"Suthanu Di! Suthanu Di!" comes a familiar cry from the hallway mixed with the sound of footsteps and the jingling sounds of anklets as they bounce up and down from the movement.
Suthanu was in the dining hall with her Kaka Bhim. Every morning, Suthanu would watch Kaka Bhim make a new dish and the two of them would eat it together. As such, their friendship grew and they looked at each other more as friends than uncle and niece. When she heard her name being called, she looked up towards the entrance and there she saw her younger sister Pragiti leaning against the wall, panting. She smiled at her mischievous little sister. What could she be planning this time? Suthanu thought.
"Pranipath Kaka Bhim!" Pragiti rushes forward, again full of energy, and falls at her uncle's feet in the full dandavat form and not the typical "kneel and touch lotus feet." Bhim erupts in a storm of laughter and shakes his head. What a crazy little child this little one was, he thought. He picked her up. kneeled and looked at Pragiti's small and innocent face. She looked almost like Panchaali, but her eyes reminded him of Arjun. They were brown and deep, as if they hid the most beautiful secret in the world. "Jug Jug Jiyo Mere Putri. Safalta apke kadam choome" (for non Hindi speakers the translation: May you live long dear one, and may success kiss your feet at every step).
"Now tell me. What can I do for you?"
"Actually Kaka Bhim, I have something to do with Suthanu Di." Pragiti says.
Pragiti looks up and smiles. Of course her crazy little sister was here for her. They were extremely close and never did anything separately. In fact, the other day Pragiti had declared that she too would be joining her sister and Kaka Bheem in the kitchen to learn some of Kaka Bheem's delicious dishes.
"What is it Pragiti?" Suthanu asks.
Pragiti looks at Suthanu and moves her eyebrows in the direction of Bhim. Suthanu understood the message, but so too did Bhim.
"Pragiti beta. What are you hiding from me? Is it ladoos? Did you bring some ladoos? Did your Matashree make them?" He said excitedly. He had just eaten a meal and thus was in a superb mood.
"I'm not hiding anything Kaka Bheem! Besides, no one in the entire whole wide world makes as yummy ladoos as you do Kakashree!"
Bhim was pleased at this remark, but something still seemed fishy.
"Pragiti, I know you have ladoos! Tell me before I tickle you!" Bhim takes a step forward.
Pragiti squeals in happiness. "I already told you Kaka Bhim! I don't have any ladoos!!"
And saying so, she runs behind Suthanu and puts her arms around her waist.
Bhim, unconvinced, starts to walk towards his nieces, but Suthanu wouldn't move.
"Kaka Bheem. She is now under my protection. Trust me. If Pragiti has ladoos, you will be the first to know and the first to taste."
"Promise?"
"I promise. Now please don't mind, but I don't think Pragiti will reveal her secret until you leave. We both know how secretive she can be."
Bhim laughs and gently pats Suthanu's cheeks and waves to Pragiti. As he is about to enter the hallway, he stops and turns.
"If there are ladoos, do save one or two for me okay girls!"
Pragiti emerges from behind her sister. "Just one or two? What will we do with the rest!!!"
"Ah-hah!!" Bhim shouts. "I caught you!"
Pragiti squeals and runs behind her sister, tightly placing her arms around her elder sister's waist once again.
Suthanu smiles and pats her sister's hands. "Don't worry Pragiti. Kaka Bheem, you trust me right?"
"Of course I do my dear."
"Then don't worry, you will get your ladoos."
Bhim, pleased, nods and walks outside the room. Once he had left, Pragiti lets go of her sister and pulls up a chair and starts to eat some sev.
Suthanu smiles to herself, amused by her little sister's antics and watching how excited she was as she ate the sev. She puts her hands to her waist. "Pragiti!!"
Pragiti looks up and notices her sister staring at her. She was smiling so she couldn't be mad, but something was up.
"Pragiti! You were supposed to tell me something! Remember?"
Pragiti's eyes open wide, her mouth drops open, and the sev falls from her hands into the golden plate. She shakes her head and runs around the room panicking!
Suthanu laughs, but quickly grabs her sister and holds her still.
"Tell me nah. What's up?"
"Di I think that ..."
Suthanu eagerly waits for her sister.
"Di I .. uhm ... think that ... you know how... uhmm Di..."
Suthanu laughs. Obviously her sister was thinking too much about her reaction. "Pragiti tell me. I promise I won't get angry."
"I was thinking that ... Di ... that uhm..."
