A loud voice announced Draupadi's presence, anxiety stroked her chest pulsing with a steady rhythm, making her stomach roil with unease.

Stunned silence fell over the place, mummers burst around. She could feel all the gazes, scrutinizing and judging her.

Every step she took, she could feel the weight of gazes, weighing heavily on her, closing up on her.

She hated them.

She would rather curl up in her bed and spent her hours dreaming about the five man, than be here and take the whispers and mummers zapping around the place.

"Hold your head high and smile." Her father's clipped tone had her hackles rising.

He wasn't pleased, fear sparked in her heart. There was noway she wanted to upset him, nothing good ever came of it.

Her back ached with the phantom pain, that it had endured not long ago, when she had displeased him.

And had no plans of earning a punishment ever again. So, she smiled and glided across the lawn with a grace of a queen and allure of goddess.

"Good evening your highness. Good evening princess." A couple greeted, she smiled nodded her greeting, walking with her father, holding her tongue back tightly.

Like a good trophy on his arm, to be flashed and boasted about. But forgotten once out of sight.

"Be seen but not heard. No one wants to listen to your opinions, or voice for that matter."

Her father's words came floating across her brain. And the boredom began, for hours her father circulated along with her mingling with various guests, and she obediently followed around.

Her feet aching, and exhaustion seeped in her bones.

Hunger gnarled at her stomach, she swallowed easing her thirst, there was no way her father would permit her to eat or drink her, he didn't want her to appear disgraceful.

What grace has to do with eating and drinking?

Don't even ask. Don't even think about finding any logic in her father's reasoning, its futile ,she had stopped years ago.

A lesson that she had learnt in her early days.

"Vasudev Krishn. Mahabali Balram, oh what a fortunate man I am to meet you both at once."

On the sound of the familiar name, Draupadi snapped out of her stupor.

The two man ahead of her were exceptionally handsome. Their attire screamed royalty, but unlike her father's their was reasonable.

A air of calmness and warmth surrounded them, as though the two had paved their way directly from heavens, doing a favor to humanity  by gracing the mortals around by their mere presence.

"The pleasure is all ours your highness." Krishn chimed his deep timber soothing those around.

His silver tongue could charm a king off his treasure, and her queen of a crown. She recalled the words of a maid, she once had heard describing the man ahead of her.

And the way her father puffed up like a proud peacock, the maid indeed had said the truth about him.

"And who might this be your highness?" Balram asked faking curiousity, as he gazed Draupadi, he still couldn't believe his eyes that it was really her.

The king smiled pleased, arrogance lighting his eyes like lamps on Diwali, he guided his daughter ahead. "Meet my daughter and the princess of Viratgadh, the most beautiful  woman to ever grace this earth Dhriti."

"And Dhriti this is Balram."

Draupadi gazed at the man ahead of him, joining her hands, she greeted "Pranipat." Breaking her father's first law of not speaking, she didn't even realise she had broken it until it was too late.

The man ahead of her was build like a mountain at 6'7 he stood way taller than her. His body was built with bricks of muscles, signifying the strength and his status as a warrior.

Royal blue angavastr with a matching silk dhoti adorned his form, with various jewelleries and a crown with matching deep blue sapphires.

His eyes reminded her so much of a snake. It was insane. An air of harmony and brotherly care surrounded him, that had her smiling genuinely for the first time.

"And this, my dear, is Krishna Vasudev Yadav of Dwarka. They are the sons of Maharaj Vasudev."

"Pranipat."

Krishna Vasudev Yadav was dressed in a maroon silk dhoti with silver border and a silver angvastr with maroon border, that amplified his beauty.

A peacock feather sat proudly in his beautiful golden crown. Various jewelleries adorned his body magnifying his beauty.

But what was most beautiful, was his smile. Peaceful and heartwarming, almost assuring that there is no problem bigger than him.

Calmness seeped in her heart, all the chaos and pain from earlier abandoned her, what remained was a warmth.

