The Pandavas along with their family started the voyage. The Upapandavas were extremely happy as it had been a longtime since they all went out. Their fathers would be busy, and barely spared some time for them. Even though they were a perfect family in front of the world, the boys had their own secrets. Pragti and Nitya could not stop talking to Draupadi, they had so much to share! She patiently listened to them, just then her attention shifted to Suthanu..

She sat away from them, and seemed to be immersed in her own thoughts. A very normal phase for a 20 year old,but Draupadi did not know how to handle it! Afterall, when she walked out of the fire she was already twenty-three and was pushed straight into a marriage. In little amount of time alot happened and she barely got time to think about the changes in herself. And before she knew, there was a little life in her arms. She never had time to think about herself, yet Prativindhya was distanced from her, he did not like that she had five husbands and so a rift was created between them..

When Suthanu fet her gaze, she closed her eyes and pretended to sleep. Pragti wanted to ride a horse,sitting was boring and her legs were aching. They had brought an extra horse with them, seeing him she announced.

"Jhest! I am coming!" She was about to get down, looking at her older sister Nitya got excited. As they say younger siblings tend to do what their elder one's are doing, Nitya did the same she jumped down and climbed on the horse. After comfortably sitting she sticked her tongue out. Pragti got really angry, she banged the sides in frustration and sat back. Draupadi was suprised by her aggressive actions.

Draupadi-" Pragti! It's alright, you don't have to be so angry!"
"Why should not I be angry mata? ( mother) After all everyone is always teasing me!" Pragti had tears in her eyes. She loathed it when people teased her, made fun of her and treated her like a small child. She huffed and rested her head on her knees, Draupadi sighed she hoped that something or someone could change her.

Just then she heard the Upapandavas bickering about who was the brightest child amongst themselves. Prativindhya being the eldest was silent, Satanik argued that he was blessed with the best looks hence there was no point in slobbering. The youngest two chuckled at his logic, just then Shrutkarm questioned Bheem though Arjun's answer left them in fits of laughter.

"Pitashree Bheema is the palace of Hastinapur big ?" He asked.

"It is really big Putra but not as big as your Pitashree Bheema's appetite!" Arjun answered and winked at him, Bheem simply gave him a death glare.

The surroundings went silent when Yudhisthir got off his horse and slowly walked near a cliff. He narrowed his eyes as he stared at the magnificent sight. The Pandavas stopped murmuring and focused on a particular sight. The Upapandavas grasped the seriousness of the situation and halted their childish behavior..

When Prativindhya perceived Yudhisthir's narrow eyes he felt thousands of emotions. Pain, Regret and Happiness

"Father is that?" It was almost a whisper. Yudhisthir exhaled deeply before answering his son's question, his voice quivered and struck a chord.

"Yes Son! That is.. Hastinapur.." Oh! How welcoming the wind was! Every time it blew past them, it felt as if it was whispering welcome back. It seemed as if the flowers had bloomed just for them, a beautiful black color butterfly flew towards Nitya and sat on her hair making her laugh. That laugh reminded them( Pandavas) of their dear cousin Dushala. How much love she has showered on them! Even though blood is thicker, she never made them feel that they were her cousins.

She treated them equally like her brothers. To the Pandavas disappointment they were never able to create such a bond with the Kauravas, especially Duryodhana. Every time he looked at them he would be filled with abhorrence.. In the end, they parted ways but the Pandavas didn't understand were they happy or sad?

Prativindhya was able to make out that this place held a special place in his fathers' hearts. Nitya was playing with the butterfly, Draupadi gestured her to bring Yudhisthir. She did what she was told too, and soon all of them were greeted by Bhishma and Vidur at the boundary of Hastinapur.

Bhishma was extremely delighted to meet the Upapandavas, it had been two decades since he last saw them. Even though he was free to act on his will, and meet the Pandavas but circumstances never allowed him. Nevertheless, he was happy to see Nitya,it was the first time that he was meeting the teen girl. Being disciplined, the first thing she did was touching his feet. Bhishma stopped her half way and patted her head..

