Clashed destinies

Test of purity

Meghna had started observing a strange pattern in Karn's behaviour. He was being unbelievably filtered as if he was hiding something from her. Moreover she could still see the dasis around her gossiping about stuff and immediately stopping as she entered the chamber. What were all these people hiding from her?
Karn himself was so confused as of what would happen in his life and why was he seeing that dream every alternate day now?
Meanwhile Krishna visited Anga. Karn was sure Krishna was the only one who could help him with this problem.
Meghna and Karn were so happy to see Krishna. Krishna seemed a little disturbed as well. As if fearing the inevitable.
As Krishna and Karn strolled in the garden Krishna noticed the nervousness in Karn's face. He knew the reason very well.
"Something seems to trouble you jyesth...is everything alright?" Kroshna asked in an unknowing manner.
"I...madhav Something is disturbing me. There's a...there's a dream. It is so real that I fear it may come true and if it does..." Karn stammered.
"What can you you do if your dream comes true?! Its your destiny Bhrata. You have to accept your destiny. There are instances in your life when you are stuck in a critical situation. You dont know what to do. The only thing you can do at that moment is to go with the flow." Krishna said as he visualized the upcoming incidents.
"Moreover the hurdle has not even started bhrata" Krishna said.
The next day however the first step if his dream seemed to take shape.
A man had come to the court seeking for justice.
"Maharaj my wife and I were married ten years earlier. But I have come to know recently that my wife was already married. This is betrayal Maharaj...how can I stay with this woman now?!" The man said.
"My previous husband is dead. We were married when we were children. He never had a problem with me Maharaj...I have always remained a faithful wife. I didn't even know I was married as I was a child back then. Few days earlier my aunt came to visit us and she dropped the unexpected information of my first marriage. I didnt even know about it...how is it then my fault Maharaj!" The woman pleaded.
"This woman is impure! She was married once!" The man said ina disgusting manner.
"Wait! The woman didnt even know she was married! Why then should she suffer! I command you to accept this woman as your wife " Karn declared.
Everyone accepted his decision . However the mahamantra soon delivered a horrifying news. The man had murdered his wife and when subjected to his crime he had a very shocking answer.
"I don't accept the laws of a stage where the queen herself is impure ! Maharaj Kafnnmay accept her but we , as the citizens of Anga, cannot accept her! Her dasis had informed how she was married earlier. Moreover she was imprisoned by Prince Dushashan and Gandharaj! Who knew what had happened over there! How can we consider her as a pure woman !" The man had said.
Karn could feel his blood boiling with rage. How dare they question Meghna's purity in this manner! He was going to punish the man when another bomb shell was dropped.
Arjun along with Panchali and the other Pandavas were there with a problem. Panchali's character too was questioned and people had started revolting against the king for having such a kulvadhu.
"Things are getting worse each day Bhrata. Even in Hastinapur people have started challenging the king for they dont abode bubthe law made by a king who has such a queen. Everyone is talking about this and the rumours are spreading like wild fire." Yudhisthir said.
Karn was so confused. This was a very dangerous situation. He needed to do something.
"Stepping down from the throne of Hastinapur seems like the best decision. The people will then obey the palace and the king" Karn declared.
"But then who will be the king? I cannot as I have sworn I will not become the king as long as you are here. Duryodhan yoo swore the same thing. Moreover people need you Bhrata. Things have fallen into place after so long. The kauravas too have accepted you as your king and the kuru dynasty for the first time has become peaceful. Your stepping down from the throne will create furthur problems." Yudhisthir said.
Yudhisthir was making sense. Things had come under control after so many years. What then was the solution.
"You are the perfect man for the throne bhrata. We will control this together!" Arjun said.
Thus within a week Karn's coronation took place and Karn was unanimously accepted as the Chakravarty Samrat. Meghna however was not accepted as the samragi atleast by the people. They didnt attend the sessions where the queen was present.  They did not respect the country's laws. Meghna had started to notice this and the difference was disturbing her. She had tried asking Karn a lot about it but he always changed the subject.
"Bhrata things are getting completely out of control. We need to take a step." Yudhsithir said.
Karn too was concerned. The citizens were not afraid of the law and were committing sins without any fear. So they thought of trying to get a solution.
"Who else can give a solution than people themselves? We need to disguise as ordinary men and know what the people want from the king and the palace." Karm said.
Thus Yudhisthir and Karn disguised themselves as merchants and the people's comments were shocking them.
"The king should abandon his wife. King Rama too had abandoned his wife Sita. He was a capable king. Moreover why should we have such controversial queen" a man said.
"So true...mata sita was a goddess yet she was sent away to the forest. And this girl from Kaliyug. She was married earlier. Can you believe that? What kind of idea does that promote to the new generation." A woman sighed.
"And she was held captive for so many days...imagine!" Another man commented.
Karn was so heartbroken. He had to choose between being a capable ruler and a loving husband. How could he abandon his wife who he loved so dearly! And how could he abandon his kingdom where his subjects were like his own children.

