Prayers, birds, animals, music and her uncontrollable heart beat. This was all Aanyati could hear as she woke up. She was immediately taken for bath. Her long blackish brown hairs were washed and dried. Khol was applied on her lotus like eyes. Her lips were tinted in red just like her cheeks. A beautiful red saree with golden embroidery was choosen for her. Gold ornaments including anklets, kamarband, necklace, bangles, rings, bajuband, nose pin, earings and mang tika adored her. She looked no less than a goddess. Her aura was divine. But her heart was still in turmoil.

She was going to step in a new life, a life full of conspiracies, dangers and troubles. She is supposed to protect her family before herself. Their life will always be in threat from every side. She had seen the pandavas brothers with each other. They trust each other more than themselves. Their jyest holds the position of father in their life. Sehdev hardly interacts with anyone, keeping his thoughts to himself , Nakul keeps joking all the time so no one knows whats going inside him, Arjun puts his family before himself, he is ready to sacrifice himself for them, Bheem plays like he don't understand anything but deep down he cries for their misery and their jyest holds all these in himself.

She knows her life is going to be more than normal. With a deep breath she opened her eyes to see her Sakha standing there assuring that he is always with her. No matter what happens, he will be there by her side.

" Sakhi!! I am always with you, if not physically then mentally. No one can seperate Krishna's Krishna from him. I live in your heart. I am you" he said in his enchanting voice. His words were enough to calm Aanyati. A smile climbed up to her gloomy face.

Krishna forwarded his hand for her which she took smiling. Maybe it was her Sakha's presence which made her smile even in the worst. For him, she will die happily.

Walking through the red carpet surrounded by beautiful flowers, her gaze was held high as always but she didn't dare to meet Yudhishthir's eyes. Maybe she was unsure about some things which she have to clear with him.

Yudhishthir too didn't look at her. He knew she is looking mesmerising just like always. He knew her gaze is held high. He knew she is going to be his from now on. But is she ready for that. He didn't know.

Soon all the rituals started with holy chanting of mantras. The agni present in kund shined differently, as if Agni Dev himself is blessing his daughter. The time of garland exchange came. Both stood in front of each other with garland in their hand. Their eyes met. Time stopped for them. She saw guilt in his eyes and he saw uncertainty in her eyes .

" You will have your whole life to drown in each other's eyes, complete the rituals first" Vishwa's teasing voice made them come out of their world. Elders were suppressing their laughter and youngsters were laughing whole heartedly. Aanyati's cheeks got covered with deep red hue, she looked anywhere but him. He too was trying his best to not blush. His gaze straight.

Aanyati put a garland of lotus on his neck followed by him. Then the time of Kanya dann came. Drupad came forward and ordered the same to Swarnika. Everyone was surprised on his words. Swarnika too didn't imagine this and now her tears flowed without any barrier.

The day she decided to take care of Aanyati, she had no idea this girl with become her life. She came forward and handed Aanyati's hand to Yudhisthir. Then they stood up for mangal phere. Her odhni was tied with his agnavastra tieing them in a never ending bond till eternity. They gave vows to each other in the presence of holy fire.

Kunti came forward with a chudamani in a plate. She remembered what those eight pears represent.

Unity, strength, patience, devotion, respect, trust, love and dharma.

She could not believe her daughter in law holds all these qualities. When she said about those qualities, it was her wish to have them in her daughter in law but today her wish was getting fulfilled.

Yudhishthir took the chudamani and placed it in her hairs making her his for eternity.

They got up to take their elders blessings one by one. Everyone showered them with immense blessings. They didn't miss the teasing looks Vishwa and Pandavas were throwing toward them.

Bheem and his anujs bend down to take their jyest and bhabi's blessings. Aanyati was startled for once but then she remembered, this is her new life and her new family.

After all the rituals, Aanyati was taken to her room away from everyone. Moti understood her friend better than anyone so she made sure no one enters her chamber when she is accepting her new life.

Aanyati sat in front of the mirror looking at her reflection. Her hands touched the chudamani adorned in her hairs, the vermillion and the garland. She was Yudhisthir sangini before Drupad Kanya from now on. She was the kulvadhu of Kurus before the daughter of Panchal. She was not Aanyati anymore. She was Yudhishthir's Aanyati from now on.

With a sight she closed her eyes digesting her new life.

" Bhabhi shri!!"

" Jiji!!"

The voice of Subhadra and Dushala made her come out of her trance. Their mischievous smile told Aanyati their intentions before their words could.

" Dushala!! Rajkumar Yudhisthir like red colour or not??" Subhadra asked holding a red saree in her hands.

" He like purple more" Dushala said holding a purple saree. Aanyati sat there knowing what's coming next.

" You know Subhadra!! Jyest can spend whole night without sleeping " Dushala said with a teasing smile. Aanyati's eyes almost came out of her socket. Both the girls giggled at her expressions.

