A year later......
Virat nagar....
Royal Palace:

Her heart ached, refusing to forego his memories. Her heart cried for him, refusing to part from him. Her heart broke, having lost its other half.

She sighed, as a lone tear trickled down her face, which she wiped away hastily.
It had been long....so so long since she'd seen that perfect serene smile that had swept her off her feet everytime she saw it, those deep orbs of molten copper that had captivated her at the first glance & all together the man, the prince charming of her heart, the man who she was desperately in love with.

Her heart craved his company, his smiles, his chuckles, the warmth of his arms, his soft kisses that made her skin tingle for the whole day thereafter.However, she shook her head sadly, disgust filling her....

"Nahi...ab main Aarya ke yogya nahi...unki patni bankar rehne ke saubhagya ke yogya nahi...maleen hogayi hoon....uss..uss dusht ke karan..."
She thought to herself, desperately holding in her sobs. All she could hope for was that her Aarya would move on from her, marry a woman much deserving of his love

Arrey, Sairandhri! Suno na!"
Meera, a fellow daasi & friend called out to her excitedly, placing a hand on her shoulder.

The woman, who had been arranging hair combs in a thaal for the queen to choose looked up. Even though a thin, translucent veil covered her face, it was clear to one & all that a beauty like her was never born before nor would be again. She was far more stunning then a heavily decked queen in the plain robes of a daasi.

S: Haan, kaho Meera?
Her melodious voice rang out, momentarily stunning her friend who had addressed her, yet again, wondering how this inhumanly perfect & gorgeous woman belonged to this earth.

M: Huh?
She was momentarily dazed like each time before she continued.
S: Meera?
She shook her a bit.
M: Oh...vo tumhe gyaat hai? Raajsabha mein naye mahamantri ki niyukti hui hai aaj. Purv mahamantri ke nidhan ke pashchaat bohot samay baad aisa hua hai.

Suna hai, Maharaj uss yuvak ke gyaan aur pratibha se itne prabhavit aur prasanna hue, ki unhone unhe turant seedhe mahamantri pad par niyukt kardiya.

Suna hai, ve mahan chakravarti samrat Yudhishthir ki rajsabha mein karya kiya karte the. Kintu kisi parijan ke saath rehne ke liye unhe Indraprastha ka tyaag kar, yaha aana pada.

The veiled woman's head snapped up, & her hands shot up to hold her veil in place.
S: S...Samrat Yudhishthir?
Her sweet voice stuttered making the daasi grin at her.

M: Han!! Haaye! Maine suna hai, humaare naye mahantri roop mein kisi rajkumar ko bhi paraasth kar dein!
She giggled, but Sairandhri was not interested, her heart had singalled out just two words out of her entire conversation:
Samraat Yudhishthir.

Or.....

Her Aaryaputra!

Her Dharmaraj!

Her husband!

Her everything!

She sighed yet again, turning with a slight smile to Meera.
S: Sakhi....tum kisi karya se aayi thi kya?
She questioned making Meera gasp & slap her forehead.

M: Hey ishwar! Naye mahantri ke roop ke kaaran main tumhe vastavik sandesh dena hi bhool gayi.....vo... Maharani Sudeshna ne tumhe smaran kiya hai....jao jao! Shigra jao!!!

Sairandhri got up, & began to walk towards the chambers of the queen, her anklets tinkling musically.
S: Pranipat Maharani kya aadesh?
She asked sweetly, making Sudeshna, the queen of Viratnagar smile.

Su: Arrey aao Sairandhri, aao! Mujhe suchna mili hai ki aaj hi mera priya bhai Keechak, yuddh mein vijay hokar padhaar raha hai. Uske swaagat hetu bhavya utsav ka aayojan karwaana hai. Mujhe gyaat hai ki tumhaara karya keval meri kesh sajja hai, kintu kya tum iss utsav ke prabandh mein sahayta karogi?
Sudeshna asked hopefully.

