Whisper Of The Hearts - Mahabharat Story

Chapter 3

It was finally the day. Every king and prince of Aryavart were sitting in a stadium, eager to win the fire born princess. In the middle of the stadium was the small pond and the fish hanging high in the ceiling. All the talking and chatting had stopped the moment Yagyaseni stepped foot in the stadium. Her eyes burning with love for Arjun.

Panchaali, Krishna, Drupad, Kavya and Dhrishtadhyum sat at the highest row of all, waiting for the competition to begin. Draupadi knew that Arjun would win but anxiety had still filled her in. What if something goes wrong? The question of  'what if' was not leaving Draupadi's head, when she felt Kavya's soft finger lace themselves with hers.

"Don't you worry Draupadi, nothing will go wrong. Nothing. I know it." Kavya said with a small smile adorning her beautiful face. And Draupadi's inner turmoil had calmed down with Kavya's reassuring smile.

The competition had started. Each prince got up and tried to lift the divine bow, but none could. Disappointment and failure was painted in the faces of the kings and princes. And with this disappointed, Draupadi's face grew brighter. She was now sure that her Arjun will come and marry her. But her hopes were shattered when she saw Ang Raj Karn picking up the bow.

Draupadi's mind became frantic. She didn't know what to do. How could this happen? It was supposed to be Arjun. No way could this happen. Panic filled Draupadi as she felt hopeless but then she remembered that Karn was the son of a chariot driver.

Before Karn could pick up the bow and tie the string, a loud feminine voice boomed throughout the stadium.
"I will not marry the son of a chariot driver!" Screamed Draupadi, desperation lacing her silk voice. Her once calm eyes were now filled with anxiety but that was only visible to her two best friends.

Kavya knew that Draupadi would be saying this, but being a girl who has always supported the rights of people irrespective of their caste, colour or gender, it hurt her morals. She wanted to speak up. She wanted to say how unjust the social system was and how everyone should get a chance irrespective of their caste and culture.

As Draupadi's voice echoed another soft voice came out. "Everyone should get a chance Draupadi, everyone deserves respect which you took away from Ang Raj Karn right now. This social system isn't just and you should really protest against it."

Draupadi's eyes were covered with betrayal. How could Kavya, her sister, her best friend say that. She knew that she had no choice. Her soul and mind belonged to Arjun and she couldn't give herself away to Karn. "Kavya...you know why..." Draupadi said, not able to complete her sentence as even she knew that it was truly unjust to Karn.

"Since this is Draupadi's swayamvar, I think the right to choose a husband also belongs to her. Forgive me Ang Raj Karn but please go back to your place." Intervened Krishna, soothing the unruly situation.

Everyone took their seats and looked forward waiting for someone to come up and pick the bow. But alas! No prince could.

Kavya was looking around for the Pandavas, waiting for their arrival, when her eyes met the golden brown eyes again. Ang Raj Karn. Sculptured like a God and misunderstood like the fallen angel. She received a small smile from Karn, who showed her his gratitude for standing up for him when no one did. Kavya returned the smile and silently worded 'my pleasure'.

Being lost in the eyes of Karn, Kavya didn't realise that a Brahmin was entering the podium. Not only did he just enter but also picked up the bow. Her eyes shifted from the golden brown ones when a roar was heard from the audience. She immediately realised that Arjun had arrived. Her eyes fell back on the podium as she saw the Indra Putr pick up bow and shoot the arrow.

"This is Arjun Panchaali", she said

"I know" that was the reply she got along with the widest smile of all.