Drisana sat reading a book in her chamber when a dasi came with a message. She smiled looking at the handwriting. Nakul was waiting for her at the backyard. Drisana thought a little. Nakul always brought gifts for her. But she rarely gave him anything. She should also give a gift to her groom, shouldn't she? With that thought, Drisana took out a box. The content inside was made at Drisana's specific order. She wanted to give this to Nakul at a perfect time. But with Nakul, every moment was perfect.

Drisana reached straight to the clearing between the trees. There a swing was made from wooden plank and ropes. It was beautifully decorated with spiralling leafy green vines and flowers. Drisana went near the swing and sat down on it. The smile never left her face.

"Do you like it?" Nakul asked in her ear coming from behind.

"It's beautiful." Drisana replied in a soft amazed voice looking at him.

Nakul pushed the swing, rocking it gently to and fro. Just as the swing started to move, a shower of Jasmine flowers ran down on her from above. Drisana giggled in delight. Nakul smiled broadly looking at her. Her this happiness made every little effort worth it. After swaying some more, Nakul came front and knelt before her. He looked at her eyes and touched her right ankle. Holding it gently, he brought her foot to rest on his knee. A shiver ran through her as he caressed her foot softly. His eyes never left her face as he removed her anklet. He then took out a pair of anklets and put it around her ankle.

"It is said that a bride wears anklets to announce her presence on her husband's house and to draw his attention. My attention never strays from you when you're around Hridaya and I promise it never will." He said putting the other one on her left ankle. A blush coloured her face while her eyes were held captive by his.

Nakul came to sit beside her after getting up from his kneeling position. He brushed away a hair lock that was falling in her face, caressing her cheek in the process. Drisana's eyes closed feeling his touch. Nakul came closer staring at her. She felt his breath falling into her face. He then slowly placed kisses on her closed eyelids and came closer to her lips. Her eyes remained closed and breath caught at throat in anticipation as she felt him getting closer. He smiled looking at her and instead whispered,

"You're blushing. I guess Maharani Mangalya succeeded then?" Drisana opened her eyes hearing him. A smirk played on his lips as he put a little distance between them.

"No. Not at all. You have exclusive rights to this blush. Only you can make it appear." Drisana said matching his smirk as Nakul chuckled. "I've also brought something for you today." Drisana said. Nakul looked with curiosity as Drisana took out a gold ring from the box. The ring was in the shape of a flaming sun with a sword crossing it in the middle. Only the handle and the tip of the sword that came out from the other side was visible. The middle of it was engraved in the golden sun. Taking his left hand in hers, Drisana slipped the ring on his fourth finger.

"You know, in that yug there's a ritual in marriage where bride and groom exchanged rings. It was believed that a never ending circle was the symbol for eternity and a vein is connected straight to the heart from the fourth finger, particularly on the left hand. So bride and groom used to slip it on that finger so their love remains for eternity." Drisana said.

"It's perfect. Just like you." Nakul said smiling at her.

"I'm not perfect. You're just blind in love to see my flaws." Drisana said chuckling.

"Then I want to remain blind for all eternity my Hridaya."

Yudhisthir was seating with Maharaj Drishadvat and Maharaj Subahu at the living area after lunch talking randomly. Suddenly they heard Rajkumar Daiwik's voice.

"Pitashree!!! Save me."

Maharaj Drishadvat frowned as his youngest son came running inside and hid behind him. Rajkumar Dhritimat and Rajkumar Dhikshit came running, following behind him, but stopped at the sight of the three Kings seated.

"What happened Putra?" Maharaj Drishadvat asked. Yudhisthir looked confused while Maharaj Subahu looked amused. He was familiar with his nephews stunts.

"Nothing, Pitashree." Dhritimat replied with a broad fake smile.

"What nothing? Pitashree, they want to throw me from the second floor to see I'll land straight at my feet or I'll land crouching." Daiwik spoke from behind his father.

"Why?" Maharaj Drishadvat asked looking at the two.

"Actually Pitashree, Chedi Naresh will arrive tomorrow. Jyesth and Devajyot is busy, Bhrata Dheemant took the trip to Chedi months ago, Dridhaksh had already refused giving excuses. So it's either me or Dhikshit who will see to his hospitality." Dhritimat said sheepishly.

"So?" Maharaj Drishadvat asked again. Though he already understood where this was going.

"So - if Daiwik lands straight on his feet, I'll be the one to receive Chedi Naresh. But if Daiwik lands crouching, Dhikshit will do it." Dhritimat said in a hurry. Maharaj Drishadvat glared at the two.

