Arjun Draupadi OS: Flamboyant Hues of Love
She was exhausted. Tired. The skirt of her intricately embroidered maroon sari spread around felt heavier that day, such that she almost felt weary. Even the view through the curtains of her palanquin did not help, like it normally would. She knew something was wrong, utterly wrong. She felt strangely overwhelmed, close to burdened as their caravan proceeded further, passing the borders of another city. It was past sunset, and it would be night soon. Another few miles, and they would set up a camp, in order to prepare for the approaching nightfall. She knew the pattern well, having travelled from Indraprastha to Panchal and back again in the past twelve years. But this time, it had been different.
This time, Draupadi hadn't wanted to leave her Indraprastha, her own home. It felt more like hers now, when finally her first -- third husband had returned after years and years of waiting, and her family felt complete. Initially, she had been engaged with designing the palace, getting acquainted with her position as queen of Indraprastha, becoming familiar with the role of a wife and later a mother, hence she had liked going to her father's home. But when Arjun had returned, when the missing piece of her puzzle had been kept in place, she had felt content. The void in her heart had been filled, filled with his love, as she cherished the limited time they had together.
Hence, when she had been informed that Arjun was to travel to Kampliya in order to speak to King Drupad about a few official matters, and then later go to meet Guru Drona at Ahichatra on the way back, her mood had soured instead of brightening. And when Yudhishira had suggested that she accompany him, she had been reluctant to go, something that had never happened before.
Draupadi frowned as she heard her husband order the soldiers to stop, and start putting up the tent. The wheels of her palanquin-like-chariot, the one that had been especially designed for her, screeched and then halted; as she heard the horses neigh. Her daasi, the one who was walking right next to her, cleared her throat, and Draupadi parted the curtain slightly, enough for their eyes to meet. She gestured with her eyes to the daasi, who then began, "Samragyi, there is a lake nearby. Rajkumar Arjun says that setting up the shivir will take some time, would you like to go?"
Draupadi had known that she would be asked something like this, and she had also known that they were expecting she would answer in the negative. Earlier, she would only give a nonchalant shrug, but this time, she had been suffocating in the confined space of the palanquin, and the dark coloured drapery. Actually, she had been wanting to take in the fresh air, step out, and feel the soft grass below her feet. Surprising all the daasis, she hummed and nodded slightly, while in her mind, her head shook violently at the thought of being able to finally stand. At once, all the daasis became alert and started to move around frantically, here and there, afraid that their Samragyi would step out of the palanquin any moment.
...
Arjun was giving instructions to the soldiers, when he noticed that the daasis around the palanquin were rushing here and there. Worried, he took a step forward, as he had assumed that Draupadi wouldn't step out till the camp was set up, hence there would be no disturbance from that side, but when she rushed down the steps of her chariot, he was taken by surprise. He had been aware of her reluctance to come, but now he was taken aback when he saw her take one step carefully down, hesitantly, as she her head turned to one side and then the other, and then hurriedly dash out, as if she were a caged bird who had been allowed to fly after a long period of time.
His eyebrows knit together in confusion, as his gaze remained fixed on her, observing her walk towards the lake at some distance along with her group of maidservants. Arjun had sensed that something was wrong, perhaps his wife herself didn't know what, but he had to find out somehow. So, giving a final glance to the camp that was being set up behind him, he gestured with his eyes to the person who was next in command, to take over and overlook the arrangements, while he stalked towards the path his wife had passed a few moments ago.
...
As Draupadi reached the lake, she noticed her daasis taking off their slippers, stepping onto the wet mud, where the water slid onto the land. She couldn't help but smile at the joy that was reflecting on their faces, as they giggled like little girls. The scene in front of her reminded her of her own friend, Malini. Over the years, she had turned into a beautiful young girl, who had gotten married into a merchant family. On her last visit to Panchal, she had found Malini's mother sitting quietly under the peepal tree, in a plain sari. The twelve years that had passed were visible on her face in the form of thin lines, and she had given her a wrinkled smile, the light in her eyes never fading as she excitedly told her about her daughter, who was to become a mother soon. Draupadi had felt a pang then, a certain emptiness on having not experienced life as it came, the life of a normal girl, not a queen or princess bound by circumstance.
