A week, that's how long it had been, since Yudhisthir along with his brothers had flipped every stone, searching for the culprit.

And nothing of importance had really been found.

"This is ridiculous. Attacks are happening, time and again. And no one is able to do a thing about it? Is this what you are telling me?" Roared an angry Dhritrashtr, his face hard with fury.

The team that had been assembled for the task, fidgetted, shuffling from one feet to another.

"You are the best team of investigators, this is not the answer that we expect from you!" Bhism growled, glaring down at the seven men, whose shoulders slumped.

"Forgive us your highness, we are trying our best. But, whoever they are, they are too sharp minded. There is no evidence whatsoever." The one on the left spoke, he himself was astounded by the capacity of the criminal.

Clear as the day it was obvious to everyone present, that whoever they were, they were all too smart, the way they were playing their cards out had everyone stumped.

Finding this person is going to be a feat that they feared would be difficult to be achieved.

But than again what was life without a little challenge. Time and again, with the blessings of the lord, the five sons of Pandu had achieved what many failed, and this time, they were determined to do the same.

Yudhisthir's eyes were solely focused on the seven ahead of him, they shuffled, uneasiness was  apparent in their posture.

It was not sitting well with the seven, that they had not been able to gain as much information,  as they would like.

"Whoever they are your highness, are present in this palace. Is what we can tell you or someone who has easy excess to the palace. They are well aware of the ways and are too smart." The investigators voice took a deeper note, he began stating his findings.

"Maharaj, this person had used a spell, is what we are suspecting, to contain the noises of the creature. But, in Hastinapur no one knows magic of that sort." Another investigator stated, they had done everything, had tried their level best, but not one concrete evidence was in their hand.

Magic never left a trace back, and specifically the one with spells.

Had it been an mind aura manifestation, it would have been a little easier.

Seven days of thorough investigation and no evidence.

It was a great failure, the seven had never once left one case unsolved. But, this one seemed to be too much twisted, and they really needed to level their game up.

"Your highness, we need more time. We will find them." Their leader spoke, pleading to the king. They had a reputation, and there was no way, he wanted to lose it.

Over the entire Aryavart, they had never once backed down from one case, than how could they just abandon this one?

And more than that, justice had always been their aim.

Bhism wanted to crush something, concern was boiling in him like a poisonous broth.

"Time is something that we are running short on. Day by day, that person has managed to knock more women out. First, we thought it is the creature who is doing this, but now, more than twenty five women had been put in that sleep state the way Bhanumati and Pauravi is." Vidur growled, though a patient today he too, was running low on it.

"You understand how grave this matter is. People are concerned about their safety, and no doctor is able to tell the solution for their state." Dhritrashtr growled, behind his anger was worry for his eldest born.

Duryodhan had refused to eat, and for a week now hadn't moved from beside his wives. Like this, he feared that he'll lose his son, faster than one could process.

"Maharaj give us more time." Was all the leader of the investigator could say, sorrow laced his words, he was ready to pull out his hair, what were they missing?

"A week is all you get. Now leave!" Growled Dhritrashtr, his voice bouncing off the walls. The men bowed, hurrying out.

Bhism looked around at the family room, where the five sons of Pandu, Dhritrashtr, him and Vidur had assembled.

"Who could it be?" The king of Hastinapur uttered, his voice laced with a sharpness.

"Who could be the snake who dared to betray our family." He growled the words louder, fury flaming in his eyes.

One thing was clear to him, those present in the room, won't ever do that. They were all too much focused to follow the path of righteousness to ever to this.

But the question remained, who it was than. . .

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Draupadi's POV:

"I still can't believe such a monster had entered our palace." Concern rang through Dhara's voice,  I adored her as a friend and sister, tears shined in her eyes.

Squeezing her hand in reassurance, I tried being her strength. "Don't you worry, it was nothing that my aryas couldn't handle." The answer came more easily than I had imagined.

