Vasudev, Dau and the 5 Pandavas smiled at the sight of Dhritarshtra and Vidur, doing the pooja of the groom, on the behalf of the bride's father.

"Pitashree should have been here." Arjun said as a few tears trickled down his face.

"He's here Bhratashree, with all of us." Nakul said through teary eyes, remembering what Dhriti told him earlier.

"I can't believe the time has come." Sahadev said as Nakul put a hand on his shoulder.

"Feels just like yesterday, that we used to play together, train together and sleep together. Everything with each other." Yudhisthir gave a sad smile as the brothers looked at Kanha , who was smiling at them, assuring everything would be alright.

"What are you thinking Bhanje?" Shakuni asked approaching Duryodhan and Karna.

"So she'll be gone now? She's going away from Hastinapur....." Duryodhan sighed.

"So! I expected you to smile on those words. But looks like you're doing the extreme opposite." Shakuni frowned at Duryodhan's sad face.

"We know mamashree, but sometimes he's allowed feel this way." Karna patted him.

"Mitra Karna is right. Anyways, who's going to perform Dhriti's Kanyadan?" Duryodhan asked, his face returning back to his normal emotions.

"Your Pitashree ofcourse! Maharaj Pandu's brother." Shakuni said.

"And what about Mahamantri Vidur? He's Maharaj Pandu's brother as well." Karna reasoned.

"No. No Angraj! Mahamantri is a dasi putra. And I'm sure Pitamah won't insult the crowd here by letting him do Dhriti's Kanyadan." Shakuni insulted as Karna's breath hitched in anger.

"Vasudev ji, Hastinapur always had great relations with Dwarka because their KulVadhu is your sister. And today, her daughter is going to be your KulVadhu. I hope the relationship between these two kingdoms stay strong forever." Dhritarshtra spoke as Vidur sadly smiled.

"Maharaj! Mahamantri! Dhriti has always been like a daughter to us. And everyone back in Dwarka already adore her a lot. I promise you both, she would never feel absence of Maharaj Pandu or anyone from Hastinapur.
Dwarka is her home now. So all of you should stay away from any worries." Vasudev broke a wide smile, assuring both of them.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

"So tell me..... How are you feeling?" Draupadi asked as Dhriti sat on her bed wearing the most beautiful lehenga any bride would have ever worn in the entire Aryavart.

"My heart is beating faster than normal! I'm so excited, I'm so happy that the time has finally come and I'm sad at the same time. So basically I'm an emotional cocktail. " She said looking at Draupadi making the others chuckle.

"Alright Alright. Now get up from the bed and come sit her. Let me get you ready." Draupadi asked as she slowly made Dhriti sit in front of the mirror.

"Rajkumari! Rajkumari! Sulabha Kakishree is entering your chambers with two ladies. We haven't seen them before. But they look more beautiful than the apsaras of Devendra. " A dasi entered running straight towards Dhriti.

"Oh that's nice. Let them in then!" Dhriti beamed, curious to know who these two ladies were.

"Dhriti! Putri. Look here. These two girls wanted to meet you and help in getting you ready. So I brought them here." Sulabha smiled as everyone's gaze fell upon Parvati and Saraswati, disguised as locals.

"Lakshmi....." A silent whisper escaped Parvati's lips as tears started briming in both Saraswati and Parvati's eyes.

"Oh and yes! Draupadi! Putri come with me for a minute. Subhadra and Revati needed help but I have some other work to do, would you go and check on them?" Sulabha asked Draupadi as she nodded and left the room.

"I never saw both of you anytime in Hastinapur." Dhriti smiled as Parvati, unable to control herself gently caressed her.

"Sakhi, my name is Dhaksha. Krishn's childhood friend from Vrindavan. And she's my Sakhi Sharda." Parvati smiled at her.

"Really? Both of you have come here from Vrindavan? " Dhriti asked smiling as Saraswati nodded at her excitement while Parvati continued doing her Shringar.

