Gangaputra Bhismeh was standing at the tower of Hastinapur Palace. He was looking at the magnificent view of the Hastinapur. His whole life had been devoted to the Thorne of Hastinapur. But he was still waiting for the right person to descend the throne.

Mahamantri Vidur came behind him.

"Parnipat, Tatshree." Vidur greeted him.

"Any news of Pandavs?" Bhismeh asked. Not long after the Varanavat incident, Vidur had informed him about his spectacles regarding it. He suspected Pandavs were alive and chose to remain hidden. He shared his suspicion and also the truth about Lakshgraha with Bhismeh only. Bhismeh had wanted to immediately confront Gandharraj and Duryodhan. But Vidur stopped him saying it was not the right time.

First of all, they had no way to prove that Duryodhan and Gandharraj was involved in the Lakshgraha conspiracy as the architect Purochan and all his men disappeared right after.

Second, the Pandavs being alive could not be confirmed without them being found and until that time Duryodhan was the heir to throne. If the news of him being the conspirator of Pandavs demise came out, it could create a rebellion among the Kingdom. The King's under Hastinapur's command, Ministers and subjects, none would take the news lightly.

Third and most importantly, Maharaj Dhritarashtra would never punish his son even if his crimes were proved. He might give some light punishment if pressurised and that would impact negatively at Hastinapur's justice system. The reputation of Hastinapur being the place where anyone was bound to get justice would be severely questioned and they would loss the faith of the subjects.

So, Bhismeh kept silent and started to wait for the Pandavs return. He questioned Vidur why Pandavs were choosing to remain hidden instead of coming to him and was only met with silence. He was hurt thinking his son's didn't trust him to do justice. Was he not with them when Bheem was attacked as a child? He made sure Pandavs and Kauravs would be treated equally, that Dhritarashtra wouldn't deprive Pandavs from their rights. He thought away from the luxury of the palace and Shakuni's clutches with the hardships of Gurukul, Duryodhan would change. He was a child too. But alas! He had been wrong.

He tried to stop Dhritarashtra from crowning Duryodhan as Yuvraj. But couldn't stop it as Gandharraj Shakuni made sure of it. Shakuni was also suspicious of Pandavs being alive. So, he wanted the crowning of Duryodhan as soon as possible.

"There has been news of killing a Rakshasa named Bakasura at Ekachakra. A Brahman family was supposed to feed the Rakshasa. At the time that Brahman was housing another Brahman family consisting of five brothers, their mother and two women. They left soon after the news spreaded." Bhismeh frowned as Vidur gave him the news. Were they really Pandavs? And if they were who was the another woman apart from the Yadavkanya?

"Find them soon Vidur. This seems too close." Bhismeh said.

Angraj Karna was giving donation after his morning prayer as usual while Duryodhan watched. He was proud to call Karna his friend not only because of his prowess at the battlefield but also his generosity amazed him. Karna came towards him with a smiling face and hugged him.

"How are you, Mitra?" Karna asked.

"Who has a friend like you, is always in bliss." Duryodhan said smiling.

"What brought you here? I thought you'd have left for Panchal by now." Karna asked knowing his friend intended to attend Draupadputri's swayamvar.

"Yes, I thought to take you with me on the way." Duryodhan said.

"But I'm not coming, Mitra. I've refused the invitation to attend the swayamvar." Karna said confusingly.

"I know. But I want you to come with me for support. Won't you heed my request?" Duryodhan asked. He knew Karna couldn't refuse him.

"Okay. Let's prepare to leave then." Karna said with a smile.

It was no wonder Angraj Karna heeded to every request his Mitra asked of him. He had sworn to be loyal to him till his last breath and his friendship with his Mitra was far more significant than anything or anyone else for him. He remembered the moment when for the first time he had doubted his Mitra's intention.

After the death of Pandavs and their mother, Karna was disturbed. He thought to ask Duryodhan and Duryodhan accepted his involvement. Karna was really upset that his Mitra resorted to such ways. But he later forgave him as Duryodhan swore never to repeat such mistakes.

