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

𝙲𝙷𝙰𝙿𝚃𝙴𝚁 𝟹𝟸

Kaampilya, Paanchaal

The ring tossed from Dhrishtadyumn's fingers into the huge cauldron with a plop. 

"It's a simple game," Dhrishtadyumn nodded with a curved smile, "Whoever shall find the ring first shall win this round. . . and it is believed that whoever wins the game shall rule the household." 

Arjun nodded with a tiny smirk lacing his lips, as he placed a hand pressing over his folded knee, adjusting himself. His gaze followed Draupadi's, who was already looking down into the milky waters, as if ready to grab the ring for herself. She pushed a chunk of silky curls behind her ears to focus on the game, as her friends were already eyeing each other and giggling, as if already celebrating Draupadi's win. 

Well. . .who was going to tell them? 

The crowd around where chuckling, gossiping and anticipating excitedly.

"Start!" 

Both of them immediately dipped their hands inside the milky swirl. The cauldron was actually deeper and huge than that it appeared. 

Arjun wavered his hand inside the waters, biting down his lip and then into a curve. His beautiful wife was already busy, searching inside with a faint furrow on her brows. Her small hand was swirling inside the waters, almost with a slight hint of desperation and soft pants. As if she didn't want him to give a chance to win. 

Oh God. . . who knew that she would turn out so competitive?

He was urging to control his laughter by then, already finding the ring and keeping it inside his fist in the waters. 

Damn! She looked so adorable and innocent, searching for the ring with probably all her might. Her soft, red lips narrowed slightly, her cheeks turning a shade of pink upon which she had no control of and her free hand continuously pushing back the strands of hair behind her ear that seemed to trouble her. 

Her cheeks were almost flushed by now, as if seemingly putting her entire effort into searching for the ring but still having no trace of it. 

"Did none of you find it yet?" Shikhandi intervened as a lot of time had passed, but none of them had their hands out with the ring.

Arjun curled out his lips with a shrug as if he had no clue of it, still pretending to swirl his hands inside the water, while Draupadi shook her head quickly, as if too busy to respond.

Dhrishtadyumn was looking half confused, and Satyajit nudged him, "Did you even drop the ring?"

"Of course!" He whispered, "I dropped it in front of you!"

"So what are they searching for since so long?"

"That's what I am thinking too. . . it shouldn't be taking that much time!"

It was getting difficult for Arjun to hold back, but he bit on his lips harder this time to control. 

Draupadi's entire face seemed flushed, the tip of her nose turning slightly red as she exhaled deeply with her brows narrowing further in confusion and frustration. For a moment she gazed up at Arjun, but he immediately looked down again, as if busy searching for the ring innocently. 

She breathed out, biting the corner of her lip as her friends tried to help her by whispering in her ears. 

"Prince? What is taking you so long?" Some of them chuckled, as Arjun shrugged again, pretending to be exhausted looking for the ring.

"Draupadi. . . do it fast!" Her friends whispered, nudging her and elbowing her, "Are you really not able to find it?"

Her face flushed even more, but accepting defeat easily didn't seem like in her nature.