Hours had passed, pandavas sat around the bed, gazing at their wife, who lay unconscious.

Her dark, thick lashes rested against the plush skin of her cheeks. Concern bubbling in their heart.

"She will be fine." Whispered Duryodhan, his heart hurt for his cousins, seeing them in pain, made his heart ache.

"Yes bhraata, jiji will be fine." Bhanumati whispered, gazing at the pandavas, who just nodded.

Bhanumati's eyes focused on Draupadi, Pauravi sitting beside her on the couch.

"She has to be." Pauravi stated, her voice thick with emotions.

"I had done so much to harm her, yet she helped our arya, helped me, I don't know if she will forgive me."

Guilt crunched in the pit of Pauravi's stomach, making her heart weigh like a dead weight.

"Don't cry jiji. Our Drau is very strong, she will be fine, and you know the best part? She has a big heart. She will forgive you. We will live like sister's together." The second wife of Duryodhan said in a soft voice.

Duryodhan's eyes moved towards the two women, he loved the most, they were fine, and for once he could breath again normally.

He didn't feel dead, and all that was because of his cousins. They had returned him his life, and Panchaali, she had returned him his very family.

Concern for her intensified with every passing second.

"What does the vitals say?" Draupadi's first husband inquired, his eyes focused on his wife.

Taking her hand in his Yudhisthir sat beside her on their bed, fingers of his other hand running through her thick tresses.

In a soothing rhythmic motion.

He along with his brothers hadn't spoken much, almost like their lives had ceased the moment she fainted.

"I am pretty sure, she fainted because of fear and distress. She should be awake soon." Sehdev grunted the words, while his twin patched up his wounds.

Stitching up some open wounds, as he spoke. "And thank God for that, I swear I would have torn that bastard into pieces had he dared to pull a stunt on her."

Like a subdued thunder, his words rumbled through Nakul's chest, jaw setting, trying to distract himself, he focused on the wound ahead of him.

"Drau." Bheem crooned from the other side where he sat, his fingers caressing her cheek.

"She will be fine." Duryodhan assured, walking up to his second cousin, giving his shoulder a squeeze.

"I know that. Logically, my mind does. But, my heart? Stupid organ is not willing to believe. Seeing her laying this vulnerable just makes it hurt." Rasped the second son of Kunti, emotions warring in him, reflecting on his torn expression.

"Trust me, I understand." A heaviness weighed in the words of eldest Kaurav, his eyes fleeting towards his wives.

"Stress triggered this, didn't it?" Arjun's words sounded distant, sitting across from the bed, his hands resting on his knees.

As he leaned forward, tears stung his eyes, but he refused to cry. His eyes hued red, from the lack of sleep, tiredness and concern.

Sehdev's gaze locked with his brother's, and that was all the confirmation needed.

Their silent understanding zapping through the air.

"Since the day she has stepped here, things are not going well for her. I find her crying most of the time, the stress is constantly high." Third pandav began, pain reflecting in his words.

Others turned to face him. His gaze however, stayed glued on the girl, who lay asleep.

Tears stung his eyes, helplessness weaving in him.

"The constant stress, and tears I feel is all, that we have given her. This needs to be changed." He gritted the words, furious at himself, and the world around.

Why her? Damn it!

"You are right. Things need to change around here. Now that the danger is elevated for awhile, we take the precautions, increase the security, and for awhile return to normal. No one asks her what that stalker said, or anything about them in general." The commanding voice of the eldest son of Kunti filled the room.

Earning nods of agreement.

"That should be best. You all should spend sometime with her bhraatashree." Bhanumati suggested, a soft smile playing on her lips.

A grunt had their heads snapping towards the bed.

Panchaali's face scrunched up in pain, her hand shooting towards her forehead, where a pulsing ache rested.

"Drau!" Voices chorused.

A wave of happiness and relief washed over the room, the pandavas rushing towards her, wide smiles playing on the lips of those present.

The dark cloak of sadness lifting.

"Drau." Relief tangled with joy, everyone stepping closer, surrounding the bed.

"How are you feeling?" Yudhisthir asked, rubbing her back, his concern heavy in his words.

"Does something hurt?" Arjun shot the question after him. "Here drink this." Sehdev brought the glass of water to her lips, helping her drink the water.

"I am feeling good, just a little headache. But I am fine." She assured gazing around, at the concerned faces.

Bhanumati sat beside her, interlacing their hands. "Thank you, is not a word enough I can use to protray my gratitude for all that you have done." She whispered, voice thick with emotions.

Panchaali shook her head lightly, "we are a family, I did what anyone would." She replied.

Bhanumati's heart clutched, if only everyone was as sweet as she was, Hastinapur would have been a different place. She thought gazing at Panchaali, a blessing to Hastinapur.

