Not Samragini Draupadi But Just Krishnaa

A father

Part 2 of the pain of a brother.

Drupad looked around the greenery as a cry echoed from inside. He was distracted as a scream was heard that followed with estranged cries.

"Pitashree," Tejveer greeted him "Come inside please."

"With which right?" He questioned his eldest. A question among many that was eating him up.

"With the right of a father and grandfather, come pitashree," Tejveer answered as he urged his father who looked at him at last. His bloodshot eyes mirroring his own, tears were streaming the onyx eyes that was the fear of enemies.

"You forgot the adjective," Drupad said with a chuckle as he continued " 'failed' father. That's what I am, a failure."

"It's not your fault pitashree," tejveer spoke out as his jaws clenched at the thought of all the culprits. They will face the Drupadputras soon. " It's theirs and only theirs."

"Still...I can't come inside till I am welcomed in by the sons of the house. It's inappropriate." Drupad spoke as a bitter smirk spread on his lips. He needs someone else permission to meet his own daughter now. Such a irony this society has made him follow. But he was not according to the society but today he will be. Today...just today.

"Then," a strong voice rang behind them as a boy of 14 walked upon them gracefully just like a lion despite the ascetic attire he had adorned.

"I will welcome you inside as the son of the head of family. Please step inside grandfather and put a light on this matter," the son of Yuddhisthira, Prativindhya by name and fame spoke upon to his grandfather as he joined his hands before him after touching his feet.

"Yes, Grandfather this is more of your house than that of king Dhitarastra, please let me and bhrata Prati to welcome you in," the most handsome and second of uppanandavs, Satanika by name spoke as he approached with a similar saffron attire that couldn't hide his beauty.

"No...not today my children...let your fathers come then only....then only I will step inside this holy abode." Drupad spoke as he sat down on the ground and looked around again merging himself in the greenery.

Tejveer went inside with a sigh and looked at the heart breaking scene infront of him. His most pampered sibling crying uncontrollably in her twin brother's embrace. Her face was red with all the tears she had shed as she clutched tightly on Dristadyumn and spoke uncohorently. Dristadyumn was patting her back and carresing her hair, her open hair that gave Tejveer the satisfaction.

They do not deserve to be called her Ardhang. She is complete. In herself and with all of them. She is the fire, the volcano herself and she doesn't need them or anyone else as long as her brothers and her sons are alive.

He looked back again to witness kumara, Yadhamanyu, Satyajit and Satendra who were consoling her along with Dristadyumn as Sikhandini took her in her embrace.

"Water, mamashree?"

Tejveer looked down to witness the child Sutsom bringing him water but how can he drink water from the place that disrespected his sister? He nodded his head in a no as he tried to pass the child a smile. A small smile atleast. He felt bad for them. Yes, she was their sister but she was their mata.

He nodded back at him as he walked towards his mother. Sutsom held her cheeks in his arms as he wiped the tears and took the glass near her.
"Mai, Pani.. "

"No..no" she muttered as sikhandini tried to make her drink the water. Finally giving up as all of them begged her, she drank the water as tejveer carresed her hair.

Dristadyumn looked at it. Hadn't he told his daughter and wife how happy her sister will be in her in laws. He looked at the plain saree rugged at some lengths and coated in a slight cover of dust adorned by her, his eyes fell on her earringless ears and ankletless feet. She used to love the earrings and anklets of various intricate designs and all of them will make sure to bring her a pair and the best one from the place they visit. His eyes went around the place, a simple room with little spaces made of mud and wood with a roof of hay. A small window in the corner and no furniture except for the layers of grass and a skin of deer upon it in one corner of the room, made in hopes of replacing a bed. The other thing that occupied the room was some mats, kept in one corner and baskets. The last was a big pot obviously to keep the water cool in the hot weather. There were three to four more rooms even smaller than the one they all were residing in.