Days were passing fast at Indraprasht. Pandavs were busy in different matters of their new kingdom, Rajmata Kunti, Devika and Draupadi were busy in managing the new Palace and also the demands of the kingdom, helping Pandavs as much as they could. Karna was roaming at the city most of the times, taking in the beauty of Indraprasht. Though he stayed at Indraprasht, he declined the offer of staying at the Palace. As he got to know about the marriage proposal and their intention of going to Dravida, he reconsidered his decision. Thinking it inappropriate to go at such a time.

"What happened Maharathi Karna? Which thought troubles you? I hope you're prepared for the journey to Dravida. In fact, I was thinking why don't you join us as our destination is same?" Krishna said with his smile as he came to stand beside him. Karna came to meet Kunti at the Palace as she wanted to talk about something important. What? He couldn't guess.

"Actually I was thinking it wouldn't be appropriate for me to go there right now. I'll go sometime else." Karna replied.

"Why? You should be there for your younger brother." Krishna said looking at Kunti. Kunti's breath caught hearing his words. As Karna's back was towards her, he didn't notice.
"I mean Rajkumar Nakul is like a younger brother to you. And also Drisana is your sister. She would be happy if you're present at the most special and important occasion of her life."

"But -" Karna was searching for words to decline. How to tell him that Karna didn't want to impose on anyone. He was a nobody and his presence at such a occasion could be questioned. He was humiliated at Draupadi's swayamvar even though he was a King. He didn't wanted to give people another reason to laugh at him. He had no place between royals.

"You should come with us. Who knows what is awaiting you at Dravida? Maybe it'll give your life a new direction." Krishna said with his cunning smile.

"Putra Karna" Karna turned at the voice of Rajmata Kunti.
"I've waited a long time to get united with my childs. This occasion is very special for me and it'll give me more pleasure if you accompany me. Consider it my request, Putra." Kunti said emotionally. She called him to tell the truth. But couldn't if it meant he wouldn't go with them.

"You don't need to request Rajmata. I'll accompany you." Karna said.

Here all the arrangements for going to Dravida was completed. As the Kingdom needed their attention, it was decided that Rajmata Kunti would go to talk about the alliance and Arjun, Draupadi, Nakul and Karna would accompany them with Krishna as he needed to take Subhadra with him to Dwarka. All were busy in teasing Nakul at every opportunity.

"Now he'll again start wheeling around Drisana." Arjun said chuckling.

"So what? At least he doesn't ignore her like some people." Draupadi said angrily. Everyone looked at her and Arjun gulped.

"What have you done now?" Sahdev asked whispering.

"I'm trying to remember." Arjun whispered back.

"Careful Parth. Baan eeshi disha mein aata pratit ho raha hai. Aapna rakshan kar lo. (Arrow is coming in this direction only. Save yourself.)" Krishna said to Arjun.

"Parantu baan dikhai de to na rakshan karu Madhav. (But how to save when I can't see the arrow.)" Arjun said.

"What happened Sakhi? Who is ignoring whom?" Krishna asked.

"Ask your Parth. There's so much to do. But why should he take tension? I'm here, his dasi. I only have to do everything while he roams. I gave him a small work, but he couldn't even do that." Draupadi said.

"What work? When?" Arjun asked confusingly.

"Look. He doesn't even remember. I told you to bring special sweets to take for the journey, didn't I?" Draupadi said looking at him.

"Yes. And I brought them also. I gave them to Madhav to -" Arjun stopped looking at Krishna. He narrowed his eyes as Krishna was looking everywhere but at him.

"You brought nothing and now you're making excuses. Fault is mine that I told you." Draupadi said and left stomping her foot.

"Madhav???" Arjun looked at him with a frown.

"I wasn't alone. Bhrata Bheem provoked me." Krishna said immediately pointing at Bheem.

"Me??? No no. He provoked me." Bheem said shaking his head.

"Let it go. What difference it makes who provoked whom? Parantu vul to tumhara hi hai Parth. Sher ko bakri ki sangrakshan ka dayittwo doge, to aisa hi hoga na. (But fault is yours Parth. If you'll give the duty of goats protection to lion, than this will happen only.)" Krishna said smiling at him. Arjun slapped his forehead as the rest laughed.

"Now go after Sakhi fast. Otherwise you'll have to spend the night in some tree branch." Krishna said.

"Again." Bheem, Nakul and Sahdev added.

Drisana was treading carefully through some cave. It was dark. The torch in her hand provided little light. She gulped in fear. Sweat was trickling down her face. Suddenly a snake came flying towards her and she stumbled at the left side to avoid it. But the torch fell from her hands. It went completely dark. Drisana didn't dare to move. The snake must be around somewhere. She hated snakes. Her fear froze her in place. The air was heavy with rotting smell. There was a stillness in the air that was only broke with her heavy breathing. After what seemed like forever, she decided to move. But she couldn't decide in which direction she should go. Feeling the cave wall for support she moved carefully in one direction.

