The Fateful Evening part 2

Part 162

The night stood still for every one in Hastinapur. The dawn when it happens will separate a mother from her sons. Kunti sat with Sahadev on her lap shedding tears and not allowing any one to come nearer. Kunti's dearest son is adamant . He will follow her to the forest.
Nakul pleaded with her. " Please change your mind. If you want you can go later. After Pari sits on the throne we all will accompany you.

Bheem shouted at Nakul." Don't make such hollow promises. Pari needs our guidance."

Nakul questioned tongue in cheek." To maintain the kitchen? No need. He is not obsessed with food like you. He is Bhrata Arjun's true successor. He is not interested in eating ...
Bheem rolled his eyes at Nakul while every one forgot their gloom and smiled at them.

Subhadra hugged her close and said." Don't go Bua. Without you no one can control this Royal brothers especially your Phalgun. I doubt he has his plans to follow you not now but immediately after you left. Who will control him now? My brother also is busy in Dwaraka."

Kunti smiled at her fondly. She did not miss the eye lock shared between her third son and his queen.

She looked at Panchali and assured Subhadra." No Subhadra. Now Phalgun won't go anywhere. If he has to he will take his wives also."

Panchali understood. Kunti must have understood Arjun won't leave her behind. Or her Phalgun must have told her so.
Yudhishtir took Kunti's hands and said." Please stay back. What shall we do with this power,wealth and  prosperity? If you don't want all this why did you persuade us to fight and get back our kingdom? Did you remember what message you sent through Govind? "

Kunti did not reply. She is unable to control her tears. She wiped Sahadev's tears and signalled Arjun to come nearer. She started softening his curls like she always did and sobbed.

Bheem burst out." Mata enough of this tension and stress. Because of you we fought the great battle and got back everything. Now you want  us to be motherless children? Who will serve you like Draupadi did.? Even all your bahus hold you in high esteem.Mata lead your life with peace and happiness. There is no need for you to live in the forest.

Kunti suddenly got up and stared at Bheem . Then she turned to her Eldest son and said" Eldest. I agree I goaded you to fight the battle. I sent the message.You know why? I felt my husband will be ashamed of you if you don't protest against the injustice. Pandu's children should not lead an inglorious life.

Bheem! You are asking me why I encouraged you to fight. Listen. It is your destiny. I want the whole Aryavarth to know that Pandu's sons are not weaklings. They are strong enough to take revenge for the insult done to the queen of Indraprasth. Ironically I am the mother of the best warrior of Aryavarth but I have to bear with my Daughter in law's insult .

Panchali already had tears in her eyes. She leaned against the pillar and closed her eyes.Arjun looked at her with anxiety. His Krishnaa will sink into the depths of past. But he can not reach her now and pacify her.

Kunti's voice rang through silence." I confess before you all. She is my most cherished gift offered to me by Phalgun. I never see her falter in any of her  duty. I was the one who dictated her life but she is the one who saved my family .

Eldest as I said that day you should behave like a Kshatriya and fight for your rights.You have the strength of your brothers.That is why I ordered you to fight for your kingdom for your honour.

Kunti sat back and wept." I did a crime by not exposing Karna's reality.He is Surya's son but because of me he lived the life of a charioteer's son.I want to redeem myself from this sin and join my husband with free soul. Please don't stop me... Try to understand.