Sairandhri blanched, that rake & womaniser of a man, who had no value for a woman's respect or consent. One who was bessotted with her for all the wrong reasons, eyeing her like a peice of meat. Why we're all men like this? She smiled, only her dear Aarya was not like that, neither were his brothers. They all were the ones to treat women with utmost dignity.

However, hiding her disgust & anxiety, she smiled warmly, from behind her veil making Sudeshna smile too.
S: Avashya Maharani, mera saubhagya jo aapne mujhse pucha. Aap aadesh dijiye.
She bowed.

Su: Oh Sairandhri! Tumhaara jitna dhanyawaad karu utna kam hoga. Tum jao, aaj main swayam apne kesh bana lungi. Anek prabandh shesh hai abhi.
With that Sairandhri bowed & left to assist with the preparations of the grand function.

On the other hand,
Virat's Royal court:

V: Waah Kank mahoday Waah! Aapka samipya yadi iss raj sabha ko mil jaaye toh Viratnagar dhanya hojaayega. Mere mukhya mantri ki padvi sweekar kar, aapne kripa ki hai mujhpar.
Virat was delighted as he withheld one of the brightest men he'd seen. What intelligence! What personality! This jewel would surely make his court shine brighter than ever.

His calmness reminded him of another exalted man of his acquaintance: the great Chakrawarti Samrat Yudhishthir, a man he wholeheartedly admired and viewed as his role model, even though the man in question was considerably younger to him, however his ideals & dharma were way superior.

Ka: Dhanyawaad Maharaj, jo aapne iss sadharan se manushya ko itna sanmaan diya.
Then man Kank smiled, though his deep copper eyes betrayed the calm smile of his lips.

V: Aao Kank, mere paas baitho, mitra. Kuch batao swayam ke vishay mein. Vivaahit ho?
The king smiled at him inviting, beckoning him to the seat near him.
Kank bowed respectfully before taking a seat. He remained silent, his serene expression not betraying the torrents of pain engulfing his heart at the King' question. If only he knew......

Virat mistook the silence for shyness & inexperience of maidens & thus unmarried.
V:Uchit hai, uchit hai....laja rahe ho. Tumhara vivaah bhi shigra hojaayega. Konsi kanya hogi jo tumhe apna pati nahi banana chahti hogi?
The innocent king beamed happily, having instantly taken a great liking to his new prime minister, Kank.

V: Tumhe gyaat hai, tumhe dekhkar na jaane kyu, mahaan samrat Yudhishthir ka smaran ho aaya mujhe. Unpar toh jaise vipadao ka parvat toot pada hai. Tum bhi unhi ke pradesh se ho na?

Unki patni ne unke saath vishwas ghaat kiya, aur tatpashchat dand se bachne hetu palayan kar gayi. Uchit nahi kiya usne Dharmaraj ke saath. Kitna sneh karte the ve Samragyi se, poora Aaryavart jaanta hai.

Kank somehow controlled his rage at the oblivious & misinformed king. He very well knew the rumours circulating through Aaryavart but now was not the time to react. He would shut each & every loud mouth which spoke I'll of his beloved wife, no matter what, soon.

K: Maharaj, Kshyama kijiyega kintu kisiki suni sunai baaton par vishwaas kar kisi stree ke sanmaan ke vishay mein kehna, aap jaise medhavi raja ke liye uchit nahi.
Aapka sewak hoon, toh aapko kuch anuchit karne se rokna mera dharm hai. Yadi adhik kehkar, seema langi ho, toh mujhe dandit kijiye.

Kank told Virat calmly & meaningfully making the king immediately look apologetic.

V: Nahi nahi! Tum uchit kehte ho Kank. Kshyama prarthi toh main hoon.
Tumhaare vachano ne mere nirnay ko sahi siddh kiya hai.
Virat told him with a smile, while the new minister joined his hands in gratitude.

