Yudhishthir sat me down, explaining the mechanism of behaviour in Aryavart.

" Yudhishthir. The only problem in all of this, is that I have never touched anyone's feet. Not even my parents. It's not a lack of respect. I just grew up that way. In our house a woman is not allowed to touch the feet of her elder. So I have never done that. Now I'll have to do that to all my adults? If I marry you then even yours? " I asked him, worried. This was truly the only aspect I was worried about in my life.

" I don't know how to go around this one Priye. Everyone has to touch the elder's feet, most of all, if they meet their kulvadhu, she has to. I am sorry. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable- I -"

" It's alright. I will try. Till then I'll do it to Kanha and you. That should get me into practice.... Right? "

" Sakhi... I'm here. You all must leave soon. " Said the owner of dramatic exits.

I turned around to see Kanha. He was looking cheery. Fun.

I bowed down, slowly as I touched his feet. Well, that felt rather ordinary.

" Kanha. Please take care of her. She is all I have right now as my family. " I told Hari. He looked at me with a smile and said,
" Sakhi's wish is an order for me. Don't worry. She will be safe. Chanchala will love to play with a small child. " He said.

" She would and get no greater pleasure than being looked after by the jagatmata. "

" But her sister is her mata now. Don't forget Sakhi. You are her mata. And the child will always prefer her own, even if the jagatmata is there to love her. " He said, reassuringly.

" Pranam Krishn. Now we'll leave. " Yudhishthir said, a hand in mine as we closed our eyes.

" Safe travels. " Kanha whispered, when I thought, ' Well, that is up to you. You are the one sending me back'.

I felt a sudden tug in my abdomen. A pull so strong I felt like someone was pulling my intestines out. I may even have yelled in agony.

But then, just as the pain had come, it left and the first thing I noticed was the freshness in the air.

I could breathe easily. My ears could sense the beating wings of birds flying overhead. There was an unusual silence.

" We're here. " Yudhishthir said, prompting me to open my eyes.

I looked at him and then at the scene in front of us. It was  beautiful. The rajmahal of Hastinapur. No one could look at it from outside and say that the worst adharm of the century took place here. Speaking of, I still hadn't found the right time to tell Yudhishthir about dharm.... Oh well.

" We are going in. But as what. Even if you are welcomed as the Yuvraj. Who am I? "

" We didn't ask Keshav. Maybe you are a princess? You had a swayamvar held? " He tried.

" But from where? Which kingdom? "

" Well, seeing where we are, this is the only path connecting Pragjyotishpur and Hastinapur. So maybe we can say you are their princess and I won your swayamvar. "

" But what would it be about? Each swayamvar has a competition or a challenge right?"

" Not necessary Priye. It need not be a competition. It may just be a simple question answer, or the bride may even just choose one man amongst the many based on what she knows of him. " He told me.

So I thought deep. If I was a princess... What would I hold a competition for so that only Yudhishthir could have won.

" Oh! We could say that I held a game of.... Yes Shatranj. Yes. A game of shatranj among the people who came and over the course of five days you came out at the top. "

" But Priye. All this must be said by you. I can't lie . " He said and I had to resist the urge to facepalm. Papa said it's a bad habit. I disagreed. It's better than to hit the one in front of me.

" But - fine. But you can tell them I am your wife. Can't you? "

" Yes. But still we'll get married according to the rituals here as well. " He said.

" That's fine. As long as I can call you mine. " I said, blushing..

" What about the language? Will you be able to speak fluent sanskrit? "

" Why don't you say something. The time you met me, you could understand everything I ever said in hindi or english. So maybe here it's reverse. I can understand sanskrit. "

" Alright. अहं भावयामि। " He said fondly. (I love you.)

"अहं प्रतिभावयामि।"  I answered, looking at him with the same smile. (I love you too.)

" Which means it is true. Our situations have been reversed. Now shall we proceed? " He asked, holding my hand.

" Let's move Arya. " I said, laughing as he turned red.

" Not yet." Was mumbled out.

So as we walked in through the palace doors, I was greeted by the sight of his family. No. Now mine as well.

Maharaj Dhritarashtr and Maharani Gandhari stood in the middle, flanked by Mahamahim Bheeshm and Mata Kunti. She was followed by her sons, the four sons of Maharaj Pandu.

