There were celebrations going on all over. Maharaj Dhritarashtra had declared three days of state celebration on account of his eldest son's marriage. All the Das&Dasis were being awarded the things of their will. I had always thought that this would be the happiest day of my life, but...
I wanted to celebrate but can I celebrate without him, or for that matter can I do anything without him? It has been just a few years of our acquaintance, but it seems like he has been a part of my existence. "What are you doing all alone here Mitra?", I heard a voice from behind. "Mitra", this single word thrilled me "I am just coming," I said in an excited and turned back. It was Ashwathama, the son or our Gurudev and a good friend of mine. I smiled at him
"Why are you standing all alone over here?" He said "Hastinapur has never looked more beautiful. Come and have a look at it" "You carry on. I will be there in a while," I replied. Ashwathama looked at me for a moment and left. I did not want to see the decorated Hastinapur, I wanted to see him.
"Oh what is happening to me?" I tried to control my thoughts; "this is not the first time that he is not in Hastinapur. He has many duties to perform. I know he will be back whenever I ask him to come. But then could he not have waited for three more days. Just to be a part of my marriage celebration." What an irony this was, the marriage of the eldest Dhritarashtra putra with the love of his life was being celebrated by the entire city, excluding the groom. "The love of his life!" this thought brought a smile on my face. It was he who had said this to me for the first time.
I still recall our visit to Kalinga for the Swayamvar of the beautiful princess.
"Unbelievable. I had never imagined that Kalinga would be such a beautiful state." I said. "That is your problem Yuvaraj that you underestimated my brother's state" he said and looked at me teasingly. He knew that I did not like him calling me Yuvaraj. "When on the earth did Kalinga naresh become your brother?" I said more to ignore his "Yuvaraj remark" "No no you misunderstood me.", he said, "Kalinga naresh is not my brother, but our kingdoms are. You know Anga, Banga(Bengal) and Kalinga are triplets." I looked at him with a fake anger and he just smiled at moved forward.
This childish and carefree attitude was so unlike the Danveer Angaraj that was famous all over the globe, but this was my Karna. "Angaraj, Maharaj wants to meet you. There are some strategic decisions that needs to be taken." A soldier came to us and said. "I will be right back Mitra." Karna said while leaving with the soldier "Meanwhile you may want to see the entire palace."
The palace was really very beautiful, although it was not as big as the Hastinapur palace but the designs and architecture was just marvelous. While I was still appreciating the beauty of the palace, I saw her. For a moment I was just numb struck, she was the most beautiful and elegant lady in this world, and even if she was not I don't intend see any other girl. While I was struggling for my breadth, she was talking with her friends probably even unaware of my presence.
"Where had you been Mitra?" enquired Karna as I entered the royal chamber that was allotted to us, "I got worried not finding you here." "I had gone to see the palace as per your suggestion." I replied. "What!" he exclaimed, "You were seeing this palace for three hours. I never knew this palace was so big." "Actually while I was roaming in the palace, I saw Bhanumati, the princess whose Swayamvar is to happen tomorrow." I replied trying hard to conceal my feelings, but was it possible. "And?" he asked in a grinning voice. "And nothing." I replied quickly. "Achha, so it took three hours to look at Bhanumati ji" chuckled Karna, "My God is she a human or a Ramalila." "How on this earth do you get such lame jokes", I said in an irritated way to hide my embarrassment. "OK buddy, no more jokes," he said in a rather serious tone, "Don't worry Rajkumari Bhanumati would be yours tomorrow". "What if this does not happen?" I said with a sigh in voice. Karna beamed at me. "I mean what if this does not happen," I said in a rather indifferent tone, "The princes of Kakeya want me marry their sister." Karna was still smiling. I understood that it was useless trying to hide anything from him. "OK. I agree." I said, "Rajkumari is very pretty and I liked her." "Just liked her?" Karna probed, "Your eyes are say that you are already in deep love with her." "Oh Comeon Mitra, you are taking it pretty far now." I replied, "I have just seen her once. How could I start loving her?" Why not?" Karna reasoned, "Didn't you make me your best friend just in one sight?"
I looked at Karna for once. I knew many people doubted my decision of making Karna the Angaraj and my friend in one sight. Many feel that it was my enmity with the Pandavas that brought me close to a competitor to Arjun. I still do not know the reason why I did that. I am sure that it was not because of friendship. I could not have trusted him then, I mean I knew nothing of him, he could have been an enemy spy, he could have been an Asura in disguise, he could have even been a relative of those Pandavas, who was just acting. Yes this was not for friendship, but my heart knows that it was not even for my enmity. I stood for him for I could see someone in him. I saw myself in him. Since my childhood everyone had just decided that Yudhisthir is best fitted for Yuvaraj's position, that Bheem was the best mace fighter in the world. They didn't even give me a chance to compete and prove myself. That day I felt the same was happening. Arjun was being declared the best archer without even giving others a chance to challenge him. I just couldn't bear this. I am not sure if giving away the throne of a state which was gifted to me by my father was a good decision or not, but it surely was the best decision in my life. On that day Karna was just my replica for me, but today he has become the pillar for my existence.. His
"Still in the dreams of Bhanumati Mitra," said Karna breaking my chain of thoughts. "No actually I was thinking about the Swayamvar" I said, "Today Bhanumati did not even looked at me. What if she ignores me tomorrow in the Swayamvar as well?" "If this happens we will abduct her and take her to Hastinapur" replied Karna. "You are completely crazy." I could not believe that Karna just said this to me. "Why what is wrong in that?" he said, "Your Pitamah Bheeshma had done this in the past, so you can do this in the present." I looked at him. This was the man whom I could have trusted blindfold. I knew that Shakuni Mama was there to support me, but he wants me to act as per his will, Karna is the only person who accepted me as I am as I like to be.
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