Mahabharat - The Changed Fate

Chapter 48: Kunti's Confession to Avika

The sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden hue over Hastinapura as Avika strolled through the palace grounds. Despite the growing tensions between Karna and the Pandavas, she had always found solace in the gardens. But today, even the peaceful scenery couldn't calm her mind. The lingering doubts that Uruvi had expressed, and the subtle manipulations of Subhadra, were beginning to weigh on her heart. Karna had always been her rock, her protector, but the uncertainties surrounding his future and the ever-present rivalry with the Pandavas troubled her deeply.

As she made her way through the winding paths, Avika suddenly noticed Kunti standing by the marble pavilion, her figure motionless. Something about Kunti's demeanor seemed off. Normally so regal and composed, Kunti appeared weary, as though a great burden had been pressing upon her for too long. Her face was pale, and her eyes, usually sharp and watchful, seemed distant, burdened by an unspoken weight.

Avika approached her cautiously, sensing that something was amiss. "Maa Kunti," she called softly. Kunti turned, startled out of her reverie. She managed a faint smile, but her expression betrayed her inner turmoil.

"Avika, my child," Kunti greeted her with an attempt at her usual warmth. But even that felt strained, as though the older woman was holding something back.

Avika could sense the unease in her voice. "Is everything alright?" she asked, her tone gentle yet filled with concern. "You seem... troubled."

Kunti looked at her, and for a moment, it seemed like she would deny it, brush away her concerns. But then, as if the floodgates had opened, tears filled her eyes. She motioned for Avika to follow her to a secluded part of the garden, away from prying eyes and ears. They sat on a stone bench beneath a large banyan tree, its ancient branches providing a canopy of privacy.

"I must tell you something, Avika," Kunti began, her voice trembling. "It's a truth I have carried in my heart for far too long. A truth that could change everything."

Avika's heart raced. Kunti was not one to be easily shaken, and the weight in her voice spoke of a secret that had been buried for years, perhaps decades. "What is it, Maa? You can trust me."

Kunti took a deep breath, the guilt she had harbored for so long finally pushing its way to the surface. She clasped Avika's hands tightly in her own, her grip firm but trembling. "You know how much I care for you and Karna. You both have brought light into this family, even during the darkest of times. But there is something about Karna's past... something you do not know."

Avika's mind raced. What could Kunti possibly be referring to? She had always known Karna to be the son of the royal couple from Ayodhya. It was no secret that his origins had been humble, and yet his strength, honor, and loyalty had won the hearts of many. But something about Kunti's tone made her realize that this was about more than his adoptive parents.

"What do you mean?" Avika asked, her voice steady despite the growing apprehension in her chest.

Kunti closed her eyes for a moment, as if gathering the strength to continue. "Karna... is not the true son of Maharaj and Maharani. He is not of Ayodhya at all."

The world seemed to tilt beneath Avika's feet. Her breath caught in her throat as the words hung in the air between them. Not of Ayodhya? What was Kunti saying? If Karna was not the son of the Ayodhya king and queen, then who was he?

Seeing the shock on Avika's face, Kunti continued, her voice filled with pain and regret. "Karna... Karna is my son, Avika. My firstborn. He is the eldest of the Pandavas."

The impact of Kunti's confession hit Avika like a physical blow. For a moment, she could not comprehend what she was hearing. Karna? The son of Kunti? Her mind spun with the implications of this revelation. All this time, Karna had believed himself to be the son of Ayodhya, yet he was the eldest Pandava.