"What kind of jest is this, Arjun?" Maharaj Dhritarastra asked with suppressed anger.

Yudhisthir said," Arjun is telling the truth, Tatshree. We, five brothers, have married Panchal Rajkumari Draupadi."

Gandharraj burst out in laughter. "Five brothers married one women. Hastinapur has great doctrine indeed, Mahamahim."

Bhisma's expression had darkened; his eyes held fury and fists clenched so hard that it seemed like he was fighting to restrain himself.

"How dare you," he said softly. "HOW DARE YOU SET FOOT INSIDE HASTINAPUR AFTER COMMITING SUCH BLASPHEMY?" His voice thundered over the Pandavs.

The Pandavs were struck at the anger and disbelief pouring out of their reverend grandsire.

"For years, I have safeguarded the throne of Hastinapur. I have struggled incessantly so that righteousness might prevail. Yet you come here, Yudhisthir, to glorify the throne with the muck of your heinous sin; the throne that gets stained by even slightly withered flowers," he turned his face away from them. Then said bitterly," And I was awaiting the advent of righteousness for all these years."

"You were against the coronation of nephew Suyodhana, Mahamahim. Now what do you have to say? Are the Pandavs even deserving of staying in the Kuru kingdom?" Shakuni goaded Pitamaah further as he limped towards Maharaj Dhritarastra.

Pitamaah stood with gritted teeth and head down.

"Tatshr-" Kunti was interrupted.

"Not a word. I don't want to hear anything from any of you," Pitamaah said sharply.

The helplessness was palpable in the faces of Mata Kunti and the Pandavs. Draupadi was a different story. Her face was pale and she kept looking at Abhijishya who was standing beside Maharani Gandhari.

Abhijishya wanted to let things run it's course but the situation was rapidly deteriorating fast. Despite that she held onto her patience.

"What is there to even say, Mahamahim? You heard Yudhisthir himself. He doesn't lie. What could possibly excuse such malign?" Shakuni said loudly.

"It would've been better if you all didn't return. I would've grieved you as the righteous grandsons I lost instead of bearing witness to you go astray from the path of righteousness," Pitamaah said stonily.

The Pandavs looked devastated especially Arjun. "Pitamaah," he whispered but Bhisma wasn't even looking at them.

"Maharaj," Shakuni said with joined hands. "What kind of message will the subjects of Hastinapur get if you allow the Pandavs and Panchal Rajkumari to enter the palace? They will think that you and Mahamahim approve of the Pandavs' sin and soon all around Kuru, many men will marry one women. What will be left of the great Hastinapur's dignity then?"

"Gandharraj is right. I cannot allow you all inside the Kuru kingdom. I am sure Tatshree and Vidur will agree with me on this," Maharaj Dhritarastra said with furrowed eyebrows.

"Tatshree, we-" Yudhisthir tried to speak.

"Be silent, Yudhisthir. Be silent. Do you all have no shame? Or have you left it behind when Bheem married a Rakshasi?" Shakuni said condescendingly.

Bheem took a step forward enraged but was stopped by Arjun grabbing his wrist.

The Kauravs were silent spectators who were enjoying themselves completely. Karn's expression was a mix of disbelief, disappointment and disgust.

Kunti was silently shedding tears.

"I agree with Maharaj," Maharani Gandhari said. "How could this happen when you were there Kunti? How could you let them do this?"

"Jiji," Kunti said while shaking her head in denial.

Abhijishya knew she had to act fast. The Pandavs would leave if the Maharaj ordered them. Pitamaah was by no means ready to listen.

"Surely the Pandavs must have some reasons for taking such a drastic step, Maharaj-" Vidur tried to explain.

"What reason or situation arose that they had to resort to such blasphemy? That they had to bow to unrighteousness?!" Bhisma asked angrily.

"It is decided then," Maharaj said. "I-

"What about me?" Everyone looked at Abhijishya.

She joined her hands and said," Pardon me for interrupting you, Maharaj."

Shakuni looked at her sceptically. 'What is Vasudev's sister playing at?'

"Speak putri," Maharani Gandhari urged.

"Thank you, Maharani," she smiled softly. "What about me? Where do I go? The Pandavs married Panchali but what is my fault?" she asked.

"You have become a part of their sin, putri. You accepted your husband's marriage too," Bhisma said with a sigh.

