The atmosphere of the town was completely opposite to what it had been yesterday.

It was morning but the market was closed. People stayed in their houses. The place was too quiet and tense.

The Pandavs, Mata Kunti and Abhijishya walked towards the outskirts of the forest.

"Be careful, Bheem," Yudhisthir cautioned.

Bheem touched both Kunti and Yudhisthir feet. "Vijai Bhav," Kunti blessed him. Yudhisthir echoed her blessing. Arjun, Nakul and Sahadev embraced him. Abhijishya also wished him good luck.

He pulled along a cart full of rice, vegetables and fruits. He stopped just at the beginning of the treeline.

The others stood some distance away in such a way that they were out of sight but they could see Bheem.

They waited for Bakasura to appear.

"Is he- Arjun, is he eating the food?" Abhijishya asked incredulously.

Arjun laughed out loud. "Bhrata seems tired of waiting so he is eating."

They heard loud foot steps.

"Bakasura is here," Yudhisthir murmured.

And soon enough the gigantic, beastly looking Bakasura stood in front of Bheem and the cart of food. Bheem seemed oblivious to the presence of Bakasura and continued eating the food that was kept for Bakasura.

"He is ignoring Bakasura," she deadpanned. "Only Bhrata Bheem," she said with an amused smile.

"And eating food meant for Bakasura," Nakul said agreeing with her sentiment.

"Quiet both of you. We can see everything going on in front of us," Sahadev hissed looking overly anxious but excited.

Abhijishya and Nakul exchanged looks of amusement.

"Who do you think you are, you puny creature?!" Bakasura growled but Bheem continued eating his food.

"Reminds me of someone who did the same thing during dinner," Arjun stressed on 'someone' looking pointedly at Abhijishya.

She shoved him playfully. "Shut up," she mumbled. "I didn't understand a word of what was being spoken and I was hungry. Atleast I wasn't ignoring any Rakshas as casually as Bhrata Bheem."

"Well I think the kauravs are quite similar to this Rakshas in the looks department. So I won't fault you if you thought of them as the same then," Nakul commented.

Abhijishya snickered. Arjun covered his laughter with coughs when Kunti looked at him. Yudhisthir didn't say anything but he was trying hard not to smile. Sahadev wasn't listening to them.

"Nakul, you shouldn't say things like that," Kunti scolded.

Nakul appeared sheepish but winked at Abhijishya.

Bakasura was baffled at the outright ignorance from a puny human.

"HOW DARE YOU EAT MY FOOD IN FRONT OF ME!!! I WILL CRUSH YOU WITH MY BARE HANDS," the Rakshas roared.

Bheem looked up. "Try me," he said mockingly.

Bakasura was once again astonished. Never had a human challenged or mocked him before. Soon his surprise was taken over by fury. He threw a punch at Bheem who blocked it and kicked him hard.

Bakasura fell on the ground but got up in less than a second.

A fiery battle ensued. Both seemed to be equal in strength. They uprooted nearby trees, overturned rocks and boulders and fought with them.

Their surroundings were destroyed but none was getting an upper hand on the other. They resorted to fighting with bare hands. They wrestled each other.

Slowly both of them were becoming exhausted. Suddenly Bhem envisioned Arjun telling him to step aside as he was too weak. With a burst of renewed strength, he tackled Bakasura and flung him onto the ground. He crashed on a boulder, brutally hurting his back.

Bheem climbed onto the fallen body and made his way to Bakasura's chest. Bheem let out a bellow and slammed his fist down on the Rakshasa's chest. Bakasura screamed in agony. A minute later, he was dead.

The townfolk had heard the growls and shattering of rocks earlier. They came out of their houses to find a triumphant Bheem sitting on dead Bakasura's chest.

The rest of the Pandavs, Kunti and Abhijishya approached Bheem. As expected Pandavs and Kunti were very happy that Bheem had won. Abhijishya was glad he won and was mostly unharmed; just exhausted. But she couldn't get the terrifying image of Bheem shouting and striking down Bakasur out of her head. The people cheered for Bheem.

The rest of the Rakshasas came out of their forest when they smelt many humans and loud cheering. They were astonished and frightened at the sight of their dead chief.

One particular Rakshas looked equal amounts of furious and devastated. He was eyeing them with rage.

He snarled at leaped towards the Pandavs. He was aiming for Bheem but Nakul was in the way.

Abhijishya didn't think for a split second. She threw her dagger at the Rakshas which pierced him at his shoulder. He howled in pain.

