It was evening already. Drisana still hadn't met Shikhandini since her arrival this morning. She had gone to bed for taking a nap and rose just a little before sunset. She felt exhausted after the journey. Now as she got ready for the function Maharaj Drupad had arranged for all the guests, in honour of the two families and their alliance, she was lost in thoughts. The day after tomorrow was the wedding and she still wasn't sure about the consequences. But bhrata Krishna had assured her at Kashi, not to worry about the consequences, right?

But she couldn't help but think. It was the question of her brother's life. If anything happened to Daiwik, she wouldn't be able to forgive herself. And even if they succeed, there was no guarantee Shikhandini would accept Dridhaksh. That woman was too absorbed in her hatred for Pitamah Bheesmh and her love for her father. Honestly, Drisana was never a fan of Devi Amba. And her this reincarnation hadn't impressed her either. She had been severely disappointed and irritated when she heard the news of her decision of becoming male. Not only because that posed a risk to her plans, but also because she never cared or thought of Dridhaksh. Did her brother mean so little to her?

Still Drisana was ready to keep aside her dislike for the woman and give her a chance for Dridhakshs' sake. And if Shikhandini mended her ways, there would be no reason for Drisana to dislike her.

"Rajkumari? The anklets?" Drisana came out of her thoughts hearing the voice of one dasi. She glanced down at her feet. It was another one of her favourite pairs given by Nakul. The speciality of it was, it was light-weighted and didn't have any bells. And it matched her attire too. But Nakul didn't like it much. He loved to hear the sound of her anklets.

"Change it too." She replied with a smile. She got up after and gave a last glance on the mirror to see if everything was at place. The red and green threaded bangles with small gold beads attached had been a gift from Subhadra. Unsurprisingly, she had brought a large number of bangles of every colour and kind to gift her sister-in-laws when she visited Indraprasth.

The dasis left as Nakul came inside the chamber.

"How do I look?" Nakul asked checking himself on the mirror.

Drisana arched one brow looking at him from head to toe.

"Not good. Your crown is leaning sideways. This orange dhoti and yellow Angavastra is not a good combination. And your mekhala (the belt used to tie paridhaya and dhoti) also looks weird. Have you tied it properly? And your face---- Did you not get enough rest? Your eyes look tired. And this updhana (footwear) looks a little faded too." Drisana said with concern.

"What!!!!!" Nakul gasped in horror and he looked visibly scandalised. He immediately checked himself thoroughly on the mirror.

"You still are the most handsome man to me, my Vaiyd Ji." Drisana said smiling sympathetically.

Nakul turned to look at her, then stared at his reflection again. A few moments later, a frown slowly appeared on his face realising Drisana was only teasing him. He slowly turned towards her again. But before he could say or do anything, Drisana warned him.

"Don't make me run. Because I will and it won't be good for the baby, remember?"

"Couldn't you have simply said that I'm looking so handsome that you don't want to let me out of this room?" Nakul said sulking.

"Nope. Because I don't want to miss the opportunity to meet everyone outside more. So, you're not staying here." Drisana said shaking her head slowly.

"That means you do want to confine me here with you." Nakul said smirking and bringing her closer by holding her waist.

"Yes." Drisana smiled sweetly and wrapping her arms around his neck, whispered sensually at his ear, "Because, bhrata Daiwik is right outside waiting for you."

"What?! How?! I mean why?!" Nakul asked leaving her immediately.

"What do you mean why, Nirmay? Are you afraid of my brother?" Drisana asked feigning surprise.

"Bikshipt o se sabdhan rehna cahiye. Aur aadhe Bikshipt o se dur. (We should stay alert around full mad and stay away from half ones.)" Nakul muttered to himself.

"What?" Drisana asked frowning.

"I'm not afraid of anyone. Just curious why he is searching me." Nakul replied loudly.

"You'll know soon. Right now, let me leave you in his hands." Drisana said making Nakul's eyes round and moved out of the room.

Nakul contemplated hiding in this room or taking another route, like the window or balcony. He had good practice in coming and going using those. But dropped the idea a moment later.

True to Drisana's words, Daiwik was actually waiting for him in the hallway outside their chambers.

"Rajkumar Nakul, how much time you take in getting ready! I am waiting since long." Daiwik said as soon as Nakul came closer.

