Peace envoy's companion part: 2

        
        Yudhishthir came back from Vasudev Krishn and Subhadra, thinking all the way if giving permission to Subhadra was right or not. But if vasudev didn't object surely there can't be anything that bad. Now he just has to tell his brother that he has agreed for his wife to go to Hastinapur without his knowledge. Everything is perfectly alright. He reached his room to find all four of his brothers there.

"Jyesth is here... " Bhim said making them all stand up. Yudhishthir went in, directly to the table where they kept maps.

"Arjun, Subhadra is accompanying Vasudev tomorrow. She wanted to bring Mata back herself. I already gave her permission so.. Don't chastise her." Yudhishthir said looking at a map.

"You what?..." Arjun suddenly said surprised.

"Why did you do that?" Bhim asked confused. 

"And where did you even met Subhadra Bhabi? You went to Vasudev, did not you?" Sahadev asked calmly.

"I was... But I got ambushed." Yudhishthir said with a smile remembering how Subhadra trapped him in his own words.

"Wait a second... You got ambushed? By Subhadra Bhabi? Sweet, little Subhadra Bhabi.. The woman who you, Jyesth think that she is so frigile, that will break to the touch. She ambushed you?" Nakul said in a taunting voice.

"Let's see how you deny it when your sweet little Subhadra Bhabi wants something from you.." Yudhishthir replied while Bhim threw a pillow at Nakul's face.

"Why I even deny her anything... She can have the world  if she asks me." Nakul said in a matter of fact tone.

"Huh.. no wonder she likes you so much.." Sahadev said.

"Arjun.. I don't feel Subhadra's argument was frivolous. If it had been, I would have denied her. It wasn't an idea she just came up with in one evening. It's well thought out. But that doesn't mean I'm happy that she is going. Sending a peace envoy is necessary, that's more than how much interaction I want with them. If you want then try and convince her." Yudhishthir adviced.

"Do kids know?" Arjun asked.

"Not yet... I think. You know how they are.. roaming around and hearing things. I suggest you go to Subhadra before them." Yudhishthir said. Arjun nodded and left.

          Arjun was late anyways because Bhargavi had already heard him and wasn't going to stop until she told someone. She ran like a lightening to the twin girls room. They were having a little chat when she arrived running and panting.

"Jiji.. jiji.. Pragya jiji..." Bhargavi struggled with her words.

"What.. what... Why are you running like that..?" Pragya asked helping her sit down.

"You won't believe what I just heard.." Bharagvi said.

"Bhargavi.. how many times do we have to tell you.. This is not a good thing. You should never eavesdrop when people are talking." Pragati scolded the younger princess.

"I know.. I know.. I just couldn't help myself.. it's important.."

"Fine tell us what horrendous dish we are going to get for breakfast tomorrow?" Pragya said in a bored tone.

"Maa is going to Hastinapur.." Bhargavi chose to leave all the hemming and howing with her words. Both girls took a sharp turn to her.

"Are you nuts? It's impossible." Pragati said.

"It's very much possible. I just heard her talking to Mamashree Krishn and Taatshree Yudhishthir. Both of them gave her permission." Bhargavi said.

"But why?" Pragati asked "Why?" She repeated shaking Pragya who was just sitting still.

"I don't know.. I didn't hear that." Bhargavi said.

"Jyesth Bhrata ko pata chalega to.. nai nai.. hum der nai kar sakte.. you go to the armoury, see if anyone is there. Pragati you go to Bhrata Abhimanyu's room. I'm going to find all the others. Meet us in Maa's room ok? And for God's sake don't tell them just yet.. we will tell them together and gently. Ok'' Pragya ordered her two sisters and ran off.
(If Jyesth Bhrata gets to know... No no.. we can't delay the information...)

     To Bhargavi's luck she found Prativindhya in the Armoury preserving some weapons. She was running and panting to the point that she collide with holder with couple of spears and fell down. Prativindhya ran to his sister's aid.

"Bhag kyu rahi ho? And who asked you to be here in armoury. There are sharp weapons around here."
(Why are you running?)

"I'm ok Jyesth.. I'm not hurt. I have something to tell you.." Bhargavi said dusting herself. And rubbing her hand that was stinging due to some rough sand. Prativindhya pulled her hand to inspect.

"Let me see... Is it stinging a lot?" He asked to which Bhargavi shook her head no.

          After making sure the girl wasn't hurt the youngman returned to his previous task without even asking what she was so eager to tell him. He picked up a sword from the tub of concussion in which he was cleaning it and started inspecting.

