The Fateful Evening part 2

Part 187

The ashram at gangateer is gearing up to bid farewell to Royal pariwar.Dhritrashtr shed tears and said. Because of your visit all these days I felt like I was in Hastinapur. Again I have to cope up with loneliness..
Yudhishtir took his hands and pleaded with him Enough of ascetic life.All of you became week. Please return with us..I can not stay for more days..
Gandhari and Kunti had moisture in their eyes. They know they can not go back.
Kunti took Pragati on her lap and caressed her cheeks. She just could not bear with separation from her little princess. Pragati clasped her neck and admitted I am not going anywhere. I tell Pitasri that I would stay with you.
Kunti nodded her head.. No . You should be with your parents..Take care of them...Arjun entered with Pari and sat at his mother's feet. I can not control Sahadev. He already started lamenting. Why can't you come with us? You did enough. Your body won't permit more hardships.. His voice broke down.
Pari took Kunti's chin in his tender hand and said in his sweet voice. Dadi mata..Don't you want to see how I learn every feat from Pitamah and excel just like him..One day I will hit fish target just like Pitamah...
Pragati teased him And marry the most beautiful princess..
Pari blushed and ran faster than wind..Pragati followed him..
Arjun placed his head on Kunti's lap..He has to bear with separation again with his Madhav and his mother..
Krishna and Arjun walked towards the Ganga river. Nightfall is within a while away. The orange hue is making way to darkness ..but the twinkling of stars brightened up the whole space..
Arjun asked for the hundredth time..Come with me to Hastinapur or let me come with you to Dwaraka.
Krishna stopped and placed his hand on his Parth's shoulder.. Can't do both. But can find another option to stay with you for more time..
Arjun can't control his excitement..Tell me how do you make it possible. Don't speak in riddles.he demanded.
Krishna smiled and added. I promise It will happen. Just wait..
At the time of dinner a messenger from Sindhudesh came and handed over a letter to Arjun. It is from Dussala. She is on the way to Gangateer ashram with her grandson. She requested every one of them to wait till she reach there to pay respects to her old parents and Kunti..
Yudhishtir immediately agreeed to prolong their stay. I don't want to hurt her by not accepting her wish. It is just matter of ten days.
Bheem sulked before Panchali.We winded up everything..Again we have to rearrange our kitchen..
Nakul quipped. Why do you worry Bhrata.. by morning you will find your requirements ..Bhrata Arjun's officers already started ...
Satya expressed her joy exuberantly. Let us roam around and spend quality time..she told Panchali.
Alli and Chitra started before Arjun... Take us on site seeing..We want to awail the opportunity.
Pari is thrilled with the turn of events.. He announced instantly.. I convinced Suka to tell more stories..Now I want to hear...
Arjun cut him short and declared.. Enough of story sessions...concentrate on learning more Vedic hymns..
Krishna laughed on seeing Pari's face..Parth..this time we would chose the story what do you say?
Panchali is deeply immersed in making a list of things needed for ten more days..She sat in a corner in her spacious hut thinking ..and writing..
Suddenly she felt his chin on her head and looked up. He is smiling ...He Just want to savour the moment. The blue lotus fragrance,the jasmines,The sindur on her hair,..
Panchali tried to get up but was stopped. He held her shoulders and stayed as he was..
She knew he is happy..to be in nature's lap,to be with his Madhav..
And to be with my fireborn..he completed her unspoken words..
She bent her face with a smile on her beautiful lips.
Kunti called Arjun early in the morning to her place. She just finished her daily meditation and sat on the floor looking serene and relieved.
Arjun told Krishna he is going to his mother.. Why did she call me this early ? You have any idea? He asked.
Krishna smiled..Stop your questions and face the ultimate... go now. He pushed him..
Arjun sat on the floor keenly observing his mother. She is week,,and thin. Her hair still did not turn full white...the royal demeneur did not leave her bearing...
Arjun sighed with concern How gruesome her life had been. Her only period of celebration and happiness had been the time they ruled Indraprasth.. She lost her eldest son and grand children in war.. She refused to live her last days in Hastinapur and chose to be with Gandhari..
Phalgun.. I want to go to the Siva temple on the island...with my daughter in law..alone..Make arrangements for that..
Arjun instantly reacted...Who? Krishnaa? He asked with hesitation.
Kunti replied defiantly..Ofcourse ..Who else?
Arjun suggested. Take all your bahus and Pragati...
Kunti nodded her head...Not necessary.. I want privacy..with Panchali..
Arjun understood. His mother Again is trying to make peace with her Bahu..but Why should she attempt it again knowing Krishnaa's firm stance...he is confused.
Mata can't you leave the matter as it is ? Why do you want to disturb your mental peace?
Arjun's question is met with a slight smile..Kunti ruffled his hair and assured. I promise nothing would happen. Just bring your wife on some pretext..I know she is occupied as usual..You and Kanha come with us...you can roam around...
Arjun understood how adamant she is. But it will be a difficult task to get it done. His other wives will raise questions. And Satya? Why would she stay back?
Krishna laughed on seeing his face..Parth! You look like you did on the first day of war.
Arjun sulked..Well. Nice comparison you made. Tell me how can I accomplish it? Can I stop your Satya? Subhadra? Alli? And Chitra?
Krishna smiled. Who told you to prevent them? Let them come...Any way they want to go to the waterfalls nearer to the place where your mother asked you to take.
Arjun understood. He felt relieved. He could take them all and on some pretext stop the boat and drop his mother and Krishnaa at the island..
Panchali resisted as soon as she heard his proposal..Take them all. I will stay back. It is not possible for me to come..she declared. Arjun looked around to find no one nearer and hugged her close. He gave a peck on her lips and whispered..No arguments. Be ready within an hour..
Satya called up after almost entering inside...Panchali's face turned red. She wiped her face with her Pallu avoiding Satya's mischievous looks.
Arjun confronted Satya. Who will call after coming inside? Don't you know you should stay back and call?
Satya made an innocent face..Ofcourse I know..but I never dreamt that your love saga will continue from the early hours of the day..
Krishna who came just then taunted Draupadi.. Sakhi is used to get pampered by Parth..for everything. Right Kalyani?  He winked.
Panchali glanced sulkingky at her husband and walked off on the pretext of getting ready for the trip.

