The Pandavs had been travelling for a week now. They were steadily moving north-west towards River Saraswati.

In this week, Abhijishya learnt a lot. Firstly, there were no mosquitoes. Like how brilliant is that. Mosquitoes did not exist. Secondly, she was actually quite good at identifying various herbs and plants. Thirdly, she was not that good ("terrible" Arjun says) at trying to crave a dagger from a rock. Lastly, she was having trouble sleeping. More like she could barely sleep. So her state was constantly tired, sometimes hungry and always moody.

Abhijishya's dagger

She also discovered that the Pandavs possessed infinite patience.

"Abhijishya, this the fifth night you are offering to keep watch. You need to sleep. What's the matter?" asked a concerned Yudhisthir.

"I am fine. I am fine. Don't worry about me," Abhijishya said waving her hand nonchalantly.

"We have reason to be worried, putri. Yesterday, Sahadev noticed that you were just laying awake. If you continue like this, you'll fall ill,"Kunti said.

Abhijishya bit her tongue forcing herself not to snap at her. She didn't answer and just continued to pull out grass from the ground.

The Pandavs exchanged worried glances. "You all rest tonight. I'll keep watch," Nakul volunteered.

Abhijishya shrugged and didn't even bother to answer. The Pandavs laid out the bedsheet that Abhijishya had brought from Lakshagriha.

Abhijishya also laid down some distance away from them while Nakul walked around to do a perimeter check.

She gazed at the numerous stars in the sky. Even the sky was different here. It was clearer and with many more constellations. It was nice to live in a pollution free world but these days Abhijishya's thirst for anything familiar was like an open wound.

Sometimes she would subconsciously try reaching for her phone, hear Kunti laughing and expect to see her Maa, crave for ice cream and junk food. An ache had settled deep within her heart.

During the day, it was easier. As much as she was fascinated with this world, she was beginning to lowkey detest it too. For being so nearly familiar but completely alien.

Seeing the Pandavs, she missed her friends and sister a lot. She curled up and put her palm against her mouth to stifle her sobs.

Nakul walked near Abhijishya to see if she was sleeping only to find her silently crying. He felt unsure how to approach her. Since childhood, he was the one that was comforted by his mother and his elder brothers.

He tentatively sat down beside her and craded his fingers through her hair gently.

Abhijishya looked up to see Nakul sitting down beside her. She sniffled and rubbed her face.

"Sorry, I thought I was being quiet," she murmured.

Nakul's heart ached. "What is the matter, Abhijishya? You can tell me and I'll try my best to help you," he whispered.

"What would you do if suddenly the world as you know it changes completely?"she asked.

"I... I don't know. Try to find my purpose once again I guess," Nakul replied.

"I am coping. You and your family are some of the nicest people I have come to know. But the new cannot lessen the ache due to loss of the old, Nakul. I just miss home very much," Abhijishya admitted.

Nakul hummed. What can anyone say to remedy a grieving person of their sorrows? He continued to caress her head.

"Tell me about those herbs you picked up the day before yesterday," she said.

Nakul proceeded to share his knowledge of medicinal herbs in details in a low murmur.

Abhijishya's eyelids started drooping after sometime.

Meanwhile, Arjun lifted his head and saw them. He smiled and went back to sleep. Who knew, among them, Nakul would be the one to fall in love first?

================================

The next morning Abhijishya woke up feeling more calm and well rested.

From a few passing ascetics, they learned that the region near Kamyaka forest was abounding in fruits this year. There was also an ascetic asylum in the nearby village so they were heading that way.

The Pandavs decided to accompany them. They had crossed the border of Kuru kingdom few hours back so they were a bit more relaxed.

"Will it be safe going to the village, Jyesth?" asked Sahadev.

"Yes, we are in the provice of Ahichhatra. No one besides Guru Dron and Ashwatthama can recognise us here," Yudhisthir replied.

Abhijishya gathered wild blackberries from the nearby bushes. They were walking at a leisurely pace.

