The whole room was smelling of jasmine, as the newly wed, or maybe not so newly wed, bride was sitting there along with her sisters, who were helping her get ready. "Krishnaa! I don't understand why we are Doing this! I- I married that guy just because you asked me to! Otherwise- aahhh", she shrieked in pain as Draupadi started to pull her ear. "One more lie, and another ear will also be gone!", Draupadi warned her. Subhadra also agreed with her, "Let us get you ready in such a way that, Aarya will for sure faint looking at you", both Draupadi and Subhadra started giggling.

Vaishnavi stood up and said, "How- How are you guys able to do all this? I'm- I married your husband! How can you guys-", she couldn't complete her sentence. She sure was happy about the marriage, but the moment she saw her sisters there all smiling at her, the feeling of betrayal creeped in again. Draupadi held her cheek and said, "Just like the way you sacrificed for us!". Vaishnavi wasn't convinced yet, because at one side, it's the love of her life, and on the other hand, her sisters, whom she regards more than her own life.

"Wh- Whatever! I need time to cope up with this! I- I can't krishnaa!", she sighed exasperatedly. Subhadra came forward and said, "It's okay, Vaishu! Take your time! I am sure Aarya will understand you too!". Vaishnavi said, "as he should!", and went towards Subhadra's stomach cooing, "Awh! My baby Abhi! When are you gonna come to this momma?", to which both of her sisters chuckled and shared a look. Rukmini came inside and hugged vaishnavi, "Vaishu! You are going to enter an important chapter in your life! All the very best for that! Remember, you are not just Vaishnavi now! You are a wife! Wife of the great king Pandu's son Arjun! So there are certain things you need to keep in mind", soon all the ladies gave her insights on being an ideal wife. Vaishnavi joined her hands above her head and said, "All my Matas! I understood", and giggled. Rukmini held her shoulder and hesitated for something, "Vaishu! You also need to have some- some education regarding something!". Vaishnavi looked at the ladies, who had a hue of red on their cheeks, and immediately understood what they were talking about, "Oh my god! You mean Sex education? Oh I love the topic!".

Meanwhile, Arjun was getting ready in a chamber with all his other brothers teasing him. Sahadev said, "Bhrata Bheem! Nakul! Please stop teasing him! He is innocent", to which Nakul and Bheem shared a dramatic look covering their mouths, and Bheem started, "Who? Him? If you saw his state yesterday night, you would have thrown up, Sahadev!", earning a elbow kick from Arjun. Yudisthir was standing near the entrance and was watching his brothers being all happy, after a long time. He smiled looking at them, and understood that, even though they were happy, they were all lost after their marriage with Draupadi, and he didn't know why. As now he knows the reason, he feels remorse for what he did, knowingly or unknowingly. But, it was his fault and he understood that he had to deal with the guilt by himself.

Arjun noticed him, and went towards him sprinting, "Bhrata Yudisthir! I didn't get your blessings after my marriage! Please, bless me!". Yudisthir had tears in his eyes as his brother was talking to him, exactly opposite of what he thought Arjun would do, "Arjun!!", he joined his hands in an apologetic way. Arjun immediately held his hands and said trembling, "B- Bhrata!". With tears streaming down his face, he said, "Arjun! I'm- I'm sorry! Sorry for not understanding your heart and taking decisions on behalf of you! Without asking you! And also Vaishu's! I'm- I'm in a deep regre-", Arjun immediately hugged him, stopping him. Soon, all the brothers group hugged, with Kunti standing behind Yudisthir.

Looking at her, they all went to hug her as a group, with her caressing their heads. She looked at Arjun and caressed his head once the group hug broke, "Arjun! You are really REALLY lucky to have vaishnavi in your life! Don't you lose her!", patted his cheeks. He held her hands and said, "I already lost her twice, Mata! I can't afford to lose her again! Don't worry! I would never give up on her! Never!".

***

The cold weather would make anyone feel romantic, except for one person in that palace, and he was drunk until he was about to throw up. The possibilities of events happening right now was killing him from inside. He stumbled upon a glass which was on floor and held his friend, "Karn! They- They are having their- Suhag- arghhh!", he broke the glass and cut his hand. "Mitr!", Karn tried to stop him, but Duryodhan pushed him away and went to the edge of the terrace screaming hysterically.

He immediately went towards Ashwathama, who was standing there, and held him by his shoulders, "Ashwathama! Tell - tell me this didn't happen! Tell me that this is all a dream! Please tell! This - You like Vaishnavi as well right? Why did you let this happen?", he threw away another glass away. Ashwathama sighed and massaged his temples, "Duryodhan! I already told you! She is not gonna be yours! She already had Arjun in her heart! Long time ago! And I also told you that you were gonna regret it! Did you listen to me?".

