Nakul stood motionless beside Sahadev. A few moments earlier a dasi left under the orders of Mata Kunti asking Abhijishya to be present in the common sitting room after lunch. Draupadi informed them that she had not seen Abhijishya from morning. Arjun was the last one to converse with her before he left her in the indoor archery arena at dawn to attend to his daily duties. Nakul tried not to think of his brother's look of disappointment upon getting no reaction from him.

The Pandavs awaited her arrival along with Draupadi and Mata Kunti. It was peculiar how Nakul's eyes refused to glance away from the doorway. Perhaps seeking her everywhere became a habit ingrained in his psyche without him consciously noticing it.

Her familiar figure walked in unhurriedly through the entrance. She had chosen to dress in a green veil with maroon lehenga. Nakul noted the emerald studded gold girdle. His eyebrows crinkled. The ruby one would have looked better. She stopped a fair distance away from them which would not be considered polite for conversation.

"Pranipaat. I was told that Mata Kunti would like to spend some time with me," Abhijishya said with joined hands. Her eyes flashed towards Nakul for a moment before being lowered.

"Kalyan ho, putri. Come closer," Mata Kunti smiled as she beckoned her. Abhijishya returned her smile with a slight curl of her lips. Nakul had seen that before when Abhijishya mentally prepared herself for a difficult conversation. She had that pasted on her face while she spoke to Mahalekhapal in Dwarka. Mata Kunti placed her hand on her shoulder,"I thought we all should spend sometime together before you all leave Hastinapur."

"A splendid idea, Mata but we still have another five days before we leave," Abhijishya tilted her head. A few strands of her hair escaped her braid and fell over her eyes. Nakul's hand twitched. She brushed them aside absentmindedly. There were thin slashes on her forearm which were covered with a turmeric sandalwood paste such that it blended well with her skin tone making the wounds almost unnoticeable. But it did not escape Nakul's watchful gaze. He frowned. She should have been more careful while stringing her bow.

Yudhisthir glanced at Draupadi then at Kunti before settling his eyes on Abhijishya. "It has been decided that we shall depart tomorrow at first light. With the recent circumstances as they are, it is better that we leave for Khadavprasth as soon as possible."

Abhijishya stiffened minutely before nodding. "As you wish, Jyesth." The chamber was once again engulfed in uncomfortable silence.

Bheem let out a frustrated breath. "When did we become so hesitant towards each other?" Then he addressed Abhijishya," I am not happy that you chose to hide it from us. That Sushasan has crossed all limits. You are his sister-in-law and he dares to nurture unacceptable interest towards you. And here I thought the Kauravs could fall any lower." He shook his head.

"I am sorry," Abhijishya lowered her head. "I wanted to avoid further complications. As Arya is still recovering and finally previous arguments regarding ascension of the throne of Hastinapur was settled, I did not want to add wind to the embers so I did not say anything."

"But you have understand that being aware about the enemy is important. Now that we know about Sushasan we can be more careful regarding him," Arjun added softly. Abhijishya nodded. "I understand. I should have informed you all." Nakul scoffed out loud. Sahadev pointedly ignored him and stepped forward.

"It is clear that Sushasan conspired against Bhrata Nakul and it was Suyodhana who dealt with the loose end. But," Sahadev looked at Yudhisthir "as Jyesth has already accepted Khandavprasth he cannot announce war against Hastinapur and we can't expect justice from Tatshree. So it is best that we leave at the earliest. Also..." Sahadev trailed off and glanced at Kunti.

Kunti hesistated for a moment before her eyes hardened. "Abhijishya, I think it would be favourable for everyone if you remain in Khadavprasth." Abhijishya was confused. "I am going along with your sons, Mata."

"Mata doesn't want you to visit Hastinapur unless formally invited," Nakul spoke up. Abhijishya glanced at him before looking back at Kunti. Her confusion cleared up quickly.

"Oh," Abhijishya blinked. "So I can't come here? But- but Jyesth Mata and-" Kunti interrupted her.

"It was not a suggestion. I order you that you will not step foot in Hastinapur unless you are specifically invited here. I don't want this matter to escalate anymore. It would be better if you stay away from Hastinapur," Kunti said firmly.

"What?" Abhijishya moved away from Kunti. "You are restricting me?" Her voice was tense and defensive. Nakul did not miss the bitterness and he felt guilt welling up inside him.

Now that the red tint of his rage had receded, Nakul knew his words were unforgivable. But he felt hurt that his Mohini did not tell him. His mind understood her reasoning but it did nothing to melt the shard of betrayal and hurt that had lodged in his heart. So he remained quiet when her questioning gaze landed on him. He expressionlessly stared back. The disappointment was unmistakable. She glanced away.

"I think we should let Mata speak to Dhruvi alone," Draupadi voiced.

