DEVASENA THE UNSUNG WARRIOR (Discontinued)

Part 9

A FIGHT broke out between the Pandavs and the other kings as Shakuni, the great mastermind thought that it was an insult to the kshatriyas for being defeated by the Brahmins, the fight broke out to kill Arjun and Draupadi. Kanha eyed rest of the Pandavas except Arjun and Bheem, advising them to leave. He then turned to Devasena, who stood there under the veil. They made an eye contact. It was as if an they had an mental conversation, Devasena picked up dagger and threw it towards Dusshasan, who was trying to attack Arjun from behind till then Bheem uprooted a pillar to create a void between them. The fight stopped as the kings left with humiliation written on their face.    

Once everything calmed down they proceeded to leave, Draupadi had her heartfelt farewell with Panchalnaresh. Tears were brimming in her eyes, it's never easy for a girl to leave her home, this marriage was embarking another glorious journey in Panchali's life which would change the history of Aryvart. After bidding them farewell, Panchali turned to Devasena, who was trying to hide herself. She moved towards her.

"Sakhi," Draupadi began. "Tum jaisi sakhi mujhe koi punya prapt karne ke baad hi mili hogi."

"Aisa kyun?" Devasena asked. Panchali let out a laugh. "Maine dekha tha ki apne mere arya ki pran bachaye hain, Sakhi." Arjun started coughing while Bheem's eyes widened comically. Devasena gulped as she fake smiled at the princess.

"Main chahti hoon ki aap mere saath mere nivas chalein, pratidin mere kesh sajaye aur mere saath samay bitayein. Aap kya kehte hain Arya?" she asked as turned to Arjun, who looked dumbfounded.

"Ghar toh vaise bhi aana tha," he muttered under his breath. "Toh agar aise aa gayi toh kya apatti hai. HAAN AA SAKTI HAIN!" He replied the latter statement to the fire born princess. A smile formed on Panchali's face as she held Devasena's hand in hers. "Chalein?" she asked as Devasena nodded at her.   

The four of them (Arjun, Draupadi, Devasena, Bheem) folded their hands in front of Panchalnaresh and then turned to Kanha, except Devasena the trio bowed their head in respect. Where as the princess of moon, kept looking in his eyes. Not even once did she blink, Kanha smiled at her. Draupadi smirked a bit as she shared her looks between the duo.

"Chalein Parthvi?" she asked, snapping Devasena out of her daze. "Ji, chalte hain." Devasena politely replied as she somehow convinced herself to leave. With only one thought in her mind. 'Kya iss virah ke pashchat hum dobara milenge?'

'Avashya milenge, priye.' he smiled at their retreating figures, seeing niyati play it's game. 'Ye jag utsook hai Narayan aur uski Narayani ke milan ke liye.'    

Devasena lifted her veil to stop herself from sweating as they walked in the jungle, Panchali and Arjun walked in pair while Bheem carried Batukeshwar Maharaj on his back, he was one of the Brahmins present in the swayamwar. Panchali suddenly kept pace with Arjun as she began speaking.

"Maharaj Batukeshwar," she began. "Kya vivah ke samay var aur vadhu dono ka naam janna avashyak nahi hota?" she asked as Arjun snapped his head towards Devasena, thinking that she will get him out of this trouble. Devasena being herself, simply shrugged her shoulders as if saying 'Aapka vivah, aap jaane.'

"Oho!" the brahmin said. "Iss Brahmin yuvan ka naam toh maine pucha hi nahi. Kya naam hai tumahara?" he asked.

"Vo...vo..." Arjun fumbled. "Vateshwar."

"Vateshwar," the brahmin repeated. "Aur gotra kya hai?"

"Gotra?" Arjun asked confused, Devasena walked next to them, trying to suppress her giggles.