Mata Kunti slowly approached Nakul, her eyes filled with warmth. Placing a hand gently on his shoulder, she spoke in a tender yet knowing voice, "Vats, main janti hun tumhare maan main kya chal raha hai. Main ne jis din se humne Varnavat ane ki yatra prarbh kiya, uss din se main ne mere priya Nakul ke ankhon main prem dekha. Aur sirf prem nahi, iss prem ke avesh main kuch bhi karne ki chah bhi dekhi. Main ne socha, ussi ko apna putravadhu maan lun, jiske kaston ko mera Nakul apna kast man ne laga hai."

(Translation: "Son, I know what's going on in your heart. From the day we began our journey to Varnavat, I have seen love in your eyes. Not just love, but a deep desire to do anything for that love. I thought I should consider her my daughter-in-law, the one whose pain my Nakul has started to consider his own.")

Her gaze softened further as she turned to Nisha. "Putri, aur sirf Nakul ke liye nahi, main tumhare liye bhi khush hun ki mujhe tum jaisi gyani, bhavook, ache vicharo wali, aur mere Nakul ki tarah sundar putravadhu mili. Parantu, putri, apne aap par dabav mehsoos mat karo."

(Translation: "Daughter, it's not just for Nakul that I'm happy, I'm happy for you too. I have found a daughter-in-law who is wise, emotional, thoughtful, and as beautiful as my Nakul. But, dear child, don't feel pressured by this.")

Everyone in the room was stunned by Kunti's heartfelt words. The air felt charged with unspoken emotions as Nakul stood rooted in his place, his heart racing. Then, suddenly, without a word, he moved towards Nisha. Grasping her hand gently yet firmly, he faced his mother and said in a strained voice, "Kshama kijiyega, Mata."

(Translation: "Forgive me, Mother.")

Without waiting for a response, he pulled Nisha along with him, leading her out of the room. They hurried through the quiet corridors, finally stepping out onto the balcony, where the cool breeze met their flushed faces.

Nisha, still stunned by the sudden turn of events, looked at Nakul, who seemed just as overwhelmed as she was.

As they reached the balcony, the soft moonlight bathed them in a serene glow. Nakul finally released Nisha's hand, turning away for a moment to gather his thoughts. The silence between them was heavy, yet it felt fragile, as though one wrong word could shatter the delicate bond they shared.

Nisha leaned against the stone railing, her heart still racing from the tension in Kunti's chamber. She glanced at Nakul, waiting for him to speak, unsure of what he was feeling. Her mind was swirling with questions, doubts, and a strange sense of anticipation she couldn't quite place.

Nakul took a deep breath, still staring out at the night sky. Nakul turned to face her, and said"Mata ne jo kaha... wo sab kuch achanak tha. Tum pe koi dabav nahi hai, Nisha. Tumhara mann jo kahe, wahi karo Nisha."

(Translation: "What Mother said... it was all sudden. There's no pressure on you, Nisha. Do what your heart says.")

Nisha felt a tug at her heart. She stepped closer, her voice soft but firm. "Tumhe kya lagta hai, Nakul? Main sirf dabav mehsoos kar rahi hoon? Tumhare aur Mata ke shabd sirf kartavya ki tarah lagte hain?"

(Translation: "What do you think, Nakul? That I only feel pressured? That your and Mata's words feel like duty to me?")

Nakul looked taken aback by her boldness. For a moment, he couldn't find the right words. "Main... bas yeh chahta hoon ki tum... apni ichanusar se faisla lo Nisha bina kisi davab ke"

(Translation: "I... just want you to make a decision for yourself without any pressure.")

A small smile touched Nisha's lips. "Nakul, Kya tum yeh nahi samajhte ki jo humare beech hai, wo sirf kartavya nahi?"

(Translation: "Nakul, Don't you understand that what's between us isn't just obligation?")

Nakul's gaze softened, realization dawning on him. He stepped closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "To kya kare, Nisha?"

(Translation: "So, what do we do, Nisha?")

For a brief moment, Nisha hesitated, then she met his eyes with quiet confidence. "Jo hum dono chahthe hain, Nakul. dono ka saath. dono ka vishwas. Aur jo prem tumhari aankhon mein hai, wahi mere dil mein bhi hai."

(Translation: "What we both want, Nakul. each others companionship and trust. And the love that is in your eyes, is in my heart too.")

Nakul's breath caught, his heart pounding in his chest. The honesty in her words, the connection they shared, was undeniable. He reached for her hand again, this time more gently, as though acknowledging the bond they had just confessed.

For a moment, they stood in silence, the world around them falling away as they basked in the truth of their feelings. The cool night breeze whispered softly, but nothing compared to the warmth that now filled the space between them.

Before going back inside, Nisha turned towards the moonlight, her thoughts swirling with uncertainty. Mentally, she called out to Krishna, as if seeking his divine guidance. "Krishna, jo main karne ja rahi hoon, usse koi bhavishya mein sankat na ho aur aap mujhe aur Nakul ko ashirvaad dein." (Translation: "Krishna, what I am going to do should not create any chaos in the future, and please bless me and Nakul.") She silently prayed for his presence, knowing that every step forward would change their lives forever.