Duryodhan dismissively said, "Ah! I don't care! I want her!", to which Ashwathama and Karn replied together, "That's not going to happen!", shattering Duryodhan's dreams. Looking down, he said in a low voice, "If I can't have her, I'll have revenge! Yes! It's either her or revenge!", making everyone gasp at his confession. He went towards Karn and Shakuni, who just entered the place and was also shocked to hear what his nephew was saying. Duryodhan looked at them both with hope and asked, "Guys! What say? We- we will take revenge on her? Huh?". Shakuni and Karn shared a look, while shakuni said, "Bhanje! You are drunk! Please go and sleep!". Karn nodded and was about to help him go to his room, only to be stopped by Ashwathama. "Where do you think you are taking him, Angraj? His room was decorated for Suhaagraat! And-", he hesitated. Karn asked, "and? What?", to which Dushasan continued, "it has been occupied by the newly wed couple now!".

***

Arjun entered the dimly lit chamber with a lot of thoughts lingering in his head. He slowly walked inside the room, as he didn't want to disturb any lovely decoration there. His eyes endlessly searched for her, as her sight is the oxygen for his eyes. Soon, he found a silhouette of a woman who even rivals that of celestial beings, sitting on the bed with her head hung low. He smiled and pushed all the flowers veil on the bed to sit beside her.

He slowly started talking, "Ishwari! I- I'm here!". Not getting any response from her, he frowned and lifted her veil to look at her face. He got a little shocked at first, but soon burst into giggles as he saw her cutely sleeping uncomfortably. She looked like she waited for him for a long time. Shaking his head smilingly, he kissed her forehead and slowly started removing all the heavy jewellery upon her, carefully not to wake her up.

Once he was done, he made her lay down on the bed, and covered her with a blanket carefully. She held his hand in her sleep and murmured something. As he couldn't properly hear what she said, he went near her to get what she was saying clearly, "Arj- Ajjjunn! I- I- How dare you!!". He smiled at her words and caressed her head. Without getting out of her hold, he laid beside her, and with the other free hand, he supported his head and was just looking at her, and his hand being entangled with hers.

She looked really tired after whatever happened that day. He started speaking to her, even though she was sleeping, "Oi! Are you asleep? Say yes if you are asleep!". As he didn't get any answer, he chuckled and said, "You know! I'm happy! I'm very happy today! You are officially mine! And no one can separate us now! I promise, Ishwari! I will never leave you! And I would never marry again! Not again! You are my first and last love!", he chuckled and looked at her, who was smiling in her sleep. He kissed her forehead again and said with his lips still lingering on her forehead, "I love you!".

"Hmm?", she murmured again, to which he chuckled and caressed her head, "I said I love you, my love!". She held his hand more close to her heart and murmured, "I love you too, Mr. Always Pessimistic!", and smiled faintly. His heart jumped in joy listening to it, and just kept on caressing her head.

***

As the rays of sun hit her closed eyelids attacking them, she opened them losing to the rays. She stretched her whole body and looked around, only to find herself in an entirely different room. As an early riser, she felt sore and tired, and was also worried that she might have gotten dark circles. She tried to get up from the place, but saw that her husband was holding her by her waist and was sleeping soundly. This was the first time they slept together after their marriage.

He was not having any frowns or worries or overthinking in his face. He was just... him. Sleeping peacefully in his wife's company, holding her dearly to himself. His face was looking cute and childlike, just like how a newborn baby would have when it's sleeping. She caressed his hair, and adored his face even more, which was devoid of any worries. Arjun woke up to that, but did not want to get up as he was enjoying this attention from her. She wished to see him just like that her whole life. She would now live with him, without any restrictions, as his wife! With his whole family, in Indraprasth! In his chamber! With his brothers and her sisters -

Suddenly, a wave of guilt hit her, yet again. She retrieved her hand back and held her hand near her heart. He already started missing her hand on his hair, and raised his head, "Why did you stop?", and sheepishly smiled at her, "I like it!". She gasped but soon composed herself, "You were awake all this time? Creep!", and scoffed. He immediately got up on his knees on the bed, "wow! Now I'm a creep? Who was the one caressing my hair while I was sleeping! And ogling on me?", and dramatically covered his mouth.

She raised her eyebrows and asked, "Oh is it? Then who was the one ogling on me all night and slept early in the morning, talking when I was sleeping? That too nonstop?". He widened his eyes, "You were awake too?", to which she just shrugged her shoulders, "Survival instinct! I was taught this when I was in training! To be awake even when I'm sleeping! But tell me now! Who was the creep?", and squinted her eyes at him shaking her head. He sighed and pulled her towards him by her waist much to her surprise, now her between his knees, "I'm your husband! I can do whatever I want! Now tell me", leaning closer to her, "who was the creep?". She rolled her eyes and started, "Oh Mr. If you are my husband, then I'm your wife-", she trailed off as her sisters' face came to her mind.

Arjun noticed this and looked at her confused, while she just softly pushed him from her. She got up from the bed and started to do her bed. Without looking at him, she said, "Don't get ahead of yourself Arjun! I married you just because -", she closed her eyes and couldn't even complete the sentence. "Just because?", his voice creaked slightly, which broke her heart.

