As the Raj sabha ended with the announcement of purification and reannouncing ceremony of Yudhisthir, everyone moved outside. Duryodhan was fuming in rage. He left with his brothers after glaring at Drisana. Gandharraj Shakuni came close to her.

"I wasn't able to meet you properly, Yadavkanya. You know me already it seems. It's only fair if I do too." Shakuni said with a smile.

"Maybe because you were busy in something else, Gandharraj. I believe my introduction has already been given by Yuvraj Yudhisthir." Drisana said matching his smile.

"That he did. But often our introduction exceeds far more than our name Yadavkanya. And you seem to be one of them." Shakuni replied. "Anyways since you're here, we'll continue getting to know each other. Now I'll take your leave." He left after that.

"Putri, I'm really pleased with you today. Ask for something. I'll give you whatever you ask for." Kunti said smiling at Drisana after embracing her in a hug.

"Are you sure, Mata? Anything?" Drisana asked mischievously.

"Yes, I promise. Anything." Kunti said.

"Okay. I'll ask later. But don't forget your promise. You'll have to give whatever I ask for." Drisana said smiling at her. Kunti blessed her.

"Putri, the courage you've shown today is praiseworthy. I bless you to gain success in life through your wisdom and courage." Mahamahim Bhismeh said coming to stand in front of her.

"If you're really pleased with me, then can you give me permission for something Mahamahim?" Drisana asked folding her hands.

"What permission, putri?" Mahamahim Bhismeh asked confusingly.

"The permission to call you Pitamah. Mahamahim is too long." Drisana said smiling.

"Okay, putri. You will call me Pitamah from now on." Bhismeh saim smiling. Everyone was silently observing them surprised. Pitamah never got comfortable with someone so soon.

Duryodhan was breaking everything that was in the room, screaming furiously. Shakuni came and watching him, was irritated.

"Shant mere bache, shant. (Calm down my son)" Shakuni hold his arm. "Getting your anger out on these objects will not solve anything. This is not our time. We'll have to wait. If we do something right now, we'll be in trouble intead of them."

"All of this has happened because of that Yadavkanya. I'll not spare her." Duryodhan said angrily.

"Don't be foolish. She's Mahabali Balaram and Vasudev's sister. If even one hair of her head goes missing, we'll not be able to save our neck." Shakuni said. "We'll have to wait for the right time. Till then, keep patience. For now I'd like to know from where this sister of Vasudev's has suddenly appeared and what purpose she has behind coming to Hastinapur." He said thoughtfully. Till now he hadn't given much importance of her whereabouts. But now the game had changed. Know your enemy before striking.

*******

It had been two months after that day in the Raj sabha. Yudhisthir had been crowned again and all the Pandavs along with him were busy in state matters.

Nakul was strictly warned by Yudhisthir to stay away from Drisana. Though they met in the presence of others, it was too formal and not sufficient. Their stollen moments were few and far between. He was missing his Hridaya. And Arjun was too pleased watching him in misery.

Drisana missed Nakul too. But she also understood Yudhisthir's concern as she was sure of being watched closely. The word had already spreaded about how she came in the protection of the Pandavs and her being from outside of Aryavart seemed to intrigue everyone. She spent her days mostly with Kunti, Devika and Draupadi. After the day at the Raj sabha Maharani Gandhari was cautious of her, but she had expected it after that episode.

What she hadn't, was the cordial reception she received from the Kauravs. She had expected for them to be angry and snappy. Instead they were actually being nice. Even Duryodhan had stopped glaring and dismissed her presence. Shocked would be an understatement when he folded his hands and accepted her greeting with a smile a few days ago. It was easy to differentiate between a grimace and a smile, but harder to read the smiles.

Now as she was roaming the hallways of the palace, a familiar voice called her.

"Drisana devi, where are you going?" Vikarna, the third son of Maharaj Dhritarashtra and Maharani Gandhari asked coming towards her.

"Nowhere specifically. Everyone is busy. So, thought to roam around a bit." Drisana replied with a smile. Two days after the Raj sabha drama, she had met Vikarna as he came to introduce himself. He seemed not to hold any grudge against her and was actually interested in knowing about the country she came from. Drisana saw no point in being deliberately rude without a reason though she remained alert. Since then they had conversed a few times.

"Mind if I accompany you? I'm not busy at all and I'd like to show you our practice area as this way leads only there." Vikarna said smiling at her.

"Sure." Drisana replied. As they reached the practice area talking about random things, she saw a man in the area practicing archery.

"Who's that?" Drisana asked. She'd seen the man at times. But he seemed aloof. Not mingling with anyone much though he was at the side of the Kauravs.

"Yuyutsu. Our brother." Vikarna replied.

"You mean half brother?" Drisana asked casually.

"Brother is brother. Not half or full. He's Maharaj Dhritarashtra's son and that's what his identity is." Vikarna said looking at her.