Nodding Bhanumati wrapped her arms around her sister in law. "Thank you." She whispered none the less, her voice thick with gratitude.

Pauravi stepped ahead, her hand resting on Bhanumati's shoulder.

"I don't know, if you can forgive me after all that I have done. I just want to say that I am sorry, I really regret doing all that I..." Her words faded, throat tightening, gazing at the floor.

She had no strength to meet Panchaali's eyes, fearing to see the hatred that most in this palace reflected.

One person, who had willingly stepped towards them, to be their friend, and Pauravi had ruined all the chances of that friendship.

"I don't expect you to forgive." She whispered, trying to hold herself together, tears trekking down her cheeks, she sniffed.

"But just know that, I am really, really sorry. In my haze of anger, I never realised, how I became the very same person, I once despised. . ." Sobs wrecked her body, she broke down crying.

Guilt weighing heavily in the pit of her stomach.

Hands wrapped around her shoulders, making her look up. Pauravi was surprised to see Draupadi smiling at her.

"Family forgives. I am your family right?" She asked turning her slightly sideways making her sister in law look up.

A zillion words orbited in her mind, tears stung in the eyes of eldest wife of Duryodhan.

For how long had she wished for someone to just understand her? And what felt like forever, someone had.

Someone had.

Tears trekked down her cheeks, sobbing hard, she threw her hands around Draupadi's neck.

Who hugged her back just as fiercely, a watery grin playing on her lips.

Duryodhan smiled, vision blurring with tears, pulling Bhanumati in a sideways hug. Pressing his lips to her forehead.

"Damn. I never knew crying could be contagious." Humor tainted the words of the eldest twin, who sneakily wiped the corner of his eye, wiping off the tear.

The pandavas and Duryodhan shared a look, identical amused grins playing on their lips.

"Shut up Nakul." They chorused together, humor echoing through every word, laughter filled the room.

Breathing in deeply, Pauravi gave Panchaali a bright smile. "Rest up now. We'll catch up later."

"Good night Drau." The two wives of Duryodhan chorused, "Good night lady annoyance." Duryodhan hollered walking out, earning another round of laughter.

"Drauuuuu!!!" Nakul sang her name throwing his arms around her neck, earning a surprised squeak. "I missed you so much." He said in loud dramatic voice.

Warmth filled her cheeks, making her heart skip a beat.

"This people bore me so much I tell you. My brothers are always so so boring. Poor me, have to bear with them all the time." He whined, earning another set of giggle, and a chop on his head.

"Ow! The princes of Hastinapur are doing domestic violence. Breaking laws. Drau do something." Eldest twin exaggerated, humor bubbling in his words.

Earning an eye roll from his brothers, smirks playing on their lips.

"Did you hear that?" Bheem asked Arjun, who nodded at the accusation of his younger brother.

"Now that we are accused, I think we might as well live up to it." Added the third son of Kunti, sharing a smug look with his brothers.

"Hey!" With almost no warning Arjun and Sehdev arrested each of the elder twin's wrists in their hands, Bheem and Yudhisthir doing the same for his both legs.

Identical mischievous grins on their faces.

"I am your brother." Nakul whined. "Hence all the more reason for this!" Added Sehdev, laughter tainting his words, the four carried him right in front of the bed.

Amusement was thick in the air, four shooting the elder son of Madri smug smiles.

"On the count of three!" Yudhisthir hollered, "And three!" He shouted, laughter ringing in his words, the four tossed him high in the air.

Nakul squealed like a girl, Bheem applied a little extra force tossing him high, almost touching the roof.

"What happened to one and two?!" The eldest son of Madri shouted zooming down towards the floor.

Panchaali watched wide eyed, her breath nearly abandoning her system in worry, but before he could touch the ground, the four gripped his each limb back.

"No! No! No!" He half screamed panicked, "Oh Nakul don't be so boring." Arjun tossed back earning laughter, the four tossed him up again.

He screamed, "Arey I am your brother, your blood." He hollered, half panicked. He zoomed down, and the four caught him again, Panchaali giggled hard.

"He's right, he is our blood." Yudhisthir began. "Hence he needs to be thrown higher! Shower the love." Hollered Sehdev, earning laughs from his brothers.

And that's what they did tossing him harder in the air. "Let me go!" Nakul hollered, the four shared a look. "That's what he wants." Arjun said solemnly, humor rang through his words, the four caught him again.

And instead of throwing him upward, they began swinging sideways. "On the count of ten!" Bheem shouted, humor tainting his words, "One." Arjun called.

"Ten!" Sehdev half laughed and half said, the four let go, and Nakul screamed on top of his lungs, slamming hard in the couch, that cushioned his fall.

Tears trekked the corner of corner of Panchaali's eyes, her stomach hurt, she doubled over laughing.

