☬ Anga | Within the town ☬
Karna, after concluding the court proceedings, managed to slip out of the palace discreetly. The issue concerning the woman appeared to have a straightforward solution, but he needed to verify the accuracy of his assumptions, both regarding the woman and the rākṣasa.
Hence, his sudden departure.
The town surrounding the palace was well-kept, with houses lining both sides of the streets, interspersed with various shops. Disguised in common attire with his face hidden, Karna blended into the surroundings seamlessly.
The streets were illuminated by several torches, casting a dim glow in the darkness. Oil lamps flickered in the courtyards of the houses. He made his way swiftly towards a modest-looking residence, and after knocking on the door, he patiently awaited a response.
"Who could be knocking at this hour?" Grumbled complaints emanated from within the house. He was mildly amused. However, the grumbles quickly turned to wide-eyed astonishment upon seeing Karna.
"Vijaydeva," Karna greeted, "I apologize for disturbing your rest at such a late hour."
"M-Maharaja!" Vijaydeva stammered, bowing deeply and appearing quite flustered. "I did not— I'm sorry, I was unaware. Please, come inside."
"No," Karna declined with a shake of his head, "Take a look at this and once you've read it, burn it." Karna waited patiently, watching as comprehension dawned on Vijaydeva's face. Without hesitation, his Senapati followed his instructions, promptly incinerating the parchment with the assistance of an oil lamp.
"It shall be done, Maharajah."
Karna nodded and took his leave. One task was now complete. Next on his agenda was a meeting with one of his trusted spies, whom he had dispatched to investigate the woman.
"Maharaja, the family members are incredibly self-centered," the spy reported with a look of disgust.
"What about the husband?" Karna inquired, although he already anticipated the response.
"A man lacking in backbone," the spy replied promptly, "However, he does possess some intelligence, and he's a capable soldier."
Karna mused quietly, "Fascinating!"
☬ Anga | Akshat Palace ☬
He greatly disliked this arrangement. Usually he would have said no. However, his brothers had requested with pleading eyes and a soft tone. He hadn't been able to refuse. They had simply wanted to share breakfast with him.
What made this situation uncomfortable, however, was the incidental presence of Devi Kunti in his palace.
He felt ill at ease in her company and had hoped to avoid facing her altogether. Unfortunately, circumstances left him with no choice. He found himself seated in the palace dining room, surrounded by the Pandavas, Duryodhan, and Vikarna, while servants bustled about. In the center of the room, a low table was laden with a delectable breakfast spread for them all. As the servants prepared to serve the dishes, a voice sent a chill down his spine, "Hold on."
Why was the Rajmata getting involved? She had been standing silently on the sidelines, with her ever-loyal handmaiden, Priyamvada, by her side. Karna had previously been successful in dismissing her presence from his mind with relative ease. Yet, the moment she spoke, it became incredibly difficult to disregard her.
"I would like to serve everyone," he heard her say calmly. "I hope that wouldn't be an issue."
She was directly addressing him, and the mere thought sent a cold shiver down his spine. He closed his eyes briefly, taking several deep breaths to rein in his temper. For the first time, he met her gaze directly, and he noticed the concerned glances exchanged among those present.
"There's no need for that, Rajmata," he stated calmly, though he couldn't help but detect a subtle flinch in her reaction. "I can manage serving myself. You need not go through such trouble for me."
"Putra—" She began to speak, but her words were drowned out by his rising indignation. How dare she refer to him as a son?
How dare she— Before he could even process his own emotions, he found himself speaking, effectively silencing her. "Rajmata, I kindly request that you refrain from addressing me as a son."
He couldn't bring himself to care about the stricken expressions on his brothers' faces at that moment.
"But—" She seemed genuinely surprised by his request, a hint of hesitation and a flicker of concealed regret crossing her features. "Maharajah, you're very close to my sons and their cousins. You're like a son to me."
Karna struggled to contain his fury at her words, fighting the urge to accuse her as he desired. Suppressing his emotions, he chose to disregard her statement and replied, "I am akin to your son, Rajmata, but I am not your son. There is a distinction."
