" I don't think Arya has any liking for magical atmosphere, he might end up considering that a conspiracy to abduct him again." Although Panchali tried to joke but taunt was evident in her words that pinched Uloopi and embarrassed Subhadra who sighed under breath. Chitrangada looked at Panchali to understand what is she meaning, she can't sense sarcasm that easily.
"and moreover I don't think you have got enough time to understand him Naga princess, those few days were not sufficient to know Arya's likings and disliking." Draupadi was in no mood to stop. All her frustration was poured in her sharp piercing words. "lastly I never heard captivity pleases anyone so this illusion won't be of much pleasure to aryaputra."
Uloopi bent her head without saying a word. She knows the reason of Panchali's sarcasm. What pain, frustration is burning her she can feel that. That's why she restrained from replying. Otherwise she could have said a lot. Its true she convinced Arjun to break his vow of celibacy, true that she reminded him that he had taken the vow for Panchali only not for any other woman. Its also true that she pledged to him in the name of kshatra dharma to not to refuse a helpless woman begging for last resort of life. Because that time it seemed to her if Arjun refuses her she won't be able to carry the burden of the futile youth of cursed widow life anymore. How can she? In the age of 12 when a new world awaits for a girl she lost her husband in Gaduda's hand whose neither face nor even name she can recall. But her fortune's cruelty not ended there. The creator adorned her all the beauty,qualities and charm that is rare in Aryabart's princesses. Every quality a man looks for in a wife she had possessed but destiny deprived her of the required love and care she deserved. Still she had accepted all the curse and learnt to live with that but life played another game with her by sending Arjun in her life. The day she had seen him she felt like life had given her another chance and she couldn't let it go. It seemed almighty had adorned her youth for the lion among man to arrive. Otherwise why a cursed widow girl would possess such beauty and qualities to die for? She didn't think twice to offer her gifted beautiful youth to her beloved and to make him listen to her she had to bring him to her place implying the illusion she learnt all her life. But there was another truth hidden. She convinced Arjun only but didn't force him. Even gods cant dare to apply force on the great Dhananjaya Uloopi is just a mere mortal, perhaps an illusionist but Arjun is known as Gudakesha one who possess control over his sense. If he wished he could very well destroy the hypnotism created by her, but he didn't break her illusions because simply he didn't want. Its true that she offered herself to him for fulfillment of a woman's life, to be called wife of the most desired prince of Aryavart, to be mother, but its also true that her charm, her beauty had evoked Arjun's desire, Arjun accepted her offer because he too wanted her intimacy. Uloopi in first glance had understood vow of celibacy was never accepted by heart that's why Arjun was burning in the desire for company of the warmth of youthful beauty. All Uloopi did just freed him from his hesitations the bound of vow otherwise Arjun would never concentrate to aquire the knowledge from sages that he did in those 12 years of exile. How much lust was hidden inside him Uloopi could experience in the first night at bed, but still their marriage is known as a relationship imposed by her on him. Uloopi doesn't want to change the perception, what she had got she is satisfied with that. So today too she remained silent. She could also say that if it was just a forced relation Arjun would never be desperate to get Chitrangada and later abduct Subhadra. Desire was hidden in himself only Uloopi just made a way to let it out. She could also say that even the exile was deliberately taken by Arjun because he couldn't accept the sharing of princess whom he won and that's the reason he broke the rule himself and chose to go for exile. But Uloopi didn't utter a word because she can't deny after all she had come between Arjun and Panchali. So she silently accepted Panchali's sarcasm.
Chitrangada could sense Uloopi has got hurt by Panchali's words, she can't see her childhood friend in pain, so she couldn't remain silent like her although she couldnt properly understand where did Panchali's words hurt Uloopi.
"But Aryavarta empress you too don't live with Aryaputra all the time, how can you be sure that he will dislike magic?" asked Chitrangada.
Chitra's question didn't carry any taunt. It was simply what she had felt, If Uloopi had spent only few months with Aryaputra Panchali too spent time with him once in five years. So the equation of both is same that's what Chitrangada's straight forward mind understood. Her question that's why was as innocent as herself. But that drained blood from Panchali's face. Unknowingly Chitrangada had hit the weakest spot on her. It seemed like Chitra had shown a mirror to her with that single question. For a while Panchali left with no word, she didn't know what can be most suitable words to respond.
