The past few days had been momentous for the royal family. Following Yudhishthir's grand wedding to Draupadi, Bheem and Arjun too had taken their turns marrying her, as per the unique arrangement ordained by destiny. Each wedding had been a regal affair, celebrated with unparalleled grandeur and joy. The palace halls, lit up for days, now turned their focus toward the upcoming union of Nakul and Nisha.

As the evening deepened, the skies painted in hues of orange and pink, the royal palace of Panchal buzzed with excitement. Nisha sat on the luxurious bed in the room assigned to her, her fingers nervously playing with the edge of her dupatta. Her heart was a whirlwind of emotions-anxiousness, doubt, and an unfamiliar sense of anticipation.

"Kya main sahi kar rahi hoon? Kya main Rajkumar Nakul ke laayak hoon?" she thought, her inner turmoil refusing to let her rest. Though surrounded by opulence and love, she felt the weight of her decisions. These past two days had been particularly tiring as she was engaged in all the bridal activities choosing the jewellery, saree and many other things along with the rituals. Nakul had been kept under strict watch by Bheem, and Nisha, under Krishna's playful yet firm guidance, had hardly had a moment of respite. She hadn't seen Nakul, not even from a distance, as the rituals demanded separation until the wedding day.

(Am I doing it right? Am I worthy of Prince Nakul?)

Unable to contain her thoughts, Nisha had approached Sahadev earlier in the day. Knowing his skill in astrology and his honest demeanor, she had asked, "Sahadev, kya hamara sanyog safal hoga? Kya yeh vivah humein sukh aur samriddhi dega?"

(Sahadev, will our union be successful? Will this marriage bring us happiness and prosperity?)

Sahadev, ever calm and reassuring, had smiled and said, "Nisha, tumhara aur Nakul ka milan ek pavitra aur shubh yog hai. Tum dono ka saath woh hai jo itihas yaad rakhega. Prem mein kathinaiyan to hoti hi hain, par tum dono ke beech ka samarpan aur vishwas un sabko mitaa dega."

(Nisha, your union with Nakul is a sacred and auspicious bond. The companionship you both share will be remembered in history. Challenges are a part of love, but the dedication and trust between you two will overcome them all.")

It was the evening before their wedding, and Nisha sat in her room, her thoughts a chaotic blend of hope and fear. She shifted uneasily on the bed, her heart weighed down by uncertainty. The heavy silence of her room was interrupted by a soft knock-not at the door, but at the window beside her bed.

Startled, she turned her head toward the sound. To her amazement, Nakul was there, hanging onto the window sill with an impish smile. The sight was so unexpected that she let out a laugh despite herself.

"Rajkumar Nakul! Aap yahaan? Agar Bharata Bheem ne dekh liya to kya hoga?" she asked, her tone a mix of alarm and amusement.

"Aur agar Shri Krishna ne dekh liya to tumhara kya hoga, Nisha?" he teased, his smile widening.

(Translation: "Prince Nakul! You're here? What will happen if Brother Bheem sees you?" "And what will happen to you, Sakhi, if Shri Krishna sees you?")

Nisha couldn't help but shake her head at his audacity. She walked closer to the window and said softly, "Aap yahaan kyun aaye?"

"Do din ho gaye tumhe dekhe bina. Mujhse raha nahi gaya," Nakul replied, his tone shifting from playful to sincere.

(Translation: "Why are you here?" "It's been two days since I saw you. I couldn't bear it.")

His words brought a faint blush to Nisha's cheeks, but worry lingered in her eyes. She hesitated before asking, "Yeh vivah safal to hoga na, Nakul?"

(Translation: "This marriage will succeed, right, Nakul?")

Nakul's expression softened. Without a word, he climbed through the window and walked over to her. Gently, he took her hand and guided her to sit on the bed. Sitting beside her, he wrapped an arm around her, resting her head against his shoulder. His voice was warm and steady as he said:

" Mujhe pata tha Tum issi dwand main hogi issliye mujhe ana pada aur Tum vivah ki chinta mat karo, Nisha. Main tumhe vachan deta hoon ki main sadaiv tumhare saath rahunga. Tumhe kabhi akelepan ka ahsaas nahi hone dunga. Tumhara mitra ban ke har samasya mein saath doonga aur ek pati ki tarah tumhara khayal rakhunga. Isliye, Nisha, tum chinta mat karo. Kal achha bhi to dikhna hai na?"

("I knew you would be in this dilemma, and that's why I had to come and Don't worry about the marriage, Nisha. I promise you that I will always stand by your side. I will never let you feel alone. I will be your friend in every challenge and care for you like a devoted husband. So, Nisha, don't worry. And besides, don't you have to look beautiful tomorrow too?")

