Clashed destinies

Basket of lotuses

The pandavas along with Karn, Meghna and Draupadi were on their way to the forest. They were going to bring Kunti from the forest and return to Dwarka. Radha was still unconscious and they heavy heartedly had to leave as their mother was alone in the forest. Krishna convinced them to go and bring Kunti meanwhile Radha will regain consciousness.

MEANWHILE IN THEIR JOURNEY
"Draupadi I think we should take something for mata Kunti. She is expecting her sons but we are going to surprise her so obviously we should surprise herewith some gift" Meghna said softly.
Draupadi nodded excitedly. Kunti was completely unaware of Arjun's wedding and Karn and Meghna visiting her.
"Yes you're right Meghna!!! Arya isnt she right?" Draupadi asked Arjun who smiled sweetly seeing her childish nature.
"Yes ofcourse you are right my dear wife"  Arjun said.
Draupadi blushed heavily.
"Yes Meghna is right. We should get something for her" Karn said looking at Meghna.
His gaze was intense. Meghna didnt know what he was thinking.
Was Karn angry with her? Was he in love with someone else? But it wasnt Draupadi. Then who was it? Karn also is worried about her first marriage. How will she ever explain it to him that the marriage didn't mean anything to her now that she truly loved Karn and their marriage was a complete ceremony. She has accepted Karn as her husband.
"Maata loves bhrata Bheem's ladoos!" Nakul cried.
"Yes but where will I make them here?" Bheem asked clueless.
"Maybe we can get her some lotus plants. She loves those flowers. I had welcomed her when she first came to Hastinapur as a bride. She was so glad to see them and I myself was so smitten by her motherly nature but I hadn't known that she was my mother at that time. Now all of it is rushing back in my memories." Karn said a lone tear escaping his eyes.
"Maata will be so delighted to see you Jyesth bhraata" Arjun said emotionally.
Karn nodded and smiled. He had never imagined he would suddenly be so close to the pandavas. There always was a soft corner in his heart for the pandavas and now it explained his concern for the pandavas.
"Yes lotus will be a wonderful gift for maataa. It will remind her of jyesth Bhrata and then jyesth Bhrata and bhabhisree will surprise her" Yudhisthir said.
Karn and Meghna looked at each other at the term bhabhisree. They had to talk with each other. They will once things are settled properly.
"Good plan Meghna!" Krishna and Mahadev exclaimed together.

MEANWHILE IN DWARKA
"Radha has gained consciousness Arya!!!" Rukmini shouted as soon as Radha opened her eyes.
Krishna, Balaram and others ran to Radha's chamber.
"Rukmini...what happened?" Radha asked looking at everyone's tense faces. Only her shyam was smiling.
"Radha..."before Balram could complete his statement Krishna interrupted.
"Dao I feel Rukmini and Radha should talk for sometime privately. "Krishna cried and looked at Rukmuni who nodded immediately. She knew what she should tell Radha.
"Shyam...what is it? " Radha asked.
Krishna and the others silently left the room.
"What had happened Ruki? Tell me the entire thing" Radha asked .
Rukmini narrated the entire story.
Radha was shocked. Her husband had left her. She had accused her of infidelity. He had cursed her Krishna. She coildnt bear to forgive Ayaan. How dare he insulted her Krishna and how dare he questioned her character!
"I have to meet Ayaan!" Radha cried.
"But why?" Rukmini asked.
After a few moments Radha and Rukmini came out of the chamber.
"Where are you going?" Balaram asked.
"To meet Ayaan!" Radha cried and Rukmini nodded.
"Bit je tried to harm you Radha. He insulted you and Krishna. You still wanna return yo him?" Revatti asked shocked.
"They should go bhabhisree. Radha Rukmini go and fulfill your work." Krishna said.
Balaram amd Revatti were shocked by Krishna's reply but they knew Krishna was mysteriously aware of every situation so they didnt question Krishna.

ON REACHING THE FOREST
"Have you taken the lotuses Parth?" Meghna asked.
"Yes bhabhisree" Arjun replied.
"That's not the important thing now. The biggest gift is Draupadi." Karn said.
Draupadi smiled. Meghna smiled roo but she silently goes her plan would be successful.
"Parth it's your time to surprise now. I and Meghna will surprise on the latter part. Firstly it's your and Draupadi's turn." Karn said.
"Here take this" meghna handed the lotuses to Draupadi.
Draupadi was little confused by her friend's sudden obsession towards lotuses but she didnt refuse and took the lotuses.
She didnt know that she was saving herself from a big disaster that would have taken place in her life.
"Mother see what I have brought for you!" Arjun cried  indicating Draupadi.  She was his first wife and she was supposed to a big surprise for their mother.
Kunti was busy chanting her prayers when she heard her son.
"Whatever it is distribute it among you and your brothers" Kunti cried nitnopening her eyes even once.
Draupadi and Arjun froze in their positions. Everyone were spellbound. What had just happened?! They couldnt disobeybtheir mother. Meghna noticed Draupadi who had broken down. She knew her husband would obey his mother at all circumstances and no one would think about her.
"Mata!" Arjun gasped unable to breathe any longer.
His beautiful wife! The woman he loved! He had to share her with his brothers!
Kunti observed the change in Arjun's tone and opened her eyes.
She was shocked to see a beautiful girl with garlands standing beside her son. Her son's wife. Her daughter in law. What had she said!
"I did not mean that putra. I didnt know what you were talking about " kunti said.
But Yudhisthir being the righteous one wouldn't let his mother's command fall to misery.
"'Its time for my entry now! Bless me Krishna! " Mefhna silently prayed.
"Tathastu" she could hear Krishna's voice.
"One second!" Meghna interrupted.
Kunti had never seen Meghna before.
"Meghna what are you doing?" Karn asked entering the scene as well.
Kunti was shocked to see Karn. Had her sons confessed her truth to Karn? Had he forgiven her? She cursed herself immediately for thinking about herself in this situation. Draupadi was in such a horrible position because of her.
"Maataa has ordered us something. We have to follow that bhabhisree" Yudhisthir said with a grim face. He himself was jit happy with this situation but he was a very righteous man.
"There is a way things can be controlled Bhrata Yudhisthir. " Meghna cried.
Everyone looked at her with hope especially Draupadi amd Kunti.
"See mata Kunti was unaware of the gift Parth was referring to and Draupadi coincidentally was kot the only surprise. There are a basket of lotuses in Draupadi's hands. Distribute the lotuses among each other. We had brought that for mata Kunti as well. So we can distribute that!" Meghna explained.
"But Arjun meant Draupadi!" Yudhisthir said.
"But mata Kunti was not aware of that. The lotuses too are brought for mata Kunti so distribute them among yourselves." Meghna added.
"Meghna is right! Dont destroy the life of this poor girl. Mata Kunti didnt know what Arjun was talking about so the lotuses will do and I am saying this. Your jyesth Bhrata! So obey me!" Karn ordered.
Yudhisthir and the other pandavas were immediately convinced.
Kunti couldnt control her tears anymore. Karn knew he was her eldest son. He has accepted her!