THE DARK FATED KANYA

CHAPTER 20

Arjun was lying on the bed in his kaksh. Nakul and Sahadev had strictly ordered him to take rest, with Bheem, Krishna and Chandrika backing them up. This had rendered him confined to the bed, with absolutely no movements, lest it would open up his healing wound. For a warrior like him, this was outrageously worse than any punishment.

Suddenly he heard the jingling of anklets, and smiled thinking it to be Chandrika's. However as the sound neared him and he heard footsteps, he frowned as those were not of his dearest niece. He opened eyes as the door opened and was shocked to find Sulochana entering his kaksh. He slowly sat up on the bed, still shocked at her presence in his room.

"Pranipat," she said, nervously.

"Kalyan ho," he replied, overcoming his initial shock.

"Well... I... I am leaving for Videha, in some time... so... so just wanted to... to... umm... thank you," she said, trying to find appropriate words to voice her feelings.

"No Rajkumari... there's... there's no need to thank me... as a... as a warrior... it was my duty to protect you at that time," he replied, his awkwardness reducing slightly.

"The gratitude is not only for that, Pradhansenapati," she said, finally steeling her nerve. "I have lived here for 2 years before the war. I have seen the bond that PitashreeKarn shared with Chanda. And... and being a daughter myself, I understand what she must gone through on losing her father in that dreadful war. These past 5 years, I was in the delusion that she would never be able to cope up with the loss, especially when she has to live with the people who are the very reason behind it. But... but you all have proved me wrong. You have provided her with the support and care that she had needed so desperately during those times, without making her feel that you are faking it."

"Our care and concern towards her is not at all fake, Rajkumari," he replied, slightly offended at such accusation.

"I know it's not. But sometimes, when you have faced too much loss, even genuine affection feels faked, Pradhansenapati. But that didn't happen with her. And I am really happy for her. To see her as that young, fierce, warrior princess, which Pitashree, Arya and Devarjis' had always wanted her to be, is really blissful. And... and that credit goes to all of you. So... thankyou once again... I am sure Pitashree, Arya and Devarjis' souls would have surely rested in peace, seeing your love and affection towards her."

Sulochana dabbed the end of her uttariya to her eyes, to remove the salty drops clogged there.

"I am very much relieved as well, and assured that she has a bright future ahead, with you by her side," she added and left without waiting to hear Arjun's response.

Any which ways, Arjun had been too appalled to say anything. Finally overcoming his shock, he mused over what she had said, and a small smile lit his lips.

"Where have you been, Bhabhishree? We have been waiting for you here," said Chandrika, as she saw Sulochana approaching her. Chandrika was standing near Sulochana's chariot, along with Rajyapal Arun, Senapati Chakradhar and Shri Krishna. Bheem, Nakul and Sahadev were standing a bit away from all of them.

"I just wanted to check if I had forgotten something or not," she lied smoothly. No need for Chandrika to know the conversation between her and Arjun, she thought to herself.

"I am sure she got with you, whatever you had forgotten, Videhakumari," Krishna said, with a teasing smile. Sulochana just nodded with a smile, at that and went on to take his blessings.

"Ayushmaan bhava," he said, placing his hand on her head.

After that, she looked towards the three brothers, and greeted them with joined hands, which they acknowledged with a nod and small smile. Chandrika smiled sensing the mutual acceptance there.