Hostage

The Secret Meeting

The day after that, Karna does not do anything. He still got some visits from Yudhistira throughout the day (after the 3rd one, Dhristadyumna kicks him out), and one from Arjuna. Aside from that, none of the Pandavas visited him. Several days passed just like this.

It has been 3 days since the incident. Karna is doing his puja as usual, when a hand covers his eyes.

"Guess who?" A playful deep voice that Karna is very familiar with asks. Karna gasps, he cannot believe it.

"Mitr!" Karna hugs Duryodhana tight, eyes watery from happiness. But then, he realizes their predicament and asks, "How did you get here?! I don't think that the Pandavas would allow you to visit me."

"Um... you see..." Duryodhana stutters. Karna's eyes widen in realization.

"You visit me without their knowledge?! What were you thinking? They could have hurt you if they know!" Karna is angry, and a bit worried. He knows how cruel some if the Pandavas can be.

"Yes, but I cannot stand being far from you! And I want to make sure you are okay. What did the Pandavas do to you? You look horrible!" Karna knows that he does not look THAT bad, only a little bit, but enough for his dear friend to deduce that something happened.

"Well, it's nothing Mitr. Arjuna and Yudhistira did not do anything, only that the twins and Bhima were asking me to do some... things." Duryodhana frowns at his friend's choice of word.

"What are the 'things'? Explain clearly!"

"Don't worry, it is just some things like cleaning the stables, nothing I am not used to. Pitashree and Mata already taught me those things once." Answers Karna, a bit nervously. He knows that one wrong move and Duryodhana will know he is lying. Karna omits the 'incident' because he knows that his friend will not let it pass by. The last thing he wants is for the Pandavas to know about this meeting. Duryodhana narrows his eyes, he seems to find something wrong with Karna's speech.

"Is that all? Vasu, I know when you are lying. You do not outright lie, but you exclude something in your words. What else did they do?" Duryodhana is feeling apprehensive now. Whatever his friend is omitting from his speech, it must be something bad, if Karna's reaction is anything to go by.

"What... what are you saying? I am not excluding any information, why do you assume that?" Karna can feel his heartbeat now, it is like it's going to burst his chest open with how rapidly it's beating. Cold sweat starts to form on his forehead.

"Su... Vasu... Vasusena!!" Duryodhana's voice snaps his out of his thought. He looks worried. Karna instinctively pats his head in reassurance, which seems to do the trick as his friend does not have that worried expression on his face anymore.

"That is fine... Mitr, you should go. It will not be good for you to stay any longer, the Pandavas will look for me if I am gone for too long. We can meet again here tomorrow morning." Duryodhana knows a dismissal when he hears one. Not wanting to worry his friend (or trigger his panic attack), he goes back to his brothers. They hug each other and both leave in the opposite direction.

The meeting goes on for days, and Duryodhana still refrains from talking about what happened to his friend during the few days he was with the Pandavas. So far, nobody noticed and connect their disappearance with each other.

One day, Bhima is suspicious because Karna's puja took longer for the previous few days. He told Dhristadyumna to keep a close eye on Karna so that he will not betray them to any of their enemies, but Dhristadyumna doesn't believe him.

Dhristadyumna knows that Karna will not do that. If Karna wants them to die, he will kill them directly, not by using underhanded methods. When he told Bhima that, the Vrekudara insists that Karna is suspicious.

"If you do not wish for me to doubt him, then let's follow that Suta tomorrow and see what he is doing." Bhima says.

"Karna. His name is Karna, brother-in-law. You would do well to remember that." Dhristadyumna reminds. Bhima clicks his tongue but does not refute.

The next day, true to his words, Dhristadyumna accompanies Bhima and follows Karna to his pooja. What he sees shocks him; it is Karna and Duryodhana, hugging each other and talking peacefully.

Bhima is seething, even Dhristadyumna has to struggle to prevent him from just killing his arch enemy right there and then. Unfortunately, the noise alerts the two other people at the location.

Seeing that the two people are aware of their presence already, Bhima decides that there is no longer a need to hide. He straight up shouts at them.

"I knew you will be a traitor! And you must have been watching our every movements and reporting it to that Duryodhana right?" Bhima says, glaring and pointing at Duryodhana.

"No, I didn't-" Karna does not get a chance to explain as Bhima already storms off and goes to tell his brothers.

"Is that true, Karna?" Dhristadyumna asks, disappointed.

"N- why does it matters anyway?" Karna answers, voice faltering at the beginning, but composed as always in the end.

"I expected better from you, but I guess I was wrong." Dhristadyumna says, then he goes after Bhima.

After they are nowhere to be seen, Karna's impassive mask breaks. Duryodhana can only hug his friend to console him.

He has heard of how highly Karna thinks of Dhristadyumna from their conversations these past few days, and nobody knows better than Duryodhana that Karna's heart is very fragile.

To hear those words from someone he holds in high regard as a Kshatriya, and more importantly a person, will hurt Karna a lot and this is also the reason why he does not clarify the truth when the two accused him.

Karna is disappointed that Dhristadyumna will make those assumptions about him. The both of them can hear from his tone that the other thinks that Karna really does what he was accused of, and the lack of trust is what prevents Karna from saying anything.

After a few minutes, Karna wipes the tears that starts to form in the corner of his eyes and says, "Mitr, I guess we won't be able to meet for a while. I wish you well. And also, tell the Kauravas that no matter what I still care for and love them. That includes you."

Despite the touching words, Duryodhana realizes the change of topic. But he wisely choose not to mention it, not wanting to remind his friend of that particular memory.

Soon, they part ways after saying goodbye. Karna exhales and sadly glances at his father.

'Oh father, why does it hurt when he says those things to me? I have already prepared for this outcome, as he will choose his allies over a mere hostage. But why does it still pains me to see those expressions of disappointment? I wish I knew the answer, then I probably would not suffer as much.'

In Suryalok, Suryadev is sadly watching over his son's suffering. Unfortunately, he cannot do anything to console his beloved son. He can only comfort himself with the fact that at least there are still some people who are able to help his son in his stead. He silently glances and decides that it's time. Bhagavan Pashurama seems to agree, as he is currently heading towards where Karna is at a rapid pace.

A/N: sorry guys! I had some health issues and I just recovered, so I won't be able to update in a regular pace... but don't worry, I WILL NOT drop this book, and thank you everyone for supporting me 💕... your comments are my sources of happiness 😊