The road not taken ❁Mahabharata❁

❁ Chapter 5 ❁

Arjuna could feel the fear in his chest waiting to take over as he stepped inside.. He let out a slow controlled breath and attempted to loosen his body movements.. With each steps ascending towards the inner section of his chamber, his eyes moved with the alertness that comes from heavy stress and his hands remained clenched by subconscious demand.

As he peeked inside with an uncertain nervousness, his gaze fell upon the herd of maids surrounding the bed.. He couldn't see the girl's face.. So he moved closer in order to get a glimpse of her state.

Sensing the presence of Rajkumar Arjuna in the chamber, maids stepped aside.

A bit surprised with maids' presence of mind, he stepped back, worrying that he might have disturbed the procedure of medication.

Rajvaidya stood up and approached a stunned Arjuna,"Pranam Pandu Putra Arjuna."

But Arjuna's eyes were too focused on observing the rhythm of that girl's breathing, ensuring that she is alive, so he ignored Rajvaidya's greeting and just responded with "Hmmm."

"You seem to care a lot about your praja Rajkumar.. Dhanya hain Maharani Kunti", praised Rajvaidya as he noticed genuine care in Arjuna's eyes.

"Satya vachan Rajvaidya ji", agreed Bhishma in a thundering voice as he entered inside and stood behind Arjuna with his head held high and hands behind his back.

He observed Arjuna's unphased eyes lingering on the injured girl, lying on his bed motionless.

"How is she now?", interrogated Arjuna as his steps ascended towards her.. She was decently covered in a white Muslin saree and her thick curly hair reached her waist.. Her dried lips kept on blabbering words which didn't make sense to Arjuna.

He thought,"She is indeed peculiar."

He sat beside her and noticed how her clean bare face shined even more in the lighting of palace.

The shape of her lips looked like delicate rose petals.

He was so lost in observing her facial features that he didn't realise when he tucked the dancing hair lock behind her ear.

Mahamahim Bhishma coughed loudly,"Ahem ahem ahem."

Arjuna immediately came back to senses and cussed himself internally,"What are you doing Arjuna? Get hold of yourself."
But his lips curved into a small innocent smile and he shook his head.

A hesitant Rajvaidya stood beside Arjuna and folded hands,"Her injury was deep and she had lost a lot of blood Rajkumar.. But somehow your determination to not let her die saved her."

Arjuna sighed and wondered,"Who would have done this to her?"

Rajvaidya continued,"For few weeks, she needs complete rest and proper care.. After examining the wound, it's clear that it was fatal and she was attacked deliberately.. Her life's in danger."

Arjuna's nostrils flared and he put his hand on her forehead with concern,"I will protect her." He declared with determination.

Bhishma's body stiffened..He strictly signalled rajvaidya to leave.. Rajvaidya quietly bowed down and left hurriedly after sensing the arising tension.

As Rajvaidya left, Bhishma's eyes narrowed and he immediately removed Arjuna's hand away from the girl.

"Rajkumar Arjuna, don't forget that you are a Kuru Prince", stated Bhishma sternly.