Everyone was present at the wedding venue. Maharaj Drishadvat had escorted Nakul to the Mandap and taken his seat too along with the four Pandav. All the family members and close relatives were seated on the ground floor surrounding the mandap whereas other guests were seated on the first floor. Nakul was following the customs that was asked by the Rajguru (royal priest).

Devika came to sit beside with Kunti and Draupadi. Yudhisthir looked at her to see if she was alright. Devika blinked with a smile to answer his unspoken question. God only knew what Yudhisthir would do in a few months or at the time of her delivery. 'Either he would have grey hairs or a bald head by that time.' Devika thought smiling lovingly at him.

Here, Arjun gave a look to Draupadi which made her blush. She looked around to see if anyone was noticing and glared at him. This man!!! His romance only got out at the wrong place always.

"I'm hungry." Bheem said with a pout which was only heard by Arjun and Sahdev. Both looked at the side table where fruits, sweets and juice were kept.

Guess what???

The plates were empty.

Bheem looked at Sahdev who unsuccessfully tried to avoid his gaze.

"Bhrata Bheem, I'm not going anywhere." Sahdev said sternly. Arjun gave a snort hearing him.

"Nakul ka toh vivha ho raha hai. Use Mandap se uthana accha nehi lagega na. Isliye tum hi caloge. Aab tum ye tai karo ki samman se caloge, yah mein uthake le calu? (Nakul is getting married. It won't look nice to get him from the Mandap. You'll come only. Now you decide, will you come willingly or I'll have to carry you?)" Bheem said smiling sweetly at him.

Sahdev sighed and got up to go.

Devyajot went to keep his sleeping daughter in the chamber. Just as he turned to leave, he found Priyala there with a glass in hand. His wifometer immediately gave red signal. He gave a small smile looking at her curiously.

Translation : what are you doing here Priye?

"Arya, meine bishes rup se hamare sabhi atithi o ke liye yeh gulab ka sarbat banaya hai. Jara bataiye to, swaad kaysa hai. (I've specially made this rose juice for our guests. Taste it and tell me how it is.)" Priyala replied.

Devyajot gave a forced smile with wide eyes.

Translation : What was the need to take so much trouble, Priye?

"Why not Arya? This is my one and only sister-in-law's marriage after all. I know you all don't want me to take any trouble. But I wanted to make something special. And it wasn't troublesome at all. I prepared this last night while making Drisana's favourite foods. I knew no one will allow me in the kitchen today as there's so much work and I also don't need to look tired and dull working in the kitchen. So I thought to make this only as it needs to be kept for the whole night before serving. Now taste it." Priyala replied forwarding the glass.

Devyajot took the glass with a nervous smile and thought looking upwards,

'Dear Lord, please save all. There shouldn't be any problem in Drisana's wedding. Or she will make me bald like Dridhaksh too.'

"Arya?" Priyala called him with questioning eyes.

Devyajot gave a broad smile and nodded titling his head.

Translation : Of course, priye. I'll drink it. You go.

"Yes, I should leave to check if Drisana needs something. She is soon going to be called in the Mandap." Priyala said and turned to leave, but Devyajot held her hand from behind. When she looked at him in question, he said smiling warmly, "Beautiful, Priye."

Priyala lowered her eyes blushing hard and left quickly.

Devyajot sighed looking at his wife's retreating back. He then frowned looking at the juice. The red coloured concoction seemed fine and smelled good too. He took a slight sip gathering his courage and was surprised when the crispy sweet taste hit his taste buds. It was delicious actually.

'Okay. No need to warn anyone then.' Devyajot thought.

"Kitne swadest ladoo hai! Bah! Anandh aa gaya. Jab ladoo itne swadest ho toh bina khaye unka aapman nehi karna cahiye. (How delicious these sweets are! We shouldn't insult them by not eating.)" Bheem said to Sahdev as he carried another large plate of sweets. The first plate was carried by Bheem himself. As he concentrated on eating and walking, suddenly he dashed with a girl.

And instead of saving the girl from falling, Bheem saved his ladoos.

"Are you okay, devi?" Bheem asked in concern.

