The Fateful Evening part 2

Part 166

The surroundings of Kurukshetr looked different that day.The whole of Royal clan visited the blind King,Ganthari and Kunti
Sahadev refused to leave Kunti and stayed in her lap. Pragati clasped her neck and kissed her on the cheek. Kunti wept hugging them close.
Parikshit stood aloof observing the emotional get together. Gandhari called his name and asked" Where is my Arjun's grand son? Where is my daughter in law Panchali?
Draupadi got tears flow down her cheeks. Bhanumati supported her and both touched Gandhari's feet. Just then the sages and others who live there asked in chorus.." We want some one to introduce Pandavas and their family. We never had the opportunity to visit them...
Sanjaya introduced them one by one...
One who is of golden complexion and a long pointed nose...he is King Yudhishtir.
One who is fair and possessed the might of a lion he is Bheemsen.
One who is still looking young with dark complexion and hazel eyes he is the greatest warrior of Aryavarth...Arjun.
The twins who look handsome and noble are Nakul and Sahadev.

The one who looks like goddess of wealth despite entering middle age,who has blue lotus fragrance who is dark in complexion she is the wife of five Pandavas Yajnaseni.
The one who is beautiful in golden complexion is Subhadra the wife of Parth and sister of living God Krishna Vaasudev .
Beside her stood the beautiful naga princess Ulupi wife of third Pandav. With her stood Chitrangada the beautiful princess of Manipur wife of Savyasachi Arjun.

Sanjay then introduced Devika,Jalandhara,Karenu Vijaya Bhanumati,Uttara and others.
Arjun hesitatingly looked at his fire born. He saw her seriously looking down as if immersed in her own thoughts.

Kunti felt relieved after seeing her sons who finally understood her resolution. She has no objection if they visit them once in a while. She took the vessel and started for Hiranvati river followed by her daughters in law. She asked them about Hastinapur citizens and their welfare. She then asked" Did my sons got used to my absence ? Are they missing me too much?
Immediately Vijaya responded." Your son Sahadev did not accept the fact. After you left he hardly ate well and Bhrata Arjun has to bring him back often at nights from Yamuna river.

Draupadi wanted to say" Your Phalgun still feels for you . He won't expose but he refuses to accept your exile . He looks lost suddenly and you are the reason for this."

Subhadra said." I believe your Phalgun also is unable to live without you. He won't show."

Ulupi nodded." Yes Mata.he thinks you imposed exile on yourself because he killed Karna."

Chitra supported." Yes Ofcourse. He tries to look fine but we can sense."

Draupadi closed her eyes." His wives have a right to express about him. But she can not . She is the wife of not one but five husbands." She was pulled from her thoughts hearing Kunti's voice." Bahu! What do you think? Phalgun missed me that much? Is he not happy with my decision?

Draupadi stared into her eyes with disbelief. Kunti's eyes expressed genuine concern and affection that she never had seen before. Kunti repeated her question. Panchali raised her eyes and replied" Yes Mata. They are right. His pain is inherent. He won't express or admit. But he feels."

Draupadi's words are meant for Arjun. But which pain she is mentioning? Is it his pain of sharing her among his brothers? Kunti wondered. She became silent and after a while pressed Draupadi's shoulder." I agree with you." She said in a composed voice.

Arjun and Sahadev made Yudhishtir donate brass jugs,kamandalus, blankets and wide variety of fruits to hermits who felt immensely happy to receive them.
Draupadi distributed sindur boxes and cotton garments to women in exile.

Pragati did not leave Kunti for a minute and stayed with her all the while. Arjun informed his mother." Your grand daughter wants to do penance. She wants to renounce worldly pleasures."