Empire of Righteousness ( The Beginning)

Chapter 185 : Surrendering to Almighty

Everyone is gathered in one chamber. Laughing in joy, teasing each other. The rest of the marriage ceremonies are going on.

Sutasoma just got scolded by Maya for throwing Chandrakantha up. Elders are enjoying their bitter sweet fight.

"Putri, you should have put your husband on test before giving birth to a child for him," Yudhisthira says fondly.

"Test? Mata, you gave them tests?" Siyaanshi asks curious.

Nandini and Shrutasena also shows interest about knowing that.

Draupadi smiles, "I did. Only after they passed I gave birth to you all."

"What sort of test, Maa?" Shrutasena asks curious.

"I gave Arya Yudhisthira a kitten. I said if he can take care of it for a week, I will give birth to children for him," Draupadi recalls fondly, "And he passed."

"Actually Jyesht didn't, Panchali," Bheema and Nakula bursts out in laughter.

"What?" Draupadi turns confused.

Yudhisthira looks alert and flustered.

"What do you mean? Arya took such great care of that kitten," Draupadi says.

"Completely opposite. Jyesht lost it in 2nd day. After that we found another kitten who looks just like that. Jyesht lost it twice. And we brought two more," Bheema snitches after years.

Draupadi looks at Yudhisthira surprised who avoids her eyes, "Is it true, Arya? You lied?"

"I didn't! It's just...you didn't say if I must take..care of the same kitten," Yudhisthira says weakly.

Draupadi gets up completely shocked by this revelation, "You tricked me! All four of you!"

Yudhisthira, Bheema, Nakula and Sahadev laughs this time. Arjuna and Karna also scoffs.

"You are laughing, Radhey? This is something to laugh? Look how your younger brothers tricked me!" Draupadi complains seriously.

"Indeed... Yudhisthira..you shouldn't have," Karna's body shakes in laughter.

Noone seems to pay attention to her anger rather are teasing Yudhisthira for being impatient.

Draupadi fumes in anger and sits down away from Yudhisthira. Not looking at her husbands anymore. How can they trick her?

She suddenly looks around. Where's Satanika? Her frown deepens. Devasena isn't here as well.

"Prati," Draupadi calls him in a side.

"Where's your brother Satanika? Should he be absent in this family gathering? This might be the last gathering for a while," Draupadi says.

Feeling Prativindhya's unease, Sutasoma comes up beside him.

"Maa... Satanika...he is..." today even Sutasoma stutters.

Draupadi looks at the faces of her eldest sons. Such hesitancy and confusion!

"Follow me," Draupadi says.

Soon one by one all her sons slip away from the gathering before anyone could notice. Even Shrutasena excuses himself.

"Arya," Devasena touches Satanika's shoulder, "You should ask Mata. She is your mother. There's nothing wrong to question her."

"It's...I can't, Devasena. So many matters...that Maa despite any circumstances never spoke with us. She won't answer me. I am also scared of asking her a question that will offend her," Satanika sighs.