"Dhriti? What a beautiful name, another name of goddess durga herself, and with an even more beautiful meaning; courage, morale and patience. A perfect name for such a beautiful maiden. "

The king laughed joyously at Krishn's words, beaming with arrogance. Seeping in every word of Krishn, that just boasted his inflated ego all the more.

"Of course it is, there is nothing I do which is half hearted."

"Of course your highness. After seeing this beautiful celebration and the magnificent decorations, I must say I am flabbergasted."

Draupadi was surprised how Krishn seemed to know exactly what to say to make his father beam like that. It was almost as if he could practically steer anyone in any direction he willed.

"This decorations are all the work of my beautiful daughter." The king boasted laying his hand on the small of her back, slowly guiding her towards Krishn.

Draupadi mentally rolled her eyes, did her father really think she would ever seduce anyone? And that too Krishn?

The man gave her brotherly vibes, there was just no way, she would ever do that.

"Rajkumar Balram I have some important matters to discuss with you." And with that her father excused himself, taking Balram along him.

"So, is it that he is usually this boring or today is some special day?" Humor lit in Krishn's tone, though he maintained a sober look on his face.

"Pardon? That is my father you are talking about." Draupadi chided, her eyes gazing at him sternly.

No matter what sort of a man he was, he was still her father.

"Oh so fierce. You remind me so much of my friend Draupadi."

The name hit her like a punch in gut, knocking the air out of her lungs in a gush, her face paled.

"Draupadi?" Her voiced was barely above a whisper, as though saying it aloud would magically make it real.

Did she even hear it right? Did he say Draupadi? Or was it her imagination?

Her heart thrummed with nervousness, anticipation and a tinge of fear and disbelief. How could this be real?

Draupadi actually exists? Or was this some cruel joke of her fate?

Krishn feigned ignorance, "Oh yes, the most beautiful woman to ever walk this earth. The wife of five mighty pandavas, Draupadi. The daughter of Maharaj Draupad and princess of Panchaal."

He sipped his juice looking around at the guests, feigning to be interested in everything around, pretending to not notice her shock.

Though from the out of  corner of his eyes, he could see her deadly pale face, and eyes as wide as saucers.

And Bingo!

He mentally cheered the arrow had hit its mark. He suppressed a grin that wanted to spread on his lips.

He mentally rubbed his hands, time to pave her path to Hastinapur.

"Is that Prince of Magadha?" He asked in a distracted voice, though he knew all too well she was too shocked to notice.

Draupadi's heart pummeled hard in her chest, her throat drying. "You are joking right?" She asked, her voice wavering.

"No, I am not. That is prince of Magadha see." Krishn bit back a smile, pointing at the man in question, supressing a laugh.

"No, not that."

"Than what?" He blinked all too innocently, looking genuinely confused. Though from within he was grinning broadly.

"About the person you spoke before." She urged, her hands trembling, as her heart pumped in her chest harder.

She refused to say the name, no it would make it real and that too fast.

"What person? I spoke? I can't seem to remember. Oh my memory this days. I should really take my mother's advice and eat some almonds."

"Oh! The girl. You spoke about."

Draupadi swallowed unable to say the name as though, saying her name would make it all the more real, fear sparked in her chest, her breath coming in short pants.

"Which girl? Though there are many pretty ones here. But, I am a married man, I avoid all the maidens."

He stated feigning all the seriousness in the world, mentally he was laughing to no end, as he too another sip of his juice to hide the smile behind the goblet in his hand.

She huffed, nearly facepalming.

"Draupadi. " She finally pushed the name out of her mouth, just saying it made her heart pulse rapidly.

""What about her?"

"Can you tell me more about her?"

"Well yes I can, but I have a condition."

"And what is that?"

"You will have to be my friend." Krishn stated, grinning broadly, his eyes shone with amusement.

She sighed, the raging tornado of emotions wrecking a havoc in her calmed.

Though the questions persisted, clawing in her chest to get the answers.

