The Fateful Evening Arjun Draupadi OS .. Thread 2 - Page 20

Panchali lied back on the couch and closed her eyes. She heard the name Vasuki again and again in their conversation. What could be the connection with Vasuki,she wondered. Arjun's words reached her.' If necessary,I will tackle the problem personally. But keep it a secret." Panchali could not understand the nature of the problem but sensed Arjun may have to go somewhere to face the problem.She felt dejected.After twelve years he returned but again he may go away from Indraprasth,away from her.

Panchali suddenly felt Arjun's hands on her feet and got up.He is applying some Lep on her ruptured part. She tried to pull her feet back but as usual he did not oblige. Panchali knew how stubborn he is. But still she persisted.' Leave it. I will apply myself." Arjun did not answer her nor did he leave her feet. ' I told you I will support you the path is not good. But why would you listen? Old habits never leave that easy." Panchali got miffed and retorted.' Ofcourse old habits stay forever. That applies for you also.I asked you not touch my feet. Did you ever bother to listen?" Arjun replied sharply.' Ofcourse,I don't, listen. And you know why." Panchali remembered the same incident that happened in Hastinapur and his answer rang in her ears.' I can touch what ever I want. With the beloved,there should not be any restrictions." Panchali's face turned red and she bent her face avoiding his looks.She can feel his smile and mischief in his eyes

Where are you planning to go?" She quizzed him trying to divert his attention.Arjun answered carefully.' It was not decided yet. But Nagraj Vasuki is angry for Khandava Dahan and waiting to challenge me for that." Panchali raised her eyebrows.' Why? Your Naga Princess should have convinced him on behalf of you. Surely it is her responsibility. After all she is the one who enjoyed the Great Arjun's love and passion. You could have sent her message." Her teasing and sarcastic tone reflected her feelings for Ulupi and Arjun did not miss it.He looked into her lotus eyes and stated firmly.' Krishnaa,I don't need any one's help in solving my problems. I can tackle Vasuki on my own.By now you should know your husband's nature well." Panchali still could not stay back from her desire to hurt him,taunt him and derive pleasure.' Ofcourse,you are right. I should know your nature by now. But when did you allow me to do so? You are more interested to explore new things in life,by visiting new places,redeeming your admirers...Arjun left her feet and held her shoulder in firm grip.He challenged her defiantly.' Say it all. What else is there in your conscience?" Panchali felt pain on her shoulder but boldly looked into his hazel eyes and said.' Ofcourse I can admit what I feel . I know you will now try to move away again on the pretext of tackling Vasuki. Who knows? You may get another beautiful damsel waiting for you to come and grace her. Go Arjun,explore new things and new beauties." Arjun drew her close and whispered.' Ofcourse I will, But still I want to solve old puzzles which are still new to me before moving on my later adventures."

For a moment Panchali could not understand what he meant. But then she understood his inner meaning and lowered her eyes. She bit her lower lip and sulked thinking of his relatively forthcoming advances that are unfamiliar to her ever since their marriage. Arjun enjoyed the change of colours that made Yajnaseni look more beautiful and swallowed the moment. Satya's voice is heard from the corridor .' Panchali,let us have our lunch,I am hungry." Before Arjun could leave her,Krishna and Satya entered inside and looked at the couple with curiosity. Satya immediately asked with a smile.' Wah,Arjun,you and my friend are discussing something deeply it seems. We disturbed you isn't it Swami? She looked at Krishna who winked at Arjun.' Parth,Shall we come after a while? Looks like you are attending upon my Sakhi seriously." His words made Panchali blush deeply . Arjun got up and said.' Now don't get influenced by Satya's wierd imaginations. Krishnaa ruptured her feet. I applied Lep that's all. Let us go." He walked out with Krishna and Satya penetrated into Panchali's eyes.' Tell me exactly what happened between you.No lies are entertained." Panchali tried to convince her. ' Nothing. As he said he applied Lep.Thats all. Let us go." She walked out with Satya feeling Arjun's grip on her shoulder and blamed herself.' Stop drooling over him. He is a flirt."

