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Kampilya

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Running towards the borders of Panchaal Arjun finally remembered that he can use the bow Kindhura that is in his hand. Thank Narayan! Karna thought. Duryodhana gave his charriot to Arjun and Draupadi as Draupadi was not trained in horse riding. He himself rode with Karna. Other pandavas  packed themselves with Ashwastham while Nakul and Sahdev took the horse offered by Drupad. Somehow, they reached the borders and crossed it where they saw Krishna standing for them smiling.

Krishna : Chalo ghar chalte hai.

(Come let's go home.)

He said mischievously. Karna scoffed. And mumbled

Karna : You mean my home.

But he was royaly ignored. And another person who was being subtly ignored was Draupadi. All were still ignoring her for making a tear fall from Karna's eyes. Who was clueless about things going around him. He was happy for Arjun. And they started their journey towards Hastinapur with Krishna in tow.

•––––––☆––––––•

All were silent when Karna thought he should talk and make things less awkward. He started doing random talks with occasional clipped answers from others. Arjun asked for water from Ashwastthama who was riding beside him in his charriot. Arjun started drinking some. Meanwhile Karna asked

Karna : Bhabhi Draupadi how old are you?

Everyone stopped doing everything. But Arjun ignored it and still kept drinking water. Karna turned towards Duryodhan and in return he was informed

Duryodhan : You should never ask age of a lady.

Ohhh. Karna thought realizing. But before he could apologize to Draupadi, she smiled brightly and said proudly

Draupadi : Me full three months old.

And that moment, Arjun spit out the water from  his mouth with wide eyes gobsmacked.

All mouths were agape while Krishna laughed silently. After some time Nakul and Sahdev looked towards Arjun and with twin powers chanted together

Nakul and Sahdev : Baal vivah..Baal vivah...Baal vivah...

(Child marriage)

Arjun glared furiously at them. Duryodhan laughed heartily on Karna's shoulder. By seeing their reactions Draupadi pouted and turned towards Arjun

Draupadi : Arya! Why all are laughing at me? And what is Baal vivah?

Arjun who has vowed to not talk to her because she made Karna cry reconsider his decision because he knew she was young but three months old? But he just glared at her a bit which made her sad.

Draupadi : Why are you all not talking to me?

Karna : Nothing like that Bhabhi. See I am talking to you.

Draupadi : Yes. But others Bhratashree.

All the people including Krishna : Bhratashree?

They said possessively. That was their right. Though some of them like Yudhishthir, Duryodhan and Arjun. While others were surprised.

Draupadi : Haan. He is like an elder brother to Arya. So he is  my Bhratashree.

Draupadi said smiling like she achieved something big. Indeed she did. Arjun glared at her again which again made her sad and silent.

Karna : Yes. You can call me Bhratashree.

Karna said smiling tirumphly. Ashwastthama smirked and said aloud

Ashwastthama : Universal bhai material hai re bawa. Patanahi aisa hi raha toh iss bhai ko bhabhi kab milengi?

(He is universal brother material. Don't know if this will continue, when would a sister-in-law of ours (Karna's Wife ) would come?)

And everyone snickered. But Draupadi again asked after sometime

Draupadi : Why you are angry at me? Please talk to me.

Krishna sighed. At the time Yuyutsu spoke softly

Yuyutsu : You made our Bhratash- Mitra Vasu cry.

And immediately everyone stiffened. Were they ignoring Draupadi because of him? Karna thought. Did they saw my tear? No it is not possible. But then-

Draupadi : Are you too still angry at me Bhratashree?

Karna got out of his thoughts and smiled towards her.

Karna : I was never angry at you behna.

He said.

Sahdev : Because you are too damn good hearted!

He didn't mean to say it out loud and this harsh. Draupadi dropped her head in shame.

Draupadi : I didn't want to marry you Bhratashree.

She said. Karna figured that out and smiled.

