Indraprastha

"Not this uttariya!" Nakula shook his head, moving his eyes over Yudhishthira from head to toe.

"This colour doesn't suit you. Change it. And not this armlet, please! I have a better one with..."

"I'm getting late, brother!" Yudhishthira tried to remind.

"But it's necessary. You are going to a swayamvara, Jyeshtha. Not to your raajsabha." Nakula reminded, adjusting the new uttariya over Yudhishthira's shoulder. The King just sighed, exchanging a glance with the other twin.

"Now leave him, Nakula. Someone's too eager to reach Shivi!" Sahadeva smirked, earning a glare from Yudhishthira.

"I know that." Nakula chuckled. "But we too need to ensure that Shivi Kuma... sorry, Devika Bhabhi, sees our Jyeshtha in his most handsome form! It's a matter of Indraprastha's glory."

"You two are laughing here? For Mahadeva's sake, stop all these and listen to me!" Bhima hurried in, forgetting even to send the guard first to take permission.

"What happened, Bhima?" Yudhishthira turned grave.

"How can you go there alone, Maharaj?" Bhima crossed his arms. "Don't you know how much trouble might await you in Shivi?"

Everyone fell silent for a while. They knew that Bhima's suspicion was not wrong. Jayadratha was going to attend Shivi's swayamvara along with Duryodhana and his brothers.

"Could you do this if Arjuna was here now?" Bhima continued. "Could he let you go alone in this risk?"

The single mention of Arjuna broke all the three hearts at once. Yudhishthira closed his eyes to send his tears back. Nakula turned away to hide his moist eyes. A heavy sigh escaped Sahadeva's usually patient heart.

Absence of Arjuna since a year had made the other four feel like they had lost a limb of their bodies. Every day they wished Arjuna gave up his self-decided exile of twelve years and returned home. But they all knew it was not to be!

"Jyeshtha, do you want Arjuna to get angry with all of us for letting you go thus?" Bhima said again. "You know his oath. If they make you bleed, entire Shivi will be turned into a crematory. Can Devika Bhabhi endure that pain?"

"What do you want then?" Yudhishthira muttered.

"We three shall accompany you!" Bhima declared. "And don't you dare to oppose this Yuvaraj's decision, Maharaj!" He added, seeing Yudhishthira's lips parting.

"Right." Nakula came forward. "Bhrata Arjuna is not here. But that doesn't mean that our King, our brother is unprotected." He exchanged a glance with Sahadeva who nodded in assent.

"We are coming with you!" Was the final sentence of three brothers who could even rule over the ruler of Indraprastha.

***

Shivi

"Don't move your head, Rajkumari!" Ratnavali said while combing Devika's long hair. But despite that, Devika could not just stop staring at her Sakhi.

"What will happen to you after I leave, Ratna?" Devika held Ratnavali's palm with concern.

"Me?" Ratnavali giggled. "You're thinking of me today, instead of Dharmaraj?"

Devika shook her head. "I'm serious. Kotikasya knows your bond with me. He won't spare you after his plan fails!"

Ratnavali smiled, hugging Devika from behind. "Stop worrying, my Princess! I'll manage Yuvaraj's wrath of I know that you are happy with the man you love!"

Teardrops sparkled in Devika's eyes. How weird relationships can be? There was Kotikasya, her own brother, hell-bent to ruin her life. And here was Ratnavali, having no blood relation with her, so selflessly craving for her happiness!

"How can I live happily in Indraprastha, leaving you at my brother's mercy?" Devika caressed Ratnavali's cheeks. "I cannot do that, Sakhi! I'll take you to Indraprastha!"

"We'll see that later. First you sit straight and let me finish my job." Ratnavali's skillful hands kept on braiding Devika's hair.

"Devi! What am I listening? Tomorrow is your swayamvara and you are giving no attention to preparing yourself?" It was Mitravinda, glaring at her sister.

"Not at all, Didi! See yourself!" Devika objected, pointing to her braided hair.

"With a lot of effort I could finally make her sit for doing her hair." Ratnavali informed. "Rajkumari is too much tensed."

"This is not right!" Mitravinda sat beside Devika. "I know that Jyeshtha doesn't care for physical appearance but inner beauty, but you cannot deprive him from seeing his bride in her most beautiful form." She turned to Ratnavali. "Bring the sandal paste and turmeric. I myself will prepare her. Let me see how she denies!"

"Didi listen... "

"No! You listen! How will I face my brother when he will ask me why I haven't cared for his beloved?" Mitravinda lightly scolded.

"My heart is shivering since morning." Devika sighed. "Don't know whether everything will happen smoothly, as per our plans!"

"It will. Worry not!" Mitravinda assured, applying sandal paste on Devika's cheeks. "Jyeshtha will definitely come! He is on the way now."

