Draupadi came to Shikhandini's chamber to find the room in a dishevelled state. It seemed like a small tornado had hit the room. Last night, Shikhandini returned from the celebration early stating she wasn't feeling well.

Shikhandini came to her chambers and took her anger and frustration out on the room. She was fuming inside. How dared that woman! How dared she belittle her sacrifice, her struggle! Amba was the name of courage. The woman who had the courage to challenge Bheesmh when so called valiant warriors of Aryavart trembled before him. And that girl was saying her sacrifice was meaningless!? How dared she!

"Jiji?" Draupadi called her softly, surprise and concern clear in her voice.

"Leave me alone, Draupadi." Shikhandini ordered in a cold voice.

"What happened Jiji? Tomorrow is your wedding and all this---. Is something bothering you?" Draupadi asked hesitantly.

"I don't want to talk right now." Shikhandini replied in the same manner.

"But why Jiji? Are you not happy with this marriage? Please talk to me." Draupadi said gently getting closer to where she sat. "Last night, you left the function earlier too and you were looking upset. What's the matter?"

"What will you do knowing? Do my concerns, my problems worry anyone? Do I matter to anyone? Do I have any importance in anyone's eyes? I'm just a tool to be used and when there's no more use of me, I'm discarded without a second thought." Shikhandini said in a harsh voice. But Draupadi could detect the underlined pain veiled by her anger.

"Why are you saying so Jiji? You're not some tool to be used or get discarded. You're the princess of Panchal who is an inspiration for many. Who have the courage of a lioness and a heart of gold. You do matter. To me, to Pitashree, to every woman of Panchal who gets courage seeing you." Draupadi said gently.

"Pitashree!" Shikhandini snorted at that. "Do you really believe that? Do we matter to Pitashree as a child should be? Or we're just a means to an end for him?"

"It's not like that Jiji. Pitashree may be a little harsh, but he does love his children. We and our happiness are important to him." Draupadi said forcefully.

"No, Draupadi. You're wrong. Pitashree may love his children, but there's nothing more important or valuable to him than his authority and ego. And our happiness matters as long as it's according to his wishes." Shikhandini replied with a sad sigh.

"Are you not happy with this marriage, Jiji?" Draupadi asked after staying silent for sometime.

"Pitashree is happy Draupadi. That's the only thing that matters." Shikhandini replied monotonously.

"No, Jiji. You're the one whose life is concerned here. It's you whose happiness matters the most." Draupadi said with concern.

"It is the Dharma of a child to obey their parents, to make them proud and happy. I am just fulfilling my Dharma Draupadi." Shikhandini said again staring blankly. "I should take a bath now. The rituals will start soon."

"Drisana, don't you think, Rajkumari Shikhandini reacted a little too much on the topic of Devi Amba? She seemed to get quite upset." Priyala wondered. Drisana and she was sitting on her chamber selecting clothes and jewelleries that had to be sent for Shikhandini this evening. Everyone was busy with some or other work as tomorrow the marriage was supposed to be.

"Oh? That's a good thing then." Drisana replied nonchalantly glancing at Priyala.

"What good? And I didn't understand, why suddenly out of the blue you mentioned Devi Amba. You could have closed the topic as soon as it started. But you seemed to instigate Rajkumari Shikhandini on purpose. Why was that?" Priyala asked knowing her sister-in-law well enough.

"Before reaping new seeds on lands, it has to be prepared through tilling and harrowing. If not, then the land cannot be used to its best capacity and no matter how much fertilisation and watering you do, it won't give anything back except disappointment." Drisana replied looking through the jewelleries and sarees.

"Arthat? (Meaning?)" Priyala asked in confusion.

"Simple. Before entering new relationship and responsibilities, we have to let go of the negativity and bitterness of old relations." Drisana replied with a smile.

"And you plan to do that by instigating her?" Priyala asked arching a brow.

"The people whose actions are directed by pure emotions, can only listen to reason when their emotions are challenged. Otherwise they tend to only hold onto those emotions more tightly." Drisana said looking at a matha patti (head accessory).