Her laughter ringing throughout the room. Nakul and the four froze amidst their sibling arguments.

Their eyes travelling to the giggling girl, their faces softened, losing all the will to argue.

And for a second just losing themselves, world faded, seeming all to useless.

Heat rushed to her cheeks, noticing the sudden silence. Their gazes focusing on her, as though her laughter was the most beautiful thing that they had heard.

"What?" She questioned, turning her head sideways, like an adorable confused puppy.

The pandavas grinned, "What?" Bheem asked back, humor tainting his words.

"What What?" Panchaali asked back, frowning confused. "What? You were asking what? So tell me what." The second son of Kunti teased further.

"What I meant. . ." Her voice faded, realising he was teasing, noticing the amused looks on their faces.

Rolling her eyes, she couldn't hide the smile tracing her lips. Joy and warmth unfurling.

Things were getting back to normal she just hoped, they lasted forever.

Sehdev snapped a finger in front of her face, making her blink out of her thoughts, "Penny for your thoughts?" A smile played on his lips.

Talking a seat beside her, he began checking her vitals. "You seem to do well. Anything hurts?" He asked, tracing the back of her hand with his thumb.

Warmth filled her cheeks, she shook her head lightly. "No. Everything feels alright." She whispered.

"Great! Things are getting back to normal, and it is time for us to return our section of palace. I love everything here, but I miss the serenity and silence, without all the guards and maids." Bheem stated, flopping down on the bed.

Resting his head in his wife's lap, who smile ruffling his hair, earning a bright grin from him.

"I so agree." Nakul stated, stretching, sitting up on the couch. "And maybe we can have a game night." Arjun suggested.

"A fantastic plan." Yudhisthir added, nodding in approval. His gaze travelling to his wife.

Things had been quite stressful for her, and for now he wanted her to focus on her health.

He was itching to ask her about her encounter with their attacker, but her health came first.

Pushing down the urge, he gave her a smile. Things needed to change a bit. . .

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Duryodhan walked in his room with his wives. "Pandavas are so lucky to have a bride like Panchaali." Bhanumati stated, beaming.

"They are. She is really sweet, but don't you ever tell that I ever said that." Duryodhan warned, his eyes settling on his wives, who giggled, lighting his heart.

"Dhara?" Pauravi asked surprised, gazing at Panchaali's friend, who lowered a tray on the side table, her eyes moving to the three.

Nervousness settled in the pit of stomach, unsure of what do to. "What are you doing here?" Inquired the elder bride of Duryodhan, curiosity colouring her words.

"Maharani Gandhari has sent this milk for you three." Replied the maid, her heart hammering in her chest.

"You know we won't eat you right?" Humor tainted the words of the eldest Kaurav, gazing at the girl ahead of him.

"Itcho." She mumbled nervously.

"What did you just say?" Duryodhan's voice took a deeper tone, his eyes squinting on the girl ahead of him.

His heart hammered wildly, hope raising it's head in his heart. Could she be Meera?

He thought to himself, "Huh?" Dhara pretended to not be confused, biting her tongue, mentally kicking herself for the almost slip of tongue.

"What did you just say?" He demanded, nervousness and hope warring in him. "I..I..." She stumbled, heart hammering wildly.

"Arya." Bhanumati called snapping him almost out of his maddening haze, his head snapped sideways towards her.

Resting her hand on his shoulder, she gave him a comforting smile. "Bhanu." He whispered, pain heavy in his words.

He never expected, that after years, someone would scratch the centuries old wound again.

"You may leave Dhara." Pauravi said calmly, the gears in her mind changing rapidly, noticing the girl ahead of her jump at her words, before rushing out.

The lone that traced down her cheek, didn't go unnoticed.

Grears in Pauravi's mind changed, raising a brow.

"It was just a coincident arya." Bhanu assured, her voice soft, rubbing her husband's arm.

Who pulled her in a hug. Trying to ease the storm of agony raging in his heart.

But Pauravi didn't think so, things never just happened coincidently. She recalled Meera.

Though she never met the girl, she remembered still in clear vivid details the way Duryodhan had spoken of her.

Meera.

The one person he had befriended over letters. A girl who through her letters had formed a friendship, and later love.

The funniest part?

They never met. Not once. He had tried a hundred ways to find the girl, to meet her, but it was like she never existed.

No one knew a 'Meera'.

It had always been a puzzle for Pauravi, when Duryodhan had told her that the letters would 'appear' in his room.

It now made more sense, if Meera was Dhara, than placing letters in Duryodhan's room, and taking the letters he wrote for her, wouldn't be difficult for her.

It all made so much sense now, the little puzzles that she always had about Meera.

It always hurt her, that to save her and Bhanu, Duryodhan had lost his first love.

And it hurt him, hurt him enough, that he destroyed every last of her reminders, all her letters, and blocked her name from their life.

