"Ayushman?" Duryodhan asked confused, entering in his room, who sat hurdled on his bed.

"You! You are my enemy not my best friend!" Grumbled the prince of Saurashtr, rubbing his sore neck.

Duryodhan raised his brow, a smirk plastering on his lips.

"Well, I think you came face to face with Pandavas dark side." He concluded, flopping on the bed, beside his friend.

Ayushman's jaw dropped, "You! You are one big asshole. The biggest to ever be birthed on this planet earth!"

"Didn't you feel one bit of regret sending a handsome face like mine to get killed?" He grumbled, glaring at Duryodhan, who pretended to think.

"Nope!" He said popping the 'p'. A smirk playing on his lips.

"And as a shameless man you are saying 'no' as well. Arey, at least lie to me man." He snapped, complaining as he sat on the ground folding his legs.

"Being brother of great Dharmraj, I never lie!" Stated the eldest Kaurav, humor tainting his words.

"And that was the biggest lie of this century." The prince of Saurashtr dead panned.

"Oh come on. You are behaving as though you never saw this side of them." The husband of Pauravi muttered, gazing at his friend.

"Well it was never aimed at me, so pardon me, if I nearly died, awhile back." Complained the prince, Duryodhan sighed sitting up, facing him.

"Look I can they be a little intese-"

"A little?" Ayushman challenged.

"Oh okay, okay. I know they can be pretty intense, but they will never harm you. Because you are like a brother to Panchaali." He explained gazing at the prince of Saurashtr.

"Hurting you, would cause her pain, and that is something I can cross my life on, my brothers won't ever hurt her."  He assured, giving Ayushman's shoulder a squeeze.

"But the problem here is, that they don't really know, that I am her brother!" He snapped, fuming at the man ahead of him.

The eldest brother of Dushasan chuckled. "But they sure know you are important to her."

"And that is the whole point why they nearly gave me a one way ticket to hell." Groaned the prince of Saurashtr, falling back on the ground, gazing at the ceiling.

"You and I, we both know. You are not going to leave. So, I don't know why I am trying to convince someone, who is already convinced to begin with." Stated the husband of Bhanumati.

All he got was an answering hum.

"You are right, I am not going to leave. Because for the first time in my life I have seen someone love Panchi so utterly and crazily." He began, a genuine smile making its way on his lips.

"You know back in Panchaal, she was always so seculed and distant. She was a part of the family, yet lonely. " On he went, a sadness looming in his eyes.

"Except me, the queen and Dhri, I never saw anyone make a real effort to bind with her." Duryodhan frowned hearing the words, how can someone not like Draupadi?

The idea seemed so bizarre to him. Draupadi was impossible to be hated.

"But here, Drau has made a life for herself, earned a place in this family.  And have been blessed with husbands, who love her so utterly." A glint of joy lingered in the eyes of the prince of Saurashtr, genuinely happy for his friend.

"From the very start, I and Dhri, always worried because she was so innocent, she would get so easily manipulated and hurt."

A distant look marred the face of Ayushman, he chuckled recalling all the measures, he and Dhri had taken to protect her.

Those were some crazy days.

"But, seeing the pandavas today, if nothing else as a brother I am assured that she is in safe hands." Duryodhan knew exactly what his friend meant.

For Dushala, he all his brothers and cousins, alike could do anything.

Even back when they were enemies, it didn't stop them from working together, if it was Dushala on line.

"She has got perfect husbands, who become her friends one minute, lovers the next, a protector in another, and anything in between those lines."

Ayushman went on, glee reflecting in his words.

"It's this little things, that makes it all worth it. The way the pandavas gaze at Drau, like she is the sun, around which their world orbits around."

A chuckle sneaked past the lips of the prince of Saurashtr. The great mighty warriors who bowed to none, who knew would bow for his sister.

"The little actions that show their love instead of saying it. I think that is the best kind of way to express love; through actions.

Words can lie. Actions can't." He whispered, a sheen of happy tears reflecting in his eyes.

"And they do it everytime.  They may may not use words, but they express their love through their actions towards her." His voice thickened with emotions.

