As the first light of dawn filtered through the window, Krishna stirred on the couch, his body instinctively seeking comfort.

He blinked his eyes open, adjusting to the light, and immediately became aware of the warmth pressed against his back. A gentle smile spread across his lips as he felt Devashree's arm draped over him, her hand resting softly on his chest.

He turned his head slightly, catching sight of her serene face nestled close to his shoulder. Her dark hair fanned out like a halo, and her breath came in gentle, rhythmic puffs against his skin.

He couldn't help but smile, a sense of deep contentment settling over him. Despite her stern exterior and firm resolve last night, she had been unable to stay away.

Ha! His drama always worked...he grinned to himself.

With the gentlest touch, Krishna brushed a stray lock of hair from her face, his fingers lingering on her cheek for a moment. She stirred slightly, her eyelashes fluttering as she slowly woke up. Her eyes, still heavy with sleep, met his, and she smiled softly, the corners of her lips curling up in a way that made his heart skip a beat.

Devashree yawned, stretching slightly, and then tightened her embrace around him. "Good morning, Swami," she replied, her voice husky with sleep. She snuggled closer to him, burying her face in the crook of his neck.

"Shree," he whispered "My stubborn, loving wife." Krishna murmured softly, his voice tinged with a teasing note. "Couldn't stay away from me, could you?"

Devashree's cheeks flushed a soft pink, and she let out a small, exasperated sigh. "Don't get too full of yourself, Swami," she replied, her voice still heavy with sleep. "I just didn't want you to catch a cold. Did you sleep well?""

Krishna chuckled softly, his hand gently stroking her hair. "As well as one can on a couch," he said, a playful glint in his eyes. "Though, I must admit, it was much more comfortable with you by my side."

"Hmm," Devashree hummed, and looked up at him, her eyes still drowsy.

Krishna turned fully to face her, their noses almost touching. "It seems my dramatic performance worked after all," he teased, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "You couldn't resist my plight."

Devashree rolled her eyes playfully, though her smile remained. " I just couldn't punish you for something I absolutely love about you."

Krishna raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk tugging at his lips. "And what might that be, Hridaye?"

Devashree shifted slightly, propping herself up on one elbow to look at him more directly. "Your mischief, your charm, the way you always manage to make me smile even when I'm upset with you," she admitted, her tone filled with warmth. "It's infuriating, but it's also one of the things I love most about you."

Krishna's smile widened, his heart swelling with love. "So, you're saying you actually enjoy my antics?" he teased, a glint of mischief in his eyes.

Devashree rolled her eyes playfully, though she couldn't suppress her smile. "Don't get too full of yourself, Swami," she warned lightly. "I may love your antics, but that doesn't mean you can get away with everything."

Krishna laughed softly, the sound rich and melodious. "I'll keep that in mind, Priye," he promised, his voice tender.

Just then, Devashree's smile faded slightly as a familiar wave of nausea began to rise.

She tried to mask her discomfort, not wanting to worry Krishna, but the sensation was becoming too overwhelming to ignore.

"Krishna..." she murmured, her voice strained.

Krishna's playful expression immediately shifted to one of concern. "Shree, are you feeling unwell again?"

She nodded, trying to sit up but finding the movement made the nausea worse. Krishna quickly helped her into a more comfortable position, his brow furrowed with worry.

Devashree took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "It's just the morning sickness," she replied, her voice shaky but reassuring. "It's been happening more frequently now that I'm in the first month of my pregnancy."

Krishna's concern deepened as he watched her struggle. He could see the color draining from her face, and her breathing grew shallow and quick.

But before he could do anything further, Devashree's nausea surged, and she suddenly leaned over the side of the bed, retching violently. Krishna's heart ached to see her in such distress. He gently rubbed her back, his touch soothing and steady, trying to offer as much comfort as possible.

"It's okay, Shree," he murmured, his voice soft and comforting. "Just let it out. You'll feel better soon."

After a few agonizing moments, the vomiting subsided, but the nausea still lingered, making Devashree feel weak and shaky.

Krishna sprang into action. "Hold on, love. I'll get the ginger juice." He hurried to the small table by the window where a pitcher of ginger juice sat, ready for emergencies like this.

