Early morning, Abhijishya bathed and went to the Gauri temple to gain the blessings of Goddess Gauri. She was accompanied by Draupadi, the Panchal Prime Minister's wife and a few dasis.

Draupadi remained silent. All attempts at conversation resulted in curt short replies and tense silence. Abhijishya gave up all together. She really didn't want to ruin her mood.

The Prime Minister's wife too was pointedly polite. It was the most uncomfortable she had ever left.

Nonetheless, Abhijishya did puja to Mata Gauri and prayed with all her heart.

Later, in the afternoon, she was dressed in yellow garments. Abhijishya suspected it was her haldi ceremony. She really wished Mata Kunti would be there but she suspected widows didn't take part in any wedding ceremonies.

The dasis applied haldi paste on her arms and legs. One of the dasis was about to apply it on her face, when Abhijishya felt a mild burning sensation on her skin. She frowned as she picked up some of the paste with her finger. She examined it.

"Stop," she ordered. Without delay, she went to the bathing room and immersed herself in the cold water. She rubbed her arms and legs swiftly to get rid of the paste. But the damage was done.

Red blotches appeared on her arms and legs where the paste was applied. Someone had mixed chilli paste with the haldi. Abhijishya gritted her teeth. Her skin still had the burning sensation. If only there were some ice.

She got out of the water and walked to where the dasis were standing.

"Change the water," she said sharply. "Yadavkumari, did we do anything wrong?" One dasi asked with her head bowed.

"Someone mixed chilli paste with the haldi," Abhijishya said with a deadly calm voice. "I want the guilty party to be presented before me right now."

The dasis broke into whispers.

Abhijishya looked at the dasi who was putting haldi on her. "You, were you the only one involved or did you have any partners in this crime?"

"I don't know anything, Yadavkumari," the dasi replied with her head bowed.

"Really? You think I am stupid? How didn't you feel the chillies in your hands?" Abhijishya asked sharply.

The dasi remained silent.

"Let's see if you are immune to the paste or not. Go and bring the paste that was put on my body," she ordered another dasi.

That dasi went away quickly.

"I am asking for the last time. Whose idea was this? If that person comes forward then I'll spare this dasi," she said loudly. From the corner of her eyes, she noticed a shadow behind the curtains darting away.

Meanwhile, the dasi who was supposed to bring the haldi paste ran to their Rajkumari. "Rajkumari, Rajkumari. Please save Supriya, Rajkumari," she said hurriedly.

"Wait. First calm down and then tell me exactly what happened," Draupadi said.

The dasi explained everything. "Please save her, Rajkumari. Yadavkumari is very angry." Draupadi felt concerned and followed the dasi hastily.

"Yadavkumari-" Draupadi said as she entered.

"Come in, Rajkumari Draupadi. Come in. Have you come to soothe my irritated skin or have you come to give me some excuse for your dasis?" Abhijishya asked with a raised eyebrow.

Draupadi replied with confidence, "This is merely an accident, Yadavkumari. None of my dasis would intentionally compromise the honour of Panchal."

"But someone of your Panchal dasis has done this accidentally. Such a grand accident that she beautifully mixed green chilli paste along with haldi," Abhijishya said.

Draupadi clenched her jaw. "You are escalating the situation unnecessarily. Why would anyone want to intentionally harm you?"

"I don't know and don't care at the moment. Right now I would like to see how this insolent dasi of yours fairs having chilli haldi paste on every inch of her skin," Abhijishya said. She took the metal bowl containing the paste and moved towards the dasi.

"You cannot do this, Yadavkumari. This is Panchal. You have no right to deliver punishment to anyone," Draupadi said angrily.

"Then I must seek audience with Maharaj and inform him how the dasis harmed me and how you, the prestigious Rajkumari Draupadi support the insult to a guest," Abhijishya retorted. She didn't wait anymore and grabbed the dasi by her arm.

"Wait," shouted a childish voice. The dasis moved aside. "It is all my plan, Yadavkumari. I added chillis to your haldi paste," said a small girl trying to not let her fear show.

Abhijishya looked at the child. "Malini is a child Yadavkumari. She didn't understand-" said the dasi she held.

"Silence,"The dasi shut her mouth.

"You," Abhijishya gestured to the child. "Why did you do this?"

"Yadavkumari, I must insist-" Draupadi tried to avert the situation.

"I would appreciate it if you didn't come in between, Rajkumari or I would be inclined to believe you support the action that caused me harm," Abhijishya said then looked at Malini again. "Tell me why did you do this?"

"Because you made Rajkumari cry. Everyone is saying that you are the reason she couldn't get married. So we decided you needed to be punished," Malini said bravely.

"We?" Abhijishya didn't let the amused smile grace her lips.

