Nakul was numb. He felt empty from inside. She left. She was no longer there. It was just three days. For three days he left and she was gone.

After two days, Nakul returned with Pitamah and Sahdev told him everything that happened after his departure. He felt anger cursing through his veins. How dare Duryodhan insult her! He wanted to rush to him and beat him to death, but Arjun stopped him. Reasoning with him that Duryodhan had already asked for forgiveness at the Raj sabha and the slap he received from Drisana would resonate in the whole Aryavart.

And Maharaj? Had he lost his mind completely? He had just proved that he couldn't be trusted for justice any longer and when it came to his son, he lost all his senses to even think.

As for Gandhari, he only felt sadness. That woman was his Jyesth Mata. He respected her as such. It was hard for him to accept she did something like this.

At last when they told him about Drisana leaving with her brother, his breath caught in his throat. She left with her brother who had known every disrespect shown to her at the Raj sabha. He left immediately refusing to stay a moment longer than necessary and took his Hridaya with him.

He looked at the letter she had handed to Sahdev for him. He kept staring at it for a long time. Finally he folded the scroll that contained her parting words.

'Nakul,

I hope you've safely reached back at the Palace. How was your journey? There wasn't any trouble, was there? Even if there was, I have full faith you've handled it well. Just like I have full faith you'll handle this situation also. I know it's hurting you that I had to leave. It's hurting me too. But it doesn't mean I'm gone forever, not to return again. I love you and you reside in every breath I take. How can I not return? You won't get rid of me so easily, my man. It is said that distance makes love stronger. And I know if anything, this will only bring us closer. Remember what you said? The moment I said I love you, I became yours and there's nothing powerful enough to keep me from you. Then why are you even worrying about my return? I told you I won't hesitate to do anything to be with you and you said there's no way I can escape you. Time has decided to test the truthfulness of our statements. And I have no doubt my man will emerge out victorious. I have full faith you won't let us lose.

Till then, don't you dare be reckless. Take care of yourself and everyone just like you always do. Don't let Jyesth take too much tension. Tell him to give some time to Devika jiji too. Keep helping bhrata Bheem in carrying his food. Keep teasing bhrata Arjun, he deserves it. Give Sahdev more company. After returning to Hastinapur he has been more alert and serious. He needs to let loose sometimes. I know I don't need to tell you to take care of Mata. She'd be worried about you.

And don't take my tension. I'll take care of myself for you, just like you've to do it for me.

Yours

Hridaya.

Nakul closed his eyes taking deep breaths as he finished reading the letter. She was right. She was his and there wasn't anyone or anything that can separate her from him. He just had to be patient.

The journey to Dravida took several days. As the chariot moved, Dwijendra told her about Dravida and the royal family, her family. She was listening half heartedly as her thoughts were with Nakul and the family she left. Dwijendra was riding in his horse a little ahead of them. Krishna could understand her inner turmoil and left her to her musings mostly. She stabilised herself slowly and was ready to face her new family as they reached Dravida.

"We've arrived." Dwijendra announced smiling at her. As the chariot crossed the gate and entered into the town, Drisana took notice of her surroundings. The whole town was decorated beautifully. Everyone was looking at their group awed. It looked like all the people of the town had gathered to watch their arrival. People bowed and smiled looking at them.

As they arrived at the gate of the Palace, she saw one man in royal attire standing with guards, a full smile in his face. Drisana smiled a little too and looked at Krishna.

"Rajkumar Daiwik, your youngest big brother. He must have been too impatient to wait inside." Krishna informed her. As she got down from the chariot, Daiwik came near her.

"Welcome to Dravida, behna." Daiwik said showing his all teeth and hugged her tightly. His enthusiasm was contagious. Drisana couldn't help but smile.

"Thank you, bhrata." Drisana replied.

"Finally someone to call me bhrata. I was tired of being the youngest one." He said.

"Let's go inside. Everyone is waiting at the entrance." Dwijendra said shaking his head. They all moved inside where at the entrance a bunch of people stood to welcome her. She was a little intimidated watching all of them. As they neared a woman rushed to her and embraced her tightly crying miserably. Drisana was feeling a weird emotion. It brought tears to her eyes too. The warmth and adoration radiating from the woman told her this was the woman who gave birth to her. She was her Mata.

"Maharani, you'll welcome her crying only. Let her meet all of us. She's not going anywhere now." Maharaj Drishadvat said wiping his tear secretly.

Finally Maharani Mangalya released her and kissed her forehead.

"My putri, I can't thank God enough for sending you back safely to us. Now I'll never let you go anywhere." She said smiling at her daughter. No one could doubt that she was the daughter of Maharani Mangalya. She looked like a younger version of her mother.

"Yes. Now Mata's all love will be reserved for her only. We'll have to live without it." Said a man sighing with fake sadness.

"Dheemant, don't tease her." Mangalya said scolding him, but the smile never left her face. Then she did her aarti. Maharaj Drishadvat came towards Drisana. She looked at the face of her father closely. His eyes were glistening, but his face held the happiness and relief of getting back his daughter. As she was bending to touch his feet, he stopped her.

"Daughters don't touch feet. Won't you hug your old father? I'm dying to hold you, putri." He said with a voice heavy with emotions. Drisana hugged him as she controlled her tears somehow. All these love and adoration was overwhelming for her.

