The pandavas breaths hitched as they watched their bride walk down towards them, her beauty had stunned everyone in a silence.

Slowly the marriage proceedings began, Draupadi's eyes stayed glued to the ground, the pandavas on the other hand were a completely different story as they kept staring at her, they weren't able to look away from her. Though the circumstances were different, they finally had her as theirs. They didn't know what future would be like but to gather they vowed to do their best to keep her happy.

Tears filled Draupadi's eyes, but she didn't let them fall down, the fear, the pain, the uncertainty about her future all were revolving around her mind making her heart hurt.

First Draupadi married Yudhisthir, as he was the eldest son of Kunti, followed by Nakul, the elder son of Madri. Than Bheem married Draupadi as the second eldest son of Kunti followed by Sahadev as the second eldest son of Madri. Last was Arjun, so far he had noticed that Panchaali had not once looked up at any of them, not once.

Arjun had given up all his hopes when Panchaali's hand was placed in his and their eyes clashed. Arjun didn't smile, uncertainty fluttered in his stomach, not sure how to react.

Draupadi's heart stopped as shock flooded her body, tears gathered in her eyes. She recognized him, Arjun, her Arjun was alive, she subtly turned her head and looked at the remaining Pandavas.

The pandavas smiled brightly seeing her eyes on them, the bright smile that appeared on her face had them forgetting how to breath. Her beauty just multiplied a hundred times with her smile.

It didn't take for Panchaali to recognize that they were her five eunuch friends too. The smile disappeared as anger flooded her system so all along they were aware that she was suffering and they kept their mouth shut.

The sudden change of her facial expression didn't go unnoticed by the pandavas as they gulped. Their wife was angry and for a fact they knew that this will not turn out to be good for them, they all shared looks that each one of them understood all too well.

****

"

Putri Draupadi tonight you along with your husbands will be sleeping in this temple. This is one of our ritual, that husband and wife before starting their married life stay the night in this temple taking care of this diya. And tomorrow morning at five you all shall get ready as we will be leaving for another ritual." King Drupad said before leaving the pandavas alone with his daughter.

The pandavas glanced at Draupadi who had her eyes closed and hands joined in a praying manner as she prayed and lit the diya. They watched her every moment with great caution and interest, trying to figure out just how deep in trouble they were.

Yudhisthir gave Bheem a look that clearly meant, "go talk to her. " To which Bheem shook his head violently, "I maybe the strongest but I don't have any suicide wish bhraatashree." He whispered back. "Arjun than you should go. " Yudhisthir suggested.
"To what die on my first night of wedding by the hands of my very own wife?" Arjun asked sarcastically, shaking his head.

"Nakul should go. He always was able to charm her with his sweet talk." Bheem stated his eyes looking at his younger brother who gulped. "Brother in no way I am gonna be the one to die at such a young age. Look at my handsome face I don't deserve to not exist. " When Nakul too refused they all turned to Sahadev, who instantly shook his head as he understood what it meant.

"No no no. " Sahadev said.

"Yes yes yes. " The four brothers sung back.

"No!" Sahadev whisper yelled.

"To what die on my fast night of wedding by the hands of my very own wife?" Arjun asked sarcastically, shaking his head.

"Nakul should go. He always was able to charm her with his sweet talk." Bheem stated his eyes looking at his younger brother who gulped. "Brother in no way I am gonna be the one to die at such a young age. Look at my handsome face I don't deserve to not exist. " When Nakul too refused they all turned to Sahadev, who instantly shook his head as he understood what it meant.

"No no no. " Sahadev said.

"Yes yes yes. " The four brothers sung back.

"No!" Sahadev whisper yelled.

"Yes! " The four whisper yelled back.

"But why me?!" He whined feeling cornered by his elder brothers. "Because you are the smartest in the Aryavart." Arjun said and the others nodded. They all silenced as they heard the melodic jhankar of Panchaali's payals.

"Aryaputro the food is served." Her voice was barely above whisper as they all looked at each other. Their hearts took a nose dive in the sea of pain as they realised that she was more hurt than angry, they all looked at each other and nodded, together they will make her smile.

They followed her in the beautiful temple, there was no one there. Five plates of food were served, they all shared a look, where was her plate? They silently questioned, they all took their places and sat down.

Draupadi sat down near the diya, drawing patterns on the floor. She was happy that her pandavas were alive but she was hurt that they silently let her hurt as she thought they died.

Bheem looked at the food but today he didn't feel like eating, which was rare. All he wanted was to see her smiling, he got up from his place and the others did too. They all moved to the place where Draupadi sat with her back resting against the wall, her eyes closed. They knew for a fact that she wasn't sleeping, Nakul was first to move as he laid down with his head on her lap on her left side. Sahadev did the same as he laid on the opposite side with his head close to his twin, Arjun was not going to miss the chance as he laid down with his head in the center of her lap.

Yudhisthir moved and he sat on her left side and Bheem on her right as they rested their heads on each of her shoulder. She said nothing, not a word but they noticed the slight hitch in her breath.

