Prakriti P.O.V
I was siting in the garden staring at the sky mesmerized with the view, thousands of stars were scattered in the dark sky creating a perfect sight. My mood always lift up when I am near nature, wind was swaying peacefully. I could hear foot steps behind me, the person stops and stand beside me staring at the sky like me. "It's beautiful, isn't it" I asked, I could feel his eyes on me "Yes, its beautiful" he murmured still staring at me. I chuckled and shook my head "I am talking about the view in front of us" I stated, I could still feel his eyes on me. "I am talking about the same" he said making me blush.
"What are you doing here, Prince Arjuna?" I asked looking at him. His brown eyes met mine and he smiled "I am here to thank you for what you did in the feast" he said. I sighed "I didn't do anything Prince Arjuna, I was just telling the truth" I murmured, some one has to speak the truth and let other understand it because People deceived when you least expect it. "Uncle wouldn't even listen to us and he was about to punish me" he said taking a seat beside me. I nodded my head "He loves his son too much to do the justice" I said curling myself in the seat. A peaceful silence fell upon us. "Have you ever miss me?" he asked after a while, his voice low and full of expectation. I chuckled and turned myself in his direction "What do you think I am here for" I said boldly, my first reason for coming here was to meet him. Slowly a smile appeared on his face and he blushed turning his gaze away, I grin "What about you?" I asked, his gaze met mine again "I always thought about you, Prakriti" he said, since I am here, it's the first time he uttered my name without any formalities.
"What do you think will happen tomorrow?" he asked, I shrugged my shoulder in response. "I don't know but I am sure of one thing that something is about to change" I said, I could feel it, Brother Krishna send me here for a reason, something will happen, I am sure of that.
***
I was in my room combing my hair, I got the news that choosing of Crown Prince has been delayed because of Dronacharya condition. "Princess Prakriti, Prince Arjuna wants to meet you" A maid said, I smiled "Let him in" I said as I resume to comb my hair. He entered in the chamber with a smile on his face. "You were right Prakriti, something did change" he said coming towards me and standing behind me. I looked at him from the mirror, his face was glowing. "Now you have to defeat King Drupada" I asked, only then Prince Yudhistira can become the crown Prince.
"We will try our best" he said looking at me with a smile on his face. "I have no doubt about it, Prince Arjuna" I said giving him a reassuring smile.
"Okay, I will see you later, I have to prepare for the battle" he said with seriousness. I nodded my head and he took his leave. I smiled staring at the mirror, he was just here to tell me the news. I got ready and went to meet Aunt Kunti.
After spending some time with her, I remembered that time has come to give Prince Arjuna the box Brother Krishna asked me to give. I excused myself and went into my chamber. From my golden chest I pulled the box out and went outside to search for the best Archer in the world. I found him near the water fountain, he was so engrossed in making fight strategies and Labyrinth. The look of concentration on his face put an instant smile on my own. I made my ways towards him. He stopped me in the middle and looked at me with a mischief smile on his face "Watch out, don't put you foot on the Elusive Labyrinth otherwise you will fell in hell" he said gesturing on the ground. I looked down and saw a small labyrinth in front of me and looked at him again. A smirk appeared on my face, I know the difference between coy and real Labyrinth. I move forward with the same smirk as he stared at me with astonishment "I told you that--" he started saying when I interrupted him. "I am not going to be fooled" I said as I stood beside him. He chuckled, my eyes fell on the Labyrinth he was making. I got a closer look and looked at it in concentration "Don't tell me you know about labyrinth as well" he asked surprised, I nodded my head and changed the direction of few warrior to make the labyrinth strong. He looked at me in awed. "Besides my brother said, A true warrior is not the one who make Labyrinth, true warrior are those who destroy them" I said remembering my training. He looked at me with raised eyebrow "Your brother think he is so smart, isn't he" he said, I gave a short laugh and shook my head "No, everyone thinks he is smart" I responded.
"What are you doing here?" he asked curiously, I remembered and extended my hand to gave him the box Brother Krishna gave me "Brother asked me to gave you this" I said as he took the box and looked at it "What is it?" he question opening the box. "Just keep it with you, it will help you" I said, he pulled the stone out from the box and looked at it with fascination, "I will leave you to it" I murmured and turned around leaving him with his thoughts.
