Dawn Of Blood & The Seven Immortals |Mahabharat fiction|

Chap-7 New People

As Apsara navigated through the bustling courtyard, her attention captivated by the vibrant festivities, she failed to notice the figure approaching from the opposite direction. Suddenly, with a jolt, she collided into a solid form, her momentum abruptly halted as she stumbled backward.
Arjun, equally engrossed in the revelry of the evening, had been walking in Apsara's path, their collision unexpected and jarring. The impact sent them both staggering, momentarily disoriented as they regained their footing.
Apsara's heart raced as she looked up, her eyes meeting those of the man she had inadvertently crashed into.
As Apsara and Arjun recovered from their collision, they exchanged sheepish smiles, their cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
"Sorry, I didn't see where I was going," Apsara offered, her voice tinged with amusement as she brushed a stray lock of hair from her face.
Arjun chuckled softly, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he replied,
"No harm done. It's quite the lively affair tonight, isn't it?"
"Yes!"
"uhm, so Princess Apsara. I heard you are the princess of a great Kingdom in Kali Yuga."
Apsara furrowed her brows in disbelief.
"Did Krishna tell you that?"
"Yes, Princess,"
Apsara smiled slyly, Krishna didn't tell them the complete truth. She adjusted her throat and replied elegantly.
"Yes, I am the Princess of Amaravati."
Arjun nodded and bowed, revered.
"Oh, no. You are the son of Late Emperor Pandu. You don't have to bow."
"Biological son of Indra."
Arjun intervened, with his eyes gleaming with pride.
"Oh, yeah I know. You're real father is Lord Indra."
Arjun nodded.
"Well, one more reason why you are more noble than me and you should not bow."
As Apsara spoke, her words were accompanied by a dimpled smile that seemed to light up the room. Arjun couldn't help but be captivated by her radiant presence, his gaze lingering on her graceful features and sparkling eyes.
"Your poise and humility reflect well on you, Princess," Arjun replied, his voice tinged with admiration.
"But in the presence of true nobility, it is only natural to show respect."
Apsara was amused at his words, her beauty enhanced by the soft glow of candlelight. Arjun found himself drawn to her warmth and elegance, his heart stirred by the enchanting aura that surrounded her.
"You must be a very noble and famous beauty in your time."
Arjun accoladed.
Apsara just smiled at his pretty remark, she didn't want to refuse such a high compliment.
Arjun's gaze lingered on Apsara, his voice carrying a hint of curiosity as he posed the question,
"Do you, perhaps, have any man on your mind?" His eyes searched hers, probing for any flicker of emotion, as if seeking to unravel the mysteries hidden within her thoughts.
Apsara felt the weight of Arjun's inquiry, his words hanging in the air like a delicate thread waiting to be pulled. She met his gaze with a steady resolve, contemplating her response before speaking.
"The echoes of the past linger in my mind," she replied, her tone measured yet tinged with a hint of melancholy.
"But for now, I am bound to no one."
As Apsara's words settled in the air, Arjun's expression softened.
"Is the past, him?"
Arjun said signaling to Vasuda with his eyes. Apsara followed his gaze to meet the princely looking lad.
"What? No! Vasuda is the son of my father's General. We were raised together, he is like my own brother."
Arjun nodded, a smile playing at the corners of his lips as he recognized the depth of their connection.
"Forgive my presumption," he said, his voice warm with understanding. Apsara's gaze softened, a flicker of gratitude shining in her eyes as she met Arjun's understanding gaze.
"So, I guess you should go ahead and enjoy. It was a pleasure meeting you, your highness."
"Please call me by my name."
"Yes, Thank you Apsara."
"Thank you to you too, Arjun."
As the event kept every guest busy, the music and festivities grew to be the most enjoyable part of it.
Fragrant flower arrangements in hues of crimson and gold adorned the courtyard, providing a picturesque setting for the evening's festivities. Dushalla, resplendent in her royal attire embellished with intricate embroidery and jewels that shimmered in the soft candlelight, took center stage with a graceful dance that captivated the assembled guests. Her movements were fluid and mesmerizing, each step a reflection of the years of training and refinement that had shaped her dance. The beats went off with Dushalla stepping the last step of the performance.
