 'civilized', he had to find his own way. But he would need help. The woman.

"Pranipat my lady!" a voice came from the entrance".

"Mrigatrishna Ji! Do come in!" Kunti said smiling.

"I hope I am not interfering your time with the princes!" the obese trader said.

Before Nakul could say 'Yes, you are' Yudhishthira spoke up.

"Of course not Mrigatrishna Ji! Make yourself comfortable." he said beckoning him to sit.

"I would love to Kumar but I am in a hurry! I had come here to deliver the cardamom to my lady!" he said holding out a pouch which Kunti took. She opened it and smelled and a smile spread on her face.

"From Kampilya, right?" Kunti asked.

"Yes, my lady! Beautiful place!" Mrigatrishna said.

"Uh-huh!" Kunti said still lost in the fragrance of the native spice.

"Yes! And the prince he is excellent my lady!" 

"Drishtdyumna? I have heard he knows how to swing a sword." Nakul asked.

"Precisely Kumar! But the princess is even more incredible!"

"Shikhandini? That's her name right?" Sehdev asked.

"That is King Drupad's eldest daughter and Panchal's military commander. But I wasn't talking about her. I was talking about the youngest of the three. The twin sister of Prince Drishtdyumna."

"Of course she is better! Smaller twins are the most exceptional!" Sehdev said beaming.

"Exceptional is it? I will show you what exceptional is!" Nakul said marching towards him in a playful way.

"Nakul!" Yudhishthira spoke in warning, "We have company."

"Yes, mother." Nakul said trying his best not to smile.

Bhim burst out laughing and Arjun ha to smile.

"You were saying, Mrigatrishna Ji?" Kunti asked a smile playing on her face too.

"Yes, Draupadi the most divine beauty you can ever witness! It's like gods had-" Mrigatrishna kept on speaking but Bhim's eyes darted towards Arjun and so did every other brother's. Arjun got tensed whenever the subject of beautiful women came up. According to him, no one was as beautiful as his Prishati. His body had stiffened and his eyes became clouded a sign that he wasn't here anymore.

"I hate you!" Parth whined.

"You simply can't." Prishati said smirking.

"And why is that?" Parth asked his eyes twinkling with mirth.

"Because I am a divine beauty." Prishati said her posture like that of a goddess portrayed in an idol.

"And a fierce warrior." Parth pointed out joining in.

"And the best." Prishati said grinning.

"No no no no!" Parth said moving his hands as Keshavi used to when she denied something.

Prishati laughed out so loud that the bird sitting on the branch of the tree they were sitting beneath flew away. Then her laugh died with a hitch.

Arjun smiled ruefully. She was so close yet so far.

पीड़ा अब सही न जाये

दिन में सूरज प्रकाश न दे पाये

अश्रु बहाकर रातें काटी

हवाएं है उनकी यादें लाती

आशा है की वो अब आये

अपने साथ बहारे लाये

कमी उनकी है सताती

रूह हमारी उनको है बुलाती

FYI : Yes, one prince fainted :)