"Mata, just one...." Dhriti looked at Kunti with pleading eyes.

"Dhriti, will you ever change child? Just few more rituals and I'll give both of you all that you want to eat." Kunti smiled patting Dhriti and Kanha.

"Ahaa, these are the tastiest sweets in the world. Krishn, I'll save some for you." Bheem said stuffing two laddoos in his mouth.

"Yes yes I would love to taste them bade bhaiya." Kanha said teasing Dhriti.

"And you are like the worst kind of brother in the world." Dhriti joked, mimicking Bheem.

"Applying Sindoor in the bride's maang shows auspiciousness and spirituality in her marriage.
This potrays her willingness for longetivity in her husbands life.
Also, the colour red is considered as the individual energies of Devi Mahalakshmi and Devi Parvati. And the bride who applies this on her forehead has the the fierceness of Devi Parvati and the devotion and shakti of Devi Lakshmi in her life." The Pandit spoke diverting Dhriti's attention as Kanha smiled looking at Dhriti on the mention of Lakshmi.

"Therefore! Putra Krishn, now apply the sindoor in Dhriti's maang." Kripacharya spoke as Parvati smiled approaching the mandap.

"Need some help?" She smiled at Draupadi who was holding the thali with a little box of sindoor.

"Why not! Come with me." Draupadi smiled as she presented the box of sindoor in front of Kanha.

Parvati gave a wide smile as she walked towards Dhriti, lifting up her headpiece so Kanha could apply the sindoor.

"Take the ring and apply the sindoor, quick Govind." Draupadi silently squealed making Dhriti and Parvati laugh.

Kanha playfully nodded at Panchali's excited instructions as he lifted his hand, up towards Dhriti's forehead.

A smile of fulfilment and serenity studded on Kanha's lips while his eyes showed the most purest form of love as he looked towards his supreme consort.

"Prabhu! This reminded me the Siya-Ram Vivah." Nandi spoke.

"And the Lakshmi-Narayan vivah when Mata emerged out of the Ksheer Sagar and the Dev-Asur were fighting for a right over her." Narad piped in.

"They're finally married. Can you imagine Kakashree, your daughter, my dear sister is a married woman with loads of responsibilities now?" Yudhishthir slowly spoke standing beside Vidur.

"I can't imagine anything Putra. I can just widen my eyes at this divine moment. I can't remember what happened a minute before , or what's coming after a minute. I'm just immersed in the moment." Vidur looked at him.

"Panchali, why are you silent now?" Sahadev asked.

"Reality has struck me just now. Just now, while holding the plate of sindoor in front of Govind and watch him apply it on her forehead made me realize that she's all his from now. Now with being the Rajakanya of Hastinapur, she's also the KulVadhu of Yaduvansh, a part of Dwarka. We have to bid a farewell, no matter how much everyone would hate to see her going." Draupadi turned towards him.

"Its Hastinapur's parampara that after the completion of all the rituals, the bride and the groom have to break their fast by feeding each other the food prepared on this occasion." Gandhari spoke as both Kanha and Dhriti got up from their places as they were escorted towards the seats where the servants were serving food.

"Now, who had this great idea to add makhan to the bhoj. I love that person." Kanha grinned looking at the bowl served, full of fresh Makhan.

"I suggested Sulabha Kaki to add this tasty dish to the bhoj. And ofcourse you love me." Dhriti lightly chuckled as Kunti instructed them to break their fast and eat.

Dhriti smiled as she took a small amount of kheer in her hand as Kanha stopped her.

"Wait Priya!" Kanha stopped her hand as an expression of shock covered her face.

"Priya, its all in my fortune that you have chose me above all and kept a fast just for me. So its on me to feed you first and break your fast." Kanha's smiled looking at the plate.

"Also, you seem a bit more hungry than me. So what should I feed you first." Kanha playfully smiled as Subhadra and Parvati cracked a wide grin, but immediately hide it.

"Those coconut laddoos or something spicy! Without a question." Dhriti's mind spoke looking at Kanha as he laughed picking up her dear sweet and fed her the coconut laddoo, while Dhriti smiled, overjoyed with all the things happening around her.

"Now feed him in front of us as well. Chup chup ke toh khate hi ho." Revati revealed as the others started teasing them making Dhrtis cheeks turn a darker shade of red as she fed Kanha.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

"Arya! Arya! Where are you? Why did you leave the hall? All the customs and rituals are over. Dhriti is finding you." Draupadi said following Arjun as his head hung low.

"You go Panchali. I can't come out. I can't see my sister bidding us a farewell." Arjun said, crying.

"Arya.... Remember, you're a brave archer, Chakravarti Samrat Maharaj Pandu's son. The Prince of Hastinapur. The future of Aryavart. This love for your sister should not turn into your weakness." Draupadi explained.

"Yes! I'm a brave warrior.Chakravarti Samrat Maharaj Pandu's son. The Prince of Hastinapur. The future of Aryavart. Yes! Yes! I am everything you mentioned. But above that, I'm a loving brother of a delicate flower whom I've seen turing into a fierce one. I'm her brother Panchali and her love should never be mistaken as my weakness. " Arjun said walking around in Dhriti's room.

