The Pandavs were resting a little way off from the banks of River Saraswati. They truly looked like sages with their long slightly matted hair and beards. Abhijishya had brought along the wooden comb and combed her hair thrice a day because she certainly didn't want dreadlocks.

The mood was still somber due to their recent departure from Kamyaka Forest. The air was also tense between them as no one addressed the elephant in the room : Nakul's sudden marriage proposal. However indirect and improperly delivered, it was what it was.

Abhijishya was trying to untangle the mess of her emotions and thoughts so she didn't mention it. Nakul thought of Abhijishya's silence on the matter to be her lack of affection for him and was moping.

Arjun, Sahadev and Yudhisthir couldn't figure out how to handle the situation. Kunti wanted Nakul and Abhijishya to come clean with their affection for each other to her so she was waiting. Bheem was unusually silent regarding everything.

"Where are we heading?" asked Abhijishya carving a piece of wood with her knife.

"Earlier Nakul noticed a huge flock of birds were flying to the east. There should be a village or town. So, we are heading eastwards," said Yudhisthir.

Abhijishya nodded and went back to carving.

The silence was stifling. Generally, Nakul and Abhijishya gravitated towards each other. The past two days Abhijishya didn't even glance at Nakul properly once. Her usual chatter, playful jokes and discussion on various topics were absent. She had retracted within herself.

After five more days of agonising silence from Abhijishya, Arjun was the first one to crack.

"Talk to her," he simply said.

"What?" Nakul asked.

"I said talk to her. We both know that the way you indirectly indicated your wish to marry her was inappropriate. So, go fix this. Whatever it is. She isn't even talking to the rest of us," Arjun said.

"Bhrata-" Nakul was interrupted.

"Jyesth, Nakul will be going with Abhijishya," Arjun said.

Yudhisthir nodded understanding Arjun's purpose of saying so.

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Abhijishya had taken it upon herself to collect berries from the nearby bushes. Nakul walked behind her.

She made no effort to small talk and simply started picking berries.

Nothing in his twelve years of training under Gurudev had prepared Nakul for this. He was nervous and half scared his love would be thrown back at his face. Maybe she was angry at his improper proposal.

He was slowly withering in this uncertainty so he squared his shoulders and braced himself.

"You haven't taken off my necklace," he said looking at her.

Abhijishya paused in her movements momentarily but continued. "Do I have a reason to?"

"I- maybe. I- I don't know," he stammered out. He cleared his throat. "Please forgive me," he said.

"For what?" Abhijishya asked.

"For- you are asking for what?" Her indifference was cutting him like glass shards. He clenched his fist and took a calming breath.

Abhijishya remained silent.

"It just came out of my mouth. I am sorry that I spoke of my wish to marry you so abruptly in front of everyone but- but I am not apologising for wishing to make you mine," Nakul said.

Abhijishya stood up and faced him. "Yea, that was rather crude. Apology accepted," she said curtly.

Nakul gritted his teeth. He was hurt by her cold behaviour. He didn't understand what he did to deserve this.

"Why are you being so distant? Is it my fault? If it is, it wasn't intentional. I don't know what I did wrong," Nakul said. "Talk to me. Please," his voice etched with desperation.

Abhijishya wanted to scream at him. It was irrational to be angry at Nakul for something he would do in near future. But she wanted to hurt him like he would hurt her. As he was hurting her even without doing anything. She hated herself for giving such power over her to another human. Especially whose fate was already decided. She hated herself for falling in love with him. She hated him for being so good and nice and lovable and making it impossible for her to hate him, to unlove him.

"What do you even know about me? You fancied me for what? A year? Now you wish to marry me. You make everything seem so bloody easy. Because I'll be another woman in your life as soon as you fall out of love. But for me, you would be everything. You'll be going along following your mother's command to the letter, following your brothers and leave me behind," Abhijishya let out a bitter chuckle.

Nakul was tongue tied. He couldn't fanthom where all this was coming from.

"I DON'T WANT TO END UP LIKE HIDIMBA," she shouted. Her chest heaved with exertion. Her hand came off wet from her face. She hadn't realised when she had started crying.

Oh. Oh. She thought he would leave her. She was hurting and he needed to make it alright. That was all that mattered.

Nakul rushed in front of her and embraced her tightly. Abhijishya wanted to shake him off and walk away. She also wanted to hold him and never let go.

"I wish you could see yourself through my eyes. I wish you could feel what I feel for you. Because I need you. I need you like the air I breathe. I love you. And I won't love any other woman like I love you,"- Abhijishya's eyes widened."Nakul-"

"No please, please let me say this because you are hurting and it is tearing me to pieces. I promise you that your place will always be in my heart and by my side; with my family. I will never leave you behind.You are right I don't know much about you but I am willing to learn," Nakul ran his fingers through her hair. "And you don't have to marry me now. I'll wait for you. I won't marry till you marry me. If you want to marry me."