"My aryas huh?" The teasing tone in her words, had me biting my tongue, warmth flushed my cheeks, making my heart beat at an high rate.

"From aryas to my aryas, you are falling quite fast and hard for them dear friend." Humour laced her words, her dark orbs twinkling with mischief.

Falling for them?

Again that strange warmth had my insides melting, I wanted nothing more than to shake her silly.

I don't know what was happening, but could what Dhara is saying maybe true?

"Hmm you look so much in love." She hummed in a mischievous manner, joy lighting her eyes.

"I am not in love." Even to my ears the argument sounded weak, there was no strength in that.

"Even you know that you are lying." Dhara began humour lacing her words, jumping from the bed, where we were sitting to the floor, she stood in front of me beaming like an idiot.

"Oh my god Drau! You are in love and that is so so so special." She gushed, her words a jumbled mess of excitement, it was contagious to be honest, and my heart felt extra light.

"I can't be in love." I don't know who I was trying to convince, her or me?

She snorted in a very unlady like manner rolling her eyes heavenward. "Oh please everyone around can see that you love them, and they love you. It is kinda obvious to every last person, expect you six." Her voice had a tone a tone of annoyance.

Like I was being an idiot, she huffed lifting her lehnga before flopping down beside me on the bed.

"Drau, you love them. And that's the truth denying that won't do anyone any good, neither you nor them." Softer than anything her voice grew watery, taking my hand in between hers, her gaze met mine.

It had a tinge of sadness, like some deep rooted pain sat heavily in her dark almond shaped eyes.

Her face had taken a far of look, as though she was lost in some far lane of memory, that veined around bitter sweet moments of life.

"Dhara." Shaking her, I called softly.

"I loved once a guy, you know. But he denied me, saying that he didn't love me, and one day left me all alone in the desert of life." Her eyes shined, and the pain that vibrated through them, had my heart squeezing in pain.

I could just imagine her agony, being abandoned by the one you love was such a cruel thing to be done.

Wrapping my arms around her, I pulled her in a warm hug.

How can someone not love Dhara? She's funky, she's sweet, and most of all, she's loyal.

A beautiful person overall, how can someone not love an individual as perfect as Dhara.

"It was his loss." I whispered, sadness weighed my soul, and it really was. He didn't know which gem he lost, people like her were rare, and I valued her friendship.

And the one who didn't value her, I don't think they deserved her.

She bawled her eyes out, her body wrecking with suppressed tears. In that one moment, I felt so helpless, I wanted to erase all her pain and her suffering.

But than again, she wouldn't be that amazing person had she not been through the life she had.

Our life molds us to be the beautiful people that we have turned out to be, and I wouldn't ever change anything about her.

After what felt like forever, her sobs turned into silence.

"I am such a wuss at times." She tried smiling, pulling back from me, her one's tanned skin was flushed red from all crying.

Her long nose that sported a small silver nose ring sat proudly on her face. Two thin off pink lips resting below it.

What one would summarize as normal, was her out look. But Dhara was a more beautiful soul than I could ever explain.

Her long chestnut dark curls were pulled back in a braid, a pink saree hugging her form.

"It was his loss, I agree. After only a blind man can abandon a sexy as sin woman like me." She giggled, though there was a tinge of sadness in there, she really masked her emotions expertly.

Giving her an empathic smile, and squeeze on her shoulder, I let her collect her thoughts.

"You do not know how lucky you are to have love, it is a very special gift that god has given you. Do not let it go waste, do not deny.  To love someone is the most precious present you can give anyone, for when you love someone, you give them not just a piece of your heart, but you make them your heart." A different Dhara, I saw in this moment, a very distinct one.

One who had a glimmer of hope, and joy, a shine of honesty, like she was describing a place so beautiful, that for you to comprehend you had to see it with your eyes.

The atmosphere seemed to come alive at her words, the bright sun was hidden behind the grey clouds, breeze had a playful wave to it.

Fragrance of roses and lillies that bloomed in the garden ahead, splayed everywhere in my room.

