Prakriti P.O.V

We walked in the forest searching our way to go to our destination where Father and Mother memories resides. I looked at Mother, she looked tired, sweat was dripping from her forehead and she sighed in exhaustion. I paused there, Mother stopped and turned her head in my direction looking at me in confusion. "What happened Daughter, why did you stop?" she questioned in her motherly voice. Everyone stopped as well and looked at me in puzzlement. "Just a second" I said looking around and saw an old tree with dry branches. I pulled my hand forward and made a sedan (Paalki) from my mind in front of my eyes. I joined my hands together and bowed in front of the old tree who helped me. With the power of my mind, the tree started changing back to his old self with new leaves and green branches. I smiled as the trees shook his leaves in the form of gratitude.

I turned towards my family who looked at me in astonishment, "Mother is tired, she can not walk anymore, so I made this for her" I said gesturing towards the sedan. Mother walked towards me and pulled me into a hug. "How come I got so lucky by having you as my daughter" she said smiling, I shook my head "I am the lucky one here, Mother" I responded and she chuckled.

"We all are lucky to have both of you with us" Brother Yudhishthira said smiling.

"Come on Mother, lets sit on the sedan" Brother Bhima said pulling the sedan forward. Mother sat on it and Arya, Nakula, Sahadev, Brother Yudhishthira took each corner of the sedan and put them on their shoulder moving forward. We resumed our journey again. Just then we heard crying from the other side, Brother Bhima went to check on it as we stopped in our track. We waited for Brother Bhima to return but he didn't come back. "We should go and check on him" Mother said worried, we nodded our head and moved in the direction where Brother Bhima went. When we reached there, we saw he was conversing with Maharishi Ved Vyasa. Mother looked at him astound, smile making its way on her face, she touched his feet and greeted him. One by one we touched his feet in greeting gesture, he gave us his blessings.

"Sit down, you must have been tired from your journey" he said, gesturing towards the mat on the ground, we took our seat and waited for him to speak. "I knew it that Varnavrat fire can not kill your family" he said calmly, we looked at each other in surprise.

"But Maharishi we want whole world to think that we died in that fire" Brother Yudhishthira said, it is our Mother wish to stay hidden and we will do the same no matter what. "Was our decision wrong? Maharishi" Mother asked, Maharishi Vyasa smiled "Human always have a false believe that he is the one who take every decision in his life but in reality it is all fate" he said knowingly.

"The decision you have made is right but it will soon turn inappropriate" he continued, I raised my eyebrow at his words. Everything happen for a reason and we have to wait for the reason to appear in front of us.

"Meaning, Maharishi?" Arya asked in confusion.

"I believe that you will get your answers in King Drupada's city, son" he said giving him his divine smile. I remember my dream, the girl whom I have been dreaming about. I will get my answer as well. "Tomorrow, after your departure from here, do rest in Kampilya" he said with a small smile.

***

In early morning, we bid farewell to Maharishi, I went towards him and touched his feet to get his blessings "May you fulfill your duty" he said putting his hand on my head. I nodded my head and about to leave when he called me from behind, I turned my head in confusion "Whatever coming in future, remember one thing daughter, it was fate and you can not run away from it" he said in cryptic voice. I furrowed my eyebrow in confusion, he gave me a soft smile as I walked away from there towards my family who were waiting for me. We reached Kampilya shortly after, staring at the city below us from the cliff. It looks there is some kind of festival here as the whole place looked lively.

"We have reached Kampilya, Mother" Brother Yudhishthira stated as we looked at the city. "We will have to find an inn to stay for a bit" he continued.

We entered in the city looking around the busy street, I stopped suddenly when I felt a calmly aura surrounded us. A smile pulled on my face, Brother Krishna is here somewhere, I can feel him. We moved towards a potter's house, he was making pots sitting outside of his home. He was an old man working hard for himself. "Greetings" Brother Yudhishthira said standing in front of him and joining his hand together as we stood behind him. "Is there any Inn here, we want to stay here for couple of days" he asked to the old man. Potter gave brother a glance and moved back to his work again "All the inn are full, there is no free place right now" he said working on his pot. We stand there thinking for other options.

Potter moved his head towards us "Are you forest dweller?"

