Chapter Text
"Om Shanti Shanti Shanti..." Her mother-in-law chanted. "Om Shanti.. Sh.." "Shanti? There can be no Shanti now." A sardonic voice interrupted. Shrutikanti turned to look at her husband. "What is wrong my Lord?" Vrushali, her elder co-wife asked. "Do you not know? The Pandavas yet live. After many years Duryodhana had found some happiness only to know it was a lie. " He said even as he bent to take his mother's blessings. 'How wise is it to find happiness in death?' Shruti thought but didn't dare voice her thoughts. "The Pandavas aren't your enemies son." Radha stroked her son's head. Shruti thought it was a fruitless endeavor. Karna's hatred for the Pandavas, especially Arjuna, was too rooted in his heart. "We have been summoned to Hastinapura to welcome them." Karna said ignoring his mother's words. "Prepare yourselves." The last words were directed at her and Vrushali. "Vrishasena is too young for the journey and I cannot leave him." Vrushali was quick with her excuse. Karna turned to Shruti. "We leave at dawn tomorrow." He left without waiting for her answer. "He has been like this ever since he returned from Panchala. I wish he had never met that wretched Duryodhan." Radha lamented as usual. "By your leave, Ma. I must go prepare myself for the journey." Shruti customarily bent to touch her mother-in-law's feet. "Yes of course my dear. Give your parents our regards." Radha blessed her daughter-in-law. With a nod and a smile at Vrushali she left for her chambers.
It was only when she reached the sanctuary of her own room that she allowed her emotions to surface. She did not know what she truly felt. Was it dread or excitement? Perhaps a dreadful excitement. All she knew was that she was going to see him again. The one with honey colored eyes and honeyed words. The one whose laughter had been music to her ears and whose music had been a balm to her heart. She knew her thoughts were akin to sacrilege. Yet she couldn't remove him from her mind or heart. Was she in love with her husband's mortal enemy? She couldn't say. But there was one thing she had known without doubt from the moment she had met Arjuna. The world seemed like a much brighter place when he smiled at her.
Shrutikanti closed her eyes as she felt her husband stir beside her. It would not be well for him to know she hadn't slept a wink last night. She felt a light touch on her shoulder. "Shruti." Karna whispered. "We must leave at the earliest." She turned, opening her eyes to see his handsome visage. "It pains me to inconvenience you. But it is important that you accompany me." There was such tenderness in his eyes. 'He doesn't deserve this' she thought as she swallowed the lump in her throat. Her Husband wasn't a bad person. He was handsome, strong, generous and just. But his hatred for Arjuna twisted and hardened his heart in ways that made him unrecognizable. Somehow Karna had decided that Arjuna was the one responsible for all the scorn and insult that society heaped on him from the day of the rangbhoomi event. In truth it was Kripacharya who had brought up Karna's Kula and Bheema who had insulted him. The only thing Arjuna had done was respond to his threats. Shrutikanti sighed, feeling another wave of guilt. She shouldn't be defending her husband's enemy, even in her own mind. Yet she couldn't change her feelings for Arjuna any more than her husband could. "Shubhage... What is wrong?" It seemed her husband was in a particularly loving mood that morning. He rarely used endearments. "Nothing, Aryaputra." She sat up. "I was wondering if we'll stay at my Father's house this time." She lied. "Believe me, I would like that very much. But I need to be with Duryodhana. He would be in dire need of a friend..." He sounded regretful. "Do not worry. Father knows how much the Yuvraj values you. He wouldn't mind." She tried to smile. "It is not your father but you I'm worried about Priye." He kissed her brow. "But we must make haste. It would not bode well to keep my friend waiting."
It was only later as she comfortably lounged inside the carraige with Karna dozing beside her that she allowed her mind to wander to the past.
