The Queen - Story Of Draupadi

Chapter 2

The caller announces my name after eulogizing me for a paragraph or two, so I enter the resplendently decorated Hall. Indeed, the set up looks splendid, only to prove that the workers' and my brother's brains have worked very hard.

Walking down the aisle, I feel all the princely heads shoot up, gazing luscious looks at me. Ignoring them, I walk towards the middle platform, where the participants are expected to showcase their skills in archery, and offer my respects to the mighty bow and the arrow that have now been assigned the duty of favoring the deserver.

I walk past all the Princes and Kings who have been seated by the sides, surrounding the platform and climb up the porch to earn my father's, mother's and Dau Balram's blessings as I bowed to touch their feet.

Govind stops me midway while I attempt to touch his feet and shakes his head in a no with a mischievous smile on his innocent looking face. I take my seat.

"So gentlemen, it's time for you now to showcase your best and the person who is capable of fulfilling the given criteria, will win my beautiful sister's hand." Dhri announces, thankfully distracting the Princes from watching me.

And with that, my Swayamwar begins.

One by one, three fourth of the Princes present, fail miserably and I can't stop myself from feeling pity for them because somewhere, we all knew only one person could win this competition. Win me.

As soon as I think of him, a mild breeze of love and compassion makes the curly hair tendrils on my forehead move and I immediately shift my vision towards the entrance. Proving my thoughts, a group of five brothers in Brahmin attire walk in and I sense a pair of caramel brown eyes of one of the brothers stealing glances at me. Involuntarily, my lips curve into a smile and I sigh in relief.

"Sakhi, the King of Anga Pradesh, Karna is going to be next and I'm definitely not wrong in warning you because he is a very skilled man. So watch out, my dear." Govind, who's sitting on the chair beside me, speaks in his ever calm tone and I stir back from watching my soon to be husband, but that was enough for me to decide what I should do next.

I watch King Karna paving his way to the platform with confidence and certainty on his face, assuring me that Govind is right, as always. But I find myself tangled in between what I should speak and what I shouldn't because there was no reason for me to reject the King of Anga, apart from the fact that he was the son of a charioteer. I absolutely didn't believe in judging people by the cast they were born into so there was no way I was bringing up that. Struggling on how to stop him, I once glance at the Prince in Brahmin outfit, who is staring at me with a smile on his charming face and then glance at Govind, who blinks at me with a subtle smile. And I go ahead.

"I'm sorry, King of Anga. I do not wish to marry the son of a charioteer." I state loudly just before that person ties his bow.

Guilt flushes over me and I immediately close my eyes tightly. My breathing heavy as I try to avoid the welling up of tears in my eyes.

The heavy footsteps of King Karna is heard before the name of the next King is announced and I can't help but think how insulted he might be feeling right now. I try my best to keep myself content and ask him an apology in my mind.

"Is there no one in this Swayamwar who is capable of winning my daughter's hand?!" My father questions loudly after all the participants try and fail, worry clear in his voice.

"Your majesty, why don't you invite the Brahmins to try since there are no more Kshatriyas left? Who knows? There might be hidden treasures present.." Govind states, looking straight into the eyes of the five brothers.

"You're right, Vasudev. Brahmins should be given a chance as well. Dhrishtadymna, invite them." My father commands.

"As you wish, Father." My brother bows and invites all the Brahmins present here.

I could sense confusion and desire in the third among the brothers' eyes as he looks at his first older brother. His brother nods and he looks up at me now, making me instantly blush. Still fixing his eyes at me, he starts walking towards the dais.

Once reached, he joins his hands in respect.
"My highest respects to the King of Panchal, to the Queen of Panchal, to Sriman Balram and to the best of the Yadavas - Vasudev Krishna." He bows to each one of them and waits patiently until all of them bless him as a smile of pride flashes across my face.

"My respects also to Princess Shikhandi, Prince Dhrishtadymna and to Princess Draupadi." He smiles at all of us, with his hands still joined. A murmur begins among the Princes and Kings, who have wanted to win me. I'm sure they are wondering why he paid his respects to me but it all stops when they see me joining my hands and smiling at him as I return the gesture.

He then walks towards where the bow is kept and lifts it with ease. He smiles at me again, making my cheeks heat up. He then continues tying the string of the bow and strounds it loudly. He confidently walks towards the pool where the reflection of the fish will be seen and sits on one knee looking into it. He looks at the fish which is sky high and then back at the pool with a stern expression. A few seconds later, he releases the bow.

My heart starts beating loudly as I intently and expectingly look at the pointing arrow. It hits perfectly into the fish's eye. Perfectly.

Loud cheers from the Brahmins, soldiers and others fill the Hall and my heart.

"Congratulations!" Govind shouts in happiness and so do others.

My mother instructs me to climb down and garland him, so I take the rose garland from the maids and slowly climb down. He keeps looking at me with a very lovable expression on his face, which makes me feel so happy and loved.

Our proximity goes on increasing as I forward towards him and he towards me, as we reach the middle of the stage. My heart thudding against my skin, so loudly that I'm scared he'll hear it.

"You look beautiful." He whispers, very timidly but I hear it.

"Thank you." I blush again. Gosh, I really need to stop doing this or I'm scared I'll turn too red for everyone to not notice.

He stares straight into my heart and I get a feeling that I'm lost. Lost in his beautiful eyes.

"Now garland him! Don't make us wait too long!" Satya screams from behind me, making me chuckle.

I move forward and garland him, not looking into him for I'm scared I'll get lost again. He takes a similar garland from the maid behind him and garlands it around my neck.

We look at each other intently, in love, as we realise that our wish has now been fulfilled. I blush again and look down before he entwines his fingers into mine.

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(A/N) : hey, loves. I can't thank you all enough for showering all the love but I can definitely request you to keep doing the same. Thanks for having faith in me and I hope I live up to it. ILY all! Excuse the typos*

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