Clashed destinies

Escaped

"This is the most exquisite puja I have ever witnessed. This is so heavenly!" Meghna said excitedly.
"Its late now. We should return to the palace." Karn said.
As Karn was stepping out of the temple a woman came up to him.
"Can you please take care of this bottle. My husband has not yet arrived and there is some work I have to complete. It will only take a few minutes" the lady said requesting Karn and handing him a small glass bottle.
Karn tried his best to avoid but he finally gave in. He had this problem since childhood. He cant refuse help to anyone. Not even to his enemy.
Meghna who was a little behind Karn saw him standing outside the temple. He looked so calm and serene. A mischievous idea struck her mind. Karn was not getting angry today. She could play a small little prank on him. She quietly went upto him. He was facing his back towards her. She poked him on his shoulder . Karn was turning around but in the process he lost his balance and the glass bottle fell from his hands.  The glass bottle shattered to pieces. Meghna looked at him worriedly. She didnt know he was holding something in his hand. Karn looked a little angry but as soon as the light fell on Meghna's face his expression completely transformed. There was shock and nervousness clearly visible in his face. Meghna didnt know what was happening. She took out her phone and switched on her selfie camera. She recieved the shock of her life as she examined her face. Her forehead and nose was filled with vermillion. She was taken aback. She switched on the flash light and the light fell on the glass  bottle. It was indeed filled with sindoor. 
Both of them looked at each other unable to utter a single word.

My sindoor! Arre bhaiya I told you to handle it carefully. See now you have wasted it and my glass bottle is also broken." The lady returned and brought both of them back to reality.
Karn looked at her with an apologetic look. He offered to buy her a sindoor but she firmly refused and left. Meghna couldn't look Karn in his eyes so she started walking away from the temple and Karn.
Karn followed her as he had nowhere else to go.  Moreover it was already late and it was not safe to leave Meghna alone in the streets. He had to follow her.
"Stop following me!" Meghna muttered.
"What do you expect me to do? It's not safe to wander in the streets alone at night. Moreover you dont even know the way" karn said quietly.
Meghna turned around facing Karn . Her eyes reflected anger, worry amd mostly confusion.
"I dont understand you Karn. What do you want? Who are you ? Are you the rude man I met for the first time who wouldn't leave a chance to insult me or are you the caring person who wants to protect me from all sorts of danger ? Which version of you is real Karn?!" Meghna asked angrily.
"I dont think that should be the matter of discussion at this moment " karna said pointing at her forehead still filled with his applied vermillion.
Meghna quickly wiped it off her forehead.
Karn looked at her a little shocked by her sudden action. It hurt him. He didnt know why but it did hurt him. Was he actually concerned about this weird girl from Kaliyug? Was this the reason he always felt the sindoor was important?
What is it?
"So it's that easy huh? Just removing the sindoor with your bare hands?" Karn asked. The anger was clearly visible in his tone and body language.
"It doesnt matter . I am already married." Meghna said still thinking about her mysterious husband.
Wait what?!!!! Karn got the biggest shock of his life. She was married?!!! So when he had applied vermillion in her forehead for the first time it didnt mean anything because she was already married. She is married! Karn didmt know why but his heart was filled with an unknown ache. He couldn't name it. He should be stress free.  She was married and his sindoor didnt mean anything. He could easily marry Vrushali now. Without any guilt. Then why was he feeling so uneasy? Why was he so upset?
Meghna looked at Karn amd noticed his shocked expressions. Should she tell him the truth? That she herself doesnt know who her husband is?
"Oh so you're married.  Why then do you not live with your husband? And where is your mangalsutra and sindoor? You dont wear them?"Karn said trying his best to not sound rude.
Meghna looked at him with blank expressions. This was his rudest tone ever. He sounded so hurtful. She was too angry to speak politely anymore.
"Listen Karn ! Its completely my life. You have no right to interfere in it. It's my wish if I wanna wear sindoor or not. It's my right if I wear a mangal sutra or not and it's completely my right to decide whether I want to live with my husband or not.You are not my husband to question these things. And if you dont want me to stay here  I'll leave right now!" Meghna shouted angrily. She was pissed off.
Karn too was extremely pissed off. He was too angry to think sanely . He didn't respond and left for the palace.
She couldn't believe he was leaving without her. So she has got her answer. She cannot stay in Anga anymore. She started walking towards the forest.

After walking for miles she reached an ashram. The sage of the ashram was busy meditating but his wife welcomed her.
"Pranipaat devi! I am Meghna. I was wandering alone in the forest. Can you please give me some water to drink?" Meghna begged.
"Ofcourse my child. My husband is busy in his meditation. I dont know when he will open his eyes. You are most welcome to live with us for a few days. It will entertain me as well. " The woman said kindly.
Despite Meghna's continous refusals the woman seemed adamant. Meghna agreed to her proposal.
"There is another pretty girl inside the hut. Hope you will have no problem sharing the small hut with two other people. As for my husband he is complete immersed in his penance and will not use the hut for days. " the woman said.
Meghna assured her that she was completely fine and also expressed her gratefulness towards the woman.
On entering the hut Meghna saw the most beautiful woman she had ever seen. She had large brown eyes, long wavy hair and a heavenly smile. She looked like a celestial beauty.

The girl smiled looking at her. Meghna smiled back.
"Putri, this is Meghna. She will be staying with us for a few days. She was wandering alone in the forest." The woman said.
"Ofcourse maata. Its wonderful meeting you devi Meghna" the girl said.
"Pranipaat! I am Meghna. I was living in Anga. Circumstances brought me here." Meghna said not giving in too much.
"'Pranipaat! I am Yagyaseni, the princess of Panchal. I am the daughter of king Druapad who has banished me from his own kingdom " the girl cried.
Meghna looked at her shockingly.
This was Draupadi!!!!