"Bhabhi? How come these kids are touching you?", Nakul asked while helping her out in chopping the vegetables. She pointed the knife at him and threatened, "One more time you call me bhabhi, this knife will be somewhere you can't even imagine it to be present!". He lifted his hands up in defeat and laughed, "Woah woah! I was just kidding, Vaish! Don't get serious and all". She got back to cooking and said looking at the kids, "They have the heart of god! Very innocent and pure! Thats why!".

Nakul nodded in agreement and continued chopping the vegetables, "Well, according to your story, you are the Avatar of Arthanarishwar! And only Vasudev could touch you, and the womenfolk! But, But how come Bhrata Arjun?", to which she laughed and said, "And that's why I married him!", and winked. He shook his head and asked, "No! But really! I want to know!". Sahadev, who was making rotis, entered the conversation, "Is he some kind of avatar as well? Like you?".

Bheem smacked his head and said, "You guys didn't understand? It's love! He doesn't need to be an Avatar! Even if he is, he should not be able to touch her, unless his love for her is pure and divine! It's her heart, which is allowing him to touch her! Like see, even when she is angry at him, he still could touch her! Right, Vaishu?", he said while helping her out. She thought and said, "Yeah! Exactly! It's all my heart! My heart alone is ruling my powers!".

Nakul asked intrigued, "But, Vaishu! What if he can't touch you one day? And what does that mean when he will be unable to do so?". She looked at him and chuckled, "Oh Nakul! He married 4 times after me! Then too, i let him touch! But for that situation you told me to arise, hmm... It should be something very big, that affects my entire being, to not let him touch me! And I'm damn sure that this thing wouldn't happen!". Sahadev asked again, "But Vaishu, what if that situation arises?".

Before she could even think of that question, The ladies of the palace arrived there and asked, "Done with cooking or not? We are starving!", Subhadra asked. Karenumati said, "How is it that you all are helping her like brothers? You are her in-laws as well?", to which Bheem replied, "Of course we would help her! She was our family even before she married my brother!". Draupadi joined smiling, "It's so good to see you guys helping her out with her first lunch preparation! But this is taking a long time! Ishu! Make it fast!". Just then, Arjun entered the kitchen in search of his wife, "Ishwari! Ready to leave?", and saw that everyone was there. Vaishnavi replied, "Let me atleast feed these people, Arjun! These peeps look like calamity stricken people without food!", making them glare at her.

Vaishnavi giggled and said, "Okay okay guys! My family! My family is starving!". Arjun chuckled and said, "Okay okay! Make it fast ishwari! It'll become dark if we start any late!". Valandhara asked him, "Arjun! Why do you always call he ishwari? You know that you can call her Ishu, right?". Nakul added as well, "Yeah! Back then also, he never called her Vaishu! Just vaishnavi! No matter how long the conversation was, he always called her with her full name!".

Arjun chuckled and said, "How can I call her with half name, semi name and all? I love her as a whole! Not leaving anything half or something! That includes her name! I even like her name as a whole!", and smiled at her. She smiled back at him, while the others 'oh'ed. He came back to senses and said, "Okay! Be quick! I'll be with Madhav!", and left the place, slowly the women left too. Vaishnavi said lost in the disappearing figure, "Tell me guys! Now how can I hate this guy?", and shook her head in awe. Bheem asked, "If you do, then why are you behaving like that? Like you don't like him? And always pushing him away?". She sighed and said, "I'm- I- huh! Something is stopping me! Deep from my heart! I just need a push! One push!".

***

The couple left the city of Indraprasth after taking blessings from their elders. Vaishnavi, as usual, preferred Simba over a chariot, and Arjun on his horse. They were not speaking with each other, and were enjoying each other's company in silence. She would often side eye him and smiled to herself, not wanting him to notice her checking him out. While he would just smile at her antics, and stayed silent pretended to not notice, as she doesn't want him to.

He soon called her name, after a long silence, "H- Hey, Ishwari!". She replied without turning, "What?". He continued clearing his throat, "ahem! I was just thinking that, uh, how about you tie your eyes with this cloth? I have a surprise for you!". She turned around sharply and looked at him suspiciously. She was gulping hard with all the possible outcomes of that one piece of cloth being tied to her eyes.

'What is he thinking? What does he want to do?'

She stuttered, "Uh! H- Hey! I'm already n- not interested in this outing! And do you r- really want me to do whatever y- you wish for! Not happening!", and turned around swiftly. Sighing, he said, "I'm not demanding, Ishwari! Just once listen to me, please! I won't ask for anything anymore!". Unsure, she just nodded and took the cloth of his hand and tied it to her eyes.

