I forgot to announce the winner in the previous chapter....

So the ship name you guys chose is....

Deem Dhana Dher Dheem
DHAREEM

In the photo above -

Bheem : I like it heehee...
Dhara : (blushing)  yeah, it's nice I mean...

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"Do it properly. Put a little more water. Why are you being a miser?" Bheem said to Valandhara.

Valandhara glared at him as Bheem stood there eating a watermelon that he broke with his bare hands as easily as someone breaking a piece of barfi (sweet).

"If I listen to you, this will be a lake instead of a garden." She said in irritation and continued her work.

"The way you are going, this will be a desert soon." Bheem commented.

"Stop irritating me. Don't you have any work?" Valandhara asked frowning at him.

"Rajkumar Bheem only has three works. Eating, sleeping and beating." A childish voice said startling both of them. They both looked around the garden to find no one.

"Who said that?" Bheem asked frowning and inched closer to Valandhara in a protective stance.

"I did." That voice replied.

"Whoever you are, show yourself this instance." Bheem ordered looking around.

"You have such big eyes. What's the use if you can't see me?" The voice said again. Bheem was going to angrily retort, but stopped as a stupefied Valandhara pointed at something behind him. Bheem looked at it and blinked.

No. It couldn't be.

"That's why I tell you to eat badam (nuts). You think this swan is talking to us?" Bheem asked in annoyance looking at Valandhara.

"Don't call me swan. My name is Murali." The voice said again before Valandhara could reply. Bheem stared at Valandhara dumbfounded as she gave him a 'see, I told you' look.

"This swan is really talking to us?!!!" Bheem stated in surprise.

"Didn't you hear? I just told you, my name is Murali." The swan said in annoyance.

"How?" Bheem asked turning to Valandhara.

"How will I know?" Valandhara said in irritation.

"That's true. When do you know anything anyways!" Bheem said nodding.

"Excuse me! I'm the one who figured out whose voice it is, when you were staring at empty air." Valandhara retorted.

"Of course. How will I know there can be a talking swan around? These weird things can come to your mind only."

"Why won't it come? When I have already seen a talking bhoora bhaloo, then why can't there be a talking swan?"

"Don't you dare call me bhaloo again!"

"I didn't. I called you bhoora bhaloo."

"You both should be dropped on battle grounds. Everyone will stare at you leaving the battle and there will be only peace on earth." The swan, Murali said in between stopping them. "Here, a guest is in front of you. You should see to my needs. Take me inside to rest. Ask me to eat or drink something. But you two are bantering. Don't you have manners!?"

"Look! Because of you, I'm facing this day. A swan is scolding me!!!" Bheem said to Valandhara in annoyance.

"Like I roam around getting scolded by swans all the time?" Valandhara said mockingly.

"Stop you two and take me inside. Or I'll grow dark standing in this sunlight." The swan said with a gasping sound.

"Who are you?" Bheem asked frowning.

"And why should we take you inside?" Valandhara joined.

"And how did you come inside the palace?" Bheem added.

"Are you deaf? I already said I'm Murali. You should take me inside because I'm your guest. And I can come and go anywhere I want." Murali replied smugly.

"Guest?! You???!!!!" Both Bheem and Valandhara wondered.

"Yes. I have come here to visit someone." Murali informed.

"Who?" Bheem asked in confusion.

"Wahi jiske taal se thik ho jate hai haar betal.
Jo hai Suryaputrika,
Naam hai jinka Arunika.

(The one whose tune repairs every tuneless.
Who is the daughter of Sun,
Arunika is name of that human.)" Murali replied.

"You've come to meet Drisana?" Valandhara asked in surprise.

"You seem smarter of the duo. Take me inside before I lose consciousness standing in this heat." Murali said dramatically.

Bheem and Valandhara glanced at each other and then took the talking swan inside the palace.

"Murali? How have you been? And how is my Sakhi?" Drisana asked in excitement and happiness at the sight of Murali.

Murali was seated comfortably with refreshments presented before and Bheem sat in front glaring at the swan. Sahdev stared at both in amusement. Devika was busy with Yaudheya; and Yudhisthir and Nakul was out of the Palace for some work.

"I'm the finest as I always am. And your Sakhi is also fantastic. She has sent her regards for you. She misses you. Well, when she gets free time from troubling her husband that is." Murali replied making Drisana chuckle.