"Mata?" Yudhisthir asked for Kunti's permission. Mata Kunti nodded. The Pandavs and Draupadi left the chamber.

"A woman must carry her honour and dignity like a pitcher of water on her head. If she stumbles, then a little water is spilled and at worst, the pitcher falls down. The one with a broken pitcher is disgraced by everyone," Kunti said; her eyes perhaps seeing someone entirely else in place of Abhijishya.

"Honour? So maintaining this honourable and dignified image before the society should be priority to a women?" Abhijishya asked incredulously.

"All the laws, praises and love are for an ideal woman. If you visit Hastinapur even after knowing that Sushasan harbours feelings for you, you will be his target. One day, people will come to know of this and they will question your character despite your innocence. Even Mata Sita had to walk through the burning pyre to prove her chastity," Kunti said in a somber tone. "So yes, a woman must maintain her honour and never give a chance to anyone to question her chastity."

"Do these people really matter? As long as one's family-" Abhijishya was cut off.

"A disgraced woman has no one in this world! And no one will accept her. Even if they are your most loved ones. If you fall in the sight of the society, you will be nothing but a blemish to be wiped out to your family," Kunti shouted; her form heaving from the exertion of saying her darkest thoughts out loud. She added in a softer voice," Austere living in the forest becomes her fate. She has no one in the world then."

The only sound in the chamber was Kunti's heavy breaths and occasional hitches. Abhijishya did not offer any comfort.

"Is maintaining one's honour greater than one's child?" She asked quietly.

Kunti stilled before replying stonily," Yes. Yes, if the child brings only disgrace then it is better to have no child at all."

Abhijishya's eyes widened. "Coward," she whispered. "You were scared and you let your fear win, did you not? One doesn't abandon their loved ones even if it meant a lifetime of disgrace. You, on the other hand, left your son to drown."

Kunti went pale and her lips thinned in anger. "I did what I had to do not only to preserve my honour but also to spare him a life of strife. He would have been called a bastard and we would have been ostracized. He would have hated me for bringing him to this world as a result of a mistake." She paused and took a moment to collect herself.

Then she continued more calmly,"I don't expect you to understand anyway so it is best to let the past remain in the past. It doesn't concern you. I still stand with my previous order. You shall not come to Hastinapur unless you receive a specific formal invitation. If it were solely upto me I would have ordered you to never come here. But it is improper to decline an invitation so I cannot stop you without giving away the reason."

Abhijishya nodded stiffly. "As you wish, Rajmata."

"You will have to hurry up your preparations so I think you would prefer to leave," Kunti said.

Abhijishya inclined her head in affirmation. She turned to leave but hesitated. Glancing at Kunti, she said," Why are you letting me walk away after being aware that I know about him?"

Kunti smiled. "I have known you for over a year. You are not impulsive and have a good head on your shoulders. Another thing I am sure of is that you want my son Yudhisthir to be Maharaj. I have faith in you that you won't do anything to disrupt his coronation and will ensure that his rule prevails. But what surprises me is your expertise in Astrology. You are probably as good as Sahadev. Only he doesn't calculate charts of other people without their permission."

Abhijishya huffed out a light chuckle at her assumptions but it was for the best if she didn't correct her."Rajmata, you seem sure about a lot of things."

"Experience," Kunti simply replied. Abhijishya folded her hands before walking out.

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

"Rajkumari?"said Charu in a timid voice.

The person in question hummed and gestured for her to continue.

Charu's deft fingers gradually braided Abhijishya's hair while she said," I hear Khadavprasth is a thick forest. There are no buildings to stay in. Where will you stay after reaching there?"

"I don't know, Charu. Perhaps we can make some huts temporarily before we hire architects and masons to build our city. It will be a few difficult years I guess," Abhijishya replied while putting on her earrings. Charu nodded in understanding.

Abhijishya got up from the stool. Another dasi, Kumudini, placed her veil over her head. She adjusted her churamani such that it fastened her veil properly. "Thank you for your assistance," she said addressing all the dasis. "None of you are obliged to accompany us. I cannot assure you that you will get favourable accommodations after we reach Khandavprasth so it is fair that you get to choose if you want to stay back in Hastinapur or not."

"You have always been so kind and considerate, Rajkumari. Now that it is my chance to prove my loyalty, please do not tell me to forsake you. It is my good fortune that I get to be your servant," Kumudini said with joined hands. "All four of us wish to accompany you to Khadavprasth, Rajkumari. Please accept our services."

Abhijishya smiled. "Then come with me as my companions. I am pleased that I wouldn't have to part from any of you." Saying that, she embraced Kumodini.

The surprised gasp was not missed. Kumudini was stiff in her arms. "What are you doing, Rajkumari? It doesn't suit someone of your standing to embrace us dasis," spoke up Reva, a rather outspoken dasi Abhijishya was quite fond of.