***
After kuru Princes were gone for the battle against Panchala Kingdom, I went near the lake and sat beside it for a while. I know pandavas capability, they will surely win this battle. The task indirectly my brother provided is coming to an end now. I have to go back to my home otherwise Dau will come here as he told me so. My time here is over now but I don't why, my heart doesn't want to leave this place yet. I always called this place my home because of the people living in it. I went back inside and made my way towards Mahamahim chamber, to have a chat with him.
"Daughter, what brings you here?" he asked as soon as I entered in the chamber. I gave him a small smile and bowed my head in front of him. He gave me his blessings. "I am here to take my leave, Mahamahim" I said, he raised his eyebrow in question "Why so soon, daughter".
I smiled "It's been a while since I have been here, now its time for me to go back to Dwarka, otherwise Dau will come here to get me" I said fake shuddering which made him chuckled. "I can't ask you to stay more, daughter, you have my blessings" he said and put his hand on my head.
After couple of days, we got the news that Pandavas has won the battle and was successful in capturing King Drupada and Prince Yudhishthira is crowned as the Crown Prince without any issue. Hastinapur will get a great King in the future.
I was in my room packing my stuff to go back home when a maid gave me the information that Prince Arjuna want to meet me. I smiled and asked her to let him enter in the room. He entered in the chamber with wide smile on his face and came towards me "Congratulations" I said as he came near me, his smile widened "Thank you" he nodded his head. "What is your purpose of visiting me?" I questioned smiling internally. He looked at the box in his hand "I am here to talk about your Brother" he said, interest piping from his voice. I smiled, my brother has that effect on everyone. "Tell me one thing, why your brother accepted defeat from Jarasandha and ran away from Mathura and when he came to Dwarka, your brother defeated him, he could have done it in Mathura as well?" he asked curiously. "Its a long story, My brother always take side with righteous that's why he didn't defeat Jarasandha in Mathura because Jarasandha is destined to kill by some one else" I said mysteriously, he looked at me in confusion "I didn't quite understand" he said with furrowed eyebrow. I chuckled "No one can understand him" I said in serene voice. My brother is a mystery, no can can understand his true self.
"Now I have to get ready" I said going towards my chest and putting my clothes in it. His face fell but before he could say anything Aunt Kunti entered in my chamber alarmed "Prakriti" she called me urgently coming towards me. I joined my hands and greeted her. She gave me her blessing "Prakriti, we got news that on the way to Dwarka, demon kalyavan arrived with his army, it is dangerous to travel from that way" she said with worry in her voice. I smiled "Don't worry Mother, I am capable enough to protect myself" I tried to lessen her worry. "No daughter, you are not going alone, I will send Arjuna with you for your protection" she said looking at Arjuna. I sighed "Mother, there is really no need" I said, I want to travel alone so that I could reach there fast. She shook her head "No, Arjuna is going and that's final" she said stubbornly, I slowly nodded my head. She smiled and turned her head towards Prince Arjuna "Arjuna, Escort Prakriti to Dwarka carefully" she said taking my hands in her in motherly way. Prince Arjuna nodded his head "Okay Mother" he smiled.
I went into Pandavas chamber to say good bye. They were sitting together laughing which made me smile as well, their bond is so strong. "Is there any place for me?" I asked in teasing voice. Their head turned in my direction and all of them gave me bright smile "There will always be room for you" Prince Yudhistira said smiling. I walked forward and sat beside Nakula. "What were you guys talking about?" I asked curiously, Prince Bhima looked at me "We were reminiscing old memories" he laughed and pat on Nakula back who coughed with the impact. I chuckled then somber up quickly "I am going back home today" I said finally, I was here to disclose the news. All the smile wiped away from their face.
"Why do you have to go so early"
"Can't you stay for a while longer"
"We would enjoy now that Elder is crown Prince"
I laughed and shook my head "I can't, Dau is waiting for me". Prince Yudhistira smiled at me "You should go back, you have duty to your Kingdom as well" he said earnestly, he is the perfect example of righteous.
"You can go on one condition that you have to visit us soon" Prince Bhima said in serious tone. I nodded my head "I promise" I smiled.
***
With a small army we made our way outside of Hastinapur, A frown on my face because I don't like to travel with people a lot. Travelling for a while we stopped our army for some rest. I got out of my carriage and moved towards the lake. Prince Arjuna followed behind me "Rest for some time, after that we will start our journey again" he said, I just nodded my head without saying anything. One thing I don't like is to depend on others. "What happened?" he asked as he saw the look on my face. I sighed and sat on the grass "I don't like to travel with army" I said looking away. He chuckled "Then who will protect you?" he questioned in confusion. I scowl at him "I don't need anyone protection" I stood up and dusted my clothes and started walking towards the forest. "You will come back soon, I know it" Prince Arjuna called from behind chuckling. I scoffed and entered in the forest. I can manage to go back to my home without any one help.
