Teardrops on Roses

CHAPTER 6

"What's wrong?"

Yuyutsu was confused as the warrior dragged him aside from the tents of the sleeping travellers.

"What do you exactly know about this girl?"

The cold, still night caused the brightly dancing mashals to cast long shadows in the vast open space.

"I told you enough didn't I?" Yuyutsu answered, shooting an eyebrow up, "My mother ordered me to help her after her friend working at that moron Samudra's house sent word to her."

"But what about her?" Karna questioned ignoring the indignant expression gradually make way to Yuyutsu's face.

"Helpless, injured and exploited each day by Samudra Yadu" he replied, resisting his urge to snap, "And my mother can't stand a girl being abused if she can help it and so she asked me to see if I can help. Is that enough? Or do I have to explain about my network of contacts and informants now as well you mercenary?"

Karna tightened his grip on his bow. That word stung more than people hurling his caste name at him as an insult. 

"I am a warrior, Yuyutsu, not a mercenary"

"Sure"

The sarcasm in the one worded reply was not inconspicuous. Karna turned around, a mix of pride and frustration, mentally consoling himself with the fact that the merchant had no idea of who he actually was; Parshuram- sishya Karna.

But somewhere deep down he knew there was truth in what the illegitimate son of the king said. Had he not agreed to aid Yuyutsu when he the latter had crossed his path when he was returning homewards.

Yuyutsu had been on his purpose to rescue the girl and he had picked him of course by his outward evidence of strength  and for what? Some few coins. He exhaled a staggering breathe. The money was not for himself. But, the uncertainty of his future still hung in the air, an unspoken fear that he might indeed end up as a mercenary.

"Karna relax" Yuyutsu said after a while trying to lighten the momentary tension in the air, "She is no threat now and besides she is a girl who needed help."

"Hmm... What will you do about hee after reaching Hastinapur?"

"Obviously send her to my mother and she can look after the rest."

"Doesn't sound like a bad idea Yuyutsu."

"Trust me it's the best course of action."

•••••||^||∆•∆•∆•||^||•••••

Monami was brushing her hair that still dripped with water after the refreshing hot spring bath they had been lucky to find on the way.

Wearing fresh garments again accessorised with small garland of heavenly smelling tuberoses that one of the women had given her, she felt her head lighter and body and mind at ease and comfort after quite a long time.

"Monami"

She swerved around. Karna was walking a few feet away looking her way closely as if trying to fulfill a purpose.

"Yes ...um Sir?"

She questioned, pulling her shawl around  herself closer. She watched his scrutinising gaze suddenly drop from her face and move up and down her full length.

Although she didn't feel creeped out as she felt around Samudra, this was still uncomfortable. She shifted a little away from her seat on the hay cart and cleared her throat in a conscious, timid attempt to let her discomfort be known.

And it had the desired effect for Karna, who too had hopped on to the cart,  immediately turn around so that only his right side was visible to her and his gaze fixed straight ahead on the road.

"What brings you here sir?"

Monami watched the sun rays falling on his face now; he didn't seen at all bothered by the bright sunlight and heat but instead the pre noon sun seemed to only endow his face some kind of ethereal radiance.

"Yes...this"

Karna held out his hand in her direction as she curiously took the rolled up piece of paper from him. She couldn't stop a small smile on her lips since the well built man had not looked at her while offering it.

"What's this?"

"Read it yourself"

Unrolling the parchment, Monami first noticed the subtle fragrance it held and then the closely written chunks of writing.

She stared at the long paragraphs, few of the letters were looked similar to the Hindi devnagri script but most of it wad too archaic for her comprehension. She blinked several times as if that would magically make the text readable for her.

"HA...I KNEW IT"

A victorious smile accompanied the above loud exclamation from Karna.

"I knew you were lying. How come you were to go to university while possessing no ability to read."

"No...no... it's not what you ar" Monami spoke, her voice begining to shake at the insinuation but Karna interrupted her again.

"You are a liar Monami."

She opened her mouth, trying to articulate a defence in her favour but just then the sound of a bugle cut through the air.

Monami froze, witnessing the scene before her eyes- the sight where finally her last remaining doubts faded, the ancient lores she had grown up hearing and current reality seemed to entwine at last, while cheers of 'Hastinapur'erupted from the caravan.