Duryodhana was heartbroken. He could not believe that he said those harsh words to his best friend. Also he raised his hand on him just for the stupid Dusshasshan. How could he do that? When he entered his room he saw Bhanumati was fuming. His mother was also angry with him.

Gandhari, 'Wow son, very good job. Today you show a servant his true place. Great! I am proud of you.'

Duryodhana was surprised. His mother never talked to him in this way.

Duryodhana, 'Mata I know I did a grave mistake. I should have think before act.'

Gandhari, 'It's not a mistake, it's a sin that you have committed. How could you say those words to Karna? The person who did everything for you,he protected you, helped you to be a better person. It is Karna because of whom you got the love of your life. In return, he did not ask anything and you..you insulted him and his family.'

Bhanumati, 'Arya, I always thought that you are hot-headed and impulsive but inside you are a good person who respects others. But today you broke my trust in you. '

Duryodhana almost in tears, 'I know I did a grave sin. I was confused about him. Dusshashan planted doubts in my mind against him. First he did not protect Shishupal or did anything against the Panadavas when they insulted me. And now he beat Dusshasshan.'

Bhanumati, 'Arya, I don't know much about politics and diplomacy but one thing I am sure of. Bhrata did not wage war against Pandavas on Indraprashtha because if he did something like that, it will break the deal we have with them. Then all 100 kings and Dwarka will attack us. He stopped you to fight with that Pandavas just to protect you.'

Gandhari, 'As for Shishupal, he should be punished long before the Indraprastha incident. Do you have any idea what he tried to do with Meenakshi?'

Then Gandhari told him how Avantika and Karna saved Meenakshi from Shishupal and they did not inform anybody about it to protect Meenakshi's dignity.

Duryodhana wished the ground to swallow him up. How could he be so stupid? He should have thought that Karna who was always calm and cool, when beat Dusshasshan, then there must be a valid reason behind it. Oh God, he insulted his best brother, a brother. Yes, he considered Karna as his brother. Most of his brothers were either stupid or busy in their own work. They never paid much attention to Duryodhana's loneliness or his insecurities. It was Karna who always understood him. He remembered, how Karna worked hard on administration and diplomacy to help Duryodhana. He never took credit for those works and always praised Duryodhana for it in front of the others. All other people like Dusshasshan, Aswatthama, even Shakuni always tried to show how good they were. But Karna always tried to prove Duryodhana worthy.

Bhanumati, 'As for beating Dusshasshan, he not only kidnapped Subhadra and Charulata, he also called Pitamaha a servant. If Karna did not beat him then Haldhar Balram would surely kill him today. In fact, they wanted to punish him by himself. But after seeing his condition they just gave him exile. Bhrata did a favor on him by beating him.'

Duryodhana broke down, 'I will apologize to him. I will bring him back at any cost. And I know he will definitely forgive me...right Mata.'

Gandhari, 'I am not sure Putra. This time you have gone too far.'

The next morning, Duryodhana rushed to the bank of river Ganga as he knew Karna every day went for his morning Suryapuja. Karna was already done so he was returning then he met Duryodhana.

Duryodhana, 'Mitra, I am sorry. Please forgive me. I don't know what happened to me.'

Karna (calmly), 'But I know what happened to you. You were speaking the truth.....a mere servant hit a prince. How could you tolerate, right? So why are you here today? Want to arrest me for hitting a prince or to take revenge?'

Duryodhana, 'Mitra please, don't say this. I know I did wrong. Just for the last time, please forgive me.'

Karna, 'You remember Prince what I told you on the day we first met. If you did any Adharm, I will leave you. You did a grave sin by trying to break Pandavas Yagna. What do think that I will not know the truth? You asked Gandharraj to try something that can break their Yagna. You yourself couldn't do anything because of the promise you made to me but you used Shishupal. Gandharraj gave him the idea but you were the one behind it. Can you deny that?'

Duryodhana was ashamed. He knew what Karna was saying was true.

Karna, 'Creating a problem in someone's religious ritual is a grave sin. You guys instigate Shishupal to misbehave with Draupadi who is the Kulvadu of your family. Still, I pardoned you as I thought that I will make you understand your mistake. But no, you royalties are all the same. Your brother abducted an innocent girl and a kulvadu and you supported him. Instead of improving yourself, always trying to harm others. All jealous and greedy. But Karna does not need money or luxury like all other sycophants you have. So please don't bother me again.

Duryodhana in mind knew Karna was right but his princely ego again surfaced. 'Enough, I called you my friend but that does not mean you will always lecture me. You won't understand the royal politics as you are not royalty. So don't interfere with what mamashri is doing. The Panadavas deserved that.'

Karna, 'Then go to your mamashri. I never supported adharma and I will never take part in this dirty game. Prince Duryodhana today you have to choose between your mamasrhi and me. If you want me then stop listening to your mama. Otherwise don't disturb me.' Then he was leaving.

