[NEED TO REWRITE MOST PORTIONS]Shikhandini

The First Crack

The Pandavas had returned to their homeland after their marriage with Draupadi. Soon, their quarrelling cousins had ousted them from the capital. The King, their uncle, had facilitated it by giving them a barren, godforsaken land on the outskirts of the kingdom to rule.

However, with several months of backbreaking effort and generous help from the Panchalas and Yadavas, they had transformed the wasteland into one of the happiest places on Earth. They had defeated all of their enemies, and the eldest Pandava was now the supreme ruler of the better part of the known world, and Draupadi was his Queen-Consort! The entire extended family had gathered to attend their official housewarming party. Shikhandi stood inside a magical palace built by an architect-demon for his sister and her husbands. He looked around himself, marvelling at the architectural wonder he stood inside.

He turned to look at his sister. She glowed in pride, as she showed him around her chambers.

"You never visit me, brother. Has everyone back home forgotten me already?" Draupadi asked.

Shikhandi smiled, "No! We remember you all the time! Where are your husbands though?"

"They're busy. As am I, with my brother!"

"Where's Arjuna?"

"He is off somewhere, running around with brother Krishna! They're insufferable, always cracking the worst of jokes!"

"And yet, you always laugh."

Draupadi stood fidgeting with a curtain, "Arjuna is a strange man. It's like he was not born for this life of staying at home or tending to a family. When he talks to us, it's like he's not even here! It's like he's got wings on his feet. Always distracted, almost as if he doesn't want to be here. I just wish he'd tell me!"

Shikhandi smiled, "You really do love him, don't you?"

"I love all of my husbands equally." Draupadi turned away.

He shook his head, "You never really mastered the art of lying, sis."

She sighed, "Well, it's an arrangement, and we're making it work."

"Well, you're making it work, but are your husbands?"

"Trust me, I am fine. I have a home, a loving family, and a lot of work to fill my time. Honestly, I have seen mother and father, you and Dasarni. I consider myself fortunate! At least we have no illusions to uphold."

Shikhandi smiled sadly, "Just because you're happier than the rest of us doesn't mean that you need to settle for this."

Draupadi came closer as she whispered, "You know, every waking hour I feel like I'm going to make a mistake, then something will go wrong, and then all of this will vanish, and I'll be left alone! All of this just feels too good to be true! I just don't want to rock this boat."

Shikhandi put his arms around Draupadi, "I'm sorry I wasn't here for you more! Just know this Krishnaa, you'll never be alone. Not while I'm alive."

While talking, Shikhandi noticed they had reached a marble-clad hall. Draupadi suddenly pointed out excitedly, "Look Shikhandi! That's Duryodhana, the eldest of my hundred cousins-in-law!"

"And our wannabe murderer. Honestly, he's tried to kill us at least twice, and that's only as far as we know!" Bheema came and stood beside them.

Shikhandi looked at the man. He appeared a little hassled. He walked carefully with his dhoti tied above his knees.

Bheema chuckled loudly as he said, "Hey, idiot! There's no water there!"

Then it dawned on Shikhandi. Duryodhana had mistaken the clear crystal floor for an indoor water bed. The man glared at Bheema as he let his dhoti down to his ankles. Then just a few steps ahead Duryodhana fell in with a large splash. This time, he had mistaken a still indoor pool at the end of the hall for the same crystal floor. The entire hall erupted in laughter as price Nakula helped him up, soaked to the tips of his head.