While Pandavas were talking among themselves, there were two people in the palace who also gathered to have talk, they were Karna and Sahdev. Karna was returning from his dusk Pooja when he saw Sahdev was standing infront of his chamber. He knew Sahdev have come for some talking because due do busy day and Draupadi they didn't get time to have conversations. He just nodded to Sahdev and asked him to come inside the chamber.

Sahdev went inside the personal chamber of Karna, they both went and sat on the chairs which was in the chamber. Sahdev was busy admiring the chamber of Karna. The room was obviously large with everything needing and befitting a king. But what attracted Sahdev the most was large shelfs which has large collection of books and a table where a beautiful bow and sword were placed on it. Both weapons have certain charm in them. Sahdev have recognised the bow it was Vijaya bow of Karna. Sword was also not unknown to him because he has heard of divine sword kharga of Mata Kali which Digvijayi Vrushali has used in her Digvijaya hence the name of her army Kali sena.

After observing the room for while he turned towards Karna who was patiently waiting for Sahdev with a smile. Though what kunti and Pandavas did has totally ruined any chance of Karna and them ever living as family or acknowledging them as one for Karna but some part of his heart longed to be elder brother especially for Sahdev who has never wronged him. Karna was glad Prabhu has given him a chance to do so.

Karna : What do you wish to talk about Sahdev?

Sahdev : I always wanted to have conversations with you Shreeman Karna. I am glad I could an opportunity though I admit I never believed I will ever get it.

Karna : Why so Sahdev? I listen to anyone who come to me.

Sahdev : Yes, that is true but it takes lot of courage for one to come to a person who his family has wronged several times despite other person being completely innocent. I never thought I had that much courage shreeman.

Karna : No, that's not true you are very courageous Sahdev and that is something I always admired about you. You don't have to worry about anything you know I have special respect and admiration for you and you only.

Sahdev (smiled) : Feeling is mutual Shreeman Karna. I have always respected and admired you may be more than anybody. Same if not more than my late father.

Karna : You are giving me way praise than I deserve.

Sahdev : No, not one word left my mouth is excessive. You know shreeman I was three year old when my father passed away and my mother jumped in his pyre because of guilt.

Karna : I am aware Sahdev, perhaps you might not know but I have seen Maharaj pandu when he was alive, Hastinapur was different then. I have seen both Rajmata Kunti and late maharani madri arrival in Hastinapur, their departure and return of you along with your brother and Rajmata kunti.

Sahdev (surprised) : Oh! . Karna : Now tell me Sahdev what you really want to talk about? You wouldn't stand at door of my chamber to remicent these things.

Sahdev : I want to thank you Shreeman for everything you did for our family despite circumstances. You saved us, fed us, taken care of us most importantly you saved Draupadi. You have repeatedly rectified the mistakes that we were responsible for be it taking care of bhabishree hidimba, Putra ghatotkach, Pitamah, jyeshtha Mata or Dushala.

Karna : What I did was my duties Sahdev nothing more or nothing less.

Sahdev : May be what you did for us was your duties shreeman but what about Eklavya or others.

Karna : Nothing I did to them was for you or your family Sahdev. Eklavya was my friends now he is my brother similarly I regarded hidimba as my sister, ghatotkach is my nephew. Gangaputra is my Gurubhrata, Mata Ghandhari is someone I admired from childhood so I couldn't bring myself to not help them. You don't have to say thanks to me for them. I would do this regardless.

Sahdev : You would but it doesn't mean anyone would Shreeman Karna. I am greatfull. My family knowingly or unknowingly done several mistakes but it seemed God has sent you for our salvation. Whoever we wrong you swoop in to take them under your wing. May be god bless us by sending you to our life pity my family didn't treasure you like they should. It's our misfortune.

Karna breadth hitched hearing this, not that he was after their acceptance or appreciation but hearing this from Sahdev has given him soothing, he himself don't know why? Was it because he was their unknown brother and one among them acknowledge his deeds or was it because he himself considered his life as mistake because his birth mother abondoned him twice and atleast there is someone from his blood family said he wasn't mistake or sin. He tried to change the subject.

Karna : How was your first day here Sahdev.

Sahdev frowned neither Karna's slip of emotions or his sudden change of topic had gone unnoticed by him. He thought he has finally solved mystery of Karna after knowing about his teacher but now once again his curiosity was getting better of him because he suddenly feels there is still more to man that meets the eye. A foreboding of something good yet devastating occurred to him just now on which he frowned but he decided to let it go and ponder over it later.