This time, the flinch she displayed was far more pronounced, and he was certain his brothers had noticed it as well. He continued, "Nevertheless, I do not appreciate being addressed so familiarly by individuals who are essentially strangers." Glancing at his brothers, he suggested, "Shall we commence breakfast? I would be late for court otherwise."
They nodded in agreement, the tension palpable in the room as the words exchanged between their mother and their eldest brother hung heavily in the air. The Pandavas appeared visibly disturbed by the conversation, Vikarna remained puzzled but chose to keep his thoughts to himself, while Duryodhana conveyed an understanding glance to Karna, who pinched his temple in frustration at the recent exchange.
Bheem caught a whiff of the food and expressed his surprise, "Mother, did you prepare this?"
"Yes," Kunti replied with a gentle smile, "Yes, my son. I did." As if suddenly realizing her oversight, she turned towards Karna, who had once again frozen in discomfort. Her smile appeared somewhat forced, "Maharajah, I hope you don't mind. I wanted to cook for my children. I should have considered asking beforehand, but I assumed it wouldn't be an issue."
The situation had become too overwhelming for him to bear any longer. Karna folded his hands in front of the served food, signifying his departure.
He stood before her and declared, "Your presumptions, Rajmata Kunti, are at the root of all troubles."
The surprise on her face was unmistakable.
As he prepared to take his leave, Yuddhisthira called out, "Bhaiya, bhojan karke toh jaiye." (Brother, please have your meal before leaving.)
"Kshama Yuddhisthira," Karna's parting words carried a dual meaning, "Parantu humare liye yeh sambhav nehi." (Forgive me, Yuddhisthira, but this is not possible.)
Yuddhisthira concealed the pain in his eyes swiftly, his throat constricting with an overwhelming sense of sorrow.
———x———
Karna leaned against the balcony railing, contemplating where his life had taken a wrong turn.
"Kya hua?" A very familiar voice inquired.
He turned to find his adopted sister, Vrinda, standing there with a faint smile. She asked again, "Is everything alright, Bhaiya?"
He let out a breath, his tension slightly easing. "I'll be alright in a while. Something unsettled me."
"I see." Vrinda tilted her head thoughtfully. "I heard a rumor."
"A rumor?" He arched an eyebrow. "What's it about?"
"That you declined to partake in the breakfast prepared by Rajmata Kunti."
His previously relaxed demeanor immediately stiffened.
Vrinda shook her head in understanding and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Bhaiya, would you like to have something I prepared?"
He blinked, curiosity piqued. "What did you prepare?"
With a gentle tug on his arm, Vrinda guided him towards her room, continuing to speak animatedly. "Rajmata had cooked only for her children and, I assume, for you. She might have forgotten about the rest of us. So, I whipped up something for the kids and myself." She offered a sheepish smile, "I may have made a bit more than necessary."
Karna furrowed his brow in thought before letting out a resigned sigh. He knew that Vrinda wouldn't let him be until he had eaten. She had been taught well by Ramaa.
The heartwarming scene that Ashwathama stumbled upon left him feeling moved—the children were taking turns feeding his friend, Karna, who had been withdrawn ever since the Queen Mother's arrival.
"Vasusena!" Ashwathama called out with an exuberant smile on his face, "It's a pleasure to see you no longer brooding!"
Karna rolled his eyes at the exuberance but couldn't help the faint smile that tugged at the corners of his lips.
"Pranam Vasusena. How have you been? I am so glad you haven't gone grey dealing with the mess that is your brothers." Karna's sardonic remark caught Ashwathama off guard, evoking a hearty laugh from him. The Pandavas, Duryodhan, and Vikarna, who had trailed alongside their friend, were left dumbfounded by the statement.
"Oh, absolutely!" Ashwathama draped an arm around Karna's shoulders, a palpable sense of relief washing over him. "He's back."
Karna cast a sidelong glance at his friend before breaking into a sly smirk. His eyes danced with mischief as he knelt down to address the children, gesturing towards Ashwathama. "Kids, this is your Ashwathama Bhaiyaa."
