✓ Narottam Arjun: Soul of the Sage

s i x t e e n - e m o t i o n s

The duel between Uloopi and Ashwatthama ended pretty soon, mostly because it wasn't a fight, but merely a friendly spar. Uloopi however noticed his moves, and memorized most of them. Even though her main motive was to win and please Arjun, learning a few tricky moves from Drauni were just the cherry on cake.

It was an honour to duel with someone like him, born to greatest teacher, learnt from the best; yet kind and humility as that of a saint. 

But Karn, for some reason, the mere sight of the man infuriated her. Maybe the reason was how badly he insulted Arjun from the day of Kala Pradarshan, and then just after their marriage. Whatever it was, he was below beggars in her eyes. 

If it were to her, she wouldn't have let that man stay under her roof for even a night' But Arjun was generous, and bluntly saying, she was not; not to those whom she considered as enemies.

Ancient saying goes as,
"There are three rules of life-
IRON, treat them badly, those who have hurt you;
SILVER, treat them in a great way, those who have helped you;
GOLD, treat them in a great way, those who have hurt you"

While Arjun's kindness extended to golden rule, Uloopi kept her bar at silver. 

She looked at Karn, who had now stopped laughing, yet a smile was stuck to his lips. Her blood boiled, how dare he laugh at her? Did he not know, she a Queen, a Queen of place he was staying at. 

Feeling insulted by his laughter, she turned to Ashwatthama, nodded at him and left. Of course, no one saw her anger, masked behind her perfect facade. But Arjun saw, he did not miss Karn's lips curving in smile and laughter, nor did he miss the flames burning in her eyes.

He was worried. Yes, the student of Mahadev was worried, not for himself or Uloopi, but for Karn. He knew how far Uloopi could go for revenge, and that man, he just laughed at her, at the moment when she was defeated. 

He rushed behind her to their room, as expected he saw Uloopi trashing their room to nothing but rags. He went and stood infront of her, he took her hands in his, inspecting any injuries. "Ashwatthama may have defeated me, but he is not that capable to put wounds on me." She spoke quitely. No matter how angry she was, she didn't want him to think any less of Drauni, she did not want Arjun to have any quarrel with Drauni.

"I know, and I am pretty sure, he was playing safe, after all how could he even think to hurt you? He calls you Bhabhi, and thinks you as his second mother. Tell me which child in the world would willing hurt his mother?" Arjun asked plainly, he took her hands and pulled her on the bed. He made her sit straight, and sat down. 

"I was checking for any injuries that you might have inflicted upon yourself while," Arjun paused, he didn't wish to use any harsh word, it might break her more, "while you were redecorating," he completed. Uloopi chuckled when she heard 'redecorating' this obviously wasn't redecorating. 

"The servants will be burdened, all because of me," Suddenly Uloopi realized, and she swallowed herself in a pit of guilt. Poor maids and soldiers. Arjun chuckled, the woman who was redecorating with the rage of Mahakali, was now feeling guilty because the servants will have more work.

"Well then, I guess I will pay them extra to compensate?" Arjun said, knowing the idea would please her. And it did, she immediately nodded in yes.

"Now I believe I have a sister to punish," Arjun remarked, vaguely looking at ceiling. "Punish? Why?" Uloopi questioned.

"Well someone very smartly took out your now, this morning, and ran off. And that someone happens to my sister." Arjun said, sarcastically. "Ohh," that was she said, as she realized that Karn hadn't stolen her bow, and she was a bit sad at the fact as she won't be able to punish him for that. But it was good she knew the truth, if she had sent some soldiers to capture him, and then the truth would have come out, she would have had to publicly apologize to him. And that was unacceptable.