Sahdev : It was good shreeman, you are an exemplary king I must say. What I saw and heard about kingdom was enlightening to say the least. I just couldn't fanthom how were you able to achieve all this. Brahamnagri is way ahead compared to other kingdoms.

Karna : I did nothing that was new Sahdev, everything is as it is supposed to be. Vedic period set example of how prosperous any kingdom coul be but with time everything changed but not everything was for good. Happy and well fed kingdom is bound to progress, all the atrocities take root when ripus take over human. I have tried to let my people to be happy and content but not stagnant, whatever you see is results of that only. I haven't done anything that is beyond any king of Aaryavrat. When dharm became basis of human life prosperity is bound to happen.

Sahdev : Yes, shreeman Karna, but true Dharma. I have seen what preconceived dharm leads to very personally.

Karna : Dharma is one Sahdev, there is nothing called preconceived Dharm it is nothing but misguided concept and people. When one considers above everything then they become victims of it no matter how well read or mighty that person be.

Sahdev : Shreeman didn't all suffering in your life ever deter you. You are well within your right to hate loathe the society and it's people.

Karna (Smiled) : Sahdev, suffering are very much part of everyone's life. Suffering is one and true companion of humans it's us humans who wants to leave it for happiness who never belonged to anyone. Suffering and hardship makes one better person, it teaches valuable lessons that one can't learn otherwise. Why do you think God let people suffer Sahdev?

Sahdev : To test us.

Karna : No, not completely true Sahdev, yes it tests us but have you ever thought people asks outrageous things from gods which they think they truly deserve. Gods give us suffering to let us learn from it. Suffering is to prepare us for what have we asked for. It's not a test Sahdev it's journey to get what we deserve and ask for. One who embrace it shines whine one that run away from it falls into darkness. You asked me why I didn't hate society? What would I get from hating it Sahdev it's by product of change and change is inevitable. So I have never hated it but tried to change it because haterd would do nothing but make me vengeful and destructive. Remember Sahdev it's very easy to hate someone or something but it takes lot of hardwork to change.

Sahdev nodded, he always wanted to have such conversation with someone. He wanted to have such talks except yudhishthir because they were busy or don't want him to bother them with something even yudhishthir always recited Vedas to give him answers which he himself knew too well. They never bothered to thing why such questions plague him despite him being most intelligent among them but since first time Sahdev has talked about Dharm with Karna his insights always refreshed his views. He thought that Karna woul be one he would have such conversation but what happened later made him deeply sad and rebellious. He was glad that he can have such conversation with Karna despite everything happened.

They both talked upon various things like life, politics, shastra etc. They talked for an hour.

Sahdev : Shreeman Karna, I am very happy I got opportunity to talk to you.

Karna : You can always come to me Sahdev of you want to have such conversation. I enjoyed your company very much.

How could Karna not see delight of Sahdev and his esase, happiness whe they were talking without inhabition, he understood Sahdev craves such company which Karna wasn't going to deny because he too loves to talk about it. Sahdev was slightly surprised but gave a greatfull nid towards Karna. He left chamber feeling content.

Karna to changed in his royal attire and came out of chamber for doing his usual duties. Soon the time passed and time for dinner came. Entire family gathered at dinning hall, Sahdev was also invited. Everyone had dinner together, there were small talks in between, the atmosphere was not very awkward because Apoorva, the excited child came and sat on lap of Karna describing her day with new teacher and Mamishree. Karna listened to her talks while feeding her with his own hands having smile on his face. It was nothing new to rest except Sahdev and Draupadi there.

Now the most stressful time for Karna, Vrushali and Draupadi has came. Draupadi was in her chamber, she was waiting not knowing whether her husband would enter her chamber or not. Soon a dasi came and told her that Maharaj was asking permission to enter her chamber which surprised Draupadi but she was glad too. Draupadi gave permission and Karna entered the chamber. There was awkward atmosphere in the room, Karna though didn't want to come but being reminded of his promise and dharm by Vrushali he came. Draupadi stood up upon seeing Karna in the room. Both don't know how to begin conversation with each other.

Both : Maharaj/ Draupadi. Said at same time and stopped. Karna spoke first then.

Karna : Lets us both sit and have conversations.

Draupadi nodded they bith came and sat on chairs arranged in n the chamber.

