Prakriti P.O.V
Our family sat beside the lake to discuss the Agyatvasa because by today we have entered in the Agyatvasa period and Duryodhana spies must be searching for us. "We have to choose a kingdom in which we have to spend the next year and we must choose wisely. Arjuna and Prakriti, you have ranged these lands as none of us has. Tell us where to find a home for a year?" Elder Brother asked looking at us in expectation. I looked at Elder brother, answer on the tip of my tongue. "I have already think of a city where we can disguise ourselves for one year" I said, he looked surprised but nodded for me to speak further. "Virata in the Matsya kingdom is a fine city; and we must live in a city, where people abound and we can pass unnoticed. But you must decide, Elder Brother" I asked him.
"You have been there during the time of Rajsuya Yagya?" he asked further.
I nodded my head "I was there and King Virata is very humble King, he welcomed me with respect" I responded to him. "But wouldn't they recognize you?" Krishne asked in concern, I gave a soft smile to her "Nobody will know me because I will be taking my disguise as Manha" I answered her, its time now that my family know about the reality of Manha.
"Manha?" Brother Bheem voice entered in my ears. I sighed "Yes, Brother Bheem, Manha was me all along" I responded, everyone eyes widened except Arya who smiled at the conversation. "But how can you be Manha when you are Prakriti, sister" Nakula asked, confusion clearly written on his face. "I was my Maya" I said and recited the whole story to them why I disguised as Manha in the first place. At last, Brother Bheem chuckled and Krishne has a smile on her face. "You are lucky that you recognized her beforehand otherwise you were doomed brother" he said chuckling and put his arm around Arya's shoulder. "I can find her anywhere, in any form" he responded looking at me with so much love. I turned down my gaze feeling shy.
"We shall go to Virata. I would have gladly chosen Dwaraka or Panchala; but those are where Duryodhana's spies will first look for us" Elder Brother agreed.
"In which disguise we will go there?" Brother Bheem asked looking around, we know very well that Arya will become Eunuch soon and I have my appearance as Manha. "Listen to what I propose for myself. I will go as a brahmana, calling myself Kanka. I do know something of the Vedas and the Vedanta. I will also show the king that I am a master of dice" Brother Yudhisthira proposed his idea. Arya eyes suddenly filled with tears "You have been King of the Earth, you are our lord, How will we see you serving someone else?" he asked, his face sadden, Elder Brother gently wiped one tear that fell from his eyes "I will be no king's courtier, Arjuna, Matsya king will take me for a companion" he responded.
"The Matsya king is sure to treat you with honor. I am content" Arya mollified as he listened to Elder Brother. Then Elder Brother eyes moved towards Brother Bheem "My disguise is the least of the worry, how will you contain your strength and your temper for twelve months?" he asked raising his eyebrow. I turned my stare at Brother Bheem, he sighed and unclenched his fist "Nothing will induce me to lose my temper. After these twelve years, no provocation will make me risk another exile" he responded with conviction in his voice, I believed him that he won't risk our family.
"How do you intend to appear in the Matsya king's court?" Nakula questioned.
Brother Bheem started grinning at the question "You know that I love cooking almost as much as eating.I will go to Virata as Ballava, a great cook and ask him to let me have charge of his palace kitchen. I will tell him I am a wrestler, as well and offer to train the young men of his city. I am sure he will employ me" he responded, I furrowed my brows in confusion "Suppose he asked about your work experience?" I asked him. He gave a short laugh "I was the emperor Yudhishtira's cook in Indraprastha! I can furnish him with convincing details. I will say that since my lord Yudhishtira went into exile, I have been seeking another master as noble as him. And I heard the king of the Matsyas is such a man" he said that made me believe him, he has thought this through.
Then Elder Brother turned his gaze towards twins "And you, little brother? How will you hide your beauty? how will you tolerate a year of servitude?" he asked, Nakula is the most handsome man in the entire world, his beauty can't be hidden. "I shall be Damagranthi, the man who has power over horses: which, as you know, I do, for I can speak to them. When he sees me with his horses, the king will not refuse to give me charge of his stables. I can remain at a remove from the court," he blushed, "And its women, too".
