BUTTERFLY FROM THE FLAME (JOY AND GENTLENESS OF THE FLAME)

Chapter 19

"Dushala jiji?" Draupadi called. Dushala and Draupadi had grown really close to each other in these 2 days. They both met at the function and were shy for few minutes but later the two became unstoppable. the both decided to share a room right that night as well. Right now the two were busy making and learning to cook. Though both of them knew how to they were exchanging recipes and learning abit more to cook as them stepping on the kitchen would be a rare sight as both their fathers spoiled them rotten as they were the only daughter. 

"Give some to us as well." Bheem said. "You two make and eat all by yourself." Yudhistir said. "What all by ourselves? mata, pitashree, pitamah, kaka and kaki too are there." Dushala said. "There are brothers in the family too pyari behena." Karn said. Draupadi quickly passed them the food they made knowing it would lead to an unstoppable bickering between the brothers and sister and they would drag her along as well.

"Thank you~" Bheem said lovingly and sweetly looking at the food. "I think you are supposed to say that to us. Not the food." Draupadi said making them chuckle but Bheem didn't even pay 0.1% attention and just continued eating. "Kumar! Kumari! maharaj have demanded everybody's presence in the court." a dasi informed.

Everybody quickly went to the sabha hall as per the order. the ladies went up in the balcony which was quite surprising to Draupadi. "Bua? Why up here?" Draupadi asked. "We ladies always stand here." Kunti said. "Stand?" Draupadi asked shocked. "Yes putri. We stand here even if it takes hours." Gandhari said. "Why? How is it in Mathura?" Dushala asked. "Back in Mathura I used to sit along with mama and both the mami had a special seat and the other ladies too had special seat but behind mami. Sometimes there used to be a special curtains made up of several strings of beads etc." Draupadi explained.

"Why don't we get a seat as well. My legs ache standing for long time." Dushala asked. "Now lets talk later. The sabha is going to start." kunti said. "The yuvraj of Hastinapur w-" Dhritrarsatra said but was stopped by a man. "Stop! maharaj Dhritrarsatra, maharaj pandu." a man with a long beard along with a young man said standing on the door way.

"What  happened acharya?" Pandu asked. "Acharya?" Draupadi asked. "He is the teacher of our sons. Guru Dronacharya and his son Ashwatthama." gandhari said. "How can you announce any of the prince the yuvraj when they haven't given me my guru dakshina?" Dronacharya asked. "Tell us what you want gurudev." the princes asked. "I want Panchal Naresh Drupad on my feet!" Dronacharya said.

*****

"Panchal naresh Drupad...." Draupadi said. "I heard he is undefeated." Shahadev said. "Bua what is the meaning of my name?" Draupadi asked. "Daughter of the mountain." Kunti replied. "No not that, draupadi." Draupadi said. "Draupadi means the daughter of Drupad-" Kunti said and stopped. "Daughter of drupad?" Kunti asked to herself. "wait a minute aren't you vasudev suta/ nanda suta?" Yudhistir asked. "When did you become drupad suta?" karn asked.

"I don't even know him." Draupadi said. "mama named me both my name." Draupadi said. "But daughter of Drupad?" Nakul asked. "vasudev krishna has arrived." a dasi informed. "Hello!" krishna said sliding inside the room with a sharukh khan pose. "Miss me dear sister?" krishna asked. "kanha?" kunti said. "Pranam bua." krishna said.

*****

"Behena!" krishna called. "Yes?" Draupadi replied. "I have a work for you. Give these to Parth." Krishna said showing her a box with six beautiful rhinestones. Draupadi took the box and went to arjun's chamber. As she entered the chamber she saw Arjun half naked with only his dhoti that also tied loosely and nothing else. Arjun turned around feeling somebody's presence and Draupadi did the same.

She turned around closing her eyes shut. "krishnaa?" Arjun said. "I am really sorry. I didn't know you would be in this state. Plus you should have said somebody not to enter and guard outside or lock the door parth. People are residing here-" Draupadi said but was cut off by a back hug. "Please spare my ears my dear chatterbox." Arjun said. "First wear clothes properly." Draupadi said and Arjun parted himself from her and started doing his dhoti.

Draupadi went and closed the door shut and as she was going to turn around. 'Wait wait I am not done yet." Arjun said making her halt and face the door. "parth? You know there is a thing called changing room and bathroom." Draupadi said. "Don't forget you were almost my wife." Arjun said. "Almost!" Draupadi said.

"Okay turn around." Arjun said. "Parth bhaiya told me to give this to you." Draupadi said handing Arjun the box krishna gave her. "Why?" Arjun asked. "I don't know." Draupadi said. "Parth when are you going for war?" Draupadi asked. "Tomorrow." Arjun said making her nod. "Okay good luck, be safe." Draupadi said. "I said tomorrow why wishing now?" Arjun asked. "I wanted to be the first one and I am heading for mathura now." Draupadi said. "What? Why so fast?" Arjun whined.

*****

"Bhaiya?" Draupadi said. "Yes krishnaa?" krishna replied. "Where are we? This is not mathura." Draupadi said. "Surprise." Krishna said. "Welcome!" a man along with a woman who looked like his wife said seeing the two krishna. 

"Pranam mama!" krishna said. "Mama?" Draupadi asked. "You must know that Dadaji has five sons in total. This is his second son Panchal naresh Drupad!" krishna said. "Pranam mama." Draupadi said. "Call me pitashree putri." drupad said making her confused. "You see my dear like maiya devaki is the daughter of dadaji Devak, dada ugrasen's brother but she is also the daughter of dada ugrasen like that even you are considered mama drupad's daughter and the princess of Panchal!" Krishna explained. "Come in putri." prihasta said and they went inside.

*****

"Vijay bhava!" Dronacharya said and the pandavas went to the war area where drupad had captured the kauravs. "Here comes five more princes pitashree." shikandini said. "We will defeat them easily putri." Drupad said.