14

Ｊａｙａｓｈｒｉ

𝓓𝓸 𝓿𝓸𝓽𝓮

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Hastinapur was abuzz with wedding preparations as Dushala, their only princess, was getting married.

The arrangements were reaching new heights.

Dushala, however, was feeling conflicted.

Her brother had told her about Jayadrath and how benefitting the marriage would be.

He had also asked for her opinion.

Though hesitant at first, Dushala ultimately agreed, as she wanted her brothers to be happy above all else.

As they were her only brothers,now.

Lost in her thoughts, Subhadra wondered which outfit would suit Dushala best.

"Dushu!" Subhadra called out, but Dushala did not reply.

Subhadra sighed and gasped, then dramatically said, "Sindhu raj Jayadrath." Dushala's eyes widened as she frantically looked around, only to realize Subhadra was teasing her.

Subhadra burst into laughter while Dushala glared at her.

"Subu, this is not the time to play games with me," Dushala scolded.

"Well, I won't get a chance once you become Sindhu maharani," Subhadra childishly replied.

"Don't worry, you'll see me a lot as you'll marry Arju-" Dushala abruptly stopped when she saw the sadness in Subhadra's eyes.

Their sadness was interrupted by the sound of payal clinks, and they turned to see their friend Indu approaching them.

"Indu!" they both exclaimed, happy to see their friends.

"How did you come so early? I thought you would arrive the day before the wedding," Dushala said, delighted that her friends were there.

"Mata Arshi will arrive a few days before the wedding, and I, Uluka, Gandhar ra-pitashri, just arrived," Akarshika replied.

As soon as she was in front of them, Subhadra tightly embraced her. Akarshika sighed, and Dushala chuckled.

"Dushala, why did you agree to this marr- I mean, how did you agree? Were you forced?" Akarshika hesitated and questioned.

"Bhrata Suyodhana loves me very much. How could he force his dear sister? I agreed to this wedding wholeheartedly, Indu," Dushala replied with a smile.

"Do you know about Jayadrath?" Akarshika asked again. Dushala nodded and said, "Well, it's for the greater good of the kingdom."

Akarshika pushed Subu gently aside and approached Dushala. "Dushala, you are being used as bait!" Akarshika exclaimed, worried for her friend.

"This is the first time Bhrata Duryodhan has asked me for something. How could I refuse? Indu, I know you are concerned, but don't worry," Dushala reassured her.

Akarshika was still confused, but she knew Dushala would not back out of the marriage now.

She sighed in disbelief.

In the corridors, Uluka and Harsh were chatting about sword fights when they were approached by a young woman, dressed in bright yellow garments with heavy jewelry.

"Do you know where Princess Dushala's room is?" she politely asked. Harsh was about to reply, but Uluka stopped him and said, "Go straight and take a turn in any direction. Ask some random guards. I am not your guide or servant. I am the prince of Gandhar"

The girl looked at him and sarcastically said,""I've heard a lot about you."

Uluka proudly declared, "I am famous I know that" but she glared at him and stormed off.

"Rajkumaar, you should have been more respectful," Harsh scolded.

"Harsh, you are tarnishing my image as a prince and your future king," Uluka said, and they both walked towards Gandhari's chamber.

In Dushala's room, Subhadra was asking Indu which color would be best for Dushala, red or dark red. "Red," a gentle voice spoke joyfully, and they turned to see a young girl.

"Bhrata loves red, so he would love to see Bhabhishree in red," she replied. "Jayashri, Sindhu Raj's younger sister," Dushala introduced her.

Jayashri quickly went to take Dushala's blessings, but Dushala felt too old and stopped her, while Subhadra whispered, "Old women." Jaya looked at Subhadra and Akarshika.

"Subhadra, princess of Dwarka," Subhadra introduced herself. "Balarama and Shree Krishna's dear sister," Jaya said, and Subu smiled.

"Gandhar rajkumaari Akarshika," Indu introduced herself. "Both beautiful and intelligent," Jaya said.

Uluka, came in excitedly and called "Dushala di-", but when he saw Jaya, he had a disgusted expression on his face.

"Who is she" He asked, "Jayadrath's younger sister" Indu replied.

"I am worried about Jayadrath's appearance, Dushala didi," he said.

"He won't be like you, don't worry," Jaya replied.

