MAHABHARAT--- Though the fighting between the Pandavs and Kauravs remain at the heart of it, the epic revolves around the conflict of Dharma. In this work of fiction I present to you the human emotions, conversation, thoughts of everyone as they mee...
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The Sky-scrapers are silhouettes against a crimson sky and the air smells of the ocean.The just-risen sun shone softly on Indralok streets, bringing with it a flurry of early-morning activity; the gleeful residents of Amravati started their supple movements. Nevertheless, the divinity of Heaven and its residents could not fade the Elysian of the Empress who sat there. There was something about that dawn which made her first day in this World a gift, eases it in gently, unwrapping the mystery anew.
Draupadi could sense someone moving beside her, she turned to see, Angraaj Karn. She was about to stand up, but he gestured her to remain seated. "Angraaj, please sit." Draupadi offered stretching her palm out against the same bench.
Karn hesitated, "Won't my brothers mind?"
"Don't be anxious about my reputation. I once used to, but you know it has not taken me very far." She said in a stern voice. "Please sit. I insist."
Karn clearly understood the underlying meaning of her words and implied taking his place beside her; carefully leaving enough distance between them.
"Will you forgive me?" Karn asked her. "For what I called you?"
"I am no one to forgive now. The seeds that were long sown are reaped." Draupadi replied.
"Destiny holds some reasons aloft, even after the destination. My death doesn't suffice what I said. My mothers, fathers, wives looked upon me the moment my lips blurted ill words about you."
"It was not your destiny about what you called me" Draupadi paused and looked deep at Karn "It was revenge on me, wasn't it?"
"Some insults find the depth and grave in your heart." He now looked at Draupadi. "I am not giving any justification about my doings. I---"
"I suppose I was not the only one to call you 'Sutaputra', then why did you nurtured such a hate for me only?" Draupadi wanted to clear the hole between them, once and for all.
"Let's be honest here. When you, the Yagnaseni, entered the assembly, every king and prince present there desired to win your hand. I was too, no offense, also I thought I could pierce the eye of the fish. But at the cliff, you stopped me for my low birth and then who won your hand? My arch nemesis. I was furious and humiliated, however I never confronted anyone about it. It wasn't fair to me. But then, I found the weak spot, seeing all of you vulnerable...I just turned into a snake and spatted venom, that in turn will consume me too." Karn gulped hard. He was never ashamed of himself, as he is now. "I ask for nothing but forgiveness."
Draupadi smiled sadly at Karn. Yes, he is arrogant but to expose oneself takes a whole lot of courage.
"I loved Prince Arjun then, though I never met him, but I completely fell for him beyond any desires. Would it have been fair to you that I married you although my heart belongs to your arch nemesis?" She asked with a genuine concern. Karn lowered his eyelids and mouthed 'no'.
