Author's POV:

Dhriti and Parth met Gandhari and also got her blessings. Gandhari asked them to accompany her towards the dining hall. Dinner was a silent affair. Soon everyone left for their rooms. But as our Dhriti was a night owl, she couldn't sleep easily. Also she had not explored the palace properly.

According to her she is the princess so she should atleast know about the secret passage ways in the castle. Obviously for safety purpose and not her curiosity and habit of being mischievous.

So she bravely dragged Madhav along with her giving him these reasons while he was busy chuckling at her innocent nature.

"Offo...Kanha. Will you stop laughing at me? I gave you a valid reason, now come with me also only you could talk normally with me" said a frustrated Dhriti

"Ohh so you agree that I can talk normally. But I remember someone once saying to me that if she gets chance to speak with Narayan avatar she would choose Narayan himself with Mahadev as intermediate  because-" he was saying with amused smile and raised eyebrows when Dhriti cut him and said

"Because Kanha you can never speak straightly, always playing with brain  while Shri Ram was so innocent Avatar of Vishnu that he didn't even know he is Narayan himself. He was toh unaware of your leelas. Then the option left was Narayan himself, he is the fusion of both the opposite of his Avatars and said short replies. So I could expect atleast something understandable from him. But Mahadev as intermediate because he is Bhole baba he would always tell everything innocently understanding your every meaning. So I could atleast expect a sane brain after the conversation Huff" Dhriti says and Huffs.

( A/N: Well I was just wondering and this thought popped in my mind. How would you choose to converse ?)

"Ya and now that same person is saying that I talk normally huh? " Kanha said arching his one brow up

"Umm...well yes, because with others I mostly end up giving advice" she pouted at last

You are still the same, the same curious one roaming everywhere. Same innocent one who is matured yet behaves childishly. Dekh rahe hai Mahadev how she still likes you more than me. You are still her Bhole Baba huh? - Kanha thought looking heavenwards while his eyes were turning glossy at the thoughts but he maintained his composure.

Chinta mat kijiye Narayan, ab woh samay zyaada dur nahi jab Dhriti ko uski asliyat ka bodh (realisation) hoga. - Mahadev replied his Aradhya through the thoughts.

"Uff kaha kho gaye Kanha, let's steal your favourite Makhan, I also want to taste that" Dhriti said breaking his thoughts. While she was dreaming of Makhan

Obviously who would not want to steal Makhan with Kanha and devour it

" Hmm...Makhan toh mujhe bhi kaana hai. Paranthu isme ek gambir samashya hai " Kanha said and gave her a look like the problem was too big.

"What is it Kanha ?" Dhriti asked confused.

"Actually you see not only in your Kaliyug but also in Dwapar yug I'm famous for stealing Makhan. So wherever I stay people tend to hide their makhans from me in Dwapar. Not to forget that your Mata is my Bua , who knows me to well. So...." he trails the sentence giving the most

"So? Don't tell me you are forbidden from entering the kitchen haha. Amazing! " Dhriti started laughing at his infamous misery

"Ya ya you laugh. You keep laughing while I make a plan to steal it, then you would see I won't give you even a tiny bit of it" he said showing the space between the pinch of his fingers

" What no! You won't do that to your this lovely sister right. See I look so innocent. How could you have the heart to say no to me." She said with the best puppy eyes ahe could muster and cute little pout. Here comes the over dramatic side of Dhriti.

" Hey now don't give me that look. And come lets plan something together" Kanha is no less in drama too

"Okay let me think " Dhriti said and started thinking while Kanha was just observing her sitting beside her. Seeing her furrow her eyebrows in deep thinking or blinking her eyes. He could just see her like that for eternity but he knew her love for Makhan is just like his. So he sure is going to get her the best just like he used to do before.

" Idea" He shouted gaining attention

"Kya idea hai Kanha shigra btao na"

"See you will go inside the kitchen while I will keep watch outside. Then you will get the Makhan outside and we could savour it"

"Brilliant idea. But why do I have to be bali ka bakra ( scrape goat) "

"Because no one will stop you "

"Ok fine I'll get it"

Dhriti sighs and starts walking towards the Paakshala (Kitchen). Few dasis and soldiers whom she passed bowed their head in front of her.  They were calling her Rajkumari, which felt odd to her. As only her dad was used to call her Princess. Hundreds of memories started invading her mind and tears started forming in the brim of her eyes. She just forcefully blinked her eyes to get out of her riverine of thoughts and looked forward with a smile. 

She soon reached the kitchen area. She was standing in front of the dome shaped huge entrance, which divided the dinning hall and kitchen from the palace. Soon a dasi came towards her and asked her if she needed anything. 

She thought for a moment and said, "Yes can you please show me, where Makhan is kept?"

The dasi showed her a pot which was kept near the utensils. She then said," Rajkumari only this pot of makhan is kept here. Actually, since Dwarkadeesh was visiting, Maharani Kunti had ordered to tie all the pots to the ceiling. So you can't get them now rajkumari"

Wow Kanha tumhara kitna kauff hai yaha, itna kauff toh Gabbar ka bhi nahi tha sholey mein- Dhriti thought huffing to herself. While on other side Kanha who was seeing all this through his divyadristi was chuckling

"Ji Dhanyavaad! Actually I needed makhan to offer prasad for Narayan." Dhriti replied as Kanha and Narayan are the same.

