Kala Pradarshan Part 3

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Arjun POV

Guru Dron stepped forward, his face alight with pride as he announced me as the winner. His clear, resonant voice carried across the arena as he proclaimed me to be his finest pupil and the greatest archer of my generation.

I placed my hand on my heart with a smile, feeling grateful that I could give my best in the competition. As the audience cheered for me. I didn't give my all obviously, I held back a lot since it was among brothers and cousins. But still.

The silence of the arena shattered as the arrow struck the ground with a resounding thud, quivering in the dirt like a declaration of war. Guru Dron's voice stilled mid-sentence, and every head, including mine, snapped toward the source of the interruption.

And there she was.

A figure cloaked in graceful authority, her cream-colored attire flowing like moonlight, catching the fading sunlight and shimmering with an ethereal glow. The richly patterned drape of her shawl cascaded down her shoulder, its bold hues of blue, orange, and red swirling together as though alive, almost as if the elements themselves danced in reverence to her presence. The intricate artistry of her appearance was breathtaking, a vision of both elegance and power.

But it was the bow in her hand-the bow I could never mistake, along with her blue and white shawl that doubled as a mask-that anchored me, bringing the memory of the forest flooding back.

It was Ādhyavi.

The same enigmatic warrior I had encountered in the forest, who had left me with questions I couldn't answer and a sense of intrigue I couldn't shake.

Even now, her piercing, kohl-lined eyes held the same quiet intensity, only adding to the sense of otherworldliness she carried. Those eyes, dark and sharp, seemed to see right through me, as if she could read every unspoken thought.

For a moment, my heart betrayed me. It raced, a traitorous rhythm beneath my steady demeanor. I wasn't sure what stirred me more-the memory of her precision, grace, and wisdom in the forest or the way her presence now seemed to pull the air from my lungs. It was as if she had walked out of the depths of my thoughts and into reality, more vivid and commanding than I remembered.

She moved with the fluid grace of a river, each step measured, her presence exuding an aura of quiet authority. She gracefully walked towards where I was standing with Guru Dron, her gaze unwavering, her posture proud yet humble.

She reverently bowed to Guru Dron, then, without saying anything, she strung her bow while murmuring something under her breath, releasing a single arrow.

The arrow split into multiple arrows, just like the one I had released earlier, but this time, her arrows were aimed at all the elders-Maharaj Dhritarashtra, Maharani Gandhari, Pitamah Bhishma, Guru Kripacharya, Mata Kunti, Mamashree Shakuni, Jyesht Bhrata Karn, Bhrata Yudhishthir, Bhrata Bheem, and even the twins-Nakul and Sahadev.

However, what was different was that, as each arrow neared its target, it transformed into a single peacock feather, floating gently to the ground at each person's feet. The feathers glided through the air, light as whispers, each landing gracefully with a softness that belied the power that had propelled them.

I stared in awe. How did she do that?

Even Guru Dron was impressed, a rare smile appearing on his face, his eyes filled with respect and appreciation for the skill she had demonstrated. It was no ordinary display; it was a masterpiece of control, finesse, and artistry.

Then, something caught my attention. I noticed the bracelet on Ādhyavi's wrist.

It was a familiar blue thread... faded with time, but undeniably a blue thread with a single charm of a bow and an arrow ready to shoot. The bracelet which I had made as a kid and given to..

I couldn't believe what I was seeing!

I almost gasped aloud as the realization hit me, my mind reeling.

Ādhyavi was Anya?

I stared at her, disbelief written across my face, as I tried to reconcile the image of Ādhyavi, the fierce warrior, with the playful, spirited, bold but wise Anya I remembered. The memories of her laughter, her teasing words, the warmth of her friendship flooded back, intermingling with the image of the confident warrior standing before us. My chest tightened as I remembered how, even back then, she had this uncanny ability to captivate my attention-how she could make my world seem smaller, more focused, just by being near.

Pitamah's strong voice pulled me from my stupefied state.

"Tum kaun ho Kumari?! Aur iss ka Thathparya kya hai?"

(Who are you, young lady? And what is the meaning of this?)

Ādhyavi... Anya looked at Pitamah and replied in a strong voice, though I could detect a light playfulness in her tone, her eyes twinkling with that familiar mischief I knew so well,

"Mere Kuru Rajkumaro ke pratiyogitha mein hastakshep karane ka koi irradha nahi tha, issiliye mein Vijayitha ko ghoshit karane tak prathiksha kar rahi thi! Parantu isse pehle ki aap iss Kala pradarshan ko samapth kare, Aap sabh ki anumathi ho toh... mein Rajkumar Arjun ke saath ek khel ki chunautee rakhna chahthi hu..."