Pulling away slightly, she raised an eyebrow," Can't friends embrace one another? I told you all before that I do not consider you mere servants. I have spoken my heart to all of you. I thought you all think of me as your own. Looks like I am wrong then." Abhijishya sighed in mock sadness.

Kumodini clutched back at her. "Oh Rajkumari! You have been a relative to us. Blessed we are that we have gotten you, Devi, as our swamini (mistress). Please do not misunderstand Reva's words but," Kumudini let go slowly and lowered her eyes.

"No buts. I want you all as my friends. Your service should be your choice. I am fortunate that you all wish to work for me," Abhijishya said gently. "We cannot delay anymore. Go to your quaters and gather up your belongings. We will leave in a prahar." She then turned towards the mirror to underline her eyes with kajal. Abhijishya looked back puzzled when none of the dasis moved from their place.

"Rajkumari?" Parnika seemed tentative. "You haven't been eating or sleeping properly after..." she trailed off.

"What Parnika didi means to say is shouldn't you approach Rajkumar? It is not good to leave any arguments between husband and wife unresolved for long," Reva said softly.

Abhijishya averted her eyes. She had hoped Nakul would approach her last night but he didn't come. She blinked rapidly to keep her tears at bay. Did he truly think she fancied Sushasan? There was also underlying anger within her. How could he question her loyalty after everything?

Instead she said," We have very less time in our hands. I have to see whether everything is properly loaded on the carts or not." Abhijishya couldn't bear their sympathetic looks. She gave a strained smile and left her chamber.

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

After saying their farewells, the Pandavs along with Draupadi and Abhijishya set out for Khandavprasth. Only a few common people accompained them apart from the das and dasis. It was well known that Khandavprasth was a barren land with a huge dense forest. So most didn't want to leave the facilities of Hastinapur behind. Suyodhana had looked particularly pleased which he was trying hard to suppress when they were saying their goodbyes to everyone. Sushasan, on the other hand, sported reddened eyes, unkempt hair and a steady gaze. She had felt it on herself like a looming ghost following her every step.

So Abhijishya had particularly kept it limited to taking blessings and appropriate occasional smiles. She didn't exchange any dialogue with anyone. Jyesth Mata had embraced her lovingly and only let go with a promise of abundant letters after shedding some tears. Although from her interaction with Draupadi, it was evident that they weren't as intimate like she was with Jyesth Mata Gandhari.

Kunti had asked Draupadi to take special care of Sahadev as he was the youngest and given her bunch of instructions which Abhijishya had tuned out. In case of her, Kunti didn't say much; only smiled and curled her fingers on her shoulder. She had asked Abhijishya to look after Nakul and use her intellect to aid her sons. If her grip was a bit tighter than necessary, Abhijishya didn't let it show on her face. She smiled and nodded like an ideal daughter-in-law.

Yuyutsu only nodded in acknowledgement from far before Abhijishya had taken a seat inside her palanquin. Gandharraj Shakuni was absent. He was suffering from a terrible headache and nausea after indulging in copious amounts of wine. Upon hearing that from a dasi, if childish glee welled up inside Abhijishya, no one knew any better. She stifled her grin and offered some words wishing him good health.

They left behind Hastinapur and travelled south-westwards for nearly 5 hours. Due to the people accompanying them on foot, their pace was rather sluggish.

"Halt," came Jyesth Yudhisthir's voice from the front of the party. It was echoed was a series of voices passing on his command.

Abhijishya peeked out after drawing apart the curtains of her palanquin. Their party had stopped in the middle of a huge expanse of barren land with a dense forest at the west horizon. Faint calls of wild animals and birds could be heard coming from the forest.

They had reached their destination. Khandavprasth laid before them in all it's infamy.

~°•~°•~°•~°•~°•~°•~°•~°•~°•~

A.N. - I am really sorry for the late update. I had to think things through regarding this chapter as it pretty much cemented the future plotline of Dhi. There is no turning back now.

Thanks a lot for your patience. I hope you all like this chapter.

Comment on my potrayal of Kunti as a character.

Also do let me know what you think of this chapter as a whole.

Plus we got Kumudini, Reva and Parnika along with Charu who will be our Abhijishya's companions.

*calling Nakul to tell him to apologise so that we can have romantic scenes*

*The person you have called is busy. Please try again later.*

*lets out a frustrated scream*

*realises readers are around*

Oh... uh..until I manage to get through Nakul, you might as well vote for this chapter. Also read the recommended stories while you wait for the next update.

About next update : within a week.

Recs : Decoding Myths by Siyagargi

Indian History Mythological one-shots by Opera_of_Life

Until the next time,

Byeee ;")