The fateful evening part 3

Part 11

Draupadi turned back and again looked at his face. He is in deep sleep..these days he stopped going for practice at the 4 th quarter of night.
Instead he is taking Pari after Sunrise to the practice spot and trains him for two hours. Panchali could still feel her Arjun Of Indraprasth..leaving her chamber when it is still very dark..and yes two hours before Sunrise.
So often he used to exhibit his mischievous side by pulling her into his arms and spoiling her dress up and hair ..not to forget her red ovel shaped bindi that just spreads over her forehead.
Those were the days of life..happiness..enthusiasm..bliss.. Kirti...Pragati..her sons
Panchali sighed heavily and nodded her head as if telling herself not to get back to that golden past.
She walked out..alone..Ione hour left for Sunrise...After Kunti's demise..Panchali could not follow her routine as exactly as ever. She fell sick often..indisposed and disturbed..

Priyamvada once told her...Princess..despite what had happened in your life you loved your mother-in-law so dearly. And on her part Kunti loved you more than her sons and other Bahus.
She was right. Thought Panchali. As she reached there..Ulupi welcomed her with a smile.
You are here..this early? Panchali asked with surprise. Ulupi smiled back and said..I want to do Puja with you..for Babhru..I request Durga Mata to show him his bride as early as possible.
Panchali knew that Ulupi loved Babhru like her own son..just like how she loved Abhi.
After breakfast before the brothers move for their customary duties,Chitra asked them to take interest in selecting Babhru's bride.
Arjun shrugged his shoulders..Send those portraits to him..He should like the girl first.
Chitra proudly stated..My son left everything to me.My choice is his choice.
Nakul remarked.,Then you should be all the more careful Chitra Bhabhi. You should be all alert..
Bhima supported Chitra...Ofcourse as a mother she has every right. Babhru is still a kid. He can't select his bride.
Nakul laughed and teased.,But Bhrata Bhim you are also a kid when you fell in love with Hidimba Bhabhi..
Sahadev corrected him..Nakul don't change facts. Hidimba Bhabhi was enamoured by Bhrata Bhim..
Bhim patted Sahadev with affection.
Yudhishtir told Chitra..You first pick some of them as per your choice. Then we all can decide.
After Yudhishtir left..Arjun again made his point...Send them to Babhru. It is his right to chose his life partner.
Subhadra smiled and taunted..like you did with us..
Ulupi hesitatingly said..He didn't select me..
Chitra hugged her and said in a low voice. So what? You are his first wife in true sense.
Ulupi turned to check if Panchali heard her.
Alli muttered under her breath..You have every kind of experience in marrying in different ways..
Arjun observed that and smiled...After all these years of association you need not grumble..say it out..his mischievous taunt made Alli turn her face and blush
Panchali heard Chitra's comment to Ulupi but strangely it did not make her frown or sulk. Why?
Arjun is absent minded even while he is amongst his brothers,officials in the assembly.
He could not forget Panchali's detached face on hearing Chitra's words. He could still remember how she used to express her dissatisction over Ulupi's abduction .
Now she reached a state where she could not feel any anger or anguish.
Arjun signalled Sahadev to continue with the proceedings and walked out through the back doorway.
He reached Chitra's chamber ..She was nowhere seen there.
Her maid informed him that she was in Ulupi's chamber. He did not go there.
Arjun went to the royal garden., It is a cloudy day..Sun was not seen and he can not mark Prodosh.
Arjun walked towards the lake on the bank of which he set up a Shiv ling under the shade of a tree.
He did Abhishek without noticing the time ..as it may rain any moment and cause obstruction.
Arjun closed his eyes and reminisced the magnificent form of Mahadev that he had seen in Hemavat mountains..
He wondered why he still could not get over the beautiful face of his wife with that detached expression.
Arjun wished to peep inside the past but he was forcefully brought out of his thoughts by the rain that started showering.
He got up reluctantly and moved towards the dining place..
Bheem instantly asked him..Why did you leave the Sabha in the middle? Where did you go?
Arjun answered in low voice...nothing important..just like that..
Sahadev called Draupadi to get Arjun his thali...
Subhadra did it instead...Arjun's eyes searched for his Krishnaa..
Chitra And Ulupi addressed Yudhishtir together.. We selected some portraits.
Nakul was excited..Bhabhi show us after dinner..
Panchali's flash back
Panchali threw back her curls that are falling on her eyes..She was looking at the full moon ...but ...
She happened to hear Chitra and Ulupi's conversation when she is serving dinner..
Both of them are standing in one corner...Chitra is teasing her...You are the first and foremost in his life...his first experience ...how fortunate you are..
Ulupi blushed and pressed her hand..,,Not that fortunate like you...he asked your hand by himself..
Yes Ofcourse But..Chitra whispered..,How was he that night! Ulupi please share with me...
Panchali was behind the pillar and they didn't see her..
She walked off silently ...

