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Dark clouds rolled in, eclipsing the moon anchored in the night sky. The way, despair had veiled Arjun's life.

Numbness pulsed through him, icing his heart, that had lost sensation for years now.

Three years to be precise.

A heaviness settled over his chest.

He gazed out at the lake, swallowing the ball of emotions, that seemed to have stuck in his throat, recalling that day.

"Your highness." The gruff of his second in command Nadir, had the third son of Kunti stiffening.

The momentarily softness that his revealed, was gone in a flash. Instead of a husband, in its place now was a commander in chief, with his hardened expressions.

Features sharp enough to have the most ruthless shivering in terror.

He nodded, his acknowledgement, permitting his second in command to speak.

"Your highness, a letter has come from Hastinapur." He bowed, holding out the letter to the Prince, who wrapped his fingers around golden encase that held the letter.

Curiousity fluttered through the prince, what could it be? Yudhisthir didn't reach out, until it was a must.

Unscrewing the sideways lid, he pulled out the letter. A ruby red seal greeted him, with the mark of a burning flame and blue louteses staring back at him.

A familiar emotion clutched his heart.

Eyes softening for that one moment, his thumb traced the seal, that reminded him of his wife.

A personal insignia, that the pandavas had developed for their communication.

Dear Arjun,

I hope you are doing well. Here, everything is good as well. Mata sends her love.

It has been long since you have returned home dear brother. It is my wish, and everyone else's that, now you too should come back.

I am certain, by the time you get this letter, another victory would be in your hand. And congratulations on that, I am really proud of you, and all your achievements.

The palace without you however feels too empty, my heart longs to see all by brothers. Everytime, we sit for dinner, my eyes travel to your seat, a pang of longing hits me.

Come home brother. Don't make your family wait anymore. I know you are in great pain, and so are we all. Drau, wouldn't want this.

With love,
Yudhisthir.

Arjun's heart squeezed, the dead organ pulsing with agony. Guilt swarmed him. It was true, that he had escaped the walls of his home, to the battle field.

In the hopes that his wife's memories, would spare him. That the longing he experienced everyday, would dull.

War made him numb. Slaughtering his enemies, and endangering his life everyday, eased the noose of loneliness, that tightened everyday.

Floding the letter, he gazed up at his second in command. "Let everyone know, we'll be returning home tomorrow."

Relief flooded through Nadir's expressions, before a calmness settled over his features.

With a last bow, his second in command left him to to his peace.

Turning back to the lake ahead of him, Arjun let his eyes shut. Memories of his life fluttered through his mind, tightening the vice around his heart painfully.

"Drau."

His voice was barest of a whisper.

"Arya." He could almost hear her soft soothing voice, one that never raised, and was melody to his ears.

"I want to see you play Veena."

He recalled the wish she had made of him. And before, he could fulfill it. . .

His mind shuttered to a stop, he didn't even wanted to think about the word in his mind.

No, she was with him. Always. Every waking moment of his life. She was there.

He chanted over and over again, yet those piercing screams of his wife nearly shattered his mind.

"Drau." His voice was heavy with emotions, "Brother." Bheem's gravelly voice had Arjun straightening.

Sehdev clutched his third eldest brother's shoulder, showing his support.

He and Bheem too had got, a letter addressed to them by Yudhisthir, and they knew, that it was time they returned home.

Draupadi's memories were in every part of their lives, they had left the palace behind in the hopes, that the ache of her absence may ease, but how wrong had they been.

Drau was their soul, and since she abandoned them, there was nothing anymore in this world that meant something to them.

"You are not alone." Bheem's gruff voice penetrated through the silence, "We always have each other's back." He continued on.

Sehdev nodded, though he didn't say anything. It was not that he couldn't talk, but he no longer saw the point of communicating to anyone, when he couldn't to the one person that meant most to him.

"Why did she had to leave?" Arjun whispered, tears burned in his eyes, as they met with Bheem's scarlet ones, that were swollen, tears brimming in them.

"It is that one question, I ask myself everyday. Why her? Why not me? What had she ever done to deserve that?" The second son of Pandu confessed, his throat tightening.

"There is no joy in anything without her, it is almost as if with her all my joys abandoned me too."

"I couldn't even tell her just how much I love her." Arjun whispered, a lone tear tracing down his cheek.

