It was late at night, and the palace lay in a deep, tranquil silence. Everyone was soundly asleep, but Nisha's curiosity wouldn't let her rest. She had been waiting for the perfect moment to sneak out and visit the library. Glancing over at Adrika, who was sleeping peacefully beside her, Nisha quietly got up, her movements careful and measured. With a lantern in hand, she slipped out of the workers' quarters and made her way towards the library.

As she reached the entrance, she found the guard dozing off in a corner. His snores filled the quiet corridor, and Nisha couldn't help but chuckle softly at the sight. She tiptoed past him and entered the vast library, her eyes widening in wonder as she looked around. The towering shelves were filled with books made from palm leaves, neatly tied together. The room felt ancient, steeped in history, and Nisha's heart raced with excitement.

Her gaze landed on a large section with the words "हस्तिनापुर का गौरवशाली इतिहास" ("The Glorious History of Hastinapur") displayed above the bookshelf in bold letters. The signboard, made from palm leaves stitched together, looked like a grand hoarding. She smiled internally. *Yes,* she thought to herself, pleased that she had found the history section.

Reaching up to take one of the books, Nisha miscalculated her grip. In an unfortunate clatter, several books came tumbling down, crashing to the floor with a loud thud. She froze, her heart pounding in panic. *Please, let the guard still be snoring.* She stood completely still, straining her ears for any sound. A moment later, the guard's snores reached her ears once again, and she sighed in relief.

But what Nisha didn't know was that Nakul, who was passing by the library, had heard the sound. Clutching his sword, he made his way to the library. The palace was cloaked in darkness, and as he entered the library, the shadows seemed to loom even larger. A dim light flickered from behind one of the shelves, and Nakul moved cautiously towards it, his sword raised.

As he turned the corner, he saw a maid bending down to pick up the fallen books. Relaxing his grip on the sword, he let out a breath. "तुम हो कौन, देवी?" ("Who are you, Devi?") he asked, his voice curious but gentle.

Startled, Nisha quickly clutched her saree and pulled it over her head like a veil. "मैं कुछ किताबें रखने आई थी, कुमार, परंतु ये मेरे हाथ से फिसल गए," ("I came to return some books, Prince, but they slipped from my hands,") she replied in a slow, measured tone, trying to keep her voice calm.

Nakul took a few steps closer, his brows furrowed in curiosity as he tried to get a glimpse of her face. But Nisha, sensing his approach, quickly turned back towards the shelves and busied herself with picking up the scattered books.

"पर तुमने घूंघट क्यों ओढ़ा है? महल की कोई दासियाँ घूंघट नहीं ओढ़ती," ("But why are you wearing a veil? The maids of the palace do not cover their faces,") Nakul asked, suspicion creeping into his voice.

Nisha's heart skipped a beat. She squeezed her eyes shut for a moment, mentally chastising herself. The veil... right, that tradition didn't start until the British period! Scrambling for an explanation, she blurted out, "मैं शादीशुदा हूँ, कुमार, मुझे मेरे पति ने दूसरे पुरुषों को चेहरा दिखाने से मना किया है," ("I am married, Prince. My husband forbids me from showing my face to other men.")

*What a lame excuse, Nisha, she thought, cringing inwardly. Nakul laughed a little But before Nakul could respond, she hurriedly said, "मेरा काम हो गया, कुमार, अब मैं जाती हूँ," ("My work is done, Prince. I will take my leave now.")

Without waiting for a reply, she fastened her steps, slipping past him and heading for the exit. The moment she was outside, she rushed back to her shared room with Adrika, her heart still racing from the close call. Crawling into her bed, she sighed, thinking about her failed attempt to gather books from the library.

Meanwhile, Nakul stood in the dimly lit library, his sword still in hand, pondering over the strange encounter. There was something about that voice... it felt oddly familiar.

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Two days had passed, and the excitement bubbling within Nisha was undeniable. Today was the day she would see the Pandavas again, having only glimpsed them last in the royal court which was 10 days ago. They were leaving for their Vijaya Yatra, a campaign to expand Hastinapur's boundaries by conquering distant territories. The whole palace buzzed with the energy of the impending departure. Nisha, holding the aarti thali, felt a mix of curiosity and anticipation, while Adrika, carrying a basket of flowers, walked beside her, joined by four other maids. Together, they made their way toward Kunti's chamber.

Inside, the chamber of mata kunti, Bhima, as usual, was focused on food, stuffing his mouth with laddoos, declaring that no sweets from other lands would ever match these. Arjuna, ever the warrior, sat sharpening his arrows, the soft scrape of the stone echoing in the room. Sahadeva was deeply engrossed in a thick book, his brow furrowed in concentration, while Yudhishthira engaged in a quiet conversation with Mata Kunti, their voices a murmur of advice and affection.

And then there was Nakul. Completely absorbed in admiring himself, he ran a hand through his hair, his fingers carefully straightening the strands as he smiled handsomely at his reflection in the polished bronze mirror. His eyes gleamed with admiration, but there was a certain charm to the moment.