"Yes. I will be your friend Govind."

And for that one moment, Krishn felt his heart pinch sharply with a deep pain.

Govind.

Oh years had been spent since he last heard his dearest Sakhi call him that. A tightness settled in his throat making it burn.

He nodded at her, looking away to hide the sudden onslaught of tears that prickled his eyes.

He took in a breath and than another, dousing out the blaze of agony in his chest. He missed her. And here she stood, unaware of his presence and every memory forgotten.

The thought was like a sharp dagger in his beating organ, he winced. Agony flaming throughout him like kerosene set on fire.

Spreading and burning. Scorching his internals.

"Who was Draupadi?"

The question nearly had Krishn laughing, as his vision blurred.

The ache in his chest intensified, flaying his heart open. He never thought there would come a day, when he would have to explain to anyone, who his dearest friend was.

"Who was Draupadi you ask Princess Dhriti?"

He began walking and Draupadi followed him, away from all the people and the music, deeper in the gardens, where twilight bathed the place in its silvery glow.

He was quite for so long Draupadi thought that he wouldn't speak, until he did.

She could she the agony on his face, and that shattered her soul, she regretted asking him the question, she didn't want him to be heart because of her.

All the humor and jokes that earlier rang in his voice had evaporated. What remained behind was a softness that had her heart breaking a bit.

There was a blend of pain and love on his face. A love of a true friend, genuine and unconditional.

Loneliness slithered in her heart, never in her short life of three years that she remembered anyone looking at her with anything genuine care.

There had been lust, or complete ignorance but never the warmth of love.

"Draupadi." He sighed the name with a reverence that echoed through the night like a boon nurturing all the beauty in the world.

"What can I tell you about Draupadi? I don't think one night or even one year is enough."

She awaited patiently, he sighed, reigning in the emotions that raged in him.

"Draupadi was my dearest friend."
He began, his eyes settled on the moon.

"Innocent and curious as a child but brave as a warrior and wise as a sage."

"She sounds amazing."

Krishn laughed a watery laugh, "Oh she is. Very much amazing." He gazed at her affection shining in his glassy eyes, making her heart tug.

His gaze captured hers, as he whispered softly.

"The most amazing person I ever knew."

And for a second her heart thumped sharply, making it feel like he was talking about her.

He looked away and the spell broke, she shook her head, no that can't be right.

"Draupadi was born in Panchaal, the youngest child of the family and was married in Kuruvansh to the five mighty pandavas, my cousins."

"Five pandavas? Why was she married to five?"

Krishn turned to look at her confused expression, a warm smile curving up his lips.

"It was their destiny. The five pillars of righteousness bound to the core of kindness. That is way of life. The way of balance. They shall gravitate to each other no matter how long they are apart. Destiny shall reunite them. Always.  Forever."

A silence followed his words, it wasn't a clear answer. But, the meaning behind it was not lost.

She stood silently listening to his words, absorbing what he had said.

Her heart that seemed to be dead most days, was pumping all too furiously. Knocking hard against her chest.

Though she couldn't understand the words, they felt important to her. And the truth of them could be felt right to her very bones.

A relationship made by the stars. Oh how beautiful the notion was. But it was just a fairytale, she could never have.

"Did they love her?" She whispered, from where the question had come, she had no idea.

And it surprised her more than anything. Her heart pulsed in anticipation of the answer.

It was silly really. What did it matter that if they loved her or not? It wasn't her story after all.

Krishn laughed, throwing his head back. "I didn't crack a joke." She grumbled, he grinned broadly.

"No you didn't. And whether they loved her or not, is something for you to find."

"Why would I find answers for that? After all, she is your friend not mine. What does it concern me that if she was loved or not?"

He gave her a serene smile, nodding at her words. "Very true dear friend. But are you certain you have nothing to do with Draupadi?" He asked raising a brow teasingly.

But there was an edge of seriousness in his words, once that tickled her brain, and had her pulse jolting.