Subhadra felt nervous. She was aware of the ego clash between Daughter of Fire and Warrior Princess. She didn't want any unpleasant situation to be created. She has noticed Chitrangada doesn't tolerate anyone to talk to her in loud voice or insulting tone, secondly Manipur is outside of Aryavart's boundary so Draupadi even as empress has no authority on her, Subhadra has seen even Arya Arjun always tries to appease this headstrong warrior princess so that she doesn't talk about going back to Manipur. Now if she feels bad by Panchali didi's word she will surely leave Indraprastha and that will hurt aryaputra and that can cause more misunderstanding between him and didi so now its Subhadra's duty to handle the situation. She knows whatever Chitrangada said not to meant to insult Draupadi. She doesn't even know what taunt means. Arya used to speak about how Chitra took all his words seriously and reacted accordingly. So Subhadra cant let Panchali didi to answer rudely to innocent warrior princess.
"Chitra didi is samragyi, she has to take care of everyone's liking and disliking." said Subhadra hurriedly before Panchali could respond.
"then samragyi should make a way so that everyone's opinion gets honor." replied Chitrangada straightly again. Not getting Subhadra's effort to control the situation.
Subhadra and Uloopi both shook their head not to find what to say next. But Panchali could sense Subhadra's maturity to maintain peace. With supreme control she managed to compose herself. She can't deny that there is truth in Chitrangada's word.
"you are right Manipur princess" says Panchali, " we should make a way out."
They were all sitting in garden. Pointing towards a place Panchali says "let's start from here, this is ideal place for sitting in evening , we should make seats of white marble here for Arya."
"And the earth in front will be covered with velvet like soft green grass." adds Chitrangada.
"I will make design on the marble" smiles Subhadra sweetly.
"can I do some magic to..." before Uloopi could end her words three princesses shouted
" again magic? Nooo"..Not only Panchali, but Subhadra and Even Chitrangada was fed up with Uloopi's obsession with illusions. And that brought four of them to square one again.
It was a quite hectic day for Arjun. From morning he was busy to serve brother Yudhisthir's order to look after the guests. Meanwhile he unfortunately had bumped into the last person he wanted to, Angraj Karna, who was refusing to stay in royal palace saying if Sutputra stays here Indraprastha's honor will get harm. No wonder he always wants to be unique of all even if it was not necessary, both brother Bheem and Arjun himself were happy that at least they won't have to bear one irritating face in the palace, but kind nature elder brother ordered to get angraj a suitable guest house and he gave the responsibility to Arjun out of all. Now he cant disobey elder brother's word so he had to do it and felt nothing can be more annoying than that because that arrogant sadist man had chosen a hut of most wretched condition to stay. Ofcourse to make pandavs feeling low by torturing himself. If Madhav wouldn't have reached in time Arjun surely would have lost his patience. Anyway what is impossible for Madhav , he managed to pour some sense to Karna's solid head and made him taking a moderate looking house to stay. So after all the tension filled day Arjun is now feeling too exhausted and felt like to take some rest in own apartment with company of his four beautiful wives. So he left for his mahal.
Entering own apartment he surprisingly found none of his wife present inside. By asking maids he got to know all of them are in the garden since morning. An astonished Arjun approached towards garden to look for the matter.
Reaching to the garden at first it seemed to Arjun that a cuckoo, a nightingale, a mynah and a robin bird are having competition among themselves with their respective sweet voice. But proceeding few feet more he discovered that those four birds are his four wives in reality. It was not a competition but a discussion the problem was four were talking together and none was listening. And Arjun could figure out only two words from that musical discussion Arya and Aryaputra. That was enough to give him chills. The discussion is centred on their husband, Arjun himself.
Suddenly Arjun found his feet are shaking, in this exhausted state he has to deal with a fire born, an illusionist, a warrior princess and madhav's pampered sister. Arjun never felt so nervous before. It seemed fighting a battle with that proud Sun worshipper was easier at this moment.
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