"Drisana, you actually know this swan?!!!" Bheem asked in astonishment.

"You idiot! How many times I'll have to tell you, I'm Murali? Don't call me swan again." Murali angrily said to Bheem. Bheem's mouth gaped open.

"Bhrata Bheem, this is Murali. She is the best friend and companion of my Sakhi. And also a friend of mine too." Drisana replied suppressing her laugh.

"And who is this Sakhi of yours who keeps swans as companion?" Bheem asked with a frown.

"Don't you dare to call me swan once more or I'll complain to my Jijashree." Murali threatened.

"Complain to whoever you want. I don't fear anyone." Bheem shouted angrily.

"You should fear bhrata Bheem. Even the Gods fear my Sakhi's husband." Drisana warned amusingly.

"Drisana, who is this Sakhi of yours?" Sahdev asked this time.

"Not only Sakhi, she is also my Guru. The Gandharva Princess and the wife of Shani Dev, Devi Dhamini." Drisana replied with a smile, remembering her friend and teacher with fondness.

"Yes. The one who is the godness of Art and Dance, whose dance can attract anyone in this brahmand (universe), that is Devi Dhamini." Murali added in pleasure.

"Murali, why hasn't she come with you?" Drisana asked.

"She was going to come. But then Shani Dev wasn't feeling well. So she went to meet him." Murali replied.

"Shani Dev wasn't feeling well?!" Bheem asked with raised eyebrows.

"Yes. So what he's a God, he's also allowed to feel unwell once in a while. Besides, it's the easiest way to get the attention of wives rather than irritating them, you know." Murali replied making everyone chuckle as Bheem huffed.

In Panchal:

Rajkumari Shikhandini removed her weapons and took slow steps towards the large bathtub. She got down on the tub and slowly went to the deepest part of the water submerging herself. The memories of that day more than months ago, assaulted her.

Flashback

"Since you have decided to release me from all duties, I have decided to go to the forest for paying austerities to Yaksha King. So, he transforms me into a male. Only after that I'll return again to kill Bhishma." Shikhandini announced with severity.

Maharaj Drupad was surprised by her decision, but Dhristadhymn didn't show any emotion.

"Really? Do you want to make us a laughing stock in the whole Aryavart?" Dhristadhymn asked rigidly.

"What do you mean?" Shikhandini asked stiffening.

"Isn't it clear? What will everyone say? That Panchal doesn't have any males left, so they are turning their women into men." Dhristadhymn spatted out in anger.

"Dhristadhymn!!! Don't forget your limits. It is my sole decision and no one has the right to say anything. As for Panchal's men, haven't you already proven your manhood by marrying four times in less than four years and waging unnecessary disputes?" Shikhandini replied mockingly.

"I'm at least strengthening our Kingdom, not making us look hollow like you Jiji." Dhristadhymn replied just in the same manner.

Maharaj Drupad who was considering the possibilities stopped both of them before their argument could escalate further.

"Dhristadhymn, her proposal is not completely negligible. Only she can kill Bhishma and being a woman that's not possible." He said.
It was the only wish of Drupad's father, King Prishata that one day Bhishma would die on the hands of his blood. That's why after hearing about Kashikumari Amba, he did hard penance to get her as his granddaughter. He had been so happy with Shikhandini's birth. But till now Shikhandini had been proven to be useless.

"Pitashree, just imagine the humiliation we will have to face if Panchal's Rajkumari does something like that. Who will believe or accept her? Her body may turn into a man's, but her soul will still remain a woman's. And what will be she called after that? She would neither remain a woman, nor be considered a true man." Dhristadhymn said, making Maharaj Drupad see his point.

"Then what do you want? Tell me what should I do? Do you want me to rot sitting in a corner of the Palace? Bhishma's death is the only objective of my life and I will go to any extent for that." Shikhandini shouted at him getting angry.

"Or you can actually do something for the betterment of Panchal." Dhristadhymn replied calmly. "By getting us an ally, who will prove to be fruitful in strengthening us."

"What are you suggesting Dhristadhymn?" Maharaj Drupad asked frowning in confusion.

"Dravida. She can secure us an alliance with Dravida." Dhristadhymn answered shocking both Maharaj Drupad and Shikhandini.

Dravida!!!