How do I know you might ask? Well, because a certain someone was telling me. Not Yudhishthir, the one who had promised my sisters protection.

' Kanha. You do realise that I can recognise them without you telling me. I have heard of their descriptions'.

'But it's my job Sakhi. You figured out your history, now I must help you out otherwise'. He spoke innocently.

'Why do I feel you purposefully put us on the path of Pragjyotishpur? Anyway. I can do this. Right '?

'Sakhi. I could not have chosen anyone else for this. You are a strong woman'. He answered warmly, relaxing my mind.

The last few steps towards them felt like the biggest test of my life. My heart beat so rapidly in anticipation, that Yudhishthir moved his fingers to my wrist to measure my pulse and looking at me worridely when he felt how fast it was.

" I'm fine. "

As we stepped up, Maharaj Dhritarashtr said, " Putr Yudhishthir. We are so proud of you. You have won our hearts by winning us the first kulvadhu of our family. Who knew they would hold a game of shatranj. It is wonderful to see you win. " He said.

The man next to me smiled and tugged at my hand, as we bent down simultaneously to take his blessings.

" Aayushman bhav putr. Saubhagyavati bhav putri. " He said.

As we stood up, I realised that I would be the one who has to speak. So.

" Maharaj Dhritarashtr. It is my pleasure and honour to be married to one of the best men in the world. The one with a mind as sharp as a cheetah, yet the heart of a dove. The resilience of an ant and the hands of an elephant. He is, in my eyes, narottam. " I said, looking at his family, while the man in question looked at me with awe.

We went around, first Pitamah Bheeshm who was so kind. Kakashree Vidur. Maharani Gandhari. And then, the woman who gave him life. Mata Kunti.

" I am so proud of you putr. You have one a gem for yourself. Putri, I promise, he will never be the reason for you sadness. Only happiness. I am honoured to have you as my first daughter in law. " She said, holding me in a hug.

" Dhanyavaad mata. He is a wonderful man, because of the morals you and Maharaj Pandu have given him. I have you to thank for him. " I answered honestly.

The other situation was his brothers. While he had aptly left me with his mata, his brothers had crushed him into a hug and it was one of the most beautiful things I had ever seen.

" Bhabhishree! " Said Nakul, jumping behind me as he kept one hand on my shoulder.

" Yes? " I asked. I also realised he was younger than me. About sixteen summers old.

" Bhabhishree. You will get married to bhrata tomorrow anyways. Tonight we are stealing our sister away. " He said, as he and his brothers, grabbed my hands, dragging me along with them.

^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^

As we walked into, what I got to know was Arjun's room, I was sat on a sofa like thing. His four brothers sat on the floor.

" What are you doing? Don't sit in my feet. Come up. " I said, horrrified.

" Nahi bhabhishree. You are our Jyeshth's wife. You are akin to our mata. We can't do so. " Arjun said.

Now. I am vastly and horrifyingly confused.

" But -"

" No. Now tell us. Why did you choose Jyeshth? "

" Do you intend to keep him as happy as he would you? "

" Will you love us too as your younger brothers? "

I was bomabarded with questions. Well, even physics was easier than this. No scartch that. Nothing is easier than physics.

" I - yes. I chose your Jyeshth because of everything I said outside in front of Tajshree. It is the truth. I consider him narottam.

I do hope to give him just as much love and more that he does.

Abd of course I will. You are just like Min- just like my younger brothers. Now I want a hug. "

" But bhabhishree-"

" I listened to everything you say to me. You won't even listen to what I am saying? " I tried , making wide puppy eyes.

" Whatever you want bhabhishree. You are like our mata. You can order us. No need to request for anything. " They said as I was hugged. It felt so peaceful.

I could never imagine feeling this much love from people who I had never mst before. But I did and I intended to keep their happiness. That's all that mattered to me. That and finding AJ and that weapon.

As I was engulfed in the hug, I was looked at by two people at the door. Yudhishthir and his mata. She warded off the evil eye with her hands as my 'husband', well not yet exactly, looked at me with more love tha  I had ever seen in his eyes.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

Ahem. People. So. How was it.
Bhabhishree se milkar acha laga?

Share how you felt in the comments and vote and share this story with those who might love it too.

Much love

Radhekrishn ❤