Draupadi
Post Karna's Death

"Jiji." Subhadra broke the thoughts of Draupadi.

Sighing, Panchali turned, "Yes Subhadra?"

"Jiji you didn't come to the place of crematory. At least you could have informed me, I would have stayed with you. Why were you alone?" Subhadra asked concerned.

"How can I come Bhadre? The moment I got to know about Angaraj's death, I prepared for the welcome of Arya, for his victory. But." Yagyaseni sighed.

Subhadra kept her palm on Panchali's shoulder and said, "Maata kept a big secret hidden." She paused.

"Btw, jiji. Angaraj apologized for his words that day. He told us to send his apologizes to you."

Draupadi smiled shaking her head going back to the memories when the same person who's funeral was now burning had justified the acts of his friend.

"If you think that bringing her
attired or in a single piece of cloth, is an action of impropriety, listen
to certain excellent reasons I will give. Oh son of the Kuru race, the
gods have ordained only one husband for one woman. This Draupadi,
however, has many husbands. Therefore, certain it is that she is an
unchaste woman. To bring her, therefore, into this assembly, attired
though she be in one piece of cloth even to uncover her is not at all an act that may cause surprise!"

She shut her eyes tightly, the words resounding in her mind, the dreadful day's harsh reality playing infront of her.

"Oh Dushyasana, take off the robes of the Pandavas as also the
attire of Draupadi."

Panchali closed her ears with her hands and sat on the nearby couch in a thud. Subhadra, worried ran to bring her some water.

Tears rolled down Agnija's eyes. She always tried to distract herself from the dark day, but failed miserably. The Mahabharathi who had supported her husbands all through these 13 years was now failing in not knowing how to support them today.

"Have this." Rohini nandini panted handing her a glass of water.

"Jiji, I didn't mean that you should forgive Angaraj. I know what he had done that day was his biggest blunder. I just informed what he told moments before he died." Subhadra clarified.

"I have a question ringing in my mind Subhadra. Did the king of Anga, apologized only because I was his brother's wife? Would he have apologized if the Pandavas aren't his brothers?"

Krishnaanujaa was numb. She didn't have any answers. Draupadi had a point, she thought.

"How can I come there trying to console others when I wanted his death, the burning of his funeral, the burning of unrighteousness!" Yojanagandha exclaimed.

"He might be the best son for his parents, best husband for his wives, best father for his children, best King for his citizens and best friend for Duryodhana. He might have been the idol for many in the future for his nature of donating. But what he said and did that day is unforgivable and unforgettable."

Subhadra nodded her head positively agreeing to each word of her's. The pain she has gone through was throbbing.

And maybe amidst all that, people would forget the crime he committed, Subhadra thought.

"I would have come there, but what to see? My husbands and my mother-in-law who is so dear to me, crying and being guilty?" Krishnaa paused taking a breath.

"When I smiled a bit, knowing after his death, anticipating the steps to victory. Victory of righteousness. How can I come there and smile seeing others cry?" Ayonija stated.

Vasudev nandini kept her hand on her shoulder, her soul sister.

"Father had given me thoughtful days of what humanity is. And what can I do now? Smile at the thought of righteousness establishing again, or feel pity at one's death?"

She put forward all her questions for which she didn't have answers for. There was logic and pain between each word of the question she asked.

"It is terrible to forget that incident. It has been etched in my heart, and it will last forever." she sighed.

"It will remain a big dark stain on the 'warriors' names. They will surely become an example in the future, as how a human should not be." Subhadra mouthed.

"Subhadra, please can you do me a favour?" Draupadi asked.

Subhadra nodded almost immediately.

"Can you please be with arya Arjuna till I come. I will manage with myself first, or else I will fail consoling him."

Subhadra smiled, nodding. As she walked out of the chamber, Draupadi heard neighing of the horses that was getting prepared to make it's way towards the camp of the pandavas.

Panchali then looked at Lord Narayana's idol infront of her and whispered to herself,

"The fire in me will not anguish, not at least till it burns the unrighteousness in this empire!"

***
The third one shot is out. The dialogues of Karna are copy pasted from the trusted english translation of Mahabharata.

Hope you all liked it. Do share your reviews in the comments.

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