He poured a small amount into a cup, his hands steady despite his worry. Returning to Devashree's side, he knelt beside her, holding the cup to her lips. "Here, drink this, love. It will help with the nausea."

Devashree took a tentative sip, the spicy warmth of the ginger juice soothing her raw throat and unsettled stomach. She took a few more sips, each one helping to calm the roiling in her belly.

Krishna watched her closely, relief washing over him as he saw the nausea beginning to subside. "Better?" he asked softly, brushing a strand of hair away from her face.

Devashree nodded weakly, her eyes filled with gratitude. "Yes, thank you, Krishna. I'm sorry... I hate that you have to see me like this."

"No...no Priye.."

A lump formed in Krishna's throat, and his eyes moistened with unshed tears. He shook his head gently, his voice choked with emotion. "You have nothing to apologize for, my love," he assured her, his words a tender caress. "Being with you, caring for you, is not a burden but a privilege."

As he spoke, his voice quivered with a raw intensity, his heart laid bare before her. "I'm so glad to be with you, Shree," he murmured, his tone barely above a whisper, as if afraid to disturb the fragile peace that enveloped them. "This Ram couldn't always be with his Sitey. But please let this Krishna be with his Shree."

"Of course, Swami," she replied softly,"I am never going to leave you, how can I, unlike the great Maryada Purushottam Ram, I can't very well trust my Natkhat Shyam and leave him to his own devices. Who knows what mischief you'd get up to without me around... pata chala pure sansaar ko sar par utha liya hai!"

Krishna's lips quirked into a tender smile, though tears still shimmered in his eyes. He gently wiped them away with the back of his hand before reaching out to cup her face."You know me too well, my dear Shree," he replied, his voice tender.

Devashree knew they couldn't linger in bed forever. With a gentle sigh, she reluctantly pulled away from Krishna's embrace, her eyes meeting his with a mixture of reluctance and determination.

"It's time to get on with the day, Swami," she said softly"We have a trip to the forest to enjoy, remember?"

"Devashree," he said softly, "I think you should take it easy today. Rest here at the palace. You need to take care of yourself and our baby."

Devashree looked up at him, her eyes full of determination. "Krishna, I appreciate your concern, but I'm not going to stay here alone while you and the others go to the forest."

Krishna sighed, his brow furrowing with worry. "But you were just so unwell. I don't want to risk your health or the baby's."

"I'll be fine," she insisted, her voice steady. "The ginger juice helped, and I know my limits. If I feel unwell again, I'll rest."

Seeing the resolve in her eyes, Krishna knew there was little he could do to persuade her otherwise. He admired her strength and understood her desire to be with him, but his protective instincts were strong. He wanted to shield her from any discomfort or harm, especially now.

"Alright," he said finally, his voice gentle but firm. "But promise me you'll let me know if you start feeling unwell again. And you'll take breaks whenever you need them. No pushing yourself too hard."

Devashree nodded, relieved that he was agreeing to let her come along. "I promise, Krishna. I'll be careful."

Krishna kissed her forehead "Let me get everything ready then," he said, standing up and heading towards the door. "We'll leave once you're ready."

Devashree smiled and quickly got dressed, choosing comfortable attire suitable for the forest. As she prepared, she couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement mixed with the usual anticipation of venturing into the wild.

Soon, Krishna returned, carrying a small bag with essentials, including more ginger juice and other remedies in case Devashree felt unwell again. He also had a soft blanket and a few snacks, making sure they were prepared for any situation.

"Ready?" he asked, his eyes scanning her to ensure she was truly up for the journey.

"Ready," she replied with a confident smile, slipping her hand into his.

*******

In the heart of the lush forest, the Pandavas, Draupadi, Devashree, Krishna, and Subhadra had spread out a soft blanket beneath the towering trees.

The Pandavas and Draupadi were arranged in a close-knit circle, their bond evident in the way they sat, shoulders touching and hands interlocked.

Draupadi leaned comfortably against Yudhishthira, her head nestled on his shoulder, his hand rested gently on her back, his fingers tracing soothing circles while Bheem sat beside her, a protective arm draped around her waist, his massive frame providing a sense of security and strength. Nakula and Sahadeva sat nearby, close enough to feel the warmth of their family's unity.