"Pragiti, don't worry. I promised you I won't get angry."
"Di, I was thinking we should do something special for Mai and Daddy's wedding anniversary!" She closes her eyes afraid to see the hurt or perhaps angry expression on her sister's face. (Mind you readers, this isn't the "wedding anniversary" in the technical sense. It's the day where Arjun and Draupadi came together and officially recognized themselves as husband and wife... or to put it in easy, non confusing terms - it's the first day of the first year when Arjun and Draupadi came together.)
However, Suthanu burst out laughing. "That's what you had trouble saying Pragiti!"
Pragiti opens her eyes. "I didn't want to upset you Di. I love you Di and didn't want to hurt your feelings!!" Tears start to build up in her eyes.
Suthanu gets serious, grabs her sister and pulls her towards her into a warm embrace. She gently strokes her hair and says, "Paagal! I love you too. But you're so silly. Didn't Kaka Krishna tell us that our fathers may be different but they are 5 bodies and one soul. So it doesn't make a difference if we celebrate my Kaka Arjun's wedding anniversary or your Kaka Yuddhistir's wedding anniversary."
They split apart and Suthanu wipes the tears from Pragiti's eyes. Pragiti sniffles. "Really Di. You're not angry."
"How can I be angry when everyone knows that Kaka Arjun loves me the most!"
Pragiti's eyes open wide and her mouth opens in a smile, "That's only because he knows that Kaka Yuddhistir loves me sooo much (here she spreads her arms out wide) that he only gets a tiny spot in my heart!"
The sisters laugh and again hug each other. After a few moments they split, each smiling widely.
"Ok Pragiti's what the plan! How do we give our parents the best surprise anniversary ever!!"
Pragiti leans in and whispers to her sister ...
***
Kuch Samay Baad <<more like a few hours later 😆>>
***
Suthanu walks into Draupadi's chambers and notices that her mom is pacing back and forth.
"What are you doing Muhmaa?" she asks.
Panchaali looks at Suthanu and smiles. "Your Kaka Arjun just sent me this chitti. Here read it."
Suthanu hides her smile and takes the letter. She reads:
"My dear Draupadi, Panchaali, Yagnaseni, Kalyani. The most auspicious day where we both finally became husband and wife has finally come once again. I wished to enjoy some time with you. If you are willing, please accept this invitation and see me on the rooftop of our palace. Yours forever, Arjuna."
"Wow Muhmaa. It's been 5 years right since you and Kaka Arjun were together right?"
Draupadi stares off into space thinking about the events 5 years ago. "Yes dear." She breaks out of that flashback and walks up to her daughter and lifts her chin. "You are angry aren't you?"
"What about Muhmaa?"
"That I'm going to be spending time with your Kaka Arjun."
Suthanu brushes away her mom's hand and looks away. "Muhmaa, how can you even suggest that. I'm old enough to understand why you did what you did. It is your year with Kaka Arjun. Go! I'm happy for you and Kaka Arjun!!"
"But dear. Now it's different. I have so many children. Maybe I should just tell Arya to forget about it."
Suthanu frowns. "Muhmaa. You have so many children, but Kaka Arjun never differentiates between them. He loves me more than he loves Pragiti!"
"But still beta, it doesn't seem right."
"Muhmaa. I'm sure if you asked Papa, Kaka Bhim, Kaka Nakul, or Kaka Sahadev, they will all tell you to go."
"But this isn't right. I mean I never went on a ... on a ... on a ... date with your father or your Kaka Bhim on such a night."
"Muhmaa, Kaka Arjun had this idea that Papa and Kaka Bhim never did. You should go."
Panchaali again lifts Suthanu's chin. "You sure you're not upset."
Suthanu smiles. How can she be upset when she was the one who wrote the letter! "Mahmaa, I will be upset if you break my Kaka Arjun's heart by not going. You have to go Muhmaa!"
Panchaali smiles and strokes Suthanu's soft cheeks. How old and how understanding my beautiful daughter has become, she thinks.
***
In Arjun's chamber, Arjun is also walking back and forth. He had a smile on his face, but his eyes expressed concern. Pragiti tips toes into the room and screams out "Boo!" Arjun shivers and turns in the direction of the sound. "Oh it's you my natkat Pragiti!" He sighs and motions for her to come closer.
Pragiti runs up and gives Arjun a quick hug and then sits on the floor. "What are you doing Daddy?"
"Your Mai just sent me a letter to meet her on the rooftops of the palace for a special evening. I don't know what to do."
