Karna's Wife (25 page)

Uruvi gave her a strange smile and Kunti was, for once, nonplussed. Had she ruined or bettered the chances for Uruvi and Karna? She was not too sure.

Uruvi did not hear from Karna for a long time after his visit. Kunti’s warning words kept resonating in her mind and all she wanted to do was run back into Karna’s comforting arms. But she knew she could not; she would not. The baby was due any moment and as she waited for the day her child would be born, her thoughts kept drifting to the man she loved. She pined for him and even though she was still distressed about what he had done, she desperately hoped she had not lost him. This tussle between her heart and mind never seemed to end.

Karna did not write to her and neither did she. It was as if an invisible, impenetrable wall had divided them. All she got to know through Vrushali’s letters was that Karna stayed away from his home, spending weeks at a stretch on the battlefield. After the Pandavas left for their exile in the forest, Karna had taken upon himself the duty of expanding Duryodhana’s empire in his mission to declare him the emperor of the world. Commanding a huge army marching to different parts of the country, Karna subjugated many kings and made them swear allegiance to Duryodhana as the king of Hastinapur or forced them to meet his army in combat. Karna won all the battles easily. And in this military blitzkrieg, he, as the mightiest warrior, forced many rulers and clans to surrender—the Vangas, the Nishadas, the Kalingas, the Vatsas, the Ashmakas, the Rishikas, the Kambojas, the Shakas, the Kekayas, the Avantyas, the Gandharas, the Madrakas, the Trigartas, the Tanganas, the Panchals, the Videhas, the Suhmas, the Mlecchas and even the ferocious forest tribes. Pukeya remained vulnerable, and Uruvi wondered what her father would do if Karna attacked his kingdom. But she knew he would not.

When the time for the birth of her baby arrived, she was as prepared as a soldier is ready for war. Late at night, she woke up with a sharp pain stabbing her body. She was trembling as she called out for her mother, who came into her room immediately. Her last coherent thought was that their baby had arrived in good time. He was as punctual as his father.

The baby was born early in the morning, before dawn broke into the light of another day. By mid-afternoon the baby had three early visitors. Kunti apologized profusely for not coming in earlier. And then, the baby’s father arrived. He was warmly greeted by a visibly pleased Queen Shubra and an overjoyed King Vahusha.

‘It’s a boy!’ Queen Shubra smiled with delight. ‘Congratulations, son, you have another boy!’

Karna stood stiff and silent, yet his impatient eyes kept wandering towards his wife’s room. For a moment he let himself relax and Uruvi’s parents could see his joy. He asked huskily, ‘He was born with the sunrise, so he ought to be lucky. How’s Uruvi?’

‘Doing as well as can be expected,’ his mother-in-law replied with a huge smile. ‘She was well prepared; her labour pains began in the middle of the night and by dawn, it was all over!’

Radha, who had accompanied Karna, smiled quietly at her son’s evident eagerness to see his child. ‘You are behaving as if it’s your first born, Radheya!’ she smiled.

‘He is
our
first child,’ Karna murmured. ‘The first child always has an amazing effect on one. May I meet her?’ He looked appealingly at his mother-in-law. ‘If she doesn’t want to see me, it’s fine,’ he added hastily. ‘Don’t let me upset her. But I would like to hold my baby for just a moment.’

‘She’s awake and I think she wants to meet you. She wants to show you the baby herself! Come. Let’s go meet her,’ Kunti gave him a long, lingering look and gently took him by his hand to lead him to Uruvi’s room. She pushed him inside, letting go of his hand reluctantly. Karna turned and bowed to her.

‘Go, son. Go in. Meet your child. And your wife. Bless you,’ she murmured softly, her eyes tender with mixed emotions.

As Karna stumbled into the chamber, he was arrested by the sight of his wife, smiling slightly, nestling the baby closely in her arms; he had imagined them so often like this that it was a warm familiar sight. It was a sublime vision, a transcendent moment he knew he would cherish till the last day of his life.

She wore only a single sari and she looked wan. Her long hair, dishevelled and damp, clung to her head and hung down her shoulders in cascading wisps. She was deathly white, but the moment she saw him, he could see the colour seeping into her cheeks. Her soft lips broke into a small smile.

Then Karna held the baby in his arms, feeling an indescribable happiness. His son was beautiful, huddled snugly in his strong arms, his head already covered with soft, golden hair and his huge dark eyes gleaming softly.

‘He has a lot of hair and it’s as fair as yours,’ Uruvi whispered, her eyes sparkling brightly.

‘But his eyes are like yours—dark and oh, so very huge!’ He kissed the baby’s broad forehead.

‘He’ll be just like his father,’ she said warmly.

‘No! No, he won’t,’ Karna pronounced quietly. ‘I don’t want him to be like me. Ever. I wouldn’t say I am a very good role model—let him chalk out a better path for himself. Have you thought of any name for him?’

She shook her head, lowering her eyes to hide her turbulent feelings. He was sitting so close to her that she could inhale his scent, could feel the strength of his body. She wanted to touch him, wanted to feel his arms around her but that wall between them was still there. Her pitiless words, once uttered so calmly, still kept them apart.

‘Then we shall ask the family priest to choose the best name according to his horoscope,’ Karna leaned over smoothly and returned the baby to her. ‘You have always given me more than I can ever ask for. I hope I deserve him,’ he said abruptly.

‘You are a father any son would be proud to have.’

‘And as your husband, Uruvi?’ he pressed. ‘When can I be your husband again? Can you ever forgive me? Please tell me. Tell me how I can make you respect me, love me as you once did.’

‘I do love you,’ she said tenderly. ‘Let me happily remember the time when we were together. Let me have that forever.’

