Empire of Righteousness ( The Beginning)

Chapter 149 : Through Her Eyes (Part 1)

"Parth,"

Arjuna turns around to see his Madhav. Tomorrow they will leave for Devapath.

"Madhav, so many times I was away from her. But why does it feel more impossible for me to stay away now? If I could, I would have run to Devapath by now," Arjuna whispers.

Krishna doesn't say anything. He sits on Arjuna's bed.

"Even if she is in front of me, It feels I can't get enough of her...."

"Partha, I don't doubt your love for her. But imprisonment isn't love," Krishna's voice is stern.

"Sakha, wanting the person you love binded to you, isn't that natural? You said the same about Jyest Bhrata," Arjuna says hurt.

Krishna looks at Arjuna disappointed, "If you keep comparing your relationship with your brothers, how long do you think you will be able to keep your sanity? Know one thing. Krishnaa is a Sati because for her love and devotion to her husbands. And her husband isn't only you Partha. She loves you five no less than the other."

"Then was everything pre destined? Her marriage with my brothers? Then why am I getting the blame to share her only? Madhav, you know for my silence that day, you sakhi never forgave me. Nor can I forgive myself,"

"Partha, if once you said you will not share Krishnaa. I would have done everything in my power to stop her marriage with your brothers,"

Arjuna looks away tongue tied.

"Partha, you are very fortunate. Whatever the circumstances is, you acquired Krishnaa as your wife. What would you have done if she married only Bhrata Yudhisthira? How many of us can get the person we love? How many of us are that fortune?"

Arjuna wants to retort. But Draupadi marrying his Jyest only felt like a stab in his heart.

"And you five love her no less than the other. Only difference is you five portray it in five different ways. There's no use to compare one to another,"

Arjuna's face hardens. He is very much aware of how much each brother of his love and adore Draupadi. She is the thread binding them five in a bond that's unbreakable.

"Partha, hearing about pain of someone can only make us sympathize with them. What more can we do? But experiencing the same gives us the complete idea of their life," Krishna says, "You need to experience what Krishnaa has gone through all her life till now."

"What?" Arjuna becomes confused.

Krishna playfully flicks Arjuna's forehead, "You will see from tonight."

Arjuna goes to sleep that night. Still not aware what Krishna was talking about. He keeps waiting though. Maybe Krishna wants to talk about Draupadi's past. But given all the work he is tired and soon falls asleep.

"Rajkumari, Vasudeva is chased by Maharani again," Priyamvada giggles saying.

"What did Sakha do this time?" Draupadi laughs as well.

"He ate the offerings Maharani had for Narayana,"

Arjuna looks confused. What's going on? This is a dream, right? No...it isn't. This is too real to be a dream. He looks at the water and sees his reflexion. He is standing here but no one is seeing him.

Draupadi has maids all around her. They are entertaining her, joking with her, bringing her flowers.

Arjuna's heart almost comes out of his mouth. She looks so serene. So full of life, so carefree.

"Sakhi, there's no place for love in this world anymore," Krishna comes then.

"Vaudeva, you yourself do all the deed and then complain," Malini jokes.