“I am so sorry for what happened that day,” said Satyabhama with tearful eyes. Draupadi nodded, indicating she was fine.
After a few moments of silence, Satyabhama asked, “As a woman, I understand that it must have been difficult. How did you manage to come out of that mental trauma?”
“Yes, It was tough. I had never experienced grief that bad before. It felt like a part of me died that instant and never thought I could recover from the trauma. The exhaust I felt that day stayed like a veil over my skin for the coming few days. I could do nothing the whole day other than just locking myself up in a corner and staring into the darkness, unaware of the time that passed. With sorrows creeping up my cells every moment of life, always reaching higher peaks and getting stronger like a huge rock, my insides became too damp with unshed tears. I still recall how my body had become an object of desire for hundreds of lecherous men, how the pain seared through my heart, tearing away each and every inch of the safety net I had built around me. And above all, I was called everything in the book of wrong only because I am married to five men,” Draupadi choked, barely holding back her tears. She was left reminiscing her past in Satyabhama's presence, with nightmarish memories flooding her heart.
Looking at Draupadi breaking down that way made Satyabhama's eyes glimmer with tears but she tried consoling her.
Draupadi was quick enough to wipe her tears and said, “I slept through the pain every night with the anaesthesia of false hope, only to wake up to an internal scream, torn from my heart. All my dreams of living happily ever after with my husbands got shattered and melted into a puddle. All I could feel was the scary silence and darkness around me. With the dreadful reality check, a dark feeling crept into me, cold and devoid of hope. But then, time heals everything Satya. Even if it does not, you have to pretend like you are okay. Else, you cannot take a step forward in life. Like a rubber band stretching till its limits and then all of a sudden, it snaps, the silence disappears and you start to see your life turning around. You realise that there is no way you can undo the past or escape from fate. And we can choose to let go of the pain with the help of our loved ones. The assurance from my family that I am not fighting this battle alone and they will be with me through thick and thin made my recovery quick. But no woman should go through what I had to endure and the evil should be punished brutally.”
Revenge was not a desire for her; it was a need for her soul. Her pain was like an ulcer in her heart that could only be healed by a deadly weapon attached with a sharp iron point of revenge.
“Yes, they will pay for their sins, I know it. And wow, that is such learning for life, thank you so much. You are one such strong woman and an inspiration,” praised Satyabhama. Draupadi gave a weak smile.
“But I have one more question. I promise this is the last one,” Satyabhama said shyly.
“Why the delay Satya? Ask,” said Draupadi, with a smile on her face.
“Let us keep your husbands aside for a while, but why does my husband, Krishna, like to spend so much time with you? I do not think there is even a single day when he does not take your name. Sometimes, he utters your name even when he is asleep. I try to keep him to myself but that never happens. He is always roaming around,” asked Satyabhama, showing signs of jealousy on her face.
Draupadi had a little laugh and said, "Why do you not pose this question to Krishna himself?"
"I tried asking him but he told me to get it clarified from you," she smirked.
"We both acknowledge the fact that there is no physical attraction between us. We share a connection devoid of lust, which is just a platonic, healthy bonding. I see myself as his devotee and a part of my soul, but he treats me as his friend and urges me to do the same. That is his greatness. His friendship is a boon to me that fosters as love in my heart and shines as respect through my eyes. We both do not expect anything from each other. The love that does not expect anything in return from us is our friendship. I feel fortunate to be blessed by his unconditional support and affection always. Whenever I think of his face and kindness in his smile, there is an assurance and safe harbour around me. Sometimes, when I do not feel good, just the thought of his name lightens my mood. I am glad that my husbands also understand this and they feel blessed that Krishna acknowledges my devotion."
"Wow! Such a knowledgeable person you are. I feel so relieved now. I think I did a good thing coming here to see you today," said Satyabhama.
"You believe that you came here by yourself? Or Krishna made you come here?” Draupadi winked at her.
Satyabhama sported a question mark on her face and said, "I did not get you."
Draupadi shrugged her shoulders and said, “One can never understand his tricks."
Satyabhama sat there wearing a puzzled expression on her face and then Krishna entered the scene. "The two ladies are having some intense discussion here. Are you planning some conspiracies against me?” he said playfully.
"I wish," Satyabhama said, curling her lips.
Draupadi chuckled and said, "Krishna, is there anyone in this universe who can plot something against you?"
Three of them shared a laughter and Satyabhama bid goodbye to Draupadi.