"Yeh kya ho raha hai yeaha? (What is happening here?)" A loud angry voice rang through the silence of the area stopping both Duryodhan and Bheem on their tracks.
All eyes turned to see Mahabali Balaram standing at the entrance. Krishna came from behind with his serene smile intact. Maharaj Subahu released a relieved breath seeing them and moved downstairs to welcome them.
"Parnipat." Bheem and Duryodhan both greeted Mahabali and Dwarkadeesh.
"What were you both going to do?" Balaram asked them slightly narrowing his eyes.
"Yes. What is happening? We heard Kashikumari Valandhara's swayambar was going on. But here you both look ready for war." Krishna asked smiling with humour.
"I'll explain." Maharaj Subahu said coming closer and greeted them. Then, described what happened.
"Duryodhan, mai samjh sakta hu ki tumhe bura laga hai. Kintu jo huya use swikar kar lo. Swayambara aapna bar cunne ke liye swatantra hai. Aur cahe swayambar ho yeah na ho, cahe koyi bhi jeete yeah hare, kisi bhi stree k eccha ke virudh jo karya kiya jai, woh adharm hai. Isiliye tumhara Bheem se dwand karna bhi adharm hoga.
(Duryodhan, I can understand you felt bad. But what happened accept that. Swayambara is free to choose her groom. And either swayambar happens or not, no matter who wins or loses, the acts done against a woman's will, is unrighteous. So, you fighting with Bheem will be unrighteous too.)"
Mahabali Balaram said sternly.
"Haa Yuvraj. Dau bilkul uchit keh rahe hai. Aur Maharaj Subahu, aapni putri ke liye pratiyogita dwara yoggya bar ka cunab karna acchi baat hai. Parantu usme aisa niyaam na rakkhi jay jise uski eccha aur akangsha o ki mrityu ho. Swayambar mein ek swayambara ko purnatah bar k cayan ki swatantra dena cahiye. Aur aap sabhi ko bhi uske nirnay ka samman karna cahiye. Yeahi Dharma hai.
(Yes Yuvraj. Dau is absolutely right. And Maharaj Subahu, it's a good thing to choose a capable groom for your daughter by competition. But there should be no such a rule that kills her wishes and hopes. A swayambara should have full freedom to choose her groom in a swayambar. And you all should respect her decision. That's righteousness only.)"
Krishna said addressing Maharaj Subahu and all the Kings present.
"Jyesth, please don't argue anymore and understand. Now Mahabali Balaram has also said so. Agree now." Suvharman requested quietly. Duryodhan nodded reluctantly gritting his jaw hard to control himself. Yes, he was backing now. He wasn't a fool to enrage Mahabali. He would leave quietly for the time being, but neither he would forget his insult nor Rajkumari Valandhara. If not today then some other time, she would have to pay for this.
After that all the Kings and Princes started to leave. Duryodhan didn't wait for a single moment longer. Suvharman bid farewell on his behalf to Maharaj and everyone. Then left after accepting the Modaki Gada.
"Thank you Bhrata Krishna." Drisana said smiling. "You reached at the right time."
"Kaise na aata? Satya aur Dharma ke liye jab jab tum mujhe smaran karogi, tab tab main aabasya aayunga behna. (How can I not come? Whenever you will call me for truth and righteousness, I will come for sure sister.)" Krishna said smiling back.
"Keshav?" Valandhara called him coming closer. "Dhannaybad. Yedhi aaj aap aur Mahabali sahi samay par na pohochte, toh yeaha toh sach mein yudh hi ho jata. Yoh bhi mere karan. (Thank you. If you and Dau hadn't reached on time, there must have happened bloodshed here. And that too because of me.)" Valandhara said gratefully to them and added the last line in sadness.
"Nehi Sakhi. Tum aapne aapko dosh maat do. Tumne toh kebal aapni maan ki suni hai. Isme tumhara koyi dosh nehi. Dosh toh uss samaj babastha ka hai joh stree o ko swatantra toh de deti hai, parantu niyaam aur mariyada o ke bedi o mein band kar.
(No Sakhi. Don't blame yourself. You only listened to your heart. It's not your fault. The fault is of the society that gives women freedom, but at the same time binds them with the chains of dignity and propriety.)"
Krishna said gently.
"Wait a moment! When has she became your Sakhi? I thought that was Draupadi jiji only." Drisana asked raising her eyebrows.
