Draupadi hardly stops herself from rolling down laughing. This is entertaining beyond words. Her five husbands had a respectful and gentle learning period in Dronachaya's while they were young. Karna studied under Vagwan Parshurama.
Vagwan Parshurama is way more strict and even a small mistake makes him mad. Prativindhya told her about his teaching ways. Somedays he would scold him bringing him in verge of tears. He would feel his ears ringing.
"I will call sick tomorrow. I won't train with Jyest," Arjuna sits with a devasted face.
Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva are training with Karna from a few days. And he is as strict as Parshurama.
"He called me a foot soldier," the greatest swordmaster of Aryavarta whispers.
"Get a hold of yourself, Nakula. At least he doesn't call you a sewer rat," Sahadev comforts his twin.
"I never had anyone curse at me so brutally, Panchali. Jyest said Gandhiva is like pearl on a monkey's neck to me. I must enrich my skill," Arjuna sounds exhausted.
Draupadi fans them while snickering herself, "Even your sons are scared of him. Maybe he scolded Satanika some days ago. Because he rans the opposite direction just by seeing him."
"Why isn't Jyest bhrata Yudhisthira and bhrata Bheem training with him?" Nakula complains.
"They are training your sons. In morning Abhimanyu was laying on my bed tired of Bheem's training," Draupadi says.
"Panchali, priye..." Arjuna cries.
"Are you three done complaining?" Karna enters the chamber.
Vrishaketu was behind him trying to imitate how his father walks. Seeing Karna all three brothers straighten up.
"Vrisha," Draupadi calls him.
Giggling Vrisha runs to Draupadi's open arms. Draupadi presses kisses all over his face making Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva frown.
"I am surprised Duryodhana didn't drag you back with him," Draupadi comments.
"Pitamah saved it. He said to call me back before the war," Karna replies.
The mood becomes a little tense with the mention of war.
Draupadi decides to lighten it, "Vrisha what did you learn today?"
"Maa...I learnt from Pitashee," Vrishaketu says half his words unclear.
"He insisted on staying while we train today," Nakula ruffles his head.
"What did you learn?" Draupadi asks smiling.
"Seawe rat!" Vrishaketu exclaims.
Karna was drinking water. Hearing Vrishaketu he coughs it out.
"I...also...monkey," Vrishaketu points at Arjuna.
Arjuna gives him a strained smile. Draupadi felt like someone dropped a bomb on her. A three years old have learned this? Her son?
She calmly looks at Karna who becomes nervous, "I...can explain..."
"Padma, take Vrishaketu and feed him. Put him to sleep then," Draupadi hands Vrishaketu to Padma.
The room is dead silent.
"Draupadi... sometimes men curse...he will also..."
"You taught him that!" Draupadi glares at Karna.
"I didn't. He doesn't even know the meaning," Karna protests weakly.
"You taught my 3 year old child how to curse. Man up and own this fact!" Draupadi speaks angrily.
"I won't curse again...I mean in front of him..." Karna apologies.
"You better not," Draupadi warns, "You won't like the consequences next time Jyest Kunteya, I assure you."
Karna visibly gulps in fear. He nods in agreement. Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva snickers. They way Draupadi scolds the greatest warriors of Aryavarta is a wonder to people. Karna immediately falls in line.
Arjuna shifts a bit uncomfortably. Karna glances at Draupadi mesmerized while Draupadi converses with Nakula and Sahadeva. Something drops in Arjuna's heart seeing Karna. Years ago while in Vanvas, he dreadfully asked Krishna. Will Karna and Draupadi be together? Krishna said no. Not in this life time. But will Karna accept that?
"Karna, stay. Yudhisthira and Bheem will come here short by. There's something I must tell you all," Draupadi says.
"I can guess from your face that it's a good news," Nakula comments.
Yudhisthira and Bheem enters the chamber.
"I just returned from Rajsabha. Please don't tell me you all are here to discuss something political again," Bheem groans.
"Rest assured, Bheemsena. It's not political,"
Draupadi stands up and takes off Yudhisthira and Bheem's heavy garments. She also had refreshing drinks prepared for them and serves them.