The smell of rotting flesh got stronger. After a while she saw something. Something red. Glowing in the dark. A pair of eyes. Drisana's heart caught in her throat. One, two, three and many. The eyes were fixed on her. Coming closer to her. Hunger and anger two deadly combination mixed on those gazes. As the eyes got closer to her, she felt something wrapping around her legs and sliding upwards. Her mind screamed what it was as it got upwards in front of her face. Two glowing eyes of the snake stared at her with open mouth ready to bite her while squeezing her tightly.

"Nakulllllllll!!!"

Nakul's eyes opened. His heart was hammering rapidly in his chest. He could feel Drisana's fear. Her scream was still ringing in his ears. Strange. He got down from the bed to drink water. After calming his irregular breathing, he thought about the dream. What was the meaning of that? Why would Drisana go in such a place? And those red eyes. No. It was just a meaningless nightmare. He shouldn't think about it anymore. With that thought, he tried to shake the dream of his head.

The next day, they started their journey.

In Dravida:

Preparations for welcoming the guests were in full swing. Maharani Mangalya was personally looking at all the arrangements. All the ladies were excited for the upcoming events.

"Bhrata Dhikshit, mata is searching for you." Dridhaksh said coming inside the discussion room where all the brothers sat.

"I know why she is searching me and I'm not interested." Dhikshit said.

"Why? What's going on?" Dhritimat asked being confused.

"She wants me to see another portrait of some princess." Dhikshit said with a sigh. Maharani Mangalya had tried to get Dhikshit married for some time now.

"She wouldn't be after you if you get married." Dwijendra said.

"Of course. Then only a wife would be after me every moment." Dhikshit said sarcastically.

"It's not so bad." Devajyot said and everyone's eyebrows raised at him. As luck would have it, Priyala came just at that moment.

"Arya, what should I make for you? Aam ki gutlio ka aachar or nembu ke bijo ka? (Pickle of mango seeds or lemon seeds?)" She said as Shubhaprada and Drisana followed her. Devajyot glanced at his brothers, all six were looking at him eagerly.

"Bataiye na bhrata Devajyot. Waise bhi pair kulhari par pare, yeah kulhari pair par, nishkash dono ka ek hi hota hai. (Tell bhrata Devajyot. You stab yourself or someone else stabs you, results will be same.) It's not so bad." Dhikshit said smiling sarcastically.

"What are you saying bhrata Dhikshit? I didn't get you." Priyala asked confusingly.

"Nothing. Do one thing. Make both." Devajyot said hurriedly, glaring at Dhikshit. The rest were trying to hide their laugh.

"Yes, bhabishree. Bhrata Devajyot will eat both happily." Daiwik said smirking. As Priyala went away happily to make her pickles, Drisana handed Dhikshit a portrait.

"Look at it. Mata's order." Drisana said. Dhikshit huffed.

Maharaj Drishadvat and Maharani Mangalya stood at the entrance of the Palace with their sons as they received news of the arrival of the guests. Drisana wasn't allowed to be present there. So she watched from a window with her sister-in-laws. Only Aanandini was present to welcome the guests at the entrance. As the chariot moved closer to the Palace, her heartbeat was increasing. The smile hadn't left her face.

As the chariot stopped, she saw Karna and Krishna getting down from one. Arjun and Nakul were travelling in horseback. They got down and helped Kunti and Draupadi in getting down from one chariot. The welcoming ceremony was done by Maharani and Aanandini. After the introduction and greetings, they were led inside. Maharani Mangalya took Rajmata Kunti and Draupadi to meet Drisana while Dhritimat, Dhikshit and Daiwik led the men to their respective rooms for taking rest. As they were going towards one direction, Dhritimat stopped Nakul from going there.

"Stop Rajkumar Nakul. Your room is in the opposite direction. Let me take you there." Dhritimat said sweetly.

"Yes. Aap to hamare bhises athithi hai. Aapki to aisi khatirdari karenge ki uske bad aap milenge hi nehi. (You're our special guest. We'll give you so much hospitality that you won't be found after that.)" Daiwik said. Nakul's eyes got rounded hearing him. Dravida brothers had been smiling extra sweetly at him since he arrived. Arjun covered his laugh with a fake cough. Karna was confused and Krishna smiled.

"Meaning?" Nakul asked cautiously. Dhikshit punched Daiwik from behind and said,

"Iska matlab hai ki aisi khatirdari nehi mileaga aapko aur kahi. (He means you'll not find such hospitality anywhere else.)"

Nakul looked at Arjun and Arjun gave him a 'told you' look. Karna caught up what was going on and controlled his smile.

"Jaiye bhrata Nakul. Aab okhli mein sar diya to muslon se kya darna. (When you have put your head in the lion's mouth, then why be afraid of it being bitten off.)" Krishna whispered to him. Was it encouragement? Well, it wasn't working. Smiling forcefully, Nakul went with Dhritimat.

Sorry for the late update. But I've been in a gloomy and depressed mood lately and my mind is a complete mess.

Don't know how the chapter turned out. But I feel I lost touch. 😧😧😧

Anyways next update won't be long. 😊😊😊