Destined (Mahabharat)

Chapter 17:

Shreya didn't have a good feeling when the maid called them in the assembly. Her mind constantly reminding her that something is off but she decided to ignore it.

Both draupadi and shreya reach to inner court where Shree Krishna and king draupada was sitting and talking.
As both reach inside , draupada notice both of them. He smiled and said,
"My dear daughter is already married to the mighty pandavas although the marriage is a bit remarkable."

Draupada didn't notice but draupadi frowned for some moment but didn't speak.

Shreya also found draupada's behavior a bit terrible but she also decided to not comment. Anyways its there family matter.

Krishna also didn't say anything or comment , he just sit there with his signature smile.

Draupada notice the change in environment and cough a little bit. He again said,
"Princess Shreya, you are a very good acquaintance of draupadi. I feel really at loss now that draupadi is going to leave soon for hastinapur. You'll feel lonely here won't you?"

Shreya frowned to draupada's words and her eyes went cold.

Acquaintances? Not friends.

Lonely? Not alone.

Shreya sneered at draupada words internally. He really a political person, choses words so intimate yet so far.
Draupadi face also sucken a bit.
Although her reaction is more apparent.

Shreya look at draupada and with said with a small smile,
"Maharaja dont worry. I'll leave before draupadi leave for hastinapur as for feeling lonely , you don't have to worry. We are all born alone and die alone. The loneliness is definitely part of the journey of life."

Draupada smile froze. He look at the side towards Krishna to say something but words stuck when he found him smiling as usual as ever.

He changed his words slightly,
"Princess shreya, I'm like a father figure to you. Of course, I'll worry."

Shreya expression feels like collapse in a second.

Father? Bah! Whose father are you?

But she didn't show it to her face.

Krishna smile become more evident. Looking at the child in front of him trying to hide her feeling.

Draupada didn't notice her experience and look at Krishna.

"Dwarkapati Shree krishna, If you dont mind. As I said just now , I'm just like princess shreya father. So I can see she is quite attach to draupadi and panchal. But draupadi is now married, it's not good now to entertain guest. So why not.......let's princess shreya stay at panchala palace forever? Whenever draupadi feels like meeting her friend , she can come. In any case , it's good to be family. What do you say shree krishna?"

If shreya expression didn't fall in the previous episode, it broke now completely.
She can feel clearly what draupada wants to say in his veiled words.

Attach to panchala? When? When did she ever said something like this? And if draupadi wants to meet her why in panchala? Why not dwaraka? Her brain telling her to run from her now quickly.

But draupada is more quicker than her brain. He lips turn into a more sinister smile.

"Vasudev, I want to ask for princess shreya hand for marriage with my mighty son , Dhristhadyumna. "

"Marriage?"

This was the voice of draupadi. She feel more astonished by this announcement.

Marriage between shreya and Dhristhadyumna.