It was like nature for once was telling a story, speaking to me the untold.

Her dark orbs glimmered with a warmth that was so entrapping, it was. . .love.

It had to be.

It was familiar, yet strange, like a warm hug of Arya Arjun, playful as Arya Nakul, Caring as Arya Sehdev, protective as Arya Bheem, guiding as Arya Yudhisthir.

Love had a quality of the five men I was married to, or may it was just me.

"You know Panchi, lucky are people who receive the present of true love. And pandavas are lucky enough to get this present from a person like you, who is just so perfect." A watery edge played in her words but there was also a joy, lacing her fingers to mine.

"Even after you didn't get love in return of yours, you say this?" The words were a barest of whisper, that left my lips, her words had pulled me in a world, where I was in awe with what I was seeing and hearing.

Love.

A mysterious smile played on her lips,  one that had a zillion meanings, if I sat there to try to dispher it.

Squeezing my hand once, she licked her dried up bottom lip.

"Yes, I say this even after not receiving it in return. For love is never about getting it in return, it's all about giving. I gave him my soul, my heart, and everything that I was, and still am.

He is a fabricated part of me, as through as breathing. You cannot force someone to love you, and I understand that he didn't love me, the way I did him, and that's okay.

It's really okay. I love him with every last of my soul, and with every last of my fiber and that itself is enough for me.

You do not love someone, with the condition that they will love you back. You do not love someone by changing them according them to your will.

Doing something in exchange of another, is never love, it's business. And business is done with your mind, never your heart.

When someone matters to you more than your next breath, when you can see your universe zero down to that one person, and love them regardless of their faults and flaws.

Love is not about falling for the perfect person, but it's about falling for imperfect person flawlessly." She spoke the words so effortlessly, they were mere words, but the meaning they held promised me a universe of a sacred bond.

I was at a loss of words, my mind had too much to process.

And with a final rub on my back, she left me alone with my thoughts.

Darkness cloaked the room, clouds thickening in the sky, hiding away last of the light, thunder struck, and just like that it was pouring heavily.

The thick curtain of rain veiled the nature, monsoon had always been my favorite.

It was the season when everything was green, and beautiful.

The mind entrapping fragrance of rain mixing with soil, had been breathing deeply.

The world was same, but someone everything felt different.

Love.

A lot of poetries and writings described this one emotion, one word that practically was the base of very universe.

I had read once that, if you didn't love someone, you have never truly lived.

And now that this emotion had been nurturing in me, I had no idea.

Silly right?

A giggle bubbled passed through my lips, a serene calmness settling over my soul.

I was in love.

I was in love!

I was in love!!

I was in love!!!

Elation crashed through me,  joy was vibrating from my every pore.

I was in love.

I couldn't put in words, the realisation that it had set me in, everything was colorful, everything beautiful.

It felt like the world was suddenly under my feet. I was in love with five most beautiful people, I had ever known.

I was in love my husbands, equally and unconditionally.

Doing an excited twirl, I felt like screaming words to the world.

Rushing to the window, I let my left hand out.

Cold freezing water drops fell on it, making me giggle, playing with water, I let it slide down my palm and disappear in the lap of  mother nature. . .

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Nakul walked up to his wife's chamber, after the meeting he and his brothers had returned to their assigned jobs.

With the increasing attacks on the women, every one of them was ordered to not leave their room.

And among the five it was decided that someone would always stay with Panchaali, and when they couldn't, their trusted guards would be assigned to protect her, along with some celestial  shields, that Sehdev had put around the room.

Where the Pandavas could enter as they will, no one else could. And they had made her swear that under no circumstances she should let anyone in, the only exception to it was Dhara.

Her handmaid, his wife for some reason had befriended her. And he really had no issues with that, except now he didn't trust anyone with her.

Not even the handmaid.

The fact that someone from this palace had been planning and plotting against his wife, against them, against his family, had made him more alert.

