Mahamantri Vidur's suggestion was met with looks varying from astonishment to dismay.

"Are you aware of what you are implying, Vidur?"said Mahamahim Bhisma. His voice trembled towards the end as the idea of a divided Kuru kingdom filled his mind. Was this the result of his years of service, patience and aspirations?

Vidur couldn't meet the gaze of his Tatshree and looked away. "This is a family fued which is boiling over to become an unwanted catastrophe," he turned to Dhritarastra and said," Maharaj, when a building is on the verge of collapse, a wall is built in the middle to support it's form. The animosity between the Kuru princes has gotten out of hand. We can still abate war if we keep them apart."

Dhritarastra listened quietly. Vidur had provided sound reasoning to his suggestion. He didn't want war. He just wanted his sons to be happy.

"I-" he was interrupted.

"What kind of a solution is this? I will not tolerate the division of Kuru Kingdom. It belongs to Pitashree now as he is the Maharaj and in future it will belong to me," Duryadhan was adamant in his claim.

"Enough," Bhisma said."Enough has be said in this court today. I cannot stand here any longer."

He looked at Dhritarastra and said,"Maharaj," then walked out.

Abhijishya knew it wasn't the right time to stress on Kakashree Vidur's suggestion so she remained a silent spectator.

Maharaj Dhritarastra said," The purpose of this court session is fulfilled. The das and dasis will make proper arrangements to accommodate the Pandavs and Kulvadhu Draupadi. Welcome back."

The Pandavs and Draupadi joined their hands and thanked Maharaj.

Dhritarastra got up." The court is dismissed."

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

"How long do you plan on hiding here?"

Nakul didn't bother to look at the source of the voice. He continued brushing Ojas's mane and said," I am not hiding."

He heard light laughter. Sahadev came into view.

"Isn't this Ojas?"he asked. The horse in question whinnied upon hearing his name.

"He has grown in the time we were gone, hasn't he?" Nakul said fondly petting Ojas.

"Oh, he has grown a lot," Sahadev said as he moved closer to the pair. He rubbed Ojas's white forehead with a smile.

"So?" Sahadev asked.

"So what?" Nakul answered walking towards the stack of straws kept nearby.

"Really Bhrata? You think I would buy your excuse to tend to the horses as you walked away hurriedly after the court meeting," Sahadev said.

"I missed my companions," Nakul simply said while feeding Ojas.

Sahadev sighed. He said instead,"You remember Vanya?"

"She was a lovely mare. I first learnt horse riding on her. But I still think she was more fond of you," Nakul said with a slight chuckle. With her long black mane and shining dun pelt, Vanya had been untamable and exquisitely graceful. At first she only allowed Sahadev to mount her and later Nakul. Ojas, on the other hand, had inherited the black mane and dun pelt from his mother Vanya along with his in-curved ears and skewbald markings from his father Pranay.

Vanya

Ojas

"I meant how we found Vanya with Ma-"

"Deva," Nakul snapped. His reprimand was met with a resigned sad smile.

"You haven't called me that in years," Sahadev softly said.

Nakul gulped down the bitterness that always threatened to overpower him whenever they spoke about 'then'. He put an arm around his twin in silent apology.

"You know why," he whispered.

Sahadev nodded. It was the only thing he and Naks- no Bhrata Nakul will never agree on.

Nakul patted Sahadev on the back and let go. He cleared his throat and said,"Yes, you are right. I may have been hiding."

Sahadev smiled. If it was a bit firced, Nakul didn't point it out. "Obviously you are. When was the last time you didn't accompany Bhabishree?"

"I don't follow her everywhere," Nakul protested. Sahadev raised an eyebrow. "Sometimes I don't follow her everywhere," Nakul amended.

Sahadev snorted and shook his head.

"Do you think what I did was stupid?" Nakul asked after sometime. He had come here to clear his head from the ringing vile words that made him regret not cropping Duryadhan at the neck. Now that his anger had lost it's red tint, he realised his impulsiveness but couldn't bring himself to be repentant of his actions. So what if he lost his life while silencing the tongue that dared to slander his wife?!

"Impulsive yes, righteous yes but not stupid. Bhabishree is slightly displeased about it if you are wondering. In her words, she doesn't fancy losing her husband because he valiantly stopped a barking dog," Sahadev said amusedly.

