Chapter 24

                                    

                                          
Yudhisthir sat next to Panchaali, his hand running through her hair in a soothing motion, "How long will she be unconscious?" He asked as he rubbed the thumb of his other hand over the back of her hand that he held.  
                          
"She should wake up now any moment." Sahadev replied as he rubbed her one foot while Nakul did the same with the other. Bheem and Arjun were about to say something when their eyes moved to their wife, who moaned lowly. Her hand went to her forehead, they helped her sit up, she felt dizzy as she laid her head on Yudhisthir's shoulder, who smiled at her.
                          
"What happened arya?" She asked as she looked at them, they all just smiled. Nakul knee walked on the bed and sat next to her, he kissed her forehead, there were tears of joy in his eyes. "Thank you so much Panchaali. You gave us the best gift." He whispered as a tear traced down his cheek as he looked up at his wife, she smiled a bit confused,what was he thanking about. Sahadev took her other hand and pressed a kiss on it, "you've made us the happiest."  He said as he looked at her, his happiness had no bounds today. He was going to be a father! 
                          
Draupadi was now even more confused, what was he talking about? "I love you so much Panchaali." Yudhisthir whispered in her ear as his hand covered her stomach, his fingers and palm splayed out, their child was resting there,soon in nine months they will all have him in their arms. Laughing and giggling. 
                          
They will have a family, first a wife and now a child. What else would they need? Their happiness had just began. What would it be? A girl or a boy? He didn't mind either,he just hopped whoever they were, they are born healthy. 
                          
Bheem couldn't even speak, his joy had rendered him speechless, he just wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her to his chest. He kissed her forehead, her cheeks, her chin, everywhere. He was just too happy, "Thank you thank you thank you!" He mumbled over and over again. Her cheeks turned red as her heart beat violently in her chest. 
                          
Arjun took her in his arms next, he could see the confusion in her eyes with the joy. Arjun put his hand on her stomach over Yudhisthir's, the other pandavas did the same. "You're going to be a mother Panchaali." Arjun said, joy lacing his words, extreme happiness flowed through her, "Me?...I ... mother?" She couldn't get the right words out, her heart beat violently. The pandavas smiled, "Calm down  don't get too excited or you'll faint..." Nakul's voice faded as each Pandav wrapped their arm around their unconscious wife. They all looked at each other and than at her, and bursted out laughing. Arjun took her in his arms, "Silly girl." He said as he shook his head and kissed her forehead. 
                          
*****
                          
"You're going to be a mother Panchaali." Arjun's words were still ringing in her ear, the joy of being a mother spread throughout her. This felt different, very different. Just the thought of carrying a baby; a life in her was exciting. 
                          
God had blessed her with such a beautiful gift that she couldn't thank them enough. She sat in the temple, her eyes closed as she thanked the god for giving her a chance to be a mother. 
                          
Indraprasth was being decorated and celebrations were being organised. She bowed to god one last time before she began to move out of the temple. As she was getting down the steps her leg slipped, her heart nearly stopped as her hand instinctively reached for her stomach as she fell forward. She braced herself for the impact but it never came, instead she felt a strong arm wrap around her stomach while her head hit lightly on a muscular chest.
                          
Her eyes moved up and met with the soulful brown eyes of Bheem. "Trouble in trouble again." He mumbled, his voice laced with humour. Tears pooled in her eyes, she almost put the child in danger. "Shhhhh nothing happened and nothing will happen as long as we are here." Bheem promised as he helped her stand straight. She nodded and looked up at him, he gave her a reassuring nod and she smiled. Together they began to walk where the royal palanquin stood along with Bheem's horse.