Karna : How was your day Draupadi?

Draupadi : It was good Maharaj.

Karna : You don't have to address me as Maharaj.

Draupadi (unnaturaly) : Aarya????

Draupadi was feeling giddy all of sudden, she was in love with Karna but didn't know how should the relationship should or would progress, she has decided if Karna asked she will give him rights so long lost giddiness and suppressed emotions were brimming up. It was both exhilarating and stressful for her.

Karna : I think we both need time to get used to circumstances Draupadi. Let's be friends first call me Radhey, my friends adress me as such. You can call me aarya in front of others.

Karna said with smile, he knew this was going to be awkward to say the least because he wasn't unaware of feelings of Draupadi but he wasn't sure of himself so friendship was viable and logical first step. Like Vrushali said relationship like this requires time. Draupadi was surprised too but she understood his perspective. She found new admiration for her husband because she knew she was a beautiful woman with nityuvani boon from birth but still there was no lust or desire in his eyes which wouldn't be wrong as she was his wife and he has right over her but still he was respectful towards her and kept his distance since entered the room.

Karna : So how was your day, Draupadi?

Draupadi : It was very good Radhey, I am thankful for what you did. Because of you everyone didn't have problems to accept me though I don't know if I deserve it.

Karna : You are my wife Draupadi and what transpired between husband and wife should remain between them only. There is no need to be thankful I did what I should.

Draupadi : Even so I am very greatfull. Thank you for everything you did for me.

Tears well up in her eyes, she was thankful not only for today but for protecting from most dreadful day of her life. She tremble everytime thinking what would have happened if he didn't showed up. He sheild her then and now too. She was well aware all the acceptance whether in court, family or in palace was due to Karna and Vrushali.

Karna : Let past remain in past Draupadi.

Draupadi : You can say that because you have big heart Radhey but not everyone could especially not me. I always wanted to ask you though I have heard from others tell me Radhey why did you save me after everything I did to you.

Draupadi was crying openly now, guilt sorrow, depression all that was inside of her poured out now. Karna saw she was very vulnerable now and she needs it. She need to vent out whatever she had closed up in her heart, so he sat beside her not as husband but as friend may be both to provide support.

Karna : Answer is very simple Draupadi, first no woman should be treated like that and second you were my wife, I have given you promise of protection in front of sacred fire. I did what I should.

Draupadi : But why? You are not only one that made that promise then why you abide to that. I am used to my husband breaking their promises to me except aaryaputra Sahdev none of Pandavas kept promise to never remarry or of my protection even when I was nothing but devoted wife for them then why did you for whom i was no better than stranger, no worse than a stranger because even stranger would have never treated you like me. So why would you save an evil person as me?

Karna : You are not evil Draupadi, don't think yourself like that. Shhhhh....

Draupadi wasn't able to contain her emotions. She hugged karna tightly.

Draupadi : I am sorry aarya, i am very sorry please forgive me. Please.....

Draupadi was hyperventilating, she clutched his right hand of karna and was sobbing non stop, she was repeatedly asking for forgiveness even if Karna never held any bitter feeling towards her. Karna saw how utterly broken she was, she has put up strong upfront for everyone but is she truly that strong, could any woman be after what happened to her. No, of course not but she bravely stood upright but he can understand only when she was alone her insecurities would resurface, it wasn't something Karna himself hast done but he has Vrushali, his family, teacher or his faith in them but what about her one she had belief in themselves were ones that betrayed her in such a way. Whom did she have, after being born from fire agnisuta was mas married after 3 months, marriage which is big step for any woman who dreams of her perfect husband but even that became nightmare for her and life after was also no less than penance for her so he wasn't able to think how did she coped with everything and was still coping. World saw her as wife of mighty Pandavas but same world never left any opportunity to talk bad about her. She was samragi but was treated worse than maids in dyut sabha whee she was nearly disrobed may be Prabhu could have saved worst from happening to his devotee and friend but was that enough no ofcourse not. May be it's her devotion and belief in nuturer of this world has kept her sane which was truly miracle in itself. He saw how she decided on n sleep after that. He wasn't able to completely free his hands her right hand were tightly holding it and when he tried she became restless. Some how he managed to gently pick her up and pace her on bed. With tear marks still fresh on her face he laid on bed but yagseni wasn't ready let go of his hands so he sat on ground gently caressing her head to let her know he was there. Like this night passed.