"You know Bhargavi eavesdroping is not a noble hobby. You have a pea sized brain anyway, don't stuff so much information in it. It will burst out one day." Prativindhya said. Bhargavi took a timid step forward.

"But it's important.."

"No... I don't have time or interest or patience for your gossip. Go find the girls and tell them." Prativindhya took out another one to inspect.

"Jyesth... Maa .." Bhargavi chocked out. The sword fall with a thud.

"Maa . Kya..? What happened to her?" Prativindhya asked turning to her.
(What)

"I don't..  she is leaving... I just heard.. she is going to Hastinapur."

"Hastinapur?"

        He muttered and started for Subhadra's room with Bhargavi running to keep up with his long strides. Once he reached the room all his brothers and sisters were already there.

"I told you specifically not to tell him just yet..." Pragya understood that Prativindhya already know.

"That doesn't matter Pragya.. Maa isn't going anywhere." Prativindhya said sitting on the seat Sutosom just stood up from to offer his brother.

"What's going on?.. Where is Maa going?" Abhimanyu asked. "Anyone is going to tell me or not?"

"Bhrata.. I just heard that Maa is going to Hastinapur tomorrow with Mamashree. He agreed to it so does Taatshree." Bhargavi said. The sound of retaliation was evident.

"Well I didn't agreed to it.. so she isn't going." Prativindhya said.

"I never saw Jyesth this agitated." Srutakarma said to no one in perticular.

"Yah.. She can't go. This is absurd." Abhimanyu said.

"I don't understand why you all are so agitated over this. If Maa has decided and elders are agreed upon this there must be some reasonable explanation. We should believe her." Suthanu tried to calm everyone.

"I agree." Said Srutasen.

"Jiji you don't understand.. It's not any alliance kingdom. It's Hastinapur. Don't you know what happened there and what can happen there?" Abhimanyu said.

"You are not understanding Abhimanyu. She is the parent not the other way around. You can't order her to stay. Anyway there are so many people there for her, Mahamahim bhishm, grandmother, grandfather vidur, guru dronacharya. They all can protect her. Kuch nai hoga." Suthanu tried to convince them.
(Nothing will happen.)

"They were there when Mata was disrespected and manhandled. No one came forward for her rescue. You want us to leave Maa to their safety Suthanu?" Prativindhya said in his usual heavy voice.

"Jyesth Mera ye tatparya nai tha.." Suthanu stopped at the raised of his brothers hand.
(Brother I didn't mean that..)

"We can't let her go. She will come anytime now. We will change her mind.. Do I make myself clear?" Prativindhya said. Everyone nodded with 'absolutely' 'ofcouse' 'I agree'.

          After their failed first attempt Abhimanyu returned to his chambers. His face was evident of his state of mind. Uttara was anxiously waiting for him and leapt to her feet once her husband entered the room.

"Aarya.. what happened? I heard Jiji came by... You left with her without telling me anything.. is everything alright?" She asked.

"No Uttara.. nothing is. Maa is going to Hastinapur. And she didn't change her mind after everyone's efforts. We all were there.."

"Everyone? Why didn't you tell me then? I could have come with you? What everyone must have been thinking of me.. that I don't care for Mata?"

"No one is thinking that. Even Jyesth asked me not to worry you about this. We will handle it as we can. You can rest assured."

"I can't rest assured when it concerning Mata. I love her as much as you do.. maybe a little more than you do." Uttara smiled.

"Really.. ?" Abhimanyu asked in a sarcastic tone.

"Without her I don't know how I was going to fit in this family. Who would have told me that you must have curd with your every meal. Or Jyesth needs a fresh fruit for his every meal. Or Bhargavi loves sweet and Bhrata Satanik can't stand anything sweet. How would I know that Bhrata sutosom fancies ayurveda and Suthanu jiji is an excellent painter. Without Mata who would tell me to wear yellow for you or at least go to Kakashree sahadev every 2-3days because although he doesn't says much, it would make him happy that his children care for him and want to see him.. I can't survive a day without her around." Uttara said all that in one breath.

"Ok.. ok.. I'm sorry I doubted your obsession with my mother.." Uttara was about start a whine but Abhimanyu chuckled and stopped her by continuing "Seriously though, I never thought about how much it's a pressure for you to know everyone and their habits. Maa does those things without even anyone realising. You can come with me, maybe she will listen to you."
   
         After hours from the excitement of the news has died down. Everyone now knew that now. After another failed attempt the younger generation returned with a pretence of helping Subhadra pack. Prativindhya still upset with all, was sitting with Subhadra on her bed leaning on the head rest. Abhimanyu was also there sitting by his mother's left side. Others were sitting in various positions while Uttara and Suthanu were packing her clothes.