As Maharaj released her, her brothers came forward.

"Now sister, let's get you introduced to some namuna (characters) of Dravida." Dheemant said keeping his hand on her shoulder.

"Dheemant!!! Don't scare her." Maharaj Drishadvat warned him.

"I'm just introducing her Pitashree." He replied with an innocent expression.

"First introduce yourself. Behna, this is the monkey of Dravida, Rajkumar Dheemant, the second oldest." Dhikshit said receiving a glare from Dheemant.

"I'm your elder brother. Take my name with respect." Dheemant said with attitude. The rest rolled their eyes.

"So behna, you've already met Jyesth bhrata and this is our Bhabishree, Yuvrani Aanandini." He said as he took her to the woman standing on left side of her Mata. She welcomed Drisana with a smile and hug.

"And this is my jurwa ratan (twin diamond). Your bhabishree Himani and Poornima." He said pointing towards the two standing beside Aanandini.

"Hum karte hai (We Welcome -)" Himani said.

"Swagat tumhara Dravida mei (you at Dravida)." Poornima said.

"Ummeed hain uthani na pari tumhe (Hope you didn't face -)" Himani said again.

"Kasth yaha aane mei. (Any trouble in the journey)." Poornima said again.

Drisana looked confusingly at Dheemant. He chuckled and said, "Jor lo. Samajh mei aa jaye ga. (Joint their words. You'll get the meaning.)" After greeting the two bhabishree, Dheemant took her to another man.

"This is the worm- I mean bookworm of Dravida, the third oldest, Rajkumar Dhritimat." Dheemant introduced his anuj receiving a frown from him. He looked at Drisana with a serious face who got nervous by it.

"If you are my sister, then give answer to my question." He said in a somber voice. She looked at Dheemant who gave a 'I don't know' look. Krishna who stayed beside Dwijendra only smiled.

"Yes?" Drisana asked carefully.

"Tell then. How much distance there is between truth and false?" He asked seriously.

"The same distance that is between our eyes and ears." Drisana replied after contemplating a little.

"How?" Asked Daiwik confusingly.

"Because what we hear with ears can be untrue, but not what we see through our eyes." Drisana replied. Dhritimat smiled at her answer and said.

"Buddhiman ho. Mujhe to darr tha ki aak aur Daiwik aa raha hai. (You're intelligent. I was afraid another Daiwik was coming.)" Dhritimat said and whispered the last part loudly. Drisana chuckled while Daiwik made a sulking face.

"And I'm your bhabishree Shubhaprada. I've been dying to meet you." Said another woman suddenly hugging her tightly. Drisana was afraid her ribs were going to crack.

"Shubhabrata, she's not going anywhere. Let her take a breath." Dhritimat gently removed his wife seeing Drisana's condition.

"We'll have a lot of fun Drisana." Shubhaprada said exitedly.

"Of course, bhabishree." Drisana said catching her breath.

"And this is your bhrata Devajyot, the fouth oldest Rajkumar. Most of the time he keeps moun brat (fast of silence?), you will have to learn sign language to talk to him." Dheemant said pointing at another.

"Welcome." Devajyot said smiling and keeping his hand on her head. That smile vanished as a woman came beside him with a plate of sweets.

"My lovely sister-in-law, I, your bhabishree Priyala, welcome you in Dravida with my special sweets." As she was going to make her eat the sweet, Aanandini came and pulled Drisana back.

"Priyala, Drisana has just come from outside. It's not good to eat without freshening up first. Let her get freshen up, then she will eat." Aanandini said smiling sweetly at Priyala.

"Ok. Drisana I'll surely save these special tomato sweets for you." Priyala said smiling broadly at her. Drisana immediately caught why everyone looked alarmed at the sight of the sweets. She whispered thanks to Aanandini.

"And I'm your bhrata Dhikshit. And I've a special welcoming gift for you." Rajkumar Dhikshit came forward and gave her a box.

"What a surprise, anuj! I thought you can give only challenges." Dheemant gasped dramatically. As Drisana opened the box, there was a small dagger. It's handle was beautifully crafted. Though it was small, it had stealth and sharpness. If used correctly, it could do life threatening damage.

"Always keep it with you and never hesitate to use it on the slightest sight of threat. I'll handle the rest." Dhikshit said winking at her.

"Now my turn. My behna. I'm so glad you've finally arrived." Dridhaksh said embracing her.

"This is not fair. I always come in last. This Daiwik met her at the entrance only, so he won't have to wait." Rajkumar Dridhaksh said pouting.

"So, who stopped you from using your brain, bhrata Dridhaksh." Daiwik said smirking at him. But that didn't last as Dridhaksh took him in a headlock.

"I'll show you how to use brain." Dridhaksh said.

"Yes, he is becoming very disrespectful day by day." Dheemant joined.

"You're right bhrata. Earlier he said he was going to look around the arrangements and left for the entrance. Don't you feel shame to lie to your big brother?" Dhikshit said.

"Why everyone gatherers respect from me only?" Daiwik whined.

And they continued their bickering. Drisana was watching them with widened eyes. Aanandini came from behind and signed her to come inside and with her everyone moved inside as the trio continued with Daiwik.

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