Abhijishya would be lying if she said she wasn't feeling paranoid. Many questions swirled in her mind. Like how many days would they be staying here. Would anything change because of her presence. There were many adaptations of the tale of Lakshagriha so how exactly would everything turn out was unknown. She was sure the Pandavs and their mother would make it. But what about her? She really didn't fancy herself being turned into roasted barbecue.

Mata Kunti lit the diya as they entered the mansion. Purochan was adamant on setting up the diya near the main gate himself.

The entire mansion was full of mirrors which illuminated the inside with silvery moonlight.

"So, Purochan you said earlier that the mansion is illuminated by moonlight but what about a new moon night (amavasya) ?" asked Sahadev.

"Sahadev, why should we worry about that that? None of us are going to stay here till new moon," Bheem said too busy looking around.

"But Sahadev's question has merit. What do you use to light the mansion on a new moon night, Purochan? Mashals lamps?" asked Yudhisthir curiously.

Purochan looked tense. "We will come up of a way to illuminate this mansion without using Mashala, Yuvraj. You need not worry."

"Please come this way. It is already late. Maharani, Yuvraj, Rajkumar and Yadavkumari must be hungry. We have arranged for dinner," said Purochan's wife.

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

Dinner was an unceremonious affair. Abhijishya was too occupied in her thoughts to even participate in the on going conversation. Knowing what she knew, Abhijishya really felt at unease with Purochan and his people hovering nearby.

After dinner, Kunti stayed back to discuss the arrangements for the Shiv Pujan tomorrow morning with Purochan's wife. Tonight they had just arrived so Abhijishya was sure that at least tonight they would be safe. Or else she would have stayed back with Kunti.

Purochan's son guided the rest of them to their chambers which were very far from the entrance door.

Arjun noticed Abhijishya's quiet demeanour and decided to talk to her later.

They reached a large living room.

Purochan's son said," Now allow me to leave, Yuvraj. If you need anything, please give me a call and I shall attend to you at once." Yudhisthir nodded. With that, he left. Abhijishya sighed in relief.

Nakul's eyes caught his reflection in a mirror. He puffed out his chest slightly. He raised chin and smoothed his slightly ruffled hair. It was really an amusing sight.

"See, Nakul has already started preening like a peacock infront of the mirror. I don't get what you find so interesting that you never get tired of seeing your own face," teased Bheem.

"Atleast my face is worth admiring," Nakul snarked back and went back to fixing his aangavastra.

Everyone started laughing.

"Nakul, you really shouldn't look so much in the mirror. Maa used to say if someone always kept looking into the mirror, their face starts slowly changing to that of a frowning monkey," Abhijishya couldn't help but tease him too.

"Ah I can see what you are talking," Arjun nodded his head sagely.

Nakul looked alarmed and looked closely at his reflection to see any changes.
"Abhijishya, you are supposed be on my side. How could you team up with Bhrata Bheem and Bhrata Arjun? Jyesth, you tell them that my face is as handsome as it was before."

"Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder, Nakul. Why are you asking Jyesth to lie?" Sahadev chimed in.

Bheem patted Nakul on his back. Nakul nearly fell on the floor. At this point, Abhijishya couldn't stop laughing. One glance at poor Nakul's indignant face and started laughing afresh.

Nakul looked at Abhijishya mesmerized. She looked lovely laughing so freely. He hoped he could forever bring joy to her. That moment Nakul realised his feelings were Abhijishya were here to stay.

"What is happening here?" Kunti asked with a smile.

"Mata, they all have ganged up on me. Abhijishya said that I look like a monkey. Even Jyesth won't tell them that my face is beautiful as ever," Nakul said childishly.

Kunti's eyes twinkled with amusement and delight. "Oh? Is that so?" she asked Abhijishya mock sternly.

"No Mata, I never said Nakul looks like a monkey. I said that my Maa used to say if someone always kept looking into the mirror, their face starts slowly changing to that of a frowning monkey. Rajkumar Arjun agreed with me. He has keen eye sight. If he says that Nakul's face is slowly morphing into a monkey's face, who am I to question that," Abhijishya procliamed trying to sound innocent.

"No no that won't do. You can't push the blame on me. Bhrata Bheem started it Mata. Jyesth was also laughing with us," Arjun protested with a smile.

"Areh, areh enough. We have to get up early tomorrow for Shiv Pujan. Don't tease my putra so much.Putra Nakul's face can't be anything but beautiful," Kunti replied caressing Nakul's face. Nakul grinned.

"Come with me, putri. You chamber is beside mine," said Kunti.

"Yes Mata. Subh Ratri," she greeted and then followed Kunti.

Kunti's and Abhijishya's chambers turned out to be almost at the other side of the mansion.

"I am really glad you are getting along with all of us. Losing your family must be very hard. You look so lost sometimes, putri. Think of me as another mother. Never hesitate to come to me," said Kunti gently cupping Abhijishya cheek.

Abhijishya's eyes watered. She felt choked up with so many emotions in that moment. So she just hugged Kunti and nodded her head.

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

Abhijishya felt fidgety in her chamber. Sleeping in this trap of a house was out of question.

So she decided to explore the house. She wandered through various corridors. Even though the mansion was a trap, she had to appreciate the fine work Purochan had done. She carefully looked at the pillars. No sign of melted wax.

The entire mansion had only one entry and exit point. There was no back door and no balcony. No window big enough that a person could pass through. Maybe she and Kunti could but not the Pandavs.

"Why are you roaming around alone like a ghost in the mansion?," she turned to see Arjun standing near the door to the Pandavs' chambers which she had just passed.

"Exploring the mansion," said Abhijishya. "I couldn't sleep," she admitted softly.

