All the men stared at Nakul in horror. His laughter was in control now. But their fear was at its peak.

"Bina baalo ke mein kaisa dikhunga? (How will I look without hair?)" Arjun wondered. As the image of him without hair came in front of his eyes, he gave a shudder.

"Chi! Chi! Nakul calo avhiyas karne. Kuch bhi ho jai, tumse to mein baan calwakar hi rahunga. (Nakul let's go to practice. Whatever happens, I'll make sure to teach you archery.)" Arjun said determinedly holding Nakul from one arm.

"Nope. I'm not in the mood anymore to learn archery." Nakul said showing his teeth.

"Rajkumar Nakul, if you practice with determination, you'll be able to learn for sure. Let's go. We've very little time." Karna said coming from the other side. Nakul smiled shaking his head.

"I'm tired. I want to rest. And you only said Maharathi Karna that two years maybe effective, but not two days, then what's the point in trying." Nakul replied.

"But people can even move mountains by trying. Why can't you learn 'Shabd bhedi baan'?" Krishna joined.

"Yes. Yes. It's not so difficult." Dheemant added.

"We will also motivate you and help you." Dwijendra said desperately. His Anandini loved his hair and his kids, his own kids would laugh at him. No. No. He had to save his hair anyhow.

"Please Rajkumar Nakul, humare baalo ka sawal hai. Aapne aklauti behen ke shadi mein ganje ghumte huye aache lagenge kya? Upor se samagra Aryavart ke samne nak kategi woh aalag. (Please Rajkumar Nakul, it's about our hair. We won't look good roaming bald in our one and only sisters marriage. And our reputation will be ruined also in front of the whole Aryavart.)" Dhritimat pleaded.

"We were only joking with you. We weren't going to let you be bald. But now that it's Pitashree's order, all of our hair is truly in danger." Dhikshit added.

"Save us." Daiwik croaked out.

"And what about me. Rajkumar Nakul succeeds or not, my hair will be out of my head." Dridhaksh said in a crying voice.

"Better you than all of us." Dheemant muttered.

Devajyot only looked at Nakul with disdain. He and Dwijendra wasn't even involved and they also got dragged because of the rest.

"Well. I can't be so heartless towards your hairs, can I? I'll practice. But from tomorrow. Today I need to prepare myself for practice by relaxing." Nakul said smiling sweetly at them and left them in misery.

Drisana was pacing in the garden restlessly. No. She wasn't worried about Nakul. Her worry was of Dhristyadhym and getting the Pasha. Marriage rituals would start in a few days and she wouldn't be able to go outside to get it then. She had to act fast. But Nakul wouldn't let her go alone and also there might be danger there. Moreover, she hadn't found a way to save Guru Drona. She couldn't give Dhristyadhym the weapon to kill him. What was the way to get out of this mess?

"What's going on in my Hridaya's pretty little head?" Nakul asked hugging her from behind.

"What are you doing here? I thought you'll be practicing now." Drisana said avoiding his question.

"Yeah. They wanted me to but I refused as I had to meet my Hridaya and romance with her." Nakul said smiling mischievously. Drisana chuckled hearing him.

"They will now lose their hair in tension only. You shouldn't trouble them." Drisana said.

"Of course I should. They have troubled me so much, now it's my turn." Nakul said with attitude.

"I'm sure Bhrata Krishna will figure out how to save everyone along with himself." Drisana said and turned towards him.

"That he will." Nakul agreed chuckling. "You should have seen their faces. If Sahdev was here, he would have cried in real. And Bhrata Bheem would have emptied the whole kitchen in tension. And Jyesth? He would be speechless." Nakul said laughing.

"You're missing them, aren't you?" Drisana said looking at his sad smile.

"Yeah. A lot. We've always been together and in such a important phase of my life they're not here. Jyesth would arrive in a few days, but Bhrata Bheem and Sahdev will miss the wedding. I'll miss them." Nakul said shaking his head.

"Me too. But I'm so excited to meet Devika jiji. I'll see her after so long. And she's pregnant!!! There'll be a little baby in the family!" Drisana said with enthusiasm.

"I'm sure she is also excited to meet you." Nakul said while making her wear bangles in one hand. Drisana didn't even notice when he got it out.

"Nakul!" She shouldn't be surprised anymore, should she?

"You know it is said that the bangles in a bride's hands signify the long life and prosperity of her groom. That's why a married woman never takes off her bangles. But in your hand it'll remind you that my life is connected inseparably with yours and I can never prosper without you." Nakul said softly while making her wear bangles on the other hand too. Drisana only kept looking at him. He took a haathphool (hand bracelet) next and slipping the wrist bangle on her hand, proceeded to slip the rings on her fingers.

