The Wrath of Gammon

Disclaimer: This story is my humble attempt to write a fanfiction of the epic Mahabharata. My intention is not to hurt anyone's sentiment.

Aum Namah Shivay!!

Major Jayant Roy, SM is a fictitious character. Any similarity with any living person is merely a coincidence. 

Chapter 3

Kampilya, Southern Panchal, Dwapar Yuga

Draupadi POV

"Today is the day when I will go to my in-laws home." I thought to myself.

I was sitting in front of the mirror in my room, where the maids were combing my hair and making braids. I did not want to sound narcissistic, but I knew that I am beautiful. But with this beauty like the burning fire, I knew that there would be a lot of ill-effects of it. In my swyamvar ceremony, I saw the lust in the eyes of every men present there....except one.

Then he came to the swyamvar, disguised as a Brahmin. He picked up the bow and pierced the eye of the fish. He was the greatest archer of the world, Arjun.

Then, with a misplaced word from Matashri Kunti, my world shattered. Now I had become the common wife of the five brothers. Probably, this was my destiny from my previous life. Maharishi Veda Vyasa said so.

Then I found about Rajkumar Duryodhana, who attacked and conquered Magadha. He also imprisoned Maharaja Shishupal of Chedi Kingdom. Shishupal was the son of Maharani Shrutasarva, who was the maternal aunt of Govind. After the war, Duryodhana announced the dissolve of Magadha and Chedi in Kuru Kingdom. Dristaketu, the son of Shishupal became fanatic. So, with his mother's idea, he asked for help from Govind. Govind implemented a brilliant tactics, by arranging the marriage of Rajkumari Karenumati with Aryaputra Nakul. Now with this alliance, Pandavas not only got a powerful ally, but also rescued Chedi Kingdom from the coveted grip of Duryodhana.

But in this political game of dice, did anyone even try to find the news of my heart?

First, I had become the shared wife of five brothers. Then one of my husbands was getting married again. Sometimes I thought that in this great dice game of politics, we women were the pieces. But I have faith on Govind. He would not let any harm came to his Sakhi.

Suddenly, another maid entered the room.

"Pranipat Rajkumari. Devi Shikhandini and Rajkumar Satyajit are waiting outside."

I ordered her to call them inside. A few moments later, my brother and sister came inside. Shikhandini was literally crying. Satyajit also had a sad expression in his face. I stood her and hugged my sister tightly.

"Jiji, I will miss you." I couldn't control my tears now.

"I will miss you too, Panchali." Shikhandini wiped out my tears.

I looked at Satyajit, who was standing with moist eyes. I went to him and touched his feet. He blessed me whole-heartedly.

"Saubhagyavati Bhava!" He blessed me. Then he looked at Shikhandini. I saw some silent words passed between the brother and sister. I curiously looked at him.

"Is everything alright, Jiji?"

Shikhandini looked at me, and heaved a deep sigh.

"Panchali, you are going to Hastinapur. You know very well that Kuru and Panchal are sworn enemies from a very long time. But now, you are married to the five Kuru Princes."

"Jiji, are you trying to say that there is something or someone who can try to cause harm to me in Hastinapur?"

Shikhandini looked at me. Her face became hard.

"I don't trust Duryodhana. I saw the evil inside him. Even Satyajit saw that too. That man changed into a Rakshasha in the battlefield. His red slit like eyes, I haven't forgotten them till now. That hunger I saw in those eyes...I felt like it would consume everything."

I curiously watched her expressions. She was literally afraid. Satyajit placed his hand on her shoulder to coax her.

"Do not worry, Jiji. I have the protection of five greatest Maharathis. I don't believe that they can't protect me. But if that happens, there is someone who will always protect me. Govind will protect me."

"Are you calling me, Sakhi?" Came the voice from behind me.

The three of us were literally startled. I somehow turned my head and saw him. Clad in yellow dress with jewels, with a golden crown with peacock feather on his head and a mysterious smile in his lips.

"Govind, you scared me!" I looked at him with mock glare. He smiled at me. That smile was so pure and contagious; I couldn't help myself but smiling back. Shikhandini and Satyajit were smiling too. They came in front of him and crossed their hands.

"Pranipat, Vasudev Krishna."

Govind greeted them with a smile. Then he looked at me.

"Tell me Sakhi, what are you three discussing here?"

I told him about our topic of discussion. Govind listened all of it with utmost concentration. Then he looked at me.

"It never causes anyone any harm to take cautions, Sakhi. My advice to you is to be cautious. Evil has many faces and many forms. But don't be afraid. I am with you. If you find yourself in any danger, just think about me and I will help you."

I crossed my hands and bowed to him. Govind smiled again.

"It's time to start your journey Sakhi. Let's go."

I closed my eyes. Tears were automatically forming in them. This was the saddest time in a girl's life when she had to tear the ties with his family to start her own. With tearful eyes, Pitashri Drupad took me to my palanquin. The journey from Kampilya to Hastinapur had started. Govind and Dau Balrama accompanied us too. We completed our journey for that day. At night, we set up our camp beside a river. Tomorrow, Rajkumari Karenumati of Chedi, wife of Aryaputra Nakul would join us here. Then we would go to Hastinapur.

The fire was lit, and I cooked a grand meal for my five husbands and Matashri. I was told that Aryaputra Yudhisthir had invited Govind, Dau, Kakashri Vidura and Rajkumar Vikarna to dine with us.

"Wow, Bhabishri!" Rajkumar Vikarna was eating with a heavenly bliss, "Your cooking can rival my Jyesth Bhrata."

"What do you mean, Vikarna?" Aryaputra Bheem glared at him, " Do you want to say that my cooking is bad?"

I looked at Govind, who was eating silently, though I hadn't missed the smirk in his lips. Dau was chewing his food with closed eyes.

"Bhrata Bheem, even you are a fan of my brother's cooking, aren't you?" Vikarna smirked at him. Aryaputra Bheem pouted a bit then stuffed his mouth again. I looked at my Devar (husband's brother). He seemed a good and kind hearted person.

After dinner I went to Aryaputra Sahdeva. He was sitting alone outside his tent, looking at the sky. The night sky was clear. The planets and stars were shining in the sky. He sensed my present beside me and looked at me. He looked at my eyes, silently asking me what I am doing outside at the night.

"I want to meet Devar Vikarna and ask him some questions. Will you accompany me?"

"You want to learn about Bhrata Duryodhana?" He asked me. I nodded affirmatively.

"Jiji Shikhandini and Bhrata Satyajit both warned me from him. Even Govind told me to be cautious."

Aryaputra Sahdeva looked directly into my eyes.

"Also, I know about the heavenly sound that was heard after our birth."

He looked at the sky again.

"Panchali, go to your tent. I am coming there after fetching him."

I smiled at him and nodded. While I turned back and walked towards my tent, I heard his voice.

"What is written in fate is bound to happen. One cannot change his destiny by power."

I turned my head and saw the dark silhouette of his body walking away, leaving me alone with unanswered questions.

So, this is Chapter 3. Please read, vote and comment.