The splendid city of Kashi is decorated in orange , yellow, pink , white and red colours. Colourful lanterns, flower chandeliers, flower & colour rangolis with the pleasant smell of incense , evoke serene and merry feelings. The road to the palace , is flocked by people , showering flowers and blessings on the newly wed couple - Shikhandini & Shaktiraj.

This isn't how Shikhandini imagined her welcome.... Her eyes were wide open with awe. Her small actions silently describing how honoured and happy she felt for such a warm welcome.

It wasn't the first time she had seen the welcome of a crown Princess but ..it was the first time to see such a grand and hearty welcome... People weren't pretending to be happy but were happy.. Their eager , respectful eyes , smiling in content expressed the unsaid.

Every arrangement made in honour of the newly wed was taken care of by the ladies of Kashi who were eagerly waiting for their arrival at the palace's entrance, except for Ananya.

Devi Anandmayi did their welcome aarti. She lovingly patted Shikhandini's head & hugged her. Devi Amba, then cast off evil eyes on them and officially welcomed them.

With their first steps in ,trumpets and conchs were blown ... The shower of flower petals increased and begun the welcome music.

Although Ananya couldn't attend her beloved brother's wedding... She sent a letter for the newlyweds along with thoughtful gifts expressing her heartiest warm wishes. She too sent a letter of different rituals & to be conducted for Shikhandini and Shaktiraj through Radha and Adhirath who had come on behalf of Shaivarashtra to congratulate and convey their best wishes.

After "Dwar rokai" & "Grihapravesh" rituals, Shikhandini and Shaktiraj were allowed to rest. In the evening various games were played with the couple like finding the ring , picking up plates without noise , walking blindfold following each other direction while avoiding troubles.

They were to share a room taking in consideration that copulation would occur only after the time period of knowing each other was served , with the consent of both the parties.

The next day "muh dikhai" was followed by "pehli rasoi". Obviously the pehli rasoi had to be unique... Both Shaktiraj and Shikhandini were asked to cook but with the ingredients that they would choose after being blindfolded. It was hell of a job for both but somehow with each other's help they managed it.

2 weeks later:

This is the family every bride dreams of.. I still feel like everything is a dream. Everything here, in Kashi looks like out of wonderland. The subjects, soldiers, courtiers everyone seems to be happy and in peace... It's been nearly two weeks to my marriage and there's hardly anything that I can point wrong ... Everything here, is well taken care of.....

Everyone respects and adores Arya , especially Maharani Amba. Both of them share many attributes like stubbornness , pride and anger. But at the same time he is caring , understanding & loving. He respects everyone and is impartial. What shocked me is , he knows cooking too... Obviously he can't cook a lavish feast but he can cook basic dishes wonderfully. As a husband, he is very respectful, motivating and supportive. He has been very understanding and a bit flirty. Not that I complain but I have made a fool of myself enough no. of time before him by not understanding his flirty comments. Although flirty but he has always taken care to not make me uncomfortable around him and respected my space.

Pitashree and Mata love and adore me like their own ... Mata goes an extra mile to make my favourite dishes and even teaches me cooking, although so far it has not been that successful. Pitashree likes to discuss different war strategies and political moves with me and from whatever little conversation we had ,I realised that my knowledge is nothing in comparison to his.

Buashree Amba too appreciates me and motivates to take part in the royal court.

Maharani Amba is unlike any woman I have seen... strong, powerful and resilient. I wish Mata was at least 1% of what she is...

Suruchi is highly knowledgeable and a book lover.. Her insight on different scriptures is appreciable. She heads the women education department in Kashi & Vallandhara leads the women empowering business sector. None can defeat her in fashion and negotiation.

We are already on a first name basis and both of them are sweethearts , a little mischievous but very caring.

I have even heard about Princess Ananya, but I haven't met her yet. From what I have heard she is with Maharathi Karn, searching solution for some trouble. Till now I have heard nothing but praises about her and knowing she is Buashree Amba's daughter , I can guess her character.

I have also met Adhirath& Radha ji who came to congratulate us on behalf of Maharathi Karn. I didn't know Maharathi Karn is close with Kashi's royal family & a close friend of Arya. Both of them are great people to spend time with. They might not have read many books and participated in many wars but the way they view and narrate life experiences says enough about their resilient, loyal and positive attitude. Maharathi Karn has definitely taken after them.

At first it felt a bit odd to hear Princess Ananya was with him because a woman and man , in Aryavrat can be together only if they're married, or else it doesn't take time for rumours to spread... I don't believe in such things & I am glad that everyone in the royal family at least thinks alike... But I am curious to know what could be so important to miss out a family wedding ? And if it's so important y isn't anyone talking about it? I can feel the tension in the surroundings but everyone is reluctant to talk about it. I don't blame them.. I know they might be doing this to not worry me but I should know what my kingdom is dealing with... I will ask Arya about it tonight... I hope he trusts me enough to share it & I also hope to meet Maharathi Karn and Princess Ananya soon..