Arjun lay with his head on Draupadi's lap with his eyes closed in contentment, her fingers gently threading through his hair.

On the other side of the blanket, Devashree sat between Krishna legs, her back resting against his chest, while he leaned comfortably against the tree trunk. In her hands, she held a bowl of freshly picked ber, selecting the ripest ones and feeding them to Krishna with gentle care.

Subhadra couldn't help but chuckle softly as she observed the affectionate interactions between the couples seated around her,

A face flashed in her mind, a fleeting memory of burgundy-hued eyes and unruly curls. She remembered the way he had smeared her cheeks with bright hues of pink and red, his laughter infectious as they danced in the streets, lost in the euphoria of the moment. She could almost feel his arms around her, pulling her close as they twirled to the lively rhythm of the music, their hearts beating in perfect sync.

She shook her head slightly, trying to dispel the image. "Not now," she murmured, chiding herself for letting her thoughts wander. Leaning back slightly, she cast a teasing glance at the intertwined pairs around her. "Gosh," she murmured in a theatrical tone, loud enough for everyone to hear, "I've never felt so single in my life!"

Her words elicited a ripple of laughter from the group,"Not for long Bhadre" Krishna responded with a knowing smirk.

"Huh?"Subhadra turned to her brother, eyebrows raised in curiosity,

He leaned closer, his voice a conspiratorial whisper, "You never know what surprises life may have in store for you, Bhadre."

Subhadra arched an eyebrow, clearly not satisfied with his vague response. "Come on, Bhratashree," she pressed, nudging him playfully. "You can't just drop a bomb like that and leave me hanging. What surprises are you talking about?"

Krishna's grin widened, his gaze darting mischievously around the group. "Well," he began, drawing out the word for dramatic effect, "I was thinking we could play a little game to pass the time. Truth or dare, perhaps?"

"We are in" Excitement bubbled among the group as they eagerly gathered in a circle.

Subhadra's eyes sparkled with anticipation as she took charge, her playful energy infusing the group with excitement. With a flourish, she poured wine into each glass, her movements graceful and confident.

The glasses clinked together as Subhadra distributed them with a mischievous grin, her enthusiasm infectious as she prepared for the revelry to come.

Just as Devashree reached out to take her glass and lift it to her lips, Krishna's hand shot out with lightning speed, intercepting the glass before it could touch her lips.

Devashree blinked in surprise, her hand left hovering in mid-air. "Swami," she murmured softly, a hint of protest in her voice.

Krishna offered her a reassuring smile, his eyes filled with love and concern. "Priye, let's not take any risks," he said gently, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'll get you something else."

With practiced ease, Krishna retrieved a nearby pitcher of juice, pouring a generous serving into a glass. He lifted the glass to his lips, taking a small sip to ensure its safety before offering it to Devashree.

"Here," he said softly, his gaze unwavering. "This should be safer for you and our baby."

Devashree accepted the glass with a grateful smile, touched by Krishna's thoughtfulness. She took a sip, the cool sweetness of the juice soothing her throat and filling her with warmth.

Krishna retrieved a small bottle, the glint of mischief in his eyes as he spun it in the center of the circle. The bottle twirled round and round, the anticipation building with each revolution, until finally, it came to a stop, pointing directly at the Samrat.

"Truth or dare, Arya?" Draupadi asked with a teasing smile.

"Truth," Yudhishthira replied with a good-natured smile, prompting groans from his brothers.

"Come on, Jyesth!" Bheem exclaimed, rolling his eyes. "We could have predicted that. You're no fun."

"Indeed," Nakula added with a chuckle. "We could have had this conversation without spinning the bottle."

But Devashree's eyes sparkled with mischief. She leaned over and whispered something in Draupadi's ear.

Draupadi's eyes widened in surprise, then she nodded, a sly grin spreading across her face."Alright, Arya," Draupadi said, her voice dripping with playful intrigue. "Who is your favorite brother?"

The question caused a ripple of surprise and amusement to pass through the group. The Pandavas exchanged curious glances, eager to hear Yudhishthir's response.

Yudhishthir looked momentarily taken aback, then he chuckled, shaking his head. "That's a difficult question," he said, glancing at his brothers. "Each of you is my favorite in different ways."

