The kitchen of Hastinapur was as magnanimous as the rest of it. With beautiful earthen pots, and huge fireplaces, it was overall an entrapping site.

A kitchen that was grander than the one she was used to, "Dhara, where is everyone?" Draupadi asked confused, she was already late, and she didn't wish to be anymore.

She was thankful that she had found Dhara right outside the kitchen. A relief had filled her since she had seen her familiar face of her friend.

In all the happenings she had nearly forgotten about her, guilt sat heavy on her soul. After apologizing for what like forever, and hugging her close, Dhara had reminded them to walk in.

Dhara had been surprised, royalties never apologized, and that too for forgetting to visit a slave?

Gazing at Panchaali she wondered, what made her so different from others? She treated her as an equal, as a friend, like they were sisters.

She never saw the difference that rested between the two, sure they lived in the same palace.

But an universe of difference sat between the two, they were worlds apart. Yet, she considered her a friend.

"Dhara?" Draupadi's voice had her snapping out of her trance, "Yes princess?" She asked hurriedly, pushing back the thoughts.

Draupadi touched her friend's shoulder, worry marring her face. "Are you alright?" She asked, concern laced her words.

Dhara's heart melted, nodding her head, she forced away her thoughts. "Yes, of course I am." Pushing a smile on her face, she glanced at her friend.

"Oh Dhara, but I am not. Where are others?" Panic laced her words, while she gazed around at the kitchen, it was completely empty, not one servant was present there, not single one of them.

"Well that's strange. Usually the preparations for next morning meals are done the previous night. And there is always someone in the kitchen, as people work in shifts." Dhara pondered aloud, gazing around the kitchen.

Not a single person was present there. And that in turn was strange. Not even a single one of them.

Where had everyone disappeared?

"So where are they? Any idea? Anywhere specific they can be?" Asked the princess, firing questions, trying to suppress the panic that wanted to overpower her.

Arjun's words from earlier were the only thing that had her grounded yet. Her throat tightened, she breathed through it, trying to ease the grip of panic over her heart.

Dhara shook her head, not really sure what to tell her. She really had no idea, where they could be.

"I'll go and ask around. You calm down." She tried to ease her friend, rushing out of the room, she began asking around.

"Calm down Panchaali. Breaking down will give you nothing." She told herself, trying to reign in the panic, trying to distract herself, she decided to start on cooking.

She knew preaparing a feast for a more than hundreds, wasn't a feat one that she could achieve, but that didn't mean she was willing to give up.

Walking around the place, she began to search for the ingredients. She took down the first vessel, kept up on the shelf and opened it.

Frowning down at the empty vessel, she moved to the next one. Now more frustrated, moving from first to the second, to the third, and than to the fourth, all vessels were empty.

There were no spices, no flour, no sugar, not even a drop of milk. What sort of kitchen was this?!

Gritting her teeth, looking around the magnanimous place, she wanted to bang her head. This was ridiculous, just ridiculous.

Not a single grain of food was present, not a single drop of any liquid, not even a pinch of spices, and they expected her to cook a feast.

Bhrahmins would be here soon, so would be her entire family. And, what is she going to serve?

Sending away Bhrahmins hungry had never been good, and for today's meal, she had been incharge.

Hastinapur has never sent away, any of its guest empty handed, or empty stomached.

Thoughts circled her minds, tears brimmed in her eyes. Her bottom lip quivered, she could feel everything closing on her, what had she done to deserve this?

Why was this happening to her? Her vision blurred, a single tear tracked down her cheek.

She will be the reason of Hastinapur's humiliation. It felt like her internals were burning, as though someone had set fire in her throat.

The faces of pandavas fluttered in her mind, they'll be so disappointed. And that thought had her soul breaking.

She couldn't see the disappointment in their eyes, the thought broke her more than she was willing to accept.

In a short period of time, when their opinion of her, began to matter so much, she never understood.

They were perfect males, any woman would want, and she knew, whatever they were doing, they were doing as her friends.

She remembered their reactions on the first night of their wedding, the awkwardness, that they all had at the thought of being her husbands.

She could never forget that, whatever they had done, they had done it because she had offered friendship. They so far had been excellent partners and friends.

And what had she been? A complete burden and disappointment.

She really cherished their new bond, but would this friendship last when their family will get humiliated?

She didn't think so. And the thought scared her, it scared her to the core. Yudhisthir would hate her, Bheem wouldn't even want to see her face.

Arjun would be so disappointed, and the twins? They wouldn't even want to see her face.

Her hands trembled, as a sob broke through her lips. Her knees turned jelly, it was all too much, she couldn't even bare to stand.

"Princess." Dhara's word's were heavy with fear, she walked in slower than a tortoise. Her friend's head snapped up, the dark orbs, that usually sparkled with joy, today had pain, but there was a hope.

A hope that she had connected to Dhara, that maybe she had a positive news.