"Then.... Then tell me how's Yashoda Maiya and Nand Baba? Are they doing well? Why didn't you bring them?" Dhriti asked.

"Sakhi..... You're heart is so tender and loving. You never met Yashoda kaki and yet your voice shows how much you care for them? Why sakhi?" Parvati smiled, putting bangles in her hand.

"Because they had nurtured Kanha and Dau like their own children. She never let Kanha feel Devki maa's absence. And then, both Kanha and Dau left for Mathura all of a sudden. That would have broken their hearts. No parent deserves this kind of separation from their child.
And no child deserves this either." Dhriti said, her eyes now getting moist with every memory she had of her father.

"Dhriti, we heard you love lotuses. Look we've brought the most beautiful amongst all of them." Saraswati said offering her the same lotuses that Nandi collected for her from Kailash.

Dhriti took those lotuses in her hand as she keenly looked at them. They appeared different. So divine and dreamy that her eyes were lost into them.

"I never knew such beautiful varieties of lotus exist. Thankyou so much." She smiled at both of them.

"And there's one more thing you should look out for." Parvati said holding her shoulders.

"What what is that?" Dhriti's playful smile appearing on her face making Parvati more emotional.

Their loving interaction was interrupted by a bright white light , shining behind Dhriti as the time seemingly stopped.

All the sevaks and dasis stood there frozen, while Parvati and Saraswati gave each other a nod as Dhriti tried to observe the figure behind the white light.

"Putri...." The calm and peaceful voice said.

"Huh? Pitashree.... Pitashree?" Dhriti said moving towards the light.

"Dhriti how are you putri?" Pandu said as he approached her.

"Pitashree. You're really here?" Dhriti asked sitting down at his feet.

"No putri! Your place is not near my feet. Its in my heart. Now get up Dhriti. Its your big day today. And a father like me is so happy to see you like this." Pandu said as Dhriti smiled at him.

"I cannot go and meet everyone putri. But I'm glad I got a chance to see the grown-up version of my little Vrindapriya. Now, I feel honoured to mention that I am a proud father of 5 brave boys and this awesome girl who herself completes the 5 of them." He said wiping her tears.

"Your's and Mata Madri's presence is always felt by us Pitashree. Your body might have left us but your souls never did. But today I want you to fulfil your daughter's only wish on her wedding day." Dhriti spoke.

"Tell me what's that putri?" Pandu asked, willing to fulfil it for her.

"My Kanyadan Pitashree." She said, her glistening eyes hoping he would agree.

"Agreed Dhriti. I'll be present at the venue for your Kanyadan. But it would be done by the hands of Anuj Vidur. I've seen how he's the one amongst my two brothers who had always looked after you and had been your father figure. He deserves it, maybe more than me." Pandu smiled looking down at her as she attentively listened to him.

"You're right Pitashree. Not Jyesht Pitashree but Kakashree will do my Kanyadan in your presence." She smiled back.

"Now allow me to take a leave Dhriti. And always remember, whenever you need me, just take my name and think about me, I'll come down for my daughter." He smiled blessing her as he vanished with the white light.

Dhriti looked around as she observed that the time was frozen. Then her sight landed on her two newly made Sakhis.

"Dhaksha, Sharda..... Everything is frozen, except.... Except you two?" Dhriti asked approaching their smiling figures.

"We are your Sakhis na. And Sakhis share all the happiness and sadness together right?" Saraswati said as the three of them hugged each other and Parvati shed few years which Dhriti quickly wiped away smiling at each other.

"Don't cry Dhaksha. Its my big day and I want all my dear ones to keep smiling. But Sakhi, have you both ever visited Hastinapur before? " Dhriti asked looking after them.

"No, this is the first time." Parvati smiled at her reflection in the mirror.

"Don't know how, but I have this feeling that we've met each other and have been knowing each other since eternity. Or maybe we three together are too good for me to think this way." Dhriti giggled making the other two laugh as well.