Suddenly Subhadra turned more than serious. She sat in front of Aanyati looking directly into her eyes.

" Be ready for tonight jiji " with those words both the princesses again broke out into laughter. Aanyati looked at them with surprise. These girls know a lot more then they should know.

Their teasing continued for the whole time when they dressed her with a purple saree and beautiful white flowers. Her hairs were kept open with just her chudamani adorning them beside the flowers. With another round of teasing they left making her sit on the bed.

Meanwhile Yudhishthir somehow ran away from Bheem and Arjun who were teaching him about everything. They were actually teasing him. He started his journey to her chamber with some hesitation.

When he reached outside her chamber, he wanted to run again. Vishwa and Nakul were standing there smirking. He sighed knowing there is no other option rather than to face them.

" Nakul! Someone wants to meet our bhabi shri. Should we allow him??" Asked Vishwa smirking

" Depends upon what he is having to offer us" Nakul said folding his hands over his chest.

" Let me offer you some slaps then you two will come on line " Kunti came and dragged both of them with their ear.

" Ahh..mata...we were just.. joking " Nakul tried to explain.

" Yes rajmata....its....ahh" Vishwa too tried but Kunti just dragged both of them from there. Yudhishthir sighted.

Now he have to enter in. There's no other way. But what will he say to her??

With vivid confusion in his heart Yudhisthir opened the door of her chamber. The intoxicating daisy fragrance hit his nostrils. The chamber was beautifully decorated with flowers, veils and her presence.

She sensed his arrival but didn't turn to see him. Her head lowered as she sat on the bed. Her mind in conflict. Is she ready for this? No. Should she deny? But how? He have full right on her. She is his wife. His better half.

Yudhishthir took slow steps to her bed and sat in front of her.

" You head looks good when held high" he said softly and calmly. Aanyati lifted her gaze meeting his. A strange silence engulfed them. That silence seemed comfortable yet awkward.

Yudhishthir could see the worry dancing in her fierce brown orbs.

" There's no need to worry Rajkumari, I will not even touch you without your permission" his words felt like medicine on her wounds. She could no comprehend if he is being true .

He is Dharmraj you fool. He don't lies.

Her brain mocked her. She didn't realise she is looking at him with a creepy smile. A confusing smile adorned his golden face.

" What are you thinking Raj Kumari?" He asked after a while.

" You remember the time when we were struck in Mayavi Van??" She asked as he noded" You asked me a question, if I trust you? I didn't had any answer at that moment but today I can say that I trust you with all my heart" she said in her soothing voice which was enough to calm him.

" You should sleep now Rajkumari it already late" he advised walking to the balcony.

" Are you seriously going to call me Rajkumari our whole life?" She asked coming behind him. He internally laughed at himself for this.

" Which name you want to hear from me?" He asked with a smile.

" That's your choice. I too have choosen a name for you - Dharmraj " Yudhisthir for once could not comprehend if she is actually saying this. She didn't call him arya. But again she is Aanyati, she is unique. A smile crept up on his lips

" As you wish Aanyati " her name felt like a melody on his lips. Both stood there looking at the view from the balcony. They were getting used to spend time like this in each other's company. This is what they will do throughout their life afterall.

" May I ask something Aanyati " Yudhisthir striked a conversation. She noded in approval.

" Why did you say yes to this marriage? " Aanyati stared at him dumb folded. What is the meaning of asking this question now? They are married. She kept silent and listened to him " you have seen how dangerous it is to be with us. You knew that laksha greh was mama shri Shakuni's plan. How can you agree to live a life where your own family members is thirsty for your blood? Me and my brothers are used to it. This is all what we have seen since our childhood. But I never want you to suffer the same. You had a chance to deny when I myself refused but still you didn't. Why?" His voice holded a lot of emotions. Aanyati saw this side of him for the first time. He is always calm without any expression on his face. He seems like a person who know everything and don't have any worry but the Yudhisthir she saw today wasn't the same.

" If I had denied then your alliance with Draupadi could have been in danger. If I denied my pita shri would have to take exile because the demand was already put forward. If I denied then Panchal would have been in danger. The people who consider me their own daughter would have been in danger" she answered looking at the night sky. Yudhishthir knew she is a far sighted person and somewhere he knew the answer too but he still craved to hear some other reason" beside why should I worry when my rakshak mahoday is with me to protect me. Your family is thirsty for your blood because they want the throne. I don't have any wish for that. I will happily live in forest as well. "

Last few lines did comforted him as a small smile came on his lips.

Instead of sleeping both talked their heart out. Indeed that night was a memorable one for both Yudhisthir and Aanyati....

How was it??

Do you have any Rajkumari in your mind for Vishwajeet?

Do vote and comment....