"Pranam," the children chimed in unison. Ashwathama responded with a soft smile, affectionately ruffling the hair of those closest to him.
"And he's brought a plethora of gifts for you from Panchala," Karna continued, sporting a small smile as he observed Ashwathama's increasing panic. "Isn't that right, Mitra?"
Duryodhana struggled to stifle his laughter, thoroughly amused by the playful mischief of his friend and brother.
Ashwathama shot Karna a pointed glare but managed a nervous smile directed at the delighted children. "Yes, I have indeed brought gifts. However, Vasusena is running late for court. I'll distribute the gifts later."
The children squealed in delight before scampering off. Vrinda shared in their laughter, while Karna offered a fond smile. He gestured, "Shall we proceed to the court?"
———x———
As Karna settled onto the throne, a mischievous glint danced in his eyes.
The root of the entire issue stemmed from the idle state of the men in the household. There were two possible approaches to tackle this problem. He could issue orders, but that risked breeding resentment. Alternatively, he could opt for a more subtle method, one that would leave a lasting impression.
Based on his sources, the husband displayed intellect. If he could manage to enlighten one, perhaps the others would follow suit. And so, that was precisely what Karna set out to do. Prior to this, he had already divulged his strategy to Sahadeva, the King of Magadh, the woman who was named Aratrika, and his Mahamantri.
Aratrika had readily agreed to participate in the plan. Sahadeva, on the other hand, had expressed some hesitation, though he eventually consented. The neutral façade his Mahamantri attempted to maintain was rather comical, but in the end, he too concurred with the scheme.
The plan itself was elegantly simple.
Before putting his plan into action, Karna afforded Aratrika's husband the opportunity to voice his perspective. A wry smile graced Karna's face as he watched events unfold precisely as he had envisioned.
"Maharaja," the husband began, his tone a mix of frustration and anger, "I do not condone my wife's actions, but she has dragged you and the court into our household matters, and I feel compelled to express my perspective." He took a deep breath before continuing, "Just yesterday, she threatened to leave our home and return to her parents' house with our children. She even mentioned the possibility of taking up Sannyasa if necessary!"
Murmurs and disapproving glances rippled through the gathered audience, all directed at Aratrika. Undeterred, she maintained her composure under their judgmental stares. Karna offered her an apologetic look, recognizing the difficulty she must be experiencing as her own husband failed to stand by her. Aratrika acknowledged Karna's silent support with a subtle nod, her expression remaining taut and resolute.
Towards the rear of the assembled common folk, a woman observed the interaction between them and raised a curious eyebrow. Her face remained concealed in a long veil as she quietly observed the proceedings of the royal court.
The mother-in-law chimed in, sharing her own thoughts on the matter, "This daughter-in-law of mine is incredibly stubborn, Maharaja. Isn't it a woman's duty to manage the household? I've fulfilled this responsibility, as have many other women in our society. We allowed her to pursue her business, but it was under the condition that she would continue to fulfill her duties towards our family."
The father-in-law also joined the conversation, expressing his concerns, "Maharaja, just a month ago, I requested Aratrika to arrange the wedding of my second eldest son. She flatly refused to provide the required gold coins for the wedding. My King, I understand that my other two sons are currently unemployed. However, marriage would instill a sense of responsibility in them. Furthermore, Aratrika would gain a new sister-in-law who could assist her with household duties."
Karna blinked in disbelief. Was this man seeking a daughter-in-law or a maid? How could someone so ignorant of basic responsibilities handle the institution of marriage? Who would willingly marry their daughter into such a household?
At times, he found himself disheartened by the prevailing societal norms and attitudes.
"I see," Karna murmured as the entire family, excluding Aratrika, had finished listing their demands and detailing how Aratrika had disappointed them. He studied them carefully before addressing the husband, "You mentioned she threatened to leave, correct?"
The husband nodded in agreement, prompting Karna to continue, "And how can you be sure she won't run away again?" The husband appeared baffled, genuinely considering Karna's question. Karna suppressed a smile.
