"Won't it be adharma, Mata?" Nakul asked solemnly.

"Well I can't understand why shouldn't Bhrata Bheem marry Hidimba," Abhijishya commented nonchalantly.

"She is a Rakshasi, Abhijishya," Sahadev said.

"But she really likes Bhrata Bheem. Most probably loves him or else she wouldn't have tried to convince us to leave. She wouldn't have stood against her brother," she said.

"But Putri, how can this be?" Kunti asked.

"Rakshasas aren't that different from us Mata. They just have different traditions, colour and looks. But they also feel the same emotions as us. Anger, pain, sorrow, love. Their heart is similar to us,"she said.

Kunti remained silent. "I am not who is going to be Bhrata Bheem's wife. I know that you have many doubts in your mind, Mata. I just request you to go and talk to Hidimba at least once," Abhijishya pleaded.

Kunti looked at her and nodded. "You are right, putri. But I need to hear what Hidimba has to say, then only I'll make a decision." She smiled and walked away.

"But will this marriage be considered dharma?" asked a thoughtful Arjun.

"Any action or decision taken for the welfare of others with a compassionate heart is considered dharma, Arjun. We often look at the bare bones of the what in a situation and pass judgement. But why it is done, how it is done and with whom it is done for and with should also be considered. That is what I understand about dharma. If Bhrata Bheem marries Hidimba then it will be for the welfare of the entire Rakshas clan. So this marriage cannot be anything but dharma," Abhijishya smiled.

"For a moment, I thought as if Madhav was speaking, Abhijishya," Arjun said looking at her.

"Yes, I guess I have learned a little of Gopal's way of wordplay," Abhijishya laughed lightly.

Yudhisthir said," I agree with you, Abhijishya. You have a clear vision of dharma."

"Thank you, Jyesth. I think anyone with a calm mind, kind heart and clear conscience can see dharma for what it really is," Abhijishya smiled serenely.

Yudhisthir smiled pleased and patted her on her shoulder. Abhijishya's eyes widened and she grinned in happiness.

"What about Bhrata Bheem? Will he agree to marry her?" asked Arjun.

"I think he'll agree. Now his mind is still stuck on the fact that Hidimba is a Rakshasi. Once he moves past that, he'll be able to see Hidimba's inner self," Abhijishya replied.

"When did you become so wise, Abhijishya?" Nakul teased.

"Are you saying I was stupid until now?" Abhijishya narrowed her eyes.

"What- when did I say that?" Nakul protested.

Abhijishya laughed.

"Oh, so you are pulling my leg, huh," Nakul said. "Take this." With that he flung pieces of dried leaves which he picked up from the ground.

Abhijishya jumped aside. She laughed and started running.

"Come here," Nakul called as he gave chase.

"Catch me if you can Nakul," Abhijishya called back.

She raced outside of the cave and emerged into the forest. She turned around to see no one following her. She laughed giddily and leaned again a tree to catch her breath.

"Got you," Nakul said mischievously trapping her against the tree.

Abhijishya's breath hitched seeing and feeling Nakul so close to her.

"Now that you have got me, what will you do?" she raised her eyebrow in question.

Nakul stepped back and said fondly," I'll let you go but still hope you stay."

She felt butterflies in her stomach and couldn't stop the blush painting her cheeks pink.

Nakul was looking at her with such adoration and hope. Her heart was beating fast.

'Oh. I like him,' she realised.

The sun was setting. The forest was painted in a golden red hue. She looked up towards the sky from the thick canopy of the leaves above. The moon was already visible too.

"I-" Nakul was about to say something but he hesitated. "I have been carrying something with me for a long time." He said after a while. Then he took out a delicate gold chain with a lotus pendant from under the cloth he tied around his waist.

"You once said you didn't like wearing heavy jewellery so I thought you might like this. After Varnavat you decided to accompany us with nothing. You left the comfort of the palace and wandered the forests with us. Now you don't even wear flowers. I don't like you looking so bare. So please wear this for me,"Nakul said looking at her hopefully.

"I..." Many doubts ran rampant in her mind. She really fancied him and Nakul seemed to fancy her. But what would it mean for the future? Did she even have a place with him?

