The fateful evening part 3

Part 18

For a hundredth time Arjun asked Krishna to accompany him to Hastinapur.
..
Krishna replied with patience...No Parth..I have to return fast. Things are not looking bright over there. Balaram Tau will not be able to handle situation..
Arjun stared at him in disbelief...How could you say that? Dwarika youth used to be under your spell. They never disobeyed you on anything..
Krishna looked at him with compassion...They both are one in reality but his Parth did not even realise himself and that was why he was unaware of the coming events..How could he tell him that there won't be any Dwarika in existence after a while?

Satya entered with Draupadi and threw her hands up in despair. Still enjoying sweet moments of togetherness? You both are impossible..
Arjun turned his eyes to see his wife..looking at them with a smile.
Sahadev hurriedly came there and informed..There was a severe rainfall on the way to Dwarika. The path was spoiled. I think Govind should travel with us as there is good weather predicted.
Arjun 's face brightened up and he hugged Krishna and said in a gleeful voice...You have to come with me..no alternative..
The procession started for Hastinapur.

The bride and bridegroom Along with the king and Nakula started in the first batch.Chitrangada,Ulupi,And other queens also accompanied them.
Chitra asked Arjun...Come with us. You are the father of Babhru. We should be with them.
Arjun declined softly. I am the Commander of Hastinapur. I should first let every one reach safe.. It is fine. Eldest is with you. He is the father also..I will see Madhav off and reach faster.
Chitra sulked but Ulupi pacified her..Chitra muttered under her breath..Satya will keep his Queen with her. They will enjoy together.
Ulupi laughed and patted her ..true to Chitra's word,Satya pulled Draupadi into her chariot.....Stay with me as long as you can....she winked at Arjun and teased..I will take her to Dwarika...You can't stop me.

Arjun's eyes met with her lotus eyes and then he shrugged his shoulders...Please do it..then I can come to Dwarika to fetch her back. I can again spend time with Madhav.
Panchali side glanced him and said....You will come not for my sake but for Govind?
Krishna laughed heartily and teased..Didn't I tell you before Sakhi? You always come second for Parth. You can't win over me...Panchali bowed her head and remarked..Ofcourse I remember.

The Royal procession started with much grandeur.
Bhima lead in the front with Nakul followed by bride and groom .
Bride's family moved next with Yudhishtir,Sahadeva and Vijaya to give them company.
Then came the queens of Kuruvamsh shining in their beautiful attire.. enjoying the cool weather around.

Draupadi and Satya followed them in their chariot with Subhadra and Uttara in another chariot.
Krishna and Arjun were last in the line..on horseback..
Satya clapped hands and called out....don't try to change your route..I am observing you both..
Arjun nodded his head and replied...Relax and rest assured.. We will just follow you.
Parikshit insisted that he will also come on horse back..Arjun obliged much to the annoyance of Subhadra.
Parikshit enjoyed horse ride closely followed by Arjun and Krishna..
Uttara got tensed up...Pari. Be with your Pitamah..The horse looks aggressive..
Uttara proved right. Pari relaxingly lied back on the horse and the horse got diverted. It just changed direction and galloped side ways inside the thick cluster of trees.
Arjun and Krishna looked at each other ..next moment Arjun disappeared into the path following Pari.
By that time the royal procession went ahead of them.
Subhadra and Uttara jumped down from the chariot shouting in panic.
Panchali took Satya's hand for support....She was shivering..thinking of Pari.

Satya made her sit and patted her back..No worries. Arjun will bring him
Subhadra complained ..Bhrata..this is how your friend pampers Pari. He will be strict when not necessary but allows these kind of priveleges that lead to tension.
Krishna laughed and assured..Don't you know Parth? He will bring Pari safe.
Arjuna's officers were all in the front guarding Yudhishtir.
Few of them were by the side of Babhru.

Arjun alone has to search for Pari's horse and that he did with the help of foot prints in the mud . The path is watery since there is little bit of rainfall previous day.
He crossed half a Mile and then the foot prints disappeared. Arjun peeped through the sides since already it is dark owing to the cloudy sky ..
He could see the path end where there was a deep down way that got filled up with rainy water..on the other side of that he saw the lofty hill and his heart skipped a beat.. He saw Pari hanging from the branch of a tree on top of the hill. And he knew the dry branch will crack any time throwing Pari down..
Arjun closed his eyes. It takes three minutes for him to cross the water but if Pari falls before? He could not think further.
Pari who is hanging to the dry branch heard his voice..Pari...Just jump within two minutes.
Arjun patted the horse and it galloped..The crack of the branch is heard.Pari clasped his neck and muttered..
Pitamah I am safe.
They both could hear the heart beat of each other..

The horse ran on top of the hill ..I jumped on to the tree..Pari explained..
Why did you do so? Arjun enquired though he knew what Pari did is right.
The horse is not in a mood to stop..It is better for me to jump ..But when I did that I fell on the tree branch..I am not scared..I know you will come.
Arjun hugged him close..How nice it would have been had he saved Abhi on that fateful day?
He got tears..destiny did not allow him to do so..

The King,Bride and groom and all the queens camped much ahead in the rest houses set up for them.
Arjun sent message to Sahadev and halted at the forest side. His officers built the temporary cottages and brought food from the main camp.
Subhadra said for the tenth time..Bhrata it is high time you tell him..to be cautious with Pari. The kid won't understand, he should no?
Krishna placed his hand on her head..Bhadra take my word. Pari will rule Aryavarth for sixty years. Mark my word. Don't get scared..thinking of ..Krishna stopped ..every one knew what he meant.
Subhadra,Uttara and Pari slept immediately after dinner.
Krishma and Arjun walked hand in hand towards the small stream flowing nearby.
The full moon is brightening up the surroundings.

Arjun sighed ..how nice it would have been if we stay in forest.. See .Madhav....but no..have to get back to Hastinapur. Your word.. Gita...he reminisced the charged moment..
Satya answered from the back....Now I want my Swami with me..No river is here to go in boat ride but still I can walk a little away from you..and enjoy...
Krishna smiled and winked at Arjun ..Panchali turned back towards the cottage.
Arjun rushed fast and lifted her up in his arms..the path is thorny. Why did you come here? And Satya..don't think this is dwarika's Seashore..get over your passion.,,Madhav take her to resthouse..he said and walked towards Panchali's abode While Krishna and Satya looked at each other and smiled.
Panchali felt embarrassed ..at the way he brought her to her couch and dropped her .. Arjun..I could have walked.
Arjun took her feet in his hands and removed a small Thorn.
Panchali did not stop him.she knew he won't listen.
The full moon rays touched them through the window ...
She looked up and found his gaze fixed on her..soul and body.