In all my years on this earth, never did I imagine this being the news of the century.

" What? " We asked, looking at each other.

" I-" No words were left to say. We sat staring at each other like two deers struck by the lights.

"Wh-"

" Imlis? Why didn't I figure it out sooner? "

" You always eat Imlis, you love them so much! How would imli help at all? "

"How? " He finally said.

"What do you mean how! " I said, throwing my hands in the air.

"Acha acha. Please calm down -" He tried, holding my hands.

"Calm down?  What do you mean calm down. I am Calm! " I said standing up.

"Sagarika... I -" He looked confused.

" Yudhishthir... I don't know what to do! I didn't plan this. I didn't want to do this! "

" Neither did I! But I'm not running around like a madwoman like you!"

" That's because you'll not be growing a kid! "

" I -alright. We're too hyper. Come here. " He said, sitting by the tree and pulling me next to him.

" Alright. We'll be calm. We'll be calm." I whispered, holding his hands.

" Look, we didn't think this through, nor did we plan this out. I'm just as scared as you are. " He said, looking into my eyes.

" But I don't know what to do. Studying about something is different than actually having to experience it!" I said, trying to control my tears.

"Do you.... Do you not want it? Aren't you happy? " He tried.

"Happy is not the question Yudhishthir. I'm scared out of mind! "

" But we're together aren't we? We'll figure it out together too. Didn't you just say, it's us against the world. This is also one challenge. We'll figure it out. " He said, pressimg a kiss to my forehead.

" But. Will I even be a good mother? "

"Why not? You looked after Mini so well. I'm sure our child will be supremely fortunate to have you as her mother. "

" Her? You're so sure it'll be a girl? My son will also have the best father in the world. " I smiled, the trepidation fading to some extent.

" Don't worry,  we'll figure this out together. " He said and I smiled.

If life has taught me anything till date, it's that nothing goes to plan. There's nothing more to say on this matter.

So, becoming the  most courageous woman I can be, I stood up, with Yudhishthir and we finally made our way back.

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"

Bhabhishreeee! " I heard and was surrounded by four men who were incredibly excited.

Their happiness and excitement was contagious.

" Well bhabhishree, I don't know what you did, but Jyeshth should definitely have told you before... " Nakul said and I looked at him confused.

" How would he have? " I asked perplexed, looking at my husband who looked equally as confused.

" Well, he should have told you before marriage, that your child will be yours first... Not his. " He continued.

"But it is their child Nakul. They are both the child's parents. " Mata said.

" Definitely Mata, they are, but Jyeshth won't raise the child, or else he'll grow up just like Jyeshth, satyavadi and all work no play. " He said, briefly evading mata's indingnant slap , while the rest of us roared with laughter.

" Putri, I am sorry. This isn't how this should be, you still have a chance, take Yudhishthir with you -"

" Mata, what are you saying, this is preposterous. You can't keep sending me away like this... I love you too much to do that and me and Yudhishthir cannot hope to raise the children without your support and help. I am scared beyond words Mata."

" Putri, you don't even need to ask, you have me there, always.  " She said and my husband looked at her happily.

" Also bhabhishree, now tell us, which one is us will be the best uncle? " Bheem asked, while the others looked interested.

" Well, now that is such a hard question, I'll think of it. " I said.

^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^

The next few weeks made me realise why I was so apprehensive of becoming a mother at all.

"Hold on, I'm coming. " I heard as two hands helped me pull the odhini snd my hair back.

" Right, I -uggh. " I said, wiping the remains of my daily routine off my face.

"I swear Yudhishthir. I have never puked this much even when I have my monthlies. " I sighed, sitting back down near the rocks.

"I'm so sorry my dear. I am here. " He said, while I stared at him.

" You know I love you, but you being here is not going to help me will it? " I smiled.

" Yes but -"

"Yudhishthir! Putri Sagarika! There are a few rishi munis here. " Mata called and we slowly made our way back.

" Who are you all? " Arjun asked.

"We are a few rishis from Panchal. We came here to escape the tyranny of Maharaj Drupad. " One of them said, which drew my eyes to their bodies, which were marred by wounds and scars.

" Mata, have Sahdev, and Nakul gone to bring medicinal herbs? " I, asked.

"Haan putri, they have. Come help me won't you? " She smiled, as we prepared something to eat.

" So, why are you all so wounded and scarred? " Bheem asked.

" Brahmin dev, we were supposed to help Maharaj Drupad beget a son for him from the devtas. "

"Weren't you successful? "

"No, we weren't, but maharishi Yaj and Upyaj were. They used all the merits they had earned in their lives to beget a son and a daughter for him."

" Why a daughter... Didn't he only ask for a son? "

" He did devi, but it's in his destiny to have a daughter too. These two children are born from the fire. They are the fireborns. Dhristdyumn and Draupadi. "

^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^

Sahdev and I seemed to share the same thoughts.

As the rishis stayed with us that night, Sahdev, and I discussed the potential of the news we received.

"Are you truly sure that the girl born is the one you detected? "

"Without a doubt bhabhishree, I can't go wrong on this note. I am perfectly sure that Devi Draupadi is one of you all too. "

"But what about the other one, the one you couldn't trace. "

" That one is still unknown to me. It's as if they have boon cloaked by a magic of some kind. " He said and i sighed.

"Well, I'll rest. "

"Sleep well bhabhishree, Mahadev only knows what else will happen now. " He warned.

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So. Who do you think our panchali will be?

Tell me more in the comments. Do vote.

Much love

Radhekrishn ♥