Dhi

About Digging and Disguise

Abhijishya woke up distorted with glimpses of familiar faces fading fast from her mind. She couldn't see anything and was lying on hard ground with her head cushioned on someone. Her mouth and throat was parched.

"মা? জল দাও না। আর লাইট জ্বালাও। কিছু দেখতে পাচ্ছি না যে।"she said in a scratchy voice. (Maa, give me some water and please switch on the lights. I can't see anything)

"Putri?"Kunti caressed her forehead.

The Pandavs stopped their conversation hearing Abhijishya speak in another language.

She shot up abruptly, then sagged. Oh. She was with the Pandavs in a tunnel.

"I.. sorry. I just thought I was back home with my mother," she whispered almost wistfully.

"How long was I asleep?"she asked; a bit louder than necessary to cover her earlier words.

"Tin prahar ( 9 hours)," Kunti replied.

"But you all should've woken me up. I could help in digging," Abhijishya protested.

"You were very tired. I tried waking you up so that you could walk as we proceeded forward but you just spoke something in your language and continued sleeping," Sahadev chuckled.

"Don't worry. Nakul was generous enough to carry you with much difficulty," Arjun said still digging.

Abhijishya was glad that no one could see her blushing face. "Oh," she replied in a slightly strangled voice. "Um, that was very generous. Yes, very uh generous Nakul."

"It was nothing. You are too light," Nakul muttered the last part.

Bheem laughed outright. His laughter echoed through the tunnel. Others sniggered.

Abhijishya wanted to drink water but decided she would drink later. She also felt a bit embarrassed because she hadn't even helped in digging yet wanted to drink water.

She cleared her throat and said," So which way are we going?"

"We are digging westwards to River Yamuna. I think we can reach there in four more prahars. (12 more hours)," replied Yudhisthir who was probably resting somewhere near Kunti.

"Here, have some water. We all drank some," said Nakul passing her the pitcher pot. She waved her hand around to feel for the pot. She took it and slowly sipped water. Just enough to wet her throat.

"Thank you," she said. "Do you need my help digging? Bhrata Bheem?"

"No, you sit down. You are so thin. Once we get out, I'll make sure you eat enough," Bheem said.

"I eat enough. If I eat more then I'll become fat," Abhijishya complained.

"Yes, Bhrata Bheem. She doesn't want to become like you," Sahadev said.

Bheem turned around and said,"Abhijishya, Sahadev,are you both calling me fat?"

"No no Bhrata Bheem. You have like sooo big muscles and you can shatter huge boulders with one punch. Of course you need to eat more or else from where will you get your strength. Sahadev is calling you fat, not me. I've always admired and respected your strength," Abhijishya quickly explained.

"Sahadev! Learn something from Abhijishya. She is truly knowledgeable and wise," Bheem said. "Abhijishya, next time when we have laddoos, I'll give you Sahadev's share. Wait, I'll give you one from Sahadev's share. Rest I'll have to eat because I have to work hard," Bheem said cheerfully.

"But... but that's not fair," Sahadev said.

"Well deal with it," Nakul laughed.

"It lightens my heart that you all still laugh and smile even in such difficult times," Kunti said with a smile.