Karna - Please, later. I need to calm myself down before I regret saying anything.

It would have been easy, thought Urvi, if Karna had vented out his anger at them. Atleast, they could return back to their normal way but Karna hiding his feelings inside is an altogether different spectrum of emotions, she knew would bring upon heartbreak. She needs to give Karna some time to calm himself down like he said.

Urvi- I'm sorry, Karna. I never wanted this to happen and that's exactly is what happening.

Urvi moved back from there. She needs to be patient and understanding about Karna.

Duryodhan tried to spoke for one more time, but Karna just shook his head and turned away from him.

Karna really needs to calm himself down.

Duryodhan left.

A feeling of betrayal come. Karna started taking deep breaths. The two persons he trusted most, already knew his secret. His identity. But hide it from him. For how long, he didn't want to dwell right now.

And he started to begin angry with himself for speaking harshly to them for the first time.

He knew what he was doing but all of sudden he lost himself.

He rubbed his palms on his face.
And then he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned and saw Vasudev Shri Krishna was there.

A wistful and small sad smile come to Karna's lips and he said snidely.

Karna- I'm the biggest joke of the era, Vasudev, ain't I?

Vasudev shook his head in a no. And before he could speak anything, Karna blurted out his emotions like a confessioner.

Karna- For my whole life I only wanted the acknowledgment for my abilities but no, a low caste can't have that. A Sutaputra can't have that. But I fought for it with my every breath.
My own mother hide the truth from me for years that I'm her son. And not son actually but a sin... A childish act through which she conceived me. But I understood when she spoke to me. I have forgiven her already...
Urvi and Duryodhan, the persons I love with my whole heart, also hide the truth from me about who I am. I trusted them...
Arjun is all of sudden eager to fight with me... When I know that each and every arrows I will release to him will delve into my own heart.
I'm such an unfortunate person, you know. Such an unfortunate person."

Karna was speaking in bits and pieces, and have no idea what he was speaking. He cannot show his angst upon what he was feeling.

Nothing was hidden from the lord himself.

Vasudev - Think about this way, Angaraj... You did the same when you got to know that Duryodhan is your cousin and hide it from him that you are his Jyeshta, only because you thought that Duryodhan will fight on your behalf for the throne. You wanted his best. Maybe Urvi and Duryodhan also wanted your best. Love is not easy, you know. And you still love them?

Karna nodded.

Karna- But why they have to know about it? I was okay with hiding my identity and it's secret between me and my birth-mother.

Vasudev- For how long you will have been able to hide your identity you say?

Karna- Till my death. I have promised Kunti maa that I will never reveal my identity.

Vasudev - Well... It's revealed already.

Karna grunted.

Karna- Not to Arjun.

Vasudev - Then make him understand.

Karna- Not even on my deathbed.

Vasudev- I can tell Parth and make peace, Karna. You don't have to worry about it.

Karna- Kill me before that.

Vasudev - Why?

Karna- Because he would be heartbroken when he knows what his mother had done. And I don't want it to happen.

Vasudev - So you accepted his challenge, so that your mother's honor will be intact.

Karna nodded. Ultimately, that was the main reason.
Even if Karna had denied fighting with Arjun, at some point they would have to come face to face with each other. Somewhere he has to maintain his fake hostility towards Arjun, so that everything seems normal as always.

Vasudev - It doesn't make sense.

Karna- Nothing makes sense.

Vasudev said to him gently.

Vasudev - You don't have to fight with Arjun if you don't want, Karna. You can live a peaceful life if only you want. It's all upto you.

Karna stood there without speaking anything. And then after a lot of thoughtfulness, he spoke.

Karna - I'm cursed Vasudev. I'm damned and doomed. My beloved 'Guru' once cursed me. That I will forget my knowledge and learning when I will need it most and fighting with a warrior of my equal calibre. I know Arjun is the one destined to fulfill the curse. I can feel it now.
I have other curses as well. Doesn't matter me.

I did not leave my guru's ashram with his blessings, but his curse.
But I can still feel the pain I have given to my Guru Parshuram. He must have hated me enough to curse me, no.

Vasudev- Your Guru never hated you Karna.

Karna stared at Vasudev.

Karna- Then, just put your hand on my head and say that you forgive me.

Vasudev- Karna!

Karna- The moment you touched me, I realized that you are him. My Guru used to take his nap on my lap, I know each and every touch of him. Say that you have forgiven me, my Guru Parshuram.

Karna bent on his knees and touched Vasudev's feet as he saw the reflection of his Guru in him.

Vasudev lifted Karna by taking his shoulders and put his hand on Karna's head and said that he was forgiven. Vasudev also talked about his birth, his parents Kunti and his Ishtadev Suryadev. Praised about his bravery and courage since his childhood to "Bend the rules and break the norms" of society. And praised him being "Digvijay" and so.

Vasudev- You are not damned and doomed, Karna. You are born to 'Rise and Shine'. It was my privilege to be your Guru.

Taking a deep breath, Karna nodded only. He was overwhelmed by what Vasudev have said.

Vasudev- Are you sure, you want to do this?

Karna- Yes.

Vasudev- You should know what path you have chosen, Karna. It's very challenging and going to be painful.

Karna- That's nothing new to me.

After a pause, Karna said again.

Karna - For the first time in my life, I'm doing my kshtriya-dharma, Vasudev. Let me have it. I will battle Arjun and battle like he has not seen in his life. He will know that my Guru had taught me no less.

Vasudev- This is not what you think it is, Karna.

Karna- I don't know what is it anymore. However, I just realised that you and I are cousins from my mother's side. Swear you will keep my secret, Vasudev.
And since I was born before you, as your Jyeshta, I'm asking you to protect Arjun in any possible way you can. Promise me... Promise me without any questions.

Karna couldn't speak as his throat have been tight with emotions. But he tried to calm himself down.

Karna - Can I expect that from you?

Vasudev nodded. But said.

Vasudev - Don't you want to know why these all are happening to you???

Karna- Nope. I will hate it first, and condone (forgive) it at last. Better I will know it in last why this is all happening to me.
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