A heavy silence loomed in the grand corridors of Hastinapur’s palace, an unspoken tension simmering beneath the surface. The air was thick with unease, mirroring the weight that had settled upon the hearts of the Pandavas. A kingdom’s partition had been proposed—an illusionary solution meant to contain an impending volcanic eruption. But, as everyone knew, a mere lid could never restrain the fury of molten fire beneath.

Despite endless discussions among the Pandavas, Draupadi, and Nisha, Yudhishthir had ultimately agreed to the profitless proposal of Khandavprastha. It was an outcome that none found favorable, yet he saw it as the only way to avoid unnecessary bloodshed. Everyone knew that Dhritarashtra’s heart beat for his son Duryodhan, but they also understood that the mastermind behind this cunning arrangement was none other than Shakuni.

That night, before the official announcement of the partition, Nisha found herself walking through the dimly lit corridor, returning from the palace library. She was about to exit when she heard footsteps approaching. Instinctively, she stepped back, pressing herself into the shadows near the doorway. It was Shakuni and Dushasan, their hushed voices filling the otherwise silent passage.

Duryodhan’s voice carried a note of concern. “Mamashree, ham unhe rajya ka adha kshetra dekar koi bhool to nahi kar rahe hain na?” (Uncle, are we not making a mistake by giving them half the kingdom?)

Shakuni smirked, his voice laced with satisfaction. “Putra, apne mama pe bharosa rakho. Tumhara ye mama kabhi bhool kar hi nahi sakta.” (Son, trust your uncle. Your uncle never makes mistakes.)

A slow, knowing smile curled on his lips as he continued, “Aur rahi baat Khandavprastha ki, to tum jante ho, vats, wah jagah Yamuna ke paschim mein sthit ek banjar zameen hai, jahan naag vansh ke log aur asur jati ke log rehte hain. Isi karan Hastinapur ko rajdhani banaya gaya tha, aur Khandavprastha ko kabhi bhi Hastinapur ka ek ang hone ka darja nahi mila.” (As for Khandavprastha, my dear, you know well that it is barren land on the western banks of the Yamuna, inhabited by the serpent clan and demons. That is why Hastinapur was chosen as the capital, and Khandavprastha was never truly considered a part of its domain.)

Dushasan, understanding the scheme, chuckled. “Arthat, Mamashree, kya hum Pandavon ko kuch dete hue bhi kuch nahi de rahe?” (So, Uncle, are we giving the Pandavas something while actually giving them nothing?)

Shakuni laughed with satisfaction. “Haan, putra. Iss prakar Pandavon ko shoonya ke atirikt kuch nahi milega, aur na hi Maharaj pe anyay karne ka arop lagega.” (Yes, my son. In this way, the Pandavas will receive nothing but emptiness, and no one can accuse the king of injustice.)

Their laughter echoed through the corridor as they walked away, unaware that Nisha had overheard every word.

Shaken yet determined, she returned to her chamber. She decided against troubling Nakul with this revelation, knowing that Yudhishthir, ever righteous, would not easily be swayed from his decision. Even though he likely sensed the deceit behind the proposal, his devotion to peace and dharma made him accept it. When Nisha later questioned him, his response was calm yet resolute.

“Nisha, yeh hamare liye ek pariksha hai. Hame uss banjar zameen ko swarg banana hai. Aur rahi baat iss prastav ko mana karne ki, to nahi. Dharm kehta hai ki bina karan ke yudh ko yadi tala ja sakta hai, to jitna talna jaye, utna talna chahiye.” (Nisha, this is our trial. We must turn that barren land into paradise. And as for rejecting this proposal, no. Dharma teaches that if war can be avoided without reason, it should be avoided at all costs.)

Nisha nodded, though the storm within her did not settle.

Currently, Kunti's by Nisha, Draupadi, all five Pandavas, and Sri Krishna, who had come to visit them, sat on comfortable cushions. A deep frown marred the foreheads of all but two—Krishna and Nisha. While others wrestled with the burden of fate, Krishna’s ever-knowing eyes held a quiet amusement, and Nisha’s resolve had only strengthened.

The battle had not yet begun, but the war had already started.

Tension hung thick in Kunti's chamber, like a storm waiting to break. The warm glow of oil lamps flickered over the solemn faces of those gathered—Pandavas, Draupadi, Nisha, and Krishna. The air was heavy with unspoken grief, not just at the unfair partition but at the heart-wrenching truth that they had to leave their motherland, Hastinapur.

