Abhimanyu aimlessly walked in the palace garden. The palace of Matsya Desh was smaller than his, but it was cozy and comfortable.
However, the hectic atmosphere of the palace made him feel suffocated and he needed some fresh air. He sighed. He felt annoyed already. What will happen when they do get married and have to stay with each other?

Memories flashed in his mind. Memories he wanted to forget. The joy, the happiness and then the pain. The very same thoughts which trapped him. He knows he can't take that out on Uttara, she is not even aware but he still felt angry and upset.

"Is it true that you are an archer? Have you been on wars?", an excited voice spoke suddenly, interrupting his thoughts.
Abhimanyu saw a young boy, a few years younger, staring at him in awe. Abhimanyu nodded. "Can you teach me?", the boy asked.
"Sure. But who are you?"
The boy looked offended. "You don't know me? I am Rajkumar Uttar of Matsya Desh. And your to be brother-in-law. "

Abhimanyu bit his tongue and mentally scolded himself for being so unaware about Uttara's family. "I am so sorry.........should we start training? ", he attempted to change the topic. Uttar nodded excitedly and they went towards the training ground.

He handed Uttar a smaller bow and began explaining the techniques while Uttar listened keenly with undivided attention.
"Understood?", he asked Uttar who nodded in reply. He immediately took the bow from Abhimanyu and aimed at the target, hitting it.

Abhimanyu couldn't help but smile.
"You really like archery, don't you?", he asked.
"Not just archery", Uttar replied, eyes still focused on his next target. "I want to learn to use all weapons."

They both bonded well over training sessions and had immediately taken a liking to each other.

       ♡♧◇♤♡♧◇♤♡♧◇♤

Uttara sat in her chambers, annoyed at the earlier events, when a daasi informed Uttara that Samragyi Draupadi was to soon come and meet her. Uttara nodded and fixed her appearance quickly. Draupadi entered the chambers with two daasi on either side, each carrying a large thali covered with a cloth. Uttara stood up hastily as Draupadi approached her and ordered the daasi to place the thalis on the table before leaving.

"Samragyi........", Uttara started but Draupadi stopped her and placed her palm on Uttara's cheek.
"Nervous?", she asked. Uttara nodded and bit her lip. Draupadi smiled. "I understand. Abhimanyu may seem uptight and rigid on the outside but he is soft on the inside". Uttara nodded.

"Anyways, that is not what I am here for ", Draupadi continued. "In a weeks time, is your wedding day and I want to give you something".
Draupadi uncovered a thali. It held a beautiful, rich cloth. "I got it made from the best weavers and tailors specially for you. I want you to wear it tomorrow. And this-", she uncovered the second thali. "- is the jewelry that I want you to put on".

The jewelry was intricate and beautiful, embedded with precious stones.
"Thank you", Uttara said genuinely. Draupadi smiled. "And one more thing. From now onwards don't call me Samragyi, call me mata".
Uttara smiled and hugged Draupadi. Draupadi laughed and hugged her back lovingly.

     ♡♧◇♤♡♧◇♤♡♧◇♤

"What is going on here?", Suthanu asked, entering the drawing room where her sister Pragati was, along with Uttara.

"Nothing much, jiji", Pragati replied.  "We were just talking."
"About what?", Suthanu asked, taking a seat opposite the two rajkumaris.
"About our hobbies!", Pragati exclaimed causing Suthanu to laugh.
"So, what did you tell Rajkumari?", she asked.

"The usual", Pragati replied. "Climbing trees, riding horses, boating...."
Suthanu smiled at her and turned to Uttara. "What do you enjoy doing?", she asked in a polite manner.

Uttara fumbled a bit. Answering Pragati was different, she is still young. But Suthanu on the other hand, was a yurani. She is a lot like her mother, Draupadi and it made Uttara nervous.
"Um....I like stitching and embroidery", she mumbled, trying not to make a fool of herself.

"Really?!", Suthanu was fascinated. "I never got to learn anything like that.....can you show me." She was definitely excited. Uttara never thought that the Yurani of Dwarka would show such child like excitement.
Uttara nodded. She opened her trunk and brought out the beautiful clothing which she had delicately embroidered. She went upto Suthanu and placed the cloth pieces in her arms.

Suthanu looked at them in amazement, her mouth slightly parted.
"These are beautiful. You are really very talented", she complimented. Uttara felt pleased. She was expecting to get judged, but instead was being praised. The Kuru family was very different  than what she thought it would be.

"Can you make one for me?", Suthanu asked with a slight pout and wide eyes, which made Uttara laugh.
"Sure, yurani", she said.
Suthanu frowned at the way she was acknowledged.

"What is this 'yurani' thing?", she chided her. "Call me jiji".
Uttara couldn't help but smile at her instructions which were similar to her mother's.