"May it be in the feather light touches and care with which Bheem caresses her. Having the amount of power he does, he could easily hurt her." He pointed out the obvious.

"But the amount of effort the guy takes, to keep a check on his power is commendable." Duryodhan added, a happy laugh added.

Things had changed drastically around the royals of Hastinapur, since the young princess of Panchaal had stepped in.

"Or the way Nakul doesn't hesitate to make a fool of himself, just to make her smile." Ayushman added, grinning like a fool.

"Sehdev who doesn't utter a word, is vocal when it comes to her. You and I, we both know, how much of a reserved person he is. But with her, all his inhibitions just flies out of the window." Duryodhan pointed.

"And the way Arjun's eyes soften everytime he gazes at her, no matter how angry, how furious he is. The moment she enters the room, he stomps everything down because she'll get scared. " Ayushman commented.

"And let's not forget the big badass eldest Kuruvanshi. The all too calm confident leader, known for his mighty famous calmness losses every last bit of it, the moment it's her who is at line."

The son of Dhritrashtr stated, chuckling.

"And the little things they do, the patience they show, the lack of irritation at her any action. The affectionate smiles, the shared glances, if this ain't love, I don't know what is." Ayushman stated, with a sigh.

"And we just need them to confess." The eldest Kaurav said. Ayushman snorted, "Ya, but I'll still say, you Kuruvanshi brothers are assholes." He grumbled rubbing his tender neck.

Duryodhan just chuckled, shaking his head. They weren't Kuruvanshi, if they weren't crazy. . .

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A heavy darkness curtained the practice area. Bheem's fury fueled his every punch that spelled death with each strike.

Sweat beaded his body, making his well defined muscles glisten like a gem.

His handsome face contorting with wrath, his soul was burning in the blaze of his rage, jealousy just intensifying the poisonous broth.

"Bheem." Yudhisthir's voice reverberated off the walls, his gaze settling on his brother, who was dead set on destroying every last of his practice assets.

The second son of Kunti breathed heavily, a menacle glint shining in his once soulful eyes.

Bheem lacked his control over his anger, it was no secret. And when he went in this haze, it often took him days together, to get out of it.

"Here have some water." Arjun said managing to reign in the beast, that had sneaked out awhile back.

Bheem's scarlet gaze, settled on the silver glass that rested on the tray. Wrapping his hand around it, he picked it up.

His restrain over his power seemed to have lost, the glass crumbling in his hand like a made of paper and not silver.

The second son of Pandu growled, slamming the now chapped glass on the floor.

"Take the time you need. Remember we'll be waiting up. Don't wear yourself too much." Yudhisthir said evenly, his hand resting on the shoulder of his brother.

Who nodded, the almost crazed rage stirring deep in him.

Yudhisthir's nodded at Arjun, signalling him to follow him out. With a last lingering look at Bheem, the third born of Kunti walked behind his eldest.

Shutting the door on his way out.

"Jyest, I am concerned." Confessed the man who won Draupadi's hand in swayamvar. Worry reflecting in his words.

"I know anuj, so am I. But we know that he will be fine. He just needs to control his rage, just needs time. Bheem has a great amount of energy, and to restrain something that volatile requires time. He will be fine." Assured the eldest of Pandav.

"I know that, but we have to make sure, no one comes down here. Last time when one of the guards had dared to walk in, poor man got nearly maimed to death." Arjun recalled.

"Yes. Instruct the guards to let anyone slip past the gates." Commanded the crowned prince, talking the staircase, that would lead them to the palace. . .

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Panchaali hummed and stirred the kheer, where had Bhraata Ayush disappeared?

She wondered, picking up the bowl of dry fruits and adding a bulk of it. Arya Bheem would surely love it.

A shy smile traced her lips, thinking of him.

"Yum, this fragrance is so mouthwatering Drau." Dhara exclaimed walking in with a vegetable basket.

Keeping on the side, she rushed to her friend, who giggled, putting the fire off, and covering the kheer with a lid.

"Let me get some out for the offerings of God, and than you may have." She said, earning an excited squeal from Dhara, who threw her arms around the princess of Panchaal.

