Tempted fingers lingered, just shy of touch, over the soft cheek of the asleep owner of seemingly all the innocence in the world. He really shouldn't disturb her. A mocking soft breeze blew in from the window and let a few rebellious strands of hair fall over her angelic face. Nakul was not a strong man before the beauty of his wife. The wind merely provided an excuse for justifying his need to touch his wife to his conscience. He slightly grazed his fingers over her face letting himself savour the sensation of her delicate skin before removing the hair from her face.
Her eyebrows scrunched as she smacked her slightly parted lips and turned sideways. It drew an amused chuckle from her admirer.

Abhijishya burrowed her face deeper into the pillow. He clamped his mouth berating himself for his unmindful action. She had come to sleep late into the night looking more peaceful than the past few days. Nakul was silently grateful to his brother-in-law and cousin for providing counsel to his wife. He should really let her sleep and get on with his daily duties.

It was an hour past dawn. Mohini's handmaids had come sometime ago but he had sent them back. Abhijishya needed rest after the hard days. The coming days too would not be easier by any means. Even though Dev Vishwakarma was giving them infrastructure, it was upto them to set up a successful capital and run their kingdom. Knowing her as Nakul did, he knew it would be futile to bar her from doing any work. So he would try to make her take care of herself and their growing child within her.

His child! The giddy feeling had not passed yet. It was a matter of nine months only and then he would cradle his own child. A son or a daughter. He would teach them everything he knew and take them horse riding. Washed out memories resurfaced in his mind. Pitashree's incredulous yet fond face when he had said he liked swords because they reflected his face best. Then there was that time when he had cried because Ojas's mother Vanya liked quiet Deva more than him. It was almost as if he could feel his Maa pick him up and console him; her fair young face and soft brown eyes, the way she shushed him while Pitashree promised him that Vanya would like him soon too. He just needed to patient ane put in effort.

An almost inaudible distressed sound made him look at Abhijishya. She seemed agitated and mumbling something incoherently. Nakul quickly caressed her forehead humming the tune his Maa used to sing to them before- . He bit his tongue in reproach. Why was he getting lost in meaningless ponderings today? He tried to focus on his wife and block out the persistant memory his mother singing the soft notes of a tale from ancient Madra.

A stray tear treckled down Abhijishya's temple as her face scrunched up. She blinked open her eyes looking confused at Nakul. He noted the momentary lack of recognition before she relaxed. "Arya," she murmured. Nakul craded his fingers through her hair. "Go back to sleep, love," he whispered. Still sleep drunk, Abhijishya hummed as she snuggled closer to him and closed her eyes. Nakul waited for her breaths to even out.

He spared one last glance at his Mohini before walking out of the hut. She was having those dreams again. His talk with Sahadev couldn't be put aside anymore. Nakul took quick purposeful strides towards their makeshift cowshed. Sahadev generally started his day after offering food to cows.

As expected Sahadev was feeding a calf while petting it's head with one hand. "I need your help, Sahadev," Nakul said stopping a little distance away from the shed.

Sahadev turned towards him. "Come in here, Bhrata. What help do you need?"

Nakul gulped feeling agitated suddenly. Nonetheless he stepped inside the shed. "Mohini... your Bhabishree is having strange dreams for quite sometime. As far as she has told me, she first started having these dreams and visions in Dwarka. Then she feel unconscious one day during our visit," he started pacing. "I know I should have told you all earlier but- but we came back from there and with all the chaos in Hastinapur it slipped my mind. She wouldn't wake up. She was trapped in her own mind in illusions. Now, she dreams of her previous lives. Mohini said she had children and a husband. The name of her son was Sakra. You didn't see her that day, Deva. When I entered the hut after the nursemaid announced she was pregnant, she looked so lost and distressed. I can't bear to see her like this. What if she falls unconscious again and doesn't wake up this time?"

"Naksatra," Sahadev said sharply. His tone softened seeing the helpless look in his brother's eyes. He gave the last of the grass to the mother of the calf and walked upto Nakul. "Don't go down the lane of mayhaps," he said gently.

Nakul let out a shaky breath. He hadn't realised what Sahadev had called him. "What do I do, Sahadev? She is suffering from whatever she is seeing. Now she is going to be a mother. She will be stressed about those dreams. And I don't know how to help her."

