Broken Trust: The New Era

Chapter 9 : The Silence Before the Storm

Draupadi is showered with love, appreciation and welcoming gestures in Hashtinapur. The elders adore her; the younger children are always around her.

Kunti loves her as if she is her own. Kunti having so many sons always craved the consolation of a daughter. In such short time, Kunti opened up to Draupadi about her own likes, dislikes, her hurt, her love. Draupadi completely devoted herself to care for her mother in law. Which not only her husband but also her brother in laws approved very much. If not with Karna, Draupadi is always with Kunti, Gandhari. Serving the elder women with care and respect. They bless her wholeheartedly, giving her advices from their life long experiences.

Karna's position comes with authority and complexity. Karna is older than even Yudhisthira and Duryodhana both about 16 years so his claim to the throne is undeniable and undebatable. That's where the problem starts.

Elders couldn't find a solution to this problem. Duryodhana's father is the king and he is his eldest son. Duryodhana without a doubt has a claim on the throne. Then Yudhisthira, the previous elder of Pandu, whose father renounced the throne, is also raised to be the crown prince and has all virtues and worth to be a righteous king. Then comes Karna. An excellent warrior, one of the greatest archer to be born, king of Anga. Elder of both his brothers and cousins and proved to be a very worthy king as well.

Elders discuss this matter in hushed voices all the time. They couldn't find a way without making three of them clash. They all are celebrating on their faces, but inside they feel the storm rising.

From whom do they entrust the throne to?

If they give it to Yudhisthira, Yudhisthira will renounce it for his Jyesht. Duryodhana is ready to accept. But overtaking two of his elder brothers will not only be a huge sin but also people won't accept that.

Also, Karna has Panchala's unwavering support now. Elders aren't ready to lose this long desired alliance over the throne. Then, both their daughter in law and Arjuna has such deep relationship with Dwarka who are great allies of Panchala. Then Maharaja Draupad is good friends with Magadhsamrat Jarasandh as well. If they refuse to crown his son in law, that's definitely going to cause tension and animosity between them all.

Karna need not to be told about the tension. The three princes do understand this matter. Duryodhana, Yudhisthira and Karna. Yudhisthira whereas isn't worried. Of course his eldest will inherit the throne. But Karna couldn't imagine taking the throne from Yudhisthira who spend all his life to become worthy of it. Duryodhana's claim isn't unfair as well. His father's throne is supposed to go to him not to his cousins whose father renounced it. Duryodhana is a little hostile towards him now. But Karna hs been his closest friend and he is working everyday to bring back that relationship.

But none of them talk about it. They all are avoiding the elephant in the chamber.

"Arya..."

Karna's thoughts break as he sees his wife jumping around him with so many lotuses in her hand. The earthy smell calms his nerves greatly.

"Where did you get so many?" Karna asks curiously.

"Bhrata Bheema got them for me," Draupadi answers happily putting them in the small basin in the middle of their chamber.

"He is just bribing you to cook for him," Karna teases.

Draupadi giggles, "So what? As your wife am I not to cook for my family?"

"Already advocating for your brother in laws, I see," Karna laughs, "By the way, where were you all day?"

Draupadi sits beside him comfortably, "I was taken to the Treasury. Pitashree has finally stopped this madness of dowry after 37 days...."