The past few days had been a roller coaster of emotions for Abhijishya. Now she felt bored, uncomfortable and unwelcome in Panchal. It wasn't much of a surprise. She was the reason Draupadi's wedding was put on hold.

She wasn't sure if she could resume her sword fighting and weapons aiming lessons. Only Arjun seemed to continue with his strict archery practice schedule. She didn't know if she could ask for book though she had heard Sahadev had taken up residence in the Royal library. Yudhisthir remained busy discussing things with Dhristadymna. Bheem spent more time in the kitchen than ever.

Abhijishya didn't seek out Mata Kunti as Mata wanted to get to know her other daughter-in-law Draupadi. Gopal didn't leave Panchal but was nowhere to be found. Nakul was most probably keeping his distance. Something about bride and groom shouldn't meet alone before marriage. So she had nothing to do.

Wherever she went, eyes trailed her and whispers were heard. She tried not to let it bother her but with nothing to fill her day, her overthinking escalated. Her wedding being just a day away didn't help her nervousness at all.

She was itching to do something. Abhijishya was passing by when she saw Shikhandini practicing sword fighting against a few soldiers.

Her sword was slim and her movements swift. She danced around in deadly grace as she beat the soldiers into the ground.

Abhijishya watched in awe as Shrikhandini toppled a soldier with a kick to his abdomen. She hoped one day she could weild the sword like her and give Nakul a tough competition.

She had progressed well but she wasn't sure how she would last against a seasoned opponent.

Shikhandini noticed the person of her ire standing near the practice arena and watching her. She smirked.
Lifting her hand she signalled for the soldiers to pause.

"Pranipaat Nakulamohini," Shikhandini drawled her new name.

Abhijishya winced. Ah, Shikhandini was upset with her over the hold on Draupadi's wedding. Also perhaps that she was her sister's soon to be husband's lover didn't help the matter. But she didn't let anything show on her face.

She did pranam and greeted," Pranipaat. I have heard about your battle prowess before. Today I got the chance to see it. Truly remarkable." She smiled.

"I too have heard quite a lot about you," she said walking closer to Abhijishya.

Abhijishya smiled politely," All good things I hope."

"Depends on how one looks at things. Well, what interested me is the fact you know how to sword fight. Let's have a friendly spar," Shikhandini's grin was too sharp for Abhijishya's liking. She tossed a sword at her which Abhijishya caught.

"Would you mind if I made myself appropriate for a spar?"she asked Shrikhandini.

Shikhandini gave a go ahead gesture. Abhijishya loosely braided her hair. She pleated the veil like the upper half of saree and tucked it securely in her waist.

Abhijishya gave some experimental slashes with the sword testing the weight. It was perfect for her hand.

"Spar goes on till the other yields. Let's begin, shall we?" Shikhandini asked. Abhijishya nodded and took her stance. She had mixed her sword fighting with her karate moves and was excited to find out how she would fair against a seasoned warrior.

They circled, sizing each other up. Shikhandini wasn't making any move. So Abhijishya went on offensive.

She leaped and brought down the sword on Shikhandini who stopped the attack with her sword.

Shikhandini moved swiftly and with strength. Abhijishya struggled warding off her continuous blows. She went for her abdomen which Abhijishya dodged with a well timed somersault on the ground.

Hostility was clearly noticable in the way Shikhandini fought.

'Shit, she is actually trying to cause some serious damage,' Abhijishya thought narrowly missing the sword aimed at her chest. The tip nicked her arm a little. Shikhandini smirked at drawing first blood.

"What happened, Yadavkumari? You didn't get too hurt, did you?" Shikhandini said in a mock concerned tone.

Abhijishya didn't bother to answer. She stuck to defensive. But she was slowly tiring too. Shikhandini was adamant on either slashing her face or chest.

Abhijishya kept on defending and tried to gauge Shikhandini's targets looking for an opening.

She feigned to the right setting her face as bait. As Shikhandini went to slash towards her right, Abhijishya took the sword in her left hand and swung from the left. She used the gold bangles on her right hand as arm guard and swatted away Shikhandini's strike.

Shikhandini's sword touched the ground and Abhijishya stepped on the flat of the blade with her right foot. Her left hand held her sword steadily against Shikhandini's neck.

Abhijishya stood panting while Shikhandini looked astonished at being defeated.

There was no other noise. The soldiers who were practicing some distance away stood still in shock.

"Yield?" Abhijishya asked still panting slightly.

Shikhandini clenched her fists but inclined her head in acceptance of her defeat.

Abhijishya removed the sword from her neck and picked up the fallen sword. She was about to hand it back to Shikhandini but Shikhandini was already moving away.

"Rajkumari Shikhandini," she called out.