"You are just so amazing." She gushed, kissing her cheeks, illiciting a giggle from her friend.

"Well, I am now, ain't I?" Draupadi asked playfully. "Wow! I am so hungry." Pauravi stated walking in, rubbing her stomach.

"Not more than me." Bhanumati protested, humor tainting her words. "There is enough for everyone."

Panchaali assured, removing the lid and taking some kheer in the silver bowls.

Followed by preparing a platter of delicacies, that she had prepared.

"How about we go and offer the prasad to god, so everyone can begin lunch?" Suggested the wife of pandavas, earning nods from the three women.

"Come Dhara." Pauravi said interlacing her elbow with Dhara's, who jumped in half surprise, half shock.

"But princess-"

"Oh none of that! Call me Pauravi, any friend of Panchaali is mine as well." Stated the first wife of Duryodhan, grinning broadly.

"Yes! Jiji is right." Bhanumati said excitedly, rubbing her baby bump.

Dhara gazed at the two with hesitantcy. She was so used to the Pauravi being a snob, that now changes seemed a little too scary.

The instinctive fear of the first wife of Duryodhan, had her soul trembling, the same way it did through all this years.

It was true that the first wife of Duryodhan had changed, Dhara's mind understood that.

But, how does one undo a terror she had learned to live with, half her life.

She just nodded, a look of hurt flashed on Pauravi's face, who instantly hid it behind a smile.

But the handmaid saw it. Guilt sneaked in her heart, with trembling fingers, she wrapped them around Pauravi's.

"I will try, I promise. Please just give me time." She whispered, a smile made it's way on the lips of the first wife of Duryodhan.

"And that's all I ask. I am real sorry, for all the things I have done. Trust me, I regret every last one of those." Sadness and guilt weighed heavily in the words of Pauravi, who clutched Draupadi's handmaid's hands in her.

Sincerity ringing in her words, desperate to make amends with Dhara, possibly Meera.

The young first love of Duryodhan. That she had unknowingly come in between.

Dhara smiled, a genuine one.

"It is all forgiven. Past is called past for a reason. And what kind of a princess would you be, if not for a little attitude?" She teased, a glint of tears shining in her eyes.

Pauravi giggled despite herself, nodding at the kind woman.

Maybe if she had just valued people for their hearts, instead of their wealth and status, she wouldn't have been so lonely and miserable.

Alas, it's never to late to rectify her mistakes, Pauravi concluded, embracing Dhara, who returned it after a moment of hesitancy.

"Aw, I feel like a proud mother whose baby made her first friend." Bhanumati said in a fake emotional voice, pretending to wipe her nonexistent tears.

"I know right? Kids now a days grow so fast. It was just days ago, that my Dharu baby was struggling to even call me by my given name."

Panchaali faked a sob, using the loose end of her odhni to dab her cheeks, in a show of wiping the tears that never existed to begin with.

"You guys are suck dorks." The first wife of Duryodhan snorted, humor lighting the atmosphere.

"I know, their jokes suck so much." Dhara added, Bhanu and Drau squinted their eyes.

"Excuse me?" The two chorused, faking to sound offended, "You are excused." Dhara and Pauravi replied, faking arrogance, waving their hands in air, signalling them to leave.

The four gazed at each other, before bursting into giggles.

"Let's go, or the food will get cold." Panchaali said, shaking her head, grinning she picked up the platter and walked to the palace temple.

After offering their prayers, and the food, the four returned to the palace, chatting animatedly about everything, and anything.

"You know when I was single, I would wear this light silk dhotis and blouses with odhnis, they were so comfortable."

Sighed Bhanumati dreamily, recalling her time in Hastinapur, after Duryodhan had got them here, once he saved them.

That period between their freedom and marriage, had been so sweet, and intoxicating.

"You are very lucky Dhara, you are still single. Wear what you wish. After marriage, this jewelries are like death trap." Pauravi said placing the silver plates on the tables.

"I know right. There were so many things we could do before.  Let our hair loose, run around, scream, shout whatever. But after marriage everything changes."