Tears brimmed in her eyes, they were screwed, and this realisation had her heart breaking for the princess ahead of her.

No, she wouldn't let that happen to her friend. The guards had told her that Pauravi had sent away the maids, and everyone knew in Hastinapur that how big Pauravi's ego was.

Queen Gandhari and Mata Kunti had gone to temple for their morning prayers, but Pitahmah Bhism he was still there.

She would take Draupadi to him, and explain everything to him. Mahamahim was a just man, he wouldn't let anything happen to her, and he would punish the doers.

She was sure of it! Yes! They can do that.

"What happened?" Draupadi rushed to her, wiping her tears, a hopeful look on her face. "Say something please!" Draupadi urged, holding her elbows.

Hope fluttered in her, gazing down at her friend, who had a mask of sorrow on her face.

"I am so sorry Drau. But, princess Pauravi had given everyone a day off today." Panchaali's had slid away from her friend's, dropping by her side, as a dead weight settled on her heart.

Disappointment filled her heart, defeat sat heavy in the pit of her stomach. She stumbled back, more than anything else, the thought of losing her five husbands was scaring her.

"Drau!" Concern laced Dhara's words, she rushed forward, wrapping her hand around her friend. Holding her close, "Don't worry, nothing will happen. Mahamahim Bhism is here in the palace, we will go to him, and tell him everything." She assured, making her friend sit.

She cupped the tear streaked cheeks of the princess. "When last time Princess Pauravi had done such a thing with Prince Dushasan's wife, Mahamahim had punished her." Explained Dhara, trying to console her friend.

Her heart hurt for the sweet girl, she didn't deserve this. The girl had been nothing but kind, but Hastinapur was doing what it was best at.

Breaking another soul. "Come on let's go." She urged standing up, wrapping her hand around Panchaali's, tugging at it.

A far off look sat on Panchaali's face, she refused to budge. "Come on Panchi!" Dhara urged, frustrated, they needed to hurry.

Gazing up at her, Draupadi took in a deep breath. Her gaze met her friend's, wiping her tears, she shook her head.

"No." She stated, her voice firm. Dhara frowned, confused to her core.

"No?" She echoed the words of the princess, gazing at her friend like she had grown a second head.

"What do you mean no?" She asked incredulously.

"Panchaali they will roast you alive. They will throw you out of Hastinapur. For what? It's not even your fault!" Dhara nearly shouted, her voice high on panic, while she gazed at her best friend.

"The question is not of whose fault it is. The question is of taking responsibility. It was responsibility to serve the food on their platters, and I have failed. The reason doesn't matter." Panchaali's words came stronger than she felt, she had failed, and she would take the responsibility of it.

"Have you officially lost it Drau? How is it your fault? Pauravi was the one who has done all this? What is wrong with you? Don't be stupid, come with me, we'll go to Mahamahim, and this matter will be resolved right this instant!" Dhara commanded, wrapping her hand around her friend's wrist, and tugging at it.

Panchaali held still, her eyes red from all the cry. A fine sheen of tears was still in place.

Terror seeped in Dhara's heart, terror for her best friend. No, she couldn't be serious. Her face was a mask of determination, and that scared Dhara more than anything else.

"This is not the time to be great and all sacrificing! Shut up and come with me!" Dhara didn't care anymore, she wouldn't let her do this stupidity. No, no, never.

This people are looking for just one chance to throw Panchaali out, and like vultures they'll tear her, she was sure of it.

They'll humiliate her, before throwing her out. After this union, it was the name of Pandavas that was joined with hers, that had her holding the dignity in place.

It was because of Pandavas that none of the monsters, that resided in this society had the guts to come out, and face her, and raise question on her.

But if the name of Pandavas is taken away, if they too abandon her, and she knew that will have to. After this, than this patriarchal society would tear her friend like vultures.

A woman who is abandoned by her man, is treated as dirt. But, with Panchaali's out of the box wedding, it would just get worse.

She didn't know, what fate she is signing up herself for. Tears traced down her cheeks.

"This society will tear you." She whispered, shaking Draupadi, trying to knock some sense in the girl ahead of her.

Panchaali smiled, her watery smile and the look of defeat broke Dhara's heart, all the more.

"And you want me to assign this fate to Pauravi?" Draupadi asked, her voice soft. "Have you lost it?! You're thinking about the woman who has created this mess for you?! Are you insane?!" Dhara shouted, rage fueling her words.

She knew Panchaali was right, Mahamahim had warned her, that one more mistake like this, and Pauravi would be on streets.

And even Duryodhan wouldn't be able to interfere this time. But, damn if she cared. That woman deserved it!

It was her fault not Panchaali's! Why should Panchaali pay?!

"It's not fair!" Snapped Dhara, gazing at her friend. No, she didn't want to lose her.

"Dhara, life is not fair. Plus, Pauravi is family. There could be some difference in our opinions, but there could never be differences of heart.

