Kaampilya, Paanchaal

The air was thick with a maddening, intoxicating fragrance that dominated the scents of the surrounding florals.

Entrance of the Shiv temple bustled with the throng, the melodic chants of prayers and the rhythmic tolling of bells resonating humbly. Men and women had held their breath, circling around the gates of the temple, just to have a glimpse of their beloved Princess. 

It was said that a single mystical glance of hers was enough to remove sorrow from the hearts. 

Arjun's agile eyes flickered towards the fluttering red flag of the temple for a while, as he mingled himself subtly amidst the crowd. Guards were stationed at the gates, protectively enough as they sided the spilling throng every-time. Whispers of enthusiasm was fervid all around.

The cool winds whispered through his unkempt hair, languidly tossing the tangled strands that cascaded over his shoulders, swaying back and forth rhythmically. His gaze remained fixed on the temple, unwavering and deep.

Kunti always remarked how his eyes resembled a Chakor bird. And it seemed like those eyes of the Chakor bird had found his moon to long for.  Those arduous ambers that had pledged never to divert itself from anything, seemed to be conning him with its desires. 

He was standing there, as if he had no where to go but there....

There broke a howl of glee suddenly, and a glimpse of something scintillating as the rays of the Sun brushed it's soothing glow at the entrance gates.

And there she was. 

"Princess, Princess Draupadi!" 

"Princess! Our Goddess!"

The crowd hollered in excitement, trying to rush forward but the guards immediately ran and held them back, "Please! Please everyone! Move back!"

 "Princess! Princess look at us, we pray!"

"Princess Draupadi!" 

"Push back!" The men-in-commands ordered, "Push back we command!" Their spears were in front, attempting to block the way, but Arjun was frozen, then and there. 

Her dusky aura was akin to dark clouds, like the damp earth freshly kissed by rain. Coruscating gold that dangled that were meant to enliven her, felt dreary in her enchant. The flowing crimson garment effortlessly twirled around her sinuous self, trailing on the temple floor as the handmaidens followed in her wake. Her brows thinned slightly as the rays of the Sun slanted down at her eyes, yet a soft, arresting smile lingered on her lips.  

Arjun exhaled ragged breaths, as if the seventh heaven was at his feet. His lips articulated into a dreamy, witless smile, his heart twanging faster against his chest.

If this would be his sight everyday, he would religiously stand here everyday just to have a glimpse of heaven.

His heaven. 

"Princess, Princess! Here!" The enthusiastic efforts to gain her efforts had doubled, and more guards had to step in.

Arjun dreamily stared, as Draupadi was stepping down, with her hands folded at the crowd, trying her best to greet the people at every direction. He felt himself getting pushed every now and then, but he hardly cared. 

"Look, look at me, for once." Arjun whispered abhorrently, his breath deep and uneven as his heart raced with ardor. "Just once."

'Look at me, and make me yours, for once, I pray. Steal me from myself, for once.'

'For once,'

Arjun held his breath, as if feeling everything all at once. He now understood how much the Chakor bird had to wait for the night just for the moon to appear. Just for it's glimpse amidst the hefty clouds. 

But she wasn't looking into his eyes this time.

If he would've been hers, he would've lifted her chin by now and made her look into his eyes and make sure she would stare straight into his, and not blink till he had savored and drowned into her beautiful carmines.

That's what he would've done, without abash.

Even if she would lower her lashes and look away with a shy smile, he would've removed those stubborn locks that fluttered over her forehead, cup her cheeks and make her look at him till she....

Arjun tried to stifle his smile. Goodness! What was wrong with him?

What was he even thinking?

And that's when, her gaze flickered towards his. Those enchantingly carved eyes widened, as she held the railing beside her languidly, at the last step. Those were eyes, goodness! They were arrows, venomous arrows of Kaamdev that could cease someone effortlessly. 

Shooting right in his heart, without amiss.

How can someone's eyes be so....

For a moment, he felt that he had even forgotten the urge to breath, as her eyes flickered away, her lips curling up coyly. She pushed back a strand of her fluttering locks behind her ear, not lifting her gaze, walking away slowly with her attendees as the crowd tried to circle further around her. 

"Let the Princess leave! Move aside!" The soldiers grumbled in agitation, pushing away the crowd.

Leave? He couldn't even see her for more than a few moments!

"Princess, come this way," Her handmaidens began to lead her away from the entrance, and Arjun inadvertantly moved along as the throng began to follow her as well. The playfully erratic winds jostled with her crimson raiment, whiffing away her amorous fragrance of blue lotus even more. Even the branches of the trees had drooped down slightly, and so did the blooming flowers who flittered in her bias.

She walked along the side, and so did Arjun from amidst the mob, trying to look over and praying that she would spare a glance at him. 

He didn't even realize when he had trailed over to where the royal palanquins were standing...

Draupadi walked over to her palanquin, slightly turning behind. And her brows furrowed after a while, peering at the other side.

"Princess?" One of her handmaidens whispered in her ear, but she didn't budge, her eyes raving around in the crowd, "Princess!" She tapped her arm.

"Yeah!" Draupadi muttered, flinching slightly at her handmaiden, "Yeah..." She turned towards her, slightly lost. 

"Whom are you looking for?" 

Color dusted her cheeks almost instantly, as she stole away her gaze from her handmaiden, "No, it's nothing..." She breathed, barely audible. Her lips curled into a little smile while she shook her head, stepping inside the palanquin with her handmaiden. 

And all the way back, she had nothing but that smile lingering on her lips.

★★★★★★★★★

A/N

"Sach Bolun Emaan, SeKhabar Hai Aasmaan Se, Hairat Mein, Chaand BhiTujhko Takta Hai "

Came true 🙈🔥

Finally the next chapter is going to begin the Swayamvar chapters *squeals* 😍😍🔥🔥🔥

HAPPY DRAUPADI AND DHRISHTADYUMN JAYANTI TO EVERYONE 😍😍😍😍✨✨✨✨

Signing off for today!

Kiritija Nushkie