Bheem, unable to suppress his frustration, turned to Yudhishthir and said, "Jyeshth Pitashree ke mithe bol toh bade bhayanak hain. Bade Bhaiya, mujhe toh pehle se hi gyaan tha ki wah kisi prakar se Duryodhan ke liye Hastinapur rakh hi lenge." ("Elder father’s sweet words are truly dangerous. Elder Brother, I knew from the start that he would find a way to keep Hastinapur for Duryodhan.")

Yudhishthir, though composed, did not appreciate the tone in which Bheem spoke of their uncle. He replied with his characteristic calm, "Woh hamare bade hain, Bheem. Iss prakar ki baatein unke liye shobha nahi deti." ("He is our elder, Bheem. Such words are not appropriate for him.")

But Sahadev, burning with rage, interjected, "Bade bhi toh koi badapan dikhaye, Bhaiya!" ("If he is an elder, then he should act like one, Brother!")

Kunti, seated beside Yudhishthir, turned sharply towards Sahadev, her eyes flashing with anger. "Sahadev! Kya jyeshth bhrata se baat karne ki yahi maryada hai?" ("Sahadev! Is this how you speak to your elder brother?")

Sahadev immediately lowered his gaze, his voice softened with guilt. "Kshama chahta hoon, Mata Shree... parantu—" ("I apologize, Mother... but—")

Before he could finish, Arjun interrupted him, his voice firm. "Apni mata ke samne ‘parantu’ jaise shabd nahi kahe jate, Sahadev." ("In front of our mother, words like ‘but’ should not be spoken, Sahadev.")

An uneasy silence filled the chamber. Nisha glanced at Nakul, hoping he would speak. Nakul, ever composed, turned to Arjun and said, "Toh phir main bina ‘parantu’ ke hi prashn karta hoon, Majhle Bhaiya. Jyeshth Pitashree ne humse anumati liye bina kis prakar rajya ke vibhajan ka aadesh de diya?" ("Then I shall ask without using ‘but,’ Elder Brother. How could Uncle decide the partition of the kingdom without even consulting us?")

Kunti sighed, her voice weary yet firm. "Yadi tum apne jyeshth bhrata Yudhishthir ke nirnay ke pratikool ho, putra Nakul, toh main—" ("If you are against the decision of your elder brother Yudhishthir, my son Nakul, then I—")

Before she could complete her sentence, Krishna, who had been watching the heated discussion with a knowing smile, finally spoke. "Krodh mein kahi hui baat par pachtana bhi pad sakta hai, Bua." ("Words spoken in anger can often lead to regret, Aunt.")

For the first time, Nisha witnessed Kunti’s anger. She turned to Krishna, seeking guidance. "Toh Vasudev, aap hi koi upay bataiye." ("Then, Vasudev, you suggest a solution.")

All eyes turned to Krishna. He stood up gracefully and walked toward Nakul, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Bua, Nakul aur Sahadev ka krodh hona prakritik hai. Aur parivaar mein khulkar baat karne se rishte aur majboot hote hain." ("Aunt, Nakul and Sahadev’s anger is natural. In a family, speaking openly only strengthens bonds.")

Looking at Nakul, he continued, "Nakul, bolo. Bolo tum kya keh rahe the?" ("Nakul, speak. Tell us what you were saying.")

Nakul met Krishna’s calm gaze and spoke his heart. "Main toh keval itna hi kehna chahta tha ki Hastinapur par hamara adhikar siddh hai. Aur jyeshth Bharata Shree toh Yuvraj bhi ghoshit kiye ja chuke the. Phir Jyeshth Pitashree ne hamare rajya ko beech se kaat kar Bharata Duryodhan ko kyun de diya?" ("I only mean to say that our right over Hastinapur is legitimate. Elder Brother Yudhishthir was declared the Crown Prince. Then why did our uncle divide our kingdom and give it to Duryodhan?")

Kunti turned to Krishna, exasperated. "Dekha, Vasudev? Iss baat ko ye keval keh raha hai!" ("See, Vasudev? He says this as if it’s a small matter!")

She then looked at Nakul and tried to reason, "Are putra, tum ye kyun nahi sochte ki ye sujhav tumhare Pitamah ka diya hua hai? Aur unka sujhav kabhi bhi tumhare pratikool nahi hoga." ("Oh my son, why don’t you consider that this decision was given by your grandfather? And his advice will never be against your welfare.")