But would it be fine to left all of them behind?
I sighed and turned around to walk back again to Prince Arjuna because even if I am angry, I can not leave him in the middle of journey. I bumped into some one and smile appeared on my face, I knew he would follow me. "I knew it" I said moving my head forward to look at Prince Arjuna but to my shock, there was someone else. With first look I recognised him as demon Kalyavan, he growled at me "You are Krishna sister, aren't you" he said smirking and slowly started coming towards me.
Damn it, he has a boon that he can only be kill by sage's fire.
I quickly conjure my sword in my hand and get ready to fight him. He snarled and attacked me scratching my arm as I move back ward and slashed his chest with my sword. He growled and came at me again. I attacked him again but he healed quickly, I huffed, I can not win against him. Its better if I run away. I turned around to run away when he gripped my arm and twisted it making me yelped in pain. I kicked him in the shin and made a dash. "Call for your Brother otherwise I will kill you" he growled chasing behind me. Just then an arrow swipe past me and embedded into Kalyavan, he fell down on the ground unconscious. I looked in front of me, Prince Arjuna was standing before me with his bow in his hand looking tense as he saw my condition. I quickly made my way towards him. "I told you it was dangerous" he started saying when I stopped him "Come on, we have to go, Kalyavan is not dead yet" I said quickly and tried to pull him away but he didn't budge "Don't worry, I killed him" he said and looked past me, his eyes widened when he saw Kalyavan wasn't on the ground. But before I could get him, Kalyavan pushed him away with full force and attacked me again. He pulled his sword on my neck and dragged me towards a water fall, taking me towards the edge. Prince Arjuna ran towards us but stopped in his track when Kalyavan pretend to push me in the water. I am not afraid of water nor I am afraid of this demon. I looked forward with blank expression "Let me go before you will be killed mercilessly". He laughed and pushed me in the water fall. I slowly dropped from the height, a smile appeared on my face.
Brother Krishna is here, I can feel him.
My body hit the water with a thud, before I could swim in the water, another body splashed in water, Prince Arjuna tried to swim towards me but due to the current of water he was unable to reach towards me. I slowly move my hand and the water pace slow down a little and I swim towards Prince Arjuna taking his hand in mine. We were about to swim to the shore but before we could, water separated from the middle and we stood on the ground. I smiled looking forward at my Brother who was standing on a cliff. Prince Arjuna looked astonished as he walked towards my brother. I quicken my pace and went to my brother.
"Brother Krishna" I yelled happily, he turned towards me and gave me a soft smile opening his arms to engulf me in hug. "My nature, you have taken so much time to come back" he said breaking the hug and looked at me with fake anger. I chuckled "I missed you too".
"I was starting to wonder that you are thinking Hastinapur as your law's house" he teased me as I stare at the ground with a blush. He looked at Prince Arjuna who was continuously looking at the upcoming threat with a frown on his face.
"We can meet and greet later, Kalyavan is coming near" he said as he shot the arrow on Kalyavan but nothing happened to him. Brother chuckled "Death is always coming Arjuna, you cannot escape death but at least you can get some time for your loved ones" he said and turned towards me again. "How is Aunt Kunti, My heart want to meet her so badly" Brother asked, I opened my mouth to respond when Prince Arjuna interrupted me "You can greet her only if we came out alive of this" he said frowning, confused by my brother actions. My brother finally looked at Kalyavan who was coming towards us with full speed yelling at brother. "He won't be dying by my sphere neither he can be kill by your arrows nor Prakrite's sword" Brother Krishna said calmly. "So, what should we do?" Prince Arjuna asked in urgent tone as Kalyavan came closer. Brother gave a mischief smile to him "We will run away" he answered and started walking away from there, Kalyavaan quickly followed him. I chuckled at his antics.
"Your brother is running away and you are laughing" Prince Arjuna asked in confusion as we started walking in the direction my brother went. "You can never understand brother Krishna, he must have something on his mind" I responded to him.
***
Brother Krishna was coming outside of the cave and there was no one following him. He must have found a way to kill that demon. He came towards us and Prince Arjuna greeted him looking at him in awe. "How did you defeat the Kalyavan?" He asked curiously, Brother narrated him the whole story which impressed Prince Arjuna and he looked at Brother in admiration.