"I don't know Draupadi...something is definitely wrong. What are you all hiding from me? People are not accepting me! There has to be a reason. What is it Panchali?" Meghna asked.
Panchali tried her best to not break down. But how long could she hide this from her.
"Sakhi...I...the people are not accepting us because we were held captive for so many days " Draupadi said shocking Meghna.
"What...but how is that...what is wrong with them!? Havent they learnt their lesson after maata Sita's tragic death!" Meghna exclaimed with rage and hurt.
"They say mata sita was a goddess yet she was abandoned so we too should be treated in the same manner" Draupadi said.
"Have they forgotten what happened later!" Meghna said remembering the tragic agnipariksha.
"Maharani the king wants to meet with the two of you" A daasi announced.
Meghna and Draupadi hid their emotions immediately and firmly entered the sabha. The people were looking at them with suspicion and disgust. Now when Meghna knew the reason she couldnt help but feel helpless. What was her fault in any of this!?
Karn didnt look at his wife or sister in law. He had taken a very hard step. He knew this was not a very good step but it was the best one in this situation. If Vishnu himself had taken this step then.he was a mere human...what was he supposed to do?
"The people in the kingdom are not very happy with their queen. The queen is suspected to be impure and thus people are not ready to accept her. However Meghna will get a chance to prove her purity. She will have yo give an agnipariksha" Karn said without any expression. His face seemed dead. He looked as if he himself was going through the agnipariksha.
Meghna felt a drastic rage within her. Karn wanted her to give the agnipariksha! When.he knew she was pure. She felt so betrayed. She could feel the way mata sita had felt. She was not hurt by the people suspecting her but her husband's decision Crushed her heart.
Arjun looked angrily towards his brother. He was not happy with this decision.
"I am sorry...but I cant do this. I cant prove my purity to anyone solely because they want me to. A woman's purity should nevd be questioned and here this entire kingdom is suspecting me. I cannot curse these people as they might not accept me as their queen but I have accepted them as my children. But I sincerely wish one day they realise...one day they realise their folly. I will not perform any agnipariksha. I am willing to leave this kingdom forever. I will never ever look back but I wont give the test of purity. As if I do so...again another woman has to prove her innocence in the similar manner. Maata Sita should never have performed the test of purity. And recall the past...at then end she didnt perform the agnipariksha. She preferred dying! Thus I cant do this Maharaj Karn. I bid my farewell to everyone" Meghna said as she turned around and left the sabha shocking everyone. Karn however did not look shocked. He knew this would be the result. He knew she would stand up for herself. He cursed himself for even thinking of this as a solution. But what could he do? He was tied by the responsibilities of a king.
As Meghna changed her attire to simple ones she found two people waiting for her.
"Pranipat Bhabhisree...I tried to stop Bhrata but he proved himself to be a king before being a husband or a brother. Forgive me bhabhisree. We all know you both are pure but we couldnt stand up for you. But I have decided bhabhisree Draupadi and I will accompany you to the forest. Draupadi cant stay here with people criticizing her every moment and I can't stay without Draupadi " Arjun said.
Meghna tried to stop them but they were adamant. Thus within a week Karn's entire dream came true.