Last Day to Laugh

It was a fruitful day. I had woken up even before the mama birds ventured out for food. By the time I finished getting ready for the day, birds had begun chirping, and mild humdrum had filled the air. Life in the palace had already begun. I made my way towards the palace temple.

As I went closer to the majestic arch, servants and maids lined up, bowing up to me. I smiled and waved them away. The familiar aroma of scented lamps surrounded me as I entered the inner sanctum. My eldest husband, King Yudhishthira sat before the holy fire, engaged in his daily rituals. I quietly took a seat behind him and focused my mind upon the divine chants by the group of sages who lived under his patronage.

"You're up awfully early, are you not well?" My concentration broke as Bheema addressed me. I shushed at him and pointed to the meditating King.

"I feel excellent, Bheemsena," I whispered back. "Where's Arjuna?"

Bheema pointed at the forest beyond. "He left already?" I asked.

Bheema shrugged, "Hasn't come back since yesterday. Don't you worry though, I'll check on him before going to court."

"Must be with Krishna, then. Those two can't understand time for the life of them! Go ask, they probably think it's still night out." I stifled a laugh. However, Bheema broke into giggles. The King turned and looked at us, clearly annoyed.

"What happened?" He said, "This is a place of worship, you two."

"But she made me laugh!" Bheema protested. I shrugged with a smile.

The King shook his head, "Krishna is not here. In fact, we have not heard from Dwarka in quite some time. Bheema, remind me to send a messenger over to Dwarka today. And by the way Panchali, you are the only one who can shrug at the King of Indraprastha, and live to tell the tale." He smiled as he began to leave.

"And you, Sir, are the only man who can reprimand the Queen of Indraprastha and get away with it," I called after him, laughing.

---

I was busy overseeing the decorations of my room when a guard came and bowed. "His Highness, the King Yudhishthira has requested her Highness the Queen Panchali to accompany him and his brothers to Hastinapura to attend a prestigious family gathering."

I was perplexed. All of a sudden, after so long they remember us? I shook my head and inquired, "Why? What is happening there? Someone getting married?"

"No, your highness," said the guard, "The King of Hastinapura has organized a festival in honour of our King's latest accomplishments. He has specifically requested the presence of the entire family. "I nodded, but something did not sit right. The last time my husbands were 'honoured' by Hastinapura, they nearly got killed. I wondered, what was in store for us.

Evidently, it was quite a lot.

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