The fateful evening part 3

Part9

Pragati did not raise her head. Draupadi sat down and took her on her lap. She knew how much Pragati love Kunti..More than her Kunti nourished her.. It is too difficult to console Pragati..If Arjun is There he would have done that..but he was with Sahadev who could not be pacified ...he is crying like a baby and Arjun is trying his best..
Pragati's sobs are also not coming out as she suppressed her sorrow in her throat.

Pragati..don't do that..,let your tears flow...your grandmother is watching you dear.,,she will feel bad for you...
Pragati looked at her mother and stammered..Maa..Why did firegod burn my dadi Mata? Pitasri helped him...cured him from his sickness...
Panchali wiped her tears with her Lallu end..Yes Pragati..Agnidev should not have done that..but what can we do Putri? No one can predict future..Control your self..,we lost Abhi..your brothers,Kirti your mamasri...now your dadi Mata.. We still are surviving.. Pray for her..Pragati..that she should reach your Pitamah Pandu Maharaj.
Panchali forcibly took Pragati to her mansion and made her sleep..She sat beside her looking at her face..
How could she forget the day she gave birth to Pragati! Her cute little baby instantly won the heart of her grandmother..Kunti stayed in her chamber all those days looking after Pragati.
And the day she left her with Kunti while leaving for forest..Kunti wept uncontrollably and took the baby on her heart..The way she was insulted in Dice hall shattered her to a great extent..

Without saying anything she asked for forgiveness by hugging Arjun..she sensed why she did so..
Suddenly Panchali felt his touch on her waist.
Arjun sat on the floor placing his head on her lap,clasping her waist.
She did not light up the chamber as usual fearing Pragati may get up ..Arjun's tears have made her saree wet...he is letting out his tears like never before..
I could not save her..I failed Krishnaa..his voice broke and he rolled his head vigorously..This Arjun did not save Abhi,Kirti and now Mata,,
Panchali melted at heart..she knew how attached Arjun was with Kunti..She bent over him and took him closer ..he needs her warmth...to come out of his sorrow..

It has been one month since Pandavas lost their mother in an unfortunate forest fire accident.
Hastinapur paid tribute to the departed souls,Dhritarashtra,Gandhari and Kunti. The rituals were performed under the guidance of Dhaumya ..
Royal Palace is getting back to normalcy with great effort since the administration should not be neglected.
Parikshit is the saving grace for the brothers..the boy tried his best to bring back prasannata on Arjun's face and smile on others' face.
Pragati stopped interacting. causing anxiety to Panchali. The girl looked detached and disconnected.
Arjun did not try to disturb her despite Panchali's protests. He knew his daughter needs more time to recover..

On a sunny afternoon Arjuna got a surprise visitor who just rushed to him when he is with his commanders of Hastinapur on the outskirts of Hastinapur.
The stranger covered his face with head guard and hastily touched Arjun's feet without removing it. Arjuna looked down and identified ...Satyaki...he uttered his name with delight. Satyaki took away his head guard and stood with folded hands..
Arjuna hugged him close...Why did you not send me message? And where is Madhav? Surely he should be here to console us..his last duty towards his bua..Arjun has tears in his eyes.
Satyaki said in an apologetic tone..He really wanted to come but His father is seriously ill after knowing about Kunti Bua..He asked you to be bold and face the situation. Here he gave this letter..

Arjun could not wait to read it. Satyaki walked towards the chief commander and enquirer his welfare..he knew him too well.Arjun's vision blurred with tears..he wiped them and..read
Parth
Don't shed tears for Bua..She faced so much in life...she deserves to be with Maharaj Pandu.
Parth..believe me..she united with him finally..I could see them happily together atlast..People think Maharaj Pandu loved Madri the most..but I know..he loved your mother so much..and it is the truth.
Parth..did you remember our conversation at Indraprasth? About first wives? That is true..We love our first wives more than others though we dont express it openly.
Your father also did the same..he never admitted it..but he held bua close to his heart. Now they both are having fulfilment by being with each other.
I will try to come over there..even if I won't feel me with you as always.
Tell Krishnaa to look after you and help you in overcoming the pain.
Tell Subhadra not to feel sad for bua..
Be strong and complete the responsibilities entrusted to you. I promise we will unite again and it is for eternity..
Arjun sighed with relief..he needed his Madhav's words ..and he got them..

Satyaki entertained Parikshit by telling him stories of his student days at Arjun's training camp at Indraprasth.
Your grandfather is too strict Pari. I was too scared of him in those days..he admitted tongue in cheek.
It was dining time at Hastinapur. Satyaki's arrival revived the Pandavas from gloom to some extent.
AfterKunti's demise first time the atmosphere looked calm and normal...

Pari enquired eagerly...At what time he used to start training? But you and others already learned archery..why did you again need to learn?
Satyaki made a serious face. What we learnt is nothing before what he accumulated. By then he mastered every trick in arranging vyuhas,every method in shooting arrows in different numbers and sizes...
Arjun tried to interrupt.. Satyaki don't exaggerate things. You were an excellent archer by then.
Satyaki countered..Yes Gurudev but still I failed to hit fish target which was set up in Indraprasth for Exhibition purpose.Maya constructed the fish target after Khandav dahan on  behest Of Krishna who was coaxed to do so by Satyaki and Drishtadyumna.

Satyaki continued..Till today I can't hit the fish eye Pari...I feel he only could do it. You should learn it from him..who knows some other king may announce swayamvar for his daughter. Then by all means Arjun's grandson should hit it..and..
For a split second Panchali felt Arjun's eyes on her...she still feel the thrill..The young anchorite who hit the fish eye..gripped her heart tightly by making her besotted even today..

Arjuna knitted his eyebrows. Satyaki went off but influenced Pari with his anecdotes on the past events. Suka was away from Hastinapur so Pari missed his narration's.
Satyaki described Gurukul of Dronacharya in such a way that Pari is adamant to go there. Previously when Pari was a two year old all the family members visited Gurukul. After that only he is going there to look after guru Mata.

Pitamah I will come with you... Pari insisted ..he knew Arjun goes there every month.
Arjun chided him...Pari what will you do there? Gurumata is not well. She is sick. If you come she will exert herself to cook by herself for you..
Subhadra who just entered supported Pari...Let him come...I would say we also will come..After Bua passed away everywhere gloom only I am feeling..Gurumata is close to Bua..She must be shattered. She will feel happy seeing Pari..specially ask your queen to accompany...
Arjun looked at her hearing her last words. Subhadra smiled and said...Don't look like that. I mean it. I observed how much gurumata loves her..
Draupadi did not feel like going there..Gurumata will get stressed up..on seeing us. It is not goid for her health.. You told me she is almost bed ridden.
Arjun has moisture in his eyes..he knew it was the last phase for his gurumata.But atleast for the last time if she sees them both she will feel happy..
Arjun took Panchali closer and said.the same..Panchali gazed into his hazel eyes...so many memories they both have of that special place.. Who knows when their journey come to an end? Better to live the moments by revisiting Gurukul..
Arjun observed her thoughts and smiled...Now you understood why I want to go there..

Arjun walked out and found the brahmin boy from Gurukul..Why did he come? Is gurumata well! He is sceptical as he opened the letter handed over by him.
Arjun
Bring Draupadi with you this time. I am going to meet your Gurudev very soon. For the last time I want to spend with you and peacefully close my eyes.
Day after tomorrow is your Gurudev birthday..I want you both to light up Diya at his idol Bring others also..specially Pragati and Pari.
Arjun nodded his head and asked the brahmin boy to stay ..Tomorrow we will come with you..he informed.