Composing herself, she started saying, "Just because Drau-", she was cut off by him turning her around towards him by her arm, "Don't give me this bullshit now! You willingly sat on the dias, By yourself! Remember?", he said with a little anger mixed in his voice and his glistening. "Arju-", but she got cut off again, "If you didn't come by yourself and sat there, i would have never married you! I would never force you into things! Yet! Now! You just- we were just about to kiss, Ishwari!", there was a hint of vulnerability in his voice.

"Arjun I-", but got cut off again, "Do you want me to leave all other marriages? I would immediately-", she cut him off by saying sharply, "Don't you dare leave my sisters!". He had an unbelievable expression and kneeled down in front of her, "what else should I do to please you now? You want to punish me? Just punish me once and for all by killi-", she kneeled down as well and covered his mouth, "Please, speak good things! I just married you yesterday!", she said looking down.

He removed her hand from his mouth and asked, "Then why?". She took a deep breath and started saying, "Arjun! I- I need time! To come in terms with- with stuff! The situation! Our situation! I am feeling guilty for- for interrupting in my sisters' life! Not just one but two! Please- please understand!", she said with tears in her eyes, still looking down. As she didn't get any response from him, she looked up at him, who was smiling, "That's it? Take all your time, Ishwari! And if that's not enough, take all my time as well! But, atleast spare a minute for me, just to spend time with you! That one minute is enough for me!".

She looked at him with love filling her eyes in the form of tears, while he just cupped her cheeks and shook his head, wiping her tears away. Slowly, the distance between them reduced and they were just inches apart, but suddenly, old memories flashed in her head, again. She came back to senses and pushed him away for him to fall on ground, and ran into the bathroom. He just laid down there on the ground and hoped for her to reconcile with him again.

***

Vaishnavi joined her hands towards the king and queen of Hastinapur along with her husband, taking leave from them. Dhritarastra could care less, but Gandhari wished for her best and gave her lot many gifts, she bought for her as she was Duryodhan's fiancee. But, as she is Arjun's wife now, she gave the gifts nonetheless. Vaishnavi was feeling really guilty towards her and hugged her tightly, "I'm- I'm so sorry Mata!", to which Gandhari caressed her head and said, "No putri! There is no fault of yours! It's us who didn't ask you before taking any decisions! Don't be sorry!". Vaishnavi felt really bad for such a gem of a lady, as she got such good for nothing husband, sons and brother.

As vaishnavi was leaving, she took leave from her brothers as well. Balram was guilty for what he did, but she smiled and forgave him. She then went to Krishna, who hugged her. "Ishwari! We will need your help in future!", Krishna said, confusing her. She looked at Balram, who said, "Yes! Even though you are married, you are still Dwaraka's commander! Senapati Vaishnavi! Right, Arjun?", to which Arjun just agreed and nodded.

Yudisthir chimed in, "She is the primary wife of Arjun! And the heart of Indraprasth from now on! But, she will always and forever be the Senapati of Dwaraka! I promise!". Vaishnavi immediately said to lighten the mood, "Oh Jyesth! No more promises please!", which made everyone chuckle. She then waved her hand at her brothers as she left for Indraprasth, her new home.

The people of Indraprasth were ecstatic to welcome their new princess. The wife of great Archer Arjun! The Arjun! She wasn't new to them, but they were astoundingly happy to welcome her as their official princess and she married one of the brothers. They were happy that THE VAISHNAVI was going to stay with them forever. Draupadi did her and her husband's aarti and let her inside the palace, as the daughter in law of the Kurus.

As soon as she entered, the children of Pandavas flocked together and hugged her at once, making her lose balance a little, but Arjun held her by her arm. "Maa! Where were you? And? And why is Kakashree Arjun holding you?", Prativindhya tried to push Arjun away from her with his tiny hands. "Yes!", shrutakarma joined as well. Shatanika and Sutasoma jointly tried to push Arjun away from her, and made a barricade around her. "We will protect you, Maa!".

Everyone of the family members started chucking and laughing at their cuteness, while Vaishnavi just smiled and said, "Aww! My babies! You guys will do anything for your Maa! Love you guys sooo much!". Karenumati and Devika slowly pulled the kids away from them, while Draupadi stared to explain them, "Kakashree Arjun will hold her from now on! Just like you guys! You should not interrupt them okay?".

Valandhara added with a mischievous tone, "Yes Yes! He would be the only one who will be holding her! He would not allow anyone else to even touch her shadow! Isnt it, Arjun?". Arjun cheeks immediately went red with the others teasing him as well. Some of them started to smile looking down as well. Meanwhile, Vaishnavi didn't know how to react and was just looking at them with a surprised expression! An expression of not knowing what expression to have! Some ladies were nudging her, making her raise her eyebrows as well. Even though this was very minimal for others, she never had this much teasing in her entire life.

'Oh God! What have I signed myself into?'

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Hello my cuties! How are y'all doing? How was the chapter? Please vote and comment! 😁