We were satisfied with his plan then I looked at Sahadeva for his disguise "Sahadeva, have you think of something?" I asked him. Sahadeva nodded his head "I also have a plan for myself. I am as good with cows as Nakula is with horses. I shall be Tantripala, the gifted cowherd. Best of all, I do love being with the gentle ones" he said. I nodded my head as everyone agreed with it, then my eyes moved towards Krishne "Have you thought how you will go to Virata, our queen?" Elder Brother asked her. She smiled bravely at us "I will dress myself as a sairandhri and be the Matsya queen's sakhi. I know how to do a woman's hair in a hundred ways; to string fine garlands with flowers of every kind; and to distil perfumes for a queen" she responded.
"We are ready for the last year of our exile" Elder Brother said finally and we stood up from the ground. We left the Forest where we have been living for past years, walking for a day or two at last, we reached the frontiers of the Matsya kingdom. Beyond a stretch of fields was the city of Virata. Elder Brother looked at us "There it is, our destination."
"We will enter in the city separably with days gap to avoid the suspicion" I proposed the idea, everyone agreed to it then we went in to cemetery and hide all of the weapon on a tree wrapping them in a cloth so if anybody even look at it, it will seems like a corpse to them.
"Lets rest here for today and by tomorrow we will enter in the City" Elder Brother told us. We lay down on the grass, I was lying beside Arya as we both stared at the sky, slowly his hand touched mine and he intertwined our fingers together, I sighed trying to remember his touch because for one year it will be tough for us to meet with each other without raising any suspicion. "We must go separately? Does that mean we should seem not to know each other in Virata?" Brother Bheem asked in the darkness.
"We shall be strangers, unless we happen to meet when no one else is about. And even then, we must be careful" I responded.
Next day, we took a bath in the river nearby and worship the god to help us in the time of Agyatvasa, finally it was time to part away from Elder Brother, he got ready as Brahmin as we hugged him in farewell. "This year will pass soon" he said before leaving us and entering in the city. Three days later Brother Bheem entered in the city leaving us behind. We waited in the forest for the time being, after two days Nakula entered in the city in his disguise, then Arya followed after him as his transformation was complete from man to an Eunuch, I bid him farewell with tears in my eyes as I looked at his form, it was the curse taking effect but it is useful for us in this time. And now it was my turn, I looked at Krishne and Sahadev bidding them farewell, Krishne cried hugging me "Don't cry my dear, we will meet soon and don't forget if you can't see me doesn't means I am not with you" With the reassurance and a smile towards them I walked away from there.
I changed myself to Manha before entering in the city. People of the city turned and stared at me in curiosity as I walked towards the giant gate of the Castle. Soldiers stopped me putting their weapon in front of me "What do you want?" one soldier asked looking at me with raised eyebrow. I bowed my head "I am here to provide my service as a maid to King Virata" I responded, they both stared at me "You don't look like a maid" one soldier asked, I sighed and turned my gaze down "It doesn't mean I am not one" I retorted back and after few seconds they just looked at me then remove the weapons and letting me enter in the Castle. I make my way towards King Virata court knowing the way very well. He was sitting on his throne with his ministers, I joined my hands together in front of him "I am Manha, my lord, came here in search for work" I said, he looked at me "What can we do for you, Manha?" he said, eyes moving around me.
"I was chief maid to General Secretary Prakriti in the Indraprastha but as everyone knows they are in exile so I am looking for new lord, I will be happy to serve your daughter Uttara" I said with a small smile on my face. His face shined suddenly "General Secretary Prakriti you say!" he asked while smiling brightly, I nodded my head "I have never saw a woman like her in my entire life and if you have served her then it would be my honor that you will work for us" he responded and I internally sighed in happiness at his generosity. He stood up from his throne and walked towards me "I will show you my Daughter's chamber" he said and we started walking down the corridors.
"Did Princess Prakriti ever say anything about me?" he asked in curiosity.
"My lord, I have heard her praising you about your calmness and generosity couple of times" I responded bowing my head. He gave a short laugh "She is the generous one herself". Finally we reached Uttara chamber and she opened the door "Father" she said in greeting looking at us in surprise, he smiled at his daughter and turned his gaze towards me "This is Manha, she will be your maid from now on, she was General Secretary Prakriti's chief maid so treat her with respect" he said and Uttara looked at me with a soft smile "Welcome to my chamber" she said gesturing in and King Virata left us there. I entered in the room and looked around, it was beautiful room, "Princess, you have a very beautiful chamber" I complemented her, she chuckled "And you are beautiful too" she said and I bowed my head in respect.
"Thank you" I responded.
For three months we spent the time without any issue, Uttara was a great Princess, she never let me feel like a maid, she always treated me like her friend and I was happy about it.
Nine more months to go!