"That's the problem." Nakul muttered sighing.

"What?" Daiwik frowned.

"What's the problem?" Nakul said hurriedly. "I mean why were you searching me? Is there any problem?"

"Haa. Samassya toh hai. Mera ashwa ghass nehi kha raha tha. (Yes. There is actually. My horse wasn't eating grass.)" Daiwik said still frowning.

"Toh aap kya cahte hai? Main aapke ashwa ko ghass khilau? (Then what do you want? Should I make your horse eat grass?)" Nakul asked gritting his teeth.

"Nehi. Ashwa ko nehi. Bhrata Dridhaksh ko. (No. Not the horse. It's bhrata Dridhaksh.)" Daiwik said shaking his head.

"Rajkumar Dridhaksh ko ghass khilana hai?!!?!!! (Rajkumar Dridhaksh should be made to eat grass???!!!!!)" Nakul gasped in astonishment.

"Re nehi Jijashree. Puri baat to suniye. Mera ashwa ghass nehi kha raha tha, Kyuki use Panchal ka ghass pasand nehi aaya. Kintu pher bhrata Dridhaksh aaye, aur mere ashwa ko Panchal mehel ke dakshin aur ke upavan mei leke gaye. Waha ek jheel hai. Aur mera ashwa waha jate hi jheel ke paas ki hari ghass bare prasannata se khane laga!

(No, Jijashree. Listen to me first. My horse wasn't eating grass, because he didn't like Panchal's grass. But then bhrata Dridhaksh came there and took my horse to the grove situated on the southern side of the Palace. There is a lake on that side. And after going there, my horse started to eat the fresh grass of that lakeside with satisfaction!)"

Daiwik explained to an utterly confused Nakul.

"Haa toh kha liya na. Toh samassya kya hai? (Okay, so he already ate. Then what is the problem?)" Nakul asked.

"Bhrata Dridhaksh! Unhe kaise pata cala uss sthan aur waha ke ghass ke bisay mei? Yoh toh Panchal mehel pehli bar aaye hai. (Bhrata Dridhaksh! How did he know about that place and the fresh grass? He came to the Panchal Palace for the first time, right?)" Daiwik asked in wonderment.

"Accha. (Okay.)" Nakul stressed the word getting his point.

Well. He knew, Rajkumar Dridhaksh must had known the place for the same reason he himself knew about it. And Dridhaksh hadn't come here for the first time, of course.  But who would tell that to this brahmacari (bachelor)? Nope. Not Nakul.

"Kya accha? Pata lagana parega, ki iss ashwa ne jheel ka jaal kab piya. (What okay? We will have to find out when this horse drank the water of that lake.)" Daiwik said with determination.

"Parantu aapka ashwa toh ghass kha raha tha na? (But wasn't your horses eating grass?)" Nakul asked in confusion.

"Aap mere behen ke hi pati hai na? Nehi, uske sangaat ka asar dikh nehi raha hai. Isiliye pucha. (Are you really my sister's husband? No, actually her influence on you is not seen. That's why I'm doubtful.)" Daiwik said with a fake smile.
"Mei upama de raha tha. Mera tatparya hai ki humain pata lagana parega ki bhrata Dridhaksh ko uss sthan ke bisay mei gyat kaise hai. (I was giving example. What I meant is, we will have to find out how bhrata Dridhaksh knows about that place.)"

"Aur iss anusandhan ke liye aapne mujhe hi kyu cuna? (And why have you chosen only me for this mission?)" Nakul asked smiling at him in disdain.

"Kyuki bikalp mei kebal bhrata Devyajot hai mere paas. (Because I have only bhrata Devyajot as my other option.)" Daiwik replied showing his teeth.

"Parnipat." Drisana greeted Rajkumari Shikhandini with a smile. They were in the great hall where the celebration was going to take place in a while. Drisana had reached the hall with Draupadi and Priyala. She came to meet Shikhandini as she arrived there.

"Parnipat, Rajkumari Arunika. We finally meet. I've heard a lot about you." Shikhandini said with a slight smile and was trying to get a read on her. She had seen her in passing at Draupadi's wedding. There was no reason to interact or give importance to her at that time. But the scene seemed to have changed now.

