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

𝙲𝙷𝙰𝙿𝚃𝙴𝚁 𝟸𝟾

Paanchaal, Kaampilya

Embroidered with fine threads of gold, the richly textured, warm silken angavastra was royally getting padded over Arjun's right shoulder. The deep crimson garment exuded a stark contrast with his earth-kissed dusky hue, accentuating his warrior frame with panache. 

Two hairdressers were busy styling his voluminous locks of tresses that kept bouncing on his collarbones now and then—they combed the silken curls generously after washing them with scented lather and water. Arjun's hair glistened finer than silken threads. The servant's miraculous hands patted the bounteous volume in an extravagant style, leaving only a thick strand of hair that curled effortlessly over his forehead. The faint scent of musky sandalwood and jasmine lingered in those deep locks.

Barely any hands on him, and Arjun was already looking like the God of Heaven in front of the mirror. 

He had never dressed this richly anywhere, an awed gasp escaped his lips as he blinked, watching another servant adjust an intricately detailed diamond ornament that covered his entire chest regally; no less than the first rays of Sun touching the dark mountains. Simply breathtaking. 

Armlets boasted of it's finesse as they slid perfectly around his accentuated biceps. The once warrior arms that bled sweat and blood to achieve the ends of perfection that once knew as bare as delicacy were swathed in utter suave of royalty. 

Arjun had always, always seen the stark contrast. 

From rags to rich, and from rich to rags; the wonders of royalty and the extremity of harshness. He had taken the sip of both the wine and salted water at the same lifetime. He tasted the exotic once and the dried leaves. Experienced both the relief of peace and the lingering fear of death. 

And of course, enemies turning friends—or rather into family. 

His life was no less than an epic, the miraculous twists of fate that made him meander to find his way through.

Though he never expressed it verbally, Arjun loved the pamper. Deep down, sitting for long hours just to look his best. . . no one would've thought that the best warrior of the Kurus would simply be sitting, watching the maids and servants dolling him up. 

Dang, he was also the quietest one in childhood when Kunti used to dress him up for some event! 

Kunti had once chuckled to herself, thinking how Arjun would be as a girl; already he had beautiful almond eyes that sparkled like glistening rubies, and wobbling pink lips that drooled, and fine thick curls that accentuated his adorable little face when he was once a child. 

He was simply, sometimes way to demure. Only to be labelled as 'delicate' mockingly by the Kauravas, laughing over his supposed 'lack of manliness'. Teasing him as 'baby Princess' and 'little lass' were there common, when he used to run and try to stop the unnecessary fights between Bheem and Duryodhan, or show kindness towards all the living beings around.  

All because he had a gentle heart, a heart that that melted even seeing the slightest of pain around. He was the one who cried the most, comforted the most. 

For them, it was all girlish. Yet Arjun flaunted his soft-heartedness of a man with such regality, that he became the favorite of those who never intend to make him so. 

"Close your eyes Prince. . .!" One of the servants requested him, highlighting the corners of his eyes with kohl, making them look even bigger. Arjun's eyes could rival even the most beautiful women's! Not all had such elongated petals blessed with amber eyeballs that glistened perfectly with feelings. 

He smiled slightly. Kohling  eyes were his favorite part! 

His lips were touched with painted petals of flower, to add the regal scent and natural tint.