"Well. I won't pretend to understand your plans. But I hope everything goes accordingly tomorrow without any trouble." Priyala said releasing a sigh. Drisana only smirked in reply.

The rituals were to be started soon. Shikhandini was getting ready for the ceremony with Draupadi's help half-heartedly. That's when Drisana and Priyala came inside. Shikhandini diverted her eyes elsewhere after giving a blank stare to Drisana.

"Rajkumari Draupadi? Mata was remembering you for something important. Would you mind coming with me now?" Priyala asked smiling at her.

"Right now? But I'm helping Jiji in getting ready." Draupadi replied with hesitation. She knew Shikhandini wasn't in the mood to get ready on her own.

"Don't worry about that Draupadi Jiji. I'll help her." Drisana said assuring her with a smile.

Draupadi glanced once at Shikhandini and then nodded before leaving with Priyala.

"So? Excited for tomorrow?" Drisana asked smiling at Shikhandini warmly.

"It's not good to get too much excited for anything." Shikhandini replied stiffly.

"But when you're getting married to someone who cares for you, loves and respects you, isn't it normal to get excited a bit?" Drisana asked shocking her.

"You seem to know much more than you should." Shikhandini said as her shock wore off. She understood that Drisana knew about her and Dridhaksh. 

"Gyaan aur jankari, kebal unhike paas hoti hai, jinme unhe dharan karne ki samta ho.
(Knowledge and information remains only to them who has the capability to hold those.)" Drisana replied while setting the matha patti on her head.

"Pratit hota hai, aapni samta par kuch adhik hi biswaas hai aapko. (It appears, you have a little bit too much confidence on your capabilities.)" Shikhandini commented staring at her through the mirror.

"Biswaas mujhe aapni samta par nehi, gyaan aur jankari o par hai. (I have confidence on the knowledge and informations, not my capabilities.)" Drisana replied chuckling.

"And what your information says? That Gangaputra Bheesmh has never done any adharm in his life?" Shikhandini asked in a mocking tone.

"My knowledge says humans' understanding depends on his situation and intelligence. The same action can be blessing for someone, but curse for others. Pitamah Bheesmh is the most valiant warrior of Aryavart for everyone, but to himself and some others, he is nothing more than a loyal servant of Hastinapur." Drisana said sitting beside her and taking the bangles to make her wear them.

"Do you know why people respects and admires him or you for the matter?" She asked glancing at Shikhandini while taking her hand. "It's never for the blood you spilled. It's for the blood you saved." 

"Devi Amba wasn't the only one, he did injustice with. But if seen from another angle, no injustice was done by him ever. He did what was necessary for Hastinapur and in doing so he may have ignored to be altruistic to others. To be honest, I never liked Amba for going after only him sparing Maharaj Salva who was the real culprit of Amba. But that doesn't mean I don't have respect for the courage she showed or sympathy for the pain she bore." Drisana continued as she slid the bangles one by one on Shikhandini's hand taking her sweet time. Shikhandini, on the other hand was staring at her thoughtfully.

"You may wonder, why I brought the mention of Devi Amba suddenly. The point is, she was a woman rejected by her beloved for his selfish reasons and then she turned vengeful towards the one who unknowingly became the reason of her distress. Do you want bhrata Dridhaksh to do the same?" She asked making Shikhandini frown in confusion and contempt.
"Would you have wanted him to destroy Maharaj Drupad, for whom you rejected his love?"

"He is my father and he has the right to keep expectations from me. He has the right to take decisions for me." Shikhandini replied rigidly. A war of varied emotions was going on inside her.

"Of course, he has. But only to a point. A father has the right to keep expectations from his children, but he should also give them proper guidance to walk on the path of Dharma. And if he, himself derives from the path of Dharma, it is the duty of a child to correct him and bring him back. If sacrificing your happiness does that, then only it'll be right." Drisana said giving an overall glance to Shikhandini to see if anything was amiss. Finding her to be ready perfectly for the evening, she met her eyes.

