We had been walking for a few days since we found the girl.

And to say Bheem was, well in love was an understatement.

"Bheem, please bring me some fruits."  I said one day, as I sat peacefully with mata.

When I received no response, I looked up from the new arts and crafts project I had picked up while here, making bowls and plates of stray leaves and sticks.

He was looking intently at the girl as she too attempted to make her bowls.

"Bhrata Bheem, bhabhishree is calling you. " Nakul said, stifling his laughter.

" Bheem! " I shouted and his reverie finally broke.

"Ji bhabhishree? " He asked, startled as the girl too looked up to see him hiding the traitorous eyes that couldn't unsee her.

"Bheem, I asked you to get fruits for me. " I said sweetly.

"Uh, bhabhishree, can Nakul or Sahdev do it today? I'm very tired. " He said nervously.

"Tired? Is there something wrong putr? " Mata asked worriedely, walking over to her son while the rest of us hid our laughs behind our hands.

"If you needed something you could ask me? " Yudhishthir said, placing a bowl of fruits in front of me.

"Oh you stupid man, I know I could. But watch that. " I said, turning his face around to see Bheem reassuring his mother that he was fine, all the while trying to steal glances with the one who stole his heart.

"Bhabhishree, be ready to welcome your own devrani now. The first one. " Arjun laughed, while mata rounded on us.

All of us tried. Key word tried to stifle the giggles.

"What's going on? Why are you all laughing? " She asked, looking at Arjun and Nakul in particular.

"Nothing mata. It's fine. Uh, come here. " They said, bringing her right next to them and facing her towards her son and potential daughter in law.

"Ahem, mata, did you know that people can fall too hard if they don't walk carefully? " Nakul prompted.

"Anyone falls hard when you don't walk carefully Nakul, what do you mean? " Arjun said, escaping his mata's hands.

" But did you know, bhrata Arjun, it is said in the books, that love is the hardest and still the easiest thing to fall into. " Sahdev said.

"If you three are done, can we move?" I asked, saving my dear devar raja.

" Bheem, come, we'll move now. We've rested long enough. " Mata said and we began to move yet again.

As we were walking I felt a tug on my wrist and looked back to see Yudhishthir and Arjun looking at me with a grim face.

"What is wrong? " I asked.

" Bhabhishree, come over here, walk slower. " Arjun murmured and I agreed, confused.

"What is it? " I whispered.

"Sagarika, that lady is a rakshasi. " Yudhishthir said sternly.

"What rubbish. You of all people should not be saying things like that. Just because Bheem loves her -"

"We aren't making a fool of you bhabhishree, it's true. She is a rakshasi. A devil on disguise. A wolf amongst our herd of sheep. " Arjun replied.

" How would you know? "

" Sagarika, listen to me, even if she hasn't shown or created any provocation yet, she is still a rakshasi. You need to trust me. You will stay with me... Always. Never be alone with her, no matter what you are doing. " He said, halting my steps.

"Al-alright. But then why don't we announce it -"

"Because Jyeshth wants to see where she's leading us, our best bet is that it's towards the cave where more people like her reside. We need to keep up the guise of indifference. "

" Alright. " I said, mind becoming restless.

She was a rakshasi? A demoness? On instinct my hand went towards the small bump on my stomach.

"I won't let anything happen to either of you. You understand that, don't you? " Yudhishthir whispered, as he put his arm over my shoulder.

"I know. " I replied, I trust him, he wouldn't let anything happen to us, all of us.

" Well, we shouldn't go here. " The lady said suddenly.

"Why, is the path unsafe putri? "

"No no mata, I just smell the meat of humans in the other direction. We must go -" She was interrupted by Arjun standing in front of her to block her way.

"Arjun, this is disrespectful, you are obstructing a woman's path. " Bheem chided.

"I wouldn't need to do so if she told us the truth in the beginning bhrata Bheem. Come on, you know we know. Clear the other's founts too. " He told her, staring at her with tired eyes.

She silently closed her eyes, a tear leaving it as she returned to her true form.

" Putri? "Mata whispered, looking at the lady.

