The Fateful Evening part 2

Part5

Arjun  asked Krishna. What must be the reason for Krishnaa's message? She never asked me to come to her  even when I didn't go to her for some reason or other. And she wants you also to accompany me . She also added that we should meet her though we could make it late at night. " Arjun was in confusion after Malini delivered Panchali's message to him ,..
Krishna is thoughtful. She was absentminded throughout the evening . May be she is worried about your Eldest 's obsession for Chausar. ( Dice)Arjun is silent. He knew she dislikes the game. He and his brothers also are against that . But Eldest is so obsessed. They reached Panchali's mansion and found her sitting in deep thought. Kirti and Pragati are sleeping happily. Krishna sat before her and  asked. What is the reason Sakhi? Why are you agitated?

Arjun sat beside her trying to analyse her seriousness. Panchali burst out. Govind. You know every thing. It concerns with Maharaj's obsession with Chausar. Krishna tried to dilute the issue. You know Kings will take pleasure in different things. It is cooking for Bheem make up for Nakul  and we two are obsessed with music,wandering ,nature worship etc.panchali said in a firm voice. All those you mentioned now do not harm any one at all. But his obsession  it may cost us every thing.
Arjun interfered. Why are you worried Krishnaa? We have so much prosperity. Even though he loses some I can pool it up again. Let him enjoy to his heart fill.
Panchali looked at Parth with despair. I expected this only from you. How can you oppose him now when you could not oppose then when he ordered you to share your wife?
Arjun's face lost its glow. And he could not expect her to ignore his offence . He deserved her harshest rebuke. Krishna who could not see Arjun dull admonished Panchali. "Did I not tell you He is not at fault? Fate can not be averted by anyone . Now coming to the present, Parth got so much into your treasury. So let Eldest lose some. Why do you bother? Relax Sakhi.

Panchali cooled down. She said in a subdued tone. Govind, I am not against losing some  part of my treasury. But I want him to know the value of the hard earned property. He doesn't know the effort that had gone into pooling it up. Because he never had to strive hard for anything in life. His brothers will see to it that he would get whatever he wants be it a wife or Kingdom or prosperity. Why should he play with Duryothan who is sinful and cunning?
Krishna placed his hand on her head. Calm down Krishnaa. Remember two things. That what is destined will certainly happen. And I will always be with you in happiness and sadness. Isn't that enough for you?
Panchali looked into his magnetic eyes and confessed. That is the only saving factor for my life. If you are not there I would have been shattered over the things that happened in my life.

After Krishna left Panchali sat on her Jhoola silently watching the stars and the moon. Arjun placed his head on her lap. Panchali is looking too beautiful in that moonlit night. Her lotus eyes are with Kajal twinkling in the moonlight. Her luscious red lips are too cute and the beautiful nose ring enhanced the beauty of her face. The half plait she has loosened up and the curly black hair spread on her back.
Arjun remembered Alli's words that she is insecure of Panchali's beauty. She said honestly but he knew his other wives also feel so.He got a smile on his lips and Panchali looked down.
Why are you smiling? She asked him doubtfully. Arjun taunted Thinking of your lie that you are not insecure. You refused to oblige Satya saying that you are not insecure.
Panchali pretended anger. You think I am insecure?she asked. Arjun laughed. Hundred percent. He answered. You are too insecure to even let me do exercise in the open.
Panchali is miffed. I did a good thing only. Otherwise your Indraprasth will be flooded with girls who stand in Q to get your grace. See what happened today. Jayanti left all inhibitions and exposed herself.
Panchali stopped to look into his face and observe his feeling for Jayanti. Arjun hid his smile and said seriously . Poor girl. Must be heart broken. Shall I go and console her?
Panchali tried to push him from her lap and get up.Arjun made her lie down and took her too close to him. Not insecure? See your face once in the mirror. He teased her and Panchali pulled him to her heart and declared. No one should dare to posess that what is Krishnaa's. Enough of your Flirty ways. You will be punished if you disobey my word. Arjun whispered in her ear. I am ready to be punished by you my queen.

