Draupadi's POV:

I walked down the hallways of this huge Kashi Palace, it really was beautiful with so many intricate designs in the walls and pillars, each telling a story. It would really be interesting to know the tale behind each one.

The guards knelt, as I walked through the corridors, laughter rang through the palace. I felt suffocated from being in here for so long, I wanted to go out and explore, to see how beautiful this place was. To see the beauty that the nature around but I knew asking pitashree was useless, he would never permit me to leave.

My chain of thoughts were broken as I stumbled into a wall or at least I  thought it was a wall and fell back on the ground, someone held out their hand in order to help me up, I laid my hand in theirs and stood up.

"Thank you. . ."  My voice faded as my eyes met with deep dark brown ones that looked almost black, instead of kindness this eyes possessed arrogance and cruelty. Not a drop of mercy, I shivered in fear as I stepped back, pulling my hand away from the man who stood in front of me like a statue. His gaze now blazed with lust making me feel dirty.

"What's your name princess?" He asked, his voice was laced with lust almost had me wincing internally.

"I am Draupadi the princess of Panchaal."  I tried to be as formal as possible to cut this conversation short and leave. "I am Duryodhan, the yuvraj of Hastinapur." Arrogance laced his every word, the word Hastinapur had my heart beating wildly.

"Bhraatashree mata is calling us."  I heard another voice, I turned around to see another man standing behind me, his posture screamed arrogance, the lust in his eyes didn't go unnoticed as he looked at me like I was a piece of meat and not human.

Dear lord what have I gotten myself into? The man seemed be at a loss of words, his constant stare making me nervous. I was just wondering why wasn't he looking away doesn't he know it's rude to stare.

"Rajkumar Dushasan." Another man joined them, "Angraj Karn." Dushasan greeted back. The name Dushasan rang a bell in my mind, wasn't he the same guy who I had scared when he had seen the fire wall? Oh yes, he is the same guy.  

Angraj Karn came like a blessing, I guess he could see how uncomfortable I was and tried to take them away, just as they were about to leave a voice called, "Mere Bache."  Another man, he was older, maybe was their uncle, I shut my eyes in desperation.  When I opened my eyes he was looking at me like I was the most beautiful and fascinating thing that he had ever seen, I shivered in disgust.

"You must be Drupad kanya Rajkumari Draupadi." He stated confidently. "You know her mamaji?" Duryodhan asked, oh so he must be the Shakuni mama  I have heard so much about from Govind.

"Beauty like hers is just one my priy Bhanje. The tales of Princess Draupadi's beauty are famous in every part of the Aryavart and I have to say princess they are nothing compared to the reality, personally you are more beautiful." His face had a cunning smile, his words and voice were as sweet as honey but the look in his eyes were that of a snake. Waiting for a opportunity to bite. My hackles rose as I gave him my best calm smile, "Gandhar Raj beauty lies in the eyes of the one who sees it. As much as woman may love the compliments, I am someone who treasures inner beauty, for I believe inner beauty amplifies the outer one but the outer one can never cloak the ugliness that lies within." My voice was calm and steady, I sounded strong thankfully unlike my heart that was thundering crazily as anxiety built in me.

"Ati uttam Drupad kumari, you spoke like true queen. A woman of not just physical beauty but also a woman with brain." Gandhar raj continued but before he could utter another word, a voice spoke, a voice that had my galloping heart calm instantly.

"My Sakhi really is one in a million." Kanha's melodious voice had me smiling, a wide, jolly smile on my face.

"Pranipat Mamashree." He greeted, a mischievous look on his face, that had me biting back a laugh. The confidence that Mamashree Shakuni was portraying minutes back had suddenly vanished.

"Vasudev Pranipat." Gandhar said in between his nervous laughs, "Pranipat bhraata Duryodhan, Pranipat Angraj." Kanha greeted them and they greeted him back. "Pranipat Vasudev." Dushasan greeted, "be happy Dushasan." Kanha blessed.

"Pranipat Vasudev." I half greeted,my eyes shining with amusement, his shined with mischief. He nodded and smiled.