" I-i am Hidimba, sister of Rakshasraj Hidimb. I had been sent by him to lure you towards our home. But I didn't want to do it afterwards. " She said, joining her hands.

" Why not? You've brought us this far, take us inside too. " Yudhishthir told her and I looked at him,his eyes cold. It was an unusual feeling.

"Please! Please dont go inside! He'll eat you all! Especially you Kumar Bheem! " She cried.

" But putri, why didn't you say so? My sons would have protected you. " Mata said, crouching down to Hidimba's height.

I meanwhile made my way to a rather enraged Bheem.

"Bheem, calm down. I understand your anger, you feel betrayed, but this isn't the time for it. First we must defeat that rakshas Hidimb. He's terrorized the humans fir far too long." I said, keeping a calming hand on his arm. Hoping to wash away his rage.

He looked at me, his eyes reflected his pain. Unlike his brothers, he was truly a coconut, hard on the surface and soft inside, he was incredibly hurt by Hidimba's actions.

"Come bhrata Bheem, it's time to kill the rakshas. " Sahdev said, as we made our way through the passage way, with a reluctant Hidimba crying on Maya's shoulder.

"What is it  ? " I asked, feeling a pull on my odhini.

"Stay with me. " Yudhishthir said, as we walked in together.

" Come my dear sister, you finally were of some use. You brought the humans to me. " Hidimb said.

Walking in, I saw one of the most barbaric sights possible. One, infinitely long rakshas stood in the middle of what seemed to be a raj sabha, while his subjects stood behind him. Each of them had hunger written on their faces, as they looked at us with greed.

"Aakrman! " He yelled and the other rakshas began to move, when I felt the grip on my wrist become painfully tight and felt myself being pushed back.

" Stop! Stop stop! " Arjun said, jumping to the front.

"Maharaj, Hidimb, don't you know? It's a sin to eat before the maharaj eats. Tell them Nakul! " Does he wish to die a painful death or die a stupid death... They seem mutually inclusive as of now.

"Is it? We've always feasted together. " Hidimb said perplexed, which is when I picked up on the plan .

" Haan haan bhratashree, it's true. The king must always eat first lest you wish to become the bearer of a cursed fate. If you doubt us you can ask our Jyeshth Yudhishthir..He never lies. " Nakul answered.

All of us stared at him in anger. It's good that the king is a fool.

"I-no-not a " My husband, the satyavadi was stumped again. Stupid Nakul.

"It may not be a curse or a sin, but it definitely is a tradition. " I said and my husband looked at me surprised. Alright il apologize to you later you idiot, our lives matter more to me than a simple lie.

" Who are you? " He asked.

"I'm his wife. Why? Are you so scared of fighting Bheem that you want to fight a woman and show your masculinity? " I asked.

He looked furious and glared at Bheem.

" I will kill you Bheem! Maharaj Vrikodar ki Jai! " He shouted, as he charged towards Bheem.

All of us moved away when Hidimba ran to her brother...

"Bhrata, please stop! Please don't kill him -aagh. " She shouted as he threw her aside.

Momentatily, Bheem's eyes sought hers out to ensure her safety and finding her in mata's arms, he stepped into the field with renewed energy.

They fought relentlessly, with sharp blows from each side.

" Bheem! Carefully. " Mata shouted as he was surprised by a particular blow.

In retaliation, he picked Hidimb up and crushed his head onto the rocks, liberating him from this life.

"Maharaj Vrikodar ki Jai! " Was ringing around the sabha, as even the rakshas admitted their defeats.

"Bhratashree! " Three voices called as they ran to help an exhausted but successful Bheem.

" Carefully. Now, we admit defeat. Please allow us to show our hospitality. " A despondent Hidimba said, as she walked away, unknown to the hand that was raised in an attempt to stop her.

As our family enjoyed the meal, we saw Bheem being fed a pile of fruits by Hidimba.

"Bhratashree, it's said that once defeated, the new king, arthath the Bhupati has to marry the old bhupati's living female relative. " Nakul prompted.

