Empire of Righteousness ( The Beginning)

Chapter 54 : Continues Tests

After one night and almost another day, they arrived at the small hut in which Pandavas had spend eight years drowning in their own guilt.

"Panchali, isn't this pretty?" Nakul asks enthusiastically.

Draupadi was shocked. It was such a small hut. How did they all live here?

"Panchali, do you need anything else to be made? Tell us," Sahadev says.

Next few days, Draupadi instruscted them to make a lot of space in the hut. Only three people can sleep there. How did the other two slept inside? She also asked them to make a kitchen. How did they cook without one?

They did whatever she wanted trying their best to please her.

At night, two would stay up to guard while others slept for one prahar then other two take their place.

In the morning, Draupadi saw them getting ready to go out.

"Arya, where are you going?" Draupadi asks.

"Panchali, we are going to collect alms. Jyest will stay here to protect you," Bheem answers.

Draupadi nods her head. Her heart breaking into pieces. They need alms. The great Mahabali Bheemsen, Gandhivdhari Arjun, the swordmasters Nakul and Sahadev needs to collect alms from door to door to stay alive. What if someone slams the door on their face? What if they refuse to give alms? What if the food they are given have expired? Draupadi didn't know when she started to cry while seeing them walk away from the but.

Yudhisthir pulled her hands to his, "It's alright...."

Draupadi glares at him, "It's not alright. Are you happy now seeing your brothers like this? Them begging for food? They are the greatest warriors of Aryavarta and they are begging door to door."

Yudhisthir's face twisted in pain, "Panchali..."

Draupadi stood up. Her tears were flowing nonstop. She couldn't tolerate thos state of her husbands. She almost ran away from there while cradling Vrishaketu.

Yudhisthir followed her calling her name desperately.

Draupadi sobbed beside the river, "What if someone misbehaves with them? What if they refuse to give them food? What if they close the door on the face?"

Yudhisthir kept quite. Her first concern is them getting mistreated by people. He was torn between the feelings of love and guilt.

"Panchali..."

"Why are you here resting? It's not only your brothers who got vanvas. Why aren't you joining them for alms? Do you still think of yourself the Samrat who will get everything in a golden platter without doing anything?" Draupadi didn't want to say it but her pain overcame her senses.

Yudhisthir looked at her hurt. His eyes dropped. Then slowly he backed away from her. Draupadi was instantly filled with guilt. How could she say those words to Yudhisthir?

"Arya," Draupadi came to search for him after a time.

She couldn't find Yudhisthir anywhere. Her heart filled with worry.

"Aryaputra Yudhisthir," Draupadi calls him loudly this time.

"Panchali, what happened?" Yudhisthir came out from the hut.

"Where were you? I was calling you for so long," Draupadi unwarrantedly lashed out at him.

"I...I was cleaning the hut, Panchali..." Yudhisthir shows her the broom confused at her anger.

"Good...good...clean properly...there's dust there.." Draupadi prattles relived that he is here.

The next day, Yudhisthir also went with them to collect alms leaving Nakul behind.