The mother-in-law chimed in, "You are absolutely right, Maharaja. I may have a suggestion if you would permit me to explain?"
Karna responded with a dismissive wave of his hand, "Please, go ahead, Devi."
The mother-in-law eagerly elucidated her method, even demonstrating it by tearing a sizable piece of cloth from the end of her veil. She bound her son's and Aratrika's hands together and proclaimed, "There you have it! She won't be running away now."
Karna blinked, sharing an amused glance with Sahadeva, as an unexpected participant took part in their plan.
"Well then," Karna pondered, mischief twinkling in his eyes as he looked towards the family, "Why don't you also put your daughter-in-law to the test, Devi? The Court should have full confidence in her household capabilities as well." A trace of sarcasm crept into his tone as he continued, "Who knows, maybe Devi Aratrika will refuse to participate in household duties next time."
He ignored the incredulous looks exchanged between his brothers and Ashwathama. The mother-in-law, however, appeared to be genuinely considering his suggestion, to Karna's dismay.
"But, Maharaja, how can we do that without the necessary equipment?" she inquired.
"No worries, that's a solvable issue."
Karna observed with a gleam in his eyes as Aratrika was compelled to prepare food for her entire family. His expression hardened when he saw her husband struggling to keep up with her due to their bound hands. A sense of grim satisfaction settled in Karna's gaze as he realized that Aratrika's husband was finally beginning to comprehend the challenges his wife faced. When his brother suggested that Aratrika make a sweet dish as well, the husband's face turned crimson with frustration.
"That's enough! How much work will you make her do?" The husband's outburst left the family and the courtiers stunned, and as the courtiers turned their attention to their King, they found Karna wearing a smirk as he observed the unfolding scene.
The trap had finally ensnared its target, and the husband seemed to be gaining momentum. He remarked with a frustrated voice, "Wasn't daal, roti, and sabzi sufficient to satisfy your hunger? Now you're seeking dessert too? Be content with what you already have."
"Why, Mahoday?" Karna inquired, arching an eyebrow at the disconcerted man, "What's the issue with indulging in some dessert? Your wife has quite a few trials ahead of her. If she gets exhausted so quickly, how will she manage all her household responsibilities? Don't forget she has to tend to the children, cater to her parents-in-law, attend to her grandmother, and look after her brothers-in-law. On top of all that, she's expected to contribute enough financially to sustain your household."
Karna observed as the man lowered his head, his face reddened with shame.
He continued, his tone unwavering, "It doesn't matter that she's expected to fulfill all these duties without a hint of appreciation from those she does it for. After all, it's her duty to perform these tasks. Why should it concern anyone that no one in the family seems to acknowledge her efforts? Am I right, Mahoday?"
The man's embarrassment deepened, and he admitted, "I understand, Maharaja. I acknowledge my mistake."
Karna remained silent, while Aratrika didn't spare a single glance for her now chagrined husband. With a sigh, Karna spoke, "Your apology is not owed to me, but I am glad you recognize your error." Turning to Aratrika's brothers-in-law, who also wore expressions of shame, he offered advice, "I would suggest both of you consider supporting your sister-in-law with her business or even starting a new venture. Joining the army is another honorable option, as we always require capable individuals in our forces. However, idleness is never a suitable choice. You reside in the same household, and the least you can do is contribute to its upkeep."
Addressing the woman who had sought his assistance earlier, Karna said, "Devi Aratrika, I hope that I have been able to provide you with the justice you sought. Should you encounter any difficulties in the future, do not hesitate to approach the court. Your resilience and courage are qualities that many lack, and it brings me joy to see women like you shaping the future as mothers and teachers of the next generation."
Aratrika expressed her gratitude with a sincere bow and a warm smile.
Karna acknowledged her appreciation with a slight nod and a kind smile.
☬ Anga | Outskirts — Shiva Temple ☬
Sanchali surveyed the serene premises of the temple.