"You should come with us to Dwarka, I want to talk to you so much" brother invited him, he nodded his head and we went in the direction of our home.
We reached Dwarka and Prince Arjuna stared at the city in fascination "In such a small time, this place developed so much just because of you" he said to my brother. My brother being the modest he is responded "I didn't make this place, Yadava have done this, I just gave them direction with my intellect".
"Everyone know you are the one who made this place and you are saying you haven't done anything" Prince Arjuna said again not believing Brother. Brother put his hand on Prince Arjuna shoulder "In reality, I never do anything and the person who understands that he didn't do anything, something important happened by his hands" this statement made Prince Arjuna more confused. I smiled and went towards them "Brother, aren't we going inside or are you going to talk here all day" I said with smile. He smiled in my direction "Definitely Prakrite, but I have to go somewhere else for some important work, you take Arjuna with you" he said and I looked at Prince Arjuna who was staring at brother Krishna in admiration. "If you don't mind, can I come with you?" Prince Arjuna asked and my brother smiled at him and nodded his head. I sighed "Very well then, I should go, Dau must have been waiting for me" I said and took my leave from there, leaving them to their important work.
I entered in my home and went directly towards Dau chamber, he was talking to his wife and my sister in law, Revati. I greeted them both and brother pulled me in a hug "I was about to get you back" Dau scolded me, I smiled sheepishly "That's why I am here now", I moved towards my sister in law and gave her a hug. She smiled "Thank god you are back, your brother just talk about you all the time" she said making me chuckled.
I am back in my home with my family.
***
After completing his 'important work' Brother Krishna came back with Princess of Vidarbha, Rukmini with him. It turned out he kidnapped the Princess and married her because she never wanted to marry to the person her brother choose for her and she asked help from my brother because she was in love with him. So my Brother took Prince Arjuna with him and kidnap the Princess. At least she is happy now, we welcome her with joy and quickly she became part of our family. After spending some time with us, Prince Arjuna also took leave and went back to his Kingdom. I still remembered our last conversation.
We were sitting on the shore near Dwarka. "Your brother is admirable" he said staring at the vast sea. I nodded my head "Yes, he is".
"So are you" he said turning his head towards me and giving me a pleasant smile. "What I did to be admire, Prince?" I asked in question raising my eyebrow. He turned his head back towards the water "I don't know what is it about you but whenever I am near you, I feel calm and happy and it is just not me, every one said the same thing" he said, its a part of me being nature. "You just feel calm and happy like others and nothing more" I asked further, whenever he is near me I feel tons of emotions. He shrugged his shoulder "Yes, that's it" he said, I huffed and stood up from the seat getting upset. Here I like him and he doesn't reciprocate the feeling. I started to walk away when suddenly he grab my wrist. He chuckled "Maybe some day I will get the courage to tell you" he murmured so lowly that a normal person couldn't hear. A smile appeared on my face and I turned towards him sitting again and we talked for hours.
After couple of days, both my brother called me to discuss some matter. With curiosity in my mind, I went into meeting room. I entered and both of them were already sitting there, "Come Prakrite, we have so much to talk about" Brother Krishna said and gestured me to come forward. I sat beside him and looked at them in expectation.
Finally Dau spoke "It's time for you to get married, dear" he said seriously, my eyes widened in surprised.
Are they talking about me and marriage in same conversation.
I chuckled "You must be joking brother, tell me the real reason why I am here" I asked them, I was working on my earth element when they called me. Brother Krishna looked at Dau and smiled "I told you, she won't believe" he said then he turned his head towards me. "Prakrite, it's time for your new life to start" he started, I looked at him searching for lies but all he was saying the truth.
"But why so suddenly" I questioned, I just came back from the Hastinapur and who is the person capable enough to handle me besides one. "Because Its the perfect time" Brother Krishna said with his secretive smile. I want to deny this idea outraged but I can not disrespect my brothers if they think its time for me to get marry then I should do as they say besides my Brother Krishna never make a bad decision in his life. "Did you find the groom?" I asked, curiosity getting the better of me. There is only one person in my mind to whom I want to marry but it seems he is not ready yet. Dau shook his head "We will organised a Swayamvar for you where you will choose the worthy life partner for yourself" he smiled, Do they know about my secret crush on Prince Arjuna. I turned my head towards Brother Krishna who smiled at me mysteriously "And we will invite everyone from Aryavarta".