Karna's eyes brightened as he gazed at the thriller book he had borrowed from the library. He strode towards the women's apartments, ignoring the weird glances the guards gave him.

It's not everyday you see a guy impressing a girl with a book. He glanced at the burning torches in trepidation.

It was late at night, then why did someone relight them? Was it something serious? Was Ishani well?
She was bubbly and chirpy 2 hours ago.

The in-chamber guards blocked their spears, glaring at him.

"Who are you?"

"Karna. Please tell Devi Ishani that Karna wishes to meet her."

The guards' eyes widened, recognizing him.

"You may go directly inside."

He nodded, entering the outer chambers. He walked through a long alleyway, before the inner chambers were visible.

The curtains fluttered slightly.

He wanted to call out to her, but his smile dropped, hearing a man's booming voice.

"Ishani, now's not the time." His tense knuckles loosened, hearing it was Vasudev.

But why was he saying that? What was happening? He decided to remain out, hearing the issue.

Ishani looked down, tears visible.

"I just feel so out of place here. Like, you revealed as to why I underwent so much, but I feel so distant and cut-off from everyone. It's hard to fit in. I'm used to wearing suits, crop tops and shorts, attending business parties in lavish outfits, knowing I was filthy rich. "

"But you are a nobody here." Krishna summed it up.

"Exactly. I mean, I'm not expecting to be royalty, but I want a family. Even if it's a commoner's. I don't want to be an unknown woman only you know of."

"I'll see to that. You don't have to worry." 

"You have anything else to say?"

"I..it's different this time. The cousins are not fighting like matador bulls, yet Shakuni freaks me out. He has a way with words. But the person who surprised me the most is Karna."

Karna leant over, wondering why he was the main topic of their talk. Did she know him as a pathetic suta who suffered through out his life ?

"He's so understanding and polite, even to the Pandavas. I've never met such a man."Krishna hummed.

"Different from Mehta." Ishani nodded and Karna's curiosity rose. Who was that man?

"I still can't get over the fact that I didn't belong there. How are they, anyways?" Krishna's calm face wavered.

"He's getting back. Far worse than what he did to you. Advay and Kriti are married."

Ishani sighed. 

"I've always hated love, yet I supported them. I just realised that I've been envious of my own friends. They are so loyal to each other, but look at me. I was not beautiful enough to stop the man I loved from leaving me."

Karna's jaw clenched as his world came crashing down.  

"She's been through a lot; we need to be by her side and comfort her." That voice whispered, and he growled.

The woman everyone presumed cold-hearted actually loved someone who foolishly left her? he couldn't believe it.

He didn't know if he had a chance anymore. Heck, he was in a delusion that he could woo her slow and steady, but now he doubted if she even liked him.

Krishna caressed her hair, allowing her to sleep on his lap.

"Ishani, I'll tell this again and again. He never loved you. Love is never about appearance, it's about your soul."

Ishani shook her head.

"Then why do men fall only for women who are beautiful? I see even the guards admiring me, because I look pretty. But back then, I was fat and ugly, so everyone spared me only disgusting glances."

"Beauty is relative. If a true man loves, you'd be the most beautiful  to him,even if you are ugly."

She said nothing, looking at him sadly. 

"I hope everybody gets their happy endings this time."

"What about you? Do you want one?"

"I don't think I'm deserving enough, Krishna. Everytime I wished for one, reality slapped me hard. So I stopped wishing for one. I'm fine with it, honestly. Anyways, good night." Krishna said nothing, but his eyes crossed over in determination.

"Sleep well." he aranged the pillows, putting off the torches as he pulled over the curtain.

Karna tried to walk back quietly, but he felt a tap on his shoulder.

"She's over that man." Karna looked down in embarrassment.

"I.." He stammered, suddenly feeling confused and hopeless. Krishna patted his back.

" She deserves a happy life, after all the sacrifices she'll be making. You better make her happy." He muttered seriously, leaving a shocked and slightly happy Karna.

So, he had a chance after all.

He went back to sleep, a relaxed man.

Next Day,

"Good morning. " He mumbled, staring at the dark sky. He folded the quilt, searching for a pair of clothes when he found one on the chair.

Vasudev was too lenient.

He looked at himself in the mirror. Dark circles decorated his face. A light stubble was visible. He had to shave.Fixing his Angavastram, he walked out of the room, to find Krishna flicking her forehead.

