SAME DAY KARNA LEFT

Hastinapur's Sabha assembled but atmosphere was tensed. Only Bheeshma, Ashwatthama and Dronacharya w missing. They were thinking about yesterday, the fight between Karna and Dronacharya was bothering to them. Many couldn't digest Dronacharya lost miserably to karna or his mis deed. The news of Karna teacher and aftermath of fight were not leaked due to royals fearing Ardhnarishwar and perseverance of Drona's reputation but results couldn't be stay hidden. Shakuni was thinking of how he could make Karna his weapon and pawn. Bheeshma entered the sabha. Everyone could feel something different in him. His steps were sturdy as he wasn't entering sabha but battlefield. His expression scared everyone especially Shakuni, he was reminded of when Bheeshma came to Gandhar.

Bheeshma was late because he was thinking all about Karna said to him. Karna's disappointment, anger, helplessness etc was fresh in his mind. Especially his advice, Bheeshma did various introspection after he reached palace. He came to conclusions that Yes he unknowingly spread Adharm by keeping the silence when adharm was being done. He the son of river Ganga who is famous of providing life to all irrespective dev, asur or humans did indeed got trapped in world's opinion and paved way for adharm because of silence. He the student of Bhagwan Parshuram bound his hands and might to protect the well protected royals instead of weak and oppressed citizens of his Kingdom. Karna's word reminded him the prosperity of Hastinapur lies in prosperity of its citizens not royals. His love for Pandavas blinded him from seeing their flaws and arrogance. He also realised due to his and Vidhur's negligence to Duryodhana and Kauravas led the boon of Mahadev to get corrupted by Shakuni. Today Hastinapur will see a different Bheeshma, today the will not meet Mahamahim of Hastinapur but Gangaputr and Pashuram's student Devrath Bheeshma.

Everyone : Pranipat Mahamahim.

Bheeshma : Pranipat. Why sabha hasn't began till now.

Vidhur : We were waiting for you, Dronacharya, Ashwatthama and Angraj. Tatshree.

Bheeshma : I have come but they wouldn't come.

Dhritarashtra : Meaning Tatshree.

Bheeshma : Drona has secluded himself from all materialistic things, good for him. Karna decided to leave for Anga with his parents today, Ashwatthama is probably went to his house to meet him.

Vidhur : Angraj left!

Dhritarashtra : But why? Why did he leave that too with his parents, that's not a good sign. Will he break his relationship with Hastinapur?

Bheeshma : No, he just doesn't want to be in the middle of politics of Hastinapur. He was worried that some people want to use him as pawn because his teachers are known to Royals of Hastinapur.

Vidhur : How did you know this Tatshree.

Bheeshma : We met and talked during surya pooja. But that's not to discuss here let the sabha begin.

Sabha went on how usually it did. Bheeshma critically observed every thing, he saw what all he missed usually. There were nearly no issues of common people were discussed and only higher cast people were brought forward. How there is always problem that lower cast people creating for upper cast. Some cases didn't have solid proof just some nonsense of people. Hastinapur was a peaceful kingdom but it didn't mean lower caste people were happily living here but it meant they were oppressed less than other places. He couldn't believe he has neglected all this till now. He also observed that how Yudhishthir to like parrot reciting vedas verses and passing suggestions and thinking what is doing is righteous and good he was getting frustrated. At one point it became unbearable so he decided to do something. It was a problem where low cast was getting punished because he apparently deliberately hurted a priests sentiment by crossing him when he was going for prayer. The judgement was about to be passed as per Yudhishthir's suggestions without even listening to accused.

Bheeshma : Stop.

Yudhishthir : What happened Pitamah.

Bheeshma : I want to. Hear others opinion. Duryodhana what diy you want to say for this case, Speak freely Putra.

Everyone was shocked but none other than Duryodhana, he couldn't believe Bheeshma asked his opinion and called him Putra. It's been very long time probably since he pushed Bheem to river. Pitamah has always neglected him think him as evil but he still loved him. Today he couldn't believe Pitamah was cutting his favourite Pandavas and asking him his opinion. He was happy and shocked but he will use this opportunity to gain his Pitamah's respect.

Duryodhana : Me pitamah.

Bheeshma : Yes Putra, I want to hear you opinion. Speak honestly and freely don't worry about others.

Duryodhana : Pitamah, to tell you the truth this case is farce and atleast I can see it. This priest is clearly hiding malicious intent towards the accused. We didn't even heard his side of story and is passing judgement. It is wrong.

Bheeshma : Well said Putra at least one among all has brains here.