"Panchali, we three were sitting for so long. You didn't serve us these drinks then," Nakula teases.
Draupadi purses her lips. Of course one of them has to comment something. But she smiles affectionately at him, "Because I know unless Yudhisthira and Bheema returns from sabha you four won't eat anything."
"What's the good news Panchali?" Yudhisthira asks.
"Sakha already told me about this but this time it's an official proposal," Draupadi says.
"Kanha didn't invite you in Dwarka, did he? What's wrong with him? He was here a few days ago. Doesn't he gets enough attention from his wives?" Bheem groans.
"Are you going to Dwarka? I will go with you," Arjuna says quickly.
"I will go with you, too," Sahadeva says innocently.
"I am not. Instead, he send me a marriage proposal..."
Draupadi couldn't finish his sentence all Pandavas had horrified faces.
"Let me see which hand he used to write you a marriage proposal!" Bheema growls.
"Madhav did that? Why would he?" Arjuna jumps as well.
"You rejected, right?" Yudhisthira asks nervously.
"What's wrong with you all? Are you drunk in mid noon?" Draupadi scolds them, "Why would sakha send me marriage proposal? It's not for me."
"Haha...I knew that," Arjuna and Bheema laughs nervously.
"Then whom is it for?" Karna asks curiously.
"He send me marriage proposal of Nandini for Shrutasena," Draupadi informs everyone smiling.
All break in laughter of happiness.
"Draupadi there's a tiny problem," Arjuna says.
"What is it?" Draupadi asks.
"There's something wrong with both Satanika and Shrutasena," Nakula says.
"What's wrong? Are they sick or injured?" Draupadi asks concerned.
"To put bluntly Shrutasena runs seeing Nandini. And Satanika runs seeing Jyest Karn," Arjuna says.
Draupadi snickers. Nandini must have applied what she suggested her.
"Do you know why?" Yudhisthira asks.
Draupadi explains what's going on between them.
"Draupadi you are pure evil!" Karna fakes horror.
"Don't defend him. He had it coming," Draupadi smirks.
"You must be the first mother that ganged up against her own son," Yudhisthira says.
"Second. You all know Mata Kunti loves me the most, right? There was a time I was even regarded as sixth Pandavas," Draupadi exclaims proudly.
"Yeas ago when Mata mistakenly called you Putra, that time it happened and only once," Nakula teases.
"Just admit you are jealous, Arya. I will understand," Draupadi pats his shoulder.
"I guess then you will accept this proposal," Bheema says.
"Not so easily. You will see Sena himself will come and beg me to accept this proposal," Draupadi laughs.
"But what's the deal with Satanika?" Arjuna asks.
"I gave up. I can't ruin a girl's life this way. I hope he will have a girl he likes. I will send marriage proposal to that family," Draupadi sighs, "But I am worried about Kirti."
Others look at her questionably.
"He is just like his father. Never expressing what's in his heart,"
Arjuna looks at her as she does the same. Earlier his discomfort when Karna sat beside her, she noticed it. That's why she moved away when Yudhisthira and Bheema came.
"I hope Kirti finds someone as sensible as him, as gentle as him," Karna says.
"I want all three sons of mine to get married in this year," Draupadi says.
All turns at her surprised.
Yudhisthira asks, "What's the rush, Panchali? They are still kids at heart."
"I want them to have their own family, Arya. And marriage doesn't hinder anyone from living their life. If they want to travel, they can travel with their wives. besides if I send them to different regions after the...war...I hope they have a secure family before that," Draupadi says.
"Secure family? Aren't we one?" Sahadeva asks.
"For parents a child never hesitates to die. But for a partner, they wish to live. They wish to come back," Draupadi says softly.
"Hold on! What do you mean, Panchali? Different regions? Why?" not only Yudhisthira but also all Pandavas are confused.
"My sons have won all over Aryavarta. I decided long ago that Prativindhya won't rule alone. He will be Samrat while his brothers will be regent kings," Draupadi says.
"Why Panchali? Why are you separating the brothers?" Bheema asks.
"Arya, this isn't separation. They are the brothers of one mother. But every son of mine has the right to rule. They all are worthy of the throne. And Prativindhya didn't win Devapath alone," Draupadi says.
