A Journey To Mahabharata

Chapter 23

I woke up again to the chatter of the two travelling with me. A soft blanket was wrapped around me, it took me a second to realize that it was the one I had tucked Subhadra with.

For few seconds, I just listened to their useless talks. Don't these two know how to stop? I had thought Arjun was quite person, but this is this really something. Or maybe Subhadra just brings this out of him.

I then yawned and stretched my hands. They were quite for a moment looking at me. I said, "You guys continue, just ignore me."

And they ignored me like I didn't exist. I didn't mind. It was around 10:30. We were just about to reach. I think I slept around 4. My neck feels a bit cramped but other than that Bean bag was a good idea.

After just 5 minutes Alexa said, "You have reached your destination."

I looked out of the window. We were near the beach. Arjun went out of Alexa first, followed by me and then Subhadra. Alexa had bought the car very close to the water. I could make out a figure in the water. I squinted my eyes to see properly.

In the background of early morning sea, a person in golden clothes with dark complexion and peacock feather in his hair was standing in the background of golden rays shining all around him. He is divine. He is Krishna.

I didn't notice my steps as I ran towards him. I was smiling with tears in my eyes. I stopped, a few steps before him and then slowly stepped forward and touched his feet. I couldn't believe he was in front of me. He touched my shoulders gesturing me stand up.

I looked up at him and he smiled as he spoke, "Main kya tumhe itna bura dikhta hu ki tum rone lag gayi?" (Do I look so bad to you that you started crying?)

When I didn't reply anything as I was still crying, he gently wiped a tear from my face and said, "Mat roya karo, hume accha nahi lagta." (Don't cry. I don't like it when you cry.)

And then he gently embraced me as I started sobbing. It felt like I wasn't on Earth. Even while sobbing I felt peace. Peace which was lost from my life for the last 2 years.

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When I had finally calmed down, I realized how others around me might have felt seeing me cry. I literally didn't know what to reply to Subhadra when she asked me what was wrong. How can I tell her that, finally everything was right.

After sending off Subhadra to the castle, Krishna asked, "Mere vivah main chalna hai behena?" (Do you wish to come to my wedding?)

And the next thing I know, I was entering a castle of Amravati dressed as a maid in sari and to everyone's surprise Arjun was dressed the same except a veil to hide his identity.

"How do you even walk properly wearing such things?" Arjun asked as he fidgeted with the pleats.

"If you remember, I don't walk in such things. So, even I don't have any idea." I replied. The thing is, I think the problem was us and not the sari. I think we made a mistake while putting it on.

"How can anyone I forget your weird outfits." He said sarcastically.

Even then we somehow managed to reach her room. I knocked the door once. I heard a sweet sound saying enter.

I opened the door and room in front of me was filled with peacock feathers and divine aura, like the goddess herself, who was sitting in a grand chair in front of the mirror as the beauticians did her hair.

She looked at us with a gentle smile on her face and motioned the beauticians to leave. I can't describe how beautiful she was. She looked like she didn't belong to this World.

I walked towards her and touched her feet and asked her blessings, "Live a life of fulfilment, Aarohi."

I was shocked for a moment that she knew me. But then I questioned my thoughts. Of course she knew, she is a goddess.

"Are you here to take me to him?" She asked.

"Yes, Princess Rukmini." I answered formally, knowing I can't address her as goddess in front of everyone.

"Just call me Bhabhi (sister-in-law) you know I'll be that in a few hours." She winked.

"Also, we should probably go by a secret route because I am not supposed to be out of this room without explicit permission of my brother." She said as she went out of the door.

She led us through a tunnel. It took us approximately fifteen minutes before we reached the end. Approximately five meters from the exit Arjun gestured us to stop. He slowly stepped out. And suddenly a few guards came out and them more followed them as he engaged in a fight with them.

But in all that commotion I didn't realize when a guard came from behind me and placed a sword on my neck and shouted, "Stop the fight or I will kill her."

I mentally facepalmed myself. How can I be so stupid that I didn't even see him coming behind me. But Arjun stopped. And then the guard motioned him to throw his weapons in front of him. The situation is going to be worse if we become prisoners here. And I not going to let them name me as a liability.

So, when everyone had their attention on Arjun, I took my chance. I placed my hand on the sword and pushed it with all my might. It cut my hand but the pain was lost in the adrenaline. I quickly turned and actually felt sorry when I kicked him where the sun doesn't shine. He was after all just doing his duty. He cried out, as he stepped back.

I took out a dagger I had hidden before and then placed it on her neck as I shouted, "Everyone step back or else I'll kill Princess Rukmini."

I then whispered in her ear, "I'm sorry." Obviously, I'm not going to hurt her in any way but nothing else came to mind other than this.

"Each and everyone of you will stay here. I assure you that you don't wish to see the other option." I tried to say as menacingly as I could. But even I cringed at the line. Really, this is the best I could come up with?

But my words worked and I placed the dagger near her neck until we were on the carriage that we robbed. After that I profusely apologized to goddess Rukmini all the while she was saying that it was alright. It went on for fifteen minutes after which Arjun busted out laughing.

I turned my neck towards him glaring at his back. If he wasn't riding the cart, I would have killed him at that moment.

He chucked saying, "If you weren't there all of this wouldn't have happened."

I shouted, "Then why did you let me come. You could have left me there."

He turned and replied while making a face, "Your brother insisted." His face would have been truly comical if wasn't so angry.

"I'll kill you," I whispered.

He laughed as he turned forward, "Those words have bought you here."

And I then continued to apologize till we reached the temple.