Nakul was looking at the ashes of the burned message.

"It was him, wasn't it?" Nakul said. Drisana nodded only. She knew who he was referring to. Nakul barely tolerated Dhristyadhym. His brothers thought it due to his proposal for Drisana, but it ran deeper than that.

Drisana had avoided getting the Pasha till now. But his message meant if Drisana didn't get the Pasha before her marriage, he would consider the promise broken. As the temple was right here somewhere in the south-western

side of Malyavat mountain, she probably wouldn't get a chance to get there after leaving Dravida. And Dhristyadhym had still a very crucial use for her.

"Forget that. Where's the sweet?" Drisana said to divert him.

"What sweet?" Nakul frowned.

"What do you mean by what sweet? Have you forgotten?" Drisana asked narrowing her eyes.

"Oh, yes. That? No. I haven't forgotten. But since now we're at the same place I thought what's the need for that." Nakul said casually.

"Really? That means after marriage you'll say, now that we're married what's the need for love. Let's forget about marriage then." Drisana said angrily.

"You'll cancel marriage for one sweet, Drisana?" Nakul gasped in horror. Drisana stomped her feet in anger and went to sit by the window. How could he say that? Drisana didn't like sweet much. But she loved it when Nakul made her eat from his hand. As Drisana was seating facing outside, Nakul held a balushahi (sweet) in front of her. Drisana smiled seeing it.

"I will never forget to add sweeteners in our relation Hridaya." Nakul said smiling softly at her. After they fed each other the sweet, Nakul got something out. It was a beautiful necklace made of gold and pearl. It matched the Maang tika (hair jewellery) he gifted her earlier.

"Now why this? You'll spoil me you know." Drisana asked.

"You can never be spoiled enough. And as for this, expect more. Because I'm going to do your Solah Shringar (sixteen embellishments) to prepare my bride for our wedding." Nakul said in a husky voice making her lower her eyes and blush. "You're blushing!!! I thought that was my job only?" Nakul said teasing her.

"Yes. But I'm allowed to blush sometimes too." Drisana said stammering a bit, trying to control herself.

"When you blush for me like this, my heart goes out of my control. Your lowered eyes, these red hue on your petal soft cheeks and the shying smile playing on your lips are enough to make me forget any and everything except you." Nakul whispered coming closer to her. So close that she could feel his breath. Drisana's eyes closed down on their own. Nakul smiled looking at her intensely and brushed her hair aside to make her wear the necklace. He clasped it on her neck as her eyes remained closed and placed a soft kiss on her exposed neck. Drisana's breath hitched at the feel of his lips. Lifting his head a little bit, Nakul looked at her soft and inviting lips.

They came out of their world as they heard loud voices from outside. Tara entered hastily after banging on the door. Nakul and Drisana pulled apart hurriedly.

"Forgive me, Rajkumari. But Rajkumari Shubhaprada is waiting outside. I told her you're busy, but she's not hearing anything." Tara explained. Drisana was going to say something, but before that Shubhaprada's voice was heard indicating her arrival at the chambers. Drisana's eyes widened and she signed Nakul to hide quickly as she took the necklace off and put it in a drawer.

"Where is it? Where is it? I won't spare it today." Shubhaprada was instructing her dasis to search everywhere.

"Stop!" Drisana screamed in panic. Everyone froze hearing her shout.

"What happened Drisana?" Shubhaprada asked looking at her.

"That's what I want to know. First all of you go outside. What's going on bhabhishree? What are you searching for?" Drisana asked smiling as Tara silently removed the dasis outside getting Drisana's sign.

"Ek bara sa, mota sa, ganda sa cuha, Drisana! (One big, fat, ugly mouse, Drisana!)" Shubhaprada replied gasping.

"What? Mouse?" Drisana frowned.

"No no. Not just mouse. Ek bara sa, mota sa, ganda sa cuha. Use pakarne hetu hi to aaye hai hum. (One big, fat, ugly mouse. I've come to catch it only.)" Shubhaprada corrected her. "There was a mouse in my room too and I caught it with much difficulty. Then Arya and Bhrata Daiwik told me they saw a big, fat, ugly mouse coming into your room too. And I must catch it before it ruins all your clothes. Aapne vivha ke prasang par tum cuho ki kutre huye kapde pehno gi kya? (Will you wear clothes with holes created by mouse in wedding functions?) I can't let that happen. I will catch that big, fat, ugly mouse for sure."

By that time, Drisana understood which mouse her brothers sent Shubhaprada to catch. Nakul barely controlled his groan as he heard everything from his hidden spot. Mouse? That too big, fat and ugly? How dare they?