He didn't want to leave his wife alone with anyone except themselves. He didn't want a repeat of that cursed night.

He didn't want Sehdev's vision to come true.

He so desperately wished this one to be be false.

The guards bowed as he walked down the corridor, the place that the pandavas let no one in, was today packed with soldiers.

Entering the familiar corridor of her room, he signaled with his wrist for the guards to leave, everyone did, except the one leading them.

"Anything of significance happened?" His voice held an unnatural seriousness, all the humor and playfulness had fled.

He was completely on his warrior, the last thing he wanted was for anyone to take her protection lightly, even the guard.

The guard shook his head negative, "Dhara was the only one who had visited the princess. Once in the morning with breakfast and later with lunch. And after that she had said that the princess had asked her to come spend some time with as her highness was bored.

And in the inquiring the maid, she said in that time period she stated they just talked, and just left minutes before you came my lord."  The guard gave a detailed report, earning a nod from Nakul.

"You may leave." The prince stated, bowing the guard took his leave.

The eldest son of Madri knew that interviewing Dhara on what she did with Panchaali was a little extreme but it was necessary.

They didn't want to take any chances.

Pushing the door open lightly, he silently shut it behind himself, not wanting to disturb his wife, just incase had she fallen asleep.

Among the  five it was decided that they would be staying the night with Panchaali from now on, it was of course for her safety, but they also didn't anyone of their brothers in any danger again.

Together they were invincible, and the last thing they needed now was endangering anyone of them.

His breath hitched, eyes seemed to have glued on the scenario ahead of him.

In a flowing scarlet lehnga there stood his wife.

It hugged her waist tightly, flaring at the end, the odhni that was usually on her head today rested on the floor, fallen caressly.

Her thick, dark, wavy curls that reached past her mid thigh were left caressly free, flying back with the wind.

Her skin was glistening with the occasional drops of water, on her cheeks, and neck.

She was sight for sore eyes.

Scarlet suited her the best, and roses looked all the more beautiful when they were pinned in the back of her head, in a curving manner, creating an illusion like the waterfall of dark gorgeous tresses was falling from the band of roses.

In a trance, he walked up to her.

His feet moving without his permission, like he was in a trance, all he could see was her beautiful face, that had a distinct glow today.

The joy on her face made it glow all the more radiantly.

The olden embers in her dark eyes burned brightly today, their inferno stroking a warm flame of happiness, and an emotion he couldn't really place his finger on.

Wrapping his arms around her curvy waist, he pulled her, a gasp of surprise left her mouth, her back meeting his hard chest.

"Arya Nakul." The whisper had a tinge a surprise, but the certainty that it was him, had him raising a brow.

Lowering his head to her nape, he let his chin rest on her shoulder. Pulling her all the more harder in himself.

"How did you know?" His voice had taken a huskier note, warm breath fanning on her sensitive nape, while he turned his head to whisper the words in her ear.

The tantalizing scent of blue loutuses teased his senses, it was like a heady drug, that was slowly blocking out the world.

The heavy sound of the rainfall disappearing into nothing, all he could hear was her breathing, that was increasing with every passing second.

"How did you know?" He repeated his question, he knew the effect he was having on her, the short pants of her breathing, the slight shivering at his words, and the flushing of her cheeks were indication enough.

And he loved every response, it made him feel a strange satisfaction knowing that, he was the reason.

"Your touch." Her words were softest, barely above a whisper, but he heard them, and it made his heart beat with an extra vigor.

Gliding the tip of his fingers in a manner, that they were lighter than feather on the soft skin of her waist.

She felt softer than silk, a violent tremor wrecked her body, making his heart beat rapidly.

"You are amazing." Whispering in her ear, he pressed his lips to her velvety skin.

Passion flared up in him, making his heart throb with a strange warmth, he wanted to hide her from the entire world.

There was just something about her, which pulled him to her,  there was something so strong between them, that it was almost tangible, he could feel it.

Almost like the air.

