Panchaali walked down the path towards the tall bald man, nervousness fluttered through her chest, what was she thinking? How in the heaven did she agree to this dare?

She wondered while erased the distance between her and the man. He was really tall, almost matching the height of Bheem, but not quite the same. She breathed in the cool oxygen trying to ease her heart.

She shut her eyes, breathing in and out deeply, she felt a lot calmer once her eyes fluttered open.

A mischievous smile sneaked on her lips, while an excitement slowly filled her senses, her eyes fluttered to Nakul, who stood smirking at her, he almost expected her to back off and that gave her a reason to move ahead, no, she shall not run, she will do it.

"Excuse you?" She asked, her voice dripping with a fake excitement as a broad smile plastered on her face, the man turned around a flirty smile sneaking on his face, "Yes?" He asked, "Oh my god. I can't believe I got such a pleasure to meet you. I have to compliment you how handsome you look with a shaven head, the way it gleams when light strikes, it's dazzling. Do you mind if I touch your head? Please?" She asked pretending to be excited, the man beamed at her. He was floating where he stood with all the compliments that he got from this beautiful lady,he kneeled down, presenting his head to her. "Go ahead." He said, his voice rumbling with a child like joy, Panchaali rapidly tapped his head three times, a smirk plastered on her face, her eyes locked with Nakul's whose mouth hung open in shock.

From where she stood, she knew he couldn't listen to her, the look on his face was priceless though. She smiled, her attention fluttering back to the man in front of her, a soft smile plastering on her lips. In her game the poor man got manipulated, she moved back her gaze softening.

"What is your name and what do you do?" She questioned, her voice laced with calmness, the man looked up at her confused giving her sad smile. "My name is Shrimanth, and I come from far east, looking for a job. My family has discarded me." He whispered, his eyes filled with sadness before he blinked them and forced a smile, she could see that the smile didn't reach his eyes, the deep sorrow in them had her heart feeling heavy, how can someone discard their own family member? Wasn't family supposed to be together through thick and thin? Her face contorted in a sad mask as she sighed, as a queen she needed to do something.

"Well your wait has come to an end, you should go to the rajmahal and show them this gold coin, tell them that her highness Panchaali has offered you the job of a royal guard. They will take you in. We are your new family,this entire kingdom is one." She said,her voice calm and sincere as her gaze locked with his, shock marred his face as he watched the queen pass him a gold coin, he looked at her face and back down at her extended hand.

Shrimanth's eyes glazed with tears,  as he looked at her. He couldn't believe his fate. His hand wrapped around the gold coin, the hard cold metal coin was like a soothing assurance, blinking back the tears that wanted to trail down his cheeks, he nodded slightly, the tightening in his throat with all the clogged up emotions made it difficult for him to express the gratitude that flooded his heart. She understood and nodded, an assuring smile playing on her lips, god had made her the queen to serve the people and she was just doing that, he didn't need to thank her for doing her duty.

Nakul gazed at his wife, a soft smile playing on his lips, what had he done to deserve her? All his life he had waited for someone to love him, he had been through nothing but pain. But now as he stood here, gazing at the woman of his heart, he felt like every pain he had been through was worth it. If Panchaali was whom he got after all the pain than he was ready to go through it.

His eyes lingered on her , as she turned towards him. Beauty at its best, he could see the that gratefulness in the eyes of that man. 

His chest swelled with pride for his woman and her generosity towards unknown people. Her acceptance towards all beings was what made her unique from others.

He moved towards her, with each step his heart thrummed harder like this was the first time he met her, it truly was silly, he had married her long back, but every moment with her felt new, a crisp wind blew by,making a strand of her beautiful dark tresses fall on her cheek, teasing the soft skin there,making his heart trip over itself.

Her cheeks turned a gorgeous shade of scarlet, while she felt the hot intense gaze of her arya.

Warmth unleashed in her, he stood in front of her, the rough pad of his fingers caressing the soft skin of her cheeks. Her cheeks flushed,her heart fluttering in her chest, she felt goosebumps spread through her body.

Nakul couldn't hold back anymore and enclosed her in his arms. shielding her from the world, holding her close to his chest where she belonged. He placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. And caressed her cheek.

His dark eyes gazing at her, he wanted to look away, but she enticed him in such a way,there was no other need as strong as he felt the need to gaze at her.

"Arya! Today all love is pouring my way" Panchaali teased, her voice a mixture of love and amusement,she tried to ease the intensity of the moment, they were in public, the reminder was enough to heat her cheeks with embarrassment .

"It always flows towards your direction Priye." He teased back earning an eye roll from her, a gentle smile spread on her gorgeous lips, her attention settled on a puppy who padded near her feet. Making her aw at him, at it's cuteness. Nakul rolled his eyes, girls and their love for cute stuff. He chuckled as she watched, her crouch down to pick up the little creature in her arms.

"What's it with girls loving puppies? I mean they are cute and all, but come on I am like the most handsome man on this planet." He teased, barely suppressing the laughter when he saw her role her eyes.  She looked so cute that the urge to pinch her cheeks were intense, he chuckled as she struck her tongue out at him, "Stop being so cute." He stated pinching her cheeks,  making them turn a dark shade of pink as she lowered her eyes. He kissed her forehead, always so cute. . .

***

Duryodhan paced the length of the floor of his room, his eyes filled with hatred. "Mamashree! It has been days since we have moved here! Why haven't we attacked them yet!" He shouted, seeing her happy and laughing, leaving a normal life while he burned  with  fury, with each passing he felt it built, he was itching to kill her.

The painful moments of his death were still fresh in his mind, he still remembered them all, he remembered how he was killed, how Bheem had mercilessly left him to die. The agonising images of Dushasan begin torn in front of him were still so fresh, he wanted his revenge, he wanted her demise,and along with her shall die all the pandavas, the six will die.

Shakuni smirked, "My child have patience. To begin the demise of this six, first we need to bind Vasudev Krishn.  Something needs to be done in order to stop him from coming to rescue of this six every time." Chuckled Shakuni, laughter lacing his words. The malice intent in them was clear as day, while they gazed at the dark floor.

Duryodhan's humorless laughter bounced off the wall, the darkness in the room settled heavier. A look of cruelty marred his face, "Vasudev. This time that cunning man won't be able to stop him." He chuckled, "I just know the right way to stop him." Hatred dripped off his words, as he glared around the room, this time Vasudev would not be able to help. . .

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