Brother nodded his head "Yes, we are going towards Naimisharanya" he further clarified. He smiled and washed his hands "Come inside" he said. Brother shook his head "You have to take our service otherwise we can not stay here" he said, Potter nodded his head "I have become old now, You can help me by bringing soil for my pots and I will provide you food and shelter". We nodded our head with a smile, "Lets start with the soil then, how much do you want" Brother Bhima said in excitement waiting to help the potter. I chuckled at his eagerness.

"Any amount of soil you bring will be less because our King organised Swayamvar for his daughter, Kings and Princes have arrived from different places, lots of pots and lamp are required" Potter said in excitement. "Princess Shikhandini?" Arya asked in confusion. Potter shook his head and smile "Our King got the daughter from the fire itself" he said, my ears perked up, she is the one, the girl who is coming in my dreams often.

"Our Princess Draupadi is angelic" he said in admiration.

Draupadi

"Tomorrow is her Swayamvar" he added with happiness on his face. I was lost in my thoughts, I need answers and that can happen only after I will meet her.

We moved inside his home, he pulled a cart for loam as Arya and Brother Bhima went to get some clay for pots. "I will help you" I said when Potter went to make food, he was all alone in his home, how is he able to manage it until now. He smiled and I prepared the food for the rest of us while Mother got some rest and Potter resumed his work after a while.

After couple of hours, Brother Bhima and Arya returned back with the cart full of clay. Arya looked serious while Brother Bhima seems angry about something. I thought of asking them about the reason after we are all feed and ready for rest. I served all of us food and we sat together and feed each other with a smile on our faces.

***

We were siting outside of the Potter house, he was sleeping inside, tired with all the hard work he has done today. Arya told us about today's incident where they encounter Prince Duryodhana and Anga King who are here for the Swayamvar tomorrow.

"Nobody can identify us in this disguise but Brother Bhima anger could have disclosed the information to the whole Kampilya" he said with a small smile on his face. I looked at Brother Bhima who was staring at the fire burning before us "This disguise can only hide our face but it can't hide our nature and capability" I said, we can't break Mother wish, we have to stay hidden.

"You are right Prakriti, this will be a problem to us, Grandfather Bhishma will take us back to Hastinapur and we can not go back" Brother Yudhishthira stated. Mother looked at all of us "We have to leave this place really soon because Kings and Princes arriving for the Swayamvar can identify us" she said tensed. She knew the outcomes of our identity been disclosed.

"Brother Krishna is already here" I said, everyone turned their heads towards me. They looked at me surprised "Then what should we do, we can not stay here any more" Arya said and we nodded our head. "I have a proposition, We can live on the outskirts of Kampilya in the forest until the Swayamvar is complete or we can find place nearby until then" I suggested, Brother Yudhishthira smiled and nodded his head "That's a good idea".

"I heard from the people of this city that King Drupada organised the Swayamvar in which only world's best archer can win" Sahadev said smiling knowingly. "He is waiting for you Brother Arjuna" he continued and glanced in my direction. I stared at the fire thinking about Maharishi Vyasa words before we parted.

Was he indicating about the Swayamvar?

Aryan looked at me smiling in adoration "The Arjuna he is waiting for his daughter already lost his heart to someone", I smiled in return.

***

We left the place of potter after that moving outside of Kampilya. By luck, we found an empty house for us to stay and rest.

"This place is far from Kampilya, we will be safe here" Brother Yudhishthira said, we nodded our head, we have to start the journey to Naimisharanya soon so we all have to rest because the journey is long. "We will find some benefaction from nearby village" Brother Yudhishthira said.

"You all should go together so that we can get alms quickly" Mother said, Arya shook his head in denial. I gave him a reassuring smile "I will take care of her, we will be fine" I said, everyone nodded their head and left us. I helped Mother to prepare for her ritual (Anushthan), she took oath to complete it.

