Subhadra was still in the garden. Karna's parting words were ringing in her ears.

A little pampered Princess

Subhadra was indeed pampered and loved by everyone. She was born after her father Vasudeva was released from prison by her Bhrata Krishna. When she arrived, dark clouds had already been cleared. Subhadra therefore grew up in comfort as the princess, and escaped the travails that haunted her family before her birth.

But it didn't mean she was ungrateful or disrespectful and didn't understand the meaning of hardships. She knew to respect those. Was it a bad thing to grow up surrounded by love and care? Did it make her any less than others because she didn't face any difficulties? Then why Karna said it with so much disdain.

Subhadra was taught to express herself without hesitation. She said whatever she felt openly. Her Bhrata Krishna said suppressed emotions and questions always led to misunderstandings and disaster. Unexpressed emotions remained buried alive in our hearts and later came out in an uglier way. We might get hurt in confronting them for a short while, but suppression hurt us far more badly and longer.

So, She had expressed her feelings and every time he had rejected them. Subhadra didn't know why and how she fell for him. Then also, who could control feelings and plan them? Heart never listens to anyone, does it? Drisana had told her about his past. His wife and her death. Did he love her so much that there was no place for anyone else?

"Subhadre?" Krishna called her from behind. Subhadra quickly wiped the tear that had slipped free.

"Bhrata Krishna? You are here?" Subhadra asked.

"I should be the one asking this. Why are you sitting here alone?" Krishna asked sitting beside her.

"No particular reason. Just felt like sitting here for a while." Subhadra replied with a forced smile.

"Really? When a person sits alone without any reason, that means his mind and heart both are clouded." Krishna said.

"Nothing like that Bhrata." Subhadra said.

"Subhadre? What have I taught you? If you feel something, say it. Won't you tell your bhrata Krishna what troubles you?" Krishna said coaxing her to share her thoughts.

"Bhrata Krishna, I never faced any hardships. I always got what I wished for. You all love and care for me so much. Does that make me unworthy or unappreciable?" Subhadra asked finally after hesitating for a while.

"It's not hardships that make one appreciated. It's how they face it and what their morals are that presents their worth and brings appreciation for them. Yes, you never faced any hardships. But you have what it takes to face them, that too with smiles. Yes, you never faced any lacking. But you are always grateful for what you have. Yes, you always got what you wished for. But my Subhadre never asked for something inappropriate or what she didn't deserve. What we feel seeing someone in trouble is sympathy. What we feel seeing someone helping them is appreciation. So, no. You're not unworthy or unappreciable. And the one who thinks that is a hard headed idiot." Krishna replied and added the last part with his famous mischievous smile.

"If someone doesn't return our feelings, should we leave hope?" Subhadra asked again.

"Leave hope or him?" Krishna asked raising his one eyebrow. Subhadra looked away as her cheeks turned red. Krishna chuckled.

"Look at that plant." Krishna said pointing at the same dead plant he replanted days ago. It was flourishing. New leaves adorned the now healthy looking branches.

"If I left hope, then it would have never flourished again."

Karna was seating near the temple. He was remembering Subhadra's words. Why was she after him?

Karna wasn't ignorant. He had noticed Subhadra's glances, her staring, her blushes. He had attributed it to her silly crush. At her age, it was normal to build fantasies based on appreciation. He made sure to never encourage her. He thought with time she would come out of her dreamland. But she was getting bolder day by day. What she said? She wanted to know him. Right. Little princess who always lived in a bubble wanted to know him, a Soota. What was there to know except humiliation, degradation and taunts? All his life, he got only those.

Karna's heart missed a beat as he remembered her innocent face. Since the first day, he had felt a weird attraction towards her big doe like eyes. What did he do? He averted his eyes, not looking into hers directly. She admired him and his heart flattered thinking of it. He felt exposed whenever she stared at him. As if she could see every little secrets, the man he was rather than a low-born. Karna felt something foreign whenever she was around. He never felt like this before. He was confused about these new stirrings inside himself. He wanted to protect her, to stare at her, to be around her, to hear her talk randomly for hours. He wanted to tell his every pain, every fear, share his every failure, guilt and success. He felt like she wouldn't taunt him or look at him with disdain. But this was wrong. He shouldn't feel like this. She was just a naive girl and he wasn't ready to take anyone's responsibility. He hadn't been since he lost his wife and son because of his negligence. Moreover, she wasn't just any girl. She belonged from a kshatriya royal family. And he was a Soota with nothing to offer. No status, no station, no luxuries, nothing. Just because he had received respect and hospitality from these people here didn't mean he was worthy of a princess.