The Pandavs were now alert. The townfolk started running away at the sight of more Rakshasas.

"You all lost your leader today. Let it remain at that. Go, take his body and leave peacefully," Abhijishya said loudly.

The Rakshasas left quickly. The Rakshas that she had thrown the dagger at, seemed torn at what to do. He pulled out the dagger with a hiss and threw it on the ground.

The Pandavs were now encircling her and Mata in a protective way. The Rakshas picked up Bakasura's body and said,"I won't forget this." and flew away.

"Why did you have to attack that Rakshas, Abhijishya? Look what happened, now you've made an enemy. Who knows when he'll strike?!" Nakul said frustrated.

Abhijishya went and picked up her dagger. She cleaned it on the grass and tucked it under her waist cloth.

"What? You aren't going to say anything," his voice rose getting irritated.

"What do you expect me to do? Watch while that sneaky Rakshas leaped on you and tore off Bhrata Bheem's head or stand shouting 'watch out for the Rakshas' while he did the exact same thing. I am rather fond of you all and wouldn't like you to turn into paste on the ground," Abhijishya rolled her eyes.

"Good aim Abhijishya," Arjun said patting her shoulder. "I am learning from you afterall. Can't let you down,"she grinned.

"You didn't have to worry Abhijishya. I could still have thrown that Rakshas off if he would've come for my head," Bheem said.

"I know you are very much capable of doing so but I acted on my concern. I couldn't just watch you fend off another Rakshas right after you finished fighting one," she said. "I am glad you are fine," she smiled.

Kunti smiled and caressed her cheek; gratitude clear as day in her eyes. " Come on Mata, we must leave this town now," Abhijishya said.

"Yes, Bheem killing Bakasura has drawn quite a lot of attention from the people. If news spreads anymore, they will try to find out who we are," Yudhisthir agreed.

They went to the Brahmin's house and bid the family farewell. The Brahmin family thanked them profusely, gave some food for the journey and wished them well.

Nakul wasn't speaking to her. Abhijishya had no interest in wasting what little time they had together before complications arose.

"Say Sahadev, you can foretell the future right?" asked Abhijishya walking beside him.

"Yes, why?" Sahadev asked curiously.

"Can you tell predict how much longer he won't talk to me? Then I can spend that time listening to the Sama Veda from where you left off. After he is willing to talk, I'll speak to him," she said it loud enough that it also reached Nakul's ears.

"Hmm, let's see. He'll talk to you right about-" Nakul interrupted,"There is nothing to talk about." "Now" Sahadev finished.

"Huh, your timing is impeccable, Sahadev," she was impressed.

Sahadev laughed. "No no, this time I didn't need to predict anything. I just know Nakul well."

Abhijishya grinned at him and walked quickly to where Nakul was walking in front.

"So much anger? It's not good for health, you know," she said with a teasing smile.

Nakul sighed. "I am not angry. You made an enemy of a Rakshas. I am concerned. What if-"

"You worry too much, darling. What if the earth quaked and we sunk into the ground now, what if I mixed Neem leaves in Bhrata Bheem's laddoos-"

"Hey! Don't even think about that," Bheem protested.

"What if I fell into a pond, what if the Rakshas flew down from the sky right now, what if I die-" she was interrupted.

"Don't say things like that," Nakul said furiously.

"Fine fine, but my point is there are a lot of what ifs and if you start thinking of each one of them, you'll live less in the present, more inside your head. The future is uncertain. I know you are concerned but I am pretty sure the Rakshas will go after Bhrata Bheem since he killed his friend (most probably). Either way I don't have to worry because I am learning sword fighting and there's this gallant warrior who wants me to be by his side. He'll protect me with his amazing sword skills," Abhijishya said.

Nakul was struggling to hold his smile in but failed. "You aren't playing fair; saying things like that. How can I stay angry at you now?" He asked with mock exasperation.

Abhijishya winked.

"Darling, huh?" Bheem asked with a raised eyebrow.

Ah, she might have forgotten about the others momentarily. She blushed.

"The weather is very nice," commented an embarrassed Nakul. "Yes, it is lovely," Abhijishya nodded her head vehemently.

"Like Nakul?" Arjun chimed in.

"Yes- wha- I mean," Abhijishya stuttered. Bheem, Arjun and Sahadev laughed. Yudhisthir looked amused. Mata was smiling too.