"That's great. I hope your other brothers will also agree with you." Drisana said smiling. Vikarna looked away not saying anything. That answered her unspoken question. Not all his brothers thought the same.

"That reminds me I've not gotten an opportunity to talk to the great archer that is your Jyesth's friend." Drisana said. She saw him a few times with Duryodhan. They had not talked to each other though. But she had started making her way.

"Angraj Karna? Why do you want to talk to him?" Vikarna asked.

"Just curiosity to talk to the one who challenged Rajkumar Arjun. Also I heard a lot about his friendship with Rajkumar Duryodhan. I wonder if it's really as remarkable as I heard." Drisana said.

"Jyesth trusts him more than his own brothers. You can understand the extent of it by that." Vikarna replied.

"Then that is something I guess. But I heard he's a Sootputra?" Drisana asked referring to Duryodhan's insult of Devika at Raj sabha. Vikarna got her taunt.

"You shouldn't meddle into things that doesn't concern you, Yadavkanya." Vikarna said with a smile. A warning and also an indication where his loyalty lied.

As per Krishna's instruction Drisana was careful of the words. Both spoke by her and spoken to her. And it was rather interesting.

After wandering for a little while, Drisana went to the living room of Devika's chambers. Draupadi was also present. The three were lightly talking particularly about nothing. Drisana noticed Draupadi lost in thoughts. She signed Devika. They both had noticed Draupadi's gloomy mood since a few days.

"Draupadi, is everything alright?" Devika asked gently keeping an arm at her shoulder.

"Yes, jiji. Everything's fine." Draupadi replied trying to smile a little. But it was clear she was upset.

"If that's true then why are you upset?" Drisana asked.

"I'm not upset. Why would I be?" Draupadi said trying to convince them.

"That's what we want to know. What's the matter?" Drisana asked again.

"You know you can share with us anything, right?" Devika said as she saw Draupadi hesitating.

"Arya -" Draupadi trailed off.

"Bhrata Arjun did something?"Drisana asked, concerned for her.

"No. I mean he's fine. When he talks to me, he is normal. But he doesn't give me much attention. I know he's busy. But whole day he remains busy and then leaves at midnight for archery practice. He never notices if I make something for him or what I wear or if I need something. I know he's busy but at least once in a while he can make sometime for me, can't he? The other day I made his favourite sweets and he said it'd have been better if I added more nuts. I chose clothes for him, he said he'd wear that when someone gets married. I asked if we could go for a walk in the garden, he said not at night, we'll go next afternoon and I didn't see him before night the next day. He totally forgot what he said. I just don't understand where I am going wrong." Draupadi was really upset.

These things might seem insignificant, but these were the things that shaped a relationship. Noticing the efforts made by your partner, appreciating them, keeping the small promises built the trust and brought them closer. It hadn't been long they got married and already Arjun's ignorance was hurting her. It wasn't that he didn't notice the efforts. He was too much an observant person not to. He just responded the wrong way. Drisana was sure Arjun hadn't forgotten about their afternoon walk. He might have been busy in something and later thought it best to avoid the topic than apologise. In a way he was taking her for granted. He might have thought to make it up after the workload receded. Well, he needed to understand he couldn't keep her at a side for work.

Devika tried to console Draupadi.

"Draupadi, you know how busy the brothers had been. As his wife, it's your responsibility to help him. He's pressurised in work, that's why he's unable to give you time. Now if you get upset by this, he'll get upset too. You have to be patient." Drisana's eyebrows reached her hairline at Devika's advice.

"Devika jiji, we're talking about bhrata Arjun, not Jyesth. Every illness needs different treatment." Drisana said smiling at her.

"Means?" Devika asked and Draupadi watched her as she smirked.

After a few days, Arjun was frustrated. He didn't understand what to do. Draupadi wasn't talking to him unless it was required and her words had been limited to a few. He remained busy the whole day and when he returned to her at night she would be busy in her own works, not even glancing at him properly. At first he thought she was really busy. But as the days past, he had a suspicion she was angry with him. He tried to talk, but she didn't respond. He thought maybe it was about that walk at the garden thing. So he apologised and asked her to come for a walk with him. She refused saying nights were not for walking and she would be busy the next afternoon. He thought to gift her something so her anger would vanish. But she looked at the jewellery once and told the dasis to keep it away. He asked her to make his favourite sweets and she told the dasis to bring it with lots of nuts. He got her message loud and clear. Since then he had been trying hard to please her. But all his efforts went in vain. And last night when he said he could even bring the moon at earth for her happiness, she told him to do just that. To bring the moon at earth. Now he saw no other way apart from doing penance to bring Chandradev (moon god) at earth and even if he did that what would he say,

'Chandradev, my wife wants you to roam at earth. So, please do that' ???

No. No. That wouldn't work. And he doubted Draupadi would be pleased even if he did that. He thought about asking advice from Yudhisthir again. But dropped the idea immediately. There was only one person who could help him and he wouldn't as Arjun had been taking pleasure in his misery. What to do now?