"Goodbye, Draupadi. Make sure to miss me," I rolled my eyes, but I knew I would miss him. He was leaving after assuring my father that the Pandavas had survived and were not burnt alive.
"Arrive early for my svayamvar, Krishna," I said.
"I'll come as soon as possible, Draupadi. Just remember, where there is Dharma, there is Victory." I smiled; this was his usual farewell. He then ruffled my hair, gave me one of his lopsided smiles, and left.
Having bid farewell to my sakha, I walked towards my room where Dhri was waiting. It was early morning, and apparently we were going to have deep conversations every day until my svayamvar in the early hours of the morning (that was the only time he was free since he had training). After that, my father was going to teach me the dharma of a Kshatriya woman, and later Shikhandhi would talk to me after lunch. I would be learning a lot this month, I thought. But I thought of the best part of my routine: Shikhandhi, Dhri, and I would have dinner together in our private quarters. But I thought of the best part of my routine; me, Shikhandhi and Dhri would have dinner together in our private qaurters.
"Drau, understanding Arjun requires understanding the Pandavas and their family first," Dhri began. "And before you ask, 'Why do I need to know this?' or whatever, know that Krishna urged me to tell you. Pay close attention. The Pandavas were nearly burned alive in a plan orchestrated by their cousins, the Kauravas."As Dhri recounted how the Kauravas, under the guidance of their Uncle, the Gandharva King Shakuni, had plotted to kill the Pandavas multiple times since their childhood, my heart wrenched. The Kauravas' motive was to ensure the eldest Kaurava prince would claim the throne, which rightfully belonged to the eldest Pandava prince, Yudhisthra. My maternal instincts surged within me as Dhri concluded the story. I pondered how it would feel to endure the knowledge that one's own family was orchestrating their demise. How much pain must they bear? Did they ever experience joy, or did their entire lives feel like a cruel joke? But Dhri and Krishna were wise to share this tale, as soon I found myself entwined in it, and laughter became nothing more than a facade.
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Draupadi
Historical Fiction--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dharma was the cloth I held closest. I was draped in dharma. No one could ever take that from me. No amount of pu...