"You know, this room. This room would be empty. Just filled with circulating breezes. This entire hallway would be empty without the sounds of her payals, running down. These walls would be deprived of the late night laughs we used to have." Arjun said touching as tears started forming in Draupadi's eyes.

"She was the one with whom anyone could discuss anything and she won't even judge. You know, even if Bhrata Duryodhan or Dushasan would come and pour their thoughts to her at the stroke of midnight, her sisterly love would still embrace those two idiots. Such is her love. " Arjun said walking towards the place where her weapons used to be kept.

"This empty place had all her dear weapons. Her bows, arrows, the mighty sword. And-and I used to sharpen her bows along with mine. The 6 of us used to practise together in the armoury. Without missing a single day. Her combats with Nakul and Sahadev. Her constant attempts to lift Bhrata Bheem's gadha.... I'm going to miss it Panchali how do I explain you! We're handing over a piece of our hearts to Keshav." Arjun said burying his face into Draupadi's neck as her she tried to suppress her tears, assuring Arjun.

"Bhrata- bhrata arjun, Panchali! Everyone is Calling you both for the Vidai." Nakul said. His voice completely cracking due to his tears.

"Let's go. We all know we have to face it." Draupadi said taking them out at the main hall where Kanha was already greeting everyone as Dhriti had her last talks with her dasis, who were more like her friends, waiting for her brothers to arrive.

The crowds attention instantly diverted towards the brothers and Dhriti as Kanha stood with Mahadev and Dau, now watching Dhriti bid a farewell to everyone.

Her eyes met Kunti's as tears started brimming around them. Kunti carassed her face, showering all the love she could give as she embraced her in a hug.

"You said to Bhabhi that a family should bid their daughter a farewell with smiles and not any tears. Then why are you crying Matashree." Dhriti whispered in her ear as she tried her best to hold up her tears.

"Fine! I'm not crying. I'm smiling. I'm happy for you my putri. Your Pitashree would be happy as well." Kunti said.

"He is Kunti! He is." Pandu spoke as the time seemingly stopped again.

"Dhriti, I have fulfilled your wish. Now allow me to take a leave dear. The father in me cannot stay any longer watching you in tears." He said wiping her eyes as Dhriti have him one last hug, before he vanished.

Dhriti smiled as she walked towards Gandhari and Sulabha.

"No! Don't even tell me not to cry! I'm going to cry. I'm going to cry." Sulabha's voice lowered as she sobbed in Dhriti's arms as the younger one tried to calm her down.

"Badi Maa, Kakishree! I'm not going anywhere far away from you. I would be there, whenever you feel like meeting me." Dhriti said as her steps approached Bhanumati and Dushala.

"We would miss the hallway chaos you made while here in the Palace. Chatterbox." Bhanumati and Dushala laughed hugging her as Pitamah was the one standing on the other side.

"Tatshree...." She giggled knowing his lectures on how he wasn't their Tatshree.

"How many times do you want me to tell you that I'm not your Tatshree. I'm your Tatshree's Tatahree!" Bhishma said laughing through his tears.

"I know Pitamah. Now bid me goodbye with a smile. Not with tears." She said joining her hands in front of him.

"Akhanda Saubhagyavati Bhava." He blessed, patting her head.

"Jyeshth Pitashree, may your blessings be with me forever." Dhriti said paying him respects as he patted her.

"Putri, forgive me for not doing your Kanyadaan. I was just not ready to face it." Dhritarashtra spoke as Dhriti nodded knowing the reason.

"Mamashree!" Dhriti faked a smile as she walked towards him, paying him respects.

"Ahaa, Dhriti! Kalyan ho!" Shakuni said partially raising his hands till her forehead.

"Kalyan toh hone hi wala hai Gandhar Raj." Narad mumbled making Kanha chuckle at him.

"Erhm... Have you been crying Bhratashree?" Dhriti smirked looking at Duryodhan.

"Why? Am I forbidden from crying or something?" Duryodhan crossed his arms.

"Did I say that? Ofcourse you're allowed to miss my presence here." Dhriti said, still smirking.

"I'm not at all going to miss you. Huh!" Duryodhan huffed as he tried to control that single drop of tear, behind his anger.

"Stop fighting you two. Mitra, atleast bid her a farewell." Karna said stopping them as Duryodhan gently hugged Dhriti , letting down that single tear as Dhriti gently smiled at Karna.

"What are my eyes literally seeing?" Bheem said looking at them as Dhriti had finished meeting almost everyone. Quiet satisfied that she hasn't cried yet.
But now, she knew she would completely pour down all her heavy tears as she walked towards Vidur and her brothers.

Tears had already started dripping down her face as she stood in front of him.

"Kakashree...." She smiled taking his blessings.

"Akhanda Saubhagyavati Bhava Putri." He said through his sobs aa they hugged each other.

