Chapter 1 - Inner Turmoil
The last rays of Sun were fading into oblivion. The birds had returned to their nests. Work had stopped for the day. The whole world had fallen silent except the constant knocking that was going on at Pritha's door.
"Devi Pritha, Rajkumari Kunti, do open the door." A girl was middle-heighted. The girl was short. Her hair was oiled and braided. She wore a blue saree of coarse cloth and a nakhni on her nose. She looked older than her age.
"Kunti open the door." She banged once again.
The noise coming from outside her room woke Pritha from her unconscious state of mind. She got up slowly. Her head was spinning and she couldn't figure out what was happening around her. Her hands were cold. She was shivering but not due to cold outside. She was afraid of something she couldn't remember. She touched her hand just below her belly. It was the only region where she felt unnatural warmth. Kunti went and opened the door.
"Why had you locked yourself in? I was so worried." Priyamvada asked Kunti.
Pritha tried to remember? Her mind which was fogged till now began to clear. She could remember herself chanting a mantra thrice under her breadth. She remembered the anxiety she had felt when she had seen celestial nymphs appear before her. At a distance she could see the Gandharvas marrying and the Apsaras bathing in crystal clear lakes. She could see demi-gods performing their jobs. She could see the gate of Amravati, the residence of Gods. She remembered how amused she was when the sun god had appeared before her, a feeling that had quickly turned into dread as the full consequences of her act hit her.
Kunti realized the significance of the warmth she felt in her womb. She was terrified. Her knees went weak. She dropped on the ground. Priyamvada bent to hold her. It was for hours that she cried in Priyamvada's lap. Priyamvada tried to console her but to no avail. Exhausted Pritha fell asleep on Priyamvada's lap.
Priyamvada was extremely worried for the Princess. She did not tell anyone about Kunti's state to anyone because she was requested by Kunti. In the morning what she heard from Kunti was beyond her wildest dreams.
"We cannot tell anyone about this. If the matter leaves the walls of palace, our respect shall be doomed forever. You must let go of you son."
"Let go? How can I let go? How can I let go of my son?" screeched Kunti.
"You must. I speak for the future of both of you. No man shall take a wife who had borne a pre-marital child. Your child will never get respect in this world."
"But the child is divine." Kunti spoke.
"Will anyone believe in your word?"
Yes. It was the truth. Society was too cruel. Kunti wanted to believe in the future of her child but whatever Priyamvada spoke was the truth, at least to their knowledge. Kunti couldn't risk her family's honor. Destiny had already turned cruel- both on her and her child. She saw no way to protect him.
Anupamaa
Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon
Indian Mythology
Sampoorna
