"It felt like I was a mere sentence in his book but where there is great love, miracles tend to occur" ~ Subhadra

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"Whoever it is, please come out." The silhouette grew closer to me and I shut my eyes, clasping the trunk in my hands.

"Devi? [Lady]" I opened my eyes and encountered the same pair of hazel eyes glancing at me.

'Is my heart a tracker of Prince Arjun that it quickens it's beats when he is around? Push aside these new thoughts Bhadra...'

"Are you okay?" I looked at him with a polite smile and nodded once.

'Stay calm, Bhadra!'

"Pranipat [Greetings]" I returned his greeting, trying hard not to stammer.

"I hope I did not scare you. You seem pale and tensed!" I shook my head in denial though he had always been the reason for such behavior.

"I am okay, Prince..." I repeated and asked him the reason for his arrival.

"Actually, I wanted to have that gift you brought for me?" I was surprised and shocked at the same time.

"How did you come to know about it?"

"By God's grace, I have got sharp ears and good observation skills. As a brother, I can easily grasp the thoughts of Dushalla" He smiled, a heavenly one.

I looked down at the trunk in my hands and pursed my lips.

"You are really smart" I coed and slowly opened the trunk, pulling out the wooden arrow from it.

"This was your present. Do you remember this piece? You used to fire these arrows to the target on the other side of mountain when you were young..." I said, visualising the scene in my eyes.

"I sensed that this was my arrow at the very first glance, but how did you get this arrow?" The question shook me up.

'How could I reveal to him that I picked the arrow up from his Gurukul on the pretext of being fascinated by him? Things would get really awkward. Time to make up a new story!'

"It so happened that I found this arrow on the ground when I had visited the Gurukul and I simply picked it up because I was very much fascinated by yo..." I was at a loss of words, realising that I had blurted out the truth.

"Fascinated by?" He repeated, an amusement dancing in his eyes.

"By.... you...r arrow! I have loved arrows since childhood..." I said and he remained mum, glancing at the arrow.

'I can understand that you are interested in him, Bhadra but does it mean that you can't even make up a story before him? In an attempt to lie to him, you ended with saying the truth to him...'

"Did I do anything wrong? I am so sorry, I didn't know that you were looking for your wooden arrow all these years" I finished, soon realising what I had said, again.

"Excuse me?" I bit my lower lip at his statement.

'Subhadra really needs to learn what to say and when to shut up! Before you mess up more, excuse yourself and leave as soon as it's possible!'

"May I ask an question if you're fine by it?"

I nodded.

"Is there any specific reason for you to keep this arrow with you all these years? Had it been anyone else, they would have simply discarded the arrow as no warrior would use this wooden arrow, wouldn't they?"

I gulped in response.

"Looking at its condition, I can decipher that it has been kept safely, maybe, treasured over the years." Prince Arjuna finished.

I froze.

'Who made empty praises about Prince Arjun? He seems to be so clever and observative. It seems like he won't give up until he gets me to confess my subtle feelings for him... escape Bhadra, don't give in to his words!'

"Brata Nakul had told me of your obsession for archery that day. I was told of how you slept with your bow and arrows by your side. I was young then and so, picked your arrow but as I grew up, I realised that it was my mistake. I wanted to return the arrow to you in the condition as it previously was, hence, it appears treasured" I replied, my fingers clutching my scarf.

He passed a satisfied smile and returned the arrow back to me as I gave him a confused glance.

"You can continue to treasure this arrow, Subhadra! Had it been me, I wouldn't have kept it this manner." I took the arrow, my mind recalling the way he had pronounced my name.

Placing the arrow inside the trunk, I tried to hide my smile and excitement. I had to return to my chamber as soon as possible to avoid getting caught by anyone else.

"I need to get going now, Prince. Thank you very much!" I bowed and felt myself shivering slightly.

"Sure, hope we would get to meet soon." He smiled and something hot rushed throughout my body.

"You are good at observations."
The words came without my notice and he smiled.

"I am a warrior, it would be my necessity to be alert" He replied, the smile not leaving his face.

I smiled and nodded, ready to leave when he continued, "Not to brag about my skills but your earring is on the verge of falling down." He pointed out to my left ear and immediately took the trunk from my hands for me to handle my earrings.

I removed the earring and took the trunk from him. "What is the matter? Is it broken?" He asked.

"No, I would wear it before the mirror. This earring is so special to me that I won't let it break at all!" I smiled to myself.

"May I know the reason?" He asked casually but a curiosity was sparking up in his eyes.

This was the earring I wore on the day, I visited the Gurukul. His arrow hit this pair and no matter how many times I tried to forget that incident, it always left me in my own world. Additionally, I had decided that I would wear the same pair of earrings when I would meet him in person and today, it happened.

"Is it something personal?" He asked and I smiled playfully.

"No, it just reminds me of how terrible your aim could be, at times" I replied, stressing on the last two words.

"I didn't get you..." He replied, a small frown on his face and a small confusion was evident in his tone.

I was about to reply when we were interrupted by Charu, "So here you are, I was searching for you everywhere..."

She stopped, looking at Prince Arjuna who smiled sweetly at her.

"I take your leave. I've got some important work now which I should complete before I forget about it completely" I excused myself to leave both of them alone for sometime.

"Subhadra!" I heard Brata Nakul and greeted him.

"How are you?" He asked and I smiled, "You aren't in your usual good mood, am I right?"

He widened his eyes, "I'm really impressed. You are one of the two people who can see through me."

"Who is the other person?" I asked.

"Brata Arjuna." I coughed as I hadn't expected his name at any cost.

"Who spoiled your mood?" He rolled his eyes in response and I had got my hint, "Charu?"

"Who else holds the capability to spoil my mood!" Brata Nakul hissed and I couldn't hold myself back from passing a small smile.

"You both are adorable!" I said and he narrowed his eyes as a reply.

"Be it us or our names, they can never come together" Bratashri left hurriedly, presumably, in a bad mood.

His words echoed in my ears, our names can never come together....

"Similar is the case with Arjuna and Subhadra!" I whispered to myself.

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