Petrichor - Time Travel To Mahabharat Era

Arbitration

The maiden didn't know what to do with the situation present in front of her. Many discussions were held in the meantime, confused about either to go for celibacy for Yudisthir or for Arjun.

Draupadi was with Kunti, who was discussing deeply with Yudisthir, while the other brothers came up with the celibacy idea. "What? No! Bhrata Bheem! I can't do that! You know about me and Vaishnavi, right? Still you are talking like this? I don't have any problem with Jyesth marrying her! I have my Vaishnavi and that is enough for me!", Arjun started blabbering as soon as the idea was proposed. Bheem stood up, kept his hand on the archer's shoulder and sighed, "Arjun! You don't understand! We have no other option if you think! We are unable to get that thought out of our heads that the princess will be our-", he looked down and said lowly, "Will be Our Wife! Even if you are ready to give up on her, and if she really marries Jyesth, our minds will always be corrupted!". Nakul and Sahadev also seconded with him.

Arjun shook his head adamantly and said loudly, "I can't do that, Bhrata Bheem! I can't leave her!. Tell me, you are married yourself! How can you leave Bhabhishree! It is a tough decision for you, right? Exactly, I can't leave my wife as well! It is more than death for me!", and Arjun turned around to the other side.

Bheem agreed and said, "I know, Arjun! It is hard for me to leave my wife but-", his words trailed off, as her realised what his brother just told him. His wife?. Nakul and Sahadev were also not understanding anything. Bheem turned Arjun towards him and asked, "What did you say?". Arjun was just looking down, blinking his tears away. Not getting a reply, he asked again, with a very tender voice. "Arjun! Tell us the truth!". Arjun looked at his brothers and said, "I and Vaishnavi got married. About five days ago! Without anyone knowing".

His brothers were shocked to their cores, would be an understatement. They didn't understand why he just didn't tell them anything. Bheem sighed frustratingly and looked up, "Arjun!!! You could have just told us! Told us! Why didn't you tell!". Nakul shook his shoulders and told, "Yes, Bhrata Arjun! Why didn't you tell!". Sahadev joined as well, "This is such an important thing, Bhrata! Why didn't you atleast tell Bhrata Yudisthir when he told you to participate?". Arjun looked at them and said, "He sent me, Sahadev! Now how can I go against his orders?". Bheem shook his head and said, "You could have just told him, brat!". Arjun replied, "Tell him? He knew about us and he still sent me! I don't think he takes any decision wro-", but got cut off by Bheem, "He doesn't know, Arjun!", making Arjun widen his eyes in shock. He then realised that his brother and mother never knew about their relationship, at all.

Arjun was about to break down, just then Nakul said, "we will immediately go inform this to Bhrata! Let's go!", but Arjun stopped him. "No Nakul! If you tell this, he would take celibacy with you guys, for me! And I dont want that! He has to rule the city of Hastinapur as a King! Not me! Anyways after this, us being alive will be known by everyone. But, if he takes celibacy, that Duryodhan will become the King! And I don't want that! Please, if not for me, atleast for the future of this Aryavart, please don't tell him just now! Please!", he pleaded. Sahadev said, "So, you want to sacrifice your love?". Arjun looked at him sharply and said, "No! All my life, I've never wanted anything for myself! The one thing I ever wanted with all my heart, is her! I will never be selfish if it comes to my brother. But, I want to be selfish for her! She has high hopes, Sahadev! And I successfully crumbled it away! All I ask for is a second chance from her!I don't want to give up on her! And for that to happen, we must ask the Princess to return back to her place! And not marry any of us! I want to be selfish for once in my life, Selfish for her!".

***

They all were sitting together with Kunti. Yudisthir was conflicting about the decision he was about to take. He did not want a girl's life to be put in hell. He looked at Arjun for some support, as he won the maiden in the Swayamvar. But he noticed that the Archer himself was way too perplexed, looked like he couldn't tolerate the events that happened to him that day.