The Fateful Evening part 2

Part 45

Arjun and Bheem finally traced Jayathrath and Bheem started kicking him left and right. Blood started from Jayathrath's nose and Arjun pulled Bhima back.' Stop it Bhrata. Let us take him alive."
Bheem shouted loudly.' Don't be that soft.Arjun,The crime he committed is unpardonable.Still for Eldest I am leaving him as of now." Jayathrath was thrown at the feet of Draupadi.She smiled with contentment.
Yudhishtir councilled him in his own way.' You are the husband of our sister Dussala. How could you attempt such   crime? Learn to worship Dharma standing by it."
Draupadi is sarcastic.' Why are you blowing conch before a deaf person? He won't change a bit with your lectures on moral science." Arjun looked at her and she understood. Her husband  couldn't stand it if she spoke in such a  tone before his Eldest.Seriously his Bhratru prem is unbearable. She thought.
Bheem burst out.' There is only one punishment for him. Death punishment.And I will carry it on." Panchali said in a soft voice.' Leave him alive. He is our Dussala's husband." Arjun looked at her with appreciation.Yudhishtir applauded her.Bheem took an arrow from Arjun and shaved off his hair leaving five parts and declared.' Jayathrath,Now you are our servant. Wherever you are remember it."

Jayathrath folded his hands and left. Bheem and Nakul despised him with harsh words and Yudhishtir prevented them.' Why should we leave Draupadi alone? One of us should have stayed back. Fault lies with us." Arjun agreed. ' True. We gave a chance to him to abduct her."
They firmly decided that one of them should stay back with her when they go for hunting.The impact of the incident that took place effected Draupadi severely.,She  took head bath three times and  poured many vessels of water on her body and rubbed her wrist rigorously as that was the part Jayathrath touched her mostly as he held her wrist.
She looked absent minded even while serving food  after sunset.Arjun observed her every movement and understood her mental trauma.Bheem slept early  along with Yudhishtir. Nakul and Sahadev went to the Asram of Dhaumya to be with him as he is doing a Santi Homa that will last till mid night.
Arjun could not find Panchali inside and he got worried. He went to the back side and searched.She is nowhere. He walked to wards the riverside and found her on her favourite Rock staring into the waters that are calm and still.

Paurnami moon looked beautiful as if came down to see the beauty of Panchali's face.Arjun found it odd as his wife will always feel his presence and acknowledge.But now she is unmoved just rubbing her wrist with her other hand with a blank face. Arjun went behind her and took her completely into his arms.He took her wrist and kissed all over it again and again.Panchali stammered.' Arjun,..I hate it. He held me...I hate myself."
Arjun let her say her feelings. ' Why do people lust for my body Arjun? No one wants to know what is inside my heart.Every one is after my looks which now I started hating."
Arjun hugged her closer but still maintained his silence. There is something else that hurt her something related  to Jayathratha may be...Panchali shed tears and said in a broken voice.' You know what he said after getting me into the chariot? He said.Since I have  five husbands  I can have more and accept  him also."
Panchali stopped unable to control her anger,frustration and disgust. Arjun's jaw tightened,His grip on her shoulders became tighter hurting her in the process.' So that is the reason which shattered her whole being and shook her completely.Arjun bent down and wiped her tears with his lips.
Krishnaa,control yourself.He pleaded with her.Panchali desparately murmured.as if talking to herself.' No other Princess is lusted after. Only Yajnaseni is the target for no fault of her.I have Five I can have more.
Arjun took her face in his palms.He looked into her lotus eyes filled with tears.Arjun started in a low voice. ' Krishnaa listen,Dogs will bark  so many times.Jayathrath is a fool. His words should not be counted He lost his senses. I am afraid how Dussala can deal with him.Your chastity need not require the praman of others. If you have  five,it is your personal matter. Who is he to comment? I agree Because of me only you have to endure all this. But dont hate me for that.Krishnaa  For hundredth time I ask ,forgive me ...
Arjun sat at her feet and placed his head on her lap. Panchali bent her head over his covering  him with her long hair. Arjun whispered. Don't ever think you became impure touched by him.you are Fireborn.you will burn those who touch you Already Jayathrath is burnt.I am sure of it."
Panchali's ruptured heart became cool with his touching words.The cool breeze blowing over the river caressed them affectionately.The  Full moon showered nectar all around feeling happy seeing the ardent lovers share their pain and absorb the warmth of love.Arjun looked up and asked.Didnt I tell you in the morning how beautiful you are? Poor Jayathrath must have become mad.You know when I went for hunting in the morning I couldn't aim the animals at all. I saw my Krishnaa only luring me towards her.And you say you hate your beauty? Your father's great effort to get such beauty for me you hate that beauty? How could you do so Krishnaa? "
Panchali bit her lower lip. She knew how good he is with his words.Arjun I know your tricks to make me smile" She said ruffling his hair. Arjun smiled disarmingly.He whispered.' Then grace me with your smile. I am afraid you have lost your smile somewhere in the forest." Panchali laughed with her pearl like teeth shining between her red lips.Arjun got mesmerised and kissed her on her nose ring and her lips. Panchali placed her hands round his neck and savoured his love forgetting her pain.