Drisana was seated with her mother. Maharani Mangalya showed her some jewelleries that was made specially for her. Jewelleries were quite heavy in this time period and it took a lot of time for her to get used to wearing them.

"Mata, I was thinking of going to the temple near the mountain area." Drisana said cautiously. Maharani Mangalya frowned hearing her.

"Why putri? The mountain area isn't safe. Why do you want to go there? That too in such a time? Your marriage rituals are going to start soon. You shouldn't go outside the Palace." Maharani Mangalya tried to make her understand.

"I know Mata. But I vowed that when my and Nakul's marriage get fixed, I'll visit that temple and do special prayer." Drisana said pleading. Maharani Mangalya shook her head sighing. She knew Drisana wouldn't listen.

"Fine. But come back soon and take Daiwik with you." She ordered.

"No. I'll take Bhrata Dridhaksh and Nakul will also accompany me. He is also needed for the prayer you know." Drisana said smiling in fake shyness. But she was fooling no one. Her mother saw right through her.

"Really? Just come back in one piece and don't you dare to do any bungling. And stop taking Rajkumar Nakul's name. He is going to be your husband." Maharani Mangalya gave her the warning and a scolding.

"Why? Why can't I take his name? I don't understand this logic behind not taking husband's name. Husbands take their wife's name always. Then why can't wife? I will call him by his name only." Drisana said frowning.

"Have you ever heard your Pitashree calling me by my name?" Maharani Mangalya asked her daughter. Drisana shook her head negatively.

"Have you heard your brothers calling their wives by their name?" Maharani Mangalya asked again. Drisana thought about it. Dwijendra called Anandini, Anandah (happiness), Dheemant addressed his wives as Jurwa ratan or Him (cool) and Poonam (full moon), Dhritimat called Shubhaprada as Shubhabrata (auspicious vow) and she had never heard Devajyot taking Priyala's name. She had only heard them taking their wives name when they introduced them to someone new, but that too with their designation attached with the name.

"No. But they call them with adornments." Drisana found it cute and adorable. But now she was thinking if there was something deeper in it. Arjun called Draupadi, Panchali (belonging from Panchal) and Yudhisthir addressed Devika as Davika (belonging near the river Devika). Was it just a coincidence that all the men never took their wives actual names? Not even in front of elders?

"Exactly. And they do it because not taking spouses name is a spiritual thing. Name is strongly associated with ego and reflects the social ego of the individual due to its repetitious social use, driving it deep into the unconscious mind of the individual. Hence, even under hypnosis, the person addressed by name will respond while others will continue their state undisturbed.

For intimate relationships, role based addressing is used to encourage an accommodating non-egotistical relationship between partners since ego is considered the basis of conflict and ignorance in relationships. This subtle change disassociates the individual from his social ego, and enable them to focus on their role in the relationship.

Also Husband and Wife are a single entity. That's why wife is also called Ardhangini (other half of the body of the husband). Hence they don't call each other's with name. Name is to be used by others unless its required." Maharani Mangalya explained.

"But mother I've heard some men calling their wives by name. But women never do that. I thought it was because wives consider their husbands god?" Drisana asked confusingly.

"Yes. Some men do that. And there's many reason. Mostly it is only told to women that they shouldn't take their husbands name. Men are not taught the same. And some men marry many times and don't care to pursue the spiritual goals while women follow the tradition blindly and assume it's only because of the age difference.

As for your other question, Devi Anusuiya was the first woman who gave her husband the place of God and affected by her love, sacrifice, devotion and Dharma, her husband Rishi Atri blessed her that whoever women will have the same devotion for her husband accepting him as her god, her husband's life will be stoical. It came from his love and happiness. But this society turned it into a curse for their benefit. They use it to show dominance and superiority. But it's nothing like that. If a woman doesn't consider her husband god, that doesn't mean her love and devotion is any less. Look at Devi Mandodari, she also had love, devotion and righteousness. But that couldn't save her husband from his deeds.

You should only follow traditions after understanding them and if it comes from your heart. Don't blindly follow these or make judgement based on people's talks. Get the meaning, understand them and after that if you feel you want to do that too, then only proceed." Maharani Mangalya explained patiently again. Drisana was contemplating her words.

"Mata, what did you use to call Pitashree before marriage?" Drisana asked off handed. But Maharani Mangalya stilled instantly.

"What?" Drisana asked narrowing her eyes as she watched her mother squirming.

"Hanumantae (Monkey chief). Don't tell anyone." Maharani Mangalya said quickly. Drisana laughed out loud hearing that.

"What is my fault? I only called him that once in anger. And later when I asked his name, he said this is his name only. I was naive. I accepted." Maharani Mangalya said as Drisana's laughter increased.

Just as Drisana's laughter subsided, Priyala came running inside.