It is just before sunrise. Panchali finished her puja along with Kunti,Gandhari and Gurumata. She left Kirti in the chamber and brought Pragati with her. Kunti and Gurumata took the baby who is too active after getting up from sleep early in the morning. Kunti is showering praises on her cute grand daughter and Gurumata is looking at the grandmother with happiness. Gandhari told Kunti. Now you understood why I asked you to extend Arjun's share with Bahu? You got a grandson and bonus is this cute Pragati. What I  tell you is Pragati needs a sister to play with. Any way Arjun lost almost nine months because of his war expeditions. He fought wars for Indraprasth not for himself.Be good and give him back his lost stretch with Bahu.
Kunti looked at her desparately. Didi Rajasuya is round the corner. She has to sit with Yudhishtir at the Yajna.
Gandhari argued. Yudhishtir's turn won't come now. Nakul's turn will it be. His wife  Karenu is expecting and he made it clear that she will not leave Indraprasth for delivery as her parents will come here for Rajasuya. Don't throw Bahu in to their lives now. Any way Arjun still has his time with Bahu . At the time of Rajasuya Panchali has to go through so much physical as well as mental stress. Arjun will look after her well. Gandhari made her point.
Kunti placed Pragati on the carpet and the baby rolled sideways and comfortably settled on her stomach and tried rising on her hands upwards. Priyamvada is excited and shouted. See Maharani, Pragati did it. We should celebrate. Kunti is excited and called Draupadi who is busy with breakfast arrangements. Bahu Pragati rolled and crawled a bit . Ask the cooks to make Sweets. We have to offer them to Durga Mata.
Gurumata called Panchali and asked her to take Pragati for sacred head bath. Kunti massaged oil in her head and body . Bring her back fast. She told Draupadi. Panchali took Pragati and kissed her with pride. Her daughter is too active for her age. She smiled to herself. Whose daughter she is? 
She asked Priyamvada to help Bheem and walked towards her chamber . Malini must be having hard time with Kirti she thought. As she is walking through the garden that connects her chamber to kitchen she saw a fourteen year boy staring at her standing on the side path. He is dark and has luscious curly hair. And he has hazel eyes...Panchali stopped wondering why that boy is reminding her the joy of her life,her Arjun.
Pragati is making welcome sounds as if she knew who the stranger is. The boy approached Draupadi without blinking his eyes. He then bent down and touched her feet.Pranaam Jyesht Mata, he said in his still childlike voice.
He is on the threshold of teenage and the voice transformation is happening. Panchali still could not guess who he is. Pragati stretched her hands to the boy who is half bent waiting for Panchali's blessing. Bless my son,princess,he is Iravan.Arjun's Eldest son. Ulupi who just came there informed Panchali with a smile.
Panchali gave Pragati to Ulupi and raised him up. She smiled and said. You look so much like your father. Live a long life and enhance the glory of your father. She then hugged him with affection. Naga princess,I am elated to meet the Eldest son of him.Welcome home Iravan,she said.
How did you identify me? She asked curiously. Iravan answered with a little hesitation. Mata told me you are the most beautiful princess alive. And you looked Devine. By instinct I guessed you must be the most beautiful princess won by the Greatest archer in the Swayamvar. In heaven they always talk about your Swayamvar . Hearing their words I formed an image in my mind.
Panchali smiled. You are good at words also. Inherited from your mother I think. She said and asked .You met your father? He must be returning from his Practice or he must be at Yajna mandap. Take him there.she told Ulupi and touched Iravan's shoulder. Come back after meeting your father and mamaGovind. At breakfast you will meet all your brothers. Abhi will be mad with joy on seeing a big brother.See even Pragati is falling on you. But she has oil all over her body. I will bring her after bath .Panchali smiled at Ulupi and walked off.
Ulupi closed her eyes and thought for a while. He must be at the Yajna mandap only. She guessed...Krishna and Arjun are in serious discussions with Maya regarding the construction of Yajnasala.Maya said. I constructed Mayasabha and all the rest houses with much ease.But Yajna Sala is testing my talent. Especially the measurements and directions given by Ved Vyas have confused me to a great extent.But your continuous inputs and guidance only is moving me forward. Arjun patted his back. Don't get stressed up. If you want you can take a short break and then continue with your work.Maya is grateful. Thanks for your concern. I will continue my work. But clear my doubts that's all.
Krishna laughed at Arjun. Apart from Abhi here is someone who will ask questions to one who can not sleep without asking his questions of the day.
Arjun laughed and remarked. It became a habit to ask why? As he finished his Jsentence he heard a tender voice ask
Why Father? Why did you leave us behind? Arjun is in shock and turned back.The boy arrested his eyes to such an extent that he forgot to blink his eyes.
Krishna walked up to him and touched his face. So much like Parth, Asirvad My blessings ,Ulupi 's son.He said with warmth.. Arjun looked at  Krishna's face in surprise.Yes Parth,He is your Eldest son Iravan. Govind explained and moved forward leaving the father and son together.