The scent of blood, and other bodily liquids was the only thing that Arjun had smelled in past few days.

The pungent odor in the air, was enough to make anyone gag. It had taken him days together to adjust to the sharp smell.

If it wasn't the fierce control that the five brothers reigned on, it would have been a difficult feat to stay here.

Screams of agony reverberated throughout the place, the sounds of agony bouncing off the walls.

Since, the day they had stepped in here, screams of fear and pain laced cries,  had greeted them.

He knew for a fact, that the Kauravas were doing this to mentally torture them. With no food,  and dirty, stinky water that they provided Arjun was pretty sure, his own family was planning their demise once again.

The loud sharp cries, that pierced through his ears, almost made his heart break. Soul wrenching cries of pain, and pleadings, decorated the air.

Like a symphony of death, and horror.

The only sound they had heard, other than each other's voices was screams of agony. Dhritrashtr was trying to break them mentally.

He wouldn't lie, it would have. A normal person, would have lost their sanity by now. But, they held on.

For each other. For their mother. For the people of Hastinapur.

And for. . .her.

Draupadi.

Her name was like a balm on his unseen wounds, his friend. Or wife. He didn't know what title he should give her.

For loyalty like hers, was not easily found. She was one of her kind, there was no doubt regarding it in his mind.

A girl who had sacrificed her honor for his family, when they barely knew each other.

It is something,  that he could never forget. Every waking moment, her debt sat heavily on his shoulder.

She said it was the right thing to do, and so she had. That they didn't owe her anything. That he didn't owe her anything.

But what she didn't understand,  was that no one had ever taken a stand for them, he and his family had been struggling through everything all alone.

And, somewhere down the lane, he had expected it. His world had shrinked down to his family, they were all that ever mattered, and needed.

His brothers and mother.

That was all that were needed, and that day, he would have lost his four brothers.

Dark tentacles of agony unfurled in his chest, reaching out to him, like thorns on a vein, they wrapped around his heart.

Sinking deep within. Piercing hard.

The thought made his soul shiver, his eyes burned with a familiar sting.

And that day, for the first time, someone he hardly knew. Someone whom he hadn't even seen, had taken the initiative, accepted the name calling by the world, accepted the humiliation for life.

Sacrificed her own happiness, her very comfort, and accepted every last of agony in her fate.

To hold his family together.

A tear trekked down his cheek. His throat burning, as the ball of emotions lodged in his throat.

Where his own family, his own uncle and cousins, has always tried to kill them, separate them, break them, and what not.

There was this one soul, recently born, one who had no idea of the evils that the world possessed. That day had stood fiercely, and weaved his family, that threatened to break, in an even tighter bond.

One that made them invincible.

One that united him and his brothers, in a way, that was unimaginable.

Draupadi,  the fire born princess, had been their first savior, and probably their last.

How could they ever not be grateful to such a person? How couldn't he? She said it was no big deal. But, to him snd his brothers, it was a very very big deal.

He couldn't put in words. Nor actions. How greatful he was to that one person, who had showed him and his brothers the kindness.

One after another, tears traced down his cheeks. The heaviness on his chest lightening a bit.

Panchaali had become something to him and his brothers, something so precious, that none of the societal norms could ever describe their relationship.

He had no feelings of love towards her, so didn't his brothers, true.

But, one day, he knew,  they all will fall hard and fast.

Their relationship with her was way above anything, it was a bond among strangers,  that was seeded by situation, weaved by trust, watered by understanding, and flourished by support.

It was a relationship, that held the trust of friendship, understanding like that of parenting, care for each other as family. 

And all the more, in a male dominant society,  where women were nothing but an object.

She was their equal. A partner. He knew for a fact, that with their not so normal relationship, they will set a new definition of the relationship of a husband and wife.

Arjun blinked his eyes, gazing around the room, he wiped his tears. A soft smile on his lips.

"Panchaali." The name, almost made him laugh. She brought him the joy, that he couldn't put in words.

He smiled, rubbing the tears between his forefinger and thumb. The silver of her memories, lightening every last of his heart ache.

He shook his head, gazing around the room.

Darkness of the four walled room, with a strong steel door, was penetrated by the light, that entered from the window in the corner.