"Stop!", he said suddenly. Stopping with a jerk, she asked, "Ugh! What now? Don't bore me, Arjun!". Soon, there was a shuffling sound, and she was just sitting on Simba with a disinterested face, but infact was really anticipating what he was going to show her. Soon after, she felt that he sat behind her, on Simba and started their journey again, this time faster than ever. "Arjun! Go slowly!", she shook him, trying to open her blind fold. He held her hand stopping her, "Patience, love! Patience!".

She kept on shaking his hand and hitting him to stop the horse, but he just held her still from falling and kept on going. Soon after, he stopped at a place and and sighed smiling. He removed the knot the cloth slowly, but she swiftly opened the cloth by herself and got ready to give him an earful. But as soon as she saw the place, words dried down in her throat. She turned to look at Arjun, who in turn just nodded his head smiling at her. He got down and extended his hand, knowing that she is not the one to get any helping hand. But, being in awe, she took his hand and got down of the horse, making his heart dance in joy.

She slowly started walking towards the place, which looked like a farming area, and soon started to run, exploring the place. He ran behind her, and was looking after her as in not to fall anywhere. She soon stopped in front of a hut, from where there was a very sweet tune of flute could be heard. She slowly went inside, keeping her hand near her heart.

As soon as she stepped inside the hut, a woman who was playing the flute suddenly stopped blowing the flute and turned around. "I- Ishwari!", she dropped the flute and ran towards her and hugged her kneeling down. Vaishnavi became very emotional and hugged her back kneeling as well. "My! My child! Lord- Lord Shiva promised me! He promised me that you will come here! Thanks lord!", she closed her eyes looking up.

Vaishnavi hugged her tightly and said, "You- Mata! Mat- Mumma! Mumma you left me as soon as I was born! Why- why did you leave me! I was motherless!", she cried. Arjun came to the entrance and stood there folding his hands, leaning to the door. "Yashoda Mata! Let's- let's go to Dwaraka! Lets-", but she was cut off by her mother, Yashoda. "No, Putri! I promised my Krishna! My Kanha! That I'll take care of this Vrindavan! There is no need of me to him. And- And that's why I got you as my Prasad, to be with him always whenever there is a problem for him. Lord Shiva himself has given you to me! I'm you, putri!", and caressed her cheeks.

Yashoda looked up and saw that a well built good looking prince was standing there, and immediately recognised him. "Is- Is he?", vaishnavi turned around to see him and smiled at him. She turned back and said, "Mata! He is your son-in-law, Arjun!", and turned back at him smilingly with tears, "My husband!". Arjun became ecstatic as she referred to him as her husband to anybody else other than him, for the first time. He joined his hands towards Yashoda and seeked her blessings.

"Be happy both of you! You both look like Shiv Parvati themselves!", making them look towards each other. "Ill- I'll wait outside!", Arjun said and went out, giving them space for themselves. Looking at the retreating figure, Yashoda said, "you have found yourself a very handsome man, Ishwari!", and giggle, making Arjun chuckle as well as the conversation could be heard while he was going outside.

Vaishnavi said, "he indeed is!", and chuckled as well. "Oh is it?", a voice belonged to a woman interrupted them, making them look back. "Radhika! Come here! Didn't I tell you, my daughter will come back to me?", Yashoda told the lady. Vaishnavi's eyes widened at the mention of that name and she smiled widely, "Radha Jiji?", and ran towards her to hug her. Radha hugged her back and asked, "What made you delay this arrival, huh? You know, we were waiting like anything for you!", she chocked. Vaishnavi broke the hug and held her ears, "Sorry!".

Radha just smiled and shook her head, "Just kidding, Ishwari!", and hugged her back. After the hug, vaishnavi asked them with a confused expression, "Wait! How did you guys know my name?". Radha smiled and said, "He told me, your brother!", and sighed dreamily. "How is he by the way?", Radha asked blushing. Vaishnavi looked at her teasingly and laughed, "Haha! That makhan chor is fine! Hmm, can't even hide your love for him. Total lovesick girl", and nudged her waist by her elbow. Radha held her hips with both her hands and asked, "Oh! Am I the only one? There is a prince guy standing outside! Who is he? Ah, your husband isn't he? He looks lovesick as well. He was talking with a Jhumka!! Haha!". Vaishnavi's expression became a little sad and said, "Y- Yeah!".