Abhijishya leaned back a bit to stare at the fragile smile on Nakul's face. She realised she wasn't alone who was hurting. Her words and doubts had hurt Nakul too. It wouldn't be only her heart that would break but his too. That moment she resolved that she would fight fate, even fight the Gods for him. As long as he wanted to be with her, she would stay.

"I am so sorry I hurt you," she whispered. "I swear as long as you love me, want me I'll fight the world to remain at your side."

Nakul hung onto her every word. She let out a watery chuckle. "You utterly good, lovable man. You make it impossible for me not to love you," she kissed him on his cheekbone. "You have my heart, love. You have my heart."

Nakul hugged her tightly and kissed her forehead. Abhijishya melted at his look of pure love and adoration.

"So...will be there with me when I talk to Mata about us?" Nakul asked a bit hesitantly.

"Of course," she smiled.

They walked back to where Kunti was with a content and happy mind.

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Abhijishya and Nakul found rest of their family in deep conversation with an elderly sage and some of his disciples.

Arjun noticed them first.

"Mata, Abhijishya and Nakul are back," he said.

Kunti turned towards them and said," Come here putri Abhijishya, putra Nakul. Bhagwan Vedvyas has been waiting for you."

Both of them touched his feet. "Pranipaat Bhagwan"

"Ayushman Bhav" he blessed them. "Come sit with us."

They sat down. Vedvyas looked at Abhijishya.

"You are far from home, putri," he said.

"Home is where the heart is, Bhagwan. I am building my home here now," she smiled with joined hands.

"I've heard much praise of Yadavkumari's beauty and wisdom who unfortunately perished in the fire along with the Pandavs," Bhagwan Vedvyas smiled.

"I hope you haven't felt that the praises are unfounded," she replied.

"We'll have to see then. Tell me, what is the meaning of life?"he asked.

"The meaning of life is to give life a meaning," she replied.

"Elaborate?"

"A king and a farmer lead different lives so at the end of the day their opinions and understanding of life will be different. So any meaning we give to our lives become the meaning of our life," she explained.

"Excellent. It is refreshing to hear such unique opinion. I am pleased with your answer, Yadavkumari," he said.

Abhijishya bowed her head. "Thank you, Bhagwan. I am glad you found my answer satisfactory."

"Kalyan ho putri." Then he turned to Kunti and said," You all need a place to stay. Go to Ekachakra. There you can live contently for a month. After that I suggest you all rest in Kampilya on your way to Naimisharanya. We'll meet again when it is time to meet."

The Pandavs bid farewell to Bhagwan Vedvyas and set out for Ekachakra.

Most of the journey, Abhijishya asked about Vedas and Upanishads to the Pandavs. She hadn't gotten a chance to read them yet.

She noticed how tired Kunti looked so asked the Pandavs to make an open sedan chair. Thankfully, they all wore wooden sandals so Abhijishya had no problem walking.

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After a week, they reached Ekachakra and took shelter in a Brahmin household.

They all pretended to be Brahmin too. All five Pandavs would go door to door and collect alms. Abhijishya helped the Brahmin's wife in her household chores. The Brahmin's wife was kind enough to give her and Kunti two sarees after seeing their worn out, torn sarees.

After sunset, the Pandavs would return with alms. Mata would divide the food in half and give one half to Bheem while the other half was equally divided into six parts and eaten by the others.

"I wish you didn't have to work in someone's house," Nakul murmured. It was night time. Both of them were lying awake. Abhijishya sat up and moved towards him.

"I should contribute in someway too. It doesn't feel right to live here for free. I was thinking of working as the village Vyad's helper. Then we could save some money and buy clothes for you and your brothers,"she said in a low voice.

"What about your and mother's clothes?," Nakul asked.

"Ahalya kaki was kind enough to give me and Mata two sarees. So it is not a necessity now," she said caressing Nakul's forehead. Nakul caught her hand and touched her palm.

"What is this?" He sat up feeling it rough and swollen. She tried to tug it away. "What happened to your palm?"

"It's nothing, dear. I didn't know I was allergic to something in the paste Ahalya kaki gave me to clean the utensils," she said. Abhijishya felt a drop of tear fall on her palm.

"And you didn't even say anything to me. I could've made some medicine for you," he said. Abhijishya felt another tear on her palm.

"Areh it itched for a bit that's all. Don't cry now. You'll wake everyone up," she whispered brushing his cheeks.

"Nakul is right, Abhijishya you should've said something," Arjun said. Abhijishya and Nakul both startled.

"Arjun," she hissed. "Why are you so adamant on startling us always?"

"How is it my fault that you both get lost in each other and forget about your surroundings?" he asked in a playful tone. "But seriously, Abhijishya you aren't working tomorrow."

"I promise that I won't do any work that will aggravate my hands," she said.