Shikhandini stopped but didn't turn around.

Abhijishya took Shikhandini's sword and handed it to her.

"Do you know why I won?" she asked but didn't wait for any answer. "I won because you were too angry to think clearly. I am an amateur. I won't last mere minutes against you in real battle." Shikhandini snatched the sword roughly and said,"I am not a child that you need to pacify." She was about to leave again.

Abhijishya said loudly,"I hope one day you can look past Nakulamohini and try to know Abhijishya. We can spar again then."

Shikhandini didn't show any indication of hearing her and walked away.

Abhijishya flinched as she poked the cut on her right fist. It was going to hurt worse later.

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

In Hastinapur, Susashan stood admiring the painting before him. The painter really had done an exceptional job. It looked almost real.

He caressed the cheek of the portrait. "Devi Abhijishya, if I had been aware of Mamashree's scheme I would have stopped you here with me. But look at our fate, you survived for me. Once you return to Hastinapur, I'll make you mine," Susashan laughed.

Shakuni entered Susashan's chambers with Suyodhan. "Look at your brother, my child Suyodhan. I knew he could be a dimwit at times but now he has gone mad," Shakuni sneered.

Susashan huffed in indignation. "Why? What is wrong with wanting to marry Devi Abhijishya?" He asked looking back at her portrait.

"My child, that will be like inviting an enemy spy amidst us. Do not forget that those Pandavs saved her life," Shakuni reminded. "Her allegiance is with them."

Suyodhan patted his brother on the back.

"Don't worry. Your wish will be fulfilled," Suyodhan reassured. "She will be yours, anuj Susashan. Mamashree, you needlessly worry. Once she marries Susashan, her allegiance will be with him; with us and those Pandavs would have one head less on their side."

Suyodhan kicked a stool in irritation. "Think of something, Mamashree. I don't want Yudhisthir to gain back the title of Yuvraj. This time please make sure to get rid of them."

Susashan said,"Leave Devi Abhijishya out of your scheme. Just make sure she becomes mine."

Shakuni resisted his urge to cuff his nephews on their heads. They acted like ideas dropped from the sky at their whim. He needed to find out whether the Pandavs were still in Panchal or not and when they were planning to return to Hastinapur.

He is their precious Mama afterall. They should get some special welcome. Shakuni grinned.

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

Meanwhile, the messenger had returned to Panchal from Dwarka. The official message stated that Krishna would act on behalf of his father Vasudev and do Kanyadan. Due to the marriage occurring on such short notice, Vasudev and Balram sent their regret at not being able to attend and asked the couple to visit Dwarka at their earliest convenience. It also consisted an elaborate paragraph regarding their gratitude towards Maharaj Drupad.

Along with the letter came, a ton of gold coins, jewellery, gorgeous clothes for both Abhijishya and Nakul, gifts for the attending Brahmins, Ksatriyas and an announcement that a daan would be arranged in Dwarka where everything would be given away to the common people by Abhijishya and Nakul.

Nonetheless, Abhijishya stood gawking at the huge assortment of gold plates carrying everything from jewellery to clothes in her room. Krishna was narrating the letter to her.

"Gopal, don't you think it is quite a lot for someone who they haven't even met? I mean I feel very grateful for everything but I- this is A LOT," she said wildly gesturing at the heaps of gifts.

Krishna laughed merrily. "Dear Abhijishya, you are considered a daughter of the Yadavs. Your wedding won't be any less than Subhadra's. It is rather regretful that everyone couldn't be present. My family are really eager to meet you. Here, this is a personal letter to you from the ladies of our house." He handed her a lengthy roll of parchment.

"Really?" Abhijishya's heart warmed seeing the letter. She eagerly took it and was about to open it.

"No no, don't open it now. I was asked to tell you to open it the night before your wedding," Krishna said.

Abhijishya tried not to pout. "But I am curious."

"Be patient, sakhi," Krishna said.

She huffed. "Fine."

A dasi came in. "Yadavkumari, Rajkumar Arjun is asking permission to enter."

Abhijishya nodded. Arjun entered her chambers.

"Areh Madhav you are here too?" Arjun said as soon as he entered.

"Right. I am not here," Abhijishya deadpanned. Arjun looked at her sheepishly.

"No no go on. Madhav this and Parth that. Arjun, you didn't come to meet me yesterday as well as today. My poor self was so lonely and bored. The minute you got comfortable in Panchal, you vanished. All I heard was Rajkumar Arjun is practising his archery," Abhijishya said accusingly.

"Parth, looks like sakhi has a lot of complaints about you. Were you avoiding her?" Krishna asked with mock seriousness.

