𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 || ArDi ||

42. Forests.

Y'll completed the goal within 24 hours, I told you babes, you have the potential, you just don't put it to use *teacher tone*

Nazar na lage kisi ki *thuthuthu*

DO VOTE AND COMMENT!

***

~ ABHI MUJH ME KAHIN ~
" Kuch aisi lagan,
Iss Lamhe mein hai,
Ye lamha kaha tha mera. "

A rabbit wobbled it's nose. It jumped around and bit into the carrot in its hand. A delicious feast indeed! Nom, nom, nom, It chewed. Suddenly, its ears perked up. A soft sound of blade slicing through vegetation in the forest could be heard and he soon heard footsteps approach in its direction. The little ball of fur skipped through the bushes and hid itself behind a tree.

No sooner had it hid behind the tree, that a tall, slender figure of a lady was seen. Cutting through the thick bushes and wild weeds, she made her path through the dense forest of Indraprastha.

Draupadi sighed. The large machete held tight in her hands as she cleared her way, slicing any plant that came in her way. She needed to hurry. Time was limited. She must return back to Indraprastha before the new moon, that was fifteen days later the day she had left. And four days had already passed. Though she hshad taken minimum rest and tried to cover the maximum distance she could, the destination yet felt too far away. There was no way that she could tell whether she was on the right path or wrong. She had no idea how the herb looked or how the weapon was to be taken. No idea which path lead towards it. Everything was a... mess.

Her brows furrowed in frustration and lips pulled down in a snarl. Irritation was like a fine humm in her ears, echoing in her head until it clouded her rational thoughts. This was the fifth day! THE FIFTH DAMN DAY! And yet no avail. No lead. No direction to her journey? Everything felt like a... failure.

Nothing was right. She felt as if she was done with everything! But yet desperately clung on to the ray of hope in the dark phase of her life. The hope of a happy future with a man that she loved. It felt as if she was drowning, and a rope hanging in the ocean of gloom was her only faith. So, she held onto it for her dear life. No matter how hard the rope dug into her hands, drawing out the nectar that ran in her veins, she held onto it. This quality of hers made her who she was. The light in her eyes was not from her eyes, nor from her smile; it was from the way that no matter how much the darkness swirled around her, within her, she still managed to find a way to shine.

A slight shuffle in the bushes caught her eyes. Draupadi's eyes zeroed on the spot as she advanced towards the bush. With steady and stealthy steps, her feet turned in the direction. She slowly tiptoed and placed her hand on the bush. Her breath caught in her throat as she attempted to avoid the slightest sound she made. She gently parted the bushes and looked behind them.

For a heartbeat, everything stopped.

Black as midnight. Black as pitch. Blacker than the foulest witch. Turned the large creature in her direction. Looking into her eyes until it's darkness eloped her. Those eyes whispered to the darkness and sang to the sun to wash upon the broad daylight the shadows of clouds. She looked at him for a second too long. And then everything started in a slow motion. It snapped it's jaws at her, baring those blood covered teeth. And turned around to sprint in the direction opposite to her.

Draupadi turned her heels in his direction. There was an unknown force driving her. As if she had handed over all the reins of her hearts to fate. The woodsy winds slapped her face and she bolted behind him. The lone trees bowed to the blowing gust, singing her an earthen melody. But she was too busy to notice any of it. The adrenaline coursing through her veins forced her to pull her feet on the creature's path. The creature turned, twisted and coiled it's path. Ducking through the branches and jumping o'er the roots. Driving her to the deepest parts of the forest. Draupadi could feel the energy drain from her body, yet she kept pushing her limits and raced behind him. The creature was the one she had seen in her so-called dream, better said- nightmare.

For a heartbeat, everything stopped.

The creature disappeared faster that it was came. Draupadi stopped abruptly in her path. Her mind accusing it to be an hallucination, just an illusion. Was any of it real? Her chest heaved up and down. Her heartbeat rang in her eyes. Her lungs burned as if they we set on fire and her stomach knotted in protest. Beads of sweat trickled down her hairline as she leaned against the bark of tree for support. She caught her breath while the hardwood of the trunk dug into the skin of her back. The rugged texture of the mighty tree, pricked her shoulders.

But did it matter anymore? No.

She closed her eyes and rested her head of the bark. The soothing scent of mud singing a distant lullaby for her forlorn soul and mother nature pulled her creation into her lap. She felt as if her soul was slowly withering. The mother croon of bird was a quite ache. Darkness clouded her senses and she was pulled into the womb of peace and solitude.

When suddenly, her shoulder pushed into the bark of wood. Draupadi's shot open, horrified. The rough surface of the trunk suddenly felt cold and smooth. She was quick to move away from the tree and she looked at the mystery she had decoded.

A part of the tree trunk was pushed into it while a squircle vale was formed. The ridge was made of gold and something was carved into it. Draupadi squinted her eyes and moved towards the engraving. Her hands lightly traced the words as she swiftly swept away the dust, and the words were clear before her eyes.

The clouds split open above her head,
The scent of fallen leaves erased,
The floor swampy and grey,
The creatures of night awake and stare.

Draupadi's eyes widened as she stepped back. Was it some kind of sick joke?

Or- Or was it some kind of clue?

Suddenly the puzzle seemed to fit in its place. The whispers of the mysterious voice were crystal clear to her. Complete the lyrics and you'll find what you are searching for. She embedded the knife in the corner of the golden plate and ripped it out from the bark of the tree. She held it in her hand and read it once again. Where would the second plate be?

Where the moon reflects and there are no clouds. Not many trees around either. Where many creatures gather. The forest floor is swampy.

She thought hard of all the possible places where she could find it. And suddenly it clicked to her.

A lake!

With no canopy of trees, there would hardly be any leaves. The floors are damp and animals would gather there.

Her eyes lit up and a glint of determination passed through them. She walked towards her new destination and whispered to the driving force of her life, "I am coming, my love. Wait for me."

***

What do you think would be turns in Ardi's life?

Will Arjun be capable of surviving through it?

Will Draupadi make it?

Will... Will the selcouth love survive?

Umm, sorry but I think the upcoming one ir two chapters might be a little boring as they only have the details so bear with it please!

Hope you like the story!

~ Ariana <3