Suddenly, a guard entered, bowing respectfully before announcing, "The maids have come for the aarti and it is time for the Pandavas to leave for their Vijaya Yatra." The room shifted into action. Bhima wiped his hands clean of the sticky sweet crumbs, Arjuna packed away his arrows, and Sahadeva carefully marked his place in the book. The brothers gathered alongside their mother as the maids entered and bowed in respect.

From Nakul's point of view The world seemed to slow. As the maids straightened after their bow, his gaze fell upon someone who took his breath away. It was the girl from the market, the one he had bought bangles for. She stood there, holding the aarti thali, looking even more beautiful and her simple maid's attire enhancing rather than diminishing her grace. Not even a princess could look this radiant, he thought, unable to tear his eyes away.



As their eyes met, something shifted. Unlike the other maids, who kept their gazes respectfully downcast, this girl - this intriguing woman - looked straight at him. Her eyes widened, perhaps out of realization. Did she recognize him? Nakul's lips curled into a small smile, amused by her adorable reaction.

Mata Kunti's voice broke the silence in the room,"Come forward, child," she gestured to Nisha. Nisha, her heart thudding in her chest, stepped forward with the aarti thali in her hands, and Kunti began the aarti for Yudhishthira, who respectfully touched her feet. The solemn ritual continued, first with Bhima, and then with Arjuna, each bowing to Mata Kunti.

Throughout the ceremony, Nisha couldn't help but glance toward Nakul, a question burning in her mind: Was he the same man from the library that night? Her mind wrestled with the mystery, and Nakul, noticing her gaze, remained mesmerized by her presence, silently enjoying this private moment of shared curiosity.



But the quiet exchange of glances was interrupted when it was Nakul's turn for the *arti*. As Nisha turned her attention back to Mata Kunti, Nakul followed suit, his eyes meeting those of his mother, which were filled with affection and he smiled. But even as the aarti was performed, Nakul's mind wandered back to the girl who had captured his attention so easily.

Mata Kunti performed the same ritual for Sahadeva, but when she reached him, she paused. Her eyes softened, and with a mother's tender love, she leaned in and kissed him on the forehead. The sight was heartwarming, and everyone in the room, including the Pandavas, stood quietly, deeply moved by the moment. Even Bhima, who moments earlier had been laughing about his *laddoos*, seemed to reflect on the emotional weight of the gesture.

Nisha, observing the scene from her place among the maids, thought to herself that anyone unfamiliar with the Mahabharata would never guess that Kunti was Sahadeva's stepmother. The affection she displayed toward him, the equality with which she treated her sons, was remarkable. Nisha felt a deep respect for Mata Kunti in that instant, admiring not just the unity of the brothers but the love that held them together.

After the *arti* was complete, Nisha quietly stepped back into her place among the maids, her thoughts still lingering on the family bond she had just witnessed. Mata Kunti then embraced all five of her sons, pulling them close to her heart. Her voice, though soft, carried a depth of emotion as she said, *"Vijaybhava putron."* (May victory be yours, my sons).

With that, the Pandavas began their walk toward the gate where their horses awaited. The courtyard filled with aides who started showering petals of fragrant flowers over them, a blessing for the victory ahead. The sight was grand, the fragrance of the flowers mixing with the early morning air, and the whole scene had a regal serenity to it.

Nisha's gaze instinctively followed Nakul. There was something captivating about the way he moved, with a quiet confidence. She watched as he approached his horse, stroking its mane with such gentle affection that it surprised her. For a warrior who had the strength to command armies, his tenderness towards the animal stirred something inside her. Nakul's kindness wasn't just for people, but extended to creatures of all kinds.

The horse neighed softly, a signal of approval. Nakul patted the animal twice, his touch gentle but firm, and then effortlessly mounted the horse. The moment felt like it carried a weight beyond the action itself. Nakul glanced toward his mother and waved, and Mata Kunti smiled, her heart swelling with pride as she looked upon her five sons, ready to embark on their mission.

Then, Nakul's eyes found Nisha in the crowd. For a brief moment, their gazes locked. Unsure of what to do, Nakul simply smiled, an easy, warm smile that carried a hint of recognition. Nisha, startled at first, felt a moment of confusion. But then, as if instinct took over, she mirrored his smile, the exchange subtle yet significant. As Nakul turned his horse around to join his brothers, the fleeting moment lingered between them.

Once the horses were ready, Nakul couldn't help but look skyward, his hand resting on his chest. A soft smile touched his lips as he thought, *"Ab to nischay hi vijay yatra safal hogi."* (Now, with certainty, this victory march will be successful). Suddenly realisation hit Nakul "her name?" he sighed and thought that now he has to wait for few more months to know her name, with that he smiled and looked ahead with a passion for this mission.

The brothers, poised on their steeds, rode out, their figures slowly disappearing into the horizon, leaving behind an air of hope and determination. But for Nisha and Nakul, the day had left them with something more and for Nisha a growing intrigue for the gentle warrior who had, unknowingly, begun to stir her heart.

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