"What was the need to go in the Kitchen?" Nakul asked Drisana in an angry tone while applying medicine on her hand.

"I only wanted to help Devika jiji." Drisana said in a small voice.

"She's capable of doing it herself. Look what happened." Nakul reprimanded her.

In the past eight months a lot had changed. After Devika was freed, they stayed three more weeks with Ganjupal's family before heading towards Trigarta. They continued their journey from Trigarta to Kichakas after a few months of staying at a old hut repaired by the brothers. During this time, Drisana learned a lot along with the Pandavs. They were reciting and discussing the Vedas and other works on morals and politics that they had learnt. Drisana expressed her desire to learn sword fighting and Nakul gladly obliged by making wooden swords to practice. Drisana frowned seeing that but Nakul was unfaltering saying he wouldn't take the risk of her accidentally getting hurt.

One more thing was discovered by all of them. That was Drisana and kitchen hated each other. In those months, Drisana went to kitchen five times in total. First time, she somehow started a fire. Second time, she cut her hand while cutting vegetables. Third time, She burned her feet by spilling hot water. Fourth time, she was trying to lite the fire on the clay stove and ended up coughing badly with a red face. Fifth time, she successfully made a orange substance that she called kheer. After tasting Bheem banned her from stepping foot into the kitchen and thanked her for making excuses to avoid kitchen when they were in Varanavat. He understood that though she had theoretical knowledge, she was horrible when it came to practical. Arjun gave a pitiful look at Nakul saying,

"Bhooka maroge tum anuj. (You'll die of hunger brother.)"

And this time Drisana wanted to help Devika in the kitchen and ended up by burning her hand while checking the sabji (vegetables).

As Drisana watched Nakul fussing over her, she admitted to herself, in spite of her best attempts, she had absolutely hopelessly fallen for Nakul. He made it impossible not to. It was easy to love when the situation was in control, but dificult when hard times arrived. Nakul never stopped caring for her as much as he could. Be it making wooden sandals for his Mata, Drisana and Devika after Drisana's feet swelled getting pierced by a thorn. Be it making crown of flowers just to make her smile after a particular hard day. Be it saving her from a snake that sneaked beside her unnoticed. Be it making a satchel from tree bark so she could carry things easily. Be it making a craving of sandalwood to gift her. Be it taking her for a walk at nights when she couldn't sleep. Be it finding her favourite fruit when she couldn't eat. She never said anything to anyone not wanting to bother them. Tried to hide her difficulties in fact. But he was there. He had always been there for her. Watching her, caring for her, loving her. If there ever had been any question about his love for her, there wasn't anymore. She had learned to read his eyes. She knew Nakul didn't only like but love her. But he never made her uncomfortable with his feelings. Never tried to force her either to talk or acknowledge him. Never expressed his feelings in words for which she was glad. She didn't know what to do with these feelings. Not his nor hers.

Nakul didn't like it when Drisana got hurt. It pained him more than anything. At first when Drisana came into their lives, he was intrigued by her. Then when he understood her calm approach to everything, he praised her. When he saw how intelligent and knowledgeable she was, he was amazed. When he became aware of her caring nature, he had been pleased. When he saw how brave she was, he was proud. When he understood her morals and dharm, he wanted to adapt. When he watched her suffer silently, he needed relief for her. When she was in danger, his breath left him. When she didn't care for herself, he wanted to scold her, wanted the right to care for her.

When Sahdev asked him what made him fall in love with her. There hadn't been an answer. All those things were not reason for loving her rather those were the effects of loving her. He felt for her since the moment he saw her lying unconscious fighting for her life. At that moment he didn't knew what he was feeling or the severity of his feelings. That whole night was spent with a lodge formed at his throat, praying for her wellbeing. The next morning after she got consciousness, only he breathed easier. He couldn't understand what his feelings were, why he felt like his soul was connected to hers and he was afraid and confused of it at first. But as the days past, he accepted it. He accepted there wasn't any reason for it. That he loved her without any reason.

He wanted to tell her, to propose her for marriage but he didn't. He watched when she tried to avoid him. He felt when she struggled with her feelings. He waited as he saw the hesitation and fear in her eyes. She was not ready to accept his feelings. So he waited, waited for her to accept her feelings, waited for her to accept his feelings, waited for her to tell him that she wanted him, loved him and the moment she would, she'd be his. It wasn't a matter of if she would be but when she would be.

