Panchaali and Pandav (Story 2)
The 12 years of exile of the Pandavs were coming to an end today. After which they had to spend one year in disguise. They had decided to spend their 1 year of disguise in the Matsya kingdom as it was too close to the Kuru kingdom and no-one could imagine them to be that close. The decision was finalised by Yudhishtir. The Pandavs and Panchaali sat under a tree where the brothers would hide their weapons. Yudhishtir and Sahdev discussed the plans. Phalgun fidgited with his beloved Gandiv from time to time. Bheem collected fruits unnecessarily and offered them to everyone and having been refused by each, ate them himself. Nakul played with some wild rabbits near the cottage. Panchaali sat quietly not interested in anything.
"So, we will re-discuss the plans." said Yudhsihtir and stood up. He looked at Phalgun and both spoke through eyes after which Phalgun left the place. "Phalgun has already discussed the plans with me and he has asked for a longer time to be ready in disguise. He will be the first one to leave." Yudhishtir said. "Aren't we all leaving together?" Panchaali walked up to the tree. "No, we-" 'I will take the disguise of a cook." Bheem interrupted. A raged Yudhishtir gestured Bheem for silence and continued. 'Phalgun will leave first tomorrow and I will follow his path, and leave after midnight tomorrow. " Yudhishtir said. "Panchaali you will leave day after at an early time, as a maid, willing to serve King Virata's Queen." Yudhishtir said. Panchaali nodded her head. "Please take your disguise, as Phalgun has also gone to see if his disguise is fine. Panchaali you also go and take your disguise, for a check." Panchaali went inside the hut her open hair, dirty and umcombed dangling at her back. "Nakul," asked Yudhishtir. "I, as you said will be in charge of the royal stables." Nakul said. "Yes. Good." Yudhishtir gestured him to take his disguise. "I will be the same as Nakul and Bhratashree Bheem will be in disguise of a cook." Sahdev said. "Yudhishtir nodded his head and left himself gesturing them to take their disguise.
All of the Pandavas and Panchaali came ready into the same spot. Yudhishtir was in disguise of a court subject, and he told himself to be good in the game of dice. "So you still miss the game of dice." Panchaali laughed. Yudhishtir understood her pain but kept quiet. Bheem looked like normal, only he had a beard and moustache. "Is it okay?" Bheem asked. He speaks too much all the time, Panchaali thought. Yudhishtir ignored. Nakul and Sahdev looked the same, Nakul taller and more handsome. Sahdev had dirty hands, which Panchaali approved of, for his disguise. And Phalgun ? Every one of the Pandavas stared at their third, the Gandivdhari. And Panchaali, made an O face stared at the hidden parts of his body. He would become princess Uttara's dance tutor. From where did Phalgun learn these womanly tricks? . His hips swayed as he walked and the dark brown saree he wore dangled like her open hair. His face looked blank without his beard. His hands were full of rings and jewellery which covered his Gandiv marks in each place. Panchaali giggled, in her mind. She remembered the story which Phalgun told him about a curse he got by Urvasi, an apsara. But life would never be the same for the Pandavas. Every one of them thought the same, including Phalgun who now continued with his womanly tactics.
Edited by Brishti_Sarkar - 11 years ago