𝐑𝐀𝐔𝐃𝐑𝐀 𝐁𝐇Ā𝐕𝐀

CHAPTER 16

Now that the time was right, Dronacharya assembled all his students together. Manvendra had just entered when seeing him Arjun smiled and waved his hand.

"Taat !" He called, hoping that his elder cousin would come and sit beside him.

But Manvendra just gave him a courteous nod, and sat somewhere a little far from both Kauravas and Pandavas. Seeing this the smile of Arjun fell from his face.

Yudhishthir looked at them both back and forth, a sad sigh escaped his lips.

"It is now the appropriate time, that I should ask my Guru-Dakshina. Capture Drupad, the king of Panchal, in a raid and bring him to me. That will be my greatest dakshina." Dronacharya said.

"As you say Gurudev !" All the students agreed.

"Since Yudhishthir is the eldest amongst you all and also supreme in fighting with chariots, he shall lead your forces." Dron said.

"As you say Gurudev. And I would also like to make a request." Yudhishthir said.

"What is it Yudhishthir ?" Dronacharya asked.

"I wish for Manvendra to be by my side in the forefront of our forces. His battle-tactics and quick thinking is unparalleled." Yudhishthir said.

"I agree with you. Raudra, what do you say ?" Dronacharya asked him, who was sitting quietly till now.

"I shall do whatever brings pleasure to you." Manvendra said.

"Discuss among yourselves now. I shall take my leave." Dronacharya said and left.

And as soon as he was gone, the kaurav cousins weren't happy that Duryodhan wasn't given the main positions, but the eldest son of Gandhari didn't seem to be upset about it.

"Jyesht Duryodhan, you should lead us into battle." Dushashan said.

"No." Duryodhan said.

"Why ?" Dushashan asked as the rest of the Kaurav brothers looked at him with confusion.

"Manvendra is indeed unparalleled in battle-tactics, even if I was in the place of Yudhishthir, I'd have chosen him to be by my side. It's a battle against Panchal after all." Duryodhan said.

"Then take the position from Yudhishthir." Dushashan said.

"Dear Dushashan, it's a battle. The ones in the forefront, die first." Duryodhan said with a smirk.

He then looked at the Pandavas, and went towards them with his Kaurav brothers following behind.

"Manvendra, tell us the plan." Duryodhan said.

"Kala-pradarshan happened yesterday, so how long will it take the news to reach Maharaj Drupad ?" Manvendra asked.

"Around 2 days." Yudhishthir said.

"We'll march tomorrow morning itself. So before Drupad can do any preparations, we shall be at his doorstep." Mānvendra said.

"What Vyuh should we use ?" Bheem asked.

"Seeing his army, I shall tell you the Vyuh on the battle-ground itself." Manvendra said.

"Right. In that way, Drupad wouldn't see it coming. Chances of winning are more." Arjun said.

"I agree." Yuyutsu said.

"Well I too trust Manvendra completed on this one. Whatever he shall say, me and my brothers will follow." Duryodhan said.

----

The sun was in its setting stage, it was casting long shadows on the ground. The slanting rays gave a yellow tinge to the sky.

Manvendra was in the training grounds, practicing and refining his skills, for tomorrow's battle.

The only sound in the atmosphere was that of his swinging sword, cutting through the howling wind. Although the ambience didn't have pure silence, his mind was still at a little peace due to being alone.

Soon Arjun came there to train and saw his elder cousin, who was shining like the sun and glittering like gold, in rays of the twilight sky.

Although he had a bow in his hand, he kept it aside, and picked up a sword. Wishing to do anything to get a chance to talk with Manvendra.

After that damned day in Gurukul, the son of Vidur hasn't talked with anyone properly for more than a few moments. He has really distanced himself.

"Taat Manvendra, would you like to train with me ?" Arjun asked.

At that Manvendra stopped and looked at him, with his expressionless face.

"You had come here to practice archery." He said.

"Yes. But you were practicing sword-" "Don't be bothered by me." Manvendra interrupted Arjun.

"Oh no taat, I didn't mean it like that. It's just that I wished to practice with you." Arjun explained.

"Focus on the battle that is upon us. Not me." Manvendra said keeping the sword in its sheath.

He walked away while Arjun sighed, no matter how many times he tries, Manvendra is just pushing him and everyone away.

"It will take him time." A voice said.

Arjun turned around and looked to see Yuyutsu coming towards him.

"He doesn't have to do it alone." Arjun said.

"I understand your stance, Kaunteya. Even I don't want him to go through this alone. I wish I could take that curse upon me, so he can live happily." Yuyutsu said with a sad sigh.

"If it's hurting me so much, I cannot even imagine how much it would be hurting you, Yuyutsu." Arjun said.

"Before you all came to Hastinapur, he was the only one I had, Arjun. He didn't discriminate against me, nor did he demean me like the rest of my brothers. He understood my pain and how I felt. But look at fate, he can't feel any emotion now. It's not fair." Yuyutsu said.

Arjun sadly looked at Yuyutsu whose eyes were moistened.

"You know Arjun, we both would spend entire afternoons playing Chaturang. But now he doesn't even talk to me. If I was insulted by Duryodhan, then he'd mollify me in an instant with his smile. But now fate stole away that smile from him." Yuyutsu said.

"It seems as though, that woman didn't curse him but us. But I have faith in Mahadev, I keep praying to him for Manvendra's well being." Arjun said.

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A/N

So I once had a realisation, Arjun is attached to Mānvendra because the latter is the son of Manyu, the Rudra.

And Arjun being an ardent devotee of Mahadev, is bound to be attached to Mānvendra ✨✨✨