Tantra - a Dwapar yug adventure [Ongoing]

Chapter 12

At the long table, food was served for the royal members of Hastinapur. Tantra sat next to Nakul, she made sure Subhadra sat next to Arjun. She teased the shy Subadhra, the doors opened revealing the Kauravas. Duryodhan and Dushasan entered first, to the Pandavas' dismay, Duryodhan sat next to Tantra.

"Slept well?", asked Duyodhan

"Yes, I have a busy day ahead", said Tantra

"What have you planned for us?", he asked

"I never said us, I am going to visit the town and see Karna", she said

"I will come with you, it is not safe to go alone", he insisted

Tantra looked at him exasperated and nodded in agreement

They both bid goodbye to others in the hall and walked the path to the palace gates, the charioteer was waiting for them. Tantra pleaded with Duryodhan to abandon the chariot and walk down the streets. 

"The people will recognize us and a crowd will form around us", said Duryodhan

"Here, take this scarf and cover yourself. I will do the same", said Tantra

They headed down the streets, they first passed the fish market where the fisherman and the buyers were haggling the prices, then they passed kids playing with marbles on the mud. Colourful glass bangles were displayed, women tried them on with glee and joy.

They finally reached Karna's home, it was a tattered mud house with a straw roof. Tantra knocked on the door, an old lady opened the door and welcomed them in with great pleasure. 

"I apologize, our house is not good enough to welcome the prince and princess", said Radhama

"Do not apologize please, your affection is more than enough. I am very happy to meet the woman who raised Karna", said Tantra

Karna entered the hut, "Welcome Prince Duryodhan and Princess"

Tantra looked at him fondly and smiled

Duryodhan turned to Radhama and said " Thank you for your hospitality mata, we must leave since Tantra wants to explore the town"

Karna and Tantra said their goodbyes to mata and left

"What you did in the arena was risky but commendable", said the prince

"Thank you my prince", said Karna

They both realized that Tantra was missing, frantically they started searching for her. They saw her helping an old man who had fallen down. Duryodhan observed the man and asked him why he was here alone.

"My kids left me, I have no where to go to", said the man

Tantra looked at Duryodhan for a solution, he decided that the man will be given a house with the money for construction given from the royal treasury. The man thanked the three of them and wished them good fortune.

Tantra was surprised by the prince's generosity, they wandered down the street to buy snacks. They came across a stall that sold sweets and rose flavoured milk. Duryodhan paid for 10 boxes of sweets to be packed and sent to the palace for his siblings. Tantra got rose milk for herself and the two men. Tantra thought to herself that it tasted better than the so called rose milk in Kali yug.

Tantra cackled to see Duryodhan have a milk mustache, she offered him her kerchief. She was amused to see Karna's face stuffed with boondi ladoo.

"Karn, you are like a toddler. Wipe your mouth"

He attempted to remove the boondi but to no avail, it stayed the same

"Is it gone?"

Tantra shook her head and used her thumb to wipe it away. Duryodhan looked at the two with jealousy. 

Tantra pinched his cheeks and said "You're cute"

Karna blushed and cleared his throat in embarrassment

Tantra realized they were getting late and rushed Duryodhan to the palace, she knew Gandhari ma would be waiting for them. She bid goodbye to Karna and left hurriedly.

An annoyed and disappointed prince reached the palace whereas a euphoric archer reached his home.

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