In Hastinapur palace all was absorbed in work. Due to the marriage preparation of only Kuru princess everyone was so much busy that at first Pandavs didn't notice Arjun was not there. Panchali was the one to sense her dearest arya's absence during dinner and she shared it to her mother-in-law as her other husbands were busy elsewhere. "putri not to worry, you know about his wandering nature don't you?"
Kunti tried to assure Panchali but she was not convinced. "wait putri, I am sending my men in search of him. But promise me, you won't let anyone know about Arjun's disappearance atleast till morning. I don't want any unnecessary tension here, that can create problem in Duhshala's marriage. She is my daughter too."
Panchali was still not happy, but she had other duties as kuru kulvadhu. And then in this year she is Nakul's wife so she can't herself go in search of her beloved husband. And also she can't disobey her mother in law's order. So she silently nodded and left for Nakul's bed.
Kunti herself was not less worried. And then she heard Gandhari telling that Karna was not seen in palace since afternoon. Now her tensions had no bound remembering the dangerous rivalry between her two sons. As Karna many times go to spend time with Adhirath and Radha so Duryodhan didn't bother much about his friend's absence. Kunti too didn't let anyone to know about Karna and Arjun's disappearance. But when till midnight Arjun didn't return she couldn't hold her anymore and with her loyal guard and charioteer she was out in search of her sons.
Kunti already had sent her spies in search of both of them. One of the agent came back and informed that Karna was not in Adhirath's residence that increased her palpitation. Only solace was that if there was any fight between two great archers surely Hastinapur's people would have been aware of that. But nothing sort of that came in news. Kunti yet couldn't be so sure though, what if Karna. And Arjun had crossed the main gate of capital? She decided to go to the glion gate of Hastinapur first, only then another man of her came back and informed there had been some unusual activities in the river Ganges today."Rajmata two fishermen were saying there were untimely tide in river in afternoon time which they never had seen before. Also a cloud was seen beside the setting Sun which didn't cover the sun for long which is something supernatural. And today the sun had set very late too. Many people were saying that." stopped the agent.Kunti didn't waste a moment and turned to the charioteer."saarthi take me to riverside." she ordered.Upon reaching riverside, the sight she watched she at first couldn't figure out whether she is dreaming or not. She rubbed her eyes. No she is seeing right. The moon was in middle sky. The soft moonlight is reflecting on Ganges, its looking like a river of crystal. In this dreamlight mother found her sons sleeping peacefully, side by side.Moonlight was creating a glowing aura around Arjun by reflecting over his milky white robe. His darkish complexion was looking smooth. He was sleeping keeping head on a rock. Arjun never feels discomfort while sleeping. He doesn't differentiate between solid rock and pillow of feather. He was not just given the name Gudakesha he earned it. Perhaps that's why he used to enjoy forest life.
In a few feet distance Karna was lying on Earth. His posture although was not so comfortable as Arjun, he was lying keeping hand under head. Soft moonlight was reflecting on his golden complexion making him shining soothingly.
Times passed and Kunti kept on gazing to the sleeping brothers, a sight that only could come in her dream, a sight that soothed her soul as never before. A sight she could keep seeing for rest of her life. Tears were rolling down over her cheeks as form of all her pain of the burden of secret carrying in her heart. It seemed to her that to witness this divinity she can give up her all weakness of maintaining honour, all her insecurity of losing love and respect.
A cloud covered the moon and for sometimes the magical sight wiped away from vicinity. Perhaps to stop Kunti being carried away in emotions Indra played the trick, for Devraj his son's honour is beyond everything.
The sudden darkness jerked Kunti to consciousness. She wiped her tear and proceeded to them holding her breath and pressing her feet on earth. She feared even a little noise from her end will wake them up and the dream will end untimely.
Kunti removed the long silky trace that was coming over Arjun's innocent face and put his head on relatively soft place. Arjun perhaps doesn't need comfort, but mother can't see her son in discomfort. Covering him with his uttariya she placed kiss on the forehead of her genius son. Mother's soothing touch didn't let even Gudakesha waking up. Pritha's son went into deeper slumber.
Kunti slowly comes near Karna, keeping her hesitation aside. She never knew her handsome son looks so out of world while sleeping. First time she felt jealous to Radha for having fortune to get the sight of Karna's sleeping face. Kunti kept staring to preserve the sight in her heart. This is the lifetime experience for her. Her fingers kept caressing Karna's head showering all the suppressed affection of mother's heart. Putting him in relatively comfortable posture Kunti kissed on forehead of her deprived son for first and last time ever.
"Mata" murmured Karna in sleep. In subconscious son recognized mother.
Kunti couldn't hold her emotion anymore. A tear drop fell on Karna's forehead as blessing, love and pain from mother's heart. Karna winced but didn't wake up because of mother's soothing touch. Kunti with best effort got control over emotions and parted herself from her firstborn again. She knew if she stays any longer her tear will be flooded Ganges too. With a deep sigh she turned to the chariot waiting in quite a distance.
A mother only can understand a mother's pain. Through a lonely evening mother nature brought peace to Rajmata's heart by giving a small moment that will live forever with her.
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