When someone in family, does a mistake, they are entitled for a chance and forgiveness. And, more than that, we have no evidences against her.

Just that she gave servants a day's off. That's not a crime. And, no crime is big enough, to stake a woman's dignity on line. I can't curse Pauravi or anyone to that fate.

The question is not whose mistake it was. No one out there would blame me or Pauravi, they will blame the women of this family in general.

Bhrahmins going hungry is a sin, and that sin has been done, when I was incharge of this kitchen. Rest are just excuses. I have done a mistake, crime, a sin and I am entitled for a punishment. " Her voice was devoid of every emotion, her gaze settling on her best friend, who gazed at her defeated.

"In family Dhara, there is no you and I. There is just we. Mistake is done by Pauravi or me. It doesn't matter, because the world will blame Hastinapur as a whole, and so will the Bhramins." She whispered, sorrow dripping off every word.

"Plus, I would come with you, if there was any hope for us to cook and save our family's respect. But, we are too late. The sun is up, and any moment now they will come asking to serve the food." Her heart broke.

Forgive me Aryas. This sin though not forgivable, please forgive me.

Her heart hurt, it was in pieces, memories of the few days that she had spent with Pandavas circled her mind.

She swallowed the knot in her throat, her mouth completely dry. Gazing at her hand, tears dripped down her cheeks, raining down.

She wanted to be strong, she wanted to face everything. And she knew she would, but what scared her more than anyone was the look on Pandavas face.

The mere thought of it broke her heart, the disappointment in their eyes scared her more than anything else.

Who knew her first day itself would be her last one here?

Who knew she would be such a failure?

Please don't hate me. Please, please please.

She mentally prayed over and over again. If there was one thing that she couldn't face, it was their hatred.

The mere thought shook her to core. When had their opinions began to matter so much? She had no idea, how? When? Or where?

But they had. More than anyone in this world it mattered to her, what her husbands thought of her.

What they expected of her. What they wished for. It mattered, more than it should have.

And disappointing and hurting them, scared her. Terrorized her.

She dread that one, moment when she would have to meet Yudhisthir's eyes, when she would have to answer Bheem's question.

When she would have to tell Arjun of her failure. When she would have to stand before the twins and watch break their trust.

That scared her. No, it terrified her. She dread that one moment.

That one moment, when she knew, her world will truly shatter. That one moment, when she will truly die.

She wanted to run, to hide far away from that situation. But, she owed them an apology.

She owed them her accountability of this failure, they had given her all the respect, and all the care, and adoration.

They had been her perfect friends, her family, and more than anything, her perfect husbands.

She owed them this.

"Yuvrani, Mahamahim has requested you get the food." The statement of the maid spoke of her doom, terror sunk it's talons in her heart.

Her head shot up, tears brimming, her face paled. She nodded, numbness spread through her like an icy cold web.

She nodded once again in acknowledgement, the maid bowed and left. Dhara stood, defeated.

She wanted to curl up and cry. She wanted to shatter.

Panchaali's eyes met hers, the brokenness that marred those dark orbs, squeezed Dhara's heart sharply.

"Let's go." Whispered words, softer than wind, held promises of self destruction, and it terrorized her more than anything else.

Pulling her veil down, giving Dhara, a final nod, she walked ahead. Her back straight, head high, and confidence screaming every step.

Fake it and you'll make it.

She reflected a persona, that was so different than her inner broken one. Walking out, with Dhara behind, she counted her steps.

She wanted this way to go one forever, to last an eternity. But, when her wish become reality?

She took a deep breath, surpassing the doorway that led to the dinning hall, and her destruction.

The chatter around, the joyous faces and laughter greeted her.

Gazing around at all the smiling faces, she just held this moment in her heart. Her gazes for a second settled on her husbands, that were joking around, laughing and bantering with each other.

World seemed to stop on it's axis, a smile traced her lips, though herself. Their happiness, gave her joy, strange. Never she felt so connected to anyone before.

Her smile dropped, the thought of their reactions was like a tight slap on their face. Blinking her eyes, they gazed at the ground.

"Start serving the food Princess." The order was issued by Bhism, his eyes focused on the woman ahead of him.

The Bhramins were all sat on their assigned seats, a huge smile traced his lips. He gazed behind Yudhisthir's wife, where were the servants carrying the platter?

"Princess of Panchaal, call in the servants please." He requested again, a silence descended over the room.

The chatter coming to a stop, pin drop silence cloaked the room, a feeling of foreboding was heavy in the air.

All eyes focused on Panchaali, expectedly. Blinking down at the wife of the crowned prince, and his four brothers.

Terror like never before slithered through her heart, despite her promise to herself, a tear rolled down her her cheek, her heart was quivering with dread, she fidgetted with her hands.

She wanted to say it out loud, that she had failed. That she had lost, that she would be the reason of their disgrace.

But it was like her vocalcords had refused to operate.

She took a deep breath, and forced the words out, "Mahamahim the food. . ."

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