Dark clouds covered the night sky, refraining the Moon and Stars to shower its ethereal glow over the mortal world.
The entire city of Hastinapur was covered in darkness of sorrow, witnessing a horror filled vision of their Yuvrani lying in her own pool of blood.
There was that faint wish of her still breathing, and the subjects prayed for her.
The Royals were standing outside the joint chamber of the Pandavas, where Panchali was taken and being treated.
Streams of tears were flowing down their cheeks while the five husbands of Panchali just had their gazes fixed on the blood trail that followed to the closed chamber.
The previous tears dried up pretty soon when the Royal Physician closed the door behind. Their eyes were dead, beholding hollowness within it.
Well, Nakul tried to treat her but he himself wasn't in any good condition to do so, as his hands shook watching the excess blood loss and her lifeless body.
And Sahdev didn't have the courage to even try. He feared, what if one wrong step led her to...?
"Bhanumati, calm down... She'll be fine." Duryodhan tried to console his wife, but it went futile.
Though he didn't care about whatever happened anyone associated to his cousins, but the horrible view of his wife's friend, made him feel a little bad.
He never wanted anything wrong with Panchali, nor wanted to involve her in his malicious ploys against his cousins. Because, she was the one for whom his sister's life was saved from marrying that manwhore Jayadrath.
And for that he would be indebted to her. Well, not to forget his beloved wife considered Yuvrani as her confidant.
"Arya, if something happens to Panchali, I wouldn't be able to forgive myself." Bhanumati mentioned, crying heavily.
Her face turned red for continuous crying and sobbing. She was heavily guilt ridden for whatever she said Panchali.
"It was all my fault. I was the one to say those things to her. I am at fault." She wanted to curse herself more, breaking down in tears.
"No Putri, please don't blame yourself. Whatever happened I know it wasn't well, but nobody is at fault over here. I also want Putri Panchali to be fine but-" Gandhari also tried to console her.
"No Mata, after Panchali wakes up, how am I going to show my face to her. I am supposed to be her friend, her confidant. Then how can I act so impulsive to insult her openly. She must have been feeling betrayed and hurt." She spoke, hiccuping slightly while crying.
"Bhanumati... Bhanumati, calm down. You will fall sick if you went on with crying like this." Duryodhan hugged her, his own heart pained watching his beloved wife going through a dilemma.
His Angvastra soon damped with Bhanumati's tears, as she cried muffling, "Arya, Panchali..."
"Shh she will be fine." He cooed her, caressing her back in a soothing manner.
Kunti wiped her tears for the umpteenth time, watching her sons' hollow eyes stuck on the floor.
And she knew it wasn't just the floor, their gaze was fixed on her daughter-in-law's blood.
Her heart pained and broke several times in guilt, for how she behaved with Panchali that morning.
But how would she understand that for wanting happiness of her sons, she didn't want Panchali to go through such pain.
She had considered the Princess of Panchal as her own daughter, which she craved her entire life. She loved the girl a way too much.
And mother do scold her daughter, right? She did the same.
Then why was God being so cruel by trying to snatch that daughter from her?
She just wanted her sons and daughter-in-law to be happy. Was that too much to want? Was that her selfishness for wanting joy in her children's lives?
Everyone those were present there, were pulled out of their respective thoughts when the door opened, and Raj Vaidya came out.
"Vaidya ji, how's Putri Panchali?" Bhism asked. He was another ill fated man to witness his younger brothers death, his son-like figure Pandu's death.
The fake death news of Kunti and the Pandu-putras broke him for a very good period of time.
And now the sorrow filled face of the Royal Physician dreaded him the most.
"I highly apologize, Mahamahim. I tried my best but due to excessive blood loss, we couldn't save Yuvrani."
There was an eerie silence that followed the words of the Royal Physician.
It was as if the hearts were stopped beating, the nature paused and time halted while the Royals tried to process the words.
...due to excessive blood loss, we couldn't save Yuvrani.
Those five souls felt their breathing passage was blocked by someone deliberately.
It was as if they lost the very essence of their lives, the reason for their breaths.
...we couldn't save Yuvrani.
A realization that she won't be there anymore, crept a fear as to how they were supposed to live and lead their lives. And it was so sharp and intense that they felt as if someone stabbed a knife over their heart.
...couldn't save Yuvrani.
Yudhisthir had his lips parted open in shock, tears blurred his vision. His face paled as the words echoed in his mind.
He lost balance, stumbling two three steps back. Colliding with a stool, which fell down along with him, creating a loud noise.
Kunti muffled her cries, keeping her palms over her mouth, looking at her vulnerable eldest falling on his knees after losing his balance.
