•|| Arjun~ Becoming the Peerless One ||• (II) ✔

𝙲𝙷𝙰𝙿𝚃𝙴𝚁 𝟺𝟹

Hastinapur, Nagarasahrya

Arjun's POV

An anguish lump washed down my throat.

For my mind could only flash those scenes of him openly criticizing Guru Dron right in front of my eyes, hurling words; and his attempts to instigate the students against him for false partiality—I had somehow controlled myself from lending him a earful that day, but if today he speaks anything against Guru Dron—

There would be no one who could compel me back from responding him fair and square this time.

"I had already given a word Arjun," Vasusen's lips articulated into a slight curve of mock, "I would come back, and here I am!" He spread his arms towards the audience, his lips quavering with an arduous anguish as he let out exasperated breaths. My glance shifted towards Gurudev, who was outstaring him with solemn features and arms shifted towards his back and so was Guruputra. 

There were gasps and groans within the people while Kripacharya strode up towards me discreetly and placed an arm my shoulder, "Arjun? Who is this youth?"

"Acharya actually," I breathed in, side glancing at him, "He is, he is my GuruBhrata, from Dronacharya's ashram—Vasusen from AngaPradesh." 

"GuruBhrata or arch nemesis of yours?" Kulguru bit his lips as he lowered his palm from my shoulder and knitted his brows in agitation, "And what on earth is he doing here in this Rangbhoomi?"

"Did you sent him an invitation by any chance, Arjun?" He shot me a perplexed look while I gaped at him not knowing how to respond to his bizarre question. Invitation? If I had the opportunity, I would've willfully grounded him that day for foul-mouthing my Guru that day if not his intervention, but I chose to set my loathe aside, "I didn't even knew where he had disappeared for three years, honestly Acharya."

"Oh—" Kripacharya sighed, peering at Vasusen who first bowed down in front of Gurudev and then at him with a twitching smirk. His brow perked up in a visibly discomforted manner as he gave a short nods at him, hastily lifting his palm, "Ka-Kalyanamastu, son."

"Huh, don't be too high of yourself of what you have performed Arjun!" He lifted his head up at once and shot his spiteful tongue at me, circling around the arena as the murmurs about his identity continued, "What to do you think? You will impress these people with some tricks worthy of a child to perform, eh?" He flicked his thumb and forefinger together in sarcasm, "Is that all you can do?"

"Is that what your unworthy preceptor had taught you?" He deliberately exclaimed, for the whole public to hear and at once my nose flared at those words—

Not again.

Not in front of the entire Hastinapur!

"Watch me how I replicate those miniscule feats of yours, you little piece of arrogance!" He pointed at me, with a sense of flowing pride, "For none other than Rishi Parshuraam had been my preceptor!" 

He passed a glance at Guru Dron, as if trying to purposefully direct those words at him.

Parshuraam? He had gone to Bhagvaan Parshuraam's ashram for learning further?

My brows curved in a sudden sense of amusement at his words—I wish I could inculcate a sense of admiration and respect for his urge to learn further, but those hurtful words towards Gurudev, yet again was boiling my blood. 

"And if Guru Dron deems it fit for me to show my skills, shall I?" Vasusen's gaze traversed towards Gurudev, whose lips pressed into a thin line. Exchanging a glance at Kripacharya, he silently strode forward and inhaled a breath, "Alright son, if you so wish to exhibit your skills—you're permitted."