"Meeting you was like listening to a tune for the first time and knowing that it would be my favourite." ~ Subhadra

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He was a prince. Dressed in pure white with golden ornaments adorning him from head to feet, he was really handsome. His crown housed his black hair perfectly which was a complete contrast to his fair complexion.
After some moments, I managed to look away from him.

'Bhadra, all along these years, you wished to meet Prince Arjun and when you have got a chance, you are struck speechless by a random man in this palace? Is this your ethics?'

I folded my hands in an attempt to acknowledge the audience. I stepped down after paying my respect to the instrument while Dushalla and Charu clapped and hugged me.

"You were marvelous. You have a magic hidden in your fingers, so no matter what instrument we give, you manage to surpass all the others" Dushalla squealed.

"I scold myself everyday for not learning an instrument in our school on hearing your music." I heard Charu speak and smiled.

"Maybe, because you were more interested in archery" I chided Charu as her cheeks absorbed a reddish colour.

Looking at Bua [Aunt] Kunti, I received a silent nod as a reply and I silently thanked Bratashri for his help but a question was still beating in my mind, so as to why I played that tune which I had composed thinking of Prince Arjun.

While I was lost in my thoughts, Pitamah's question brought my mind to a standstill.

"Pitamah, they are Subhadra and Charumathi, the Princesses of the Yadav Clan. We studied in the same Kanyakul." She finished as we took Pitamah's blessings.

After some exchange of words, I found the Princes gather around us, the elders moving towards the other end of the arena.

"How are you Subhu? It's been a long time since we met, are you scared of insects now?" A Prince questioned.

"I am fine, Bratashri! I do get creeped out... wait, is this the first question you would ask on meeting your sister after many years?" I pouted when Charu placed her hand on my shoulder.

"Bhadra, it's Prince Nakul after all. You can never expect any words of sense from him!" She said and I glanced at Dushalla who shook her head slowly.

"Maybe, but they definitely make more sense than those of a girl named, Charumathi!" Bratashri got out. Here they went, Brata Nakul and Charu, again. Pulling the other's leg and fighting over petty issues.

"Charu, it's enough." I pulled an irritated Charu behind while that Prince signalled Brata Nakul to remain quiet.

'This man is well acquainted with Brata Nakul, only then he is able to get Brata Nakul under his control.'

"Subhadra, get used to him. We can never change Nakul, hence, as his twin brother, I apologise to you..." Brata Sahadev added.

"Bratashri, please don't apologise to your sister. It's not his fault, he has all the rights on his younger sister." I smiled at the twins.

"Also, we have something for both of you" Charu initiated and I nodded, signalling my helper to fetch the presents we had got for both of them.

"Brata Nakul, you have grown to become a sword fighter and a great medician" I started when he added, "I've also become a handsome man."

I suppressed my smile and gave him a weapon. As he scanned through the dagger, I added, "The most sharpest and prettiest piece in the entire Aryavat [country]. I do think that you're interested in pretty things" I chuckled and so did he.

"Brata Sahadev, one of the most intellectual Princes in the world, far better than his twin..." Charu began as Brata Nakul rolled his eyes.

"I failed to find a book that you might have not read, hence, here you go!" She forwarded a book to him as we watched on.

"A peacock feather and an empty book?" Brata Sahadev looked at Charu who smiled.

"It's high time for you to write a new book, atleast all of us can grow more wise though it's really difficult for your twin to do so!" She glanced at Brata Nakul who looked away.

I sighed while Dushalla giggled softly.

"As I finish writing this book, you would receive the first copy." All of us smiled as Brata caressed Charu's cheek. 

"Now, for Brata Bheem, here's my present" I said, standing before a well-built man who had an innocent, child-like visage.

"You're really smart when it came to identifying me!" Brata Bheem replied taking the platter from me, "What is in this dear?"

"Close your mouth and taste the food prepared by Bhadra! Guess what it has too." Dushalla smiled as Bratashri mirrored him.

I looked at Brata Nakul whose mischievous smile brought one in my face. As Brata Bheem took a bite, he screamed.

"Yuck, this is the most bitter food I've ever tasted! How is this a sweet?" Brata Bheem asked and I looked at Brata Nakul who came forward.

"Bratashri, this is the sweetest bitter gourd, one can find across all the kingdoms!" The huge dam broke and everyone began laughing as Bratashri pouted, a childish disappointment on his face.

"Sorry, but this was a plan we had devised in childhood. Here is your real gift" I handed another platter to him and he accepted it with a slight hesitation.

"My preparation, tell me how it tastes." Charu smiled and added, "This time, Bhadra was careful enough to not mix salt and sugar, all thanks to me!"

"Yes, yes, thank you!" I coaxed as Bratashri tasted the food. He nodded brightly and I smiled in relief than in pride.

"Would you also like a bite, Jyest [Eldest] Bratashri?" Brata Bheem looked at the one standing next to him. Charu smiled and went towards Brata Yudhisthir.

"I hope you are good, Bratashri! Your face is radiating Dharma, I thought this would be the most apt gift for you..." She forwarded a book to him.

"This is the book I've been wanting to read since a time from now. A book on Rajdharma and Rajneethi. True to Dushalla's words, you are really thoughtful when it comes to selecting gifts, Charu."

She smiled in pride.

I looked at the next Prince and a small smile decorated my lips. I felt more special when he was around without even knowing about him.

"Bhadra, he is the third Pandava, the best archer till now, Arjuna! After you departed from the Gurukul, we spoke about you and he was really eager to meet you from then." Brata Bheem's words felt like honey to me. I was delighted by the fact that he had been eager to meet me too.

"What have you brought for me, devi [lady]?" He asked and I felt a sudden confusion play in my mind.

Charu has always been admired by him and it was no doubt that she would have got a gift for her love. I signalled my maid to stop at her position and smiled at the man before me.

"Charu has got a gift for you." He curved his eyebrows and I tried to provide an explanation to him immediately.

"This is because I hadn't met you before, so I did not know what would your preferences would be" I replied and he pursed his lips.

Charu presented Prince Arjun, a white scarf and Dushalla nudged me by my shoulders.

"If you brought no presents for Brata Arjuna, what is this platter for?" I shushed her as I felt her words were unusually loud for a secret to be.

"I'll tell you the reason  after the dinner." I whispered in her ears but my words had reached the sharp ears of another person which went unnoticed by me.

* * *

After the dinner, I was walking towards Dushalla's room when I found a silhouette of a person against the wall.

"Who is there?" I managed to ask as my heartbeats raced.

Do vote and comment. Who is this person who has blocked her path? What is this person's intention? Is there a new threat looming over Subhadra in this palace? Stay tuned to know more!