Anuragaanjali ~ The Eternal Love ✅

Chapter 28 : The Sacred Line

A Promise of Return

The morning of the Pandavas' departure for war was tense. The air in Indraprastha seemed to carry an unnatural heaviness, as if the palace itself was aware of the challenges ahead. Aaradhya sat quietly in their chamber, her hands resting protectively on her abdomen. Arjun was pacing the room, his brow furrowed in deep thought.

His mind had been plagued by unease since the strange dream that had shaken him. Now, as the call to duty approached, he found it harder to ignore the feeling of dread creeping into his heart.

Aaradhya noticed his restlessness and rose from her seat, gently placing a hand on his arm. "Arjun, what troubles you?" she asked softly, her voice filled with concern.

He stopped pacing and looked at her, his dark eyes clouded with worry. "It's this dream I had," he admitted. "I saw you fading away from me, and I couldn't stop it. I've been trying to shake it off, but it lingers. And now, with this war..."

Aaradhya took both his hands in hers, her touch warm and grounding. "It was just a dream," she said, echoing her words from before, though her heart ached to see him so unsettled. "You are the greatest archer this world has known, and the gods themselves have blessed you. Nothing can harm you, Arjun. You will return to me, I know it."

He pulled her into a tight embrace, burying his face in her hair. "I don't fear for myself," he murmured. "I fear for you. I don't want anything to happen to you or..." His voice faltered as he looked down at her abdomen, as though sensing the life growing within her.

Aaradhya smiled faintly, her heart swelling with love. "We are safe, Arjun. I will be here waiting for you, as I always do."

Before leaving, Arjun led her to the entrance of their wing. He placed his Gandiva bow at her feet and called forth a divine astra from his quiver. Chanting sacred mantras, he embedded the astra at the threshold, its radiant energy forming a protective barrier.

"This will guard you," he said, his voice firm. "Promise me, Aaradhya, that you won't cross this line until I return. No matter what you hear, no matter who calls for you, you must stay here. I'll come to you myself."

Aaradhya hesitated, but the intensity in his gaze left no room for argument. She nodded. "I promise."

He cupped her face with his hands, his thumbs brushing away the tears that had begun to well up in her eyes. "I'll be back as soon as I can," he whispered. "I will not let anything keep me from you."

He kissed her forehead, then knelt to place a reverent hand on her abdomen, though he still did not know the full truth of the life within her. Straightening, he embraced her one last time before stepping away, his figure disappearing down the corridor.

Hours passed, and Aaradhya found herself alone in their chamber. The silence felt oppressive, and her thoughts turned to Arjun. She sat by the window, her hand resting gently on her belly. "Your father is a great warrior," she whispered to her unborn child. "He is brave and selfless, a protector of dharma. Someday, I will tell you all his tales—the victories he's achieved, the battles he's fought with courage and honor."

Her voice softened. "You are his pride, my little one. And you are my strength."

Her musings were interrupted by the sound of hurried footsteps outside. Moments later, the chamber doors opened, and one of the palace gatekeepers entered, his face pale with distress.

"Devi Aaradhya," he said, his voice trembling, "Prince Arjun has been gravely injured in battle. The messengers request your presence immediately."

Aaradhya shot to her feet, her heart pounding in her chest. "What happened? Where is he?"

"They've brought him to the palace gates," the guard replied urgently. "He is in need of care."

Without thinking, Aaradhya ran toward the exit of their wing, her mind consumed by worry for Arjun. But as she reached the threshold, the divine glow of the astra stopped her in her tracks.

Her feet froze, and Arjun's words echoed in her mind: "Promise me you won't cross this line until I return. No matter what you hear..."

Tears streamed down her face as she stood there, torn between her love for Arjun and her promise to him. Her heart screamed at her to go to him, but her sense of duty held her back. She clenched her fists, her body trembling as she wrestled with the agonizing choice before her.

The glow of the astra pulsed gently, as if reminding her of its presence. Aaradhya took a step back, her breaths coming in shallow gasps. She pressed a hand to her chest, willing herself to trust Arjun's judgment.

The guard's voice called out again, his tone pleading. "Devi Aaradhya, please! Prince Arjun needs you!"

But Aaradhya remained rooted to the spot, tears falling freely as she whispered, "Arjun, come back to me. Please come back..."

The corridor fell silent, save for the faint hum of the protective barrier. Somewhere in the distance, the sound of battle drums echoed ominously, as if the universe itself was holding its breath.