Karna set out early on foot with Vrishali. Like he promised, he was just going as a normal person.

Vrishali was following him and stealing glances at him. "Look in front otherwise you will fall", Karna said. "I wasn't looking at you", Vrishali defended.

"When did I say, you were looking at me?" He smirked. Vrishali got flustered and kept quiet. Karna chuckled. They kept walking for some more time.

Charioteer girls were far more strong than royal women. She didn't fuss for once while walking till so long.

Well...they weren't given privileges by birth. It was beneficial seeing that they could walk in a fast pace without getting tired.

After some more time, they finally saw the remains of Khandavprastha, now the land looking quite clear.

"Er...?" Karna said confused. Vrishali came ahead and touched the single flower, there. She looked at front and Karna followed her gaze.

In front of them, emerged the magnificent city of Indraprastha, the most beautiful and mightiest in the entire world. Built by Vishwakarma himself, where one of the greatest archers with four equally powerful warriors resided with the most beautiful and pious Yagyaseni Draupadi, the Panchal princess.

(Indraprastha is the Mahishmati from movie Bahubali but in white colour)

Karna was mesmerised seeing the beautiful kingdom of Indraprastha. Vrishali smiled seeing him. "This is the kingdom, they built from scratch. Pandavas are truly great", Vrishali smiled.

"The kingdom is beautiful but they aren't great", Karna deadpanned.

"What have those pure hearted souls done to you Karna?" Vrishali exclaimed. Karna widened his eyes. "Pure hearted? Yeah, they insult people on caste", Karna said.

"Only Rajkumar Bheem did", Vrishali reminded.

"But...others stayed silent", Karna exclaimed. "Well...you did stay silent during Varnavrat, didn't you?" Vrishali asked. Karna sighed and nodded.

"It was the Rangbhoomi to show princes talent, Karna. You went there, with agitation at Arjun being the called the best, Rajkumar Bheem was angry because of that only. I don't think if it would have been an open field, he would have insulted you", she said.

"But, at the same time, it's not your fault. Nobody gives a chance to non Kshatriyas so you grabbed the chance, you got", Vrishali added.

"It's the situation to be blamed. But now at least, you can try to be civil towards each other", she requested. "Fine...but until...", he was cut off.

"They do anything, I know", Vrishali laughed.

They walked in the palace gates and saw the four Pandavas on their horses with Krishna. Yudhister as definitely busy in Puja preparations with Draupadi.

"Pranipat Angraj", Arjun said. The last night and conversation with Dusshala, their secret, flashing before their eyes.

"Kalyan ho, Arjun", Karna replied.

"I am here to drop Vrishali. She had left Hastinapura with her family so she's your citizen. Kindly accept her and take her in", Karna said formerly.

"Aren't you scared? Angraj", Arjun said. "Our mother is house arrested and you feel you are safe here", he said.

"She's not house arrested", Karna said quietly. "She's staying in her own home with full rights. I am with her always and she gave me a letter also, to give to you", Karna said.

A soldier took the letter and gave it to Arjun who passed a grateful smile to him and looked at the letter with stinging eyes with tears. He was missing his mother.

"Don't you feel it's wrong to make her stay there?" Bheem growled.

Karna was about to speak when Arjun cut him off.

"Don't mention right and wrong, Bhrata Bheem", Arjun said, already angry at his mother's stay in Hastinapura, against her will. "Angraj will never know what's right and what's wrong", he added.

"After all, he just registers and blurts out Bhrata Duryodhan's words like a robot", Arjun mocked.

Karna clenched his jaw.

"You don't worry about that, Arjun", Karna raised his voice. "We can decide here, who's a robot and who's a warrior. Raise your bow", Karna gritted his teeth. "A person like you will never understand the difference between friendship and slavery", Karna added.

They raised and targeted arrows at each other. Other three Pandavas got alert too.

Vrishali gasped in horror.

"Fight with all your might", Karna smirked. "I am not a king right now to behave according to some expectations. I am free, charioteer's son, right now so forget all restrictions", Karna said.

"Stop it, Karna", Vrishali hissed but stopped as Karna passed a look to her.

"Stay out of it, Vrishali", Karna said, quietly. "You don't understand how evil these Pandavas can be. Let me deal", Karna said.

Vrishali shook her head and looked at Krishna, tensed. He was gaping at the scene in amusement.

"Stop it, both of you", he said, quite bored. "Never seen people as free as you both. You always end up getting ready for a duel even at auspicious occasions", Krishna chuckled and rolled his eyes.

Vrishali hid a snort and Karna passed a glare to her while Arjun glared at Krishna.

"Kindly accept her as your citizen and take care of her safety. I am trusting you, you won't let any harm come on her", Karna said coldly. The emotions reflecting behind his tone could be seen.

"Sure", Arjun mused. "We are not like Kumar Duryodhan who will force citizens. We are quite respected by everyone", Arjun smiled.

Karna glared at him.

"Anyways", Karna muttered. "See you at Urvi's Swayamvara, tomorrow", he said, smugly.

Arjun glared at him back. Why his best friend was wanting his rival? Arjun thought, annoyed. He could accept anyone else, except this Angraj who loathed him for no reason.

Karna smirked. He hit the right chord!

"I will leave now, Vrishali", Karna said softly as he looked at her. Vrishali had tears in her eyes as she seemed to nod. She held back her request to him, to not go.

He smiled gently at her and they both shared a look of longing. He sighed and stepped back. Turning towards the Princes and Krishna, he folded his hands in greetings and they did the same gesture of respect. (Formality from both sides, it was)

Karna swiftly turned around and walked passed the gates as Vrishali kept looking at him.

He walked away from her life, Again!