Karna's POV:
I rushed back to our old house.
The moment I stepped in, I saw Radha Ma in the kitchen, stirring something on the stove. She hadn't noticed me yet.
I took a breath and called out, "Radha Ma, I've returned. Did you miss me?"
She froze mid-motion, then slowly turned to face me.
"Karna... Putra..." she whispered.
She ran toward me and embraced me tightly.
In that moment, Arjun's words rang in my head again.
He said I wasn't your real son.
But... how could this love be fake?
And then—an image flashed in my mind.
Kunti Ma... when she hugged me.
That same warmth. That same softness.
Could both of them be genuine?
No. What am I even thinking?
She pulled back, frowning slightly. "How dare you ask if I missed you? You've become a king now. You must've forgotten your old parents."
I smiled faintly. "Mata, I could never forget you. Not in this life."
"Don't say that!" she snapped. "Don't you dare say such a thing in front of me again. The consequences won't be good, son."
I laughed, lightly. "Okay, okay. I surrender."
Then I sniffed the air. Something sweet.
"Mata... is that kheer I smell? Are you making my favorite?"
She smiled. "Yes, putra. I don't know why, but I had a feeling you'd come today. See? A mother's instinct is never wrong."
My heart melted.
Just then, Pitashree entered. I bent and touched his feet.
"Putra," he said, placing his hand on my head, "you've come so far. But heed one thing: don't get too entangled in politics. It can raise a man—or destroy him."
His words reminded me of Shakuni's plan... but I didn't want to ruin this moment.
I smiled and tried to lighten the mood.
"Okay, Pitashree. But do you know your wife has magical powers?" I teased. "She just knew I'd come today. It must be something... biological, right? Blood instincts."
The smile on Radha Ma's face vanished.
Just like that.
Her eyes shimmered. She turned away, wiping her hands—pretending to be busy.
Pitashree avoided my gaze. He stared down at the floor.
My stomach dropped.
No. No, this can't be what I think it is.
"Mata?" I asked, my voice smaller. "Why are you crying?"
"There's no reason, son," she said quickly. "What could I possibly hide from you?"
A cold dread filled me.
"Mata... am I your biological son?"
Silence.
I hated asking it. I hated myself for even thinking it.
But I had to know.
"Why does it matter?" she whispered. "So what if I didn't give birth to you? I raised you. I held you when you cried. I fed you. I gave you every drop of love I had."
Her voice cracked. "Why would anyone say something so cruel? Who told you this?"
I backed away. My heart was pounding.So,it's the truth...
"Putra—" she reached out, but I turned to Pitashree.
He sighed heavily.
"You were found," he said softly. "Floating in a basket on the river. Surrounded by flowers. We had prayed so long for a child... and then you came. We believed it was a sign from God. So we raised you as our own."
The air felt heavy.
The smell of burnt kheer filled the house.
None of us said a word.
I couldn't bear it.
I turned and ran.
"PUTRA—WAIT! KARNA!" Radha Ma cried behind me.
But I couldn't stop now.
There was only one person who could give me the full truth.
Rajmata Kunti.
> 'YOU BETTER REVEAL THE TRUTH, MATA. AND YOU'D BETTER HAVE A REASON. BECAUSE I'M COMING.'