"What do you mean Daddy? You are the world's best archer right?"
Arjun looks confused. "Beta! what does archery have to do with meeting your Mai tonight."
"It's simple Daddy. You are the best archer in the world."
"That's sweet, but it doesn't explain the connection."
"Oh right. I don't know that Daddy, but you should go and meet Mai!"
"I wish it was all that easy beta." He sighs. "But who does this. Your Mai is also the wife of my four brothers, your uncles. It isn't appropriate."
"Daddy, it's been 5 years since you have been with Mai right?"
"Yes."
"So, what's the big deal? She wants to spend it with you right? So go!!"
"But if she didn't do this with Bratha Bhim or Jyesth, how can I?"
"Perhaps Mai had other plans for them. Kaka Bhim loves to eat, so maybe she made him some Kheer... mmm Kheer. Daddy can we eat --- No Pragiti, no kheer right now, must help Daddy."
Arjun looks at Pragiti questioningly. He always knew his daughter was weird just like him, but this was a new type of weird, perhaps it was mixture of his and Panchaali's weirdness.
"Daddy, if you don't go then Mai will be upset. And if she's upset I'll be upset, and if I'm upset then Suthanu Di will be upset. And you know what Suthanu Di tells me Daddy. She tells me that you love her more than me. So if she's upset, then you will be upset. And then Mai will be upset even more, and then I will be upset even more, and then Suthanu Di will be upset even more. And since you love Suthanu Di more than me, you will also become more upset and then ---"
"Baas Baas Baas! You're so silly. Aacha. Teek Hain. I'm going. Now run along."
Pragiti stands up and turns to leave. She stops, pauses, and then faces her dad. "Daddy, is it true that you love Suthanu Di more than me?"
Arjun smiles. "I only love Suthanu Di more because your Kaka Yuddhistir loves you so much. But you'll always be my favorite princess."
Hearing this, Pragiti's eyes light up and she skips outside the room singing, "Daddy loves Suthanu Di because Kaka Yuddhistir loves me so much! I love Suthanu Di and Suthanu Di loves me so much!!"
Arjun laughs and enters the clothes chamber. What was he going to wear.
***
Outside in the hall, Suthanu and Pragiti meet up.
"So Pragiti, how did things go at your end?"
"Daddy wasn't willing to go, but I convinced him."
"Excellent! Muhmaa wasn't willing to go either, but I managed to convince her to go!"
"Oh Di! Did you know that I asked Daddy if he loved you more than me."
Suthanu smiled, her crazy sister would ask Kaka Arjun something like that.
"And Di, guess what!!! He said he loves you more than me!" And she hugs her Di, smiling, oh-so-happy!
Suthanu laughs and whispers "Paagal!" as she returns the hug.
***
Pragiti enters her mother's chambers and notices her mother was holding a red sari and a green sari. Panchaali bit her lips as she shifted the saris over her and looked at herself in the mirror.
"Does this one look better or does this one?" she asked herself, unaware that Pragiti had entered the room.
"What are you doing Mai?" Pragiti asks.
Panchaali turns in the direction of the voice and sees Pragiti standing there smiling. She looks back at the mirror and says, "Hey Beta. I'm going on a special date with your daddy!"
"With daddy!" Pragiti exclaims in perfect surprise, as if she wasn't at all aware of the fact that her mom and dad were going to be spending the evening together because of a plan that she made up and enacted with Suthanu Di.
"Now tell Mai which one you like better?"
Pragiti walks up to her mom and scrunches her face as her mom shifts each piece of clothing.
"Mai, to be honest, I don't like any one of those."
"Hmm... you're right! What was I thinking!"
"Mai can I ask you something?"
Panchaali puts the dress down and kneels down to her daughter's eye level. "Ask me anything dear one."
"Which dress did you where when you and daddy first met 5 years ago?"
"Oh that one." Draupadi opens a drawer and pulls out a nicely folded salmon colored sari with thick golden designs. "Should I wear this one?"
"Oh no Mai. I was just curious. Do you have a sari that is green and yellow and purple in color Mai?"
Panchaali looks through her drawers and finds a sari that is mainly purple and yellow, and the blouse was green. "There is this one."
"I like this one Mai. You should wear this one."
Panchaali smiles. It was a strange and random choice, but her motherly instincts told her to listen. "How can I refuse you little one!"
Pragiti smiles and moves towards the jewelry section. She picks out some matching jewelry and her mother just gazes with affection at her eager daughter. Pragiti seemed to be just as excited as she was for this evening with Arjun.