"I was not going to marry Arya when I heard that they would marry Draupadi. In my homeland, it is a crime to have more than one husband or wife. But then Maharaj Drupad wanted me to marry Arya. I did. Maharishi Vedvyas also said that the Pandavs have carried out Apatdharm so this marriage is acceptable only in their case. I convinced my heart that I had to share my husband with a co-wife. Now you all are saying that the Pandavs have committed blasphemy. I do not understand. Where is my place in all this?" Abhijishya said while stifling a sob. "How do I go back to Dwarka days after my marriage because the people who are supposed to be my family have no place for me."

Maharani Gandhari came towards her and said," No no, putri. None of this is your fault. You were just unfortunate. You are still our daughter-in-law."

"Jyesth Mata," Abhijishya said with a shaky smile and embraced her.

Meanwhile, the Pandavs, Draupadi and Kunti were gawking at her in astonishment.

"You have done great injustice with putri Abhijishya. I don't think I could be anymore disappointed," Pitamaah said.

"But Pitamaah, she was-" Bheem was interrupted.

"If I stay here, I'll lose control of my rage. I must leave now. Maharaj," he said and walked away.

"Pitamaah," Arjun called and was about to follow but Yudhisthir stopped him. "Not now, Arjun. Not now."

Abhijishya sniffled slightly and wiped her tears. "I still don't understand many customs and traditions of Aryavart. I believed you all when you said there was no other way."

Draupadi looked betrayed. Arjun and Sahadev were confused. Yudhisthir stood expressionless while Nakul looked thoughtful. Mata Kunti was aghast on hearing Abhijishya singing a totally different tune. Bheem looked away in anger.

She turned towards Maharaj Dhritarastra. "I come to you, Maharaj, as a daughter who feels she has faced injustice and unfairness. I plead that the entire court of Hastinapur hears out the reasoning of the Pandavs and then you do justice." The stress on reasoning was percieved as bitterness to everyone.

Abhijishya fell before Dhritarastra's feet and cried.

Dhritarastra bent down and held her shoulders. "Get up, putri. I shall fulfill my duty as Maharaj of Hastinapur. Simply ousting the Pandavs and their common wife will not be proper. I swear I shall do justice by you."

If Abhijishya was surprised by Dhritarastra's considerate words she didn't let it show.

"Thank you, Tatshree," she said with joined hands.

"You all go to your chambers. Either way we have to purify everything with the holy waters of Ganga once you all leave," saying that Maharaj Dhritarastra went away.

"Come putri, I'll take you to your new chamber," Maharani Gandhari said kindly.

"No Jyesth Mata. Today I have many answers to give and many answers to receive from Arya. Afterall I don't know what might happen tomorrow," Abhijishya said.

"I understand. It must be so hard for you," she said. Then angrily turned in general direction of Kunti and said," I don't know what Kunti was thinking when she consented to her sons' marriage." She placed a hand on Abhijishya's shoulder. "After dinner, you will accompany me. Then I'll take you to your chamber."

"Thank you Jyesth Mata," Abhijishya said with a smile. Gandhari and her dasis went away.

Shakuni knew everything was not as it looked like. He had to think about the unexpected change in behaviour of this Abhijishya. So he said," Follow me, my dear nephews. We have no business remaining here."

Vidur knew some of the incident from his various spies but needed to confirm the entire story. He said," Bhabishree, Sulabha has missed you very much. I hope you won't mind going to meet her now."

Kunti gave a slight smile and shook her head. She looked at the Pandavs once before leaving with Kakashree Vidur.

"What was that Abhijishya?" Bheem demanded.

"Perhaps we could speak indoors. I tire of standing here," without waiting for a reply Abhijishya walked towards the common sitting room of the Pandavs.

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

Abhijishya was already seated when the Pandavs and Draupadi arrived.

"Parihar (Privacy)" she said loudly.

"Forgive us, Rajkumari but we were told not to follow any orders from the Panduputras or even their wife," a das said.

She replied smoothly," I am neither. I am not Panduputras nor their wife. I am only Rajkumar Nakul's wife who is also acknowledged as the Kulvadhu by Maharani. Do you have any problem following my orders now?"

"Please forgive my mistake. We shall leave at once," the das said. Every das and dasi left.

"We thought you didn't have any complaints about our marriage to Panchali, Abhijishya. If you had then why not tell us before?" Yudhisthir asked with an undertone of hurt.

"I didn't expect you to betray us like this," Bheem huffed and strode to another side of the room.

Abhijishya remained silent biting her lower lip.