The Upapandavas broke ranks and ran to seek blessings from their elders.

Bhishma-" May God bless you all! You all are the shadows of your fathers! The amount of resemblance surprises me! Though I need to say this, my great granddaughters have equally inherited the qualities of both her parents! I am unable to make out who they are like!"

The girls chuckled whereas Vidur agreed. As they all made way to the palace, the subjects of Hastinapur yelled their names with excitement and small children chased the Upapandavas chariots. At the giant gate of the Palace they were greeted by Gandhari their aunt and Bhanumati, the queen of Hastinapur and wife of Duryodhana.

Draupadi hugged Bhanumati, beside her stood girl who was almost the same age as Suthanu. She was draped in a green saare with an embroidery of elephants. Shooting her brightest smile she welcomed her cousins.

They all decided to talk and stood a bit away from their parents. Pragti couldn't help but stare at Lakshmana, the eldest princess of Hastinapur. The way she walked, talked and greeted them reflected how mature she was. Even though Lakshmana was a year elder to Pragti, a certain complex surrounded her. She pulled few strands of her hair to hide a pimple. Meanwhile, Nitya was squeaking with joy.

" Yes! I have another older sister!" Nitya exclaimed and hugged her.
"Do not act like you did not know!" Pragti rolled her eyes, Shrutkarm pinched her and gave her a warning to behave nicely. Lakshmana giggled in response and said."Well you have many more brothers and sisters!"

"How many? "Suthanu asked.
Lakshmana -"The last time I counted they were around 541 of us maybe I missed a few!"Saying so she winked and the Upapandavas were shocked!

Draupadi and Bhanumati were having a hearty conversation. She fondly called her Bhanu.

Draupadi"Bhanu where is Laxman?"
Bhanumati -" He must be with his best friend! This boy does not listen to me! Let him come back I will teach him a good lesson!" Hearing that, Arjun came to resucse his nephew's impending disaster." Let it be he is still a kid !" He tried to defend him. While talking, Draupadi took a look at the entrance and spotted someone who had crossed paths with her ages ago.

It was Vrushali.

Draupadi had not seen her since the Takshak attack, she had sent soldiers to find her but in vain. All she could do was pacify Vrushali's wailing father who thought he had lost his only daughter. After seeing such a close friend Draupadi couldn't contain her excitement and went to greet her. She tapped on the other lady's shoulder,Vrushali turned towards her and her eyes widened with suprise and shock.

Vrushali-" Empress Draupadi! It has been a longtime!"
Draupadi exclaimed-" Oh my! Vrushali, its really you! I was so worried for you!"
Vrushali -" I apologize for the trouble!"
Draupadi -" Please don't call me empress! Firstly,you are elder to me and secondly we are close friends! But I have few questions. How did you end up in Hastinapur? And this mangalsutra? When did you get married?"

As Draupadi bombed her with questions, Vrushali couldn't help but chuckle. She gently held her hand.
" Slow down Draupadi! Its been a longtime since I got married my children must be on their way!"
"Who is the lucky one?" Draupadi teased her and she noticed how Vrushali's smile was filled with pride and cheeks with blush.

Before Vrushali could answer the sound of trumpets and drums was heard. A senapati announced-" The eldest prince of Hastinapur, the son of our king Duryodhana Prince Lakshman along with the valiant sons of Anga kingdom's King have arrived!"

" Here are my sons!" Vrushali smiled and took few steps to greet the young lads leaving a confused Draupadi.

Laxman smiled and greeted his uncles followed by him entered two young boys. One with slightly curly hair and the other had nearly perfect features. Both of them seeked Vrushali's blessings..

[ Hello everyone! By giving Draupadi and Prativindhya's example I would like to tell you that please no matter what happens don't make your mother sad! She has sacrificed alot for you! It still isn't late go and tell her the 3 magical words!! This chapter was edited on 25th September 2023.]