Ch.42 Chapter 41 - A Journey To Mahabha...

I'm done. I'm done trying to persuade her to speak up. Why doesn't she get it? If she doesn't speak up now, her life will be on the line. It has already been six days. My swayamvar is tomorrow. As if I didn't have enough to be anxious about, they've invited over fifty eligible bachelors. No, waitâthey're not even bachelors. Only a few of them haven't married yet. Some are on their fifth wife. Like, what the fuck bro? Are you trying to set a record? Thankfully, many won't be able to come due to wars or time constraints.

I began setting up my blankets. I was in a huge balcony where I had asked to spend my last night before the swayamvar. I'm getting married tomorrow. I can't even believe it. I chucked at the thought of not even being sure who the man I'd marry will be.

And then I remembered my last fight with Subhadra. It wasn't even a fight, I was angry at her, and she was trying to explain.

"Jiji, please understand. I can't say no. Not after your proposal was cancelled," she pleaded, holding my hand.

"Subhadre, what do you mean 'after mine was cancelled'? Would you have cancelled yours if I hadn't said no?" I asked, struggling to keep my frustration in check.

"I wouldn't have." She answered her eyes not meeting mine.

"Then these are just excuses." I said taking my hand back from hers.

I watched as she sat dejectedly on my bed, tears glistening in her eyes, the very tears I had worked so hard to keep away. And now, my anger was the reason for them.

"What will I say? I don't even know where Prince Arjun is. I can't even have a swayamvar like you. What if he doesn't come?" she murmured to herself.

I knelt before her and said, "If he doesn't come, then tell everyone, 'Bye-bye. See you never.'"

"What about our reputation?" she asked, her voice trembling. "I will have to select someone."

"Our reputation is not above you. We can lose it, Subhadra." I spoke.

She met my eyes, tears still glistening. "But that's not what you did. If it were, there would've been no swayamvar happening tomorrow."

I stood up, my frustration bubbling over. "Do not compare your situation to mine."

She whispered, "But it is the same. There is a chance that you won't get the one you want tomorrow."

"At least I am playing with chances. But you have definitely lost."

"No one knows where Prince Arjun is." She answered dejected.

"What if I bring him to you? What will you do then?" I asked, curious about her response.

She took a moment then looked up and firmly answered, she answered, "I will run away with him." And after a moment's thought she added, "Only if he wants that too."

I laughed, "Okay, then it's settled. I'll bring Arjun to you, and you'll run away with him."

Now all of the guards who were not currently on duty were in search of Arjun. No one had seen him in the last two years and the oods of him being here were very less. But the odds were slim during Draupadi's swayamvar too. He was still there. I had also sent Alexa to search for him. I trust her to find him. But I had to be prepared for the worst case. There is no way I'm letting Subhadra ruin her life so if Arjun is not found, I will kidnap Subhadra from her own wedding.

I should have been out there searching for Arjun too. But I know my body needs rest. Especially after the strenuous practice I had been through today. And I needed rest before tomorrow's competition. But sleep didn't come to me. So, I just came out to see the stars and rest.

Indraprastha still hadn't responded to the invitation. I hoped Yudhisthira would arrive on time. Half my problems would vanish if he did. Or else. I don't want to think about what happens if he doesn't come. God why couldn't he come here ahead of time like some other kings.

Indraprasth, I smiled at the thought. He became a king and still unmarried. It was rare in this era. Kings were married. There were many rituals which were supposed to be performed by king and queen together. So, he waited for me and delayed all the rituals. Even though he said he would wait, I had a sliver of doubt, after what had happened. He waited for me, I smiled.

And they said Indraprasth was a magical palace, created by lord Indra himself. I heard it was so pretty and there were many beautiful illusions in the palace of illusions. I want to see it. I couldn't believe I'll see him tomorrow after three years.

Hopefully, my mind added.

I heard footsteps behind me. Footsteps which I had come to know quite accurately in the time I had spent here.

Without turning I said, "Go away. I am in no mood to fight right now."

The steps halted but didn't leave me alone. I waited for a few moments, but when I realized that they had no intention to leave, I turned my head.

Duryodhan was leaning against a pillar near the balcony door, arms crossed, his dark eyes fixed on the empty spot beside me on the mattress.

Hell no. I am not getting caught up in a scandal the day before my swayamvar.

His eyes were still on me as I pointed towards a sofa which was for some reason just placed in the balcony. "You can sit there, but as soon as you talk about anything in the past, present or future, I'm leaving."

He didn't say a word. Just walked towards the sofa and laid down on it, head on the arm rest as he looked up at the sky.

I quietly shifted my focus to the sky. It was filled with stars. There might be few constellations too there. There was no way I could find it. How did humans generate so much pollution that it even hid the stars? After three years here, I couldn't even imagine a world without them.

After a while, Duryodhan broke the silence. "So, how was training with Lord Parshuram like?"

I turned to him, giving him a pointed look. I had said no discussions about the past.

He chuckled, "Come on, it's neutral territory."

Looking away, I replied, "It was tough. At times, I thought he was a sadist. But I wanted to learn so I stayed."

"I was shocked Lord Parshuram accepted you. But you've gained great skills."

I smiled, "I thought you said 'what were you doing last three years?'"

"I was just bitter at that point. You know I didn't mean it."

"Yeah, yeah. So, what about you? Same as before with guru Drone."

"It wasn't guru Drone. It was your brother, Prince Balaram."

I turned to him, shocked. His eyes were still on me. "What the fuck did you say to make him accept you?"

"Hey my reputation is not that bad." He defended.

I raised an eyebrow at his statement.

"But it did take a lot of efforts and pleading before he accepted me." He admitted.

I laughed, "I expect nothing less from my brother. So, you learned sword fighting from him?"

"A bit. But most of the time, it was wrestling."

After that a silence took over us. Neither knowing what to say.

Duryodhan broke it by saying, "So that's it. Tomorrow's the day."

I again turned to him to look at him to give him a pointed look. We were not supposed to talk about it. That was the agreement. But his eyes were not on me. He was watching the stars, but it felt like his mind was not even there.

I looked away and whispered, "Yeah."

Silence took over us again and I didn't remember at what point I dozed off. The next day when I woke up, the sofa was empty.

I didn't have time to think about those things though. The head of my dress up team had panicked because I wasn't in my room. Then they were scared, I wouldn't be ready on time, even when I assured them that it was my swayamvar, I could be fashionably late. But my words fell on deaf ears.

I had dressed up in lugda which was like dhoti from below but sari from above. It was a traditional Maharashtrian way of wearing sari. It didn't hinder my movements at all. A small gold necklace was forced on me because apparently my neck looked too empty. But other than that, no jewellery. My hair was in a bun. By now I think you've guessed what the contest would be in the swayamvar.

On my way towards the main hall, I asked for updates.

The maid besides me said excitedly, "Over twenty-five princes and kings have accepted the invitation."

Shit. That's a lot. But there was something more important, "Is King Yudhisthir present there?"

She thought for a second as if trying to recall if she saw him somewhere and as we stood in front of the door, she replied, "No he wasn't there. Actually no one from Indraprasth has arrived yet."

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