"Hmm. So what did you find?" asked Arjun.

"It is rather what I didn't find in the mansion," said Abhijishya. "Care to join me for a walk?"

Arjun simple strolled to her side. "Sure. So what did you not find then?"

"For a beautiful mansion, it is really imperfect. There is no back door, no balcony, small windows and of course no kitchen inside the mansion," Abhijishya said.

Arjun looked thoughtful. "Perhaps they hurried along the process of building it. Bhrata Bheem woke up Nakul earlier to help him find the kitchen," he replied. "He is going to be upset with Purochan."

Abhijishya hummed. "So, tell me Rajkumar Arjun what are you doing awake at this hour?"

"Bhrata Bheem's whispering and Nakul not too soft protests woke me up. Anyways, what is with you calling us all with our titles? Except Nakul, you call Nakul by his name," asked Arjun trying to gauge her expression. He was certain Nakul had feelings for Abhijishya but he wasn't sure whether it was reciprocated or not.

"Well Nakul asked me to call him by his name. You all are so very formal most of the time. I didn't want to offend any of you," Abhijishya said.

"Now I am asking you to call me whatever name you want," Arjun replied.

"Oh? Any name?" Abhijishya smiled mischievously.

"Yes, any name," smiled Arjun.

"As you wish, Brihannala jiji," Abhijishya giggled.

Arjun blanched. "Nooo, not you too. Madhav told you, didn't he?" he whined.

Abhijishya burst into laughter. " I've heard that you looked very beautiful Arjun. I am his friend and now your friend too so I've the right to know all the embarrassing stories about you."

"Is that so? Then next time I meet Madhav, I have to ask some embarrassing stories about you too," Arjun said in good humour.

"I'll make Gopal promise not to tell you anything then," Abhijishya replied.

"That's not fair," Arjun complained.

"Oh, it very much is," Abhijishya laughed and almost slammed into Nakul who was standing with Bheem.

"I am so sorry. I didn't see you there," Abhijishya said flailing a bit.

"It's fine. I shouldn't have been standing in the middle of the corridor. So, it's partially my fault too," Nakul said.

"Arjun, you should've said something nah?" said Abhijishya.

"What? I didn't see anything," Arjun replied. Obviously lying.

"Right. The archer who can shoot any target at night couldn't see. It is payback for the comment earlier, isn't it?" Abhijishya narrowed her eyes.

"What comment?" asked Nakul curiously.

"Oh nothing nothing. Bhrata Bheem, where did you eat the food from? Abhijishya said that there was no kitchen inside the mansion," Arjun changed the topic.

"Purochan and his wife gave me this while I and Nakul were busy finding the kitchen. I ordered him to build a kitchen inside immediately," Bheem replied while chewing his food.

"What kind of a mansion doesn't have a kitchen inside?! I just don't get it," Nakul said. "What were you both doing, Bhrata Arjun?"

"Abhijishya was exploring the mansion alone. I decided to accompany her. Now come on, we can get a few hours of rest before Shiv Pujan," Arjun replied and started walking towards their chamber. Bheem followed still eating.

"You didn't sleep at all," Nakul commented.

"No, I didn't. I guess this place is new so I couldn't fall asleep," Abhijishya shrugged.

Nakul said nothing for a while. They lazily strolled towards Abhijishya's room.

"You have been tense since you entered this mansion. Something is bothering you. You know you can tell me right? I mean we are..." he paused" we are friends now."

"Don't you feel that something is not right with this place? Just one exit and no arrangement for lights for a new moon night. The kitchen is outside the mansion. Purochan doesn't like the ides of mashals and.." she stopped. She probably had said too much too soon.

"You know something." It was a statement.

Abhijishya didn't answer or even look at Nakul.

"You are Vasudev's sakhi. You wouldn't let any harm befall us," Nakul said. He didn't know what to feel regarding Abhijishya's silence.

"Oh? That is the only reason you trust me then," Abhijishya couldn't help but feel hurt. She knew it was illogical to trust a person one just came to know for a scant few days. But Nakul saying that hurt for some reason.

"That is the only rational reason I can speak of out loud. Sometimes you just come across some people whom you put trust in an instant," said Nakul.

"I will always make sure that you, Mata and your brothers always make it out of harm's way alive," 'unharmed' she couldn't promise. Before Nakul could say anything, she continued, "You all have welcomed a stranger like me amidst you and always made me feel like a part of you. I shall always be indebted for that."

"Only because we saved your life? Don't you want to stay with us? Just because you want to not because you feel grateful?"asked Nakul hurt colouring his tone.

"It's not like that, Nakul. I don't belong here," 'I want to go home.' She didn't say.

Moonlight danced on her face. Nakul noticed how tired she looked. How worried. His expression softened.

"I have a place for you. At my side. Belong with me."

Abhijishya turned to face him. Her breath hitched. She didn't realise when a few tears slipped. He was looking at her with such intensity as if he was looking at her soul. His eyes were so sincere and his expression soft.

His lifted his hand and lightly brushed the tears from her cheeks.

Abhijishya felt something settle within her. She grabbed his left hand by his side with her right and squeezed. Nakul didn't let go.

"Okay... okay," she whispered.

A promise of eternity was made.

A.N. - Another chapter for you guys with a lot of beginnings.

Beginning of Arjun and Abhijishya's friendship.

Beginning of Abhijishya's feelings for Nakul.

And last but not the least, beginning of Abhijishya really regarding Kunti as her mother.

If you like this chapter then please vote and comment.

I know I am late in publishing this chapter. I was procrastinating. But it is 23:55 hours now. So it's still today. I promised yesterday I'll update tomorrow. So I didn't break the promise. Okay, I'll quit rambling.

Until the next time,

Byeee ;")