He remembered how frantic Dev had become, hearing her love for another man. But he had a chance. And he wouldn't let go of it.

"Stop sleeping, Ishani. You seemed to be an expert in sleeping while standing." Karna chuckled at her expression.

He put a clove in her hand.

"Eat this. You won't feel sleepy." She blinked at him groggily.

"Thanks."

Karna frowned at the Pandavas and three of the Kauravas. What were they doing here?

Nevertheless, they greeted each other.

Krishna cleared his throat. "I called them here to correct both of you in your techniques. Ishani, you need to first observe. Karna, would you like to duel with Bheema?"

Silence. Karna could actually read their minds.

Everyone guffawed; Karna was a bit muscular, but he would get crushed by Bheema. Only Ishani stood silent. Parashuram had taught him everything, and he was a master in all kinds of warfare. She knew, he hid his skills and every one underestimated him.  Karna sighed, it stung hearing those scoffs but Ishani's encouraging eyes made him move. 

Bheema headed for his head, when he quickly dodged him, clutching his hands. Bheema roared, holding Karna up when Karna punched his stomach. It made an impact and Bheema staggered. He lunged when Karna bent down, striking at the right time. Bheema began to sweat; his strength was of no avail. Everyone watched with bated breath as Karna pinned Bheema to the ground.

He had won. The entire ground was silent, before it resounded with claps. Ishani and Krishna were clapping, and the others reluctantly did so. 

"I admit, you are really talented. I thought that muscular God would defeat you." That voice taunted him, and Karna frowned.

"You are mocking your own self." He retorted, and was relieved at the silence.

Karna stepped up, stretching his hand out to Bheema. He grunted, walking away. Never had he been humiliated this much. 

"Ho-w could that Sutputr defeat Bheema ? He must have performed some black magic." Arjun sneered, when Ishani's eyes hardened. 

Was black magic that powerful that it could do everything they couldn't ? These grown men were more irritating than babies.

"It's alright, Ishani. Leave them." He mumbled, trying to swallow his anger. 

"No.. It has gone too far. Come with me, or I'll kill them." She hissed. How could such righteous people behave like that ? Why couldn't they use their heads for once ?

"How dare you?" The Pandavas turned back, hearing a sharp whisper. Ishani glared and Karna looked at Krishna pleadingly. 

"What do you both want? It was your plan to humiliate us here, isn't it? You people charmed Vasudev into doing this." Arjun glowered, and Ishani stepped forward, frowning. 

"Are you for real ? Just because someone defeated your brother doesn't mean they resort to low means. Please grow up and realise that you aren't the most powerful." She snapped, clearly irritated.

"No one is capable of charming me, Parth. Don't overstep your boundaries." Krishna's warning tone made Arjun gulp.  

"Apologize to him right now. Otherwise.." Ishani's tone was so scary that Yudhishthira was at a loss of words. The Kauravas looked down, not wanting to involve themselves simply. Duryodhana had it once from her already.

"What will you do? Kill us? By all means, do so Devi Ishani." Arjun glared, his eyes reddening.

"Arjun, enough! You will not disrespect a woman just because of your hurt ego." Yudhishthira spoke sternly. Arjun gritted his teeth.

Ishani looked at him calmly before speaking, "I'll break your legs and make you kneel in front of him." Arjun's eyes widened as she raised an eyebrow at him calmly.

"Ishani, calm. Don't make enemies. You have too many already."  Krishna spoke sternly, and she nodded, her glare still fixed on Arjun.

"Apologize, now!" Arjun winced, looking at Karna. His face reminded him of Mata Kunti suddenly. "I'm sorry." He spat out, and Karna sighed. 

"Please don't take it to heart. Devi Ishani can be scary at times." Everyone was surprised; it was obvious that he never wanted to make him say sorry. Arjun was shocked, he expected Karna to boast about himself and mock him, but he was wrong. 

How could such a person like him exist? His heart unknowingly softened.

All watched as Ishani whined at Krishna. A minute ago, she was scarier that death and now she behaved like a kid. 

"Please, I'm extremely sorry. It was never our intention to do this. I hope we can keep the past aside and remain friendly to each other. .."

Ishani continued.. "I'm sorry, Rajkumar Arjun." The Pandavas and Kauravas were shocked.