"You couldn't do anything when it came to me. Similiarly you can't do anything for her except watch from the sidelines. It is her burden and she alone must bear it. You can't accompany your loved ones in every path of life, Nakul," Sahadev said as his lips stretched into a melancholy smile.

Every words his brother said was true. But it did nothing to quell the rising feeling of helplessness and hurt. After their father's death, the curious talkative boy that matched Nakul in all his mischief became reclusive and silent. He had watched his brother spend days sitting alone immersed in deep thoughts and spend nights inside the library of Hastinapur as if seeking answers to all the problems in the world. Perhaps he was and still does because Nakul had no inkling of how much Deva could see. He wouldn't have known his brother could see the future if it weren't for an argument.

"It is as if you can see the future," he had commented offhandedly when Deva was busy going through charts of astrology. It was a silly argument where he had adamently stated his prediction was accurate. Sahadev had disagreed rapidly explaining various aspects of his miscalculation. Nakul had felt annoyed at being lectured and those words came out of his mouth. He could still remember how his brother had stilled like a rabbit that caught the eye of its hunter; how his face had paled, his breathing accelerated, sweat glistened his forehead in seconds. It was as if he was expecting the world to end at that very moment.

Nakul had continued to push jokingly. "What? You are acting as if I passed your death sentence." 

"How did you know?" His twin had stammered out that question. Nakul had laughed until he noticed his twin crying. He had thought it was a joke.

Then he had drawn his twin in his arms. It was the second time Nakul had felt helpless. First was when his Maa Madri had leaped into the burning pyre of his dead father. It took him time to finally reach the conclusion that something stopped Sahadev from ever talking about his foresight. He also understood why Deva was so keen on Astrology. It was his only way of telling some of what he sees. The measured words, tendency to stay quiet, shrugging off company, having a lost look in his eyes - everything made sense then.

"Naksatra," Sahadev shook Nakul's shoulder with a concerned look on his face.

Suddenly he could no longer bear to look back at his twin's worried face. "Don't call me that, Deva," he snapped.

Irritation seeped into Sahadev's eyes. "Why shouldn't I, Nakshatra? How many years more will you keep trying to erase Maa? She used to call us Naksatra and Deva- her two celestial gems. You aren't a child anymore!"

Nakul shrugged off Sahadev's hand and stepped away. "I know I am not a child," he seethed. "I haven't been one since the day that woman you call our mother couldn't keep her hands of our father and decided to abandon us." His voice rose in volume.

"Nakul!" Sahadev shouted. "I don't want another ill word about our mother. Why don't you understand that-"

"Yes, I don't understand. I don't understand why she didn't choose us. She chose to leave us, Deva," Nakul said back sharply. "But you knew it, didn't you? Yet you didn't stop her."

Sahadev stared back at a loss for words. The silence was palpable between them with only the ignorant cows mooing in the background.

"Deva...," Nakul started weakly upon realising what he had said. "I didn't-"

Sahadev shook his head before he walked off.

Nakul stood there for sometime. How long, he neither knew nor cared. Was he doomed to watch helplessly as his loved ones always walked away alone on their path?

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

"Did you see Rajkumar Nakul when he heard Rajkumari was expecting? He looked like he was declared the King of the Devas. Such radiance on his handsome face," the hair dresser sighed wistfully while mixing hibiscus extract with coconut oil on the floor.

"Ah," she yelped as her friend pinched her arm. "Why would you do that?" She yelled as she rubbed her arm to ease the pain.

"Stop day dreaming and do your work. Have you seen Rajkumar? His eyes don't stray away from Rajkumari Abhijishya. The dasis of Panchal told me that she is called Nakulamohini in Panchal - the enchantress that ensnared a Kuru prince such that his eyes don't flicker towards any other woman. So get the thought of him ever holding your hand out of your head," the garland making dasi said evenly to her now scowling friend.

The hair dresser rolled her eyes. "It is nit like that. I admire Rajkumar and Rajkumari a lot. Though Rajkumar did marry Maharani Draupadi, did he not? What about that?"

"You know nothing," the garland maker remarked. "I heard that Rajkumari and Rajkumar stayed together even before marriage. They married because Rajkumar was courting her."

The hair dresser gasped out loud. Keeping the metal jars to the side, she shuffled closer to her friend eager to know more. "They stayed together before marriage? Oh Shiva! What a scandalous affair it must have been! Didn't anyone oppose this? I say it is improper of a woman to stay with a man before marriage."

