There is always a pleasure in unraveling a mystery, in catching at the gossamer clue which will guide to certainty.

The night sky was clear of all clouds. The star twinkled very prettily and the moon bathed the area with its light to guide any lost souls. Most citizens of Hastinapura slept soundly, unaware of anything outside their bubble. One such citizen was sneaking back to her house. The back door of her house was left open and a lady could be seen standing there.

Advika sighed with relief as saw her house. She saw Aarini Bua standing there. She quickened her pace as to reach the threshold.

Aarini " Calm down, devi. There is no need to hurry. Your father has not slept yet. Till then, your mother had instructed for you to sneak to your room. She had kept food for you there. "

" Ji, bua. Bua, Mata kaha hai? (Yes Aunt. Where is Mother?)" Advika asked.

" Gyaat nahi devi. (I don't know, my lady) Last time I saw her, I was asked to keep watch here." Aarini replied.

"Okay bua. Hum chalte hai phir. Subhratri. (I am leaving for my room then. Goodnight.)" Advika said.

"Subhratri devi. (Goodnight, my lady)" Aarini replied.

Advika quickened her pace. She needs to reach her room before anyone saw her. She walked down the hallway, her small legs going as fast as possible. She heard voices downstairs, but did not pay any heed to them. Though she was curious, her mother's voice was rather loud, she could not investigate.

She finally reached her door and slipped inside. She went to the bath, where another mirror was placed. She looked at herself and cringed. The skirt of her dress was dirty. Her locks were matted with sweat and dust. She immediately drew a bath and scrubbed herself clean. Satisfied with herself, she changed into another dress. She walked inside and had her food.

Near midnight Aaratrika opened her daughter's door, to find her daughter sitting on the window sill.

Aaratrika entered closing the door behind her.

" You could have slept putri. It is quite late." she said.

" I could not sleep. You promised to tell mata." Advika replied.

" Yes, yes I did. " Aaratrika said.

She went and stood near the window where Advika was sitting. Advika turned towards her. Her deer like eyes looked at her mother's face questioningly. Her small hands clutched skirt as she waited.

Aaratrika did not turn towards her daughter but continued to look at the moon through the window.

"It was a similar night on the day I found you. The moonlit night seemed to bathe the entire in its glow. The trees swayed as if dancing. The flowers seem to spread their sweet intoxicating scent more on that night. As if nature itself was rejoicing. That beautiful day I was very sad. Do you know why?" She asked, as she looked towards her daughter.

Advika nodded negatively. Her eyes wide as she listened to her mother's tale. Aaratrika smiled at her before continuing " Your Pitamahi has always cared what the society thought. Your pitashree and I were married for two years at that time, yet I had not provided a child. Your Pitamahi used to taunt me a lot. That day she had spoken some very bad words to me. I had left the house without letting anyone know to the very same forest you sneak into."

Advika eyes widened in panic. She had no idea her mother knew where she went. Her mother laughed at her expression. She tried to assure her " Don't worry, I have no idea where you go. I just know it's somewhere in the forest. I don't want to know either. Possible deniability."

Aaratrika winked at her. Advika breathed a sigh of relief. Her panic slowly ebbing away.

Aaratrika continued from where she left off " I was standing near the forest edge, not wanting to go inside. When I heard a baby's cry. It was coming from near the temple. I went inside to see a baby wrapped in a beautiful green and gold blanket. I took her in my arms and felt a immediate calm that settled in me."

Aaratrika looked at her daughter and said " That child was you, my daughter. You were placed in front of the Shivlinga. A snake and a tiger were guarding you. When I approached they silently went away. I don't know who your parents are. But I know that you have spread my life with happiness. You were the one who gave me the joy of becoming your mother. Thank you, my child. Thank you so much."

Advika was crying by then. Aaratrika bought her daughter to her chest and hugged her tightly. Both mother and daughter sat embraced tightly in their hug as the moon showered it's light on them.

In Kailash

Mata Parvati, a part of Adishakti, the Kailash swamini, one part of Tridevi sat beside her husband, tears in her eyes as she saw the love between mother and daughter.

Mahadeva asked " Gauri, ankho mei ashroo ka koi vishess karan? (Gauri, is there a reason behind your tears today?)"

Mata Parvati answered " Khushi ke ashroo hai swami. (It is the tears of happiness, husband) A mother and her child's bond has always been sacred, that whenever I see this divine scene, the mere beauty of it brings tears to my eyes."

Mahadev's eyes twinkled. A small smile on his face as he watched the scene his beloved was talking about.

In Hastinapura

Aaratrika smiled down at her daughter only to find her asleep on her chest. She carried her precious bundle towards the bed and covered her with a blanket.