Nearing Sunset they saw the two friends return successfully hunting the wild animals How many you got? " Arjun replied ' one Tiger,one Cheeta and many others.It would have Been difficult had you come along.Satya retorted.' As if I am not used to hunting. In Dwaraka Swami always take me around." Arjun remarked tongue in cheek.' Dwaraka ? For hunting? You must have hunted only rabbits and deers as there is no wild forest there." Krishna laughed and nodded.' Absolutely. Dwaraka is more ocean than land." Panchali reminded Krishna that already Dhaumya is waiting for them to attend Puja. She added.' If we finish it we can return back by night." Arjun looked at Krishna who hid his smile and assured.' Ofcourse we will return in time.Dont worry Sakhi."

Arjun silently went inside the Kutir and got ready for the puja. In Indraprasth he is not getting enough time to pacify his Fireborn. New bride Subhadra is there. He thought he can pour his heart before his Krishnaa and ask her forgiveness. But that may not happen now.He sighed and thought the only hope left is his Father in Law Drupad's impending visit to Indraprasth. A winning smile appeared on his lips.Yes. Drupad loves him so much. His daughter can not be rude before him.panchali entered,saw him smile and said.' Will you make it fast? We have to return early." Arjun approached her and teased her.' Why? You are afraid to stay back at night here? " Panchali looked into his eyes twinkling with mischief.She replied boldly.' No I am not afraid.I know you will never cross the limit without my approval." Arjun's face became dull but immediately he composed himself and patted on her cheek.' Don't be that sure.After all in your opinion I am a Flirt and Womanizer,I know it.So I may cross the limit. I am not practicing a vow now to be away from my beautiful wife.So you never know anything may happen," Arjun smiled into her eyes and walked out leaving an astonished Panchali behind .Draupadi bit her lip in anger. ' How cool and unperturbed he is. Despite knowing her hurt and pain he is taking it for granted that she should oblige him.Satya called her out and Panchali saw the two friends laughing at their own jokes and enjoying together,

Panchali's feet started paining as the wound is still fresh.Still steps are there to ascend to reach the temple. Satya observed that and called Krishna.' Swami it is difficult for us. Will you please hold us and help? " the tribal ladies who are also climbing the hill enlightened them.' The custom here is Maa Durga will be pleased if the husband ascends the steps holding the wife. Follow the custom and get her grace." Krishna nodded at Parth and the next moment Panchali felt Arjun's hands on her . He effortlessly lifted her and held her carefully just like he is holding a baby. Satya giggled in Krishna'a arms and winked at Panchali.' Rest assured dear. You are in the safest hands. After all he is the Best of Aryavarth. Panchali looked into his hazel eyes showering his unmistaken love for her . She closed her eyes and reminisced the day they went to Gurumata.Arjun held her like that only.Arjun whispered in a low voice.' I want that Krishnaa back. Return back please."

You can open your eyes. We reached the temple.' Arjun's voice brought her back to her present.Satya and Krishna are already ahead of them.Arjjun touched her elbow and said.' Don't stress yourself too much. Every thing will happen as you want.Take your own time." Arjun told her with a serious face.

It was a great experience to do puja in such a serene atmosphere. Sitting beside Arjun and doing puja with moon lotuses made Panchali feel elated. She prayed to Durga.' Mata Always take care of him and bless him with success.Let no buri Nazar strike him please." Krishna laughed heartfully and said.' Sakhi such a long list of wishes? Looks like it won't end that soon." Panchali felt confused. How could he know whatever she wished in her heart.? Now she is mad. He is omnipresent Sarva Vyapak How could he not know her heart?

The puja and Abhishek to Mahadev took four hours and it was too late to start for Indraprasth.Panchali had no option but to stay back. Satya is joyous. Let us go to Yamuna bank that is nearer.Tonite we can watch the full moon there.

Satya stayed back fearing the tides and questioned Krishna.' Lord, Why do you love Yamuna so much? The river also I observe gets excited on seeing you." Krishna smiled and Arjun threw his hands in despair.' Madhav! Now your Satya is insecure over rivers also. Isn't it too much? " He asked seriously.Draupadi hid her smile while Satya retorted.' Who told you I am jealous? It is just an observation which I felt. And Arjun,I am insecure only about you in my husband's life but no one else. Not even Rukmini can claim my space in his heart ." Satya's proud statement met with a jovial smile by Krishna and Panchali waited to see Arjun's reaction.' Rukmini Didi never want your place,actually she is not bothered about such things.Madhav is too fortunate to have her as his Queen." Satya knitted her eyebrows and taunted Panchali.' Now see your husband is attacking me and you also.Did you grasp his inner meaning?"

