Not yesterday but now

Chapter 10 : Fate of Archers

Arjun rose with quiet confidence. His every step toward the bow echoed like thunder in Draupadi's heart. Calm and collected on the surface, yet deep inside, his soul churned. He thought, "After our marriage, I will tell her everything, about the nightmare. She will understand. She must."
Draupadi's breath caught. Her lotus eyes turned to Krishna, seeking comfort.

"Govind, will he-"

Before she could finish, Krishna gently raised his hand. His smile was serene, his eyes holding mysteries of time. "Why so much haste, sakhi? Wait and watch. The wheel of destiny does not spin in vain."

Meanwhile, Duryodhan and Ashwatthama exchanged tense glances. Both knew Arjun's skill perhaps the one of the very few man alive who could strike the target without fail. It wasn't hatred that filled their hearts but loyalty. They longed to see their friend Karn, their dearest brother, finally gain what he so deserved, love, honor, something his soul was passionate about.

Arjun stood before the bow. Without hesitation, he lifted it with ease and strung it in one graceful motion. Gasps filled the air, the crowd leaned forward, expectant. He picked up the arrow and positioned himself, eyes fixed on the reflection of the fish above.

But then it happened.

As he aimed, the vision struck him like a curse. Those same dark, pain-filled eyes flashed in his mind. He saw her not as the radiant princess seated behind the veil, but as the broken girl from his nightmares. Her long tresses falling loose, bruises marring her divine face, the whisper of her voice trembling in his ear.

"Why?"

His body shivered. Sweat dampened his brow. The bow in his hand trembled. He tried to steady himself, but the haunting vision refused to leave.

The hall grew silent, every soul holding its breath. Many kings whispered prayers for his victory, believing Draupadi and Arjun were destined to be.

Draupadi's brows furrowed as she watched him. Worry lines creased her forehead, her fingers tightening on the edge of her veil. Karn's gaze darted to her face, catching the subtle signs, the beads of sweat, the anxiety in her eyes. His heart twisted. "She is tense... but why?"

Arjun's vision blurred. The whispers, the eyes, the ghosts of pain drowned him. And then his fingers released the string before he knew it.

The arrow flew, slicing through the air only to strike the stomach of the fish.

A collective gasp swept through the arena. Arjun froze, disbelief in his own eyes.

Relief washed over Draupadi. The worry on her face melted into a faint smile, hidden behind her veil.

Karn, however, was shaken. Shock flooded him more than joy. Yes, it cleared his path to victory. But the question seared his mind. How could Arjun, the unrivalled archer, miss? How?

The hall rippled with disappointment. Whispers of disbelief filled the air.
But where the crowd despaired, Duryodhan and Ashwatthama were elated. Their joy knew no bounds, their hearts leaping with unrestrained relief.

Arjun staggered back, his hands trembling. His eyes burned with unshed tears. He could not accept it. He could not bear the thought of losing her, of seeing her in another man's arms. His heart whispered only one truth. If she is not mine, she can't be anyone's.

Through his teary gaze, he looked at Draupadi's emotionless face, her veil hiding everything except the silent curve of her lips. To Arjun, it was unbearable.

He retreated quietly, each step heavier than the last. Sitting back in his place, grief carved into his features, he bowed his head, broken, lost, and defeated.