Hastinpur#

Author's POV.
A young boy who looked not more than 3 years old was sitting on the river banks behind the bushes peeping to see something.

The young boy had beautiful golden brown eyes, lustures jet black hair, a curious smile and golden earrings on his tiny ears, it was non other than Karn himself.

And he was observing some of the princes from some other nearby kingdom practicing archery.

His eyes were glued on the bow and arrow which he found the most fascinating weapon.

He was hiding because he knew that it was bad to spy on people and he didn't want to be scolded.

Suddenly a beautiful lady who seemed to be in her mid 20 came and looked at the boy with slight worry.

The lady had beautiful dark brown eyes, long brown hair, beautiful peach pink lips with a frown on it, the lady was wearing simple clothes but looked stunning, it was non other than Karn's Radhamaa.

Radhamaa slowly walked towards him trying not to make any sound because she well knew that if these Kashitrya princes know they were there.

They would probably order to punish her beloved son and she knew that the punishment would be ruthless because they were Suts.

And nobody even though of Suts as real human being, all the upper classes were so obsessed with their power that they showed it by torturing the lower cast people.

When Radha reached closer she quickly grabbed Karn's tiny arms and rushed away from there keeping in mind not to make too much sound as she left the place.

After running away from the sight of those ruthless princes she finally put her 3 year old Karn down who looked at her mother with a frown.

Karn : Whay did you bling me here Radhamaa?

Radha : I brought you here because you would be in trouble if I didn't.

Karn : Whay would I ve in trouable?

Radha : You ask too many questions Vasu.

Karn : Tell na Radhamaa! Whay wouald I get in trouable?

Radha looked at her son with anger but her heart instantly melted looking at the innocent golden brown eyes of her little son.

She then sat on a rock and called Karn closer to her. Karn walked towards slightly stumbling because of the slippery soil.

When he came close enough Radha gently grabbed him, put him on her lap and stroked his hair while looking at him with her kind smile.

Radha : My beloved, society is like this only don't worry you will understand when you grow up.

Karn : Ma What was thaat weapon?

Radha : It is called a bow and the technique they were learning was called as archery.

Karn : I also wanat to learn archaery.

Radha : no putr--

Cutting Radha off Karn started cheering 'I will be an archer' over and over again in this adorable stuttering voice.

Every word Karn said was full of true believe and pure innocence which shattered Radha's heart into millions pieces.

Only if he knew what miseries life awaits him.

Karn was now 5 years old and he somewhat noticed that people of his community was treated differently.

Radha was at home washing dirty clothes, which were dirty only because Karn keeps on jumping from mountain.

First time this happened Radha got a mini heart attack and immediately let out a loud scream but later realized that his kawach and kundals protected him.

She smiled remembering the memories suddenly she felt small arm from behind which snaked around her neck.

She looked up to see her beloved son who had the most mesmerizing smile on his small face. Radha looked at him with curiously.

But she was very shocked to see that he had a wooden bow in his small hands, he showed her the bow.

Radha looked horrified whereas Karn who was looking thrilled because he thought that his dream of becoming an archer will come true now.

Radha : Wher-where did you get that bow from?

Karn : I went to see the princes practicing on the river banks.

Radha : You went there again? I told you never to go there when they were practicing.

Karn : Mata at least let me finish!

Radha : Fine

Karn : after practice one of the princes forgot their bow and arrows there so I picked it up.

Radha : So, you stole it?

Karn : I didn't steal! He left it there so I just picked it up.

Radha : You should never pick other people's things without seeking permission first.

Karn : I will take care of that.

Radha : Now leave the bow in the place where you picked it up from.

Karn : NO!

Radha : What No go keep it.

Karn : if I give it back then I won't be able to become an archer.

Radha : Y-y-you C-can't be

Radha's voice was shaking a lot because she knew that her harsh words will severely hurt her son.

She finally had the courage to look at Karn in his eyes only to meet with his beautiful but moist golden brown eyes. This made her feel worse.

Karn : B-b-b-but y-y-you s-s-s-said.

Karn couldn't let a word out properly anymore, he was crying a lot. Radha was helpless and didn't want to tell him about the restrictions of the Sut community because she felt that Karn was too young to know about the differences in the society.

Radha somehow consoled him by saying that he was still too young to learn archery and that she would allow him when he is older.