Ofcourse she has seen them and true that the three of them have known each other for eternity. Afterall, they are the Trinity Goddesses- the Tridevis of the Universe. Its just bout time, that you'll realize Dhriti!

"Is my Dhriti ready already? Govind and everyone have proceeded towards the mandap." Draupadi entered.

"The three of you seemingly had a bonding session." Draupadi smiled looking at the three of them.

"Oh yeah! Forgot to introduce them. She is Dhaksha, and this is her Sakhi Sharda. They're Kanha's childhood friends. Came here all the way from Vrindavan." Dhriti smiled introducing both of them as Parvati and Saraswati greeted Draupadi.

"Govind's friends? Govind never mentioned anything about you. He said I was his dearest Sakhi!" Draupadi mumbled as Parvati smirked at her.

"That's because we don't reside on earth. And your Govind is my Bhrata Narayan and I'm his sister Gauri. Okay but Bhrata, how come you didn't mention my name anytime?" Parvati smiled in her thoughts.

"Right said Gauri. Also, your answer is in your question itself. I've mentioned names of the only women in the whole of aryavart, who are dear to me.
Logically, you don't live in Aryavart do you? And that's the reason I've never mentioned you, nor Lakshmi. I've always mentioned Lakshmi in the form of Priya." Kanha smiled.

"You're right. Somehow always!" She laughed.

"Yeah facts! Anyways, I thought you all would get my Priya ready so that she can come here a bit faster. I am entering the mandap. Now hurry up Gauri!" Kanha chuckled.

"Yeah yeah right. Just forgot you haven't seen her in two days. Lovesick!" Parvati giggled before diverting back her attention to Dhriti who had now gotten her dupatta pinned by Draupadi on her head.
Her long hair tied in a braid and some lose strands hanging out.
Her heavy shawl perfectly entangling around her hands.
The heavy necklaces, an elegant head piece, a gold and gem studded nose ring with a beautiful red bindi on her flawless forehead.
And last but obviously not the least, the lotuses in her hand.
The three women stood there, shockingly looking at Dhriti's divine appearance.
She was no more the Rajkumari of Hastinapur. Neither was she, the KulVadhu of Yaduvansh.
Golden light consistently surrounding her body, she was indeed Shri Mahalakshmi in every detail.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

On the other hand, the groom's side had approached the mandap. Kanha was no less than a handsome young man, decked with gold, wearing Dhriti's favourite coloured Red and Yellow Angawastra and not to mention, his divine mukut with those signature peacock feathers swaying with the gentle winds. In conclusion, calling him a handsome young man was an understatement. Kanha was beyond that.

Beside Kanha, stood Dau and Mahadev disguised in simple clothes, while Narad and Nandi stood amongst the commoners, smiling at their Prabhus.

The prcosession started as the Pandav brothers, Duryodhan, Dushasan, Karna arrived to welcome them with Sulabha , Gandhari and Bhanumati following them with the niranjan thali to perform the rituals.

"You're pampered and loved by everyone over here mitra! You're correctly called Manmohan." Mahadev lightly chuckled as Kanha nodded in agreement.

"Krishn, take your seat over here, and Dhriti shall sit on your right. Dau will be with be there with us and....." Bheem spoke as he stopped, looking puzzled at Mahadev.

"Oh! I forgot to introduce! He's our Sakha Sadashiv. We were together at rishi Sandipani's Gurukul." Kanha smiled looking at Mahadev gladly greeting the 5 brothers who joyfully took him along with them and Dau.

"Bhratashree! Look over there, Bhabhishree has arrived at the entrance of the Pavilion. And.... And she's looking..... No no I can't describe how she's looking. Anyways you'll she her na. You can't take your eyes off her." Subhadra teased as she breathlessly ran towards the entrance to welcome Dhriti along with Draupadi, Parvati and Saraswati.

"I've never been this nervous all my life. All eyes on me! Oh obviously Dhriti, you're the bride." Dhriti thought to herself as she walked behind Devki and Revati, where Kanha was already seated.

