A knock resounded through the chamber cutting short Abhijishya's rare period of solitude. She gnawed at her lower lip half tempted to remain silent in hopes that her attendants would leave her alone. Abhijishya twirled a loose lock of hair that had strayed from her braid mentally taking comfort from the cool breeze as she willed herself to calm down. The fast approaching winter days meant the need to add another heavy article over her garments to keep oneself cosy. Something Abhijishya wasn't looking forward to so she relished in the late autumn wind carrying a waft of fragrance from the Royal gardens.

Another knock reached her ears. Abhijishya let out a disgruntled sound before snapping, "How many times do I have to repeat myself? I said leave me alone. I'll call you if I were to need anything." This was truly annoying. Her companions along with her husband seemed to have taken up the job of constantly hovering near her to the point where their presence felt smothering.

The door hinge opened partly to reveal an unexpected visitor peeking in. Draupadi stood at the threshold looking surprised. She cautiously asked, "Is this not a good time?"

Abhijishya flushed in embarrassment scrambling up to sit straight from the numerous cushions she was reclined against. Cursing her mouth mentally, a sheepish smile appeared on her face, "No, no. Please come in, jiji." Abhijishya cradled her swollen abdomen as she carefully turned sideways to get down from the bed.

"Oh Dhruvi! Don't bother," Draupadi tsked walking upto her. She looked momentarily hesitant before taking Abhijishya's hand in hers and helped her settle back down in a comfortable position. Then she sat down opposite to her returning her co-sister's grateful smile.

"Were you busy with something?" Draupadi asked softly eyeing the pile of parchments- some crumpled and some untouched, a metal quill and ink pot lying on Abhijishya's writing desk which was situated on the bed itself.

Abhijishya shook her head trying to come up with a nonchalant smile but Draupadi's concerned face denoted that her attempt had been futile. Thankfully, she wasn't questioned further. Instead, Draupadi asked amusement evident in her tone, "So what was that about earlier?"

Abhijishya huffed then replied reluctantly, "After the incident two days ago, Arya and my companions have made it a point to never leave me alone and not let me do any work." She shot Draupadi a long suffering look and continued, "It is irritating and terribly boring. I am sick of reading and laying around the entire day."

"They are worried for you," Draupadi replied with a sympathetic smile. "Everyone is, including me. You have been trying to isolate yourself. You are in a delicate condition. All the stress is not good for you."

Guilt coloured Abhijishya's face as she turned away not wanting to meet Draupadi's eyes. She aimed for an indifferent shrug, "I like having some private time to myself. It helps me collect my thoughts."

"Dhruvi," a dainty hand nudged her face to meet Draupadi's. "You know you can always talk to me, right? I admit our relation is amiable at best but I would like us to be friends."

The open hopeful expression caught Abhijishya off-guard. She hadn't expected Draupadi to address their tremulous bond of all things. "I was the eldest sibling back home. My sister was a good seven years younger than me," Abhijishya said abruptly. Her eyebrows furrowed as she struggled to phrase her words. "My parents brought me up to be independent so I have difficulty relying on others and defer to anyone."

Draupadi watched patiently as the usually eloquent Dhruvi failed to explain further and simply sighed.

She placed a comforting hand on Dhruvi's clothed knee. "I believe I understand what you wish to convey. Shikhandini jiji faced a somewhat same dilemma when Bhrata Dhritadyumna also stepped up to handle the stately matters. Their dynamics- Oh," Draupadi exclaimed softly as realization dawned in her eyes.

The following silence was unsettling as Abhijishya looked at Draupadi mull over the words. It was perhaps not homologous to Shikhandini and Dhristadyumna's relation but it was partially similar. Abhijishya who was used to being the eldest found herself the youngest one in this relation. Draupadi who was the youngest sibling had to take on the role of the eldest. Again, as co-wives, Abhijishya was Nakul's first wife while Draupadi was his second. As co-sisters, Draupadi was elder in three relations while younger in one. Even though Draupadi was physically older than Abhijishya, it was Abhijishya who had walked the world longer than her.

Draupadi let out a soft chuckle. Abhijishya stared both concerned and confused at the unusual reaction. Reining in her laughter, she answered Abhijishya's questioning gaze, "It seems like all my relations are destined to be unique. But I think you still should refer to me as jiji because I am elder to you in most of our shared relations."

"Of course, jiji," a genuine tiny smile graced Abhijishya's face as her slightly tense posture relaxed. The she joked, "But I can't promise I can be an ideal sister. My mother used to say I have a tendency to do things my way."

"It would be perfect then," Draupadi said affectionately. Squeezing Dhruvi's hand gently, she continued, "Then I can always expect you to freely express your opinion to me. No wonder Arya Yudhisthir asks for your consultation."

