CHAPTER TWENTY
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"Maharaani, Priyamvada today again spent entire night at Karna's house." Avadh, Kunti's loyal spy avoided her gaze. He was assigned the task to keep an eye on Priyamvada.
"NO. What about Vrushali ? She was not in the house ? Any servants ?" Kunti hopeful again but she knew the answer.
"No maharaani. She was at her father's place. As you are aware, this cottage of Karna is now unused and has no servants. After marriage, they moved into Vrushali's parent's big house. That house was vacant since her father moved to IP."
"Anyway.. I saw Karna greeting her. She was there whole night and left at dawn, covering her face with a shawl to hide identity. She has returned to her room now.""You may leave. and not a word to anyone." It was a major shock to Kunti. She could not believe being betrayed by Priyamvada.
For last few days, she had noticed Priyamvada spending majority of time infront of mirror, applying makeup, pouting and lost in thought, a tell-tale sign that she was struck by Cupid. Priyamvada and Kunti always took dinner together but last few days, she excused herself to retire to room citing ill-health. Kunti found her sneaking out of her room little later.
Kunti was worried about her. She knew being a spinster was a tricky business and it was easy to take advantage of her vulnerability. Hence she asked her trustworthy spy Avadh to follow her. But the report was shocking.. No wonder Priyamvada was so broken hearted when she saw Karna and Arjuna together.
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It was love at first sight for Priyamvada when she saw Vrushali's father, Vrishabh. Vrishabh was an old, skinny widower. His unsure, hesitant,timid manner and obedient nature captured her heart.
After Karna fiasco, Kunti was no longer receptive to her advice and she instinctively found in him the chosen lucky recipient for her valuable advices. Karna was newly married. Kunti sent Priyamvada frequently to Vrushali's place with gifts and household appliances. Vrishabh also had come to bless the couple.
Priyamvada's visits multiplied and soon Vrishabh, a victim of senility, fell to her oozing confidence. The romance between the two secretly blossomed. They wanted to get married but Vrishabh was worried about his daughter's explosive reaction to the news.
They instead took Karna in confidence and he reluctantly agreed to slowly break the news to Vrushali. He also magnanimously offerred his unused cottage for their clandestine meetings. He was slowly warming up to the role of a conduit between lovers.
He would keep Vrishabh company until Priyamvada's arrival and later leave cottage quietly by a secret backdoor, for his late night job. He was no longer a king and had to work hard.
Priyamvada spent time blissfully with her lover talking, talking and talking every night. The long hours were over in a jiffy, validating Einstein's theory of relativity.
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Kunti ignored Priyamvada's greetings and decided to confront her.
"Priyamvada, where were you last night and as a matter of fact last couple of nights ?" Kunti did not beat about the bush.
"I was in my room. I was little sick... cough cough.." Priyamvada was rattled.
"Dont lie. I know what you did last summer.. I mean last night. Did you not spend entire night at Karna's cottage ?I know everything. No use denying.""I was going to tell you about it soon..But I am glad you came to know yourself." Priyamvada blushed and rushed to hug Kunti but Kunti brushed her aside.
"How dare you ? How dare you betray me like this and are you not ashamed of your terrible conduct?""I am sorry Maharani. I should have told you first and taken your blessings and approval but it happened all so sudden.Its like a dream.""ENOUGH.. HOW DARE YOU SEEK MY BLESSINGS ? THIS IS A NIGHTMARE NOT A DREAM." Kunti shuddered at the prospect of Priyamvada as her future daughter-in-law and putting sindoor on her wrinkled forehead,putting necklace on her sagging neck and blessing her with a son.
"I know.. I am your humble maid and will remain your faithful servant even after marriage." Priymavada wanted to assure Kunti that she did not expect any upgrade in her status after becoming mother-in-law to her son.
"MARRIAGE??? You are too old. THIS IS SO SO DISGUSTING. What are you thinking ?""Maharani, he is not getting any younger either. The thoughts of his wife haunt him. He is lonely.He needs me.Please let me take care of him." Vrishabh, like other male casanova had exaggerated his wife's loss to gain sympathy.
Kunti reeled back. She knew all about insanity streak in Vrushali but never realised that her thoughts would haunt him and it would culminate in such a tragedy that Karna would seek solace in Priyamvada's embrace.. Kunti was numb with shock and disgust.
"Does Vrushali know ? She will NEVER let this happen.She is insane you know. She will kill you." Drowning Kunti was now clutching at Vrushali's straw, trying desperately to instill fear in her. Kunti relished thought of gluing mukut permanently to Priyamvada's head and then locking her with Vrushali equipped with a sharp cutlass.
"She poses a problem." Priyamvada admitted.
"But Karna said that he would break the news slowly to her. He is confident she will accept me.""Unbelievable. I dont know this new Karna at all.""I got to know him closely." Kunti cast exasperated look at Priyamvada but undaunted, she continued.
"He looks serious but is actually very funny. Last night, he..""ENOUGH. I BEG OF YOU.. No need to go into details." Kunti cupped her ears. Priyamvada was confused to be met with such a strong disapproval.
"Maharani, please think about it. After marriage, I will always be there for Karna. Be assured, he will be in good hands." She was desperately trying to impress upon Kunti that this matrimony would be in her interest.
"GET OUT. GET OUT." Kunti exploded.