The temple's entrance was marked by a massive, intricately carved stone gateway. She was greeted by a symphony of sounds—a soothing chorus of ringing bells, murmuring prayers, and the soft rustle of leaves in the gentle breeze.
She took a deep breath, inhaling the fragrant aroma of sandalwood incense that permeated the air, bringing with it a sense of serenity. With reverence, she bowed her head before the Shiva lingam, offering her heartfelt prayers for the well-being of her family. After concluding her prayers, she couldn't help but cast a curious glance at the diverse congregation of women, men, and children who mingled peacefully throughout the temple premises.
Sanchali knew he must be somewhere nearby. Urgency had driven her to send a letter, and she anxiously wandered the temple's premises in search of him.
Suddenly, a strong grip on her elbow startled her, prompting an involuntary gasp. She found herself pulled behind one of the enormous, gnarled trees. Her dagger was instinctively pressed to the intruder's throat.
The man under her dagger's point complied by releasing her elbow and carefully unfurling the cloth that concealed his identity, revealing his face. Karna gave her sheepish smile. In a hushed voice, he reassured, "It's me."
With a mix of relief and lingering apprehension, she withdrew the dagger and lightly rapped it against his hand. She scolded, "You nearly frightened me."
Karna blinked at her, offering a wry glance at her dagger, and then raised an incredulous eyebrow, his tone carrying a note of disbelief. "Really?"
With a hint of sarcasm in her voice, she retorted, "I am a human being, Maharaja. I can be frightened too. I was not expecting to be pulled so suddenly."
"I apologize," he offered an apologetic expression, "Come on, let's head into the surrounding forest. It's quieter there."
Sanchali nodded and followed his lead as he guided her deeper into the woods, although they didn't venture far enough to lose sight of the temple's rooftop, which remained visible if one paid attention. Eventually, they settled down against the roots of one of the massive, ancient trees.
"So, what's the urgency? Why are you here? Is everything alright? How is Dushala, and how is your family? How have you been?" Karna inquired with a string of questions. Sanchali chuckled affectionately, "One question at a time, Vrisha. Let me explain."
She proceeded to detail her concerns, her expression growing solemn as she shared her worries. Karna was an attentive listener, absorbing her words with a contemplative gaze. His eyes widened when Sanchali mentioned Kesin, but he maintained his silence.
"...so I need to journey to Lanka to meet Mamaji."
Karna nodded in acknowledgment. "Alright, that's quite a lot to process." Sanchali nodded, understanding the complexity of her revelations. "I realize it's a lot to digest, but I felt it was crucial to inform you."
"Thank you," he replied with a gentle smile, expressing his gratitude. She returned his smile and then asked in a hushed tone, "How are you coping with Rajmata Kunti's presence here?"
Over the course of their nearly year-long friendship, Karna had confided in Sanchali about his true lineage. He hadn't disclosed how he had learned of it, but he had shared his conflicting emotions concerning Rajmata Kunti.
Karna's gaze turned melancholic as he wearily rubbed his face. He recounted the morning's ordeal and his emotional turmoil to her. Sanchali didn't hesitate to offer comfort; she rested her head on his shoulder and intertwined their arms on his lap. Her friend was clearly emotionally drained, and she felt it was her duty to provide him with a supportive shoulder. She sensed him resting his cheek against her head, his grip on her arms tightening.
In an attempt to lighten the mood, she playfully teased, "I must say, the way you handled the situation at the court was truly magnificent. For a moment, I was worried you would mess up. I'm delighted to see that you've learned not to approach such matters like a charging bull."
Her playful comment earned her a gentle pinch on her wrist, but she sensed the tension in his posture ease somewhat. He spoke softly, "How long will you stay?"
Sanchali confessed, "Not for long, I'm afraid. I have to depart for Lanka. But I've missed Anga, and I do need to stock up on some supplies. I'll be staying for at most two days."
"Very well," Karna replied, masking his disappointment. "Before you leave, please meet me, will you? Where are you staying?"
"Do you remember the hut we built on the outskirts?" She answered, "That's where I'll be staying. And, of course, I'll meet you before I leave. Why would you even ask such a inane question?"