Drisana found Nakul sitting on the Palace garden alone. She went near and sat beside him silently. She knew he was upset about Arjun's exile. All of them were. Dinner was a mostly silent affair with Arjun's slightly successful attempt to make the environment lighter. Mata Kunti requested him to stay till Deepavali. She had wished to celebrate this time with all her sons together and Arjun relented finally.

"Nirmay, don't keep sulking. He's not going to go forever. It's just one year. He will return soon." Drisana said.

"I know. It's just---. Was it really necessary?" Nakul muttered sadly.

"Well, Mata Kunti repeatedly tried to convince him, so did bhrata Yudhisthir. But your brother is a hard-headed one." Drisana said with a sigh.

She was mostly irritated with Arjun. They were forbidden to raise weapons for Devika and her baby's safety at the first place; and Arjun broke the pact to safeguard them only. Still he insisted on going to self-exile for keeping his mother's word. And she knew any of Mata Kunti's sons in Arjun's place would have done the same. Even Nakul too.

Sometimes she felt adoration and respect for the bond they shared. But sometimes she felt plain out annoyance. Thank God Mata Kunti was a woman of few words or else! She wondered if her own child in future would be like Pandavs. The thought was both endowing and terrifying. She shook her head to get rid of the thought.

"I'm mostly feeling bad for Draupadi jiji. They are expecting and at this time, bhrata Arjun won't be with her. He will miss the birth of their first child." Drisana said again in dejection and kept her head on Nakul's shoulder.

"Yes. But nothing can be done. We can just make sure to take care of bhabhishree Draupadi properly in his absence." Nakul replied releasing a long sigh and kissed the top of Drisana's head.

Valandhara came inside her chamber only to find Bheem standing on the balcony staring at nothingness. She kept the large bowl of Kheer she had made on a low table and went near him. After standing at his back silently for a few moments, she suddenly gasped and started shouting.

"Oh my God!!! My eyes!!! My eyes!!! I can't see anything. Arya, look what happened to my eyes!!!"

"What happened, Kashika (coming or belonging from the city of Kashi/ the Shiny one)? What's wrong with your eyes?" Bheem asked hurriedly in concern grasping her shoulders.

"I can't see the stars you're looking at." Valandhara said making a crying face.

"There is no stars in sky tonight." Bheem stated with thin lips.

"Then what are you staring at?" Valandhara asked looking contemplative. Bheem gave her a look and turned back to stare at the blackness of the night.

Valandhara smiled to herself. This big bad bhaloo (bear) was just like a coconut. Hard on the surface, but soft to the core. In the following days of their marriage, they had continued their sweet and sour bantering. Bheem never expressed his feelings, nor she acted like she had said anything at her swayambar. They never talked about that day or their marriage specifically.

She controlled her laugh remembering the first gift after their marriage. Bheem had gifted her a watermelon. The first gift from her husband was a watermelon! Well, if it was anyone in her place, they would be angry and mad at him. But Valandhara thought it was adorable and unique. Now she would always remember the gift and it would always remain with her.

In these days she had observed him and found unique layers on the man himself. Bheem meant formidable and this man lived by his name. But behind this intimidating and ignorant personality, there was a gentleness that fuelled his actions.

Bheem rarely slept at night and roamed around the Palace. That's because he worried for his family's safety and didn't want to take the chance of someone harming them when they slept soundly. He dragged his brothers from sleep at night instead of taking help from the servants, because he liked the company. He would have sweets at the middle of the night, because that helped him in catching a few hours of sleep before dawn. He was ignorant on most matters because his point of view was simple and uncomplicated. But that didn't mean he was an idiot. His simple viewing could give solutions to problems that even far fetched thinking couldn't.

And now he was upset and angry on what happened with his bhabhishree and brother. For the past twelve days, he had barely gotten any sleep, roaming around and keeping watch for any dangers. But still what happened, he considered it his failure. He had consumed more foods than normal at dinner tonight. Like diverting his mind from current situation with foods. But Valandhara was sure, he hadn't even noticed the tastes properly, only kept himself busy.

"If you are done with staring at the darkness, can you help me by tasting the Kheer I made for Devika Jiji and Draupadi?" Valandhara said again from behind. Bheem looked at her with narrowed eyes.

"You only say that you're a better cook than me. So I thought to take your opinion before serving them." Valandhara said nonchalantly.

Bheem removed his eyes from her and went straight to the bowl of Kheer. Valandhara followed behind.

Bheem watched his wife from the corner of his eyes. There was something in her that captivated him. It was like she understood him without even speaking. When he had gotten the idea that he should gift her something, the first thing came to mind was flowers. But she already remained surrounded by flowers as he had never seen her without flowers on hair. He wanted to gift her something different. He didn't take the risk of jewelleries fearing she wouldn't like his choice. So, he gifted her watermelon which was both healthy and sweet.