Panchali could not suppress herself when Arjun asked her to get down. He already carefully escorted his mother to the shore.
Before she could ask him why he explained. Mata wants to visit Shiva temple. Be with her.
Pragati stood up to accompany her mother. Arjun nodded his head in disapproval. Princess we will go to waterfalls. Wait...he said.
Subhadra asked him.. Why cant all of us wait here till bua reaches back..
Satya supported her..Yes I want to be with my friend.

Arjun side glanced Krishna indicating him to speak. Krishna stood and plac3d his hand on Satya's Shoulder.They will come in a while. Let us proceed..Why to waste time here?
Panchali approached her mother in law who is waiting for her. She observed Arjun's officers in positions with weapons ...safeguarding them..
Kunti took her hand and started walking..They both reached the temple. The priest went off it seems. They did Pranam to Bhole Nath and sat for a while.
Panchali stood up and extended her hand to Kunti who declined and signalled her to wait.
Panchali said If we go down may be your son will come back and pick us to the boat
Kunti looked at her and revealed Phalgun won't come that early..
Panchali wondered why he won't come.. She threw back her curls with one hand and tried to guess the significance of Kunti's words..
Kunti said...Bahu...this is the final opportunity for me to fulfill my unfinished work...Then I can freely leave this world to unite with my husband...she had tears in her eyes..He is waiting for me..she confessed.
Panchali slowly came to terms with the situation...She felt uncomfortable..She got miffed with Arjun. Why should he let this happen again...She sulked..
Kunti observed her expressions and said. He is not at fault. I persuaded him towards this..
She stopped for a while and continued. Your face always mirrored your feelings..I was in delusion not to consider you ..and your feeling of hurt.. I let my ego rule my mind..

Panchali closed her eyes. She just want to go back to ashram. She is not inclined to listen to Kunti's words...why can't she realise ..she got angry with  Arjun who just went ahead with his mother's instruction. When did he bother to ask her ..and know her wish..
Kunti continued in a shivering tone. I just had only my sons' welfare and their security in my mind. I fulfilled my wish by getting you as the common wife. Being the queen and empress you carried your duties with utmost perfection.
When Arjun went on exile I thought it is better for you and my eldest son. How mean I am to think so.
Kunti wiped her tears. " Priyamvada told me how shattered you were on that day...
Panchali took support of the wall. Her whole energy started evaporating..thinking of that fateful evening that made him leave Indraprasth..
Priyamvada dragged her to the terrace and he looked back..
Panchali slowly sat down and tried her best to get rid of her memory...Kunti placed her hand on Draupadi's shoulder and said.. If you can please ..forgive me for not realising your pain..
Even if she closed her eyes Panchali visualised the scenes ...clearly...
The day after he left..
Panchali became sick..she can not attend the puja. She can not attend the assembly..
She could not even stand up on her own. Malini looked after her like a shadow. She got fever first time in her life..Priyamvada wept seeing her state.She placed the wet cloth on her forehead and sobbed..
Bheem entered with an anxious face. He made Draupadi sit with the support of pillows. No norms could force me move away from you.. I am not like my foolish younger brother..Why should he go leaving us shattered? Panchali..You are not the only one feeling for him..
Since yesterday I am not feeling good. I did not eat my usual quota of food.You will be surprised. I love my brother so much..
What must he be eating? Where he would sleep?
Kunti who entered with her Eldest scolded Bheem. Why do you magnify the issue? Phalgun's destiny made him do so..How could he break the rule?
Yudhishtir gave explanation.' Still I discouraged him from going..He did not listen..
Panchali signalled Malini to support her and stood up. Immediately she lost her balance and fell in Bheem's arms.
Kunti approached her and said.. Get your mental strength back.. Everything will be alright if you stay strong.. I think your general weakness made you bedridden. My Bhimsen is connecting it to departure of Phalgun. Don't take his words serious.. I would like to see you hale and healthy as early as possible. People would like to see the queen beside the king...
Kunti reminisced her words and closed her eyes...Forgive me god..forgive me Bahu..she muttered under her breath.