As he fell, Nakula saw his entire life flash before his eyes. Yudhishthira had become more of a father to him than a brother. Having lost both of their parents at a very young age, Nakula and Sahadeva had to grow up fast. The first hurdle had been to prove their intentions; to prove that they were not meant to be burdens upon their elder brothers and stepmother. For this, they had refused the entire kingdom that their maternal Uncle had offered to them!
Nakula really had no complaints about the life that he led. He could hardly recollect the face of his parents, and his stepmother had made sure he didn't miss them. In fact, he was probably the most pampered among them five brothers, probably even more than his twin, who had learnt from an early age to keep his emotions buried deep within.
After their father's death, Yudhishtira, being the eldest had become, by choice, the man of their family, while Bheema and Arjuna had done all they could to protect the twins. Not from wars, and hardships, but from the tensions that had been brewing in their family ever since the death of their father. In all this, it was Nakula who had taken it upon himself to make life easier for his wiser, stronger, and more bereaved brothers.
Even after a long, fulfilling life, he was afraid to die.
The chilling mountain draught threatened to engulf his senses as he fell across the endless cliff.
Yudhishthira's last words still resonated around him, he fell because he thought he was the most beautiful man on earth! Even in his fear, he repressed a smile. True, Nakula was proud of his features but it was also true that he had left that pride at home for the new King to burn at the symbolic pyres he would light once news of his grandfathers' demise reached the plainlands.
To this day, he had never felt more helpless. He had just seen his wife, and his twin both lose their footing over the narrow terrain. He had heard the haunting silence when fell, in acceptance. In spite of every atom of himself revolting, he had moved, towards Yudhishthira, the man of their family: the greatest King of the land, and the guardian of justice. Yudhishthira's last words rang in Nakula's ear- the King's last verdict for him!
He was happy to find peace in repentance; he was overjoyed to find one last flight in the fall.
Now the warrior fell because the King set him free.
