------

Krishna and Drishtadhyumn started walking toward the well-dressed, beautiful ladies, Nisha and Draupadi. Drishtadhyumn looked at Krishna and said, "Vasudev, apne to hame kabhi apki iss sakhi ke bare mein bataya hi nahi." ('Vasudev, you never told me about your companion here.")

Draupadi too looked at Krishna, nodding in agreement. Nisha, however, looked at Krishna with a hint of worry in her eyes, wondering what he would say. Would he reveal that she was from the future? Krishna smiled knowingly and looked at Drishtadhyumn. "Yah meri barso purani sakhi hai, Drishtadhyumn, aur wese bhi tum dono ne kabhi pucha nahi, to main ne bhi bataya nahi." ("She is my companion of many years, Drishtadhyumn, and anyway, you never asked, so I never told you.")

Krishna then turned his gaze to Draupadi and continued, "Aur priya Draupadi, vyakti ke sundarta aur vachano ke adhar par use maat tolo. Ye koi rajkumari nahi, balki ek Brahman Kanya hai." ("And dear Draupadi, do not judge a person by their beauty or words. This is not a princess, but a Brahman maiden.")

Drishtadhyumn smiled, nodding in understanding, before turning to the Pandavas and saying, "Pandav, apna bhojan kar chuke hain, chalo Panchali aur Nisha, tum bhi bhojan kar lo, Mata Kunti ke sath." ("The Pandavas have finished their meal. Come, Panchali and Nisha, you too must join for your meal with Mata Kunti.")

With that, Drishtadhyumn took his sister Draupadi and began walking ahead. Nisha, walking beside Krishna, noticed Drishtadhyumn and Draupadi a little ahead of them. She looked up at Krishna, her eyebrows knitted with confusion, and asked, "Ye sab kaise ho gaya, Kesav? Draupadi ka panchose shadi na karna aur mera Brahman hona, ye sab—" ("How did all this happen, Kesav? Draupadi not marrying the five brothers and me being a Brahman, all of this—")

Before she could finish, Krishna chuckled, smiling as he replied, "Yeh sahi samay nahi hai, Nisha. Thoda dhery rakho, main swayam tumhe sab samjhaunga." ("This is not the right time, Nisha. Be patient, and I will explain everything to you myself.")

Nisha smiled and nodded, walking beside Krishna. After a moment, she again looked up at him and said, "Main bohot bhagyashali hun, Kesav ki aap mujhe swayam samjhane ki baat keh rahe hain. Nahi to Kaliyug mein, aapki Geeta hi mera ek matra margdarshak tha." ("I am so fortunate, Kesav, that you yourself are offering to explain things to me. Otherwise, in the Kali Yuga, your Geeta was my only guide.")

Krishna looked at his sakhi, placed his hand gently on her head, and said, "Main tab bhi tumhare paas tha, Nisha, aur ab bhi hun, aur hamesha rahunga. Issliye kabhi swayam ko akela mat samajhna, sakhi." ("I was with you then, Nisha, I am with you now, and I will always be. So, never think of yourself as alone, my dear.")

Nisha nodded, feeling comforted by his words, and both of them walked toward the hall for lunch.

As Nisha entered the grand hall, her eyes widened at the sight of the grand feast laid out before her. The dishes were meticulously arranged, and the hall was filled with the enticing aroma of satvic food. The air was serene, the setting befitting the royal family it served.

Mata Kunti, seated gracefully at the center, looked up and smiled warmly at Nisha and Draupadi as they approached. Nisha hesitated for a moment before taking her seat beside Kunti, while Draupadi settled on her other side.

As they began eating, Kunti turned to Nisha and said with a kind smile, "Nisha, tumpe to raj poshak bada accha dikhta hai." ("Nisha, royal attire suits you very well.")

Nisha smiled modestly, murmuring a soft "Dhanyawad (thank you)." Kunti then looked at Draupadi with pride in her eyes. "Aur tum, putri, tumhara tez to sachmuch hi yagya se nikalne jaisa hai. Dhanya hai mere charo putra, bas ab Sahadev ki chinta hai," she said, chuckling lightly. ("And you, daughter, your radiance truly seems as if it emerged from a sacred fire. Blessed are my four sons; now only Sahadev remains a concern.")

Both Nisha and Draupadi laughed at her words, their laughter ringing warmly through the hall.