"Revenge burns the one who seeks it first and then the ones who care for us. The enemy comes lastly. So, what is the point of getting burned and hurting our close ones when it is known that nothing can stop Mahadev's blessing from coming true?"

At evening.....

Drisana and Draupadi were sitting together happily chit-chatting with everyone. The rituals had started. All the women were sitting surrounding Shikhandini laughing and teasing which didn't seem to have much effect on her. She was lost in her own thoughts. The freshly grounded henna was being brought in large vessels to apply on the bride and others.

One such a vessel was kept in front of Draupadi and Drisana too. Before they could notice it, their noses had. Both the sister-in-laws looked at the vessel together and the sight didn't seem to help much too as both of them started dry heaving. Priyala noticing them ordered the vessel to be kept elsewhere as the maids helped the Rajkumaris.

"How are you two feeling now?" Priyala asked carefully as they returned a while later.

"Much better." Draupadi replied with a slight smile.

"I'm fine too." Drisana replied while chewing roasted nuts. She offered some to Draupadi before noticing her mother was staring at her with interest. She moved her eyes to Priyala to find her doing the same.

"I can understand about Rajkumari Draupadi. But what made you sick suddenly Drisana?" Priyala asked frowning with suspicion.

This time Draupadi also turned to stare at her. Drisana gave a nervous smile to all. She hadn't revealed it to anyone because upon knowing, they could object her travelling as it was not good at the initial stage of pregnancy. Even Nakul had been reluctant too. But he understood the importance for her to come. So, he made sure to take care of her and moved in a snails pace. She even came the whole way here sitting on a palanquin only to avoid the jerks and rough movements of the chariot.

"Is there something you want to tell us, Putri?" Maharani Mangalya asked staring at her with a little quirk of her lips.

"Actually---. I just came to know that I'm---I'm a little bit---pregnant." Drisana replied stammering.

"Little bit?" Maharani Mangalya asked arching a brow.

"Just slightly." Drisana said nervously noticing Draupadi and Priyala's stupefied looks.

"Slightly?" And her mother here was enjoying her red face. It's not everyday you would find Drisana blushing and stammering.

"Okay. Completely." Drisana replied huffing.

"Oh my God! Drisana!!! That's amazing." Draupadi exclaimed in joy.

"Why didn't you tell us earlier? Oh God! What was the need to travel in such condition? You should be careful in these earlier days, Putri." Maharani Mangalya scolded her in concern.

"Does bhrata Nakul know?" Draupadi asked, but then added realising the answer.
"Of course, he does. That's why he seemed so careful during the journey to Panchal. And poor me! I was thinking the concern is for me!"

"It's not like that Jiji. He was concerned for you too. And Mata, I came to know after we started preparations for Panchal. And I didn't want to cancel the trip. Sorry. But I was very careful. And I also had my personal Vaiyd with me too." Drisana said hurriedly to assure them and then noticing the teasing smirks on Priyala and Draupadi's face, added, "I'm talking about Lalima, my handmaid."

"Still. Okay, I forgive you this time. But only because you've given me such an amazing news." Maharani Mangalya said before taking her in a warm embrace. Draupadi and Priyala followed through too congratulating her.

"Congratulations, Rajkumari Arunika." Shikhandini too congratulated her in a small voice with a hesitant smile. But Drisana noticed the genuineness behind the words. 

"Thank you." Drisana said before pausing for a moment. "Bhabhishree."

In Indraprasth:

Valandhara kept glaring at Bheem as he sat on top of her large trunk where night clothes were kept.

"Arya, I'm telling you for the last time. Move." Valandhara said gritting her teeth in anger.

"Kashika, I'm also telling you for the last time. I won't." Bheem replied smiling cheekily.

In Bheem's opinion, Valandhara was an ignorant woman who never saw the beauty of the night and only knew to sleep like 'Kumbhkarn'. So, he had decided to open her eyes to the real beauty of the darkness. Valandhara on the other hand stated, she wasn't an owl unlike him to stay awake at nighttime. So, now Bheem sat atop her clothing chest, not letting her get ready for bed.