Nakul looked at Sahadev with wide eyes. "She called Duryadhan a dog in front of Jyesth," he said in awe.

"Yes, well, Jyesth voiced his disapproval. Bhabishree expertly remarked Jyesth must see the resemblance in his subconscious or else he wouldn't have assumed who she was talking about. Jyesth couldn't say anything then," Sahadev said.

Nakul and Sahadev looked at each other and burst out in peals of laughter. Ojas' merry neighs joined them too.

"Bhratashree Bheem laughed outright," Sahadev said in between laughter. "Bhrata Arjun and I had a hard time holding ours. You should've seen Draupadi's face. She looked torn between disbelief and disapproval."

Nakul calmed down and asked hesitantly," Do you think Panchali will think badly of Mohini?"

"I think we should leave Panchali and Bhabishree to build their own relationship," Sahadev answered.

Nakul nodded. He then petted Ojas once more before saying impishly," Come on, Sahadev. I believe it is time for lunch. If we don't hurry, Bhrata Bheem might eat our share of the meal too."

"Let us go," Sahadev agreed. Both of them walked towards the dining hall.

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

Abhijishya stood indecisively while Draupadi moved around seamlessly in the kitchen.

Earlier, Jyesth Mata and Mata Kunti said that Draupadi and she would be preparing today's lunch. But there was a catch. They would get no help from any dasi.

"Dhruvi, don't remain standing there. Come, you can start making payesh for dessert while I get the rice boiling,"Draupadi said while washing rice. When she got no reply, she looked up. "What happened Dhruvi?"

Abhijishya laughed weakly. Her stomach was twisting from nervousness. "I don't know how to cook what you just said. Actually I don't know how to cook many things. I can't even properly differentiate between spices. What do I do?"she asked anxiously.

Draupadi laughed softly. "Oh Dhruvi! I never thought you were capable of being nervous. You look so debonair before the court yet you are antsy at the prospect of cooking a meal."

"Well, one cannot be good at everything. I only know some recipes but those aren't what you all eat here," Abhijishya said with a sigh.

"Do you have the ingredients here?" Draupadi asked thoughtfully.

"I think do," Abhijishya said uncertainly.

"Then cook the recipes you know. We will also get something new to eat. Now, tell me what have you got in your mind," Draupadi asked.

"I need to look at the ingredients before I can tell," Abhijishya said before rummaging around the kitchen.

She found flour, spices, sugar, salt, pepper, lemons, milk, vegetables and many other things.

"I'll make the dessert. Jiji, could you make rice, daal and curry?" Abhijishya asked.

Draupadi nodded and quickly got to work.

Abhijishya had a few things in mind which she could make from the available ingredients. Only drawback was that she needed to make sauce from scratch. She also felt sad that she hadn't gotten a chance to learn how to make Nakul's favourite pulao from Bhrata Bheem.

It was a struggle cooking with large utensils and preparing big batches. Thankfully the Kauravs would not be eating with the Pandavs. Maharaj Dhritarastra had also politely declined citing his much needed presence for administrative matters. Abhijishya felt like sending Duryodhan flowers for deciding not to have lunch with them. She surely would've died trying to feed over a hundred people.

Draupadi still managed to look sophisticated while cooking whereas she was a mess. Abhijishya already sported two burns on her hands. So at this point, she didn't even care.

The desserts were ready. Abhijishya still had to make 4 more batches of what she decided to make for main course.

"Are you making modaks?"

Abhijishya nearly jumped up in fright; only the boiling sauce in front kept her from doing so.

"Bhrata Bheem! Did you have to give me a scare?!" she said while trying to cover what she was making.

Bheem gave an apologetic smile. "You were so focused on making these modaks, you didn't notice me entering. I even spoke to Panchali before talking to you."

"Oh, forgive me then," Abhijishya said. "Is it already time for lunch? I am not yet done making mo- modaks."

"No, you still have another hour. Tell me, what is that?" Bheem asked curiously looking at the boiling red mixture.

Abhijishya quickly stood before Bheem. "It is a surprise. You'll find out during lunch. Please don't look now."

"Is it some new recipe? Oh, I feel very excited now. You must teach me how to make them later. Come now, I'll instruct you how to make Nakul's favourite pulao. The sooner you are done, the sooner I will be able to eat your food," Bheem said eyeing the covered food.

