ARJUNA
"Try to understand, Krishnaa..." beseeched Arjuna, holding his wife by her shoulders. "I didn't do anything wrong..."
But Draupadi was in no mood to listen. Pointing to his deformed, useless, body she began to laugh loudly. And even Subhadra, Uloopi and Chitrangada joined Draupadi in her laughter as they all made fun of their husband.
"No...no..." Arjuna moaned as he reached out to hold Draupadi. But his hands only grasped the air.
Shuddering, Arjuna woke up with a start. He was bathed in icy cold sweat and his heart was pounding in his ears. He looked around and took deep breaths to calm himself. He was still in Indraloka and the laughing Draupadi had been just a dream.
Fully awake now, Arjuna sat up on his bed, his head sunk in his arms, wishing that the other events too of the night had been just a dream. He got up and walked to a mirror and saw his reflection. His body was just the same. No changes. As of yet, at least.
Arjuna walked back and slumped on the bed. May be Urvashi's curse will come into effect only in the morning. But daybreak was only minutes away...What will happen then? Will he become a eunuch? His confused mind began weaving terrifying pictures. The greatest of Kshatriyas of the day forced to live with women...Oh... will he ever be able to wield his Gandhiva again?
Arjuna groaned and ran his fingers through his hair. The door opened and Chitrasen, a gandharva and Arjuna's close friend barged in unceremoniously. Arjuna sat up straight and trying to pretend nothing was wrong, welcomed his friend.
Chitrasen looked around the room and took in the rose and jasmine petals scattered everywhere, the sandalwood lamps, still emitting their fragrance... all advertising the night's encounter.
Grinning to himself, Chitrasen poured some wine in two goblets and handing one to Arjuna, sat down.
"So, dear Partha, how did the night go?" asked Chitrasen giving a knowing wink.
Arjuna shrugged his shoulders , as if nothing had happened.
But Chitrasen persisted. "But a night with Uruvashi..." Chitrasen closed his eyes as if imagining the bliss.
Arjuna shrugged his shoulders again but suddenly stood up. "How on earth do you know Uruvashi was here last night?" Arjuna demanded
Chitrasen too stood up. "But everyone knows. Uruvashi was telling whoever cared to listen that she was going to spend the night with you. Lucky chap" grinned Chitrasen, placing his hand on Arjuna's shoulder and making him sit down again.
Arjuna gasped. "Telling everyone??? Heavens, isn't there something called privacy?"
Now Chitrasen sounded confused, "For what, Partha? Apparently Uruvashi was assigned to entertain Yamaraaj last night, but instead she was sent out to you. I tell you Yamaraj is not in a good mood at all"
Arjuna choked on his wine.
Chitrasen continued " And Rambha and Menaka are not on speaking terms with Uruvashi."
Arjuna looked at him enquiringly.
"Apparently they were hoping to be selected instead of Uruvashi. Now they are pouting... They are hoping it will be their turn tonight."
Arjuna was convulsed with a fit of coughing.
"Lucky chap" Chitrasen reiterated, slapping Arjuna playfully on the knee.
Before Arjuna could answer, the royal bards announced the arrival of Indra- the king of Devas.