|| Never Without You || [ The Tale Of Arjun-Draupadi ] (I)

𝙲𝙷𝙰𝙿𝚃𝙴𝚁 𝟷

En-route to Kaampilya, Paanchaal

"What is it—what is it that you're saying, grandfather?"

Yudhishthir scrunched his forehead, his eyebrows narrowing down as he gazed at the matted-haired sage in shock. The latter had an unperturbed smile on his lips. "H—how is that even possible?" He exchanged a surprised glance at Bheem and then back at Vyaas. "No, no, this cannot be—"

"This is against Dharm, against the Ved; this cannot be—" Yudhishthir shook his head, closing his eyes. "No, I—"

"Dharm changes as per situations, son." Vyaas breathed in, his smile widening more. "And you cannot change the truth. Princess Draupadi ain't an ordinary woman, nor are you five—"

Arjun snapped his gaze at him, his brows furrowing as he looked on. He was unusually calmer than the other four, with a solemn face.

Their ascetic grandfather seemed to have knocked the daylights out of them.

"But how can a woman have multiple husbands?" Bheem instantly retaliated, massaging the corner of his temple and being equally disturbed. "Does that even happen? What—and what will society say?"

"What face shall we show to the society? I-"

"Sons...." 

"This—this cannot happen, grandfather. It's tormenting for a woman; what will people say?" Yudhishthir pinched the bridge of his nose, breathing in deeply as he shook his head. Nakul and Sahadev looked at each other a bit worriedly, while Arjun looked down for a moment, pursing his lips. "H-how shall we be in harmony in this way...?. Nothing shall be sorted, a-and...."

Princess Draupadi—was she going to be their common wife?

"Who said?" Vyaas now shot him a sharp look, "Who said that to you? Listen to me carefully Yudhishthir, you cannot disown the truth! The truth is, Krishnaa was the eternal consort of the five of you, beyond birth! Thinking that your life will be in jeopardy with her is nothing but absurdity! It's a scandal!" His eyes flared in exasperation as he stood up almost instantly.

"I, I did not mean it in that way, Maharshi; I apologize." He shook his head, mumbling silently, "I was, just, just—"

Vyaas firmed his eyes shut, his brows thinning. 

"Listen to me, sons of Pandu! Without Krishnaa, you five will be equivalent to stones without a life; the faster you understand, the better it shall be!" He concluded, his gaze shifting at Arjun for a moment. He had not uttered a word since then, silently watching as his brothers and the sage as he continued, "She ain't as ordinary a woman as you're deeming her to be! Her birth is for a special purpose, and she is bound to wed the five of you!" The constant disapproval of his words had flared his temper momentarily. He closed his eyes, exhaling deeply. "And no force, no force in this world can bend this fate!"

"Your destiny is to fight, sons of Pandu! Do not consider your life to be a bed of roses!"

"And what will society say? Was that your question, Vrikodar? Wasn't it?" Vyaas narrowed his brows at Bheem, who lowered his lashes for a while. "Then listen, son of Vayu! A society is made by conventions, Prince. I ain't saying to change them, but when righteousness demands it, it should! If society asks questions, be fearless and answer them! After all, nothing at the end but true righteousness stands!"

"If your heart and mind are in the right place, then no society or convention can bind them!" He raised his finger, solemnly gazing at the five of them. The Pandavs lowered their heads as he continued, "Krishnaa won't be just a wife to you; her presence will be a test of your patience, perseverance, and restraint in you! If you want to redeem Aaryavart, then without her, you can never!" He sat back, placing one limb above the other as his intense gaze bore into them.  Garbed in rags, matted dreadlocks, and smeared with ashes, yet his presence screamed regality and omnipotence.