Abhijishya walked faster not wanting to be teased anymore. Nakul followed her too.

"Areh, don't go too far," Arjun called out and chuckled.

"So when is the wedding, Mata?" He asked.

"When did all this happen? I didn't notice anything," Bheem asked.

"Raja Vrikodar, you were too busy eating like a king, I mean too busy being a king to the Rakshasas and looking at Bhabishree," Sahadev commented. Bheem held him in a headlock in mock anger. "You are spending too much time with Nakul, Sahadev."

"Bhratashree, let go," he protested. Bheem ruffled his hair and let go.

"If it were solely upto me, I would've arranged their marriage this very moment. Look at them." Abhijishya and Nakul were walking some distance away in front, smiling and joking. "They look so good together. Abhijishya accompanied us when she was not obliged to and always looked out for us. I already consider her as my daughter-in-law," Kunti said smiling.

"Mata, Vasudev (Krishna) has given her their clan name. She is Yadavkumari. So it would be inappropriate if we didn't sent a wedding proposal to Dwarkadheesh and gain his blessings for the wedding," Yudhisthir said.

"Yes but we are living as ascetics. We have given up our former lives, Jyesth. Will he even agree?" asked Arjun.

"We won't know that till we go to Dwarka. Vasudev (Krishna) is your friend, isn't he, Arjun? I am sure if we express our desire to keep our existence a secret, surely he will help us," Bheem said.

"Then it looks like we will be going to Dwarka after stopping in Kampilya," Kunti said. "It has been ages since I saw my brother and sisters-in-law," she smiled.

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They reached Kampilya late afternoon. People were in a rush around the market. Some were seen carrying huge baskets of flowers, earthen diyas, pots etc.

Abhijishya knew this was definitely for the preparation of Draupadi's swayamvar.

They spotted a potter making clay pots on a wheel. Yudhisthir approached him and greeted "Pranipaat".

The potter looked at him and returned his greeting.

"Does this town have any vacant Dharmasalas for us to stay in?" He asked.

"Every Dharmasala is full. You won't get any place to stay in. Why? Are you travellers?" The old potter enquired.

"Yes, we are coming from Ekachakra and want to go to Dwarka. We wanted to rest in Kampilya for a few days," Yudhisthir informed.

The potter nodded. "Are you Brahmin?"

"Well, we are in the guise of Brahmins,"Yudhisthir admitted.

The potter smiled,"You seem to speak half truths."

"Yes. I don't lie," Yudhisthir said.

"But there is half lie also,"the potter point out.

"You are right. If I speak half truth ever again, Bhagwan will punish me for that.Then please don't ask me anymore questions as I can't tell you the truth," Yudhisthir said.

Abhijishya's eyes widened. Now she knew why Yudhisthir's chariot wheels would touch the ground.

The potter looked at them and asked,"Has Mata and putri eaten anything?" He smiled and added," Please come inside. I'll make arrangements for food and your rest."

"But you must accept our service in return. Or else we won't accept your hospitality," Yudhisthir said.

"I am an old potter. I find it difficult to dig and collect clay now. But you are able bodied young men. You can dig and bring me clay. I'll provide food and shelter in exchange of that," the potter said.

"Then tell me from where should I bring the clay. I'll rest later," said Bheem too energetic for someone who battled and killed a Rakshas a day ago.

Arjun smirked. "Bhrata, the soil will be needed to make earthen pots ;not for making a mountain. So dig a little less."

"Areh, whatever huge amount you all dig will be less to make the required amount of diyas, pots and vessels. Our Maharaj Drupad has arranged for swayamvar for our princess. Lots of Royal guests have come from far off places," the potter said excitedly.

"Whose swayamvar? Rajkumari Shikhandini's?" asked Arjun.

"No. The Gods have blessed Maharaj Drupad with a daughter. She was born from the sacrificial fire. Everything is divine about her, our Rajkumari Draupadi. All these arrangements are for her swayamvar," the potter informed.

Abhijishya's heart clenched. Just a matter of time now. Only a day.

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In Panchal Royal Palace, the most beautiful maiden sat looking at the painting of a Prince. Her face graced a soft smile of happiness.

It was just a matter of time now. Only a day.

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A.N. - A little teaser of our dear Draupadi. Now question is what will Abhijishya do. A storm of complications, emotions, duty, honour and sacrifice is on the horizon.

Grab your seats because we are in a wild ride.

If you like this chapter then please vote and comment.

Until the next time,

Byeee ;")

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