Promise

Flashback continuation

The entire travelled in the chariots, following Bhishma to Hastinapur. Gandhari was clad in a red traditional outfit with all the jewellery needed for a new bride. Sudharma was wearing a plain outfit. The men were looking down. They doesn't have the guts to look at their wife or mother or sister after whatever happened. They had failed to protect their family and for that, they will forever feel guilty.

"Isn't weird, Bhratashree and Pitashree?" Gandhari said as she looked at her brothers and father who were looking down closing their eyes.

"Just a few hours back, Bhratashree lost their lives because of me. We didn't even have time to grieve for them. And look at me now, all dressed to get married to the kingdom that destroyed my family. Will I ever be able to wash off this sin of mine?" Gandhari said, void of any emotions on her face as she looked outside the chariot.

"You didn't commit any sin, Gandhari! Don't ever say that Putri," Maharaj Subala said in a loud voice. Gandhari turned her face towards him.

"What do you mean, Pitashree? I said no to the proposal and that is the reason why all of this happened! No matter what you say, the truth can never be changed and this is the truth... I am the reason for my family being destroyed," Gandhari said and she ferociously wiped her tears that were spilling out. Maharaj Subala and Sudharma looked at their daughter and thought what have they ever done to receive such a life?

Throughout the rest of the journey, any of them didn't bother to talk to each other. Soon, they reached Hastinapur. They got down of the chariots and were greeted by the royals of Hastinapur.

"I am glad that all of you reached here safely. I am Hastinapur's Rajmata and these two are my daughter-in-law, Ambika and Ambalika. Hastinapur is glad to have you all in our Kingdom," Satyavati said.

"I am sure you guys will be a little exhausted from the journey. Go and have a short rest. Once everything is ready, we will call you all down for the wedding," she said and motioned the servants to guide them towards their respective rooms. As they were about to go, Satyavati stopped them.

"Oh! And I am sorry for your loss. Whatever happened, it shall be forgotten. After all, we are all going to be a family, right?" she said. Shakuni clenched his fist while a tear slipped off Sudharma's face. Maharaj Subala and his remaining son looked down in shame and anger. Gandhari just told them to go rest them in their respective chamber. Shakuni stayed behind while settled himself on the bed as he looked at his sister and his mother. He definitely understood the meaning behind Satyavati's words. He will never forgive them for what they did but he needs to stay calm as his sister's life is on the line. He can't do anything to ruin her completely.

Gandhari was seated in front of the mirror as she looked at her reflection. She looked completely different from before. Long gone was her cheerfulness. She doesn't know what to do or how to react anymore. What is she supposed to be like after her marriage? How is she supposed to look in the eyes of the people who murdered her family? She was deep in her thoughts when suddenly the conversation between two servants caught her attention.

"Did you hear?" one of the servants named, Chandra said

"Hear about what?" Roopa, the other servant replied.

"Mahamahim Bhishma attacked the Gandhar Kingdom to kidnap the princess. During that feud, some of the princes had died," Chandra said.

"What? Are you saying that for real?" Roopa asked.

"Yeah but what else can we expect right... Hastinapur wants everything that is beautiful to belong to them. And we saw how beautiful the princess of Gandhar looked right," Chandra said and Roopa nodded agreeing with her.

"But what is the use, her future husband isn't fortunate enough to admire her beauty," Chandra said and Roopa looked at her confused.

"What are you saying, Chandra... Isn't she getting married to Rajkumar Pa..?" Roopa was about to complete her sentence but Chandra immediately shut her mouth glaring at her.

"Don't be stupid to say this thing out loud. If any of the royals hear this, we are done for. And no she isn't marrving him. She is being wedded to the blind prince, Rajkumar Dhritrashtra!" Chandra said and Gandhari who was hearing all of this stumbled back as she fell on the chair. Her would-be husband was blind and she didn't even know about it. Did her family know about it when they received the proposal?

The person she was going to marry was deprived of seeing the world. She doesn't know how he sees the world but for her, the world was the cruellest place ever. If her husband can't see anything in her life, then she shall follow his path. It is not that, she got anything bright to see in her life anyways... Her fate is sealed. Her eyes slowly drifted to the red cloth that was on the table. She didn't know what was that for but she decided to use it for her motive. If Mahadev have truly decided her niyati and Dhritrashtra to be her husband, then as his devotee she would follow the path he have provided her. She would share husband pain with her dedication. For her husband, for her surviving family

She was afraid of darkness but she decided to embrace it for her husband and also not face the darkness of the world...

Through what she didn't know was that the surviving family members were actually guest of only days as niyati will once again be harsh on her and only Shakuni will will survive till the day. Through that a tale for another time.

Back to the present

"How could they do this to you, Mata?" Karna asked with soft sad sigh after hearing the past of Gandhari. If not for being already recarniated with years of experience or his templates as Madara and Shanks or having control over his emotions, if only he had been really be a small child he would have sure sobbed hard.

