-| Ever Lasting Sparkle|-

Days were flying off peacefully. Arjuna and Chitrangada made their every moment memorable, moments which would stay carved in their hearts till millenniums.

But every thing does not have an ending with "happily ever after". Life tests us every moment and it is our choice on whether to pass or fail the test.

One day, while Arjuna was taking a stroll in the garden of the royal palace, he spotted a piegeon. He went close towards it and saw a letter tied on it's claws. The letter was tied with a gold shimmering ribbon, indicating that it was from and for a royal family. Arjuna gently untied the letter from the claws of the piegeon. On the letter it was stated "Oh son of Indra , third of the Pandavas. Read me as soon as you take the glance of me." With a face of a curious expression, he began to read the letter. It stated "Dear Partha, I know that it will be only you who will be reading my message which lies inside. I just want to inform you that your work in the kingdom of Manipura is now complete successfully. I request you to move out from there and proceed to the next chapter of your life.
                             ~ From your Madhava"

Arjuna did not want to leave his wife, but he knew from the start that he could not stay in Manipura forever. The world needed him and his duties were still incomplete.

"Swami!" an excited tone broke his trance of thoughts and he wished to hear that voice forever, but destiny did not want it.

Chitrangada hugged Arjuna from the back. A wide smile was adorned on her face. "Swami, I have something to tell you", voiced Chitrangada.

"Even I have something to tell you Chitrae. Something extremely important."said Arjuna, as he turned around to face a now confused Chitrangada. Chitrangada though, was quick to reply "You go ahead first Swami."

Arjuna took a deep breath. "Chitrae, I never wish for this to happen and I would have been the happiest person on Earth if this was false but there is a letter from Madhava in which he says me to leave Manipura and start for some other place to meditate. And I need to do the same Chitrae. I will be starting tomorrow dawn. It hurts me to leave you here but...", Arjuna paused for a while and gulped the lump in his throat. "But I can not ignore my duties outside of Manipura either. The world needs me, you know it Chitrae."

Chitrangada stood at her place. A thunder had hit her heart. Shocked was her face which was natural but it was for some other reason. "Will you leave tomorrow itself?"she managed to somehow voice the words out.

"I have to Priya. Forgive me. Now, may I hear the words which you are willing to say?", Arjuna spoke and looked deep in her eyes.

"I... I... your child is growing inside me Swami. I was here to inform you the same.", Chitrangada lowered her face. "But I suppose staying together and watching our child grow was not in our fate.", Chitrangada gulped the lump in her throat.

For Arjuna, a thunder had hit him. His love was ... with his child? For a moment, his mind went blank. He took bit of time to recover from the shock. Calming himself down, he looked at Chitrangada. He was about to tell something but Chitrangada was the one to voice out her words first. "I completely understand, Swami. We had discussed this earlier. I can never keep you locked here in Manipura when the world needs your help. Go Swami! I will be your strength always. I promise to make you proud of your child."

Arjuna did not find words to speak. Once again, his Chitrae's determination stunned him. Yes, she was correct. He could not forsake his duties. He pecked a kiss on the forehead of Chitrangada. Turning back, he left the place.

The moon's light illuminated the world as the stars twinkled. Stars shone as sugar spilt over black marble, glistening in the sun. The night sky was such a welcome sight, appearing like magic at each sunset, promising to return as she faded in dawn's first light. There were times in the daytime, under skies of blue, Arjuna would think of those faraway stars and how they'd return after the shadows blended into the dark.

 The son of Kunti found himself in front of Chitrangada's chamber. Gulping his saliva, Arjuna entered into the chamber, only to see an emotionless Chitrangada staring at the night sky. His heart ached to see her like that, but he had to fulfill his objective.

"Chitrae. Come meet me in the garden. I will be waiting.", Arjuna whispered, his voice barely audible but loud enough to reach the ears of Chitrangada. Saying this, Arjuna left the chamber as quietly as he had come.

Chitrangada showed a glimpse of confusion. Yet, she knew that there was a deep reason behind the words of Arjuna. She got up from her sitting posture and walked towards the garden.

Someone folded her eyes with a cloth from behind and before she could take any action, the person held her hands. Recognising the touch, she voiced out, "Swami. Again this play?". "It is not a game this time Chitrae. Just follow me to wherever I am leading you to.", Arjuna spoke the words. He gently took Chitrangada to a place beside a lake and untied her the fold on her eyes. Then, he poured a basket of flowers on her from behind.

For Chitrangada, the sight was mesmerizing. She took a glimpse of the scenary beside her as she clutched a falling hibiscus tightly. The scene was just amazing. With the glittering water of the lake beside , the white moon shone in front of Chitrangada brightly. Moonlight brought a comforting beauty to the graphite night. A bright smile was decked up in the face of Chitrangada. The sight was heavenly for her!

Seeing her such happy, oh, Arjuna wished nothing other than that. He wished he could witness the sight till eternity. "Chitrae", he knelt down before her. "I know that after my departure, I will be gifting you with nothing but a life full of misery, pain and struggles. But trust me love, if it was in my hands to change everything, I would have not wasted a single second in doing so. I don't know what place I hold in your life but know this Chitrae, even though I will be away from you, a second will not pass by when I shall not think of you and our unborn child. Forgive this husband of yours if you ever can , Chitrae. But always know this that true love is when you are far from each other and yet none can take your place. And none can take your place either. You will always remain you , Chitrae. Always yourself." Arjuna let out a deep breath. 

Unshed tears brimmed in the eyes of Chitrangada. He had such respect and love towards her. Her mind thanked the Lord of the three worlds for blessing her with an aardhang like Arjuna. She could not find words to respond to Arjuna. And , words were not needed, either. Their bond only was such. 

"Also Chitrae, I want you to know that on the coldest nights I'll look for your glow among the burning embers of your fiery soul. I'll shift through the ashes in search of the spark that ignited my mind and lit up my heart. I will love you as long as the sun burns in the sky, as long as the moon shines its light into the dark night, until the raging blue oceans become calm and run dry. I will love you until the end of time." 

"Maa.", the excited yell of Babhruvahana brought back Chitrangada to the reality.  

"Maa, see what I have found!" squealed Babhruvahana and showed a pearl on his palm. Chitrangada immediately recognised the pearl. It was gifted by Arjuna to her on their last night together, as a symbol that they were always together. A smile adorned her lips, as she took the pearl in her hands. She could still feel the touch of Arjuna as she roamed her fingers around it.

"Maa, how is it?"Babhruvahana asked with a glint in his eyes. He was always a happy and lively child, and Chitrangada adored to see him like that.

"The gift is lovely, son.", was the answer of Chitrangada. "Just as lovely as you are.", she continued.

"Glad to know that you liked my gift Maa. Now I am going to bed. Good night Maa!", young Babhruvahana pecked a gentle kiss on his mother's forehead and off he rushed to his chamber.

Chitrangada watched as her son vanished out of her vision. Her joy, her light of her life her son was. The only hope after her husband. She looked at the pearl and a gentle smile played on her lips, as she remembered Arjuna's once spoken words, 'True love is when you're far from each other and yet none can take your place!"

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Here ends the book. I had something else in my mind but I completely messed it up. This may undergo a revamp later on.

Do leave your views on the shot!

Dedicated to JishnuPranaa .