Karna's reincarnation

12. The Bro Code

I was practicing archery on the practice grounds when I saw Dushala approaching me.

"Dushala", I smiled. "What brings you here?" I asked her.

She looked at me and without saying anything, walked closer to me.

"I-I wanted to talk to you regarding my marriage", she stammered. I looked at her.

"I know it", I said and she widened her eyes.

"Y-You do?" She asked.

I nodded. "Yes", I smiled sadly. "I know you don't want this marriage to happen. I will talk with Duryodhan. You don't need to worry", I assured.

She looked at me. "No. It's not like that-- you don't know-- I", She stammered.

"Then?" I asked her. "What is it?"

She looked down and started sniffling. That made me concerned.

"Dushala?" I asked.

"I want to marry you Angraj", she whispered.

I looked at her in disbelief.

"Come again", I said and she took deep breaths. She walked towards me.

"I love you Angraj", she whispered.

I felt like the world started spinning. What was she saying?!

"Dushala, do you know what you are saying to me", I asked her and she nodded.

"I love you Angraj. Please marry me. Please", she cried.

I opened my mouth to say something when she shocked me by hugging me tightly.

"I love you Angraj. I love you so much", she sobbed.

I tried to pull away but she started crying more making me conflicted yet again.

What the heck was happening with me?!

One side the princess loved me but was going to be the wife of Arjun and the other side was Dushala, my best friend's sister.

"Dushala. Someone will see us. I don't want any problems for you. Please", I said.

She hesitantly pulled away.

I couldn't believe anything of it still. Dushala and Karn? I never thought of it in my era.

They were cousins.

But Arjun and Subhadra were too.

And in this time, it is allowed. I felt my head burning. That was not the problem.

Problem was the bro code!

Because of how worst people are in my era, we boys often share a bro code that means that we won't date each other's sisters so that by any chance the girls don't face heartbreak and aren't victims of our flings.

Whatever it is, even if no one is at fault, heartbreak of a sister pains a brother and that can affect friendship so to get away from that, we share a bro code to protect our friendship.

I had this bro code with Duryodhan too from my side.

How could I break it?

"Dushala, do you even have an idea how your brother will react listening to it?" I asked her sighing.

She kept crying. "Won't he be happy?" She asked with hopeful look. "You are his best friend".

"And that's why he trusts me regarding everything", I said to her.

I turned away while saying it and faced the other side. My back now facing her.

"And my dear, the most valuable person any boy for that matter has, is his sister so of course Duryodhan trusts me a lot regarding you and I can't break that trust. I can't just go and tell him that I want his only, his baby sister as my wife", I said.

"Please Angraj. I will coax him", she cried and held my hand.

"I can't live without you. I have liked you ever since I saw you. I can't choose him in swayamvar", she said.

I frowned.

"Him?" I asked her.

"Bhrata Duryodhan wants that I marry Sindh Naresh Jaydrath", she said hesitantly and I widened my eyes.

Of course!

How could I forget it?

That pathetic excuse of a human.

Who kidnapped Draupadi and for whose death, Arjun took an oath in the battlefield for the death of dear Abhimanyu.

Of course! It's him.

"Duryodhan didn't tell me about him", I said getting angry by just thought of that wild creature.

"He was going to tell you today. I told you before. For better alliance with Sindh, he proposed I garland Maharaj Jaydrath but I don't want. I want to marry you", she cried hysterically.

I felt my heart shatter hearing her sobs.

No matter what! I can't let her marry that man. That will ruin her entire life and I don't want that.

"Dushala, you are not going to marry that man. Never", I said.

"So will you marry me?" She asked with a tint of happiness finally in her voice.

Yeah, of course! She will take my hatred for Jaydrath as a promise of marriage of us.

"You are thinking everything is quite easy Dushala. I won't let you marry that man but I can't--" I stopped as she looked ready to cry again. 

God! Where did I get stuck?!

"If you can't marry me Angraj. Then don't stop my marriage with Sindh Naresh", she said determined making me snap my attention at her.

"If I can't have you, there is no meaning, no happiness. It won't matter I marry him or a beast", she chuckled sadly.

He's a beast himself!

"Or even better option is, kill me. This life is not worth it without you", she cried.

I looked at her with pain. How much has she started loving me?

"Give me a day", I said.

She nodded while crying and walked off. I sighed and looked at the ground feeling like screaming.

Bro code or her?

What should I choose?

What if Duryodhan got angry? What if he never trusted me again?

This was so messed up!

But I had to confront this situation. I couldn't escape it.

I can't let that Jaydrath come here. I can't allow Dushala to marry that good for nothing piece of poop.

Urgh!

I decided I needed a ride back home. I missed Bhugat gram. It was natural feeling in me considering maharathi Karn never forgot his roots, well what he thought his roots were.

Even though he was a born king.

I walked hurriedly and reached my chariot. I drove off from there after sending a messenger to inform Duryodhan.

I heard sobbing AGAIN.

What is it this time?

I saw a little girl crying. I approached her. "Help. Ghee fell in the soil. Mata would be angry", she cried.

I felt pity on her. I picked her up in my arms and took the soil. I crushed it in my hands trying to take out that liquid when I heard screams.

And then I saw angry bhumidevi in front of me.

Here we go again...