"Arya.... Will she really come?" Draupadi looked at Yudhisthir as she tiredly rested herself on her bed.

"Ofcourse she will Panchali. Afterall you have called her. She never fails you. And upon knowing that Shikhandi and Drishtyadyumn have arrived at Indraprasth along with Arjun, she'll definitely come." Yudhisthir assured as he looked out of his window.

"Look, she really did come." He smiled at Panchali as she beamed in joy.

"Ah ah, you're not going anywhere. You need a lot of rest these days. I'll send Dhriti directly to your chambers." Yudhisthir spoke, taking a leave.

"Pranam Matashree." Dhriti widened her smile, touching Kunti's feet as the emotional mother her, tightly embraced her daughter.

"Akhanda Saubhagyavati Bhava Putri." Kunti gracefully blessed her.

"You were finally back and there was this little family reunion but you didn't bother to send me a letter, Archer." Dhriti crossed her arms in front of Arjun as he gave a cheeky smile.

"Sometimes it's fun to see the expression of surprise on your face as well Didi. " Sahadev replied.

"Exactly, not letting you prank us everytime na." Bheem piped in as Dhriti faked a disappointment.

"Jyesht let's go now." Nakul nudged as Yudhishthir stood at a distance from everyone else.

"She must be angry on me. That's why she hasn't asked about me yet." Yudhishthir looked down.

"Oh Jyesth. She didn't ask for me either. Does not stop me from being the favourite." Nakul joked, to lighten Yudhishthir's mood.

"Where's my Nakul?" Dhriti enquired as her eyes started looking out for him.

"Okay my judgement is not always right. But let's go. She's our sister, Bhratashree. Do you think her heart can stay angry on you?" Nakul spoke forcefully pulling Yudhishthir towards them.

Yudhishthir walked behind Nakul with his head slightly hung low. Dhriti read out his face as Nakul eyed Dhriti about the same.

"Pranam Jyesht." Dhriti slowly greeted him as a smile started appearing on his face.

"Dhriti....." He spoke as they hugged each other.

"I'm - I'm sorry Dhriti...." Yudhishthir let out as Dhriti gently smiled.

"For what Bhratashree?" She asked.

"I should have trusted you instead of sending that letter." He confessed as a smile appeared on Kunti's face.

"I have long forgotten it Bhratashree. And you should smile because you Panchali is due anytime now. You going to become a father. Smile a bit atleast." She spoke breaking the hug as the other 4 of them laughed, gathering around for their signature group hug.

"Shower some love and grace on us as well Yadav kumari." Shikhandi gave a grin as Dhrishtadyumn chuckled.

"I thought you forgot me or something. No letter, absolutely nothing." Dhriti grinned back, hugging her.

"We were busy, warrior." Dhrishtadyumn spoke nonchalantly.

"Really? What kept you soo busy Bhrata?" Dhriti raised her brow.

"Narrating stories of your bravery and valour to my kids." He chuckled as everyone proceeded inside the palace.

"Panchali! How are you!!" Dhriti excitedly entered her chambers as Draupadi jerked from her sleep.

"Oops. I'm sorry." She tried holding back her laughters.

"What took you so long?" Draupadi crossed her arms.

"So Long? Dwarka is like so many miles away from Indraprasth. I was riding if a chariot, not teleporting myself." Dhriti laughed, sitting beside her.

"Alright Alright. I was missing you a lot. Last few days, I am feeling a mix of emotions. I can't sleep quietly. I can't stay awake. Now Mata and Aryas don't even let me move out of my place. I'm on complete rest, Dhriti. Do something." Draupadi spoke, vigorously shaking her.

"Look Bhabhishree, I'm not experienced in this field. Also, Revati Bhabhi is like the calmest woman in that condition so me and Subhadra know nothing about this." Dhriti spoke, making Draupadi laugh.

"Dhriti.... Now-a-days I  don't have any connection or coordination with my body. Feels like everything is going in different directions and I am constrained." Draupadi poured out her heart as a small smile appeared on Dhriti's lips.

"You know, I'll tell you a story and also, massage your hair with hot oil. It'll relax you...." Dhriti got up, taking some oil in a bowl, exciting Draupadi.

"Which story Dhriti?" Draupadi asked, opening her hair.

"Our body has 7 chakras.
Muldhara,
Svadhishthan,
Manipura,
Anahata,
Vishuddha,
Ajna and Sahasrara." Dhriti smiled, pouring the oil on her head.

