The Fateful Evening Part l

Part title

Arjun dropped her nearer to Gurukul Asram. He looked around and inhaled the fresh air ,bent down and touched the soil. He kept some of it on his forehead. As he stepped forward with Draupadi, Aswathama came before him.
He smiled at Draupadi and blessed her.
Then he turned to Arjun and said "Welcome back to Gurukul. Your Gurumata is waiting for you. "Arjun did Pranam and moved ahead. Aswathama addressed Draupadi. "Princess , Do visit  the places that reflect your husband's glory and Guru Dron's partiality for him. "Draupadi sensed sarcasm and looked at Arjun,who shrugged his shoulders.
As they entered the premises of the Asram Gurumata Kripi rushed out from inside. Her fragile body shivered with  excitement  on seeing Arjun. As Arjun touched her feet with Draupadi,  she placed her hand on her head and blessed. but immediately turned towards Arjun and wept placing her hands round his waist.
Arjun made her sit on the asan and sat on the ground beside her feet. He wiped her tears and said with choked voice. "Gurumata, enough of crying. See I am here to serve you.see how week you became. "
Draupadi observed them awestruck. How can a Gurumata love her husband's disciple that much!She remembered Govind's words. Sakhi Parth can weave magic over those who come into his life. He is irresistable.
Arjun tried to divert Kripi's attention as she is still sobbing uncontrollably . "Guru mata, Don't you want to see if my wife  matches me in looks and otherwise? "So saying he pulled Draupadi beside him to sit on the ground. Draupadi glanced at him feigning anger but a beautiful smile appeared at the corner of her lips.
Gurumata forgot her sorrow and looked at the two beautiful faces before her. She carefully observed Draupadi's extraordinary beauty and thought that her Arjun deserves such beautiful girl only as his wife.
Is it true,Princess of Panchal that your father beget you to be Arjun's bride? "She asked Draupadi who felt shy and blushed profusely.
Arjun laughed at her and answered "Gurumata. Yes. My father in law created this fire born for my sake. And she is a firebrand. "
Gurumata laughed and said stroking Arjun's curls. "Then,good for you,Arjun. Her fire will compliment your coolness. Gurumata then did Arti and properly welcomed Draupadi inside. The maids also came in the chariots and asked the princess to change her dress which got dusty. Draupadi went inside the Asram  to change.
Kripi could not control herself. "Arjun, why did you agree to share your wife with your brothers?How can you do this to her? "Arjun could not answer her. He knew if any one can question him it is either Gandhari or Gurumata.
Gandhari's displeasure is directed towards Kunti but now what can he answer his Gurumata?
Mata it is in our Destiny . More than that I can not say any thing. "He said in a low voice.
Kripi understood his dilemma and kept his face on her lap. She smoothened  his hair praying the Almighty  happiness for him and his innocent wife.

Gurumata served food to them with so much affection. She reminded Arjun of his childhood when he never paid attention to his food. She used to sometime throw the morsels of food into his mouth by pressure. "Draupadi, Arjun will never ask for any thing especially when it comes to eating his food. You should take care of him properly. "
She told anecdotes on Bheem who despite Drona's strict discipline used to  find  his way to lure her to cook what he wanted. She then told how Drona went into a Trance for three days outside Gurukul,after he heard about the Lakshagrih Fire . "Arjun, I became unconscious and bedridden after hearing the news. After three days I got back consciousness andI saw him before my eyes.He has a relieved expression on his face. Kripi, don't worry. Nothing happened to them. He is fine. "He answered me after three days .I understood he contacted his inner soul. No one can harm Dron SishyaArjun and the heights he will reach is purvanirdesit,predestined.. Together our names will remain immortal and stay as praman for Gurusishya relation. "
Arjun was listening with awe. Yes  after they went into the forest escaping the Lakshagrih Fire, he heard his Guru's voice asking him how he is. He immediately answered "Fine Gurudev. "Bharata Bheem laughed at him when he said he heard his Guru's voice and said he was daydreaming. When he told  his experience, Kripi had tears in her eyes.
Arjun, you two have soul connection. I bless you Puthr, you will be successful in making your Guru proud. You already did so by hitting the fish target. May god bless you with long life. " she blessed .
Draupadi is listening to them and is spell bound. Govind says he can not spend one minute away from him. Grand father treats him as his long lost son and literally makes him stay with him only.Gandhari loves him so much that she fights with Kunti for his sake. And guru Dron and Gurumata they treat him like their own son and their life comes standstill  if something happens to him. She forgot one name. Her own Father  loves him to that extent that he begets a daughter to offer him. What sort of magic he creates around him? Her conscience reminded her that she forgot to mention the most beautiful princess of Panchal so obsessed with him.
Arjun touched her forehead and asked with concern. "Are you feeling tired? You want to rest for sometime?  "
Draupadi came out of her thoughts. "No. I am fine. "She replied.
Gurumata asked Arjun to take Draupadi round the Gurukul and they both got into the chariot. Arjun went into a trance reminiscing his Gurukul days . Drisht who stayed in Gurukul told Draupadi about the bird target,the lake where Arjun saved his Guru and so many other things.
Draupadi asked Arjun to show her those places. Arjun took her to the very big tree on the hill to which the  artificial bird is tied up. It is  still kept there to inspire the new students.
Draupadi got down the chariot and looked at the historical bird target that paved the way for her husband's success as the foremost archer of Aryavarth.
Dhrisht used to narrate the story of how Yudhishter and other princes answered that they are seeing every thing around the bird. She remembered her father's beaming face on listening to Arjun's exploits. A soft smile adorned her face remembering her father.
Arjun asked her why she is smiling. She told him how his father used to enjoy his favourite son in law's  heroics.
I miss him Arjun " she said with feeling.
Arjun took her nearer and tried to divert her attention." Now tell me if you miss me equally or not. Otherwise I will lose before my father in law. "He complained.
Draupadi's face turned pale thinking about his yavan Expedition.
When will you return? How many days you will take to vanquish him  ?  "She questioned seriously.
Arjun laughed with delight. "So much authority? you are like  a typical wife now. "He teased.
Draupadi moved away from him making a sulking face. Arjun came so nearer to her and hugged her tightly from back. He placed his lips close to her ear and whispered. "Just call me by name and I will be before you in your service. "
He whispered in his husky voice.
Draupadi lost herself in his arms  and stayed silent .
Gurumata arranged a very beautiful jasmine garland in her hair. Arjun inhaled the fragrance and smirked. "As if your natural fragrance is not enough you have this jasmines also to throw me into intoxication!
Draupadi could not look up into his eyes. She knew both of them are besotted with each other and sometimes it becomes difficult for both of them to stay composed. Rarely he loses himself in her beauty and she can wait all her life for such coveted moments. Especially this moment is making her so week and urging her to enjoy freely the special moment of her life without inhibitions.
She turned to him and looking into his eyes asked. "Shall I remove this? "So saying she placed her hands on her jasmines and Arjun stopped her by taking her hands into his.