"Wait a moment, please," Abhijishya said and took down the sauce which was finally done. She also covered it leaving only a little gap to let it cool down.

"So, you will need cardamom, cloves,-" Bhrata Bheem started to say.

Abhijishya looked at Draupadi who was stirring something far away in confusion.

"Please wait, Bhratashree," she said. Bheem looked at her in question. She only gestured towards Draupadi. He nodded and smiled.

"Jiji, are you done with what you wanted to cook?" Abhijishya called out.

Draupadi looked at her and said," Almost done. I just have to take down this daal."

"Then we'll wait for you. You should learn how to make Arya's favourite pulao from Bhrata Bheem with me. If we make it together, he will love it more than anything," Abhijishya said with a broad smile.

Upon hearing this, Draupadi's face bloomed into a pleased smile. She nodded and quickly set down the vessel with daal.

Draupadi came near them. Bheem once again started.

"You need cardamom, cloves, cashew nuts...

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

Finally Draupadi and Abhijishya were done cooking and arranging everything in bowls.

Bheem had left sometime ago to call his brothers for the meal.

Draupadi called for the dasis to help in carrying the food.

They entered the dining hall followed by the dasis. All five brothers were already seated along with Pitamaah and Kakashree. Both of them didn't appear tensed from the court meeting. 'They must have talked it out,' thought Abhijishya.

Mata Kunti said,"Jiji said she has been called by Maharaj so she won't be joining us." Then she smiled and added," Today Draupadi and Abhijishya have prepared lunch from everybody. Tatshree, Bhratashree I hope you both enjoy the meal."

"Mata, sister Abhijishya has prepared something new for us. I went to the kitchen earlier," at Kunti's chastising look" Not for food Mata. I went to teach her and Panchali how to make Nakul's favourite pulao as I promised to Abhijishya before. She wouldn't even let me see what she cooked for us," Bheem said.

Kunti smiled. "Is that so? Then let me not keep you all waiting any longer."

She gestured the dasis to place the vessels in the middle of the table. Abhijishya and Draupadi started serving the food.

Draupadi had made plain rice, two types of daal, paneer curry and mixed vegetable curry.

"What is this called, Abhijishya?" Bheem asked picking up a samosa.

"It is called samosa, Bhratashree. Dip it in this green chatni. It will taste much better," Abhijishya said serving the chatni.

Bheem dipped the samosa and took a big bite. His eyes widened as he chewed quickly.

"This is so delicious," he proclaimed and proceeded to take more samosas on his plate.

"Areh, Bhrata Bheem, don't eat every samosa. Save some for us," Nakul protested.

"It depends on you if you can eat fast or else I'll eat them all," Bheem said with his mouth full of samosas.

"What are these putri? I thought they were modaks at first," Kakashree Vidur asked.

"These are momo. Have them with the sauce," Abhijishya said giving him the piquant tomato-garlic pepper sauce she made.

"Very delicious and light," he commented.

"I thought they would be a nice change in between all the spicy intense flavours," Abhijishya said with a grin. She couldn't believe she had aced cooking.

"Who made this?" Pitamaah asked. It was paneer curry made by Draupadi.

"Is something less in the curry, Pitamaah? I made it," Draupadi asked tentatively.

Bhisma smiled. "No, putri. It is very delicious. Reminds me of the time my mother used to make it for me. I would love to eat my meals made by both of you atleast every week."

Draupadi and Abhijishya exchanged delighted smiles. "Of course, Pitamaah. We shall cook for you whenever you want," Draupadi said.

"Yes, Pitamaah. It would be our pleasure to do so," Abhijishya added.

"Arya? How is the pulao?" she asked Nakul.

"It is so good I don't even want to open my mouth other than eating. It is even better than what Bhrata Bheem makes," Nakul answered busy piling his plate with the pulao.

"The mixed vegetable curry is my favourite," Arjun said with a smile. Draupadi blushed at the praise.

"You have an unhealthy love for vegetables, Bhrata Arjun," Abhijishya said.

"You statement is contradictory, Abhijishya. Vegetables are healthy so liking to each them is not unhealthy," Arjun retorted.

