The festive ambiance of Dwaraka was further beautified with the arrival of two Princesses of Madra. Lakshmanaa, the elder one, was nowhere different from Rukmini, Satyabhama, Mitravinda and Bhadra, as Devika felt. However, she could relate more with the younger one, Vijaya, who had a perfect mixture of intelligence and innocence on her face, and was continuously teased by the other women as her marriage was fixed with youngest Pandava Sahadeva. Gradually, Devika became more affectionate to Vijaya as she was to Subhadra. These two girls made her forget the grief of having no younger sister.

Time flew in joy of having all loved ones together and also with busy preparations of the upcoming ceremony. Finally the day of wedding had arrived. While the Pandavas were busy in dressing up Krishna, Devika was cheerfully involved in decorating her friend cum sister Rukmini, along with Revati and the other women.

In Krishna's chamber:

"Don't move so much, Sakha!" Arjuna said while putting sandal paste on Krishna's forehead, "the Tilaka will smudge. Sit quiet."

Realizing that they were not going to let Him escape their service of love, Krishna surrendered to His brother cum friend. He closed His lotus eyes innocently, making the five brothers amused.

"Behold!" Nakula chuckled, "what else can be more fun than seeing our Maakhan Chor sitting like a calm, obedient child!"

"Nakula," Krishna said without opening His eyes, "my hand can reach your ears even without seeing them!"

"Ahh... Sakha! What did I tell you?" Arjuna groaned. Giving him an innocent smile, Krishna went back to His obedient mode again.

"Is everything ready here?" Balarama hurried in, looking at the brothers.

"Relax, Dau!" Bhima smiled, assuring Him, "everything is done. Just let Arjuna finish the Tilaka and our groom is ready!"

"But where is the wedding garland?" Balarama enquired, not seeing Krishna wearing it.

Embarrassed, the five brothers looked at each other. None of them could even remember that essential part.

"This proves you five are not yet married!" Balarama teased, "now go and bring it soon!"

"Where is it, Dau?" Sahadeva quickly asked, "I'm bringing!"

"No!" Bhima protested, "you will not go!"

"Why, Bhrata?" Sahadeva made an innocent face.

"Deva, we all understand why you want to go and where you will end up!" Arjuna pulled Sahadeva's leg, "You will be lost somewhere and it will be unnecessary late. I'm going."

"Sakha," Krishna looked at Arjuna, "Are you sure that you are not going to be lost somewhere in this palace?"

Arjuna glared at Krishna to hide his embarrassment. He knew his all-knowing friend had seen him staring unblinking at Princess Subhadra. The third Pandava did not even know what he had found in that young girl, but his heart could feel a strong connection with her.

"Enough!" Said Yudhishthira, amused at his younger brothers, "You don't have to go. I am going." He turned to Balarama, "Just tell me where it is, Rama!"

"It is supposed to be in my room, Jyeshtha." Said Balarama.

"Fine. I'm bringing it." Yudhishthira said, and left the room. Seeing him leaving, Balarama exchanged meaningful glance with Krishna. Both the Brothers smiled knowingly, making the four Pandavas wonder what they were cooking.

***

The bride's chamber:

"Perfect!" Devika smiled in satisfaction, placing the garland on Rukmini's neck. "You are looking so beautiful, Didi!" She put a dot of Kajal lovingly on Her head, "I'm sure Bhrata won't be able to tear His gaze from you!"

"The credit goes to all of you, Devi!" Rukmini caressed Devika's cheek with affectionate smile. She cast Her lotus eyes on Revati, Satyabhama, Mitravinda, Lakshmanaa, Bhadra and Vijaya, and then continued, "With so much care of so many loving hearts, how can I not look beautiful?"

"We are none, Rukmini! It is Dwarakadheesha's love alone that makes you beautiful!" Satyabhama smiled.

"Not only me, but you, Mitra, Lakshmanaa and Bhadra too! Isn't it, Bhama?" Rukmini smiled too, making Her four counterparts blush heavily.

"So, Vijaya," Devika exchanged mischievous glance with the younger princess of Madra, "what do we actually understand from this?"

"That we can expect to have another invitation very soon!" Vijaya teased, "am I right, Bhama Didi?" She turned to Satyabhama, mischief flashing in her eyes.

"Not only one invitation, Vijaya," Devika corrected, "at least four more!" She grinned, "And even more than four if my Bhrata wishes so!"

Vijaya nodded in support and giggled, looking at the four Lakshmis.