"I hope it was all good you heard." Drisana replied with a slight chuckle.

"Don't know either it's good or bad. But heard your point of view is slightly different than others. And you like to break and generate customs and traditions." Shikhandini said staring at her with interest.

"Parampara ka adhar Dharma hai. Aur Pratha, Dharma ka pratibimbh. Kintu jab paramparaye aapna adhar chor de, aur prathye aanaytikta ka pratifalan karne lage, toh unhe tod dena aur naya prarambh karna hi Dharma hai.
Aisa mere bhrata Krishna kehte hai.

(Traditions are based on Dharma (righteousness). And customs are the reflection of Dharma. But when traditions leave it's base and customs reflect immorality, it is only Dharma to break those and generate new ones.
My bhrata Krishna says so.)"

Drisana replied smiling warmly at her. Shikhandini stared at her in bewilderment.

"Aap bhi aab Parampara o ko todna sikh hi lijiye Rajkumari Shikhandini. Kyuki samagra Aryavart mei Dravida hi woh sthan hai, jaha pratha aur paramparayo se adhik mehetwa manusatwa aur bibekshilta ko diyi jati hai.
(You also learn to break tradition now, Rajkumari Shikhandini. Because in Aryavart, Dravida is the only place where humanity and consciousness are given more importance than customs and traditions.)" Priyala added from beside with a teasing smile.

"My jiji doesn't need to learn anything, Rajkumari Priyala. She herself is the example of exception." Draupadi said smiling with pride.

"There is need actually, Jiji. There is a difference between be the example of exception and setting an example of exception." Drisana said smiling at both the sisters.
"Now take Kashikumari Amba. She became the example of exception. But failed to set an example of exception." Drisana said staring at Shikhandini who went rigid at the mention of her former self.

"Where has Kashikumari Amba come into this?" Priyala asked in confusion.

"Who knows? Maybe she never came. Maybe she was already present here." Drisana whispered making big round eyes. Draupadi and Priyala laughed at her antics. But Shikhandini on the other hand stared at her in slight confusion and anger.

"The woman at whose expense you're laughing, had the courage to go and seek justice when the society rejected her." Shikhandini said gritting her jaw. Draupadi and Priyala fell silent sensing the tension in Shikhandini. Drisana on the other hand, was relaxed and sported the same smile.

"No. The woman I'm talking about is the one who set the wrong example of how a princess is nothing but an object who can be discarded at men's will, either it's by her father or lover. And what justice are you talking about?
After getting hurt by an arrow, getting ones frustration out on the arrow isn't called justice." Drisana replied calmly.

"Really? So you think, she got her frustration out on the wrong place?" Shikhandini asked in a deadly cold voice.

"A father is the one who protects their child from all harm. And a lover is the one whom a woman trusts to protect from all harm. So, when a father turns away from his child, when a lover breaks the trust and degrades her and a complete stranger becomes the cause unintentionally, who you call the real culprit there?" Drisana asked casually.

"If someone attacks us and our army gets defeated then who will you face and punish? The enemy or the scared army?" Shikhandini asked rigidly.

"When your army was scared and left you alone to fight the battle? When your enemy left showing mercy and your army betrays you by casting off you for showing courage? You tell me who should be punished really?" Drisana asked again.

"The enemy of course. Because it's him that caused the distress." Shikhandini said instantly.

"I disagree. The enemy was just an excuse. Your army was never trustworthy. The betrayers should be the one to get punished." Drisana encountered nonchalantly.

"Who are you talking about exactly?" Draupadi asked looking confused and glancing at both her angered sister and nonchalant sister-in-law.

"Kashikumari Amba. She was my Pitamah's sister. Gangaputra Mahamahim Bheesmh abducted her and her sisters from their swayambar after defeating all Kings who attended. Her sisters Devi Ambika and Ambalika accepted it as their fate and married Yuvraj Vichitravirya. But she on the other hand, loved someone else and upon knowing it, Gangaputra let her leave. Unfortunately the King she loved, didn't accept her and Devi Amba went back to Gangaputra demanding him to marry her. As we all know, Gangaputra has taken an oath of celibacy, he refused. Being angered by this, Devi Amba went in search of Bhagwan Parashuram. He then challenged Gangaputra to a fight till death. The fight between these two went on and on for days before Mahadev himself had to stop them. But he also gave a boon to Devi Amba that at a later time only she will be the cause of Gangaputra's death."

