And here we are again. The current vote is 58. 😟
So, again the target is 80. Let's vote. Yes. I'm going to give a vote to myself too...😂😂😂

In Indraprasth:

Valandhara frowned at the kheer that was ready to serve.

"Is something wrong Rajkumari?" The dasi asked tentatively whom she had given responsibility to watch over the kheer while it cooked.

"I don't know. Something seems off about it. The colour seems darkened and the texture of it seems thin too." Valandhara said still frowning at it. The dasi looked back again at the cauldron, but found no difference. The Kheer was white in colour and it's texture seemed okay too.

"Forgive me Rajkumari, but to me it seems perfectly fine." The dasi said nervously. Rajkumari Valandhara was so fussy about her cooking! Not a little bit ingredient more or less she tolerated. She could tell just by looking which ingredient was added more or skipped.

'May be the sweetener fell a little more this time.' The dasi thought humorously.

"Rajkumari, it's absolutely fine. How can there be anything wrong when you made it yourself? And the smell coming from it, is also so good. Should I get the serving bowls?" The dasi said cheerily. Valandhara nodded reluctantly thinking it to be her illusion only.

"Take this to Arya. And the other bowl is for bhrata Sahdev." Valandhara said handing the separate bowls of Kheer to the dasis.

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Sahdev came back from the practice session and freshened up. It was a tiring day indeed. In fact these days had been mostly in absence of his brothers. He glanced at both the bowl of kheer kept on the low table and the parchments kept on his study table. Well. The kheer could wait a little bit. With that thought, he went to his study table and got engrossed in his work. He was brought back into reality when a guard entered after seeking permission and told the Raj Vaiyd had come to meet him. It wasn't unusual as he often discussed matters and worked with the Raj Vaiyd.
Sahdev came to the meeting chamber where the Raj Vaiyd was waiting. There was another man accompanying him though. They greeted him as he came inside.

"Parnipat Rajkumar. Forgive me for disturbing you. But the matter is such that I didn't find it right to wait and came immediately to meet you." The Raj Vaiyd said with tension evident in his face.

"It's absolutely fine. What is the matter that have you so anxious?" Sahdev asked assuring him.

"This man, he is a Vaiyd too. He works in the village and sometimes come to help me if needed. Two days before, a woman came to him to get treated. She had purpura over her body.
(Purpura : a rash of purple spots on the skin caused by internal bleeding from small blood vessels.)
At first he thought it was due to some sickness, but after examination and observing, something about her condition didn't feel right to him. He brought the woman to me. And I also feel the same." The Raj Vaiyd explained the situation and then took a breath before adding,

"The woman was poisoned. And it isn't some ordinary poison. It's a very rare and deadly poison of snakes which are found in the forests of Malla Kingdom. This poison upon entering a human body bursts the blood vessels and the victim dies a very painful death. Just a few drop is enough to kill someone within a short time."

"And you are saying that someone has deliberately given this poison to this woman?" Sahdev asked contemplating.

"Seems like that. But maybe the person's intention wasn't to kill. The poison has been given in a small amount very carefully. It can't be more than one single drop." The Raj Vaiyd replied nodding.

"But what could possibly be the reason for that?" Sahdev contemplated. "What is the name of the woman?"

"Shalini. She works as a dasi in this Palace only." The other man replied.

Sahdev's mind processed the information fast and a suspicion was nagging him.

"Since how many days, is she sick?" He asked again sharply.

"Almost seven days." The Vaiyd replied again.

"Guards! Call the head maid, Punkodi immediately and seal the palace. Not a single person should enter or go outside!" Sahdev ordered harshly while moving outside.

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Punkodi was alarmed as Rajkumar Sahdev called her urgently. The Palace suddenly seemed to go into a panic mode. All the maids had been given the order to assemble in the great hall. The guards had sealed the palace, not letting anyone enter or leave.