She whispered as she kissed Advika on her forehead " I may not be the one to give birth to you but you are my daughter and I will always be your mother. "

She slowly walked back to the door towards her own room with a smile on her face and a relaxed posture.

The sun rose with a new brilliance, giving light to all. The birds chirped merrily and the streets of Hastinapura bustled with various activity. Oblivious to all these two souls sat at their hideout exchanging about their birth story.

Advika had ran to their secret meeting spot only to find Karna standing there with an amused smile on his face. It was a testament to their bond that they knew when they need each other. Advika had ran to him and proceeded to drag him inside so she can tell him what she learned yesterday.

As Karna listened with an attentive ear to Advika's story, she mussed that how lucky she was. She had woken up with a new sense of determination. She had realized that she had two precious person whom she valued above even herself. First was her mother who took care of her, bought her up with love and care, even when her family did not care much about her. Second was Karna, a truly dear friend. He gave her a precious friendship that she would not exchange anything with. At seven-year-old, she may be mature but that does not mean that she did not act her age. It had always hurt her when her family other than her mother, ignored her very existence, but she had preserved. Her mother and Karna had helped her with her confidence. Karna had bought her out of her shell, telling her that what her family did to her was not her fault.

She would always be thankful to God for giving her such a wonderful parent and friend, Advika thought to herself.

Karna waved his hand in front of her face, an amused smile on his face " Kya Hua? (What happened?) Why did you space out suddenly? Thinking something deep and philosophical, are you?"

" No! Aisa kuch nehi hai (Nothing like that)," She laughed at his thought."Just thinking how lucky I am!" Advika replied to his question.

Karna said smiling " You and me both!"

Advika nodded in agreement. They truly were lucky to get such loving adopted parents. Suddenly Karna tensed looking towards the entrance of the cave. He stood up to check. Advika looked up at him from where she was sitting. Seeing his tensed posture, she stood up hurriedly. She was about to speak when he held up his hand effectively stopping her.

He slowly went towards the entrance. His small body can hide behind the huge boulders near the entrance of the cave.

Advika whispered " What happened? Are we about to be discovered?" Karna replied softly" Gyaat nehi (I don't know). I heard voices. I am going to check it out, you stay behind the boulder. Don't come out, no matter what. Okay?"

" Okay. Sambhalke! (Be careful)" Advika said.

Karna nodded at her. He crept towards the huge bushes nearby. Advika could clearly watch what was happening, but could not hear anything that was said.

There was a small clearing a bit far from the cave. The clearing could be seen from the cave, but from the clearing you cannot see the cave. The entrance was surrounded by huge boulders that naturally hid it to the naked eye. Along with that, the surroundings were filled with high and thick bushes that hid the entrance even further.

The fact Karna can hear people talking from such a distance was impressive. In the clearing, there stood two men talking in low voices. Advika could not hear anything but Karna could. He was very near to the clearing. Karna's one hand turned into a fist as he heard their topic of discussion.

First man said " Yes, this deal will be profitable. We can give these boys over to the Rakshasa King, he will definitely pay us quite well."

Second man replied " Yes now make sure no one is around, otherwise our plan will fail. "

First man said pompously" I already checked before you came with the boys."

Second man glared at him and said " At least you did something correctly. Let's go now! The cart will come from that direction of the forest. We have to reach fast. Carry these two boys first. I will carry the other two."

Karna could not help himself. He jumped from his hiding place. Advika's eyes widened and a soundless cry escaped from her, trying to stop him. Advika watched with bated breath.

Karna was snarling at what he heard. When he had jumped in front of them, the two men had been startled. He realized that there were four five-year-old boys behind him. His eyes were blazing with fire as if the sun itself had lent him it's radiance.

The men though startled, was not afraid. A pair of cruel smirks was painted on their face.

Second man " Look who we have here! "

First man " Indeed! This boy would be a fine gift to the RakshasaRaj, no? As it is he probably heard too much. Can't exactly keep him alive!"

Second man " Yes, now little boy. Come with us quietly, we promise we won't hurt you much!"

Karna scoffed " Of course not. If you hurt me, whom will you make a slave of? Yourself? I don't think so!"

First man snarled" You have quite a tongue, boy. Haven't your parents taught you anything? This is the last time I will be nice, surrender yourself and we won't hurt you!"

Karna mocked" You can surely try! I don't think you can do anything."

Karna was frightened even though he did not show it. He was mainly running on his adrenaline. But he could not just let them take those little children, so they could sale them to slavery like something! That would not settle with his conscious at all. So, he decided he would try his best. He mocked them. After all, when angry, one tended to make irrational decision.

The first man literally snarled and threw a sharp dagger at Karna. The second man shouted at the man. Advika shout was disguised by the second man. And Karna crossed his arms over his face.

A glow filled the clearing.