The Fateful Evening part 2

Part 57

After Karna it is Drona's turn to face Arjun.The Guru and the desciple made everyone watch the encounter with bated breath,Arjun requested Drona's to strike him first.Dron shot powerful astras that were countered by Arjun with suitable astras Then Dron felt overpowered by his own desciple as the energy and enthusiasm became unbearable for him.Having sensed his father's bewilderment Aswathama came to his rescue.Aswathama broke the string  that tied the Gandiv and made Arjun smile'Aswathama wondered at the fastness with which Arjun tied the Gandiv again' Arjun then killed the horses and charioteer of Aswathama and made Him climb into Kripa charya's chariot
Then Kripa attacked Uttar and Arjun with sharp arrows,Arjun reciprocated by breaking the bow of Kripa' Then Kripa
took a sword and dhal that again we're broken by Arjun' After sometime Kripa withdrew from fight and went to Aswathama'Then Karna attacked Arjun for a second time and became the target for Arjun's onslaught. After Karna got defeated for a second time Arjun turned his chariot towards his grandfather'

He asked Uttar to drive slow as a mark of respect to the old warrior Bheeshm shot divyastras that were reciprocated by his grand son. The fierce battle continued with the gods wondering who will win .Bheeshm struck  Arjun  on his back and wounded him but Arjun struck back by making his grandfather stupified by the force of his arrows .Bheeshm leaned on the pole of the chariot and stayed still .
Arjjn is triumphant .Finally he saw appreciation of his skills in the eyes of his dearest grandfather He then moved on to Duryothan and challenged him to fight. Duruothan reacted by shooting an arrow on Arjun's forehead and Atjun unleashed his fury by breaking his chariot killing his horses He then wounded Duryothan with his arrows and made him run for his life Then Vrishasena attacked Arjun ,who struck him on his shoulders and heart. Then  Vrishasena  fled away making the field vacant as no one is interested in fighting with Arjun anymore .
Duryothan then requested his warriors to oppose Arjun again .The army was shattered and wounded .Arjun then again struck the Maharathis with multiple arrows and then shot Sammohanastr on them.
Due to the power of that Astra the whole Kaurava army and the famous Maharathis except Bheeshm went into deep slumber .Uttar laughed at the sight and praised Arjun '  I never saw a battlefield like this or a warrior like you. My head is reeling ,I am tired . I am blessed to see this before my eyes ' Arjun patted his back and asked him to bring the head clothes of Duryothan Karna Aswathama Dussasan and others except Bheeshm and Dron .Uttar enjoyed doing so .After a while they got back  consciousness and moved towards Hastinapur with heavy hearts .
Arjun provoked them again by teasing Duryothan ' Stop there and fight. You are the eldest of KAuravas and I am the youngest of Kunti's sons This is not a dice game to cheat and win .You are a Kshatriya ,don't bring disgrace to the clan Come and fight with me '
Duryothan became furious and shot arrows at Arjun who again covered him with arrows and made him run back Grandfather said' Enough Duryothan If you still wish for a fight we will be in danger. You all are unconscious but Arjun did not harm you at all .So let him go back to Virat with the cows .Don't provoke him again'
The KAurava army proceeded towards Hastinapur. Arjun again did Pranam with arrows to hisPitamah and GuruDron He made the gems of Duryothan's crown fall down .He did not harm the wounded soldiers and they blessed him .Arjun kept Gandiv back and asked Uttar not to reveal his identity.
Back in Matsya Virat is shattered when he heard Uttar alone went to fight KAuravas army with Brihannala .Then came the news that the kuru army got defeated and Uttar is returning with cows .Panchali couldn't stay in the Antahpur .Her heart is dancing in joy .How great the victory is!One person against the huge army with MahRathis !She wanted to have a glimpse of Arjun and she went to the Royal palace on the pretext of making arrangements for the huge reception that was ordered by the king .
When she went there she saw Virat and Kank playing dice. Kank praised Brihannala in place of Uttar ' Brihannala is with him so even if the three worlds come together Uttar will win'
Virat is mad with anger 'Why do you praise Brihannala instead of Uttar? ' He shouted Kanka continued ' I guess Brihannala only brought victory to us .Fighting rivals is game to him'
Virat threw the dice coin on Kanka'sforehead .Panchali understood the sign and wiped the blood from falling on the ground .She told the king ' A severe drought will happen in the country if his blood falls on the ground .