"Rajkumari, has something happened? Why is the sudden commotion?" Punkodi asked as she saw Valandhara in the hallway. Valandhara was also confused and was going to investigate the matter.

"I don't know Punkodi. I was in the kitchen preparing for dinner when the guards came. The guards also don't know anything. They're only doing what was ordered." Valandhara replied in concern.

"Rajkumar Sahdev has called me urgently." Punkodi told her nervously. She was a little afraid thinking about the reason behind getting summoned.

"Dhara? What's going on? What is this sudden commotion about? Why the guards are gathering all the dasis?" Devika asked coming towards where they stood.

"I don't know anything Jiji. Bhrata Sahdev ordered it." Valandhara replied anxiously.

"Punkodi? Didn't I order you to meet me immediately?" Sahdev's stern voice made Punkodi jump in her place. The three of them looked behind to find Sahdev coming to them. Devika and Valandhara both were surprised to see an angry Sahdev marching towards Punkodi. They had never seen Sahdev talking to someone in this harsh tone.

"Fo--forgive me, Rajkumar. I was just about to come only." Punkodi apologised staring downwards.

"Has some new dasi entered the palace in past few days?" Sahdev asked rudely ignoring her apology.

"New dasi? No, Kumar. Yes. I mean one dasi fell sick suddenly. Her sister has come to work in her place. Apart from that no one new came." Punkodi replied nervously.

"I want that dasi in front of me right now!" Sahdev ordered clenching his jaw. Punkodi nodded vigorously and left to find Rasika.

"What is the matter bhrata Sahdev? Why are you looking so tensed?" Devika asked.

"There's an intruder in the palace bhabhishree. You go to Yaudheya and don't leave him alone even for a moment." Sahdev said and then addressed Valandhara. "Dhara Bhabhishree, until this issue gets solved, none of us will eat or drink anything. There's a possibility our foods has been poisoned. Where's bhrata Bheem?"

It took some moments for both Devika and Valandhara to process what he said. Watching them frozen in shock, Sahdev called them again to gain their attention. Devika without saying anything left hurriedly to go to Yaudheya.

"At this time? If he isn't in our chambers, then he must be in the garden." Valandhara replied in dread. The whole palace was in chaos, but Bheem was nowhere to be found. The guards didn't find him earlier.

"Please go and inform him. Then go to Devika bhabhishree and stay with her. And be careful." Sahdev said and left.

Valandhara also left the hallway to find Bheem.

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In Nagalok:

Arjun opened his eyes gaining consciousness and looked around to find himself in an unfamiliar surrounding. He sat up holding his head which felt heavy and dizzy.

"How are you feeling now?" Asked a soft voice gently. Arjun turned his eyes in that direction to find a woman standing.

"I am fine." Arjun replied glancing around to figure out where he was and why. "What is this place? And what happened? How have I reached here?"

"You're in Nagalok, situated under the waters of Bhagirathi river. This is the kingdom of Nagraj Kauravya." The lady replied smiling.

"Nagalok?! But how?" Arjun asked in confusion.

"Takshak Nag was going to attack you with his men when you were meditating. I saw them and creating an illusion, brought you here." The lady replied again.

"Takshak!" Arjun's jaw clenched thinking about that coward who didn't have the courage to attack from front.
"I'm thankful to you Devi, for saving me. May I know who are you? And why did you help me?" Arjun asked instead calming himself.

"I'm Uloopi, daughter of Nagraj Kauravya." She answered with a charming smile. And then sat beside him on the bed he was sitting now.
"And I had to save you. Because how could I let anything happen to the one, in whom my life resides?" She said lowering her eyes with a shy smile.

"Tatparya?! (Meaning?!)" Arjun asked tentatively, frowning at her.

"I've fallen in love with you Swami (husband)." Uloopi said looking at him with adoration.

Arjun went stiff instantly. The only thing reverberating in his mind was,

"Nagino ke samip mat jaiyega. (Don't go close to those Nagkanyas.)"