Looking at her expression, Yashoda caressed her cheeks and asked, "What happened, my Ishu? Why are you so sad and dull?". Vaishnavi sighed and told them everything that happened. Sighing, she said, "I- I honestly don't know what to do now! I'm hopelessly in love with him, Mata!".

Yashoda nodded knowingly and caressed her head, while saying, "So, you are telling me that you love your husband and want to accept him, but the polygamy is stopping you? And you think it's wrong!", to which Vaishnavi nodded in yes. Yashoda nodded and said, "Hmm... Tell me one thing! How many women did Kanha marry? 8 if I'm not wrong!", to which Vaishnavi nodded confused. "And you are okay with that?", Yashoda asked making vaishnavi look at her with a weird experession. "Why would I not be okay? All his marriages happened for a reason! Like, if he didn't marry even one of them, one incident wouldn't occur! It's like, a canon event! Even if he didn't want it to happen, it-", she trailed off, realisation dawning upon her, and she continued with a whisper, "He couldn't have stopped! This was meant to happen!".

Vaishnavi looked at Radha, "But- You tell me, Radha Jiji! How can you- how are you- uh!- able to even accept Kanha when he married like 8 others!??". Radha just smiled and caressed her head, "I love him, Ishwari! His marriages are for worlds benefits! Meant to happen! Already written! But my love for him, it transcends everything! I surrendered my heart to him! Totally! And there's no coming back! No matter how many marriages he did, he gave his heart to me, and I have to make sure to safeguard it! That's what keeps me going forward!", making Vaishnavi realise what she had been missing all these days. His heart, which was with him all along, but she thrashed it, ruthlessly. And he still didn't give up on her.

She looked at her mother, who smiled at her, "I won't say anything more in this topic, Ishwari! You have to understand by yourself! Which you just did! But one thing! Don't ever leave him, my putri! Even Kanha didn't bring you here to me, but he did! Because he understood how much you missed me! And because he wanted to see a smile on your face! And because, he Loves you! Limitlessly! You are very lucky to have him, putri! Don't ever leave him!".

Vaishnavi came out of the hut, thinking of her mother's words, and saw her husband caressing both their horses and fetching water for them. Her mother's words were ringing in her head, "You have been really harsh on him! Poor guy, just wants your love! Nothing else! No one would ever love you the way he does, Ishwari! If not, without any reason, No reason at all, without any powers, any secrets, he could touch you! You know why? Because, the love he holds for you is pure! Purer than fire!". She immediately ran towards him and hugged him from back.

He stopped doing whatever he was doing and held her hands. "Ishwari?", he asked while she closed her eyes with tears streaming down her face. As soon as he felt something hot on his back, he immediately understood that it was her crying and turned her around, "Ishwari! Why are you crying?", and held her shoulders. She couldn't say anything and just shook her head, as words were not brave enough to come out of her throat.

He smiled little and wiped her tears, while she looked up at him, "I did all this to make that angry and sad Ishwari to go away! And bring back my always smiling Ishwari! But", he bent down a little to her level and said smirking, "I still didn't see it!", and shook his head, while she smiled widely at him and jumped on him. He lost his balance and fell on the grass bed, but he didn't care and hugged her back tightly. "I love you, Arjun! I love you love you love you!", she said with her head on his chest.

He pulled her up and asked, "Say that again by looking into my eyes". She chuckled and held his cheek, "I love you Arjun!". He closed his eyes with tears threatening to spill out of his eyes, and asked again in a whisper, "Again?". She smiled and kissed his forehead, and caressed his hair playing with it, "I love you, my Arjuna!".

He smiled back at her with tears in his eyes, "I- I missed you Ishwari! It's been- its been 12 years you told me this! These 3 words! I missed you beyond eternity! Promise me! Promise me to always love me! Otherwise - otherwise- it feels like dying without you-", she slapped him ever so lightly and held him by his jewellery. She again gave him a series of slaps, with each word being uttered, "How. Many. Times. I. Have. To. Tell. You. Speak. Positive. Mr. Always. Pessimistic.", with each light slap making his head go sideways.

He just smiled and hugged her tightly to his chest, preventing her from slapping him. She slapped his chest as well while saying, "Don't speak like that; if anything, I'm dying before you!". He immediately pulled her up and tossed her, turning around, now him being above her, "Don't utter those words again!", he whispered with utmost seriousness in his eyes.

"But-", he kept his index finger on her lips and said, "I said don't!". She smiled and kissed his index finger, "This is now I feel as well, when you speak like that!". Arjun realised and caressed her cheek, "I'm sorry, I wouldn't speak like that again!", and held his ears. She smiled and ruffled his hair, and said, "I love you! And I don't mean I like you wala love you! I mean I love you love you! I- I surrender myself to you, Arjun! Just like you did! And take me, I'm all yours!".