Priyala retold the story to Draupadi who listened carefully and became sad.

"Pitamah can never do injustice with anyone. There must be some reason behind his actions. And he also let Devi Amba leave. He didn't force her in anyway. He gave priority to her wishes. And besides, the first rule of swayambar is, the swayambara has to come without any predilection. If she already loved someone else and had decided to spend her life with that King, then she wasn't completely faultless too." Draupadi said tentatively. Shikhandini clenched her fists tightly to control her anger hearing her sister and said,

"What do you mean Draupadi? Should she have accepted it as her fate like her sisters? A woman has the right to choose whoever she wants. Gangaputra had no right to take that choice away from them."

"You're absolutely right, Rajkumari Shikhandini. A woman has the right to choose her life partner. Just like Valandhara Jiji chose bhrata Bheem at her swayambar raising above all customs. But does that also gives the women the right to use men for their entertainment? What else it was when she already decided who she wanted and still called the others in false pretence?" Drisana asked casually.

"So, you're trying to hide his faults by pointing at the victim?" Shikhandini asked with a mock smile filled with distaste.

"I'm not saying Pitamah was absolutely right in his actions. He wasn't. But Devi Amba wasn't either. And what she sought, was revenge, not justice. She didn't punish the man who broke her trust, who degraded her. If she had punished that King of Salwa, then today, man would think twice before betraying a woman and disregarding her. She would have set the example, a woman and her love isn't a plaything, that can be tossed aside at will."

Shikhandini was going to reply her angrily, but before she could Maharaj Drupad and Maharaj Drishadvat arrived and everyone moved to take their respective seats as the celebration started. But Draupadi and Priyala didn't miss the anger filled glare thrown at Drisana before Shikhandini left.

In Anga:

Karna stood stoically as Subhadra welcomed Pandya King Sarangadhwaja, Rajkumar Vivitsu and Rajkumar Yuyutsu. Apparently, Drauni was in Hastinapur and to keep away the two, at kulguru Kripacharya's advice, King Sarangadhwaja was diverted to Anga. They were taken to rest in guest chambers. Yuyutsu hearing Kunti was here, went to meet her first.

"Parnipat, Kakishree." Yuyutsu greeted Rajmata Kunti smiling at her.

"Kalyan ho, Putra." Kunti blessed him returning the smile with an affectionate one.

"I'm seeing you after long. How are you?" Yuyutsu asked.

"I'm the happiest, I can be by Mahadev's grace. How have you been? And how is everyone at Hastinapur?" Kunti enquired gently.

"Everyone is fine there. Jyesth Mata misses you." Yuyutsu replied.

Fine. Everything was fine. Though after crowning his son Uluka as the Yuvraj of his region in Gandhar, Gandharraj Shakuni had returned to Hastinapur as Maharaj Dhritrastra's councillor, everything was fine. Even though Pandya King Sarangadhwaja was hell bent on attacking Dwarka and to destroy it, gained weapons from Pitamah Bheesmh, Guru Dronacharya, Mahabali Balaram and Kulguru Kripacharya, everything was still fine. Even though he had enough forces and allies to wipe out Dwarka from Aryavart's map, everything was still fine. Wasn't it?

"I miss Gandhari Jiji too. How is your Mata Sughada?" Kunti asked.

"She's also good." His mother had been relieved from all duties since he returned from Gurukul and took her away from the Palace to the house outside where he stayed.

"So, Hastinapur is allying with Maharaj Sarangadhwaja?" Karna asked casually as Kunti left them after a while.

"Apparently." Yuyutsu replied shortly.

Well, if Hastinapur allied with Maharaj Sarangadhwaja, then Hastinapur's allies were bound to help him too if ordered. Which meant Karna had to raise weapons against Dwarka and so did Indraprasth.

"I can understand about Mahamahim Bheesmh, kulguru Kripacharya. I can even understand Guru Drona giving him weapons. But Balaram? How can he bestow weapons to the enemy of his brother?" Karna asked frowning in annoyance.