"No, Abhijishya. It's not like that. I hadn't gotten a chance to properly practice my archery for a while. That's why I didn't realise when I spent an entire day practicing archery. Forgive this friend of yours," Arjun said with a sheepish smile.

"I'll forgive you if you correctly guess my age," Abhijishya said with a raised eyebrow.

"Huh? That is easy. You must be the same age as Nakul," Arjun answered confidently.

"Gopal look at your friend. He doesn't even know my age," Abhijishya said. "I am nineteen Arjun."

"Wait what? But how come you call me and Madhav sakha?" Arjun asked in confusion.

"I don't believe in age being a factor in being friends with anyone. I could be friends with Mahamahim Bhism if I wanted," she proclaimed. At Arjun's expression, she added laughing slightly," Okay, that might be going a bit too far."

"You are nineteen. You seem older. Yeah, definitely older," Arjun nodded his head.

Gopal hid an amused smile.

Abhijishya narrowed her eyes. "Are you calling me old, Arjun?"

"What? No."Arjun shook his head in denial.

"But Gopal and I clearly heard you say that," Abhijishya smiled threateningly.

"No I didn't mean to say it like that. I just mean you are so level headed and mature and-" he babbled.

Abhijishya couldn't hold in her chuckles. Gopal and she burst out into mirthful laughter.

"You played me," Arjun said with an accusing tone. Abhijishya was too busy laughing.

"Fine. Be like that. I guess someone isn't getting her letter from Nakul anytime soon," he said while pulling out a small scroll.

Abhijishya felt butterflies in her stomach and blushed.

"Arjun, give me the letter. Pretty please," she said making grabby hands for the letter.

"Madhav, what do you say? Should I give her the letter?" Arjun asked darting away from her hands.

"Give it to her. Our sakhi was so restless because she didn't get to speak with Nakul today," Krishna said with a teasing smile.

Arjun handed her the letter. As she was about to open the letter, both Gopal and Arjun none too discreetly tried to catch a glimpse of the message.

"Oh my Gods, go," she playfully shoved both of them.

"Come on, we are your friends aren't we? Madhav let me read his love letter before," Arjun said. Gopal was trying his best to look innocent.

Abhijishya scrutinised them. "Fine, but no laughing."

Arjun and Gopal obediently nodded their heads.

Arjun snatched the letter from Abhijishya and started reading out loud," To the most beautiful lady who has my heart." Arjun muffled his rising laughter.

"These hours seem terribly long without your presence by my side. My brothers have been relentless in their teasing specially Bhrata Arjun and Sahadev. I dare say their teasing only makes me think of you more in my mind which sweetens everything. I cannot harness my anticipation of how you would look as my bride, my wife, my queen any longer. My soul yearns for your company. I hope these moments of temporary separation will sweeten our marriage even more,"Arjun sniggered.

Abhijishya covered her hot blushing face with her hands.

"I could not stay without writing you a letter. Ever yours, waiting impatiently, darling Nakul." Arjun burst out laughing. Gopal too joined in.

Abhijishya didn't even raise her head. She walked towards Arjun and blindly grabbed the letter.

"Stop laughing both of you," she hissed; her face still red. "God knows, why did I even agree to let you see my letter?"she grumbled lowkey mortified.

Arjun wiped a tear that had escaped his eye from laughing so hard.

"Oh-oh God," he gasped controlling his laughter.

"Don't make fun of his letter," Abhijishya snapped. She added softly," It was very sweet of him."

Arjun said cheekily," All right. Message recieved." With that he hurried away.

"Wait, Arjun," Abhijishya called but Arjun was already gone.

"Nooo," she whined. Gopal chuckled and patted her arm.

"I'll go make sure he doesn't deliver the message in front of everyone," he said.

Abhijishya looked alarmed. "He wouldn't. Would he?"

Gopal just shrugged with an amused smile and went after Arjun.

"He totally would," Abhijishya groaned.

Legendary warrior or not, Arjun could be a little shit. No one could change her opinion on that.

~•~°~•~°~•~°~•~°~•~°~

A.N. - Hey guys! I updated early. I know I said I'd update once every three days but my increased story ranking made me really happy.

Also when I told one of my silent readers, that I would update today morning at the latest if she voted for all the chapters, she actually did vote for all my chapters. I couldn't go back on my word so here it is. You all can thank her mythooolover for the early update. She has just started her story ' Siya Ram' so you can go check it out.

Btw do you think I am dragging out the story???

I just needed to include a fighting scene with Shrikhandini, a little sprinkle of Dussashan, Duryadhan and Shakuni AND the playful friendship among Arjun, Abhijishya and Shree Krishna.

Let me know what do you think of this chapter. I think their wedding will take place either next chapter or the one after that.

Until the next time,

Byeee ;")