Clashed destinies

Kunti's secret

"Angraj Karn is my eldest son...your jyesth Bhrata!" Kunti said as five pair of eyes looked at her. There was astonishment, shock and mostly disbelief in those eyes.
Kunti couldnt stop herself from telling the truth any longer.
"Maata...are you....is this...is it true?" Arjun stammered trying to speak. His eyes were filled with expectance.  Her sons demanded answers. And it was their right to know.
"Karn...my first baby...I had given birth to him when I was fifteen. Rishi Durvasa had given me a boon . He had given me the knowledge of calling any celestial being on earth. I wanted to try the mantra so I called for Surya dev. I was a child to realise what effect it may have on the nature and how dreadful could it's consequences be.  Suryadev descended on earth and I fell in love with him. He was the most handsome man I had ever seen. He inquired me about calling him and I had no answer to it. He was not angry but rather disappointed. Before leaving he gifted me a part of him in the form of a child. My first son! Karn! I was fifteen and unmarried.  I had no idea what to do..." Kunti said breaking down. She tried to control her tears but was unable to.
The pandavas looked at her trying to digest the story.

"What did you do Maata?" Arjun asked dreading the obvious.
"I abandoned him in the river of Ganga" Kunti said and burst out crying.
"You abandoned a baby?! You...maata...how could you commit such a sin?!"Yudhisthir said anger visible in his face.
"Maata you never even stopped us when we insulted him in the arena...when we called him a sutaputra...when we fought against him ...you preferred staying quiet!" Arjun said in an unbelievable tone.
"I have insulted my eldest brother in the worst manner possible. You let me commit such a crime maata?!" Bhessm exiled with horror.
Nakul and Sahadev looked at Kunti with fury in their eyes. The pandavas were shaken. Angraj Karn...the enemy they loathed was their brother!
"We need to beg for his forgiveness! We need to meet him!" Yudhisthir said and all of them nodded.
"I will be the first one to beg for my son's forgiveness for all the misery I have caused him."kunti said .
"This is not the right time bua! Wait for some time! You all need to be in disguise at this moment!" A heavenly voice boomed in their hut.
"Krishna!" All of them cried together.

"There is a swayamvar for the Panchal princess! You have to accompany me to the swayamvar! " Duryodhan said.
"But Mitr I am getting married within a week !" Karn explained.
"You are a king and kings remarry. Moreover you dont need to marry that princess. You only participate in the swayamvar for me!" Duryodhan explained.
Karn couldn't refuse though the idea of participating on behalf of someone in a swayamvar seemed like a bad idea to Karn. He helplessly agreed.

"I can't marry him Meghna!" Vrushali said.
"What's wrong? What happened suddenly?! You cant be serious Vrushlai . It only three days left for your marriage. The entire Aryavrat is celebrating for the upcoming event of Karn's wedding! " Meghna explained.
Vrushali nodded.

ON WEDDING DAY
"Meghna putri please go and check on Vrushali once!" Radhama said too busy with the preparations.  Ot was her son's marriage after all.
Meghna nodded . Meghna didnt know why but she felt very sad for no reason. What was happening?! She always knew Karn was supposed to marry Vrushali and now when it was happening why was she feeling so sad?! What was happening!? She had a husband but she couldn't stop herself from fantasizing  about Karn .
She entered Karn's chamber mistakenly and found Karn standing on his wedding attire looking extremely handsome and heavenly. She couldnt look away. She was lost admiring the groom on his wedding day. She quickly handled herself and was going to leave when he called for her.
Karn couldnt explain the emotions racing inside his head at this moment. He was so confused. He was getting married to Vrushali. And there stood a girl he couldn't get tired of. She was so beautiful and lively. She was married.  He cursed himself for thinking about Meghna on his wedding day with Vrushali.
"Meghna" he called himself not realizing why he did so.
Meghna turned around. She looked gorgeous as usual.
She looked at him questioningly.  Her eyes held a strange look which he had never seen earlier. What was it?
Meghna looked at Karn with eyes filled with yearning. She wanted Karn. She don't know why but she did. But she had to let him go. He was destined to marry Vrushali. He was always rude to her. He always misbehaved with her. But also he protected her. He looked at her with passion and hunger in his eyes...something Meghna had always coveted.

"Take care of yourself" Karn said .
Meghna smiled at the irony. Karn was getting married. So he couldn't protect her all the time like before. He was committed to Vrushali. Meghna could feel the jealousy in her throat which prevented her from speaking any furthur. She nodded and ran out of the chamber tears filling her eyes.
Why was she so sad? What was happening? Did she like Karn?! What was wrong with her?! She was already married and Karn was getting married to Vrushlai but the tears dont understand logic as they continously trickle down her  cheeks.

"Govind!" Meghna muttered.
There was no response. Where was krishna when she needed him the most.
"I am sorry Sakhi but you have to figure this out yourself. I cant decide for you  you have to understand your emotions all by yourself" Krishna spoke to himself.
Meghna stood at the corner trying her best to control her tears when she experienced a pull. She was dragged in the chamber .
"Radhama?!" Meghna cried .
"Putri Vrushali has eloped with her lover!" Radhama said.