In the previous chapter:
The condition of Yudhistir-Devika, Bheem-Valandhara, Nakul-Karenumati, Sahadev-Vijaya...
It was 12'o clock in the noon, Arjun was aimlessly running around the forest of Panchal, stopping and glancing at some places and then again running around, as if trying to find someone in a particular place.
'There's only one place left, where you often visit panchali, that is the place where we first met,', Arjun muttered to himself and started running again. Around 10 minutes later, he came to a halt as he heard the sound of bow strings, indicating that someone's practicing archery at a distance. He tiptoed towards the place and when he was quite near, he hid behind a huge tree covered by bushes all around. He could see a maiden of mid 20's practicing archery. By noticing her features and archery skills, he was sure that the maiden is his Panchali. He couldn't see her face as she was standing with her back faced to him.
She was shooting arrows after arrows on the targets placed in different direction. By seeing her actions, Arjun knew that she's trying to hide her sadness, hurt and sorrow by spending most of her time in warfare. An hour pass and she was still practicing archery.
After some time, she put her bow down and let out a agonising scream. She turned this time, Arjun could see her face this time. It was all pale and sweaty. She was breathing heavily due to the heavy practice sessions.
Then, she picked up a sword and started swinging it all around. She kept practicing for hours. When she got completely exhausted, she dropped the sword down and she sat on the ground.
There was complete silence for a brief moment and tears slowly flow down freely from her eyes. Just then, a deer and a rabbit came near her and wiped her tears with their fur. Draupadi looked at them and smiles at them as if it was normal.
Well, it is normal. Everyday after practice, these two animals come to meet Draupadi and console her. She shares all her sorrow with them.
'hey cuties... why were you late today', she asked and the animals jumped around as if they are trying to tell her something.
'oh, that's okay...', she said and smiled as she understood what they told her.
'you know, everyday I feel like Adwika jiji and Pandu uncle's family are alive, and they are safe somewhere, hiding from all us. That day in the temple, I got a strong feeling that Adwika jiji was somewhere in the temple itself, watching us from somewhere.... I really wanted to search the temple but I couldn't as the rest of them pulled me back along with them to the palace telling me that I'm overstressed... But I know they too miss her a lot and sometimes feel her presence around...', Draupadi said and fresh tears started to roll down her cheeks.
'And today, I strongly feel that Parth is there here, somewhere close to me... Yet hiding from me... Yes... I can feel his presence... Is he really here? Or is it just an illusion', she said to herself. 'no, I should check once... If he's there here... No, I can't lose him... Yes, I will find him.... I WILL FIND HIM'.
She got up from her place and started running around the place trying to find Arjun. The animals were also running behind her.
Here behind the tree, Arjun was silently crying his heart out on seeing his Love in such a broken state. He so wished that he could go to her and give her a tight hug and assure her that he's alive but, he couldn't do that currently. Suddenly, he saw the deer which was along with Draupadi was pulling her towards the tree where he was hiding.
As she came nearer to the tree, his heartbeats were becoming more and more faster. Draupadi was standing exactly opposite to him, and if she turned around and see the opposite side, Arjun would be caught. He was trying to calm his heartbeats which were beating continuously and the deer was gesturing her to look around. She turned around and was about to look around where Arjun was hiding but, the sound of horses made her stop and go away from the tree.
In a few minutes, a few soldiers of Panchal came by and got gown from their horses and came near panchali.
'the king and queen has asked for your presence in the royal palace immediately princess', said a soldier.
'okay, I'll be there in a while', said Draupadi.
'no princess, the king has strictly ordered is to bring you along only', the soldier said.
'okay', she said. Collected all her weapons and got onto her white horse and left along with the soldiers to the royal palace.
Draupadi's POV
As I was returning back, I turned back once again and glanced back at the tree and returned back to the palace. Why do I feel that my Parth was somewhere there only... Why did I feel like he's been watching me... Why do I feel like being so close yet so far....
POV ends
Arjun's POV
I kept staring at her retreating figure and once she was out of sight, I came out of the hiding. The deer and the rabbit which were along with her came to me and kept looking at me as if asking something... I caressed their fur for a while and returned back to the hut. Her eyes- having hurt and sadness, her face fully drained out and pale, her sorrow, her words, everything kept on repeating in my mind and unknowingly a lone tear escaped from my eye. Now I understand how to feels to be so close yet so far from the person we love truly.
POV ends
PROMO:
A Swayamvar for the fire princesses?
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With Love,
Krishi Rathode ❤️
आप पढ़ रहे हैं
MY DESTINED LOVE
Historical FictionWhat would happen If Draupadi married only Arjun? The Pandavas knew about Karn? Pandu and Madri were still alive? Instead of one, Maharaj Drupad got 5 daughters from the holy fire? Would all these change the consequences of Mahabharat? . . . It is a...
