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

𝙲𝙷𝙰𝙿𝚃𝙴𝚁 𝟼

Kaampilya, Paanchaal

"And since the day Princess Draupadi has been born, Kaampilya seemed to have turned into heavens! She's Paanchaali in her true sense!" 

A soft sigh escaped Arjun's lips as he peered up at the woman, who still had the gushing smile on her lips, "Indeed, not her fortune, instead it shall be the fortune of the one who shall be marrying her....our Princess is that divine!"

"Seems like Devi Sachi from the Heavens has descended herself on Earth!"

That's when he felt his heart skip several beats. 

'Sachi.'

Arjun froze, the name echoing in his mind like a haunting melody, sending tremors down his mettle.

"Brahmin Dev, is there anything else I can do for you?" The lady's curious voice drew the latter from his trance, as he looked around for a while sucking in an incredulous breath, his heart galloping widely against his chest, "N-no, no, it's enough for us! May God answer all your prayers!" Arjun wished, putting a little smile on his lips and so did Bheem, nodding. The lady bowed in front of them, as they moved away from her cottage.

They both looked at each other for a while, and the silence began to linger within them again. 

Arjun could hardly recall when they had shared a hearty laughter, banters and jokes with his brothers; it was as if they had suddenly fallen into the tumultuous waves of an ocean.

Now that the truth was nearing them, Arjun and his brothers couldn't help but find themselves delving deeper into it.

How? How was everything going to happen? 

What was the destiny even shaping up for them?

.

.

.

"Move! Move aside everyone!"

"I request everyone to move!"

Such hues and cries of the soldiers were a common thing now, since every now and then Princes and Kings were arriving with their carriages and extravaganza, passing through the streets. The pedestrians would either halt or surround them, talking in whispers as each time they passed by. 

"The Princes of Hastinapur and Ang are arriving!"

"Please move aside! Immediately!" 

Hastinapur?

HASTINAPUR?!

Arjun instantly halted with a contorting frown and so did Bheem. The citizens as usual began to gather on the sides of the streets, and the soldiers had to rush to maintain the order. 

 And within a few moments, golden chariots, furnished with extravaganza began to enter through the fortress one by one. The comrade-in-arms of Hastinapur began to follow them in their perfect stance, followed by musicians and dancers who were singing glories of the Kaurav Princes. 

Bheem's fiery gaze fleeted towards the eldest Kaurav, dressed in purple and gold and with a proud smile on his lips as his chariot galloped forward; servants strewing fragrant florals in his pathway as he made his way through the streets. The commoners gasped and cheered at the extravaganza, as a few of the artistes came forward and put forth a play of fire to welcome him. 

"Looking at him, Vijay?" Bheem's lips twisted into a sardonic smile, his rage palpable. "If things were in my hand right now, I wouldn't think twice before separating his head from his body." He cursed under his breath, his nails digging into his palms.