No. This couldn't continue. He should leave Dravida right now. But he couldn't before Drisana's marriage. Then the other option was to stay as far away as possible.

"What are you doing here, Putra?" Kunti asked coming closer to him. She saw him sitting outside the temple while coming back after her prayer. He seemed troubled.

"Nothing Mata Kunti. I was just sitting." Karna said. In these years as a messenger and now staying close to her for the last month or so, he had formed a special bond with Kunti. He saw the same concern and love in her eyes that a mother held for her son. That gave him a weird sense of peace and happiness.

"You're looking worried. Is something bothering you putra?" Kunti asked after taking a seat beside him.

"Nothing special. Just thinking about future. Past has given me so much hurt that my steps are faltering and eyes are blurred. Don't know what is the way." Karna said releasing a heavy sigh. Kunti's heart ached hearing that. He suffered and she was the reason behind his suffering. The lump lodged in her throat tightened, making it harder to breath. How long before she could get rid of this burden of guilt? And what would be the reaction of her sons? All six of them? Would the society accept Karna after the truth came out? Would he get the respect he deserved or more humiliation would be handed to him?

"Putra, past shapes us. We should take lessons from it and move on. Don't let it hold you back. Never let the hardships break your courage and morale. And as for the way. There sits lord to show us our way." Kunti said smiling at him.

"Lord likes to play with us Mata. He gives us nothing without hardships and when we achieve something through hardships, he enjoys to snatch that and see us in misery." Karna replied returning her smile with a sad one.

"It's not like that putra. It's true lord takes our test through hardships. But he also gives us fruits of that for sure. It's us who only count things that we didn't get. Don't lose hope. His blessings are with you. You'll surely get what you deserve. Maybe He'll give you something beyond your imagination." Kunti said again hoping and praying the best for her this son.

Drisana started for the temple with Dridhaksh and Nakul in the early morning. Nakul was tensed and Dridhaksh was clueless. After nearing the mountain area, they started walking leaving the palanquin and horses there. But after a while, Dridhaksh noticed Drisana was hurrying towards another direction and Nakul was following her. He got confused and caught up to them.

"Where are you going Drisana?" Dridhaksh asked stopping her. "The way to the temple is in that way."

"We're going in the right direction only, Bhrata. Temple is in this direction." Drisana said adamantly.

"Drisana I know the way better than you. This way leads to steepy mountain cliffs and no one even goes to that side. It's not safe. Let's go." Dridhaksh said.

"No. I'll go in this direction only. This is my destination." Drisana said stubbornly and started walking again leaving him. Dridhaksh frowned.

"Drisana what's wrong with you. I'm telling you this is the wrong way. Let's go back." Dridhaksh said again. He looked at Nakul expecting him to say something, but Nakul was avoiding his gaze and remained silent.

"Bhrata Dridhaksh, this is the way to the temple only. Look into this map." Drisana said and showed him the map. Dridhaksh frowned more seeing it. It marked the path at the sloping side of the mountain to near the ocean and mountain curve, and there somewhere a temple sign in red was indicated. That area was mostly unexplored and dangerous and no one ever went there.

"From where have you gotten this map? And this is certainly not the temple. No one even goes to that area ever. What is going on Drisana?" Dridhaksh asked frowning.

"Bhrata Dridhaksh I only have to go to this temple for prayer. We're going. That's it." Drisana said.

"Have you lost your mind? Why do you want to go in that area? That area is dangerous Drisana. I won't allow you to go there. You're coming back with me and answer Pitashree why you want to go there." Dridhaksh said with irritation.

"Fine. Then you better ready some answers to give Pitashree too." Drisana said.

"What do you mean?" Dridhaksh asked frowning.

"I mean I'm not an idiot Bhrata. I need to go to this temple and I know that area can be dangerous. That's why I'm taking you and Nakul with me. Now either you silently come with me or I'll go alone. And I come back, I'll answer Pitashree and you'll answer more questions as to why you left me alone and also about your secrets." Drisana said with her sweet smile. Dridhaksh frowned more furiously. He knew it wasn't an empty threat. He wasn't worried about answering as much as her going there alone. Even though he tried to forcefully take her back, she would manage to slip somehow. There was no stopping Drisana once she set her mind on something. And he couldn't let her go to that area alone. It was too dangerous.