Draupadi's reverie was broken as the maid servant who had accompanied her from Panchal after her wedding -- Priyamvada -- gently nudged her elbow, and waved her hand, gesturing for her to come along. Draupadi looked around a little uncertainly, but then slipped her feet out of her footwear and stepped onto the wed mud, that instantly stuck to the sole of her foot. She relished the trail of imprints her feet left behind her, and the cool wind that struck her face every now and then, making the curled strands of her hair blow over her face. Soon, she was giggling along with her daasis, enjoying the little things she had never experienced before, when suddenly her eyes caught sight of colourful lamps at a distance.
There were bright colours; shades of red and blue, blur lights of candle flames, and a few pleasant sounds of snickering children, coming from across the lake, something that she had failed to notice before. Curious, she was about to turn, meaning to inquire about the seeming festivities, when she felt two arms wrap tightly around her waist. The touch was familiar, almost exceedingly familiar, and her lips stretched into a dazzling smile as she felt her husband's hot breath on the side of her neck. She turned around, still locked in his embrace and her arms went around his neck, as they stood scandalously close to each other.
"Arya, why did you tell all the daasis to leave? It isn't right, the position we are in, you could wait till we were in the shivir", Draupadi sighed as she completed, admiring his features, feeling the strong urge to run her fingers through his wavy hair.
"I didn't say anything, Panchali, ask them. I only gestured for them to leave us alone in peace. As for waiting, you know I am impatient when it comes to you, more so, when you are so adorably walking on the sand. You know, you don't look a day older than when I won your hand at the swayamvar", Arjun touched her cheek with the back of his hand lovingly.
"And what if someone sees us?" her eyes twinkled mischievously, reminding him of his Madhav.
"Let them, I am with my wife. Now, tell me, what happened to you today?"
Draupadi looked away, while his heated gaze remained steady on her. After a short pause, she looked at a distance, her gaze fixed at nothing in particular, and started, "While we were in Indraprastha, you would take the children out, to fairs and into the city, even taking them along to other towns. When they would come back, all of them would excitedly tell me about their adventures, but arya, I have never been able to relate to them, because I have never been outside of my Indraprastha. Even if I have, I have never experienced a normal life, to find joy in the little things that life, nature has to offer", a lone tear rolled down her cheek, as she finished, and glanced up, straight into Arjun's hazel eyes.
His gaze softened, as he cupped her face, "Krishnaa...you know those lights you were staring at only a few moments ago, there is fair tomorrow, and we don't go there as Rajkumar and Samragyi, we go as Vatukeshwar and Krishnaa", he saw her mouth open, as her expressions changed, and he knew she was reminiscing those moments when they were married only to each other, when nothing had changed and they were just two young lovers.
"Jee, Vatukeshwar Maharaja", Draupadi leaned onto his chest, as he held her close to himself, the sound of his throaty laughter reaching her ears. Soon after, they strolled off towards where the camp had been set up.
...
The next morning, Draupadi woke up in her husband's embrace even before the first rays of the sun were to dance their way into her tent, and spread in every corner. Just as she opened her eyes, smiling brightly, she looked up and noticed a sudden shift of her husband's eyeballs under his closed eyelids. The corner of her mouth tipped up, as her eyes shimmered naughtily, and shifting closer, she went on top of him, straddling him. She felt the tightening of his muscles under her soft touch, and just then leaned closer, eliminating the distance between their faces and kissed the corner of his lips, before quickly moving away.
Tantalizingly slow, she traced the contours of his face with her finger, further making it glide across his chest, seducing him, playing with his control, as she let her hot breath fall over his earlobe. Gently, she whispered into Arjun's ears, "Good morning arya! If you remember, we have to go out today, before the others wake up."