Arjun asked her with concern...Are you fine? Why did you return  early from there? He touched her forehead and felt it warm..
Panchali avoided his gaze..and asked..Why did you come here? You are supposed to be with your Naga princess..tonite...your first and foremost..
Arjun stared at her..he guessed what is troubling his beautiful wife..
You are my first and foremost..,that is the truth..he hugged her from behind and inhaled the jasmines and blue lotus fragrance together..

Arjun's flash back...
Arjun knew it is not that easy to make his Krishnaa smile ..Chitra could not understand how connected they both were despite being away from each other..for that many years.
Arjun looked at Panchali whose dull face still was competing with moon in lustre. He threw back her curls from her forehead which is like crescent moon.
He pulled her closer again and asked...Did you remember when we fall in love with each other?
Draupadi interrupted sharply..not we..It is me..only.
Arjun took her face in hands and questioned ..seriously...Are you sure?
Panchali nodded her head ...Arjun whispered in her ears...I don't bother whether you believe or not...or  what your cowives say...
Panchali tried to stop him...No need to explain..Arjun...I understand.. she said precisely.
Arjun did not stop..He continued...It is me Arjun who should  clarify...it matters to me the most..I never think I am answerable to anyone regarding my love.. As I said I won't bother. But I would try my best to make it clear..
You are the one who touched my heart strings...first and foremost..he stressed on the last two words.
Draupadi turned her face away...but she knew what Chitra meant..He touched Ulupi first..It is physical but still she can't deny the reality of Chitra's statement.
Arjun took her hand and touched her fingers which are shining with red mehandi. He clasped her hand in his and asked...Like this I held you when we walked towards the potter's hut.
Panchali did not hide her feelings..She does not want to remember that walk..She suppressed it under the layers of her mind...
Arjun did not stop...I don't know what you felt but this warmth..that is an indication of your love for me..did not leave my conscience..It stayed with me forever.
Panchali closed her eyes and felt the moment..he is right..absolutely.
Arjun clasped her waist and forcibly pulled her closer and closer..In Gurukul I lifted you up into my arms...by clasping your waist...this way..
Panchali did not open her eyes..She felt her charged up like she did years ago..yes..he is right..that moment spelled magic for her.

Arjun bent down and kissed her passionately..the jasmines smiled in ecastacy..the moon rays encircled both the lovers.. time stopped abruptly..
Arjun stuttered in a low voice...this was our first kiss in Hastinapur garden..The desire and passion with which our lips met can not be replaced ..by any one in any way..
Panchali did not open her eyes...how fruitful that moment was..for her..for him!
Yajnaseni had a single tear that appeared at the corner of her eye..sweetly wiped off by her Arjun with the same intensity...She relived the moment...blissfully.

Present day Hastinapur..
Arjun was busy since two days...he along with Sahadev went to recruite soldiers for the army...which happens once in a year.
It is a step to get enthusiastic aspirants enter the military force and train themselves under the able guidance of the third Pandav.
After Aswamedha contest almost all rival groups like Gandhar,Sindhu and others made to accept the sovereignty of Yudhishtir.
Still Arjun never neglects army recruitments. He knew Pari would need army support when he becomes the king.
Most of the youth get recruited only with a wish to have the good fortune of being with legendary warrior Arjun and learn warfare from him. They worship their hero who fought endless battles without getting defeated even once.
Two days he stayed there but Sahadev went back at night.
All the queens of Arjun enquired Sahadev about Arjun's return with the exception of Draupadi.
Chitra complained..Every one has the time to chose girl for Babhruvahan but not his father.
Ulupi tried to cover up ..Arjun is in sink with his brothers. Their choice is his choice.
Subhadra nodded in approval..The two girls we finalised will definitely appeal to him also..no doubt..go ahead with your plan.
Chitra said...Msessengers from Manipur will come tomorrow I have to send the chosen portraits to Babhru
Sahadev assured..Bhrata will be here by tomorrow morning. He will see the portraits before they are sent.
Draupadi silently listened to them..She saw the portraits..both are looking good for Babhru.
Within a while Chitra will ask the kings to bring them to Hastinapur and proceed with the marriage.
As she walked towards her chamber she felt the void in her heart loom large and overpower her whole persona. Yes her sons would have been married by now ..Her youngest one Kirti must not have wedded by now...

Panchali tried to pull herself out of her memories. Pragati And Uttara went to Matsyadesh to see Sudheshna Who is ill
She lied on her Jhula and covered her eyes with her hand..she went into deep sleep and and at midnight found herself rounded up in his arms...Arjun is looking ardently into her sleepy eyes.
Didn't miss me at all? Queen you are sleeping ..without me? He asked seriously.