Just then the guards announced the arrival of Uttar. Kank asked Sairandhri to stop Brihannala for a while otherwise Arjun will never leave the king if he sees his blood .Panchali let Uttar enter but stopped Arjun .She did Arti and smiled her precious smile that shows how thrilled she is with his victory,

Before Arjun could smile back, Uttar came back and pulled him inside.Maharaj Virat proudly acknowledged Arjun's contribution to Uttar's victory. Uttar was embarrassed on seeing the haughty behavior of his father.
He almost decided to tell the truth but  Arjun  pressed his hand and stopped him to do so.
Arjun looked at his Eldest and wondered why he is not expressing his joy atleast through his eyes. On top of it he covered his face with his head cloth.
There is celebration all over Matsya over Uttar's victory. Unable to bear undue credit he told his father that a Devine Yodha helped him by winning the Kauravas and He triumphed against the KAuravas and saved the cattle.
Virat was astonished and awaited to see the winner and offer his gratitude.
Later in the evening after sunset Pandavas sent messages through Panchali and Bheema who have accessibility to go anywhere. Early next day they have to reveal their identities.

Uttar arranged beautiful clothes to them . Panchali is relieved. Finally they will come before Aryavarth unscathed and triumphant. She can meet her sons ,Abhi and Pragati. How they spent thirteen years without her she can't even imagine. Now she will never stay away from them never.

The night seemed to be the longest for her. She thought of going to Arjun but could not. She knew he fought a fierce battle and needs to take rest. Finally sun rose in the east giving way to new hope and light.The Sabha mantap of Matsya looked differnt that day' Virat who entered there couldn't control himself on seeing Kank on the throne .
He grumbled and expressed his dis pleasure. Then Arjun revealed the identities of his brothers. Bheem introduced Arjun to the king. At that moment Uttar admitted the truth that It is Arjun only who fought with the whole KAurava army and protected the cows.
Uttar elaborately described the way the Maharathis were defeated by Arjun and fled to Hastinapur. Uttar exclaimed . ' I could not properly describe his valour, That arrogant Karn left the battlefield unable to stay further. Duryothan must have realized with whom he took a spate.Father !we can't repay the help done by him. If he is not there we would have been taken prisoners to Hastinapur. '
Virat fell at the feet of Yudhishtir' ' O King we are all your servants . My people and my kingdom is at your service. Forgive me for  treating you as my servants. Even at the cost   of my life I cannot repay your help. Please accept Uttara as the bride of Arjun'
Uttara's friend kambhoja princess got this sensational news first through her maid who is so impatient that she didn't wait to know Arjun's opinion. Within minutes the whole Antahpur got excited at the prospect of their princess 'a impending marriage to Arjun. At the same time every one is awestruck knowing Sairandhri as Maharani Draupadi.

Sudheshna fell at her feet. ' I should have understood on seeing you before me. Who else but Panchali posess such beauty? Forgive me for taking your services'
Panchali spoke in a suitable manner but her whole attention is on Uttara who is dancing in air. ' Mata I learnt dance from none other than the Gandivdhari Arjun! How lucky I am?' Uttara is dreamy eyed thinking of the prospect of being the wife of the great Arjun.
Panchali is waiting with bated breath. What news will come over now? What is Arjun's decision? She just can't imagine Uttara beside him. Suddenly Uttar came and brought Uttara to Panchali. He made her touch her feet and said. ' Maharani bless Uttara. She will be the Kurukul Vadhu by marrying ...Uttar paused. Uttara is smiling to herself.
Uttar completed...By marrying Abhimanyu.
Panchali sighed with relief. Uttara stared at her brother. Uttar explained.'Arjun said he can not accept you as he is your teacher . But he accepted you for his Abhimanyu. '

Messengers were sent to Panchal and Dwaraka. The day itself is hectic with Pandavas receiving the adulation of people and meeting dignitaries. Panchali observed Uttara and sensed her disappointment . But she knew Abhi will win her heart as he had all the qualities that existed in his father.
Night grand dinner was hosted by King Virat where Pandavas got standing ovation. Panchali saw Arjun in his royal attire and fondly thought' Rajkumar Arjun is back. He Govind ! he got rid of the curse finally.
Arjun's eyes met her eyes and Panchali blushed like a new bride. She blissfully slept in the royal chamber alotted to her . At mid night she heard the familiar knock on her door and her husband entered looking every inch the most desirable man of Aryavarth.