Paanchaal, Kaampilya

Arjun exhaled sharply. 

He didn't know his worth; to be proud enough to have defeated the Princes of Aaryavart in the Swayamvar or be a worthless statue with the lingering memories of him being his father-in-law's perpetrator. His feats have been gossiped about since yesterday, but he couldn't bring out the scale of his feat with his past. 

He stiffened even further, never having the urge to obliviate as much as before.

 Arjun felt small, small enough when the world held him high.

His breath caught in his throat right there, as he felt Drupad's arm generously extending around his shoulder, almost engulfing his mortified self. A ragged breath whispered out his lips, with him shutting his eyelids as much as he could. Facing a battle seemed way easier than this. 

"Forget it son. . ." The low quivering whisper made Arjun gulp deeply.

"Forget it, else it will trouble us both." 

Arjun shut his eyes; almost squeezed them, his heart busy jolting within. His lips curled ruefully. 

Why was it so easy to forgive him?  Why?

Why was it so easy for him to forgive and forget, and owe him something which could mortify him to this extent? 

WHY?

Somewhere down his heart Arjun wanted to see the hatred for him in Drupad's eyes, those burning red eyes in the battlefield that had shot him arrows of ache and anger; at least he would have been in peace that he would've hated him. He wanted to feel his wrath, his hurtful words, his swears once again. The anger for destroying his Kingdom, the rage for plundering his homeland. 

And there was none.

More than that, he was over-owed by him. . .

At least a single taunt would have solaced his heart. 

Not this forgiveness, which he had never asked for in the first place. 

WHY WAS IT SO EASY FOR HIM TO FORGIVE HIM LIKE THIS?!

He did not realize his heavy breaths almost sounded like desperate pants, the sea of shame and guilt thrashing the shores over and over again as Drupad slowly freed him from his embrace with a weak smile. 

Arjun's chest tightened even more, the mortification clawing him from within.

Whispers and gapes floated through the hall like rustling leaves of the blisters, and some couldn't even come to terms that Drupad had accepted the Pandavas, and their bizarre desire. 

The latter somehow gained semblance, shifting away from Drupad instantly with a silent breath.  The wave of awkwardness was like the thick air of winter shrouding them both in its mockery of twisted fates. 

Drupad cleared his throat with a small smile that widened almost instantly, as he resumed his mirthful self with the crowd.

.

.

.

"Bless you sons, bless you!" Vyaas lifted the Pandavas, one by one with a satisfied smile. 

"Without you, it would not have been possible, grandfather," Yudhishthir gulped with a watery smile, folding his hands. Vyaas let out an affectionately hoarse chuckle. 

"What am I, Yudhishthir?" Vyaas patted his shoulder mirthfully, "The real game is being played by Naraayan himself." 

"I am just a pawn in his games. . . present whenever necessary."

Arjun's lips curled softly, with his head bowed down with a slight nod at his grandfather's wise words. 

Fate had truly entangled him 'wonderfully'. So much so that he still didn't know what to do, in-spite of earning a feat which warriors dream of. 

His past was costing his happiness. And he was stuck in the middle of a calm sea that felt equally haunting like a tempestuous one. 

 Sahadev nudged him slowly, flinching his attention. Arjun blinked rapidly at his youngest brother with tilted lips, "I, I've never felt this small enough in my lifetime," He breathed deeply, intently watching the elderly King mirthfully talking with his people. 

"Why don't you speak to him?" The latter whispered in his ear, breathing deeply.

Arjun looked at him, taking in a deep sigh.

.

.

"I request everyone present to gather around! Please!" 

Arjun and Sahadev's gazes fleeted immediately to the announcers who struck their drums to garner the attention of everyone present in the hall. The women floated into the chamber from the other end, and soon the dominating scent of lotus fragrance wavered around the air like a drooling essence. 

The fragrance was as effective as a faint drug for Arjun. He had never forgotten things around him as fast as this. . . 

Draupadi slowly strode inside the hall in all regality beside Kunti, her loose curls bouncing mirthfully across her forehead and shoulders. Holding breath was a necessity to uphold their sanity. The embassy of sheer beauty seared through the path like a sword would through the dainty hearts.

Was she even aware that she had the entire hall taken their breath away, somehow or the other?

Or she was as innocent as she could be. . .? 

Even if the world was falling apart, Arjun would stare at her like a moth fluttering close to the dangerous ambers of the flickering flame. The crimson angavastra delicately draped of her suave shape fleeted behind her with each sway of finesse. 

Bheem and Nakul on the other side was busy admiring her, and Yudhishthir had to stop himself from getting distracted while talking to a minister. 

She discreetly smiled at them on the other side, walking towards her father on a huge balcony pedestal, and that's when her gaze fluttered towards Arjun and Sahadev. Sahadev waved softly at her, with a dreamy smile on his lips and the former was too dazed to even react. 

Draupadi hid a blush, shifting towards Drupad, who strode towards the balcony railing with a warm smile. 

Arjun held his breath as he looked up at them.

His worry and peace were both together. How ironic! 

Both father and daughter new well how to play with his mind and heart. . . for real! 

For once Arjun wondered whether she knew about everything, and if she did; oh God. . . 

"I pray for everyone's kind attention!" Drupad waved his hand, with a deep smile on his lips, "My friends, my family and my well wishers!" 

"To the ones who have been with me through the thick and thin! To the ones who have loved me even through the darkest of times!" 

The hall was broken into hue and cries of Drupad's praises. The ministers, the counselors, the soldiers, guards and the royal women assembled beneath, with grin and mirth on their faces. 

"You'll know how fortunate my beloved daughter has been! She is the fruit of my penance, my hope and trust!" Drupad grinned wide and proud as he continued, "My daughter has reached a stage where she is ready to begin her new life!"

The crowd broke with cheers again, and Draupadi's blush deepened. 

"And in her welfare and well-being, and as per the wish of destiny, as per the will of Ved Vyaas, I am going to make a very important decision!"

Arjun held his breath in his throat, as the elderly King spoke, "As you all know, my daughter's birth is of a great purpose! And to fulfil her purpose, the fate luckily as chosen me as his father!" 

"Hail King Drupad! Hail King Drupad!" The cheering grew louder and louder.

Drupad waved his hand, silencing the crowd, "Therefore, with all due respect and happiness, I, King Drupad is glad to announce my daughter Draupadi's wedding with the mighty Pandavas from the day the moon enters the constellation of Pushya!"

The crowd burst in gasps, cheers and whispers at the same time. There was an immediate hint of curiosity, surprise and astonishment among the people. 

A woman wedding five men?!

Many had never heard of this bizarre arrangement. Some were shocked and stunned deeply, and the ones already knew about this decision of the King were neutral. And the ones who knew the fate of the Princess, were happy beyond imagination. 

But all for once had to agree at one thing.

Someway or the other, everyone knew that their Princess was beyond ordinary.

Beyond ordinary to be confined and imposed in the rules of their world.

★★★★★★★★★

A/N

Uff! Updated after so many days! Feels good to be back!🙈💖

But this there is a lot of things goin on right now, so my updates will be slow or fast, depending on my mood, though I am excited to write about their marriage sequence soon! 🥺

Signing off for today!

Kiritija Nushkie