Bheeshma then called a soldier and tell him to investigate the real cause of conflict. After few minutes soldier returned and told the court that the accused has done nothing wrong he went to priest for a pooja and after pooja priest aske for outrageous price and then dragged him in the court. Hearing this all the people in court was angry and priest went pale. Dhritarashtra that called soldiers to put the priest into dungeon. Everyone was silent but Bheeshma was angry.

Bheeshma : Yudhishthir, you calls this dharm and call yourself dharmraj. Just parroting the vedas doesn't make you righteous. We have made mistake declaring you crown prince but what done couldn't be undone but I will steps to ensure what happened will never happen. Today Mahamahim of Hastinapur declares that Prince Duryodhana opinion will be of equal importance as Crown prince Yudhishthir. Duryodhana will put forth his opinion on every matter and thus judgements would be past.

Duryodhana, Putra I am giving you a very heavy responsibility son. You are Only one here who atleast questioned the motive of priest and wanted to hear accused story too. I am pleased and proud of you don't disappoint me Putra.

Duryodhana was on verge of crying never in his life he heard someone was proud of him except his mother and Ashwatthama.

Duryodhana : I will try not to disappoint you Pitamah.

Bheeshma smiled and nodded towards him and turned towards Dhritarashtra and others angrily.

Bheeshma : Today was eye opening for me. I saw how this court is becoming partial. So few cases of problems of vaishya and soodra came to palace. I want to see who is responsible for this.

Bheeshma said this and left court but several people were scared. They knew their days of luxury were numbered. Bheeshma will surely get bottom of this and corrupted people will be heavily punished. They till now have gotten used to lax attitude of royals of Hastinapur but now wouldn't be case. Several royals too were thinking this. They went their chamber to discuss it.

Vidhur was the one most disturbed he couldn't believe he let this happen. It surely was happening for long time as none paid attention to it except Tatshree. But he couldn't let it prolong he has sent spies to other countries but didn't do it here in Hastinapur. He thought people were right after all the darkness reside right below the lamp. He to collect information from all aryavart ignored his kingdom. He was ashamed of it. He was also thinking what has brought these changes in his Tatshree, he knew who he saw today in the court wasn't his usual Tatshree but Gangaputr Bheeshma.

Shakuni was most worried till now he manipulated Duryodhana by pretending to be his only well wisher in the family but sudden changes in Bheeshma has created problem for him. He vowed to destroy Kuruvansh and Duryodhana was his pawns for that him becoming the king is important for him. He from beginning created rift between the brothers but now there is chance to fill it he couldn't let this happen. He laved her sister so he couldn't harm his nephew but Pandavas will have to die and he has do it in Such way that Duryodhana will be blamed like all his childhood. Then Duryodhana will be under his control once again.

In Yudhishthir's chamber.

Bheem : I just couldn't believe Pitamah gave that evil Duryodhana such rights. Now he will misuse it.

Yudhishthir : Pitamah didn't do anything wrong. It was my mistake. A innocent was going to get punished because of me. I am happy Duryodhana spoke up and innocents was saved.

Bheem : Oh come on brother you don't actually believe Duryodhana did for that accused, do you? No he used this opportunity to oppose you and got lucky.

Arjun : May be may be not.

Bheem : Arjun After befriending that sutputra Karna you have changed.

Arjun : Bhrata Bheem this isn't about Karna but about pitamah. Today he was very angry. Don't bring Karna into this.

Nakul : Brother Arjun is right, pitamah was really angry. Did court of Hastinapur really became partial.

Sahdev : We will know it in few days, Pitamah and Kakashree Vidhur will surely find root of problem.

Yudhishthir : You are right Sahdev.

In Duryodhana's chamber also happiness is all around. His brothers were happy Ashwatthama came there. Duryodhana explained everything to him. Ashwatthama was happy for his friend. The a guard informed them Bheeshma was coming to his chamber. He invited him. They invite him.

Duryodhana : Pranipat Pitamah, you are here if you needed any thing you could have called me.

Ashwatthama and Dussashan : Pranipat.

Bheeshma : Kalyan ho putron. Ashwatthama it's good you are here. Duryodhana when one is thirsty he had to go to water source, water source will not come to him.

Duryodhana : Meaning Pitamah.

Bheeshma : Putra I don't want to mince my words. I came to say sorry to you.

Duryodhana (confused) : About what pitamah.

Bheeshma : For my negligence towards you and your brothers. I am sorry son, I blinded my self in love of Pandavas and did what no elder should do but I am truly sorry and wanted to make amends if you wish so.

Duryodhana and Dussashan hugged Bheeshma and cried Bheeshma too cried seeing the hidden bitterness and sorrow in his grandsons. Ashwatthama smiled seeing this.

Duryodhana : Pitamah you need not to be sorry I have always loved and respected you. You coming here and admitting this enough for me.

Dussashan : Jyeshtha is right Pitamah.