"Panchali, I don't think separating the brothers will do good. Sahadeva and I didn't take Madra's throne for the very same reason," Nakula argues.
"Panchali, I also support what Nakula said. You shouldn't separate the brothers," Bheema says.
Draupadi thinks for some time. It's not very long that they are having an amiable relationship with their sons. They are anxious to separate from them. Maybe when it's all over, they can talk about this again.
"We can talk about this matter again in future," Draupadi says.
The maids bring in their lunch. Draupadi begins to serve them. While eating, she couldn't swallow the foods. Her Govind has mentioned a specific thing in the letter that has taken away her peace completely.
"Maa, may I come in?" Nandini peeks inside Draupadi's chamber at night.
"Come, putri," Draupadi extends her arm.
Nandini had a copy of Ramayana in her hand.
"Were you in the library?" Draupadi asks.
"Yes, Maa. Shrutasena took me in his library. It's been hours, Maa. He has become a teacher," Nandini sighs tired.
"Poor thing. What did he teach you?" Draupadi chuckles.
"Astronomy. It went over my head although. But he recited the Ramayana for me. Maa, it was so beautiful. I felt like I was seeing the entire Ramayana in front of me," Nandini says fondly.
Draupadi smiles. Shrutasena is blessed with his style of speech. Whatever he says, no matter what it is, you want to hear them for hours. When he was younger, his mature speech made everyone fall in love with him. Besides he memorized the entire Ramayana and the four Vedas when he was only 2. Shrutasena was so loved for his speech, while visiting Hastinapur, he was the favorite of Duryodhana as well. Duryodhana would sat him on his thigh while he sat on the throne.
"Maa, can I ask you something?" Nandini pulls her achal nervously.
"Of course," Draupadi smiles softly.
"Maa, I have always heard people say how much you and Devi Sita are similar. There are truly so many resembles of you two. But there's one thing i have doubt,"
Draupadi waits for her to complete.
"Maa, you hold onto your patience like burning coal on your palm. During your hardest of times, you hold onto your patience and full filled your responsibilities. Society and your own family betrayed you, tried to bring down your character, but you were as still as a mountain. Why did Mata Sita commit suicide only when she was questioned? Why didn't she hold onto her patience?" Nandini asks.
Draupadi's face saddens. She walks in the balcony while Nandini follows her behind.
"Putri, there's one thing that we don't have in common. And that's the only thing that separates us from the decision we took," Draupadi states.
Nandini looks at her curiously.
"Devi Sita's chastity was questioned by her own husband for whom she was ready to die. Shree Rama might have proved Devi Sita's innocence in front of the society, but he paid his price. Whereas, I was questioned by the society. I know my husbands. They are as clear as water in my eyes. They never had any doubt, any questions about my chastity. They believe in me more than they believe each other. If...they also doubted me...Devi Sita's story would have repeated in my life as well..."
Draupadi finishes and Nandini immediately hugs her, "Don't say that, Maa. You are the center of our family. If we lose you..."
Draupadi smiles, "I am not immortal...one day I will leave my mortal body...You all have to carry out my unfinished works..."
Nandini sniffles. Her eyes gets filled with tears that she tries to blink back strongly.
"Noone stays forever, Putri..."
"Maa, here are the documents. Nandini, you are here too!" Shrutasena excliams.
Nandini's wet eyes met his. Shrutasena's face fell immediately seeing her cry.
"Nandini," concerned he takes step towards her. Sobbing Nandini runs away from the chamber. Both Draupadi and Shrutasena calls after her.
"Maa, what happened?" Shrutasena asks.
Draupadi shakes her head smiling, "She is still a kid. Go to her, Sena. She will cry more if I go now. Leave the documents on my bed," Draupadi sighs.
Bowing Shrutasena runs out as well.
Draupadi smiles. She knows even if Shrutasena loves her and gives her a shoulder to cry like this, he wouldn't cross the line. Speaking of that, where's Satanika? Her smile vanishes immediately. He is running just by seeing Karna and acting so suspicious. Draupadi dreads this. What did he do now?
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