V: Daasi, inke liye maha mantri ka bhawan shigra sajj kijiye. Viratnagar apne naye mahamantri ka swagat karti hai. Tatha rasoiyye se kaho, ki aaj raatri ka bhojan vishesh ho, humaare naye mahamantri ke swaagat hetu!

Virat beamed, inviting Kank to be his guest for the night, since his living accommodation wasn't ready.

K: Aapka dhanywaad kin shabdo mein karu, Maharaj. Aapne toh mujhe naya jeevan pradaan kiya hai.
Dharmaraj thanked Virat wholeheartedly. He had spoken only the truth, Virat had indeed given him a new life, by allowing him to the chance to take his queen back home, & take away every pain & suffering of hers, hide her away in his embrace forever.

He looked at the rather innocent king who had completely trusted him, an unknown person with his kingdom. Made him the prime minister just after the favour he did to the king, & a small interview. However, he promised himself to protect the king, who was now his employer as long as he was here. He would make sure Viratnagar prospered as much as possible & the people freed of Keechak's atrocities.

*******

A while later......

The king clapped his hands & a daasi rushed forward, bowing.
V: Daasi, kya naye mahantri ka bhavan sajj hua?
He questioned to which the daasi nodded with a smile.
Da: Ji maharaj! Sairandhri sajja ke karyo mein sarvottam hai, usine mahantri ji ka bhavan swayam apne haatho se taiyyar kiya hai.
She answered with another bow, making Virat smile in approval.

V: Uttam! Sairandhri ko shigra hi yaha upasthit hone ke liye kaho!
With that the king dismissed the daasi turning to Kank with a smile.

*****

Sairandhri Malini rushed to the royal court. Her cheeks were rosy with exertion as she had run all the way from the queen's part of the palace to the courtroom, her anklets tinkling melodiously.

Mahamantri Kank aka Dharmraj Yudhishthir perked up hearing the mesmerizing sound of anklets tinkling. The sound caused his heart to ache badly, as he remembered someone else whose anklets tinkled exactly like this as she ran across their palace: his Paanchali!

He saw a petite woman with a pale pink veil covering her face enter the court room, presenting herself before the king.

S: Pranipat Maharaj, aapne mujhe smaran kiya?
Sairandhri bowed respectfully before the king, who nodded in agreement.
V: Haan Sairandhri! Kank, ye hai Sairandhri Maalini. Humaari rani Sudeshna ke liye karya karti hai.

Kuch hi samay mein inke uttam karya ne sabhi ka hriday jeet liya hai. Ab ye mahal ke itihaas ki sabse kam aayu waali mukhya daasi hai.

Dharmraj folded his hands in a polite greeting, making the daasi... Sairandhri as he heard the king call her immediately return his greeting with one of her own. She was slender & angular, clad in a beautifully embroidered yet simple ensemble with silver jewellery. For some reason, she looked so very familiar to him. He could not put a finger on it, but he had seen this woman before, he was certain.

However, reprimanding himself for looking at another woman, when his Panchaali was the sole ruler of his heart, Yudhishthir averted him gaze. However, the thought didn't leave his mind.

Aur main chahta hoon ki meri sabha ke sabse naye aur anmol ratna ko yaha koi kasht na ho. Isliye main kuch samay ke liye Sairandhri jo tumhaari sewa mein niyukt kar raha hoon.

Sairandhri, aajse mahantri Kank ke sabhi karyo va unki pratyek avashyakta ko poorn karna aapka daitva hoga. Main Maharani se baat karlungi.
He informed her, making her nod obediently.

S: Jo aagya, Maharaj!
Though her voice was smooth, Dharmaraj could not some hints of discomfort, causing him to wonder.
Sairandhri or Draupadi on the other hand was immensely uncomfortable.

V: Kank! Aajse tumhe kisi bhi vastu ki avashyakta ho, toh Sairandhri se kehdena. Ye sada hi tumhaari sewa mein upasthit rahegi.
Viraat smiled at his new minister, who returned the smile & nodded.

