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

𝙲𝙷𝙰𝙿𝚃𝙴𝚁 𝟸𝟶

Kaampilya, Paanchaal

"Oh my God! I am fine, I am fine!" Draupadi giggled, feeling Dhrishtadyumn's worried kisses all over her forehead for the umpteenth time. 

The next morning was afresh with the dappling warm rays of the Sun at the potter's, as an entire sect of army royals from Paanchaal were assembled around the cottage.

 "Ufff. . . . .thank  God a hundred times!" He muttered, engulfing his sister in a bone-crashing hug. Draupadi smiled closing her eyes, patting his brother's back gently.

"Can't tell you Aarya, father didn't even take a sip of water till he got the news!" Dhrishtadyumn broke the hug, as he looked at the Bheem and Yudhishthir while caressing Draupadi's head, "And whatever happened yesterday. . .I mean, I didn't—we didn't have a cue that everything would go out of hands like this—"

"My father is ashamed of whatever happened," Dhrishtadyumn said, folding his hands again, a frown etched on his face.

"Don't Prince," Yudhishthir cupped his folded palms, lowering it with a smile kicking off on his lips, "Let it be now. Whatever happened, it was never your father's fault or anyone from the Paanchaals. And moreover, the girl's family doesn't fold palms in front of the groom's, their side is always the greater one. . ." 

Dhrishtadyumn sighed with a grin, as Yudhishthir wrapped him in a warm hug. 

"You were keeping a watch upon us for such a long time, atleast you could've had meals with us and then left?" 

Dhrishtadyumn's ears reddened seeing Arjun's wave of chuckles, with his hands behind his waist. Bheem barked a laugh, "Exactly, I told Vijay to separate a share for him,  poor soul must be tired checking upon us!" 

He tittered nervously, peering at Draupadi who too was cupping her mouth to suppress her giggles. 

"That, I. . .I was just worried." He mumbled, shifting edgily. 

"I hope your father didn't assume I am a Pishach or something, or even worse—I mean the way you were judging us and all," Arjun sighed deeply in a mock tone, trying to look innocent with a raised brow but failing miserably.

"No no! Revered one, what are you talking about?" Dhrishtadyumn's face was burning by now, as he shook his head vigorously, "My father is too happy to know that—"

"That I am not a Pishach, right?" Arjun tilted his head, blinking.

Dhrishtadyumn had his mouth hung down, as he shook his head again, and the twins were already in peals of laughter.

"Relax, relax my brother. I was just joking!" Arjun pressed his lips from chuckling further, walking up towards Dhrishtadyumn, hugging the frozen human and patted his back, "I hope you aren't just hugging me back to check whether I am a Pishach or not. . ."

Dhrishtadyumn broke the hug with, his eyes flaring wide with a concocted disbelief.

No doubt he was Arjun.

"Vijay, stop it now!" Kunti came out of the hut, smiling as she drew her garment over her shoulder, "Have mercy on this poor thing!"

Arjun's chest vibrated as he shifted back, trying to hold back his laughter, "Fine enough!" 

He looked back at Draupadi with a tilted head, shrugging as innocently as possible, turning her cheeks red once again.

"Draupadi dear. . . you didn't tell me your brother is this lovely!" Kunti walked over, blessing the Prince as he bent over to touch her feet quickly with a humble grin. Draupadi looked down and chuckled, pressing her hands over each other.