On the other side, Duryodhan knew Karna wouldn't accept his way to remove Pandavs, so he thought it best not to let him be aware of his plan. After the Pandavs demise, he handled Karna by saying he wouldn't do anything like that in future. He wouldn't need to as his biggest enemies were already dead.

Preparations for Draupadi's swayamvar was going on. Whole palace was decorated as the guests started arriving. Only one week remained before Maharaj Drupad gave his daughter to the most capable one who would win the competition.

Here at the temple, Rajkumari Draupadi was sitting, thinking about the upcoming swayamvar. She was nervous and worried. Her father wanted her to marry the great archer Pandu putra Arjun. He was impressed by the great archer so much that his praises wouldn't stop. When he received the news of Pandavs demise, he was so disappointed. Though he didn't say anything to her, his eyes said it all. Now that Arjun was no longer alive, he saw her birth as a waste.

Draupadi folded her hands and prayed for her father's wish to get fulfilled. Behind her came a person with a smile. After sometime Draupadi finished her prayer and opening her eyes looked at the person.

"Govind, you are here?" Draupadi asked.

"I was busy in your swayamvar's preparation. Then I realised the one whose swayamvar is going to happen, isn't prepared herself. So, I came." Krishna said with a smile.

"What does it matter, Govind? Father wants this only. His wish is my command." Draupadi said with a sad expression. She could understand her father. He was only doing his duty. As a father of a daughter, it was his duty to find a eligible groom for her and do the kanyadaan (giving of daughter in marriage). But she had just born. This world was still new to her. She didn't want to leave her family so soon. Moreover, the disappointment in her father's eyes, made her feel useless. Like her being here didn't matter. She was nothing to her father without a man whom she didn't even saw.

"Humans want a lot of things, Sakhi. But our life don't depend on the needs and wants of others. Our life depend on the actions and decisions made by us." Krishna said.

"But when we don't have the power to make decisions?" Draupadi asked.

"You don't need power to make decisions. You only need courage." Krishna said looking at her. "Remember Sakhi. It'll be in your hand what you decide."

After several days journey, the Pandavs reached Kampilya. They decided to stay at saga Vedavyas's Ashram (hermitage) for a while. They wanted to meet the saga to seek guidance from him, but he was not here.

Yudhisthir was thinking about Drisana and Nakul's marriage. He decided to talk to Kunti as he was in hesitation.

"Mata, I was thinking about Drisana and Nakul's marriage. Drisana has no one in Aryavart except Vasudev. He has called her his sister. So we should seek his blessing for the marriage. But we can't do that without revealing our identity." Yudhisthir said.

"I don't think that's necessary, putra. Drisana herself has chosen Nakul. Though it'd be appropriate to seek Vasudev's blessing, but in this case with Drisana's consent that won't be necessary." Kunti said.

"Okay. But when should we do the marriage. We don't have a specified destination in mind. Wherever the fate takes us, we go. Thus, their marriage will be pending for uncertain time." Yudhisthir said.

"You're right." Kunti was also worried. "Let's do one thing. Since we're here at the Ashram for some time, we'll do the marriage here only."

"That'll be fine." Yudhisthir agreed.

Here with every passing moment, dread was lodging deep inside Drisana. Draupadi's swayamvar was the talk of the town. Maharaj Drupad had sent an open invitation. As everyone was curious to see the girl born from fire, almost every King of Aryavart had arrived for the swayamvar.

Drisana was in a fix. She suspected the events would change somewhat. But if they didn't, then what. She had no doubt Nakul would choose to be an ascetic even if his brothers didn't. He wouldn't marry Draupadi. But they'd be separated in that case. And if she did something to stop that, it'd be unfair to Devika. Devika who would probably suffer the fate, she was afraid of.

There was no way Drisana could share Nakul with anyone else. Not for any reason. The only possible way was to stop them from going out for seeking alms. Maybe Karna would win the competition then. But how to stop Pandavs?

After dinner, Yudhisthir told all about the decision he and Kunti had taken regarding Nakul and Drisana's marriage. All were happy but Drisana was tensed. She was thinking how to stop them from going outside tomorrow.

