The Fateful Evening part 2

Part 52

Sudeshna called her maid and asked her to bring the beautiful lady to her presence. Within minutes she had before her the woman who made her forget to blink her eyes . The lady is perfect in every limb ,delicate ,regal and with stunning features. Her lotus eyes are naturally black even without Kajal. The light pink colour lips are like rose petals.The sharp cute nose is enhancing the beauty of her face. She wore a very simple saree and had a veil that hid her hair that is thick,lustrous,curly and Sudheshna never saw such great hair before. The hair was partly tied up in a bun but due to the length of the hair she left half of that hanging down reaching just above her hips.The dark complexion doubled her beauty and Sudheshna could not help but think.' Fair colour is outdated. The dark complexion only seems like ruling the roost. As Sudheshna could not come out of her trance Draupadi folded her hands and smiled at her.

The pearl like teeth made her smile mesmarisingly winsome,Sudheshna touched her hands preventing her from folding her hands for a longer time.' Who are you ? I never saw you in our kingdom before?" Sudheshna's straight question got her an equally straight answer.' I am Malini. I belong to Sairandhri race. Due to some reason,I have to spend one year away from my husbands.So I came to take shelter with you."
Sudheshna did not believe her words.' You and Sairandhri? No it can't be true.You must be of Devine origin. Tell the truth." Draupadi smiled and said.' Previously I worked with Satyabhama and Draupadi.I know different hairstyles and make up methods. I can also weave flowers in different ways.I will never do lower services . I request you not to engage me in such work. " Still Sudheshna is halfhearted.' How could I have you in my Antahpur? Even my husband may lose control on seeing your beauty.You  can make women also spellbound with your looks. What to talk about men?  So  it is not advisable to keep you with me." Panchali's face became serious.' I have the protection of five Gandharvas who are my lords. If anyone deals with me in a bad way they will punish them with death. And I am a Pativrata who never give way to such thoughts about others. Now leave your doubts and engage me in your service."

Sudheshna felt attracted towards that beautiful lady embellished with dignity and self respect. She at once accepted her and arranged the required facilities for Draupadi. After a while Uttara came to her mother with excitement and hugged her. ' mata I learnt the first lesson in dance. You know how good my teacher is? Tomorrow onwards I will spend more time in my NatyaSala with my teacher. " Sudheshna smiled at her childishness and introduced Sairandhri to her. Uttara is awestruck like her mother. As for Draupadi she instantly liked Uttara for her cuteness and energy. But she is miffed and thought.' Always blessed with the company of beautiful girls.Even destiny also brings him closer to them." The next day Arjun finished his dance class and gave a break to Uttara who is too happy to discuss her tastes and hobbies with him. Just then Arjun saw the familiar pair of tender feet stop behind the thick curtain. He sighed with relief. So she successfully entered inside the Antahpur.
Arjun asked Uttara to go and relax for a short while as he will teach her difficult mudras . Uttara went off  with her maids. Arjun walked towards the curtain and without moving it kept his hand on it feeling the touch of his Krishnaa.' How are you?" He asked in a broken voice. The result of his fishtargret victory is laughing at him in the form of making his wife a servant maid.Panchali understood his trauma.' Don't stress yourself. I will be fine. Take care of yourself." She said with concern. Arjun did not reply. Panchali taunted him.' Beautiful princess already impressed. What more should I see? " Arjun forgot his gloom and laughed.' My jealous wife remains the same.Wherever she is." Uttara rushed in and called. ' Brihannala,I am ready. Come fast."

It has been six months since Pandavas and Draupadi entered  Virat Nagar. Each of them behaved as per their disguise without causing one iota of suspicion in any one. Another six months and they will succeed in completing their incognito. But Fate always would like to throw challenges only to those who can meet them and win. That day is the third day of Vasantotsavas in Virat Nagar. The king happened to Come across a fighter Jeemuta Mul,who challenged the king to send any of his fighters to face him
. Virat called Valala his head cook who by then entertained the king with his boxing skills by defeating many.Every one assembled in the open yard to watch the thrilling fight. TheQueen,the Princess along with Brihannala sat upstairs to watch the combat. Ofcourse Sairandhri is there sitting beside the queen . Brihannala never attended these events but this time he has to oblige his dear student who refused to let him stay back.The next half an hour made the audience shout in joy on seeing the way both are complementing each other in physical combat. After that Jeemut succumbed to Valala's might and skills and finally lost his life fatally wounded. Every one applauded Valala by clapping and shouting. Virat honoured him with valuable presents and praised him to skies.

Panchali observed the feeling of anxiety on Arjun's face that is visible only to her. She waited till night as Uttara these days is practicing even in the evenings and will leave Natyasala only at night. Panchali made her way to the Natya Sala and saw him sitting on the stage with his Mridang before him. She stood in the darkness of the corner and waited. Arjun asked.' What is the matter? " Panchali countered. ' That I wanted to ask,What is the matter? "
Arjun understood.He bent his head down and whispered. ' Ask him to restrain himself from using his famous stunt tricks in future. Let him fight with his basic might only. Otherwise His famous duel skills will give way to suspicion. Duryothan had his spies posted in every corner of Aryavarth.Infact in the crowd I saw familiar faces of Hastinapur watching the fight carefully. That Is it. Exercise control Tell him so."

Panchali suddenly got achill in her back thinking of the consequences if Bheem is identified. She told him. ' Don't worry I will convey your message. One more thing. Don't teach your student too much. These days she is not walking but dancing all the way. " Arjun smiled at her taunt and nodded.

Panchali went to Sudheshna who already sent for her. Uttara and her dearest friend,the princess of Kambhoj are waiting for her.Sudheshna took her hand and asked. ' Where have you gone? We are waiting for you. I want you to see the portraits of Princes  sent by Uttara's father. Just to have an idea Since you worked in Dwaraka and Indraprastth and had the opportunity tu see the Kings that attended Rajasuya of Pandavas you may identify them well" Uttara in her excitement took off the veils of the portraits. There are princes and Kings whom Panchali can identify but she said she forgot them as many years passed in between. Sudheshna goaded her.' Atleast identify Draupadi's husbands. You worked in her Antahpur so easy for you." Panchali had no escape now. Half hearted she did her job. But the last portrait captivated the queen and the princess to her dismay.

Uttara had a twinkle in her eyes and shouted. ' I know this is third Pandav,Arjun. I saw the portrait of him hitting fish target in Bhrata uttar's  chamber. " The Kambhoja princess is equally excited . Yes. Even I can identify him.She said with a proud glint in her eyes. Panchali got up all of a sudden and took leave on the pretext of going to Kitchen to bring  flavoured buttermilk to the queen.She saw Valala enjoying the adulation of his co cooks who couldn't stop praising him for his feat. Valala is all attention on seeing Sairandhri.He told the cooks to go and cut vegetables for next day whereas he will make special flavoured butter milk for the Queen. '

Aren't you happy for my victory? He asked in a low voice,preparing the butter milk. Panchali nodded in approval and revealed.' You should exercise control and restrain from using your famous tricks.He told thus." Bheem understood who sent the message.' Extra cautious I think. Typical of him to say so." ' Ofcourse he needs to be cautious with a boisterous brother like you. The spies are everywhere. Think over."

Bheem obliged by nodding and asked.' How is he? " Panchali replied with a smirk. ' Asusual receiving female attention and enjoying the situation"" Bheem laughed at her comment that indicated her by then familiar posessiveness. Don't worry. You need not do Arti again.I assure you." He said and handed over the flavoured butter milk.