Aanyati and Yudhisthir began their journey in the morning toward the south. Aanyati had known Valandhra a bit. She met her during Yudhisthir's coronation in Hastinapur and after that used to share a letter or two in a year.

For what Aanyati had known about Valandhra, she don't seem the one who will marry a person like Dushasan willingly. But Aanyati is having a lot of things to worry about . She will surely discuss this with Valandhra when the time will come.

Due to the road being in bad condition, Yudhishthir's chariot was jumping again and again. And with the chariot they too were jumping. But what lifted Aanyati's mood was her Dharmraj. He was holding her by her shoulder. As if assuring her I am here.

It's been two years to their marriage and now Aanyati have understood that she loved Yudhisthir from the day she met him. And now she was not afraid to confess it. She just wanted Yudhisthir to do so. Although Yudhisthir have shown how he feels from time to time but that was not the whole part so Aanyati wished to hear it all at once. She can wait till that time.

She have come to know a lot about Yudhisthir now. He is not the rigid boring king everyone thinks about. He is stick to his Dharma but not to being boring. He too laughs like others, celebrates and feels like others. He is not an emotionless being but a person who suppress his emotions in front of others. When Aanyati married him, she was not expecting him to flirt with her or care for her. She thought she will just be his wife for the world. But he proved her wrong in every sense.

Be it be the playful jokes, that water fight in jungle or the haldi function of Vishwa, Aanyati saw another side of Yudhisthir. The side which is hidden from the outer world. The true Yudhisthir, who is carefree and fun-loving. Who too loves someone. And Aanyati considers herself lucky to be that someone. She got what all the princesses of Aryavrat wish for.

" Why are you smiling to yourself priye??" Asked Yudhisthir catching Aanyati of guard. Her cheeks turned red and eyes widened. She didn't realise she was smiling like a fool.

" ... nothing...its just I remembered something" she said turning her face to other side in order to avoid his gaze.

" Don't hide your face maharani, I have already seen your red cheeks and believe me, you look beautiful" he said turning her face toward him.

" What are you doing Dharmraj?? Everyone is looking at us only" Aanyati protested sensing others gaze on them. Even their sarthi was suppressing his smile.

" Then let them look at us. You are mine and I have full rights on you" Yudhisthir smiled mischievously worsening Aanyati's condition. She looked no less than a tomato. She will never get used to this open confessions of love.

To change the topic she asked the first question which came to her mind.

" Is this Chedi??"

" Yes!! This is the kingdom of Chedi Naresh Shishupal. A kingdom of crimes " said Yudhishthir in a grave tone.

" Kingdom of crimes??" Aanyati know about almost every kingdom of Aryavrat and their condition. But Chedi is the kingdom she never paid attention to. Because of the previous encounter she had with Shishupal. That man is twice her age and still he came to Panchal proposing her.

" Chedi Naresh don't fear anything because of the boon that he will only be killed by a woman. He assaults women, torcher his people, kill for fun and what not. No king can do anything because of his boon and so avoids his topic" Yudhisthir explained with anger visible on his face. Aanyati's condition was no less, she was feeling disgusted, anger and pity all at once.

" If ever given the chance, I will surely behead him Maharaj" she said with determination.

" I know you will Maharani " Yudhisthir smiled softly. But there's a fear in his heart. His Maharani is strong enough to behead strongest of warriors but he don't trust Shishupal and his intentions. He buried the thought deep inside him and focused on the journey ahead.

Soon they reached Kashi with a grand welcome. Kashiraj seemed on cloud nine on the occasion of his daughter's marriage. But Aanyati and Yudhisthir was not interested in that. Their eyes were searching for one particular person.

" Jyest! Bhabhi maa!!" Bheem smiled ear to ear looking at his jyest and bhabhi. He came forward and touched their feet. Yudhisthir engulfed Bheem in a tight hug. Aanyati ruffled his hairs lovingly.

