It is past mid night. Arjun could not sleep at all.He rolled on the bed this side and that side.He looked at Krishna who is in deep sleep. He got up and walked towards the inner apartments which were once occupied by all the wives of Pandavas.All the wings were kept the same way as they used to be thirteen years back,at the time of Rajasuya.
He walked towards the northern wing where his warrior wife Alli used to be. He entered into her chamber and looked around. What must be passing in Alli's mind.He married her but hardly took care of her. He did not know whom she begot. She left immediately after Rajasuya. Did she get twins as it was predicted? He did not bother to get information. He was in Exile,then incognito then war...
Suddenly he heard the noise of Payal. He looked back and shocked to see Alli there.
Alli walked towards him as if in trance.Arjun was spellbound. How could Alli be here at midnight?
Alli touched his cheek and smiled." Finally you got time to think of me.Not fair,Rajkumar Arjun,"She complained.Arjun just looked at her beautiful face.Alli continued." You know your son exactly looks like you. And your daughter ,she is like me.
Alli pouted and pulled him closer." I know you love your Krishnaa too much. All these years your whole life revolved round her only.Now that she got peace and living happily,you remembered me.
Alli clasped his neck and admitted." But I loved you sincerely. That is why I came to you when you thought of me. I love you Arjun...
Arjun closed his eyes and thought it is not his dream. Alli is here.
He then opened his eyes and found himself alone.He looked around but Alli was nowhere.
Arjun was confused. Must be his imagination He thought.
Arjun walked towards the chamber where Chitra used to be. He entered inside. It looked like still
Chitra is living there. The attendants kept everything as it is.
Arya,finally you came to me? You still remembered you married Manipur princess?
Arjun could not believe his eyes. His Chitrangada is standing so nearer to him Arjun tried to touch her.
Chitra did not allow him and said.' Don't you want to know how I endured all these years of separation?
Ulupi always told me you loved your Krishnaa so much. But I never bothered.
Arjun was in shock. Chitra seemed so real to him. Her anger,her attitude she is real.
Chitra slowly moved very close and placed her hands round his waist.
I am angry with you still I love you Arya Arjun...
Arjun closed his eyes. He should not disappoint Chitra. She deserves his love.
As he opened his eyes he understood again he was deceived...
Arjun touched the Veena strings with his forefinger. It sounded perfect.
The Veena looked perfectly in sruti as if Rekha is playing it regularly all these years.
Suddenly he felt someone bending beside him and playing the veena with great skill.
He looked at the intruder and found his wife,Vasuki's sister Rekha smiling with her eyes.
How did I play Veena? Not as good as you I know. But you didn't teach me also.
Arjun stared at her feeling her presence.
Rekha took his hand and made him touch the Veena strings.
Play it for me Arya. All these years I waited for this moment.
To listen to you to see you touch the Veena strings..
Arya Arjun your Rekha waited for you with love and hope.
Arjun looked into her eyes with intensity,He knew Rekha's love is true.
He should not disappoint her. Arjun played the notes on Veena closing his eyes.
After five minutes he opened his eyes to find the security guard gazing at him with surprise.
Arjun looked around and smiled sheepishly. The guard saluted him and left.
That is the chamber where his Naga Kanya stayed during Aswamedha.
Arjun stood at the window feeling the silence around .
Finally at peace with yourself?"Ulupi's voice is heard from behind.
Arjun turned back and found the Nagakanya looking at him with the same love and passion
That she exhibited years back in neck deep Ganga waters.
Ulupi placed her hand on his shoulder." Don't regret for anything Arya Arjun.Be calm and composed.
Still you have your trials ahead. But you should always win at the End.
I would never let anything happen to you. I pledge on my love for you.
Ulupi has tears in her eyes. Arjun felt bad.He always neglected Ulupi but not now.
Arjun stretched his hands to take her in his arms. He found emptiness.
The Worship place and Durgaa Maata were shining with the same splendour like thirteen years back.
As he walked inside he saw someone standing with Aarti Thali.Who is she?
Arya turned back and smiled. She approached him and placed Tilak on his forehead. She touched his feet.Arjun pulled her up." Arya, You are worshipping Durga without sleep?He asked.
Arya replied. " Yes Arya. For you only. You won the war.Durgaa Maata graced us.
I always worship her. You also bow before her.
Arjun touched her head affectionately and bowed before the Goddess.
Arya Now it is time to rest. Let us go.
Arjun raised his head. He was alone. Durga Mata smiled at him.
Arjun walked towards Subhadra's chamber.The chamber is looking as it is His Abhi's small bow is kept
In a corner.All his things were there in their places. The small armour that he and Krishna gifted him is still there.Arjun took it in his hands and touched it with tears.
Why did you gift him armour? He is obsessed with it.He did not leave it till ...
Arjun looked back and saw Subhadra.
Bhadra...Arjun stammered. Subhadra took the armour and threw it away.
Arjun looked bewildered.Subhadra hugged him closer.
Their tears rolled down and merged as one stream.
Subhadra said in a broken voice." Dont shed tears. I also wont.
We got our Abhi back in the form of Parikshit.
But don't gift him an armour like you did to Abhi. Promise me.
Arjun nodded his head and stretched his hand.He felt the armour but not Subhadra.
The jasmines invited him. The moonlight also.The chamber of the queen of Indraprasth
Still has the blue lotus fragrance of Yajnaseni. Arjun walked inside and observed everything just perfect. He stood near the Jhoola in which his Kirti and Pragati used to sleep.
How obsessed Kirti is with his mother? Too much. Panchali used to get angry when he
taunt her not to do so much pampering.
But he left me forever. You need not taunt me. I can't pamper him anymore.
Arjun turned back and found his Krishnaa looking at him with pain filled eyes.
The lotus eyes are trying desparately to keep the tears inside but invain.
Arjun took her in his arms and wiped her tears with his lips.
Krishnaa clasped his waist and stammered." Arjun. Kirti got angry with me.I am not a good mother.
Thirteen years I left them alone. So they left me now.And Kirti he was a baby when I left him.
Arjun,no one should have the pain I feel now."
Arjun took her to the Balcony and made her sit on the jhoola. He sat at her knees and placed his head on her lap.He then looked up into her eyes." Krishnaa don't stop your tears. Let them ease your burden . Krishnaa compose yourself.Everyone has to leave. Abhi and Kirti left early. But we also will go one day and meet them in another world. If I went before you..." Panchali closed his mouth from uttering more." Arjun,You will never leave before me. Your Krishnaa will go first and welcome you there.Dont say that again."
Arjun smiled and assured." I accept your word. But now you wont grieve for Kirti. Promise?
Panchali smiled through her tears. Arjun tried to take her in his arms. He heard Krishna's voice from behind." Parth, Done with your dreams? Or someone still left? Just say it I will let you dream."
Arjun turned back and saw his Madhav smiling mischievously. He did not look at the Jhoola again.
He knew now. His Krishnaa is a dream.
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