"What are you saying Dhristadhymn? An alliance with Dravida! That too by Shikhandini?!!" Maharaj Drupad exclaimed in surprise.

"What's so surprising in it Pitashree? They have three unmarried Princes and we have an unmarried Princess. Rajkumar Dhikshit is in exile and Rajkumar Daiwik is younger than her. She will be a perfect fit for Rajkumar Dridhaksh." Dhristadhymn said nonchalantly.

Shikhandini had frozen in her place not knowing how to take this.

"But will they agree? I haven't really considered her marriage ever or prepared her for it." Maharaj Drupad wondered.

An alliance with Dravida and getting the Samgadhari Rajkumar Dridhaksh as his son-in-law, both were too lucrative an offer to dismiss, specially when Shikhandini didn't have any more values in his eyes. (Samga = the bow of Goddess Kali)

"They will have to agree. Maharaj Drishadvat owes you for saving his life once. And after we so generously let their daughter off the hook by back stepping from the marriage proposal, they have to agree for this. Leave that on me. Just tell her to forget her stupid plans and present herself as a proper princess who is familiar with etiquette." Dhristadhymn said grimly giving a look of contempt to Shikhandini.

"This will never work. Rajkumar Dridhaksh is a well renowned Archer. His marriage will be with a princess who can offer him wealth, military support and an entire Kingdom. I'm not a beautiful damsel like Draupadi, nor he will have a need to prove his skills in a gathering like the exiled Rajkumar Arjun." Shikhandini spatted out in disgust at the way they were talking.

"You can manage the damsel part if not beautiful. As for him getting a Kingdom, he can easily get that by marrying again. And of course, we won't send you there empty handed to beg. We will provide him with military support and wealth." Dhristadhymn said and then glancing at Shikhandini from head to toe, added, "Maybe a little more than what we offered with Draupadi. It'll make up for the beautiful part."

Shikhandini's eyes turned red with unshed tears of rage. She held herself still to control the anger and pain.

"You really think this will work?" Maharaj Drupad asked frowning.

"Maharaj Drishadvat is a man of honour. He won't want to look ungrateful now, will he? And as I said, we won't send her empty handed." Dhristadhymn said in a way of answering. "Think of it Pitashree. We already have the Gandivdhari as our ally, if we manage to get the Samgadhari too, Panchal will get back the strength it lost after its division."

"And if I refuse to get married?" Shikhandini asked seething. Dhristadhymn glanced at her with one arched eyebrow and then turned to stare at his father silently.

"If you refuse, I will disown you and you'll be exiled from Panchal. Then you can roam around doing whatever you want." Maharaj Drupad stated with a cold stare.

Was this the father she had sacrificed everything for? Shikhandini left the place without uttering a single more word, unsure on how to react or what to feel on this. On one hand, she was getting exactly what her heart desired, but on another she was being ripped apart from everything she had been taught and wanted since birth.
Tears flowed through her eyes freely as she reached her chambers and locked herself.

Now, as Shikhandini rose from the water and let the dasis apply aromatic oil and organic scrub on her skin, she still didn't know how to take all of it. The proposal was accepted of course and the date and time of the marriage had been fixed too. Marriage preparations had already begun at Panchal and invitations were being sent too.

Just the bride wasn't ready to leave the past on rest and move ahead towards a new life.

In Anga:

Subhadra checked on Mata Kunti to see if she needed anything else. When she was satisfied that Kunti was well settled, she left her to find Karna. She had sensed a slight change on him since they returned from Indraprasth. He was upset and disturbed for some reason. Subhadra went to their chambers only to find it empty like the last few nights. Karna had been avoiding her as much as he could. Probably fearing she would hear his thoughts and understand his unspoken troubles. But not tonight. Tonight Subhadra knew where he went.

She moved out of there towards the wing that used to be the King's wing before Subhadra came here. Karna hadn't wanted her to be there for whatever reason and a complete new wing was decorated for them to stay. Subhadra hadn't been much on these parts of the Palace,  but she had received the news that Karna was visiting this area nowadays.

She went to the room where Karna supposedly was. The doorkeeper confirmed that he was inside. Subhadra decided to went inside unannounced to find out what exactly was troubling her Vrisha.

She silently entered the room and after looking around in the dimly lightened chamber, her sight got caught on a portrait hanging on one wall. The woman on the portrait looked slender but firm too. A smile was curved on her lips. She wasn't eye-catching beautiful, but beautiful indeed. And there was an innocence in her eyes that would attract the onlookers. Either it was real or an illusion created by the artist couldn't be said for sure.

