27 We Won!
Prakriti's P.O.V,
"What is it you truly desire?..."
These words rang in the surroundings. Ashwatthama has been lost in the allure of the deep words spoken by Karna.
The surrounding noises have calmed down, the gentle sounds of air have quieted down. The dancing leaves of trees & herbs and grass had stopped their movements, it appears as if the world has come to a halt to understand the meaning of Karna's words. And...
To find the answer of Ashwatthama, which can potentially change Niyati for the first time.
Niyati... Her rules had been bent in the past, granting the wish of those who overcame every Odds she had presented against them.
However, all of them have one thing in common, they had to struggle hard against her or had paid a huge price to Niyati.
Not even Lord Shiva can completely alter the Niyati of Shri Ganesh when he was killed by him due to his anger/ under the influence of Niyati.
He had to trade another child (Elephant's) life to resurrect Shri Ganesh. He had to fulfill the rule of the Universe of equivalent exchange.
It was the ultimate demonstration of Nyati's authority.
...
"Karna... I want my parents happiness. I will never want PitaShri to change his ways for my selfish longing." Ashwatthama thought for a long time before he answered decisively.
Ashwatthama is young, naïve and curious as a child, however, he will never force his wishes on his parents. Being a child of his parents, he had felt the amount of love and care they have towards him. Despite their poor conditions, Acharya Drona and Devi Kripi have always given away their own portions of food for him. Even though he eats food only to taste them, they had never provided him with anything less. Sometimes, the couple slept with empty stomachs and yet, they provided enough for him.
So what if he hadn't tasted milk? They gave Ashwatthama more than that!
So what if milk is delicious? Is it better than the amount of love and care Ashwatthama had felt from both of his parents?
Definitely not.
Therefore, Karna supported his choice as he said, "You are right, Kripi-Kumar. Nothing is worth more than your loved ones happiness. However, Milk isn't that expensive either. If you want, You can have a taste. But..."
"Really! Is there really a way?" Being a child, he asked eagerly. It's true that he doesn't want to make his parents sad. However, if he can get it by himself, wouldn't it be better.
As a Brahmin, Acharya Drona couldn't ask for anything more than he needed. Neither could he make demands when he asked for alms. But, Ashwatthama can get some milk for himself.
Karna added, "Do you want it for free? Or... Do you want to earn for yourself?"
"I want to earn it! Karna, please tell me!" This time, Ashwatthama decisively told Karna. There wasn't a need to think before answering this question. No sane Arya from Aryavarta will accept anything for free aside from his parents, friends and Children.
Hearing Ashwatthama's affirmation, A sweet smile formed on Karna's face before he asked Ashwatthama, "Before that, Will you be my friend?"
Under the tender radiance of the Moon, Ashwatthama looked at Karna who was radiating a strange brilliance. When he heard Karna's request, He wanted to agree right away! From their brief conversation, he felt an inexplicable familiarity between themselves. But, He didn't.
Instead, a frown crept of Ashwatthama's forehead adorned with the blue gem. Despite the familiarity, something is bothering Ashwatthama as if to his action.
It kept influencing Ashwatthama to reject Karna's friendship but Ashwatthama wanted to accept it!
This thing which looked like a dark shadow is residing in the deepest part of his spiritual world, trying its best to stop the inevitable event!
For its grand plan, Ashwatthama has to influence Acharya Drona. Otherwise.... The things will be dire for its further plans and potentially his existence!
Therefore, it must never allow the friendship of these two!
However, Ashwatthama's strong will didn't budge from his futile manipulation. So, In the spur of the moment, it committed the taboo! It tried to intrude into the shell containing the soul of Ashwatthama! It made Aarav, the bluish gem on Ashwatthama's forehead and the water of Triveni Sangam, notice its presence...
As for what followed was the brutal massacre of the dark shadow by the three purifying powers of Aarav, The Gem and Water of Sangam, without leaving a single shred of the dark shadow in Ashwatthama's spiritual world.
All of this happened in a single brief seconds, not alerting Karna or Ashwatthama in the slightest.
...
"I will! From now on, I (Ashwatthama) am your best friend, Mitra (Friend) Karna."
Unaware of the devastation in his Spiritual plane, Ashwatthama joyously agreed to Karna's request.
"Alright Mitra, for the glass of milk... beat me in the race around the Ashram! The winner will get a glass of milk! Hahaha!" Karna said before he ran away, leaving a stunned Ashwatthama and a line made by him.
"????"
"Mitra, Wait for me!!!"
...
The two friends enjoyed their first competition as they ran around the Ashram.
"Hahaha!x2
The Moon and stars shining brightly in the sky bereft of clouds, the sleeping trees and grass and the countless creatures who were resting in the night missed the two divine figures running on the land. They crossed the plains, ponds and forest, leaving behind the sound of their merry laughter.
"Mitra! I run faster!"
"I will win Mitra!"
Two shadows darted in the night, feeling the soft air touching their bodies, their excitement and enjoyment increased with each passing moment. In spite of this, they didn't neglect their goals rather they gave their best to run faster than the others!
After passing through the forest, their goal (The riverside) appears before them.
With the sight of their goal, both of them ran as fast as they can, trying to outrun the other. And yet, just before the finishing line, they looked at each other. They gave the other the smile as they crossed the line together before they hugged each other and said, ""Mitra, We won!""x2
