Broken Trust: The New Era

Chapter 3 : First Meet

"Pitashree please, let me go. I will return very soon," Draupadi pleads more.

There is a festival going on. A lot of merchants from different states has come for business. And who doesn't know about the famous market of Panchala? Currently even during night, the markets are open.

"No, my beloved daughter. You have your swayamvar in just 2 days. What will people say?" Maharaja Draupad tries to reason.

She has been trying to convince him for so long. But no, he won't let her go no matter what. Giving up she leaves.

"What happened, sakhi?" Krishna catches her in the corridor.

"Govind, I am going away from Panchala after 2 days and father won't let me visit the market," Draupadi complains.

"Do you really want to go?" he asks.

Draupadi nods her head aggressively.

"Okay then. Go with Malini," he says.

"But Govind..."

"Don't worry. No one will know," he assures.

Draupadi grins mischievously then does a happy dance. Of course vest friends must cover for each other.

"Wait Sakhi. You can't go like this. Take this," Govind tosses her something.

Dresses of commoners. Draupadi takes it and leaves to change.

"One thing also sakhi. Cover your face or else everyone will know about you," he warns.

Draupadi nods and pulls Malini with her.

After they arrive, they were mesmorized. This is so grand and beautiful. They are going from one shop to another, giggling like little girls. Suddenly they hear a crowd. They turn to see what it's about.

If anyone told Karna a few days ago that he will be in Panchala for a fire born princess's swayamvar, he would have laughed.

But a few weeks ago an invitation came for him. He has heard about the fire born twins a lot the past 5 tears and was surprised at the invitation. The person who will win her hand, will be called the greatest archer of Aryavarta. It's tempting. He was in dilemma as well. He heard that King Draupad wants Arjun, third son of Pandu to win the competition. He also heard the princess likes Arjuna as well.
What if it was an invitation to insult him? But he also wanted to see the princess. He doesn't know why but after he heard about the princess, he has an overwhelming urge to meet her at least once.

Currently he sighs at his fate. He came to visit the famous market of Panchala specialy this season. But soon he gets surrounded by a mob of woman who are trying their hardest to strike up a conversation with him.

"You are so handsome. Are you a prince?"

"You look so strong. Are you a warrior?"

Karna is looking down. Suddenly he looks up with a strange urge to look around. A sudden palpitation in his heart.

His tawny eyes clashes with the beautiful shade of blue one's. Those ocean blue eyes are also staring at him.

Everything suddenly vanishes from his vision. He couldn't hear the crowd anymore. He couldn't see anyone anymore only the blue eyes. He is drowning in those eyes. The owner of the eyes is also looking back at him in equal shock. None of them move eyes from each other. Then he sees a hand grabbing the blue eyed woman's hand and drags her away.

"Wait..." Karna's lips slip.

He doesn't know why he feels so restless when he couldn't see those eyes anymore. He quickly moves to go to that woman pushing the women around him. But he losts her in the crowds. He curses his fate. Where could she go in such a small time?