"Maa... You want any Jwellery to be packed?" Suthanu asked.

"No.. just the one's I'm wearing will be enough." Subhadra said sitting straight causing both Abhimanyu and Prativindhya to sit up from their relaxed positions on her both sides.

"About that... Maa... See this Karnika(earrings).. beutiful right? I am going to keep it in your jwellery box.. make sure to wear this." Pragya said showing a beautiful earing that was definitely not a common piece of jewelry.

"That's really beautiful laado but why are you giving it to me. You should keep it. It better suited for a princess like you, not me." Subhadra protested.

"No Maa... Everything looks so good on you.. and those gold Karnika are not complimenting your golden complexion. These white diamond ones will look beautiful. You will look like the enchanting Yuvrani you are." Pragya said walking up to the mirror. Subhadra silently looked at all the kids but no one even gave a single look of explaination.

"Yah.. and we have these beautiful bangles for you. Those are a bit big..." Sutosom said, but Srutakarma finished off for him,

"But everything looks good on my beautiful maa." Subhadra looked at both of them confused.

"Those aren't bangles.. those are wrist bands... Those are MEN'S wrist bands..." She said. "Wait.. show me... Aren't these Bhrata Dristadyumn got for you. What is going on.. explain Sutosom.. Right now."

"Nothing Maa.. it just a..." Sutosom started but Subhadra looked directly to Satanik.

"Satanik.. what is going on.. I can see Prativindhya or Sutosom are not going to answer me." The second oldest looked at everyone before sitting down infront of Subhadra to explain.

"These are weapons mostly. The bangles can be turned into knives.. and the karnika... Those aren't stone. Those are crystallised poison. Iravan gave it to all the girls. In case they have to protect themselves."

"Oh my.. aur aap kya layin hain?" Subhadra asked Samyuktahana who was holding a box that she hid behind her immediately. (What have you brought)

"Maa..." She protested but easily gave in under her mother's stare. "It's just a ring that have a special crystal that changes colour if there is poison around it. If you touch any poisonous food the white crystal will turn blue."

"Give me the whole Assassination training why won't you all..." Subhadra asked smiling... "Come on... All of you"
  
       All of them get on the bed sleeping on each other but all with a feeling of sleeping on Subhadra's lap. Abhimanyu got up from his place to make room for Uttara so that she doesn't get smashed between his brothers and sisters. Subhadra started caressing the nearest heads to her hands.

"I know you are worried about me.. I know you are capable to defend me but my lovelies... What I am doing.. I'm not only doing it as Arjunpriya Subhadra or Vrushneyi Subhadra... I'm doing as the mother of all of you too. You can't understand my motives yet but have faith on your mother my sweet treats... Don't worry yourself too much." She said lovingly.

"Maa.. can you promise that you will be back? And unharmed?" Abhimanyu asked.

"On the 7th day from now.. with the first ray of sun I'll come back to you.. unharmed and happy." Subhadra predicted caressing her son's hair.

"Sing that song Maa... The song about the forbidden prince of mountains." Srutakarma said. Everyone agreed with 'yes please' 'its been long' 'han Maa'.

"Ok..

Once a boy was born to the king,
Beauty of the boy made birds to sing,
Eyes so blue that of ocean grin,
But fate he brought was dark as sin,
O! Forbidden prince of mountains....

(Everyone relaxed with their mother's sweet voice.)

The boy grew with the weapon's keep,
The king never saw his son even in sneap,
No one saw the boy to weep,
Only the sun in his twilight sleep,
O! Forbidden prince of mountains...

(They were becoming sleepy playing with each other's hands, clothes and hair.)

The king thought to throw the boy aside,
He blamed his grif on the boy in pride,
The boy was pitiful went to hide,
In the mountains beyond the tide.
O! Forbidden prince of mountains....

(The younger of the kids fall asleep by now.)

The mountains keep the boy so close,
Nature held him and his woes,
The people of mountains were not his foes,
The boy got the home, him that it chose,
O! Forbidden prince of mountains...

          Subhadra's voice choked with tears looking at her son's that she had to send to war. She could not sing anymore. The song remained unfinished that time. Prativindhya and Abhimanyu saw her tears. They remained silent but their arms around her grew tighter. No one saw Arjun standing just outside watching and hearing his wife's love.