Vidur sat on the floor, not caring to wipe his own tears, as he hugged his eldest nephew.
Never had he seen Yudhisthir breaking apart, not even when his father and step-mother died.
Arjun was about to fall, when he was supported by Krishna. Looking at the lotus eyes of his cousin, Phalgun broke down in tears.
"Madhav..." He finally fell on his knees along with Krishna, breaking down and letting the huge dam of tears that he kept holding for a long time.
Krishna tried to console his Parth, but how would he do so when he himself was breaking apart in agony.
A sheer line of tear glistened in the eyes of Duryodhan watching his cousins like that.
He felt bad for some unknown reasons looking at the broken state of Yudhisthir, on his knees, who didn't seem to be the Yuvraj of an well established kingdom like Hastinapur.
His eyes darted towards his archenemy, Bheem. He gulped feeling bad for the guy who had always challenged him and threatened him to kill, well he too wasn't any innocent and tried too many times to kill him.
But watching his dead eyes, Duryodhan felt like Bheem wasn't even breathing and stood like a corpse, gazing at his wife's trail of blood that scattered over the floor.
Karn wiped the lone tear that finally escaped from his eyes, watching the greatest archer Arjun sitting on his knees, crying mercilessly.
It was the first time, he was seeing the mighty Pandavas breaking. God was surely cruel to snatch the very essence of the lives of the renowned warriors.
"Bhratashree." Subhadra called him, her face red with the amount of tears that left her eyes.
She joined her hand in front of her brother, pleading to him, "Please save Panchali, Bhratashree. I know only you can do that now."
"Please Bhratashree, do some miracle." And with that the incarnation of Devi Yogmaya broke into tears, "Please, please save her, Bhratshree."
"But Rajkumari, there is something that connects with the patient's conscience as well. Yuvrani is not responding to any medicines at all. And I am sorry to say but it seems like Yuvrani herself doesn't want to live." The Physician expressed his worry.
"I dare you, Raj Vaidya, if you again try to hide your incompetency in the name of Panchali not wanting to live anymore." Bhanumati shouted in anger, pointing her fingers at the Royal Physician, who darted his eyes down.
As a doctor with an experience of over 40 years, he knew that what he was telling was the truth. Yuvrani herself didn't respond to any medicine, as if she lost her will to live.
But the outburst of the wife of Rajkumar Duryodhan wasn't wrong.
"Vasudev." Dhritarastra called. "We all are aware of your vast knowledge in Vaidik Shastra. Please do something, save our daughter-in-law." He requested earnestly.
Krishna stood up determined before the door. No he wouldn't let the Devil succeed in his plan, even if it meant to change the course of destiny.
Keeping his right palm over the closed door, which opened on its own, the Lord entered.
The chamber was bathed in the soft glow of the earthen lamps. And in the middle, Panchali laid lifeless.
The divine heart of Narayan pained with the sharpness of agony, watching his dearest Sakhi.
He made his way to bed, and sat beside her. A pearl-like lone tear escaped his lotus eyes noticing her hands and forehead tied up with a white clothes, which soaked the blood.
He forwarded his hand to her head, feeling the ultimate grief. Closing his eyes, he chanted.
A soft glow emitted under his palm, before he removed his hand.
"You, my dear Sakhi, are my greatest creation and your end is not easy for anyone. Rather you will the reason for the end of all the atrocities and unrighteousness of this world." He paused, looking at the unconscious figure of his Sakhi.
She was out of danger now, though it would take time to heal her.
"And for this great accomplishment, you have to live. You're strong, Sakhi, and beyond it." He once again paused to gulp the knot in his throat.
"What you have endured, will be fruitful someday. And trust me, it's not too far when you will get your happiness."
He raised his hand, and caressed her head affectionately.
"The negative energy will try to break you and burn you, but they won't be able to get success. Because they have forgotten, you are the fire itself. You, my Sakhi, are the diya that burn itself to illuminate its surroundings. And that's why, diyas are considered auspicious." His soft serene voice resonated.
With that he got up and passed a soft smile to his Sakhi, he made his way outside.
He was surrounded by the people in hope, but his eyes darted to his cousins, who all sat there feeling the ultimate hopelessness of losing that one person.
Krishna was attacked with numerous questions, but his calm eyes were fixed onto the five dead souls, who all had lost their hopes.
"Losing your hopes so early, is not the solution." He waited, as slowly the Pandavas looked at him with a slight glint of hope.
He smiled in a serene way and nodded, "Panchali is out of danger now."
Yudhisthir and Arjun stood up from the floor, and the five brothers came up to him.
"Vasudev, are -are you..." Nakul trailed off, as his words stuck inside his throat.
