Pandava camp

"She is a Princess?" Draupadi looked at Sahadeva with surprise in her lotus eyes. "And you all know her?"

"We do, Krishney! She is Shivi Rajkumari Devika, Bhrata Krishna's student!"

Draupadi looked at Devika, her eyes beamed in admiration. The next moment she approached the bed and sat beside Devika, taking her pale palms within hers.

"I still cannot believe that I met such a uniquely gifted woman! Brave and valiant like Devi Durga, intelligent like Devi Saraswati, compassionate and selfless like Devi Lakshmi, all in the same form!" Draupadi's voice chocked in emotion as she smiled. "Maybe this is what one can expect in the shishyaa of Krishna Vaasudeva himself!"

Devika smiled too, patting Draupadi's hands. "Seeing the divine qualities of Tridevis in an ordinary girl like me, this generosity is possible only in Krishna Vaasudeva's dear Sakhi!"

Krishna smiled, shaking his head in amusement.

These two are way too similar!

"Who says you are ordinary? You seem to be a Goddess to me, Shivi Kumari!" Draupadi said. "You have saved my Lords from obvious death. I will never be able to pay this debt of yours!"

"I too have my debt to you, Yuvarani!" Devika said, "Without you, Pandavas would have never been alive again to the world. Without you, there could be no end to their painful disguised life! Not just me, all the followers of Dharma in this Bharatavarsha will forever bow to you for giving new life to such dharmikas!"

Yudhishthira stood rooted, listening to both the women with awe. Their mutual respect and acknowledgement of each other's greatness could not have gladdened and soothed anyone more than him! Krishna sideglanced at him once, laughing to himself as he found his dear eldest speechless.

It had hit the right point!

"Your courage and dedication to save others is much more selfless, Shivi Kumari! You yourself were almost going to lose your life today, yet you cared for my husbands first when you recovered! I have never even imagined that such a noble soul can exist on earth!" Draupadi said, caressing Devika's cheek almost unknowingly. A strange affection was taking over her as she looked at Devika's face.

As if she was looking at her own counterpart!

"She is like that only, Sakhi Krishnaa!" Krishna said with a smile. "Devika has never cared for herself while saving her subjects, the common people of Shivi from troubles. She has a God-gifted ability to feel one with every human of Aaryavarta. Just like..." Krishna turned to Yudhishthira. "Like our Jyeshtha Bhrata!"

Yudhishthira avoided eye contact with Krishna. Devika felt embarrassed. Draupadi was too intelligent. What if she caught that hint Krishna had given? Her unease added up as she sensed Yudhishthira's embarrassment.

"Pardon me, Yuvarani, I have to take your leave now!" Devika quickly uttered, raising herself to sitting position. "I have to return home!"

"How can I let you go so soon, Rajkumari? That too in this condition?" Draupadi's arms wrapped around Devika and she made her lie down again.

"You will stay here, in my tent, till you completely recover." She declared.

Devika smiled. Draupadi's caring nature and regality was just like him! The man both of them loved!

"Is this the Kuru Yuvarani's order?" Devika's eyes sparkled in amusement.

"Well, if you don't listen without an order, then it is." Draupadi beamed as she exchanged glance with Yudhishthira. "And it is Yuvaraj's order too! Isn't it, Natha?"

Yudhishthira smiled with a nod. He was much relaxed now.

One was his eyes, the other was vision. One was his mind, the other was consciousness. How could he be well without their loving harmony?

"But Yuvarani..." Devika tried to protest.

"No more talking, Shivi Kumari!" Draupadi cut her off. "You need a good sleep. Close your eyes!"

***

Next morning

Devika felt much better as she woke up from a deep sleep. The fatigue had disappeared. Even the pain on her shoulder felt much bearable now.

Her eyes first fell on Draupadi who exhaled seeing her awake. Devika noticed dark layers under the eyes of the Princess of Panchala. Her bed had no sign of use at all.

"You haven't slept?"

"You had caught fever, Shivi Kumari. And someone needed to be there for you." Draupadi said.

