Dream - A Karna SI

37. YEARNING

Note: This was a difficult chapter to write and I apologize for all the mistakes.

After the Virat war

Karn - 43 years

Yudhisthir - 40 years

Bheema & Duryodhan - 39 years

Arjun - 38 years

Nakul & Sahadev - 36 years

Abhimanyu - 16 years

(Place: Paschim Mahavidyalaya)

(Karn's POV)

I was giving last instructions to Maatang about the march towards the Matsya kingdom, when a group of disgruntled students came near us.

The dreaded day had arrived. Satayki, Abhimanyu and the other princes have got orders to arrive at Upplavya, the capital of Matsya Kingdom, immediately. It was no brainer that I will fight from Pandavs' side. Almost all of my students wanted to follow me. A scant few wished to remain neutral.

Ajay and Vindhya will coordinate the march from Purv Mahavidayalaya. However, their strength compared to Paschim, was small due to its recent establishment.

"We have already selected the participants from the students who have completed their training. Only those will be allowed to participate in the war. Your repeated request will not change our minds." I spoke firmly, "The remaining are required to continue the functioning of our vidyalayas. The training of the future generation is vital, and it cannot be left to the whims of fate."

"But Gurudev, we want to go!" The voices of protest rose, filled with the eagerness and fervour of youth.

I looked out over the assembly, seeing their faces, each one filled with determination, even defiance. "It is not a matter of your want," I said, my voice firm but with an underlying current of sorrow. "It is about your duty-to this vidyalaya, to the future of this country. You must realize that the work we do here is extraordinary, and extraordinary work requires extraordinary sacrifices. If we lose our entire fighting force in this war, what would be the worth of all the hardships we've faced in the past decade? Would you trample on the sacrifices of our entire community just because of your pride?"

"But Gurudev! Won't our numbers help? Maybe taking more of us will be decisive in the war," one student, a boy with fire in his eyes, countered passionately. "Only a thousand men out of four thousand will be more than enough to keep the schools running."

I sighed, knowing how much they longed to prove themselves. "It is not about this war but about the future. After the war, we still have to establish the northern and southern schools. Acharya Arvadhutt, the new Kulpati of Paschim Mahavidyalaya, and Acharya Pingal, the new Kulpati of Purv Mahavidyalaya, will be mobilizing you to start the process of establishing the Dakshin Mahavidyalaya and Uttar Mahavidyalaya as soon as the war concludes."

"But why us, Gurudev?" another student pleaded, his voice trembling with frustration. "Why can't we fight in the war and let others help in establishing the schools?"

"Because you have been selected carefully," I replied, my tone softening as I sought to soothe their disappointment. "Each of you has the best ability to be teachers, managers, and negotiators. You are proficient in imparting knowledge and managing the establishment of new schools. Do not feel that you have been left out, but know that you have been chosen for this responsibility. You have been given the responsibility of the future. Don't squander it, my friends."

There was a heavy silence as the weight of my words sank in. I could see the conflict in their eyes, the desire to fight against the acceptance of a different kind of duty. Finally, they began to nod, though reluctantly, and I dismissed the sabha, feeling the ache in my chest as I watched them disperse.