WEAPON OF GOD :: Mahabharat

CH.33. HUMAN-NESS

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The Pandavas stood in awe as soldiers reluctantly bound their hands in ropes.

Obviously, the King wasn't happy with the division of the kingdom, and nor was his oldest son.

Shikhandini wasn't happy either, she didn't want the kingdom to be divided. But she couldn't let the Pandavas get arrested either. She needed them around for her position in the family to be intact.

Shikhandini stomped through the corridors, as everyone on her way skittered away to let her pass.

"WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE MAHAMAHIM BHISHMA!" Shikhandini roared making Bhishma stand up. Vidur, who was also in his room shot up in confusion.

"You cannot just enter Mahamahim's chamber unannounced Rajkumari" the door guard came running behind her.

"Its fine. You can go" Bhishma ordered the guard to go back as he settled his gaze on Shikhandini. "May I ask what is the reason for this interruption?"

" Your king has arrested my husband and his brothers. While he sits in his cozy room with his doors locked, the Pandavas are being scouted to the JAIL. Is this what Kuru clan has come to? To arrest innocent people?" She stated.

"What!?" Vidur exclaimed. "We don't know anything about this!"

" Of course you don't. No one in this palace seems to know anything about anyone. You all are supposed to be family! Even friends and acquaintances are closer to each other than you are to your people"

Bhishma massaged his temple as he tried to comprehend what was happening. He believed Dhritarashtra won't do anything stupid, but here he was, doing the stupidest thing.

As always, Bhishma went and took care of the order. However, Yudhishthir wasn't at all impressed. Because he had, CLEARLY stated to Shikhandini before going away, to not seek Pitamah's help.

The back and forth between the two didn't change, but Evi too didn't interfere, as she couldn't see how her being involved would help the situation.

Weeks passed by as Evi spent her time with Draupadi, Dusshala and Dussashan. Many at times she would spend time with the Pandavas, but never did the two groups mixed to keep their sanity intact.

The division was finalised after two months, which weren't as smooth as Evi would have liked.

One fine night, Duryodhan approached Yudhishthir before dinner and asked why Evi never ate with the whole family.

And Yudhishthir replied " she's not that close to us. At this point, she is like a maid to Shikhandini"

Duryodhan got furious as he stepped closer to Yudhishthir and growled " What did you just say?"

Yudhishthir scoffed as he realised that Duryodhan being obsessed with Evi wasn't a joke. "I was just testing you. You DO care about her"

Duryodhan fumed even more as he stopped his hands from landing a punch.

"She cannot eat this food. She gets sick. The food she obtains from the Akshaya Patra is the only thing she can consume healthily" Yudhishthir explained.

Duryodhan was confused as to what this Patra was, but decided to ask Evi himself. However, before leaving he was stopped by Yudhishthir.

"Why do you call Devika Evi?"