Nisha looked up at him, her eyes brimming with emotion. She whispered, "Main tumhe bohot pareshan kar deti hoon na, Nakul?"

("I trouble you a lot, don't I, Nakul?"*)

Nakul smiled, his eyes twinkling with affection. "Ab to is pareshani ko khushi khushi jehlna mera kartavya hai, priye," he said playfully, gently tapping his forehead against hers.

("Now it's my duty to happily bear this trouble, my dear.")

The two shared a quiet laugh, their smiles reflecting an unspoken bond. In that moment, Nisha's fears seemed to melt away, replaced by the warmth of Nakul's unwavering assurance.

The palace outside was alive with preparations for the grand wedding. The banquet halls were decorated with intricate garlands, golden drapes shimmered under the glow of oil lamps, and the scent of fresh jasmine filled the air. Musicians practiced their melodies, their tunes carrying the promise of celebration.

As Nakul slipped back out the window to avoid detection, Nisha sat back on the bed, a small smile lingering on her lips. She no longer felt unsure or burdened. Instead, she felt ready-ready to embrace the future alongside the man who had just promised her a lifetime of love and partnership.

The wedding day.

The wedding day began with Draupadi and Shikhandi entering Nisha's room to wake her up. Nisha, carefree as ever, was still asleep despite it being her wedding day. Draupadi, amused and slightly shocked, said with a laugh, "Tumhari shaadi hai, Nisha! Utho!" "It's your wedding, Nisha! Get up!"

Nisha, half-asleep, murmured, "Sone do, Didi. Kal kar lenge vivah." "Let me sleep, sister. I'll get married tomorrow."

Both Draupadi and Shikhandi burst into laughter at her reply. Shikhandi teased her, "Theek hai, yadi yahi karna hai aapko, to Rajkumar Nakul to kunware hi reh jayenge." "Alright, if that's what you want, then Prince Nakul will remain a bachelor."

Hearing this, Nisha immediately sat up, stretched lazily, and looked at them. She said with mock seriousness, "To kya kiya jaye? Main soch rahi hoon uss insaan ka thoda bhala ho hi jaayega agar main shaadi kar loon. Isliye uth jaati hoon." "What else can I do? I think marrying that man will do him some good. So, I might as well get up."

Draupadi rolled her eyes dramatically and said, "Bol to aise rahi ho jaise vivah ka toh tumhe maan hi nahi hai." "You're talking as if you don't care for the wedding at all."

Suddenly, the door opened, and Kunti entered with a serene smile, followed by maids carrying a white cotton saree, turmeric, sindoor, and other wedding essentials. All three ladies immediately bent down to touch her feet. Kunti blessed Nisha, saying, "Akhand sobhagyavati bhav. Toh, Nisha, chalo tumhare snan ke liye. Zyada der karenge, toh mera putra naraz ho jaayega." "May you always be fortunate in your married life. Now, Nisha, let's go for your ritual bath. If we delay too much, my son will get upset."

Everyone laughed at her words, and together, they proceeded toward the snanmandap (ceremonial bathing area) with an air of joy and anticipation for the upcoming festivities.

Nakuls chamber

In Nakul's chamber, he was sound asleep, completely unaware of the bustling activity around him. Bheem, Arjun, and Sahadev stood at the side of the bed, watching him with amusement. Sahadev nudged Nakul's shoulder and said, "Bhaiya, uthiye. Aapko Nisha se shaadi karni hai ya nahi? Kya aise so rahe hain?" ("Brother, wake up! Do you want to marry Nisha or not? Are you going to sleep like this?")

Nakul turned towards them, groggily looking at Sahadev. Bheem scoffed and added, "Soyega nahi to kya karega, Anuj? Kal raat mein Nisha se milne jo gaya tha." ("What else will he do, younger brother? He went to meet Nisha last night.")

Nakul's eyes widened, and Arjun and Sahadev exchanged surprised glances. Arjun raised his eyebrows and said, "Tum Nisha se milne gaye the, Nakul? Vikshipt ho gaye ho kya?" ("You went to meet Nisha, Nakul? Are you out of your mind?")

Sahadev chuckled and said, "Yeh bhi koi puchne wali baat hai, Bhaiya?" ("Is this even something to ask, Brother?")

Bheem looked at Sahadev, rolling his eyes, and said, "Mujhe rasoi mein kheer hai bolke bhag gaya tha ye isse (Nakul) to dand milna chahiye. Chalo, hamare saath snanmandap." ("He ran off saying he was going to the kitchen for some kheer. You (Nakul) should be punished. Come with us to the snanmandap.")

Before Nakul could respond, Bheem lifted him off the bed and threw him over his shoulder. Nakul struggled, protesting, "Snanmandap aur iss samay, Bhaiya? Abhi toh dhang se raat gayi bhi nahi hai." ("The snanmandap, at this hour, Brother? The night hasn't even ended properly.")