"Oh! But I never heard that Narayan likes butter too"

"He doesn't like them but loves it. Anyways I'll take this pot now. ", she then lifted the pot and moved outside leaving a confused dasi inside. She was trying not to be caught or their plan will be spoiled.  She soon reached the garden area where Kanha was waiting for her.

"Ye kya Dhriti! Sirf ek matka. Hey Mahadev, sirf ek matke se mera kya hoga" Kanha said dramatically exagerating things. Well we all know his antics. Nothing's new.

"Oh hello! I'm here too. You are not eating this alone. You have to share with me" Dhriti said glaring at him.

"Yeah yeah, I'll share I obviously don't wanna die single" Kanha said giving nervous look

"Oh stop your over acting now, will ya?"

"Okay- come let's sit and eat" Kanha said and they both went towards the swing

Kanha was looking at the pot of makhan in Dhriti's hand longingly and then at Dhriti. Dhriti understood, he wanted to eat from her hands. She chuckled to herself as her eyes started filling with tears. 

She slowly took a handful of makhan and fed him while tears started making its way down her face. Even Kanha's eyes started getting moist. This was the moment he waited for years. Dhriti's eyes were filled with devotion, love and a different emotion which she herself didn't know. Kanha's eyes had nothing but love and adoration for her. It had the longing in his eyes. 

It was the moment between a God and his Devotee. Slowly Dhriti fed him and he ate it with a sweet smile. He then took a handful himself and fed Dhriti. She could not say no to him. The makhan tasted as soft as clouds, and as sweet as sugar. 

Kanha smiled controlling his tears however a lone tear betrayed him and rolled down his cheeks. Mahadev and Brahmadev also had tears in their eyes. Mata Parvati and Mata Saraswati were elated, letting their tears flow freely. Ganesh, Karthikeya and even Prajapati Daksh, Sanank Kumar and other sons of Brahma gathered to see this beautiful sight. They showered them with flower petals, whoever would see the sight, they could witness the universe being happy for their re-union. They could say it's raining flowers. Even the matas showered their lotuses on them. 

Soon their faces were smeared with makhan covering the skin near their mouth. The pot of Makhan lay empty in Dhriti's hands. They soon burst out laughing seeing each others faces. Kanha had a contented laugh. Obviously, God doesn't ask us to serve him with different and expensive things. He is contended with all that he has, because even this entire world is under his protection. He only yearns for a tiny winy bit of love. After all they are big softies at heart. 

Kanha wanted the moment to last longer. He wanted to capture everything in his lotus eyes. As much as he hated doing it, he had to break the moment. It was after all the reason for his birth, which was to guide everyone in the correct path. 

"Dhriti, now I want to speak something serious to you. Ok?" Kanha asked and noticed Dhriti frown slightly, then nod smiling

"So, What do you think of Dushala?  Do you think she was a weak character compared to other Jaya's character?"

"Well, Dusshala was not weak, she was strong in her own way. She held the power to stay strong even after suffering a lot. She never actually, told Mata Gandhari that how ill she was treated in Sindhu Rajya(kingdom). Ya, I didn't like for the matter of fact that she never raised her voice for her marriage, though she completely didn't like the idea of marrying that Jaydratha" Dhriti was licking some makhan from her fingers telling him and thinking about her opinions.

"Why do you think she never stood up for herself Dhriti", The swing they were seated on stopped swinging for a while as Kanha asked this question.

"Well, maybe because she lacked confidence. Or maybe because no one ever supported her. I mean she had 100 kauravas and 5 Pandavas as her brothers. But she never really knew whom to approach when in distress. No one really cared of her opinions and she never made it necessary for them to care. Basically a mere pawn in Shakhuni's plot of destroying Kurus. Married to Sindhuraj, just for politics. Gone through difficulties yet stood strong." Dhriti was just thinking about all the aspects of Dushala's life

"Okay so let's consider the Kuru brothers giving her equal importance. Then what does she lack?"

"Confidence. Self-respect. Like every other girl from this yug she believed that girls can't raise a voice nor their weapons. They just have to abide by the orders. She was always taught that a woman can never rule " Dhriti said

"Exactly! Now do you get my point. The thing that you have to do is build her confidence. Teach her the correct Morales and values. Just like a elder sister would."

"But how will I do that Kanha"

"Ok so tell me, who was your favourite woman fighter. I know you love a lot of them. But who is someone you look forward to fight for or fight with"

"Manikarnika" she whispered. But the determination and will power the name alone brought to her was visible to Kanha.

"Yes! The same Rani of Jhansi. I want you to tell her the story of Laksmi Bai Gangadhar Rao"

"But Kanha how is this possible. It is something that will happen in future. How can I tell her that"

"Yes you can Dhriti! Just remember to tell her that she was a well known fighter in your country, which is obviously not a lie" Kanha said.