Panchaali felt like she was going to drown in the tears, thinking that they all had died and now being all surrounded by them was just too much for her. It was a war to keep her hands still in her lap just above Arjun's head was a struggle at a new level. She itched to touch them, to feel them, what if this was all just an illusion and nothing more. What if she realised that this was all a dream and they were still dead?

Arjun looked up at his wife, she hadn't moved a muscle, he took in her beautiful features, that always had the capacity to make him forget about everything and get lost in her forever.

"Yes we knew that you were in pain. But we were bound by our promise to our mata that we won't let anyone know we are alive. Today after years we revealed to the world that we are alive. Panchaali we know that was no excuse to hurt you but we were helpless. We are truly sorry priye. " Sahadev began, emotions chocking him up as he looked up at his wife, she sat still.

"Panchaali without you all this years have been a hell. I had no one who would silently sit with me and share my pain, people think I am the strongest that I don't need support but you know better than anyone that without you and my brothers I am nothing, that you all are what make me strongest, without you I am just dead. " Bheem whispered tears clogging his eyes making it difficult for him to speak.

"A Dharmraj is nothing without his dharm, without you all this years I felt as though all the dharm had left me, you're absence for past all this years have been hurting me every moment. For so long I have been holding the hand of patience and have been fighting but now I can't anymore. I need my strength back, my dharm back, I need you in my life Panchaali." Yudhisthir gulped down the tears that he had been holding back, the years of pain reflected through his words.

"You're the prize of my years of tapasya, you're the one that has always filled the color in my life. You're the inspiration that gives me the reason to wake up every morning, my very reason of being. You're my strength, my patience, don't abandon me love I don't think I'll be able to survive." Arjun told her truth, as his heart clenched in pain. "Everyday without you have been a struggle, seeing you go was the hardest thing I had ever done in my life, that very day my soul was shredded as a part of me left with you. Now that I have you I can't afford to lose you again. . ." Nakul's voice faded as it became difficult for him to talk, he looked up as he felt a tear drop on his face followed by others. Her eyes remained closed but tears were tracing down her cheeks at a constant pace. She could feel their pain and they could feel hers, for years now they each had died a new death after being separated but now gods had united them and there was no power in this world that would separate her from them.

"Shhhhh don't cry Malini. Please don't cry. We can't bear seeing you cry." Sahadev begged as he watched tears rain down his wife's cheeks, each one breaking her heart. She opened her eyes slowly and that had their hearts beating wildly.

"Arya. . ." Her voice faded but it was enough for all of them to know that they were all forgiven. Yudhisthir and Bheem, each wrapped an arm behind her back as they hid their faces in her neck, breathing in her addictive fruity fragrance, tears of relief ran down their cheeks. Nakul and Sahadev, each wrapped an arm around her wait as they hid their faces in her stomach, as slow tears of relief ran down their cheeks.

Arjun took both her hands as a tear traced down from the corner of his eye. His eyes held hers captive as he brought her hand to the side of his head and kissed her palms. Making her shiver. The four brothers followed his lead as they all laid a kiss too. Her cheeks warmed as her heart skipped a beat, goosebumps ran through her body making her hyper aware of her husbands' touch, their breaths. A pleasurable shiver ran down her body that had the five brothers smiling at her response to their touch.

"So precious." Bheem whispered in awe as he kissed her forehead lovingly. "Now let's go and feed you something. Over the years you have lost so much weight, don't they feed you here in Panchaal?" Bheem teased making everyone laugh as her cheeks turned a brighter shade of pink. "Come on." He urged as none of them moved. "But bhraatashree we don't want to move. It has been so long since we have held her so close." Nakul whined at the thought of leaving his comfortable position.

Yudhisthir smiled down at his brother, "Don't worry priy anuj now Malini is forever ours." He whispered making her heart quiver, he squeezed her back where his hand rested making her shiver and blush.

The others smiled, they loved the thought of Malini being theirs, they all got up and helped her to stand as they moved where the food was served. "Malini come sit with me we'll share the food." Bheem said as he pulled her with him. "Bhraata Bheem as sweet as the thought is how about we all eat together like the old times." Sahadev suggested making others smile brightly. Her heart warmed at the thought of sharing dinner with them, she mentally thanked the gods above for gifting her with such beautiful husbands.

They all sat down and Draupadi served them all in a plate, "Where are you going? Come sit with us." Nakul said as he pulled her to sit down next to him and Arjun, who gave her a sweet smile.

Draupadi looked at them and the plate as none of them began to eat. "Arya why aren't you all eating? Don't you all like the food? Should I tell the maid get you all something different." She questioned worried, "The food is fine. We are waiting for you to feed us just like the old times." Arjun said as he caressed her waist, her heart melted. She took a small piece of ladoo and brought it to Yudhisthir's lips who sat right opposite to her, he wrapped his lips around her fingers, making her shiver as his eyes met with hers. Mischief swirling in those dark eyes, that had her blushing.

She took another small piece and brought it to Arjun's lips, who ate it but he pinched her waist making her jump. "What's wrong Panchaali?" He questioned his eyes alight with humour as they met hers. Her cheeks tinted red as her heart fluttered, she ignored him and was about to feed Bheem who stopped her. "No Panchali if you'll feed me now than my hunger would be satisfied instantly and I won't be able to finish my food." Bheem said in a baby voice as he pouted making her giggle, the hearts of the pandavas skipped a beat as they watched her giggle, the sound of it making their hearts stop.

