Saishree!! Click here!

The windows banged against the frame, as the rain fell ferociously against it. The wind was howling outside, and the news report earlier had predicted a likely thunderstorm. And while the hinges of the window creaked yet again, our protagonist, Saishree Kotkar sat sighing in front of her computer screen, her fingers tapping unceremoniously against the keyboard. Finally, giving into the goosebumps on her skin, as thunder rolled in the sky, and the glass of the window threatened to shatter now, she contemplated walking over while the window banged in a continuous rhythm.

As the glow from the black screen went off, and she walked over to the window, struggling to shut it, the pellets of rain fell over her face, dampening her unruly, black hair. She felt her lips curl up in a smile, as a crack of lightening reddened the sky, and then finally shutting the window, she clicked the lock.

The wooden desk was scattered with pens, a notepad on which she had doodled fandom names with red hearts, and a cold cup of what was once hot tea. Even the biscuits remained abandoned in a corner. After an hour of chatting on the internet, fangirling over mythological couples and trying to write something, she had finally given up, ending up chatting with the friends.

Now, as Saishree slid into her bed, burying herself under the soft quilt, she placed her dead phone aside. It was her birthday tomorrow, and she felt nothing close to what could be termed as excitement. The realities of the world were getting to her with each passing year, and taking herself into the world of unrealistic romance and happy-endings seemed to be the best way to get away from it now. And so, as she closed her eyes and wandered off to the world of fairy tales, of valorous warriors, brave princes, and beautiful princesses she silently wished, "I wish this birthday really is special.

She didn't know when she drifted off to sleep after that, as the crazed storm continued roaring outside.

A few hours later, she felt she heard a loud tapping, before she sprang up on the headboard, startled as she heard a loud crash. A bright light blinded her, as it came into direct contact with her eyes, and she placed her hand over her eyes urgently, the opaque surface of her hand shielding her. Suddenly, she felt herself manoeuvre into action, her feet seemingly acquiring a mind of their own as she moved towards the enigmatic source of the flooding light, the door of the attached balcony.

And just when she had crossed the threshold, into what was her balcony, Saishree breathed in a distinct, fresh smell, her head moving in every direction as bright colours flashed before her, people dressed in ancient clothing moving about hurriedly. The door behind her closed and she found herself stretching out her arm to stop someone, but they all seemed too busy in their own world, flustered and flushed.

Exasperated, and strangely tired, she searched around for nothing in particular, but as her eyes caught sight of a large banyan tree, its shadow falling on the kerb below it, her eyes lightened, and she immediately rushed towards it, the lines on her forehead easing as she placed herself under the cool shade. But as soon as she had closed her eyes, a strong smell reached her nostril; it was sweet, an odd mix of sugar and spice, it was too strong to be the fragrance from a flower, and light enough to be from the processed perfumes. It was almost natural. She was beginning to turn around, and look for the source of the smell, when she felt a strong hand over her shoulder and heard a voice.

The voice was heavy and yet it wasn't. Confused, she turned around, only to face a strong looking woman, her narrowed eyes confident and her wild hair blowing as the dry wind swept over them.

"Who are you?"

She didn't miss the authority in the voice of the woman, and her intimidating posture. Her voice seemed to betray her, and she couldn't form any words.

"I repeat for the last time, who are you?"

"I...I don't know where I am."

"That is precisely what spies from other kingdoms say when they are caught. Answer me, who do you work for?"

"Kingdom...work? I...no one. Please tell me where am I?

The woman's eyes narrowed to the point of squinting and her grip tightened on her shoulder.

"In the great kingdom of Panchal. The land of Maharaja Drupad."

"Panchal...Drupad...Dra...Draupadi?" She whispered, her gaze flying everywhere frantically.

Her voice choked as she joined the dots, finally realising that she was speaking in a different, ancient tongue, and she understood it too! Holy...

In this case, realisation instead of puberty hit her like a truck. She had time travelled!

While her mind tried to grasp everything, she suddenly felt the smell from earlier grow stronger. Even as both her sense organs reacted together, the wonder of having landed up in the kingdom of Draupadi didn't leave her, and then she heard the most musical of voices she ever had.

"What's wrong Jeeji? Who is the new convict here?" An equally musical laugh followed.

As if hit by lightening, Saishree whipped about, ignoring that the woman had her hand gripped tightly, almost to the extent of painful.

The first sight she was greeted by was a dark, twinkling pair of eyes, holding a sign of mischief, and hidden behind the visible emotions, was a deep pain. It shocked her to be able to read that emotion, and her own eyes widened as she took a step back, her gaze sweeping over the entire form.

Wrapped in deep red, bordered with thin gold, she looked breathtaking in the gleaming sun. Her dark skin, bordering to blue, accentuated her sharp features, her slim nose and her ruby red lips, which curved slightly. Her breath seemed to hitch as she noticed the heavy, intricately crafted gold jewellery she was laden with and her long hair which ended just above her knees, in coiled curls. She vaguely recalled a similar description and she gasped as she realised who the beautiful figure in front of her was.

"A spy this time. What are you doing here at this time Draupadi?"

"How can you say she's a spy?"

"The exasperated look and the stuttering speak for themselves."

"Oh, come on! she waved her hand, as Saishree's shocked gaze remained fixed at her.

"Will you tell me what is your name?" All eyes turned to her, as the princess of Panchal asked her a question.

Embarrassed, she lowered her eyes and responded hesitantly, "Sai...Saishree."

"Ah! I haven't heard that name before. Tell me later what that means will you?

As she nodded without looking up, the radiant princess chuckled, and turned to her sister.

"I think you are taking your security skills too seriously. She's probably resting under the shade; it won't be a surprise if she is. I do that all the time.