"Hmm.. I will surely share the life history of my favourite warrior"

"Now, I also want you to start learning basics of all art forms and knowledge from tomorrow from your brothers. Like Nakul and Sahadev are great in ayurveda and I'm sure you would love learning from them. Since you are good in sword fighting trying being better. Understood?" Kanha asked Dhriti

"As you say Kanha. Afterall, it's my foremost duty to follow your instructions"

Both smiled at each other.

As soon as they completed the conversation, they heard footsteps approaching them. Kanha who recognised them had a mischievous smile. Obviously who would walk during midnight in the corridors near kitchen.

It was indeed Bheem and Nakul. Basically Bheem was walking in front of Nakul. Or should I rephrase it as Bheem was dragging a sleeping Nakul behind him towards the kitchen. Bheem suddenly stopped in his tracks letting Nakul smack his head in Bheem's back.

Looks like Bheem had seen our mysterious duo sitting in the swing or precisely the empty pot of makhan in their hands while some was still smeared near their mouths. He walked towards them with now fully awake Nakul.

"Wah Wah- Here I was busy searching food, and you both were busy eating Makhan." He narrowed his eyes at both of them. They just let out a nervous laugh.

"Bhrata Bheem, I had no idea, you would be wanting it too or we would have surely saved it for you, right Kanha"

Yes yes Bade bhaiya", Kanha replied

"Huff.. no issues now but I want makkhan too"

"Umm not a bad idea Bade bhaiya, Even I had to share my pot of makhan with Arunika here. Let's just say she didn't get enough makhan. So there's still a lot left in there." Kanha pipes in adding his all time favorite ghee in fire.

"Haww.. Kanha that's a terrible way to put it. I can't get more makhan because apparently Mata left the pots hanging to the ceiling so that someone doesn't eat them all. But that's what that someone has been doing" Dhriti said with a cheeky smile and Kanha let out a low laugh.

"Why wasting time in all these, come let's get makhan for Bade Bhaiya" Kanha says clearly trying to escape the situation.

Bheem nodded and everyone followed after Kanha. They hid behind a wall near the kitchen. They looked here and there and found their way clear and so entered the kitchen discreetly. Dhriti then pointed towards the pots of makhan hanging to the ceiling which was shown to her by the dasi. 

"I and Bade bhaiya will stand and then Arunika you can climb our back and get the pot of makhan" Kanha said

"But how could I climb your back you're - "Dhriti was going to say when Kanha again butted in

"Tall? we know so Nakul will sit down and you stand on his back to climb us." 

"What nooo! Bhrata Bheem is elder to me and you are kanhaa, how could I climb your backs?" Dhriti said showing her disapproval.

Seriously Mahadev! Jab choti thi tab toh jese mere kandhe se niche nahi utara karti thi aur ab woh mere inhi kandho par apne per (foot) rakhne se bhi hichkicha rahi hai - Kanha thought 

"See this is the only possible way. Explain her na bade bhaiya" Kanha whines.

"Haa Aru! You have to do this" Bheem supports

"What? me ? how? I mean...ugh fine" Dhriti gives up as there is no other way around

Slowly Bheem and Kanha stood with their hands circled around their shoulders. Making it tight grip and Nakul bend to the floor and sat with his head crouched below. They were all set to go. Dhriti then climbed Nakul's back and slowly yet steadily placed a hand on the shoulders of Bheem and Krishna. She then raised her legs balancing it and sitting in their shoulders. She then stood in their shoulders. 

As her legs came in contact with the skin of Kanha's shoulders. A divine aura surrounded them and Kanha's eyes let a lone tear fall from them.

Dhriti who was unaware of everything still felt too happy and contended for a reason, unknown to her. However, she brushed off the feeling as excitement to do something she always wished for. 

She then let her hands hold the rope that had the pots hanging. With a firm hold on them, she tried opening the knot to catch the pot and pass it towards Nakul who was now standing trying to help her 'Jiji'

Her long yet slender fingers slowly yet attentively worked on the knots and the pot was loosened. She held the pot and bend down a little to pass it to Nakul. He grabbed it and kept it aside. But she did not forget to take a handful of makhan before passing it to Nakul. Kanha laughed in his mind as he used to do the same.

Soon enough four pots had come to the ground and Dhriti was climbing down again. She sure as hell enjoyed doing all these. It was fun. 

The four mighty thieves- Makhan chors to be precise sat lazily on the ground as they shared the Makhan. Nakul who was least interested in the food hunt of Bheem also enjoyed it. They ate the makhan, where Dhriti gave most of her share to Bheem and Kanha as she was too full. But these two godly figures won't have enough of makhan/ food maybe in 100 years. 

After all this, they bid their good nights and left to their chambers while Krishna still sat in the swings going deep in his thoughts about the birth of Driti. 

******

That's all for now

Word count: 3106 words

Image credit: Google

Hope you enjoyed this part. As I had said earlier this was actually planned for Janmashtami but my health got the worst of me. So here is your most awaited promised chapter

Would you enjoy eating Makhan with Kanha? Is that even a question as it's obviously yes.

Do you want to know the truth behind the presence of Dhriti in next chapter?

To find out more stay tuned with Ela and her imaginary chronicals

Till then, signing off

With Love - Ela 💖