Arjun and Sahadev followed them, laughing at Nakul's protest. In the snanmandap, Nakul was held by Arjun and Sahadev, while Bheem stood there with a vessel of cold water in his hand. Nakul shouted in protest as Bheem, with a mischievous grin, splashed cold water on him. The laughter filled the room as Nakul protested further. His eyes widened when he saw Bheem filling the vessel again. Nakul quickly closed his eyes, bracing for the splash, but this time, it was lukewarm water.

All of them laughed heartily, and Nakul, still frowning, turned to Bheem. Bheem smiled and said, "Matashree ka adesh hai ki unke putra ko sardi nahi honi chahiye, warna main to thanda pani hi dalta." ("The mother has instructed that her son shouldn't catch a cold. Otherwise, I would have used cold water.")

Arjun applied haldi on Nakul, and they poured Chandan water over him as a symbol of purity. After the ritual, they took him to his room to get him ready. Amidst much chaos and playful banter, they made him wear a white silken dhoti.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Nisha was also undergoing her rituals. She had a bath with Chandan water after applying haldi, and a head bath followed. The maids dried her hair, adding fragrance to it. They adorned her with jewelry-necklaces, bangles, mangtika, kamarband, armlets, and anklets. A bindi was placed on her forehead, and a beautiful orange-red saree was draped elegantly over her shoulder.

As she wore the saree, Krishna entered with Balram. Both of them looked at her with admiration. When she bent down to touch their feet, Krishna smiled and said, "Tumse koi milna chahta hai, Nisha." ("Someone wants to meet you, Nisha.")

Nisha arched an eyebrow, curious. She asked, "Kaun?" ("Who?")

Krishna smiled and revealed, "Two elder couples-Mother Devaki and King Vasudev."

Nisha, filled with reverence, bent down to touch their feet. Both Mata Devaki and Maharaj Vasudev blessed her with warm smiles and loving words, as the room was filled with the sacred atmosphere of the ceremony.

Nakul was adorned with a tika and all the sacred symbols. The four brothers looked at him with pride, admiring their brother. Mata Kunti also gazed at him, her eyes filled with affection. She took some kajal from her eyes and applied it under his ear, gently kissing him as a sign of her love. After taking a final look at Nakul, they all led him to the royal palace temple, where he sought blessings from Shri Vishnu and Mata Lakshmi. Then, they took him to the mandap, where Dhoumya Vedvyasji and the Brahmin of Ekchakranagar had prepared everything for the rituals. Nakul took their blessings and sat in the mandap, with Yudhishthir sitting beside him as the father figure. The rituals began.

On the other hand, Nisha sat, all dolled up, admiring her reflection in the mirror. Krishna looked at her and, with a teasing smile, said, "Kuch to chut raha hai hamse Nisha ke shringar mein." ("Something is missing in Nisha's adornment, I think.")

Everyone turned to look at Nisha, who also glanced at her reflection in confusion. Krishna, as though he had found the answer, said, "Tum bhi na sakhi, har cheez bhool jaati ho." ("You too, friend, forget everything sometimes.")

Saying this, he walked away. Everyone looked at each other in confusion. A moment later, Krishna returned with a peacock feather. He carefully applied a little turmeric and vermilion on it, then tucked it into Nisha's hair, arranging it with great care which looked beautiful along with the white flowers on her braided hair. He smiled and said, "Ab tum lag rahi ho na meri sakhi." (Now, you truly look like my best friend.")

He caressed her head and added, "Akhand sobhagyavati bhav, Nisha. Tumhara vivah safal ho." ("May you be blessed with eternal good fortune, Nisha. May your marriage be successful.")

Soon, Sahadev arrived to deliver a message. "Purohit Dhoumya keh rahe hain, Raj vadhu ko lane ka muhurat aa gaya hai aur Nisha ko mandap mein bula rahe hain." ("Priest Dhoumya is saying the auspicious time has arrived for bringing the royal bride, and they are calling Nisha to the mandap.")

Everyone turned their attention to Nisha, who, feeling a bit emotional, hugged Krishna. She knew that marriage was no small matter. She also embraced others, gathering strength from their support. Then, with Draupadi and Shikhandi leading her, she made her way to the temple to seek blessings from Shri Vishnu and mata lakshmi before going towards mandap, ready to begin this new chapter of her life.

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Author :-- Apologies for the delay in posting the chapter. The reason for this is that I've been caught up with academic work, internal assessments, and studies lately. As a result, I only get some spare time on weekends. I apologize for the wait and appreciate your patience. I hope you can bear with these late updates during this busy period.

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