Maya In Mahabharat :A New End To The Old Tale

The rising tension

Karna, on the other hand, seemed more at ease, his stride confident and relaxed. He kept glancing at Maya with his soft smile, but she could tell there was a certain distance in his demeanor now. Maybe it was Duryodhan’s presence or maybe Karna’s own internal conflict, but the tenderness she felt earlier was fading into something more guarded.

"So, Maya," Duryodhan broke the silence, his tone casual but probing, "what brings a woman like you to stay close to someone like Karna? Surely, you know he’s not the type to entertain romantic pursuits easily."

Maya’s heart skipped a beat. He was testing her, trying to gauge her intentions. But she wouldn’t let him shake her. She met his gaze with steady eyes. "Karna is a man of great honor and strength. I admire him deeply, not just for his skills as a warrior, but for the loyalty and kindness he shows to those he cares about."

Duryodhan chuckled softly, the sound almost mocking. "Admiration is easy. But does your admiration extend beyond that, Maya? I've seen women speak like this before, only to use their 'admiration' for their own gain."

Maya felt her face heat up, but before she could respond, Karna interjected, his tone firm but polite. "Yuvraj, Maya isn’t like that. She has always been straightforward with me. There’s no need to question her sincerity."

Duryodhan shrugged but his eyes remained fixed on her. "I meant no offense, Karna. I’m only looking out for you. You mean the world to me, and I won’t have anyone—no matter how beautiful or kind—take advantage of your loyalty."

Maya’s pulse quickened. Duryodhan’s words were sharp, almost like a veiled threat. She had known from the beginning that Duryodhan would always have a strong hold on Karna, but seeing it unfold right in front of her made her realize just how hard it would be to break through that bond. Her love for Karna had to contend with a man as powerful and possessive as Duryodhan.

Karna looked slightly uncomfortable, sensing the tension between them. He gestured toward the river, trying to steer the conversation away. "It’s a beautiful evening, isn't it? The Ganga has a way of calming the mind."

But Duryodhan wasn’t done. He turned to Maya, his voice low and direct. "Tell me, Maya, what is it that you really want from Karna? Is it his strength? His loyalty? His future? Or is it something else entirely?"

Maya’s breath caught in her throat. She had to be careful here. She couldn’t let Duryodhan see her true feelings for Karna—not yet, not when he was this suspicious.

"What I want from Karna," she said, her voice steady but soft, "is his friendship and trust. Nothing more, nothing less."

Duryodhan’s lips curled into a smirk, but his eyes remained cold. "Is that so?"

Karna, sensing the growing tension, stepped in between them slightly. "Yuvraj, Maya has been a true friend to me. That’s all that matters."

Maya’s heart ached. Karna’s words, though spoken with sincerity, felt like a wall between them. He wasn’t ready—perhaps he never would be. And with Duryodhan’s influence hanging over them like a shadow, confessing her love seemed like an impossible task.

But Maya wasn’t one to give up easily. She smiled, though her heart felt heavy. "I’ll always be here for you, Angraj."

Duryodhan’s gaze lingered on her for a moment longer before he finally looked away, the tension loosening slightly. "Very well. Let’s continue our walk."

As they walked along the river, Maya knew this was just the beginning. Winning Karna’s heart would mean not only reaching out to him but also navigating the complex web of loyalty and power that tied him to