Sairandhri on the other hand was uneasy. She was to serve a male all day! To be allotted for his sole care! The mere thought made her uncomfortable. If Senapati Keechak' s advances & those nightmares from that horrendous incident of her past that took everything away from her, was not enough, now this! What if he was just like them?

Her Aarya had been the only man apart from her pitashree, bhrata Satyaki & Dyumn who made her feel safe. And there had been others in her family, her brothers-in-law who treated her like an elder sister, Pitamah & Kakashree Vidur.

S: Aiyye, Mahamantri ji!
A soft voice caused Dharmaraj, disguised as Kank to look up.
S: Yadi aapki aagya ho, toh main aapko aapka naya aawaas sthal dikha doon.
The daasi asked timidly, fidgeting with her veil, holding it in place as if determined to not allow it to budge even a little. She seemed so oddly familiar to him, still. That voice....it resembled that of his love so much, but it was slightly different too. His Paanchali never spoke so quietly, she was always so bubbly & chirpy, one of the things that made him fall madly in love with her.

K: J..ji avashya....dhyawaad....
He smiled politely at her, thanking her as she lead him along.
Paanchali's head snapped up the voice.

Aarya!

No! She was sure she was getting delusions! How could she see her Aarya in a newly appointed minister? That too one of Brahmin origin.

No it couldn't be. Her Aarya had to be in Indraprastha. She hoped he had moved on from her by now. He deserved s perfect wife & perfect children of his own. Not someone like her.

Unknowingly, a sniffle escaped her, alarming her new..... master.
K: Kshyama kijiye....aap theek toh hai na?
He asked with pure concern of one human being for another.
Yudhishthir smiled breifly, nodding.

Draupadi's tinkling anklets were the only ones producing any sound in the silent corridor, since most of the servants were busy decorating another part of the palace where the welcome function in honour of Keechak returning victorious was to be held.
Unlocking vast, richly carved deep mahagony doors with a key, she pushed them open leading Dharmraj to his new living qauters while he remained in Viratnagar.

As Yudhishthir stepped inside, he felt the familiar warmth & comfort of a cosy home seeing the simple yet elegant decor of his new abode. The fragrance of fresh lotuses tantalised his senses. Suddenly, he stopped short.....

Lotuses?

His burning heart intensied remembering about his Draupadi using these flowers just like this to make their home fragrant.

This chamber they had entered strongly resembled something that his Draupadi would have decorated. The same elegance, same simplicity & yet same regality.

S: Ji...aasha hai ki ye sajja aapki ruchi aur suvidha anusaar hai, Mahamantri ji.
Yadi aap samaroh se purv snaan karna chahe, toh main anya dasiyon se kehkar jal taiyyar karwa diya hai.
Yadi kisi aur vastu ki avashyakta ho toh aadesh dijiyega.

Dharmraj nodded stiffly, somehow managing to give her a watery smile before thanking her. Once she left, he entered the chamber, his heart aching unbearably.

Had he become so vulnerable that his heart was seeing Draupadi in every female he came across. Especially a daasi in Viratnagar? His Panchaali was the Samragyi of the whole of Aaryavart. He could imagine his queen toiling day & night, doing the menial tasks as a daasi.

According to his source, Draupadi had once been seen dressed as a commoner among Virat's citizens. He had to somehow go into each of the kingdom's villages to locate his wife.

She had simply disappeared without a trace after the day that was the darkest of their life. What was meant to be such s joyous occasion had unexpected turned horrifying. He loved her so much, that his heart would stop beating if he didn't find her soon.

He was determined to bring her, determined to not let her punish herself for something, she had never done! Never again would he allow them to seperated again, also all those involved in this henious scheme would be punished.

His eyes brimmed with tears as he looked around his living space. As much as it was beautifully furnished & flawlessly decorated it all felt so wrong without the loud tinkling of his wife's anklets & her sweet giggles that always filled his heart with love & happiness.

