Aadhya Strength Of Pandavas novel Chapter 31

AADHYA'S POV

After reaching kampilya we started to search for a Dharamsala and we spotted an old potter, Jesth Bharata walked towards him and asked, "where can we find a Dharamshala? we wish to stay here for a few days" and he replied, "there will not be any Dharamshala available right now, are you travelers?" and Jesth replied, "yes, we came from Ekchakra and wish to go to Naimisharayan" and the potter asked, "are you Bharamins?" and jesth replied, "well we are wearing the clothes of Bharamins" and the potter said, "oh saying half-truth" and Jesth said "because I never lie" and the potter replied, "well in the half-truth there is half lie as well," Jesth looked at him and said, "yes you are correct, from now on when I say a half-truth God will punish me, but I can't say the truth, so please don't ask me questions" and understanding said, "did the ladies eat something?" hearing this we looked at each other and he said, "come inside, I will arrange for your dine and stay for few days" hearing this Jesth said, "but you shall allow us to serve you, it is mandatory, or else we won't accept your hospitality", the potter smiled and replied, "I'm an old potter, digging soil is hard for me, since you are young you dig up soil for me and I shall offer you a place to rest and dine."    

Bharata Bheem excitedly said, "then we will first serve you first, tell us where to get the soil from" giggling I said, "you always get excited hearing about food" and Bharata Arjun added, "yeah we need a little soil, we don't need to make a mountain" and the potter replied, "no no how much ever soil you get will be less, king dhrupad has ordered us to make many divas, pots and vessels, kind has organized a swayamvar for our princess," hearing that I questioned "of princess Shikandini?", he replied, "no, the deities of fire sacrifice have blessed the king with a daughter, our divine princess Draupadi, her Swayamvar will begin in few days, the person who will get married to the princess will be most fortunate" we all smiled in reply and the potter gave the information of where to get the soil from to Bharata Bheem and Bharata Arjun. 

The work was divided among everyone but the potter wouldn't except my help (bharata yudhistir, bharata nakul and bharata Sahadev helping the potter and bharata bheem and bharata Arjun getting the soil, the potter didn't accept my help so I was free). After lunch, I went to roam around the pond on the way I found a slingshot and picked it up excited since it's been long since I used a slingshot, taking it with me I went to the pond.  

I saw a lady struggling, trying to get a lotus from the pond, I took the slingshot I found earlier, picking up a stone I aimed at the lotus to help the girl, after she took the lotus, she looked up at who helped her, and I got near her, getting a proper view I was sure she is a princess or from a noble family, she gave me a small smile and said, "thank you" and I replied, "no problem" and shot at the other lotus thinking mata will like it and took the lotus and the girl asked, "where did you learn such good aiming" and I said, "well living in vaan, I should know how to use this at least" and she excitedly said, "will you teach me how to use it?", I replied "looking at you I'm sure you are a princess or from a noble family, don't you think you shouldn't trust me? and you sure you wanna learn that from me? there are many people who can teach you at your one say" and she gave a small smirk and said, "why would a shadvi harm me? Plus you just helped ,didn't you? and I would like to learn it from you and think I would like to know you more" I looked at her and said, "well if you are comfortable I don't mind teaching you."

I took out my slingshot and showed her how to hold it, use it and aim from it, giving her the slingshot for her to try, taking it she did what I told and started to get a hang of it, she was about to use it but some solider came saying, "rajkumari it's time to go, king drupad is calling you" I looked at her and realized that she might be princess draupadi and said, "rajkumari draupadi I'm sorry I didn't know it was you",  "why apologize? I was the one who didn't introduced myself and I didn't mind it plus you are my teacher now" she said showing the slingshot, I chuckled and said, "no don't call me teacher, I don't deserve that spot" she smiled and asked "so what should I call you?" I thought for awhile and said forgive me mata madri for taking your name, "my name is madri rajkumari" I said with a smile and she said, "madri since you didn't allow me to call you teacher even you call me by my name" nodding I said, "okay then, it was nice meeting you Draupadi".

"Practice what I taught you and you will master it, I shall take my leave then", she stopped me saying, "since you have started teaching me why don't you teach me completely if you don't mind can you come here tomorrow at the same time?" I thought I don't have anything to do here anyways and said, "okay then let's meet tomorrow" and we went our ways. On my way home I thought about Draupadi, she was indeed the most beautiful princess ever seen, not only her looks are admirable but her nature, her aura it felt so pure, like the fire itself, she is smart! She acted like she didn't have her guard up but I saw the soliders in the bushes, I giggled thinking about it.

Reaching the potter's home I said, "I'm here mata", receiving a "where have you been putri, was about to send Arjun to find you",  I looked at her giving apologistic look and said, "sorry mata I went for a walk, and look I got you a lotus, now please smile okay!" she smiled and took the lotus and patted my head.

I thought it's better to not tell them I met princess draupadi or else they will be worried, I can tell them once we leave from here.

DRAUPADI'S POV

Reaching the palace I met jiji, she asked, "where were you draupadi, you took more time then usual", I smiled and replied, "well I was at the pond, I met an shadvi and she is teaching me how to use a slingshot",  she kept a hand on my shoulder and said, "aree if you wanted to learn it I or anyone you asked could teach you, why learn from a unknown person, she might not be safe you know" I giggled and said "are jiji, don't worry if she was a danger to me the guards would have taken care of her, plus see she helped me get this lotus and she has this aura of a princess, the way she walked it got me curious about if she really is a shadvi or not" jiji giggled hearing this and said, "okay then as you wish! But better be careful, I don't want you to get hurt" I smiled and nodded.