Looking at stars twinkling brightly from my balcony.... I feel utterly grateful. Finally my heart has found what it was desiring for so long ... Acceptance and love. 3 weeks ago I was blaming my fate when it had such a beautiful gift for me... But now I can't help but thank it ....

Shaktiraj: So my dear wife is a fan of stars?

I heard Arya & couldn't help blushing. His endearments never fail to make me blush and he knows this very well..for which he uses different endearments but my favourite being wife , my wife .

Shikhandini: Ur dear wife? I thought I was the only one ....

I knowingly made a sad face and he immediately tensed.. I didn't want to trouble him but then he has teased me a number of times... I can prank him once right?

Shikhandini: It's alright Arya... I understand if u are already planning to remarry... Afterall y would u want someone like me?

Have u started looking for princesses already? Atleast u could have delayed it for a month...

Looking at his widened eyes and tensed face, I knew I overdid it... He looked so guilty & desperate to explain...

Wifey, u are getting it all wrong. I'm not planning to remarry... neither I am interested in polygamy... I'm a strict monogamist.. & what would you mean by "someone like you"... U are beautiful, intelligent, understanding & brave what more could I want from a life partner? See I know you haven't gotten the best of luck and love on ur maternal side but I assure you that won't be the case here . U won't be alone here , I will always be there to help u but u would have to work with ur self doubts... I don't like anyone berating my wife not even herself... Got it?

What?? I couldn't believe my ears? A monogamist? He won't ever marry again? And yet he chosed me? & Did I hear admiration in his voice?

& How did he knew about my doubts? Is he really willing to do so much for me? My throat constricted and eyes watered...

He took my hands gently and gave it a small squeeze, assuring me of what he said.. His warmth , the adoration in his eyes and smile on his face was the only thing that I could focus on .. How did I instantly get this lucky? What if it's all a dream? But then his warm hand in mine reminded me it's all real... He is a catch and .. all mine.!?

Shaktiraj: Wifey!!! I know I am handsome and all urs but if u keep staring at me with so much love , I might just go crazy... Crazy in ur Love..

My cheeks felt hotter than before... No one has ever said things like this to me with such mirth and intensity ....

Shikhandini: Arya u are again teasing me ...

I huffed and turned in the opposite direction to hide my growing blush. I never was the person who would whine for such things but I couldn't help it... It came naturally... It felt embarrassing to behave as a child when u are a grown up... I expected some sort of teasing mockery but all I got was a laughter ... A velvety smooth laughter that resounded in the space surrounding me... A laughter full of life and amusement..He looked so hot.. erm...good, his head with black hair thrown back , eye shut in ecstasy of laughter, cute nose , high cheekbones, perfect lips and sharp jawline with light stubble..All of it made him look ....so handsome...

Shaktiraj: U and Ananya are gonna bond so well... U just behave just like her ... U sure u never met her before?

He said all this with adoration... I knew half of it was for me but other half was for his sister... We have talked about her many times and it won't be wrong to say that she is the apple of his eye.. the favourite and most adored one.

I didn't want to ruin the happy setting but I needed answers to where she was? What is she doing? Against whom? What's the problem?

& I decided to ask... Just as I expected his smile vanished and his forehead crinkled with worry... I thought he wouldn't say anything but to my surprise he did. He shared everything.. starting from Meghdutt's first warning to whatever has happened till date & how Ananya didn't arrive as Karn's assistance was needed somewhere else & they didn't want to leave her without protection.

But this situation gave rise to questions that I don't want to think about... Did he marry me in order to strengthen Kashi and have ally against Meghdutt? But then I heard Arya...

Spending time with my beautiful wife after a hectic day , appeases me. Shikhandini other than being beautiful and brave , is very intelligent and understanding which makes it very easy to talk to her about almost anything. But at the same time she is a bit shy and her blush makes my heart sway... Well her reactions to my flirting makes it clear that she hasn't been given much compliments...but I can make up for that...

I saw her staring at the stars and thought to tease her but definitely didn't expect her to brag on my second marriage and pour her self doubt . I disclosed how much I detest polygamy and tried to uplift her spirit... As much as I have seen and heard , she wasn't much appreciated in her own family which I think led to her self depricating thoughts. I will try my best to wipe out those thoughts and restore her pride and confidence.