"What do you know?" She asked, her voice breathy from reigning in the panic, squinting her eyes in suspicion, his words speared a restlessness in her. 

"What do I know? I know nothing. I am a simple Yadav man, who spends half his time with feeding his cows and playing flute. Simple life. A so simple man like me knows nothing."

He feigned innocence, shrugging nonchalantly. 

His eyes clashed hers, and they told her a different story. There was so much, he wasn't telling her,  she could feel it in her heart.

The eyes she was looking in was not of a simple man, it couldn't be, this were of a person who knew everything, but for some reason he wasn't sharing.

And that scared her, but also made her painfully curious.

Draupadi was real, and by Krishn was saying there was a possibility that the five men in her dreams were pandavas. And she was seeing them all along.

The whole notion was insane. And she was even big fool believe in her dreams, but her heart, the damned thing wouldn't let her rest.

It wanted answers, wanted to know more about the men who had been her sole comfort in past three years.

The five kind hearted warriors that kindled her heart with warmth. Her friends, and as stupid as it sounded they were her only family.

Five imaginary men.

Tears stung her eyes, burning intensified in her throat. The possibility that they were real scared her, but also built her heart with anticipation and hope.

It was all so crazy. If she ever told about them to anyone, she knew people would call her crazy, but how can she let them go?

Her heart pulsed with agony. She took in a shuddering breath reining in her ache, her pain and wiping her eyes discretely.

Krishn watched her in silence from out of the corner of his eyes. His soul ached for his Drau and his pandavas.

Past three years hadn't been easy on the six, they each were burning in their personal hell, longing for each other.

Drau didn't have memories, yet she longed for them, missed them and loved them all the same.

No matter what logical brain told, she followed her heart to the five.

Memories may fade but love never does. . .

He forced a smile on his face and turned to face her, once he was sure she collected herself.

"Look at me. I am just a common man, what can I know about the great mysteries surrounding a great princess like you."

"There are no mysteries."

Even as she said the words, she could hear the uncertainties in them.

Questions after questions swirled in her mind.

"You have left me with more questions than answers." She whispered the words.

"Life is all about finding answers dear one. The day you realise you all found all the answers is the day you achieve moksha."

The serene peace that shot right down to her bones, at his words had her smiling.

"You are a walking talking mystery, did anyone ever say that to you?"

At her words he laughed another of his musical laughs. She giggled along with him, life had gotten just a hundred times difficult but she had a new friend too, maybe life won't be so bad after all.  .  .

🖤🤍🖤🤍🖤🤍🖤

"Karn!"

"Dhriti."

Karn smiled gazing at his friend you walked up at him. Excusing himself from the kings that he was speaking to he walked up to her.

Three years of long friendship and everyday she just grew all the more closer, journeying her way in his life from being an acquaintance to family.

A best friend.

One that he thanked his stars everyday for. Almost three years ago he had met her in one of her introduction celebrations.

Her sarcasm had shocked the day lights out of him, and the pranks she pulled had him laughing till today, ever since they had clicked.

She was his confider and his best friend, there was hardly anything she didn't know about him.

She even knew about his love for Vrishali. His childhood neighbor from Hastinapur.

"Go and confess already. For a warrior you really are a little too scared in matters of hearts. Go ahead my dear pupil you've got my blessings! Go and confess!"

Those were the exact words, she had said when he had confessed his feelings for Vrishali.

Oh how excited she had been, pulling every last detail from him. A laugh passed through his lips at the memory.

He shook his head in wonderment, a grin splitting his lips. He never really grasped the concept of genuine friendship between opposite sex.

He thought it was impossible. But here he was. He now better understood the tales of Krishn and Draupadi's friendship.

He understood because he now had one bond of true friendship with Dhriti. Even with Duryodhan it had all began with a favor, one that he had sworn his life to the Prince to payoff.

But with Dhriti it was natural genuine friendship born of nothing, but care and unconditional understanding.

He blinked his eyes gazing at his beaming friend barreling towards him.