Dust and grim matted the air, and the walls. Stale air making his throat all the more scratchy.

His brothers, he looked around the room, sat in the four corners, deep in their meditational state. Gazing at them, he felt his heart clench.

To him it didn't matter, what conditions he stayed in. But his family, that was something, he really cared and loved.

He wanted them to be most comfortable, and now gazing at his siblings his heart clenched. They didn't deserve this, certainly none of them did, yet all of them were here in this dark room.

Where dried blood coated the walls, marks of scratches etched in them.

What had they done to deserve this? Just because they didn't have a father they were treated like this? How was this even fair?

Fury roared in him at the unjustice of everything, yet the agony roared wilder. Crippling him, from within.

He-

His chain of thoughts broke, as an all to familiar whimper reached his ears. Startling him out of his thoughts.

All too familiar ache, resonated deep in him, as he turned towards the window. The scent of blue loutuses, swirled in the air.

"Panchaali." Warmth coated his voice, with a mixture of concern. Holding his breath he awaited, her reply.

Maybe, he was dreaming, after all what would she do here? In this garden, at this odd hour in the afternoon. When the sun was too high.

But the tantalizing fragrance of blue loutuses, was unmistakable. It was like a spell heavy in the air, bewitching anyone around.

"Panchaali?" He called again, this time his voice a little more deeper. Emotions warring in him.

He awaited a few moments. Indeed, he had lost his mind. How could she be here? He shook his head, sighing, he turned around walking away from the window.

Loneliness, slammed heavily in his chest, almost knocking his breath out. A sharp ache slaughtered through his bones.

Resounding agony rippling through him, in waves that were more like acidic ocean, that with each wave, he burned a little more.

Died a pinch everyday.

Thoughts circled his mind, thoughts that showed various things happening to her.

She was his responsibility, now, his friend. But, he felt so connected to her, like an unseen force that weaved the two together.

He held his breath, it hurt to inhale. He was reminded what he was.

Failure.

He failed her. Thrusted in the deep corner of his heart-

"Arya?"

He froze, his chain of thoughts seemed to destroy in small pieces. His heart slowed a few paces.

Her voice was a soft whisper, the very same musical quality laced in it.

He swirled around, rushing towards the window. "Are you alright?" Was the first question, that slipped past his lips, impatience knocking hard against his chest.

A moments silence followed his words.

"I a. . .am." Her soft baritone, had a symphony of dark tainted sadness in it. "Are you alright? Are the others okay?" She asked immediately, her voice all too soft.

And just as magical.

A slow grin unfurled on his face. He couldn't really believe her. Was being so beautiful in and out, even possible? He often wondered.

If someone had said that it was, he would have laughed weeks back. But now, listening to her.

Meeting her.

Made him believe in goodness that was above everything.

Goodness, that was there without reason. Selfless as ever.

"Yes, I am good. And so, are my brothers." He continued on.

"You, however, are not. And don't you dare to deny." It was more of a statement, his voice firm, and commanding.

He could almost feel the hesitancy that laced the air, she was contemplating, whether to tell him or not.

How he had become such an expert in women matters, he wasn't really sure. Weeks before, he wasn't even ready for marriage.

Yet, here they were. He understood at least her, if not the entire women species. And, he was content with that.

"Drau." He whispered, calling out to her softly, the air between them hummed with an energy so strong, he feared it will take everything in him to hold back.

The nickname came all too naturally, than he had expected. He wasn't sure, what they were.

Husband and wife, quite didn't sum it up.

Friends, that was still questionable.

Naming this bond between them was different, it was all too strong, all too instant, all too pure.

He understood the unsaid. Which he felt was an achievement on another level.

"If you won't tell me Drau. Than, how am I to help you?" He questioned, trying to coax her into speaking. Worry dig it's claws deep, what could make her so sad.

He wondered.

"Drau." He called once again, when no reply followed. He heard the soft hiccups, and sniffling, his heart cracking, and the concern grew heavier.

Was she hurt? Did someone say something? His soul burned in the blaze of unknown, it felt like someone was slowly peeling his skin away.