For once, taking benefit of his privacy, Dharmaraj let the tears flow freely, collapsing on the floor, sobbing into his hands. Infront of his brothers, he hid his pain, concentrating on his kingdom, pretending to be fine when he was anything but.

His soul cried out for its other half repeatedly, every single moment of his life away from her.
Why did she leave him? He knew she what she faced was terrifying but why distance herself from him?

Y: Aap isprakaar kyu mujhse door chali gayi? M... mujhe toh aapko ye batane ka avsar bhi nahi mili ki main.....
He blinked back his tears, struggling to gather himself & get ready for the function that was the last thing he wished to do then. However, there wasn't much choice as the king had specially requested his presence.

Y: Ki...main... aapse kitna prem karta hoon...sadaiv se karta tha, kintu kabhi..keh...nahi paya...
His body wracked with sobs as he blamed himself for everything. Had he been more open, maybe Panchaali would have shared it with him, instead of leaving? But he was willing to change, do just about anything to be able hold the one woman who was the epicenter of his universe, the one woman without who he'd loose his sanity, the one & only woman his heart beat for.

Y: Kintu....main aapko khojkar hi rahunga priye.....
Spoke the voice of his soul. His copper eyes shined with determination as he wiped away his tears.

******

S: Meera! Tum ye saara bhojan patro mein nikalva dena...main Mahamantri ji ke aawaas se hokar aati hoon. Unke liye swachch vastra lekar jaane hai.
Recieving Meera's nod, Sairandhri aka Draupadi set out towards Kank's apartment.

The function that was about to begin in a prahar was a grand one. She wondered if her Aarya would be here. There was no chance King Virata had not invited the Pandavas.

As she walked, her mind wandered to the newly appointed minister she was to serve. Why did everything about him seem so familiar? She hadn't given him a proper glance, having no eyes for any man but her Aarya.

However something about him seemed to keep him constantly in her mind. Especially that voice! She could swear it belonged to Yudhishthir! But how? Her Aarya was the Samraat, & this man was just a minister newly appointed in Virat's court!
Her head felt dizzy from all this thinking.

Just as she neared her destination, she felt someone step on the back of her veil.
She heard the evil laughter she'd dreaded all over the last year, ever since she'd been employed here.

Ke: Sairandhri!!!! Meri priya Sairandhri! Kyu apne inn komal se haatho ko itna kasht deti ho!
Mera prastaav maanlo sundari, tumhe Viratnagar ki maharani banakar rakhunga.

Keechak winked rather inappropriately at her, as she struggled to free her hands from the commander of Virat's army.

S: Senapati ji... kripya mujhe jaane dijiye. Mujhe samaroh ki aneko vyavasthae dekhni hai.
She pleaded, struggling against him, hoping he'd let her go without creating a drama. She needed to remain as low profile as possible especially with all the special guests arriving. She could not risk being identified.

Keechak smirk, seeing her discomfort, only pulling her closer.
Ke: Arrey arrey main tumhe koi haani nahi pohonchaunga, meri priya Sairandhri. Kitna prem karta hoon main tumse.
He smiled lavaciously at her, while tightening his grip on her wrist, only laughing as she desperately struggled against his brutal grip.

Keechak had lost his senses ever since he'd laid eyes on this beauty, that too with her face veiled. Her slender, angular body had simply made him loose his mind. Had he not seen her, he wouldn't have believed the existence of a woman as beautiful as her.

It was torture at its worst to be unable to touch that body or look at her beautiful face without the obstruction of that stupid veil she always wore. We'll, he was about to change that.

Yagyaseni was horrified when Keechak continued to laugh at her ordeal, grabbing her veil roughly & preparing to throw it off, as he brought his face closer & closer, further repulsing her.

Aarya Aarya Aarya....

Her brain chanted unconsciously & furiously, as she wanted Yudhishthir to materialise suddenly & hide her away in his arms, & never let go. Unfortunately, she knew she was not so lucky.