"Vasudev?" Karn asked confused, gazing at Krishn who was following his friend.

"Bhrata Karn what a great surprise. I didn't know we would meet so soon?" Krishn smile wrapping his arms around Karn, who hugged him back smiling.

Dhriti stood beside them grinning excitedly, like she always did when he visited her.

Karn still couldn't belive his fate that all along the pandavas he hated were in turn in his younger brothers and rajmata Kunti was actually his mother.

After Draupadi's death, Kunti had confessed that Karn was her son.

She had realised how short a person's life could be and she didn't want to lose Karn too.

And since than the six brothers had been inseparable. It tore Karn within to see his brothers mourn Draupadi everyday. He regretted never meeting her.

He never really saw her, as in the courtroom when he had last encountered her she had veiled her face, and after that he had left for Ang with Ashwathama, only to be returned after her death.

Hastinapur had changed completely, Karn, Kauravas, Pandavas and Ashwathama had grown closer than any brothers before.

Everything is perfect, except for the one part that, no one in their family, after all this years have overcome from Draupadi's death.

"Karn." Dhriti snapped her fingers in front of his eyes, he blinked out of his thoughts gazing at her very amused expression.

"Are you lost in Vrishali's thoughts?" Humor tainted her words, he groaned out loud. His heart thumping sharply at just the mention of her name.

"Oh come Dhri, there is nothing between me and her."

"Is it only me or you can hear the denial too sakhi?" Krishn asked playfully gazing at his friend who had an amused expression on her face.

She faked a pondering expression. "Oh, I don't know Govind how long has it been now? Four years? That's a long time to be in denial. "

"Vasudev, you too?" Karn nearly whined, his face turning a light shade of scarlet.

"Oh god, Govind I think I am dying." Panchaali faked chocking sounds, faking  as though she couldn't breath.

She feigned fainting and falling, Krishn caught her biting back a laugh.

She opened one eyes amusement lighting her face as she whispered in a feigned weak voice.  "I just saw Maharathi Karn, the eldest son of Kunti blushhh."

Krishn laughed and Draupadi soon followed his path giggling hard, as she she stood up, sharing a high five with her new friend from Dwarka.

Karn groaned out aloud embarrassment seeping in his cheeks, flaming them a darker shade of crimson.

"You two done?" He asked rolling his eyes. "For now, maybe yes." Her grin matching Krishn's.

"You both are so impossible." Karn rolled his eyes, chuckling with the two. "It was difficult to handle one of you alone, and now you trouble makers joined the troops!" The king Ang said in fake horror.

He gazed at the sky and joined his hand in praying motion.

"Lord have mercy. And bless the world with extra patience."

The trio gazed at each other before breaking in laughter.

Draupadi gazed at her friend, nothing much had changed about Karn. He was still the handsome king that she had met all these years ago.

His long dark curls touched his shoulders, curling at the end. The crown suited him well with all the glories of different precious stones.

He wore a dark purple angvastr with thick silver border and matching silk dhoti.

Various jewels adorned his muscular figure, he was tall almost 6'5 matching the height of Krishn.

Power and confidence radiated off both her best friends.  They laughed and talked like family.

They were cousins Krishn had said on his way back to the celebrations, where they had seen Karn, like always he was late.

She rolled her eyes, grinning at the thought. Her friend was many things but punctual was not one of them.

He was one source of comfort that she had in her long three years of life of hell. One person who saw her for who she was.

She never really told him all that happened in the castle.

Karn was an honorable man, he was protective of his family, and by some bizarre luck of hers, he saw her as family.

She knew he would sweep her away from her father, consequences be damned. But she didn’t want that.

The society was too harsh, they wouldn't understand their friendship.

And he had already been looked down enough for once being considered a low born.

Finally he had found his family, and she didn't want to create problems in anyone's life.

"Earth to Dhriti." Karn snapped his fingers in front of her face, she blinked hard, jolting out of her thoughts.