A gasp left her mouth, making his heart jump with excitement, he let his lips wrap around her smooth, velvety skin.

It was a moan this time.

Thrill and exhilaration pumped through his veins.

"Drau." He whispered her name like a sacred prayer. The desire to have her closer, to hold her hard was strong.

It was unlike anything before,  and she, was unlike anyone before.

Like his own personal angel, who had descended on earth, for him and his brothers.

Pressing butterfly kisses on her buttery skin, was like a compulsion he couldn't avoid.

It was a need, she was his need, more than the next gulp of oxygen.

"Arya." Her moan had his grip tightening, the beast in him wanted her, it wanted to savor and devor her.

Till she was nothing but just an extension of him, he wanted to do things with her, that he knew, if he revealed, she would flush the most gorgeous shade of scarlet.

Her crimson cheeks made her look all the more beautiful,  flipping her in his arms, he pressed her hard against the nearby pillar.

Fevorently kissing his way down her long neck, he let himself lose. His grip tightened on her waist, making her body come alive with sensations.

Flames bursted in her, burning her in the most delicious of ways. His lips were moving on her nape hungrily, his grip rough on her.

Her heart nearly threatened to burst out of her chest, sensations were driving her crazy.

Kaleidoscope of emotions bursted in her, flooding her with a warmth that was slowly heating her body, his rough calloused fingers caressed the softest of her curves.

Touching her in a manner no man ever had dared, leaving a trail of fire on his wake.

Her grip tightened on his back, pulling him closer to herself.

Lifting his head, his eyes tried to memorise every last of the detail of her flushed face.

Shyness flooded her system, she turned her away, freeing herself from his arms, she ran.

Making him chuckle, his heart melting at her adorableness.

She robbed his heart a little more everyday, he knew he was falling fast and hard for her.

If not already in love.

"Drau!" He exclaimed, following her, chuckles leaving his mouth, freezing at the threshold of the balcony.

Thick curtains of rain, making it impossible for her to move.

His hands rested on either side of the doorways, she turned to face him, her heart beating violently in her chest,  her cheeks flushed darkest shade of red, heightening her beauty.

"Let me go." She whispered,  trying to sidestep him, her heart was a mess, excitement pulsed with pleasure.

"And if I say no?" He challenged playfully.

Mischief unfurled in her, eyes twinkling with mirth, he raised a questioning brow.

Behind her back, she collected a little rain water in her palm, "Than there are consequences." Golden embers in her dark irises cackled with a warm blaze.

"And they don't scare me." His hot whisper caressed her lips, as he was suddenly in her space, his lips inches from hers.

Goosebumps broke throughout her skin, where was she getting all this emotions? She wasn't really sure.

She had always been a quite timid girl, but love had done something magical to her.

She wanted to get out of that space, that she had locked herself up in mentally, where she thought it would be safe,  because when you showed the world real you, they judged, and she feared.

But with him, she wanted to step out of that room, she desired to be someone who can they be proud of.

That maybe, just maybe, for them, she could be the best version of herself.

Words died before they even reached her lips, he was handsome.

Even more so now, with the way he was looking at her, like she was the sun around which his world revolved.

He was gazing at her with an intensity that spoke secrets of his heart, like she was the only one for him.

One person he had ever loved.

He refused to break the stare, and she, no matter how hard she tried, couldn't do it.

He took a step ahead.

She took one back.

And they continued this dance, till the two were under the open sky, cold droplets greeted them in a vigorous embrace.

"You'll get cold." She whispered in trance, her eyes holding his, amshe took another step back.

"I don't care." He stated back in a distant tone, too lost in her to care about the world around.

"Someone will see." Her voice was softer.

"I don't care."

"Why are you following me?" She questioned this time,

"Because your mine."

"A marriage doesn't make me yours." She whispered.

"Your heart does." Was his simple reply.

"What if it doesn't belong to you?" Barest of whisper.