"I am telling the truth, Nakul. Panchali is fine but-" Krishna assured, then paused to take the anticipated look of his cousins.
"But what Madhav?" Arjun asked, his breathing halted in fear.
"But, she is unconscious. It may take two days for her to gain back her senses. That's because the head injury is too critical and may take a longer time to heal." He stated.
Only then his cousins released their breaths that they didn't even know they were holding.
"Thank you so much, Vasudev for saving our Griha-lakshmi. We are forever indebted to you for this favour." Dhritarastra joined his hands, expressing his gratitude.
"There is nothing to feel being favoured, Maharaj. Sakhi is herself too dear to me, and saving her life is my foremost duty." He stated, politely and darted his eyes again at his cousins, who had their eyes at the closed door.
"It's past midnight, I would suggest all of us should retire to our chambers." Krishna said, knowing very well his cousins would need to go inside the chamber.
And soon all of them called it a night, leaving the five anticipating brothers behind.
Yudhisthir lifted his shaky hands, and slowly pushed the door, opening it.
(Play Tum Hi Ho- from Aashiqui 2)
The light glow of the lamps illuminated the chamber, as they stepped inside.
The white curtains flew as the wind blew. Closing the door, behind, they took small steps towards the bed.
Their eyes pooled with fresh tears, watching the essence of their lives lying unconscious on the bed, wrapped in white bandages over her forehead and arms.
Her face looked pale yet it had a calm and serene glow.
They sat on the floor beside the bed, watched her breathing. Her chest rose and fell in a calm and composed manner.
Sahdev kept his head against the bed, close to her feet, as he sat at the far end, over the floor.
And he just sat there watching her face, which deprived of any emotions.
He didn't speak anythjng for since morning, after he realized how they unknowingly triggered her.
And all throughout the time, he felt as if someone destroyed his vocal cords, as he lost his voice somewhere amidst in the fear of losing her.
He didn't know how to shout and scream in pain. Because, at those times, his voice would betray him.
Well, he better liked it that way and preferred to lock up all his emotions inside him. Yes, he preferred to die and get hurt from inside.
He wasn't good at expressing his emotions. And because of which, he died a million times inside when he heard the Royal Physician that she was no more.
A lone tear slipped from the corner of his eyes, followed by many more that glided down, dampening the bedsheet.
However his eyes still fixed over her serene face, as he laid his head against the bed beside her feet.
"I'm sorry but..." Nakul started, his voice quivered. "I didn't know for trying to escape this relationship, you would try to take your life."
A tight knot formed in his throat, as he choked in tears.
"There are a lot of things that I wanted to tell but I-" Arjun bit his lips to stop a sob. Tears clouded his vision.
"I don't know how to tell." He continued. "Do we disgust you so much that you prefer to embrace death than living with us? You preferred to slice your arms, to harm yourself than staying with us?"
"I know it was all my fault for preparing the Kheer that triggered you so much but...was this really necessary, Yuvrani?" Bheem questioned, indicating her suicide.
A soft sob left his lips, as he hung his head down. He was done being the strong one.
For those few moments, he accepted that his heart probably stopped beating just like her.
His body shook, as he finally broke down into a deep abyss of pain and tears.
Arjun hugged him, while himself sitting on the floor feeling the pain, guilt, fear, and everything at once.
There was silence in the chamber until Yudhisthir thought to break it. He wiped the tears from his face.
"So be it." He started, looking straight at her face.
"If you want then from now, we won't be showing our faces to you. If you feel suffocated and disgusted by our mere presence, I assure you none of the sons of the late Maharaj Pandu will be there in front of your sight." He promised her unconscious state.
While Panchali laid being unaware of what happening her surrounding. She didn't know the damage she was doing just by her unconscious state.
"But yes, I can also assure you that you will never feel alone in the path of your life. If and only if you ever want support, you will blindly have us beside you." Yudhisthir gave his words.
"Always." He added, as another lone tear slipped from his eyes, which he didn't care to wipe anymore.
It was again the darkness of night witnessed their love for her, promising the entirety of their life.
Their eyes felt immensely heavy, as slowly they drifted to a dreamless slumber.
Little did they know that it was neither their surprise celebration nor the hatred from her which they misunderstood that led her to take such a drastic step of suicide.
Rather it was the dark thread of conspiracy that kept on weaving in some corner of Aryavart, threatening to destroy the entire human entity.
Greetings Loveliest Readers,
So, obviously Panchali was meant to be saved.
And now when her act has created a rift between her and her husbands, she has caused damage without her knowing.
Let's see if she can mend it or not.
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Thanking You,
Hiya