-"They were here to propose Vrushali's marriage with you, Putra."

Tiasha's heart dropped. Vrushali is his true love. Always was and always will be. This is the truth but it shatters her heart into pieces. Tiasha looked down. She felt the pool of hot tears trying to escape her eyes. But she can't let that happen. She loves him. Yes, she loves him, only and only him. 

But love is all about sacrifices, isn't it? Not all love stories have a happy ending. Look at her Jayantha and Dear Rai. Even the divine love story of Vrindavan doesn't have a happy ending. A deep sigh escaped her lips as she blinked her tears away. He will be happy with Vrushali and his happiness is all that matters to her. She can live with a little heartache but she cannot see him in pain.

Radha's words thundered upon Karna's head. Marriage? With Vrushali? Karna looked outside the window with a stoic face. 

Radha noticed both her children. She wanted to confirm her ideas about the two and asked Tiasha, "Putri what do you think?..." She continued, "I think it's for the best. Vrushali is a very good girl. She and My Radheya have been friends since childhood, they know each other well. They will be good for each other, Don't you think?"

Karna turned his face towards his mother at lightning speed. He couldn't believe his ears, is he hearing her correct? Vrushali and him? No No No No No...

Tiasha looked up, her eyes slightly red. She forced a smile and said, "Vrushali is perfect for your Radheya, Maa. Of course, you know the best for your son."

Karna looked at her in disbelief. A small sad smile appeared at the corner of his lips. Of course. How can he even imagine that she will be with him? He remembered what Gandhar Raj said, Yuvraj of Hastinapur and the King of Northern Panchal. He is not even on the list of competitors, who can take part in the race. He is just a Suta Putra. There are hundreds of other worthy Princes and Kings in Aryavarth. Who is he in front of them, just a Suta Putra?

Karna failed to notice Tiasha's reddish eyes and quivering lips, but Radha didn't. She smiled watching the two pieces of her heart. She cupped Tiasha's face in her palms and said, "Of course, I know who will be the best for my son."

Vrushali entered the room. She beamed seeing Tiasha there. She flashed a huge smile to Radha and went straight to Tiasha and hugged her. Tiasha hugged her back reluctantly. Her eyes fell on Karna and she lowered her head smiling shyly. Karna's stoic expression returned. 

Vrushali asked Radha, "Kaki can I take Tiasha with me for some time?" 

-"Go ahead Putri, I have some matters to talk about with Vasu." Tiasha nodded as Vrushali tugged her arm. Tiasha gave one last look towards Karna who was looking out of the window again and went out with Vrushali.

Radha turned Karna's face towards her. She looked into his eyes and asked, "You love her don't you?" 

Karna thought Radha was talking about Vrushali. He replied, "No, maa I don't, not the way you want me to. Vrushali is a good girl, but I can't marry her. I don't love her like that maa. She has always been like a little sister to me. I...I am in love with someone else."

Radha sighed, "And who said I was talking about Vrushali? When I asked if you love her or not, I was asking you about that someone else."

Karna's eyes widened.

Radha added, "We, me and your father told Vrushali's parents, that the decision of your marriage is up to you. It's your life and you have every right to choose your own life partner. We have no say in that."

"How did you know Maa?"

-"You think I wouldn't know my children's heart? I can see it clearly in your eyes."

Karna sighed, "I can never have her beside me Maa. Not the way I want. She... she is out of my reach. I forgot I am a dwarf and I tried to catch the moon, I forgot the moon is out of my league. And she made it very clear today." 

Radha has no doubt in her son's merit but when it comes to women's hearts he is like all other men, absolutely clueless. Radha took Karna's face in her palms and said, "What if I tell you, this time the moon wants to get caught by the dwarf." 

Karna shook his head, "She made it clear Maa..."

But Radha didn't let him finish.

-"As a mother, I know very well what my children are thinking and as a woman I feel my daughter's heart. Every woman places the happiness of her loved ones before herself."

-"But Maa she is my happiness." 

-"Yes she is, but she doesn't know that. You have to tell her that yourself. She loves you, I can see it in her eyes, but she doesn't know you feel the same about her, son. Knowing my daughter, how conserved she is into herself, you need to gather some courage and tell Tiasha."

-"How are you so sure Maa? What if she doesn't feel the same? What if she rejects me?" 

-"Will you accept it? Will you accept her rejection?" 