Abhijishya shrugged but she was pleased at the praise, "I am still learning and I try my best to put forward an unbiased view of matters." She looked over to Draupadi curiosity clear in her eyes, "Not that I am opposed to spending time with you but I am aware of your busy schedule. Did you require any assistance, jiji?"

"I learned from Charu that you have been increasingly agitated," Draupadi replied once again eyeing the crumpled papers. "We didn't think it would be right to inform you after what happened on your Godh bharai."

Abhijishya stiffened minutely at the reminder. "So Charu told on me to you. Does Mata Kunti know as well?"

Draupadi shook her head. "No," a sigh escaped her when she saw tears glaze Abhijishya's eyes. "Dhruvi, your Bhabishree Rukmini wouldn't want you to shed tears over her lost son while you are so close to holding yours."

Abhijishya nodded blinking away her tears. "I don't know what to write or even should I write at all. I was so happy when I came to know about her conception during my stay in Dwarka. I wish I could have..." she trailed off. She had forgotten that Shree Rukmini's eldest son went missing only ten days after his birth. It was as simple as that. She had forgotten. Then again what could she possibly have done when Narayani herself wasn't allowed to hold onto her son longer than destiny commanded. But atleast she would get Pradyumna back in his adolescence. This knowledge did nothing to quell her sadness though. It was another reminder how most things were out of her hands.

"I think you shouldn't write to her," Abhijishya looked at Draupadi ready to protest at her suggestion. Draupadi shushed her, "Let me finish. I think you shouldn't write to her just yet. Let her find some semblance of steadiness. It has been an estimated month since the day her son was taken away from her and Govind." Then she added as an afterthought, "I don't even understand why would she do that."

The last sentence was most probably not meant to reach Abhijishya's ears. Draupadi looked like she was trying to swallow a hard pill. Unable to help herself, Abhijishya asked, "Why? What happened?"

An unfitting fake smile made it's way on Draupadi's face. "Oh, you didn't hear? The kingdom of Avanti is holding swayamvar of their Princess Mitravinda whose pink cheeks would make the most beautiful lotus jealous. Avanti has sent invitations to every corner of Aryavart."

Her eyebrows climbed up the forehead. "Even to Indraprastha?"

"Yes," Draupadi muttered displeasure clear in her tone. "And Dwarka. But the strangest news is that it was Shree Rukmini who insisted Govind to accept the invitation. Aryaputras Bheem and Arjun departed this morning itself. They will be meeting up sakha near the border of Avanti and make a joint entrance. Even Yuvraj Suyodhana would be going with his brother Sushana and Angraj."

Abhijishya chewed the inside of her mouth contemplating whether to spill the next words or not. But she couldn't not say after witnessing Draupadi's troubled expression. "Princess of Avanti's garland will only grace Gopal's neck, jiji. Don't worry."

Draupadi glanced at her a bit sceptically, "How do you know that?"

"I know," Abhijishya simply replied.

"I didn't know you read the stars, Dhruvi," Draupadi remarked getting up from the bed.

"I don't read the stars," Abhijishya clarified. Draupadi blinked her eyes when Dhruvi didn't elaborate. So, she said, "I see." It was strange how she was getting to know more of Abhijishya in an hour than she had till today. She made her way to the otherside near the writing desk and started tidying up the mess, "Also, don't think I didn't notice your attempt to redirect the conversation. Govind does this too but he is more subtle. I usually don't realize it until after he has left."

A mollifying grin appeared on her face before it morphed into alarm. "Jiji, you don't have to organize my things."

"Let me take care of this for you," Draupadi waved away her protest. "I actually like organizing things. I find it oddly soothing."

Abhijishya contented herself watching Draupadi stack up the parchments and put away her writing utensils. A comfortable silence wrapped them up leaving them both to sort out their thoughts.

"I wish we had met under better circumstances," Draupadi murmured. It almost like a confession.

"Most people wish the same," Abhijishya answered before smiling. "It could have been worse."

Draupadi laughed weakly. "I am not even going to ask how things could have been worse," she walked back to the spot she had taken up earlier. After sitting down, she gazed at Abhijishya's belly, "One of the lessons imparted to me upon my departure from my father's home was that a woman married to a King as his first wife must always endeavour to be his first in everything," she looked up and smiled sadly, "They forgot to mention that the one who puts oneself first finds only loneliness. And I forgot that the lesson was useless because my circumstances are different from any other woman of Aryavart. When I realized I couldn't be the first, I wanted to be better."

