??????????? "Beyond Destiny."

सूर्यसंगिनी Part 6: The Possessive Draupadi

The sun was beginning to dip beneath the horizon, casting a warm, golden glow over the temple grounds. Draupadi’s steps were swift and determined as she made her way toward the familiar sanctuary. She had hoped to see Karna again today, like she had many times before. But as her eyes scanned the temple courtyard, she found something unexpected.

There, leaning against one of the temple pillars, was Karna—but not alone.

A young woman stood beside him, her laughter light and flirtatious, clearly trying to get his attention. She stood just a little too close, her hand brushing Karna’s arm casually as she spoke.

“Karna, I must say, I’ve never met a warrior quite as... impressive as you,” the girl said, her voice dripping with charm. “You know, if you ever need someone to offer you prayers before battle... I could be your good luck.”

Karna gave her a polite smile, clearly not taking the bait, but not entirely dismissing her either. “The gods are enough to guide me,” he replied, voice cool but not unkind.

The girl tilted her head, her eyes running over him boldly. “Still... sometimes even the gods need a little help. I wouldn’t mind being your Lakshmi.”

Karna opened his mouth to respond—but he never got the chance.

A third voice cut through the flirtatious air, cool and sharp like a blade dipped in honey.

“Oh? Lakshmi, is it?” Draupadi stepped forward, her eyes on the girl but every bit of her attention burning for Karna. “I didn’t know Lakshmi dressed like that in temples.”

The girl blinked, caught off-guard by Draupadi’s sudden appearance. “Draupadi... I was just—”

“Just leaving, weren’t you?” Draupadi smiled sweetly, but the threat behind her eyes was unmistakable. “I’m sure you remember how to walk away with grace.”

The girl flushed, stammered something unintelligible, and turned quickly—disappearing down the temple steps without another word.

Now alone with Karna, Draupadi turned to him, arms folded across her chest, the sparks in her eyes still dancing.

“What was that?” she demanded, voice a mixture of irritation and barely contained something else. “Why were you talking to her?”

Karna leaned lazily against the pillar, amused. “You’re asking me why someone talked to me in a public place?”

“She wasn’t just talking, Karna,” Draupadi snapped, stepping closer, her earrings swaying with the force of her movement. “She was flirting. Drooling. And you were standing there like—like—”

“Like what?” Karna teased, one brow raised. “Like a man who didn’t want to be rude?”

Draupadi narrowed her eyes. “You enjoyed it.”

Karna chuckled, thoroughly entertained. “Are you being... possessive, Rajkumari?”

Her jaw tightened. “Don’t flatter yourself, Karna.”

“Ah,” he said, taking a step forward, reducing the space between them. “But I think you are.”

She glared at him—but her lips twitched. “You’re insufferable.”

“And yet you came looking for me.”

Draupadi turned her head away, pretending to focus on a distant prayer bell. “I came to pray.”