The unknown son (An Arjuna-Iravan FF) Part 8B-Page 23 - Page 2

Very beautifully written...

Iravan Very rarely talked about .

Part 2

Iravan approached the family. The man who had been overlooking the performance of the boys turned to him,"Yes?"He raised an inquisitive eye.

"I am Iravan, the son of the Naga Princess Ulupi. I wish to fight the war for the cause of the Pandavas. If you could direct me to the Senapati of the army, I can consult with him on whatever little contribution I can make in this holy war." Normally a boy used to identify himself with his father's name but Iravan was not yet comfortable of identifying himself with a man he had never met.

"You are welcome my son. I am Pandu putr Nakul, son of Devi Madri and the younger brother of Emperor Yudhistira." So he was one of Iravan's four uncles. "Pandavas are grateful to those who join our side with selfless motives. Come with me."

Iravan followed Nakul into the camp leaving the boys with the other man who was now instructing them on defense strategies.

"So you are quite a young lad. Fought any battles before?

"Yes, some native ones."

"The Senapati of the army is Rajkumar Dhristadyumna. You know son of Panchal Raj Drupad. He is our brother-in-law."

"Ummm...Is he the person who was born out of the Agni Kunda?"

"Yes. So was our Panchali. A very valiant man indeed and a good leader to. Has a very good strategic mind. But you better get prepared. You are going to be met with a lot of introspection. You know anybody around here?"

"Ummm...Not really."

"I would have been a lot better if you did. It is not easy to trust anyone these days. You cannot trust your uncle, who are strangers?" Nakul spoke these words with a grimace on his face. He surely was remembering the misdeeds of his Uncle Dhritarashtra. The grin on Dhritarashtra's face was going to be lost, forever.😈

"But no problem." Nakul turned to his nephew, speaking cheerfully again." There he is" Nakul pointed to a man of dark complexion and strong build. He was talking to an old man who looked very aristocratic and powerful in nature. His aura was looming over everyone's persona in the camp.

Nakul introduced Iravan. Iravan bowed to the Senapati and the older man whom he found out to be the King Drupad. He was indeed met by introspection. But there was a man in this room, another man of dark almost blue complexion and curious eyes who seemed to see straight through him. He was wearing a mukut with a peacock feather attached to it. He was sporting a rather mischievous smile. Iravan did not need to be told who this person was. Everyone knew about the Avatar of Vishnu who walked as a man on this Earth.

Krishna walked to the group as Iravan was looking at him. "Pranipat Vasudev". "Ayushman Bhava but you better call me tatshri. You see, your father is my cousin."

"You know me?"😲 Iravan was astonished. But of course he would recognize him. This man knew everyone, everything in this Universe- the past, the present and the future.

"Of course I do."😉

Good one😊 M looking forward to arjun and iravan meeting and even all the brothers and draupadi meeting him😊

Brilliant one..Vasudev was Charming..waiting Fr Arjun iravan meeting continue soon..:))

please update soon i am dying to see arjun-iravan meeting

Great one dear..continue soon I am excited about Iravan Arjun meet..he for nothing in StarBharat about these wonderful and fascinating side stories in mahabharat.. Will be waiting! And thanks for the pm..:)

Nice update

awesome story
eagerly waiting for arjun-iravan meeting...
sry could'nt comment b4!!
pls update fast

Part 3- A brief meeting

Nakul said," So Iravan is a nephew of yours. Well, well, well my boy .Why did you not mention this when I asked you?"

"Yes, Iravan is my nephew. But he is a part of your family. Is he not your nephew as well?" Krishna answered.

"Bhrata Shri Krishna any nephew of yours is also my nephew. But are there any other connections that relate us?"

"Well why don't tell your kakashri yourself Iravan?"

Iravan was looking at the ground as he said, "Uhhh... Well your brother Arjuna is my mother's husband. They met a long time ago."

"Your mother's husband? So he is not your father? I mean I know Bhrata Arjuna married a Nag Kanya a long time ago. But I do not know of a son."

"No he is my father."

"Then why didn't you greet him at the gate?" So the man with the curly hair was his father. Iravan did resemble him a lot as per his mother Chitra said.

"I have never met him before."

"Oh! But you look so much like him. How did I miss that? Well, welcome to our family." Nakul pulled his nephew into a hug. Iravan was taken by surprise. But he liked the feeling of love emanating from another man's body, a fatherly kind of love he had always ached for. Would his father too respond to him in the same way?

"My son let us go and find you a tent for you. Maybe you could put up with your brothers." Nakul said releasing Iravan from the hug.

"That would be lovely." Iravan smiled. A tear or two had slid down his face.

Taking leave from the Senapati and his father, Nakul, Iravan and Krishna walked towards the tent occupied by the boys.

It was getting dark. He saw three outlines coming towards them. A man with two boys. Iravan saw the face of the man and stopped in the track. Nakul and Krishna felt one of the footsteps stop behind them and turned back. Nakul gave Iravan a reassuring smile.

"Pranipat Madhav.", Arjuna said while the boys bent down to touch Krishna and Nakul's feet.

"Bhaiya we have a warrior here you shall love to meet. Iravan come here. Iravan has come all the way from Naglok to join us"

Iravan had never faltered in a fight. But now he just wanted to hide away in his mother's lap. Emotions welled up in his eyes. As he bent to touch Arjuna's feet, a tear dropped out from his eye to fall on Arjuna's feet.

"Ayushman bhava." Arjuna blessed his unknown son.

"Now, now Arjun you must shower more of your blessings on your eldest son."

Iravan watched as comprehension dawned into his father's face. Iravan had come from Nag lok Nakul had said. Arjun remembered the time when he was dragged into the water by a Nagkanya in unconscious state and woken up to see a charming face before him. His male ego was hurt a bit. Women did not kidnap men. But that beautiful face before him had begged as if her life depended on their marriage. Arjun had agreed to her proposal after some time. Not that he wanted to refuse.

So the woman who he had known for only one day,one night to be more precise had given birth to his child, a child he did not know. Arjun stared awkwardly at his son. Though all his senses told him so, his heart could not believe that the stranger who stood before him carried his very own blood. Arjun contorted his face to look like a genuine smile," How is your mother?"

"Well"

"You have anyone else in your family? I mean anyone who lives with you?"

"My grandfather but we occasionally visit Mata Chitrangada and Babruvahan in Manipur."

"You have met Babruvahan?" Arjuna's eyes lit up at the mention of his beautiful warrior princess and the son he had last seen as a three month old toddler. His first child, his eldest. That was what Arjun believed three minutes ago.

"Yes. He is now a fine warrior and an able King." Iravan answered to his father's query.

"My son is a King now. Well that's great." Arjuna's face was emanating the glow of a father's pride.

"So when did you arrive?" Arjuna asked as he came back from his memories of Manipur.

"This morning."

"Well, you are welcome." Iravan was again pulled into a hug but it did not have the same warmth as Nakul's. His father was still unsure.

"I think you shall be able to stay comfortably with the Uppandavas. Srutakirti take your Jyesht bhrata to your tent."

The younger one of the two boys came before him "Pranipat Bhratashri. Hamare sath chaliye."

Srutakirti took Iravan's hand and tugged him along. Everyone else looked at him curiously while Arjuna stood there lost in deep thoughts.

Iravan remembered the glow on his father's face at the mention of Barbruvahan. Would his father have the same glow on his face when someone mentioned Iravan's name? But at that moment all the rage in Iravan's heart got directed towards his younger brother Babruvahan. A brother who loved and respected him very much- the only crime he had done was to get his father's love at a young age while Iravan never had it.

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