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Swayamvar Hall

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Voice : STOP.

I will not marry a Sutputra.

As soon as the words were spoken there was deafening silence all over the hall. Karna's breath hitched. And after a long moment of silence every person in the hall started to laugh except few. Mocking him for the thing he was not responsible for. His Cast. Karna gulped and put the bow back on it's place and payed his respects to the bow by joining his hands. A drop of tear slid down his tightly shut lotus eyes.

That didn't go unnoticed by few people. Duryodhan was seething in rage. How dare she? How bloody dare she? Ashwastthama's eyes were red with anger. His Mani on his forehead glowed dangerously. Krishna's breath hitched and his jaw clenched. In more agaony seeing the tear than he thought he was supposed to. The ever resting smile on his face tight with pain.

And the twist that Mahdev described started. Pandavas. Their emotions were in jeopardy. Yudhishthir took a deep breath seeing the tear drop slid on the firm cheekbone on the man he though of father figure. He prayed to Dharmaraj to grant him patience and tolerance to calm himself down enough for not lashing out. Bheem literally gnashed his teeth hard looking the tear drop from the eyes of the person who made him feel that it's not only his responsibility of becoming strength of his brothers.

He has someone who he can rely on to be his strength. Arjun's eyes widened at the sudden jab by her. All the affections and sentiments he felt for her moments ago vanished by seeing a mere tear from the eye of his Mitra Vasu. He felt like someone twisting knives in his heart. His father-figure was in pain due to her. Nakul and Sahdev almost stood up in rage immediately. They felt like cutting her tongue out for the humiliating words she spoke for their Mitra Vasu. Yuyutsu was in the same predictment.

But before anyone could do anything, Drupad roared

Drupad : ENOUGH!

And all over the hall silence prevailed once again.

Drupad : Angraj Karna is my guest. I didn't invited anyone here for humiliation. I am aware of his astounding Archery skills. And many of you present here has tasted defeat in front of him single handedly. Now I would like to publicly apologize on behalf of my daughter Draupadi to Angraj Karna here.

And all over gasps were heard. Draupadi's eyes widened when she realized her father has to bow his head to someone for her stupidity. Karna opened his eyes and turned to face Drupad.

Drupad : I apologize on behalf of my daughter who is still only three months old. In Kampilya here, we don't discriminate on the basis of cast. Still while learning and exploring if she has picked up the concept of Varna vyavastha Angraj that I was not aware of, so I am immensely sorry about that. Please forgive her childish mistake. And I would not urge you to complete the task as my daughter by doing this displayed that she is not deserving of you. Because of this, if no one can complete it, she will be staying maiden with her father for eternity like my other daughter Shikhandini.

I am proud of my daughters. My daughters are not burden for me. And as a father, it is my responsibility that I should rectify their mistakes. So I duely apologize to Angraj Karna for her mistake.

After Drupad completed his words while joining his hands infront of Karna, Karna just smile and joined his hands back in respect and acceptance.

Karna : Mahraj Drupad. It is your greatness that after being this big of King, you apologize to me. I am not ashamed of being suta. Instead, I feel proud stating that your capabilities are not defined by your cast. And mocking is not something new to me. The thing which hurted me was the reason that princess made to reject me was my cast. If she told me, she was not ready for marring me I would have not participated without asking any questions.

But as you said, she is just a child for now I would gladly put all of this aside. I understand. So no worries. And I hope princess gets the husband that she desires for.

Karna stated smiling which Drupad reciprocated and sat on his place again. Draupadi teared up ashamed for what she caused. Duryodhan and Ashwastthama calmed downed after Drupad's apology but still were angry on Draupadi. So were Pandavas. But now the question was, who will marry the princess?

Drupad was about to announce the end of Swayamvar as all royalties failed at the task when Krishna stopped him.

Krishna : Maharaj. I suggest to open the competition for all the bhramins present here.

Drupad : Bhramins? How can they complete this task?

Krishna : Remember King, all the teachers of Kshatriya are Bhrahmin. Your own guru was a bhramin. Sage Dhronacharya, Kripacharya are also bhramins and excellent warriors.

Drupad : Yes Dwarkadhish. You are right. I Maharaj Drupad of Kampilya, open this swayamvar for bhramins.

Drupad announced. At those times, if the lady is not won by anyone in swayamvar, then she would either stay as a maiden at her father's house for eternity or she could be kidnapped or won by any king or price after the great internal battles. Both the outcomes were horrendous at that time. Draupadi was on brink of breaking down. Shikhandini and Dhrishtdhyuman too were tensed. It was afterall question of Draupadi's Honor.

And after the announcement Yudhisthir's inner Dharmaraj woke up. It was his dharma to protect a lady's dignity at any cost. He addressed Arjun

Yudhishthir : Arjun. Go and win the Swayamvar.

It was the direct command from his Jyeshth. Still Arjun whined.

Arjun : Main nai jaa raha uss nakchadi se vivah karne. Usne mitra Vasu ko rulaya. Mujhe nai karni koi shaadi-vaadi.