Arjun looked at her weirdly which made her nervous. She held his cheeks and asked, "What happened, love?". He just shook his head seriously, which just increased her anxiety even more. "D- Did I say something wrong?". He nodded at her and said, "Yeah! This is not the right place to take you!", and started laughing, only to earn an eyeroll. She hit him and pushed him aside to go away from the place, with him falling on the side, laughing clutching his stomach.

As she got up, he pulled her back down by her wrist, which made her fall on him. "Where do you think you are going, hmm?", he asked in a husky voice. "You don't want to take me, isn't it?", she rolled her eyes. He chuckled tracing her jawline, "You seem to be in so much hurry! Hmm... wait darling! Patience!".

She shook her head with a disbelief on her face, "Wow! Is this the same guy, who didn't know how to kiss? I had to teach you, remember?". He chuckled and said, "You just taught me kiss! But I'll teach you many more things! Many more... How to say.. Positions?", and winked at her. She widened her eyes and hit him on his chest, with her cheeks flaring burning red. Unable to look up, she tried to push him, but all her efforts were in vain. Arjun looked at her teasingly and said, "What? That's it? You literally can throw demons away with your little finger! And you can't push me? Tch Tch! You want this! You want me!". She pulled him towards her with his jewellery and whispered, "Dumbass! That's what I'm saying! I want you! You said the place isn't right and bullshit!".

He widened his eyes and blushed, while she cooed giggling,"Aww! Now, who's tomato?", making him giggle as well and joined their foreheads together. Suddenly, Radha asked from behind "Uhm! Guys! Please get a room! Not here! You need one?", and giggled. They both got up and stood on their feet avoiding her eye contact, blushing like anything.

She just giggled and ruffled their heads, "Arey, just kidding, cuties! I just came here to say that, Kanha called you both back! Immediately!", making them both look at each other. Arjun asked, "How did you know, Radha ji?", to which she replied smilingly, "He always speaks with me! Anyways, you have to leave now! It seems something important guys! And, all the best for your future!", and smiled sweetly.

Yashoda entered the scene as well, "Putri! Take this Makhan with you! My Kanha will love it!", and handed her the butter. She smiled and took it from her, and the couple seeked blessings from the mother. "Both of you stay happy always! And be an ideal couple!". She pulled her daughter's ear making her shreik, "Awh mumma!". Yashoda said, "Chup! Don't you dare torment my son in law ever again!", which made Arjun hug her. "THANK YOU MUMMA!!!". Vaishnavi pushed him away from her, "Hey! She is my mumma! Your Mata!", to which he Snickered, "Cry about it! She is my mumma!". She chuckled and caressed both their heads, "Both of you!", and smiled. Radha said, "You both banter on the way! Now just go! Kanha is waiting!", and chuckled as well. Seeking their blessings, both started their journey back to Indraprasth.

***

The court room of Indraprasth was dangerously silent, with Yudisthir pinching his temples. "Pranipat, Maharaj!", both Arjun and Vaishnavi joined their hands and greeted him. "You both are here! Vasudev! Please tell them what you told me!", he gestured to Krishna. Krishna sighed and said, "Parth! Ishwari! You guys remember i told Bhrata Yudisthir to start with his preparations for Rajasuya?", to which both of them nodded. Bheem joined and said, "It seems that the informants we sent to Jarasandh were captured, and he openly challenged our Jyesth! How dare he warn my Jyesth!", he roared.

The womenfolk was not involved except for the queen, who sat with the king, "Now, What do we do?". Krishna said, "To eradicate this problem...", and Vaishnavi finished his sentence, "We must eradicate him!". Draupadi looked at her and said, "Ishu! No! You are not going!". Vaishnavi looked at her and said, "Krishnaa! Trust me! I'll be okay! Arjun, Bheem and Kanha will be with me! Oh and by the way, we four are going there!".

Yudisthir looked at her and said, "Vaishnavi, but-", vaishnavi cut him off, "Jyesth! Don't worry! I safeguarded Dwaraka for 12 years from him! That bastard", she growled. Krishna said, "We four will go! And we will return victorious!", and Vaishnavi looked at him determined and nodded her head at him.

'Jarasandh, You Bastard! Here I come to see your end!'

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Hello lovelies! How was your day? Enjoyed Ganesh Chaturthi! And weekend!

Anyways, how was the chapter? Please vote and comment! 😁