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The next day, as the first rays of dawn broke through the palace windows, Nisha woke to the soft voice of Adrika, who greeted her warmly. Together, they went about their morning routines, completing the various chores expected of them in the grand halls of Hastinapur. The palace was alive with the sounds of the courtiers, servants, and the hustle of a kingdom that was preparing for something much bigger (maybe beacause pandavas are arriving soon). Today was special. While Adrika had plans to visit her family, Nisha had a different purpose—she had to meet Vidur, the wisest of the Kuru counselors.

Dressed in a soft, flowing sari, Nisha adjusted the pallu over her shoulder she and Adrika left the palace. The streets of Hastinapur were bustling with vendors, merchants, and people from all walks of life. The bazaar stretched endlessly, filled with the vibrant colors of fabric, jewelry, spices, and fruits. As they wove through the crowd, Nisha looked around in awe, trying to take it all in. She turned to Adrika and asked, her curiosity evident in her voice, "Mujhe yahan se Vidur ji ke ghar ka pata batogi, Adrika?"

(Can you tell me the directions to Vidur ji's house from here, Adrika?)

Adrika, without hesitation, smiled and replied, "Yahan se sidha jate hi ek bada bhavan hoga, aage dawrpal honge, wahi hai Vidur ji ka ghar."

(Go straight from here, and you will see a large mansion with guards in front. That's Vidur ji's house.)

They exchanged goodbyes as Adrika informed Nisha she would return to the palace in the evening. Nisha, now on her own, began her walk towards Vidur's residence. Her mind wandered, dwelling on a name that had been haunting her thoughts—a minister she had read about in her own time, who was known for manipulating King Dhritarashtra against the Pandavas. "Kya naam tha... socho Nisha, socho!" (What was the name... think, Nisha, think!) After a moment of frustration, it hit her. "Kanik!" Yes, Kanik was the minister. She quickened her pace, knowing this was important.

Soon, Nisha found herself standing in front of Vidur's mansion. The guards were reluctant at first, but after persistent requests, they finally agreed to inform Vidur of her presence. After waiting for what felt like an eternity, she was led into his chamber. The room was a scholar's paradise, filled with scrolls, books, and jars of ink, peacock quills strewn across the writing desk. As she waited, her thoughts once again drifted towards Krishna. She sighed deeply, lost in her reflections, until Vidur himself appeared.

She quickly stood up, touched his feet respectfully, and Vidur, with his gentle yet authoritative voice, blessed her, "Ayushmati bhav, putri."

(May you be blessed with long life, my daughter.)

Nisha sat down only after Vidur took his seat. His wise eyes studied her intently as he asked, "Kya vishay hai, putri?"

(What is the matter, my daughter?)

Gathering her thoughts, Nisha responded, "Aap sabse gyani hain. Aapko to ab tak Pandavon ke khilaf rachi ja rahi sadyantra ka pata chal hi gaya hoga."

(You are the wisest of all. By now, you must have learned about the conspiracy being plotted against the Pandavas.)

Vidur's brow furrowed in concern as he leaned forward, "Kaisi sadyantra, putri?"

(What conspiracy, my daughter?)

Nisha, choosing her words carefully, replied, "Pandavon ki hatya ka sadyantra, Vidur ji."

(The conspiracy to kill the Pandavas, Vidur ji.)

Vidur let out a heavy sigh, as if this revelation, though shocking, was something he had always feared. "Aisa hone ka abhas to ho hi gaya tha, kyunki Shakuni naamak ek sankat Hastinapur mein hai.":

{"There was already a sense that this would happen, because a calamity named Shakuni exists in Hastinapur."}

Nisha with a seriousness in her voice said, "Mujhe aisa lagta hai iss sadyantra mein aapke sabha ke ek mantri bhi shamil hain, jo samay samay par maharaj ko bhadka rahe hain. Unka naam shayad Kanik hai."

(I believe one of the ministers in your court is involved in this conspiracy, continuously provoking the king. His name is Kanik, if I'm not mistaken.)

Vidur looked surprised, clearly taken aback by this information. It was something he hadn't considered. His voice, both suspicious and impressed, asked, "Yeh sab kehne ke liye tumhara dhanyavad, putri, parantu tumhe yeh sab pata kaise chala?"

(Thank you for telling me this, daughter, but how did you come to know all this?)

Nisha sighed and said, "Badi lambi aur vichitra kahani hai, Vidur ji."

(It's a long and strange story, Vidur ji.)

After a brief pause, she added, "Aap vishwas karenge?"

(Will you believe me?)

Nisha then narrated her extraordinary journey—how she had traveled through time and how she was entrusted with the task of aiding the Pandavas, Bhishma, and Vidur himself. Vidur listened patiently, his expression a mix of contemplation and intrigue. After she finished, he spoke with a calm, thoughtful tone.

"Shukr hai Vidhata ne tumhe bheja hai, toh kuch achhe ke liye hi bheja hoga."

(Thank the Creator that you have been sent to us. You must be here for a good reason.)

Nisha was shocked by his words. She asked in disbelief, "Aapko yeh jhoot nahi laga, Mahamantri?"

(Did this not seem like a lie to you, great minister?)

Vidur smiled, his wisdom evident in his eyes. "Nahi, putri. Tumhare udeshya toh main tabse hi jaan gaya tha jab pehle mila tha. Tum avashya hi bhavishya mein Hastinapur ke hit ke liye kariya karogi, aur Hastinapur ka kalyan karogi."

(No, daughter. I understood your purpose the moment we first met. You are destined to work for the good of Hastinapur, and you will indeed bring its prosperity.)

Nisha smiled, relieved and grateful. "Dhanyavad, Vidur ji."

(Thank you, Vidur ji.)

They spent the rest of their time together discussing the intricate politics of Hastinapur. Nisha spoke about her work as a historian and archaeologist, a term new to Vidur but one she explained with care. As they talked, Vidur's wife, a kind and gentle woman, entered the room. She had been offering prayers to Lord Vishnu and brought prasad to both Vidur and Nisha.

Nisha accepted the prasad with a smile, then leaned closer to Vidur's wife and said softly, "Aapki bhakti dekh kar main bohot prabhavit hui hoon, mata. Main aapko ek baat keh sakti hoon ki aaj se theek satrah saal baad swayam Prabhu bhojan karne aayenge. Prateeksha karna, mata."

(Your devotion has deeply impressed me, mother. I can tell you one thing: exactly seventeen years from today, Lord Vishnu himself will come to share a meal with you. Be patient, mother.)

Vidur's wife smiled warmly, though perhaps not fully understanding the gravity of Nisha's words.

As Nisha prepared to leave, Vidur walked her to the doorstep with his wife by his side. "Aaj se paanch din baad Pandav Hastinapur laut aayenge. Tab subah ham dono Pitamah ke shivir jaake unhe iss sadyantra ke baare mein bolenge aur iss par vichar karenge. Ab tum jao."

(Five days from now, the Pandavas will return to Hastinapur. In the morning, we will go to Bhishma's camp and tell him about this conspiracy, and we will deliberate on it. Now, you may go.)

Nisha nodded and bowed one last time before heading back to the palace. As she walked through the streets of Hastinapur, her mind raced. The gravity of the situation weighed on her, and a single thought echoed through her mind as night fell upon the city: Five days until the Pandavas return—will she be able to save them in this time?