𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐄𝐌𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐒

𝐓𝐘𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐊𝐍𝐎𝐓

Draupadi

"Look straight," Mata said lifting my chin so I could stare right into the mirror. 
She had been doing this for the past two before the wedding. From the day I entered this world, Mata had been doing my hair religiously without fail.
Panchal had many talented hairdressers but I doubt they are as gifted as my mother here. I smile looking at her concentrated face through the mirror.

"Ouch!" I gasped as she playfully tugged on a strand of my hair.
"Oh, my bad!" she apologized, smoothing down the part. "Good thing that you're going to stay here after the wedding"  She sighed audibly. "Lord Shiva knows how I'd do without you..." She dragged her hand to my shoulder. And I couldn't help but feel a knot forming in my throat. It was true that I was attached to Panchala, but after I am married I will have to leave... someday. 

I am quite sure that the arrangement that everyone decided was not stable. Hastinapur won't keep quiet after knowing that the Pandavas are alive, we will have to leave someday. I was not sure how Mata would react to that though. 

"You look beautiful as always..." Mata's voice carried a surge of emotion as she insisted on fixing my nose ring, even though it didn't need any fixing. "It hasn't even been a few years and..." she added after a heavy sigh "I can't believe you are getting married" I couldn't help but feel a rush of anxiety when her eyes flashed with unshed tears... 

"Mata...? Are you not happy with my marriage?" My eyes met hers through the mirror. I had never seen her cry before, I didn't want to be the reason that brought tears to her. 

"No! Why wouldn't I be" She shook her head. 
"Then why are you tearing up?"  she chuckled through the tears
"These are tears of happiness silly" She came forward, now facing me.
"I am so happy for you," she remarked with a radiant smile. I instinctively mirrored her expression, feeling a surge of relief flow through my veins.

"It's almost like... you were just a little girl, and now suddenly you are a Bride" A tear rolled down her cheeks."I was never a little girl, Mata," I chuckled softly as I wiped her cheek with my fingers. The truth is, I really wasn't. I never knew what being a 'little girl' felt like. But seeing her affection and feeling the warmth of her care, I think my experience is quite similar.

"Are you ready!?" A bubbly voice followed inside the chamber as Mata quickly composed herself and wiped her face. 
"Oh my... Look at you," Princess Satyabhama covered her mouth with her palm. As she moved further inside, looking at Mata present there, she gave her a respectful nod.

Satyabhama was one of the wives of Vasudev Krishna, or Sakha, as I call him. We talked during my Swayamvar, and he was even there when my father announced the day of my wedding. know what connection we had but he and his wife seemed very friendly. Who can not be friends with such people?

Satyabhama was especially very bubbly. I never had a sister of my own, but whenever I see her, I can't help but imagine what it would have been like to have a sister as wonderful as her. I chuckle at the thought. It had been just a few days since I met them. It's uncommon to feel a strong connection to someone in a short amount of time. It sounds like this has been happening to me a lot lately since that day since that day.

"I am just imagining Prince Arjuna's reaction when he sees you" She giggled as she walked towards me. "Umm..." I broke the eye contact. That's what I have been thinking, and I didn't know or avoided imagining his reaction. For the past two days when I married Yudhisthir and Bheem, he had maintained a respectful distance from us. Whenever our eyes met he'd just give me a reassuring smile, nothing more than that. I understood the situation, but it is almost annoying how he is not his usual self now.