"Rajkumar Nakul say something." Dridhaksh turned to Nakul expecting him to stop Drisana. Drisana only raised her brows eagerly as Nakul remained silent.

"What? You'll let her do this madness?" Dridhaksh said surprised by Nakul's behaviour. Drisana poked him in the shoulder from behind.

"He's a smart man unlike you. He's doing what he can. That is going with me silently." Drisana said smiling at Dridhaksh. He gave a glare to Nakul and after a while groaned in frustration.

"I won't spare you after getting back to the Palace." Dridhaksh said looking at Drisana.

They started again according to the map along with the troupe. All of them were alert for any possible dangers. The guards and dasis accompanying them were too nervous. It was a long way. They walked through the slopes, trees and bushes. Finally they neared the curve of the mountain and ocean. A very narrow strip of rocks along the cliff led the way ahead where the temple was supposed to be.

"It won't be safe to take everyone with us." Drisana said pointing to the guards and dasis. It was pretty late too. They would be missed soon at the Palace. They needed to hurry and the less people the more speedy they could be.

"Yes. Someone should be here to take information of our death to the Palace." Dridhaksh said sulking as Drisana rolled her eyes. Nakul was silently observing their surroundings. This area was unhospitable, nothing but boulders and rocks surrounded them as the tides churn and bang far too close to the narrow cliff pathway. He had a bad feeling that something was going to go wrong.

Here at the Palace, Maharani Mangalya was worried. Drisana should have been back by now. What was taking so long? The temple was rarely visited by the royal family as it was too far from Palace and too close to the Ingharr tribe's territory.

Maharani Mangalya saw Dhikshit going somewhere with Karna and stopped him.

"What happened Mata? You're looking worried." Dhikshit asked.

"Drisana has gone to the temple near the mountain area with Dridhaksh and Rajkumar Nakul. They haven't returned yet. I'm feeling anxious." Maharani Mangalya explained the situation.

"Don't worry Mata. They may have gotten late for some reason. They'll come back soon." He tried to assure her.

"No, Putra. I'm not feeling well. You go and check what's taking them so long." Maharani Mangalya insisted.

"But Mata, I need to go to the next town for some important work. I'll ask Bhrata Dheemant to check." Dhikshit said.

"No need for that. I can go and check." Karna said to them. He was leaving with Dhikshit. But he could stay and help instead.

"That would be very helpful." Maharani Mangalya agreed.

On the other side, Subhadra was upset hearing about Karna leaving the Palace with Rajkumar Dhikshit. But when she saw him again and came to know about him going to the temple, she stubbornly decided to visit the temple too. And Karna had no option but to take her with him as Kunti and Krishna also supported her.

Dridhaksh, Drisana and Nakul were following the narrow pathway alongside the cliff. There were hollowed out areas they passed. But there was nothing interesting. Dridhaksh was reluctant to step forward but continued at Drisana's insistence. They crossed a particular sharp angle with a narrow path and came across a narrow slit into the mountain wall, which was wide enough for Drisana's shoulders to pass. What drew Drisana's attention was the same sign that was on the map curved into the side of the slited opening.

"We should go inside. The temple's way leads from here." Drisana said pointing at it.

"Of course. Perfect place to die, isn't it?" Dridhaksh said sarcastically. "I don't understand what is in that temple Drisana, that's making you desperate to reach it." Dridhaksh said again.

"I'm going inside." Drisana said instead. But was instantly stopped by Dridhaksh and Nakul simultaneously.

"I'll go and check first. There may be danger inside." Nakul said.

"Now you think so?" Dridhaksh asked mocking him. He had remained silent the whole way. Dridhaksh was sure Nakul was involved beforehand in whatever Drisana was doing.

Nakul went ahead ignoring him. Drisana followed him. She wobbled and nearly fell backwards. But Dridhaksh grabbed her arm and hauled her inside. The cave mouth immediately dropped down into a hollow, almost like a fishbowl tilted on its side. The cave itself was dark, the only light coming in from the entrance.

"Now what? There's nothing in here." Dridhaksh said with irritation.

"Look for something. There must be some way." Drisana said. She looked around the cave with interest, but nothing seemed useful. They needed lightening to see more closely.

"Any way to light a torch or something?" Drisana asked.

"There's stones around. We can start a fire." Nakul said and proceeded to start a fire and then made three makeshift torch of a sort to carry.

As the three moved around, suddenly the earth beneath them shaked and then in the next second they were falling.