Sabyasachi and Panchaali (Story 2)
The Indraprastha Rajsuya Yajna was about to start. Bheem had just killed Jarasandh, the king of Magadh. On their return, Panchaali was extremely happy. Not for the sake of her beautiful Indraprastha but it was something really special to her heart. She would, as per she decided only share it with her current husband, Sabyasachi first. Through-out the day, Panchaali stood at the balcony, fidgiting with her shiny braided hair and looked towards the Ashwathha tree at the back of the palace. She was thankful to Mayasur as it was visible from her balcony. She desired to see it, for someone close to her wild heart.
There he was, in fresh white dhoti and his favourite warrior cloak, which was also off-white and partly has striped borders of ocean blue. He was the reason why Panchaali stood at the balcony.. with her focus on only him. There he was. Panchaali thought maybe ocean blue signifies Indra-Dev, Sabyasachi's real father. So he had decided on the design of his favourite cloak in such a way. Sabyasachi plainly focused on his beloved Gandiv, which he polished after every 50th practice shoot. He used his hands, which bleeded at times, when it was scratched by the powerful edges of his Gandiv. He hardly cared. Panchaali tore some strips of her gorgeous red saree, thinking of how to bandage the wounds.
It seemed like Surya-dev had some kind of a fight with Panchaali. The sun was still not setting. Panchaali walked along the balcony impatiently, looking at Sabyasachi as he practiced.And finally, the sun set. The Aswathha tree seemed to have swallowed the sun in its branches. Panchaali thought if she could call Sabyasachi from the balcony, when a group of boys and girls from a nearby village came running. Many must be wondering how come these people come inside the palace. Well, they are known ones. Panchaali had ordered the palace guards to allow children anytime. Sabyasachi kept his Gandiv on a rock and walked fast towards them. One of the kids gave him an apple. I heard Sabyasachi saying "This apple is red as your rosy cheeks!" The young girl clapped her hands in joy. Sabyasachi picked up one og the boys in his lap and explained something to him about his wounds Panchaali thought. He kissed the boy and let him down. He gave all of the them a warm hug and looked at them as they sped off. The sun had set by that time. Panchaali saw Sabyasachi heading towards the main staircase which would lead into Yudhishtir's chambers and also the seong stair case would lead to her chambers in which Sabyasachi was to come.
Sabyasachi did not eat anything on the 6th day of the month. Some kind of a practice by his Guru Drona. Panchaali ran towards the doorway of her chambers anticipating Sabyasachi's entry! And they almost bumped into each other. On other days, Panchaali would have allowed the bump but today, she stopped. Sabyasachi gave her a calm look and a laugh! Panchaali laughed back and pulled him towards the other end of the room. "Panchaali..what? Panchaali..Panchaali.." Panchaali put her beautiful finger on his lips as a token of silence. 'Sit down here." asking Sabyasachi to sit on the bed. Panchaali sat next to him and took his hand. She bandaged the wounds one by one carefully. Sabyasachi stared shamelessly at her. Panchaali looked back.
She ran her fingers through his untidy hair and rook her lips close to his ear and whispered something. Panchaali would be a mother soon, For the fifth time and give birth to Sabyasachi's son. Sabyasachi's eyes sparkled. He could not stop smiling.He took Panchaali close to him and kissed her hand and both of them stood up and Sabyasachi kissed her forehead. Panchaali was overjoyed. The smile in Sabyasachi's face was for her. Nothing was a better gift.