Bheem shut his eyes, agony clutching his soul. "Three years Drau. Three long years, and I am done." He confessed looking at the sky.

His knees buckled, making him fall on the ground.

"Jyest!" Arjun exclaimed, as he and Sehdev hurried beside their elder brother.

Who looked so defeated, and lost. They kneeled beside him, wrapping their arms around their brother, as he hugged them back.

"Drau!" He screamed on top of his voice, soul wrenching cry tearing through Bheem's lips, echoing through the silent night.

Sehdev tightened his hold around his brothers, letting himself break, like he did every night.

If only he hadn't been injured, than maybe she would still be with them. If only, he hadn't been such a liability that day than she would be with them.

Tears flowed freely down his cheeks, guilt slamming hard in his chest, tearing him from within.

He felt suffocated, almost as if he couldn't breath. The tightening in his chest didn't loosen up, but over the years had just gotten worse.

Her absences had frozen him from within. Mercy and compassion for anyone, who wasn't kin, had abandoned him.

She was his everything, when she only had left him, than what was the point of having compassion towards anyone?

He had been a good man all his life, and what did he receive as a reward?

Her death?

"I wish she would return." Arjun's broken whisper, snapped Sehdev out of his reprieve.

"I would do anything for just one glimpse of hers." Bheem added, looking ahead at the lake.

A silence descended over the three, while they sat on the ground, holding each other, looking over the lake.

Silently supporting each other, they were suffering, and they chose to suffer together.

To suffer as one. The agony didn't lessen, but the loneliness did.

They each loved her. . .

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The next day

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Draupadi's POV:

My eyes drooped for what seemed like the hundredth time. Gazing at the woman ahead of me, I suppressed another yawn.

Can someone die of boredom? I wasn't sure. But, it sure felt I could.

"And that girls, is how a proper lady should behave..." on and on went her rant, her voice grating my ears.

Father had said that she was qualified, in women's etiquettes. But, what I felt was, this woman ahead of me, was qualified enough to give a brain freeze.

If there was a thing like that...

Maybe, I was discovering a new disease.

Would it be named after me?

What would it be known as?

Draupadiya?

Or would it be known after Veeratgadhiya since it was originated here?

I wondered.

What shall be the symptoms?

Boredom.

Boredom.

And Boredom.

Because that's what it felt like to me.

Gazing at the woman ahead of me, I once again, questioned her sanity and mine, and all the other's present.

What in the heavens was wrong with her? What she was laying out, seemed more like how to fake to be a walking corpse, than a "proper lady."

Three years back, I had a fire accident, and lost my memory, but it is people here that behave, as though they are suffering the side effect of my accident.

She mostly found the rules ridiculous.

-Eat after your husband does.

To me it made little sense. What if I am hungry before him? And, what does me staying hungry actually achieve?

As if he'll have an extra burp. . .

Mentally shrugged with a confused look.

-Sleep after your entire family, and wake up before the sun rises.

Her words seemed more like torture techniques, than being a proper lady.

I loved my sleep, hell it was my first husband I think, I mean it's the only thing I loved to do in bed; sleep.

Supressing a yawn, I blinked harder, preventing them from shutting on their own accord.

The level of boredom was rising up like the market prices on women's clothing, damn those things now a days had prices that touched sky.

"A proper lady, never looks at her man in the eye, out of respect!" She belowed, her voice raising a few notes higher, as though shouting the words would make the girls's remember the things better.

Why does it seem she's talking about a demon, rather than a life partner?

Her words did remind me of, one of those stories where there is this demon that if you look in the eyes than would turn stone.

So I am not supposed to look in my husband's eyes? I have a better plan lady, how about I don't marry?

It saves my ass, his stone eyes, and everyone is happy.

Tada! The perfect solution.

Holding back another yawn, I ignored her. Glancing around the room, where all the girls sat.

Unlike me, everyone was staring at her with rapt attention. Like, she was God himself, and every word she spoke was the word of a holy scriptures.

My gaze settled on a princess, two rows down from me. A polar opposite of mine.

Decked up in the heaviest of jewelleries, and finest of clothes, that probably weighed a ton, she sat, ramrod straight.

Her face a mask of complete concentration. Writing down each word, that the woman in front of me uttered.

Princess of Maheshwar, was a polar opposite of mine.

Do you know what that meant?

