The Fateful Evening part 2

Part 172

Arjun then helped her stand in his arms and whispered... Need your warmth. I hope my fire born showers grace.
Panchali shivered with cold and sulked." Despite suffering from cold again drenched yourself and me also. You are too much Arjun..
Arjun hugged her closer and said...What can I do? The rain showers forced me to do so.. See how happy they felt touching your exquisite face..
Panchali sneezed and Arjun took her down the stairs..

Next morning at breakfast Satya quizzed Panchali." Swami took pepper milk and see he was cured of his cold. But looks like Arjun didn't take any medicine.

Draupadi sneezed continuously and Satya observed her then." What is this? You got cold now? How did it happen? Atleast you should have taken aushadhi..

Krishna who just entered with Arjun laughed and remarked." I think rain did wonders. Isn't it Sakhi?" He questioned innocently . Arjun smiled and winked at Panchali..who turned away her face .

...Bhrata let us go. It is past midnight.I searched for you and found you here." Sahadev pulled Arjun out from his beautiful memories.
Ganga is flowing in a calm manner,no tides so pure and pious..

Arjun walked  back and asked Sahadev." Why did you come here? You should have slept by now..
Sahadev stopped and expressed his pain..we have to get back to Hastinapur. Mata won't come.. It seems that this will be our last meeting with her..his voice is shaking and Arjun sensed the predictability in his tone.

He took Sahadev in his arms and observed his face." Why do you feel so? You are sceptical because of our impending separation ahead. Nothing more than that. Again we can come and visit her..

Sahadev did not say anything. He knew the fact. But he would never disclose it ...like in the past he knew dice game would happen.. Draupadi will be insulted...still he did not reveal anything.

Arjun hugged his brother affectionately. His Sahadev is sad to leave mother back..
Surprisingly Arjun did not get sleep. He lied down outside the hermitage of Kunti along with Sahadev who immediately went into sleep.
He doesn't know why but Indraprasth memories are not leaving him that night.. Subhadra's narration pushed him into the suppressed layers of his mind where beautiful memories are stored..
Arjun closed his eyes... How nice those days were... That was the only phase in their life which can be termed as golden period.
How could he forget the way he enjoyed with his Madhav.. His Krishnaa..always irked due to his ways.. That sometimes made her embarrassed and answerable to mother... And the way his Madhav used to tease her nitpicking the sensitive romantic moments shared between her and her Arjun..

Only a couple of days were left before the Royal family start for Hastinapur. Sahadev looked gloomy. He tried his best to convince Kunti to allow him to stay with her. Kunti did not agree. She caressed his head and said." Be with your brothers. Spend time with Vijaya...

Sahadev observed her face. Every time she used to say...look after Draupadi..spend time with her. Now she mentioned Vijaya...

Arjun attended the morning Homa of Ved Vyasa and heard his instructions." Train Parikshit to become another Arjun in every way. Ofcourse Arjun is unique. Still Pari being the grandson will definitely inherit his traits...What do you say Jishnu?..He asked with a smile. Arjun retorted." He will be better than me. He is so cool and composed even at this age...

Ved Vyas said." The situations you faced .. He need not face. He has a secured kingdom to rule. He will be a good ruler...

Arjun wondered how fate favoured his lineage to continue.He glanced at his Eldest who sat unperturbed. He felt concerned... Dharmaraj Yudhishtir ,epitome of dharma,a great ruler..is left without a successor...how sad he must be!