"First Arjuna and now her.But atleast Priyamvada being a woman is lesser evil choice and shows he is on a path to recovery. Whats wrong with my child ? Its all my fault. He must have been hit on some tender spots while being carried down the stream." Kunti,engulfed in guilt, fainted.
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Duryodhana called upon Karna immediately when he learnt about Priyamvada's nightly activities from his own spy.Kunti and her cronies were under surveillance. He was toying the idea of using Priyamvada as a double agent for his benefit.
"Karna, my dear friend, you may have forsaken Anga but you are still dear to me. I will change all laws, codes of morality for you. Few scholars on my payroll are already adulterating Manusmriti section regarding marriage to fit our convenience." Duryodhana blinked at Karna and smiled.
"I am not quite sure what you mean." Karna was not interested in any of Duryodhana's new eveil schemes.
"OK.Forget that. Straight to the point. Priyamvada. My spies told all about her visits to your place." Duryodhana patted Karna affectionately.
"Oh that.. Actually..""No need to explain. I know everything.." Duryodhana assured kindly.
"Thats a relief. I need your advice. I am in big trouble and not quite sure how to reveal everything to Vrushali. She is very sensitive." The thought had weighed down on Karna.
"Dont worry. These things are best handled by ladies. Your wife is a great friend of my Bhanumati. She will convince your wife. This is a delicate situation. You cant force them to accept it at arrow point."Karna was very pleased and hugged Duryodhana.
"Anyway, lets talk of your Nightly adventures. You are a virile, tough man. How do you errr manage with oldie ? No offence. Is it difficult ? Is it super fun ?""Mitra, lets not discuss those things. I am ashamed of them." Karna thought Duryodhana knew about his secret job with the old merchant. The merchant was a flatulent,old man with insomnia and had taken fancy to learn archery. Karna was giving him night lessons in basic archery. He was paid handsomely but it was demeaning and he wanted to keep it under wraps.
"Ashamed hmmm.. Interesting.. Shame and guilt add to fun. They are the best memories to live by. Sometimes I feel, Pitashri loves Yuyutsu more than me." Duryodhana winked and laughed raucously gulping another glass of sura.
"I now know why you never accompanied me and Dusshasan on our pleasure trips. We were not aware of your preference. Next time, I will select choicest ladies of Pitamaha's age. If Bhagdatta's sister is alive, I will win her for..." Duryodhana passed out midway. Karna as always ignored his rambles under influence of Sura. He arranged Dury neatly on sofa and left.
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After meeting with Duryodhana, Karna was surprised to receive urgent invitation from Kunti's quarter. Kunti was ridden to bed since the news. She had vowed never to see Priyamvada again. Her only recourse was sensible dialogue with Karna. He would certainly listen to her counsel.
"Salutations Rajmaata. Hope you will get better soon." Karna said with feeling.
"Thanks for coming. I am sick and cant talk for long so I will be brief.""What is it Rajmaata ?""I had errr.. a discussion with Priyamvada. She told me everything.""I am too excited and cant wait to welcome her in the family." It was not a very encouraging start for Kunti but she pressed.
"She is my companion for long.Trust me, she is crazy. And dont you think she is too old ?""Dont worry on that account, Rajmaata. Age is not everything. Maturity, understanding nature of a partner trumps everything. My father in law thinks that's a key to happiness. I agree too." Kunti silently cursed Vrushali and his father-in-law. Why does not this old father-in-law marry Priyamvada instead of encouraging Karna, Kunti thought bitterly.
Kunti now decided to be blunt.
"Forgive me, but I am not only disappointed in you but thoroughly ashamed of you. I know what happens at night. ALL THAT MUST STOP." It was not easy to discuss this to a grown up man. Every moment was awkward for Kunti.
Karna frowned. Everyone seemed to know about his secret night job. Damn these spies.
"I am not proud of it either." karna hung his head in shame.
"Then why continue with it ? Put a stop to it." Kunti finally finding a ray of hope.
"I cant. I am hard on cash." Karna was struggling badly with his finance and needed money to take care of his family.
"You mean.. you mean.. you do this for money ?""Ofcourse.""You actually get paid for it ?" Kunti incredulous.
"Yes. I also get paid overtime depending on situation." Karna was feeling good after talking to Kunti. She was very understanding.
"But.. But..." Kunti knew that Priyamvada had amassed enough money.
Kunti could not bear Karna's unabashed admission of charging money for.. for.. and Kunti fainted yet again.
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It took a lot of pleading on Duryodhana's part to make Bhanumati play the ball. Vrushali came to see her at her chamber. All palace staff was given strict orders not to wear mukut to keep Vrushali in a good mood.
Bhanumati was a great psychiatrist. She dwelt upon Karna's troubled motherless childhood and expounded Freudian theories of his natural affinity towards old women. She had prepared enough ground work. She wanted to give some time to confused Vrushali for ideas to sink in and then in next session decided to reveal slowly.
Luckily for all concerned, things did not come to fruition. As initial euphoria died down, Vrishabh wised up to the fact that Priyamvada was only marginally saner than his own child and his life would be a living hell. He abruptly broke up and rushed back to IP. Priyamvada was broken hearted for few days, returned to normalcy and this issue was completely forgotten as a bad dream.
Karna again became Angaraj. He could never figure out why Duryodhana replaced all young, energetic, cheerful daasis with doddering, depressing ones of highly advanced age afflicted with poor eyesight and hearing loss.
Edited by Cotswolds - 10 years ago
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