       Vasudev Krishn and Subhadra left the very next morning. Although no one was cheerful sending them away but they had no other choice. The kids surprisingly took it well after a night with uncomfortable but a happy sleep with their mother. But yes the third pandava was more disturbed than he himself anticipated. It never happened that his wife left his side on her own. It was always the other way around. He stood looking at the path for several hours after their departure. Subhadra on the other hand was happy to be traveling with her brother. He made a point to not ask her anything about what she was going to do once she reached there. All the while they were reminiscing over their childhood together. But once they entered the gates of Hastinapur he asked,

"They won't be very happy seeing you there meri Priya behna.. I hope you know that.."

"I know bhratasree. But they will have to live through this. I'm going for Bua and I'm left for my kids. Don't say you are starting to care for their heartbreak over seeing me."

       She added the last sentence with a slay smile that made her brother laugh out loud as they approached the entrance of the Raj Mahal. As expected there was tension seeing her.

"Subhadra???" Kunti said in a soft voice.

"What is she doing here Mamashree?" Asked Duryodhana.

"I don't see any reasoning for that my kid. But I don't fancy the look she is carrying either. The timid princess of Dwarika seems a lot like her brother today. I smell the danger my kid." Gandhar Raj said before smiling and nodding as Subhadra caught his eyes and greeted him.

"I'm very grateful to you Vasudev you brought our Subhadra to us. I wanted to meet her so badly." Rani Gandhari said after proper welcoming. "Aao Subhadra.. bhitar chalo."
(Come on Subhadra, come inside.)

"Nai nai Maharani.. I will stay with Kakashree Vidur and Mata Rajshree. I'm here to take my Bua to her son's. With situation like this. She should not stay here." Subhadra said not looking up. Harsh words with humility made everyone confused how to react to her.

"But why... She has been here in worse situation than this.. and Vasudev is here to stop the war putri." The king said.

"Kshyama kijiye Taatshree.. I know my brother will do his best but God forbids, if the war still happens, Bua's presence here while you get sad news regarding your son will add on to the grief. And as your Daughter in law how can I allow you to go through that."

       That made a pin drop silence in the atmosphere. Even Kunti and Vidur didn't expected this blunt prediction of death from her. Krishn gave a sidewise glace with a smile towards his sister.

"Yadav Kumari... Are you predicting the result of the war?" Asked Sakuni with a fake smile.

"Nai nai Mamashree.. I'm not as smart as you to predict the result of a dice game let alone a war... Parantu jinke Saahas ka aadhar hi kisi aur ka saamarthya ho, yudh main unka parinam ka anuman lagana kathin nai hota."

(But it's not hard to predict what will happen to those in war, whose courage is someone else's valour.)

       And she said it. The thing that hit them in core. The brothers present were furious yet there was nothing they could do to her. Mahamahim bhishm gave a smirk to it. He knew they had no defence for this. The smile Subhadra gave after saying that was taunting.

"And Mamashree please address me as Arjunpatni when you aren't taking my name.. Surely you remember the day." She added after.

"I think we should go now.. they must be tired after a long journey." Vidur said to break the tension.

          They started for his place. Once they reached his home and sat down for a talk, they described what happened to Mahamantri Vidur's wife.

"Kab se sahej ke rakha tha man main ye sab ?" Vasudev asked Subhadra making the other three to look at her.
(Since when have you been keeping it in your heart?)

"Dyutsabha se. Par laga ab nai bola toh jal jaungi is krodh se." Subhadra answered. "Once the war begins I was not going to have a chance anyway." Subhadra said to which Vidur nodded understandingly.
(Since the Dyutsabha. But I reckon if I don't let it out the anger will burn me alive.)

"Par ese sabke samne bolna kya uchit tha Putri?" Kunti asked.

"I apologise for that Mata but they have done enough to deserve that.. Meri jiji ka apmaan, pita saman Jyesth ka apmaan, bhrata Balram saman bhrata Bhim ka apmaan, mere Aarya ka apmaan, Barsha ke jaal ke bhaati pavitra mere Devarji Nakul ka apmaan aur Putra saman Sahadev ka apmaan.. aur main kuch na kahu... Main ap jesi mahan nai hun Mata. Jinhone mere parivar ka apmaan kia aur jinhone ye hone dia, wo mere samman ke yogya nai." Subhadra said.

(They insulted my jiji, Jyesth who is like a father, Bhrata Bhim who I see as my bhrata Balram, my husband, my pure as a raindrop brother in law Nakul, sahadev who is like a son, and you expect me to do nothing? I'm not as noble as you. They who disrespected my family don't deserve my respect, not those who let that happen.)

       That night was darker than usual. Longer than usual. And it was not going to be dawn for a very long time.

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