It's been three weeks since Pandavs settled in Kampilya.

Sun shone brightly today, clearing the sky of any stray cloud present. A lady in shining white lehanga sat on a bench in the middle of garden. Slim fingers held a small book firmly in her right hand as her eyes focused on letters printed. Brows furrowed as she removed the hairs on her face and tugged them behind ear.

'Devika'

Addressed a soft voice, she looked up to see Draupadi approaching.

She is Sivi princess Devika.



Draupadi stood in front with folded arms, Devika raised her eyebrows.

Draupadi :- You are sitting peacefully in the garden and here I am, searching for you everywhere. Aren't we getting late ?

Devika :- I thought you were busy somewhere, didn't see you since morning.

Draupadi :- Okay now, let's just go.

Both walked away, leaving the book on bench, pages fluttered with a soft breeze. ----------------------------------------------------------- Draupadi stepped out of palki as it reached Lord Shiva's temple. She along with Devika, walked inside, removing their slippers near stairs.

Joining hands in front of huge Shivling, Draupadi poured milk over, then did her pooja.



Draupadi :- (in her mind) Hey Mahadev, pitashree said that kings and princes from all over aryavarth will be there in my swayamvar. Govind says that my swayamvar has a very important role to play, he keeps telling me that whatever happens, happens for good. I don't know what to think or feel right now, I will garland the person winning the swayamvar, rest I leave upto you.

As she finished speaking, a flower from Shivling fell on her lap.

Devika :- Hmmm... seems like Mahadev is impressed by your devotion and gave you his blessings.

Draupadi picked the flower and caressed it. Both joined their hands and went out, to distribute food and clothings among people. ----------------------------------------------------------- Karn, Bheem and Sahdev were roaming in market, having spent the entire morning carrying luggages to earn some penny.

Karn :- (feeling the weight of coins) Not much though, will have to spend another evening with wild fruits.

Sahdev :- Kampilya is not a place to seek employment I guess, not many options are available here.

Bheem :- Well, think about evening later on, what will we do now, I'm starving.

Walking for a few minutes, they saw a long line of people waiting.

Sahdev :- What's going on here ?

Karn :- Lets find out.

They went to the last person in queue.

Sahdev :- Kaka, why is this queue for, is something being distributed.

Man :- Yes, princesses are giving food and clothings to all, you can also join if you want.

Bheem stood behind him without any delay, he just wanted something to eat. Karn saw a small girl sitting underneath a tree aside sweet shop. He went and sat beside her.

Karn :- Sitting here alone, aren't you getting bored.

The girl didn't reply and looked away.

Karn :- Such a long queue, I'm hungry, how will I wait this long.

Girl :- (without looking at him) You won't get anything even if you join.

Karn :- Why so ?

Girl :- I tried, many times, but they push me out everytime.

Now she looked at him, Karn noticed her puffy eyes, slightly swollen due to crying.



Karn :- So you too are hungry, right ?

Girl noded, keeping a hand on growling stomach.

Karn :- I have an idea, I'll join the queue and get something to eat, then we'll share it.

Her face brightened with a cute happy smile.

Girl :- Really ? Will you share with me ? .... But... why ?

Karn :- Haven't you heard that friends always share and eat. You sit here, I'll go and join.

She noded happily and he joined the queue. ----------------------------------------------------------- Draupadi handed food packets to villagers while Devika gave them angvastra, dhoti/shawl.

One by one, people came and blessed them both, some fell on their feet to pay respect, but mostly there were young boys, who were smitten by her beauty. She tried her best to maintain a smiling face, having sensed penetrating gazes all over her body.

But next moment, she felt soft breeze brushing against her skin, a sudden warmth engulfed her heart, comforting it. Surrounding seemed to bloom all of a sudden, when her eyes fell on the brahmin standing in front.



He was fairly tall and muscular, long beard couldn't hide the perfectly chiselled face, and then she noticed the sun mark on forehead. Karn looked at the fire born princess, whose preicing eyes tried to enter his own.

Draupadi :- Karn....

She blurted out looking into his eyes. He swallowed the lump in his throat and glanced around, hoping no one heard and smiled nervously.

She just kept staring at him, even forgot to blink her eyes, Karn grabbed the food packet from her hands. As he did so, his fingers brushed against her's, both felt a sudden electric current run down their spines.

Karn :- Thank you very much princess.