"Well, this is life, Putra. We don't know what will happen in the future but whatever that is going to happen, we have to learn how to embrace it," she said as she smiled at Karna trying to resist her own tears.

"So, you blinded yourself and got married to your husband?" Karna asked softly.

"Yes. My parents and my brothers didn't know that I was getting married to Rajkumar Dhritrashtra. But, when they did they were very angry as according to them, I was supposed to marry his brother, Maharaj Pandu. And me blinding myself before marriage wasn't liked by the royals too and even my husband." Gandhari said lowly.

"Your husband doesn't love you?" Karna asked sincerely after hearing the whole story. Well seriously, this storyline or arc of Gandhari wasnt mentioned in Ved vyas Mahabharata. This story do matches with the popular TV serial he used to glance something when he was free to pass his time. Surely as Mahadev mentioned, his presence do might have let to creation of alternative timeline.

"I guess so. He thought that me blinding myself was a way to insult him for his blindness," Gandhari said as she remembered her husband's rash behaviour towards her during their wedding night and till now he has been behaving the same way.

"How about your parents and brother?" Karna continued.

"My parents as well as most of my brothers has passed away in an incident and my remaining brother, right now is listening to our conversation hiding behind the tree," Gandhari said with a small smile. Karna turned back and saw a man walking towards them. Of course he had already sensed him and identified him the moment he stepped he first heard Gandhari sob at the beginning. He just decided to keep quiet. A handsome young man appeared from behind the trees. This man was Shakuni. Unlike how he is described in TV serial of Kaliyuga due colonialism and had developed a bais towards him as crockery crippled limp man. He is definitely one of most politically active and master strategist of his time. He certainly do have a excellent mind of affairs diplomats. Many make curse him as One do agree that he have made mistakes and supported injustice turning blind to the sufferings but have to agree that he tried to prevent Mahabharat from happening multiple times. It was solely due to hot headedness of his nephew, Suryodhan that the war actually took place.

"Pranipat bhratashree," Gandhari said and Karna was still staring at that man.

"Are you her brother?" Karna asked.

"Yes I am and may I know who are you, young boy?" Shakuni asked looking at Karn in awe. He sensed no fear when he was talking to him.

"My name is unnecessary but like Mata Gandhari, you can call me Khushal " Karna said finishing it off with a smile on his face. Gandhari chuckled at him and Shakuni was surprised to see Karna talk in that manner. He with his keen eyes can already see the maturity and the way handle himself. This boy is no order any ordinary child even if he deliberately try to act childish.

"Sure" Shakuni said while rolling his eyes.

"Anyways, what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at Gandhar?" Karna asked Shakuni.

"Well, you already know the story of my sister and I am here to accompany my sister this temple while returning with her to help my brother in law get his rightful throne and get my revenge on Bhishma who destroyed destroyed my Sister's life by marrying her against her choice." Shakuni said gritting in anger while Gandhari sighed. She knew of her brother's plan to get revenge on Bhishma as she had tried to stop him several times but nothing could stop him.

"What is the use of getting revenge, Gandhar Raj?" Karna asked and Shakuni was surprised to hear his question.

"What do you mean?! Of course, there is a use for this revenge. I will never forgive him and I could care less for anyone who is going to get hurt by this," Shakuni said and Karna had a warm smile on his face.

"Oh... That means if your sister gets hurt in the process of your revenge, you would not care?" Karna said and Shakuni stared at Karna shocked and his eyes drifted to Gandhari whose head was down.

"My mother always tells me that, we have to be very careful about what we say or do as it will affect people around us, without us realising it. Your anger towards them is completely reasonable but remember your sister belongs to Hastinapur and whatever you say or do will affect her as well," Karna said and looked at Gandhari. He holds her hands gently.

"I have to go now Mata but I will for sure come back to see you one day. And, when that they come, I will promise you Mata that I will stay by your side but can you promise me something, Mata?" Karn asked.

"What promise, Putr?" she asked.

"Promise me that one day when there is a need, when your close ones faces discrimination you will remove your blindfold for the betterment of the people around you" Karna said and Gandhari was silent after hearing him. Karna loosen his hold on her and looked at Shakuni who was also deep in his thoughts. He left the place after hearing a familiar ding notifying the completion of the mission and went to the entrance sensing his father coming toward the temple.

"My work is done! Let's go home Karna!" Adhirath said as he held Karna's palm and walked towards the direction where his wife have told them to meet.

Karna walked by not knowing that his actions have triggered a future far more mysterious than anything he had ever known. A event divine in nature had taken place meanwhile somewhere near the kingdom of Mathura. But the effect are far yet to be seen of how the figure prophesied in event will cross paths with Karna changing the land of Aryavart forever.

To be continued...

(A/N: Hey guy please comment below and send me vote along with your love to keep continuing this fanfic 😁😁😁 Stay tuned)