After the preparation, I looked around for water but there wasn't any. "Mother, I will gather water from nearby lake to prepare food" I told her, she nodded her head "Come soon daughter, my sons will be on their way" she said with a smile on her face. I nodded my head and walked out of the house and looked around in search of lake. I closed my eyes and tuned my hearing, I could hear the rush of water, I opened my eyes and smiled, moving in north direction with a pot in my hand. On the way, there were couple of children trying to get fruits from the tree but it was out of their reach. I walked towards them "Can I help you?" I asked softly, they turned their head towards me and then looked at the tree again "We want mango, can you get them for us?" one of the child asked me innocently, I quickly nodded my head and put my pot down and moved towards the tree, I could have just use my powers but I don't want to scare these children so I climb on the tree slowly getting myself on the branch. "Okay, I will throw fruits down, assemble them" I yelled so that they can hear me, they nodded their head and I pulled mangoes and threw them on the ground. After sufficient amount of fruits being gathered, I climb down the tree and bent towards the little kid "Are you happy now" I asked smiling, he nodded his head happily and peck me on the cheek "This is for you" he said giving me one of the mango. I chuckled and took it from him. I bid farewell to them and went towards the lake.

I reached at the lake and saw a woman sitting on the stone, she was facing on the other side, she was wearing garland and red saree. I frowned and moved towards her "Are you okay?" I asked when I was near her, she turned her head towards me and my eyes widened in shock as I took in her face. She is the one from my dreams, her face has been carved in my mind.

She is your fire, Prakrite

I remembered my conversation with Brother Krishna. I looked at her, tears were falling down from her eyes, I felt a connection towards her, I wanted to help her. "Can I help you?" I asked in soft voice. She shook her head crying softly. I had so many questions in my mind, what is she doing here? today was her Swayamvar, what happened in that and so on. "You are Princess Draupadi, aren't you" I stated with a smile. She didn't utter a word, just crying turning her face around. "You know someone once told me, sharing your problem with unknown can help you lessen the pain and they won't judge you either" I said in tender voice. She finally turned her head towards me standing up from the stone she was sitting on. Suddenly she pulled me into a hug, I patted her back in affection "Whatever problem you are having will be solved soon, you know why?" I asked her breaking the hug. She looked at me curiously and shook her head "Because after a long night of darkness, there will always be ray of sunshine waiting for you on the other side" I smiled wiping her tears away. She gave me a small smile "You talk like my friend" she said wiping her remaining tears away.

"May I ask the name?" I questioned raising my eyebrows, she nodded her head "Govinda" she uttered one word, a wide smile appeared on my face.

"Brother Krishna" I whispered.

She looked at me "Do you know him?" She asked, I chuckled and nodded my head "In whole Aryavarta, there is no one who doesn't know him, he is the one who killed Kans and free the people of Mathura from his torture, he is the one who established the city of Dwarka, he is the one who always fight for justice" I said, I can talk about my brother all day long and that won't be enough either. She smiled but soon it turned into a frown. "I know this is not my place to ask but what happened?" I said in comforting tone, she looked at me "I am in dilemma whose answer I can't get" she said without telling me her real reason. I sighed pulling a smile on my face "You know there will always be two path for everyone in life and sometimes the right path is not always the easiest one" I gave her the knowledge of life. People always choose easy path to avoid hard work but in the end they don't reach to their destination. Right path will look tough and full of sacrifice but in the end, it will give you happiness and satisfaction. She nodded her head in understanding.

"Take this, it is a gift from my side" I said pushing the mango in her palm, "Enjoy little thing in life" I said as she stared at the mango with interest then looked at me "Who are you?" she asked curiosity peeping from her words. I gave her a soft smile "My identity doesn't matter, what matter is that I could help you".

"Daughter" I heard Mother voice from behind, I gasped, forgetting I was here to get water, Pandavas must have came back that's why Mother is here to take me with her. I turned around biting my lips. "Mother, I was just coming" I said meeting her gaze, I frowned when I saw tears in her eyes, I quickly went towards her "Mother, what happened to you?" I asked, It will be our fault if our Mother is crying in front of us and we are unable to do anything. "Daughter" she murmured painfully. I was getting anxious by the time looking at her tear stained face. "You are Prakriti, wife of Prince Arjuna" Draupadi said from behind, her voice hold shock in it. She walked towards us and I looked at her narrowing my eyes.

How did she know about us, we are dead to the whole Aryavarta

Unless...

I staggered back stunned with the revelation I reached by myself.