Karna sighed, "Yes Maa, I will. Her happiness is what matters to me. I can live with a small heartache but I can't see her in pain."

-"Then tell her how you feel. Have some faith in Suryanarayana, Putra."

Karna's heart came to terms with his inner turmoil. He smiled a genuine one and said, "I have faith in Suryanarayana Maa. But first I need to talk to Vrushali, she is my friend, she is like my sister. I wish her to be happy too."

Radha nodded, "Go Putra, talk to them." 

Karna left. Radha sighed, she prayed to God, "Hey Narayana, please look after my children."

--

Vrushali tugged Tiasha all the way to the bank of Ganga. They sat down on a rock and Tiasha dipped her feet in the cool water. 

-"Why haven't you come to meet me?" Vrushali asked pouting. 

Tiasha faked a smile trying to hide the raging tsunami in her heart. She said, "I am sorry Vrushali, I was...I have been swamped..."

-"Yea, yea, yea, I have heard you have been busy attending coronations and doing Royal duties in Anga...I heard...Radha maa told me."

Suddenly Vrushali stood up, "I am sorry...I didn't...I..." 

Tiasha tried to laugh, "Me doing royal duties doesn't change the fact, that you are one of my best friends."

The playful smile returned to Vrushali's face. She asked fake offended, "And Who are the others?"

A genuine giggle escaped Tiasha's lips, "Two more, Dwarkadheesh Vasudev Shree Krishan my Jayantha and Rajkumar Duryodhan, my two Sakhas." 

Vrushali giggled along with Tiasha. Vrushali went on about what has been going on in her life. Her friends, her cows her parents and finally how excited she is to be married to Karna. Tiasha's heart ached. At least they would be happy together. She tried smiling at her enthusiasm. 

They were interrupted by someone clearing their throat behind them. Tiasha and Vrushali turned to see Karna standing there. He looked at them and then looked down to his feet. He said, "Vrushali can I talk to you for a moment?" Vrushali gave him a shy nod. He looked at Tiasha and softly said, "...Alone." 

Tiasha sighed with a sad smile. Nodding her head quickly she said, "Of course, I will leave you two alone."

Vrushali hurriedly said, "Don't leave yet..."

Tiasha smiled at her, "Not leaving, I will over there." Tiasha pointed at the small temple of Mahadev a little further away. Tiasha walked with her head down and entered the temple. She sat in front of the Shiv Linga and rested her head at its base. A new stream of hot tears rained down from her eyes and this time she made no efforts to stop them.

Karna and Vrushali both started at the same time.

-"I..."

-"You..."

Vrushali smiled shyly and said, "You start."

Karna cleared his throat and said, "I don't know how to say this to you, Vrushali. You have always been such a good friend to me. You supported me in my ups and downs since childhood, I love you. I truly do..."

Vrushali's eyes sparkled with joy. Her love loves her back. What more could she want from this life? She looked down shyly. But his next words made her snap her head to look up at him.

"...but not the way you want me to. I love you as a sister, as a friend. I can't marry you, Vrushali. I...love...I...I am in love with someone else. And she is the only one...ever will be. If not her I will practice celibacy my entire life. I can't marry anyone else other than her."

Vrushali's eyes watered. Tears slipped down from her cheeks.

She said, "All my life, if I have ever loved someone more than anything, that is you. You are always my priority. But now I know your heart belongs to someone else. It's not mine. It was never mine. I understand even if we are married, I can't make you happy. I will never have your love that way. And a loveless marriage is nothing but a curse in one's life."

The corner of Karna's eyes shined with tears. He went forward and held her hands, "I am really sorry Vrushali. I didn't want to hurt you. I want you to be happy and I can't make you happy, I can't love you..."

Vrushali removed her hands from his grip and tried to smile. She jokingly said, "Who is this lucky someone, brother, for whom you are taking the oath of celibacy?"

Karna smiled, "Your friend, who you were just talking to a few moments ago."

Vrushali gasped, "Tiasha!!"

Karna nodded chuckling.

-"She is very lucky."

-"No, I am very lucky."

Vrushali nodded, "It's getting late, the sun is about to set. Let's head back now."

-"Wait let me get Tiasha, we will head back together then."

-"No, I think I should go ahead, I have some work. You go get her. You need to go back to the palace soon I guess?"

-"Yes we will say goodbye to Radha maa and then we will get back to the palace."

Vrushali gave one last smile and turned around to leave.