"Nooooo. I think I broke my waist." The girl said making faces.

"Shama kijiye. Yedhi mere hat mein ladoo na hote to abbassahi aapki sahayta karta. Aab aap swayam hi utth jayengi yah kisiko bulayu sahayta k liye? (I'm sorry. If there wasn't these sweets in my hand, I would have helped you. Now will you get up by yourself or should I call someone?)" Bheem said apologising. Sahdev blinked at his brother. Well, it was Bheem after all. He was going to put the plate on the floor and help the girl, but before that none other than Rajkumari Valandhara came to her aid.

"Are you okay?" She said while helping the girl in getting up. "Are you blind too?" She asked looking at Bheem.

"How dare you to call me blind? You are blind." Bheem said in a angry voice.

"I'm not blind. That's why I can see someone is in need of help. And I also see those around me while walking. Don't you have shame? A girl is hurt and needs help, but you're busy in ladoos." Valandhara said as the girl stood up with her help. Sahdev was looking sheepish and was going to apologise from his brother's behalf to end the matter, but Bheem spoke before that.

"Mere ladoo o par kudristi maat do. Aur mein kisi kanya ki sahayta nehi karne wala. Tum kanyaye bechari ban k, sahayta k nam pe murkh banati ho logo ko.

(Don't eye my ladoos. And as for helping, I am not going to help any girl. You girls make fools of people acting innocent.)" Bheem said making Sahdev's eyes round and Valandhara's narrow.

"Jo murkh hai unhe banane ki kya aabasakta hai? (There's no need to make fools of them who are already that only.)" Valandhara said with a fake smile.

"Kya tatparya hai tumhara??? Mein murkh hu??? (What do you mean??? Am I a fool???)" Bheem asked screaming at her. Sahdev looked around in alarm to see if anyone was noticing them. The girl had already left for whom this started.

"Gyat hai mujhe. Batane ki aabasakta nehi hai. (I already know that. You don't need to tell me.)" Valandhara replied crossing her arms across her chest with attitude.

"How dare you?????? I wil- I will-" Bheem stammered in anger and looked around not knowing what to do.

"You will what?" Valandhara asked raising one eyebrow.

"Mein yeh stambh ukhar ke phek dunga. (I will uproot this pillar.)" Bheem screamed pointing at the nearest pillar.

"Toh dijiye. Kisne rokha hai? (Then do it. Who has stopped you?)" Valandhara said. Bheem fumed in anger and keeping his plate of ladoos, went to uproot the pillar.

"Rukhiye! Bhrata Bheem, kya kar rahe hai aap? Yeh mehel na hamara hai na inka. Aapne baat-bibad mein Dravida ka shati kyu karna cahte hai? (Wait! Bhrata Bheem, what are you doing? Neither this Palace is ours nor hers. Then why do you want to damage Dravida's property in your argument?)" Sahdev stopped him hurriedly. Valandhara only looked at them with barely restrained laughter. Bheem was going to scream at her some more, but Sahdev again stopped him.

"Wait!!!!!!! Bhrata Bheem, please let's go. Nakul's wedding is going on."

"Dekh lunga mein tumhe. (I will see you.)" Bheem gave a last warning as Sahdev was taking him away.

"Haa toh uske liye mein Indraprasth aayu, yeah aap Kashi aayenge? (Ok. So for that should I come to Indraprasth or will you come to Kashi?)" Valandhara asked with an innocent expression. Sahdev's eyes rounded again and before Bheem blasted in rage he dragged him from there.

"Wait! My ladoos. I left them there." Bheem said and turned to get his sweets only to see Valandhara had generously taken the plate and was leaving while eating his ladoos. Sahdev was so shocked, he didn't know how to react. He looked at Bheem and keeping the plate of his hand in the floor, covered his both ears as Bheem gave a loud roar in anger.

'Satya kaha tha Bhrata Arjun ne. Yeh toh sach mein bakri ki tarah bhrata Bheem ko brammakamal samajh ke aak hi nibale mein gatak jayegi.

(Bhrata Arjun was right. She'll eat him alive in one bite only.)' Sahdev thought.