"Why is everyone gathered here in corridors Mamashree?" He questioned as he stood next to me, "We were just greeting the princess of Panchaal. That's all." Shakuni stammered, I wanted to laugh so badly. My Kanha is here Mamashree, let's see how well your moves work on him.

"But where are you of to Vasudev?" Angraj asked, he said something more but I couldn't focus on what was being said, I could still feel the eyes of Dushasan and Duryodhan who were practically undressing me with their eyes, I felt violated.

"I am off to punish someone Angraj, they had dared to  put their eyes on a woman in a manner that was not appropriate so I am planning to get their eye balls to be plucked out from it's sockets." Kanha said sharply, I could see Duryodhan and Dushasan flinch, I sighed in relief, they no longer looked at me.

The two gulped while Mamashree Shakuni stammered, "We should leave, Maharaj Dhritarashtr must be waiting for us." Gandhar raj said and soon left with the other three. I sighed, my head resting on Madhav's shoulder who stood beside me laughing.

"Thank you Madhav." I whispered as I looked at him, "What are friends for?" He asked rhetorically making me smile. "But if you really wanna thank, thank Yogini, she saw you being cornered and got me here." Kanha revealed making me look up at him with surprise, he pointed behind me, where Yogini stood wearing a pretty pink lehnga.

***

Third Person's POV:

Yudhisthir sighed as he watched as Rajkumari Draupadi turned around to look at the him, he smiled calmly at her look of gratitude. "Thank you so much Yogini." Panchaali said sweetly as she walked towards him, he felt a bit weird hearing the name of the woman, he didn't know how Arjun had managed to be dressed up as an eunuch and help princess Rukmani escape. He finally understood the pain and weirdness he must have felt.

"It was my duty princess." Yudhisthir said, trying his best to sound like a woman, he always did but it still sounded a bit gruff but at least it was better than Bheem, who no matter how hard tried always ended up trying manly.

"I'll take your leave sakhi, I need to leave for some important work and won't return till tomorrow morning so you missy better stay out of trouble. Take care Sakhi. Yogini be alert and take care." Kanha said, his voice sounded like he was trying to hint something, it was second time Yudhisthir thought that he was hinting that Malini needs protection, out of today he had never seen anything odd happen before but he knew better than to be careless, Vasudev had trusted him with his friend's life and he along with his brothers were determined to protect her.

"Take care Govind and be back soon. I'll keep laddoos ready for you. I'll be making some for Bhumika and I'll try saving for you but no promises. And I am making them for the first time after I learned them from Bhumika so you have to be there to taste them."  She said, her voice soft as she smiled with kindness at her friend.

He laughed heartily and Yudhisthir joined too, "Stay safe Kanha. Take care." She waved goodbye as Kanha nodded and left, "Let's go princess, we should being learning about some politics now." Yudhisthir said as they moved towards her room.

***

"You did really well princess." Arjun praised and he meant it, Panchaali was a fast learner, she had a natural grace and elegance that was really very rare to be seen. 

"Thank you Brihannala, but I am no where close to you. I am sure many princes of Aryavart must loose their sleep." Draupadi smiled, as she teased him, Arjun's cheeks turned pink in embarrassment. There was laughter followed by her comment, she turned around to see Bhumika, Yogini, Sonali and Nalini walked in.

Bhumika was holding a tray of food, "Come on princess have some dinner, we shall discuss Brihannala's love life later." His words had everyone laughing and Arjun's cheeks turned even more red.

"Aw don't tease her. Look she's blushing. "  Draupadi awed making everyone laugh, for more effect she pinched his cheeks and the others laughed louder.

"Rajkumari you need to eat." Bheem said as he put the tray in front of her, making her pout. "I am not hungry Bhumika." She whined childishly. "You two make one fabulous pair of friends princess, on one hand you're never hungry on the other hand Bhumika is always hungry." Sonali stated seriously but soon everyone busted out laughing.

"Did you all eat?" She questioned looking around, "We will but first you need to." Nakul said and the others nodded.

"Dasi." Panchaali called out to a servant, a woman came rushing in. "Yes princess?" She asked, waiting for her to command.

"Go get food for more five people." She ordered and the servant left. "But princess we can't eat with you." Yudhisthir said, "Aren't you all my friends?" She asked looking at all five.