Yudhisthir's eyes widened as Maharaj Subahu gave a cough to hide his chuckle.

"But you can decide that by tossing a coin too." Maharaj Subahu suggested.

"What will be the fun in that Mamashree?" Dhikshit said smirking in flow, but straightened glancing at his father. This time Maharaj Subahu didn't hide his chuckle.

'Are they serious?' Yudhisthir thought confusingly.

"Tum dono ko lajja nehi aati? (Don't you two have any shame?)" Maharaj Drishadvat said angrily.

"Aur nehi to kya. (Then what else.)" Daiwik said getting his father's support.

"Itni tucch si baat par apne bhai ko phekoge tum? (You'll throw your brother for such silly matters?)" Maharaj Drishadvat continued in an angry tone.

"Aur nehi to kya. (Then what else.)"

"Yeh kya koyi khilona hai jo uchalte phiroge? (Is he some toy that you'll toss around?)"

"Aur nehi to kya. (Then what else.)"

"Kya jaroorat hain ishe phekne ki? (What is the need to throw him?)"

"Aur nehi to kya. (Then what else.)"

"Yeh swayam Chedi Naresh ko sambhal lega. (He himself will tend to Chedi Naresh.)"

"Aur nehi to - KYA???. (Then - WHAT???.)"

Daiwik wasn't the only one looking at Maharaj Drishadvat in shock. Yudhisthir was surprised too. Maharaj Subahu was silently laughing. He knew his brother-in-law well enough. He was afterall the father of them.

Dhikshit and Dhritimat clapped hands behind their back. Mission accomplished. Daiwik would have also made some excuses if they asked nicely. But he couldn't refuse their father. And Maharaj Drishadvat knew among his sons only Daiwik was sassy enough to encounter Chedi Naresh Shishupal's taunts and tantrums without banging his or their own heads. Where the others would imagine beheading him in helplessness, Daiwik would find a way to teach him a lesson in his way and Daiwik would never raise weapon unless challenged.

"Yes, Putra. I've full faith you'll fulfil the responsibility with expertise and you won't make excuses like them." Maharaj Drishadvat said smiling at Daiwik and keeping a hand in his shoulder.

"It was better to get thrown than this." Daiwik muttered to himself sulking and Yudhisthir understood why Arjun said there was no shortage of entertainment in Dravida.

Arjun was asleep in his chamber when Draupadi entered after talking hours with Devika. She frowned looking at him. 'Couldn't he have waited for me? It's not so late yet.' She thought. Then getting closer, she looked at his calm and relaxed face. Sitting beside him, she smiled staring at him. He looked so peaceful like this. Draupadi brushed some hairs that have fallen in his eyes. Then hovering over him, she kissed his forehead, eyelids, nose, cheeks, jawbones and finally moved towards his lips. Just as she was going to place her lips on his, Arjun's eyes opened wide. Draupadi tried to quickly get up being stunned, but before she could Arjun held her waist and turned them getting on top of her.

"What were you doing?" Arjun asked raising his eyebrows as mischief danced in his eyes.

"I - I was doing nothing. You were acting of sleeping. Don't you have shame?" Draupadi stammered the first part with a blushing face, but added the last part faking anger.

"Don't have shame? Sota hua bhole bhale purush ke cheer haaran karne ki koushish kar rahi thi. (You were trying to rape an innocent sleeping man.)" Arjun said. Draupadi's mouth gapped open hearing him. She slapped his shoulder a few times in anger.

"I was only trying to save you from bad eyes." Draupadi said defiantly though her face was completely red in mortification.

"Really?" Arjun asked smirking.

"Yes. I was doing that so no witches will eye you." Draupadi said looking at other side.

"Right. You were doing absolutely right. As my wife, it's your duty only to protect me. But don't you think you should protect my whole body, not only my face?" Arjun said making an innocent face as Draupadi's eyes widened.

The next day, Pandavs and Rajmata Kunti along with the royals of Dravida were present to welcome Hastinapur's guests, especially Mahamahim Bhismeh. As the chariots reached and Mahamahim Bhismeh got down, Pandavs went ahead to seek his blessings. This was the first time after leaving Hastinapur they were meeting him. Mahamahim Bhismeh blessed them happily and embraced Nakul blessing him for his upcoming nuptials. Duryodhan and Gandharraj Shakuni watched them uninterested.

After the greetings and welcoming ceremony, they were taken to their chambers. Duryodhan was already burning in jealousy and anger. But he controlled himself and focused on the work he came here for. Balaram hadn't arrived yet and Karna was absent. He decided to search for him after taking rest for some time.