(I am not gonna marry that arrogant princess. She made Mitra Vasu cry. I don't wanna do any marriage. )

Yudhishthir looked at him exparted.

Bheem : Galat kya kaha usne?

( What wrong did he spoke?)

Yudhishthir : She is just a child. Children do mistakes. It is our duty as Kshatriyas to respect a woman's honor. And this is my direct order Arjun.

Yudhishthir stated firmly. After whinning about for a minute Arjun finally stood up. Whole hall was amazed. Drupad looked with hope at Arjun. Arjun directly looked towards karna first as if confirming of what he is doing is ok to him or not? After receiving Karna's gentle encouraging smile he sighed in relief and went towards the bow and bowed his head in respect.

Immediately Krishna, Karna, Duryodhan, Ashwasthama and Yuyutsu recognized him. Duryodhan shaked his head in mock pity and muttered.

Duryodhan : Arre ree...iss kanya se vivah ke baad mujhe Dhananjaya ka jeevan andhkar mai pratit ho raha hai. Kundali dosh lagta hai Arjun ka.

( After marrying this lady I see Arjun's future in dark. Fault in his stars.)

By listening this Yuyutsu and Ashwasthama chuckled. But one glare from karna, and they both shut upped. Draupadi saw the same dusky Bhrahmin man who she was infautated with bowing down to the bow. She smiled brightly through the tears which was noted by Krishna and Karna.

The great Dhananjaya, the one with Gandiv opened his eyes and held the bow firmly. His lotus eyes sharp and calculating. His soft black hair flowing in wind. His rosy lips formed in confident little signature smirk. His dusky skin, reflecting the sun enchantingly. And he picked the bow up. High in the air.

Gasps were filled all over the hall. His brothers and friends looking at him proudly. With an easy grace he went towards the task arrangement amd kneeled down gracefully in position of an advance level archer. His muscle flexing, body arching to form the perfect curvature of position. And then he glaced at the water vessel and looked towards the fish. And it's eye. And whoosh!

The arrow was fired. Karna was looking at Arjun with lazy smile. As if knowing father who knows the task is super easy for his prodigious son. And when the arrow struck the fish's eye, he stood up clapping proudly in the silenced hall. Krishna smiled.

Krishna : Kehte toh hame hai leela dhar Mahadev, par Asli leeladhar toh aap hai. Aapne kuch na badal ke bhi sab kuch badal diya. Hame laga tha aap Karna ko swayamvar jeetne donge aur yeh Mahabharat ka parivartan hoga. Par apne toh ek alag hi khel khela Gaurapati Shiv Shambhu Eknaath. Dhanya hai aap Trishuldhari. Dhanya hai.

( People say I am a magician, but real magician is you Mahadev. You changed everything while still changing nothing. I thought you will let Karna win this Swayamvar and change the Mahabharata. But you did something unique in the game Gaurapati Shiv Shambhu Eknaath. You are truly great Trishuldhari. )

And listening to this Mahdev just laughed his melodic laughter. Krishna was pulled out of his conversation with Mahadev when he felt the ground shaking like in earth quake. His eyes widened when he realized that some of the kings opposed of the marriage of Princess with the Bhrahmin and challenged Arjuna. And by their taunts and Jabs Bheem furiously took out the pillar supporting the madap and slammed it on the ground making cracks all around in manner that it became partition in between Pandava's, Draupadi and all other people.

Deva re Deva. Ek shan ki Shanti nahi hai bhagwan hote hue bhi. Yeh Krishnna waha kab gayi? Aur yeh ho kya raha hai? Aur yeh murk Karna aise badi badi ankhe kar kar hamare bhaiyon ke marne ka intezaaar kar raha hai kya? Go Dhanurdhari go Vijaydhari! Krishna thought.

( There is not a moment of peace even after being a God. When did Draupadi moved there? What is this happening? And this idiot karna, Is he waiting for us brother's death while looking with this big eyes? Go Vijaydhari (Karna) Go!)

Karna : Savyasachi. Dhanush nikal. Gandiv nikal re pagle.

(Arjun. Take your bow out. Take your Gandiv out.)

Arjun looked at him pouting cutesy

Arjun : Uh- Voh toh main gharpe bhool gaya. Participation karne ke bare mai socha nahi tha na maine.

( Uh- that I forgot at home. I was not thinking about participating that's why. )

And all the brothers and his friends looked at him expartedly. Even Krishna and Yudhishthir.

Yudhishthir, Duryodhan, Yuyutsu, Ashwasthama, Krishna, Karna, Bheem, Nakul, Sahdev : Eee yedeeee re yedee...re tere baap ki shaadi mai aaya tha ke?

(You fool! Did you came on your father's marriage?)

And with that Krishna yelled at karna when the Kings started to attack

Krishna : Mitra Vasuuuu.....Bhaiya aur Bhabhi ko lekar bhaaaaagggg......

( Mitra Vasuu...Run with brother and sister-in-law. )

Karna : Haan! Ab yahi toh kaam rehgaya hai Jeevan mai.

(Yes! Now this is the only work left in my life.)