The Fateful Evening part 2

Part 144

By the time Arjun and Sahadev returned back Vyasa assembled his desciples in the outer space and lighted up the sacrificial fire.Yudhishtir was sitting on Kusagrass  with folded hands.Vyasa signalled Arjun to sit on his right side.
The 'OM' that came out from underneath ,the exact bottom of the body reverberated in the mountains making the atmosphere charged up.It looked as if Ved Vyas is driving away the inauspicious forces,evil spirits that hung around with his power of penance.

Suddenly the village head and a group of villagers came towards them and waited to have a conversation with Dharmaraj. Ved Vyas finished his Homa and signalled Yudhishtir he can interact with villagers. The head of the villagers said." Maharaj we want to know the purpose of your visit.We hear Aswamedha is round the corner.The third Pandav said that you want to visit holy places.Why did you chose to take up this strenuous task now?"

Dharmaraj replied." We will meet sages and take ashirwad.Dont bother about us. We came fully prepared. Just tell us the route to reach the middle of the mountain range."

The village head said." The nearest route is dangerous as tigers roam freely in that way.Among them one tiger was wounded by our hunters when it came to our wheat fields and snatched a woman from there. Till now we lost eight of our boys and three women to tigers. The wounded tiger is outraged and taking revenge on us. We also believe evil spirit entered the wounded tiger and started harassing us."

Arjun moved towards the village head and said." Then we should follow that path only. I am sure you will be relieved if we kill the tigers on our way."
The village head is desparate." Rajkumar Arjun. It is not easy to tackle the wounded tiger with evil spirit
It is better if you take the long route though it is more time consuming."
Arjun shrugged his shoulders and expressed his unperturbed resolute decision.He is going to tackle the Tigers. No two ways about it"
Ved Vyas raised his hand and everyone listened to him." We will start by Sun Rise tomorrow.Maharaj will follow with his army after Arjun starts ahead with me ."
Arjun looked at Ved Vyasa surprised. The sage smiled and said." I would try to achieve your purpose without bloodshed."

Panchali stood in her balcony looking at the stars.It has been one week since Arjun left.What must he be doing? He must be enthralling his nature loving spirit in the beauty of the snowy peaks. The chilled winter winds are blowing over her tender form making her feel the absence of her handsome adventurous husband .She remembered the coolest winter nights of Indraprasth after Arjun's return from his pilgrimage,her anger his trials to pacify her wounded heart,...

Malini tell your Maharani I am waiting for her here on the terrace." Arjun's manly voice rang in her ears.
Panchali who just entered after finishing her work in the kitchen fumed at him. Arjun went to the stairs to go to the terrace suddenly turned back and smiled.
Panchali did not want to protest before Malini and other maids. She slowly ascended the steps and reached the terrace. The moonlight is making the atmosphere magical.
The chilled winter winds made her shiver . Arjun who is enjoying the ambience took her hand and showed the Yamuna river visible from there. The waves are shining with moon rays and it is a splendid scenario that made Draupadi feel peaceful. She then asked him with a frown." Why did you take time off to come here? Subhadra is waiting for you. Go to your mansion."

Arjun threw back her curls and replied straightly." I agreed to wait till you reconcile with the situation. But I never said I won't spend time with you.It is my right to be with you whenever I want to"

Draupadi ridiculed him intentionally." You speak about your right? I hope you realise what you are saying. Rights are meant for those who would eagerly try to utilise them not for you who never bothered to use your rights."
Arjun understood her taunt. She is blaming him for not utilising his right when he won the Swayamvar.