Uluka glared at her and said "Bua is calling you Dushala didi" Saying that he stormed off.

Soon, as the night descended upon them, the trio found themselves on the balcony, gazing up at the twinkling stars. Subhadra, in her serene voice, called out to Indu, "Indu, I wish that the three of us could stay like this forever." Subhadra's words were filled with longing. Dushala, lost in her dreams, added, "I would also like that."

A sense of reality crept into their conversation as Akarshika interjected, "But paths of people are always different." Both Subhadra and Dushala turned their gaze towards Indu, silently seeking her opinion.

Indu's eyes met Subhadra's, and she saw a naive, beautiful, and sweet girl before her. Her heart was pure, untouched by the world's harshness. Indu smiled at her.

Her eyes then shifted towards Dushala, who is obedient, disciplined, and innocent. Akarshika smiled at her and then turned her gaze back to the stars.

Out of curiosity, Akarshika asked, "Where is Gopala?" Subhadra replied, "Oh Indu, bhrata went to find a jewel named Shamanthaka. It's a long story, but he assured us he'll be back two days before Dushala's wedding."

Concern filled Dushala's thoughts as she expressed, "I hope Rukmini is alright, especially since she is with child." Subhadra reassured her, saying, "Well, Bhabhishree may miss Bhrata, but don't worry. Ma Devaki, Ma Rohini, and Bhabhishree Revati will take great care of her."

Changing the topic, Subhadra exclaimed, "Anyway, I am really excited for my dear friend's wedding!"

With that, she embraced Dushala, to which Dushala jokingly responded, "Stop it, your hugs are suffocating."

Subu, filled with excitement, raised her eyebrows and asked, "What are we going to do tomorrow?" Dushala cheerfully answered, "We will roam around the streets of Hastinapur and buy whatever we like."

Subhadra insisted, "This time, Indu, you need to come with us." Dushala agreed, saying, "Definitely." Seeing no hope of winning against their enthusiasm, Akarshika reluctantly nodded in agreement.

Feeling the weight of exhaustion, Subhadra yawned and remarked, "Well then, I need to sleep or else I might look like Manthara." As she walked away, Dushala playfully replied, "You actually look worse than Manthara," causing them both to giggle.

Subhadra's giggles were heard throughout the corridors.

Dushala's gaze then shifted towards Akarshika, who was looking at her.

Akarshika questioned, "Perhaps, can you rethink your decision?" Dushala let out a sigh and responded, "We have already talked about this."

Unhappywith her answer, Akarshika silently stormed away, bidding Dushala goodnight.

Left alone, Dushala gazed up at the stars, lost in her own thoughts.

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𝕀 𝕝𝕚𝕖𝕕 𝕥𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕝𝕒𝕤𝕥 𝕦𝕡𝕕𝕒𝕥𝕖 𝕨𝕒𝕤 𝕝𝕒𝕤𝕥 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝕞𝕒𝕣𝕔𝕙 𝕓𝕦𝕥 𝕀 𝕙𝕒𝕕 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕔𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝕚𝕟 𝕕𝕣𝕒𝕗𝕥

𝕊𝕠 𝕨𝕙𝕪 𝕟𝕠𝕥 𝕡𝕦𝕓𝕝𝕚𝕤𝕙 𝕚𝕥.

𝕊𝕠 𝕤𝕠𝕞𝕖𝕠𝕟𝕖 𝕔𝕙𝕒𝕟𝕘𝕖 𝔻𝕦𝕤𝕙𝕦 𝕓𝕒𝕓𝕪'𝕤 𝕠𝕡𝕚𝕟𝕚𝕠𝕟!

𝔸𝕟𝕪𝕨𝕒𝕪 𝕒 𝕤𝕡𝕠𝕚𝕝𝕖𝕣 𝕒𝕗𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝕠𝕟𝕖 𝕔𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝔸𝕜𝕒𝕣𝕤𝕙𝕚𝕜𝕒 𝕚𝕤 𝕘𝕠𝕟𝕟𝕒 𝕞𝕖𝕖𝕥 ℙ𝕒𝕟𝕔𝕙𝕒𝕝𝕚.

𝔸𝕟𝕪𝕨𝕒𝕪 𝕙𝕠𝕡𝕖 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕝𝕚𝕜𝕖 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕔𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣

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