Draupadi : Not because you were any less or not capable. But because-, anyway I understand that my approach was wrong. I roamed around palace of Kampilya and some places in last two months learning, observing and all. I asked Pitashree to teach me things like fighting, politics, social norms like Shikhandini jiji. But Pitashree said I was born for different reason.

                    And to complete it, I first need to learn to be good wife. And that can be taught by a mother only. So she taught me how to cook, weave, sing, dance, draw and other kalas. Everything I learnt about varna vyavastha and social norms was by merely observing. At that time, when I saw you picking up that bow I panicked. Because I didn't wanted to marry you. Because I wanted to marry- . Umm.. so yes in my panicked state, I blurted out first thing that came to my mind which according to social norms can call off the marriage.

                   I didn't knew that this could cause you this much pain and humiliation. I apologize sincerely to you for my mistake Bhratashree. I am sorry. I really didn't mean to.

Draupadi explained her side of the story. Karna understood he situation and smiled brightly at her

Karna : I understand behna. I forgive you!

And she smiled brightly at him.

All except Arjun : We too forgive you!

Sahdev : Bhabhi you said you wanted to marry someone-

Nakul : And why- ?

And both of them asked her mischievously. Draupadi blushed red while everyone laughed. Except Arjun. He wanted to know both the reasons. He stoicaly turned towards Draupadi even if he has forgiven her by heart.

Arjun : Answer.

Just a single word. His first word to her. A command. Draupadi sighed and answered

Draupadi : I saw you all today morning in the market.

All others : Oooohhhhh.....uuuuhhhhhh

And Draupadi blushed more.

Draupadi : I-...I was amazed by Bhratashree and-.

Duryodhana : And?

Draupadi : Arya.

She replied softly while blushing.

All of them : Ohoooooo....

Draupadi : While I saw Bhratashree as a protector, as in a big brother, I developed feelings for A-Arya. So when I saw Bhratashree picking up the bow, I panicked. And I was sure of his valour that he would have completed the task! So I stopped him. But I agree my approach was very bad. And I am sorry for that.

Then she enthusiastically turned towards Krishna

Draupadi : Didn't I asked you Sakha Govind that if a Kshatriya Kanya can marry Bhrahmin man?

And Krishna answered matching her enthusiasm.

Krishna : Indeed you did my Sakhi Krishnna.

Amd then everything got cleared for Arjun. He smiled satisfied that he didn't marry her just for the sake of family and social pressure. Karna smiled and felt happy that his sister believed in his capabilities. But because Arjun was in deep thoughts he didn't replied back anything to Draupadi.

Draupadi though Arjun didn't like her back. So she asked Arjun in small sad voice

Draupadi : Arya don't like Draupadi?

Her voice was so sad and resembling a small kid that Arjun was out of his trance in surprise. His eyes widened. But before Arjun could speak further Draupadi asked again in more broken voice.

Draupadi : Arya angry at Draupadi. Arya don't like Draupadi.

And her bottom lip jutted out as she was gonna cry like a broken dam any moment. Arjun widened his eyes dramatically

Arjun : Abe yeh toh khud prashna puchti hai aur Khudahi jawab dedeti hai re baba. Aur khud hi royengi ab? Meri toh koi zarurat yah value ich nahi hai iss shadi mai!

(She asked question and answered it herself. And now will cry herself too? I don't have any importance or valur in this marriage!)

Yudhishthir : Meri taraf toh dekhna hi mat mai toh kunwara hoon.

(Don't even look at me. I am bachelor.)

Yudhishthir straight away stated when Arjun looked at him for guidance. Every one gasped at that. It was firt time Yudhishthir has said something like that. And it was reasonable too. As no one has experience in handling an about to cry lady. None of their matas, bhabhis or even Dushala cried infront of them. So all were clueless. Even Krishna. Because whatever history he had till now was with ladies but never even a single of them cried! Panick surged through them. All were worried except Duryodhan.

He sighed and said to Arjun

Duryodhan : Arjun sorry bol apni biwi ko.

(Arjun say sorry to your wife.)