"Now don't make faces. I've something for you." Nakul said to her. Drisana looked at him with curious eyes. Nakul gave her a sword, a real one that he made specially for her. Drisana was excited to see it.

"When have you made it?" Drisana asked.

"When you wanted to learn sword fight. I was going to give you after you managed to handle the wooden one." Nakul told her.

"Why are you so thoughtful?"Drisana asked with a smile though her eyes remained serious.

"Because I don't give it much thought." Nakul said with a teasing smile.

At the same time on other side of the dharmsala, Yudhisthir stood watching the darkened sky. Devika approached him slowly. This man was her saviour, protector, purpose and inspiration.

In those months, she had grown into herself. This family embraced her with open arms and she couldn't believe how lucky she'd been.

When she was first freed, it was hard for her to accept. That she was no longer a slave, that her life didn't depend at the whims of others. She thought she had just changed a hell for another. She was surprised when they gave her three meals a day. Afterall her previous master saw giving her food as a wastage. She waited for orders to come. When it didn't, she started doing whatever there was to do. But Mata stopped her saying she needed not to do anything. She was surprised when she was handed food and clothes without any work. Then she collected her courage and asked Yudhisthir. She remembered that conversation with him.

"Why did you buy me?" Devika asked in a small voice.

"What?" Yudhisthir asked surprised.

"You don't need a dasi. You don't give me any work. Then why did you buy me?" Devika again asked nervously.

"I didn't buy you. I freed you. You're free to do what you want. Free to live however you want, Devika." Yudhisthir explained in a gentle voice.

"What should I do? You gave me freedom. But I don't know what to do with it." Devika asked, her eyes glistening with tears.

"Do what you like. Know yourself. Me and my family will always be there to guide you." Yudhisthir said with a smile, assuring her she wasn't alone.

Since that time, Devika tried to know herself. Tried to learn the world around her. And true to his word, Yudhisthir had been with her every step of the way. Whenever she wanted to learn something new, she went to him. Whenever she had a question, she went to him. Whenever she was confused, she went to him. Whenever she needed reassurance, she went to him. Whenever she was lost, Yudhisthir found her. He was the answer to her every question. He was there in her every prayer.

She was devotee and Yudhisthir became her god.

Yudhisthir felt her presence. He didn't turned around even though he wanted to. A lot of things were there that he wanted but he controlled himself as it was not right. When he first met Devika he felt sympathy. He wanted to free her, protect her, give her a life worth living. But he never thought he would feel more than that and risk his dharm. As Devika became depended on him, he encouraged it instead of stopping it. As she had questions, he became her answer instead of letting her find the answer. As she was confused, he became her choice instead of giving her a choice. As she was lost, he became her destination instead of showing her the path. She was like earth with stability and self-power, who absorbed the sorrows and returned happiness. She was like clay that he shaped his way. And he wasn't even aware he was doing it. She thought him as her god but he wanted her to see him as a human.

And it had become a question to his dharm.

"There is no star tonight. Then what are you trying to find in this darkness?" Devika asked him at her soft voice.

"The path to dharm." Yudhisthir replied.

"Who shows the path to everyone is himself searching for it?" Devika asked with a smile.

"Even people who shows path can be lost sometimes." Yudhisthir said still not looking at her.

"With good intention and pure heart, one cannot be diverted from dharm." Devika said.

"You remember every word I say?" Yudhisthir looked at her with an amusing expression.

"I can't forget even if I wanted to." She said with a full smile.

Arjun released a deep sigh. Sahdev looked at his brother with a frown asking what happened.

"Just we two remained." Arjun replied.

"Means?" Sahdev asked confused.

"Look there."

Sahdev looked at the pointed direction where Nakul was scolding Drisana who sat with a pout.

"Now over there."

Sahdev again looked at another direction where Yudhisthir and Devika were standing and talking.

"Now that way."

In that direction Bheem sat with a basket of fruits.

Arjun then pointed towards themselves and said,

"Everyone found love except for us." He said with a sad expression. Sahdev frowned.

"I thought you were smart. You regret it even after seeing their condition? Nakul circles around Drisana like she's gravity. Drisana even being the most intelligent girl, is ignorant. Jyesth is questioning himself. Devika practically worships him. And bhrata Bheem keeps his brain at a side for food." Sahdev said. Arjun looked at him sideways and said,

"Right."

😮