"No evading the question, jyesth!" Arjun interjected with a grin. "You have to pick one."

Yudhishthira sighed theatrically, rubbing his temples as if in deep thought. "If I must choose," he said slowly, "I would say Bheem is my favorite brother when it comes to sheer strength and protection. Arjun for his unparalleled skills in archery and Nakul and Sahadev for their wisdom and companionship."

The brothers laughed, appreciating Yudhishthir's diplomatic answer.

"Very clever, arya," Draupadi said, giving him an affectionate look. "But we are looking for a single name."

Yudhishthir smiled, his eyes twinkling. "Alright then. If I must choose one, I choose Bheem for his unwavering loyalty and strength. He has always been there to protect us."

Bheem's face lit up with pride. With a triumphant laugh, he scooped Yudhishthir up effortlessly and hoisted him onto his broad shoulder.

The other brothers watched with amusement as Bheem paraded around, flexing his muscles and boasting loudly.

Bheem's chest puffed out with pride, and he flashed a broad grin at his brothers. "I knew it," he said, flexing his muscles for emphasis. "I'm everyone's favorite. Who wouldn't love the strongest and bravest brother?"

"It's because you're so fluffy, like a teddy bear!" Nakul said cutting him off and making exaggerated kissing noises. "Yes, bhrata you're just so cuddly and adorable," he teased, unable to hold back his laughter.

Bheem's laughter turned into a playful growl as he turned towards Nakul. In one swift motion, he swooped Nakula up in a bear hug, lifting him off the ground and squeezing him tightly.

"Fluffy, am I?" Bheem said, "Let's see how fluffy you feel after this!"

Nakul let out a surprised yelp as Bheem's strong embrace enveloped him, the air squeezed out of his lungs. The other brothers erupted into laughter at the sight, enjoying the playful banter between the two.

"Alright, alright, Bhrata Bheem, put him down before you crush him!" Arjun exclaimed between laughs, trying to regain his composure.

With a hearty laugh, Bheem gently lowered Nakula back to the ground, releasing him from his tight grip.

Nakul stumbled slightly, his cheeks flushed with laughter and mock indignation.

"You're lucky I didn't squish you like a bug, anuj," Bheem teased, giving him a playful pat on the back.

Then the attention turned to the next spin which landed on-Bheem himself.

"Dare! Just tell me what to do, and I'll do it with a flick of my hand!" With a proud grin, Bheem confidently declared

Krishna raised an eyebrow at Bheem's bold proclamation. With a sly smile, he leaned in and whispered something into Draupadi's ear, who in turn burst into giggles.

Bheem watched with eager anticipation, his chest puffed out with bravado, waiting for Krishna to reveal his dare. The rest of the group also leaned in, their curiosity piqued by Krishna's secretive whisper.

Finally, Krishna stepped forward, his smile widening as he addressed Bheem. "Well, Bhrata Bheem, since you're so confident, I have the perfect dare for you," he announced, his voice dripping with amusement.

"Bring it on, Krishna! There's nothing I can't handle," he declared, trying to maintain his bravado despite the uncertainty brewing within him.

Krishna's eyes twinkled with mischief as he revealed the dare. "Your challenge, Bhrata, is to dance with Nakul as a couple... wearing a saree!"

"Dance with Nakul? In a saree?" Bheem echoed, his voice tinged with disbelief. He glanced at Nakul, who was already suppressing a grin, clearly relishing the opportunity to witness Bheem's reaction

"Yes Bhrata Bheem, Nakul will be the husband and you will be his blushing bride."

*******

A/N

Don't laugh, folks! It's showtime!

Let's give a roaring round of applause for our very own Bhrata Vikrodhar as he steps onto the stage. 👏👏🤣

Do you have any tasks for the mandali?🤣

I know, I know, I promised you the epic Nar-Narayan battle in this chapter but then the chapter became to big for a single installment so I cut it off into two...

It couldn't be helped, I tried to make the chapter short but then the Fluff monster attacked me while I was editing the draft and I had to add the fluff between our lovebirds at the start of the chapter ..❤️

Until next time, keep the laughter alive and the anticipation brewing!✨❤️

And don't forget to vote for Bhrata Bheem✨✨