Phir shuru inka drama. (Yet again they begin with their shenanigans)

" Haan. It's true. Isn't it Jyeshth? " Arjun asked Yudhishthir.

"What are you talking about? " Bheem asked, as Hidimba left for more food.

" It's true Bheem, Hidimba did tell us this before as well. " My husband said. You  had to say that now? He's still not over her lies.

Before anyone had a chance to comment on this, two rakshas lay with their hands joint in front of Bheem in the shahstang pranam.

"Bhupati, you have been chosen to marry our princess, Hidimba in the morning tomorrow.

" What? " We asked, surprised.

This was supposed to be a joke, but it's become the truth of Bheem's life.

"I can't marry! " He shouted and ran away, nearly colliding with a teary eyed Hidimba.

Mata and I looked at each other in understanding.

Following her to a room of sorts, we saw a shrouded form of a young woman, crying for her love.

"Putri, I understand your pain, but how can a human marry a rakshasi? "

"Hasn't it been done before as well, in the yug of shree ram? "

"That union brought about a child named Raavan Hidimba! " Mata said scandalised.

"Mata, please be calm. "

" But didn't it also bring a child like Vibishan? I promise! Please let me have a few moments of my love. I won't stop you from going anywhere or leaving, but just until the birth of a child! Please Mata, I ask as a princess who's community now will have no heir if you leave. I ask as a woman who's asking for a few moments with her love. " She cried. It made me incredibly devastated.

"Alright putri, one -"

"Mata, is it truly necessary for us to leave here so soon? We aren't travelling to any specific destination, nor are we in a rush to do anything else. It'll be a good place for us to live for a few years, so that Bheem's child and our own, can grow in an environment where they have the love of family. It would be unsafe to roam with a newborn, especially since it's hard to decide when and how we will be able to have food. Please understand mata. We can't leave here and us not leaving is helping her too. We'll stay here, for almost two or two and a half years. Please mata. Look at reason. " I tried.

I can't let my child suffer so.

"I-alright. I admit putri, you both are right. Fine, I will convince Bheem, I am sure, once we've reassured him that you didn't mean to lie to him, he'd understand and be ready too. " Mata smiled, as she left.

"Thank you devi. I can't imagine-"

"I understand your fear Hidimba. You and I are no different, we're two souls who have found refuge in the hearts of someone who the world cannot imagine being bound to. It's alright. More so I did it for my own child. " I said sadly, watching as she lit up.

" Really, you are with child too aren't you? Oh how does it feel? Are you happy? " She asked, now energetic.

" Well, it feels unusual. Your body can either aid you, or become your own nightmare, but at rhw end, it might all be worth it when you look at the child in your arms, as it hands you their innocence to cherish and foster with good values and love. "

" I'm sure that we will be able to spread love. After all, a woman like you can spread love wherever you go." She said.

^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^

The wedding took place the next day, with more hilarity than I could imagine. The rituals were unique and completely unheard of, while maintaining the standard ones.

In the most enjoyable way possible, their wedding was complete.

If Hidimba looked happy to be married to her love, the look on Bheem's face was a tenfold reflection of the same.

As they came towards me and Yudhishthir, while my dear old husband blessed them regularly,boring, I pulled the two into a warm hug.

"May you always be happy. " I said tearfully.

"Bhabhishree, will you shed the same tears on bhrata Arjun's wedding too? If so then we'll definitely make it a grand one." Nakul said, while Sahdev shook his head in mock disappointment.

" Why are you so intent to make me cry? " I asked, wiping mine away.

" Well, look bhabhishree, if it's grand and unique, you'll shed tears of happiness.  Just as you did today. Which means, the day of our wedding, we won't need to make much efforts as you'll already be well versed in the art of crying-aaah mata. Kshama mata. " Nakul shouted, trying to free his ears from his mother's hands.

The day was a beautiful union of two more lovers, walking on the path of life.

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

This chapter was looong. My thumbs are exhausted.

Also... I found the animated Rahul, Tina and Anjali....

Tell me in the comments how it was and do vote

Much love

Radhekrishn♥