Rewriting the Strings of Fate?[Mahabharat]

68: Karna

"The people the world love"

"Easier said than done, Arshia." Krishna sipped on his drink,his eyes refusing to leave the moon that illuminated the palace.

She shrugged,not having a proper answer to his statement.

Both of them stood, leaning on the opposite pillars of the entrance,with a non-alcoholic drink in their hands. The sun had set long ago and the Pandavas,along with Abhimanyu and Vrishaketu went to Hastinapur way before dawn,to invite Karna to the wedding.

Arshia held very little hope to see her dear husband in the Virat kingdom. She stared at the entrance,her eyes heavy. She couldn't remember for how long she was standing at the entrance,she had long before lost track of time.

"I will take my leave, Vasudev. I wish you a peaceful night." Arshia stood straight, turning away. "Waited for 7 hours, can't wait a little longer?"

Arshia's eyes darted towards Krishna,who swirl-ed his drink in his hands and looked at the bright moon.

"No,I would like to retire to my chambers." Arshia blankly replied, placing her cup on the tray held by the maid and proceeded to walk away.

Krishna looked back at her disappearing figure,sipping the last bit of her drink and keeping his glass away. A small smirk played on his lips,as he shook his head and stared at the entrance.

...

Arshia laid flat on her back, replaying the events of the day. It wasn't as pleasing as she wished it to be. Her jewellery remained untouched,her heavy clothes weighed her down, unwilling to give her the comfort of warmth. Her body resisted the urge to stand up and get warmer and get comfortable.

The fire-pit in her room seemed to provide her only cool breeze and the diyas in her room failed to light up the darkness that lingered around.

Before she could think further,a loud knock interrupted her. She looked at the door, suddenly feeling the urge to ignore it. She grabbed the pillow,laid to the side and covered her ears.

"Mata,already asleep?" A voice,close to her heart,called out. Motherly instincts taking over,she sat up straight in her bed,grabbed a shawl to try and remove the lingering cold as she walked to the mirror to appear presentable.

She opened the door and looked at Vrishaketu and Abhimanyu's widened smile in front of her. With a quick scan, Vrishaketu frowned, "You clearly weren't asleep,why did you take so long?" He complained, walking over and fixing her chudamani.

"Was resting. Tell me,was the ride comfortable?" She caressed his hair and cheek,a small smile playing on her lips. "All that later,now come on!" Abhimanyu let out a child-like giggle, covering her eyes as Vrishaketu walked behind her.

"Boys!" Arshia let out a scream, feeling her trip on her heavy and long dress. "Mother,you are fine,I got you." Vrishaketu grabbed her hands and made sure she walked comfortably.

"Okay okay,done." Abhimanyu laughed,as he counted down to remove his hands from her view. Arshia took a few seconds to get her clear view back,but once she did,the view almost seemed frictional to her.

There stood Karna,hugged by Abhimanyu on one side and Vrishaketu stood beside him,the resemblance being a bit too striking.

Her eyes darted towards Krishna,who stood behind Karna with a playful yet evil grin on his face. His expressions,for the first time, expressed clear emotions. He looked victorious.

Her eyes darkened.

Of course,she can never win against him,not even in her wildest dreams.

Her eyes laid on Karna,a smile covering her face. The smile that could fool the entire world but him.