Drisana and Nakul's marriage preparations were in full swing. Rituals had already started. Guests had started arriving. Dravida Rajkumar's were busy in managing guests and preparations. Thankfully they barely had time to eat, let alone give special treatment to Nakul. Dridhaksh hadn't said a word to anyone and repeated Drisana's excuse. Though he got an earful from his parents.

Drisana was rather enjoying all the rituals with everyone. After coming back from the temple, her Mata had given her special lessons. That was not to create anymore blunder before marriage and to appear shying and meek. Drisana protested saying shying was Nakuls job and she didn't know how to be meek. The first one earned her a slap on the shoulder and for the second one, her mother had gathered all her sister-in-laws to teach her how to be a meek, gentle and shying bride. They started sharing their experiences and stories and soon it turned into sort of a bachelor party with Draupadi, Subhadra and Valandhara joining. Maharani Mangalya left with Rajmata Kunti shaking her head saying,

"In sabko bulaya tha ise samjhane ke liye, isne ulta sabko samjha dia. (I called all of them to teach her, but she taught them instead.)"

"Let her be. She's good like this only. I'll get a heart attack if she started behaving shying and meek." Kunti said laughing.

Here, Nakul was anxious as he wasn't getting any alone time with his Hridaya and they barely saw each other between all these. He slipped her away one night though to give her the earrings. He made her wear them after kissing her ears softly and whispering dreams and hopes for their future that he wanted to live with her.

In the midst of all this, when Arjun heard from Draupadi about their party and giving special advise to Drisana, he decided it was time to give Nakul some advise too. So, the great Gandivdhari Arjun gathered Krishna and Karna to give Nakul 'advise'. The bewildered trio raised their eyebrows hearing that.

"You want to advise Rajkumar Nakul?" Krishna asked. Arjun nodded.

"About?" Karna asked looking confused.

"How to be a good husband and control wife." Arjun replied puffing his chest. Nakul gave a laugh turned cough at that. Krishna looked amused and Karna blinked only staring at him.

"Good decision. But first tell him what were your first conversation with Sakhi." Krishna asked innocently. Arjun remembered how he himself sought advise of Yudhisthir to talk to Draupadi on their wedding night.

"Let's forget that. I'm sure he'll manage that." Arjun said avoiding the topic.

"Okay. Then Paarth, tell Rajkumar Nakul how to be a good husband by not blurt out other Princesses names in front of his wife and also how to control her by keeping a strong tree branch ready at hand for sleeping." Krishna said again. Karna and Nakul both were trying to hide their laughter.

"Are you mocking me Madhav?" Arjun asked frowning.

"Absolutely not Paarth. It's a very important lesson. Don't you think?" Krishna said with a straight face.

"Yes. That it is." Arjun muttered sighing. The trio burst out laughing hearing him.

"Be serious. What you all think? I can't give advise? I can give very good advise. Listen to me carefully Nakul.

Drisana is now going to be your wife. She deserves love, care and affection from you. It is your responsibility that you always respect her and protect her honour. From now on she's going to look up to you at every situation and need. And she should be assured that her husband is someone she can talk to without hesitation. So, before being her husband, you've to be her friend. And friends talk from hearts.

So, remember always talk from your heart with her." Arjun said with a serious expression. Krishna, Karna and Nakul looked at him with mouth agape.

"Wow. Impressive Rajkumar Arjun." Karna said as Arjun smirked. Krishna shook his head smiling.

"You're the one saying but why does it ring like Jyesth?" Nakul asked confusingly.

Two weeks before the marriage, Yudhisthir and Devika arrived at Dravida. Surprisingly Bheem and Sahdev also arrived with them. How could they miss their brother's wedding afterall? Nakul was elated at their sight. They were welcomed heartily and soon joined the wedding preparations. He later got to know it was Yuvraj Dwijendra who invited them specially reasoning with Yudhisthir that no one would dare attack Indraprasth while they were at Dravida and as for internal administration, they certainly could make special arrangements for a few weeks leaving that on Rajguru (Royal priest) and ministers.

On the other side, Subhadra was heartbroken. Karna had avoided her like the plague after their tribal marriage. Subhadra never wanted their marriage to happen like that. But it was also true she had given her heart to Karna and if there was anyone she wanted to marry, it was him. She wanted to win his heart or make a small place in his heart for herself. But it seemed he had closed his heart tightly into himself. Even the tribal marriage meant nothing to him. Still, Subhadra's disobedient heart wasn't ready to listen anything.

