The fateful evening part 3

Part 2

The fateful evening part 3

Panchali who attended the assembly felt uncomfortable. Where is he? She wondered.
Suddenly Arjun's chief commander appeared in Sabha and informed the king. Rajkumar Arjun regret inconvenience. He can't attend the Sabha today. He requested the king to move ahead with the proceedings.
Yudhishtir nodded his head. He asked Sahadeva to move with the agenda..

It was past dinner time. There was no trace of. Arjun. His wives are worried. Bheem fumed. Where did he go? Panchali..I told you to keep a track on him. You pamper him a lot.
Draupadi felt embarrassed. Her face turned red.All her co wives and other Pandavas are looking at her curiously.
She did not say anything.
After dinner The Royal garden guards saw the queen walk out of the premises of the garden. When they try to follow her she raised her hand not to.
Suddenly Ulupi joined her gasping for breath.Wait princess I also will come..
Panchali reached the lake which is away from the royal palace.
The moonlight is pervading all around. The lake and the lotuses are shining like golden silver.
The green luscious lawn nicely trimmed recently offered the third Pandav a nice bed like warmth.

Panchali sighed with relief. Arjun took away his hand from his eyes.
The blue lotus fragrance caressed him and brought his vital breaths back.
He instantly got up kneeled down before her and rounded her waist. He stammered in his broken voice.
Abhi came today Krishnaa..He really was Here..He asked me to teach sword fight. He remembered you also.

Panchali felt embarrassed but Ulupi pressed her hand and signalled her to stay on.She smiled and walked away.
Where is he? Arjun's wives bombarded Ulupi with questions. The dinner was over every one dispersed but they are sitting in the adjacent garden waiting for Arjun's news.
Ulupi sat in Asan drank water and gasped for breath. She then revealed the reason for Arjun's depression.
Uttara's face turned pale. She sighed. Pari just left for his chamber. He is sleeping early as he has to get up for his training.
Subhadra sobbed and stood. He will never get over Abhi. I know. He pretends he is fine. But he is not. Where is he? I will go. She started but Ulupi abruptly stopped her placing her hand on her shoulder.
Princess of Panchal is there. If you go his grief will get doubled.
Subhadra was hurt..But Abhi is my son. Isn't it proper for him to share his pain with me?

Ulupi softly explained..Yes.but do you think his pain will lessen if he sees you? He will blame himself for not protecting Abhi. Princess will manage. Believe me.
Chitra looked irritated..Why do you call her princess? She is queen age wise also you should stop addressing her so..
Ulupi smiled and retorted. She is princess of Panchal Who was won by my husband and I would like to connect her only to him. Alli remarked..Truth won't change. What is there in addressing? She is the queen of five..
Rekha nodded her head..Yes Alli you are right. Any way Ulupi Why did you come back? You also should have helped him recover.
Ulupi replied..Not necessary. I want you all to understand why Arjun gets solace with his fireborn. She is his first wife. Together they endured a lot. Surely she will understand him better than all of us. Also she is like a mother to Abhi.
Subhadra nodded with tears. Yes.she loved him more than her sons. Her pain is not less.

His shoulders are heaving upside down...His face is hidden in her waist..He is shedding tears shaking his head vigorously..Panchali found it difficult to bear his force.
She was afraid she may loose her balance.
Krishnaa I am not a good father. I left him to those jackals. Why did I move away from the battlefield?
Panchali got tears ..they were there in her eyes but now they just rushed out blurring her vision. She bent her face on his curly hair and restlessly rubbed her face.
Jyesht Mata let me inhale your fragrance..Abhi's voice resounded in her ears..
She slowly collapsed on Arjun ..Before he could realise she lost her consciousness.
She was lying half on his lap and half on the lawn.
Arjun was in shock. What happened to his Krishnaa..He bent over her and called her again and again..

There is no response. Arjun realised. It is not easy even for her. Why did he lose his control?He should have restrained himself from exposing his pain..
Arjun wiped her tears with his lips. He gazed at her beautiful face and then observed how thin she became of late. He remembered Sahadev's words..She is anaemic. The long stay at Gangateer and strain spoiled her health.
Arjun brought water from the lake and wiped her face gently. Panchali slowly opened her eyes and understood Arjun's anxiety.
She stretched her hands to him.Arjun instantly curled himself on her tiny form taking care not to hurt her with his weight. He found solace on hearing her heart beat...and it beats only for him.

She did not say anything. He did not hear anything.
He did not say anything. She did not hear anything.

The silence only conveyed each other what the other want to say. Arjuna rolled sideways to give her relief...he is concerned..her tender body can not bear his huge form.
The lawn though silky may hurt her back. He tried to pull her up but she did not oblige.
Panchali gazed at him with concern. The feeling of concern is present there and here..She want to know how he felt shattered..on seeing Abhi. He understood.
Minutes later his husky voice broke the silence and conveyed what she wanted to know.

Panchali listened with attention.Tears blurred her vision. Parth heard her sobs and stopped. He took her in his arms and hugged her close. He knew she loved Abhi more. Her pain is immense.
After a while Arjun lifted her up as if she is a small baby. Her face still has the marks of tears.

The practice session resumed next day as usual. Pari curiously looked at Arjun. He vaguely understood his Pitamah was disturbed and he could sense the reason through the whispering words between his mother and Subhadra Mata.
Pari always wanted to know about his father,the wonder warrior Abhimanyu ..but neither his mother nor any one fulfilled his wish..His Pitamah Arjun ...he still did not recover from his grief. That much he loves his father?
Pari felt jealous. He was not lucky enough to see his father,feel his father's love. But Subhadra Mata tells he ,Arjun loves his grandson as much as he loved his son. But he never expresses it since he is afraid to lose him also..
Arjun touched Pari with his hand...he understood his kid is disturbed somehow.
Pari took stance and got ready to shoot the moving target..

Subhadra asked Panchali after the morning worship was over. How is he? Did he recover?
Draupadi nodded her head. She knew it is not true. He won't get out of his heartbreak.
Subhadra sighed and said. Pari is growing up. He now is too desperate to know about his father. Who will quench his thirst? I can't. Uttara won't. I know you also can not..
Panchali closed her eyes which already had moisture at corners.

Since a long time there is no news from Gangateer ashram. Sahadev is worried. He did not send messengers since Kunti prohibited him from doing so.She said " All Of you spent long time here. Now get back to your duties. We will pursue our ultimate destination..
Pragati who stayed back with Kunti was sent to Dwarika with Satyaki Who went there on some purpose.
Sahadev raised the issue at dining time. Yudhishtir also felt that they should send messengers. Where is Ved Vyas Maharshi? He asked.
Arjun answered..He is not nearer. He went to Badarikasram. Suka also went with him.
Bhima expressed his irritation..Due to the blind king ourmother is facing trouble. Can't he stay back?
Nakul instantly remarked..He ran away because of you only..
Sahadev shouted at Nakul..Will you stop your banter? Is this the time for humour?
Nakul shrugged his shoulders.
Arjuna said..Pari's birthday is approaching.. If we send the invite to bless him,they will atleast convey their welfare though they won't come..
Bheem patted Arjun on his back..That is the way out. Do it fast..

Panchali turned back and there he is with a smile. The night is a chilled one with cool breeze making them shiver.. She gazed at his face and found him refreshing. She knew the reason..Pari'sbirthday is round the corner.
When will Pragati arrive? Did she forget that she is my daughter? Panchali asked him with a frown.
Arjun did not reply. He is savouring her beauty that got enhanced in her anger..
Panchali took her long plait in her hand and threw it back only to be caught by Arjun. He inhaled the fragrance and hugged her from behind.