They nodded, "we are but..." Sahadev was cut off by Draupadi who asked, "Don't friends eat together?"

"They do. . ."  Arjun was interrupted by her too, "good so that means you all are going to eat with me." She declared as Daasis walked in with trays of food and laid out.

"Come on Bhumika I am hungry. Come let's eat." She pulled Bheem towards the food, the others followed, they all sat down.  Everyone prayed, no one said anything as they were all lost in their mind.

"Arjun you're gonna eat without me?" Arjun froze as he heard the sweet voice of his friend, it has been so many years since he has seen her, than why was he suddenly hearing her now?

He watched as the little Malini walked where he sat and knelt down, near him, a smile appeared on his face, he knew it was his imagination but he was happy to see her.

"How dare you Arjun, I know you're a mighty warrior and all but I too am your friend. Your first priority. I should be the one feeding you the first bite. Are you willing to break our tradition Arjun?" She chastised as she looked at him, her cuteness just seemed to increase every moment. The way her cheeks flushed with anger and the way her little nose twitched, it made him smile.

He smiled, it was good to see her, like the void that was always present in her chest was filled. Over the years he always regretted not being able to say goodbye to her, he, Bheem and Yudhisthir had gone out that day to buy her birthday presents but when they returned she was gone, just like that.

Tears burned in his eyes and he found difficult to swallow as his throat tightened at the memory.

Yudhisthir opened his eyes after praying and found a pouting Malini sitting in front of her, "What adharm were you about to do Dharmraj? How could you start the dinner without me? You know I have been so hungry." Her melodious voice had him smiling, as tears filled his eyes. The youngest member of their family sat in front of him. He didn't dare say a word, fearing that she'll disappear again, the way she had done years back.

Not one letter he had gotten from her, not one. Had she forgotten them? Did she never feel like talking to them? What happened to her? Who were her real parents? He had no idea, where to find her? Where to search for her?

Bheem smiled as he looked at the food, "Vrikodar eat fast so that I can give you the last bite and satisfy the never ending hunger. He saw the little Malini appear in  front of him, he felt a pang of sadness, he wasn't able to say goodbye to her.  He missed her lot, specially making her laugh and making her smile. She would always cheer him up at his lowest, his partner in crime. His heart often hurt when he thought about her, questions about her whereabouts always haunted him, he often worried for her well being.

Nakul and Sahadev looked at each other and back at the food, "Nakul" He heard the soft voice with a girly laughter, he turned around looking at Malini who smiled at her as she  looked at him. "I miss you Nakul." He heard the sift whisper before she ran away disappearing in thin air.

Sahadev felt little arms wrap around his neck, as the nine year old girl rested her chin on his shoulders. "Sahadev you know everyday I miss you and yet you forget me. I am angry with you.  I won't talk to you." She said, as she got angry with him, it made him smile. Even if she was angry, he was glad that he could just hear her even if it was just imagination.

The pandavas all knew that this Malini they saw during was just a figment of imagination but it gave them some peace, a false sense of her being around. A false sense of happiness. Losing a friend and family member like Malini was difficult for them.

Draupadi was busy in her thoughts thinking about her beautiful friends, and Kunti maa. She wondered if anyone of them was here? Maybe if she is lucky she would get a glimpse of them. Her heart throbbed in pain as she thought about the family she left behind, tears burned in her eyes as a knife twisted in her gut making her lose her breath.

The face of her five princes flashed in her mind, the sweet bickering with Bheem. The daily combing her hair with Nakul, the heart to heart talks with Sahadev, her always going to Yudhisthir with her problems because she knew he would always solve them, Arjun's teasing, Kunti Maa's hugs she missed them all.

She took a deep breath as she tried to distract her mind, she looked up at her Sakhis and they were all lost in some thoughts. "What are you all thinking about?" Draupadi asked, snapping them all out of their thoughts, they all snapped up from their thoughts of Malini.

"What were you all thinking about?"  Draupadi asked, trying to smile, she really hoped they didn't notice her sadness. "Just that how unfair life is. It always takes away someone you love the most." Arjun said, making her heart throb painfully. She nodded with a forlorn expression on her face. . .

***

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