***
"Senapati Arjun Ki Jai Ho!" A guard enters Arjun's chambers and bows.
"What is it dwarpal?"
"Senapati, Rajkumari Suthanu wishes to enter and was asking your permission."
Arjun smiled. His niece was very formal like her father. "Tell her she is not welcome inside."
"Senapati?"
"Dwarpal, please do as I say. Don't worry."
The dwarpal bowed and proceeded outside.
Arjun smiled at himself. Of course Suthanu is welcome in my chambers. I will personally welcome her into my chambers. But she has to learn that she doesn't need permission to enter my chambers. Thinking so, he left his chambers and proceeded towards the main gate.
Meanwhile, the dwarpal had reached the main gate and told Suthanu that she was forbidden to enter. Suthanu nodded and knowing that Arjun was busy, started to turn around.
"Suthanu beta!" came the voice of her Kaka Arjun.
Curious, she turned around to see her Kaka Arjun approaching her. Huh? She thought. What was Kaka Arjun doing outside after telling her she could not enter?
"Where are you going Suthanu beta?"
"Oh, the dwarpal said you were busy Kakashree. So I figured I would come down at a later time."
Arjun smiled and shook his head. "Nahin beta. I told the dwarpal to say that. You've grown quite stubborn lately."
Suthanu got afraid, had she some how offended her beloved uncle. "What do you mean Kakashree?"
"Does a daughter need permission to enter her father's house?"
Suthanu let out a sigh of relief, it was just this small formal incident that had annoyed her uncle. "I'm sorry Kakashree. I didn't mean it like that. I'm getting older now, so I figured I too should begin acting more maturely."
Arjun frowned. "Kabardaar aisa kuch kaha phir se. You're always going to be my little angel." He smiled and gestured her towards the palace. Suthanu smiled and proceeded to walk, but stopped half way.
"What wrong beta?" Arjun asked.
Suthanu touched Arjun's feet and joined her palms. "Pranipath Kakashree. I forgot to touch your feet when I first saw you."
Arjun closed his eyes. How fortunate were they all to have such a righteous daughter like Suthanu. When he opened his eyes, he saw Suthanu's questioning look. Arjun just smiled and holding his niece's hand, he led her inside, there was no blessing to give to such a person like Suthanu who had the entire world in her hands because of her sweet behavior, intelligent nature, and charismatic personality.
***
Once they were inside, Suthanu asked if everything was alright. Arjun, trusting Suthanu, found it appropriate to discuss Panchaali's meeting and Pragiti's opinion. "What do you think I should do beta?"
"Kakashree. Pragiti ne kaha, so kaha. If you don't listen to her, she will be very upset. And being her elder sister, I don't like seeing her upset."
Arjun chuckles. What a sweet daughter. He thought. As he looked at her, he remembered what she had told him before about how she was getting older. He remembered how he never gave Suthanu a blessing for touching his feet because there was nothing for him to give. But upon seeing Suthanu's nature, he called upon his dear friend Madhav from within his heart and requested that Suthanu be blessed in the house of such an in-law that she never feels the separation of her own family. It wasn't a blessing in the theoretical sense, but it was in the abstract sense. Then after pausing for a second, he shook away those disappointment-causing thoughts because it meant that she would soon be leaving them all, and this was something he would not get used to.
Suthanu, meanwhile, was going through Arjun's wardrobe of jewelry. She picked out some arm bracelets and some rings. She even picked out some necklaces and found an appropriate clothing garment. It was a yellow dhoti with a purple and green kurta.
"Kaka Arjun, I picked out some clothes and jewelry for you. What do you think about them?"
Arjun simply smiled and nodded his head. "Whatever you wish my dear."
Suthanu smiled, her eyes filled with tears.
"Why are you crying putri?"
"I don't know Kakashree... I just felt like crying."
Arjun walked over to Suthanu and placed her head on his shoulder. Gently patting her head, he said "there there. aisa nahin rote beti." As he was doing this, he too felt a strange feeling inside of him and thoughts of Suthanu leaving them once again raised in his mind. Tears started to form in Arjun's eyes, and uncle and niece stood there crying for no reason. When Sutanu noticed something wet touching her face, she pulled away and saw Arjun crying. Laughing, she wiped the tears from Arjun's eyes and Arjun wiped the tears from her eyes, with a large smile on his face.
"Ok Kakashree. Allow me to leave now. I have to look for Pragiti."