"Fine. I'll sleep in these clothes only." Valandhara said and moved towards the bed.

Bheem frowned and looked here and there before smirking. As Valandhara was going to get up on the bed, out of the air came water raining down on it. Valandhara jumped away hurriedly and stood being shocked. She slowly turned towards Bheem to find him still sitting on her chest with an empty vase in hand.

"What have you done?!!!!!" Valandhara shouted at him.

"Well, you can't sleep anyways now. So, better listen to me." Bheem said getting down from the chest with a smug look.

Valandhara released a huff and crossed her arms turning her face to the other side. Bheem smirked again looking at her. He then took something from another chest and kept it in front of her. Valandhara stared at the saree and floral ornaments with an arched brow.

"Get ready." Bheem ordered her.

"For what? First you're ruining my sleep and now you want me to play dress up for you at this hour?" Valandhara asked with annoyance.

"Look at yourself. People will get scared if you go out like this." Bheem replied with attitude.

"Normal people tends to sleep at this hour. It's only owls who keep their eyes wide open." Valandhara replied back angrily.

"Haa toh uluka o ko kya bhay nehi lag sakta? (So, can't owls get afraid?)" Bheem asked.

"Kyu nehi! Aur unki cinta toh aapko hogi hi. Unke sardar jo hai aap. (Why not! And you will only worry for them. After all, you're the head of them only.)" Valandhara replied in mocking.

"Keep your rubbish to yourself and get ready fast. Or morning will come standing here only. And if that happens then I promise, you'll stay awake tomorrow night too." Bheem said and went outside to give her privacy.

After scowling at his back, Valandhara took the saree. A slow smile appeared on her lips as she caressed it with red hues coloring her cheeks.

Bheem stood in the living room of his chambers with annoyance clear on his face. How much more time this woman would take! Wait! She hadn't fallen asleep while he waited, had she? She must had. Otherwise, why would it take her so long? With that thought, he went inside the bedchamber only to clash with something soft on the way. He looked downwards only to find Valandhara sprawled on the floor. She was cursing him and massaging her elbow where she got hurt. But Bheem didn't notice it all. He couldn't think or comprehend anything else as he was busy in absorbing the beauty in front of him with his eyes, soul and heart.

"Arya!!!" Valandhara called him loudly not getting any response from him.

"Y--Yes?" Bheem responded though he still wasn't completely out of the stupor.

"Lift me!" Valandhara said with annoyance. Here, she was sprawled on the floor and got hurt because of him, but the man didn't have the minimum curtsey to help her in getting up.

"Okay." Bheem responded obediently and lifted her. 

In his arms.

Valandhara watched him with surprise and finally noticed the intense stare of his. She blushed ferociously diverting her eyes elsewhere. She felt her throat drying as he continued staring at her. She licked her lips nervously, drawing his attention towards them unintentionally. Bheem was feeling unbridled desire and longing coursing through him. He wanted noting more than to know how those lips would taste. With only that thought on mind, he slowly brought his face closer to hers. Valandhara could feel her heart beating faster in anticipation. So, fast that she feared, it would come out of her chest. She closed her eyes as she felt his hot breaths mingling with hers. Just as Bheem was going to close the hairbreadth of distance remaining between their lips, a loud banging sounded on the door. 

Bheem quickly left Valandhara, making her stand properly. Both of them tried to compose themselves and avoided looking at each other. A dasi asked permission to enter and after coming inside said,

"Rajkumar, I've brought the laddoos you asked me to pack for you."

A frown slowly marred Valandhara's face as she looked at the packaged food held by the dasi. Seemed it wasn't only her who was going with him on an outing. His first love would also accompany them.

In Hastinapur:

Gandharraj Shakuni sipped on his wine slowly staring at the practicing ground where some of his nephews were having a duel. Duryodhan came to stand beside him on the open hallway, also watching his brothers. 

"When is the maid going to reach Indraprasth?" Duryodhan asked his Mamashree.

"Soon." Gandharraj replied stressing the word.