"Areh, they were together for over a year. It was the time when the Pandavs and Rajmata Kunti went into hiding. I know why Rajkumar is so immersed in love for her. I heard that Rajkumari is actually a water nymph whom Rajkumar saved from the oceans of Dwarka. Then she was pleased and told him to ask a boon. Rajkumar asked her to be his wife. That's why we never heard of any other sister other than the only sister of VrishniKumar Krishna," the garland maker said confidently.

The hair dresser clutched the hand of her long time friend in excitement. "Really? It makes so much sense now," she nodded sagely. "No wonder Rajkumar doesn't spare anyone a glance. Those water nymphs are known to be very enchanting indeed. Did you hear how she made Suryadev be covered by Chandradev? She caused an eclipse to curse the wedding of the Pandavs to Maharani."

The garland maker continued to string marigolds together. She replied with an air of an all knowing sage," Oh yes, she did. Now that she is with child, mark my words Rajkumari will only give birth to a son."

"Do you think Maharaj will declare  Rajkumar Nakul's son from Rajkumari as the heir of the throne?" the hair dresser pondered out loud.

"He absolutely would. Our Maharaj has not an unfair bone in his body. He is said to be the son of Dharma, Yamdev himself. Poor Maharani, despite her status, it would be Rajkumari who secured her future status as Rajmata," the garland maker tsked with pity as she arranged the flowers on the plate.

"How will Maharani win Rajkumar Nakul's heart? If this goes on, don't you think the other Pandavs will bring their other wives and she would be sidelined?" The hair dresser tightened the lid of the containers.

"No no, our Maharani was clever enough to extract a promise from the Pandavs during their marriage. They can't bring in any other wife. Rajkumari had to leave her rights as Rajkumar Nakul's wife for the year Maharani would become Rajkumar's wife. Truly a fire born she is! How fierce and clever of Maharani to squash her rival!" the garland maker said with pride.

The hair dresser sneered. "You say so because you work for Maharani now." Then she said while arranging the containers on a metal plate,"I tell you Rajkumari is kinder and talks so freely with me. She might not be as beautiful as Maharani but she surely holds the heart of Rajkumar Nakul."

"That is because she is no a proper noble born. Didn't you hear that she is the abandoned daughter of a prostitute? The news is all over Hastinapur. Either way it doesn't matter. Maharani would be the one to sit on the throne along with Maharaj," the garland maker took the plate and stood up unsteadily trying not to lose balance of her hefty figure.

The hair dresser got up gracefully, mildly exasperated with her friend's inability to stick to one story, "Whatever. But Rajkumari will be Rajmata after she gives birth to the first heir of the Pandavs. Rajmata Kunti will definitely distribute ten times of Rajkumari's weight in gold coins, silver and gems."

"If she has a son. She might have a daughter or worse... I had heard the water nymphs can only bear the children of Gandharvas," the garland maker said out loud nervously.

"May ants eat your tongue before anything happens to Rajkumari and her babe. Shameless woman you are!" The hair dresser frowned in distaste. "She is the claimed sister of Yadavshresth Krishna and Mahabali Balram. Some say they are divine. Rajkumari is protected by the gods. She saved Rajkumar Nakul like Savitri devi saved Satyavan. She is surely divine. You only said she will give birth to a son."

The garland maker huffed indignantly. "I say only what I hear. Come on now, I need some rest now. Give these to Rajkumari." She pushed the plate of flowers into her friend's hand. "I barely see Rajkumari do any work. It is our Maharani who is arranging everything and making sure everyone is settling in," she grumbled.

The hair dresser sent her friend a glare. "I spoke to Charu and Kumudini. Rajkumari is not well and the nursemaid asked her to rest. Afterall, she is holding the heir of the Pandavs in her womb. She needs all the care and rest she can get."

"I don't understand why are you so keen on her. They are noble people and it doesn't concern us ordinary folks what happens behind gold encrusted doors among Royalty," the garland maker said with a shrug.

"Shiv Shiv, you change your words like a snake sheds its skin," the hair dresser shook her head. "I better go  before Rajkumari decides to start her day without  properly embellishing her hair. Rajkumar is rather fond of my way of braiding her hair. Last time, Rajkumari said so herself and gave me her special dish to have in Hastinapur. Not an ounce of arrogance in her! So humble she is! Made me sit on her bed and spoke as if I were a long lost friend!" She grinned happily.

