A few months later, Shikhandini is back on one of her usual visits to Indraprastha. Sahadev welcomes her, and invites her to rest (I'll have some fun here w/ yall by using S: for both Shikhandini & Sahadev 😈)
S: Thank you, Madri-nandan, but as you might have guessed...
S: You can't wait to meet your beloved sister, can you? Yeah, I was aware that you'd be coming to see her
S: Is she busy? If that's the case, I can wait. I know how long shringhars take
S: No, it's not that. It's just that she's been very upset
S: Why is that?
S: Well, as you know, Jesht Arjun went into exile a few months ago due to violating her privacy w/ the king. So today, after several months, our spies brought us some news from Manipura. It seems that he has married their warrior princess Chitrangada, and settled down in Manipura!
S: What 😲 Wouldn't you all be concerned about that as well?
S: Actually, we were initially, but then the spies clarified that the terms of this marriage was that Chitrangada's son should become the future king of Manipura, and not be heir to Indraprastha. Arjun only plans to stay there for a few months until his baby is born, do his namkaran ceremony and then leave.
S: In that case, Draupadi shouldn't be upset, should she? Not that she really cares about who becomes Yudisthir's successor
S: No, it's not that at all. Reason Draupadi is upset is that while she's missing out on the man who won her, Chitrangada in the meantime is not only enjoying him, but is already pregnant w/ his son, and is gonna have his child even b4 Draupadi does.
S: Oh, so that is the reason why she's upset! I don't blame completely her. What sort of a penance is this?
S: Marriage 😈 The ultimate tapasya 😆 Anyway, it doesn't stop there. This news was yesterdays. Today, news came from the kingdom of king Kauravya. It looks like Jesht Arjun had a few weeks back married his daughter Uloopi. And our spies have reported that she's already pregnant, and has openly said that the child in her womb is Arjun's.
S: Then I can see why she is upset. Can you let her know that I've arrived - maybe I can comfort her.
S: Please do. I shudder to think of what will happen if Jesth Arjun marries any more girls 😲
Sahadev leaves the room, and comes back w/ Draupadi. Her eyes are red, cheeks moist and it's obvious that she had been raging a few minutes b4. Shikhandini goes and hugs her, and Draupadi brings her into her room.
Draupadi's room is a war zone - a sword outside its scabbard, and feathers all over the place, and overturned furniture. Maids of all the 5 Pandavas & Draupadi are busy totally rearranging the place. Sahadev invites both of them to his room, and invites them to rest there, while he goes and attends to the king. Shikhandini starts talking to Draupadi
S: Draupadi, I heard everything. Don't be sad - you know how it is, despite being born yesterday. Kings & princes can have any number of wives, but princesses can have only 1 husband. Think of how lucky you are. You can easily get back @ prince Arjun by snubbing him, & giving his place to the king. Or even Bhima - I noticed how much he loves you, & cares for you the most. I have a hunch that he'll be the best of your husbands
D: Thank you, jiji, but I can't do that. Even if my husbands break their promises to me, I can't do the same to them. Arjun will be welcomed when he comes back.
S: Yeah, but in the meantime, it's not healthy for you to be jealous of Uloopi or Chitrangada since they're w/ children & you're not. You should channel your energy positively. Here is my suggestion. Go and have a child from the king. Chances are that he will be your yuvraj, being the son of the great Dharmaputra as well as my dear sister.
D: You really think I should? Wouldn't Arya Bhima's son Ghatotkacha be the yuvraj?
S: No, silly, had that been the plan, he'd have been crowned by now. But being rakshashas, even your Hidimbi jiji is not allowed here, let alone Ghatotkacha. And don't worry about him - he's already Bhupati, thanks to your Arya Bhima. Chitrangada's son will be king of Manipura, have no claims here. Rajkumar Sahadev told me that Arjun had abandoned Uloopi in her home, didn't bother to bring her here. So even her son is unlikely to be the heir to this throne. So don't repeat the mistake you did last time
D: What mistake?
S: Why were you playing dice w/ the king in the weapons room, instead of going to his palace and trying to procreate the yuvraj? Had you done that, Arjun, who was going for his Gandhiva, wouldn't have interrupted you, and he'd still be here, and you wouldn't be raging over 2 other princesses being pregnant w/ his spawn. Now go to the king and start working on Indraprastha's future.
D: That's a good idea, jiji, I'll do what you say.
Draupadi & Shikhandini then leave, and meet the other Pandavas @ the main hall.
Y: Panchali, are you feeling better now?
D: Arya, I need to come to your room - there is some important work that we have to do
So Yudisthir & Draupadi leave for his quarters, leaving the other Pandavas there. Bhima is pleased w/ Shikhandini
B: She was a raging volcano just a few hours ago. What did you do to pacify her?
S: I just pointed out how she needs to think about the future of this kingdom more, and less about Arjun, and work accordingly
N: Whatever you did was just brilliant!
S: Okay, princes, looks like I'll need to leave.
B: It's already nightfall - once you're outside Khandavaprastha, it won't be safe. Here is a suggestion: why don't you join us for dinner? You can spend the night at Draupadi's quarters - Nakul will make sure that they are cleaned up & ready b4 you go there.
Just then, a guard arrives and tells them that Draupadi's room has been cleaned up. Nakul orders him to have it prepared for Shikhandini to rest, so that the next day, she can continue.
Shikhandini then joins Bhima, Nakul & Sahadev in their feast.
B (raising a glass of somaras): To the great Maharathi Shikhandini
Sahadev takes a sip, and spurts out his wine in shock - he's obviously gotten one of his poorv abhas attacks. Shikhandini raises her glass.
S (raising her glass of somaras): To the future yuvraj of Indraprastha
Bhima & Nakul too spurt out their wines 🤣
N: Is that what you suggested to pacify her?
S: What else do you think could have worked? 😈
Seher Hone Ko Hai
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