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

𝙲𝙷𝙰𝙿𝚃𝙴𝚁 𝟹𝟼

Kaampilya, Paanchaal

Draupadi's fingers trembled unintentionally as she pushed a strand of hair behind her already pink ears. Her cheeks burned like the freshly bloomed roses, so much so that her dark hue was hardly helping to conceal it.

It was now more embarrassing. Running away to only end up in the chamber where they were supposed to. . .

"Sincerely, I am waiting for your answer, Krishnaa." The lilt of tease in that husky tone flared even more, followed by a deep chuckle of amusement.

Draupadi wished that the bed swallow her down right then. She twisted her thin flower garland on her right wrist, feeling the edge of the bedsheet dip with his presence. 

She did not even get a chance to breathe after that, reddening so much that she felt she might burst out. Wanting to run away, yet stay at the same time, her heart was giddy, yet under the garb of maidenhood shyness. 

Now what. . .?

She knew what she would find if she dared to look up. A pair of amber eyes that had mischief swirling in them, with the charm of every magician she could name. Lips that had curved into a smile and that were ready to utter words that could drown her in hues of red. 

And this time, she couldn't run away. 

The gentle, cool zephyrs fluttered her locks of hair, filling the chamber with subtle tinkles and rustles of curtains and trimmings. The faint sound of the veena played in the courtyard lingered as the orangish-red shadows cast by the flames trapped in embellished lamps were strewn across the decorated walls. 

Draupadi's intoxicating fragrance of blue lotus had overpowered every possible scent of roses, jasmine, and every artificial aroma induced.

Goosebumps appeared on her skin due to the dropping temperature of the night, probably more because of her third husband, who had vowed since the morning not to spare her from teasing. Her heart thudded fast in her chest, and the feeling of melting into a puddle increased more and more as she rolled the edge of her saree between her nimble fingers as if it were the most interesting thing she had ever seen. 

"I think I will have to find out myself. . ."

Even before she could think, she felt a faint brush of his knuckles against the corner of her jaw, almost near her neck, that made her angle her head in a rush of tickle, into a tiny giggled gasp. 

.

.

.

Arjun had never seen someone more adorable than his wife, who looked like a little fawn trying to hide herself. 

He had barely touched her, and her innocent giggle went straight to his heart. 

Amused, he leaned slightly and tried to caress the edge of her jaw. She tilted her head and shook it, pressing her lips and squeezing her eyes shut to produce a louder giggling hum, feeling ticklish. She tried to swat away his palm, but instead, he wrapped his fingers around her wrist, startling her with a soft gasp.

He chuckled, seeing her bewildered face and flushed cheeks, "Seems like you are bold when there are people around, hmm?" He raised his brows, pulling her slightly closer, "Now, where did it run away?"

Draupadi blushed and tried to look away, like she would explode at any moment, twisting her hand to free it from him. But that little smile of coyness that was etched on her lips was enough to convince Arjun that deep down, his adorable wife was enjoying all of it. 

She giggled more in embarassment and coyness at the same time at his words, trying to free her wrist weakly, though it was evident that she did not want it at all. And it was getting hard for him to hold back his laughter, too.