Draupadi got up to leave, humming to herself, when she felt a sudden pull, making her fall flat onto Arjun's chest, and as she clutched his shoulder blades in a reflex action, he switched positions, coming on top of her, while her eyes remained tightly shut. A moment later, her eyelids flickered, and her gaze met Arjun's darkened depths. His gaze burned into her, moving to her slightly parted lips, and his mouth crashed down on hers, his tongue stroking hers, his teeth pulling onto her bottom lip. Arjun's hands were everywhere, as the kiss deepened. Finally, as they broke apart, gasping for air, Draupadi slapped his chest, "You cannot always do this!"
"Oh, I can", Arjun grinned lopsidedly and leaned closer, while his wife moved away, having plans of her own.
"Arya! You cannot delay like this, humein vilambh ho jaayega", she turned her face away, still caged between his arms and the bedstead.
Arjun kissed the side of her neck, whispering into her ear, and reluctantly got up as he saw her smile. He knew she was excited, and that it was an important day for her. Her dazzling smile gave away her enthusiasm as she hurriedly got up, hugging him and rushed to arrange their respective guises.
...
Later in the day, they eventually made it to the fair. First Arjun had made sure that there was no threat to their security, for which he had registered them in a nearby inn, and then they had paid a visit to the nearby Shiv Mandir, before they had finally walked to the fair. Only Priyamvada had known about their actual location, and she had been asked to inform the others that they were both visiting a friend's family nearby, and would be back the next day, in order to continue the journey. The alert soldiers of the Indraprastha army had bought the story, considering the queen belonged to the region, and their senapati was a valiant warrior, capable of protecting them both, if required.
Draupadi walked along, barely being able to contain her joy on witnessing the various colours around her, the bangles, the lamps, and the chattering of the masses. She was dressed in a plain deep pink sari, with an elegant silver border. It was pleated at the waist, while the pallu was tucked in place with a simple waistband. Her silver jewellery was modest, a stark contrast from what she was used to wearing, and her hair was braided while a few curled strands framed her face, a major part of which was covered by her veil that was in contrast to the colour of her sari. Yet, even in the simplest of attire, she looked radiant, and walked with an aura of a born princess, exuding charm and grace. Arjun on the other hand, had worn a turban on his head, along with a pure white vastra, while his chest was bare. He was marching closely behind her, shielding her possessively, letting the strangers know that she was his, his wife, as his oblivious Krishnaa was attracting everyone's attention, both men and women alike.
While they were strolling down the lane, through the fair, going from shop to shop, everyone's eyes were on the stunning couple, some were jealous, while some were admiring the handsome pair. Soon, Draupadi squealed like a little girl as she sighted bangles, and hurried towards the stall that was selling them.
...
Colours. Blinding, flashy colours and the sound of jingling bangles. That was all Arjun could sight as they reached the stall. Colours were meant to be soothing, pleasing to the eyes, match with emotions, warm one's heart, but the size of the stall and the chaos with ladies swarming around, made him agitated, and he pitied the poor bangle seller. But as he angled his face up, wiping the sweat off of his forehead, about to tell Draupadi to hurry, his complaints died on his lips when he witnessed her twinkling eyes as she tried on the colourful bangles, making them clink as she shook her wrist.
Lost in his wife, Arjun stalked closer, oblivious to his surroundings, admiring the exhilaration on her face, her infectious smile. As the crowd cleared, he went and stood in front of her. And as she lifted her eyes, showing off the various colours, he beckoned to her, while she blushed as she recognised the look in his eye. Looking around, she reminded him that they were in public, when they heard the old shopkeeper, "Bacchon, so which bangles would you like? And putri, do not let your husband get away, take whatever you want", he finished softly, chuckling at the love struck husband.
Still not leaving her gaze, Arjun spoke, "Chacha, pack a pair of bangles of each colour".