"Since I ate her handmade sweets in Dravida at your wedding. How could I lose the chance to befriend the best desert maker of Aryavart!" Krishna said smiling playfully. Bheem looked pleased hearing the compliment.
"Really? Then we must have to taste deserts made by Rajkumari Valandhara. I'm saying correct, ain't I bhrata Bheem?" Nakul said teasingly. Valandhara blushed slightly and Bheem frowned at him.
"No no, Nakul. Now we won't have that fate. Now all her deserts will go only one way. Which leads to bhrata Bheem's stomach." Krishna said with fake sadness.
Valandhara blushed harder in embarrassment and Bheem glanced around avoiding their gazes as the rest laughed.
"By the way, how are you both here? I mean we're glad to have you but we didn't expect your presence. I wasn't aware you two were coming." Maharaj Subahu asked to Mahabali and Krishna.
"Actually Maharaj, Dau was taking me to Anga for a tour. As we were passing through here, we thought to see the swayambar and also meet you all." Krishna said with an innocent smile.
"Anga? Isn't it a little far from Dwarka for a tour bhrata Balaram?" Drisana asked innocently.
Even though Balaram was angry on Subhadra and Karna, he was missing her. And as he was also worried for her, he dragged Krishna with him saying they were going for a tour. Balaram glanced at everyone present who were smiling after understanding the reason of Balaram's sudden wish to take a tour of Anga.
"Tum Pandav, sidhe saral tarike se vivha nehi kar sakte kya? Yudhisthir ko chor sab ke sab koyi na koyi kand karte rehte ho.
(You Pandavs, can't you marry in simple normal ways? Except for Yudhisthir, all keep doing some monkey tricks.)"
Balaram rebuked Bheem and Nakul.
"Aisa kyu keh rahe hai bhrata Balaram, bhrata Arjun bhi toh - (Why are you saying so bhrata Balaram, bhrata Arjun also -)" Nakul was saying in protest but then remembered the chaos of Draupadi's swayambar.
"Brahman ke bhes mein Swayambar jeeta tha. (Won the swayambar in the guise of a Brahman.)" Balaram completed.
"Kintu main toh aapne bhes mein hi tha. (But I was in my own guise.)" Nakul said again.
"Apni baat toh tum karo hi maat Nakul. Abhi bhi Aryavart mein tumhare hassyarasattak vivha ke carce hai. (Don't even talk about yourself Nakul. Till now people are talking about your laughter wedding.)" Balaram replied. Nakul looked at Devyajot sulking who royally ignored his gaze.
"Parantu Sahdev toh abhi baki hai. Uska toh abhi vivha nehi huya Gurudev. (But Sahdev is still due. He hasn't married yet Gurudev.)" Bheem said as a final resort.
"Haa. Parantu mujhe purne biswas hai, ki Sahdev vale hi kitna bhi buddhiman kyu na ho, calega yoh tum charo ke path par hi.
(Yes. But I'm sure, no matter how much intelligent Sahdev is, he will only follow you four.)" Balaram said smiling mockingly.
Nakul and Bheem glanced at each other and looked away in embarrassment as the rest laughed.
Bheem and Valandhara's wedding was going to happen on the next morning and then they would leave for Indraprasth. Krishna and Balaram remained in Kashi to bless them. A message was sent to Indraprasth informing about the marriage.
At night, Balaram, Krishna, Bheem and Nakul sat together after dinner. Maharaj Subahu and Devyajot had retired to their chambers.
"By the way bhrata Bheem, I'm confused either to congratulate you for tomorrow or be sad on your behalf." Nakul said.
"Why?" Bheem asked in confusion.
"I'm happy that you are going to get settled. But what about your wish? Wish of becoming a brahmachari like Pitamah?" Nakul asked making a sympathetic face.
"Yes, Nakul. You're saying absolutely right. Bhrata Bheem wished so much to be like Mahamahim. What is happening, is not correct." Krishna said making a sad and concerned face. Here, Bheem looked embraced and avoided their gazes.
"But what can we do now Vasudev?" Nakul asked with a sigh.
"No. No. We shouldn't let this injustice happen to our brother. We should do something." Krishna said shaking his head grimly. Bheem looked concerned thinking what they were upto.
"Let's do one thing. Nakul, bring Gangajal (holy water of Ganga) right now. Bhrata Bheem, take the oath of celibacy and run away. We'll manage everything here." Krishna said with determination. Bheem's eyes rounded.
"Yes. Don't you worry bhrata Bheem. We're with you." Nakul said in support. Balaram was stifling his smile at Bheem's horrified face.
