✓ Narottam Arjun: Soul of the Sage

e i g h t

Qᴜᴇʀᴇɴᴄɪᴀ

(𝙣.) 𝙖 𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙘𝙚 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙬𝙝𝙞𝙘𝙝 𝙤𝙣𝙚'𝙨 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙜𝙩𝙝 𝙞𝙨 𝙙𝙧𝙖𝙬𝙣, 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙨 𝙖𝙩 𝙝𝙤𝙢𝙚; 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙘𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙢𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙘 𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙛

Arjun's chamber, Ayodhya-

The room was silent, with complete privacy between the two friends. Ashwatthama had dismissed all the maids and servants, and now was sitting on a chair, glaring holes at Arjun.

While the King of Indraprasth sat sat down, looking at ground, nervously blinking once in a while. Seeing the man titled as 'Veer' by the people of Indraprasth sat down fearing his friend was hilarious.

Arjun was squirming under Ashwatthama's strong gaze, and also worrying about his reaction.

"You love her." It was not a question, but a statement. And Ashwatthama said that with a hint of betrayal in his stern voice.

"Yes." Arjun kept his answer short and simple, still gazing down.

"And you did not tell me before."

"Yes."

"And you said that you weren't participating."

"Yes."

"WHAT IN THE NAME OF MAHADEV ARE YOU THINKING? YOU LOVE HER, THEN YOU DENY THE CHANCE TO MARRY HER." Ashwatthama yelled, this was not the behaviour of the Arjun he knew.

"You have changed. As a kid, you were always clear about things, never did you miss anything, be it your aim or anything." Drauni added the last part quitely.

Arjun said nothing, his mind was unrest for most time. Ashwatthama was right. 

Arjun was normal, by far, very normal. Born in a simple house, he spent his childhood believing that one day he would be Gangaputr Bhishma's charioteer.

But then came his curiosity, and he landed in Kailash, learning everything.

And when he left Kailash, his life turned upside down in few months.

His teacher told him how he would change the whole world

He got married to a woman he didn't love, at that time.

He found his mother, and got to know he was Indraputr. And his mother told him about the Akashwani at the time of his birth.

The words were heavy, and Arjun felt burdened. He was not sure if he could live up the words he had been told.

Yes, Ashwatthama was right, he had changed, wwith the pressure on him, he had changed. And he didn't knew if it was for better or worse.

"You participated in the Swayamvar," Arjun asked instead of answering.

Ashwatthama merely nodded, was there a point in denying the obvious?

"Knowing that you love someone elseelse, you participated." Arjun spoke, no it was accusation but rather pure guilt in his voice, and along with it, needy thankfulness.

"Dhananjay. When I was young, my father took me and my mother to Panchal, to seek help. But you know what Drupad said? That Pita is son of Rishi Bharadwaj, and that we too must be Rishis. Grihasthi isn't suitable. And neither I or him would ever have a motherland. For some time I took Hastinapur as my Rajya, but it was not.

Then you asked me to come to Indraprasth.
Indraprasth may not be my Janmabhoomi but it is, my KARMBHUMI. And I can kill for my nation, die for my nation, and live for my nation."

"Why?" All Arjun could say was a word before melting in tears and pulling his friend in a hug.
"Because Indraprasth in my country, and I am Indraprasth's." Drauni said hugging his friend.

"But now if you don't stop crying, I would tell Aashna how much of crybaby you are." Ashwatthama broke the tense atmosphere with a small joke.

"Aashna who?"

"Oh right. I forgot to tell you.
When I will have a daughter in future, I will name her Aashna." Drauni added smiling brightly at the mention of the name.

Arjun fake gasped, "You will say no such thing to my niece."

And that was how two friends resolved their HUGE issues with LOVE and sarcasm!

Their talks were broken by a guard, "Greetings Maharaj. A friend of Princess Nayantara is here to meet you." He interrupted.

"Welcome her with respect." Ashwatthama spoke and the guard left. He turned to his friend and said, "After all the King shouldn't be kept waiting."

Arjun glared at his friend who just smiled teasingly.

A second later Ashwatthama's teasing smile melted down like ice under sum, his eyes softened like butter.

"Pranipaat," He greeted her softly.

"Pranipaat Parshuram Shishya." She greeted,very formally.

"Arjun, may I present my friend, Parnika." Ashwatthama introduced, "Parnika, he is my friend, and the King of Indraprasth, Arjun."

"It's an honour to meet you, Maharaj. How many men tried but failed miserably, and only you proved to be worthy. How fortunate is my friend to have a worthy husband like you." She said in a sweet and subtle way, eyeing Ashwatthama.

Arjun looked unsure, it was sure that the sentence wasn't meant for hum, and then-
His eyes went wide like the sun itself as he realised that ASHWATTHAMA LOVED THIS WOMAN!

Could the mishap end for today?

"Anyways, as the tradition, here your wedding dress Maharaj." Parnika bought in a heavy dress and kept it on a nearby table.

And she left, just like that.

Ashwatthama was standing like statue, not understanding a word.

"Good luck," Arjun said to Ashwatthama.

"Oh shit." Ashwatthama yelled.

"But if we look from other side, it is good." Arjun continued completely ignoring his friend. He turned to Drauni and with a smirk, he stated, "She shouldn't be angry at you for participating in the Swayamvar. But she was, and there is only one reason for her anger.
She loves you." 

Ashwatthama looked flabbergasted, as realization hit him. "She loves me, Parnika loves me." It was not a question, but a statement.

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I ain't commenting anything about Ashwatthama and Arjun 😑 both of them mature enough (hopefully) and can handle it on their own.

I have a question:

What do you think will happen in story?
Like what are your expectations?

I'm having doubts about the story-
And no, I ain't leaving the story, just want to know so I can improve!!!!

Last: Kindly check my message board/latest message for update about my books!