The Travel Across Yugas

Chapter 6

The conversations in italics are in Sanskrit and the ones in normal font are in English.

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The setting sun painted the sky a warm orange adding a tinge of red at the illusory edges. The cool and gentle winter breeze swayed making the long luscious locks of the fire born fly. Long shadows followed the duo as the rays of the evening sun failed to travel through them. Gazing up at the scattered clouds that take the shape of one's imagination, the daughter of fire, wishes the time would freeze allowing her to soak in the beauty of nature to her heart's content. Her gaze momentarily travels to her companion, Aranya, only to see her host lost in a similar trance staring at vast sky. Allowing her eyes to find their way back to the puffy clouds, she takes a relaxed breath enjoying the stolen time away from her responsibilities as a queen.

Her mind wanders back to the delicately woven friendship with Aranya and her life. It's been few days maybe a couple of weeks since they reached Kaliyug. She has consciously lost track of time trying to adjust to her new surroundings and her married life. It has been barely a month since their atypical marriage and so much has happened since then leaving her no time to contemplate her life. When Yudhishtir proposed his idea of traveling to various kingdoms, she had contained her worries regarding her married life. Her worry intensified when she found they are in Kaliyug. There is a gap of 5000 years that had to be bridged. What is the culture of the modern times? Will they accept Polyandry? Will she have to go through the questioning again?

Surprisingly, the couple - Hridansh and Aranya, were fairly accepting and welcoming. Though aware of their peculiar marriage, the couple haven't expressed any concerns. Rather, they have been supportive and tried to maintain an amiable atmosphere around. It is her year with Yudhishtir and he has been very supportive, giving her enough space to get used to her surroundings. Her thoughts drifted back to the person beside her. A unique relationship evolved between them. It was a perfect blend of sisterhood and friendship, one that she would cherish forever. Their spontaneous talks about the difference in cultures, ranging from the dressing style to the societal expectations, are one of her favorite parts of the day now. She has observed Aranya to be a selectively impulsive person who is set on stealing every little happy moment from life. Though initially appalled at her impulsiveness, she grew to like that about her and now wonders if she caught the same spontaneity from her friend.

Aranya looks to her right to see the fierce queen lost in her mind palace and mulls over how her life changed in a fortnight. She has started to weave distinctive bonds with the individuals that forced their way into her life few nights ago. Bheem was the person she is closest to and considered her elder brother. Their endless talks over food and culinary techniques enthralled her. She chuckled upon remember Bheem's reaction when she told him that she is skilled in martial arts. Her chuckle brought her new friend out of her thoughts. The duo took a second to get aware of their surroundings and resumed their walk.

"Thank you for suggesting to go on a walk" said Draupadi. She was slowly yet steadily catching up on the present day languages. "It is highly refreshing."

"It is my pleasure. You deserve some time off in the nature after all the rigorous exercise that you are pushing your brain through." answered Aranya with a smile. The Pandavas and Draupadi started exploring various systems of countries and are closer to getting a basic idea of the governments' workings.

Aranya deems it an appropriate moment to get few of her questions answered and wonders, "Draupadi, How do you feel being a queen?"

Yagyaseni surprised at the sudden question, ponders over it for a moment and answers, " I'm not really sure since I've been a queen for barely a month. However, from my experience, I can say it is an interesting position. It has its ups and downs. Being a queen challenges me to push myself and explore my limits. However, I can rarely trust someone and am always on the lookout for spies. It'd be nice to have a friend to talk to and share our problems. I do have Govind. He is an amazing friend and a godsend but I wish I have any female friends. Someone who could relate to what I say"