"Where did Goving go?" She asked looking around for the man in question.

"He just left to meet some other kings, he has to make an appearance. You know politics and all that formal nonsense."

She faked a gasp. "Maharathi Karn, the great king of Ang Pradesh condemning the formal meet. How horrible!"

He rolled his eyes, mirth shining in his words. "Yes, right. That's a crime now, isn't it?"

"Hardly. I say curse every last one of them present here, I shall gladly help with my limited sparkling vocabulary. You should teach me some cuss words."

Karn snorted amused. "Sorry dear one. I ain't tainting your innocence. It's my sole reprieve from this cruel greedy world."

"Did you just say I am your sole reprieve? Awwwwww. So cute. If only you could be half this conversational with Vrishali I could finally have some kids calling me aunty."

She sighed feigning defeat. He scoffed, "You know what? Forget I ever said anything. You are just a walking talking annoyance."

Draupadi giggled, joy unfurling in her chest. She lover to annoy him. It was the best of time pass.

A few men that passed by slowed down, gazing at Draupadi laughing. Their breaths hitched at the sheer beauty, lust fragrancing their surroundings.

"Eyes off her!" Karn barked angrily, his humor replaced by a wave of intense protectiveness, that clutched his gut, his eyes darkened as he stepped ahead blocking their view of Draupadi.

The men sputtered gazing at the eldest pandav, recognition had their eyes widening, as they scattered about like mouses.

She laughed amused at his fuming face. "Men really need to mind their own damn business here." He grumbled setting her in another round of laughter. 

His heart softened seeing her laugh, he hardly saw her smile.

This moments were rare, he treasured them. But, he let his face appear impassive.

The fury at the men from earlier still beating in his chest. He really hated when people leered on women, and that too a woman of his family?

He was ready to commit murder at the thought. There were a few women who fell in that category. 

His mother and Duryodhan's, his sister Dushala, Dhriti his best friend and his beloved Vrishali.

He was of course morally bound to protect other women, but these were his members of family, emotions burst easily when they were concerned.

"What's so funny?" He snapped feigning annoyance, she pressed her lips together,  reigning in her laugh.

"When you get angry your nose sputteres. Voi voi voi." She made flapping motions using her hands,  demonstrating a flag, with weird noises, before dissolving in laughter.

A shocked laughter spilled from his lips, and the two laughed, doubling over. Karn struggled too breath, his earlier anger all but a distant memory.

He gasped in a breath wiping the corner of his eyes, he stood straighter.

His hands on his hips, looking up at the sky, breathing in trying to reign in his laugh. He felt light, all the anger and stress abandoned him.

"You know you blurt out the most stupid things at times."

"Yup!" She beamed proudly popping the 'p', he shook his head in defeat, grinning back at her.

"I really missed this time with you." He confessed, smiling at her. Her face softened, "Me too, it has been so long since we met the last time."

He hummed his agreement.

"Some disputes and plus Yudhisthir's coronation as the emperor had really spurred me in motion trying to maintain too many things at once."

"Oh. I have heard all about the grand celebration that went on for months. The people really are happy under his rule, even my father can't go around with his tryant ways after he submitted to the emperor, it's been a great relief."

He nodded, smiling proudly at his younger brothers accomplishments. People loved Yudhisthir, he was a people's person.

"He is a good emperor, and I am a proud elder brother."

Draupadi nodded at his words, smiling hiding her heart that was hammering crazy just hearing the name.

Yudhisthir.

The name sent most delicious shivers up her spine, lighting her soul with a flame that warmed her cold icy heart.

She shook her head mentally, she had officially lost it. Now a name was making her heart thump? Could this get anymore stupid?

Another angry growl permeated the air, that had her snapping out of her thoughts.

Karn's hands were fisted, his eyes blazing with fury. Though the anger wasn't directed at her, she shudder in fear.

"What are you looking at?!" He snapped at a nearby man, who was leering at his friend.

Draupadi sighed, her heart ached and warmed for him. Not even her father ever took a stand for her.