This was enough to convince the young 5 year old. Radha then took him inside because Karn looked hungry.

Radha opened the pot that was kept on the unlit stove. But she was in a state of panic when she realized that there was no food.

She then remembered that she fed Karn all the food this morning itself because she was unable to feed him the night before.

Karn : Radhamaa, come fast I am very hungry.

Hearing Karn's voice Radha felt tears falling rapidly from her beautiful dark brown eyes because she felt like an unworthy mother to not be able to give her son 3 meals a day .

She came out of the kitchen to tell her son that there is no food, she sat down on the floor and called Karn closer towards her.

He obliged to her and sat down in front of his mother, looking at her with confusion.

Radha : There is no food, Putr.

Radha noticed slight sadness on her son's face but it was quickly covered by his usual charming smile.

Karn : It's ok Radhamaa, I think it's good that the food is over or else I might get fat eating so much.

Radha well knew that Karn only said it so that she doesn't feel guilty. He always made these reassuring yet playful comments to make her laugh.

Karn deeply loved his Radhamaa, he didn't want her to feel responsible for anything. He wanted to become an archer not only because it fascinates him but also because he can protect his Radhamaa.

Suddenly Radha fainted causing Karn to panic, he called some of the people of the neighborhood and they found out that Radha was finally pregnant.

Adhirath and Karn were on cloud nine, Karn wanted a younger sibling. He doesn't care if it's a boy or girl because if it's a girl then Karn will protect her and teach her self defense and if it's a boy then they can learn archery together.

Karn was now 10 years old and he well knew about the differences of the society.

He might be a child but he now became too matured for his young age which did bother Radha a bit.

And now he is here standing with an emotionless face, his ever shining golden brown eyes now looked empty and drained, his charming smile was now nowhere to be seen.

As he looked at his Radhamaa who was continually sobbing and crying, she looked absolutely broken. Adhirath was by her side consoling her with tears in his eyes too.

His dear brother Shron who he dreamed of learning archery together with was now lying limb and motionless.

His mind kept recalling about the merciless events through which is only younger brother died and during that time he felt nothing but hatred for Mahamahim Bheeshma.

Flashback #

Shron : Bhratashree, we won't get caught right?

Karn : Of course not silly.

Shron : But we are Suts and aren't allowed to learn archery.

Karn : That's the mentality that we will change together.

Shron : As you wish Bharatashree.

They snuck out of the house even after told not to go to the river banks and practice archery they still were.

But there was a surprise waiting for them and it was Mahamahim Bheeshma who has been informed by his spys that two Suts are practicing weponary and he was furious.

As soon as they got there and Bheeshma tried to catch them. But Karn was too fast so he grabbed Shron.

Karn noticed that shron was missing and turned around only to see Mahamahim holding Shron by his throat.

He begged and pealed for sparing Shron's life but at the end the bounded him by his arrows and in front of his eyes but melted gold in his mouth.

The torture was such that even being in unbearable pain Shron couldn't scream as the Hot melted gold that burned his vocal chords.

Where as Karn stood their helpless begging to spare his brother life but his plea fell deaf in their ears.

And if that wasn't enough they dragged Shron's lifeless body and threw it on Radha's lap. As Radha cried uncontrollably.

Flashback ends #

Karn looked at river Ganga as he was handed Shron's Samadhi. He walked towards River Ganga and threw Shron's samadhi in the pure water of Ganga.

Karn : Hey, Mata Ganga! Even after seeing such injustice done to a child you chose to remain silent even if this sin was committed by your own son. I just wanted to inform you from the day your son insulted a woman and killed an innocent child, YOU FAILED you failed as a mother. You gave your son best knowledge and wisdom but you forgot to give him sense of common empathy. I Radhey Karn! Pledge that just the way my mother is crying on the dead body of her son you shall serve the same fate and cry over your son's dead body.

Hearing Karn's terrifyingly pledge the water of the river became unstable just like the heart of a mother who was scared for her son's life.

Karn then took a bow, touched the feet of his Radhamaa and went on a difficult journey to find a teacher who is willing to teach a Sutputra.

Hope you liked this update

This was so sad 😭

Do you think Karn will be able to extinguish the fire of revenge in his heart?

Will he lie to Bhagwan Parshuram?

Will Chandrakala support his revenge or show him a brighter future?

Bye for now 👋