Longing.

Desperation.

Despair.

Those were the emotions Dheemant was feeling. His eyes watered as he looked at them. He was a prince, a valorous warrior and still he was helpless to do anything as he watched them. There was nothing more torturous then watching your love with someone else. They were right in front of him, he could see them, feel them, smell them, but still they were so far out of his reach. Why him? Why he had to endure this?

"Is it hurting?" Daiwik asked from beside him looking sympathetic. Dheemant only nodded as he continued to watch them.

"It's all your deeds that landed you here." Daiwik said with a sigh. "But Bhrata Dheemant, you'll have to control yourself. Please get a hold on yourself." He consoled Dheemant by keeping a hand in his shoulder.

"Just because you can't eat sweets, don't eye them like this while people are eating. It's creepy." Daiwik said and placed one sweet on his mouth. Dheemant glared at him as he was relishing it dramatically making Dheemant's mouth watered.

What was worse than standing at his sister's wedding where various types of sweets were available and he wasn't able to eat? He looked at Dridhaksh and his sons. Both were holding plates filled with sweets while Dridhaksh held them in his arms. Well, their bald head wasn't even visible behind those crowns.

Why him!!!

Drisana sat waiting to be called anytime. Her heartbeat was increasing with each passing moment. This was a new feeling to her. Normally she was a calm, cool, collected person. She never felt this nervous or anxious. But even when everything was going according to her, she was feeling restless.

Anandini, Himani & Poornima, Subhaprada and Priyala came inside.

"It's time." Anandini said softly with a smile. Drisana took a deep breath slowly and released it before getting up.

Nakul was outwardly calm and collected, but inwardly he felt restless. His heart was beating so fast, he feared others would hear it. He glanced at Yudhisthir for once who gave an assuring smile.

The conch shells were blown with drums and trumpets to announce the arrival of the bride. Nakul didn't look up to see. His heart felt it would come out with the beats of the drums.

Drisana stood on top of the grand stairway that led to the Mandap. Her sisters-in-law were on both side of her. She gave a quick glance at the large area before lowering her eyes. She saw everyone seated, her parents, her brothers, Mata Kunti, Devika, Draupadi, Yudhisthir, Bheem, Arjun, Sahdev, Krishna, Balaram, Subhadra, her mamashree and his family, Pitamah Bheesma, Duryodhan, Karna and some more relatives. Most had smiles on their faces. She saw Nakul at the Mandap, but he wasn't looking at her.

Drisana descended the stairs slowly with lowered eyes as flowers were thrown at her. She was led to the Mandap and stood in front of Nakul.

Nakul upped his lowered eyes slowly. His gaze savouring her from bottom to top, committing this moment to his memory. Finally, he looked at her face and met her eyes.

Both looked at each other. Both pairs of eyes reflecting and conveying the same things.

Love.

Trust.

Devotion.

Honesty.

Loyalty and Respect.

All the anxieties and doubts left them both, as they stared at each other. As their erratic heartbeats found peace and happiness, soft smiles made way to their lips simultaneously.

Subhaprada cleared her throat to draw their attention to the flower garlands. They were made of different coloured gerbera and red orchids. Nakul looked at Drisana with slight surprise and she returned it with a knowing smile. These were the first flowers he gifted to Drisana back at Varanavat. The gerbera flowers symbolises beauty, innocence, and purity. And the red orchids symbolises passion and desire.

Both took the garlands in hand and Drisana put it around Nakul's neck first, looking at his eyes with a slight blush. After getting the flowers from Nakul that day when he explained their symbolism, Drisana had regretted taking them and gave them to a little girl. But today, there was no hesitation or regret as she accepted Nakul wholeheartedly in her life.

Nakul then put the garland around her neck trying to control the broad smile that was threatening to come across his face. That day he had watched Drisana giving away those flowers with a heavy heart. He understood even though he accepted her as his, he had to wait for her to accept him. She wasn't just going to fall for his handsome face. And that day came eventually when she accepted him as hers too.

This was to declare to the whole Aryavart that their hearts had long accepted each other willingly.