Arjun and Nakul had facepalmed themselves hearing his choice of gift, but what Valandhara did surprised everyone. She collected the seeds from the fruit and planted them in her garden. Valandhara loved gardening, to grow her own herbs and vegetables. Knowing that Bheem had gifted her an entire tract of the Palace garden at their wedding. And now a section of the garden consisted watermelon plants, grown from the seeds of the fruit he gifted her.

His heart warmed in delight that she wasn't upset or didn't mock him at his choice, rather accepted that. He liked to watch her working hands on at the garden, carefully tending to her plants. But he loved to annoy her more when she was working. He didn't like it when her attention was anywhere except him. And Valandhara seemed to well understand his tantrums. Even now, she made this Kheer to uplift his mood. Bheem didn't need to be told to know that.

"What are you doing? This is not the time to get all dressed up." Bheem said as he watched her rummaging through her clothes.

"Your Jyesth is coming tomorrow. I won't get time to select clothes later. So, I'm deciding only now what to wear tomorrow." Valandhara replied.

Bheem didn't say anything else and kept watching her while enjoying his kheer.

"Don't you have anything else? These all are a waste. The blue one is the worst of all." Bheem commented concentrating on his sweet.

"Really? But I think the blue one is very pretty. I'll wear that only." Valandhara said suppressing her smile.

"Of course, you'll only like that. You and your choice!" Bheem said hiding his smile behind the bowl.

"Exactly. Me and my choice!" Valandhara sighed pointedly looking at Bheem. Bheem, on getting the hint narrowed his eyes at her.

Ignoring him, Valandhara arranged everything and then removing her jewelleries got prepared to sleep. Bheem after finishing the Kheer, came to sleep too. He twisted and turned for a while being unable to fall asleep. Then noticed Valandhara had inched towards him in her sleep and now slept keeping her head on his arm. Bheem stared at her for a while and then encircled her waist with his other hand, bringing her body closer to him carefully. He kept nuzzling her head, breathing in her fresh lotus like fragrance until he fell asleep.

Subhadra saw around in amazement at the beautiful town of Indraprasth. The town was decorated like a new bride. And why not Pandavs' elder brother was officially coming to their Kingdom for the first time with his bride. On top of that it was the occasion of Deepavali. First Deepavali of Indraprasth that too with three new brides, Drisana, Subhadra and Valandhara. The celebration had to be grand.

Even though palanquin was the usual medium of travelling for women, Subhadra insisted she would ride on the chariot only. So that she could enjoy the views properly. Karna obliged and now when they were close to the Palace, she wanted to ride on the palanquin suddenly.

"I just don't want to go to my in-laws house like this. What will they think of me? New brides are supposed to come on palanquins only." Subhadra said nervously. Karna looked at her in amusement. But relented at the end.

As they neared the palace gates, Karna saw Mata Kunti and Pandavs were waiting there to welcome them. Kunti's eyes glistened in happiness seeing her eldest son in front of her. Pandavs had soft smiles on their faces. Karna and Subhadra came to stand in front of Kunti. The same warmth and respect filled Karna's heart that he felt everytime he saw her even before knowing she was his mother. He bend down and touched her feet with Subhadra.

"Kalyan ho, putra. (Bless you, son.)" A lone tear slipped past Kunti's eye as she caressed his face. "Akhand Soubhagyabati bhava (May you remain free from the curse of widowhood). May God grant every wish of yours Subhadra." Kunti said smiling in pleasure.

As Kunti stepped back, Pandavs came forward sporting smilies and the five of them bend together to touch his feet. Karna was stunned by their act.

"What are you doing? There's no need for this." Karna said in astonishment.

"Elder brother is like a father figure. Will you keep us deprived from your blessings Jyesth?" Yudhisthir asked gently making Karna speechless at the respect shown towards him.

"Kalyan ho. (Bless you.)" He said finally smiling softly.

"Thank you Jyesth. For accepting our invitation." Yudhisthir said again after straightening.

"Jyesth, why you delayed so much? You know how much we were perturbed to meet you?" Nakul said with a pout.

"Sorry. I got so much involved in royal affairs, I couldn't make the time." Karna said smiling affectionately at him.

"But now that you're here, we won't let you leave soon." Sahdev said light-heartedly.

"Parnipat, bhabhishree." Yudhisthir said greeting Subhadra on behalf of Pandavs.

"Parnipat." Subhadra greeted back with a smile.

Kunti then welcomed Karna and Subhadra by doing Aarti and afterwards they all moved inside. Subhadra was taken to meet her sisters-in-law. She went to meet Devika first with Kunti. She was resting in her chamber as after that incident she was instructed to do. She was due in two weeks time only.

"Parnipat." Subhadra greeted coming inside. Draupadi also sat with Devika. As she was also instructed to rest, she came to help Devika in getting ready than sitting idly.