Duryodhana (angrily), 'Karna don't you dare to go away. I am your prince and I am ordering you to come with me in the palace.'

Karna, 'Prince Duryodhana, I am not your servant. So don't try to order me. And you cannot take me anywhere without my consent. If you want then try.'

Saying that Karna left. Duryodhana stood there. He knew no one could force Karna.

Duryodhana returned with a heavy heart. He met Bheesm, Vidur and Guru Dron. He told them everything about his meeting with Karn. Bheesm and Vidur also wanted Karna to return but they knew Karna would never back off from his words.

Vidur, 'Putra, what have you done again? You should have placated him, not to give orders.'

Bheesm, 'Putra Karna is the blessing. He is the one who showed how wrong we are about you. It was true after Vidur's prophecy we were scared and tried to harm you. But Karna opened our eyes. He is really the best friend of yours who was your strongest shield.'

Drona, 'Oh come on Gangaputra, we can have plenty of experts to help Yuvraj in the political matter. As if there is no one in Hastinapur except Karna.'

Vidur (irritated), Guru Dron, just for once set aside your pride and think logically. You yourself know there is no one who can be as talented in every field as Karna. As for others we have already seen how loyal they are during the Jarasandha war.'

Drona understood what Vidur meant so he kept his mouth shut.

Dhritarashtra (frightened), 'The kings of other kingdoms are also familiar about his talent. Any king will appoint him. If he leaves Hastinapur, it will be our one of greatest loss.'

Duryodhana, 'No....he is my Mitra and mine only. He will not leave me. He has to stay with me. Pitamaha, Kakashri do something.'

Vidur, 'We both went to his house yesterday evening. But he was adamant. He said he will never ever entangle himself with royalties or their politics.'

Bheesm, 'You insulted his parents and for him his family is everything.'

Few days were passed. Duryodhana sent Vidur to Karna's house but he was informed that Karna went to some other city with his father to sell chariots. Duryodhana was in very bad shape. Most of his brothers were very insensitive when it came to understanding emotions except Jujutsu and Vikarma. They understood Duryodhana's sadness but they were also helpless. Nobody understood Duryodhana better than Karna. Not only as a friend Karna was like a father, mother, or brother to him. He supported him during stressful conditions like a mother, taught him the duty of a crown prince like a father, entertain him like a brother. Duryodhana could not even go to Bhanumati as well as she was very angry with him.

Meanwhile, Shakuni and Aswatthama returned to Hastinapur. Aswatthama was happy as his biggest enemy was removed but Shakuni was distressed. Without Karna, they had no chance against the Pandavas especially Arjuna.

Shakuni, 'Bacche don't worry, I will think of something to bring him back. Otherwise, other kings like Krishna or Yudhishtir will try to take him on their side. As I got the news that Karna went to Dwarka.' Shakuni knew that Duryodhana was very possessive over everything whether those were his possessions, kingdom, family or friends and he wanted to use his weakness.

Duryodhana, 'I don't care, just do whatever you want but bring him back at any cost.'

Outside Duryodhana's room Aswatthama asked Shakuni, 'But mamashri, even we can bring him back, he will not let Duryodhana do something bad to the Pandavas.'

Shakuni, 'We need to do something so that Karna can never leave our side and forced to do whatever we want.'

Aswatthama, 'But how mamashri, controlling Karna is equivalent to taming a wild tiger.'

Shakuni, 'One cannot tame a tiger but we can use bait to put the tiger in the cage. I just need one weakness of him that we can use against him....just one weakness and Karna and his powers will be ours.'

Flashback

Shakuni first thought to kidnap Karna's family to force him to join him but he knew Karna and Bheesm would kill him. So he planned something else.

Shakuni asked one of his spies to keep an eye on Karna and informed him of every detail. One day the Spy informed him about Mrinalini and his fight with Karna.

Shakuni thought, 'An arrogant girl rejected in love is no less than a poisonous snake. She will be a good candidate to know about Karna's weakness.' So he met Mrinalini one day and said, 'Listen Putri, I am your well-wisher. Karna shall marry you but only if you help me.'

Mrinalini blinded by anger and jealousy agreed with him. She again befriended Roopmati and apologized to Avantika for her behavior. She acted so well that innocent Roopmati again believed in her. Then one day Roopmati did the greatest mistake.

Mrinalini, 'Roop I have a doubt. I mean your Jyasht does not look like your father or mother-in-law. His complexion, height even attitude all are different. He also had the unique Kavach which none of your family members have. Why?

Roopmati first tried to decline everything but then she told that Karna was the adopted son of Adhirath and Radha, they found him near the Ganga river.

Mrinalini informed that to Shakuni. He ordered her to dig some more information about Karna.'

Flashback ended

Next- Demon attack