The Fateful Evening part 2

Part 176

Suddenly claps were heard from all around the hermitage making the midnight brighten up with the cheering sounds sadhu sadhu.
Every resident stood up and praised Arjun...Hail the third Pandav the greatest archer ever born..They shouted  in one voice.
Parikshit could not control his excitement. He made Arjun stand up and touched his feet..He clasped his legs and confessed." Proud of you Pitamah... No one can stand on par with you.. You are the best... His voice broke with excessive emotion.

Pragati approached him and hugged him along with Parikshit.
Bheem lifted Arjun and Nakul shouted   " The greatest archer of Aryavarth ...our brother ...long live Pandava glory...

It did not look like night time.. Hand torches were lit by young sage boys who danced in circle shouting " Victory to Arjun..Phalgun Parth...

Arjun's queens could not control themselves but they have to as revered sages are present. They are so proud of him and expressed it through their endearing looks.
Kunti wiped her tears... Indeed this is the best narration she ever heard about her son's feat.
But what did she do? She demeaned his excellence by sharing his reward with her other sons.
Kunti side glanced at Panchali . The princess for whom Arjun accomplished the difficult task is uninhibited as usual in expressing her undaunted love for her third son. Her lotus eyes are dreamy ..showering and drenching him with her ..passionate love..
Arjun praised Suka." You made my feat look extraordinary by your orator skills. Really your narration made the task more interesting and absorbing.
Suka smiled and answered with clarity." My father Sri Ved Vyas told me that  you are humble and that is why you are worthy to be acclaimed as the best. Now I realise why he said so. You did the greatest feat but you attribute it to my narration ! So Arjun like..

Ved Vyas who just came placed his hands round Suka's shoulders and said " Did I not tell you? He is like that. Hence he is loved by the God incarnate Krishna..

As the sage took his son with him..to his hermitage Arjun wondered at his fatherly love..
Panchali could not even sleep for a moment. Suka's wonderful narration of the most beautiful event of
her life and his life...made her witness and experience the thrill all over again.. She reminisced how she felt when she saw the handsome Brahmin youth hit the fish eye with such great precision..
Drisht could not believe his eyes. He just witnessed the stupendous feat done by the Brahmin youth who is placing the bow in it's place casually.
He raised his hand and shouted at  the top of his voice." Pita shri  here is the victor who displayed amazing skills... Let us honour him with due respect."
Drisht approached the Brahmin youth and patted him on the shoulder. Then he bowed and said." What a great exhibition of technique I have seen before my eyes... You are great.. You proved still someone is there to elevate archery to dizzy heights..
The Brahmin youth smiled and bowed acknowledging his praise.
Drupad is in confusion. He is feeling relieved at the success of the event but the question nailing him is " Who is this Brahmin ? How could some one other than Arjun can win the test.But true to his word he should fulfill his promise. He looked at the Brahmin suspiciously. Why is he looking familiar to him? Especially those eyes,the curly hair,the smile,the physique..
Drupad sighed and walked towards his daughter and said." Let us go Krishnaa.
Panchali looked at Krishna who nodded his head with a smile.
As she moved forward Malini and other maids accompanied her with the swayamvar garland.
By that time Bheem reached Arjun and lifted him above much to the astonishment of Duryothan Dussasan and Karn

As Arjun managed to stand on the ground he saw the princess approach him with steady steps..
Panchali could not help but wonder... Who is this Brahmin youth ..he captivated her at the very first sight itself.. She felt the attraction ,that certainly is a new feeling for her.. Is this love? She is confused. But how is it possible that someone other than Arjun posess her...she is born for Arjun.
She looked into his hazel eyes...the eyes that are making her drool over.. The unkempt curls that are luring her to touch and feel them