Just before Keechak could remove her veil, they heard strong masculine voice call out...

K: Kshyama kijiyega....devi?
Kank stood outside the door to his qauters looking at the two, confused.
Seeing Keechak distracted, Sairandhri quickly freed herself, almost running over to Yudhishthir disguised as Kank.

Yudhishthir eyed the nearly trembling woman with concern. He had heard of Keechak's notorious & deplorable behaviour towards woman & was disgusted to see him trying to forcefully kiss Sairandhri even as she protested & struggled wildly against him.

K: Mere vastra sajj hai? Samaroh ka samay hone waala hai. Kripya mujhe de dein.
He addressed her in the utmost politeness that seemed to soothe her just like her Aarya''s words did, & for the life of her she failed to understand why?

D :Ji....Ksh...shyama Mahamantri ji...aapke vastra sajj hai. Main laa hi rahi thi.
She stuttered, her heart still thundering away with anxiety die to her previous ordeal.

Keechak meanwhile eyed the ' intruder' with scorn. No one had dared to interrupt Senapati Keechak with one of his woman, willing or unwilling, especially him & Sairandhri before. Who was this who didn't know about his power?

Ke: Aapka parichay....mahoday?
He asked almost menacingly trying to intimidate him, but Dharmaraj remained calm as ever.
K: Main Kank hoon, Senapati ji.Viratnagar ka naya Mahamantri.
He smiled serenely at Keechak, even stunning him momentarily by how peaceful his expression was.

Ke: Swaagat hai... mahamantri ji!
He greeted, his eyes still roaming all over Sairandhri's body, further angering Kank, who struggled to keep a calm smile now. No matter how patient Dharmraj may be, a man degrading & misbehaving with a woman was beyond his tolerance capacity.

Ke: Sairandhri.....main behen Sudeshna se hi bhet karne jaa raha hoon. Uske liye kuch upahar laaya tha, vo lekar tum bhi chalo.
Keechak smiled slyly at her, causing her blood to go cold. The direction he was heading in was not the one that lead to Queen Sudeshna's chambers, but to his own.

The new prime minister of Viratnagar was quick to notice the woman's obvious discomfort, having heard her sharp intake of breath. He had a strong urge to protect her & not only because it was his duty as a Kshatriya. Yudhishthir was unable to understand what games his mind was playing with him, searching for his bold & fiery Panchaali in this trembling daasi.
However, why did her discomfort affect him, just as Paanchali's did. Why????

Kank gathered his bearings, smiling politely at Keechak.
K: Dhrishtata kahyama karein, Senapati. Kintu inn devi ko swayam Maharaj ne meri neeji daasi ke roop mein kuch samay ke liye niyukt kiya hai. Inka karya ab keval meri sewa va suvidha ka dhyaan rakhna hai.
Avashya hi aap maharaj ke iss aadesh ka vahan karna chahenge. Aap jaise mahaan veer ko isse avgat karana mera dharm tha.
He bowed, amusing Draupadi with the hint of a smirk which Keechak had apparently failed to notice, gloating in the praise he'd been given.

Keechak was now in a frustrating dilemma. In the midst of the celebrations, with everyone busy with the guests, he had a golden opportunity to possess the enticing Sairandhri, his sister's unbelievably beautiful hairdresser he'd been obsessed with while on the other hand was that fool Viraat's order to have his daasi, serve another.

As far as he knew, he owned Sairandhri, who would serve him & him alone. He growled internally, flashing a forced smile to the new minister who had already gotten on his nerves for being ridiculously perfectly right at the wrong time.

K: Aiyye devi.....mujhe aapse kuch karya hai.
The firm, powerful yet soft voice brought Sairandhri out of her thoughts.
Her heart soared, as Kank lead her away from that monster.

For the first time, someone had protected her thus, from the vile Keechak who had decided to make her, an object for his lust. Disgusting!

