BUTTERFLY FROM THE FLAME (JOY AND GENTLENESS OF THE FLAME)

Chapter 46

Nakul had already departed from chedi right at the exact time when draupadi's labor started. He felt uneasy and uncomfortable the whole journey. "I am going." Nakul said. "Where senapati?" a soldier asked. "My heart is too uncomfortable. I want my wife, I want my draupadi, my shree in my embrace. I am going." Nakul said. "Senapati! Its still dark its 2 in the morning." Nakul said. "Nothing happens, you all come after the sun rises." Nakul said and without listening to anybody he departed riding his horse. 

Draupadi had already passed out more than twice and was sweating while breathing heavily with her precious pearls rolling down her cheeks. It was almost morning but the child was not taking the name to come out. Whereas Nakul had reached the kingdom in full speed. He saw the people were still awake but still continued without thinking much. As he reached near the gates he could hear the screams of his woman from the distance. "Maharani is in extreme labor! No sign of it ending soon." announcer announced. "Maharani has been in labor since yesterday evening. God have mercy on her, she has been screaming in pain since evening." a woman said and hearing this nakul fastened his speed of the horse. The soldier opened the gate letting Nakul enter along with his horse.

Nakul then stormed in their chamber. He came like a lightning bolt suddenly to which the pandavas and the rest failed to notice. After entering the chamber Nakul felt broken seeing his woman crying and screaming in pain while their bed was a total mess as draupadi was clutching the sheets tightly and hammering the bed in pain once in a while. Draupadi was completely out of energy and verge of passing out. "Arya...." Draupadi said as her eyes landed on the standing nakul. "Bhrata!" Dushala said rushing to nakul who was standing frozen. "When you came? How you came?" Dushala said. "Maharani! Please one last time." daima said and draupadi with all her energy gave a final push.

Loud cries of a child rang in the palace making everything go silent. As the cries filled the palace the sun rose beautifully along with the child in daima's hands from under the sheets. "Its a girl! Laxmi is welcomed!" daima announced. Nakul's happiness knew no bounds hearing the word the cries of his daughter rang in his ears. His sight then traveled to draupadi who was laying totally tired, out of energy. "Now come out with me." Dushala said dragging him out. Outside everybody were celebrating in the corridor. "Where is that self-obsessed handsome monkey?" Bheem said. "If he is not coming then I am carrying her first." Shahadev said. "No me!" Arjun said. "You have already carried abhimanyu first. So me." Karn said. "But a girl!-" Arjun said but stopped mid way feeling a strong gaze making him look at the room and make his jaw drop.

Seeing his jaw drop the rest too looked at the direction to get their jaw drop. "So this is going on behind my back." Nakul said. "When you come?" they all asked. "Moments ago." Nakul said. "Laxmi has entered Indraprasth once again." daima said. "Child?" everybody asked. "The mother is not willing to give her child to her husband. According to her its her husband's fault." daima said trying to bite back her chuckle.

"Maharani has given birth to a princess." the announcer announced. "What? me?" Nakul said pointing at himself innocently. "You may meet and clear up things." Daima said and left. Everybody entered the chamber to see draupadi laying besides her newborn tiredly. Nakul who moved forward was greeted with a cushion thrown to him by draupadi. "I could have died you know!" Draupadi said. The rest decided to go out and give space to the couple and not wanting to be the target of the cushion.

"What did I do shree?" Nakul asked. 'Why did you come so late?" Draupadi asked. "Its all because of you! My daughter was obedient to you ever since she was in my womb. You didn't come so even she didn't. I felt like my soul was leaving my body. My soul almost left my body! Only I kn-" Draupadi said but was cut off by a passionate, fiery and intense kiss which made all her anger disappear. The two were too lost in their moment until. "I DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING!" Dushala said making Draupadi push away nakul and making him groan. "I am going continue. No need to groan bhrata continue." Dushala said and left immediately.

Nakul's eyes fell on the little life who was staring at him with amusement. Nakul then picked the little life in his arms with joy. "What do you want to name her?" Draupadi asked. "She was born when the sun rose up with grace, she will be graceful and ambitious with curiosity just like you. She will be capable of doing things doing right on her own with a helpful nature. She will be named Printha." Nakul said while adoring his newborn in his arms. "Beautiful name putra." Vidur said entering the chamber with the rest. Everybody took their own turn to carry the newborn, everybody then exited giving draupadi some space to take rest.

Draupadi let out a tired sigh and made the pillow and bed sheets properly. She closed her eyes to sleep as she was awake the whole night. She then felt two pairs of arms wrapped around her waist pulling her to a warm embrace and closer to a strong, broad chest making her open her eyes and look up. "Sleep. Even I am sleeping." Nakul said. Draupadi lifted her head and claimed nakul lips her making him surprised but went along with the flow. Nakul then pecked her forehead and embraced her tighter drifting to sleep along with draupadi.

*****

Printha was a bright child just like suthanu. She had sharp features of her father with soft eyes and slightly similar smile like her mother with a graceful aura. Nakul treated printha just like how he treated draupadi, just like a delicate glass piece adorned with beautiful flower.

"Don't be upset." Shahadev said. The 12 months with nakul passes swiftly and now it was shahadev's 24 months with draupadi. "How can I not?" Draupadi said. "Even I don't want to dear." Shahadev said. "When will you return?" Draupadi asked. "I don't know. It will take 9-11 months to complete the work. "And you expect me to spend those months without you?" Draupadi said. "I will pay frequent visits and take you in few." Shahadev said. "But! Never mind go!" Draupadi said and headed towards the kitchen. Their time didn't start well as Shahadev had to go to Madra for some reasons and works related to rajasuya yagna.

"Priye! Listen! Please!" Shahadev said following draupadi. The maids were quite enjoying the sweet drama between the couple. Shahadev signalled them to leave them alone and they exited. Shahadev was trying to pacify his beloved but nothing worked. Shahadev then pinned her against the wall making draupadi surprised. "Let me go arya." Draupadi said trying to escape but failed. "Listen to me first." Shahadev said. "Why? Why should I? Place yourself in my place and me in your place. How would you feel?" Draupadi said making him think. After thinking her being upset was just.

Draupadi by that time escaped and continued her work. Shahadev went and back hugged her resting his chin on her shoulder. "Its okay, I know its important." Draupadi said. "I will come back in four months for a week and take you to madra with me for two months. Then again I will stay in madra for 4 months and bring you there the remaining few months." Shahadev said making Draupadi nod. "I know you are not happy with me going away. Don't worry I won't love any other woman there." Shahadev said. "That's not the case." Draupadi said. "Then what is it?" Shahadev asked. Shahadev was partly right, among draupadi's various reasons one small reason was that. "Nothing now go get ready." Draupadi said. "No!" Shahadev said. "Why? You will be late." Draupadi said. "You make me ready from my bath to my dressing." Shahadev said. "I am going to miss your 'arya', care and affection so come." Shahadev said taking draupadi to their chamber.