Shocked, the bangle seller gaped at Arjun, then Draupadi and back, while the woman in question, too was taken aback, "Arya?"
"Why not Krishnaa, you are the Samragyi, you deserve it all", he said, not realising what he was saying, transfixed at the sight of his beautiful wife.
"Samragyi?" the bangle seller blurted.
That is when Arjun realised what he had said, and when he noticed his wife glaring at him, immediately he corrected his sentence, "Yes, chacha! She is the Samragyi of my heart, why, isn't your wife yours?" he winked at the old man, making the poor man blush profusely, while Draupadi smirked, thinking that her husband's charm had worked, even on the lanky, old bangle seller.
...
As evening set in, and the grey clouds drifted over them, the royal pair was tired and...famished! The fair was now lit up with candles and oil lamps, as they went to a corner and cherished the kheer, which they had earlier bought from a stall. They fed each other, laughing, and discussing the events of the day, the peculiar behaviour of the crowd. As Arjun finished feeding a spoonful of the sticky substance to Draupadi, some of it remained at the corner of her bottom lip. His gaze darkened several shades as she moaned, relishing its taste, and closed her eyes in sheer delight.
He felt the strong urge to lick it clean, but careful of the surroundings, he wiped it off with his thumb, taking longer than necessary, while he felt her flinch, the goosebumps erupting on her skin. Arjun cupped her face tenderly, as she noticed children playing at a short distance from them. She turned to face him again, as he started, "Krishnaa, I have been noticing, you look at children so longingly nowadays, even your own, and especially when we are together."
"I...Arya sometimes I think that I have four children, but...but what about the fruit of our love, our own baby. I want a son, whom when I look at, reminds me of you. I want to see your hazel eyes in him, to see him grow up and become a valiant warrior, the best archer, just like you. I want our putra."
"Then who is stopping you, priya? But I want a daughter, one who grows up to be the most beautiful in all of Aryavrat, the one who is great with her words, someone who has inherited your temper, and your eyes. Ah, those beautiful eyes, like two blooming blue lotuses, the ones I lose myself to, every time I look at you.
And we might as well start from today, don't you think", his eyes glittered as he leaned in closer and whispered huskily, "We even have some unfinished business from this morning. Come, I have to take you somewhere", Arjun finished, getting up, extending his arms towards her. As she placed her hand in his, they walked together, away from the fair that had given them wonderful memories, memories they would preserve in a treasure chest, their hearts.
...
A short, pleasant walk later, they reached a humble cottage in the midst of the woods ashore the lake. They were at the door -- while Arjun explained to her how this was a place he had gotten built, a kind of hideout, during sudden wars, and which he had stayed in while in exile for the twelve years after the wedding -- when suddenly the clouds thundered, before the heavens burst open.
They both looked up in surprise, as they stepped closer at once, walking into each other's embrace. The water drenched them from head to toe, as they stood under the heavy rain. The thin material of Draupadi's sari clung to her like second skin, accentuating her perfect curves, as the veil slipped from her head. Arjun's eyes turned midnight black, his hands coming in contact with the soft skin of her waist.
He drew her up, into his arms and carried her off into the warm hut, slowly lowering her onto the floor, as he came on top of her. Their lips met for a series of heated kisses, as he traced the outline of her lips with his tongue. Slowly, they were enveloped in the flame of fiery passion, when Arjun untangled her damp hair, letting them fall loose over her shoulders. Titillatingly gentle, he undid the knot of her blouse, as her pallu lay abandoned in one corner of the cosy, private space.
Soon, they were both sans clothes, and his long, artistic fingers worked magic on her wonderfully bare skin, as Arjun continued at his leisurely pace, groaning in approval as she arched, giving him access and finally pulled him close, fusing their lips together.
They finally became one, oblivious to the world outside, as rain poured down heavily, and Arjun and Draupadi commenced in the joy of togetherness.
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Edited by 8520NK - 9 years ago
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