In his silence, he assented.

Karna stayed on for a few more days till the naming ceremony of the baby. King Vahusha spared no effort to make the ceremony memorable, with music, dancing and the choicest of eats for the guests who came in hundreds. The baby was named Vrishakethu and he seemed rather happy about his name as he chortled away all through the ceremony conducted by chanting priests.

‘He’s a good child,’ Queen Shubra stroked the soft cheek of her first grandchild. ‘Usually, it’s either the baby or the mother who gets cranky at such occasions! He seems to be so accommodating!’

‘He’s just like Radheya,’ gushed Radha, joining them to gaze adoringly at her grandson. ‘He never gave me trouble, even as a baby. It was as if he was born to be wise and considerate. This one will be the same.’

‘That’s what every parent hopes for—the best for their child. Sadly, very few children realize that parents always keep their best interests in mind. They would never wish harm for their child, would they?’ said Queen Shubra.

Uruvi agreed, recalling her mother’s concealed concern, which she had masked so magnificently during the swayamwara, and how vehemently she had opposed her marriage to Karna. Now that Uruvi had become a mother herself, she felt a strange, unaccustomed affinity with her mother, understanding why her mother had reacted as she did—it was only because she wanted the best for her daughter. Uruvi was glad she had her mother close to her, and felt a small pang at the thought of leaving her soon.

When it was time to leave Pukeya and return home to Karna, Uruvi was ready with a smile and a wise gleam in her eyes. Holding her baby close, she waved to her parents and turned away resolutely. Her father watched her walk to the chariot with her husband and her baby. The air was still mild and spring-like and above the palace towers, small white clouds sailed leisurely in a sheer blue sky. She held herself straight. She was still slim and lovely and he could not help staring at his child, who had become a woman now. He thought that it would not occur to anyone that his daughter was putting up a brave front. She carried herself proudly, with her head held high, a tiny smile on her lips hiding a broken heart. Yet, he knew, some part of her loved and hoped still.

Days went slowly by, stretching into weeks. The nights were achingly longer. Each evening, Karna retired to his room and Uruvi slept in her huge bed alone and miserable, yet proud and unyielding. Women, Uruvi thought wryly, could conceal their feelings so wonderfully. No one could have guessed what she was going through. Karna was distant towards her—he looked strained and in his eyes was a hungry, haunted look. Uruvi tried to ease the tension as best as she could but constantly found herself torn between longing and despair. She was withdrawn when he was with her, her vivaciousness subdued, but they played chess together, chatted and discussed various topics. The difference was that they rarely laughed together as they once did.

The family did not seem to notice any change in their relationship. Even if they did, they kept a discreet silence, hoping the cloud would soon pass. ‘She’ll come around one day,’ Radha assured her husband. ‘She loves him too much and he cannot survive without her. You saw the state he was in when she went to Pukeya? He had gone to pieces. Give her time. The baby will help to put everything right.’

Uruvi engrossed herself in the baby to distract herself from thoughts of Karna. She refrained from bringing up any contentious issue and avoided talking about Duryodhana. She never spoke to Karna, except when he questioned her directly, and often retired to her own room quietly. But Karna noticed that she was in radiant health. There was a soft glow about her, a healthy colour in her cheeks, and in Karna’s eyes, she never looked more beautiful, with the baby cradled in the crook of her arm as she murmured softly to him. He was filled with love whenever he gazed at her. She averted her eyes but not before he saw the longing lingering in them. Oh, she was proud and still so fiercely belligerent. Each time he left home for the battlefield, he couldn’t forget that look in her eyes and he remained hopeful that she would come back to him as the bride she once was.

One morning, on one of the many days Karna was away, Uruvi met Vrushali as she rushed up the stairs. ‘Careful, dear, you need to be more cautious,’ she greeted Uruvi with a small smile. ‘You are still not very strong.’

Uruvi promptly stopped. ‘Thanks, I keep forgetting that!’ she laughed self-consciously.

‘As is often the case,’ Vrushali said dryly and Uruvi detected a subtle undercurrent in her words. ‘But as a mother now, you will have to be less impulsive and much more responsible. Are you tired?’ she asked, rounding off her disapproval with a gesture of concern.

Uruvi stared at her. She had never got down to knowing this woman at all. She was cold yet polite, distant yet solicitous, greeting her but never making her feel welcome. Uruvi felt a frisson of irritation rise within her but she calmly asked instead, ‘Any news of Karna?’

‘He’s gone to the battlefield again,’ Vrushali sighed. ‘Ever since the Pandavas went into exile, Radheya has rarely been in Anga. Perhaps since you left, he prefers to stay away from home.’ Vrushali almost sounded accusing. ‘He is busy with his campaign for Duryodhana, collecting as many crowns for him as he can,’ Uruvi heard the slight sneer in her voice. ‘He and Shona went off three weeks ago but should be back in a day or two,’ she said and began to move away.

‘He’s gone with Shona?’ Uruvi sounded surprised.

‘Our whole family is fighting for the Kurus these days—Shona, Vrasasena, Shatrunjaya, Dvipata and Sushena are Radheya’s little army for his dear friend. Thankfully, Satyasena, Chitrasena and Susharma are too young to be on the battlefield,’ Vrushali said bitterly, resentment lacing her words. ‘An entire full-blooded family is fighting somebody else’s war!’

Feeling weary, Uruvi suddenly wanted to sit down. ‘Let’s go to my room,’ she suggested, ‘or I’ll have to sit on the steps!’

‘Yes, I was coming upstairs to see Vrishakethu,’ Vrushali smiled in gentle agreement.