The Fateful Evening part 2

Part 200

Arjun pulled her again..Krishnaa get ready..
Panchali smirked..I finished all my work,told your Bhrata Bheem and came back. Arjun...I won't come..
Arjun tried to convince her..Eldest will feel bad. Guests are there..
Panchali did not suppress her irritation.What is new? He would just like to play into their hands. Arjun..he should understand. But he won't...
Eldest is right Krishnaa they are guests.We should not give scope to them ..You are the queen.
Panchali closed his mouth..Arjun understood and kissed her palm. Fine..princess?
Panchali pretended anger. She turned towards her very big jewel studed mirror and started making her bindi in oval shape. Arjun grabbed the red stick from her hand and carved her tilak.
After he finished Panchali could not believe her eyes. It was so beautiful. The oval line is underlined by small red dots in symmetry. Panchali wondered how could he make the dots look so cute.
As she turned back her huge mass of hair rolled down covering till her hips.
Arjun held it in his fist and inhaled the fragrance.Panchali bent over him and kissed on his forehead.
Arjun opened his eyes and next moment she was on his lap..Don't be such a miser in rewarding me for your tilak..he taunted.Panchali alerted him...Arjun my tilak will get spoilt..
Arjun bent down to touch her mole..He is advancing ahead...Panchali wanted to submit herself into his arms..but it is dinner time..she has to go..She doesn't want to face the king by not going over there.
Priyamvadha called from outer chamber..Princess are you ready? Pragati got up?

Back to present day Hastinapur

The fourth quarter of the night...Arjun kissed her forehead and got up..These days Panchali is not going to worship room that early.. The morning Puja time starts at six in the morning. One our later than the usual time..

Arjun  completed his formalities and moved nearer the door. The Kartika month just entered and brought chilled weather. The breeze is caressing his sleeping queen who is in deep sleep. Arjun came back to the sprawling couch...Panchali curled up her feet into her lehenga..She is feeling cold..Arjun took the silky blanket and covered her up till neck..
As he closed the door behind him he could hear her stammer his name in sleep. Arjun...
Arjun sighed deeply and walked into darkness with Gandiv in his left hand..
Subhadra And Uttara were in deep sleep when they heard the knock on the door.Uttara got up instantly and looked at Pari Who is sleeping on another couch.
Uttara got a shivering in her spine. She shook Subhadra vigorously in panic ..Mata get up..He is here..
Subhadra realised who is waiting outside her door. She jumped from the bed and opened the door. Arjun greeted her with a pat on her cheek..Still in sleep? Send Pari and get into your slumber "he said with concern.
Subhadra gave him space to enter. Uttara is waiting with bated breath..
Subhadra informed him in her broken voice.. Arjun..Pari is in deep sleep. Could you start from tomorrow?
Arjun sideglanced Pari Who covered himself with the blanket. He walked to the couch and lifted him in his hands.
Before Subhadra and Uttara could realise what happened he already crossed the mansion.

Pari opened his eyes when he was placed in neck deep water. He could feel the coolness enter into all his body parts. Arjun looked at him and handed over neem sticks to clean his teeth.
Pari went to the shore where Arjun's guards handed over him water and helped him ..After taking bath in the river Pari wore fresh clothes again helped by guards.
Arjun changed his clothes He wore a dhoti and uttariya..His curly hair is wet..the water drops continuously falling down..Arjun dried up Pari's hair with a fresh towel and wondered at the resemblance ..hishair looked exactly the same.
Arjun took Pari by hand and entered the temple of Siv Shankar.
Pari stood erect. He still could not get over his sleep completely Arjun did Abhishek to Shiv and made Pari pour water on Shiv Ling.
Arjun said.. Pari. Shankar Shiv is the first archer Adi dhanurdhar. Pray for his blessings. Till now you are into preliminary part of archery. Now you need to learn further.
Try to control your mind and body...Stop being in control of your senses. You should control your senses.
Pari nodded his head. He was impressed on seeing the Shiv ling with Vibhudi smeared all over that early in the morning. How did he look Pitamah ..he asked curiously looking at Arjun's face.
Arjun closed his eyes. He felt the tall well built,extreme fair god smiling with grace.The long hair,the serpent round his neck,the Vibhuti lines on his forehead,the lotus like eyes,..
Pari heard the description and confessed. I also will do penance like you did. I will see him nearer..then.
The bow held in his right hand looked perfect. Pari stretched the string to his ear. He has to shoot the target from quite a distance..that also from a moving chariot.
Till then he learnt to shoot arrows standing stable on the ground. Now this feat looks difficult.
Panchali asked Subhadra who came to the dining room with Uttara. Did Pari return ?
Subhadra  made a face..He is stubborn. He woke him up from his sleep abruptly. Poor child. He didn't drink milk even.