Imagine her as Dhriti.
But Madirakshi is actual gorgeous.

T

he usual smile appeared on her face as she was made to sit beside Kanha.

"After two whole days. And you're looking soo nice Kanha. I mean absolutely nice." She said looking at Kanha with the signature twinkle in her eyes.

"Ha! I was going to say that first. Subhadra was right. Even I could not explain how beautiful you're looking today. I can't believe Priye! You're looking so surreal." Kanha praised as her cheeks turned red.

Her eyes now automatically started finding her 5 brothers who waved their hands to grab her attention as she motioned them to stand somewhere nearby and not too far.

Dhriti diverted her attention back to the pandit who had started the pooja.
He placed some flowers in Kanha and Dhriti's hands and started reciting the mantras.

All the people present there, the Royal Families of Hastinapur, Dwarka, Panchal, Sindhu, Gandhar, Madra and Kunti-Bhoja ; the mantri mandal, the commoners all were dazzled looking at the divine pair sitting beside each other, fulfilling the customs.

Brahma Dev, Devi Saraswati, Mahadev , Devi Parvati, Devarshi Narad, Nandi, Devraj Indra, the Sapta Rishis were showering flowers and blessings.
The apsaras were performing their nrityas.
The Gandharvas were singing songs in Lakshmi-Narayan's praise.
This was it. It was not only the start of the Yuga's biggest celebration, but also the start for the creation of the path of Dharma, Love and courage.

"Bhratashree..... Now the panditji would announce Jyesht Pitashree to come forward for Var Pooja and Kanyadan." Dhriti whispered to Bheem.

"Yes yes absolutely right intelligent girl. What do you want me to do now?" Bheem chuckled.

"I'm being serious Bhrata Bheem. Stop Jyesht Pitashree from doing so. Kanha's Var Pooja and my Kanyadaan would be done by Kakashree only." Dhriti said as Bheem stood there shocked.

"That's not possible Dhriti. Jyesth Pitashree is our Pitashree's Jyesht Bhrata and also the Maharaj of Hastinapur. I can't stop him and create a havoc on your special day. Let it be the way it is." Bheem tried to convince her as she looked at Arjun.

"What are you saying dear. We can't do that. Doing so would mean a mere insult of Maharaj." Arjun explained her as the smile on Dhriti's face started turning into a shade of worry.

"Look Bhratashree, I can't stand up in the mandap and ask Kakashree to do it instead of Jyesth Pitashree. And if none of you are going to agree on this, then I have to speak up. And you know that would create more drama and gossip amongst everyone." Dhriti said as the brothers realized her point but kept quiet.

"What happend Priya?" Kanha asked looking at her fallen face.

"Pitashree promised me that he'll be present during all the ceremonies if Kakashree would perform my Kanyadaan on his behalf. Kakashree never made anyone of us feel Pitashree's absence. He has the absolute right to perform these rituals on his behalf. And no one is agreeing upon this. " Dhriti said in a worried tone.

"Nothing will go against my Priya's wish." Kanha smiled as he held her hand, putting the grains and ghee in the agni.

"Now call Kanya's Pitashree or any elder to perform Var Pooja and Kanyadan." The pandit announced as Dhriti saw Dhritarashtra making his way towards the mandap.

"No....... I-I promised Pitashree." Dhriti thought.

"Swami! Do something!" Parvati looked at Mahadev.

"Neither me, nor Narayan can do anything Shakti. Its all in the hands of a father's love towards his dear daughter." Mahadev explained as Kanha subconsciously nodded, smiling.

_________________________________________

So some of you might or might not have realized I introduced my Sakhi
PrettyyAmazingg's main character Dhaksha from her amazing (no pun intended) book : Mahabharat- I wish this lasts forever.

Secondly, I knew this divine grand wedding obviously won't fit in one single chapter.

Also, I want to make it so so special that a few more chapters would be dedicated to the wedding's every detail.

Anyways,
Hope you like it.
If you do, don't forget to vote and comment.
Thanks.
xx.