Draupadi - The Impregnable Queen

11

"I did hear the news of the demise of you and your brothers and mother."

Draupadi had decided to stay on the lookout with Arjuna until it was Nakul's turn. The guards maintained the distance but were still pretty much there to Arjuna's annoyance. 

"And you did not believe it?"

"How could I? You all are the disciples of Dronacharya!"

Arjuna arched his eyebrow frowning.

"Yes, Father despises him to no bounds but that does not mean I will do the same, he is one of the greatest sages of our time."

"That he is." Arjuna agreed.

"How did you escape? Burst a cloud or-"

"No, we wished to remain discreet, so underground tunnel."

Now, Draupadi frowned, "If you knew about the malice why did you not escape beforehand?"

"We came to know of the deceit only minutes before the fire broke out."

"I heard your cousin had it made so that he could strike your elder brothers out so that he could seize the throne. Why would he have a tunnel constructed?"

"He did not, we made it."

Draupadi was befuddled, was he serious or just pulling her leg?

"We have bhrata Bhima on our team and he is the best there is." Arjuna grinned.

"Oh, Lord!" Draupadi exclaimed, worried.

"Are you fine, Panchali?" Arjun started.

"Yes, something just slipped out of my mind. I need to go back, right now. Vrishank, to the palace, now." Draupadi cut him off in the middle.

"Yes, my queen." he signalled, and all the guards on horseback rode to the closes.

Draupadi whistled, and a white stallion came in front of her in a second.

Arjuna blinked and Draupadi was already on top of the horse.

She turned towards him she looked fierce in her red attire, "We will meet again Prince."

She did not even wait for a reply and rode away. Arjuna just stood there till she was not visible at all. He smiled. Slowly his smile turned to a grin, realising there was no one around him he laughed out loud. He could not remember the last time he had done that.

"Jeshtha?" came a voice from behind. Nakul, it was his shift.

"Umm... Hey brother, I will get going." he said trying to suppress his happiness. He must have failed miserably. Because Nakul was grinning ear to ear.

"Spill."

-

It had been an eventful six months. Arjuna had now braided his beard, their camp was now not so temporary. Life had fallen into a pattern. They said forest life was full of adversities, and the cities and towns were where you find comfort. It had been exactly the opposite for Arjuna. He had suffered a lot in the world 'civilized'. To this Draupadi had replied that it takes immense pressure to make diamonds. She always had an answer, to all his problems. When she didn't, she was just there, and all felt right in the world. Just her presence was enough for Arjuna. He could see this as his life. But destiny had other plans in store for him.

Kunti was inside the hut sleeping, the brothers were outside poking fun at each other.

"Arjuna, can you stop sleeping on my lap?" Bhima asked feigning irritation.