The fateful evening part 3

Part 24

Priyamvada asked in her feeble voice. Princess! Tell Arjun I want to see Pragati get married before I reach Kunti and Gandhari. My days are limited. You know it.
Panchali placed her hand on her head and said.,,You will stay with us Masi. Don't say such inauspicious things. Arya Sahadev said he will give new aushadhi today which will cure you from your ailment...

Priyamvada nodded her head in disapproval. No medicine can help me now. I want to see Pragati settle down. She is growing too detached day by day. Arjun's temperament she got.
Draupadi assured her...He will not let her do her thing. Govind also will take care. Please don't worry about Pragati..

Arjun took Pari and Aniket to outskirts of Hastinapur where a temple is built in memory of his Pitamah Bhishm. That was the place where Shantanav lied on arrow bed.
It has been years since he reached the abode of Vasus but Arjun still mourn his loss thinking himself to be the one responsible to give terrible pain to his pitamah with his arrows.
Pari bowed down staying on his knees and asked Arjun who got tears in his eyes....Pitamah ! You still feel bad for throwing him down?

Arjun nodded his head. He is my Pitamah Pari,I commited sin.

Aniket said in a soft voice. Who can avert destiny? No one is above fate. This is all a game that the super power plays for his delight.
Arjun smiled at him. This youth definitely learnt the reality or truth. He asked him curiously..So what did you think of my deed on 10 th day of war? Right or wrong?
Aniket replied with clarity....Right when you consider the larger good connected to people. Wrong when you take your personal equation with him. On the whole like Narayan specified in Gita whoever supported adharma should face the punishment. So....don't grieve for what you did....Gurudev!

Pari nodded in approval and hugged Arjun. Pitamah! You are not wrong. Please don't be guilty.
Arjun patted on his cheek and turned to Aniket....You look too matured for your age. I hope you follow Karma yoga that Madhav specifically stressed on ....he stopped abruptly.

Chitra Ulupi returned from Manipur after staying with Babhru and Yamini for many days.
All the queens welcomed them and enquired how the newly weds are doing.
Subhadra said..I found Yamini cute and composed. Babhru got a good life partner.

Chitra replied with a smile..Yes she is. She also is adept in handling financial matters.
Ulupi observed Panchali and remarked..You became too thin and weak.

Arya nodded and said....She is worried about Priyamvada maasi and ....she stopped without completing her line.
Ulupi understood....Surely Princess of Panchal is worried about her daughter's spiritual inclination. She pressed her hand and said ..Don't worry very soon you will see your daughter get married..Only Panchali could hear her words and she got respite.
When all the brothers attended for dinner,With all the queens present Hastinapur 's Royal dining area looked like it used to be in past.
Pari brought Aniket also much to the annoyance of Pragati who is serving food under the supervision of Subhadra and Uttara. Panchali returned with Sahadev after giving aushadhi to Priyamvada.
Bhima asked her to sit and eat but she politely declined.
Yudhishtir liked Aniket,the prince whose demeneur never showed any kind of attitude despite belonging to powerful kingdom like Videha.

Draupadi looked at Pragati who did not wear any ornaments and tied up her hair in one knot. She hardly looked princess of Kurus except for her exceptional beauty that happened by legacy. Arjun raised his eyes and found his Krishnaa absorbed in Pragati's thoughts. He called Pragati and said I am going to Gurukul this weekend. Come with me. I want to feed Brahmins on Gurumata's tithi.

Pragati nodded her head. She inherited Panchali's expertise in organising kitchen on larger level. Pari called Pragati to serve him curd to him and Aniket. She asked Ali who is holding the jar of curd to serve them. Panchali got desperate. Will this girl warm up to this boy? She doesn't know.

When she posed the same question to Arjun in her chamber he answered straightly....I hope so. I am impressed by Aniket on the whole. Now I should see to it whether my daughter could feel the same in due course of time.
Panchali bit her lip.  Your daughter is stubborn. I have no hope at all.
Arjun stressed..But I have hope. Madhav's choice never goes wrong. I will take Aniket and Pari also to Gurukul. I wish some miracle may happen and my little daughter change her heart.
You don't want me to come! She knitted her brow.
Arjun hugged her from behind..You think I can go to Gurukul without you? Not fair my queen!