Here, Drisana was anxious with Duryodhan's presence. No matter how evil he was, his friendship with Karna was true. He really cared and valued his friendship. It had taken years to shake their friendship and drive a rift between them. If Duryodhan managed to convince Karna realising his mistake, all would be in vain. There was also the matter of Subhadra. She had been surprisingly quiet these days. Drisana knew what the next move of Duryodhan's would be. But didn't know what she should do if anything. Krishna had been nonchalant and silent about this matter. Drisana had no clue what he really wanted. With Krishna there was no guarantee that he would keep Karna and Duryodhan away or get Subhadra and Karna close either. So, what was going to happen?

Karna was close to the seaside practicing archery. He had chosen to stay outside the Palace. He didn't want to face Yuvraj Duryodhan. With a clouded mind and heavy heart, he released arrows one after another. Suddenly another arrow hit the target dissecting his in the middle with precision. He understood who it was without turning to see.

"Isn't it amazing how our mind can concentrate at one point forgetting everything around even though it is in chaos?" Arjun said coming beside him.

"That's what an archer requires to do." Karna commented casually releasing another arrow.

"True. But a warrior should always be aware of his surroundings. Otherwise he won't be alive long enough to release the arrow." Arjun remarked releasing his arrow. He and Karna both knew Karna had missed to detect his presence before he released the arrow. To avoid the chaos in his mind, he had shut down his surroundings only concentrating on the target.

"So, what has you so unsettled that you needed to ignore everything else?" Arjun asked as Karna released his arrow again.

"Nothing." Karna replied shortly.

"There is absolutely something. You weren't this disturbed even when you came here first." Arjun said. He had noticed the recent change in Karna. Most of the times he remained missing these days. And when he was seen, he looked lost. Krishna was also missing from morning. So Arjun came to find him when he stumbled upon Karna.

"Disturbance is a constant companion of mine. Nothing's new." Karna replied with a sad smile.

"If only you give it enough attention, you'll get stuck with it. By the way I didn't know you're afraid of disturbances." Arjun said.

"I'm afraid of nothing." Karna said giving a look to Arjun.

"If not then why are you thinking about it so much? You should knock it hard when it comes, not sulk around dreading it's presence." Arjun said. Karna looked at him contemplating his words.

"Your turn." Arjun reminded him. They were conversing while practicing together.

And all this was seen from afar by Duryodhan who came to find Karna. He couldn't hear what they talk about but they looked comfortable with each other practicing. He left as his blood boiled thinking about their closeness. Pandavs had snatched a lot from him. But this time they snatched the most dearest person to him. Gandharraj Shakuni saw Duryodhan going back to his room. He followed behind.

"What happened mere bache? Did you find Karna?" Shakuni asked.

"Yes Mamashree. I found him and I found him with none other than that Arjun, my biggest enemy. Those Pandavs has snatched him from me already Mamashree. And Karna? Yes, I admit I made a mistake by insulting him. But he went running to my enemies, getting acquainted with them. Why??? Why Mamashree??? Do I mean so little to him?" Duryodhan asked screaming the last part as his eyes were glistening with tears. Shakuni kept a hand in his shoulder in support. He knew how attached he was to Karna.

"Don't worry mere bache. We'll leave by taking Karna with us. Karna is a man of Dharma. There was no adulteration in his friendship. He'll come back to you. And when he does, we'll spread so much venom into him for Pandavs that he himself will get rid of them for us." Shakuni said closing his one eye.

"All this has happened because of that Dravidakumari. She is the one for whom Karna went against me. I won't leave her." Duryodhan said in rage.

"Don't be foolish. We're not here to create troubles. Don't forget what we came here for." Shakuni reminded him. Though they were guests of Dravida and Dravida's royal family would be bound by their aatithya Dharma (righteousness of a host), no such restrictions would be applied to Mahamahim Bhismeh, Vasudev, Balaram, Karna, Maharaj Subahu and many others. And even they would be safe from Maharaj Drishadvat and Dravida Rajkumars as long as they were inside the main gate of Dravida.

"But I can't let her be happy after snatching my Mitra from me. Do something Mamashree. Do something, so her proud head gets bowed in shame." Duryodhan said. Shakuni was thinking hard about his words when something stroke his evil brain.

"We can't do anything. But someone else definitely can." Shakuni said finally smiling wickedly.

"What do you mean?" Duryodhan asked sensing something was going on in his head.

"Be patient and get ready for entertainment mere bache." Shakuni said.