"How was the journey Subhadra? Hope you didn't face any trouble while travelling." Devika said smiling warmly after greeting her.

"It was fine. Where are Drisana jiji and Dhara jiji?" Subhadra asked.

"Dhara jiji is watching over the food preparations. As for Drisana, she is running." Draupadi replied smiling playfully.

"Why and where is she running?" Subhadra asked in confusion.

"That she knows only. Last time I heard, Mata gave her and Dhara jiji the responsibility to watch over the preparations for Deepavali celebration. Dhara jiji smartly took the responsibility of handling the kitchen leaving the rest to Drisana." Draupadi said in amusement.

Kunti become concerned hearing her. The rest included cleaning, renovating, and decorating the whole palace and outside gardens, stables and storehouses, lightening the whole palace with diyas (oil lamps), making rangolis (colorful art circle patterns) on every doorways, entrances and rooms, changing and hanging new finest curtains, bedsheets, pillows, surface clothing, decorating all the places with fresh flower garlands, cleaning of all the utensils and replacing the old ones, preparations to perform worship ceremonies of Lakshmi (the goddess of prosperity and wealth) which would be joined by all the royal ministers, Brahmans, their families and other guests, choosing gifts for all, organising them and getting them properly packaged.

Though all the works would be done by the servants, but they needed proper watch and instructions. Devika and Draupadi had been managing the palace so far. But as both of them needed proper rest, Valandhara and Drisana got the honours of handling them. Both the amateurs, were out of their depths. Valandhara took the responsibility of handling the kitchen saying she was familiar with cooking and Drisana was familiar with the Palace as she had lived here longer than her. Not that it was easy. Watching over the month long feast, keeping track of the groceries, preparing of various sweet items for offerings, guests and common people, making sure all the foods were distributed properly was a huge task in itself. The entire week foods for the palace guards, servants and their families would be prepared on the Palace kitchen only. And a celebration without a proper feast was deficient.

Now, both the new daughters-in-law were sweating profusely to manage their duties.

"I should check on them. Poor girls. Who knows how they're handling everything!" Kunti said in concern and was about to get up.

"Wait, Mata. You don't need to worry for them. Though they're amateurs in managing household, both of them are experts in getting their works done." Devika said stopping her.

"What do you mean, putri?" Kunti asked in confusion.

"Jiji means they not only got their husbands to work, but also has gotten our husbands to work too." Draupadi replied smiling mischievously and added, "Dhara jiji taunted bhrata Bheem saying though he manages to cook somewhat decently, he is ignorant when it comes to the groceries or measurements. And to prove her wrong bhrata Bheem has kept the groceries in storehouses after purchasing all the ingredients that will be needed in correct measurements."

"And our Drisana asked help from bhrata Nakul to catch a mouse that is roaming inside the palace. She was concerned it will ruin the rangolis or turn over a diya causing a fire. Well. Bhrata Nakul did not find any mouse even after roaming the whole palace with his guards, but Drisana now knows where diyas are less in number or wasn't lightened at all and also which doorway or entrance still hasn't a proper rangoli made." Devika said smiling in mirth.

"And Arya Arjun got into a debate with Drisana about the way Lakshmi worship is done in her Kingdom. So now to make sure Drisana don't do any blunder, he is watching over the final preparations." Draupadi said laughing lightly and added,
"They didn't even spare bhrata Yudhisthir. Dhara jiji and Drisana expressed their concern of getting cursed if the Brahmans and guests aren't served and gifted properly. So, the Maharaj took it upon himself to look after the arrangements to assure his sisters."

"And our intelligent bhrata Sahdev was told there is a mistake in the accounts allotted for the celebration. So, while he was checking the accounts, he also checked over the expenses, the bought items, used goods and stored ones too. And made a fresh proper records to submit on the royal court." Devika said.

"But jiji, wouldn't it have been easier to just ask help from them?" Subhadra asked laughing.

"Yes. That would have been. But in that case there are three loopholes.
One, it will be frowned upon to ask help for household chores from the men.
Two, it will mean to give them the option of saying No.

And three, the most important one, they'll also have to share the credits of organising the celebration so smoothly and with perfection." Devika said making the rest three chuckle.

"Well, this will indeed be a celebration to remember it seems." Kunti said shaking her head.

Hello guys!!!

How was the chapter??? A little boring maybe...

The celebration is coming right up...

I'm flattered as some of you requested me to bring Drisana's brothers back. Well...seems they are equally popular if not more than Pandavs. 😄😄😄
I'll bring them occasionally. In fact, the next track is on them only. Remember Dridhaksh's pending wedding???

Help me in figuring out a ship name for Bheem & Valandhara...I tried a few. Let me know if you like one of them or have an entirely new suggestion..

P.S. names are just an excuse, I wanted to post the pictures...😆 don't they look good together?!😸😸😸