Song - Pasoori

Draupadi

The next few days went in a haze with royal guests from different kingdoms arriving and passing their unwanted judgements on my marriage in their 'friendly' way.

The news of Panadavas being alive and having an alliance through marriage with Panchal had been reached to Hastinapur. Pandav's uncle mahatma Vidur would be arriving soon, so would the day of my wedding.

My heart dropped in my stomach at that thought. I yet didn't know how I was suppose to treat all five of them equally when my heart already was in control of a certain amber eyed prince.

All of a sudden I felt something big passing by me making jolt in surprise as I let out a small squeal

"What on.... " I trailed off when my eyes landed on a white pigeon, sitting on my swing. My lips curled into a small smile as I slowly walked near it but stopped as soon as I spot little blood on its neck. There was a visible wound at the left side of its neck.

"Oh! How did you get yourself injured, little one?" I bent down slightly to get a better view but as soon as I tried to take it in my arms the bird flew away and sat on my bed.

"I'm not going to hurt you, let me see" I pleaded hoping it would understand

But then again, who had ever understood me?

As soon as I reached near my bed it started flapping its wings and flew out of my room and I followed it.

"Wait" I shouted while running behind the bird. Since it was injured, its pace was much slower than normal.

"You'll hurt yourself even more" I sighed in desperation while my legs kept following the pigeon.

After awhile I halted abruptly as my eyes lost the bird's sight. Panting heavily I looked around and realised I was not in my mansion but the one allotted for Govind.

I whirled around hoping to get any trace of the little bird "Where are y-"

My words died in my mouth when I crashed against a hard wall and let out a small hiss as my head bumped against it.

"God! You seriously need to watch where you're going" A familiar deep voice bleated, forcing my eyes open.

I realised it was no wall but the certain curly haired prince who had been tormenting me with his thoughts day and night. His golden eyes looked deep into mine while his thick brows were narrowed in dismay.

"S-sorry" I stammered before stepping away but was immediately pulled into his chest. My hair which was hanging lose got stuck in his left armlet.

My breath hitched noticing how dangerously close we were. I felt his hot breath fanning my face while his spicy scent filled my senses. Every pore of my body felt like they were on fire as I stood there numbly unable to move no matter how much my conscious screamed in my head.

Both our hands worked slowly on the hair-stuck armlet as our eyes kept exploring each other. His usual amber eyes looked few shades darker.

To my utter incredulity he slowly lifted one of his arms and his artistic long fingers removed a standard of my curly locks off of my face. A shiver ran down my spine as I closed my eyes feeling ecstatic trembling inside of me.

"What on earth is going on here, oh my poor eyes!" A loud shrill followed by a jocular laugh broke the beautiful trance I was in.

I immediately stepped away from him and turned my face away. I was breathing hard and could feel the sweat that had beaded on my forehead while I could literally heard my heart pounding hard against my chest.

I heard Arjun clearing his throat before replying in his usual cool tone "Nothing was going on, she was about to fall and I just caught her"

"Unfortunately for you, my eyes work just fine" I could practically imagine the smug Satyabhama had on her face.

"Exactly! That's the problem your eyes work a little too much for your own good" Arjun seemed clearly annoyed.

In these few days Satyabhama and Arjun had formed an unique relation, they would rather die than leaving any chance to tease each other about absolutely anything and everything.

"What are you talking about Bhama? We didn't notice anything" Govind taunted making Arjun grunt.

"Madhav!"

"Yes Parth?"

"I-" I gulped before looking up to face them "I was looking for a wounded pigeon. It came, it flew, I-" I stopped ranting when I noticed the bird on Govind's shoulder

"Oh this, I've taken care of it. You're free to continue 'whatever' you were doing" Govind tittered while caressing the white bird

I lowered my head remaining silent, that moment I wanted nothing more than to disappear.

As if almost hearing my plea, the lord of lords sent a messenger whose presence forced them to halt precipitously.

"The prime minister of Hastinapur has arrived and you all are asked to be present at the King's private chamber"

"We will be there" Govind dismissed him while Arjun's face lit up.

"Let's go Madhav, I can't wait to touch his feet" Arjun's voice was thick with emotions

"You go ahead I'll follow you shortly"

Arjun nodded before walking away. My eyes lingered on his disappearing figure

"Kalyani, don't you think worrying about something that didn't even happen yet is a little absurd?" Govind asked softly placing a hand on my shoulder

"I can't think like you do Govind but I'm trying" My voice barely audible

"Don't try anything. You're allowed to feel Sakhi"

"I'm not, I've to love them equally-"

"And what love is?"

I looked up at him with tears threatening to come out of my eyes as he continued "You don't have to feel for Bheem the same way you'll for Yudhishthir. They are different individuals, then why do you expect yourself to feel the same for all of them?"

"What if I couldn't love any of them.... " I faltered

"Love has various shades dear sakhi. The love that we share with our parents differs than the one we share with our friends, but at the end both are 'love' "

Govind continued in his captivating voice "The connection that you have with Arjun is special in every way, don't force yourself to feel the same for others too, they didn't win you through their valour. They'll have to be fine with whatever you offer"

I let the hot tears trail down "You will always be there for me, won't you?"

"Do I even have a choice?" He exhaled

"You absolutely don't" I chortled and Satyabhama joined me.

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Jay Shri Krishnarjun
Arjunaradhika