When Nakul and Nisha stepped back inside, everyone's faces lit up, seeing the two of them holding hands. They approached Mata Kunti and touched her feet. With tears of happiness in her eyes, Mata Kunti blessed them both, wiping away her emotions as they flowed. Nakul gently wiped her tears, sharing in her joy. Together, they moved towards Yudhishthir to take his blessings, then to Bheem and finally to Arjun. Sahadev, in his usual humility, bent down to touch their feet, but Nisha hesitated. Nakul, noticing her discomfort, smiled and whispered, "Yeh theek hai, Sahadev chhota hai, isliye yeh chalta hai." (Translation: "It's okay, Sahadev is younger, so it's fine.")

Bheem, always quick with humor, couldn't resist adding, "Matlab ab mera priya anuj ardharatri mein bhook lagne par mere liye khana lana band kar dega?" (Translation: "So, does this mean my dear younger brother won't bring me food in the middle of the night anymore?")

Everyone laughed heartily, the tension of the past few days easing up momentarily.

Mata Kunti soon returned with a pair of golden bangles adorned with a red design. As she gently placed them on Nisha's wrist, she said, "Yeh mera sabse priya kangan hai, Nisha. Jo mainne apne Arya ke mrityu ke baad kabhi nahi pehna." (Translation: "This is my most cherished bangle, Nisha, which I haven't worn since my Arya's passing.")

Nisha felt overwhelmed by the gesture. Tears welled up in her eyes as Nakul, noticing her emotion, took the bangles and slipped them onto her wrists gently. The sacredness of the moment weighed heavily on her, and she wished Krishna could witness this pivotal moment in her life. As she looked up, she saw Rati, the celestial pigeon, perched nearby, waving his feathers as if saying, "I'm here." She smiled, feeling a sense of comfort.

Nakul took a deep breath and looked at Nisha, his voice steady with conviction. "Main tumse bahut prem karta hoon, Nisha, aur main yeh pran leta hoon ki tumhare atirikt main kabhi kisi aur se vivah nahi karunga." (Translation: "I love you deeply, Nisha, and I vow that I will never marry anyone but you.")

Nisha was stunned, her mind racing. *"Yeh kya keh diya tumne, Nakul?"* (Translation: "What have you just said, Nakul?") she thought, wondering how those words might ripple through nit only their future but also the future of aryavart (bharatvarsh).

Later, Nakul and Nisha sat together, the warmth of the family surrounding them as the Pandavas gathered with Mata Kunti to discuss their escape plan. Sahadev, ever diligent, spoke up. "Mainne sabhi nakshatron ko yaad kar liya hai, jo humein sahi disha dikhayenge." (Translation: "I have memorized all the constellations that will guide us in the right direction.")

Nakul and Nisha also chimed in with their suggestion. "Hamare liye yeh behtar hoga ki hum pashchim ki taraf jaayein aur Matsya rajya mein sharan lein." (Translation: "It would be better if we head west and seek refuge in the Matsya kingdom.")

After pondering for a moment, Yudhishthir agreed, but he raised a concern, "Parantu haan, wahan se bhaag to jayenge, par duniya ko yeh vishwas kaise dilayein ki hum sab bhasm ho chuke hain?" (Translation: "Yes, we will escape, but how do we make the world believe that we have perished?")

Arjun, always ready with a plan, added, "Hum apne astra-shastra yahin chod denge, Bhraata-shree. Iss prakaar koi nahi jaan payega ki hum zinda hain." (Translation: "We will leave behind our weapons here, Brother. This way, no one will know we are alive.")

Yudhishthir nodded thoughtfully but raised another question, "Yeh toh sahi hai, Arjun, par shariron ka kya?" (Translation: "That's true, Arjun, but what about the bodies?")

Nisha, who knew what fate held for them, couldn't fully reveal the future, but she tried to guide them. "Bhrata-shree, ek aur baat yeh hai ki humein Purochan aur uski patni ke diye gaye bhojan ka grahan nahi karna chahiye, kyunki usme vish milaya jaa sakta hai. Taaki humare marne ke baad ve bhawan ko jala sakein. Isse bachne ke liye, jis din hum aag lagayenge, yani aaj se teen din baad, Chaturdashi se ek din pehle, hum ek bhandara ayojit karte hain. Iss prakar, humein logon ko bhojan dene ke bahane khana bhi mil jayega aur bhagne ke liye bal bhi." (Translation: "Brother, one more thing: we should not accept food from Purochan or his wife, as they might poison it to burn the palace after we die. To avoid this, on the day we plan to set the fire, which is three days from now, one day before Chaturdashi, we should hold a feast for the villagers. This way, we'll have food for ourselves and strength to escape.")

Yudhishthir considered her words and then nodded in agreement. "Nisha, tum ek kaam karna. Tum apne daasi ke vesh mein hi nagar ke log jab khana khaakar apne ghar jayenge, tum unke saath nikal jaana aur wahan pahunch jaana jahan surang ka raasta khulta hai. Aur humara wahan pratiksha karna." (Translation: "Nisha, you must do one thing. Disguised as a servant, once the villagers have eaten and leave for their homes, you should leave with them and reach the tunnel's exit. Wait for us there.")

Nisha nodded silently, fully aware of the gravity of the situation. With the plan set, everyone retired for the night, ready to shift to the Shiv Bhavan—the inauspicious house that would soon be reduced to ashes.