"Enough, Jaya!" Lakshmanaa glared at Her sister to hide Her embarrassment. "Now do the needful! Go and see if the wedding garland has yet reached Dwarakadheesha."

"Wedding garland is still with Devika Didi." Vijaya innocently remarked, pointing at Devika.

"I'm going soon to Bhrata." Devika rose to her feet, embarrassed for being already late.

"Wait!" Revati stopped her, "right now He must be surrounded by Pandavas and other male friends. It will be better if you keep the garland in Swami's room. I've told Him that it would be there only."

"Alright, Didi." Devika nodded, "I shall keep it in Dau's chamber." As she hurried out the bridal room, Revati exchanged mischievous glances with Rukmini, Satyabhama, Mitravinda, Lakshmanaa and Bhadra. The five Lakshmis nodded in response to Ksheera, suppressing a giggle. Mischief flashed in Their lotus eyes too. Confused, Vijaya's eyebrows met. She wondered what was going to happen.

***

Balarama's chamber:

Yudhishthira searched everywhere, but could not find the wedding garland. He wondered where could it have been.

There was no one else in the room who he could ask about it. He remembered that Balarama had said it was supposed to be here. Was it yet to reach here then by someone? Should he wait here more or go to Balarama for asking Him again? Yudhishthira stood confused for a while, before the melodious sound of a pair of anklets brought him out of his thoughts.

The sound, like a soft music, soothed his soul immediately, removing all worries in a while. He turned to the door, sighing in relief. Someone was approaching the room. And that person might know where the garland was!

But he could not even imagine to see her whose golden aura soon reflected in his copper-hued eyes!

She is here, now?

The reaction was no different from the other side too. Devika froze in her steps. How come he is here, in Dau's room, at this time? Wasn't he supposed to be with the groom?

Both were surprised. Both were pleased, too. They themselves did not know why they longed to see each other but could not, being busy with all the intrigues of wedding celebrations. Did the all-knowing Ones read that secret wish of their hearts, and made them meet thus?

Yudhishthira could not tear his gaze from her even for a moment! The warrior princess he had seen once holding a sword, appeared so uniquely adorable in his eyes now, wearing flower ornaments and holding a flower garland. Her charming beauty glowed making even the flowers look pale, as if she was their ornament, they were not hers!

"Shivi Kumari!" He mused, still lost in his trance. "You here?"

His serene voice brought her back to her senses. Devika lowered her eyes, "I have come to keep this garland here." She softly uttered, "Can you tell me where Dau is, Yuvaraj?"

Yudhishthira nodded, remembering why he had come here. "Balarama has sent me to take this garland to Krishna's room. You can give it to me, Rajkumari!"

Devika smiled with a nod. While giving the golden plate carrying the wedding garland to him, her palms brushed against his.

Bud of Champaka flower touched golden lotus! For the first time!

Yet, the first touch seemed so familiar! As if they knew each other since eternity!

I cannot recall when I met you,
In which of our previous births,
But I'm sure I know those eyes,
That had kept me longing since yugas!
I have found thee, my Love,
Let me lose this heart again to you!

He let her kohl-smeared doe eyes envelope his consciousness, leading him to a new world of bliss. She let herself get immersed in the tranquility of his peaceful golden aura. Both knew they were gradually drowning into the ocean of pure love. But both were unwilling to escape from it.

Speechless now I am,
But words are not needed.
For your eyes express what my heart feels,
Even more than my words could do!
I do see myself in you, Love,
Even more than a mirror could do!

Seemed like time also had stopped flowing to behold the beginning of this silent love. The palace of Dwaraka, the Vaikuntha on earth, seemed to be smiling happily at both. Smiled the Lord of universe, with His Lakshmis, Aadi Shesha and Ksheera, blessing their love with Their Divine Grace.

"Devi! The auspicious muhurta is nearing. Where are you?" Revati's voice brought both of them back to their senses.

"Coming, Didi!" Devika responded, and withdrawing herself forcefully from the bliss she was drown in, hurried out of the room. But her heart still carried the fragrance of that happiness. Her red lips curved into a smile, cherishing the moment that had just passed.

The Princess of Shivi could feel the change within.

She had lost herself. She had found herself, too.

All her ways so far had discovered their ultimate destination in those large copper-hued eyes!

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Author's Note: I have tried to make the love story a bit poetic, as per my understanding and feeling. Please let me know how it reads.
The header picture of this chapter was designed by @VanshiKrishna.