Only the great archer can win this Swayamvar

King Drupada is waiting for Prince Arjuna

And you are the only one for me as well, you will always hold my heart forever, I promise you that there will be no one besides you, just you and me

A tear fell from my eye as cloud started appearing in the clean sky, ready for the on-slaughter, he promised me that there will be no one and he broke the promise. "What happened in the Swayamvar, Mother" I questioned with blank expression feeling void all of a sudden, wiping the tear away from my cheek. She looked down and cried softly "Arjuna won the Swayamvar" she forced the words out, I closed my eyes in pain as my heart started shattering in pieces, wind started picking its pace. I shook my head and moved away as she reached for me turning myself around and walking other way.

"Prakriti daughter, listen" Mother yelled from behind but I couldn't interpret it, my brain stopped working. I ran far away from them finding solace in the depth of the forest, I slide down on the ground staring at my shaking hands, for the first time I felt helpless, I love Arya so much and he broke my promise just like it was nothing for him. He broke our vows, he broke me.

*

"You can not catch me, I am faster than you" My 12 year old self yelled laughing, running in the forest away from Arjuna, I was playing with five of them and now it was Arjuna turn to catch us.

"I will catch you" Arjuna call out from behind. I forced myself to run faster, content smile on my face. Suddenly out of nowhere he stand in front of me smiling, grabbing my wrist "I got you" he said.

*

"You won't forget me in the Gurukul, would you?" I asked sadly, all the kuru's children are going to Gurukul and they will come back only after twelve years. He sighed and gave me a soft smile "I can never forget you, my best friend" he murmured slowly and I believed him, smile appearing on my face.

*

"It's beautiful, isn't it" I asked, I could feel his eyes on me "Yes, its beautiful" he murmured still staring at me. I chuckled and shook my head "I am talking about the view in front of us" I stated, I could still feel his eyes on me. "I am talking about the same" he said making me blush.

*

All the memories of us, running in my mind making this situation more painful.

I heard footsteps from behind and a comforting aura surround me, I quickly stand up and turned myself around staring at my Brother with tears in my eyes, he looked at me in pain and opened his arms. I ran towards him and he engulfed me in his arms "Prakrite" he said, his voice painful yet giving me comfort. "Why are you crying my beloved sister" he said breaking the hug, I heaved a painful breath "Arya won the Swayamvar" I said, he knew everything already. "And?" he questioned further raising his eyebrow. "He broke the promise he made to me" I murmured feeling the ache in my heart.

"What was the Promise, dear?" he asked.

"That he will always love me and there will be no one for him other than me" I said closing my eyes. He put his arm on my shoulder "And you are thinking that by winning this Swayamvar, he broke the promise" he asked, I nodded my head. He gave a soft chuckle "I have eight wives and sixteen hundred junior wife, does it mean I love Rukmini less now" he said calmly, I frowned and looked at him "Love means service. If you genuinely love someone, it means you want to, are willing to, do something for them, give them something, make a sacrifice for them, help them, assist them, not just make a deal with them and expectation of something in return" he said, I turned my head down wiping my tears away.

"If Partha will marry Draupadi, it doesn't mean he will love you less, the love he has for you will only increase, my dear Prakrite" he said, I realise my mistake now, I shouldn't have interpreted it this way, I even disrespected Mother by not listening to her. "And Marriage between Pandavas and Draupadi is necessary for the future" he said with a faraway look.

Pandavas?

"Yes, dear sister, Draupadi will have to marry all the pandavas brother in order to fulfill her destiny" he clarified, I frowned "But it is Immoral in the eyes of world for a woman to have more than one husband" if she marry each brother, people will humiliate her at every stage of life. For the first time, I didn't see smile on his face. He nodded his head "It is, but sometimes situation arise in which Adharm becomes the biggest dharm, Draupadi is sacrificing her life unknowingly for the welfare of others so that Dharma can be establish in the future" he said.

"If you think this is Dharm so I am with you brother" I said, if fate wants this so be it. He gave me a small smile "Now you go back to your family, pandavas need you and you have to help Draupadi in this dilemma, she will understand you because you share a deeper connection with her" he said, I quickly nodded my head, I do feel the bond between us that's why when I saw her crying earlier, I couldn't resist myself and tried to lessen her pain. "From now on, she is under your Protection, My nature" he said putting his hand on my head.