Aadrika, Alaknandha, Subhadra and Dushala layed on the grass looking at the blue sky.

"One more week and after that you will be married. Then you will be no more a free bird. You will be a caged bird." Aadrika said looking at Dushala.

"Don't be jealous. You will also get a prince charming soon. Then he will cage you in his prison of love." Dushala teased making a small blush to appear on Aadrika's cheeks.

"What? Me Jealous? no never. Why would I be jealous? I don't want to marry any time soon. I want to enjoy my freedom." Aadrika argued back.

"Whatever you say but sooner or later you will be tied by the sacred tread." Dushala said making Aadrika roll her eyes.

"Hey I have a doubt." Aalaknandha spoke for the first time.

"Ask" Subhadhra said.

"Why do only girls have to leave behind her house? I mean why only us girls should suffer the pain of leaving our family and why not the boys?"

"It is a complecated question. I don't know. Do you know Dushala?" Aadrika said making Alaknandha look at Dushala for an answer.

"Sorry Nandha I don't know."

Alaknandha then looked at Subhadhra hopping to get an answer but sighed when she shook her head no.

"Ask Maharani Gandhari or Bua Kunti maybe they could answer your question." Subhadhra suggested. Alaknandha nodded her head thiking about it.

Aadrika suddenly sat up making the the other three to follow the her suit.

"What happened Aadrika? Why did you sit so suddenly." Dushala asked.

"You have one more week before your marriage." Aadika asked ignoring her previous question..

"So"

"So lets enjoy the last seven days of your freedom. We will help you fulfil your wishes. So what do you wish to do first. Tell us" Aadrika said with excitement.

"I...I want...to... No need. It is stupid."

"Come on say it yaar." Aadrika said impatiently.

"I want to roam around Hastinapur as a commoner without any royal guards."

"Ok. We will do it. Today afternoon the guards will take rest after dinner. It will be the best time we will leave the palace dressed upp as common people without any guards following us." Aadrika said after thinking for a moment.

"No" Alaknandha and Dushala said together.

"Absolutely no. Don't look at me with those eyes. I don't want to get into any trouble. I am getting married next week." Dushala said shaking her head.

"We will be in trouble if someone finds us. Bhratashree will kill us. No I am not there in this plan. I want to leave a long life." Alaknandha said with wide eyes.

Aadrika pouted looking at them.

"It will be fun. Come on Dushala live your life a little. You will be married next week then you will regret thinking about the chance you missed." Subhadhra said supporting Aadrika.

After a lot of buttering both Alaknandha and Dushala agreed for the plan. Lets hope everything goes fine.

***

The market was less crowded that the morning. There were several shops, all decorated beautifully. Carts were loaded with products of the people's hardwork which are brought from far away places to sell. There were hawkers shouting loudly trying to sell their goods.

The four girls made their way through the market trying their best to be discreate. They looked around the market. This was the first time they have came out of the palace without any guard on their sides, well except our dear Aadrika. She had sneaked out of the palace many times and explored the markets of Amernath.

Alaknandha suddenly stopped and looked at the shop that caught her interest. Well not the shop but the small children who were talking with the shopkeeper who had an angry expression.

"You guys continue walking I will come in a few minutes." Without waiting for a reply Alaknandha left.

"Wait Nandha." Aadrika said turning around only to find her missing. She sighed.

"Where did she go?" Aadrika asked the other two.

"She went that way." Subhadhra said pointing her finger at the direction Alaknandha went.

"What should we do now? It is already late. We should go back before they notice our absence." Dushala said worried.

"We can go. She knows her way back to the palace. We could cover up for Nandha's absence." Aadrika said looking at the time.

"But Nandha is alone." Subhadhra said with worry.

"She will take care of herself and if we don't go now then we will be caught. Moreover we should cover for Nandha." Aadrika said.

***

"Bhaiya what is the problem here? Why are you scolding the innocent kids?" Alaknandha asked the shop keeper.

"Innocent my foot. These little devils tried to steal the fruits from my shop." The shop keeper said glaring at the two boys in front of him.

"Why did you try to steal these fruits?" Alaknandha asked the boys.

"We are really sorry. We didn't have any money to buy the fruits and our small sister was crying due to hunger. So we tried to steal the apple for our sister who is crying because of hunger. Please don't punish us. We are really sorry." The tall boy said crying.

Alaknandha felt sad hearing the story of the kids. She looked at their face and felt pity on them. She searced for her money bag. She bit her tounge as she realized that she had forgot to take her money bag with her. She looked at the helpless kids in front of her. Her eyes the fell on her bangles that her brother had brought for her as a gift on her 18th birthday. Without thinking twice she removed one piece of the bangles and handed it over to the shop keeper.

"Bhaiya take this bangle. It is made of gold. Please take this instead of money and give a few fruits to these kids." Alaknandha said as handed over the bangle.

The shopkeeper examined the bangle carefully. He went inside the the shop and brought few apples and other fruits and handed them to Alaknandha.

"Take these fruits and give to your sister. I think it would be enough to satisfy yours and your sisters hunger." Alaknandha said as she gave the fruits to the boys.

"Thank you so much didi. We will never forget your this help." They said and went from there. Alaknandha looked kids as the went from there.

She looked around trying to find her jiji and friends. She sighed as she understood they have left without her. She quickly made her way to the palace. She knew her jiji and friends will cover up for her absence. It will be dawn soon and she have to reach the palace before it is completely dark.Alaknandha started walking towards the palace.

All these was seen by a certain someone who seemed to impressed with her with her nature.

"Beautiful both inside and out. I am impressed. You will make a great Queen. My Queen. The Queen of my Kingdom." he said as he watched her walk away.