(I had no intention of interfering in the Competition of the Kuru Rajkumars, hence I was waiting for the winner to be announced! However, before you end this Kala Pradarshan, with your permission, I would like to challenge Rajkumar Arjun to a small challenge for fun...)

I tried to stop my grin. If not for the bracelet, this definitely confirmed that this was Anya. Only she could look Pitamah in the eye, bold and unapologetic, and declare a challenge with such a charming mix of respect and playfulness.

Then I thought about the way each of her arrows turned into a peacock feather. Peacock feather was the symbol of Dwarka, the symbol of Madhav. Even that was an obvious hint now that I thought about it.

Pitamah nodded slowly, a faint smile tugging at his lips, then turned to her and asked,

"Hum iski anumathi de sakte hain, parantu uske pehle tum apna parichay do."

(We can give you permission, but before that, introduce yourself.)

Before Anya could reply, I stepped forward and said,

"Pitamah, yeh ek yodha hai!"
(Pitamah, she is a warrior!)

As soon as I said that, I felt her sharp gaze land on me. Her eyes, as piercing as arrows themselves, met mine, filled with surprise. I looked back at her kohled eyes with a smirk, lightly nodding at her bracelet. Silently, letting her know that I recognized her.

Her eyes widened for a moment before it crinkled making me realise that she smiled underneath her mask.

She then looked around the arena, and with a slow, deliberate movement, she reached up and drew back her shawl, unveiling her face.

And in that instant, the world shifted.

The face beneath the mask was as striking as I had imagined-and yet, it was more. Her features were sharp and defined, carrying an air of quiet strength, her skin glowing under the sunlight. But there was also an unexpected softness in the curve of her lips, a balance that made her seem both fierce and serene. Her dark hair framed her face, the gentle breeze lifting a few loose strands.

It felt as though all the air had been sucked from my lungs. For so long, her eyes had been the only window to her identity, and now, as her full visage stood before me, I was caught completely off guard. This was Anya! I had often wondered how she would look after a decade, but nothing had prepared me for this.

She was beautiful. Not in the delicate, ornamental way of court maidens, but in a way that was powerful, arresting. It was a beauty that spoke of battles fought, wisdom earned, and a life lived unapologetically. And in that moment, I felt something shift within me-a warmth spreading through my chest, a realization of just how deeply she had always mattered to me.

Then, she looked at me with a familiar spark of mischief in her eyes, an enchanting smile on her lips, and addressed me directly,

"Aap ne mujhe dhanush ko pakadna sikhaya tha... ek khel ka chunauthi hojaye, Rajkumar Arjun?"

(You taught me how to hold a bow... can we have a challenge for fun, Rajkumar Arjun?)

I grinned at her and nodded, feeling my heart race as I had her full attention. I felt suddenly shy, but I masked it with a tease, my voice steady,

"Haan, avashya! Tum jab taiyaar ho, toh hum shuru kar sakte hain!"

(Yes, sure! We can start whenever you are ready!)

Anya's smile widened, her eyes dancing with excitement as I got lost in her gaze, forgetting everything else for a brief moment. The familiarity of it, the connection we shared, it was like we had never been apart. My chest tightened with a mix of emotions-joy, nostalgia, and an overwhelming sense of admiration.

We broke eye contact when we heard a loud gasp and a voice boomed with hope,

"Gudiya? Kya yeh tum ho?"

(Gudiya? Is that you?)

Anya looked at Bhrata Bheem with a bright smile, her eyes filled with warmth and affection, and teased,

"Antatha, aapne ne mujhe pahachan hi liya, Bhrata Bheem!"

(At last, you recognized me, Bhrata Bheem!)

All my brothers laughed and smiled at her happily, the tension in the air dissipating, replaced by warmth and familiarity. My heart swelled seeing her interact with my family again, as if no time had passed at all.

Pitamah gasped as he confirmed,
"Rajkumari Ananya?"

(Princess Ananya?)

Anya smiled and lightly bowed her head to Pitamah,
"Pranipath Pitamah!"

(Salutations, Pitamah!)

There was a collective gasp as everyone digested the information.

The Yadav siblings had made a lasting impression on the Kuru kingdom. Their opinion of them had only increased with the establishment of Dwarka some years back and its prosperity. Especially Anya, with her vibrant energy and enchanting presence, had spread happiness wherever she went. She was bold and strong-headed in a way that, while mischievous, she never thought twice before speaking up for what was right or imparting mature advice during their visit before all of us left for our gurukul.

Then, two voices reached us, echoing with surprise and emotion,

"Putri Anya!"

"Jijiiiiii!"

I recognized my mother's voice immediately, filled with emotion.