"This mouse won't ruin my clothes." Drisana muttered sulking.

"What?"

"I mean there's no mouse here bhabhishree. I assure you." Drisana said forcing a smile on her face.

"But -" Shubhaprada started.

"But I'll tell the dasis to check. You don't need to worry. It's quite late. You must be tired. You go and relax. I'll handle it." Drisana said sweetly.

"Okay. Take this." Shubhaprada relented and handed her a wooden comb.

"Why this?" Drisana asked with confusion.

"Your Bhrata told me to give you this and said,

Kab tag bachoge tum cuho ka Rajkumar,

Dekhte hai Kya dhundte ho pratikar,

Samhal ke tum rehna,

Kyuki ujda chaman lagega bekar.

(Oh, mouse prince!

Till when will you escape?

Let's see what solution you get,

Be careful, oh mouse prince!

Cause you won't look good being bald.)" Shubhaprada completed. "But Drisana I didn't get the meaning. What this poem means?" Subhadra asked. Drisana gulped.

"I'll explain later bhabhishree. Now you go and let me check if there's any mouse." Drisana said holding Shubhaprada from her shoulders and moving towards the door.

"No. No. Not just mouse. Bara sa, mota sa, ganda sa cuha. (Big, fat, ugly mouse.)" Shubhaprada corrected again and left finally warning Drisana one last time.

As Drisana turned around nervously, she gulped and smiled forcefully seeing Nakul standing with his arms on his waist and a pout on face. Well. This mouse seemed angry too.

Karna returned much late that night. He was surprised to see Rajmata Kunti waiting for him in his room.

"Rajmata, you're here?" Karna asked.

"You didn't turn up for dinner. So I was waiting for your return." Kunti said. Karna was surprised that she not only noticed his absence but was waiting for him too.

"You didn't need to. I just lost track of time." Karna said.

"If a mother won't see after her son, than who will?" Kunti said emotionally. Day by day, her guilt was eating her alive. Seeing her son so close and not able to tell him the truth was sitting heavily on her. But she was afraid of his reaction and also she didn't want to create a scene here in Dravida. She had decided to tell him and Pandavs as soon as they returned Indraprasth.

Karna was confused by her words.

"I mean, you're like a son to me. Don't this mother has this much right to look after you or am I too unworthy to be your mother?" Kunti explained and her eyes turned teary at the last words. Karna felt bad watching her teary eyes. He couldn't understand why she was being so emotional, but he didn't like to see her like this.

"It's nothing like that. I respect you a lot Rajmata and it's an honour for me that you considered me as your son. You're no less than my Radha Maa to me." Karna said smiling at her.

"Then why are you calling me Rajmata? You can call me Mata. I'll feel good if you do so." Kunti said hopefully. Call her selfish, but she was starving to hear him call her Mata.

"Okay. When you can call this Soota your son, then I will gladly call you Mata." Karna said smiling at her after hesitating for a while. Kunti was overwhelmed by his acceptance. A dasi came with food as Kunti had previously instructed to bring as soon as he came.

"Come Putra. Take your dinner." Kunti said and sat throughout the dinner with him, making sure he ate properly. Karna felt strange, but also good seeing her care.

He felt like his Radha Maa was right here with him.

Subhadra hadn't seen Karna much after he disappeared that day in the market. Whenever she went to him, he seemed to avoid her. It was hurting her. Was she so annoying that he had to run from her every time? And why was she getting so much affected by it? Why was she seeking his attention? If he didn't like her, she should also not disturb him. But why her heart felt heavy at the thought?

She went to Krishna as they hadn't spend much time together after he came back. She found him in the garden planting a dead flower tree.

"Bhrata Krishna, what are you doing?" Subhadra asked.

"Trying to revive this dead plant." Krishna said smiling at her.

"But this plant is already dead. Can it be restored?" Subhadra said frowning. Wouldn't it be easier to plant a fresh new one? But then again when her Bhrata Krishna did anything easier.

"Why not? There's nothing in this world that can't be restored with love." Krishna replied.

"If love has so much power, why hatred exists?" Subhadra asked.

"It doesn't. We bring it into existence with negative and unfair actions." Krishna replied, his smile turning sad.

"But why are we talking about hatred? We should only talk about love. So where is your love?" Krishna asked mischievously.

"What are you saying Bhrata?" Subhadra said stammering a bit.

"I was only asking if you've found something lovely in Dravida or not? You seem to have forgotten me since coming here. Something must have caught your heart." Krishna said.

"Nothing like that. You're only busy. Half the time in wedding preparations and the rest half with your Parth." Subhadra said. Krishna noticed her playing with a copper bangle the whole time.