"Are you sure she'll be able to do it? Even Aswasena failed." Duryodhan grimly asked again.

"You're a fool for sending Aswasena there." Shakuni said making him frown. "You sneaked him in Mayamehel to kill Yudhisthir and that coward instead went after the woman. And you my son, what did you think would have happened after Yudhisthir's death. The Kuru Kingdom is already divided. Even if Yudhisthir dies, Bheem will take the throne of Indraprasth and come right after you to take revenge. Don't forget, Yudhisthir is the only one reining that mad elephant."

"And that's exactly what I wanted. So that I can finally crush his skull and make that Kashikumari my mistress." Duryodhan gritted out with venom spilling from his mouth. Shakuni sighed slowly to keep patience.

"Mere bacche, adhe adhure yojnaye bananewale adhiktar, swayam hi usme phas jate hai. (My son, the people who makes half plans, often himself gets sucked into it.)" Shakuni said and then continued to get some sense into his nephew. "It won't benefit us to get into a direct collision with Pandavs right now. The scale is heavier at their side with Panchal, Dravida and Kashi. Due to Karna and Kunti, you can count Dwarka at their side too. We will have to lighten them before even considering it."

"So, I should sit waiting as usual, right?" Duryodhan said mockingly.

"Haven't you seen the result of mistrusting me at Kashi?" Shakuni asked making Duryodhan fume silently. 

"Indraprasth is closer to the time to gain freedom with the help of their old friends and new allies. But before that if we succeed in knocking down the four pillars from right under Yudhisthir, the King with his truth and righteousness will be nothing more than a servant to you." Shakuni said again finishing the last drops of his drink.

"I hope your plan doesn't fail like the other times." Duryodhan commented.

"It won't. Their unity is their strength and this time we will strike when they're weak." Shakuni replied with a sleek smile. "Arjun is on exile and residing on the Ashram near Bhagirathi river. Nakul is at Panchal with his wife and a pregnant Panchali. As soon as Maharaj Dhritarastra's order arrives, Yudhisthir will march with his army leaving Bheem and Sahdev there alone."

"Are you sure the maid will get her job done? It won't be easy to get inside Mayamehel." Duryodhan asked with worry.

'Of course! He'll worry about that only.' Gandharraj thought with a smirk.

"She's from Gandhar, mere bacche. And when it comes to deceiving and disguising, no one can beat us." Gandharraj Shakuni said with smugness and left the hallway. But as he was leaving, he didn't miss a shadow moving from there hurriedly.

In Panchal:

Drisana carefully came out of Nakul's arms and got down from the bed. She was feeling too much restless to sleep. This night felt both longer and shorter to her. She went to the attached balcony to get some fresh air. She had tried her best to coax Shikhandini out of her hatred, but the rest was still left on her only. She couldn't do anything else in this short period of time. Now, only the rising sun tomorrow would talk.

"You need proper sleep Hridaya." Nakul whispered at her ear, sliding his hands on her waist from behind.

"I tried, but I'm feeling too much anxious to sleep." Drisana replied softly.

"Hridi, have faith. Your tries won't go in vain." Nakul said assuringly placing a soft kiss on her neck.

"You have so much trust in me, Nirmay?" Drisana asked with awe.

"Yes, I do have trust in you. Because I am you and you are me. And if a person doesn't have self-trust, then he can never really experience life and lives only in misery." Nakul replied making a smile appear on her lips. "Now let's go to bed, before Suryadev arrives and forces us apart." Nakul said with big round eyes and lifting her in his arms, carried a giggling Drisana to bed.

Helloooooo readers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So, here's another chapter. The last one before all hell break lose....

How Drisana and Shikhandini played out? Do you think Shikhandini will listen or stick to her beliefs?

Poor Valandhara! Can't get rid of the co-wife....Romance mein paani...no..laddoo pher dia...

Our lovely Shakuni Mamu is back...missed him?

I've a sad news! My phone died again and it hasn't even been ten months since I got him.

My Mom: What the hell do you do with your Phone!!!!!!!!!

Me: It's talent Mom!