The Fateful Evening part 2

Part 51

The journey to Matsya kingdom started with the blessings of Dhaumya. Yudhishtir asked him to take their Agnihotr to Panchal and return after one year. Dhaumya asked them to take care of Panchali,in Virat's Antahpur. The brothers assured him they will.Then they started walking by the Yamuna that  flows to the southern direction of Panchala . They left their horses and sent them to Dwaraka with confidential people.Three days they walked continuously avoiding village paths and taking resort to forest paths.
Then they covered three forth distance to Virat kingdom and reached the forest that spread miles and miles. Yudhishtir said. ,' We should cross the forest only then we will reach the outskirts of the city. It takes two days to reach there. Then we will have two days hardly left  to enter Virat Kingdom."
Panchali 's feet  swollen,Her face turning pale,she protested.' I can't move one foot from here. Let us take rest and then continue our journey." She sat  on the rock placed her hand on her forehead feeling headache. Arjun asked Sahadev to give her oshadhi with water so that she could revive herself.All of them are too tired to continue their journey. They hardly slept at night and continued their journey without break.Yudhishtir said .' I know Panchali can not bear this much strain. But we have no other way.Already Duryothan must have sent his spies to find our whereabouts.They may search for us everywhere.So it is not advisable to stop here. Who knows? He may have bought even the foresters to do his wish." Bheem frowned and grumbled.' If I find any such  person spying on us I will break his neck."

Nakul and Sahadev looked at him with despair. Arjun placed his hand on his shoulder and pacified him.' I know you are hungry now. We have sent the Akshaya Patra also with Dhaumya. But we can't take it also. Eldest  said the truth. We should take some fruits and continue our journey. We afford to take very little rest at night. "
He looked at his wife who is in a miserable condition. Sahadev brought fruits and coconut water for all of them. Arjun wished heartfully that his Eldest should ask him to carry Panchali but will he? Yudhishtir looked at his brothers who are too tired to carry Draupadi. Even Bheem looked sleepy and exhausted.
He then turned to his ever energetic brother,Arjun.' Carry Panchali till we reach the outskirts of Matsya."
Arjun sighed in relief. Panchali stretched her hands just like a small girl.Arjun lifted her up and placed her on his shoulder clasping her knees tightly. Panchali kept her head on his shoulder that had the marks of bow Arjun kept his Gandiv on his right shoulder and Panchali on his left and balanced them both.His in exhaustive quivers were tied up on the back of Sahadev. They walked along with their weapons,mostly silently avoiding conversation.

They have to walk till midnight and then they should take rest but start again in the last quarter of the night.Bheem is leading them followed by Yudhishtir,then Nakul and Sahadev followed by Arjun and Draupadi.Bheem asked Arjun to come leisurely lest it will be inconvenient to Draupadi if he walks fast.'
Keep your energy intact Arjun,You should bear her till we reach the outskirts." Arjun whispered in a low tone.' I am ready to bear her all my life." Panchali smiled at him and gave a peck on his neck.Arjun also smiled and slowed up a bit and said.' Now don't test my patience. Be a good girl." Panchali is in a playful mood. She doesnt know when she will get the chance to be that close to him.She mischievously bit on his left ear and said.' I am jealous. You gave equal position to me and  to your Gandiv. Why?" Arjun understood her mood and just smiled observing the distance between them and their brothers.Panchali continued her mood.' You know you will be among young girls like Uttara.Becareful. Don't lose your heart to any of them. I am answerable to all your wives. You are answerable to me.
Just then a small stream came in their way. The water is knee deep. Bheem helped Nakul to cross and Sahadev helped Yudhishtir." As Arjun attempted to cross ,Panchali stopped him.' Bring me down. I will drink water." Arjun looked at her and understood her tantrums. He dropped her and placed his hand round her waist not losing his grip on Gandiv. In the meanwhile Sahadev shouted. ' Bhrata we will stop a little ahead. We check if we can spend night here."