Arjun gaped and said

Arjun : Abe pan apan ne kuch kiya ich nahi. Toh evehi kyu sorry bolu bhrata Suyo?

(But I have done nothing. So why should I say sorry without any reason bhrata Suyo?)

He asked baffled. And everyone else too looked at him for explanation. It was first time for Duryodhan that he was going to teach something to his brothers where they were listening with this much attention. Even Yudhishthir and Karna.

Duryodhan : A key to successful marriage is 'Sorry'. Galti chahe kisiki bhi ho, sorry toh pati ko hi bolna padta hai. Aur teri biwi toh khud bachi hai. Toh tujhe toh bada hona padenga. Toh chal shuru hoja.

( Mistake can be of whoever, sorry should be spoken by husband only. And your wife is herself a kid, so you have to become an adult now. Come on, start now.)

All brothers : Jai baba Suyodhana dev ki!

(All hail to Saint Suyodhana!)

But in this all, they didn't noticed Draupadi. She couldn't control herself any longer and a sob broke out from her lips. Immediately gaining all the attention. Arjun spoke softly to her with all the affection

Arjun : Priye...

He thought his gentle tone will make her calm down. But his second word to her with too much affection and that too so intimate 'priye' in front of everyone overwhelmed her and due to her uncontrollable emotions due to her tender age she began crying loudly

Draupadi : Arya bhot gande gai. Drau ko nahi ache lagte. Drau se gussa! Hame maa pitashree ke pas vapas jana hain uuuu.....

(Arya is very bad. Drau don't like him. He is angry on Drau! I want to go back to mother and father uuuu....)

And she began to sob and cry loudly. Arjun gasped in distress while karna awed at the cuteness of his little sister. Now the raths were stopped and all were cajoling Draupadi. Arjun was sitting beside her like a statue about to cry himself. He didn't know what to say or what to do.

Karna saw the situation and sighed

Karna : Hey Narayan! E toh khud baccha hai. Aur vivah bhi bachi ke saath ho gaya. Baal vivah ka pratyaksh udahran hai yeh. Aur uske gairlabh hum sabko uthane pad rahe hai. Voh bhi itni jaldi. Kuch Karo Narayan!

(Oh lord Narayan! He himself is a kid and is married to one. It is the live example of Child marriage. And it's losses are faced by all of us. That too this early. Do something Narayan!)

Krishna (in mind) : Mai ke karu? I don't know what to do. Meri biwi tan aur maan dono se 20 ki hai. Kabhi kisi roti hui stree se pala nahi pada re baba. Ab toh jo karna hai voh tumhe hi karna hain kyuki Parth ke toh purje hang ho chuke hai re baba. Narayan bharose nahi yeh zindagi ab Karna bharose hai.

(What can I do? My wife is 20 from body and mind too. I don't have experience with any crying lady. Now everything is to be done by you only. Because Parth's screws are gone. Now this life is Karna's dependent instead of Narayan. )

Karna : Patah tha. Bhale hi aapko sun nahi sakta, par pata tha ki phir se dhoka donge. Ab roti hui bahu ghar kaise lejaunga? Mera baap samjhenga iss bar toh sach mai against her will laya hun. Explanation se pehle hi Encounter kar denga re baba! Jo koi bhagwan sun raha hai....Please bacha le re bawa....

(I knew it. I can't hear you, but knew that you will betray me again. Now how will I take a crying lady to my house? My father will this time really think I took her against her will. He will Encounter me before any explanation. Any God listening to me at the moment...Please save me..)

Krishna smirked openly at karna and said

Krishna (in mind) : Aap devlok ki jiss kisibhi line ka sampark sadhna jahte hai, voh abhi mast hai. Krupya apna kand- I mean kaam khud sambhalne ka prayas kare.

(The number you are trying to connect is currently under enjoyment. Please try to handle your destruction- I mean situation by yourself.)

Krishna (to readers) : Toh bolo Narayan.....Naraya-