" Seems like you loved Kashi a lot more than your bhabhi. That's why you were not returning soon and I myself have to come" Aanyati joked.

" I can't love anyone or anything more than you people. " Bheem said and then laughed loudly to carry of the emotional scene.

As said, Bheem do understands everything, feels everything but pretend like he don't.

His laughter made others laugh as well. Both brothers got immersed in their own talks and Aanyati left them alone to meet the bride and her in laws who have already come.

" Jyest, I have a question from you" said Bheem with utmost seriousness.

" Ask it anuj"

" Do you trust me?"

" What kind of questions in this Bheem. I trust you and all my brothers more than myself " Yudhisthir answered

" Then be prepared for what's coming next jyest. You might have to defend me from whole Kashi " said Bheem with worry visible on his face.

" I can defend you from whole world dear, let alone Kashi " said Yudhishthir proudly as both the brothers walked towards their chamber. Yudhisthir wondered what Bheem was indicating toward but then left it on time.

Aanyati on the other hand was on her way toward Valandhra's chamber. She hardly wanted to meet the groom's side as that included Shakuni, Duryodhan, Dushasan and Karna only. Vidur and Dushala were going to come tomorrow on the marriage directly. But her wish didn't get fulfilled.

As a half blind man met her on her way.

" Pranipat Gandhar Raj" she wished politely.

" Gandhar Raj?? I thought I am your mama first Drupad kanya" said Shakuni with a cunning sad smile.

" Even I thought the same but you proved me wrong by not inviting us for you bhanje's wedding" said Aanyati matching his tone. Moti and Tara who were standing behind Aanyati supressed their smile. Even Shakuni's smile vanished. He was about to give an explanation when Aanyati stopped him.

" Leave it mama shri, you must have forgotten about us. I don't mind that you still are my mama. Excuse me, I want to meet someone "

" Do meet everyone Maharani but please don't manipulate them. Elusive you are, I fear you will change others mind " said Shakuni making an innocent face.

" Elusive I am and if I will manipulate someone or change their mind then it will be for good only. You don't worry mama shri " Aanyati said and left without waiting for any other sugar coated line.

" You are the biggest obstacle in my way Panchali but don't worry, I will make sure you are removed " Shakuni said to himself closing his one eye and gazing at the coming guests which included Chedi Naresh Shishupal.

Aanyati entered Valandhra's chamber after taking permission just to see dead silence and darkness .

" Rajkumari!! " Aanyati called Valandhra who was sitting like a dead body near the wall of balcony.

" Pranipat maharani!" She wished Aanyati with a voice which said I don't have any energy left.

" Why this state Valandhra?" Aanyati asked sitting near her. She had seen Valandhra in Hastinapur. She is calm but her smile is more cheerful than whole Kashi. The state in which she today is clearly told Aanyati that she is forced into this marriage.

" See the game of destiny maharani. When I met you in Hastinapur, I never thought you will marry jyest kauntaya.But when this news reached my ears, I was really happy for you. You got what you deserved. You both are made for each other and that is seen in your eyes. But I don't have such good fate. " Valandhra's voice carried all her pain which hit Aanyati directly.

" You can say no dear " Aanyati said placing a hand on her shoulder.

" I can but then what will happen with Kashi, with pita shri and with my people " Valandhra asked looking directly into Aanyati's eyes. She had no answer to her question. She herself married Yudhisthir to protect her father at that time. But everyone is not lucky like her to get such unconditional love from the person they married half heartedly. Not everyone is Dharmraj Yudhisthir. Especially not Dushasan.

" I tried to change all this once but that too of no use. The person I thought I can trust on, can rely on, broke me" a lone tear escaped her eyes.

" Valandhra.." Aanyati tried to console her but she stopped her.

" Let me face my destiny maharani" with those words their conversation ended as Aanyati had nothing to say.

No one will stand for you if you don't stand for yourself......