"Mata, Pitashree is arriving in a few hours." She said smiling brightly.

"Subahu? I thought it would take a few more days for them to reach." Maharani Mangalya said instantly getting up.

"The weather was clear. So they reached earlier." Priyala said. Drisana was excited too.

"There is so much to do. Priyala do one thing. Go check the rooms are ready or not. Drisana go to the kitchen with Shubhaprada and inform Anandini. I'll prepare for the welcoming till then. Go fast." Maharani Mangalya left quickly issuing orders.

"I'm so excited. Jiji is coming." Drisana said with enthusiasm.

"Yes. And she'll stay with us till your marriage. Thank God, Pitashree listened to me and arrived earlier." Priyala said smiling with excitement.

"We better get moving."

Karna and Subhadra was practicing archery in the garden. Karna had made a special bow for Subhadra and Subhadra was jumping in excitement getting a second gift from him.

"This is not a gift. You can't practice with these heavy bows. That's why I made a lightweight one. As for the first one, gifts are supposed to be given. Snatching something from someone's hand is not called gifting." Karna said rudely.

"In case of rude, arrogant, grumpy-jumpy people, gifts are given like this only." Subhadra said smiling sweetly. Karna narrowed his eyes. What did she mean? As he was going to confront, Subhadra interrupted him.

"How much will you talk? Let's start practicing." Subhadra said getting an arrow. Karna huffed in annoyance.

During the practice, Subhadra's concentration was again in Karna rather than the bow. Karna noticed her staring at him with a smile. This was getting out of hand.

"Rajkumari, if you have stared at me enough, then look at the target also." Karna said with a fake smile.

"I'm looking at my target only." Subhadra replied.

"And what is your target?" Karna asked raising his eyebrows. He could have never imagined the reply he got.

"You." Subhadra said stepping closer to him. Karna's eyes widened.

"Wh-what?" He stammered.

"You. My target is you. I want to know you. I want to know the man behind this mask of calmness. I want to know the pain hidden behind your rudeness. I want to know the cries covered by your fake smiles. I want to know the weakness that hides behind your strength. I want to know the anguish your eyes hold. I want to know the fear that makes you restless. I want to know the guilt that hunts you. I want to know the reason that makes you worried of even taking a deep breath. I want to know all your secrets, your dreams, your hopes, your beliefs. I want to know you and understand you deeply Vrisha." Subhadra said coming closer, holding his eyes captive with hers. Karna broke the eye contact after several moments looking elsewhere. She made him nervous. Since the first day. He felt exposed in front of her.

"There's no point in gazing at a deep abyss. Nothing will stare back at you." Karna said in a hard voice.

"If we are not able to cross the abyss that separates us from ourselves, then all the rest are not only useless, but disastrous. This is the most important of all voyages of discovery." Subhadra said in a soft voice contrasting with his hard one. Karna's face hardened more.

"Rajkumari Subhadra, a little pampered Princess like you should restrain herself from wandering in dark. You might accidentally find monsters uglier than you heard about in fairytales." Karna said staring harshly at her and left.

Maharaj Subahu had finally arrived with his family. Maharani Mangalya and Rajkumari Priyala both were buzzing in excitement at their arrival. After the welcoming ceremony, Kashi Naresh, Subahu came to bless his niece specially. As the elders left, Drisana hugged her Jiji tightly.

"I was waiting for you only Dhara jiji." Drisana said releasing her.

"Yes, Dhara. Now that you've arrived, we'll do a lot of mischief together." Priyala said to her younger sister.

"No. No. How can such an innocent girl like me do mischief?" Valandhara said though the mischief was clear in her eyes. Drisana and Priyala both chuckled hearing her.

"By the way, I heard our would be brother-in-law can talk to animals?" Valandhara asked.

"Yes?" Drisana said slowly frowning.

"I've a donkey. Whenever someone unknown gets close, he kicks. Can your Pashu-premi (animal lover) have a talk with him?" Valandhara asked with an innocent expression. Priyala surpassed her laugh as Drisana narrowed her eyes more.

"Listen, Gardhavha rani (queen of donkey), don't you dare trouble him." Drisana warned her.

"Yes. Sabdhan Dhara. Nehi to hamare bhi chand nikal aayenge Bhrata Dridhaksh ke tarah. (Be careful Dhara. Or we also have our full moons exposed like Bhrata Dridhaksh.)" Priyala said chuckling.

"That reminds me. Where is Bhrata Daiwik?" Valandhara asked smiling mischievously.

"He left the Palace hearing about your arrival." Drisana said.

"He hasn't forgotten how you stowed a frog in his dhoti last time." Priyala said. The trio burst out laughing remembering Daiwik's condition when a frog was jumping in his dhoti.

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