"You seem busy to me too. By the way, the bangle is beautiful." Krishna remarked.

"Isn't it? I love it." Subhadra's smile got bigger.

"Hold it tight Subhadre. Don't let it get away from yourself." Krishna said seriously. Subhadra only looked at him confusingly. Just then Krishna saw Karna who was going outside of the Palace with his bow in hand to practice.

"Maharathi Karna?" Krishna called him. Karna stopped and came to them.

"Yes, Vasudev?" He asked glancing at Subhadra who was looking anywhere but at him.

"I have a favor to ask." Krishna said smiling. Karna nodded for him to say what he needed.

"My sister Subhadre, she wanted to learn archery. I thought Parth would teach her, but you see he is busy with the preparations and I don't want to disturb him. So, if you don't mind, will you accept her as your student?" Krishna asked him. Subhadra looked at him with wide eyes. The person who didn't even want to be in her presence, Bhrata Krishna was asking him to teach her archery. He would definitely refuse. As Subhadra was thinking these, Karna looked at her sulking face. He had been rather rude to her the past days. No wonder she wasn't eager to be his student.

"If you want that, fine. I'll teach her." Karna replied. Subhadra's head jerked towards him. He was really accepting?

"Perfect. Then she's all yours." Krishna said with his mysterious smile.

Nakul sat numb after what happened a while ago. He couldn't register the fact that this happened with him, without him even realising. What the hell! How was he supposed to do this? For this day he was alive? It would have been better if his head was slaughtered than this. How would he face everyone? Who would accept him after that? What would he do now?

Nakul was in the practice area when Rajkumar Daiwik approached him. He was the most laid back one among the bunch. They had a friendly duel. It was fun and a good exercise for him. He was bonding well with him. After a while Rajkumar Dridhaksh and Rajkumar Dheemant approached them. He and Rajkumar Daiwik started their usual banter. Nakul didn't even realise when his head was served in a platter.

"Bhrata Dridhaksh, you always think yourself too good." Daiwik said. Dridhaksh had just displayed his archery skill and Daiwik was taunting him for his show-off.

"I don't think little brother. I'm good. Ask Rajkumar Nakul." Dridhaksh countered him.

"Yes, you're really good at it Rajkumar Dridhaksh." Nakul said complimenting him.

"No. No. Would be brother-in-law, this is nothing. We just are not interested in that area. Otherwise we would be just as good." Daiwik said shaking his head.

"Excuse me! This is not some child's play that anyone can learn by just taking interest. It needs sheer focus and dedication too. Grabbing a sword and striking is much easier than even holding a bow." Dridhaksh said arrogantly.

"That's true. But one cannot expertise in everything. Just like a swordsman can't hold a bow for longer, an archer can't strike a sword harder. Both have their own skills." Nakul commented.

"Of course an archer can if he wants. Who can make a bow sing as per his wish, can control any weapon given to him." Dridhaksh said again refusing to back down.

"Exactly what I'm saying. A swordsman can also string a bow if he wishes. He might not get divine weapons, but he can control a bow easily." Daiwik said.

"Really? You are a fool if you believe that." Dridhaksh said smirking.

"Daiwik is right. You've become too much arrogant Dridhaksh." Said Dheemant coming from behind.

"Fine, then tell Rajkumar Nakul to learn how to release 'sabdh vedi baan' (hitting target depending on sounds with closed eyes) in two days." Nakul's eyes widened. From where had he come between this?

"Wait. Why me?" Nakul asked panicking.

"Because you're the best swordsman among us. Even Bhrata Dhikshit wasn't able to defeat you." Daiwik said smiling sweetly at him.

"But I -" Nakul tried to intervene.

"You're also the brother of one of the best archer of Aryavart. I'm sure you have learned some things from him." Dheemant added smiling too.

"That is -" He again tried in vain.

"Final. He accepts. And also if he can't do it in two days, he'll shave his head." Daiwik said not letting Nakul complete. Nakul gasped in horror hearing him. Shave his head? His head?

"Okay done. If two days time, Rajkumar Nakul couldn't hit the target, he will shave his head and if succeeded, I'll shave mine." Dridhaksh declared.

"Let's go now. I'm getting hungry." Daiwik said and the three moved inside leaving Nakul in shock.

Since then he was trying to understand how this tragedy happened with him. He looked at his hair in the mirror and touched them gently. His hair that he had grown little by little by applying oil, his silky soft hair that looked so good floating in the air when he ride on horseback. His hair that Drisana loved to run her fingers through when he laid on her lap. His black, silky, smooth hair would be slaughtered brutally after two days because there was no way he could learn to hit target with arrows depending on sounds only.