"You need to know that caste is just a barrier to freedom, and you can't judge a person by that. You may feel hurt, but you need to accept the reality that you're not the best archer in the world. You're one of the best, not the best." Arjun nodded, trying to accept it.

"I'm sorry. You all rest. It's still early to go out. " 

"Um, Devi Ishani are you learning Mala Yudh? If you permit, I can help you out." Duryodhana spoke, and Ishani nodded. Bheema was sure something was amiss.

Duryodhana looked shocked as she absorbed his words so swiftly. It was refreshing for him, talking to someone who didn't judge him.

"So, does this mean I'm your first student?" She faintly smiled, and Duryodhana swore his jaw dropped. 

She was cracking a joke ? She really looked sweet when she smiled. Karna clenched his fists.

"That man is sneaky. Murder him before he steals our love." Karna sure was puzzled.

Why was this alternate version of him so excited about killing all the people in the world?

"You aren't supposed to swing your wrists as per your wish. A wrist is very delicate and can snap into two." Ishani was surprised at Karna's booming voice. Normally his voice would be soft, what had happened?

She looked up, and raised an eyebrow seeing his stern face. His lips were pressed into a thin line, as if he was annoyed. He immediately smiled, seeing her stare. Ishani swore she saw Karna giving a murderous glare to Duryodhana. His expression changed in a millisecond.

After Duryodhana left, Ishani looked at him.

"Do you hate him?" 

"Yes." His jaw was clenched tightly.

"See, it's not good to keep such feelings in your heart. I know, he humiliated you but no one ever taught him all that stuff. Don't let his words affect you, okay?" 

He nodded, as she walked towards Krishna. 

He sighed; Krishna was right. She was so clueless that he was jealous and not actually bothered about Duryodhana. Let that damned prince go to hell and he wouldn't even bat an eyelid. 

"What do I do, Narayan?" He looked at the clearing sky.

"Have patience, dear Vasu." 

"Not again, Vasudev! I swear, I'll be forced to accuse you of trying to give me heart attacks."

Krishna chuckled softly. "Are you going to accuse me or Ishani? You heart beats so fast around her that I fear it may go abnormal." 

"VASUDEV!" 

"Stop! We've to buy cinnamon, pepper and saffron in that shop. I guess we'll have to walk a bit. Bhrata Bheema, can you buy berries and mangoes from here?" Bheema grumbled, but nodded, seeing Karna staring at them from a distance. 

He followed Duryodhana, and Bheema bought all the fruits. His mouth watered, seeing the ripe, yet small berries. He looked around, making sure no one looked at him. He popped 5 berries into his mouth.

He almost moaned, how delicious they were. Anyways, they wouldn't notice if few were gone. 

In that process, he finished the berries unknowingly. He looked so funny, a huge man at the corner gulping away. 

"Bhrata Bheema! What have you done? Are you mad?" Duryodhana was furious. Bheema then realized, all the berries were gone. Had they not come, he would have devoured all the mangoes too. 

"I-I.." He just smiled sheepishly. Duryodhana's jaw ticked, but he realized they were a team. Even if he didn't like it.

He had to do something before Karna arrived. "It's fine. Let's buy the berries again. But you will be paying." 

Bheema was shocked, seeing him so calm. "It's only because we are a team and I don't want to lose." 

"Whatever. I never asked you to explain." Bheema shrugged, buying the berries.

"Aww, that's so cute! " Ishani gushed, hearing about them. Karna had watched it all, just standing at a lone corner.

He frowned; she called it cute? How did two muscular men fighting and resolving their differences look cute to her ?

"They would have fought, if common sense hadn't prevailed on Rajkumar Duryodhana." 

"Yeah, but see the positive side. He's changing."

Why was she going on blabbering about him? Did she secretly like...

No no.. She wouldn't like him. It was out of question. 

"Ok. I'm going to my room." He nodded, wondering how to murder a prince in broad daylight.

"It's simple. Either finish him off or make her fall for you. Then make her jealous." Krishna chimed in , eating a pot of butter. 

Karna nodded, trying to think of how to woo her. 

Horse ride. Done.

Waterfalls. Done

Rescuing. Done.

"Wait Vasudev, making her fall for me is not easy, but how do I make her jealous? She hardly expresses her emotions."

"Hmm, you're right." Krishna tapped his chin, as if thinking deeply.

"How will you make her jealous when all of the world's jealousy is stored in you and Devajit?"

"VASUDEV!"

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