𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 || ArDi ||

34. Whispers of Rain.

DRAUPADI glanced at the cloudy sky. Dark, grey clouds filled the sky from the horizon to the highest of its roars. The howling thunder made her wince. She never really liked cloudy days. They sucked up her energy, leaving her exhausted by doing nothing. Draupadi rather preferred to stay inside until the weather cleared. Now that it was the time for fall of night, she wished the weather would clear till the next morning.

On the other hand, Arjun, Lord of Thunder's son loved being outdoors on such days. Even on that particular day, he was in his private garden, practicing his archery skills. And was well aware of the hard gaze of his wife who gazed at him from the balcony. He bit the insides of his cheek to stop the sheepish grin forming on his face. His left hand was tight, and his elbow straight to keep the marvelous bow in its place. His hazel orbs were blindfolded. An earthen pot was oscillating to and fro due to the crying wind that used all of its force to push away the pot. A small bell placed in the pot made the slightest sound each time the wind gave it a push. After a brief minute of keenly hearing the bell, Arjun raised his right hand and nocked the arrow on the bowstring, allowing it to rest between his thumb and forefinger as his hands gripped the bow firmly. Arjun tipped the bow slightly upwards. He took aim and focused on the target. He pulled the string back and held steady. His forearm was at a slight angle upwards from the ground, his elbow aligned with the arrow, the weight of the bow transferred to her back muscle. His forearm was rigid and the bow string almost touching his lips. The bow was stretched to its maximum capacity. Arjun released the arrow, flicking the fletching as he did making the arrow spin rapidly as it sped forward. The spin made it face less wind resistance. Draupadi savoured the archery skill on display. The spin maintained its fearsome speed as it tore through the air. The arrow sliced through the pot right in the middle and with a hard stroke struck the large trunk of the mango tree behind it as the tree shook vigorously due to the blow.

Feeling satisfied with the hard blow, Arjun removed the blindfold and looked at the balcony where Draupadi stood frozen. Her eyes were wide in awe and her lips parted with amusement. She had heard of the supreme skill of Gandivdhari but never had a chance to be a spectator of his show. Every movement of his was swift and planned. Her eyes locked with Arjun's and she saw a victorious smirk tugging his lips. She suddenly felt some moisture on her cheeks, and it brought her back from the world of war skills. Draupadi blinked rapidly and glanced at the cloudy sky as it started pouring tears of joy. Soon enough, it started pouring cats and dogs.

"Arya!" She called out, "Come into the palace, or else you might catch cold!"

Arjun shook his head and motioned her to come over. Draupadi instantly declined his offer, rather than standing in the cold rain, she would sit on the balcony and listen to the rhythm of the falling rain. Arjun narrow his eyes on her and ascended the stairs that joined the balcony and the garden. He was already dripping wet. Draupadi looked at him horrified as she ran away to the other side of the chamber.

"No," Draupadi warned, and as a response, she did get an evil grin from Arjun's side. He kept the Gandiv in its place and took long strides. Before Draupadi could even think of running, she was overpeered by her husband's extremely tall frame.

"You are going to join me in the rain." It was no request, it was an order.

Draupadi looked outside where the rain poured down mercilessly. She put on the best puppy face she could, "Arya, pwease," She blinked her large lotus eyes and pressed a small peck on his cheek. Arjun narrowed his eyes on her, but said nothing.

He walked to the balcony, it did not have a roof and the rain used this opportunity to enrobe the son of Thunder with its drops.

Draupadi glanced at Arjun muscular back. Water dripped down from his wet strands and ran down all the way through his back before merging with his drenched dhoti. It was indeed a sight to behold. She slowly walked towards the balcony.