And here was he doing all he could to protect her.

Krishn had known her for not very long, yet when anyone looked at her wrong, the lethal look he sent to them had them scurrying away like rats.

This two men were not her blood family, yet they protected her like she was.

Her gaze moved around gazing at her siblings and father. All too lost in their own world, they were her family but  didn't act like one.

"It's alright." She whispered, sadness washing over her soul.

"How is it alright?" He snapped, wrapping his hand around her wrist and dragging her to a seculed corner.

"It's one of the side effects of being beautiful, I guess. People just see your face, and not the person behind. Appearance is all that matters."

Her broken whisper had him gazing at her, as he sat under a tree, away from the celebrations.

"Not true. You are more than a pretty face."

The smile that she gave him broke his heart to a hundred fine fragments. The sadness that tainted the words, the brokeness of her tone and his meet to the real Dhriti behind all her happy facade.

It crushed his heart, made it bleed. He hated seeing her so broken, he hated how people saw her just for her body and nothing more, she was so much more.

He knew that her happiness was just a facade, that deep in her heart she hurt.

He had attempted multiple times to ask her, but everytime he tried she shut him out and than didn't meet him for months.

Leaving him worried sick, so he stopped asking and began supporting silently.

Her shoulder to cry one, an ear she could rant to her hearts content and a backbone to support her through all her decisions.

He would silently sneaked away some personal servants to take good care of her. And for Intel.

But no one knew anything. Just that she would go missing with the king for a day, he would return but she wouldn't for weeks together.

No one where they went, what he did to her, or how she returned.

She was closely guarded, her every move monitored, had Karn not been the emperor's elder brother, he was certain the king wouldn't even let her close to him.

He was a strong ally, and politically armed man with power like Krishn and Balram, the king's new aim.

In the darkness that was only lit by the faint glow of the moon. They sat silently, her head resting on his shoulder.

"This royal life is so weird. Beautiful from outside empty from in. All these people playing friends but are nothing but illusions."

"Friends and Illusions. That's a perfect summary of Royals I guess." The laughter that followed his words was empty, devoid of humor.

"But so is not true in Hastinapur. It is a place where families are valued and bond so strong we would die for one and other. Initially it was too a political ground for family wars."

Karn began smiling down at the sky, taking a walk back to the memory lane. Remembering his days when he foolishly claimed to hate his very own brother.

"Really? How did it all changed?"

Curiosity piqued her words while she gazed at him, happy for the distraction.

"The kauravas and Pandavas initially hated each other. And I hated my younger siblings. I had sworn to kill Arjun. Of course, that was before I knew we were related."

"Really?!" She asked surprised, sitting up her eyes wide in shock.

He was joking right?

How could this be true?!

"You are the one who took an arrow for him in a war."  She stated in disbelief.

He chuckled nodding. "Very true. It is true that I would flay anyone who dared think wrong of my brothers. But, so is the truth that once I hated them."

"What changed?" She asked curiousity ringing in her words.

"We got blessed by the god's in the form of Draupadi."

Her heart thumped louder, of course he was the eldest brother of the five pandavas. Why hadn't it struck her earlier?

She mentally face palmed how could she be so stupid and not know this?

Yudhisthir.

The name surfaced in her mind, her pulse skyrocketed. No wonder her soul sang hearing the name.

He was eldest of the five and an emperor. The thought was so overwhelming and scary that it knocked her breath out of her chest.

"What was Draupadi like?"

"I don't really know, I never saw her. She lived for a very short time with my family; and I was in Ang during that period."

"Oh." She nodded, laying her head back, listening to him.

"But by what I heard she was a kind woman, and brave. She joined my broken family, made them a one in true sense." He whispered smiling down at the memory of how fondly people spoke about her.

Draupadi's eyes grew heavy the days exhaustion catching up with her.

She closed her eyes for just a moment, promising herself to open them in a moment, but when they grew too heavy she didn't realise, and she slipped in a deep slumber.