"Tatparya? I didn't quiet get it. But I want to know." Draupadi asked.

"Muldhara is the root chakra, lies at the base of your back bone.
Svadishthan near the lower abdomen. But humans lose access to it when fear invades their mind.
Manipura, above the abdomen, is the centre of will power.
Anahata, near our heart deals with the restlessness and both positive and negative emotions.
Vishuddha chakra near our throat deals with our ability to communicate.
Ajna is in between the two eyebrows, stimulates our ability of inner consciousness and virtues.
Sahasrara, above out head, makes a way towards enlightenment."  Dhriti perfectly explained as Draupadi closed her eyes, with her hands on her belly, due anytime now.

"Now you must be thinking why did I give this long explanation." Dhriti giggled.

"At a point I thought about it. But just listening to whatever you spoke just calmed me down. Is this you speaking?" Draupadi smiled.

"No.... Its my Shri speaking and bringing you out of your restlessness." Dhriti heard Kanha's voice.

"You know, your Kanha would have appreciated a similar massage and your sweet talks.
What have I done to miss this." Kanha spoke in a little voice.

"You missed this because your Sakhi did not invite you here na." Dhriti teased.

"Yes yes, I'll make you do it for me once you come to Dwarka.
I know you can't say no to me." Kanha teased back.

"Dhriti.... But what was your motive of giving this beautiful explanation to me?" Draupadi brought Dhriti out of her thoughts.

"Hm.... Vaikunth, the abode Shri Lakshmi-Narayan has seven doors. These seven doors represent the seven chakras in human. Once, humans take a control over these, the attain salvation. And the reason I told this to you is because you were restless. Therefore, your Anahata chakra was disturbed. Now try to meditate and calm down.
I'll be at the Gauri Temple most probably. Call me if you need anything." Dhriti smiled as she left the chambers.

"You know what Parvati..... You should come to meet me. Just like Bhabhishree called me here for her company. I need my Sakhi as well." Dhriti smiled, loudly speaking with the idol, as her lotus feet , touched the cold marble of the temple.

Dhriti closed her eyes and brought her hands in front of the idol as Parvati's favourite Champa flowers appeared on her beautifully coloured palms.
She smiled, offering them to her.

"What blessing would my Shri bestow upon Jyeshth Upapandav?" Parvati smiled.

"Gauri, I feel so partial. Knowing that Vrishasen is the actual Jyesth Upapandav, and I  haven't blessed him. I haven't even seen him." Dhriti looked down.

"Sakhi, you can't directly go to Karna and Vrushali to bless their son. Its just desriny's game. Otherwise, everyone knows Shri loves everyone and she can never be partial." Parvati assured as Dhriti kept quiet.

"There's something going on in your mind." Parvati smiled.

"Yes Parvati! I'm going. He does not deserve this." Dhriti got up, joining her hands in front for her dear Gauri, as she disappeared.

"Great are you and your compassion, Hey Mahalakshmi." Parvati proudly nodded.

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

Dhriti appeared before the sleeping figure of little Vrishasen and Vrushali in Lakshmi's form. She looked around, keenly observing Angraj's Palace. Obviously she won't get any chance to officially visit it anytime.

She smiled at Vrushali, gently having the hold of her little son. She was the Maharani of Ang desh, but Dhriti always adored her descision of living a normal life. Never fascinated by the Royal life, but always supported her husband's every step. Such was Vrushali.

"Vrishasen....." Dhriti slow let out she as she gently carassed her little nephew. Her sad smile explained how she didn't like destiny's game of pulling her little nephew away from her love.

"Aayushaman Bhava Putra. May my auspiciousness always accompany you on the path of your virtuous and righteous deeds." A ray of light passed from her hand to Vrishasen's forehead.

"Dhriti! Dhriti! Where are you Dhriti! Ahhhh!" She heard Draupadi's painful voice.

Draupadi was due. It was time for Prativindhya's arrival. Dhriti walked away from their chambers as her feet left behind some fully bloomed wide lotuses, marking her presence.

Dhriti quickly closed her eyes as she appeared in her human form, standing in front of Draupadi's chambers inside the elusive Palace of Indraprasth.

"Dhriti! Dhriti, she's not stopping her painful screams." Arjun worriedly looked at Dhriti.

"Don't worry Bhratashree. Let me go in." She calmly assured him, as she moved inside, walking towards Draupadi, crying in agony.

"Dhriti! I can't bear this pain Dhriti!" She spoke, tightly holding Dhriti's hands.