Anya looked at my mother and someone else beside her with affection in her eyes, smiling and nodding her head, her gaze softening as she saw them. I had my eyes only on her, unable to look away, feeling my heart swell. It was as though time had folded upon itself, bringing back the Anya we knew, yet now she was someone who had grown into an even more formidable force.

Anya then looked at Duryodhan and, with a swift motion of her bow, freed him from his ice binding. The ice cracked and fell away, and Duryodhan looked at her, his face a mix of awe and gratitude.

We were given permission, and we started our battle.

I was giddy with anticipation to fight with Anya. My body felt light, every muscle coiled with energy. There was something electric in the air, a silent promise of what was to come. My heart pounded, each beat echoing in my ears, and I couldn't help but smile. It was like we were children again, facing off not as rivals but as companions eager to learn, to push each other.

The moment our duel began, the air in the arena shifted, charged with the same playful energy we used to share as children when we practiced archery together, now it transformed into something more profound.

It was as though time itself had slowed, the rest of the world fading into insignificance. All that mattered was the challenge between us-the way her eyes locked onto mine, a silent challenge and an invitation all at once.

I loosed the first arrow, aiming deliberately near her shoulder to test her reflexes. She didn't hesitate, her body moving fluidly, dodging with a grace that seemed almost effortless. Her own arrow flew toward me in response, fast and precise. I tilted my head just enough for it to whiz past, catching the faintest hint of her smile as our eyes met briefly.

Anya wasn't just skilled-she was intuitive. Each movement, each shot, seemed to anticipate mine, as if she was reading my thoughts. Her arrows were extensions of her will, and her understanding of the battlefield was uncanny. I felt like I was dancing on the edge of a blade, a thrill coursing through me that was almost intoxicating. My admiration for her skill only grew with each passing moment. Her laughter echoed in my ears, a sound that filled me with both joy and a fierce desire to match her.

The rhythm of our battle picked up, each of us pushing the other to new heights, and the world around us faded. It wasn't just a competition-it was a conversation, a dialogue through movement and skill, an exchange of challenges and responses. The fluidity of her movements, her expressions, her unwavering focus-it was all mesmerizing. It was a dance we had started long ago, now transformed into something that spoke of years of growth, experience, and a connection that had never truly faded.

When I released a volley of arrows, she countered with a Vayu Astra, summoning a gust of wind that scattered them harmlessly, the feathers of the arrows swirling in the air before falling away. I retaliated with a Varun Astra, sending a wave of water cascading toward her, its spray sparkling in the sunlight. She twirled out of its path, her laughter echoing in the air, her joy infectious, and countered with a burst of flames from an Agni Astra, the heat rippling through the air between us.

Our laughter mingled with the sounds of the arena. It wasn't about defeating one another-it was a dance, a celebration of shared skill and connection.

We were equals, pushing each other further, supporting one another and drawing out the best in each other, just as we had done as children. The bond we shared made every moment feel more alive, more vivid. The look in her eyes told me she felt the same-the joy of facing me, the trust in our abilities, and the sheer thrill of being able to challenge one another.

At one point, our arrows collided midair, their energy exploding into a shower of light that illuminated the entire arena, the brilliance of it taking my breath away. Gasps echoed from the audience, but I barely noticed. My focus was entirely on her-her presence, her energy, the way she seemed to make the world fade away. In that moment, I realized that this wasn't just about skill or winning-it was about us, about the connection that had never waned despite all the time that had passed.

The thrill of the battle, the exhilaration of facing her, felt like nothing I'd experienced before. There was an unspoken understanding between us-an acknowledgment of who we were, and what we meant to each other.

When the sun began to set, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, we slowed, lowering our bows almost in unison. Our eyes met across the distance, and in that moment, no words were needed. There was a promise in that gaze-one of friendship, shared history, and something deeper, something unspoken waiting to be explored and understood.

The audience erupted in thunderous applause, their cheers echoing around us. The noise was overwhelming, but all I could focus on was the smile on her lips, the warmth in her gaze. My heart swelled with emotions I couldn't quite put into words-pride, joy, and something even more profound that settled deep within me.

As the chants of "Ananya and Arjun" filled the air, I couldn't help but smile. Hearing our names together felt... right, as if the universe itself had spoken, as if fate had entwined our paths in ways we were only beginning to understand.

And when she smiled back at me, her eyes filled with that familiar mischief, warmth and something else, I knew this wasn't just a game. It was the beginning of something far greater.

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A/N:

Hope you all liked today's update!

Please comment your thoughts and whatyou like/dislike.

Your comments are my
motivation.

Jai Shree Krishna🙏
-Anu