Seeing her hesitate, Nakul's eyes dimmed. He clenched his jaw. His world tilted and cracked. He was about to walk away when Abhijishya stopped him.

"I, Nakul. I am scared," she whispered. "This, you..." she sighed. "I am just me, Nakul. I am not that important in the grand scheme of things and you certainly aren't destined to be with someone as inconsequential as me,"she said in a single breath as if admitting to one of the secrets of the universe; too hurried like if she stopped, it would be locked forever.

"Don't care about any destiny because from this moment I am choosing you. I will keep choosing you no matter what the future holds. I can't get you out of mind and heart. Now, I don't even want to. So tell me, will you stay with me?"asked Nakul; his voice husky and eyes shining with unshed tears.

He was standing before her baring all his hopes and emotions. She didn't dare make a sound. The forest was eerily still too.

For Nakul, the world had stopped at that moment as he waited for Abhijishya's answer. For the first time in his life, he wanted someone for just himself. He was feeling so full with so many emotions that he felt almost light headed.

Abhijishya looked into his eyes and felt all her doubts melt away. She wanted Nakul for herself. So what was stopping her from loving him? The future wasn't set in stone as it hadn't occurred yet. She didn't care. If Bhagwan wanted the future to unfold a certain way, then He can adjust His plans around them.

Feeling bold, she stepped into his space. Nakul gasped a little. Abhijishya leaned by his ear and whispered," I'll stay as long as you want me to." She then softly pecked his cheek and held his palm.

Nakul's legs almost gave out at the sheer relief of acceptance. He touched lightly where his Abhijishya kissed him and laughed.

She must think of him as a mad man now. Oh he probably was. He laughed hard and embraced her. He buried his face in her hair and breathed.

The world was alright again. Abhijishya felt her left shoulder get wet. She realised Nakul was so overwhelmed with everything that he was shaking and crying and laughing as he clung to her.

She embraced him in turn and rubbed his back. They gently swayed side to side. Stars appeared above them and the wind blew lazily as if drukenly carrying a mysterious secret of what it had just witnessed.

Nakul slowly let go but didn't leave her hand. He flushed thinking that he had cried like a child holding the girl he had just declared his love to.

Abhijishya smiled gently. "Lay down and see the stars with me," she said quietly.

She laid on the ground. Nakul laid down beside her. The heavens looked brighter tonight. They simply laid staring at the stars feeling at peace after a storm of emotions.

After a while, Abhijishya sat up. Nakul soon followed.

"We need to go back. Everyone will be worried about us," she said.

Nakul seemed reluctant but agreed. He was still clutching the necklace.

They got up.

"Won't you put it on me?" Abhijishya said gesturing towards Nakul's hand.

She turned around and pushed her hair to the side.

Nakul held the necklace and put it on her neck.

"How do I look?" Abhijishya asked with a grin.

"Beautiful," Nakul said softly.

"Oh you flatterer," Abhijishya chuckled.

Nakul posed haughtily and asked in a playful tone," And how do I look?"

"Handsome as ever," Abhijishya smiled. "Come on, let's go." She said tugging him along.

"Yes, yes. I wonder what Bhrata Bheem decided," he thought aloud.

"Well, I am pretty sure he agreed," she said.

"Huh? You think so? Then I wonder how will he look like dressed as a Rakshasa groom," he chuckled.

Abhijishya laughed. "I am sure he'll look like a fearsome King but with a large smile on his face."

"I can actually visualise that," Nakul smiled.

They entered the cave to find everyone already sitting down for dinner.

Arjun was the first one to notice them. He saw them holding hands and raised an eyebrow asking for an explanation from Nakul who reluctantly let go. They still walked side by side.

"Pranipaat Mata," they greeted.

"Areh where did you both run off to? I was just about to send Arjun after ypu both," Kunti said.

"Mata we were just outside the cave," Nakul said.

Kunti noticed Abhijishya's necklace and smiled. She said," Alright, now that you all are here I have good news. Tomorrow at first light, Bheem will marry Hidimba."