"I thought you were like my sister," Draupadi said; angry tears glistening in her eyes. "You claim to love Arya Nakul yet you betrayed him."

Abhijishya buried her face in her hands and her shoulders started shaking.

Nakul approached her uncertainly and placed a hand on her shoulder.

Abhijishya couldn't hold in her peals of laughter. She pressed a palm over her mouth in an attempt to stifle it.

Nakul sighed. "Chest and sticks?" He didn't know if he should be proud or not.

With amusement in her eyes, she confirmed," Chest and sticks." He just shook in head in exasperation.

"What are you both talking about?" asked Arjun; bewildered at Abhijishya's laughter.

"People generally see what they want to see and hear what they want to hear, Bhrata Arjun. I showed something and everyone saw what they wanted to see," Abhijishya said.

"Explain clearly, Abhijishya. My pateince is running thin," Bheem said while pacing.

"I don't know if I should be offended at your lack of faith in me. I am hurt," she said a tad bit dramatically placing a hand over her heart.

Nakul chuckled. "Don't keep Bhrata Bheem hanging, Mohini. Or else he'll dig a hole in the floor from all his pacing."

Abhijishya sighed. "Fine. I'll elaborate."

"Bhabishree saved us from being ousted by Tatshree," Sahadev said as realisation dawned upon him.

She inclined her head. "I did."

"But- but she had us called infront of the court-" Bheem said puzzled.

"Which will be our chance to be heard," Arjun completed now understanding Abhijishya's actions.

"Oh..." Draupadi and Yudhisthir also realised the truth.

Draupadi immediately felt guilty for accusing Abhijishya of disloyalty. She went to her and said," Once again you have done something totally unexpected. Forgive me, Dhruvi. I regret what I said."

Abhijishya got up and held her hand. "It's alright Draupadi jiji. I didn't take your words to heart."

"But you lied to Maharaj, Abhijishya. It is a grave offence. You'll get punished," Yudhisthir said worriedly.

"Did I?" She asked with a raised eyebrow.

Yudhisthir furrowed his eyebrows not understanding what Abhijishya meant.

"Tell me, Jyesth. Did I lie?" Abhijishya asked.

Yudhisthir remained silent recalling every word spoken by her. "No," he said with wide eyes. He couldn't comprehend how they all had simultaneously filled in the gaps in Abhijishya's story with assumptions.

She smiled. "Everyone assumed I was accusing you all. I didn't lie."

"But you faked your tears," he said.

"Who said those tears were not real too? Honestly I was freaking out when Maharaj Dhritarastra was about to order us to leave Kuru Kingdom," Abhijishya confessed.

Bhrata Bheem laughed out loud. "You had us all fooled, Abhijishya."

"Speak for yourself, Bhrata. I knew she was up to something," Nakul said. Bheem huffed indignantly.

"I am assuming this tale of 'chest and sticks' has something to do with Abhijishya tricking people," Arjun said.

"You should've seen her then, Bhrata. She was glorious," Nakul said with a proud smile.

Arjun grinned," Then we shall have to listen to this tale sometime soon."

"Our hurdles are not yet over, Bhratashree," Sahadev said gravely.

"Sahadev is right," Yudhisthir said. "We still have to convince the court tomorrow."

"Kakashree Vidur will be on our side. Mata Kunti must have told him everything by now. We only need Pitamaah on our side too. That way our defence will have more weight," Abhijishya advised.

"What do you opine, Panchali?" Bheem asked.

Draupadi looked thoughtful for a moment then said," There is danger looming over our righteousness because of me. It is my responsibility to find a solution for that. If Aryaputras permit, I would like to speak to Pitamaah."

Yudhisthir looked at his brothers for affirmation. Then he nodded in agreement.

"I hope you have answer to every question asked tomorrow Jyesth," Abhijishya said.

"I hope so too," Yudhisthir answered.

"Forgive my interruption Rajkumari, Maharani Gandhari has called you for dinner," came a voice of a dasi.

Abhijishya looked at her family. "What will you all eat?"

"You go, Abhijishya. I am sure we'll be sent food soon," Yudhisthir said with a reassuring smile.

Abhijishya glanced at Nakul who nodded. She bid them farewell and followed the dasi.

She wasn't sure she could swallow even a bite of food tonight.

~°•~°•~°•~°•~°•~°•~

A.N. - Tell me people. Was it less dramatic? Overly dramatic? Or okay level dramatic?

What this chapter boring?

Let me know in the comments.

Please do vote too.

Until the next time,

Byeee ;")