"You are defending someone you don't even know," she stated and then continued, "I have never seen her in the palace myself, least of all in this quarter."

"I am not in the least taken aback. New employees have been hired for my marriage. She fell silent after that, with a beaming rosy cheeks like a new bride lost in her own thoughts.

But the next moment, she collected herself together and replied, "Do not worry about her, she'll help me get ready for my wedding," subtly dismissing the servants, and then motioned to her sister, who nodded in understanding.

Saishree quietly followed the princess inside the palace, decorated with the most precious jewels, the names of which probably she hadn't even heard.

"Come, come with me. I hope the choice of dresses is good. Because I am so confused as to what I should select for my wedding... I don't know what he will like.

She saw Draupadi's distant gaze, realising she was lost in her thoughts again.

Maybe this is what brides are like! Sayu thought to herself, not realising she had whispered it out loud.

"Did you say something?"

"No, no! We should go quickly...I think."

"Yes...

They both strode towards the majestic room of Draupadi. The room had been beautifully decorated, with blue lotuses and crimson curtains. Her royal bed had been scattered with piles of dresses, yet neatly placed along with jewellery of every kind.

"Will you please help me to choose one of these dresses?" Saishree by now had discovered the real Draupadi, how she actually was. Her innocent behaviour had made her features soft. Excitedly, and yet a little intimidated by the princess's presence, she scanned all dresses with her eyes and bit her nail while her other hand was on her left hip.

"Umm... all dresses are so beautiful!" She commented. But her eyes fell on a maroon lehengawith golden embroidery and heavy work on it. She gently lifted that lehenga and questioned Draupadi whether she liked it.

"Thank god at least you chose one. Even I couldn't have selected this! It's very lovely!"

Draupadi took the lehenga and wore it. She was looking as divine as a goddess in that dress. Saishree had never thought she could ever see Draupadi with her own eyes. Her hands were skilled at typing, but without acknowledging her, her hands worked as a perfect beautician.

Draupadi was looking like an angel. As a last touch, she put on a rare purple lotus on her hair. Everyone walked towards the diyas with flower plates. The wedding diyas was looking like the best place on the earth. The sound of trumpets and drums were creating a majestic environment. The whole crowd was waiting for only one person, the one and only Arjun.

"I had seen you and Rajkumar Arjun in theswayamvar, Rajkumari!'' Saishree exclaimed thinking of that divine moment both had exchanged. Or I thought I imagined it.

Draupadi gave a soft smile with rosy cheeks in reply. But her eyes were searching for the only one person, for her Govind. Her gaze searched all over the diyas but she couldn't find him. Confused, she frowned thinking about where he might be.

She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't even realise that Govind was right before her walking with Draupadi. She sighed with a smirk and she thought she got a smirk in return!

"A plot is going on against you... someone whispered. She turned back in astonishment but found no one. She was quite confused in this new, in fact unknown era with people who had different thoughts and attires. And once for all, her heart drooled as her eyes fell on Arjun, whom she had been admiring since ages.

Chants had started with the sound of veenas. Ved vyas called out to Draupadi in a while to the diyaswhere Arjun had been waiting since a long time. Draupadi walked towards him, casting her eyes low, but then looked up shyly to see her to-be-husband, her cause of life. There had been an awkward eyelock, which made her cheeks heated. They didn't even realised that there had been a person who was witnessing all these with a grin on her face.

Draupadi reached the diyas in no time. "Looking like a queen, my queen! Arjun winked at her and commented.

This made her so shy that she wanted to run away from there. Saishree's mouth was up to her ear hearing their conversation. The Pandit chanted the mantras and as the moments were passing, her heart was beating like a drum. She couldn't express her happiness on being able to witness their marriage!

"This has been the best thing in my birthday, God!" She murmured under her breath with a big smile. Till then the Pandit had ordered the couple for the holy seven rounds. The breaths of all the people present there hitched in anticipation.

"Who will tie the holy knot?" Ved Vyas questioned Draupadi. She thought for a while and a glint followed her eyes.

She whispered something to Arjun, as if plotting something. From the side, Arjun replied "I know who can tie the knot!

The spark of naughtiness was clearly visible in both of their eyes. They nodded to each other and Arjun got up from the diyas. Saishree was a little confused seeing all the activities which were of course beyond her imagination.

"SAISHREE, will you tie the knot?' A chill went through her spine, thinking whether it true or she had dreamt in broad daylight. She felt a hand on her shoulder and another hand held her wrist and took her towards the diyas. Her jaw was almost falling off and she was motionless, as she stood before the divine couple. And suddenly Draupadi handed her dupatta in Saishree's hand.

"Now tie the knot! Draupadi pointed towards the cloth with a sweet smile at her face. A tear fell off from her eyes and she took Arjun's uttariya, tying the knot.

"You will always be close to our heart, Saishree! Both whispered in both their ears.

Saishree side glanced to Govind, and reminded the voice, "Plot going on!

And she nodded her head at this antic of her Govind.

They both took the seven holy rounds and soon after that the Pandit guided Arjun to put the vermillion on her forehead. As soon as they were declared legally wedded, vibes of joy were felt all over the place. The environment was as jubilant as if Siya and Ram was getting finally united. She felt teardrops roll down on her cheeks and her happiness knew no bounds!

But soon she began to shake, the soil from beneath her feet went away, the whole diyas vanished in thin air, and everything seemed to blackout. And then, she heard a voice which seemed to be coming from miles away,

"Sayu, college nahi jaana kya?

Link to next thread...😉

Is the world ablaze?
I guess it's someone's gaze.
Wherefrom does come the melody-flair?
If not from the war-field there?

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