The fateful evening part 3

Part 10

Gurukul invited Arjuna with open arms. He was coming after two months. Kunti's demise did not allow him leave Hastinapur..for a long time.
Pari was So charged up and could not control his  excitement. He was beaming in his face for walking on the land ..where his grandfather created history by his excellence.
Arjun made Pari prostrat before Drona's statue..with moisture in his eyes. Arjun..focus on it son..his voice sounded in his ears.
Gurumata could not even get up to greet them.Draupadi hugged her and made her sit with the support of pillows.
Arjun who sat in the floor near her feet...she shed tears.. He felt Kunti's voice in his ears. Phalgun...
It took great effort from Arjuna and Draupadi to console Gurumata who could not come out of her grief for Kunti's demise.
The next day being Drona's birth day Arjuna did arrangements to celebrate the occasion. The students of Gurukul decorated the Gurukul with flowers and collected fruits.
Arjuna started the day with a prayer at Drona's statue. Gurur Brahma gurur Vishnu..resounded every where filling even the space.
Arjuna conducted competitions in which Pari also participated.Kripacharya judged the participants.
Parikshit excelled in archery but came second in sword fight.
Nakul teased him feigning anger..,You take Bhrata Arjun seriously but won't pay attention in sword fight.
Pari bent his head and said.,Please forgive..I will improve my skills.
Bhima lifted him up and grumbled..,Nakul..don't question him. Don't you know he is still a kid?
Arjuna nodded his head in desperation and praised Gurukul students..He gifted them with good bows arrows and other weapons.
And then he let them play games..Pari joined and enjoyed so much.
Gurumata Who came out of the hermitage after many months smiled on seeing celebrations around.
She addressed Drona as if he is before her.
Gurudev..Your Arjun will make you immortal. His legacy continues with Pari.
Draupadi and Subhadra served delicious food to all the students after sunset. Gurukul students enjoyed the feast so much..
Every one slept due to a busy day.. Panchali and Parth walked in the moonlight..they did not want to break the silence...the musical sound of the waves of Ganga,the moonlight showering nectar made them feel contented..
Panchali looked up in his hazel eyes..Is their journey coming to an end?
Parth smiled reading it in her eyes.
What is end by the way! He questioned...
Panchali did not answer. She kept her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes.. She wanted to feel the moments..that stayed in her memory concerning Gurukul. Arjun took her close and kissed her eyes.
Arjun looked into her eyes longingly..He said with a smile...You think so? I don't. Our journey is eternal..Krishnaa we are together since ages..we will be so...
Panchali smiled back...She doesn't know if they are together before..and she has no idea about the future.But...this journey in this life with him is worth all the pain and struggles..they went through..In one birth they endured the pain as well as bliss..
Arjun took her. close..She did not change. She still looked young,beautiful and she loves him like she did years back.. Her heartbeat chants his name and he could still hear it. Draupadi ruffled his hair and asked...What are you thinking?
Arjuna became serious...Thinking about how you stopped aging but we all aged fast.
Now I seriously need to take care not to stand beside you..
Panchali laughed and taunted...Enough Of your lies..,Even now when we are coming towards Gurukul...Hastinapur female population could not stay back but to see you 9n horseback..You waved at them and smiled back..
Arjuna had a mischievous glint in his eyes...Kerping track of me always...queen...You are too insecure..he teased.
Panchali is defiant...Ofcourse I should do so...when my husband could have besotted admirers even when he became a grandfather..she said.
Arjun raised his eyebrows..You think I became a grandfather so I would not be as effective as I was before? Let me prove it...He bent down,lifted her and started walking..
Panchali clasped his neck and closed her eyes..She went back to the golden past..her first visit to Gurukul when he carried her just like he did now
Years back
Panchali could not help but stare into his beautiful face..She is irritated that her long curls are obstructing her vision by falling over her eyes..Her one hand is at his back and another she can't lift lest he would understand her intention.
Suddenly she felt his hit breath on her face..,he is blowing off her curls..bending closer to her face..
He then looked down and said ..Now you can fulfill your wish..I will take care of your curls...Panchali profusely blushed..He understood her passionate gaze..at his face...she closed her eyes feeling shy.
Arjun bent down and kissed her eyes...
Panchali pulled herself from her past ..she felt the warmth of his lips on her eyes. They are reliving the moments..blissfully.
Parikshit stood at Drona's statue. He stared into his eyes. He wondered how could GuruDron train his Pitamah with such perfection..How nice it would have been if he is alive...he sighed.
He did not go to Gurukul. His training is in Hastinapur only..He was not allowed to go out of the palace..All the five grandfathers are extra cautious about his safety.
Arjun placed his hand on Pari's head. What are you thinking? That you didn't go to Gurukul? He asked.
Pari looked up with surprise. How do you know? He questioned curiously.
Arjun did not answer but turned him towards Drona's statue. Bow before him Pari..He made me immortal with his training. Generations together will talk about my skills and  they will pay tribute to my guru who moulded me so. I feel it is just yesterday that I lived here with him. Following him when he go to the river,listening to him explain the most complex vyuhas in such a way that I just got everything planted in my memory still..Patting me on my back when I became ambidextrous.,I feel his touch even now.
Pari felt Arjun's undaunted love for his teacher as Arjuna's voice broke into a whisper.
Arjuna raised his head and said..bless my grandson Gurudev he needs your blessings.

