Arjun's POV:
When I returned to my room at midnight, Jyesth was gone.
I couldn't help but suppress a laugh, thinking back to our earlier conversation.
I knew that Angraj Karna didn't actually want to kill me—not in Varnavat, at least.
The moment I saw the guilt and confusion in his eyes, I understood everything.
I'm not so foolish as to walk into death for no reason.
If this was just about my grandmother's old stories—then maybe I'd consider it. Maybe it's worth dying in a car accident if it meant I'd reincarnate as my idol, Arjun.
But otherwise? No. Nothing else is worth it.
I have a feeling that Mama Shakuni and Bhrata Duryodhana already know the truth.
And if I'm not hallucinating, this whole thing reeks of Mama Shakuni's plotting.
But I'm done letting him manipulate Karna, or Duryodhana, or anyone else.
It's time I finished what I was sent here to do.
⋆｡˚ ˚｡⋆｡˚☽˚｡⋆
Flashback — Third Person's POV:
Arjun had lied to Karna about going to Varnavat alone.
And as soon as he saw Karna hesitate, his suspicions were confirmed.
So he played a little mind game, leaving Karna behind, weighed down with guilt.
But Arjun knew he couldn't stop there. He had to confront the root of all this: his mother, Kunti.
Because if she didn't reveal the truth now—truth that could prevent another Mahabharat—then history was bound to repeat itself.
---
In Kunti's Chamber
The first thing Arjun noticed upon entering was his mother—weeping.
Kunti didn't stop crying, not even after his gentle pleas. She just sat there, broken.
Earlier that evening, she had seen the look in Karna's eyes—the tears, the sorrow in his voice when he came to speak to her.
And she knew.
She knew that he knew.
It was the perfect moment. She could've told him the truth. She could've apologized. She could've embraced the son she abandoned.
But fear overtook her.
The same fear she had felt as an unwed mother in a cruel, judgmental world.
The same fear that had made her place her newborn in a river.
The fear that had robbed her of happiness… and stolen her firstborn from her arms.
And the worst part?
Karna had loved and respected her—even before he knew who she was.
He had expected her to be brave enough to finally choose him.
But she failed.
Kunti felt like the worst mother in the entire universe.
If Arjun hadn't come, she might've cried until morning.
---
"Why aren't you asking me the reason for my tears, son?" she asked between sobs, genuinely confused.
Arjun had always been stubborn—questioning everything until he got answers.
Yet here he was. Silent.
On the other hand, Arjun felt horrible. What he'd done wasn't wrong, exactly… but maybe he should've come to her first.
So, he finally spoke.
"Well… I'm the reason for your tears, Mother. And I also know the reason for your pain. I know the truth."
Kunti froze.
A mix of dread and disbelief washed over her. She had sensed something was off with Arjun lately, but…
How much did he know?
She clung to hope. Maybe he only knew a little.
"What… what truth, son?"
Her voice trembled.
"The truth that Karna is your eldest son, Mata. He is our Jyesth—the rightful heir to the throne of Hastinapur.
He's your firstborn.
And yes… you left him after his birth."
Before she could ask how, he added softly, "I overheard your conversation with Dhatri Kaki. That's how I learned."
Arjun's tone was calm. Too calm.
He hated lying to her.
He couldn't exactly say, 'Hey, I'm from the future, I know everything. Surprise!'
The silence that followed was deafening.
But Kunti… felt a strange sense of relief.
For the first time in decades, she didn't have to carry that terrible secret alone.
And Arjun's calmness reassured her more than anything else ever could.
She had feared that her sons would hate her after learning the truth.
But if Arjun wasn't angry… maybe it would be okay.
All that mattered now were her six sons.
Who cared what society thought?
---
"Putra… what should I do now?" she whispered.
It sounded almost like a prayer. A plea.
"You already seem to have something planned—for me to earn Jyesth's forgiveness."
Arjun smiled softly and pulled her into a hug.
"Reveal the truth tomorrow, Mata. In front of everyone.
Then… leave the rest to me and my five brothers."
Kunti hugged him tighter, her tears now falling for a different reason.
"I trust you, son. I can't keep this secret anymore.
Free me. Free us from this burden.
Nothing good will come from hiding it."
And for the first time in a long time, she smiled too.