It meant, she was the very definition of perfect woman. And also, a close cousin.

Close by relation, not by choice. We could never be.

Now could we?

She was perfection, a dream daughter, and princess that everyone desired.

Me?

I was the unwanted girl child.

Pushing down the dark thoughts, I watched her. Princess Maheshwari, sat right in front, closest to the lady.

While, I as, one could guess, was furthest away possible from the talking boredom machine, also known as my teacher.

Maheshwari had her plans ready, by next year, she planned to marry a handsome prince, preferably one from Hastinapur.

Than again, so did half the girls' in Aryavart.

She had great plans of meeting him, this winter celebration in Dwarka. And from than charming her way to his heart, well, good plan if one asked me.

After six months will be their wedding, in the most extravagant manner, and all the godly details, that my mind no longer cared enough to remember.

A movement on the left caught my attention, Princess Damini shifted in her seat.

Damini of Dharvraj was a lady with great ambitions, and by next fall would marry her betrothed.

But, the point was, she had her life figured out. It seemed like everyone, in this world, except me knew what they were doing till the day they died.

Most had plans here to marry. And be settled, and pop up kids like popcorns out of an hot vessel.

And be the amazing gradmothers, queens and daughter in laws.

Where everyone had such long and broad, finer detailed plans laid out.

I, on the other hand, had no idea, what I would be eating for dinner tonight.

Mentally snorting at my thoughts, I gazed down at the doodles that I had done on the pages, instead of actual writing.

Looked artistic to me.

If stick figures, were ever considered one to be. . .

"Princess of Viratgadh!" Shouted the lady demon, I frowned, why did that sound so familiar. . .

Eck!

She's calling me. My head snapped up, clashing with the dark murky brown orbs, that were squinted in utter rage.

Oh lala.

Seemed like I am about to be grilled by the she dragon. And ladies, and gentlemen, I awaited my fate.

"What are you doing?" She snapped, her voice kicking up, a few notches higher.

"Dying of boredom." I wanted to say, but did I? Heck no! Do I look suicidal? Definitely not.

I, mentally winced, rest and peace, my beloved eardrums. . .

"Writing notes." Ha! Even my dog wouldn't believe my own words, yet I tried.

Uttering the words in most sweetest of voice, as though, sugarcanes grew in my mouth, instead of the ground.

What sort of comparison was that? Heck, woman you're going mad.

Great! Now, I am talking to myself. . .

Marching down she came to a stop beside me, giving her the most innocent grin, I blinked at her, fluttering my eyelashes like one of those girls who try to charm, and look cute.

I looked like an idiot, I had no doubt, but who the heck cared?

At this point, I was ready to do the chicken dance on one foot out of boredom, and plus, I knew I was about to be punished.

"And where are this notes exactly?" She asked, her voice dripping with venom.

Is she a reincarnation of a snake? I wondered.

Phissss. . .

She snapped her fingers in front of my eyes, making me blink.

There goes my fantasy land. . .

Giving her my most brilliant grin, I blinked innocently. Once, twice.

"Right here." I whispered, sweetly, pointing at my temple.

Clenching her jaw, and fists. I could practically imagine smoke coming out of her ears, her face turned a deeper shade of scarlet.

Glaring at me, with so much hatred, that if looks could kill, I would be ashes.

But, than again, I am a fire born so. . .let's just say, she'll have a tough time, to put it lightly.

"Get out of my class!" She roared, pointing at the door.

Joy.

Oh so sweet joy, unfurled in my chest.

Plastering a sad look on my face, and fake tears in my eyes. I lowered my head.

My hair curtained my face sideways, I walked out towards the door. Mentally, dancing in joy.

This is punishment? Punishment?

I call it nirvana!

The freaking walk to heaven.

Oh sweet peace.

"This will teach you better to pay attention in class next time!" She roared from behind me, her voice lit with smugness.

Whispering broke about the class, some girls glared at me, other's held pity.

I...just didn't care.

Walking out of the door, once it shut behind me, I took in a deep breath.

A wide grin appearing on my face.

I am saved!

Yes! Saveeeeddddd!

Mentally cheering. I tiptoed away from the hut, and towards the jungle.

Thick trees stood in rows, packed close. Various shrubs decorating their roots.

Breathing in the cool air, felt refreshing. The sweet scent of the mud after rain was heavy in the air.