"Accha parihas kar leti hai aap. Parantu aab mujhe prasthan karna cahiye. (You have a good sense of humour. But I should leave now.)" Arjun said smiling nervously and stood up hurriedly to leave.

"Rukiye Swami. Aap aise nehi ja sakte. Aur main parihas nehi kar rahi hu. Jis shan meri drishti aap pe padi, mano mere nispran jeevhan mein pran ka sanchar ho gaya. Mujhe aapse prem ho gaya hai Swami.
(Stop husband. You can't go like this. And I am not joking. The moment I saw you, I felt alive again. I've fallen in love with you Swami.)" Uloopi said standing before him.

"Dekhiye Devi, sarbapratham to aap mujhe yeh Swami kehna baand kijiye. Main Swami kebal ek hi stree ka hu. Aur yoh meri dharampati hai. Main vivhahit hu, aur santan sambhaba bhi.
(Look Devi, first of all stop calling me Swami. I'm Swami to only one woman and she is my wife. I'm married and I am pregnant also.)" Arjun said. Uloopi gave a glance to him from head to toe hearing his last statement.

"Arthat meri patni santan sambhaba hai. Main pita banne wala hu. (I mean my wife is pregnant. I'm going to be a father.)" Arjun said again understanding her gaze.

"Yeh toh attadhik aanand ka samacar hai Swami. (This is a matter of great happiness Swami.)" Uloopi said with a broad smile.

"Punah Swami! Kaha na, Swami maat kahiye. (Again Swami! I told you not to call me Swami.)" Arjun said whining.

"Parantu maine aapko aapna Swami maan liya hai, Swami. Aur aab mera jeevhan aapke bina byarth hai. (But I have already accepted you as my Swami. And now my life is wasted without you.)" Uloopi said sincerely.

"Byarth toh main ho jaunga, yoh bhi bina kisi aapradh ke. (I will be one wasted, and that too without any fault of mine.)" Arjun said making a crying face.

"Meri baat ko samjhiye Devi. Mujhme itna pran nehi hai ki main kisi aur mei pran ka sanchar kar saku. Yedhi aapne apna hath nehi choda, toh jitna baca pran hai mujhme, yoh bhi aagni mei swaha ho jayega.
(Listen to me Devi. There's not enough energy in me that I can give someone else life. If you don't leave this stubbornness of yours, the remaining energy in me will also be sacrificed in fire.)"

"Aap kyu mere prem ko nehi samajh rahe hai? Mere malin jeevhan mai barso baad punah bahar aaya hai aapke karan. Mere prem ki nibedan ko aswikar maat kijiye. Kripa kijiye mujh par.
(Why are you not understanding my love? You've filled colours in this bland life of mine. Don't reject my offering of love. Have mercy on me.)" Uloopi requested in a voice filled with hurt.

"Kripa aap kijiye mujh par! Yeh asambhab hai. Aur yadhi sambhab hota toh bhi sambhab nehi hota. (You have mercy on Me! This is impossible. And even if it was possible, then also it won't be possible.)" Arjun said stressing his words. Uloopi looked confused by his wording.

"Tatparya yeh hai ki, main tapasya ke liye aapne paribar-parijan se dur, aapne rajjya se dur aaya hu, nahi ki prem karne. Aur yadhi mujhe prem hi karna hota, toh main usi ke paas reh jata joh mera prem hai.
(What I mean is, I have come for away leaving my family and Kingdom for penance, not for romance. If I wanted to do romance, I would have stayed with the one only whom I love.)" Arjun explained and then added in a gentle voice remembering the one he was talking about.

"Joh meri Saragata hai. Joh SavyasachinSaragata hai. (The one who is my passion. Who is the passion of Savyasachi.)"