"No. No. I'll manage. It won't be right to do so now." Bheem said in hurry nervously.
"Aise kaise bhrata Bheem? Jaise streeya swatantra hai aapna bar cunne ke liye, waise purusho ka bhi adhikar hai, swatantra se brahmacarya lene ka. Aaj toh aapko apki eccha purti se koyi nehi rokh sakta.
(How can we let this happen? Just like woman have rights to choose her groom freely, man also have right to take brahmacarya freely. Today no one can stop you from fulfilling your wish.)
Krishna said.
"Yes. I agree. I'll arrange for Gangajal right now." Nakul said and stood up. But before he could leave, Bheem stopped him by keeping a hand on his shoulders.
"Kis baat ka badla lena cahta ho mere bhai? (Which thing's punishment you want to give me, my brother?)" Bheem muttered to him.
"Yaad kijiye, bhrata Bheem. Sayad Varanavat ka koyi karm ho, jiska fal mil raha hai aab aapko. (Try to remember bhrata Bheem. Maybe you're getting the fruits of your actions in Varanavat.)" Nakul muttered back.
Bheem frowned not remembering anything. Then something hit his memory.
Flashback
At Varanavat after Krishna's visit...
Nakul was searching for Drisana since an hour. He went for a practice session and returning back found her missing. This girl! Couldn't stay in one place. He could ask Mata Kunti about her whereabouts. But Arjun and Sahdev were just there. They would again start to tease him.
'Okay. Mata won't let her leave alone. Jyesth or bhrata Bheem must have taken her somewhere. But where?' Nakul was thinking. Just then Arjun signed Sahdev to look at Nakul.
"What happened Nakul? Are you searching for someone?" Arjun asked him.
"Who will I search bhrata Arjun? I'm not searching anyone." Nakul said smiling nervously. "By the way, where is Jyesth?" Nakul asked casually.
"Jyesth has gone to look into the work of well digging." Sahdev replied.
"And Bhrata Bheem?" Nakul asked again.
"He has gone to get some ingredients for cooking." Arjun replied controlling his smirk. He and Sahdev both knew what Nakul wanted to know.
"And the rest?" Nakul asked again.
"The rest? We're right in front of you. I'm cleaning my bow, Sahdev is reading and Mata is meditating." Arjun replied again.
"You're not getting it bhrata Arjun. The rest is not us. The rest is someone else. Someone else who if not in sight, then Nakul becomes restless nowadays." Sahdev said giving a lopsided smile.
"Nothing is like that." Nakul denied immediately.
"Yes. Yes. Nothing is like that Sahdev. You're mistaken. Nakul absolutely doesn't want to know where Drisana is, isn't that right Anuj?" Arjun asked innocently.
"And why will he? What is in that girl? Look at our Nakul. What a handsome guy he is! And her? Have you seen her eyes? She is cross-eyed. Have you seen her nose? It looks like a monkey's. And her hair? It looks like it will be a good mop. And -"
"What rubbish are you talking bhrata Arjun! Have your eyes gone wrong? Her hair looks like the most pure velvety nights. Dark and glowing. It glows from within not relaying on the sunshine. Moving on the soft breeze, it looks to be holding music and happiness. And her nose is strong with an arching profile in congregation with her eyes and lips to form a perfect synthesis of beauty and splendor. And her eyes. The deep dark orbs seem to shine with glory and mysteries. Powerful enough to hold captive someone's soul. Such eyes dancing with mischief and laughter can even stop heartbeats."
Nakul said with a soft smile, lost in the one he was describing.
Here, Arjun and Sahdev both watched him with wide eyes and mouth hung open. They thought Nakul liked Drisana. The one whose hobby was to stare at himself in leisure, had been stealing glances at her all the time. Staring at her smiling face, following her around, feeling restless when her whereabouts were unknown to him or trying to make her happy had given them the impression that he liked her. But it seemed they had misunderstood. Their brother didn't like Drisana.
No.
He was absolutely, irreparably, hopelessly lost on the girl.
Coming out of his stupor, Nakul noticed his brothers staring at him.
"I- I mean, you shouldn't say such things about a girl bhrata Arjun." Nakul said stammering a bit.
"Iska kuch nehi ho sakta Sahdev. Yeh toh gaya. (Nothing can be done for him Sahdev. He is gone.)" Arjun muttered to Sahdev who only nodded still staring at Nakul.