Before Panchali could react Krishna came to Arjun's rescue.' You know he is saying this in my case. Not in his. Sakhi need not bother about his statement. Right Parth?" He looked at Arjun and signalled with his eyes,to make him realise the damage his words may do . Arjun understood and looked at Panchali to see her response. In the meanwhile Satya urged Krishna to walk along the shore with her and told Panchali.' Your feet has been ruptured. You relax for some time.I will steal my lord from Arjun for a while.' She smiled challengingly at Arjun and walked off with Kr ishna.

Arjun said in an apologetic tone,expressing regret.' I didn't mean to hurt you. I said only about Madhav and Rukmini Didi." Panchali looked up and said.' It is fine with me. Even if you mean it that it would have been better if you get a more matured queen like Rukmini Devi I don't blame you. Unfortunately you happened to get me as the reward for your excellence. I am not your choice." Arjun got hurt realising her inner meaning.He held her shoulder firmly and looked deep into her eyes.' Since my birth I am too particular about my rewards for my excellence. Mother,Grand father,my father every one knew this,I enjoy my rewards. And you are my best reward ever Krishnaa,my most valuable reward." His words cast the spell on her heart but still Panchali could not stop.' Yes I am of such value that you can not help but share with your brothers."

Arjun's jaw tightened. His grip on her shoulder became more forceful that Panchali could not bear the pain. But he is not in a state to realise her pain. He just could not bear to reminisce the sharing thing,the most dreadful moment of his life. And He is more hurt listening it from her. He pulled her closer and said curtly.' I don't know how to make you believe in me. I am too possessive of my gifts to share them with others.I never wished to share my precious gift,but I am helpless.I will be grateful if you try to understand . Otherwise...He did not complete his line.

Yamuna stood still.The breeze got intensified. Panchali who is looking into his eyes feeling the intensity of his words stumbled as a fierce wind threw her off balance. Her fragile frame shivered experiencing his touch on her waist that electrified her senses and her whole being. Arjun gazed into the depths of her heart through her lotus eyes without blinking his eyes. His beautiful curls fell,over his eyes and he doesn't want to disturb the moment by throwing them back. Panchali raised her hand and kept them back,Arjun smiled at his beautiful wife. She loves him,she may be angry and hurt but Yajnaseni loves her Arjun the most. She can not deny the fact.

Panchali remained silent. She knew he won't listen. She opened her eye lotuses and gazed into his face,The pointed chin,the sharp nose,Hazel eyes and the luscious lips...The moon rays are falling on his face brightening up his flawless features. Arjun looked down and warned her seriously.' Now I won't tolerate if you throw tantrums. Be silent till I apply Lep. For once leave your inhibitions." Panchali lowered her eyes and murmured .' Always expect others to listen.Too much pampered by Mata." Arjun looked down and retorted.' Ofcourse Mother pampered me but I never misutilised that. I did whatever she asked me to do.Without questioning. By doing so I hurt you I know. But it is not intentional" Draupadi gazed into his eyes. They looked honest and loving.She sighed heavily unable to decide whether she should forgive or not.

Arjun took her inside and kept her on the couch.He wiped her feet with a wet cloth and cleaned the wound.Then he started applying the lep not bothering Draupadi's inhibitions and reluctance.She caught his hand and said.' Enough of it.Now go and find out They returned or not." Arjun did not stop. He continued his work and said.' They will come at their will. This is forest area. Any wild animal may come. I can't leave you alone.Panchali got a tinge of fear in her spine but she hid it and asked.' They won't come. By now they must have realised that you had weapons. You hunted in the noon. So..." Arjun looked up and smiled.' Good Analysis. But then any demons or rivals may come what will you do then? " Panchali proudly stated.' Who will dare? You two are world famous . They won't attempt such things." Arjun loved her expression and took her face in his hands.' How nice it is to see your eyes devoid of anger? Why don't you always be like this? He bent closer and whispered.' The season of love is waiting Krishnaa. Many moonlit nights are going waste. Why don't you forgive and forget?" Panchali lowered her eyes. She would like to move over forgetting everything. But..." Arjun observed her and got up. ' You take rest. I would not cross the line without your approval. Rest assured." He walked out and closed the door that separates the inner Kutir and corridor. Panchali stared at the closed door with moisture in her eyes.