"I mean I. Not we," Malini said stubbornly.

"No Yadavkumari, it is my fault," called out a voice."No it is mine," cried another voice. Soon a group of girls came inside.

Malini's mother pleaded,"They are children, Yadavkumari. Punish me. I knew it contained chilli but still applied it on your skin."

"Yadavkumari, all of them did this because of me-"

Abhijishya smiled. Everyone fell silent.

"Looks like you have a personal army to avenge you, Rajkumari Draupadi," she said with an amused smile.

"Yadavkumari..." Draupadi looked at her in confusion.

"I admit it wasn't exactly pleasant to feel chilli burn on my skin but I don't think such loyalty deserves punishment," Abhijishya said with a smile.

Draupadi was rendered speechless. She came here thinking Abhijishya would be handing out harsh punishments but now she was smiling.

"Rajkumari, I understand that you do not like me but I am not exactly a bad person. Or I would like to think I am not. You must be a remarkable person to inspire such loyalty and love from these children," Abhijishya said. She got down on her knees and gently pulled Malini's cheek.

"And you brave little avengers," she chuckled. "Your plan was successful. I should advice you to not do this again as not many people would be as easy going as me. But then I can't really stop you from acting on your feelings for your Rajkumari. Malini, you and your friends are invited to my wedding. Bring along your mother too. As a guest not a dasi," she said as she got up.

Malini looked at her as if contemplating something. "You aren't that bad as they say. You will be Rajkumari's friend right?"

Abhijishya patted Malini on her head affectionately. "I have already extended my hand in friendship. Your Rajkumari only has to agree now."

Malini grinned. "Now off you go," Abhijishya smiled.

Malini and her friends rushed away; most probably to get ready for the wedding they'll be attending later.

Abhijishya joined her hands. "Kindly excuse me. I must start getting ready. I am already running late."

Draupadi nodded. Abhijishya smiled and left. The dasis too took permission and left.

Abhijishya was turning out to be quite different than what Draupadi imagined. She would act exactly the opposite of what she expected. It was rather a good different. If things continued like this, then Draupadi wouldn't be able to do anything but accept her.

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

She always dreamed of wearing a red Benarasi saree on her wedding. But the red lehenga sent to her by her Bhabishrees wasn't any less beautiful. She wore the lehenga and sat down on a short stool. The dasis put on her the jewelleries she had chosen earlier.

The Guru mata came in with incense and tied her hair in a single braid. She looked at her reflection in the mirror.

The woman in the reflection that stared back at her wasn't Abhijishya. She was someone else entirely. Abhijishya wasn't sure whether this was a good thing.

She was already second guessing her decision of marrying Nakul. How was she supposed to share her lover, her husband with other women? How could she just settle to being a housewife? Would she just be a name that was associated with Pandav Nakul?

She wasn't the most beautiful woman or even the most charismatic one. Abhijishya was just a girl who knew nothing of being a wife much less a queen!

She was feeling abnormally nervous and agitated. She looked back at her reflection with blurry eyes. Gods! She was being such an insecure crybaby.

"Sakhi Abhijishya," came a ever soothing voice.

She turned towards the entrance of her chambers to see Gopal standing.

He stepped towards her. "You are getting married and yet have tears in your eyes on this happy occassion. That won't do."

Abhijishya brushed the tears careful not to mess the kajal. "Just got a little emotional."

"Are you planning to keep your Nakul waiting in the mandap?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.

Abhijishya smiled. "Can't keep my prince waiting now, can I? Let's go."

She trailed behind him; her heart beat fast. This was it then. There won't be any take backs. The walk to the mandap felt like an eternity.

The sun was on it's way to set for the day. The moon had just graced the eastern sky. The stars would be out soon too.

The air was full of the chants of various mantras. Mata Kunti, Maharishi Vyas, Maharaj Drupad, Rajkumar Dhristadymna, Rajkumari Shikhandini were seated on a dias.

The four Pandavs held each corner of the cloth above her head. They gave her a reassuring smile.

Abhijishya's eyes caught Nakul's figure waiting for her in the mandap. He looked divine drenched in the amber rays of the setting sun. She felt breathless from the sight.

She felt all her anxieties, insecurities, doubts melt away and all that remained in her was love.

She stepped up on the mandap and glanced back at Gopal. He inclined his head and smiled.

Abhijishya was ready to start her new life with Nakul by her side. She looked at him to find him looking back at her with adoration and devotion. His lips were graced with a soft smile. She smiled back. That moment Abhijishya fell in love with him all over again.

A.N. - I updated much earlier. I couldn't resist @DrKanu 's puppy eyes.

I hope you liked this chapter.

Please vote and comment your opinions. I will be updating coming Tuesday or Wednesday again.

Until the next time,

Byeee :")