It was late afternoon. They were near the border of North Panchal when Arjun heard the sound of horses approaching their way quickly.

They left the ascetics and hid in an alcove behind thick tendrils.

It was a few soldiers and Ashwatthama. They were returning from a hunting trip. Ashwatthama spotted the ascetics and gestured his company to halt. He got down from his horse and greeted ,"Pranipaat."

The ascetics blessed him.

"You neither have any guard with you nor seem to have any weapons. Where are you five travelling like this?" Ashwatthama asked.

"We aren't five. We..." one ascetics looked around to see the rest of their company gone.

"We had 7 more people with us. 5 Brahmin young men, their mother and their sister," he said.

"5 young men with a mother and a young woman, you say," Ashwatthama said. 'Must be the Pandavs. Then Pitashree was right that the Pandavs didn't perish in the fire.'

"Soldiers go look around. Search the forest. I want those people to be brought before me," Ashwatthama ordered. Almost immediately the soldiers mounted their horses and set out.

"We need to get out of here as soon as possible. If Ashwatthama sees us then he'll recognize us and we have to return to Hastinapur," Arjun said.

He spotted a cave some distace away. "See that cave there? Jyesth you take everyone and go. I'll keep an eye on Ashwatthama. Go go," he urged.

All of them hurried to the cave that was covered with a thick curtain of vines. The soldiers were coming in their direction.

They all entered the cave quickly. Arjun was still outside.

Ashwatthama was chasing a bow wielding young man. Arjun ran fast and escaped his grasp. He too entered the cave.

The cave seemed to be an entrance of sorts to a forest. Everything was descended in a thick fog. Abhijishya was relieved to see Arjun finally join them.

"The soldiers didn't follow us here, did they?" asked Nakul.

"No. They didn't," Arjun replied.

"Let's not waste any time here. We should get out of this forest now. This place doesn't sit right with me," Kunti said.

They walked towards the way they had entered. Abhijishya noticed they passed the same tree a third time.

"Stop. Stop. We are walking in circles. This is the third time we passed that tree," she pointed towards the tree.

It was a strange place. The surroundings were seemed similar everywhere. Abhijishya turned around sharply at the feeling of being watched. Her mind was alert.

Arjun smiled at Yudhisthir and sighed. "Then let us just rest here."

"What are you saying Arjun? We have to get out of this forest," saying that Bheem uprooted a tree.

"Come on, I'll uproot trees and create a path for us," he said throwing the tree to the side.

Abhijishya watched in horrified fascination as the tree returned to its place only moments later. So they were finally here, weren't they?

She flopped down on the ground. "Arjun is right, Bhrata Bheem. It's no use wandering about in this forest. Look at the tree. It's back in it's place again."

Bheem turned around to see the tree standing as it was before.

Arjun too sat down beside her.

"We are in an enchanted forest, Bhratashree. We can't find our way out ourselves," he said.

"Rather, we can't exit without the wishes of the ones who who live in this forest," Abhijishya said.

"What?" asked a confused Bheem.

"Rakshas live here Bhrata Bheem. And we are their food. We can only wait for them to approach us. So rest while you can," Arjun said.

Everyone sat down. Abhijishya passed the berries around that she had collected. It wasn't near enough to fill their stomachs but something was better than nothing.

They all lay down close to each other. Abhijishya slept beside Kunti. She was curious about meeting Hidimba but couldn't erase the feeling of dread that the forest itself seemed to be exuding.

A.N. - This is the last daily update. After this my updates will be very irregular. Most of you should know that many exams are going to be held in July. So I am in a lot of stress. I couldn't properly concentrate on writing on this chapter. Hence, it is short. I can't really give much time in writing. I am NOT abandoning this story. Just saying that you'll probably get very less updates. I'll make up for it in August. So sorry guys.

Finally the Pandavs are here in Kamyaka Forest. Tell me what do think of the story so far.

Vote and comment if you liked this chapter.

Until the next time,

Byeeee ;")