"Jyesth, I was thinking that a lot of Kings have arrived here for the swayamvar. To remain hidden it's best if you don't go out tomorrow." Drisana started tentatively.

"Don't worry Drisana. No one can recognise us in this disguise. It'll be fine." Arjun said.

"Yes, but it's still not that difficult. There's a possibility if you meet someone who knows you from before can recognise you." Drisana prayed for them to agree.

"No Drisana. Unless we do something to reveal our identity, even Duryodhan won't be able to tell who we are." Nakul said.

"But still. It's better to be safe than sorry." Drisana tried again.

"You're worrying without reason. No one will be able to recognise us." Yudhisthir said.

"And also I'm getting a premonition that we should go out tomorrow." Sahdev said.

Drisana gritted her teeth. They were not going to listen. Okay then. There was no choice left for her than being selfish. She was deep in her thoughts.

Later that night, Drisana found Kunti alone and taking a deep breath started towards her. She meant it when she said she wouldn't hesitate to do anything for Nakul.

"Mata, I wanted to talk to you." Drisana said sitting beside Kunti.

"Yes, putri?" Kunti asked.

"I'm not feeling good since we left Ekachakra. I'm feeling very restless." Drisana said.

"That I've noticed. What's the matter putri?" Kunti asked gently. She was worried for Drisana.

"Mata, I don't know why but I'm feeling like something bad is going to happen. I tried to ignore this, but it's getting worse. That's why I'm thinking about doing something. But I'm afraid what you'll think or will you even allow this or not." Drisana said meekly.

"Whatever it is, tell me without hesitation. I don't like to see my daughter worried this way." Kunti said with a smile to assure her.

"Mata, I'm away from my homeland. I've left everything behind, but I was thinking about doing a ceremony. In this when a girl's marriage is fixed, the pair keep fast for a whole day and they together make food, starting from making stove to bringing things to prepare the food, everything is done by them only. Then they do prayer and offer the prepared food to God and break their fast. I wanted to do this with Nakul if you don't mind." Drisana said carefully with lowered head. She didn't said it was something followed at her homeland or it being a tradition. Anyone can keep fast in the name of God and pray. There was nothing wrong in that. She just didn't clear her being the first one to do such a ceremony.

"You're worrying about Nakul and your marriage?" Kunti asked softly.

"Yes, Mata. I feel doing this ceremony will remove any upcoming crisis. But I was hesitating thinking what you'll say or if Nakul will be ready for this." Drisana said hesitantly. Kunti felt bad seeing the confident and brave girl like this.

"Don't worry Putri. I've no problem with this and I'll tell Nakul to do the ceremony." Kunti said smiling and keeping a hand at her shoulder.

"So, tomorrow?" Drisana asked.

"Yes, do the ceremony tomorrow only. I'll tell Nakul not to go anywhere tomorrow." Kunti replied not suspecting anything. No one could fault her as manipulation was something Drisana knew too well. Drisana hugged her and left after sometimes.

The pieces were in place. Now she just had to make sure it went according to her.

She didn't even know she had actually paved the way instead of stopping it.

The next day, Kunti forbade Nakul to go with his brothers and said he had to do some ceremony with Drisana. Everyone was confused by this. But as Kunti herself said it, no one questioned. After his brothers left, Nakul asked Drisana about the ceremony and she repeated the same thing.

Just before they left to do everything according to Drisana, Devika told Kunti she would keep a fast today and would only eat fruits.

Nakul was confused about it and also worried for Drisana. Something was going on that she wasn't telling him. He had asked repeatedly what the matter was but Drisana didn't said anything. Now he thought the same as Kunti and hoped she'd be fine after doing this.

It was when they were busy in making the stove that it struck Drisana.

Mata always divided whatever the alms was between pandavs, Drisana and Devika. If Mata was going to say what Drisana knew than it'd mean dividing Draupadi not only between Pandavs but also Drisana and Devika, which was not possible. Thus Kunti's words would automatically be untrue.