The Fire and the Fury: The Draupadi Chronicles ✅

**Chapter 16: Morning Revelations**

The morning light gently streamed through the curtains, casting a soft glow over the room. Draupadi stirred from her sleep, feeling a tender touch on her forehead. She opened her eyes to find Kunti, her gaze filled with warmth and admiration.

**A Tender Awakening**

Kunti, with a loving smile, greeted her, “Good morning, dear.”

Draupadi, still groggy but smiling, responded, “Good morning, Maa.”

Kunti continued with a gentle reminder, “Putri, you have many rituals to attend to. Get up, get ready, perform your morning prayers, and then come to the common hall.”

Draupadi nodded, “Okay, Matha.”

Kunti, with a teasing glint in her eye, added, “And please go wake my sons as well. They will be happy to see you early in the morning. But try not to look too beautiful, or they might lose their self-control.”

Draupadi’s cheeks flushed at the comment, and Kunti left the room, leaving Draupadi to start her day. She completed her morning routine and made her way to the Pandavas’ room, following Kunti’s instructions.

**A Playful Awakening**

Entering their room, Draupadi couldn’t help but giggle at the sight before her. The Pandavas were tangled together in a cozy heap, hugging each other possessively in their slumber. She sat gently on the edge of the bed and began to stroke their heads, a tender gesture that stirred them from their sleep.

The Pandavas, half-awake and disoriented, mistook her touch for their mother’s. With drowsy eyes, they turned and laid their heads on her lap. Draupadi’s face turned crimson red at the unexpected intimacy, and she continued to stroke their hair, trying to contain her blush.

**A Sweet Surprise**

As Draupadi softly whispered, “Iyanehya,” the Pandavas slowly opened their eyes, startled by the unexpected voice. They blinked and looked up at her, their confusion quickly giving way to realization. Seeing Draupadi in such a close and personal setting made them blush and smile.

Nakul, rubbing his eyes, asked in surprise, “Nityayuvani, you’re here?”

The Pandavas, now fully awake, pulled their heads from her lap and sat up on the bed, still trying to shake off the remnants of sleep. They were a mix of confusion and curiosity, their drowsy state making the situation even more amusing.

**A Playful Plea**

Draupadi, noticing their disheveled state, said, “Mother has tasks for us, so she asked me to wake you up. If you don’t want me here, I can leave.”

She began to rise from the bed, but the Pandavas, now fully alert, protested, “No, no, no! Please don’t leave!”

Sahadeva, eager to keep her with them, pulled her back gently, causing Draupadi to fall into their embrace. Her cheeks flushed a deep red, and the Pandavas couldn’t help but laugh at her adorable reaction.

**A Lighthearted Moment**

Draupadi, still blushing and now sitting among them, said, “Now, leave me please, and get ready. We have rituals to attend.”

The Pandavas, with their laughter fading into smiles, nodded and began to get ready for the day. The playful and affectionate interaction had set a joyful tone for the morning, making the upcoming rituals and activities feel even more special.

**Looking Ahead**

As they prepared for the day, the bonds between Draupadi and the Pandavas grew even stronger. The morning’s light-hearted moments and tender exchanges underscored the deep affection they felt for each other.

Nakul, with a mischievous grin, said, “Only today, tomorrow you’ll be mine and I can do anything with you.”

The other Pandavas joined in, their faces lit with playful grins. “Yes, yes!” they echoed in unison, making Draupadi blush deeply and avert her eyes. Their teasing laughter filled the room, and they each gave her a quick peck on the cheek before heading off to bathe.

After some time, the entire family gathered in the common room where the day’s rituals took place. The atmosphere was vibrant with decorations of diyas, flowers, and Rangoli. Maharaj Drupad announced that the wedding would be held the next day. The palace was alive with celebration, with people dancing and singing in joy.

Exhausted from the day’s events, Draupadi sought to retreat to her room for some much-needed rest. As she walked through the corridors, she was suddenly pulled by the waist. To her surprise, it was Bheem, and the other Pandavas were with him.

Arjun, with a teasing tone, asked, “Where were you? We missed you.”

Draupadi, still slightly out of breath from the surprise, replied, “Missed me? But we were together all day.”

Nakul added with a mischievous sparkle in his eyes, “That’s different. We missed flirting with you and kissing you.”

Draupadi felt her cheeks heat up as the Pandavas began to shower her with affectionate kisses. Her attempts to stay composed were undermined by their closeness, and she whispered, “Okay, now leave me. We need to go to sleep.”

Yudhishthira, with a gentle but firm tone, said, “Nope, we’re not leaving you.”

At that moment, Kunti and Draupadi’s mother, Devi Kokila, entered the hallway. They both cleared their throats loudly, drawing the attention of the six people standing together. The Pandavas, caught off guard, quickly pulled away from Draupadi, their faces showing a mix of embarrassment and concern.

Kunti, with a relieved tone, said, “Thank God we came, Kokila. Otherwise, they would have gone too far.”

Kokila nodded in agreement, “Yes, Kunti. Did all of you forget that you’re not yet married?”

The Pandavas, realizing they had been caught in an awkward situation, quickly apologized. “Sorry, Maa,” they said in unison. Without further ado, they hurried out of the room, each giving Draupadi a final kiss on the cheek before making their swift exit. Their mothers, watching the scene unfold, could only exclaim in surprise, “Oh!”

As the Pandavas ran off to avoid further reprimands, Draupadi stood there, still flushed but with a smile on her face. The unexpected but affectionate attention from the Pandavas and the timely arrival of the mothers had turned a tiring day into one filled with affection and familial bonds. The anticipation for the upcoming wedding and the events that would follow filled the air with excitement and a sense of eager expectation.

1.What new experiences and challenges will the day bring? 2.How will the evolving relationships and responsibilities shape their journey?