"Kyuki bhrata Krishna kehte hai, ki guru ka kartavya hai ki woh sisyo ka samarpan aur samvhabnay dekhe. Aur guru se prapt kiye gaye gyaan ka upyog, sadbhayo aur Dharma ke prati nistha se karna sisyo ka kartavya hai.

(Because bhrata Krishna says, a teacher's duty is to see the dedication and potentiality of his students and it is the duty of the students to use the knowledge gained from their teacher with goodwill and allegiance to Dharma.)"

Subhadra replied coming inside with light snacks carried by the dasis.

"Aren't you bothered that Maharaj Sarangadhwaja intends to attack Dwarka?" Yuyutsu asked with confusion.

"Cinta to swayam Dwarkadeesh ko bhi nehi ho rahi hogi. Toh mujhe kyu ho? (Even Dwarkadeesh himself must be unbothered. Then why should I?)" Subhadra replied smiling.

"But the force is formidable this time." Yuyutsu said a little bit hesitantly.

"No matter how much path the river has crossed, it can never compare to the depth of the ocean. Don't worry, Rajkumar Yuyutsu. As long as Dwarkadeesh doesn't wish, no one can even enter Dwarka and if someone does enter, then know it was his wish only." Subhadra said smiling with utter confidence and pride.

***Kids Alert***
Do not read ahead....😑😑😑

Subhadra lazily combed her hair thinking something deeply. Even though she showed confidence in front of Rajkumar Yuyutsu, she was a little tensed too. Maharaj Sarangadhwaja rivaled great warriors like Rukmi, Arjun, Karna and even Krishna in weapons. He was determined to avenge his father who was killed by Krishna. Subhadra didn't doubt his brother's capabilities, but still her heart felt restless.

Subhadra came out of her thoughts feeling someone holding her shoulders softly. She upped her eyes to see Karna standing behind her on the mirror.

"It ended?" Karna asked.

"What?" Subhadra asked back in confusion.

"Your confidence, Sthira? You were bragging so much outside about your bhrata Krishna. It all ended?" Karna asked innocently.

"I wasn't bragging. It's all true. You don't know my bhrata Krishna well enough till now." Subhadra said pouting.

"Like you absolutely understand everything about your bhrata Krishna!" Karna said dryly.

"Leave all that. What took you so long? Where were you?" Subhadra asked frowning.

"Playing dice with our guests." Karna replied meekly.

"Then what was the need to come here? You should have stayed with them only." Subhadra said mockingly.

"I wanted to. But they needed rest." Karna replied teasingly.

"Right. And now I need rest too. So, if you need anything, don't bother to call me." Subhadra said with a tight-lipped smile.

As she was going sidestepping him, Karna held her hand stopping her. He stepped closer to her from behind. Subhadra felt his closeness as his warmth was seeping into her. Karna brought his mouth closer to her ear and

And they did what they should. As there was only darkness, author couldn't peak.😂😂😂

Okay...guys...I know I threw water over your anticipation. But they both are mature and were in the bedroom. So, it indeed was "mature bedroom scene"....😂😂😂

There are again two reasons why I stopped.....

1. 25% of my readers are between the age 13-18. And I know a 'mature scenes ahead' alert will never ever stop anyone from reading. We are after all curious by nature only....😂😂😂

2. I will never make my lovely Krishna's uncomfortable for The Shakunis.

Any thoughts about Drisana and Shikhandini's convo???

So, Drisana isn't a fan of Devi Amba because Amba never punished the betrayer, Maharaj Salva who rejected her because of Bheesmh. He led a contented life unbothered by Amba's condition when he was the man she trusted and rebelled for.

Yes. Bheesmh was wrong. If he attended the swayambar for himself, it wouldn't be counted as unrighteousness. But he brought the girls for his brother. That's what was wrong in that situation and also in the case of Gandhari.

But as Drisana said Amba and her lover was at fault too. He could have directly asked for Amba's hand to her father. He didn't and later tagged her as a prize won by Bheesmh. Didn't he deserve any punishment for that? Wasn't he a bigger sinner than Bheesmh?

If Maharaj Salva being a king and warrior, could be excused saying it would have been an insult for him, then why Bheesmh couldn't be excused with the same reason?

Swayam bichar kijiye....😂😂😂

One more thing...Shikhandini here is aware of her previous birth's events. The memories slowly came to her as she aged.