Life in Disguise
“Months pass in careful separation. Every day a test, every moment a risk.”
Story Summary
Months have passed since the Pandavas arrived in Virata's court. Each day brings new challenges as they maintain their disguises: Kanka offers counsel, Granthika tends horses, Tantipala cares for cattle, Ballava creates masterful meals, Brihannala teaches dance, and Sairandhri serves the queen. But beneath the routine lies constant tension—close calls where recognition almost happens, suspicious moments that must be averted, and the ever-present knowledge that one mistake could destroy everything. They watch each other from a distance, protective but unable to acknowledge their bond. As time passes and the year progresses, a new threat emerges: Kichaka, the queen's brother-in-law and commander, begins to notice Sairandhri. The incognito year continues, but danger is never far away.