The garland maker said derivisely," You are too simple minded. She is no high born that's why she is like that. Now look at our Maharani. What grace and poise! Such power and influence she holds over everyone including her husbands! In fact, it was because of her divine father, Agnidev, the Pandavs got a chance to sacrifice the Khandava and please the gods. Have you seen the Palaces Dev Vishwakarma is building? I tell you this city would be Amravati on Bhulok."

The hair dresser replied back something excitedly but her words were lost to the loud thoughts echoing in the mind of the listener outside.

Draupadi forced her legs to move. She smiled and nodded absentmindedly while passing various people.

'Will Abhijishya's son sit on the throne after my husband?'

This thought refused to leave her as insecurity took hold of her mind. No, no, she would have to make sure her place stays intact in the hierarchy as well as in her husbands' lives.

~°•~°•~°•~°•~°•~°•~°•~°•~°•~

A.N. - So, one truth question was asked to me by frostymishti.

Also this was the dare given by DityaaRajput10

Proof that this chapter is 2500+ words is ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️

So if you are not pleased with this tag you know whom to go after *whispers Dityaa*. [One more thing... I tagged everyone who have introduced themselves in the introduction channel so here goes nothing 🙃😂]

Ava_2312 Bitter_Sweet_XD aasleshaa Sayra612 mythooolover vampressXXX MaheshVaishnavi DrKanu nerd_positive miss__aishaa AkshuNim Aditi_Shrivastava 111222K asmi_sharma _Sonakshi_ sisimaanu Srija_Siya Krishna_kaanta sandhanaa RITWIKA127 Khushi_Agarwal kachu123 Me_Raghavi Sweet_Dreamer_XD Kiahm2020 agirlwithblackshoes bhanupatkar MalvikaPangavoor SOUROBENGAL DawningMystery Aditi_MB krishnaa_09 krishnasodari Akshayamohanraj DharmaSakhi _justloveharry_33 AarohiTripathi09 BetsMD HimajaMajumdar ImperialRuler AASHIYANA__ WeirdoGirl_15 __evil__queen__ Paarthini NISHA260106  thegreathermione EllaSmithGranger02 GovindSakhiPanchaali RadheyPanchaali DityaaRajput10

And the people I didn't tag, go give introduction in #introduction of our Mahabharata family server.

Phew! That took me lot of time to do. Making poor ol' me work so much... 🤧🤧🤧🤧

Since no one suggested what activity you want me to conduct for 50K celebration, I guess this is it for T&D. *grumbles about unenthusiastic readers*

Moving on... now that I have grabbed your attention let me clarify a few things before you jump to conclusions.

No, I am not potraying Draupadi as a jealous co-wife and a woman only concerned about her position of power. If you all have read my work upto this chapter, you must have observed all my plotlines have small plots which start and end along with long plots that I have shown in parts over the story and will continue in future chapters. As I have said before, this is a lengthy book. So the dynamics of various relations will definitely not be simple but multifaceted.

Abhijishya and Draupadi did not get a proper base to build their relationship on so far. So many feelings and perceptions regarding the other remain undiscovered to the characters. I believe all humans are capable of all positive and negative feelings. Therefore, I am trying my best to create a slow burn build up of their relation. We have to keep in mind that the people surrounding us have a lot of influence in our thought process. Such an instance was shown in the chapter. It does not directly translate to a final judgement about Draupadi as a person and her relations with the Pandavs and Abhijishya.

*sighs* I needed to say that before someone got offended.

In the first part of the chapter, you all got to know what the previous conversation between Nakul and Sahadev in Of Conflicts and Commensal was about.

Personally I had played around with the idea of Madri doing sati on Pandu's pyre... tried to imagine a scene.. how it might have impacted Nakul and Sahadev primarily along with Sahadev becoming Trikal Darshi. I had a vaguish view before when I came across Swarg Agaman, a really good work by navsmita69. There she has written about it in a chapter. So, I believe her work deserves credit for being an inspiration from which I have shaped and brought clarity to what I wish to write about Nakul and Sahadev.

Feel free to check out her work. I am sure you will like it.

I don't know how much I was able to express through my writing regarding the various aspects of characters and their backstories along with the ongoing plot. So comment people. COMMENT.

Also don't forget to vote.

This was reaaaalllyyy long author's note but necessary. Thanks for bearing with me so far.

Until the next time,

Byeee ;")