Draupadi sighed, recalling those days of utter freedom, free of every responsibility and obligations.

"Exactly my point. Why do we need to get married? I don't understand the point of it. Leave your family, your home, change your very surname for what? A complete stranger. It is the reason I will never marry."

Dhara concluded, though it was just the partial truth. She could never marry, because he heart belonged to someone, she knew she could never have.

A love she had dared to nuture in her young teen years.

How foolish had she been thinking that a royal and servant could ever fall in love?

Time had passed, he had clearly moved on. But she? She still stood there, waiting for someone who would never return.

A broken heart, soul chilling lonliness and a gut wrenching ache for life time was all she had achieved.

And people called love great. What a joke. Love also was blessing only for rich, and highborns, not a low born like her.

"Exactly, from morning to evening it's always about them. Arya Dushasan may need this, arya may need that. Not that I hate to do things for him, I love it, but in this flow of life, I have lost myself somewhere." Sungandha whispered, gazing off in the distance.

Snapping Dhara out of the dark abyesses she was getting lost in.

"You are newly wed jiji. Tell me, when was the last time you thought about doing something for yourself?" Asked the wife of Dushasan, gazing at Panchaali.

Panchaali opened her mouth to say something, anything, but instantly shut it.

She couldn't recall one incident. When her life focus began with her husbands and ended, she never noticed.

"Any of you for that matter?" Sugandha inquired gazing at the wives of Duryodhan, who looked genuinely lost.

"Like sugar a woman dissolves her existence in the life of her man, sweeting his existence, and vanishing hers."

Gandhari said, walking with Kunti, her words startling their daughter in laws, who flushed and flustered, in shock and surprise.

"Mata, we were just discussing, not complaining. Ignore us."

Draupadi said hurriedly, earning identical nods from the other three ladies, while Dhara slipped away, seeing that it was a family matter, giving them their privacy.

Signaling the other maids and servants to follow her out, who nodded, and did as told, leaving the brides of Kuru family alone with their mother in laws.

"Drau." Crooned Kunti, taking her hands in hers, meeting the nervous gaze of her daughter in law.

"When you married my sons, I accepted you not as a daughter in law. But as my own child. And to be honest, I am really happy you all are talking on such an important matter."

Assured Pandu's wife, cupping her daughter's cheek, gazing in her eyes with a motherly affection.

"Kunti is right. You all our children. My daughters. And this palace is as much your home, as it is of our sons." The queen of Hastinapur cooed, meaning every word she spoke.

"As woman, at times we get so lost in taking care of others, that we forget, that ones we too had our own wishes." She went on.

"I understand all what you are feeling. The changes, the adjustments, the uncertainty of what to do, what to not? Trust me, we have been there." Kunti whispered, recalling her days as a new bride in Hastinapur.

A pang hit her heart, how long it had been.

"Your loyalties and dedications towards your husbands, and our family is unquestionable." Gandhari pitched in, smiling at the four.

"Each one of you, are like the colours, that magnify the beauty in our lives. Sometimes as our daughter in laws, other times being wives." The wife of Pandu stated, genuiness reflecting every word.

"Without you all this home is not possible. Like sugar you have dissolved in our family, sweetening our lives." The wife of Dhritrashtr pointed, her voice thickening with emotions.

"But my dear ones, do not forget that if you are not happy, than so won't be anyone else." She continued on.

"A woman is like a river, that nourishes all her relationships with love, keeping them alive." Kunti began, when she noticed Gandhari getting emotional.

Her eyes misting with wetness. What amazing women she had got as daughters, silently sacrificing everyday, without realising.

And not once anyone gave them any credit, yet they continued on doing their duties, without expecting anything in return.

"But if the flowing joy of the cool water is contaminated by carelessness, it kills the lives." She explained further, smiling at Draupadi, whose eyes stung with tears.

"In your devotion to your husbands, don't ignore yourselves.  Our sons love their wives, with everything they are." Gandhari picked up where Kunti left of.

"Tell them what you wish, don't be shy. They may be their oaf of caveman overprotective selves, and say no." She promised, knowing their sons all too well.