She nodded to him as she moved her hand to Nakul to feed him, he ate it but while doing so he bit her fingers lightly, she yelped as she pulled her hand back but before it could get away too far he caught it. The others laughed, "Nakul I know Malini is very sweet but that doesn't mean she is edible." Sahadev teased making the others laugh as Draupadi's cheeks warm, "Give my wife's hand back priy anuj." Arjun teased, "I will, first let me fix my mistakes." Nakul replied as he brought her fingers to his lips and kissed them. Making her blush harder, as she pulled her hand back instantly making others laugh. She took a last piece and brought it Sahadev's lips, who ate it as he caressed her back reassuringly making her heart flutter. The pandavas fed her and soon all continued eating. Once done Draupadi fed a ladoo to Bheem whose hunger was finally satisfied.

The daasis came and cleared everything while the pandavas went to change, Draupadi put some more oil in the diya to last for the entire night. The pandavas ordered the daasis to put all the mattresses in a manner that they created a big bed, once done they ordered them that no one shall disturb them till morning to which they nodded and left.

"Panchaali come let's sleep." Nakul pulled her to the makeshift bed. "But arya the diya. . ." She hesitated, "you can see the diya from here plus we'll take turns. And no more arguing on this matter." Sahadev assured as he made her sit. As Arjun, Yudhisthir and Bheem talked.

Nakul moved behind her and removed the odhni that was pinned at her head. "Arya what are you doing?" She questioned, as she tried to get away from him. "You surely aren't planning to sleep in this heavy clothes and jewellery right?" He asked and she shook her head. "Good so we are helping you get rid of all this heavy stuff." Sahadev said as removed all the heavy bangles leaving behind only one light bangle in each hand. Nakul removed the heavy necklaces and neck pieces and replaced them with a light mangalsutr and replaced her heavy earrings for matching small diamond ones.

Sahadev got her clothes, "Nakul just come here for a moment." Arjun called and just like that the four brothers got lost in the conversation. Sahadev gave her the clothes, "Arya I'll just go and check the diya and the other things, if everything required is already here." She said as Sahadev nodded, he cupped her cheeks and kissed her forehead. "I really missed you a lot priye." He whispered the words as he lingered near her forehead, her heart turned into a mush as she heard the words leave his mouth, soft and sweet.

"I did too Arya." She confessed making him smile, she moved away towards the diya while Sahadev moved towards his brothers.

Draupadi checked everything and noticed that all the things she required were present, now all she had to do was go and take a bath in the holy lake behind the temple. She was about to call one of her husbands to escort her when she noticed that the pandavas were submerged in their discussion. It wasn't much far so why disturb them, she can go alone. She thought as she took her clothes and walked out from behind door in order to not disturb them.

The pandavas were discussing something when Bheem got up to drink some water, he looked around and when he couldn't find his wife unease settled in his heart, "Where is Panchaali?" He questioned, when he couldn't hear or see her. "She's checking the preparation." Sahadev answered subconsciously as he pointed something on the scroll showing it to his twin.

Bheem looked around and his anxiety just increased with each moment, where was she? Worry built in his chest, he came rushing in, "She's not in the temple." His words had the others jumping up, their hearts pounding in their chest as they stared at each other.

"Where could she be than?" He questioned, "Maybe she left to have bath alone seeing us busy." Sahadev suggested, Nakul groaned, "oh that silly girl." He whispered as the five moved out with their weapons to the lake.

Like expected when the princes reached the lake they found their wife in the water, the worry lightened as they saw that she was safe.

"You know you are in some deep trouble dear wife." Bheem called out, the pandavas smirked as they watched her jump in surprise and turned around. "Arya?" She asked surprised at seeing her husbands here. "Come out Panchaali its time to return." Yudhisthir said as he took the shawl and moved towards the lake urging her to come out.

She hesitated before moving out, the pandavas breath hitched making them completely forget where they were, or what they were doing as they watched the white cloth that was wrapped around her body stuck to her body like a second skin. Her wet hair loose hair made her look even more desirable. They found it difficult to breathe when they watched her move towards them, Yudhisthir cleared his throat as he wrapped the silky shawl around her.

Sahadev on his unsteady legs handed her the clothes, "Go and change." He stated as he watched her leave, soon she changed in a silky white saree and came out. They took her back, their hearts calming down after seeing the sheer intensity of her beauty.

"Let's sleep priye." Bheem said once they reached the temple. Draupadi laid in the center with Arjun and Bheem on her either side, their faces hidden in her neck as Bheem's arm served as a pillow under her head while Arjun wrapped his arm around her. Nakul and Sahadev laid near her too, their heads resting on her waist. Yudhisthir laid on his side above her head facing her, his hand running through her hair while his other hand was under his head supporting it.

"Sleep priye I'll keep watch on diya for now." Yudhisthir assured, and she shut her eyes. After a long time she felt complete and safe, like nothing in this world could ever harm her with her family by her side. . .

***

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