Arjun nodded his head and watched his niece leave his room. He stood there for two minutes staring at the doorway, lost in the thought of his two daughters.
"Kakashree what are you doing!"
Arjun shook his head and saw Suthanu standing by the door. She must have come back for something, he decided. "Suthanu beti. Is everything ok?"
"I'm fine uncle, but you have to get ready for your date with Muhmaa!"
Arjun silently chuckled, and nodded his head. Suthanu smiled and left while Arjun adorned himself with the garments and jewelry Suthanu had chosen.
***
When Suthanu returned with Pragiti to Arjun's chambers just before sundown, they saw Arjun dressed and ready for his evening with Panchaali.
"Wow uncle Arjun, you look amazing."
Arjun turned and saw Suthanu standing with Pragiti. Both girls were beyond ecstatic and excited for this event.
"That means so much girls. I haven't done something like this for a while."
"Wow Daddy, you look so good. It was Di's choice right?"
As Suthanu nudged Pragiti, Arjun said "yes. It was your Di's choice. Nice nah?"
Pragiti nodded. "But Daddy, there is one thing missing?"
"What's that dear?"
"Your crown!"
"Oh." Arjun laughs. He starts to reach for his crown but ---
"Wait daddy!"
Arjun stops and looks at Pragiti.
"Daddy, I think it's fair if you let Di place the crown on your head."
Suthanu's eyes open wide as she looks at her younger sister. Her eyebrows raised in surprise.
Arjun smiles. "Aao Suthanu beta."
Suthanu places her hand on her chest making the questioning "me?" gesture. Arjun nods his confirmation, and Suthanu walks towards Arjun, looking back at Pragiti who keeps winking at Suthanu.
Suthanu reaches for the crown and Arjun stoops low so Suthanu can place it on his head. As she places it, she whispers "Thank you for this honor Kakashree!" and Arjun whispers back, "Thank you for honoring me my dear." She touches Arjun's feet and Arjun gently pats her head.
"It's time to go uncle!" Suthanu smiles and Arjun nods. He walks over to Pragiti, with Suthanu besides him, while shaking his head and smiling at his devilish daughter. "Go play with your sister and keep out of trouble!" Both girls nod and Arjun takes off for the palace rooftop.
***
As Panchaali walks up the flight of stairs leading to the rooftop, a sense of fear comes into her mind. What if something goes wrong and Arya gets disappointed with me? Perhaps Arya didn't send it to me? Nonetheless, Panchaali continued up the flight of stairs and upon reaching there, she saw Arjun dressed in a green and purple kurta and a yellow dhoti. His golden crown and earrings and necklaces shimmered in the candle light.
As Panchaali approached him, Arjun felt a strong gust of wind rushing through his body as if rejuvenating him. She wore a similar choice in color - a green blouse with a purple and yellow colored saari. This couldn't have been a coincidence. But he wasn't going to think about that. There was something different about this Panchaali. She seemed to be just as enthusiastic and energetic and beautiful as the Panchaali of 5 years ago. Of course, Panchaali herself was beautiful yesterday, but there was something only Arjun noticed that was different. Perhaps a 6th patni-"sense"ation?
The roof itself had been beautifully decorated . The floor had been wiped recently and there were candles everywhere. A pole in the center of the rooftop connected various long silk ribbons to various corners of the rooftop, creating something like a canopy.
Arjun gently grabbed Draupadi's hands and led her to the edge where they both placed their hands on the metal railing and looked out at the beautiful moon surrounded by its consorts -- the various stars.
"Rajkumar Arjun, Rajkumari Draupadi." A soft voice called behind them. It was a dasi who was going to be their waitress tonight. Arjun and Draupadi exchanged a look. It was the first time in years since someone had addressed the beautiful maiden of Panchaal as Rajkumari.' Panchaali thought that Arjun had told the maid to say that thinking of an earlier conversation, while Arjun thought that Draupadi accepted the position as princess of his heart recalling an earlier conversation. Both were still oblivious to the fact that neither had actually been the ones in charge of setting up this date. "Your food is served."
Arjun and Draupadi both nod sweetly and they walk together to where the food had been set up. They sit down on the small wooden eating benches and stare at each other. Draupadi takes a roti and picks up some mixed vegetable subji and holds it up to Arjun's mouth. Arjun smiles and shakes his head. He himself picks takes a portion of his roti and collects some spicy mint chutney and holds it up to Panchaali's face. It was a dilemma for both. Panchaali wasn't going to eat before her Arya, and Arjun refused to eat before his Panchaali.