A husband and wife, were equal in every aspect. If her daughters were taking so many steps towards them, she knew her sons wouldn't hesitate either.

"But trust me, they'll listen and do it with you, when they realize the importance of it." She assured, encouraging all to voice out their wishes and opinions.

"And if things get too stressful, come to us, the way you would go to your mothers." Kunti offered, adoration lacing her words.

"Doesn't matter if you just want a hug, a patient ear, or lay with your head in our laps." Gandhari smiled, joy and motherly love reflecting in her words.

"And let me tell you a secret, daughters are always more loved than sons. We can always club together and prank them." Teased Kunti earning laughs from everyone around.

Unsurpassed joy flooded Panchaali, her heart softening at the words of the two women.

"Mata." She whispered, voice thick with tears, that trekked down her cheeks. Kunti shook her head, wiping her tears, before they could fall down.

"No, my child. Your mother is still alive and breathing, so long I am there, you do not have to cry." Crooned the mother of pandavas, embracing Panchaali, Gandhari doing same with the other three.

Kunti caressed Panchaali's back soothingly. "I love you so much mata." The princess of Panchaal, chocked the words out, tightening her hold.

"I love you so much more my child. Always and forever." Replied Kunti, earnestly, caressing Draupadi's back.

"Now stop all this tears, you girls are such a wuss. I have a plan." Playfulness laced Gandhari's words, guiding everyone to sit around the table.

"You know there is a place named Nilvaha in the north, there sports a events after every twelve years for all the married and single people." She began, enthusiasm lacing their words.

"Where people disguise themselves as commoners, rich people, merchants or whatever they choose." On she went.

The princesses' gazed at each other, surpised to hear of such a place.

"And stay there. They host a lot of activities, for couples, families and children." Kunti pitched in filling in the information they left out.

"It is a good bonding activity. Why not we attend that? Either way staying in Hastinapur for so long, has been too monotonous. It will be good change." The mother of Kauravas suggested.

"And the best part, you all can pose as single women, a group of sisters there to have fun. Let your husbands sweat a little. With their protective and possessivr streaks."  The mother of the crowned prince of Hastinapur added, joy and amusement lacing her words.

The air buzzed with excited chatter. "Oh my god! This will so much fun!" Sungandha squealed.

"Yes! It will be so amazing to play single ones again. Oh my! The reaction of Arya! Yesssssss!" Pauravi fist pumped in the air, her body vibrating with anticipation.

"Yes! Yes! Yes! Single once again. Life is going to be so exciting." Bhanumati squealed in joy, those days would return, her husband wooing her again?

Hell yeah! She was ready for this.

"Jiji, aren't you excited?" The second wife of Duryodhan faced the wife of pandavas, who nibbled her bottom lip.

"But arya, will they allow?" She asked, contemplating.

The women of the family rolled their eyes.

"Panchaali! You will have to go and talk to them, use your charms to convince them?" Pauravi said suggestively, earning giggles from others.

The princess of Kampilya frowned, "But I don't have any magic stones. No charms." She stated.

The three face palmed, Kunti and Gandhari giggling harder.

"Tubelight." Pauravi grumbled, rolling her eyes, humor and affection tainting her words.

"Just go and talk to them. And remember, no taking a negative reply. You have to convince them." Bhanumati stated.

"Yes jiji you can do it." Sugandha cheered. "I can?" Panchaali asked uncertain.

"Of course you can. Now go! We'll leave too, and convince them. Come Bhanu!" Pauravi gushed excitedly, tugging Bhanumati's wrist, before leaving for their chambers.

"Oh Mata! Can we take Dhara too?" Pauravi asked turning to face the two elder women, who nodded smiling. Giggling the wives of Duryodhan left, planning excitedly.

"I'll go too!" And with that Sugandha rushed out, leaving Draupadi contemplating and nervous.

"Have faith in the men you married Drau." Kunti said kissing her forehead. "Yes dear, our pandavas are the sweetest." Gandhari said with a warm smile, hugging Panchaali, before turning and leaving. . .

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