As the re-entered the warm, simple qauters she finally felt safe.
S: Aadesh kijiye, mahantri...
She spoke softly, her lashes lowered as usual.

Yudhishthir's heart went out for this strong woman who was working so hard to support herself, inspite of all the odds. Especially, monsters like Keechak.

He smiled reassuringly at her, before speaking.
K: Karya toh hai devi....main asatya nahi bolta. Kya aap mujhe samaroh jis sthaan par aayojit hai, vaha le ja sakti hai? Kintu iss avastha mein nahi.....mere snaan ke pashchaat.
He chuckled, obviously trying to ease her.

His smile faded seeing Sairandhri still shaken. Unknown to him, under the disguise of Sairandhri, Draupadi was palpitating wildly. Keechak's act had brought forth several horrifying flashes back to her mind.

Kank on the other hand looked tensed, he'd somehow coaxed the still shaking woman to sit on one of the many settees, while he took a seat across from her, maintaining more than adequate distance.

He could understand by the light trembling of her body that she was struggling to control her tears, causing him to wonder just how horrific Keechak's behaviour may have been before, traumatizing her like this. Still he respected her strength & capability to fight back, regardless of rank.
So much like his sweet Panchaali.

The ache in his heart began to intensify again, thinking about his Draupadi, until a random thought struck him. Could Sairandhri have met Draupadi? Could she have seen her in any village market or so? A glimmer of hope arouse in his heart. However, he first needed to calm her first, he thought worriedly noticing her heavy breathing.

His eyes fell on the warm glass of almond confused warm milk that King Viraat generously had sent for him to relieve his fatigue after a tiring journey.
Y: Uh....kripya....ise grahan karlijiye devi....
He addressed her softly, only hoping to calm her down...

He scrunched his eyes, hearing her audible gasp thinking he'd alarmed her further.
S: M..m..main?
A stunned Sairandhri asked with her eyes wide, looking up at him, as he rubbed his face anxiously. She immediately averted her gaze, staring back down at her lap.

K: Ji devi....kadachit aapko ise peekar swast lage...aap shaant hojaiyye. Senapati yaha nahi hai. Naa hi aayenge.
He again looked at her reassuringly, but the woman simply refused to look anywhere else but at the ground, only joining her hands infront of him.

Sairandhri was surprised. Who was this man? Reminding her so much of her Dharmraj. Of course, he'd been a member in her Aarya's court. She remembered some new joinings, but had been unable to personally meet them all due to her extra busy schedule & then that happened, seperating her from her world, her everything forever!

He wanted her to drink the milk meant for him? The special one meant only for royals & court nobility like him. But she was only a Daasi. A part of her wondered if too was trying to woo her for the same goal as Keechak's, just with a different approach?
She shuddered at the thought, looking warily at his figure from over her lashes.

With hesitant, trembling fingers, she took the glass he was holding out to her, not in a position to disobey what she believed was his command. The king had assigned her to his care, as his servant, so he was now her master. If she needed to remain in hiding there at Viratnagar, she was going to have to be a dutiful daasi to mahamantri Kank.

To her further surprise, she seemed to actually calm down a bit, as sipped the creamy, sweet warm milk.
She was still wary of this new minister. He appeared harmless, sweet even but she'd learnt the hard way to not form opinions about people so quickly, or trust them easily.

Seeing her still holding the empty glass in her tiny hands & lost in deep thought, Dharmaraj extended his hand to take it from her. Both were shocked at the jolt of electricity they both felt, after their fingers accidentally brushed against each other, shocking them.

No! That same electrifying yet exceptionally soft touch that was characteristic of his beloved wife! Why was his heart hell bent on finding his Draupadi in this woman?

On the other, Draupadi too was confused. Why did his touch feel exactly like that of her Aaryaputra Yudhishthir. She scrunched her eyes, trying to clear such thoughts, thinking her mind was playing games with her. Cruel ones. Maybe she was just missing her Aarya....no Samraat too much.