"And that's how-"

Karn halted noticing her sleep, a soft smile curving on his lips.

"She slept?"

Krishn walked out of the darkness, and up to his cousin who nodded. "Yes, she must be exhausted. "

"Of course, this functions at times can be so taxing. I wouldn't be surprised if she didn't wake till tomorrow afternoon."

Karn nodded agreeing with his words. "What is it that has you looking so stressed Bhraata?"

"What is hidden from you Vasudev? I am concerned for Dhriti, her staying here worries me to no end. The haunted vacant look in her eyes scares me, she is not fine, no matter what she says. This place is a disaster for her."

Krishn smiled noticing the worry and anger in Karn, he was furious at his helplessness.

"She wouldn't let me help her. I don't know what to do."

Krishm hummed feigning to think. "Now that is indeed a big issue. But that's not all, is it?"

Karn nodded, his shoulders slumping. "My brothers. They aren't fine Vasudev I don't know how to help them." His voice broke, Dhriti was hurting and his brothers too.

He was so furious at himself, he wasn't able to help anyone which was ridiculous. 

"Six very broken people. Why don't you do one thing, maybe get them all together and things would be fine?"

Karn's head snapped up, "You mean. . ."

His voice trailed off gazing at Draupadi, who leaned against the tree, sleeping peacefully.

He thought about Dhriti and his brothers together, and the more he thought, the more the idea sunk in.

They would be perfect.

If somehow his brothers fell for Dhriti she would be saved from her father, and they would be saved from their misery.

Life would be so much perfect!

Dhriti would be perfect for them, she was selfless, sweet and innocent. She would be the perfect partner for his brothers.

Loyal and kind.

"I need to get her to Hastinapur. But her father, he would never allow that. And of Dhriti knew what I am thinking she would never agree. "

He grumbled, running his hands through his hair tugging at them.

"The answer is simple, don't tell them."

"Than how am I to get Dhriti away?"

"Simple, I'll tell the king I need to show Dhriti around Dwarka, instead we can leave for Hastinapur."

Karn beamed broadly, wrapping his arms around Krishn, tackling him in a hug.

Krishn laughed at his cousin's enthusiasm, hugging him back.

"You are amazing Vasudev!"

"Why, thank you." He teased, the duo chuckled.

"But Karn I advice you teach Dhriti the spell of illusion. So she could change her looks and voice to that of a commoner. A woman this beautiful wouldn't go unnoticed in Hastinapur, and not all people there are friends, some are enemies too."

"You want me give her the spell of illusion? But won't my brothers feel betrayed if they fell for her, that she was deceiving them."

"It is for her protection. Plus, if you love someone, you love them for their inner beauty,  not the looks."

Karn nodded, "I shall look over the preparations to leave tomorrow morning." He said excitedly, he was damn near excited to play the match maker.

"She is their destiny, isn't she Vasudev?" He asked gazing at his best friend, Krishn smiled following his gaze to look at the sleeping girl.

"There is no better way to summarize this bond." He whispered.

Karn nodded, smiling softly. Hope fluttered in his heart, maybe just maybe things would be fine once again.

"I shall take her to her chambers." Krishn assured giving Karn a parting hug, and watched him leave.

"What did you do Kanha?" Balram asked walking down the trees, his face pinched in a frown.

"Why did you ask Karn to give her an illusional spell? How would the pandavas recognize her now?" He asked exasperated. 

Krishn chuckled at his brother's questions. "The memories fade but love doesn't." Was all he said, on his brother's confused expression.

"The destiny shall play it's part. And like I said not everyone will be happy, if Drau returned in her true self. After all not everyone is friends."

Balram gazed at his brother for longest. "So we are playing match makers now literally? "

Krishn chuckled, nodding. "It shall be fun."

"Friends and Illusions just took a new meaning." Balram grumbled, as Krishn picked his best friend in his arms bridal style, his chest rumbling with laughter, as they walked back to her chambers. . .

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