"One more bite, Supriya", Karna said.

Karna was trying to make her eat food and she was throwing tantrums. In pregnancy, she often had no mood to eat certain items but it was necessary.

"Arya", she whined.

Karna narrowed his eyes at her and she pouted. He made her eat the food.

"Good", Karna praised.

All his other wives smiled seeing the scene. They were sitting on their beds.

"I need to leave for Hastinapura. Yesterday, I couldn't meet Bhanumati. I shouldn't know from anyone that none of you took care of yourselves. Remember to eat food on time and sleep well", Karna instructed.

All his wives giggled and nodded.

Karna smiling kissed his children's forehead and departed for Hastinapura.

He reached the palace and smiled.

Until, a girl dashed into him and the water, she was carrying fell on him as well as her.

Karna widened his eyes. "What is this?!" He shrieked and looked at the girl, who made him bath again, on the same day.

She was smiling guiltily.

"This is...water", she answered dumbly.

"I know that", he deadpanned. "I am asking, why am I wet?" He demanded.

"It's your fault", she said quickly. "You should have seen me coming", she accused. But, she got a harsh look in return.

"I just entered inside the palace. It's you who should have seen me coming. What are you even doing here, by the way?" He asked, irritated.

"Karna", he heard. He smiled when he saw Kunti.

"Pranaam Rajmata", he said, folding his hands and greeted her, respectfully.

"Call me Rajmata once more and I won't talk to you", Kunti narrowed her eyes at him making him sheepishly smile.

"Habits of being a Suta doesn't go. Otherwise, there are people here 'refers to Pitahmah and Guru Drona' who don't hesitate to make me remember who I am. Sorry, mata. It won't happen again. You are my mata and I will call you mata only, not Rajmata", he promised.

Kunti smiled.

"Good. No matter what anyone says, you are my son and I am your mother, putr", she said, caressing his cheek affectionately.

Karna grinned hearing it.

"I always feel I am truly your son. I don't know why, being near you gives me immense happiness. I don't even feel the need of my armour and your words are enough to sooth me whenever someone insults my birth", he said.

Kunti cried hearing it. "I feel the same, my dear", she whispered. Wish I could tell you the truth she thought in her mind, painfully.

"By the way, who is she?" Karna asked.

It's then, Kunti actually noticed he was drenched in water. She gave an amused look to the girl who blushed in embarrassment and looked down.

"She did it?" Kunti laughed.

"Yes. And, you are laughing?" Karna asked, complaining tone could be clearly heard.

"Sorry...sorry", Kunti smiled. "But, don't take it to heart, my child. She's quite mischievous and ends up in trouble always", Kunti said.

"Who is she?" Karna raised an eyebrow.

"She's Priyamvada's daughter", Kunti answered and pulled that girl towards her.

"What?!" Karna screeched. Priyamvada was Kunti's personal maid and often they didn't marry. When did he miss the sign?

"Oh...yes. I know it's hard to believe. Her husband works as a soldier in Kuntibhoja army. Priyamvada stays here and her daughter often visits her. That time, she couldn't come to Hastinapura. Now, she has", Kunti explained.

"Alright", Karna muttered. He felt good seeing Kunti treating her so well, despite being a maid's daughter unlike the royals who mocked him for not being a royal and getting engaged with them, even after that.

"I came to meet Bhanumati", Karna said.

"Yeah. She's throwing tantrums that her brother has forgotten her and Duryodhan has a hard time to coaxing her. He couldn't even come for his duties as crown Prince. She's being hard to control today. I suggest you go and see the matter", Kunti advised.

Karna chuckled. "Sure, mata", he said. And, narrowed his eyes at the girl, making her look at him innocently and fearfully.

"Don't worry. Even I am not a born royal. Don't get scared of me", he winked at her, as she felt at ease, seeing it.

He thought he saw wrong but he did see Kunti stiffening when he said that he wasn't a born Kshatriya.

What was that?

He shook his head. He was over thinking. He needed to meet Bhanumati.

"And, you come with me. I need your help in some work and Priyamvada has made your favorite delicacies. You will like it", Kunti pampered the girl and took her.

Karna smiled.

There wasn't any down to Earth person like Kunti, even after being at such a high status.

He walked towards Duryodhana's chamber.

"Bhanu. You are being too mischievous today, my dear. You need to rest. Karna will come soon", Duryodhan tried to coax his wife only to roll his eyes at her another whine.

She was unbelievable!