To say she was shocked after my disclosure would be an understatement... I could say it by the way she was staring at me... Not that I mind...she can stare as long as she wants.. I will be glad to be the centre of her attention.. but then I thought to tease her again.... Awww !!! She is soo cute ...her antics remind me of a sweet innocent child and obviously of Ananya...

After a short peaceful silence she asks me about Ananya's whereabouts and details of the trouble at hand...

I don't want to worry her..but she has a right to know... She would be my queen, will have equal responsibility as me ... therefore she needs to know... I said it all and she silently heard everything, asking questions whenever she felt the need. Her soft arched eyebrows knitted and forehead creased whenever she thought something deeply....

Something struck me then... What if she took everything as a plot for political alliance? I hurried to clarify...

I didn't marry u for any benefit... Moreover there is hardly any benefit that Panchal can give Kashi. Don't get me wrong but Kashi is a developing state whereas Panchal is far from the milestones Kashi has achieved... It might have a greater army but Kashi's army is far well organised, equipped and better trained than Panchal. Moreover we have strong connections with mighty Kingdoms especially Shaivarashtra... So believe me when I say I didn't marry you for any political reasons...

Then y did u marry me?

Because I like u... I really do. I appreciate strong women and u are one hell of a strong woman... U have everything that a man would want in his woman and a King would look for in his queen...

I didn't even think twice before answering.. It was a spontaneous answer. She blushed and smiled & for some reason it made me feel good...

I nodded at her , we exchanged smiles and went to bed.

(In the lands of the Southern panchal, Maharaj Drupad was deeply immersed in his putrakameshi yagya to get a son equal in valour to Arjun and someone who can defeat Dron. To achieve this , he took the help of Yaja and Upyaja rishis. The Yagya continued for weeks after which finally the time for the arrival of his son came...)

I am so happy. I always wanted a son who would be brave , courageous and intelligent just like Shikhandini but alas she was a girl. Finally, I am getting it. My son, my pride .... The one who will restore my pride and at time will avenge Arjun and Dron for insulting and humiliating me in Northern Panchal.

After the sages completed the yagya & instructed queen Prishati to consume the offering to have a son. However, this idiot queen had scented saffron in her mouth and asked them to wait till she had a bath and washed her mouth. Is she serious now??? I have done so much for a son and she wants me to wait further... God!!

I saw the sages getting annoyed.

U don't understand the Queen of Panchal how important it is for u to consume it soon... This offering will bear fruit only if consumed in a certain time period or else this will become fruitless.

But Rishiver I already have scented saffron in my mouth won't be a dishonour to consume the offering in such a case... Please wait... I will be fast ...

I saw Rishi Upayaja getting impatient ... Maharani js taking more time than required.. Annoyed and impatient, I saw the sages pour the offering into the havan kund. The fire instantly flared up taking the form of a man. There wasn't any doubt that this is my son. He is of fiery complexion and wore a crown on his head, an armour on his body, and carried a sword, a bow as well as some arrows in his hands.

Soon after his birth, a divine voice prophesied:

" This prince has been born for the destruction of Drona and Arjun's pride. He shall dispel all the fears of the Panchalas and spread their fame. He shall also remove the sorrow of the king."

My son got down from the altar and touched my feet... He addressed me as Pitashree... My happiness knew no bounds... I immediately hugged him. My wish of years has been fulfilled, finally I after years my heart's dearire has been fulfilled to get a valorous, courageous, intelligent son.

Drupad: O' learned ones ... By ur Grace I have got a son I had craved for so long ... please do me the honour of naming him

Yaja: Ur son would be valourous , courageous. He would be a magnificent warrior for which we name him .... Drishtadyumna.

As we were about to move , the fire again flared up but this time taking the form of a woman....

I looked in suspicion towards the Rishis who said...

Upay She is formed from the leftover part of the offering for which u should accept her as ur daughter...

A dark complexioned , slender waisted , almond eyed woman with dark curly hairs emerged from the fire... Although dark complexioned her features were beautiful. Although I have no wish for a girl, she might actually be helpful in the future to fetch me good alliances making me more powerful & helping me prove my superiority ...

(It's said parents thoughts affect the child, in the case of Drishtadyumna, Drupad had thought about a courageous valorous son but in the case of his daughter, his thoughts were about power and superiority...)

Upayaja: This dark skinned , extremely attractive young woman would be called Krishnaa.

Yaja: As she is the daughter of Yagyasen Drupad and princess of Panchal...she would also be known as Yagyaseni , Draupadi and Panchali.

She got down and wished me.. I acknowledged her with a nod. Maharani Prashati came then and I introduced her to both of them. She fawned over Krishnaa and I took Drisht with me on a chariot to see the Kingdom. My subjects rejoiced at his sight and I knew my son would bring nothing but immense glory to my lineage and Kingdom.