Nisha could not hold back anymore. She spoke with quiet determination, "Ye toh satya hai, Mata, ki Pitamah ne ye sujhav ham sab ke bhale ke liye diya hai. Parantu ham sab ye kadachit nahi maan sakte ki Pitamah ne ye bhi sujhav diya hoga ki Hastinapur par Kumar Duryodhan ka aur Khandavprasth par hamara raj ho." ("It is true, Mother, that Grandfather made this decision for our welfare. But we can never believe that he suggested Duryodhan should rule over Hastinapur while we rule over Khandavprasth.")

Arjun let out a sigh, shaking his head. "Nisha theek keh rahi hai, Mata Shree. Theek hai, hum vibhajan sweekar kar lete hain. Par Bharta Duryodhan toh jyeshth se chhote hain. Wo kyun nahi jaate Khandavprasth? Hume Hastinapur chhodkar kyun jaana pad raha hai? Hastinapur se hamesha hume hi kyun nikalne ka prastav rakha jata hai, Mata Shree?" ("Nisha is right, Mother. Fine, we will accept the partition. But Duryodhan is younger than Yudhishthir. Why isn’t he the one leaving for Khandavprasth? Why must we always be the ones asked to leave? Why is it always us who are exiled from Hastinapur?")

Krishna, still smiling, finally answered, "Iss prashn ka uttar toh keval main hi de sakta hoon. Maharaj ne aapko wahan apni karm bhumi di hai. Aap sabhi ke karm ke anusar aap uss banjar zameen jiska naam Khandavprasth hai, usse swarg ki bhanti sundar aur adhunik rajya bana sakte hain. Yeh yaad rakhiye, aap sab ki pehchaan aapke karm se hoti hai. Yadi safal hoge toh aap aur, asafal honge toh aap." ("Only I can answer this. The King has given you your land of action. According to your deeds, you can turn that barren land called Khandavprasth into a paradise. Remember, a person is defined by their actions. If you succeed, you will be remembered. If you fail, you will be forgotten.")

Looking at all of them, he declared, "Mera vichar yahi hai ki aap sabhi ko Khandavprasth jaana chahiye aur usse Indraprastha banana chahiye." ("My opinion is that you should all go to Khandavprasth and turn it into Indraprastha.")

Arjun, the most emotional among them, looked around the room, his voice heavy with unspoken sorrow. "Parantu kya iska arth ye nahi hua ki jyesth Bharatashree ke rajyabhishek ke uparant hamara Hastinapur se nata hi toot jayega?" ("But does this not mean that after our elder brother’s coronation, our bond with Hastinapur will be severed forever?")

His words hung in the air like an unanswered prayer. Everyone turned to him, recognizing the depth of emotions behind his question. The weight of leaving their motherland, the city where they had grown up, where their ancestors had ruled, and where their roots lay, was a burden none of them could ignore.

Draupadi, seated beside him, watched him with a quiet understanding before she spoke, her voice steady yet gentle. "Arya, aap ye kis prakar soch sakte hain ki aap sabhi ka nata Hastinapur se toot sakta hai? Kya naad tutt jaane par maa ka nata santan se toot jata hai? Maa toh sadaiv apne utro par ashirwad barsati hai, aur Hastinapur bhi aap sabhi par ashirwad barsati rahegi."

("My lord, how can you even think that your bond with Hastinapur can ever be broken? Does a mother’s connection with her child end when the umbilical cord is severed? A mother always showers her blessings upon her children, and so will Hastinapur upon all of you.")

Her words brought a moment of silence, as everyone absorbed the wisdom in them. The grief of parting still lingered, but her reassurance planted a seed of acceptance. One by one, glances were exchanged, unspoken thoughts shared in quiet acknowledgment.

At last, a resolution was reached. Tomorrow, they would leave for Khandavprasth, carrying not just their belongings, but their hopes, their anger, and their determination.

--------- In Nakul and Nisha's chamber

After dinner, Nisha retired to her chamber, while Nakul remained behind to discuss the journey with Yudhishthir. The room was dimly lit, bathed in the soft glow of oil lamps. Nisha sat before the mirror, carefully removing the heavy jewelry that adorned her. She sighed deeply, watching her reflection. So much had changed. She was no longer the archaeologist Nisha, studying ancient relics in a modern world. She was now a royal—living, breathing, and surviving in an era she had once only read about. One thing which remained same was her strength and independence. She was independent and fierce just like how she was in kaliyug.