Bheeshma : Son's if you ever need me for anything, I mean anything even listening to your thoughts, this pitamah of yours will be there for you I promise. I too want to know all about you and your brothers, I have missed too many such opportunities I don't want to do that in future.

Duryodhana : We will come to you Pitamah and tell you about ourself.

Ashwatthama : Why don't you all brother train with Mahamahim, It will both make you strong and strengthen your bonds.

Bheeshma : I will happily train you all. Why don't we start from tomorrow afte sabha.

Duryodhana : We will be there Pitamah. What if Pandavas will be there too.

Bheeshma : Will there be problem Putra?

Duryodhana hesitated

Bheeshma : Speak you mind like you did in court. I have said I will listen to you for any matter even you problems with them.

Duryodhana : I don't want to create conflicts. Pitamah everyone thinks I hate them which isn't completely false but the main reason for my dislike of them because since they came everyone started favouring them.

Bheeshma : I am happy you are truthful and out spoken but you need not to worry. If the too wanted to train I will train with you all one day and with them on another day like this we will repeat but I hope you all can one day truly be united. You all are branches of Hastinapur's tree and branches of same tree shouldn't be against one another. Ashwatthama why don't you join too I know you trained with Karna , I may not know all methods of Archery like him but I can help you.

Ashwatthama : I will join the training whenever I will be in Hastinapur. I cam to inform Duryodhana that I will be leaving for Panchal in few days.

Bheeshma nodeed.

Duryodhana : Why Mitra.

Ashwatthama : I am a king I can't always stay here but I will come often.

Bheeshma : So Karna, left.

Ashwatthama : Yes he left. He gave me a letter to give to Dushala and told me he will be sending two dasi for her.

Duryodhana : Why there is enough dasi in the palace.

Bheeshma : Putra, it's his concern and love towards Dushala. He know he didn't come often so he will relieved if Dushala was with maids he send and believe me they won't be like normal dasi. I know Karna he is very protective towards Dushala I am sure the to dasi he will send will be trained female warrior to protect her. He may not want to be here but her love for his sister isn't less that of you.

Ashwatthama : I believe so too.

Duryodhana nodded. He too has seen love and care of Karna towards Dushala. Otherwise he wouldn't sent those gift or stopped beheading Dronacharya hering her screams. He was sure Jarasandh died because he insulted Dushala. He felt relieved and warm that there is someone like Karna to protect Dushala. They all talked for sometime then Ashwatthama left to give Dushala letter of Karna to her. What they didn't know that Dhritarashtra and Ghandhari were also listening to their conversations they were in tears and smiling seeing their sons will finally have love of Bheeshma. They were always somewhat jealous of Kunti that Bheeshma always loved their son. They were also happy that Though karna left he still cared for Dushala and doing all in his power to protect her even from afar. They left from there be fore Ashwatthama left the room as the didn't want to ruin moment of grandfather and his grandchildren.

Ashwatthama went to find Dushala, he found her sadly sitting in the garden. His heart pained seeing her like this for some reason he had always seen her bubbly and smiling. Her innosent face filled with sadness was tearing his heart for some reason. He promised Karna to take care of her on his behalf so he will do so. He steeled him self and went near her. He called her.

Ashwatthama : Rajkumari Dushala.

Dushala turned to see him. She saw him standing near her, it was first time she saw him so closely, usually he was with his brothers. He was wearing a white Dhoti and yellow angavastra. He has well built body and bronze skin. What attracted her most was his mani and his concerned voice.

Dushala : Pranipat Dronputr.

Ashwatthama : Pranipat, I am friend of your brothers both Karna and Duryodhana, you can call me Ashwatthama, Rajkumari.

Dushala : So what, you are not my friend, Dronputr.

Ashwatthama : I can be you friend too.

Dushala : Can you truly be.

Ashwatthama : Yes I can. Give me a chance.

Dushala : Okay, Ashwatthama I will give yo chance and will become your friend.

Ashwatthama : You won't regret your decision Rajkumari

Dushala : Call me Dushala or Sakhi.

Ashwatthama : Ok Sakhi, why are you sad?

Dushala : Bhrata Karna left, he didn't even came to meet me before leaving. Is he angry at me or blame me.

Ashwatthama : You know Mitra Karna, can he ever be angry at you. You are his precious sister.

Dushala : Then why didn't he came to meet me?

Ashwatthama : He can't come to palace due some reason but he has sent a letter for you especially. I came here to give you that.

He took out letter and gave it her. She immediately read it and became happy. Ashwatthama was happy seeing her spirit up again. The both talked about various things till sun set. Then they both parted. Ashwatthama was thinking about this encounter he couldn't understand why he felt so good talking with her and started missing her just after she left.