Panchali enjoyed the cool water touch her feet and crossed the stream with Arjun holding her carefully. The Amavasya  night is devoid of moon with only the stars shining  in the sky. She  sat on a rock and relaxed with Arjun looking impatient as the brothers must have gone ahead by some yards. Let us go Krishnaa" he said stretching his hand to her. Why? They said they will stop as we spend the night there.Let us stay for a while Arjun." She said. Arjun approached her and tried to explain.' You know,it is not safe to be here. We don't have even the firesticks . Sahadev held them. Let us join them ." He made her get up and tried to take her on his shoulder but she refused and took steps hurriedly with a smirk on her face.Within a minute she let out a wail and sat down taking her foot by her hand.

Arjun felt bad for her and lifted her,placed her on a rock and took her foot in his hand. There is a thorn that struck in her delicate foot that he carefully plucked it out. Panchali tried to take her foot away and Arjun did not let it happen.He washed her feet and wiped them clean. He then clasped her waist and looked deep into her eyes.' Don't be angry with me Krishnaa,We have to spend one year apart. You know how I have to spend this one year.With your face like this I cant move ahead." Panchali's heart melted. Still she did not say anything but she ran her hand through his hair.Arjun continued.' You know this place is dangerous. I know it before. The Tribals here are too cruel and surface suddenly. Previously I fought with them and defeated them.Now if they attack from anywhere I have to raise my Dhanush.Then Bhrata Bheem also will get involved. Within a short while Duryothan will come to know that we passed through this way." Panchali looked at him with wide eyes.

If that happens they have to repeat Exile and...She shivered with fear. No she could not bear the torture again. The separation from her children Killed her zeal to live. She did not express it with the fear of demoralising the brothers.Arjun understood her thoughts. He took her face in his hands and kissed her passionately.' Krishnaa let me live through my period of curse with this lovely moment . I will cherish it and survive."

Panchali hugged him and kissed him in return. ' yes Arjun,I also live through this moment. Please forgive my childishness." Arjun smiled and took her smile into his heart keeping it safe there. ...

Two days after they came to the outskirts of Matsya Kingdom. They kept their Weapons on a Samitree and placed a dead body on that and tied it up. Arjun had moisture in his eyes. He never left his Gandiv after he got it from Fire God. Panchali observed him and said in a low voice.' You left me twelve years.Now you feel so much to leave your Gandiv,Not fair." Arjun understood she is trying to divert him from gloom.He closed his eyes and felt his Madhav before him with a smile.' Go ahead Parh,you will take back your Gandiv and achieve the greatest triumph at the end. Don't look sad."

Arjun wiped his eyes and smiled at her...King Virat is looking at that peculiar man with surprise.He or She he could not decide.His manliness is covered by the way he dressed up.His dark complexion that has a natural shine is covered by the Kanchuk( blouse) and the long Saree he wore differently.His shoulders with bow marks were hidden under big Sankha valayas that were held there.The long curly hair was tied up in a bun .He is looking like The Sun God covered by mist.King Virat wondered.' Is it Vishnu in this odd attire? " The courtesans along with Kank(Dharma Raj) are watching him with curiosity.In the meanwhile The peculiar Man approached  the King and said.' By my bad luck I got into this state.O king! Get me into your service. I am an expert with dance and music.My name is Brihannala."

Virat was spellbound.He exclaimed.' I can't believe your words. If you agree I will present you my best Dhanush,Kavach and prosperity.Accept the honour." The man replied firmly.' I am enduring the result of my Karm. There is no other way I can escape from this state.Please grant me what I want.I can teach dance to those who are unaware of anything related to dance.I know all types of dance. I know drama acting also.Let your daughter learn this art from me.Other than that I don't want anything." Virat's heart melted towards Brihannala.He immediately summoned Uttara.

The princess came and folded her hands.The beautiful fifteen year old girl is directed by her father to worship her Guru Brihannala with all the formalities. Virat instructed his daughter with affection.' My dear daughter.Spare some time for dance and learn from your teacher. Honour him and look after his needs." Uttara did Pranam and lead Brihannala to Antahpur.The same day Queen Sudheshna happened to see a very beautiful woman walk before the royal palace . She peeped through the window wondering at the breathtakingly beautiful woman walk with dignity and style making the citizens wonder if she is a Devine maiden came to grace Virat kingdom.