The crispness of the wind suggested a cooler night ahead. Gazing around I smiled, this is what freedom felt like.

A breeze blew, messing up my open curls. Pulling up the silk dhoti slightly, I walked ahead.

A peace settling over my heart. Calmness seeping deep within me. It felt serene to walk down the path, that I didn't know, where it would lead.

Probably far away from the world behind me, maybe to a place where life wouldn't be so constraining.

Where I could just be me. Where no one would ever say, do this, do that. Behave in this manner, or walk like that.

A thin veil of sadness glided down my features, the 'I-don't-care' mask slipped away, and for a moment in sneaked vulnerability, like an old friend, it greeted me.

The familiar coldness of it's touch, icing me from within. It's tentacles, seizing my heart.

Dry leaves crunched under me, signalling me the path I had taken was technically taking me deeper in this maze of a forest, that I had planned to explore.

More like, hide from the world.

An escape, even if it was for few moments only.

The distant sound of horse galloping had my heart freezing, someone was here. . .

Gazing up, I could see, a horse followed my many others running in the distance. It slowed, a few paces before the three men got down from it.

They was too far to make out, any expression, but it seemed like they were travellers, no, an army troop .

Shrugging away their appearance, I walked ahead. Rays of sun reflected off the glistening water.

The river flowed, air carrying the coolness of it. Water flowed, carefree and fast, gazing at it, my lips moved up, all on their own accord.

"Hey girl! Who are you?" Came a snarky shout, jolting me. Shattering the serene calmness.

A tired sigh, passing through my lips.

What did people have against peace? And silence? Why in the heaven everyone shouted all the time?

The sliver of annoyance traced my heart, gritting my teeth I gazed up. A man stood in off white cotton dhoti, a dusky dhoti and angvastr wrapped around him.

"Just sitting around." I kept my voice low, leashing in the annoyance at the appearance of this man.

"Here in the jungle? Have you lost your mind?" Snapped the man, growling the words. My jaw set, what is it with people, and their assumptions about me being weak?

I can take care of my ownself. Sitting around peacefully, doesn't mean, I am going to get myself killed.

I have enough reasons to live, and have never been suicidal. Thank you so much.

Glaring at the man ahead, I gritted my teeth. "Why don't you mind your own business?" I quipped, he glared, his jaw tightening.

"How dare you talk to me in such a manner?!" Snapped the man, I gazed at him, wondering whether this man had lost a marble or two.

I was the one sitting here alone, minding my own damn business, and this man snapped at me. Not the other way around.

And he is asking me how dare I talk to him? What is wrong with this world? Or this man to be specific?

"I am the great prince of-" Before he could finish, I held my hand. "Listen, I don't care. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have places to be." Snapping at him, I turned around, ignoring the moron, I had no idea, who he was.

"You wench!" I heard a roar, anger tainting his words. I swirled around, adrenaline pumped through me, making my body go taut.

Freezing on the place, it felt like my body suddenly weighed a hundred pounds, terror zapping through me.

The air whistled, an arrow embedded in the ground ahead of me. Red, angry flames bursted up from where it touched.

Creating a line between me and the man, who now stood frozen, a shocked expression on his face, mirroring mine.

Gazing up from the fire, to him, and back at the fire.

I wondered, if I had suddenly developed, a new talent of calling upon fiery arrows, though it didn't seem like so. . .

"If you know, what is better for you, leave right at this instant." A shiver ran down my spine, sparks ignited, that the deep masculine voice had me feeling was all novice.

This voice, it was so deep, and serene. Power reverberated through the calm words, the confidence in them, was enough to make me jealous.

This man, whoever he was, commanded attention, just by his words.

Where my words, hadn't put a dent in the man's ego. He now looked behind at me, with so much terror, like I had robbed his soul, and the devil himself now stood behind me.

He stumbled back, silently.

His mouth opening and closing like a fish, before he turned around, and ran, like the devil himself was on his tail.

I raised a brow, curiosity unfurling in me, turning around to thank the man, who had helped me.

But, all I saw were trees.

There was no one, seemed like he had already left, I may or may not have gazed at the escaping bully, a little too longer, enjoying the sight of him running.

With a final glance towards the woods, "Thank you so much. . ." Whispering the words to the woods, thanking the silent savior I walked back.

With a last thought, who was the man. . .

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