The Princess Of Dwarka: An ArSu Novella

2| Mystic

" We have an unexpected guest!!" Announced Suhasini, one of Subhadra's maids, in a melodramatic way, but her response failed to evoke the desired reaction in the others.

"It's just another mendicant," grumbled  Mudra, the beautician, as she peered out of the glass window, before swiftly clasping a hairpin unto Subhadra's braid.

"No, he isn't!! It's Arjuna!!" Retorted Suhasini.

"Hush girl, is he your friend that you are addressing him by his name? " Snapped Kani, a senior maid, who had been in the service of Queen Devaki, as her chief maid for year and she took extreme delight in bossing over the other maids .

It was only now that she had been asked by Devaki to keep an eye on her daughter, as her maid. Her daughter was now young and of marriageable age.

It was Kani's responsibility to ensure that Subhadra was tamed as all other princesses her age were, though it was another question that she refused to be.

" You mean the Kuru Prince Arjuna!! The world's greatest archer!?" Asked Mudra in amazement, as her jaw dropped by a few inches.

"Yes, the very same one. I recognized him because I saw him when I accompanied, Her Highness Rukmini, to Indraprastha" said Suhasini in an even tone, with an air of newly acquired self-importance, she had come to Dwarka with Rukmini and was her chief maid ever since.

"He is going to stay here for the next four months, till his exile ends. After all, he is Dwarkadheesha's best friend." Added Kani, smiling.

Subhadra wisely ignored them. She had no interest in Princes, no matter how rakishly handsome they were. Marriage held no interest for her. Book were better companions. People betrayed you, books never did that, instead they provide you with all they had. The precious thing, knowledge.

Kani's gruff voice seemed to break the spell for her, as the old maid admonished the chirpy Suhasini for nearly having knocked a crystal vase.

" Drooling Dolts, all of you are!! I hope you won't mess up, in front of the Prince of Indraprastha, or else I am going to compel Queen Devaki to fire you out!!" She rebuked harshly, her critical eyes roving.

Subhadra heard Suhasini mutter a curse under her breathe, one which probably wished for the old hag to die.

" I wonder if  Princess Subhadra has ever seen him?" Asked Mudra, as she held out a mirror for Subhadra, to observe her hairstyle.

"I haven't yet. Yes, I have heard of him, but not seen yet." Confessed Subhadra, candidly.

"You will now, my dear Princess!!"

                   -----------------
Rukmini beamed as she delicately wrapped the sea blue foam around Subhadra, who squirmed in protest.

She struggled to read the book at her hand, but her current hairstyle required her to look straight ahead.

"My neck seems like it's gone cement." She groaned, as Rukmini placed a fresh string of sweet-smelling jasmine around her hair.

"Why, you are the most un-princessy princesses I've ever seen." Giggled Jambavanthi in good natured humour.

"Un-princessy is not a word. " Subhadra frowned, she wanted nothing but be alone and read.

'' Yeah, I invented it in honour of my nerdy smart-ass, sister -in law." Winked Jambavanti.

" But, I don't understand why you all are dressing me up. Just because Arjuna is coming. It's not like i'll end up marrying that Arjuna or something "

" Mind your tongue, young girl! He's your brother's best friend  "Snapped Devaki.

" Woah, so this guy who -I -haven't even- met- yet, deserves esteemed honour just because he is my 'brother's best friend'. Amazing" she rolled her eyes, her book was still unfinished on a much awaited cliff-hanger and the last thing she wanted to do now, was what she hated the most. Dress Up!!

"It's not just that. We are all very close to him. When you were in kanyakul, he visited us often and we visited Indraprastha. The pandavas especially Arjuna are no less than family to us. Also he has got a wicked sense of humour that has pinned even Satyabhama down." Rukmini joked, as she grinned at Satyabhama.

" Hey, that is because i let him win" said Satyabhama in mock pride, as the room echoed with fresh laughter and more banters.

"But I don't understand. Why are you all dressing me up today oh so specially, I mean the maids would do it just fine." She stated it as a matter of fact.

"  They'll just follow your orders, and you'll as always dress in that simple cotton saree that you always wear. God knows, what pleasure you find in dressing up as an old woman.'' Devki laughed.

"It's simplicity Maa. And simplicity is graceful not outdated." Subhadra beamed, as she looked animated for once.

                   -------------------

Arjuna ran his fingers, across his silver armour, how soothing it felt to get back into his old self after years of coarse bark.

He had changed into his silk finery that felt heaven against the harsh bark. Cotton is pleasant to wear, but not when it is made from wood.

"Done admiring yourself, Mr. Drama Queen? We are going for a forest excursion not war " Teased Satyaki, his best friend from Gurukul and now Krishna's close confidante.

As soon as, Arjuna had reached Dwarka's palace and changed into his oh -so- precious finery , Krishna had immediately whisked him away with him to the forest, despite Arjuna's protests to hit the bed.  Satyaki had accompanied them.

" Oh let him have his moment Satyaki, he has been deprived of this 'birthright' since long. " Chuckled Krishna.

Arjuna glared at them 'Twelve years is long indeed " he had an amazing sense of sarcasm, that seemed to always melt before Krishna for some reason. And he was almost rendered speechless when Satyaki united with Krishna. Those two teamed up against him in their pranks, poor him!!!

Idiots, bringing me to the forest again, after I roaming here for twelve years..

"I want to show you something. Here in this forest, it will take some time but will be worth the wait, buddy!!" Krishna smiled, keeping a casual arm around Arjuna.

" How much time will it take?" Arjuna asked, he was tired beyond anything now.

"About four to five hours" Satyaki uttered nonchalantly as if it was four to five minutes.

"Wait what!!?? Krishna no!! I wanna sleep, take me back pleeaseee" whined Arjuna making a baby face.

'' No Parth, that's not so happening! You can sleep like Kumbhakaran after this, but this thing which you will witness will be perhaps once in your lifetime. " Krishna replied enigmatically.

" Fine then." Arjuna said resigned to his fate.