Her father was a merchant who traded in metals. He was one of the chief suppliers of the royal family. It was a co dependant relationship. Her father supplied the metals to the royal forge in return for trading rights and protection all over Kuru Rashtra and many other friendly states. He also needed the King's support to obtain and maintain his position as head of the merchant's guild. The blind king of Hastinapura Dhritrashtra had numerous children. The rumors said that he had as many as a hundred sons. But among the bevy of sons there was only one Daughter, the princess Dushala. Shrutikanti had been playmate to Dushala ever since she could remember. Over time the two had grown into bosom friends. They spent the greater part of the day in each other's company either playing, sharing stories or just talking. If Shrutikanti didn't go to the palace Dushala would herself come to her house demanding why her friend wasn't with her yet. It was on one such day when her maid combing Shruti's hair that Dushala burst into her room. "Shruti!" She panted. "We have new brothers." Shruti couldn't understand why her friend was thrilled at having more brothers when she already had more than she could count and she said as much. "Oh Shruti! You don't understand... They're our cousins and they were born in the forest... And... Oh you must come with me!" Dushala all but dragged Shruti out of the house. "Your highness, please let me finish dressing my lady's hair." The maid pleaded. They had just turned thirteen, the age at which girls begin to care about things like hair, clothes and appearance. But Dushala being Dushala didn't hear a word of what the maid said. Before she knew it Shrutikanti was already inside the royal chariot, loose hair streaming behind her as the horses galloped towards the palace. "Everyone is saying they're the sons of gods." Dushala whispered. "But mother has forbidden me to mention such things especially before my aunt. 'They are your uncle's sons for all intents and purposes'." Dushala imitated her mother's stern voice so perfectly, Shrutikanti couldn't help but laugh. "Laugh all you want now Shruti. I'll see how long you laugh when you see Jyeshth." That was enough to kill Shruti's laughter. Everyone at the palace knew the crown Prince Duryodhan's rage. "But why do these children from the forest provoke him so?" Shruti frowned. "One of them is older than Jyeshth." Shruti understood Immidiately. Duryodhan was so used to being the eldest and lording over everyone, he couldn't bear the idea that there was someone he would have to listen to. 'Hierarchies matter a lot to the Kurus' she remembered her father's words, though she didn't quite understand them. "But that isn't even the biggest problem. The second of the five, Bheem I believe he is called, is incredibly big and raucous. He and Jyeshth clashed immediately. And you wouldn't believe it but he completely thrashed Jyeshth!" Dushala's voice was filled with awe. She had thought her eldest brother the strongest person in the world, the fact that somebody could beat him up was like the sun rising in the west for her. "You said there were five of them. What are the others like?" Shruti asked to divert the topic. She had never been comfortable discussing Dushala's eldest brother. He scared her a little. More than a little, if truth be told. Before Dushala could reply their carraige came to a screening halt. Both the girls frowned. "Do you have no sense boy?!" They heard the charioteer's angry voice. "Do you realise who is inside the carraige? The crown prince will have my head if the princess is hurt!" The two quickly jumped out of their carraige to see what the nuisance was about. The charioteer had a boy by his neck. "What is wrong Shambhu Kaka?" Dushala interrupted the charioteer's tirade. "Nothing my Lady. Somehow this urchin seems to have sneaked into palace grounds and was directly in our way. Do not worry I will immediately hand him over to the guards." The elderly man bowed. "Apologize." He barked as he yanked the boy by his hand. Dushala gasped as the boy came into view. "Shambhu Kaka! Unhand him immidiately." The charioteer looked confused but obeyed. "I apologize brother." Dushala said hesitantly. It was only then that the charioteer realised his mistake. "Your highness." He fell to his knees before the boy. "Forgive me, my lord." The boy looked bewildered. "Why must you apologize? You were absolutely right in admonishing me." His voice held confusion. "But you are a prince. It is not my place to admonish you." The charioteer was still on his knees. "You are my elder. Mother says that one must always listen to one's elders. Please stand up." "I shall never forget your magnamity my lord." The charioteer gushed. "We can walk the rest of the way Shambhu Kaka." Shruti said gently. She had noted the prince's discomfort. Shambhu bowed deeply and left leaving the three alone. There was an awkward pause. "I apologize Sister. I hope you aren't hurt." The boy turned to Dushala. He didn't appear to be much older than them, so he couldn't be the eldest niether was he big enough to thrash Duryodhana, so he must be one of the younger three, Shruti deduced. Dushala only shook her head. The boy smiled as he turned to look at her. Shruti didn't know why her heart was beating so madly or why she was suddenly conscious of her loose hair. "Pranam." He greeted her. "Oh! This is my Sakhi, Shrutikanti." Dushala introduced. Shruti knew she should return his greeting but her tongue felt like lead in her mouth. "I am Arjuna." He gave her another one of his smiles. "I hope he doesn't mention this incident to anyone." He said sheepishly. "Mother warned me not to wander around but I couldn't resist.. exploring." His eyes twinkled mischiveously. "Don't count on it. I wager he's already told half the stables by now about the Prince who doesn't act like a prince." Words tumbled out of her mouth before she could stop them. The boy, no, Arjuna, frowned. "How would a prince act in such a situation?" "He would never let a commoner reprimand him, much less cuff him." Shruti answered. "Even if he's wrong?" "More so." Shruti nodded. "Shouldn't elders be respected?" "Most of the Princes think this rule does not apply to commoners." Shruti explained. Arjuna inclined his head. "I won't be like most princes then." He said thoughtfully. 'You already aren't' Shruti wanted to tell him but held her tongue. She had already spoken too much. "Must we keep conversing in the sun?" Dushala grumbled. Shruti was ashamed to admit that she had completely forgotten about her friend. She had met many boys before but none of them had ever had such an effect on her, she didn't understand why this one did. "Forgive me little sister. I have kept you for too long. It was nice meeting you Shrutikanti." He bowed before going on his way. The rest of the day passed in a daze. More often than not Shruti found her thoughts wandering to a certain curly haired boy with mischievous eyes and an endearing smile. The Prince who didn't quite act like a prince.