As the meal continued, Nisha's gaze began to wander across the hall, subtly searching for someone (Nakul aur kon?). Krishna, ever observant, noticed her wandering eyes and said with a knowing smile, "Priya sakhi, tum jise khoj rahi ho, wo apne bhaiyo ke sang yudh ki samgriyan dekh rahe hain dusre bhavan mein. Kaho to bula doon." ("Dear friend, the ones you are looking for are with their brothers, inspecting the war supplies in the other palace. Shall I call them for you?")

Nisha turned to Krishna with a playful glare, her eyes narrowing, but the corners of her lips twitching in amusement. Krishna laughed mischievously in return, his mirth lighting up the atmosphere. Kunti and Draupadi, watching the exchange, couldn’t help but smile.

Kunti then reached over and pinched Krishna’s cheek affectionately. "Din beet gaye, bachpan chala gaya, parantu Krishna ka bachpana nahi gaya. Kyun, Krishna?" ("The days have passed, childhood is gone, yet Krishna’s childishness hasn’t faded. Isn’t that right, Krishna?")

Krishna grinned, his eyes sparkling with unspoken mischief, while Nisha shook her head in exasperated fondness at his ever-childlike demeanor. She smiled to herself and thought, This is the same person who imparted the wisdom of the Geeta.

The group continued their meal, the lighthearted banter and familial warmth making the grand hall feel like a haven of laughter and joy.

As they finished their meal, Nisha walked alongside Krishna toward the hall where the weapons were stored. Draupadi, meanwhile, accompanied Dhrishtadyumna as she wished to meet her Gurumata one last time.

Nisha’s delicate bangles and anklets jingled softly with every step she felt a little wired but ignored it, the sound catched the attention of the Pandavas. Inside the hall, Yudhishthir stood holding a spear, Bheem and Balram inspected a maces, Arjun examined his arrows, Nakul held a sword with pride, and Sahadev tested the sharp edge of an axe.

Nakul's gaze immediately sought Nisha, and his pupils dilated at the sight of her. She was draped in royal attire that accentuated her elegance. Nisha felt a flush rise to her cheeks, embarrassed by Nakul’s obvious admiration, fearing the others would start teasing them.

Bheem, with affection, stepped forward and grinned at her and said "Waah Nisha, tumpe to raj poshak bade mante hain. Ab log kahenge ki hum bhai-behen hain! Badi sundar lag rahi ho, Nisha. Main to thak gaya tha tumhe woh sukhe, berang safed sari aur Maa ke diye huye kangan mein dekhke." ("Wow, Nisha, royal attire suits you so well! Now people will say we are siblings! You look so beautiful, Nisha. Honestly, I was tired of seeing you in that dry, colorless white sari and the bangles Maa gave you.")

Everyone nodded in agreement, their smiles full of warmth. Nisha beamed at Bheem’s kind words and replied with a cheerful "Dhanyawad, Bheem Bhaiya" (Thank you, Brother Bheem).

Suddenly, a sharp hiss broke through their laughter. Turning around, they saw Nakul standing with his thumb bleeding from a small cut on the sword’s edge. Concerned, everyone surrounded him. Nisha instinctively reached for his hand, intending to put his thumb in her mouth to stop the bleeding. But she froze, realizing everyone would undoubtedly tease them. Thinking quickly, she gently shoved Nakul’s thumb into his own mouth instead.

Nakul’s eyes widened in surprise, and everyone burst into laughter. Sahadev smirked and said,"Dekho, Nisha, tumhe dekh ke kya haalat ho gayi Bharat Nakul ki." ("See, Nisha, just the sight of you has left our brother Nakul in this state.")

Nisha shot a playful glare at Nakul, who sheepishly avoided her gaze and shrugged as if to say, What could I do?

After settling down, Nisha turned to Yudhishthir and spoke earnestly. "Bharata Yudhishthir, kya aapko nahi lagta ki humein Mahamantri Vidur ko ek patra likhna chahiye?" ("Brother Yudhishthir, don’t you think we should write a letter to Minister Vidur?")

Yudhishthir nodded thoughtfully and then looked at Krishna. "Aapka kya khayal hai, Vasudev?" ("What do you think, Vasudev?")

Krishna smiled warmly and replied, "Nisha theek keh rahi hai. Bhaiya, aapko Kaka-shree ko patra likhna chahiye. Ab to Panchali se aap sabka vivah hone wala hai, to un sab ko pehle se batana hi theek hoga."

("Nisha is right. Brother, you should write a letter to Uncle Vidur. Now that you’re all about to marry Panchali, it’s better to inform them beforehand.")