Drisana had noticed the change in Subhadra since that incident. She even asked Subhadra if there was something troubling her. But Subhadra didn't wanted to worry anyone or disregard Karna's wish. So, she shook her head with a fake smile and continued smiling with everyone. But her heart was crying inside. Was she so unworthy of his love? Why couldn't he return her feelings? Why couldn't he accept her in his life? Why did he surpasses his emotions so tightly? What was going on his mind?

All these questions hunted Subhadra. She was determined to get the answers from Karna anyhow. So, one early morning, she intentionally sought him out when he was giving arghya to Suryadev. She waited as he completed his prayer. Surprise flitted his eyes for a moment, as he turned and saw Subhadra behind him. But he stiffened in the next moment and started to leave without acknowledging her.

"I've heard, after your morning prayer, you give whatever donation is asked of you Radheya Karna?" Subhadra said in a questioning voice without turning. Karna stopped listening her.

"There's nothing this Soota can give you Rajkumari." He replied.

"Don't be afraid. I only want answers." Subhadra said. Karna remained silent. Subhadra turned to face his back.

"Since the first time we met, I have placed your idol in my heart. The more I heard about you, my respect for you started to increase. The more I started to know you, my trust in you strengthened. The more I got close to you, my affection for you escalated. I started to roam around you, just to see you. Because I feel good when you're there. I like it when you look at me even if it's in anger and irritation. I become happy when you smile. I want to be the reason you smile. I feel protected when you're close to me. Even when I was in that tribe territory, I was afraid, but I knew you'll find me. I had full faith on you. I didn't remember anyone else. I just remembered you." Subhadra said with a shaky voice. She stopped for a while as her throat got too heavy to speak.

"I thought with time you'll understand my feelings and accept them. I thought I'll maybe get a small space in your heart. Maybe you'll return my feelings. I hoped. I dreamed. I wished." Subhadra stopped again.

"But you didn't. Even after getting married, you rejected me, my emotions. I know tribal people are considered brute. That's why tribal marriage can be declared invalid. But not if the couple accepts it. And you, Vrisha, rejected me. Why? Am I so unworthy of your affection? Am I the only one whose heart beats faster at your sight? Do you feel nothing for me?" Subhadra whispered as her eyes glistened with unshed tears. Karna neither uttered a single word nor he turned to look at her.

"You'll have to answer truthfully Vrisha. That's what I want in daan (donation)." Subhadra said when he remained silent. He turned slowly then, looking as stoic as a statue.

"So you love me? Isn't it humorous? The princess of Dwarka loves me, a Sootputra. I'll answer every single question of yours. Why I refused to acknowledge that marriage? Because I don't live in a bubble. I live in reality. This has nothing to do with your emotions. We were forcefully married that day and that doesn't give me any right to claim you as my wife. Because you were forced in that too and in no way was it your fault, then why should you suffer the consequences. I would have accepted you if you wanted that marriage or given a choice, any choice to avoid it and still chose to marry me. But you were not. Then how can I take advantage of your situation? You're questioning me why I didn't accept you, but answer me first. If I accepted you, would you be willing to tell your family, your brothers about that marriage? Will you have the courage to face them?" Karna asked furiously.

"Got your answer? Now let's move to your next question. Are you unworthy of my affection? Yes. Not because you've some lacking, but because I have. You're a kshatriya princess and I'm a mere Soota with no station. Sounds illogical? Let me set the logic then. You and me have lived a life that's poles apart. You were brought up in luxuries and I had to fight for even the basics. What do you know about me? You only know my successes, not the price I paid for them. In the society you live Rajkumari, even the word Soota is considered an abusive word and I wear it with pride. Will you be able to live the life of a Soota hearing taunts and bearing insults at every corner? Will you be able to work hard like a Soota leaving all the luxuries behind?

A daughter is her father and brothers responsibility. They choose a suitable groom for her. Do you think your family will find a mere Soota suitable for you? Even though I have skills unmatched? Because if you don't know then let me enlighten you, it was your bhrata Krishna who told Rajkumari Draupadi about my lineage at her swayamvar where your bhrata Balaram was also present. No. I wasn't dying to participate in that swayamvar. But the fact is your bhrata treats me with equality and respect here, doesn't mean he will see me as worthy of you.

I have no Kingdom, no Palace, no nothing to offer you. I can only respect you from far, but affection is not a feeling I should have for you Rajkumari." Karna said harshly as a tear slipped Subhadra's eye.