"Lies have never been your strong suite." His tone had turned deeper, eyes all the more intense, threatening to entrap her in those dark orbs, that seemed to promise her the world.

"How long are you willing to follow me?" She whispered, her heart was roaring aloud, his words igniting it to pump all the more harder.

She continued stepping back,  he continued to take a step ahead, matching her pace.

"Till the last breath of my life." Honesty rang in his words.

"What if someday I get lost?" She whispered,  turning her head sideways.

The intensity in the air, just seemed to blaze up, knocking her breath nearly out of her lungs.

It was as though he was touching her, just not physically.

"I will find you. Everytime. " Confidence rang in his words, and he meant every last one of them.

"What if you can't?" She asked, her voice barest of whisper.

"The universe not big enough to keep us separated, Drau. It's a sin, and they know it. And no matter the cost, the time, or even the dangers, I'll find you everytime, you can't escape us." The words were barely above whisper, and they just reached her ears, but the intensity they held were unlike anything before.

"Why should I trust you?" Her words faded,  fear slammed in her hard, taking another step back in trance, she hadn't noticed that she was at the edge.

The back of her knees hit hard on the railing, toppling her back.

Things seemed to slow down, a scream lodged in her throat, gravity threatening to pull her hard in it's embrace.

A hand gripped hers, strong, sturdy fingers wrapped around hers, halting her her fall to her demise.

She hung precariously over the edge, her top half almost airborne.

Confidence screamed in his posture, his face was a mask of calmness, those sinfully intense dark eyes still focused on her.

Without missing a beat he continued.

"You already do. And trust me I would never let you down. I will protect you from all the dangers, those you can see, and those you can't.

I'll respect you're every decision, and care for you to the best of capabilities.

You are a beautiful person Drau, all too precious. And I will be your protector."

Soft words, with deep meanings, his eyes spoke honesty to her, and that made her melt right where she stood.

Slow as the wind, he pulled her towards himself, refusing to look away.

His strong bands of arms wrapped around her waist, holding her hard against his chest.

His gaze held hers, air cackling with an intensity, that bound them stronger together.

He lowered his head, his lips barely touching hers.

Her heart beat vigorously with an anticipation, making her breath hitch.

Her lids shut in their accord, his lips met hers.

Sparks flooded her system,  making her toes curl, her fingers tightening on his shoulder.

He moved his fingers to her drenched curls, fisting them, pulling her harder against him.

His lips wove a story, one that promised her love, a future, and them as together. His lips knitted a universe of emotions that raged in him, love, compassion and protectiveness.

More than anything he felt he needed her, sparks ignited,  and for the first time in what seemed like forever, he felt he was home.

There was just no other way to put it in words, she was his home.

The warm, comforting and loving place, where he return to everytime, not only because he needed, but wanted to.

Time and space lost their meaning, now that she was in his arms, entire universe seemed to have compressed in her bones and the galaxies knitted in her eyes.

And it was the moment when he knew,  why it didn't ever work before with anyone else.

It was now that he knew, why he had gone through so many failed relationships.

It was because the universe had something greater planned for him, something way out of the box, and someone who if described, would feel like an illusion.

But she was reality.

And she was his.

His most beautiful reality, a dream that he seemed to live every waking moment with her.

Pulling her closer, his tongue entered her mouth, playing with hers, kissing her deeper.

Draupadi felt as though he was kissing her soul, rather than her body, he was reaching so deep in her soul, like he was weaving a part of himself there.

Tying them as one.

It felt so much more than just a physical movement of lips, it was as though hid soul  was speaking to hers.

Like a heady drug she intoxicated him.

Breaking the kiss, he let his forehead rest against hers.

Their breathing came in hot pants, just soaking in the others warmth.

He cupped her cheeks, his eyes gazing at her with all the intensity of the world.

Pressing his lips against her forehead, he let himself just feel her for a moment,  holding himself still.

"You're the best blessing of the lord over me." He whispered, meaning every word he said.

And stealing her heart once again. . .

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

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