Beyond Pandavas: Draupadi's Mahabharata

|| A month of longing||

Amidst the preparations for my swayamvar, my heart felt heavy with an indescribable longing. The anticipation of the event filled the air, and my chambers buzzed with the joyous voices of my sakhiyon, their laughter a reminder of the celebrations that lay ahead. But in the depths of my being, a poignant ache tugged at my soul, for I knew that Arjuna, the one who had captured my heart, was no longer among the living.

A month remained until the auspicious day of the swayamvar, and with each passing day, my heart yearned for him even more. My sakhiyon tried to distract me with talks of the eligible princes who would vie for my hand, but my mind wandered far beyond the palace walls—searching for the one who was meant to be a part of my destiny.

In my heart, I held an unshakable belief that Arjuna lived on, though fate had obscured his presence. I could not explain it, but a connection—a bond that transcended time—assured me that he was out there, somewhere, and that our paths would converge once more.

As I sat by the window, the moon bathed the world in its ethereal glow, and my thoughts drifted to the memories of our fleeting encounters. The echo of his laughter, the sparkle in his eyes, and the resonance of his voice lingered within my heart, etched as vivid imprints upon my soul.

In the quietude of the night, I composed verses, seeking solace in the lyrical flow of words. My heart poured forth its emotions, weaving a tapestry of longing and hope, where the threads of our unspoken bond intertwined with the yearning for a future that was yet to unfold.

"In the shadows of the moonlit night,
I seek the one who vanished from sight.
A love that fate did once impart,
Now hidden deep within my heart.

A bond that time cannot erase,
A love that finds its dwelling place,
Amidst the stars, his soul does roam,
In every ray of light, his presence I find my home.

Though tears may blur my vision's grace,
I know that destiny weaves its trace.
For within my heart, I hold the key,
To the love that's bound, forever to be.

With every dawn, my heart beats strong,
Believing that where I belong,
Is in the arms that hold my fate,
In the love that time cannot abate.

A month of waiting lies ahead,
As I prepare to be wed,
Yet deep within my soul, I know,
That destiny's winds shall gently blow.

And when the day of the swayamvar is here,
Amidst the suitor's laughter and cheer,
I'll search for the one who holds my soul,
The love that makes my heart feel whole.

In this tapestry of time and space,
Our love weaves its intricate embrace,
For I know that Arjuna lives on,
In the whispers of the dawn.

So I'll await the destined hour,
When love's petals unfurl and flower,
With faith, I'll follow destiny's call,
For in his love, I find my all."

As I penned the verses, a sense of calm washed over me, as if my words had given voice to the emotions that surged within. With each stroke of the quill, I felt a deeper connection to Arjuna, as if my longing had found an outlet through the verses that adorned the parchment.

In the days that followed, my preparations for the swayamvar continued, but my heart remained tethered to the belief that destiny held a grand design. The passing of time did not diminish my longing; instead, it fortified my resolve to embrace the journey ahead with courage and unwavering faith.

As the moon waxed and waned, I found solace in the knowledge that love's threads were woven with unyielding persistence, even amidst the vast expanse of uncertainties. And so, with every beat of my heart, I remained steadfast in the belief that the one I sought was out there, waiting to weave the next chapter of our destiny—where our souls would find their way back to each other, forever bound in a love that transcended the boundaries of time and space.