"Any of your maids could have done this, Yuvarani. Why did you take all the trouble?" Devika's tone was complaining. As if she had the rights over Draupadi to scold her for not taking care of herself.

"This is not a trouble, Rajkumari. This is the least that I could have done to express my gratitude to you!" Draupadi placed her palm on Devika's forehead. "Are you feeling better now?"

Devika nodded. "I do. Thanks to all your care. So, if the Yuvarani gives me permission, may I return home now?"

"Wait! Don't go alone. Your brother has come. Let me call him here." Draupadi rose. Within a while she returned with Shaivya.

"Didi!" He exclaimed. "How all these happened?"

"Don't worry for me. I'm good." Devika said, "You tell me first what happened there. Did our plan succeed?"

"It did." Shaivya nodded. "All those criminals have been seized by King Drupada. He is likely to announce their death sentence soon. Maharaj Dhritarashtra has also been informed regarding the same."

Devika closed her eyes to thank all Gods. A part of her wondered why Krishna and Balarama did not interfere in the entire incident despite of being present. Did they want her only to do all the task, for some reason known only to them?

"Didi," she heard her brother. "Yuvaraj Dhrishtadyumna has come. He wants to meet you once."

Devika saw Draupadi's face brightened up to see her twin brother. After they shared a brief passionate moment, Dhrishtadyumna turned to Devika with admiration in his eyes.

"I have heard everything from Rajkumar Shaivya. The way you have misguided those assassins to our palace doesn't only speak of your wisdom but also an unique steadfastness along with courage! You are an unparalleled warrior besides being noble, Shivi Kumari! My heartfelt gratitude to you!" He joined his palms to Devika.

Devika reciprocated his gesture. "I just did my duty, Yuvaraj Dhrishtadyumna! Saving the good people is a duty of every sane Kshatriya. Have you not done the same if you were in my place?"

Dhrishtadyumna smiled. "I have. But going against your own family always costs much more, Princess! I heard how Yuvaraj Kotikasya has tried to harm my sister and brothers-in-law. Without you, I would have lost them all by now!" His voice chocked in emotion. "I don't have words to thank you, Gouvasani!"

"What are you saying, Dhri?" Draupadi frowned. "It was Princess Devika's brother who planned this conspiracy?"

"Yes, Krishnaa. Shivi Yuvaraj Kotikasya and Sindhu Yuvaraj Jayadratha jointly planned this." Dhrishtadyumna said. "And yet it's Kotikasya's siblings who saved you all. Can you believe what a huge difference lies in the same blood?"

Devika's chest felt heavy in pain in those unpleasant memories. She looked away to hide her tears. It did not escape Draupadi's eyes. She approached her and took Devika in her embrace.

"I can understand what you are going through, sister!" Draupadi softly uttered, caressing her back. "There can be no greater pain than standing against your own family to support Dharma! May God give you the strength to fight this! My best wishes are with you!"

"My Didi is already under a lot of pressure inside her own home, Yuvarani." Shaivya sighed. "And now I fear that she will face even harder situations there, given that Bhrata Kotikasya won't spare her if he knows what she has done."

"Your sister is a fearless warrior, Rajkumar. I believe she is able to overcome everything with her wit." Draupadi beamed, still holding Devika's hands within hers. "Still, if any kind of help is needed, Shivi Kumari, always remember that you have a sister in Hastinapura!"

"And a brother in Panchala!" Dhrishtadyumna added with smile. "Never hesitate to reach out to us if you feel any trouble, sister Devika!"

Devika smiled through her tears as she looked at both fireborn siblings with gratitude. "I'm honoured to get such a overwhelming love from you both, jewels of Panchala!"

"Didi, we have to return now." Shaivya reminded.

Devika nodded, and joined his palms to Dhrishtadyumna and Draupadi. The Yuvarani hugged her once again. "Take care!" She uttered.

The five Pandavas stood nearby. Devika joined her palms to them, controlling herself not to stare long at Yudhishthira in front of Draupadi.

Who knew whether they would meet again or not!

Her eyes welled up. Swallowing hard, she rode on her horse that started running at her command, leaving behind the fragrance of her adorable memories in everyone's hearts.