Chapter 20: Two Friends, Two Paths
General POV
The days in Hastinapur passed slowly without Karna.
Radha missed him every single day. The way he used to come home sweaty from training, the way he used to scold Shon after another one of his pranks. Adhirath didn't say much, but he'd often glance at the door at twilight, as if waiting to hear Karna's familiar footsteps. But the one who missed him most… was Shon.
Even though he smiled, played, and pulled his usual mischiefs, something had changed. Every time he played near the door, a tiny part of him hoped to hear Karna call out to him like he used to.
But Karna had gone.
And Shon knew… he wouldn't return until he had made something of himself.
And now—six months after Karna left—it was Shon's time to take the next step too.
Today, he was heading to meet his mitra, Ashwathama.
You might wonder, When did Shon and Ashwathama become friends?
It all began one month after Karna's departure.
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Flashback
Shon had just finished his prayers at Mahadev's mandir. On his way home, while passing the banks of the Ganga, he saw a boy around his age practicing archery.
He had a glowing mani on his forehead—an unusual, divine sight.
The boy stood firm, trying again and again to hit the center of a target. But no matter how hard he focused, every arrow missed. Frustrated but determined, he collected the arrows and started again.
That's when he noticed Shon watching him from a distance.
"Want to try?" the boy called out.
Shon smiled and walked over. "Sure, if you don't mind."
He picked up the bow, fixed an arrow, adjusted his stance, strings drawn , just like Karna had taught him, focused—and fired.
Thwack!
Bullseye.
The boy's eyes went wide. "How…?"
"You just need to adjust your stance a bit," Shon said casually.
He helped the boy get his posture right. On his second attempt, the boy hit the target dead center.
The joy on his face was priceless.
"I'm Ashwathama. Who are you?" he asked.
"Shon. Son of Radha and Adhirath, the royal charioteer."
"You're a suta?" Ashwathama blinked in surprise. "But how do you know archery so well?"
"My elder brother taught me," Shon replied proudly.
There was a pause. Then Ashwathama smiled wide. "Will you be my friend?"
"You really want to be friends with a suta?" Shon raised an eyebrow.
"Friendship doesn't see caste," Ashwathama said. "Only connection."
Shon liked that answer. "Then yes. Let's be friends."
They sat down together.
"So why were you training alone? You're a Brahmin. Don't you have access to a proper guru?"
Ashwathama's shoulders sagged. "My father is a guru. He's Dronacharya. But he's always busy. Especially with Arjun. He never has time for me."
Shon saw the sadness and gently changed the topic.
"Let's practice together some more," he said.
And from that moment, the bond between them began.
---
They started training together every day at the same spot by the river.
Shon played pranks. Ashwathama fell for them.
They laughed, ran, and practiced till sunset.
Shon met Ashwathama's mother, Kripi, who adored him.
Ashwathama met Radha Maa, who served him sweetened milk like a second son.
Ashwathama was constantly amazed by Shon's strength, focus, and quick learning. He never told Shon, but deep inside, he wished he could be like him.
---
Present Day
Like always, Ashwathama was deep in training when Shon arrived. Spotting his friend, he grinned and waved.
They sparred harder than usual that day. Shon seemed more energetic than usual. Ashwathama noticed, but didn't ask.
After a solid hour of training, they sat down by the riverbank, panting and watching the sun melt into the horizon.
"Mitra…" Shon spoke softly, "I'm leaving tomorrow."
Ashwathama turned sharply. "What? Why?!"
"I need to find a guru," Shon said. "It's time I walk my path."
"Then… become my father's student!" Ashwathama offered, desperate.
"You and I both know that won't happen," Shon replied with a small smile. "Your father would never teach someone like me."
Ashwathama looked down, his fists clenched.
"But… I'll be alone again," he whispered.
"You won't be," Shon said gently. "You'll always have me. But we both have different paths. You should also go find a guru—one who doesn't see you as Dronacharya's son but as Ashwathama."
Ashwathama didn't speak for a while.
Then he looked up. "Fine. But promise me you won't forget me."
"I never will," Shon replied. "You're my brother."
They sat in silence, the cool breeze brushing against them. The river whispered its eternal song.
"Oh and one more thing," Shon added with a cheeky grin, "work on that temper of yours."
"Huh?" Ashwathama blinked.
"I know you. When you're angry, you're like a volcano. Learn to control it, or one day it'll explode at the wrong time."
Ashwathama laughed. "Alright. I'll try."
They both stood up slowly. The last light of day kissed the river goodbye.
"I'm going to miss this," Ashwathama said.
"Me too," Shon replied.
And with that, they parted ways for the evening.
---
At dinner, Shon was quieter than usual. After the meal, he sat with Radha Maa and Adhirath Pitashree.
"I want to leave tomorrow," he said, finally.
Radha looked at him with soft eyes. "To find a guru?"
Shon nodded.
There was a pause. Adhirath sighed. "Then go, beta. Walk your path. We will always be proud of you."
Radha tried to smile, but her eyes welled up. "Just… remember us. Come back to us."
Shon hugged her tight. "Always, Maa."
That night, he slept with his head in her lap—just like Karna did when he left.
And the next morning, before the sun had fully risen, Shon stood at the threshold of the house, ready with nothing but a small bag and a big heart.
Karna had walked this road before him.
Now it was his turn.
And so, the boy with the soul of a warrior, the heart of a devotee, and the fire of destiny… stepped out into the world, toward whatever fate had planned next.
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