The Wrath of Gammon

Chapter 18

The Wrath of Gammon

Disclaimer: This story is my humble attempt to write a fanfiction of the epic Mahabharata. My intention is not to hurt anyone's sentiment.

Aum Namah Shivay!!

Major Jayant Roy, SM is a fictitious character. Any similarity with any living person is merely a coincidence.

Chapter 18

Southern Panchal, Dwapar Yuga

Jayant/Duryodhana POV

Four days ago, we started our journey from Rajapura to Hastinapur. Our journey was happening very smoothly and happily. In this journey on the chariot, I got the chance to properly know all about my newly-wedded wife.

She was a charming lady, with a beautiful smile and also a sharp mind. She was a learned woman too, with deep knowledge in many 'shastras'. Her debating ability was very good. I liked to listen to her voice and her opinions in various matters.

"Priya, can I ask you something?" I asked her. We were both sitting on our moving chariot. The scenery beside us was very beautiful. Priya was intensely looking at that. My question seemed to break her out from that trance. She nodded affirmatively at me.

"Do you have any other siblings beside Shrutayudha?"

"No. We are only the two of us. Why are you asking?"

"Curiosity, I guess."

Priya smiled at me.

"You are a very curious person yourself, Aryaputra. I don't know why, but sometimes I feel that there is an invisible barrier of mysteries surrounding you. You are not what you project to the others, at list not totally. But, there is a deep, dark well of secrets beneath you."

I looked at her deep, dark eyes. Those eyes were powerful scanners, under which, the deepest, darkest secret of Jayant Roy would come out in any moment. I turned my eyes away from her, and took out my water bottle and drank some. Then I handed over the bottle to her.

"You want some?"

She smiled and accepted. The Surya Narayana was glowing over us, probably showering his blessings to his son and his daughter-in law. I glanced at their chariot. There, they were talking and smiling. Supriya was a bubbly woman, who loved to talk. And Radheya was a good listener too. I thought about Vrushali for a moment. I didn't know how she will react. The TV serials about Mahabharata showed them as heroes, anti-heroes and villains, but while living amongst them, I could see the reality in them, the human side of them. Pitamah Bhishma, who always stood strong like a great banyan tree, I saw the vulnerable side in him, when I stopped him doing the last rites of the Pandavas. Dronacharya had only one weakness that was his son. In Magadha war, I saw that weakness. As about Kulguru, well, he was an interesting character indeed. He did not have to struggle in his life like his brother-in-law. So, he became a person who was always satisfied with some very small needs. But this satisfaction affected his character and personality. He always stayed, or should I say, his personality always suppressed by some other stronger personalities, be it Pitamah, be it Dronacharya or...Ashwatthama. Though, it's a fact that sometimes he stood strong against Duryodhana and his evil deeds, but still his personality didn't permit him to protest more ferociously like Vidura.

A soft hum entered into my ear. I slowly turned my head and saw Priya, who was softly singing some song. Her voice was so melodious, so sweet that it engulfed my heart and soul. I felt like taking her with me and staying in a small home. In front of our home, there should be a beautiful garden with various types of flowers. I would sit there, with Priya's head on my lap. She would sing such melodious songs to me. I was imagining us sitting in such a place, her song engulfed the area. Stags and does were walking beside us.