Abhijishya shrugged. "You won't understand. I am sure Bhrata Gopal will agree with me."

"You can't always use that to win arguments," Arjun said.

Abhijishya only mouthed,"Watch me."

Arjun just shook his head and concentrated back on eat his beloved vegetables.

Draupadi helped Abhijishya serve dessert.

"What are these, Bhabishree? They look like eggs in water," Sahadev asked looking curiously.

Abhijishya laughed. "These aren't eggs, Sahadev. Try one," she urged.

He held one and put it in his mouth in whole. A little syrup dripped from the corner of his mouth which he wiped with the back of his hand.

"I never thought I will say this but I love whatever these are," Sahadev said before putting another in his mouth.

"Areh slow down or you'll choke on it. These are called rosogolla. My favourite sweet as well as a very important part of my culture," Abhijishya said. She felt waves of nostalgia rise at the memory of her learning to make roshogolla from her Maa. She turned her head and blinked away the tears.

Draupadi put a comforting hand on her shoulder with a questioning look. Abhijishya smiled and shook her head.

"Jiji, help me cut the cake into pieces," she said already moving towards where the big lemon crepe cake. As there was no baking power, Abhijishya stacked crepes with whipped cream and lemon glaze filling topped with lemon pieces.

"Your homeland has quite strange food, Abhijishya," Yudhisthir said. "But they are all very delicious. They surprisingly complement well with the scrumptious dishes Panchali cooked for us."

"Thank you, Jyesth," Abhijishya replied joyfully.

"We are really glad that everyone liked the food we made," Draupadi said with a smile.

"What is this called?" Nakul asked taking a piece of the cake.

"It is lemon crepe cake," Abhijishya replied.

Nakul took a bite and chewed with his eyes closed. "I was never fond of sweets much but I love the sweet and sour taste. You have to keep making them for me," he said.

Abhijishya flushed at his praise which was met with Arjun's teasing smile.

"Of course, she will Nakul. You'll definitely get to have one cake every meal," Arjun said while grinning.

"What? It is unfair then. I also want my share of-of this kek," Bheem said.

"If she starts making kek for you Bhrata Bheem, she'll have to start living in the kitchens. I have seen the poor dasis making laddoos for you every minute of the day. No no, we'll have Abhijishya's cake once a month," Nakul answered.

Abhijishya laughed. "As long as no one asks for lemon cake everyday, I have no problem making it. Bhrata Bheem, don't worry I'll make it for you too. Think of it as my gurudakshina for teaching me how to make the pulao."

"In that case, Panchali should also give me gurudakshina," Bheem said.

"What can I give you, Arya?" Draupadi asked.

"You'll have to make this daal for me whenever I want," Bheem said.

"Yes Arya," Draupadi replied with a smile.

Rest of the time was spent with even more abundant praises, jokes and laughter. Later, Draupadi, Abhijishya and Kunti sat down to eat as well.

Abhijishya almost teared up after eating the roshogollas. Even though her Maa was not with her, her love remained in the small things she taught Abhijishya throughout her life.

~°•~°•~°•~°•~°•~°•~

A.N. - I saw the request for Nakul and Sahadev moments in #Prompts request# and I realised I had not written anything on that in Dhi. Like 48 chapters and I didn't write exclusive twin moments. *facepalms* It is mostly because the story follows Abhijishya and well it sorta didn't occur to me 😅.

There's some unresolved issue between Nakul and Sahadev which resulted in some distance.

Draupadi and Abhijishya are still evolving as co-wives, friends and sisters.

I like to sprinkle little this and that on various characters hoping you all take notice. (I don't know if all of you catch on the small things or not)

The meal was important so had to add that. Honestly, I wanted to loosen up a bit from court meeting thing.

Also I updated earlier than I said I would. s_sense looks like I couldn't deny your request.

If you all want me to write drabbles/ficlets/one-shots , go and comment on the previous chapter #Prompt requests#.

Please vote and comment.

COMMENT PEOPLE. I need feedback on how this chapter was.

Update : 27th aug (maybe) I am taking my time.

Until the next time,

Byeee ;")

P.s. Should I be concerned that Chapter 46 has 73 votes and Chapter 47 and Chapter 41 have 56...? Was Chapter 47 boring?... Is this chapter boring? The dining part was hard to write trying to involve everyone.