"This signifies good luck, love, affection and strength. I'm the lucky one that you love me without limits and don't hesitate to show your affection for me. You're my strength Drisana. As long as you are with me, I feel immovable. I know nothing can touch us." Nakul continued as Drisana kept staring at him with love. He looked at her eyes for sometimes after making her wear the Haathphools. Before her eyes pulled him into their depth of love, Nakul got out the bajubands (armlet).

"Bajubands are said to be symbol of wealth, social status, prosperity and success. It is believed that by wearing Bajuband there will be no financial problems in the house. Never forget you're my biggest wealth Drisana, the most precious one for me. I can leave the whole world for you, but I can't leave you for anything." Nakul said with a heavy voice. He kept staring at her hands even after making her wear all the jewelleries. Drisana lifted his head cupping his face in her hands. His eyes were glistening with raw emotions.

"Our bodies are two, but we are one. Your prosperity is mine, your success is mine, you're my luck, you're my strength, you're also my weakness Nakul. I love you so much that I fear someday I'll do something unforgivable for it. For you. I will become too much selfish. Will you forgive me then?" Drisana asked as a lone tear slipped her eye.

"I will. I will Hridaya. Because when push comes to shove I'll want you to be selfish too. Just don't leave me Hridaya. Never." Nakul replied brushing her tear and touched his forehead with hers. They both savoured the moment closing their eyes. A moment where a thousand words would fall short to describe the emotions.

"You won't go alone." Nakul whispered softly but with determination. Drisana didn't need to ask what he was referring to.

"But -"

"No."

"I don't want you to get into unnecessary troubles. This is my mess." Drisana tried to explain her reluctance.

"You just said we're one Drisana. What is yours, is mine too. May it be happiness, sadness or problems. We'll face it together." Nakul replied sighing contentedly as they continued to hold each other.

Karna was pacing in the hallways. He couldn't sit in his room doing nothing. He knew apart from some divine intervention, there was no way Rajkumar Nakul could win this bet. How did he manage to get trapped in unnecessary troubles always?

"Vrisha!!!"

'Not again' Karna thought closing his eyes as Subhadra came closer to him.

"I have thought what to do with your hair." Subhadra declared brightly. Karna narrowed his eyes at her.

"You don't need to think so much Rajkumari. My hair is perfectly fine at their place." Karna said.

"Of course I need to think. You're my Mitra. If not me than who will?" Subhadra said as Karna released a sigh. Why was he roaming here at the first place?

"Listen, after shaving your head I'll -"

"Stop!!! No one's head is going to be shaved. And you stop thinking about these stupid things. Don't you have any work?" Karna asked with irritation.

"This is not done. I only think for you so much and you are scolding me." Subhadra said pouting sadly.

"Who told you to think for me, Rajkumari? If you want to think so badly, then think about your Bhrata Krishna. His hair is also in danger." Karna reminded her.

"Bhrata Krishna will think something for himself. I don't need to worry for him." Subhadra said smiling mischievously. She knew her Bhrata Krishna enough.

"Then you also don't need to worry for me too. Do me this favour please." Karna said and left hurriedly before she could say anything more.

"Jump and run grumpy-jumpy. I'll also see how far and how long you can run." Subhadra said looking at his way.

The news of Nakul and Drisana's marriage had reached Hastinapur. An invitation had arrived along with special mention of Mahamahim Bhismeh. He was overjoyed by the news and was preparing to attend the marriage while Duryodhan and Gandharraj watched burning in anger. Maharaj Dhritarashtra had accepted the invitation. In his opinion it was a good thing that Dravida came forward to decrease their differences and they shouldn't miss the opportunity. Duryodhan had crushed whatever came in his path after hearing that. His chamber looked like a tornado had visited here.

"Shant mere bache, shant. (Calm down my son.) This isn't the time to destroy, but it's time to create." Gandharraj Shakuni tried to make him understand.

"Haven't you heard Mamashree? My enemies are getting together to be stronger and that buddha (oldie) is jumping to bless them. What is happening Mamashree?" Duryodhan said in rage.

"A lot of things became clear with this news. Why that Dravidakumari jumped to save Pandavs in Raj sabha, why Pandavs stood firm protecting her, why Yudhisthir was so desperate for a treaty with Dravida, why Dravida didn't attack after that stupid plan of yours to kill her. Dots are connecting now. This was decided way before. That Nakul and Dravidakumari's love story started even before they came back. They were right under our nose and we failed to see. This Dravidakumari is more deeper than she appears to be." Shakuni said contemplating the events.