"Did someone hurt you?" He questioned, voice blanking from every emotion,  fury fueling his senses. The thought of someone hurting her was infuriating.

"No. But, I hurt someone." Guilt was heavy in her words, making him frown. Confusion unfurled through him, he couldn't seem to believe the words that left her mouth.

She and hurt someone? The thought was almost too funny to believe. 

"Why don't you start from beginning?" He suggested, keeping his voice warm, his heart broke a little more, while he heard her hiccup.

She sniffed, and in a wobbly voice began narrating the events. Time seemed to slow down considerably, while he heard her speak.

Her voice was hoarse from all the crying, a deeper quality reaching it. A tired sigh left his mouth, while he heard the doings of his cousins.

He didn't really know how to make her understand that it really wasn't her fault.

"Drau, tell me one thing, can you control the actions of another? Does the world work on your command?" His voice was soft, questioning seemed currently a better option.

If asked the right question, answers to everything could be found.

Panchaali's words came floating in his mind.

"No." Her reply was almost soft. "Do you think that by interfering when she was being taken away you could have protected her? Or made the situation worse?"  He asked once again.

Draupadi gazed down at her almost translucent hands, pushing the emotions back,  she thought with a clear mind.

Seeing her current predicament, she realised that had she interfered in the spur of the moment. The situations could have ended up worse.

"But what they did was wrong." Her protest was weak.

"It was." He agreed, his voice soft.

"And we need to fight the wrong with smartness. Not impulsively. You're emotions and intentions are true.

But, at times, we need to hold back, analyze our weakness and strengths, and than attack. For we are aiming to destroy the sin. And not, fall prey to it's ministrations by being vulnerable." He explained, his voice taking a deeper tone.

"Does that mean that we should stand aside and watch unjustice happen?" She asked confused.

Arjun smiled, he couldn't help it. The child like curiosity and questions, were refreshing.

"No my dear. But you need to choose, when to attack. And fight back. A wise warrior is not the one knows how to fight and win. But the one, who knows which battles to pick, and where to loose."

"Every war has a strategy,  and plan. Different ways to tackle different battles. Sometimes we attack without a fear. Other times, when situations are not favorable, we wait."

"And come up with a plan, that ensures the victory of righteousness. Life and war are not much different."

Soft, deep and soothing words slipped out of his lips. A smile seemed to be etched on his face, while he gazed at his hands.

Had he been out with her, things would have been different. She wouldn't have to go through this alone.

The familiar agony returned to his heart, making him wince. He swallowed hard.

"Thank you, Arya." Her voice had lightened,  making his heart ease.

"You're always welcome, Drau." He meant every word that he said. "If I ask you something, will you tell me the truth?" She whispered softly, he frowned.

"Of course, I would." He said confidently. "Why were you crying?" She asked, her voice timid, almost too shy to ask.

Shock, that was the first emotion that hit him.

"You noticed?" He couldn't help but ask, usually it was impossible for people to understand his emotions. And she did, so finely.

It yet again, suprised him.

"Of course. Who wouldn't?" She answered, simply.  Like it was the most normal thing to do. And maybe, to her it was.

But, in the world around, people had become so busy in their lives that they had failed to take note of the finer things around them.

And who was he to blame? He was a partner in the same crime. He sighed, it was relaxing talking to a soul who wasn't yet tainted by the world's norms and expectations.

Who was naive in some expects, innocent in other. Who still had faith in goodness of everyone.

A shadow of a smile, traced his lips. "I was recalling my past." He stated vaguely, it was mostly the truth. He didn't want to tell her everything, and overwhelm her.

She clearly had too much on her plate to deal with.

"Was it good or bad?"

"A little of both."

A silence descended between the two. And for the first time, after what seemed like eons. Arjun didn't feel that he needed the crutches of words to fill the emptiness.

No, this silence was different. It wasn't awkward, it wasn't suffocating.  No, it was soothing, like an old lullaby.

He had many companions, who understood him by words. But someone who read his silence, it was first. Someone who spoke his language of silence was first.

Someone who understood him to a magnitude was a first. And he didn't know what to make of it.

How did he become so lucky?

How did he become the husband of a woman, who was nothing less than perfection. . .

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

DO VOTE AND COMMENT!

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