For so long even she had believed, that it was her fault that Duryodhan had lost his first love.

But if it was Dhara, maybe just, maybe Pauravi would be able to fix that was once broken because of her.

"Pauravi." Her husband called snapping her out of her thoughts. She blinked, her gaze clashing with his.

"Which world are you lost in love?" He crooned, taking her hand in his, her heart thumped in her chest, forcing a smile she stepped closer in her arms.

"Just wondering how good pandavas and Panchaali look together." Stated Pauravi, a smile playing on her word.

"They do. It's a sad thing they haven't proposed to Panchaali yet. I don't think my brothers even realise that they are in love." Duryodhan stated with a chuckle.

"What?!" His wives chorused together,  shock lacing their voices. The two sisters looked at each other, like their husband had just told them the moon is pink.

"You are kidding right?" Bhanumati asked, there was just no way. "Nope, I am very much serious." The eldest Kaurav stated half amused.

"What in the heaven is wrong with the men of Hastinapur. I mean you guys are fantastic warriors but when it comes to love, I feel you all have been taking love lectures from Pitahmah." Bhanumati stated, her voice laced in half horror.

Earning a laughter from Duryodhan, humor tainting his baritone.

"Shouldn't we do something?" Suggested the younger bride of Bhanumati, Pauravi's eyes twinkled.

"Yes! We need to play cupid! Make them realise their love." Excitement pumped through their veins of the two, jumping on their feet.

"I don't think. . ." Duryodhan began.

But the two were not even listening. "Oh we need to get the others on board." Bhanumati stated excited.

"Listen-" Duryodhan began.

"Mata Kunti and Bhanumati." Pauravi added enthusiastic. "Even other Kaurav Patnis." Added Bhanumati.

"Are you even listening?!" Shouted Duryodhan, espergarated, but it was like they never heard him.

"Maybe even Dushasan and others." Pauravi added ignoring him.

Duryodhan facepalmed gazing at the ceiling,  oh lord what had he unleashed?

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

"This is a matter of grave concern." Began Pauravi, her voice laced with a seriousness, as though discussing matter of life and death.

"Men of Kuruvanshi household are all so same." Kunti added espergarated, shaking her head.

"I swear, Maharaj Dhritrashtr was in denial for so long, as though he was not in love, but instead diagnosed with cancer." Gandhari sighed annoyed.

"And don't even get me started on Rajkumar Dushasan. Can you imagine how Rajkumar had proposed me?" Sughanda said espergarated.

"Sugandha, you are the most fortunate one. I have chosen you as my bride." Sugandha mimicked Dushasan's voice, earning giggles from the other four.

"We need to do something." Added Pauravi. "Does anyone has a plan?" Bhanumati asked.

"How about we send them on a trip?" Added Gandhari.

"To leave this men to debate whether their heart is beating because of love, or because they suddenly developed a chronic heart problems." Stated Bhanumati, rolling her eyes humor tainting her words.

Earning rounds of laughter from all around the room.

"Sorry, we are late." Dhritrashtr walked in with Bhism, Duryodhan and Dushasan.

"We need your help." Gandhari stated, standing up to face the door. Pauravi explained the situation, a silence descended on the room.

The males all sharing looks. "Any plans?" Asked Dushasan confused.

"I have a plan." Bhism stated grinning broadly, surprise fleeted on the faces of all. "Really?!" Duryodhan asked half shocked.

"Yes, come closer." Bhism said beckoning them all closer.

"How about we send them to hanuman temple,  it's where I go for peace." Stated Devrath excitedly, smiles wavered, as the excitement dropped of others.

"Hanuman temple?" Bhanumati asked, "Pitahmah." The dragged the word, facepalming.

"What?" Devrath asked confused, what was wrong with Hanuman temple?

"Nevermind. I have an idea!" Exclaimed Bhanumati. "Every morning Draupadi goes to collect flowers for Pooja." Bhanumati began.

"So we remove all the flowers from all the other plants, except the really high ones. At the same time Arya would be walking there with one of the pandavas, and maybe than excuse himself.  As her husband they will have to help her by lifting her. They'll have a moment." Bhanumati stated.

The others hummed. "Yes, that may work." Pauravi added, tapping her chin. A smile playing on her lips.

"Please, let's try this." Bhanumati whined.

"Yes, we will. But we will also need another scenario for others." Kunti reminded, pacing the room, deep in her thoughts.

"Jealousy!" Shouted Pauravi, a megawatt grin tracing her lips. "Jealousy?" The others chorused, confusion filtered their faces.

"Yes!" Pauravi exclaimed excitedly. "Yes!" The women chorused, the moment the matter clicked in. "Yes?" The men asked confused, jealousy?

"Let the game begin!" The women chorused, laughter ringing in their words. . .

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