The Fateful Evening part 2

Part 87

Pragati lied in Ganthari's lap and gazed into her eyes. Ganthari already travelled back to the great capital of Pandavas the prosperous Indra Prasth,protected by the valiant Savyasachi.The city is filled with guests from Hastinapur who attended the Rajasuya Sacrifice.The Royal Palace is brimming with activity as all the sons of Pandavas are present but with variations in age. Iravan is the elder grandson and he is a boy who is inhibited,shy full and well mannered. Then the four sons of Draupadi with one or two years age gap looking exactly like their fathers . Then Babhru son of Manipur princess Chitra who is good looking but mostly needs his mother to guide him every minute.The charming son of Subhadra comes next but he is the best of the lot in every way.He looked like a mixture of his father and Mama . He is a Six year old but can shoot arrows like an adult .

The third Pandav's obsession for Abhi is well known by then.Draupadi's Kirti is a two year old while her daughter Pragati is months baby.Alli is pregnant and Rekha did not bring her son..Apart from these Devika,Jalanthara,Karenu and Vijaya  had  their sons there.It was a special day for Indraprasth.For Kunti it was a mixture of happiness and bitterness. Her husband left her to reach un known worlds on the fourth birth day of Arjun. Madri left her sons and accompanied her husband on that day only.
Kunti sat with a gloomy face reminiscing the saddest moments of her life. Ganthari came and brought her into reality.' Why are you sitting and brooding over past? Forgot your son's birth day? What will his wives think if you do so?" Kunti wiped off her tears and asked Priyamvada ' Where is Arjun? Why didn't he come to me early in the morning? Did he take auspicious bath? " Priyamvada answered.' He didn't return from yajnasala yet. He and Govind still there I think. His wives are anxious to spend time with him but he is not available. " Gandhari ordered her.' Send him message to immediately come over here.Ask Panchali  to be ready with Aarti thali."
Arjun received the message and smirked. ' Here so much work is left but mothers won't understand. Am I a small kid to celebrate birth days?Already I am tensed up seeing Bhrata Bheem and Duryothan who Never leave a chance to prove their one upmanship. That is not enough,my wives are already into something to make me confess my love for them on this day as they want to prove themselves the best. And your Satya I can sense she is ready with her hopeless strategies to make me admit my love for Panchali. as she believes I love her more than others."
Krishna placed his hand on his Parth's shoulder.' I know all these are not the reasons for your sulking. You associate your birth day with your father's death. But certainly you should realise that it is just a co incidence. That's all. Now celebrate your birth day for your loved ones. They deserve it  Parth. " Arjun tried to convince himself but he knew along with him some one else is also gloomy. His mother. He should try to wipe off her bitter memories atleast for his mother.

Kunti suddenly felt the familiar touch on her shoulder and turned back. Arjun stood with a half smile that looked forced. He questioned her.' Are you alright? You look gloomy." Kunti suppressed her grief and countered.' I want to ask the same question. You look dull. Is this the way to celebrate your birth day? "
Arjun made her sit and hid his face in her lap.' You know I don't like to celebrate birth day.Moreover today I invited thousand Brahmins to have food at our place. Eldest will go through the ceremonial formalities.And I have to take you some where . Be ready We will  go in a while."
Kunti could not help but admire her son who gets emotional when it comes to Pandu.But what must he be showing her? " As she was absorbed in her thoughts Gandhari came inside and behind her came Yajnaseni still looking week as only two months back she delivered Pragati. Priyamvada held the beautiful baby who is a mixture of her father and mother.Arjun looked up sensing the blue lotus fragrance,the familiar sounds of Payal and the baby smell making him forget all his gloom.He stretched his hands and took Pragati in his hands.
The little girl smiled as if she recognised her father. Panchali gauged deep into his heart as she knew how dear his father is for Arjun. But her co wives want to celebrate his birth day as they never had an opportunity to be with him on that day. Ofcourse they do not know Arjun considers that day as the saddest since he lost his father on that day only. Ganthari alerted Panchali.' Bahu Do Aarti and Tilak. Take him with you and arrange for auspicious bath. We will manage Pragati. Panchali looked embarrassed.She knew Chitra Subhadra and others are waiting for the chance and they wanted to collectively do that Arti,tilak  and Ofcourse bath.
Before she could say anything Priyamvada announced all his wives and within a minute  the beautiful ladies made Kunti 's chamber look like the venue of a function hall with their sweet voices dominating each other.Subhadra pulled Kunti by her hand and said.' Bua we all together want to celebrate your son's birth day.Shall we?
Arjun had a desparate expression on his face and turned to his mother.' Are you ready? Let us go. " He ruffled Pragati's thick hair and enjoyed the baby's giggling. Chitra exhibited her annoyance.' May we know Arya, Where you have to go leaving us waiting?" She asked straightly. Subhadra took over. ' Bua Where are you going with him? We should do Arti no? " she questioned.Arya said in her soft voice. ' Forgive me but Janmadin bath should be taken as early as possible. So if you let us  do Arti...Kunti is fond of her well mannered Bahu Arya the devotee of Uma Parvati.
So immediately she obliged and told Arjun.' Phalgun we can go afterwards. Let them do Arti ." Ganthari is miffed at the way Panchali is dominated by her co wives who are more forth coming.She ordered her to do Tilak and she could not disobey. As she took Tilak and approached him,she remembered the way she fell in his arms at Hastinapur when she is welcoming him after his victorious return.