Love & Betrayal

~ Rajkumari Maithili

At the afternoon, finishing the lunch yudhishthir was standing in the balcony of his chamber. He was looking outside where his brothers were spending some time, they had called him but he wasn't feeling good and so excused. Now looking at them he was feeling good atleast they are happy. There he saw a cute banter was going on between arjun and subhadra, these little fights are their love language. While his vrikodar was completely opposite before the lady love. He was the most loving and expressive in this case, he smiled as he saw them happy and together. There nakul and shadev were having their personal conversation about something. Taking a breathe he passed a small smile and walked inside. He sat on the sofa and opened a portrait. His lips adored with a smile seeing her beautiful face. He caressed it with his palm as remain admiring it for quite long time.

"Maharaj, what are you doing? All day work, work. You are not loving your dear wife." A voice distracted him as he looked up and laughed at her antics. She pouted her lips and sat with folded hands. He walked to her and sat while holding his ears. "Forgive me maharani, I promise to not repeat this crime again." She looked at home and then again shrugged her shoulder.

"Apology disapproved. You have to do something to mend me." She told turning her face to other side. Yudhishthir smiled mischievously then wrapping his arms around her waist pulled her on his lap. She surprisingly looked at him as he dug his face on her nape and began kissing there. She giggled at the ticklings. Yudhishthir did the same as her melodious giggles were peace to hear. "Will you forgive me now maharani?"

She wrapped her arms around him and kissed on his head. "You are forgiven. But next time if this continued then I will leave you and__"

"Okay, I understood." He gave up as she jumped from his lap and started going out. He called her but she just laughed and ran away.

"Panchali!!" 

He called loudly searching from her around him. He started checking the chamber desperately in a hope that she may be there. He checked behind the curtains and everywhere but unfortunately it was his hallucination. She wasn't with him. Finally giving up he fell on his knees and unknown to him tears started coming. Guilt resided his heart as he cursed himself for seperating her, for betraying her. He could have found other ways too but he decided to give up before jaydrath. How could he fall so weak to let go of his own happiness?

"I'm not able to live panchali. I can't bear this pain anymore. Five years are enough, if you aren't alive then I don't have the right either. I don't want a life without you." He cried slowly giving up the hope of her being alive. In morning a spy reported him saying that he checked almost all the kingdoms but draupadi was nowhere there and that broke his heart more. He was falling weak. How would he find her? Where must be she?

..........

"Maharaj, yuvraj bheem has requested your presence at the entrance. Rajmata has arrived from kuntibhoj." A soldier informed coming inside the rajyasabha. Yudhishthir was shocked knowing the sudden arrival. He didn't has any ideas about this. Dismissing the court he made his way towards the entrance where his brothers were already present.

"Maata!" Yudhishthir called as kunti looked over from nakul's shoulder and a heart warming smile formed on her face seeing her eldest. She walked to him as he bent to take her blessings. She blessed him and then hugged her child to her heart. It has been two long years they saw each other. "You didn't inform me before maa."

"I was returning from kuntibhoj putra and then thought to meet you all. How are you yudhishthir? Why are seeming so weak? You are not taking care of yourself." She said touching his face with a motherly affection. "Maa, come inside and take some rest first. You all also come. It's too hot today." He concernly said but kunti stopped him.