Without saying anything, the hands inched closer and closer to the other's mouth until it practically touched. Using the mystical language of eyes, Arjun stared into Panchaali's beautiful green orbs and Panchaali stared into the Arjun's marvelous brown eyes. Both connected with heart, mind, soul, and now eyes opened their mouth simultaneously and accepted the offering. Smiling, they spent the rest of the time bina kuch kahain, bina kuch sune ... just staring into each other's eyes and feeding their beloved.
Finally after their plates were finished, the dasi brought out a plate of ladoos and she placed one in Arjun's plate. As she started to place one in Panchaali's plate, Panchaali shook her head and with a nod of her head, requested to be alone. The dasi bowed and walked out hiding a smile. As the dasi walked down the steps, Pragiti and Suthanu joined her and the dasi filled them both in on the events. Pragiti and Suthanu exchanged a quick glance and nodded. It was time to end this beautiful ending.
"Send these ladoos to Kakashree Bhim please, Priyamvada Aunti." Suthanu said, and with a nod Priyamvada took the plate of ladoos towards Bhim's quarters.
Meanwhile, back on the rooftop. Draupadi had reached over and picked up the ladoo that was on Arjun's plate. She smiled and offered it to her husband who took a small bite. Then, in a romantic mood, he grabbed her hand and gently took the ladoo. He extended his hand and Panchaali smiled. She opened her mouth and as she was about to take a bite, Arjun pulled it back and took another bite from it.
Panchaali hid her smile and laughter and tried to look annoyed. But Arjun, with a goofy expression on his face, extended his hand once again and forced Panchaali to smile, thus admitting that she loved his actions.
As Panchaali opened her mouth again to take a bite, Arjun once again pulled the ladoo back and placed another half into his mount.
Panchaali's eyes opened wide. "Aaaryyaaa!" She called. It had been their first words all evening. She blushed and looked away. But Arjun wasn't going to stop. He leaned forward and again extended his hand to offer Panchaali the ladoo. This time Panchaali wasn't going to lose that ladoo. She turned her head and looked into Arjun's eyes. Arjun lost all focus and for a second he too was lost in that beautiful green lake. *Wink* Panchaali winked and Arjun was taken back. In this split moment, Panchaali quickly grabbed her Arya's strong muscular arm and placed the ladoo with Arjun's finger in her mouth and took a soft bite.
Arjun smiled and looked away, shying away from the romantic reciprocation of his wife. Panchaali smiled and allowed her Arya's fingers to escape her mouth. Neither were able to look at each other as they were each swimming in a pool of shyness.
*Tina - Tana - Tauun* came the sound of a sitara. Draupadi and Arjun returned to reality and looked around. They couldn't see a sitara player, but they could clearly hear it. They walked across the entire surface of the roof and when they found no one, they returned to their original spot.
Arjun, still feeling romantic, kneeled on one knee and extended his left hand. Draupadi gently placed her right hand in his left and Arjun stood up. He wrapped his right hand around Draupadi's slim waist. With his left hand he guided her hand to his shoulder and let it rest there. He then took his left hand and placed it on Draupadi's waist. Draupadi getting the message took her left hand and placed it on her Arya's shoulders. Together, the couple danced locked in each other's glance and embrace in the basking moonlight, the sitar's beautiful rhythmic tinging and tanging in the background. It was perfect.
Both girls slowly crept unto the rooftop and observed their mother dancing with their pitashree Arjun. Only one thing was missing. Taking a dagger from her pocket, Pragiti slowly cut the rope that was attached to the ribbon. A swift snap, but all was well as the dancing couple were showered with flowers from the heavens. Panchaali and Arjun smiled and laughed and looked up. Apart from Panchaali's "Arya" line, this had been the quietest the two had ever been when together. They enjoyed the silence and secretly thanked the other for making this date so wonderful.
Pragiti and Suthanu exchanged a sisterly glance and embraced each other watching their parents dance together, bathed by the shimmering rays of the moon. As they slowly crept back downstairs to give them some privacy, Panchaali and Arjun noticed the girls from the corner of their eyes. When their eyes locked again, they realized that this had been set up by their daughters and together they smiled and laughed.
Panchaali rested her head upon her Arya's shoulders, and Arjun's hand immediately became a support for her head. Together the romantic couple danced the night away to the beauty of the sitara and the stillness of the night sky.
***END***
That was long ... give yourself a pat on the back for surviving for so long 👏
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