Just then a villager came running to inform that a mad elephant was chasing Drisana. Nakul, Arjun and Sahdev immediately ran towards the direction where she went.
Nakul reached there with his heart beating erratically in fear and saw Drisana sitting and taking loud deep gasping breaths. Bheem stood frowning before her keeping his hands on his waist and Yudhisthir was beside looking worried. A woman offered Drisana a glass of water and she gulped it hurriedly.
"Aap thik toh hai na Drisana? Aapko kuch huya toh nehi? (Are you okay Drisana? Nothing happened to you, didn't it?)" Nakul asked in concern as Bheem explained how Drisana had sneaked away from the spice shop where he took her to get some ingredients. And the next thing they knew, a mad elephant came running and destroying everything in its path towards her.
"Are you satisfied now? How many times have we told you not to roam alone? Why you sneaked out from the spice shop? If I hadn't reached on time, your design would be found on the earth made by that elephant. And what you said the other day. That you can protect yourself?! A fragile weak girl like you needs to be watched. What will we answer to Vasudev if something happened to you? Forget that what answer will we give to Mata? Idiot." Bheem scolded her.
"What do you mean? I only protected myself today." Drisana replied. All the Pandavs looked at her in confusion.
"How? Don't lie. I saved you." Bheem said narrowing his eyes.
"I'm not lying. I only saved myself. If I hadn't run as fast as I did, then my design would be made on the earth long before you came." Drisana said with attitude. Bheem went to reply but got confused thinking she was right. That meant she saved herself?!
The rest four laughed silently watching them.
"Rajkumar Bheem, thank you that you controlled that elephant. But you shouldn't scold me like that. You know I was finding difficulty in breathing standing in that spice shop. But you dragged me there. You only care about making new dishes. And now instead of assuring me, you're scolding. If my bhrata Krishna was here, he would never do that. But no. I have no one here. No family. No relatives. And why would you care for my emotions?" Drisana said making a crying face. No. She wasn't bothered with Bheem's words. But if a guilt trip could earn her a few days freedom from kitchen, then why not?
Bheem felt bad. Yudhisthir was feeling sad for her. So did the rest three.
"Don't say like that. We are like your brothers only." Bheem said sympathetically making Nakul's breath caught in his throat. Arjun and Sahdev simultaneously glanced at him.
"Yes, Drisana. Don't feel sad. What so Vasudev is not here. We're here for you and we do care." Yudhisthir said to make her feel better unaware of Nakul's condition.
"Absolutely right. Mata called you her daughter. So in that relation, I am your brother, am I not? And brother can scold his sister once in a while, can't he?" Bheem said smiling broadly. "And don't feel sad ever thinking you are alone. We, your brothers are with you. From now on, you'll call me bhrata only."
Drisana smiled softly hearing him.
"Yes, Drisana. And also call me Jyesth like my brothers henceforth." Yudhisthir said too smiling genuinely.
"Hold me Sahdev. I'm going to faint." Nakul whispered to his twin.
"Yes, Drisana. Don't think that you're alone. What happened Madhav is not here? His Paarth and your bhrata Arjun is here for you." Arjun said smiling warmly making Nakul's eyes round. As Arjun looked at Nakul, he realised what was happening.
"Why are you two standing only?" Bheem said looking pointedly at the twins. Drisana also watched them with interest. Sahdev glanced at Nakul who looked to be in a daze.
"Bhrata Bheem -"
"We have some work."
Nakul stopped Sahdev from saying anything and ran holding him as fast as he could. Yudhisthir frowned slightly at them and Arjun hid his laugh.
"Murkh! Kab konsa karya jaruri hai yeh bhi nehi jante. (Idiots! Don't know which work is more important.)" Bheem whispered to Arjun.
"Jante hai bhrata Bheem. Tabhi toh bhag gaye. (They know bhrata Bheem. That's why they ran.)" Arjun whispered back smirking.
"Arthat? (Meaning?)"
"Samajh mein aa jayega bhratashree, jab aapka samay aayega toh. (You'll know bhratashree, only when your time arrives.)" Arjun replied confusing Bheem more.
Well. Now on this day Bheem understood what work was more important and why Nakul ran.
"Vasudev, Gurudev, shama kare, parantu mujhe ek attyadhik aabasyak karya yaad aa gaya hai. Isiliye aagya dijiye.
(Vasudev, Gurudev, forgive me, but I have remembered a very important work. So allow me to leave.)"
Bheem said folding his hands and left hurriedly making Nakul laugh.