Krishnaanuja Subhadra

Exile

"You can't possibly leave me here for 14 years !!! You've got to be kidding me !!" Said a sad and furious Subhadra.

Arjun sighed, wiping his tears in vain. " I can't Priye. You know I would take you along if I could. But life in the forest is difficult." " And Draupadi is capable of it ?" Came a sulky reply.

"No she is not. I don't think she has lived anywhere but a palace. And I know you can. Heck, you wouldn't even mind moving there permanently. But it's Abhimanyu I'm worried about. It would kill me seeing him walk the forest floor despite being a prince."

Subhadra placed her hand on his shoulder. "Okay. I'll stay back. And raise our monkey. And his brothers. But where ?" Arjun sniffled. "You'll be going to Dwarka. I can't possibly leave you here."

"Fine then. But hear my part of the deal. Me and Abhimanyu will stay with you for one night in the forest. Okay ?"

Her tone indicated that she was not taking no for an answer. Arjun did not want to inflict physical pain upon himself so he did the natural thing. He gave in.

After a heart rendering goodbye to all their citizens, the pandavas and the others left for the forest.

They immediately started setting up camp, to make arrangements for their children and wife.

Subhadra and Abhimanyu immediately adapted to the new surroundings. Abhimanyu even started shooting leaves as they fell for the tree. (This was back when instagram reels did not exist. Poor guys.)

As Arjun started the campfire, everyone huddled around it and started eating. Krishna wasn't hungry. He just walked around, deep in thought.

Arjun looked forlornly  at Subhadra and Abhimanyu. He smiled as she struggled to feed him, which did not go unnoticed by her. A glare was shot from her direction and Arjun quickly turned, pretending he had not seen it.

Soon, it was time for bed. The 4 pandavas, and Draupadi slept inside the hut, whereas Arjun, Subhadra, Abhimanyu and Krishna slept outside. Abhimanyu insisted to do so, and Arjun really didn't have the heart to say no.

In the middle of the night, Arjun got up and went toward Krishna, who had been unable to sleep. "She's not going to leave quietly tomorrow." Krishna sighed. "She will. She will pretend that whatever is happening isn't impacting her in any way and that she's completely fine. She'll mask her sadness with a smile, just so that we don't worry.

"I know. It's killing me Krishna, to leave her. How will she spend all those years ? How will I spend 13 years without her ? I'll miss seeing Abhimanyu, my only son, grow up. He won't know his own father. And I promised..." His voice broke, him being on the verge of tears. "And I promised him, that I would teach him archery. Divyastras, shlokas, everything. And now..." He closed his eyes, tears flowing as he glanced at his son, close to his mother, with her hand protectively around him. Krishna followed his sight his serene demeanour dropping. " And now I will teach him. I'll make him the finest warrior you ever saw Arjun. He's a Yadava. A prodigy, I've never seen before, his power unlike anyone. Not even you, nor Bheeshma, nor Drona. If properly nurtured, Abhimanyu will be able to take on the entire Kaurava army on his own, including all the maharathis, at the age of 16 itself. Not even Rama can compare to his skill." Said Krishna (Rama) smiling softly.

Arjun's mouth was hung open. His eyes calculative, as if he was unable to believe what his cousin/friend/brother-in-law just said. "Abhimnayu?....How....how can he have so much power ?" Krishna's smile widened. " Abhimanyu is your son. He's Subhadra's child. He is the nephew of the great pandavas, and mahabali balram and me. And you ask me how ? I wasn't kidding when I said he'll be more powerful than you." Arjun looked at the sleeping toddler in awe. Once again, he looked at Krishna, who nodded.

" Which is why I am saying that don't worry about him. I am planning to become a good mamashree. You know, considering my mamashree wanted to kill me and my dear sister the moment we were born and your mamashree tried to burn you alive in a wax palace." "Technically, my mamashree is your father..." Krishna waved his hand dismissively. "You know what I mean. As for Subhadra... well, sacrifices are required for this war. She signed up for it the moment she fell in love with you." Arjun looked sadly at her. " I thought I'd give her the best life. I promised you I will keep her happy. She married me when she could have married Duryodhan and become the empress of Aryavart. He could have given her the life she deserves. I can't. I don't even have a kingdom. And now, I'm living in a forest, far away from her."

"I thought you knew my sister Parth. She dosen't care about materialistic things. Honestly, if it wasn't for Bheem, she would've killed Duryodhan a long time ago. Besides, when she fell in live with you, you were a yati. Just a simple sage. Now, I don't know about you, but I think that yatis live a simple life in a forest. Yet, she still fell in love with you. So, do you think she really cares if you're a prince or not ?"

Arjun's eyes sparkled as he looked at Subhadra's face. She had an "I don't care but don't you dare to hit my son" expression. So he got his answer. She doesn't care if he has a kingdom or not. She just genuinely, wholeheartedly loved him. As Arjun. Not the great warrior Arjun everyone else seemed to love and admire.

"Thank you Krishna. For everything. I don't know if I'll ever be able to pay it back." Krishna smiled. "Go get some sleep. Tomorrow's a hard day."

The next day -
Everyone woke up early because of the sunrise. But no one seemed happy. Subhadra, Abhimnayu and Krishna were leaving. And Arjun was having a hard time saying goodbye to little Abhimanyu. Tears pooled in his eyes as he hugged him. " Bye Abhimanyu. Become a great warrior. The next time I see you, you'll be all grown up. But always remember - I love you."

Clueless as he was, Abhimanyu understood his father needed comfort. So he used the 3rd lesson Of Subhadra. He kissed his father's cheek, which made everyone's heart melt. "Okay. See you soon." Arjun gently placed Abhimanyu down. He cupped Subhadra's face, which she was trying to keep neutral but failed. He kissed her forehead, which would be the last one....for a while.

The other brothers and Draupadi quietly watched the scene. "Everyone calm down. This is the hardest for Arjun, among all of us. We'll have to give him some space for a few days."

Subhadra turned and climbed her chariot, looking at Arjun for 1 last time. Her eyes sent him only 1 signal - "I love you". Arjun just stood there, till the chariot disappeared from view.

I know what you're gonna say - " You forget about us for so long, and you come back writing this super depressing chapter, making us cry ? You're a horrible person !" Yeah, sorry. But, better late than never !!

Signing Off,

Invisible Dragon