"What are you doing here?" Subhadra heard the question coming from the direction of the balcony. She moved there to find Karna standing.

"Came to find you." Subhadra replied softly.

"It's late. Let's go to our chamber." Karna said nodding.

"No. I want to remain here for sometimes." Subhadra said standing still, looking at the backyard of the Palace. Karna didn't reply. He stood there uncomfortably.

"Is it because you don't want me to be where she once was?" Subhadra asked in a whisper. But Karna heard her and stiffened instantly.

"Subhadra I-- I don't intend to--" Karna started after clearing his throat.

"It is the first time you called me Subhadra after our marriage." Subhadra said in between. Her face and voice were kept carefully blank. Not giving any indication of her inner thoughts. Karna took a deep breath.

"Yes. I don't want you where she once was. I don't want to belittle her memories. I don't want her soul to feel hurt watching us together." He decided to be honest with her.
"I feel ashamed of myself that after killing her and my son, I'm here experiencing love and life."

Subhadra watched his hardened face. His eyes were glassy with guilt and self-loathing.

"I know I shouldn't think like this. But I can't help it. I feel like I'm betraying her, betraying her memories, betraying her feelings." He added before falling silent.

Subhadra stared at him for long moments. Then she took him by his hand and went to stand in front of the portrait of Supriya.

"I never knew her. But I can tell from watching this painting, she must have been a beautiful and strong woman, both inside and out. And if that was true, she will never feel hurt watching us together. She'll feel happy for us. I don't know how she was, but I know how you are Vrisha. I know you will never do injustice with anyone, much less your wife." Subhadra stopped for a moment before continuing.
"Love is to be given freely and selflessly. Love doesn't happen with or within a reason. Love is the most precious and purest thing one can have. And you have nothing to feel ashamed for beholding that love."

"Did you not fulfill your duties as a husband? Did you not give her the respect she deserved? Did you not take care of her? Have you ever forgotten her memories? Or will you ever disregard those memories? Did you never acknowledge her feelings or respected them?" Subhadra asked staring intensely at his deep black orbs.
"If you never neglected to do all of that, then how can you say you're betraying her, her memories or her feelings?"

"But I failed to protect her. I wasn't there for her or my child." Karna whispered.

"It wasn't your child only. It was hers too. There's no one who can think or care for a child more than the mother. Do you think she wouldn't have done anything to ensure her child's protection if it was possible? When she was hiding her physical condition, she was both being a responsible wife and brave mother. She wanted you to fulfill your duty without worrying about them. And she was also being strong for her child." Subhadra said with glistening eyes and then cupped his face gently.

"Accept it Vrisha. There's nothing you could have done for them, for your child. It was time for them to go. It wasn't your fault. Never your fault."

A denial instantly came to Karna's tongue, but he stopped it knowing Subhadra was right. There was nothing he could have done for them. It wasn't his fault. He had heard it many times, but it was the first time, he let the truth flow through him accepting it. Karna closed his eyes and leaned on her touch with their forehead joined.

"Will she forgive me for not loving her?" Karna asked with contempt.

"You did love her. As a friend, as a companion and most of all as the mother of your child. You did and still do." Subhadra said nodding. Karna took a deep breath inside and released it with a huff.

"You're the first woman who is convincing her husband, he loved his first wife." He said with a sad smile.

"Truth is true. And I have accepted you with all of it. I will not let you hurt thinking otherwise." Subhadra replied returning the smile.

"I will never understand what you see in me to love me so much." Karna said staring at her in wonder.

"You don't need to understand. Just keep cherishing me." Subhadra said with a teasing smile that made him chuckle.

"I do Sthira, I do. More than my life, I do."

Hello readers!!!

So, Shikhandini and Dridhaksh is getting married soon....🎺🎺🎺

Don't worry. Drisana will teach a lesson to both the Panchal siblings. 😉

Samga is the bow of Goddess Kali. One of her many name is Samgapanini (she who holds the bow Samga).

Why always bother Lord Shiva, when his Shakti has many the most powerful weapons on her possession too.

Of course, I have a back story ready how Dridhaksh got his hands on the weapon. 😆😆😆
I'll indulge you on that someday...😈