Draupadi sat near Gurumata's bed.,They have to leave for Hastinapur next day. Two days ran faster and Gurumata looked revived of her sickness.. Come with us Gurumata.. I will take care Of you there..she requested.
Gurumata refused politely..No Bahu.. He is here with me. I feel his presence .I get solace seeing the students .,,I search for  Arjun in them and Aswathama...her voice broke...She did not continue.
Panchali turned her face. The murderer of her children is her son.She forgave him then but sometimes feel distraught thinking about his wretched deed. She got up and walked out.
Parikshit is fifteen years old. He is looking exactly like Arjun in every way. Priyamvada Who is still mourning Kunti's death expressed her surprise before Panchali.
Arjun used to be like Parikshit only .At this age he completed his training under Drona and returned...If Kunti is here,she would have said the same...Priyamvada stopped as her voice is choked with pain.
Panchali  wiped her tears..She knew how close she was to her mother in law.
She said...Gurumata also always thinks of Mata only. She could not bear the thought of her departure.
Priyamvada sighed ...Your mother in law punished herself for her sins..I used to say she did not commit any wrong ...situations made her do so. She could not forgive herself for abandoning Karna ...What would have happened if she revealed her pregnancy ? Her father would have forsaken her...She would have given birth to Karna in an asylum . She would never have been able to marry Maharaj Pandu. Pandavas wouldn't have come into existence.
Panchali smiled ...And Draupadi wouldn't have born at all. She remarked.
Priyamvada nodded her head. I told her...She provided a better future for Karna by making him an adopted son of Adhiradha. Karna got a loving family..He got Duryodhana's friendship and Anga kingdom..
Panchali remained silent. She could never reconcile to the fact that Karna was the Eldest Of Pandavas.She could Still hear his insulting voice...She is a wh**e...She got five husbands..Take away her garment Dussasan!
Panchali shivered ..and walked to the window..,Priyamvada's voice is heard from behind..Princess...Ever since Kunti realised her part in sharing you..she did not sleep well. All along she convinced herself that you are better positioned as the wife of five,specially her Eldest who made you the queen..
But then she realised the other side of the issue..After realisation she was not able to spend much time with you here...I feel for Kunti.
Draupadi closed her eyes..she doesn't want to revisit her past..specially that defining moments...
Suddenly Chitra ,Ulupi and Subhadra entered followed by Arya and Alli.

Chitra's personal maid brought some portraits..
Ulupi revealed..Priyamvada Masi...Panchal Princess.,.Thsese were the portraits of prospective brides for Babhruvahan. The minister of Manipur sent them. We have to select some.
Chitra expressed her irritation..Ulupi atleast now don't call her princess. Call her queen.or empress. What will you call these brides then?
Alli commented sideglancing Panchali...Though she still looks like a Princess only on par with these brides to be..
Arya smiled and took Panchali s hand...She is of Devine origin. She is like Parvati,Lakshmi..
Subhadra nodded her head...Yes..After I understood this secret I relaxed.
Chitra laughed and said...Now check the portraits..who will suit Babhru..

Arjun loosened her hair and covered himself with her long tresses. The full moon is spreading nectar ..Panchali tried to get up from the jhoola.
Why are you looking upset? Arjun asked pulling her back again.
Panchali did not reply. Whenever Ulupi calls her princess Chitra raises objection. For Chitra she is the wife of five but for Ulupi she is the princess won by him.
Go and select your would be daughter in law..time to stop your midnight visits. Your daughter in law I mean Babhru's wife will arrive ..Chitra wants to get his marriage done here... Panchali said in a sulking tone.
Arjun raised his eyebrows..Why should I chose? Babhru has to like the girl not me. And about my mid nite visits ..I rejuvenate myself at this hour in your company. To get my energy and enthusiasm back I...should..he stopped and smiled.
Panchali s face turned red. She could not raise her eyes...years passed but the love did not diminish..the thrill did not diminish.,neither for him nor for her..Arjun caressed her eyes with his lips...Yajnaseni I am waiting for your answer..his magnetic voice made her bit her lip like she always does to control her emotions.