Samraat....she thought bitterly. No longer her Aarya, for she left him & her marriage behind. She knew, she had broken his heart excruciatingly but she had to. There was no other option. She could not let him be shackled to one such as she, who brought him nothing but pain & misery.

Would he have remarried? She wondered, a part of her breaking at the thought. Maybe, just once, she could allow herself to have a glance if him, during the function? She dared to hope.

She waited for Kank to dismiss her, but as he prepared to head for his bath, he turned to her....
K: Devi....yadi aap uchit samjhe toh aap yahi rahiye. Main shigra hi lautunga, tab aap mujhe utsav sthal ka marg bata dijiyega.
He proposed cordially, nearly reducing Draupadi to tears of gratitude at the thought that she may not have to face the wicked man who was most probably waiting to catch her alone again outside. Somehow she controlled herself. She'd been an emotional mess lately as it all got too much for her at times, she fiercely missed her family but was helpless.

S: Aapka.... bohot bohot... dhyawaad... Mahamantri ji...
She thanked him with all her heart, almost forgetting her previous suspicions about him.
Yudhishthir or Kank as he was now known, merely smiled. He was glad he was able to help. Without another word, he left to go to the bathing chamber to ready himself for the function.

*******

Royal court:

" Pranipat, Maharaj!"
A gaurd bowed before Viraat, presenting some men before him.
G: Aapke Aadesh anusaar, utsav ki taiyari hetu, kuch aur log le aaya main, Maharaj.
He gestured to the men standing behind him, making them all bow before the king.

V: Uttam sainik! Parichay do inka! Hume mahal mein aur dasso ki avashyakta hai. Yadi inka karya achcha laga, toh inhe sada ke liye kaam de diya jayega.
The smiling King declared making them all rejoice.

G: Aap dhanya hai Maharaj! Toh ye... sarvpratham, sabse shareerik roop se balshaali vyakti hai, Vallabh maharaj. Inka kehna hai ki ye swayam Rajkumar Bheem ki pakshaala mein reh chuke hai. Inse uttam rasoiyya aur koi nahi!
He gestured to the giant of a man standing besides him.

G: Aur ye hai, devi Bhrihannala. Nritya aur sangeet mein apsarao se adhik parangat! Utsav mein sabhi atithiyo ka aisa manoranjan karengi ye ki koi bhool nahi payega.
The gaurd beamed proudly at the gems he'd discovered.

The tall Bhrihannala looked at the king from a side of her veil, immediately joining her hands in a ' pranam'.

G: Aur antt mein....mahoday Granthik aur Tantripal mahoday....inka gunn Ashwo tatha Gaumata ke palan mein hai. Inse bhi rajya ko laabh hoga, rajan.
The gaurd insisted, making Viraat nod in agreement.

V: Theek hai Sainik! Tumhaare kathan se main inhe mahal mein karyaratt karta hoon. Aasha hai aap sabhi lagan aur parishram se karya karenge.

" Avashya Maharaj! Dhanya hai aap!"
They all chorused, smiling brightly.
Internally, they all had only one thought in their mind:

" Jyeshth bhrata...ab hum bhi aapke saath hai. Ab toh yaha se Bhaabhishree Draupadi ko sanmaan sahit, Aaryavart ki Samragyi ke roop mein hi lekar Indraprastha lautenge."

They all thought, firm determination shining in the eyes of the four men who were none other than the mighty, younger four Panadava brothers.

*********

(All images credit: Google)

Hey!!!
That's all for now guys!!!

How was it?

The twist?😈

When will YuPadi learn about each other?

Will Kank be able to gain Sairandhri's trust?

What happened exactly in the past????

Read on the upcoming chapters for all these answers 😃😃
I hope this chapter was worth your wait.

Please please please do leave your precious comments & votes.
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Tagging some of friends again... because why not! 😁

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Loads of love to each of my readers,
Dharmasakhi 💞💖