"What was next? Yes. Do I feel nothing for you? If I didn't, I wouldn't run away from you." Karna said gulping hard. Subhadra stared at his eyes surprised by this admission. "But you know what? I feel ashamed that I do. Because I've never felt anything close to this for anyone. Not even for my dead wife. And that just reminds me how horribly I failed as a husband to her. I have this urge inside me to stay close to you, protect you, to see you smiling and happy, to share my problems, my failures, my success everything with you. And I feel repentance that I never had this urge for Supriya. If I had, maybe she would be alive today. I already failed as a husband and I have no wish to repeat that.

Moreover, when I don't even know what will I do or where will I go next, how can I take anyone else's responsibility?" Karna said vehemently.

"There is a world outside the bubble you live in, Rajkumari and I belong there. So, sorry. But I can't be the fairytale prince you want me to be." Karna left finishing his part as Subhadra stood there watching.

"What is this Bhrata Bheem? You just had lunch." Sahdev said in exasperation as bheem dragged him towards the kitchen not half an hour after having lunch.

"I know. But if I don't eat properly, Drisana will feel bad you know." Bheem said as Sahdev rolled his eyes.

"Wait. You go alone. Jyesth told to meet me at Vasudev's chamber after lunch. I'm going." Sahdev said and escaped before Bheem could catch him. Deciding to go alone, Bheem started to search kitchen.

With so many guests already here and more about to arrive, management of the household had become a bit tricky as the new helpers were late. Drisana's sister-in-laws were balancing everything with expertise though. Priyala needed someone to check on restocking the last batch of grains on the storage and Valandhara decided to help. As she was waiting for guards on the back door with sacks that needed to be carried to the storage, Bheem saw her and decided to ask her the direction of the kitchen.

"Listen dasi, where is the kitchen? Take me there." Bheem asked coming closer to her.

Valandhara blinked looking at him. Did he just call her dasi? Yes, she was not wearing heavy jewelleries like she normally did as she was going to take a nap after lunch when she saw Priyala in need of help. But in no way was she looking like a dasi.

"Did you address me?" She asked to confirm.

"Of course. Who else is here?" Bheem replied frowning.

"Right." Valandhara said gritting her teeth. She examined him from top to bottom. He looked like a bhoora bhaaloo (grizzly bear) except he wasn't just as brown as them. Otherwise with his frown in face, he was an exact replica.

"What are you looking at? Answer me." Bheem said getting annoyed as the girl remained silent.

"I can take you to the kitchen. But what to do. Yeh boriya bhari bhari, aur mein aabla nari. Inhe vhandar grah tak pouchaye bina nehi ja sakti. Kab se aahi soch rahi hu, inhe uthayu kayse? (This sacks are heavy and I'm fragile. I can't leave without taking these to storage. I'm thinking for so long how to lift them.)" Valandhara said making a sad and worried face.

"Why will you lift them? Where are the guards?" Bheem asked frowning.

"There are no one free. The new helpers have not arrived yet. So we are in a shortage of people. I'm given the responsibility to keep these sacks on the storage. But as no guard is available, I'll have to lift them. What else to do?" Valandhara said sighing heavily. She went to lift a sack in slow motion. Bheem was feeling bad for the dasi. How could he let a fragile girl lift these heavy sacks?

"Wait. I'll help you." He said stopping her from lifting the sack and lifted four sacks together looking like their weight was nothing. Valandhara's eyes widened watching him. Getting out of the surprise, she led him to the storage. When she saw guards coming, she signed them to leave quietly which went unnoticed by Bheem. They made five to six trips like this. Bheem looked not a single bit tired as Valandhara watched him surprised.

"Your work is done. Now take me to the kitchen." Bheem said.

"Yes. Yes. Kitchen. Wait. I completely forgot. Rajkumari Priyala had called me as soon as I finish this. I'm sorry. I'll tell you the direction. You'll find what you need." Valandhara said in a hurry and before Bheem could say anything she hurriedly left yelling the direction. Bheem frowned again thinking the dasi was strange. Not even thanked him for helping. He went to follow the direction she gave. But to his utter astonishment, he reached the library instead of kitchen. How was this possible? He followed the exact direction she gave. Bheem couldn't make any mistake when it came to food.

Sahdev who was seated there, blinked several times as he saw Bheem standing just inside the door. Bheem and library? Not possible. He rubbed his eyes thinking it was an illusion.

No. He was still there looking baffled.

"Bhrata Bheem? What are you doing here?" Sahdev asked cautiously.

"This is not the kitchen." Bheem said intelligently.