They were told to seat on the bajaths for further rituals then. Drisana sat on the right side of Nakul. Maharaj Drishadvat was then called for the (gift of maiden).

['kanyā' = unmarried girl + 'ādāna' = 'extending rights'; not 'dāna' = 'charity']

Maharaj Drishadvat took his daughter's right hand and asked looking at Nakul,

"Do you, Kuruvanshi PanduPutra Nakul, promise to protect, support and cherish my daughter, the pride of Sasenvanshi lineage, Arunika, never leaving her hand in rain or shine?"

"I, Kuruvanshi PanduPutra Nakul, swear by the Gods and Goddesses that I will always protect, support and cherish your daughter through thick and thin. I will love her like the very breath I take. My love for her will be steadfast and faithful. With this promise I accept her as my lifelong companion." Nakul answered earnestly meeting Maharaj Drishadvat's eyes to convey his truthfulness and forwarded his right palm.

Maharaj Drishadvat diverted his gaze to Drisana. Drisana could see both joy and sorrow reflecting in his eyes though his face remained stoic.

"Then I, Suryavanshi BahinyaPutra Drishadvat, being the patriarch of Sasenakul, give my consent to this union. Let my daughter Dravidakumari Arunika, by her own will and happiness, be yours from this moment ahead." Maharaj Drishadvat said and placed her hand on Nakul's palm.

Maharani Mangalya quickly wiped a lone tear that slipped free. Drisana's brothers faces were stoic and expressionless just as their father's. This moment sat heavily on the family as they watched their girl be given to another family, another kul (lineage). They might not have gotten the opportunity to see her growing into the wonderful woman she was, but Drisana had a special place in the heart of every single member of the family.

Drisana's throat felt heavy with restrained emotions as she completed the ritual by reciting texts from vedas with Nakul, promising and praying for their companionship. Along with feeling despair in leaving her this family, she was also missing her parents from kaliyug. She silently prayed for them and sought out their blessings.

To create an atmosphere of purity and spirituality by burning of fragrant herbs and ghee and by the recitation of suitable Mantras, the Rajguru started the ritual of (sacred fire ritual). Just then, Duryodhan heard a weird sound. He looked around to see it was Gandharraj Shakuni who was making that weird sound. He narrowed his eyes at him.

"What is Gandharraj doing?" Karna who was beside Duryodhan asked, also noticing him.

"Don't know." Duryodhan muttered in confusion.

"Mamashree? Are you okay?" Duryodhan asked tentatively.

"Yes, mere bache. Probably." Shakuni said still making that weird noise.

"Why are you making this weird sound then?" Duryodhan asked again.

"Yeh bicitra si dhoyani nehi mere bache, meri hasi hai. (This strange sound is my laughter my son.)" Shakuni said making a loud noise. Duryodhan and Karna both looked around to see if anyone else had noticed.

"But why are you laughing Mamashree?" Duryodhan asked in irritation. This was embarrassing.

"Pata nehi. Aisa lag raha hai jaise koyi mere pet mein gudgudi kar raha hai. (I don't know. I'm feeling like someone is tickling in my belly.)" Shakuni said in between his weird laughter.

Duryodhan and Karna looked at each other in confusion. Gandharraj Shakuni never behaved in this strange way.

"Control yourself. Stop your laughter mamashree." Duryodhan hissed out in annoyance.

"What's wrong?" Dhritimat asked from beside Devyajot whose face was turning pale and he stood very rigid. Now, one wouldn't notice the change in him easily, but the brothers were tuned enough to know.

"Hasi aa rahi hai. (I'm feeling like laughing.)" Devyajot muttered gritting his jaw hard to control himself.

"Kis baat pe? (In what joke?)" Dheemant asked frowning.

"Nothing. I'm feeling a weird sensation." Devyajot replied again in the same manner.

"What? But why?" Dhritimat asked alarmed. The amount of talk spouting from Devyajot's mouth was enough to make all of them worried.

"I guess it's the side effect of Priye's juice." Devyajot said taking a deep breath and making his brothers eyes wide.

"Which juice?" Dhritimat asked in fear.