'Better than you,' wasn't uttered but Abhijishya heard it nonetheless. "You wanted the same acceptance," she added to which Draupadi only nodded as her gaze found the floor. The constant comparison between them didn't go unnoticed by Abhijishya. From the gossiping maids to their mother-in-law, no one spared any chance at weighing them against one another.

Abhijishya couldn't find the right words for the second time this day. It wasn't fine how Draupadi had been Kunti's shadow in Hastinapur. The rare occasions of companionship with her were somewhat forced now that Abhijishya thought of it. Neither of them had been given time to settle into the roles they would play in each other's lives. So, she didn't opt for words of forgiveness as she wouldn't forget and she too was responsible for letting the fissure grow based upon unfounded assumptions.

Instead, Abhijishya gently reached out and placed Draupadi's soft palm over her belly, "One's love doesn't need to be better than any other's."

Draupadi glanced up to see Abhijishya looking at her with kindness. Feeling overwhelmed, she was too choked up to say anything in return. She let her smile convey her gratitude. A small flutter below her palm made her gasp in awe. "Was that...?" Draupadi asked in amazement.

"Yes. My baby seems eager to meet you, jiji," Abhijishya let out a tiny chuckle.

Leaving a lingering touch on Dhruvi's abdomen, Draupadi stood up. She bend forward and placed a kiss on Abhijishya's forehead. Cupping the cheek of her slightly stunned co-sister, Draupadi whispered, "May the Gods and Goddesses grant your child all the happiness of the world. May they bring pride to your name and by your extension, to our family." She traced her kajal guarded waterline with her little finger and placed a small black smudge behind Abhijishya's ear. "This will protect you from every evil eye. You are very kind to everyone else except yourself. I pray you might find kindness for yourself too," she gazed at the patterns on the floor made by the intruding long sun rays. "I must take my leave now. Don't strain yourself."

Abhijishya watched mutely as Draupadi left with a parting smile. She hadn't thought her turmoil would be visible to her of all people.

------------ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ------------

Later that evening, Nakul found Abhijishya gazing out of the window. Her face held a calmness which had been missing these past days.

Slowly walking upto her, he encircled his arms around her waist cradling their child. He planted a kiss on her temple in greeting, "You seem less troubled."

Abhijishya hummed as she lolled her head against his collar bone savouring the proximity of her husband.

"Does that mean I am forgiven for being overbearing?" Nakul asked rather cheekily.

She shot him a half heated glare. "Not unless you give me a back massage."

"As Rajkumari commands," Nakul murmured dipping his head to kiss her neck and nuzzled her cheek fondly. "Today I picked out more names since you didn't like the last ones. What do you think about 'Ojasvini' for a daughter and 'Chintan' for a son?"

Abhijishya stepped out of his hold and turned to look at him incredulously. "You have a stallion named Ojas, Arya. A horse. We are not naming our child after a horse. And Chintan? You picked that one? It reminds me too much of Treasurer Chinmaya."

"But Ojas is a good horse," Nakul replied innocently as if unable to comprehend why his wife didn't approve of his choices.

Exasperated, Abhijishya spelled it out slowly, "Ojas. Is. A. Horse. This is our child! You are absolutely terrible at this. Wait, are you laughing? You are being intentionally obtuse, aren't you?"

Nakul burst out in laughter as his wife scowled at him. Between chuckles, he replied, "Ojas is still a good horse."

"Then go feed your horse pieces of jaggery. I am going to Bhrata Sahadev. Maybe he will help me look for a good name seriously," Abhijishya glared at him but didn't make any move to leave knowing well enough her husband would have no problem following her.

"You look even more beautiful when you are angry," Nakul said fondly as his eyes shone in admiration. With one palm caressing his wife's bump, he cradled her neck by another, "I love you both."

"You are a strange man, Arya," Anger long forgotten a faint blush dusted Abhijishya's cheeks as she leaned in to taste his lips. "A very strange man who has my heart."

Nakul smiled deepening the kiss.

A.N. - Finally the much awaited and much needed talk between Draupadi and Abhijishya happened and we got to see a little romance between Nakul and his Mohini.

Did I spend the entire night writing this chapter? Yes

Am I going to regret it? Nope, not now. I'll regret it when I doze during my online classes. *sighs*

Do let me know in your comments what you think of the interaction between Abhijishya and Draupadi.

Please vote and recommend my story if you like it.

Until the next time,

Byeee

;")

P.S. There could be mistakes becuz I wrote this listening to Linkin Park to keep myself awake. Feel free to point them out.

P.P.S. I am pissed at Wattpad rankings. After frequent updates, Dhi is at #824 in Mahabharat and #308 in Mahabharata. Like seriously? Yea, cute. Great way to keep my story from being discovered *slow claps* (Ignore this. I am sleep drunk)