Uloopi neither liked what he said, nor how it was said. How could one woman have such hold on a man who was one of the mightiest warriors of Aryavart! Warriors didn't show weaknesses and definitely didn't dictate their actions based on the woman's likings.

"Joh Brahman aapna samast jeevhan tapasya mei batit karte hai, kya woh vivha nehi karte? Aur main aapse aapka samast jeevhan nehi maang rahi hu. Main toh kebal kuch shan maang rahi hu. Main aapse aapke prem ko bhulne ko nehi keh rahi hu. Baas mere prem ko swikar karne ki nibedan hai meri. Yadhi aap mujhse vivha nehi karna cahte, toh bhi mujhe koyi aapatti nehi hai.

(The Brahmans who spend their entire life in penance only, don't they get married? And I am not asking for a lifelong commitment. I am just asking for some moments. I am not telling you to forget your love. I am just requesting you to accept my love. If you don't want to marry me, then also I have no problem.)" Uloopi said earnestly.

"Kintu mujhe aapatti hai! Shama kare Devi. Parantu main aapke saath prem raag nehi ga sakta. Mere kanth se swar hi nehi niklegi. Isliye kripaye mujhe jane de.
(But I do have problems! Forgive me Devi. But I can't sing the tunes of love with you. No sound will come out from my throat even. So, please let me go.)" Arjun said folding his hands and moved away to leave.

"Aap mujhe aise chhod kar nehi ja sakte. Aapko mere prem ko swikar karna hi hoga! (You can't leave me like this. You will have to accept my love!)" Uloopi said in agitation, blocking his way again.

"Pratham baat, yeh mujhse hoga nehi. Ditiye baat, hota toh bhi main nehi karta. Aur tritye baat, aap mujhe mere eccha k virudh yeaha nehi rokh sakti.
(Firstly, I can't accept this. Secondly, even if I could, I won't do it. And thirdly, you can not stop me here against my wishes.)" Arjun said slowly trying to control his temper.

"Satya kaha. Nehi rokh sakti main aapko. Kintu ek baat jaan lijiye. Yadhi aap yeaha se gaye, toh main aapna pran tyaag dungi. (You're right. I can't stop you. But if you leave from here, I will kill myself.)" Uloopi threatened stubbornly.

"Hatth maat kijiye. Jo aap cahti hai yoh sambhab nehi. Main aapni patni se attadhik prem karta hu. Uske atirikt kisi dusre stree ka bichar bhi main aapne maan mei nehi la sakta.
(Don't be stubborn. What you want, isn't possible. I love my wife too much to even bring another woman's thoughts in my mind.)" Arjun said again trying to make her understand.

"Prem nehi de sakte. Parantu ek santan toh de hi sakte hai. (You can't give me love. But at least give me a child.)" Uloopi said firmly though her eyes filled with tears.

"Uloopi!!!" Arjun shouted angrily losing his posture at her suggestion. But then closed his eyes, calming himself.
"Mere dhairya ki pariksha maat lijiye. Jaane dijiye mujhe. (Don't test my patience. Let me leave.)"

"Maine aapke prano ki raksha ki hai. Rinnie hai aap mere. Aur ek Kshatriya ka Dharma hota hai ki yoh upkar karne wale ka rinn abassya cukay. Mujhe aapse kebal ek santan ki abhilasha hai. Aapke santan ko janm dena cahti hu main. Aab nirnay aapko lena hai. Ki aap mujhe santan denge, yeah mrityu.
(I've saved your life. You're indebted to me. And it is the duty of a Kshatriya that he pay back the person who did a favour to him. I just want a child from you. I want to give birth to your child. Now it depends on you. Either you will give me a child or be the cause of my death.)"

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Hello readers!!!

My intention was not to demean Uloopi. Love has many shades. When it happens, it's without and beyond reason. Hope, I was able to show it without insulting her.

And I have made a trailer for 'Drisana's Mahabharat' 😀😀😀

Well...I tried...let me know how it is...😊😊😊