Abhijishya punched the air in enthusiasm. "Yes, I knew it. Mata, do you need any help for the arrangements of the ceremony?" She said excitedly.

"No. Even I am not doing anything. The Rakshasas insisted that according to their tradition, the daughter's side of family arranges everything for marriage," she explained.

"Oh, then where is our dearest Bhrata Bheem?" Nakul asked noting his absence.

"Your brother has to fast from sunset to sunrise. After the ceremony is complete, he will first feed the bride then have food himself," Kunti said.

"Poor Bhrata Bheem. He would be eagerly waiting to get married as soon as possible then," Sahadev chuckled.

Nakul and Abhijishya sat down. A few Rakshasis served food.

Arjun whispered," Don't you make your move fast, Nakul. One marriage did not even commence yet and you already fixed yours."

"Bhratashree," Nakul hissed.

"Tell me what happened or I'll ask Abhijishya," Arjun teased.

Nakul ducked his head and willed himself to disappear in the heaps of fruits. He was feeling warm from so much teasing.

Yudhisthir exchanged amused knowing looks with Arjun and Sahadev. Abhijishya had heard Arjun earlier. She too was blushing and didn't even look up from her food.

Who knew Arjun was such a gossip monger!!

"Arjun, can I call you by your nickname?" Abhijishya said innocently.

Arjun immediately shut up. "Mata, I think we should eat quickly and then go to sleep fast. Afterall we have to wake up really early tomorrow," he rambled.

"What magic did you do, Abhijishya? You need to tell me that nickname," Nakul asked looking at Arjun and then her.

Abhijishya laughed. "You'll know when you'll need to know. Until then it is my trade secret."

================================

First light reached the altar next morning where a beautiful Hidimba stood with a majestic Bheem. Both looked exotic in animal hides, silver jewellery and expensive jewels. Bheem wore a huge turban decorated with feathers. A large blood red ruby adorned the middle of the turban.

The priest Rakshas was moving around dancing with a feather stick in a trance. He was chanting an old verse in a low murmur.

The Rakshasas and Rakshasis were dancing and singing with the beating of drums. The priest asked Bheem to put the garland around Hidimba's neck in three tries.

Abhijishya joined the Rakshasis who lifted Hidimba higher out of Bheem's reach. She laughed at Bheem disgruntled look.

Nakul, Arjun and Sahadev rushed to their brother's aid. They lifted Bheem higher and he successfully put the garland around Hidimba's neck.

Next Hidimba did the same for Bheem. Abhijishya, Nakul, Arjun and Sahadev touched Bheem's feet and took his blessings. Then went to stand beside Mata and Yudhisthir.

The priest placed a lion's hide on Bheem's shoulder and lioness's hide on Hidimba's shoulder. Thus they were declared husband and wife. King and Queen of Rakshasas.

The married couple came towards them and took Mata Kunti's blessing. Then Yudhisthir's blessings. Bheem embraced Arjun, Nakul and Sahadev while Abhijishya hugged Hidimba.

Later, the Rakshasas made Bheem and Hidimba sit on a dais and worshipped them with flowers.

"I just wish Pitamaah was here to see the first marriage of the next generation of Kuru dynasty," Kunti smiled as she wiped a stray tear.

"His blessings are forever with us, Mata," Yudhisthir consoled her.

"Yes, but if he were here then I would be sure that this marriage is dharma," Kunti said.

Abhijishya looked at the happy Rakshasas. She said serenely,"Mata, are seeing the happy faces of the Rakshasas? The utter joy and love on Hidimba's face ? The elation on Bhrata Bheem's face? This is dharma, Mata. If this isn't, then I don't know what else is."

Kunti looked at her son, daughter-in-law and their subjects. She smiled and heartily agreed with Abhijishya.

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A.N. - How do you think about the romantic scene between Nakul and Abhijishya? Nakul has been liking Abhijishya for much longer while Abhijishya just came to the realisation now.

Nakul x Abhijishya relationship officially has set its sails. Wish them all the good luck in the world!

If you liked this chapter then please vote and comment.

Until the next time,

Byeee ;")