Everyone agreed, and Yudhishthir called Dhrishtadyumna and said . "Yagyasen, tum ek patra Hastinapur naresh ko Mahamantri Vidur ke jariye bhejo. Aur usmein likhna ki hum paanch Bhai, Mata Kunti, aur Nisha bilkul theek aur swasth hain. Arjun ne Draupadi ka swayamvar jeeta hai aur ek karan vash hum teeno Bhai—Yudhishthir, Bheem, aur Arjun—Panchali se vivah karenge." ("Dhrishtadyumna, send a letter to the king of Hastinapur through Minister Vidur. Write that the five of us, Mother Kunti, and Nisha are safe and healthy. Arjun has won Draupadi’s swayamvar, and for a specific reason, the three of us—Yudhishthir, Bheem, and Arjun—will marry Panchali.")

Before he could finish, Kunti’s firm voice interrupted from the doorway. "Thero, putra." ("Wait, my son.")

She entered the hall and addressed Krishna and Balram. "Krishna aur Balram, tum hi batao. Main soch rahi hoon ki iss vivah ke avsar par Nisha aur Nakul ki bhi shaadi karva di jaye. Kyunki tum sab yahan ho aur Hastinapur ke sabhi bhi aayenge. Sabka ashirwad ek saath milega, to achha rahega. Kya humein aisa karna chahiye?" ("Krishna and Balram, you tell me. I’m thinking of arranging Nisha and Nakul’s marriage on this occasion as well. Everyone from Hastinapur will be here, and they can all bless them together. Should we do this?")

Krishna glanced briefly at Nisha and Nakul, who exchanged a shy look and nodded in agreement. He then turned to Kunti with a grin. "Yeh to badi achhi baat hai, Bua. Par prashna yeh uthta hai ki Nisha ka kanyadan kaun karega?" ("That’s a wonderful idea, Aunt. But the question arises—who will perform Nisha’s kanyadaan?")

Nisha looked at Kunti with uncertainty, realizing she didn’t have a father figure for the ritual. Balram stepped forward confidently. "Main karunga, Krishna. Nisha meri chhoti behen hai. Aur Yudhishthir, Bheem, aur Arjun toh vivah mein vyast honge. Issliye, Nisha ka kanyadaan main karunga." ("I will do it, Krishna. Nisha is my younger sister. And Yudhishthir, Bheem, and Arjun will be busy with the wedding. So, I will perform Nisha’s kanyadaan.")

Overwhelmed by Balram’s declaration, Nisha smiled brightly, barely holding back tears of gratitude. Krishna beamed and declared, "Toh phir tay hua—Nisha aur Nakul ki bhi shaadi usi din hogi." ("Then it’s decided—Nisha and Nakul’s wedding will also take place that day.")

As everyone nodded in agreement, Dhrishtadyumna, deep in thought, remained silent. Yudhishthir noticed and gently touched his shoulder, breaking his reverie. Following the instructions, Dhrishtadyumna added the news of Nisha and Nakul’s wedding to the letter and headed off to dispatch it to Hastinapur.

Later, Nisha walked over to Balram and hugged him tightly, catching him off guard. He quickly returned the embrace with a brotherly smile. Krishna, observing the moment, quipped dramatically, "Jao, ab yeh log toh mujhe bhool gaye hain. Chalo Nakul, tum hi mujhe gale lagalo." ("Go on, these two have forgotten me now. Come on, Nakul, you hug me instead.")

Nakul laughed and obliged, pulling Krishna into a hug. Soon, Balram and Nisha joined them, and the four shared a warm group hug, their bond radiating joy.

As the day drew to a close, Krishna remarked playfully to Balram, "Par Bhratashree, mujhe Nisha ka kanyadaan karna tha." ("But, dear brother, I wanted to perform Nisha’s kanyadaan.")

Balram retorted in mock seriousness, "Tumne Vyasji ke roop mein unka tilpath mein pooja karwaya. Paryapt nahi tha kya, Krishna? Issliye, Nisha ka kanyadaan main karunga." ("You already worshipped her as Vyasji during the tilpath ceremony,Wasn’t that enough, Krishna? That’s why I’ll perform her kanyadaan.")

Krishna bowed theatrically, hands folded in mock surrender. "Theek hai, theek hai, Dau, krodhit mat ho. Jaisi aapki ichha." (English translation: "Alright, alright, Brother, don’t be angry. As you wish.")

The three of them laughed heartily, their playful banter lifting the mood. The day gradually faded into a peaceful night, wrapping the Panchal palace in its comforting embrace. For the Pandavas, Kunti, and Nisha, this was the first restful night in royal beds after three years of enduring the harsh forest terrain.

------

Tell me guys how was this chapter was it boring or fine. Don't forget to vote and comment. Have a good day ✨✨