-| Stem of Rudrapushpa|-

Chitrae!

She had loved hearing her name from him. The name which was used by only him. Whenever he used to say the name, for Chitrangada, it was a soft hum rolling off his tongue, and she wished to hear the word "Chitrae" from him till eternity.

But things have been different. After three years of them living together along with their new - born son, Arjuna had to leave from Ghoshani to fulfill his duties for the world. And though it broke the daughter of Chitravahana from inside, she had predicted that this was coming, and supported him wholeheartedly. Arjuna had even enquired about her and their son, but Chitrangada had firmly replied that she needed to stay in Ghoshani and carry out her duties towards her kingdom, and that Arjuna's work for the welfare of Bharatvarsha was more necessary. She kept his reply enclosed in her heart forever, for it gave her strength and inspiration to continue.

Chitrangada's eyes moved towards young Bavruvahana. The child was having dinner while chatting with his grandfather, and Chitrangada wished nothing more than to see her son smile heart - fully. She had overcome her grief of separation over the years, and had moved on. She was an excellent ruler and Manipura prospered under her rule.

Every second, every moment...she lived in the shadows of the third Kaunteya. Chitrangada cherished the days which they had spent together, be it a little gestures or a half - hug. The days back were indeed days to cherish. Chitrangada drowned in her dreams. Those days back...

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A person covered her eyes from backwards playfully, with a mischievous glint visible in his eyes. "Swami! I know that it's you. Stop with your games Dhananjaya! Nothing can stop me from recognising you.", Chitrangada voiced, and let out a chuckle.

"How come you always understand it's me, Chitrae?", love and care dripped in his voice as he uncovered the eyes of Chitrangada.

"How can I not recognise my lord? Even in the darkest of nights, you will always be visible to me.", pure love and affection brimmed in the voice of Chitravahana Sutaa, once again winning the heart of Phalguna. Arjuna loved the hidden side of the otherwise fierce warrior princess of Manipura, and her every words made his respect for her grow even more.

The couple sat beside the lake, with Chitrangada resting her head against the shoulders of Arjuna, while Arjuna kept his arm on her shoulder, while making sure that she was in a comfortable posture. The white swans were swimming on the clean and sparkling water, a sight which anyone would love and enjoy and it was no different for Arjuna and Chitrangada as well. The beautiful fragrance of the flowers spread everywhere and the birds sang in melodious tone, as if enjoying the sight of the union of Sachindra!

Chitrangada gently stood up, and went close towards the lake. Her pristine beauty, amber - eyes and dark silky hair was reflecting on the water, which made the lake appear more beautiful. 

"Chitrae, don't move closer! You will fall in the water.", Arjuna almost screamed at her, as he rushed to her side and with a bit of force, made her move backwards. Huffing and panting, his eyes were filled with concern for her. 

 "Swami? The great Dhananjaya is scared? I don't remember tieing the knot with this person.", Chitrangada joked, and earned a glare from Arjuna, and the couple chuckled. There was utter silence. Only the chirping of the birds and the rustling of the leaves were audible.

Chitrangada was the one to break the silence. "Swami, let us have a duel. I want to see how good you are.", voiced Chitrangada, excitement clear in her voice. Sword had been an important part of her life and she excelled in it from her childhood. She had once even said to Chitravahana and Shravasti when she was a young child that if there was something which she will marry, it will be her sword, and the parents had giggled at her statement.

"But Chitrae, I may hurt you. Is this duel necessary? I mea -", Chitrangada cut off Arjuna. "Are you scared of hurting yourself or me?", Chitrangada raised her brows, a smirk playing on her lips, making Arjuna sigh in defeat.

'Chitrae is the one after Madhava who plays with words.", thought Arjuna silently.

"But still, I am not ready to have a duel with you.", voiced Arjuna, not wanting to divert the topic.

 "No Swami, I am begging you. Just a friendly duel only one time." Chitrangada was equally stubborn. Before Arjuna could reply, Chitrangada held his elbow and dragged him to the duel arena. She let go of his hand, took two swords and handed one to the son of Pandu.

 "Chitrae, I —"

"Swami, I promise I will not hurt myself. Remember our first meeting. We met as strangers and I thought of you as an invader and we had a duel between us. You were defeated that time. Are you afraid of losing to me?" said Chitrangada, her mind drawing back to the day when she re - united with her aardhang, though her trance of thoughts broke as she heard Arjuna sighing and making a light grip on the sword. 

"Let us start, shall we?". Arjuna nodded his head in agreement.

The duel began. The clash of swords rang accross the arena. Both were determined to win and were using all the techniques they had learnt in sword fighting. Arjuna made a wrong move which made his grip on the sword less. Taking the opportunity, Chitrangada, with her outstanding skills, made a swish movement which made the sword on Arjuna's fists fall afar with a triggering sound. Arjuna tried to defend himself by taking out his dagger but Chitrangada caught hold of it and snatched it away, but during the procedure, she hurt herself badly in her palms. But the pain did not mind to her, and she did not waste a moment and kept her sword on his neck, with a smile playing on her lips, the smile of being victorious in another duel. 

"So, who is the winner Swami?" Chitrangada voiced triumphantly.

 "The winner was me, it is me and it will always be me, Chitrae."

 Chitrangada was confused. But before she could reply him back, Arjuna continued, "We are one soul in two bodies Chitrae. Your win is my win and your defeat is my defeat as well." 

 Chitrangada's eyes became moist in tears. 'How can someone love a person so  much?' The question rang in her mind. She felt blessed to have Arjuna as the form of her aardhang. She wiped a lone tear that trailed off her cheeks, but it did not went unnoticed by Arjuna.

"Chitrae." Arjuna voiced out softly. "I cannot bear to see tears in your eyes. Your eyes are the star of my life and I find myself drowning in the dark clouds if your orbs have water in them," he continued, love dripping out of his voice, and the princess of Manipura knew not how many times she fell for him.

All of a sudden, Arjuna's gaze shifted to her palm that was bleeding a lot. Horrified, he rushed to the garden, took some medicinal herbs and paced back to the arena. After reaching there, he dabbed the ointment on the palms of Chitrangada slowly, and he was worried that he might hurt her.

 "Chitrae, how did you hurt yourself? You had promised me that you will be fit and fine and will be without a scratch."a concerned Arjuna voiced out, trying to make an angry glace at Chitrangada but failed badly at that.

"The pain is not much Swami. Don't fuss over it. Physical pain is nothing compared to mental pain. But I will take care of myself. Now an earnest request, smile please?"

Arjuna flushed a small smile and caged Chitrangada in his arms. Her smile, her beautiful voice were the things which made his day and Arjuna wished nothing more than the well - being of his Chitrae.

To be continued...

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Didn't know what I even wrote. This shot was an useless one and I am not satisfied with it, and it may undergo a revamp if I find more ideas to relate to.

The word "Rudrapushpa" refers to hibiscus in Sanskrit. I think it describes Arjuna - Chitrangada a lot and that's why I used the term.

Please leave your views on the chapter.