The Fateful Evening part 2

Part 30

Krishna sent messages separately to Arjun and Draupadi. He wrote to Arjun.' VedVyasji will arrive soon. Follow his instructions. He will show the way to redeem yourself from your guilt feeling. Don't give way to depression. Subhadra and Abhi are doing well. I will take care and make your son the best. Satya asked me to tell you that she hates you the most. Don't take it to heart. You know how much she loves you. I will always be with you...like your shadow."

Arjun got much relief reading that message. His soulmate will never leave him .As for Draupadi,she smirked on reading her letter.' Krishnaa,Be ready to face separation with him.Time has arrived for him to leave you all to explore new things. But don't you feel it is your duty to remind him the flavour of your love? I don't need to tell you how much it rejuvenates him and motivates him towards his fulfilment.Your sons are all fine.Dhrisht started training them.Kirti was told Hastinapur's bad people stole their Indraprasth and his Pitasri is busy with his fight with them. His mother is lending him support by being there.He got angry and decided that he also will learn everything and support his father. Abhi also is involved in training himself with utmost seriousness. After all they are Arjun's sons. Your other sons are mastering archery under the watchful eye of Drupada Maharaj.They will bring glory to their clan.Send him off not with detachment but with your singleminded love."  .
Panchali wondered where he would go leaving his brothers She got her answer after a couple of days.Maharshi Vedvyas arrived with his disciples.Jaimini and Paila. Yudhishtir is extremely pleased on seeing him and honoured him with great respect.Panchali served delicious food with the help of Akshaya Patra. Ved Vyas blessed her.' My child don't get disheartened. Those who insulted you will definitely meet their end.Your husbands will regain everything.God bless you."  Yudhishtir expressed his concern over the forthcoming battle that may happen with his cousins.' Best of sages! I know Duryodhan well. He will never give us back our right. If battle happens Grandfather stands on their side. Who can fight with him? Then Guru Dron,Our teacher is invincible in battle. We can not defeat him. My real worry is about AngRaj Karn. I don't think any one can stand before his valour. Day and night I only think about him and shiver in fear What should I do now? Please show us a way to get our kingdom back. "

Vedvyas blessed him and said.' I came here to relieve you from your grief. I will instruct you Pratismriti Vidya. You should pass it to Arjun. He would do penance and get divine Astras from,Siva,Indra,Yama Varuna,Kubera,,Vayu and other gods. He will become invincible in battle and win over Bheeshma and others. Now leave this Dwaita van and go to Kamyakaforest. May your wishes be fulfilled ."
Having said so,Vedvyas instructed Pratismriti to Yudhishtir and left.panchali understood the significance of Krishna's message. So another long spell of separation awaits her. As if the terrible happenings are not enough now she has to bear with Arjun's absence. She is furious over his behaviour in the Kurusabha and she may not forgive him for discarding her by submitting himself to his Eldest. But will she be able to survive if she can not see him before her? No. Impossible. She may punish him by not interacting with him by ignoring him or nailing him with her sarcasm but to be away from him is next to impossible.
They reached Kamyaka forest that is more picturesque and pleasant. There are hilly regions and waterfalls along with wide varieties of birds and animals. Arjun is elated to see the nature in its glory. They reached Saraswati river and established their hermitage nearer to it.On One auspicious day Yudhishtir took Arjun to a solitary place and instructed Pratismriti.He told him.' Arjun,Practice Ashtanga yoga and fulfill your penance. Pratismriti will take you to your desired place within a short while. You will reach Himalayas instantly It will also help you in surviving without water and food. Get Divyastras and return victorious. "
Arjun is relieved of his burden. He got an aim now,a goal. Even if it is highly impossible he will definitely secure the divine Astras. His only concern is his Krishnaa. How will she survive without him ?By hurting him atleast she would get solace to a great extent. Now it will be too difficult for her to suppress her feelings .

Still ten days are there for Arjun to start for Himalayas. Usually on alternate days the brothers go for hunting one of them staying back to protect Panchali.Generally Yudhishtir stays back. But on that day Dhaumya asked him to accompany him to the adjacent hermitage where   Rishis are performing a Yajn for better rainfall . Arjun stayed back on the order of his Eldest. Panchali saw him going to the mango grove at the back side of the hermitage from where she will be visible to him while working in the kitchen.,
She is restless as the day of his departure is fast approaching. She wanted to go to him and pour her heart out,seeking explanation,voicing her protest as she may not get an opportunity again to  meet him privately. She took the water pot and walked towards the grove though it is not the time for her to bring water from the river. She saw him become alert on seeing her and his knitted eyebrows are asking her why she is going at that time. When she passed by he stood up to follow her. Panchali turned to him and said with a grim face. ' I can very well go No need of your support. " Arjun's jaw tightened and he took a step again.
Panchali burst out.' Why do you want to show now that you care for me,after everything is over . Even if something happens to me it won't hurt me at all. Because I am not a normal woman like Subhadra,Chitra,Arya or Alli. Your great rival pronounced What name should be given to me,you also heard it no? I have not one but five husbands due to your mother's grace and Your Eldest's favour. So any one can do anything to me. Doesn't matter."
Arjun stood stupified listening to her . Panchali took another step forward and she was stopped by force from moving further. He held her by her shoulders and looked into her eyes. ' Don't ever repeat that wretched AngRaj 's word to me. You need not. Day and night twenty four hours,Every minute,every second his scornful voice echoes the word in my ears. I have no escape from that. I committed a sin. First by sharing you and then by allowing you to be staked. I know what punishment I will get in this life and after that. But please show mercy on me and stand by me to atleast to avenge your culprits. In the name our love in the name of our children grant me respite. I beg you." Arjun collapsed near her feet and closed his eyes in prayer. His tears are rolling down as if washing his misdeed of not standing up for her in the Kurusabha. Panchali lost her control. She wept bitterly placing her hands on his shoulders and slowly collapsed beside him. Within a minute both of them together stretched their arms and moved closer,trying to  support each other in body and soul.