✓ Narottam Arjun: Soul of the Sage

e i g h t - s a v i o u r

It was almost sunset, when the four Pandavas set out to search for Karn. When a soldier came with the news that Karn hadn't reached, Yudhishthir grew restless.

"Jyesth," Yelled Nakul, being terrified with what he saw. Karn was laying down unconscious, some white substance dripping out of his mouth. Clear signs of poison.

As if his world was on fire, Yudhishthir grew tensed. "What happened?" He asked his younger brother as Bheem and Sahdev lifted Karn and took him to the palace. "Poison, not sure which type." Nakul replied, biting his nails in tension.

"Jyesth, I will pick some herbs and come, you go," Nakul said and ran towards the dense forest.

Yudhishthir ran towards the palace in the direction of Bheem and Sahdev.

Like an eternity, an hour passed and finally Nakul, Sahdev and other doctors figured out what poison was used on Karn.

"The only antidote is the flower that blooms at sunrise," Nakul said, tears flowing harshly.

Kuru Family sat down in the waiting room, the news of Karn being poisoned broke them. Kunti was sobbing in the arms of Gandhari. But Shakuni was happy, hiding his joy with a face of sadness.

The harsh reality that they won't be able save Karn was daunting. 

Gangaputra Bhishma, who didn't even cry at his brother's death had a few tears knowing his grandson's condition. 
Dron, he just stood like a statue, Karn wasn't just his best student, but also very dear to his heart.
Yudhisthir, he considered the four Pandavas as his sons, and now seeing Karn this way, knowing he would die, and there was nothing he could do, it broke him to pieces.

Suddenly. Yudhisthir remembered something, his conversation with Karn last.

"Can you imagine Jyesth? Marrying a Naga Princess?" Karn laughed, telling Yudhisthir about Arjun's marriage with Uloopi.

Yudhisthir had reprimanded him quickly, this wasn't a way one should treat other's decisions. opinions, and beliefs. 

Yudhisthir looked at Nakul, "Nakul, what poison is it?" "Some kind of Snake Poison," the eldest Madreya replied, and that was enough.

Maybe Uloopi could save him?

Yudhisthir ran out in the speed of lightening towards Arjun's house. Everyone was surprised at this; They thought that Yudhisthir might have wanted to stay close to Karn during his last moments?

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Uloopi was dressed in dark green dress, with only a few ornaments, yet her beauty surpassed the beauty of Apsaras. She sat in the centre of bed, keeping her knees close to her chest, a long veil covering her face. The room had fragrance of Champa, the flowers that were adorned in her hair locks by Vrinda.

She sat in Arjun's room, on his bed, nervously trying to be still and calm down. Her fast heartbeats were audible in the silent room.

'Knock'

She heard a small knock on the door, "Door is open," she said, loud enough for the person outside to hear. Her breaths went more uneven when she saw who it was.

Why did Arjun knock on the door of his own bedroom?

"Are you okay?" Asked Arjun passing her a glass of water, she seemed disturbed and it didn't take a genius to know why. 

Uloopi took off her veil and gulped down the whole glass in a gulp and stared back at Arjun, who was chuckling at her like she was a kid.

"I am fine," she said passing him the glass. Arjun took it from her and placed it on the night stand. He looked at her and saw a few water droplets near her lips, he pointed his finger and did a weird action.