Bheem who listened to her knitted his brows. Today onwards I will take Pari to my chamber. He will sleep there...
Nakul laughed..No use. If you want to disturb your sleep do that..Bhrata Arjun won't care  when it comes to archery. His wives come next to Gandiv...
Panchali turned her face away. She knew Nakul is right. More than her co wives Gandiv prevailed over her in Arjun's life.
Pari felt depressed. He was not able to shoot from the moving chariot. He felt disappointed. Arjun who observed him got into his chariot.He took Pari close and said. Why to feel low? You started just now.
Pari said But I am not able to balance myself with the bow. I heard that Your Madhav used to drive the chariot so fast. Suka told me. Still your arrows never missed the mark. Our charioteer is driving slowly.but...

Arjun smiled. He asked Pari to relax. Just concentrate on the bow and the arrow. Forget you are in a moving chariot. Just shoot the arrow. You fall once twice not thrice..
Pari's face brightened up. He understood the secret. He will learn.
Subhadra confronted Arjun While Uttara hastily took Pari close and made him drink warm Badami milk.
Why can't you let Pari enjoy his childhood for some more time? Subhadra shot at Parth.
Bhim rolled his eyes in frustration..Arjun..Pari need not fight the battles we fought. Relax.
Pari ate his breakfast brought by Panchali so fast that every one got into shock.
Chitra asked outrightly..Pari..are you fine? You are eating without making a scene?
Alli took his chin in her hand and crossed..You make Uttara run after you to get you eat. What mantra did your Pitamah chant  that you are eating properly?
Ulupi laughed and answered ...It must be the same that he used on you...she lowered her voice so that Pari won't hear.
Alli's Face turned red. Arjun smiled but did not say anything. He is eating his breakfast as if that is the most important that moment..
Bhima announced loudly..Tomorrow onwards Pari will sleep in my place. Arjun..Don't disturb us before The fifth quarter ..just before sunrise.
Pari nodded his head vigorously..No I will get up at the 4th quarter. Pitamah I will be there fully prepared by the time you tap on the door.he declared.
Every one was spellbound. Arjun laughed throwing his head back..
Panchali poured water on his hands and said. Your charm is still working..even on kids..
Arjun gave a peck on her cheek and asked mischievously. Charm..I would believe if it still works on you. I want a practical demonstration.
Panchali blushed like his new bride.
Why did you learn to be ambidexterous?
Arjun turned back . He was walking ahead of Pari to reach the practice spot. Arjuna's guards are on both sides of Parikshit.The fifth quarter of the night is giving way to dawn..they were a bit late since the daybeing Monday Arjun spent more time in Siva temple.
Arjun stopped Pari and said. " Pari..If we can do every work with both hands How can we not shoot with both hands?
Pari..asked.Then why can't others learn it like you did? Every one will have different interests. I got this. Now it depends on you to pursue your field of interest.Arjun answered.
Pari fondly caressed his bow and admitted. I love to be like you. Archer par excellence.
Arjun smiled and said..But today you have to practice sword fight. Take your sword..
Pari made a face and said..Oh..no
Arjunaina instructed first two vidhis of Sword fight. Pari is learning carefully. Suddenly Pari vanished and Abhi stood before him. Pita Sri..I completed all nine vidhis. Let us fight with each other.
Abhi is smiling. Abhi is looking handsome. He held the sword in his right hand and raised it.
Arjuna stood spell bound.How could his Abhi come down! Where is Pari.
Abhi smirked.Pitasri I swear I won't leave the sword even if jyesht Mata comes here..
Arjun closed his eyes. Tears rolled from them...Pari shook him up.
Pitamah check my grip and stance..
The assembly of Yudhishtir is fully crowded that day. Every one arrived except Arjun. Bheem looked at Nakul who pretended ignorance.
Sahadev failed to answer the King. He doesn't know where Arjun went.