"Fine, but don't think I didn't notice how you didn't promise that you won't work at all," Arjun said.

Abhijishya rolled her eyes. "Yes yes, sakha."

Nakul yawned. "You said you weren't tired, Nakul. Now you are yawning. Go sleep now," Abhijishya said.

"All of us need to sleep," Arjun said.

"Yes, Good night," she replied as she settled beside Kunti. They whispered back her greeting.

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Next morning, Bheem had stayed behind with Kunti and Abhijishya.

Abhijishya was about to call Ahalya kaki when wails of despair reached her ears. She went towards the sound to see the entire Brahmin family weeping.

She rushed back to Kunti and brought her along.

"Pranipaat, what happened? Why are you all crying?"asked Kunti.

"Oh lady, we do not wish to involve you in our problem. There is nothing anyone can do," Brahmin said while crying.

Kunti and Abhijishya exchanged looks. Whatever it is, they needed to find out.

"My five sons are not ordinary humans. They can surely aid you in this hour of need," Kunti said with determination.

Brahmindev looked at Ahalya kaki who in turn nodded to tell them their reason for such despair.

He took a deep breath and said," There lives a group of Rakshasas at the far end of this town. Their leader is a terrible cannibal named Bakasura. Every month, the head of a family has to go to him with ample amounts of food. Bakasura eats the food as well as the food bringer. If this prevails and no one skips their turn, Bakasura has promised to leave our town in peace. If the head of the family that is fated to be his meal does not turn up, he will kill his family and if he still is not satisfied, own whole town is doomed. Thankfully that has never happened. Now it is my turn to get him his meal and be his meal as well," the Brahmin said breaking into sobs.

Both Kunti and Abhijishya could never have guessed such a grave problem plagued this town. The people seemed happy and content. Now they understood why Bhagwan Vedvyas had sent them here.

"Do not worry. My second son shall go in your stead," Kunti said addressing the hosts.

"What? NO no, you are our guests. I cannot allow this," the Brahmin denied vehemently.

"Brahmindev, a mother can never wish for the death of her child. Mata would never have offered if she wasn't confident that Bhrata would emerge victorious," Abhijishya said.

After a lot of persuasion, the Brahmin family agreed.

They returned to their room where Bhrata Bheem was waiting for them. Kunti explained everything to him.

"Putra, it is your duty as a Ksatriya prince to help these people in need. This Brahmin family has granted us asylum. Now, it is our time to help them in return," she said.

"As you wish, Mata. I will rid Bakasura of this world the same way I did with Hidimb," Bheem said and mentally prepared himself for the upcoming fight.

Abhijishya knew Bheem could successfully kill Bakasur but it still didn't help ease her worry.

After a while, the rest of the Pandavs returned. Nakul also brought some sort of leaves which he crushed and gently put on her palm. Abhijishya's heart skipped a beat at the show of his love and care. Her cheeks pinked and she sent him a grateful smile.

During the meal, Kunti informed them of what had happened. Everyone seemed excited except Yudhisthir.

He was concerned about Bheem being able to defeat Bakasura. In case of Hidimb, Arjun cleverly manipulated the RaksasRaj in their favour. When the rest of the brothers went to sleep, he voiced his doubts. Kunti reprimanded him.

"How can you doubt your brother's might? You already know that after I received Bheem from Vayu dev, I heard a tiger's roar and he slipped from my hands and fell down the moutain. I went down to find him giggling and the rock he fell on was shattered into smithereens. Thanks to Vasuki and Duryadhan, your brother also acquired the strength of a thousands elephants. If anyone can defeat Bakasura, it is Bheem. Have faith, Yudhisthir."

Yudhisthir was convinced and he agreed to her.

"Mata, pardon me for listening in. But I don't think Bhrata Yudhisthir's worry is completely unfounded," Abhijishya said.

"I too am sure Bhrata Bheem will kill Bakasura but what if the other Rakshasas attack Bhrata after he has defeated Bakasura?" she voiced her concern.

Kunti looked worried and thoughtful. "I think we should remain some distance away from Bhrata Bheem. If he needs our aid, we can help him," Abhijishya said hoping Kunti wouldn't be angry with her.

Kunti smiled. "You have always looked out for my sons, putri. I wouldn't expect any less from you. We shall do as you suggested." She caressed her head and said quietly," I look forward to the day I can welcome you as my daughter-in-law."

Abhijishya ducked her head and blushed. "Mata," she whispered and embraced her. Her heart swelled in happiness at her acceptance.

A.N. - Nakul and Abhijishya's relationship has matured some. You also got to see the realistic view of Abhijishya from her answer to Vedvyas.

The fate of the Pandavs awaits them in Kampilya. What would this mean for Abhijishya and Nakul?

I hope you enjoyed reading this chapter.

Please vote and comment.

Until the next time,

Byeee ;")