The day of marriage...

"You look extremely pretty in this saree Suthanu." Draupadi said with a smile as she stood behind her eldest daughter, who was draped in her favorite saree. Marriage is supposed to be the happiest day in the girl's life. But for Suthanu and Pragti it wasn't. "Make sure you smile once you come outside. I will go and check on your sister. Vatsala!" Upon hearing her name, Vatsala immediately came in along with little Pradyumna in her arms. Draupadi raised her eyebrows and took Pradyumna. "You are not supposed to pick him up Vatsu! Also, I am going to check on Pragti so keep an eye on Suthanu."

As soon as the door closed, Suthanu could not control her tears anymore. "Vatsu, Pragti's vision told her that Sushen will be here so naturally Shatrunjay will join him as well. But... Where are they... We do not have much time. Will they even come?"

Vatsala had no answers. "I am sorry Suthanu... I do not have any answers but I assure you, jhest bhrata will definitely come to take you. I believe in your love." She said while cupping her elder one's cheeks and slowly wiped the tear.

***

"Where is this Sushen?" Shatrunjay muttered as he patiently waited for him. He had changed his royal attire and dressed up like a chef. He was able to see the guests as well as his father from the bushes. He tried his best to find Suthanu and Pragti in the crowd, but failed. A sigh left his mouth as he looked down. Just then someone placed a hand on his shoulder, and out of caution he grabbed the person by the collar and threw him on the ground. It was Sushen."Oh boy! You scared me!" Shatrunjay exclaimed, while Sushen chuckled.

"Did you bring them?" Shatrunjay asked. Sushen nodded, and removed a cloth. He slowly untied it and revealed two beautiful mangalsutras. Shatrunjay was mesmerized, as he slowly picked Suthanu's mangalsutra. "Wow Sushen! Who made this in such less time?"

"Pragti had introduced me to jeweler when I along with Vatsala had visited Indraprastha. And before you ask, he is extremely reliable as he is our well wisher. We should not waste our time, I will get changed. Uh wait where am I supposed to change?" Sushen asked as he looked around. Shatrunjay pointed at the bushes, Sushen made a silly face before disappearing.

"Oh my goodness! Look at this jhest!" Shatrunjay turned around and tried to surpass his chuckle. The upper garment was oversized, it reminded Shatrunjay of the time when Sushen used to steal his clothes and wear them. Good old times when- just then Shatrunjay, this was not the best time to remember it. He gestured Sushen to shut his mouth and follow him. They sneakily made way through the bushes and the wall, and entered the marriage spot. Sushen had disguised himself as a man in his late thirties while Shatrunjay dressed as an elderly chef.

They nodded at each other before going on separate paths. The first step was to find their lovers chambers. Sushen took a tray of glasses filled with water. He was roaming around, trying his best to spot Vatsala. Just then he saw Nitya and Charunati. He approached them and offered water, which they gladly took.

"Nitya and Charumati, it's me Sushen." He spook. Charumati was shocked,but Nitya nudged her. She nodded, and Sushen took the sign to continue. "I need to know where is Pragti and Vatsala." Nitya faked a smiled and acted natural while few princess and prince passed by. She took another glass and whispered, "Pragti didi is in her chamber, the fifth room on ground floor. Vatsala bhabhi must be with either Suthanu didi or Pragti didi. Be careful though, I saw kumar Saarujan entering her room."

"No. Then that will ruin my entire plan. Nitya and Charumati I need your help. If Pragti and the prince are the only two who are in the room then I will knock him down, and you both must close the door. Will you do that for me?" Sushen hoped that they would say yes. The girls stared at each other for a brief moment and agreed.

Meanwhile, Shatrunjay slipped in the royal kitchen. He saw some juices, and filled few glasses. After keeping them in a tray he immediately left, and as decided he went to the Nepa queen.

"Maharani, I have been told my maharani Draupadi that I must give this juice to kumari Suthanu. Could you tell me her chamber?" He tried his best to sound like an old man, and the queen seemed to fall for the trap. She told him that Suthanu chamber was the second one on the first floor. Shatrunjay did not waste a moment and left. When he reached the chamber the sight of Vatsala wiping Suthanu's tears broke his heart. He quickly entered and closed the door from inside. Both the girls were alert, and Vatsala immediately spoke.

"May I know why are you here and why did you close the door?"

"It's me Vatsala and Suthanu. Shatrunjay!" He slightly pulled the fake beard to win their trust. After looking at him, Suthanu hugged him. He reciprocated her and closed his eyes, at that moment he realized how close he was to lose her. Vatsala had a faint smile on her face, although she wondered what did Shatrunjay plan.

"Jhest how do you plan to avert this marriage? We do not have much time." She spoke.

The couple broke the hug but Suthanu did not leave his side, she feared that she would lose him again. "I need to knock down kumar Nityansh and Vatsala I want you to close the door from outside as soon as I enter his chamber. We are lucky that Suthanu's chamber faces the backside of the mahal. That allows us to escape easily."

"And how do we plan to escape? I mean this is the first floor, with all those heavy jewelry and clothes I cannot. Do you want me to change?" Suthanu asked.

"No, once we escape we are getting married and that's why I do not want you to change. I have actually," he untied the rope around his waist," bought this. I will tie this somewhere and pick you up. Once I leave you down, I shall come back to knock the prince. I will escape from his window and meet you, Sushen and Pragti at the decided spot." Shatrunjay completed.

"But jhest you did not tell didi about the decided place." Vatsala reminded him.
"That's nothing to worry about, in sometime Sushen and Prgati will meet her and take her along with them." He said as he tied the rope on a strong furniture and around his waist. He picked Suthanu in a bridal style and steadily got down. Vatsala made sure that the rope was attached properly, before coming back Shatrunjay whispered the three magical words to Suthanu. After coming up, Vatsala took him to Nityansh's room.

It seemed as if he was getting almost done and was setting his hair. Upon seeing Vatsala he turned around and smile, it faded away when Shatrunjay who was in the disguise of an old man entered with a tray. "Is everyone ready kumari Vatsala?" Nityash asked. Shatrunjay kept the glass aside and banged the tray on Nityash's head. He was caught off guard and lost balance. Vatsala closed the door from inside, and Shatrunjay tied the guy to the chair. Vatsala helped him with the same, soon he was all tied up and couldn't even scream for help as they tied his mouth with a handkerchief.

He other guy lost consciousness soon. Shatrunjay took his leave and slowly made his way down the window. Vatsala immediately came out and locked the door from outside. She was unknown to the fact that someone had seen her.

[A/N- Who was be the person who saw her? Could that person mean trouble? I hope you liked the chapter!]