"You can bear all the pains Yagyaseni. Without much torment and efforts, fire-born." Dhriti spoke, running a hand on her forehead as Panchali surprisingly calmed down. Tears stopped running down her face, no more screams left her lips.

After a few more less vigorous attempts, Draupadi had finally bore a son. The mid wives, happy to know that Indraprasth has now got their prince, layed the little boy near his mother's arms and exited out to reveal this great news to others.

Dhriti smiled at the sight of him still crying as she gently wiped all the sweat covering Draupadi's face with her soft shawl and lifted the little one in her arms, immediately silencing his cries as shine surrounded the two of them.

"Jyesth Panchali Putra..... Prativindhya." Dhriti's loving voice announced as everyone entered Draupadi's chambers.

Dhriti noticed the worry on Yudhishthir face and hence handed  over his little son, into his arms.

"He's smiling or laughing without any reason like you, maybe because you were the first one he saw once he opened his eyes." Bheem chuckled as Dhriti nodded a yes.

"No putra, this was definately not a good time you chose to come out. Its past midnight." Nakul tickled his little feet, making everyone chuckle.

"Arya....." They heard Panchali softly speaking.

"Look Panchali, our son." Yudhishthir proudly spoke handling the child to Draupadi as she embraced him as tears brimmed her eye lids.

"Looking at Dhriti, seems like she's ready to spoil him with all her love." Arjun spoke, patting Dhriti.

"Ofcourse. I am going to pamper him so much, y'all can't believe." Dhriti smiled, tears now forming in her eyes as well.

"Yes Bua. Now do the honours of naming him as well." Yudhishthir and Draupadi smiled.

"His knowledge about warfare and weapons would be compared to mighty mountains like the Vindhyas. Therefore, my nephew would be known by the name Prativindhya." Dhriti smiled as everyone else were overjoyed to hear this.

"Prativindhya..... What a mesmerizing name Didi." Sahadev spoke, gaining everyone's agreement as one by one, all of them took a leave, retiring to their respective rooms.

"Call me if you need anything, anytime." Dhriti smiled, putting the soft covers over Draupadi and Prativindhya.

"Wait Dhriti! Don't leave for your chambers so soon. I'll not be able to fall asleep otherwise." Panchali looked with pleading eyes towards Dhriti.

"Alright Alright. Because I'm a best sister-in-law and now also a best Bua, I'm here. Now go to sleep." Dhriti giggled resting herself on a chair.

"Yeah, take all the credits, Bua." Yagyaseni laughed before, she closed her tired eyelids.

Silence overtook the surroundings as even the most gentle breezes made their sounds. Dhriti, tired after staying awake for too long had finally decided to doze off, when she heard the loud cry of Prativindhya, as she hastily got up, dragging herself towards him.

"Night owl, you should let your Mata sleep for a bit. Look how tired she is." Dhriti stated a conversation with him, trying to silence his cries.

"Look at the stars over there. You like them?" Dhriti smiled pointing his little fingers out of the balcony as he shook his hands in excitement.

"So you like it. I'll tell you the story of Dhruvtara, only if you promise me to sleep after that." Dhriti pulled her hand infront of him as he gently touched them.

"Smarter than your Kakashree Sahadev, aren't you." Dhriti smiled as she narrating the story of Dhruv to the little one while the night, witnessing this newly formed bond, slowly kept passing away.

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

"I don't want to wake them up." Nakul smiled at the picture in front of his eyes as Arjun nodded looking at Draupadi peacefully sleeping, keeping a hand on Prativindhya while on the other side of the bed sat Dhriti, only resting her head beside the little one, as his little fist tightly held one of Dhriti's finger.

"Dhriti must have fallen asleep, instead of him while narrating him some bedtime story. Its her habit." Arjun laughed.

"I have seen this love on Panchali's relaxed face after so many days. She surely loves him a lot." Nakul smiled.

"Dhriti, Dhriti! Go and properly rest yourself in your chambers. You haven't rested your back all night."  Arjun woke her up, as she looked around.

"Is it morning already?" She asked, straightening her attire as she got up.

"Yes it is. And your face shows you haven't slept all night. Now go, sleep." Arjun patted her.

"What go sleep? Get ready, I want to show you something." Nakul excitedly spoke, sprinkling water on her face as Dhriti was fully awake now.

"What is this behaviour. Wait! Let me get ready, I'll see you Nakul." Dhriti chuckled, running behind him as they commenced their banter once again.

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