Karna called her from behind, "Vrushali..." Vrushali stopped in her way and looked back, "...I am sorry. I hope you find your happiness soon."

Vrushali nodded and started walking back to her house with quick steps. Her tears fell to the ground with each step and immediately got absorbed into the hot soil leaving no trail behind her.

Karna took a deep breath and went to get Tiasha from the temple.

Tiasha heard heavy footsteps at the entrance and turned around. Karna stood there with the crimson sun setting behind him. In the last golden rays of the sun, he looked no less than the human from his father Suryanarayana. Tiasha couldn't take her eyes off him. She knows he is to be of someone else's but she couldn't help staring up at him.

Karna saw his goddess of beauty on the floor. He noticed her slightly red and puffy eyes. A few strands of her hair fell on her face messily. He went in and sat down beside her.

-"Let's go back...it's getting dark outside."

-"Where is Vrushali? She told me to wait!"

-"She went home. She remembered some work. Come on now...get up"

Karna stood up and extended his arm. Tiasha looked at him with a frown and then stood up by herself, refusing to take his hand.

Karna felt a small ache in his heart but decided to ignore it.

They went back to Karna's home. They said goodbye to Radha and took her blessings.

Radha held Tiasha for some extra minutes. When Radha hugged Karna she whispered in his ear, "Tell her soon." Karna nodded giving her a nervous smile.

On their way back to the palace they stayed silent for most of the time. Karna tried speaking with her but couldn't come up with anything.

Tiasha just kept on walking with a stoic face. She noticed Karna opening and closing his mouth several times trying to speak. And it frustrated her. She signed and started in an annoyed voice, "Do you want to say anything?"

Karna again opened and closed his mouth not able to speak a word he just shook her head. He has never seen annoyance in her forever-smiling face.

Tiasha took a deep breath trying to compose her emotions.

-"I am sorry I am just not feeling well."

Karna asked concerned, "I will call the Vaidya once we get back."

-"No no, there is no need to call the Vaidya, I just...I just need some rest. I will be fine."

-"When is the wedding?" Tiasha asked out of the blue after a few moments of awkward silence.

Karna looked at her confused, "Huh... What wedding?"

Tiasha pressed her lips together. Is he doing it on purpose to irritate her? She said, "What do you mean 'what wedding', yours's and Vrushali's of course."

-"What, no...No there is no wedding."

"But her parents..."

-"They proposed the wedding, yes, but my parents didn't accept. They told them it is my decision and they wouldn't want to promise something on my behalf. Besides..."

Tiasha looked at him with puppy eyes, "Besides?"

-"I told her, I see her as my sister, I don't love her like that and I can't marry her. I...I love someone else." Karna desperately wanted to say, I love you...but he couldn't. He couldn't gather enough courage.

-"Who?" Tiasha asked. A small star of hope twinkled in her heart. She felt relief. And it felt wrong, he refused Vrushali and she must be in pain right now. She is her friend after all. But still, she felt relieved. 

Karna's face flashed red and looked at her face intensely. A surge of confidence ran through his veins and he asked, "Who do you think?"

Tiasha blushed at his intense gaze and looked down. She replied, "I don't know." almost in a whisper.

Karna grinned, "You will know soon."

-XX-

Ok, so before you ask me, Rai is one of the many names of Shree Radha Rani. I don't know if anywhere else this name is used but in Bengal, Rai or Rai Kishori is a name for Shree Radha used often in Kritans. I personally find this name very beautiful and when I call her Rai, I feel like I am calling my best friend. The name gives me warmth. 

A little note for my readers who are not very familiar with Mahabharata but read my story, Don't confuse Shree Radha with Radha Maa. They are different people. Radha Maa is Karna's mother and lives in Hastinapur and Shree Radha is Krishna's lover from Vrindavan.

It's midnight, so A Very Very Happy New Year to all my lovely readers. Thank you so much for your love this year. Honestly, the last three months have been the best for me in 2023. I started publishing the story on October 6th and in three months I have reached almost 25k reads. I couldn't have done this without you guys. So again Thank you so so much. And I hope you will keep supporting me throughout the rest of the story. The journey has just started, we have a long way ahead. 

I hope you liked the chapter. Let me know your thoughts on it. Don't forget to vote and comment.

Happy New Year once again. Take care of yourself, I wish for all the happiness in your life. 

See you very soon with another chapter, Adiós, my Lovely readers ❤️.