Anuragaanjali ~ The Eternal Love ✅

Chapter 44 : The Decision

A Heartbreaking Decision

The sun had barely risen, its golden light spilling through the windows of the royal chambers, casting long shadows on the marble floors. The air felt heavy with an unspoken tension, the quiet before a storm. Arjun sat at his desk, his Gandiva bow resting against the wall beside him, his fingers absentmindedly tracing the edges of a parchment. His mind, however, was far from the tasks before him.

The weight of what he was about to ask Nakul to do weighed heavily on his heart, and yet, there was no other choice. His thoughts kept returning to the whispers, the rumors that had plagued the air of Indraprastha in recent days. His wife, Aaradhya, had become the subject of gossip, her character questioned by those who had once admired her. The accusations stung him deeply, but the one that hurt the most was the claim that Aaradhya had been disloyal to him, that her friendship with Krishna had crossed lines that no woman should.

Despite the deep trust he had in Aaradhya, these rumors were spreading like wildfire, poisoning the minds of the people and the court. The whispers had reached the ears of the elders, of his mother, and of his brothers, and now, even the citizens had begun to doubt her. They questioned her purity, her devotion to him, and Arjun felt his heart breaking under the weight of it all.

He had promised Aaradhya to protect her, to shield her from all harm, but the bitter truth was that his own kingdom, his own people, were causing her pain. They didn't understand the purity of her love for him, nor the bond she shared with Krishna. It was not a betrayal; it was a spiritual connection, one that transcended the mortal world. But no one would see it that way.

And so, Arjun made a decision—a decision that would tear his heart apart.

He summoned Nakul to his chambers that morning, his face grim, his eyes shadowed with sorrow.

"Nakul," Arjun began, his voice tight, "I need you to take Aaradhya away from Indraprastha. I need you to drop her in the forest, where the hermits live, far away from the city."

Nakul's brow furrowed in confusion. "Arjun, what do you mean? Why must you send her away? What is this about?"

Arjun stood up, his gaze distant. He could barely look Nakul in the eye, the shame and pain too great. "The people of Indraprastha... they have begun to accuse Aaradhya. They suspect her of being disloyal to me, of having an improper relationship with Krishna. The rumors are poisoning the minds of the citizens, and I cannot allow her to be subjected to such lies."

Nakul's face darkened, and he took a step forward, his voice filled with disbelief. "Arjun, you know better than anyone that Aaradhya is pure. She would never betray you. You cannot let these rumors dictate your actions. You should stand by her, defend her."

Arjun's shoulders slumped, his chest tightening with the weight of the words he was about to say. "I know, Nakul. I know her heart, her soul. But the people... they will never understand. They will never believe her. And the only way I can protect her from their cruelty is by sending her away, far from the prying eyes of the court and the city. She will live among the hermits, far from all this... until the time is right. She deserves peace, not these accusations. And if she stays here, it will only get worse for her."

Nakul stood still, his mouth opening and closing in shock, unable to find the right words. "But Arjun," he said softly, "this is a cruel decision. You're sending her away when she needs you the most. Can't you fight these rumors? Can't you prove to the people that she is loyal to you? She has always been loyal to you."

Arjun turned away, his heart breaking with every word. "I can't fight this, Nakul. The people's perception is too strong. I have to make them believe she is pure, even if it means putting distance between us. I... I cannot bear to see her suffer any longer. And I cannot bear to listen to the accusations that have no truth in them. For her dignity, I must send her away. And when the time is right, when they finally realize the truth, I will bring her back. I will prove her loyalty and purity to the world. But until then..."

His voice faltered, the pain too raw to conceal. "Until then, I must protect her in this way."

Nakul's gaze softened with sympathy, but his face was still etched with concern. "Arjun, I understand your pain, but this... this will tear both of you apart. Sending her away is not the answer. She needs your support, your love, now more than ever."

Arjun's eyes filled with unshed tears, his voice barely a whisper. "I don't know what else to do. Please, Nakul. For Aaradhya's sake, for her peace of mind, take her far away. Let her live in the hermit's sanctuary, where no one can judge her. I will bring her back when the time is right. I promise."

Nakul bowed his head in silence, the weight of Arjun's decision hanging heavy in the air. "I will do as you ask, Arjun, but I beg you—do not let this be the end. Do not let this be the last time she sees you. You must fight for her, not just send her away."

Arjun looked at Nakul, his eyes filled with an anguish he could no longer hide. "I wish I had the strength to fight the world, Nakul. But I do not. This is the only way I can think of to protect her. Please understand."

Nakul nodded solemnly. "I will do it, Arjun. But I pray this decision does not haunt you."

With those words, Nakul left, the door closing behind him, and Arjun was left alone with the heavy burden of his decision.

His heart felt as though it had been shattered in a thousand pieces, but he knew this was the only way. For Aaradhya's safety, for her dignity, he had to let her go.

And as the sound of Nakul's footsteps faded into the distance, Arjun sank to his knees, his hands pressed to the floor in prayer, silently begging the gods for strength—for the strength to endure the pain of separation, and the strength to one day reunite with the woman he loved more than life itself.