Dhriti still had it together as only a few tears had left her eyes, enough to stain her face as she broke the hug, giving him a reassuring smile as Vidur wiped away his tears.

Next was the still figure of Draupadi, silently sobbing as she did not dare to look up at Dhriti who had now held her hands.

"Ever since I came here at Hastinapur, not a single day has passed without spending time with you. Going to the Gauri Temple is nothing without your stories. So, now that you're leaving , how do you want me to manage?" Draupadi said sobbing as Dhriti finally gave in, sobbing in her arms.

"Don't cry, tell me Dhriti..... Tell me." Draupadi said, her voice now over powered by her sobs.

"You like to go to the Gauri Temple and listen to my stories na? Then whenever you miss me, go there and sit in front of her idol, you'll always feel my presence.
But don't go and sit there out for too long leaving all your work, otherwise I would be blamed." Dhriti smiled though her sob's lifting up her mood.

"See I made you smile through those tears. Told you I was a bit more funny" She laughed as her gaze shifted towards her brothers.

She looked at a crying Yudhishthir as she tried to console him, but Nakul and Sahadev came forward tightly engulfing her.

"Didi! Don't go didi. We can't even imagine not seeing you around us every single day, and now, suddenly everything will be changed." Nakul further added as they continued crying in her arms.

Dhriti, as the elder sister she was to the twins, did not cry along with them. Instead she tried to give her best smile, to assure them their happiness as she wiped away their tears.

"A few things change after a course of time, and we all should embrace the change, shouldn't we?" She said silencing their heavy sobs as Yudhishthir approached.

"And a few things never change no matter what. Like Dhriti's gonna be our sister and we 5 her brothers, forever. No matter how far she is from us." Yudhisthir said hugging her.

"And I'm the Jyesth, does not mean that I should not cry. Right now I'm the brother of a sister who is a married woman with responsibilities. And I still can't belive." Yudhishthir patted as tears started heavily streaming down their faces.

"Now who is going to make the arrangements for my midnight growling. This Nakul is a traitor!" Bheem said making everyone give out a little laugh before shedding the tears of separation.

Kanha saw the devastated expression on Arjun's face as he smiled approaching him.

"Parth...." Kanha said turing back his attention.

"I- I can't Keshav, I can't. I'm already devastated. Can you imagine my condition after you all leave?" Arjun said putting a hand on Kanha's shoulder.

"Bhratashree!" Dhriti said shaking him.

"No! I don't want to face this. I can't Dhriti, I can't bid you a farewell." Arjun's said, crying further.

"Look her Bhratashree.... " She said managing to turn him around as his broken expressions hurted her.

She immediately got into his arms as she was now, completely letting out everything she was holding in for so long.

They stayed like this for few more minutes, just crying into each other's arms as a little tear escaped from Kanha's eyes.

"I'm going to miss you Dhriti. Can you even imagine how much." Arjun slowly spoke.

"I'm going to miss you as well. And ofcourse I can imagine." She replied.

"Stop crying now Bhratashree. Can we laugh?" Dhriti asked patting his back.

"Even you are crying. And you can't make me laugh. I'm very sad." Arjun quickly replied.

"I can cry. I'm younger to you na. And yes I can make you laugh." She said wiping away all her tears looking at him.

"I swear if you're thinking about mentioning her." Arjun said, now wiping away his tears.

"Who are you talking about Parth!" Kanha smirked.

"Brihannala....." Arjun slowly spoke as Nakul and Bheem cracked up.

"She did not even say anything. You yourself mentioned her." Sahadev piped in making all of them chuckle as they had their final group hug.

"I knew you all would crush me." Dhriti said as the 5 of them clapsed her in the centre.

"I'm not even crushing you. All your necklaces and head pieces are almost piercing me." Arjun said as they broke the giant hug.

"Now it's time for us to return as well everyone." Mahadev smiled as Parvati and Saraswati bore a sad expression.

"Wait Swami. Let us atleast meet her for the last time." Parvati said as both the Devis approached Dhriti standing with Kanha.

"Dhriti...." Parvati said holding her hands.

"Sakhiyo! When will we meet again?" Dhriti asked embracing both of them.

"When it's the right time Dhriti." Parvati smiled looking at Kanha as he assuringly nodded. His eyes shifted towards Mahadev who smiled at him, bidding a silent good bye as all of them swiftly walked out of the palace, taking their original forms, out of everyone's sight.

"Prabhu! Om Shri Lakshmi-Narayan Namha." Narad joined his hands in his supreme deity's praise as thy vanished to their respective abodes.

"Maharaj ki jai ho! The message has arrived that Dwarkadheesh, Kumar Balram and Rajkumari Subhadra have already reached Dwarka to initiate the welcome ceremony. The chariot is waiting outside." A sevak informed as it was time to finally take a leave of the Palace of Hastinapur.

_________________________________________

Sorry for the late update guys, I have a chemistry test today and I had absolutely forgotten to complete my update yesterday.

This chapter was very emotional for me to even write.

Anyways,

Hope you like it.
If you do, don't forget to vote and comment.
Thanks.
xx.