Kaampilya, Paanchaal

"Brahman Dev, isn't the meal up to the mark?" 

Arjun flinched slightly with a ragged breath, peering up at the potter's wife who had an edgy smile on her lips. Her fingers dangled with a jar of curry, abruptly halting the ladle at the latter's leaf platter. 

And that's when he realized he had swept into a daze, and not even half of the flat-bread was eaten. Realizing he had barely touched his meal, a flush of embarrassment washed over him, "N-No, it's perfect! I was just I...." He smiled as much as he could, tearing the flatbreads and dipping into the curry. 

He gaze locked with Bheem for a moment, who peered at him, raising a brow with a little smile. He immediately looked down, pretending to be busy slicing his flatbreads as much as he could.

Since the time they had returned from the temple, his younger brother was lost. 

"I thought that-"

"No no, it's not so." Arjun assured further with a smile. The potter's wife satisfactorily nodded, and moved over to Bheem and Yudhishthir to fill their curry bowls.

"You, alright?" Nakul nudged him slightly, waving his brows. 

"Yeah, what would be wrong with me?" Arjun replied, grabbing the glass of water beside him and taking a long drink, emptying the half of it. To be found staring into nothingness at the temple, unless Bheem called him from behind, wouldn't be a story worth narrating though. And above that, getting deliberately drenched from head to toe, when he could've easily sheltered under the trees. 

Only to realize, she was already gone.

And he? He was still breathing in her fragrance like a delirious soul. 

 He wiped the corner of his mouth, stifling a witless smile that threatened to break free again.

 Those  damp abyss tresses, fluttered back and forth as she was led away by her handmaidens, but she turned back. Again and again, with those yearningly deep, dreamy eyes of hers, leaving a trail of her maddening fragrance. 

Those deep and dreamy eyes of hers.

"You seem lost—-"

"Hnn, maybe..." He languidly rubbed the sides of his temple, angling his head with a lazy smile, soaking the flatbread in the curry, letting it drip.

"What?" Nakul furrowed his brows, exchanging an awed glance with Sahadev, who had stopped chewing his morsel in between and gazed back at their brother. Arjun widened his eyes almost instantly, shaking his head, "No, no! It's nothing, I am fine!" Passing an edgy smile to the twins, he resumed eating. 

Nakul continued to watch him, then glanced at Bheem, who was engrossed in his food, oblivious to the silent exchange.

"Eat....you both quietly," Arjun muttered, his jaws warming up as he looked away, this time vowing not to look anywhere but at his platter.

Goodness!

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.

.

"Really, I don't know how to express my gratitude," the potter said, his voice thick with emotion. He loaded pots onto his cart, a grateful smile spreading across his face. "I almost thought that—"

"No need, Aarya, it's our duty," Yudhishthir replied gently, securing the bull to the cart. The midday sun blazed in the sky, contrasting with the cool winter breeze that rustled the leaves.

"Still, thank you so much..."

Arjun chuckled as he placed the last two pots on the cart, carefully stacking them. "But take care this time."

All that he wanted that time, was to accompany the potter to the palace. What if, he could catch a glimpse of her?

Heck, he she had made her way into his dreams as well. And there he was, slipping into a little smile again. 

What must she be doing now? 

Vijay?" Yudhishthir's voice pulled him back to reality. Arjun blinked and turned to him. "Hnn?"

"Listen, accompany Aarya to the palace gates—"

"No, no! Please! It's alright!" the potter interjected, shaking his head vigorously. "I can manage this time!"

"I know, I know, calm down!" Yudhishthir intervened, and Arjun couldn't help but smile, "Remember, you're two days day late.... It's possible that the guards may trouble you. That's why."

The potter glanced down in slight embarassment, "A-as you wish."

Yudhishthir smiled further, cueing Arjun to leave with him.

And God seemed to have answered his prayers again.

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.

.

Arjun gently stroked the bull's flank, feeling its warm, coarse fur as it nuzzled him affectionately. The midday sun cast a golden glow over the palace courtyard, highlighting the intricate carvings on the grand entrance and the lush greenery that framed the path. Nearby, the palace guards carefully unloaded the intricately painted pots.

"I apologize on behalf of the potter for the delay. It's nothing serious, right?" His voice was calm yet tinged with a hint of authority. The potter glanced nervously between Arjun and the in-charge, who was visibly restraining his irritation out of respect because of a Brahmin's presence. "Aarya was unintentionally delayed while assisting us. Now, we've traveled all the way from Shatasringa..."

"No, no, Brahmin Dev! It's perfectly fine. We understand!" The in-charge quickly interjected, bowing slightly with folded hands. Arjun smiled wider, lifting his gaze at the man, while his guards carried the pots inside the palace one by one. 

"You'll have a huge heart, may Mahadev bless you with a long life!" 

The in-charge bowed deeply. "As you wish, Lord." He then forced a polite smile toward the potter, who shifted uneasily.

Once the carts were empty, the in-charge handed a small bag of coins to the potter, whose face lit up with a mix of relief and gratitude. He peered at Arjun, his eyes filled with unspoken thanks, while the latter was calmly guided the bull to the side, the animal's harness jingling softly.

"You wish to thank me for every little thing or what?" Arjun quipped, The potter's weathered hands fidgeted with the hem of his angavastra as he smiled bashfully. "You're gratifying me as if I'm one of your own... I can't—" He chuckled softly at the potter's humility.

"It's not so, it's just you deserve a price for your hard-work, Aarya."

"But the mistake was mine—"

"And you made up for it, didn't you?" Arjun muttered, his smile unwavered. The potter pressed his lips together, pushing his empty cart forward. "But you had to lie because of me," he murmured, voice tinged with guilt. "And—"

And Brahmins never lie. 

"Hiding the truth isn't the same as lying."

"But I may have caused you to commit a sin..."

"Sin? Sin for what, Vats?" Arjun raised an amused eyebrow and the potter went timid for a moment.

"You've done your duty with utmost dedication without any adverse notions," He smiled, "And so did I, while helping you. When did this 'sin' come in between?" 

"About the lie," the potter repeated, barely above a whisper.

"You're worrying over the same thing again." Arjun chuckled, and the potter looked at him, a hint of amusement and awe in his eyes. "I told you, hiding the truth isn't lying. And if the lie doesn't harm anyone, what's the problem?"

"So....it ain't a sin for you to lie?"

"Not unless it harms someone," Arjun replied with a reassuring smile. The potter looked surprised, slowing down his pace.

"What is it, now?"

"N-nothing," the potter stammered, a small, tentative smile forming on his lips. "I was just thinking about what you said..."

"Why? If I weren't a Brahmin, would you have pondered over what I said?" Arjun asked, raising an eyebrow playfully. The potter's eyes widened in mild panic, and he shook his head quickly, 

"No, no! Please, don't misunderstand me, my Lord!"

The latter tried to stifle a laughter, ""Alright, alright! Now, could you help me with something?"

"Of course!" The potter sighed in relief, his smile widening as he matched his pace.

"Tell me one thing," Arjun looked around, his lips curling into a subtle smile. "Is there a quicker route to the Shiv temple from here?"

★★★★★★★★★

A/N

Hayeeee, firki lene ki aadat Arjun ki puraani hai 🤣🤣🤣🤣✨✨✨

He ich a goofball 🥺🥺✨✨✨

One more chapter to go and prolly we'll be in the Swayamvar soon 🙈🙈🙈🙈✨✨✨

Signing off for today!

Nushkie