"A big problem", Abhilasha came back.

Draupadi, Esha and Kalyani were there. They looked at her as she paced to and fro in the room.

"What happened?" Draupadi asked worriedly.

"He's not taking part in the swayamvar", Abhilasha said. "He's not?" Draupadi asked with jaw drop.

"How will father's mission be accomplished? There are no whereabouts of Arjun and Karna isn't taking part. We are here literally to marry them", Kalyani said.

"Sakha is here only. He will make sure, Karna takes part", Esha said calmly.

"Yeah, right. We are worrying unnecessarily. Don't worry, you three will marry him only", Draupadi said.

"Hope so", Abhilasha said and sat on the bed.

Swayamvar

"Mitr. I told Prince Drishtadyumna I am not taking part. I met him. So, that he doesn't call my name. I don't want to insult or hurt the Princesses by rejecting and make them think, I am egoistic", Karna said.

"Great", Duryodhan beamed. "But, if it's an archery test, you will participate and bring them for my brothers", Duryodhan announced.

"Will it be even allowed to participate for someone else?" Karna raised his eyebrows.

"Winning is all that matters", Duryodhan said, nonchalantly.

"Princesses are not a price to win, mitr", Karna grumbled.

Honestly, he didn't understand what type of swayamvar was this. The girls have to marry who ever wins. Where is choice here?

And does a person's talent ensure safe future with him?

Bhanumati's swayamvar was better which of course, Duryodhan ended by taking her. But, it was also not a swayamvar in Karn's eyes. Just see a person, like him for looks or his achievements and marry him.

Here, also, future isn't ensured.

In his point of view, Swayamvar shouldn't be a public contest, instead it should be told to the girls to think of marriage, numerous things about numerous royal men should be told, they should have time to think. Once, they have decided, they should have the right to visit that family and see for themselves.

But, time isn't given in both these so called swayamvaras. In one, girls are considered as price only.

This world needed a complete three sixty degree change.

"Where are you lost?" Duryodhan asked. Karna got out of his trance and looked at him. "King has arrived", Duryodhan said further and Karna looked in front.

Even Shakuni was with them.

"I welcome all the mighty warriors here", Drupad said. "I am glad to announce that you all have gathered here to win my beautiful daughters hands in marriage", he said.

"The task for this though won't be easy. So, without any  delay, I will like my son, Drishtadyumna explain what the task is", Drupad said.

"Greetings! To win my sisters, you have to pass this challenging test. You will be needed to lift a celestial bow, string it, target your arrow at the goal. But, you can't see the target. The target is the fish's eye, high up in space. You will have to view it's reflection and then hit the eye. And, the fish will be constantly moving. So it involves three stages", Drishtadyumna said.

"Lifting, stringing, targeting by just reflection which will move and finally hitting", he concluded.

Karna found this quite challenging and intriguing.

"Point to be noted", Shikandini stood up. "There are two eyes. The left eye will be hit, you win hands of my sister Draupadi in marriage. The right eye is hit, you win hands of my other three sisters, Abhilasha, Esha and Kalyani all together", Shikandini said, glancing at Karna for a second.

Karna wanted to bang his forehead. He talked with a princess but didn't even ask her name.

How stupid could he be!

"So, we now welcome the heavenly beautiful princesses, pride of Panchal in the Swayamvar", Shikandini said.

(Swayamvar venue is just like Suryaputra Karn and the Princesses come down just like Draupadi in the show)

Everyone were mesmerised seeing them. They really looked like princesses descendent from heaven.

They went with a confident aura towards their father and folded their hands, greeting him. They greeted Lord Krishna and sat on the swing, all together. Instantly, they held each other's hands.

(Bridal dresses given in previous chapter)

Karna looked at the Princess he talked with. So her name was Abhilasha.

He looked away for a moment and then looked again only to see Abhilasha staring at him along with two others girls. Who were Kalyani and Esha.

Kalyani looked pale and looked down while Esha had a weird gaze. Abhilasha was blushing.

Draupadi seemed to be waiting for someone.

All warriors were failing. Some couldn't lift the bow only, some couldn't string, no one could reach till the third stage.

Anga

"Will we get new co wives after Arya comes back?" Arundhati asked.

They were decorating the land to make it look more beautiful.

Their people were helping them.

"No. He's not participating", Vrushali said. "He didn't look interested", Supriya added.

"What if he by chance does participate?" Arundhati asked.

"He won't", Kirti said firmly. "If he brings them, I won't welcome them in the kingdom", Kirti said firmly.

"Why are you so stern on your decision, this time?" Vrushali asked confused.

"First, Panchal and Hastinapura are enemies as he captured Kumar Duryodhan and Arya is his friend. Doesn't matter if Kumar went there, Arya will be stuck towards his duty to Panchal or his friend. And, Guru Dronacharya is in Hastinapura. This makes up for the second reason, after Guru Dakshina war, the enmity between King Drupad and Guru Dronacharya is increased. And third, they are the results of a veneration and I believe there is hidden motive of King Drupad behind it", Kirti said, wisely.

"What hidden motives can he have?" Supriya asked, puzzled. "That we can't know this soon", Arundhati said.

Swayamvara

The Princesses contained their smiles inside seeing everyone failing.

While, the three were constantly eyeing Karna, who was looking intently at how the warriors were failing in the task and seemed quite intrigued.

Draupadi was, surprisingly, busy staring at a brahmin.

"What happened? Why are you staring at him?" Esha asked her confused.

"That's Arjun with his brothers", Draupadi whispered back.

"Reallyyy?" Kalyani whispered back excitedly. "Let's confirm from Sakha", Abhilasha said.

Draupadi chuckled as the three looked back at Krishna. Krishna smiled back and then they turned to Draupadi who was having eye talks with Arjun.

They both were sharing compassionate eye lock with each other. The determination to win her anyhow could be seen in Arjun's eyes.

"He's a bit worried too", Krishna said. He was sitting next to their swing.

"Why?" Draupadi asked.

"Well...it's true that even if Arjun is a great warrior, Karna has the ability to duel with him unlike others who wouldn't dare to do that. He can surely complete this task if he applies all his great focus and leaves all distractions. So, it's important that he fails by a second or Arjun participates before him", Krishna explained.

"He told Abhilasha, he's not participating", Draupadi said.

"He has to, Sakhi. He can't just come and view and go. It's not an entertainment program. It's a contest and participants are sitting here, rather than audience. Also, your three sisters are to marry him. Your brother will instruct him to participate", Krishna said calmly.

"Oh no", Draupadi mumbled.