Part 3: Karna and Duryodhan

3) Karna and Duryodhan

It was the time when Karna went to his verandah after he completed the thirty- seventh and seventy-fifth task of Supriya's long list with great difficulty! The sun had completed its tour for the day, and had now been replaced by myriad stars, which dotted the inky canopy. A low, waning gibbous moon hovered tenuously in the twilight firmament, bestowing a very dim light upon the land. It was a cool, windy night; the swaying of trees and rustling of leaves could be heard but not seen, as the encompassing darkness had blotted out all but the faintest light. Briefly, a dark, wispy cloud eclipsed the crescent moon. For a few shadowy moments, it looked like there was a halo around the cloud, a dull aura of lunar luminescence. .A dark curtain fell over the land, twinkling spotlights adorning the velvet texture of the night.  It was a dark, Serene night as the luminous moon gleamed and the white twinkling stars gave harmony at the black, blue sky as if a black piece of velvet had been laid over the sky and sprinkled with shinning gems, and sapphire

                   Looking up at the inky blackness of the night sky Karna saw it was deep and pristine, ice cold, and the sense of eternity that took over his mind was spiritual in nature, like a rare rapture that few people experience. Of all sizes they were, some were faint yellows, a few dull red, and the whites were like perfect diamonds worth thousands or maybe millions. Then westward, his eye caught one of true blue, and it twinkled at him, just for him it seemed, and He bid it hello with a slow wave of my hand. "But that's just me, connected with the universe where all life is one it makes me feel that No one is ever alone", He whispered to himself with a smile

                     Just then he saw a shadow approaching him without turning back he could guess that it was no other than his Mitra Duryodhan. He got up hurriedly and looked at his friend with a surprised look as it was not often that Duryodhan came to his palace without informing .Karna knew that something was a huge mess!

Before Karna could ask anything Duryodhan questioned angrily "What the hell is wrong with you? How can you just give anything and everything anybody asks?"

Karna was still surprised to see Duryodhana here "Why not?", he asked him in a surprised tone

"Wh-Why not?!", Duryodhan  spluttered as he was never questioned by anyone in such straight forward manner and then he took his hand tenderly and asked "What was the need for this wow", the anger from his words was evaporated and the thing remaining was just his concern

"It's a good thing to help the needy, isn't it? And I don't think I am committing any sin Mitra!", Karna replied in a low tone

"I don't disagree from this but you can do daans without a vow too... Why a vow?", he asked with concern

"Because it seemed the right thing to do at that time"' he replied quietly

For a moment Duryodhana just stared at Karna with disbelief just as if he told him that the river is red! And then frowned, "Do you know what are you doing?" he asked with his temples folded "Don't act insane Mitra!"

"I am not it's a fair decision", Karna said firmly

"A fair decision...How can you say this? What if someone asks you your throne would you give away that too?", Duryodhan lashed out at him

"No one would ask me this...you can trust people for not being so greedy", Karna replied

"Hmm...you are new to this game of deceit and intrigue ask me my two generations have played it ours is third Mitra my Pitamaha too took a vow he is still paying for it... acting against his wishes...", Duryodhan said calmly his voice reflected his care for Karna

"I don't think so my vow is a different one Mitra! It will help me and the people arround", Karna replied

"Why don't you understand it will make you helpless I can foresee it!" he frowned

"How can it?...it won't Mitra", Karna replied softly

"So you are not going to turn back until you dress up in rags and live in a hut!.", asked Duryodhan

"Mitra I am a sutputra...I have lived that life", He reminded Duryodhan

Now Duryodhana's voice hardened "So you wish to go back to that life of humiliation? Atleast think of your family..."

Breaking him he replied, "My family is already with me and I want you too to support me!"

"Yah correct it's your family after all...as crazy as you", his words were of mixed emotions

"Mitra...", Karna tried to say something but Duryodhan broke out and asked him angrily "What if someone asks you your Kavach and Kundals you would shed off that too? Won't it make you vulnerable??"

Karna first went white and then slowly his face gained colour "What would anyone get from them? I still couldn't understand what good they are going to do to me? And how can these accessories make me vulnerable I fight with my might and power now I think they are taking away credit of my bravery", he said softly but in sharp voice..." But if such condition arrises What do you think... how will I remove it Should I just peel it off or use a knife?", he added with his usual dry humour trying to make light of his worry

Duryodhan had no words in reply He knew Karna wouldn't turn back his vow was his decision, his final say but the Kuru Prince had to convince his friend to see the side-effects of his vow. So he continued instead, "Just tell me one thing...If I come to you tomorrow morning and beg you would you reconsider your vow?", he asked as he was left with no ray of hope

"well umm...but I doubt would you be able to get up at such a early hour Mitra?", Karna asked with a giggle but he couldn't quite catch Duryodhans expressions so he though that he had made a big mistake

Duryodhan stared at Karna for some time and then burst out laughing, "Oh Mitra you caught my laziness very correctly dear", he said trying to stop laughing

Karna had misjudged him he recalled all the incidences where people told him that Duryodhana befriended him for his selfish motives ... he would shrug them off by telling them He cannot judge Duryodhan as he didn't have any specific answer but he knew deep in his heart that his Mitras love was as pure as his family's love for him and this incidence was a proof of his innocent and childish heart

Karna took his hand tenderly, "Mitra I can do anything for you I want you to be my strength not weakness...I want you to stand by me as you did that day in the arena"

There were tears flowing from Duryodhanas eyes and he didn't wish to stop them, he hugged Karna tightly and said "Even if the world goes against me I will always be there for you Mitra" Karna too hugged him back and replied, "You are my biggest strength Mitra...Thankyou", The light of friendship that was reflected from their hug was intense and luminous than even the light of full moon!

...

At the dinner time on dining table Vrushali too  was flabbergasted or rather shocked to see her Arya on time to have meal. Looking at her condition Supriya suppressed her giggle but her eyes danced with merriment .Radha mata's hush stopped her. Karna looked at her and they shared some private message via eyes. Supriya then glanced at Vrushali whose eyes were on her already Vrushali asked What Happened? With her facial expressions Supriya lifted her shoulders impishly like a toddler as if she doesn't know what happened!!