"What does it matter Mamashree? This marriage shouldn't happen Mamashree. If this happens then Pandavs will become more stronger and I won't get my revenge from that woman." Duryodhan said gritting his teeth. "Remember, you promised me I'll get my revenge in due time. When will your time arrive Mamashree?" He asked shouting loudly and threw a vase across the room.

"Don't be stupid. This marriage can't be stopped and if we try to do anything, they'll fight among themselves to decide who gets to snap our necks." Shakuni hissed out holding his shoulder tightly. He himself was restless with this news. But they needed to think things throughly.

"Listen to me. This is the time to make alliance of our own than breaking theirs. We need to get stronger before striking. We cannot fight them when we're weak. Karna is already there. So, you'll go to Dravida to attend the marriage with smile on face." Shakuni tightened his hold as Duryodhan was going to say something.

"You will. And you will act like the most polite righteousness person to gain both his and Mahabali Balaram's trust."

"Gurudev?" That got Duryodhan's attention. Why his Mamashree wanted him to impress Balaram?

"Yes. Pandavs will get stronger by this marriage and we will by another. Mahabali Balaram and Vasudev also have a sister, remember?" Shakuni reminded him with a crooked smile. "If I remember correctly, she has come off age to get married and who can be a better choice than Mahabali's favourite student?"

"Impress him as such so that he can't refuse when we go to Dwarka." Shakuni said as Duryodhan smirked getting his plan.

Two days passed fast with Arjun and Karna trying to teach Nakul 'Shabd bhedi baan' fruitlessly. He was decent when it came to archery. But nowhere near to become an expert. He could hit targets easily with opened eyes, but not blindfolded. Arjun was at the verge of crying.

This was the first time two of the most powerful and skilled archers were doing something together and still was nowhere near success. Krishna smiled watching them. Karna had perfectly mixed with the group, especially with Arjun. Either he admitted it or not, he was jealous of Arjun. In his eyes, Arjun got everything that he had to struggle for because of status. But now Arjun wasn't just a competition to him anymore, he was a talented man who joked, laughed, loved and protected. In a way Karna was a mix of his five brothers. He was calm like Yudhisthir, stubborn like Bheem, determined like Arjun, empathetic like Nakul and patient like Sahdev.

"You're deliberately not trying hard enough. You don't want to." Arjun scolded Nakul.

"It's not going to work Bhrata Arjun." Nakul said sighing.

"What will we do now?" Arjun asked looking at Karna who sat thinking the same.

"There's only one way remains." Krishna said coming closer.

"What?" The trio asked together.

"Aagar piyasa kuye ke paas nehi ja sakta to kuye se pani nikalkar le aao. (If he can't reach to the target than bring the target to him.)" Krishna said smiling mischievously as the three shared confused glances.

Everyone was present at the practice area to watch Nakul hit the target blindfolded, including Maharaj Drishadvat, Maharani Mangalya and Rajmata Kunti. The seven Princes had gotten an earful from their parents. Dridhaksh's situation was the worst as he didn't have any way to escape.

Drisana had so generously brought a barber with her, so they wouldn't be late in the shaving process. All the men gulped looking at the cutter held by the barber who kept sharpening it. Drisana controlled her chuckle. She was eager to see what solution Krishna had invented to save his hair.

And then the most awaited moment came. Nakul was blindfolded and an arrow was placed in his hand.

"Well, now that our archer is ready to hit the target, it's time to bring the target." Krishna announced and signed to bring it.

Everyone's eyes widened and mouth gapped open seeing the target. It was a eight feet long round one that had sticks attached to it in a way that it could be pulled and create noise.

"What is this?" Dridhaksh asked frowning. Normally, 'Shabd bhedi baan' was practiced in small objects suspended in air and hearing the slight sound created by the movement of the air.

"Look Rajkumar Dridhaksh, you said Rajkumar Nakul has to release 'Shabd bhedi baan'. You didn't mention what the target will be. Now he selected this as his target. Sound will be created in that and he will hit the source where the sound was created. And that's the rule of 'Shabd bhedi baan' too." Krishna explained with his mischievous expression. Dridhaksh's mouth remained opened where his brothers brightened.

"Vasudev is saying absolutely right." Dheemant supported smiling with relief.

"Bhrata Dridhaksh, aapka to kuch nehi ho sakta. Hamare baalo ko to baksh do. (Bhrata Dridhaksh, nothing can be done for you. But at least spare our hairs.)" Daiwik whispered to Dridhaksh who frowned in return.

And then, one of the best swordsmans of Aryavart did hit target blindfolded hearing sounds. Drisana was unable to hold her chuckle as Maharaj Drishadvat said,

"You were right putri, Vasudev really showed a miracle."