ARYAVARTA

chapter 9

The envoy consisting bhishm, shakuni, Gandhari and karn
entered the city of Hastinapur. The people of Hastinapur showered the envoy with flowers for their victory against gandhar
Shakuni was seething like a inferno inside seeing this gesture of Hastinapur after they destroyed his home and it's people,he vowed he would make them suffer entire Aryavarta would suffer for the the injustice done to his family. when bhishm turned towards him he put on his mask of a calm and broken teenager.Bhishm felt pity to the youngster and shame on him since he is the reason for both the physical and emotional pain of shakuni.Gandhari was frightened all he could see was dark and it scared her, but when she felt karn stirring in her hands ,she felt calm.The only regret she had was that she won't be able to see her son grown into a man.The chariot entered the royal palace .At the entrance stood Satyvati, Amba, Ambika Ambalika and atlast Vidhur. Dhritarashtra was not present.
Bhishm and his companions moved towards the crowd. They couldn't see the princess due to the huge figure of bhishm.when they came to halt bhishm moved aside, presenting the princess of gandhar to Hastinapur royals. Satyavati stood still,she didn't move further to invite Gandhari. Everyone present their had only one question in mind why she covered her eyes with a cloth and who is the child she is holding. Amba saw Satyvati frozen ,so she took the Tilak from Satyvati hands and blessed Gandhari welcoming her as a member of kuruvansh. Satyvati saw Amba blessing Gandhari and look towards bhishm to know what's going on. Bhishm moved towards her and told her that he would say everything later.

Chamber of Satyvati

"What is happening, why she covered her eyes and whose is the child" asked Satyvati
The others in the room Pandu and Vidhur too were surprised seeing the princess of gandhar and wanted to know what happened in Ghandar
" She had embraced darkness, since Dhritarashtra doesn't have the luxury of vision,she too had abandon her vision to understand the suffering of her husband" said bhishm
All were surprised hearing this. They never expected this ,to sacrifice vision and live a life of darkness proved to them that this princess of gandhar is lady made of iron
" The child is her son,adoptive son I had given her my word that he will have every right of a prince but won't be recognised as a kuruvanshi" said bhishm
Satyvati was shocked hearing this , she doesn't care if Gandhari decided to live her life as a blind but to accept the child and give him the rights of a prince can't be accepted
" What were you thinking bhishm, how could you give a promise like that to her, what if that child grows up and claim right to throne,he is a bastard disowned by his own family, and bastards only brings destruction with them" said Satyvati
Vidhur was hurt hearing this, she may have forgotten that after everything he too is a bastard born to a shudra. Though at that moment bhishm didn't think about the future ,he just wanted Gandhari to accompany him, but now the implications of Satyvati has opened his eyes, this child could cause disaster to Hastinapur,but yet he had given a promise, and he will not break his promise. Vidhur and Pandu understood the dilemma of bhishm. Before bhishm could respond
" That boy will be raised as a prince of Hastinapur, tAtashree has given his word,he is the patriarch of this lineage,to break his promise means Hastinapur breaking a promise, as Maharaj of Hastinapur I can't do that, let the child be raised as a prince, but it doesn't mean he should be given privileges of a kuruvanshi. At present the child is not a danger to anyone, if in future he goes against Hastinapur,then Maharathi bhishm you should be the one who has to do the deed " said Pandu .
" If that child becomes a threat for Hastinapur in future,I Devrath will end his life by my own hands" replied bhishm
" Vidhur ask kripachariya to find a auspicious day for the wedding
tAtashree we have a marriage proposal from kuntiboj, I had accepted it when I visited there after you left to Ghandar, grandmother and I believe that through this marriage, the enmity between Hastinapur and Kuntiboj will come to an end" said Pandu . Bhishm was surprised to hear this,he knew that if Pandu had visited kuntiboj after he had left then the preparations for his visit had done behind his back, they didn't even consulted him. Bhishm looked towards Vidhur and from his expression he understood even Vidhur was kept in blind.
But at the end it's the king who takes decision and he is just a servant to the throne
Ambika entered the chamber of her son and saw him conversing with Sanjay. Sensing the presence of his mother Dhritarashtra stood up to give her his respect. Ambika indicated Sanjay to leave the chamber.
" Where were you when everyone was inviting your future wife" asked Ambika
" I heard she had covered her eyes and also have a son" said Dhritarashtra
" Yes, she had covered her eyes so that she could understand your pain, your suffering, to know you and the child is her adoptive son"
" I don't give a care whether that child is her or not, but why did she covered her eyes, for me you say mother,but no she had insulted me reminding me my weakness. I never wanted my wife to share my fate,I wanted her to be my eyes"
"I  understand you,but all l am asking you is to be there for her.
I am not asking you to love her, but to protect her, respect her
She had lost everything a father, brother,her kingdom that poor girl has suffered more than you could imagine. I know how she feels,I too had gone through this phase, don't leave her alone in this nest of vipers alone it will destroy her like it did to me"
Amba left the room leaving Dhritarashtra to contemplate what his mother said

Kuntiboj, Pandu's arrival(flashback)

King shurasena along with his wife Marisha son Nanda and other court members welcomed Maharaj Pandu
" You make take rest today we will talk tomorrow"sad shurasena
At evening pandu was taking a stroll on the garden. He saw kunti along with priyamvadha
" Good evening princess" said pandu.
"Good evening Maharaj' replied kunti
" I would like to discuss something with you in private"
" Priyamvadha leave us alone"
Priyamvadha left the garden
Pandu scanned the to check anyone spying on them
" I am sorry, I know about you and jyesht. He had told me everything. He died for me and along with him his dreams too."said Pandu
" No please don't pity yourself veer has left his legacy to you , fullfil it " said kunti
"What about you princess,I know everything even that night you spend with him, it was his dream to see you as the queen of Hastinapur, I will ask your father permission to marry you, before you reject this proposal think about your family your father's reputation, kuntiboj reputation.
At least through this deed I may have peace" said Pandu and walked away leaving behind a stunned kunti
At night kunti didn't sleep Pandu words were repeating in her ears
She will be force to marry someone and the truth can't be hidden forever. Her reputation, father's reputation will be questioned .And now she has a chance to avoid all these ,a man who knew her past and still ready to accept her. Kunti decided what she has to do

The next morning Pandu was invited to shurasena chamber for a private meeting
" Hope you had a good sleep " greeted  shurasena
" What happened to the child" asked Pandu
" It was a still born" replied shurasena
" I had talked with your daughter ,she will accept to save her father's and kingdoms reputation. I hope you don't have any objection"
"I remember our deal Pandu,even if my daughter doesn't accept she will be yours .
I won't break my promise and how did you made bhishm and others to coronate you as the next king."
" It was not difficult, just needed to plant an idea that a blind king means a weak king"
"So atlast killing your brother does had its advantages other than you getting kunti"
" I didn't killed my brother,It was Drupad whom killed ,it was your idea and I just created the situation for Drupad as we three planned" said Pandu with a evil smirk