The Fateful Evening part 2

Part 177

Panchali tied up her hair in top knot and said,.You go first. Pari is waiting for you..I will come later.

Arjun quipped..you are too heartless my queen.. I am concerned about you and came here daring the taunts of my wives..but your excellence avoid me and try to show the door to me..not fair.

Panchali threw the shall on to his shoulders and retorted." Let me remind you..this is hermitage..not our private chamber...any time your wives may come in search of you...Arjun...I would have been impressed if I came across such concern from you in the early days of our marriage..

Arjun smiled at her and admitted.." True..I regret not being there for you in those crucial moments of our life.. I can't rewrite the past but I can compensate the loss..seriously...I would prove it if you want.

Arjun stepped forward and Panchali moved backward . She looked at him and said as if telling herself"

The narration rekindled the wound that was there still under the layers of my heart. How innocent that bride is ,to think that the significance of her birth is fulfilled finally..how intense her dedication is to that person who emerged suddenly before her,met the challenge and won her... Arjun.. I feel she is someone else..not me.. I empathise with her..for the loss of her dream..Panchali stopped..her voice shivered..

Arjun stared at her ..He could understand her pain.but right now he can not think of a remedy.. Mere words may not effect as always.. The beautiful moment that brought them together in Suka's words ruptured her wound...

He turned back and walked out... He needs to be with himself all alone to ponder over ...

Arjun walked out ...still the drizzle is there. He ruffled his hair that is unkempt..
Rain stopped much to the relief of hermitage dwellers..It is difficult to bear rain living in bamboo made huts covered with coconut leaves..

Arjun stood gazing into Ganga waters. His fire born is too expressive to expose her heartfelt feelings. In contrast he always restrained himself from doing so. The only exception is the brief span of time between his victory and his mother's word..to share her..

Arjun reminisced his cherished  moments that he never shared with anyone..

When he first saw her in the temple he was wonder struck. He never saw such Devine beuty live before his eyes.. He wanted to touch her to check if she is real..or a dream.

First time when he locked his eyes with her in swayamvar mantap he just wished the moment to stop. He fell in love with those eyes.. He desparately wished to own her..to make those eyes look at him and him only... He thanked his father in law in his heart  for creating her ..just for himself..

When she approached him to place the garland round his neck he was swept off his feet to have her so nearer.. She touched his heart..and his heart strings tuned to that touch...

He dreamt of having that touch.. always ..making him the most fortunate man on the earth...

Sahadev called up.. Ved Vyasji asks you to come and meet him.. He is giving time for our return..
Ved Vyas is smiling at Arjun. Why is he looking so happy..Arjun wondered.
He waited to hear him speak..

I thought I will send you all day after tomorrow but then who am I to decide for you? Now celebrate the occasion. Your Madhav is visiting his Bua...tomorrow..
Vyasa's words made Arjun forget the tension that he is bearing due to his fire born's depression..
He exclaimed ! Is he coming? Why didn't he inform me before?

Vyasa lowered his tone and said." He sent the message don't ask how.. But it should be kept secret since the atmosphere here will get disturbed if they hear the God incarnate is coming. Hence be calm and welcome him by tomorrow noon..
Who are coming with him? Arjun asked curiously.. Rukmini Satyaa Lakshana,Satyaki..
Arjun felt elated..he is relieved. The saviour is coming. His wife will forget her pain and receive her Govind ..