"I know he will come. But how will he hide himself till the swayamvara begins? Where will he stay before that?" Devika was restless. "What if someone recognises him and report to father? Or worse, to Kotikasya?"

"You don't have to worry about that." Mitravinda smiled. "Swami and I have already done all necessary arrangements!"

Devika looked up to her, hope rising in her. "Really?"

"Really!" Mitravinda repeated with emphasis. "But remember, no meeting is allowed on the day before wedding! Keep a little more patience!" She smiled a teasing smile.

Devika lowered her eyes. Her cheek turned crimson, remembering that her all-knowing sister could know her heart's secret craving even if she never voiced!

"Don't blush now. Save it for tomorrow!" Mitravinda grinned, winking.

"Thank you, Didi!" Devika wrapped her arms around Mitravinda's neck. "And say thanks to Bhrata too!"

"But one serious problem is still there." Mitravinda faked a sigh.

"What?" Devika's face fell.

"You are going to be elder sister-in-law for both of us! What shall I call you after marriage?" Mitravinda rolled her eyes. "Isn't this a big problem?"

Devika could not help a soft chuckle, lowering her gaze.

"This! Keep this smile intact!" Mitravinda cupped Devika's face. "Your husband will reach you at the right time, sister. Stop worrying now and be happy. Don't let your beloved see dark circles around the eyes he loves!"

***

In the outskirts of Shivi

"We cannot go to a royal guest house." Yudhishthira said. "Not even to an inn. Kotikasya's spies might be spread everywhere."

"Then?" Bhima raised an eyebrow.

Yudhishthira smiled. "Don't worry. The one who has called me here, must have done some arrangements for my tonight's stay. I trust her intelligence!"

"Excuse me. Are you searching for someone?"

Yudhishthira looked in front. There was an aged man, leaning himself on a bamboo stick. His alert eyes did not just rest on the Pandavas but gauzed the surroundings too.

As if he was ensuring that none was around.

This behaviour was unusual from a complete stranger. Yudhishthira's eyes narrowed. The man did not seem to be as old as he was trying to look. Even the hunch of his back seemed somehow artificial. The King of Indraprastha observed the man for a while, and then smiled to himself as his eyes fell on the man's forearm.

"We are new in Shivi." He said. "Is there any place to stay at night?"

"Of course!" The old man replied. "Come with me!"

Yudhishthira sensed Bhima's arm on his shoulder as he took one step forward.

"Jyeshtha!" Bhima whispered with warning in his eyes.

"Don't worry!" Yudhishthira smiled. "Come!"

They followed the old man who walked much faster compared to his age. A surprised Bhima tried to alert Yudhishthira, but the eldest Pandava just smiled, assuring Bhima.

Light had reduced much when the old man stopped near an old, abandoned temple. The place was surrounded by a large banyan tree. A stone idol of Goddess Katyayani sat alone inside, with no human present.

"Stay here for tonight." The man whispered. "No one will come here even in daylight. And yes, don't forget to take Devi's blessings before leaving. Your aim will be fulfilled for sure!"

"Thank you for your help!" Yudhishthira smiled.

"Only thanks won't work, Maharaj. Don't forget to give me a grand treat after you achieve success!" His eyes had that mischief, known to all Pandavas since childhood.

"You are already going to attend my wedding with other Yadavas. What more treat do you want, Satyaki?" Yudhishthira smiled knowingly.

Satyaki's mouth wide opened.

"How could you understand so soon?"

Yudhishthira held Satyaki's left arm, pointing to his red birthmark. "You forgot to hide this, dear friend! More care should have been taken before coming to your childhood friends with disguise!"

Satyaki shook his head, amused. "This is why Guru Dronacharya used to praise your sharp observation power! Now I have no doubt left that you are going to be the winner tomorrow, Yudhishthira! All my best wishes are with you!" He patted Yudhishthira's hand and embraced him.

"Thank you for taking this huge risk for us." Yudhishthira said. "Now return safely, Satyaki. Inform Krishna and Mitravinda that we have reached."

"And Shivi Kumari?" Satyaki teased. "No message for her?"

Yudhishthira smiled. "Assure her that I will fulfill her wish within a few more hours! This is her Yudhishthira's promise!"
__________________________________________

Author's note: Satyaki was a childhood friend of Pandavas and Kauravas. Mahabharata says that Duryodhana tried to make him emotional during the war, reminding him about that friendship. But Satyaki made him understand that he didn't consider Kauravas his friends anymore. Mahabharata also mentions that many Yadavas were Dronacharya's students. So I have a strong guess that Satyaki could also have been Drona's student and befriended his classmates from there only.

Next chapter is swayamvara. This book will end within 4-5 more chapters.