Khandavaprastha

A sigh escaped Yudhishthira's heart as he stared at the work going on for building his new city.

Her new home is building! But where is she, the one who was supposed to be here, by his side?

Months ago, when Prince Shaivya reached out to him for the training of Shivi army, Yudhishthira's eager eyes only searched for her. Only a single glimpse of his beloved was all that he wanted. Destiny did not smile at him though. But he knew that it was she who wrote the letter on her father's behalf. He also knew that the intelligent Princess of Shivi had planned and arranged the entire thing.

Just for him!

Yudhishthira's eyes got moist. Without that timely deal with Shivi, this luxurious city of Khandavaprastha could not have been built so soon. His Devika had actively participated in building her own future home! But why didn't she herself come? How long would she make him yearn thus?

Hasn't she forgiven him yet?

"Pranam Maharaj!"

Yudhishthira turned his head. It was a messenger bowing to him.

"I have brought invitation from Avanti. Princess Mitravinda's swayamvara has been fixed on the upcoming Shukla Chaturthi. Maharaj Jayasena has requested you all along with Rajmata Kunti Devi to attend the same."

Yudhishthira nodded, glancing at the letter once. His face brightened up thinking of something.

"It will be our pleasure. Tell uncle Jayasena that we shall be there soon." He smiled. Light of hope had begun to rise within him.

Devika would never miss her cousin sister's swayamvara! Yudhishthira exhaled in a soothing relief, after months.

Finally, it was time! To open his heart to her!

***

Ujjayini, Avanti

"What?" Devika could not resist.

"You heard it right. Bhrata Vinda and Anuvinda want me to choose Duryodhana as my husband." Mitravinda was unbelievably calm.

"What nonsense is this?" Devika snapped. "Which kind of swayamvara it is where the bride doesn't have the freedom to choose her own groom?"

"Is this anything new in Aaryavarta, Devi? Many Princesses of this country have suffered the consequence of their family's unfair wish. Some poor ones even have been abducted from their swayamvara as well." Mitravinda's golden face pulled in a frown.

"I know." Devika's lips pursed. "This land belongs to Emperor Jarasandha and his followers, who use girls like us for their own political reasons. Who cares for women's wish? Who cares for the scriptures that do not allow a wedding without bride's consent?"

"Avanti is a trusted ally of Jarasandha, Devi." Mitravinda said, still calm. "My two brothers are already his right hand. Nothing better can be expected from them."

"And the recent friendship with Hastinapura has made it even worse." Devika remarked. "I knew that Bhrata Vinda and Anuvinda follow the Emperor. But I never thought that they could do this to you, their only little sister!"

The Princess of Avanti smiled.

"They say welfare of kingdom comes over their sister's choice."

"I pity their mentality who think Duryodhana's friendship will bring welfare to Avanti!" Devika fumed. She had never been able to forgive Duryodhana.

"Calm down, sister!" Mitravinda caressed her. "Their plan will not succeed!"

"Didi!" Devika restlessly put her both arms around Mitravinda. "How on earth you can be so calm even at this moment?"

Mitravinda smiled again, amused at Devika's worry for her.

"You are smiling? What will happen if..."

"Relax, little one! Rukmini's brother too planned the same with Shishupala. Could they succeed?" Her lotus eyes sparkled. "The one whom I have given my heart to, will come for me! Just wait for the right time!"

"Didi, how can you be so sure?" Devika shook her head in disbelief, her doe eyes still betraying worries.

"My baby girl, know one thing for sure. When you love someone with all your existence, without demanding anything in return, Gods make your wish true! Trust this!"

Her words made a surge of realisation pass through Devika's nerves.

As if it was not just a statement but an advice, meant for her only!

"Devi, the power of pure and selfless love can overcome every kind of difficulty that stands in the way of union! If you have that kind of love in your heart, know that you are unconquerable!" Mitravinda smiled meaningfully, looking at Devika's face. She knew that her sister was wise enough to realize her hint.

"All we need to do is trusting our love and our beloved! Only then that power will work." She finished.

"But your beloved need to know about your situation, does he not?" Devika said, "Why don't you send him a message?"

"Not required! True love itself is a powerful messanger that reaches faster than any other way. I have send him message from the deepest of my soul. I know he will come at the right time!"

Devika could not speak anymore. Mitravinda's unflinching trust on Krishna had left her thinking. Like a lesson from life. A lesson that only her Guru Krishna could have given her.

If this is the power of love, why cannot she also keep faith? Why did she give up hopes?

After a long time a thin ray of hope seemed visible beneath the darkness. Devika took a deep breath, holding the image of Yudhishthira's handsome face strongly within her heart.

That was her only weapon to fight this battle! The battle to remove all obstacles that blocked their ways to each other!

Devika felt determined to manifest the power of her love within, to draw Yudhishthira closer!

***

Khandavaprastha

"Going to Avanti, Jyeshtha?" Krishna casually enquired.

"Yes. Aren't you?"

Krishna smiled. "I have not received any invitation, Jyeshtha."

"I know that. Vinda and Anuvinda would never want you to attend Mitra's swayamvara." Yudhishthira sighed. "But still you have to go there, Keshava. Otherwise what will happen to my sister?"

"That your sister knows, Jyeshtha! How can I say?" Krishna shrugged.

Yudhishthira grimaced. "This is not time for fun, Krishna! You know well that Mitra is waiting for you!"

Krishna only smiled.

"You won't say anything?"

"Worry not for her, Jyeshtha! There is nothing to worry when the love is true and pure. That love creates an irresistible pull to the beloved, and there can be no obstacle in between."

"Has she sent you message, Govinda?"

Krishna shook his head. "She doesn't need to do that. Her love's wave has already carried her invitation to me. No letter could have done that better! Thoughts are always stronger way to express love than words!" He then smiled at Yudhishthira. "Do not you too feel the same?"

Yudhishthira looked away, lost in his thoughts. Krishna's words held their own magical effect.

'Love's wave'! Indeed!

He had been waiting for Devika's physical presence. Why couldn't he realise it earlier that the waves her heart sent had never failed to reach him? The selfless love she had for him never missed to show, in all his difficulties!

"Jyeshtha, know that distance can never seperate hearts that beat together! Worldly conspiracies and obstacles can never hinder their union who belong to each other forever!" Krishna gently held Yudhishthira's palm.

"I and Mitra are destined to unite. You and Devika too! Believe this!"