Before she could say anything, he vanished within the crowd, she tried to look for him, telling others to shift, but he was gone. She sighed and continued her work, wondering about what she saw. ----------------------------------------------------------- 'How dare he talk about my daughter like that'

Drupad stood up from his seat, glaring at the messenger, who just finished reading Vikram's letter. Asking Draupadi's hand for marriage.

Srikhandini made him sit back, telling him to calm down a little.

Driystadyumna :- Go and tell Angraj Vikram, that we are organizing a swayamvar for Panchal princess, we'll send an invitation to Ang, he can participate and win if having enough competence.

Messenger :- Yuvraj, Maharaj already told me that....

Driystadyumna :- Just SHUT UP! Go and tell him that Panchal is not afraid of such jerks, if he is so confident, he can call for a war. But I am not letting my sister go to a man like him.

Srikhandini :- Anuj! This is what pitashree and I have taught you, is this the way you behave with a messenger.

Driystadyumna turned his head away.

Srikhandini :- (to messenger) Go and tell Angraj, we will send him an invitation for swayamvar very soon.

Messenger bowed his head and left. She sighed and turned to her brother again.

Srikhandini :- This is not the way a yuvraj should behave, anuj. If you'll not respect others, how can you expect them to respect you.

Driystadyumna :- How can you expect me to be quiet ? Didn't you heard what he said about our sister, is she just a thing to own or give away ?

Srikhandini :- He just read whatever was written in that letter, was that his fault ? Sometimes we should think with a sincere mind.

Driystadyumna :- So what do you wanna think ?



Srikhandini :- Just see, less than 3 weeks remain before her swayamvar, and if a war takes place at this time, will you be able to go with the shedule. What will you explain the innocent soldiers ? Who will die for your so called ego ?

Driystadyumna :- But....

Drupad :- Enough putra, no more arguments. Leave us alone, I wanna have a discussion with your sister.

Driystadyumna :- Okay pitashree.

He left the chamber, closing the door behind. ----------------------------------------------------------- Driystadyumna walked towards the garden to get some fresh air, he saw Draupadi coming along with her maids and friend. She saw him and smiled.

Driystadyumna :- Where were you all this time ?

Draupadi :- Pitashree told me to distribute food and clothing among people, so I went for that only.

Driystadyumna :- I'll suggest you not to go out like this again, as your swayamvar is approaching, you should stay safe, going out like this might attract unwanted threats.

Draupadi :- What happened.... Is there something wrong...

Before she could complete, they heard sound of cronch shell. Two beautiful chariots entered the palace, one had a yellow flag with Shivling on it while other was a red one with pink lotus.

Krishna and Balram got down and walked upto them.

Draupadi :- Govind!

Krishna :- How is my sakhi ?

Driystadyumna :- Pranipat Vasudev, Pranipat Mahabali Balram.

Balram :- Pranipat.

Krishna :- Sakhi, meet my dau Balram.

Draupadi :- Pranipat, please come inside, I'll do all the arrangements.

Before they could move, Draupadi held Krishna's hand.

Draupadi :- First you tell me, what took you so long, remembered me after months ?

Krishna made a mischievous face and looked at Balram.

Krishna :- This was all Dau's fault, he kept me busy with all those works. And you know what, you're soon going to be buashree.

Draupadi :- That means.... bhabhi Rukmini...

Krishna noded with a smile.



Balram :- Will we go in or finish our talks here only.

Driystadyumna :- Ya, please this way.

They followed him inside. Birds flew in open sky as time passed. ----------------------------------------------------------- Did you like the chapter ?

A short one after very long time, there was not much to write, so I thought to keep it short.

I feel Duryodhan - Bhanu have suffered enough, lets bring them a little closer. What do you think ?

Which was your favourite chapter till now guys ?

Only one more update and you'll see Karn hitting the eye of fish at the sabha.

One of my readers asked why am I not writing about Nakul Awantika ? Am I skipping some stories ?

Well, probably yes. Let me tell you, main theme of this story is action and politics, romance is a side plot. Of course there will be romantic scenes but this story is not a love saga, it's our main lead's (Karn's) journey to become a major warrior of kurukshetra.

Now about Nakul Awantika, I will come up with their love, but there won't be much drama before confession.

How do you think will Yudhisthir and Devika meet ?

Target :- 72 votes.

Do comment if you have any suggestions.