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

𝙲𝙷𝙰𝙿𝚃𝙴𝚁 𝟷𝟶

Kaampilya, Paanchaal

Kaampilya was chirruping with hollering enthusiasm for fifteen days.

But the people had their breaths held only for the sixteenth day.

The Swayamvar.

The city looked no less than the heaven that day. It was as if the entire world had gathered there, just to have a glimpse of one of the majestic Swayamvars every to be held in the era of Dwaapar. 

A Swayamvar which no one had ever seen or heard. 

A test for the best. 

And it was the ego of every human to prove themselves that they are the best.

Drupad indeed had left no stone left unturned. Talking in air was never his way; he did what he meant.

The arena was appeared larger than what one could behold, with the very aura of the extravagance and majesty. Those who entered had their jaws hung down, their eyeballs jutting out at the grandeur. It seemed as if the King had brought down the Kailash mountain for his daughter, such vast palaces of white marble reflecting the golden hued rays like the peaks of the snow capped summits. The windows glittered with raw gold, and the walls sparkled so effortlessly that could make even the diamonds pale.

Florals of all possible hues were strung around, from one end to the other, the petals strewn on the floor, bewitching the ether with their maddening fragrance, added to it was the scent of agaru and sandalwood that had thickened the air, dominating. The thrones on either sides in honor of the royals appeared like huge majestic swans, studded with priceless jewels and shimmered without a bash. 

Trumpets blew and the echo of drums ruminated as the Kings, Princes and royalties from all over Aaryavart began to assemble, one after the other with eagerness and desire. Decked up from head to toe in all lavish and extravaganza, they filled the palaces built around, whispering amidst themselves, their eyes falling upon the one and only the bow.

The Kindhura bow.

Kept at the center was this weirdly constructed bow, which claimed itself to be lifted by none. Intricate carvings were made upon the edges, with linings of pure gold that glistened under the broad daylight. Rumors were widespread on how Drupad was himself in charge of constructing the mighty bow, only for the best archer of Aaryavart.

Some grumbled, some complained, while others were in awe. Some even huffed why the Princess wasn't allowed to chose a royal like the it happened? The handsome ones felt their looks were futile, while for the ones for whom archery wasn't a passion, had to rethink.

But everything fell flat when the heard about the Princess of Paanchaal....

That made them wonder that even a gaze of her would be worth enough, let alone whether they will win or not. 

Which man wouldn't love to have a look at the world's most beautiful woman? Even the ones who had dearly loved their wives couldn't help but dream about Draupadi, or weave dreams of having her as their own. 

The huge disc above the bow was rotating swiftly, with the wooden wish attached to it. 

The task was simple. Lift the bow, string it and pierce the fish's eye.

And Krishnaa would be theirs.

Simple? 

Well, with the speed with which the disc was rotating, had already made few of the archers rub their temples in their seats. Let alone the thinking of lifting the bow even.