20. Pradarshani and Casteism

                                    

                                          
As we headed to the seating area, I observed the large crowd who had gathered to see their princes compete in the games. 
I was still shaken by the happenings in the sabha. All I truly wanted was to ask him why he apologised on my behalf. Even I knew silence was not the answer. One must talk it out. But we didn't get time. 
So I chose to do the next best thing I could. 
" Mata, I need to meet Yu - Arya. I'll be back shortly. " I said, as she looked at me with alarm and gratitude. 
" But putri. Are you sure? He has hurt your heart. I am immensely apologetic for that -" 
" Nahi Mata. You need not apologise. To answer your question, I must do it. An internal battle must never interfere with an external one otherwise there would be consequences. I just need to calm his mind. " I said, running towards the entry gates of the grounds. 
He must have heard me coming, because he turned around as he was putting his armour in. His face reflected the mask of serenity he was trying to adopt, but also the guilt of the pain he had given me. 
" What happened? Are you unwell? " He asked immediately as I stopped next to him, panting. 
"No. I am fine. I had approached you to wish you all the best. You and I both know that internal battles need never interfere with the external ones. So that's all I have come to do. We will talk about what happened in the halls after this. But you need to go knowing that I still love you. " I said as he looked at me in surprise. His eyes couldn't contain his relief and he hugged me, armour and all, which was decidedly not a good idea as the armour smelled. 
" I promise I'll make it upto you. You are right. We will talk about this later. I love you too. " He answered and his name was called out. 
As I began walking back, I heard him murmur something, but couldn't discern what. 
As I came back, Mata Gandhari was talking about her son's wins, while Mata was looking at her, sad but hopeful. Sad, not because her sons had lost, but because of the way Mata Gandhari had been saying it. 
" My son has yet again won, against Nakul as well hasn't he? " She asked delighted. 
" He has jiji. " Was all Mata could say.
" Now calling, Dharmgyani Yudhishthir! " Drauni yelled. Which made me realise. Wait a moment. He's here? Ashwatthama is here? Wasn't he back in time.... No forward. Forward in time. 
I didn't get a chance to debate on it as the crowd cheered for the eldest kurukumar. Which incited me back to where he was. 
He was falling out of the sky, or so it appeared. He had jumped off of a pillar, with his spear pointimg downwards. 
For someone who doesn't like extravagance or pomp in his life, that was a rather majestic entrance I would say. 
He looked up at us, first joining hands in front of both his elders, than waving a hand at me. 
I smiled and waved it back . 
Then the fights began. 
Duryodhan seemed to want to extract vengeance against every word I had said to him in the halls, because his attacks on Yudhishthir were anything but under the rules of acting against anger. Both of them fought like lions. 
At a point it reminded me of Mufasa and Scar. For some very weird reason. 
Eventually, I swe Yudhishthir and Duryodhan with locked weapons, circling around the ground with their weapons locked when, he left. He suddenly left the fight.