"No. He has forgotten me", she huffed.

"How can I forgot my lovely sister?" Karna chuckled as Bhanumati squealed in excitement. He went closer and caressed her hair as she grinned big at him.

"Thank God, you came. She has made me tired of her tantrums. Anyways, I have to go to perform my duties so it's on you to handle her now. And, she's being crazy for you both to try one round of chausar. I'll leave now", Duryodhan huffed and went.

Karna sighed and looked at Bhanumati. "You have been very stubborn today. See, you made him leave", he said.

"He will come soon. He won't stay annoyed at me, for much time, you know that bhrata shree. First, you sit here. We are going to play Chausar", she demanded.

"As you wish, my lady", he said dramatically, like a noble greeting his Queen and Bhanumati broke into a hearty laughter.

Indraprastha

"Draupadi...Draupadi...Draupadi", Bheem sang.

"Arya...Arya...Arya", Draupadi sang back and he chuckled. She brought fruits for him as he sat on bed. He grinned and started eating them hurriedly.

"I came to tell you", he said between munching as he fed her grapes too. "Hidimba is wishing to come", he said and gulped. He didn't want her to get upset. She had asked only one thing from him and they were breaking it.

"She's your wife, before me, Arya. And, I don't like her staying away from you. She has as much rights on you, as I have. I am so happy that she has decided to visit us. And, I can meet my son, Ghatochkach too", Draupadi exclaimed, with happiness.

Bheem smiled. "Thank you so much, for being so understanding, darling. She is bringing gifts for you, I hope you like them", Bheem said, hesitantly.

"Her being a demon doesn't change anything, Arya. You should see the heart of the person who is giving you gifts. I will make arrangements", Draupadi said.

"No. You are pregnant and you are not going to work", Bheem frowned.

"You can't say to me to sit like this when my jiji is coming to meet me. And, Devika is here", Draupadi narrowed her eyes and Bheem shook his head.

"Ok, Maharani", Bheem mocked salute her making her smile big.

Hastinapura

Karna laughed as Bhanumati demanded another round, keeping another piece of jewellery on stake.

"It's ok, Bhanu. You don't need to stake all this. Game is about fun, don't be sad", he chuckled.

"No. You are winning every round. I have defeated everyone, Mama Shakuni doesn't come in the count of course, because he's a cheater but you have to be defeated by me in at least one round. I am an all rounder", Bhanumati said with pride and Karna laughed hard.

"Ok. One more round, then", he chuckled.

"Yes", Bhanumati cheered. They got lost in the game of dice, again.

But...she lost AGAIN!

Bhanumati huffed as Karna looked at her, trying to stop his laughter because she was red with anger and frustration of not being able to win.

It's then, Duryodhan entered, after fulfilling his duties.

Bhanumati stood up, to greet her husband and then complain to him about his mitr.

Karna raised his eyebrows. Now's she running after not being able to win he thought and smiled at her. He had a lovely sister.

He decided to tug on the chain of pearls she was wearing, quite lightly and request her to continue the game. This time, he decided, he would deliberately loose the game to make her happy.

However, she slapped his hand away and it accidently touched her pearls and they got pulled because of his strength and scattered on the floor. The veil also got pulled along with the pearls and lowered as she quickly held it back.

Karna was shocked. He decided to apologise when he saw her stunned expressions, pale face, looking in front.

He felt his heart drop and he gulped.

Karna turned his face to see who it was, widening his eyes, seeing Duryodhan, staring at the scent, intently.

Karna stood up hurriedly and looked in fear. What would his friend think of him? He would surely misunderstand everything and Karna would loose his friend's trust forever.

Even poor Bhanumati would suffer because of his mistake.

They both looked down, waiting for the terrible showdown, about to occur and the tensed environment kept killing them slowly.

But...much to their surprise...

"Should I just pick up these pearls or string them as well?"

Author's Note- This incident is not mentioned in Vyasa Mahabharata, most authentic version of the epic.

This is mentioned in other versions so it's accuracy is questionable. However, many interpolations has been taken place so it's possible these things can be true.

Vyasa Mahabharata has neglected many sides of the epic with many important characters being unnamed.

As this story is based on Karna, the folklore is included as well, only because, I don't find any reason for it be false or demeaning any other thing.

While, I have included all original facts about Mahabharata only, I haven't shown Sutputra insult by Draupadi, because it's completely false.

So, don't think, I am showing fake things and attack me.