Everyone raced in clapping and complimenting the beautiful Princess of Kuru.
"Everybody's attention please,"
Krishna shouted racing towards the stage Mandap.
"Today is a special day as we have new friends, please welcome my dearest Sakhi Maya Milla to the Mandap. "
Maya accidently clapped before realising it was her who was invited to the stage.
"Me!"
She exclaimed.
"She is a professional Kathak dancer and I know that most of you don't know her, she is the daughter of the once an enigmatic King, Mayaasura."
Everyone gasped or jolted a bit hearing who her father was. Mayaasura is the engineer of the Demi-gods.
"Go Maya, give these old ancients some effect of the dances of Kali Yuga."
Jiayi said happily. Maya looked at the water dragon in great ire as she walked towards the mandap.
As she entered the stage, she quickly announced.
"I will show my uncomparable dance skills, if my best friend Jia sings for me."
Maya's words made Jiayi's heart skip a beat.
"Please welcome the noble lady of uhh- the water Naga clan, Chang Jiayi."
Krishna announced as Jiayi's feet went numb. She wanted to run away but Apsara who was beside her wouldn't let her.
"Come on, Jia! Never waste a chance on showing people how great you are."
Jiayi let out a deep sigh of anticipation as she walked towards the Mandap. Many eyes were on her, her feet trembled.
"Maya, it wasn't necessary!"
"Come on, Chang! Your voice and my moves will flabbergast these ancient ones who knows nothing about music and dance."
Jiayi's heart raised as she saw the crowd.
"What would you like our Jia to sing for all us? Gazal? sufi?or is it Chinese?"
Maya said confidently earning a death glare from Jiayi.
"SAKAL BAN!"
Apsara screamed amidst the crowd.
"Good choise, fair maiden!"
Maya declared sarcatically. Meanwhile none of the people around understood what they are meaning, except Krishna who managed to identify that it must be the music from Kali Yuga.
"Maya, that's a hard song."
The shy dragon whispered, wasting more time.
"Its perfect for me to play Kathak, fortunately I am wearing a long Skirt perfect for Kathak, you can't refuse now."
Jiayi hesitantly walked towards the orchestral band, she sat down and showed the beat to the tabla player. She borrowed the Tanpura from the musician as she sat down with the long Tanpura placed on her right thigh. Maya moved to the middle of the stage and waited for the que.
"Mhhh...."
Jiayi pitched herself.
"Aye Sakal Ban...
Sakal Ban, phool rahi sarson Sakal Ban..."
Maya stood poised at the centre of the Mandap stage, her movements fluid and graceful as she began to dance. Her flowing robes swirled around her like the petals of a lotus in bloom, catching the fading light as she moved with a captivating rhythm that seemed to transcend time itself. Beside her, Jiayi sat cross-legged with the Tanpura, her voice resonating with a haunting melody that filled the air with a sense of longing and melancholy. Each note she sang carried the weight of centuries past, weaving a tapestry of sound that wove its way through the hearts of all who listened.
Maya's movements were a dance of pure poetry. With each elegant swirl and graceful leap, she painted a portrait of emotion and expression.
"Ambva phoote tesu phoole..."
"Gori karat sringaar
Malaniya Gadhwa le Aayi Karson.."
Jiayi's soulful vocals and Maya's captivating dance created a symbiotic harmony, each complementing the other in a mesmerizing display of artistry. Their performance transported onlookers to a realm of timeless beauty, where music and movement intertwined to form an exquisite picture of expression. And in that fleeting moment, amidst the splendor of the royal gathering, Jiayi and Maya wove a spell of enchantment that lingered in the hearts of all who bore witness to their sublime artistry.

"Oh mohe aawan keh gaye aashiq "

"Rang aur beet gaye barson sakal ban
Phool rahi sarson, sakal ban
Phool rahi sarson, sakal ban"

As the final strains of Jiayi's song faded into the night, Maya's dance came to a graceful conclusion, her movements slowing to a gentle halt as the music ceased. The crowd erupted into enthusiastic applause, their cheers mingling with expressions of admiration and awe.With smiles of gratitude, Maya and Jiayi exchanged glances, their hearts warmed by the outpouring of appreciation from those gathered around them

To be continued

A/N : Guys, This song is from the netflix series Heeramandi, its going viral now. Please try hearing this song, it is beautiful. The link is given above in the media.