As she traced the intricate designs of her bangles absentmindedly, the door creaked open. Nakul entered, a warm smile playing on his lips as he walked towards her. Nisha met his gaze through the mirror, her heart fluttering at the sight of him. Strands of his hair fell over his forehead, his sharp features illuminated by the flickering light. He looked—handsome. No, beyond handsome. Handsome, handsome, handsomeeeeeee! Her thoughts ran wild, her breath momentarily caught in her throat.

Nakul gently placed his hands on her shoulders and turned her towards him. His eyes dropped to her wrists, where the bangles he had gifted her gleamed softly. He looked back at her, his expression filled with something unspoken, something tender.

"Dhanyawad." (Thankyou)

Nisha frowned, confused. "Dhanyawad kis liye, Arya?" (Thank you? For what, my lord?)

Nakul chuckled softly. He knew she was still getting used to calling him Arya, and he found her hesitation endearing.

"Kyunki tumne mujhe ye sikhaya ki insaan ko galat ka virodh karna chahiye, ye nahi dekhna chahiye ki wah bade hain ya kuch aur." (Because you taught me that one must stand against what is wrong, without worrying about whether the person in question is elder or someone powerful.)

He clasped her hand gently, his thumb tracing slow circles over her skin.

"Aaj tumhari wajah se maine Matashree ke samne aur Bharata Yudhishthir ke saamne kuch bol paaya aur apne vichar prakat kar paya." ("Today, because of you, I was able to speak up and put my views before Mother and my elder brother Yudhishthir.")

Nisha smiled, lifting her hand to his chin, tilting his face slightly.

"Tumne sahi kiya, Nakul." (You did the right thing, Nakul.)

She paused, her voice soft yet firm.

"Tumhe ye pehle se seekhna chahiye tha, Nakul. Tum kehte ho na ki Draupadi jiji ke saath sahi nahi hua? Unhe teen purushon sahit vivah karna pada… kyunki tumhe lagta hai ki tumhe tab kuch kehna chahiye tha. Kya pata uss samay tumhari ek awaaz se ye vivah na hota." ("You should have learned this long ago, Nakul. You always say that what happened with Draupadi was unfair—that she was forced to marry three men because no one spoke up. You regret not saying anything back then. Who knows, maybe if you had, this marriage wouldn’t have happened."*)

Her eyes darkened slightly as she spoke, her tone turning more serious.

"Ab jo ho chuka uska to kuch kar nahi sakte. Parantu, Nakul, main ye nahi chahti ki tum bhavishya mein chup rehkar koi aisi galti kar do jiske paschatap se… Vanvas ya yudh karne ke baad bhi tum apne aap ko chhuda na sako." ("We cannot change what has already happened. But Nakul, I do not want you to stay silent in the future and make a mistake so grave that not even exile or war can free you from its regret.")

She said this with Draupadi’s vastraharan in mind, though Nakul was unaware of the significance of her words. Yet, something within him resonated with her thoughts, and he nodded in agreement.

The air between them felt heavy, thick with emotions neither could fully voice. Nisha looked at him, at the seriousness that had settled over his face. Unable to resist, she leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on his cheek before turning towards the bed.

Nakul froze. His eyes widened, his mind momentarily short-circuiting as he tried to process what had just happened. He stood like a statue, unmoving, dazed, utterly lost in the sensation of her lips against his skin.

Nisha chuckled as she slipped under the covers, throwing him an amused glance over her shoulder.

"Ab aa bhi jaiye, Swami. Kitna usi vishay ke baare mein sochenge? Kal subah Khandavprastha ke liye nikalna hai." ("Come now, my lord. How long will you stand there thinking about the same thing? We leave for Khandavprastha tomorrow morning.")

Nakul tried—he really tried—to keep a straight face, but the wide grin betrayed him and he failed miserably. His cheeks flushed a deep red, and Nisha burst into laughter at his expression.

In that moment, all the tensions of the day melted away, leaving only warmth between them.

______________ _______

Hi guys I hope you enjoyed this chapter. And please please please don't forget to vote on this chapter. Can I keep a target of votes? Ok I think I should set the vote target 25. After the completion of 25 votes will post the next chapter. I hope you all won't let me Down.

Have a good day ✨✨🫶